Chapter Six: Wolf In A Sheep's Skin

A pill shaped, human sized capsule shot out of Darcia's flagship at a frightening velocity. It hit the side of the Saint Bovine with a thunk. Viscous green filaments shot out of the capsule, securing it to the metal airship.

"I can't wait for those wolves to die…maybe I will get a pay raise…" Darcia's lead henchman muttered to himself. He watched a laser pop out of the capsule, which began to cut a hole in the wolf's ship. When there was a hole of ample size, a hatch on the side of the capsule opened, and the Marduk Project climbed out. She made her way into the hole that had been drilled, eased herself in, and then waved to signal that everything was going according to plan. And then, she disappeared from sight. The green filaments on the capsule broke off, and the object began to descend towards the ground.

"Hello, this is Marduk-21990. I've made it into the ship," the Marduk Project called via cellphone.

"Good. Kill everyone on board. But do it secretively. You know how. It's in your genes."

"Yes sir," she replied. She turned the phone off.

"Success," the henchman mumbled, stuffing his phone into his pocket. And then, he walked off to eat lunch.

"Well, I hope that's the last gear I have to fix today," heaved Hige, wiping the sweat off his brow. It was rathersultry in the boiler room today. Steam hissed out of numerous spouts and pipes, causing the temperature in the room to rise.

Pitter-patter. Hige's ears perked up. He could hear the sound of walking feet. Not a human or a wolf's, but something lighter, something more pure than either of the races. It was the flower maiden Cheza. At least to the wolf's eyes.

"Hige…"

Tubby recognized the voice instantly. He pivoted on his foot.

"Cheza! You're back!" he exclaimed. The fake Cheza embraced the corpulent wolf. Then, she let go.

"Kiba! Blue! Tsume! Everybody! Cheza's here!" he called out. The five wolves and two humans (Tomo and Captain Popagan were too busy at the time) ran into the room.

"It really is Cheza!" gasped Toboe.

"This calls for a celebration! Break out the beer!" exclaimed Kiba, still drunk.

"No, we better not…" mumbled Cher, "We don't want anymore drunk people wandering around…"

"I would like to have some beer," said the Cheza clone, smiling.

"Cheza….I never would of guessed you liked beer…" Hige gasped in shock.

"Well, I've kind of developed a taste for it…" she replied. As they walked out of the boiler room, Cheza grinned evilly.

The room was still a mess from the ordeal last night, but no one really cared.

"I'll serve the drinks," said Cheza.

"You don't have to, after all, it's a celebration for you…" remarked Blue.

"No, I'm fine. I don't mind serving," replied Cheza. Turning her back to the group, she opened the refrigerator, and pulled out an eight pack of Biiru Beer. She opened them, and poured each into its own glass. Then, the false flower maiden reached inside a small pocket on her outfit and pulled out a clear plastic bag. It contained a pale blue powder. She tipped a little into one glass, and was about to pour some into another, but Tsume interrupted her task.

"Are you about done over there!" he called across the room.

"Yes," she replied, putting the bag of powder back in her pocket. Next, she took the drinks over to the group. She lost track of which beer had been contaminated with the powder, and handed one to everyone, even Hige and Toboe.

"But we're not allowed to drink alcohol," protested Toboe.

"It will only be this once," answered Cheza. After she had distributed alcohol to everyone, Kiba declared a toast. Everyone rose their glasses, cheered, and drank merrily. But the merriment ended suddenly. Cher grabbed her neck, as if she were choking. Sweat ran down her forehead. Hubb grasped his arms around her to perform the Heimlich. But when Hubb thrusted his hands into her navel, a large spurt of blood came out of her mouth, which landed on the sofa. Hubb stopped doing the Heimlich. A lungful of blood flew out of Cher's oral orifice once more.

"Oh my God, my dear baby! Somebody, any suggestions?" Hubb cried out. Everybody stood around, not sure what to do. Cher made a hideous coughing noise, and a fleshy chunk, as well as more blood, went sailing out of her. And then, she fell to the floor. Thick red blood dribbled from her mouth. Her eyes were white, misted over with the veil of death.

"No…no…no….Cher…" sobbed Hubb, clutching Cher's body close to himself.

"Well, I guess the party's over…" sighed Tsume.

To be continued…