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Noble Six: Thanks.
Chapter 29: Friends and Judges
(Resistance's Temporary Base, a few days later)
Connell grunted as he sidestepped the jabs and haymakers from one of the new initiates then quickly locked their arm behind their back.
"You're held in this position. How do you respond?"
The initiate swung their head backwards, but Connell brought up his hand and blocked the reverse heabutt. Connell let the initiate go.
"No hesitation, nicely done. You'll need to follow that up with another quick attack to keep them off balance."
The initiate nodded and quickly lunged forward, throwing several jabs and kicks. Connell pushed aside or evaded each attack.
"Good. Again."
The initiate panted a little, hands on their knees.
Connell nodded at this.
"Your follow up attack was strong, but you used up too much of your energy. This happens, you'll work on your ability to fight over lengths of time. Hopefully you won't need to though."
The initiate nodded.
Connell turned, seeing Absolute Zero holding another initiate on the ground with one arm behind their back. The initiate groaned as he patted his trainer's shoulder. Absolute Zero released him.
"Your legs could be used to strike your opponent's legs. It is a difficult position to free yourself from. They will try to get your back or side to force you to the ground."
The initiate nodded. Connell nodded to Absolute Zero, who nodded back.
Connell cracked his neck.
The sound of metal falling made his head turn. Absolute Zero's fists suddenly froze over.
"We've been found."
The initiates gasped, eyes wide. Their heads moved from side to side.
Connell slowly crept in the direction of the sound. There wasn't even a squeak as his feet gently touched the ground.
He motioned with his hand, signaling everyone to hide.
Connell climbed up to look out through a high window. There was no sight of anyone moving outside. He had chosen this place carefully, but he knew it wasn't impossible for an organization with vast resources to locate someone.
He closed his eyes, listening.
Recalling his training with She-Wolf, Mari, and Musashi he let his senses expand. He could hear water drop onto the ground, but there wasn't the sound of guns being loaded or feet marching.
He heard the sounds of several feet or rather pads hitting the ground, along with grunting and yipping. His eyes widened.
Connell dropped to the ground and opened the door.
To those gathered, they saw not soldiers rushing in…but a pack of hungry feral dogs stalking in. Everyone slowly walked out, the dogs froze at the sight. Several breeds and mix breeds made up the pack. Many had their tails tucked under their legs as they growled, baring their fangs.
Connell walked towards them.
Two large dark dogs stood before him, their pointed ears were held back. Their lips peeled back, revealing their sharp fangs. They snarled, heads lowered and tails low.
Absolute Zero's eyes went wide as Connell didn't stop moving.
"What are you doing?!"
Connell knelt down. He held one hand out, positioned as if to stroke one of the dogs' chins. As he did this, he let out a gentle shhh. One of the big dogs' ears moved up and began slowly moving forward.
Many watched as the dog approached their leader. The other dogs turned to watch this.
Connell's hand was still as the dog moved forward, sniffing his hand.
Many of them went wide eyed as the dog licked his hand. Connell smiled as he softly stroked the dog's chin. The other dark dog lowered their head as they moved forward, ears moving up. Connell held his hand out to this dog as well, with the same result.
Connell smiled as he stroked both dogs under their chins. This received slow tail wags.
He looked the dogs over, some with visible rib cages.
"Your poor things."
The dogs whined and panted as they all approached Connell, tails wagging.
From another part of the building came Fatale, Lona, Richard, and their friends. They grinned and chuckled at the sight.
"Make some new friends?"
Connell looked to Fatale, who grinned at him.
"Just some fellow strays."
Connell watched as some of the dogs approached the others present, getting pets and baby talk. He stood.
"We've got new additions to the family everyone. They're tired, hungry, and scared. We need to get them some food. Raw meat, that's best for them."
Some of the initiates blinked several times.
"Are you sure? This may draw attention."
Connell nodded at this.
"Perhaps. But we can't turn away those in need and these guys are in need."
The dogs panted, tongues out, seemingly smiling.
Connell smiled as he knelt down to the dogs then spoke in the language She-Wolf had taught him.
"(Thank you for coming to us, we will help you how you can.)"
The dogs turned to him, bowing their heads a little, tails wagging.
Many of the initiates' eyes opened a little. Fatale chuckled at this.
"Cheyenne?"
Connell nodded.
"Taught me and a few other things."
"You have a way with animals."
"That's if I've earned their respect and trust."
Fatale looked at the dogs then to him.
"Dogs are good judges of character."
"Thank you."
Connell nodded.
He stood up.
"We have to keep these guys safe. Animals are just as unsafe as we are here."
One of the initiates cocked their head to the side.
"What do you mean?"
"The law's been taking away protections from people and animals, letting whoever wants to butcher them to go do so with impunity. Those who don't experience the same prejudices and suffering as one who does makes them believe that there's nothing wrong with what they're doing…or the ones who are trying to protect themselves and their rights are evil."
Some nodded at this.
Connell turned to Lona and Richard.
"How have our friends' searches gone?"
Richard nodded.
"A few places have been scouted out. Some underground chambers and abandoned buildings that could be possible new bases of operation."
"Talk to Over Watch. We need to get places mapped out and then whichever is the safest we need to get her to set up security and power to it."
Richard nodded and walked off.
Lona stood with Fatale.
"There's some safehouses we've used to help friends in the past that could be hideouts. Keep some safe for a time."
"Good. Any advantage we can get, we need it."
She nodded and walked off.
Fatale leaned against a railing, smiling.
"I can swing some food in for all of us, including our new friends."
One of the dogs barked, a scarred one. Connell ran his hands gently along one scar.
"Thank you. These guys are fighters, they deserve the best."
Fatale grinned.
"Could be useful sentries and guard dogs."
"Maybe, but they didn't choose this fight."
"True. I've seen what men do to animals and those they deem lesser beings all too often. I just wish they had a chance to fight back."
Connell sighed, scratching one dog's chin.
"I know…so do I…but let's not speak on that now. They need to be bathed, medicated, and fed."
Fatale nodded.
"I'll get some guys together. We'll take care of them."
Connell nodded.
One of the initiates stepped forward.
"Aren't we supposed to be helping…I don't know…people? I mean, the ones S.H.I.E.L.D. are going after?"
"Hand or paw, finger or claw…if they're suffering…we're there to help them…as best as we can. Dogs have done more for us than we can ever repay them for…we help them too. Here, we're all strays."
Connell turned to them. Their eyes widened a little but they nodded and walked off. The young man turned to the dogs and remembered the wolves.
To be continued…
(Hope you all enjoyed it. Again, so sorry for the late update.)