(Next update is here. Hope you all enjoy it.)
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Chapter 33: Trying to be an Ally
(Resistance's Temporary Base, a few days later)
Connell and the others, including the return of Harley, Khalil, and Ben, stood around a table.
Over Watch tapped a few times on her device. Across the table appeared the holographic image of a military base.
"The base is deep in the park. S.H.I.E.L.D. has it listed as a site for training and educating its agents, but also as a garrison for its more covert ops and a temporary prison."
Lona frowned as she growled.
"How many agents are there?"
"A least a few dozen. From what I understand they have no new trainees, only graduated and seasoned agents there. Your friends are held there in a tight spot."
Connell held either side of the table.
"Where are they being held?"
Gigi tapped her device again.
The hologram raised up and stairs appeared under the building.
"A few floors down, several cells. The prisoners being held are cryptically referred to as 'Bst Shfs'."
Lona and Richard shared a look. Connell saw this, but turned back to Gigi.
"Can you disable their communications when we attack? Can't have them calling for backup. We need to get in and out."
"We need to take down all the bastards for chaining up our friends."
Lona's growl gained the attention of all the others.
AZ sighed.
"We need to take these assholes down, but we can't be reckless."
Lona raised an eyebrow at this.
"Lions don't fear men."
Fatale chuckled at this as Absolute Zero sighed.
"I understand your anger…believe me…I lost someone close to a…cruel man from the organization…I am just saying we need to be careful."
"Lions are courageous, it's true. But like any predator, they strategize how they hunt and fight."
Lona turned to Connell, nodding to him.
"I didn't say to run in blindly."
Absolute Zero nodded at this.
Richard pointed to a hill overlooking the base.
"We gather there. Take out their scouts quickly around the perimeter and remove their watchmen at the corners. Then we storm the base."
AZ motioned to the hill.
"To do that, we may need the dogs. They'll sniff out the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents."
Connell had been working with the dogs, training them to guard and detect. Fatale had been working with them as well, she seemed to be able to get them to understand at least as well as their leader.
"The dogs are a means of defense, only as a warning system. We can't have them in the field."
"Besides, their vests aren't ready. I am still replicating them for any more people that join up."
Absolute Zero sighed.
Lona nodded to Richard.
"You don't need the dogs. We can track them."
Absolute Zero scoffed, but only out of surprise.
"So, you're like Wolverine?"
The two smiled.
"You'll see."
Lona grinned.
Fatale smirked.
"I can track as well."
"Part of my training for this rebellion was tracking. But we need to have faith in our friends."
AZ turned to Connell, slowly nodding.
"Sorry, I'm just concerned."
Connell patted his shoulder, nodding. He turned his attention to the group.
"What else?"
Harley pointed to the gate.
"I can cause a diversion at the gate, draw their attention."
Ben nodded to her.
"I can be the ambush or its vanguard. Once Harley has their attention, I'll storm the base."
Khalil stood with Ben.
"The rest of us can follow in behind him."
Absolute Zero ran one hand across the bottom half of his face.
"Those guards will have heavy duty guns. Please tell me you can eat bullets like B-Hulk?"
"I'm not as strong or as durable…but I can manage."
"I need to start avoiding gunfire…I have…other powers that I've been trying to work on…but it's been a little difficult."
Connell nodded.
"Stay here and train then, with the others. You'll be a good example."
Eren nodded.
Connell turned to Convict.
"You and Eren feel like holding down the fort here?"
Convict didn't say anything at first.
"I'm not passing up freeing more friends."
"You're not."
Convict tilted her head to the side, eyebrows up.
"Come again?"
Connell nodded to Gigi.
"Another convoy with prisoners is on its way out of the city. You and Eren lead a squad to hit it and free the prisoners. Our two sorcerers have already signed up for it. Fire and teleportation will help you. Not to mention at least 10 initiates more than willing to fight. Jackson's ready to go too."
Convict chuckled, turning to Connell.
"I thought I told you I wasn't leadership material?"
"You did…but I know you are. You have passion…will…that's more than enough."
Convict's eyes widened a little.
"T-Thanks."
Connell nodded.
"Fatale, AZ, we're going with them to free their friends."
Connell nodded his head in the direction of Lona and the others.
Fatale and AZ nodded.
Connell turned to Lona.
"Any more of your friends that are free to join us?"
"Most are out scouting the city, providing intel for Over Watch when they come back."
Absolute Zero's brows furrowed.
"Why not use the comms?"
"I've been too busy with the vest and gauntlets. But when they come back, they have given good intel."
AZ nodded at this. Connell looked to his friends.
"Ok, get those friends you have ready. We leave tonight."
(Rockefeller State Park Preserve, the next day)
Connell and the others made their way to atop a hill, overlooking a small yet fortified military base. Men partolled inside and a watchtower was at each corner with a man armed with a sniper rifle in them. The group concealed themselves within the trees.
Connell turned to the others.
"A guard in each tower, men patrolling the grounds. I know there are patrols in the woods, we have to take them out first."
Lona and Richard nodded.
The two turned to the trio that had found the site and to a few others, whom Lona and Richard introduced as Gavan, Alanza, and Mera.
Fatale narrowed her eyes, moving around the perimeter of the base. She pointed her finger at a hill on the other side of the base.
"Past that hill, that's where the patrol is."
Connell's eyes widened a little at this, but nodded.
"Wait."
They turned to Absolute Zero, his gaze was on the base. They turned, seeing a middle aged man walking to a jeep.
"You."
The snarl was low and deep.
His eyes narrowed on the man, studying him. Everything from the scars that spread from his left eye to his right cheek, the limp in his right leg, to the uniform with several awards on it.
Connell turned from the gaze of the man to AZ.
"Who is he?"
"Someone I've been looking for a while now."
His eyes narrowed and he grumbled, seeing the blood on his hands that he was wiping off with a towel.
"Over Watch? You hear me?"
"Loud and clear, AZ."
"You see who I'm looking at."
From the comm in his ear outstretched a thin metal bar that curved to the front of his face, and a holographic screen appeared below it. A circle was at its center and it zoomed in on the man.
"Rough looking guy. Who is he?"
"His name is Walter Hicks. He's dangerous. Took part in the killings of some of the heroes himself."
"Sounds like he's someone we wanna take out."
"The bastard tortured the prisoners in there. We have to keep track of Mr. Hicks. Can you do that?"
"My systems can track him with my satellite. I can have him tailed by one of our people."
"No, he'll know. Just have him tracked with your systems. We cannot let him get out of our sight."
"I can have a team pick him up."
"He's connected with some big players in S.H.I.E.L.D. and their operations. Track him, see where he goes and with who he meets. I won't let him get away this time so easily."
"What's the deal with him?"
"...We have history…"
"Ok. Be careful."
"Right."
Connell nodded to Absolute Zero.
"Ok, split into two groups. Harley will provide her distraction, I'll head over with the smaller group to take out the patrol."
Lona chuckled.
Connell's brow furrowed.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, I just think it's time you learned why my friends and I don't need your weapons."
Lona nodded to Alanza and Mera. Connell turned back to them, his eyes wide.
The spirit of Adalbern stirred.
'By the Gods.'
(Front of the base, a few minutes later)
A few S.H.I.E.L.D. agents heard a whimpering sound.
"What is that?"
They moved to the front gate. A few other agents were already there. On the path that led into the base was a red fox, limping on one leg.
The agents whispered to one another, cackling.
"Where'd it come from?"
"Don't know, just showed up."
The fox turned to them, bright eyes widened and ears falling flat.
"Aww, it's scared."
"Call the others, see what we should do with it."
(Behind the base, present)
Two men walked through the woods, guns in hand.
"God, how much longer is this gonna take?"
"We're nearly done. Our shift's almost done and we've nearly finished our patrol."
"Yeah, I can't wait-"
The other man continued to walk, not seeing his friend being jumped by something that cleared the distance between the bushes they were walking between and drug him into it.
"You can't wait for what?"
He turned his head to his side. The man slowly turned around.
"Come on man. You know I gotta-"
As he turned his eyes widened as his gaze landed on something that lunged at him before he could scream.
(Front of the base, present)
One of the agents tapped the comm in his ear.
"Hey, we got an injured fox down here. What should we do with it?"
There was only static.
The fox whimpered and panted, slowly moving away. Some of the agents narrowed their eyes on it.
"You think it might be-"
"No…just a fox and if it was…a fox can't take down a damn military base. But still, let's take no chances."
"Can't reach anyone. Just static over the comms."
He took the comm out of his ear, breathing on it.
Another agent grunted, rolling his eyes, as he pulled out a long, serrated dagger.
"I'll take care of this. Open the gates!"
Another agent nodded, pushing a button and the metallic barred doors opened. The agent approached the fox. Then the fox lowered its bad leg onto the ground and made a sound like laughing.
"What?"
There was a loud rustling and crackling from the thick wooded area nearby. The agent looked up, eyes wide.
"OH SHI-"
From the trees emerged a grizzly, the bear roared as it barreled through the agents. The fox leapt to the side, laughing.
The agent shouted, aiming their guns. But spectral arrows and shards of ice cut through the barrels. They turned, seeing the vigilante from the news, a masked man with mist flying around him and frozen blades in hand, an african wild dog, a white hawk, and two lions, one female and one male, charging into the base howling and roaring.
"IT'S THEM!"
Connell howled as he charged into one man, slashing with a spectral longsword and cutting another gun in half. He shoulder bashed into another agent, the blade turning into a bo as he swung it around and striking another agent's joints.
Fatale grabbed the butt of the gun of one of the men before she uppercutted him, sending him flying back. She then slung the gun at another man racing at her, cracking both guns and cutting the man's shoulder. Fatale grinned as she ducked under the punch of another agent before kicking him at his knee. The man screamed as his leg twisted back before she backhanded him, knocking him out and several of his teeth.
An agent groaned when he was suddenly encased in a block of ice. The cryokinetic knocked him out with a quick blow. He quickly ducked under an agent trying to hit him with the butt of his gun before grabbing his arm and freezing it. As the agent cried out, AZ fired an ice shard at one of the watchtowers, cutting through the agent's gun.
The white hawk screeched as he flew through the base, diving and clawing at one of the men in another of the watchtowers. The man screamed as he flailed with his gun, but the hawk's talons raked at his face leaving several deep red lines.
The African wild dog snarled as he raced through the base, tackling a man and knocking him on his back. His jaws went to the agent's wrist, teeth cracking the bones beneath as the man screamed.
"Monster!"
An agent rushed at him, but the African wild dog slipped under the man's gun then leapt up. His front fangs slashed at the back of the agent's neck, receiving another scream.
"No! No!"
He growled as he tackled the man to the ground, wrestling and snarling. The agent grunted as he elbowed him in the face, knocking him back. He tried to get up, but found the fox's fangs bearing down on his hand before his other foe lunged at him again.
The grizzly roared as he stood on his hind legs, towering a few feet over any man there. The agents gasped, panicking. One man ran at the bear, but was thrown back by a swift strike from one of the large paws.
He bellowed as he dropped down and charged on all fours, knocking through several men over and pushing a car. A man cried out, eyes wide, his gun raised in the air. But he was only met by the paw backhanding him and sending him flying, bones cracking as he hit the ground.
"Get into the building!"
Connell's command caught the ears of those here.
Two of the agents rushed to block the door, but the lions tackled them to the ground. Their snarls and roars shook the chests of the men that bared their claws down on. She snarled as she slung the man she attacked over her back, sending him slamming into the wall. He swatted at a man as he rushed him, his paw striking his flank and the sound of a rib breaking rang out. The man cried out as he fell to the ground. Both lions roared.
"F-Forget it! Run! Run!"
Two of the men ran, eyes wide. They headed for the open front gate. They saw a pair of glowing eyes stare back at them, before their owners lunged at them.
A mountain lion and a leopard snarled as they drove both men into the ground.
Connell and Absolute Zero hurried towards the building.
"I'll stay here and keep guard with a few of our friends here!"
Connell nodded to AZ. As he rushed to the building, the white hawk landed on Absolute Zero's shoulder.
The bear growled as he ran at the building, sending the door flying off its hinges.
"Thanks Ben. Stay on guard out here with AZ!"
The bear nodded. Connell, Fatale, the lions, the fox, and the african wild dog headed into the building while the others remained.
A couple of agents rushed them, drawing their sidearms. But the lions growled as they rushed him, tackling them to the ground.
"L-Lona?! R-Richard?!"
"I-It can't be!"
"It's them!"
"Guys! We're here!"
Several voices called out.
The group rushed towards an area lined with cells, men and women chained and bloody. Connell's eyes narrowed and he growled, cutting through the cells with his spectral greatsword. Then he quickly cut the bonds with his spectral tomahawk.
As he turned around, the lions shifted back into Lona and Richard, the fox into Harley, and the African wild dog into Khalil.
"Let's get them out of here!"
The group rushed forward, carrying or letting the prisoners lean on them as they walked out. As they exited the building, Absolute Zero turned to them.
"We're clear."
The hawk flew off his shoulder and shifted into Gavan, as the mountain lion became Alanza, and the leopard became Mera. Ben shifted to his human form, hugging another young man as tall and as muscular as him.
"Brother."
The shifters cried as they hugged one another.
"We never thought we'd leave."
"That bastard tortured us."
Absolute Zero fumed, hands clenched into fists. Connell sighed.
"We weren't going to let you rot."
Richard smiled, placing his head against one of the prisoners. Lona turned to Connell and Absolute Zero.
"Thank you."
"It's the least we could do."
"W-Who are they?"
"Friends…members of a resistance fighting S.H.I.E.L.D. and Gyrich."
One of the prisoners slowly nodded.
"So who are you all?"
Absolute Zero stood, one hand over the other.
Richard turned to Lona, who nodded to him.
"Our people are shifters…each of a line from around the world that grants us the ability to turn into an animal."
"So…what you're…a werelion?"
The group laughed.
"No…those shapeshifters are fewer in number than we are…but we're often mistaken for them…even when we aren't, we're still hunted like them."
"So you're mutants? Inhumans?"
"Those of other mystic bloodlines. Given the gift of changing our shape into certain beasts. There are several bloodlines, some rarer than others."
Absolute Zero slowly nodded.
Connell turned to Fatale.
"Can you heal them?"
"W-We'll be ok…our healing isn't as good as the therians, but we still much faster than humans."
"Still, I'll have our new healer have a look at you when we're back at base."
"T-Thank you."
Connell looked to the others.
"It'll be a bit before we're back at base…we need to be careful on the way there, we've gotta conceal their injuries. It'll be obviously suspicious why injured people aren't being taken to a hospital."
The others nodded.
"Fatale, take point. AZ, help carry one of them. I'll cover the rear."
The group nodded.
She-Wolf's spirit stirred.
'You've done well.'
'Thank you…but I fear how many we didn't save.'
'Yes…there is always that reality…persecution to those who are different isn't new…you can imagine what white men thought of me.'
'...I know…I don't understand what that must have been like…I never will…but yes, I can imagine.'
Her spirit approached him, laying a hand on his shoulder.
'You cannot, yes…but you care…'
'Still, I realize the irony of my position…that I, one who isn't oppressed…leading those who are…'
She-Wolf chuckled.
'It is ironic…but whatever has led you to this point…don't think of yourself as a savior…but an ally.'
'I didn't think of myself as the former…but yes…I'm trying to be the latter as best as I can.'
She-Wolf nodded and disappeared.
Connell turned to the group, ready to leave. He helped one of the shifters, putting their arm around his shoulder, as they all walked out of the base.
To be continued…
(Hope you all enjoyed the update.)