Survival of the Fittest- Episode 2
#3 of Survival of the fitest
The wind blew softly throught the snow capped peaks, carrying with it
a certain song that brought life to the small outpost nestled into the
valley. The scenery was truly breathtaking, it almost took the ones
stationed at the outposts' minds off the battles that raged in the
surroundig countryside. It seemed as though the sounds of the fighting
couldn't penetrate into the prestine valley and the mountains
surrounding it. Snow began to fall lightly as a wolf in full winter
gear opened the large metal door to the base. The interroom entry
point was much like a shed but much more secure to the outside. It
included a shelf for last minute gear and metal stairs that descended
down into the sheer darkness. The wolf lifted the green tinted snow
goggles off his eyes and stepped down the metal staircase.
He descended down into the darkness, his heavy boots clanking loudly
on the metal as they gripped the studded steps. Each one took him down
further and further into the darkness, into the depths under the
frozen tundra. As he stepped down further and further he could hear
voices of random needs and necessities along with the clanking of
boots on the floor of the underground base. His eyes adjusted to the
dark as he stepped down into the large hall, his boots dripping with
melting snow creating a small puddle of water on the concrete. He
looked down the left of the hall and started walking. Despite the rush
of furs that speed back and forth down the hall, he still had a
demanding presence as he slowly walked down the hall, past the doors
that led to other layers of the base.
As he approached the end of the hall, a green glow eminated from the
room he was heading for along with seemingly random clicks and beeps
that had no purpose to the untrained ear. But to the wolf he noticed
that the sounds were tracking something in the area.
He stepped into the room as every fur stood up saluting him.
"Haha as you were boys." they all returned to their seats as the wolf
walked through the random equitment and stood infront of a large
screen that showed the radar. The green neon spinner slowly dragging
around in a circle showing three blips slowly moving towards the
center each time the ray passed.
"So where are our boys?"
A fox sitting at a computer underneath the screen looked back. "Three
clicks out sir."
The wolf cringed at the fox calling him sir. He wasn't much for the
salutes, the recognition, or the respect that came with his rank. The
other officers didn't take to him due to his tough and secluded nature
and the normal soldiers didn't think he was one of them with his high
rank. The only crew that would even consider him was Tyson's crew of
soldiers. The wolf nodded and looked down at the fox.
"Chris, gear up your comin with me."
The smaller fox looked up at his commanding officer. He hadn't had
much field training and he wasn't the first pick for missions. He
wasn't timid at the least, but he was smaller than many in stature and
very weak looking He jumped out of the chair sending it twirling
soflty around as he took his place next to the wolf. As they walked
out of the service bay, Chris had his big white tail swaying happily
behind him. He was a white fox who's paws and the tops of his ears
were colored with black fur. The two made their ways to the foxes
quarters as the wolf ran his paw through the white scruf on the foxs
head playfully.
"Dress warm it's cold out there."
The fox nodded and headed into his quarters.
The snow lessened the landing of the dingo as he and his troops
landed, theirs chutes landing on the frozen tundra behind them.
Unhooking the packs from their backs and headed to the nearby treeline
as Tyson pulled out a terrain map. It's blue lines showed every
mountain and every valley in altitude as his paw traced alon the
printed paper. Following down a contured valley till he hit a red dot
marking the entrance to the base.
He looked up to see Kaozoe's green eyes staring hard at him, Fabel had
his Thompson in the side of his chest ready to go. Tyson shook his
head and chuckled at the death grip the wolf had on his weapon. He
looked back to the tiger. His eyes showing his sternness towards the
topic he was speaking on.
"This is our mark. We are about a mile out so we better get moving."
With a nod from the crew, Tyson returned the map to the pocket on his
voice and stood up, his rifle slung over his shoulder. The other two
stood to, but they now both had there weapons cradled into there
shoulders as they started to head north towards the base.
Mark sat on the steps to the base, his arctic AP4 in his paws as he
waited for Chris. His mind couldn't get off the fact that after all
these years, he would see the pup that so long ago he had to bring to
the coalition with him. He had watched him grow into one of the best
warriors in the coalition. He loved him as a brother and now he would
see him again. He smiles as he closed his eyes.
A paw patted his shoulder as he opened his eyes to see the fox
standing before him, his heaviest winter gear on as he tilted his head
softly.
"We ready sir?"
The wolf sighed as he looked up at his running partner.
"Look Chris. If you want to have any future working with me, you have
to do one thing. Call me Mark not sir."
The fox nervously stuttered trying to keep this excursion out into the
field from being his last.
"Oh..okay Mark.."
The wolf could tell the fox wasn't comfortable with calling a superior
by name, but he would have to get used to it. He stood up, his
dominating presence evident as he held the scoped assult rifle in his
paws. He turned and started back up the metal stairs as the fox
followed close behind. The duo entered the small metal room as he put
the goggles back over his eyes. Chris did the same as he fidjeted with
the earpiece he had deep in his ear.
"You will get used to it don't worry."
Chris nodded as the wolf opened the door letting in a gust of wind and
cold air that swirled through the tiny room. The two stepped out into
the snow as Mark held a paw up to the transmitter.
"Tyson..Kaizoe.....Fabel... Do ya'll hear me?"
Chris listened intently as he looked to the wolf, waiting on his
orders. He was almost jumping with excitment. He had heard all the
storys about Tysons missions, not many people hadn't even among the
pirates he was a respected fighter. Chris just couldn't believe that
he, just a nineteen year old fox, still green around the collar and he
was going to meet the legendary Tyson.
The dingo's ears perked up as he heard his old friends voice over the
small earpiece. He was happy to hear that he was okay.
"Mark this is Tys. We are about three quarters of a mile out."
Static flooded the channel as the trio continued walking, their pace
quickening slightly as they waited for a reaponse.
"Good to hear old friend," Marks voice crckled into the groups ears
"Our meet up location will be at the base of the ridge you guys will
come down to get into the valley."
"Over and out." Tyson rang out as they began to jog through the snow,
their boots leaving three distinct trails of tracks as they came over
a small hill. Tyson stopped in awe at what was before him as the other
two arrived at his sides as their eyes went wide.
"Wow..." Kaizoe's voice trailed off.
The mountains on either side of them seemed to completely surround the
area, coming to an openening right where they were making the valley
that trailed down to the basin the only way for anything to get in or
out by land. The blue, cloudless sky seemed to just barely hang over
the peaks of the mountains as the sun shone down on the crystal white
snow, casting a shadow accross half of the basin. A small forest
covered the far side of the area where the entrance to the base was
located. Tyson dropped to a knee as the tiger and wolf did so in
instinct.
"Whats wrong Tys?" Fabel asked as he inched foreward, his grip
tightening on his Thompson.
"Nothing. It's just that's alot of land to cover."
As he turned to look back down into the basin the soft sound of
footprints came to Kaizoe's extremely sensative ears. In one smooth
fluid move, he got to his feet and spun completly around as he let out
another loud roar. One so loud and dominating that it caused those who
heard it for the first time to cower. The but of his rifle was buried
into his shoulder as he stared down the sight at the two in front of
him.
Tyson stood up and placed his paw on the top of the rifle, lowering it
down and walking foreward. Tyson's eyes met Marks as the two smiled at
each other and shook paws.
"Oh it's been a while Tys."
The dingo smiled as Fabel stood up and smiled draping his Thompson
over his shoulder and moving to the tigers side.
"Yes it has been buddy. Boy I remember when you were just a little pup."
Mark looked behind him to Chris who was trying not to seem to obvious
hiding behind the wolf. "Chris, this is Tyson."
The fox stepped out from behind Mark, his eyes as big as plates as he
was muzzle to muzzle with a legend. he stammered as he tried to speak.
"Um... He.. Hello sir."
Tyson chuckled and held out his paw. "You can call me Tyson."
"Chris." the fox slowly reached up and took the dingos large paw in
his looking past the dingo to the tiger who was having a few words
with Fabel.
Tyson noticed the young males shaking and fear as he looked down. This
fox was a good six inches shorter then him but he could still tell
that this fox didn't feel comfortable around Kaizoe yet.
"Dont worry about him Chris. He wouldn't hurt a soul if he didn't have
to. He may not look it but he is just a big kitty."
Tyson turned and pointed to Fabel. "He will tell you more if need be."
The fox nodded and walked over to the two standing next to a large
boulder capped with snow. Chris made it a point to have Fabel between
him and the tiger. Maybe he would warm up to him, maybe not.
Mark stood beside Tyson, his paw on the dingos shoulder, his white gun
behind his back.
"Ready to go Tys?"
Tyson nodded as he started down into the basin. Mark beside him and
the other three bringing up the rear.
Tyson sighed as Mark went through the briefing. Tyson didn't honostly
care about military formation, codes, or briefings, he was the type to
find out what needs to be done; go into the field, and do it. Kaizoe
knew this about his partner and had grown to be almost as spontaneous
in his workings as Tyson.
Mark smiled to himself as he looked past the others at Tyson who was
lounging back in the metal chair he was in, twirling a bullet from his
rifle in his paw. Mark sighed deeply and intentionally trying to get
noticed.
Tyson looked up, his eyelids closed halfway with one of his eyebrows
lifted.
"Am I boring you Tyson?"
"Honestly? Ya you are."
Tyson stood up, the shell going directly from his paw to behind his
ear as he walked to the large screen behind the wolf. The screen was
almost completely blurred over with snow as images started to appear.
Tyson pointed at a small town as the screen zoomed in, showing all the
buildings that were covered in markings and damage.
"Your tellin me this is the target?"
"Yes Tyson. We have a unit there that is in need of reinforcements and
we are mainly a comm base. Not Manu warriors as you can tell."
"Ya." Tyson chuckled slightly and looked to the fox who was sitting
next to Fabel behind the stainless steel table.
The ding leaned over the table, his large paws resting on the cool
steel that shimmered in the lighting. "Chris right?"
The fox nodded slowly unsure what was going on. "Ye...Yes sir."
"First off same rules with Mark applies with me. Second. How much
field work have you seen?"
The fox knew what the dingo wanted by this question. He was scared and
unsure, and Fabel could tell along with Kaizoe. The tiger lent towards
Fabel and whispered in his ear.
"This rookie is in for a shock."
Fabel nodded as Tyson continued. "Chris weapons training, do you have
any?"
"I have had basic training.." he trailed off as he looked down at the
table and sighed "my dad also taught me a little about shooting."
Tyson could tell immediatly what was going through the foxes mind.
Deciding to move on and not let the younger male dwell on the subject.
"Alright. Well Mark seems to give you a chance so your going on this
mission. As a part of our squad you have one job. Stay close to either
Kaizoe or myself."
The fox looked up happily and nodded. "Yes sir!!"
The group slowly filed out as Tyson stayed for a moment staring at the
screen. His mind was analyzing every part of the surroundings as every
few moments a flash from a grenade or the streaks of tracers flew
across the screen. He sighed as he knew that this would be extremely
difficult for them to pull off. It required pinpoint precision in both
his shooting and the extraction of the stranded team.
He was to into the feed to hear Kaizoe stop in the doorway. He softly
tapped his boots on the metal ground and crossed his arms waiting for
the dingo to turn around.
Tyson had finally seen enough and turned off the screen. Taking the
shell back out from behind his ear and began to twirl it around in his
paw once again. He sat down at the table as he saw the tiger standing
there, his presance demanding as he took up the doorway.
"Tyson what are you doing?" he asked as he walked into the small room,
closing the door behind him. "You know the risks that come with
bringing someone onto the squad, let alone someone this wet behind the
ears."
"Kaizoe. This is for the kids own good. He looks at the world as it is
know in the aspect of there is nothing he has to worry about other
than that litttlw desk and computer he sits at. This is all a bunch of
blips on a screen."
The tiger growled softly as he leaned over the table, glaring at the
dingo.
"So your gonna risk his life just to teach him that this isn't all
just a game!!"
Tyson vaulted out of his seat. "Yes! That is exactly it. If he doesn't
find out what is going on out there he runs an even greater risk of
being killed!"
"How would you know this? You were always fearless, ever since I met
you!!"
"Kaizoe! I know because I was like that once!!" the tiger sat fown in
the chair behind him, stunned and shocked. "Okay Mark showed me as a
pup that I would have to fight or die in this new world. Do I wish it
was different? Yes! But it's not and we have to all work together."
Kaizoe looked up, his eyes showing how his heart was completely
understanding every word of what Tyson had said. "Sorry Tys.. I
shouldn't have been like that, he is just so young and innocent."
"Its okay. We have all seen our share of heartache." the dingo relaxed
as he took his wieght off the table. That was the loudest he had ever
yelled in a long time, let alone at one of his friends. But he had to
do it.
Kaizoe sighed and stood up as he walked back to the door. Opening it
up he moved to the side allowing the dingo to walk out and they headed
towards their quarters.