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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 126: Things No Apology Can Heal (Consensus Part Four)

Day 983 (Late afternoon in a swamp east of World Four)

"Watch Commander you are a disgrace to your uniform." The gorilla warrior seated beside me seized with extreme anger.

"It has been quite some time Guerrilla Gorilla." I said staring at the image. "Overwatch background."

*Guerrilla Gorilla is the last founding member of the Animalitia, a mercenary group that has assisted various dissident factions that have run counter to the empire. Together with Triceraton, Ricky Raccoon and Chester Conner the group has caused destruction, fear and mayhem across the five cities.

Ricky Raccoon and Chester Conner were apprehended by the Knights of Warwick judged and punished while Triceraton disappeared nineteen months ago his whereabouts are unknown. Guerrilla Gorilla has been trying to rebuild the team in their absence.*

"Well that is part of the story." I said to the commander and the automated assistant.

"What do you mean?" The female gorilla said to me.

"Ricky Raccoon and Chester Conner were sent to the Maximum where they ran afoul of the warden there and were killed."

"That is a top secret facility known only to a few. How do you know that?"

"I was there, I helped bury their bodies. As for Triceraton, I can't be sure but I think the greys got him."

"Let me guess you were there too?" The commander asked.

"Believe me not willingly ma'am."

Attack beast was parked facing toward the swamp (and us) while on its left side the mastiff and gorilla were standing and just talking.

"The knight core has been looking to finish off this group. So did the Animalita recruit Ben?" The female warrior seated next to me asked.

"Looks like it."

"I want to hear what they are saying." The commander said to me.

"We could if the probe hadn't been destroyed." I said to the senior knight of Sogreth.

"We are still are disguised as a log are we not?"

"Yes ma'am." I said looking at her.

Lady Keiko and Guerrilla were the same species but polar opposites of one another. Kind of like me and Alexander. But still, I wondered who was taller? The commander or the mercenary?

"Then we are moving in closer." With that the female gorilla piloted the blue coupe now disguised as a log right to the shoreline of the swamp five hundred feet from the traitor and the mercenary.

"This is a nice piece of hardware Ben. Can I call you Ben?" The gorilla mercenary asked.

The watch commander nodded.

"But something disturbs me. Why did you abandon your post and your distinguished career?"

"Soon this all won't matter." The mastiff warrior said to the gorilla. "What is going on right now in the empire- the unrest, the dissidents, it is not getting better nor will it. The end is coming. I am just preparing for what happens after that."

"So having THAT is going to make it better?" The male gorilla said to the mastiff referring to the prototype.

"You remember the 90 year war after the collapse of the previous government?"

"I heard about it." The gorilla mercenary said.

"This will be quite beneficial in the chaos that is to come; only the strong will survive. The weak will not." Ben said to the gorilla. "We are in the beginning stages."

"We are in agreement then, the group I have been in contact with seems to believe the same. They have tried to inform the citizens, but their message has mostly been ignored." Guerrilla Gorilla said casually staring at the log that seemed stuck on the shore while everything else in the swamp floated by behind it.

"Something wrong friend?" Ben asked the gorilla.

_"Look do you notice anything out of the ordinary?" _

"A log made its way to the shore." The mastiff responded.

"And refuses to be dragged by the current." The mercenary said. "Hmm... some years back two of my team were captured by a weapon the knights' had that could disguise itself. They used it to destroy a getaway vehicle of ours."

"If it makes you feel any better- let's have some target practice." The mastiff said climbing back into the cab of the black prototype. The gorilla joined him.

The commander and I watched as attack beast converted to attack mode- the hood of the vehicle slid over the windshield and the grill dropped to reveal the weapons tubules.

"Have they detected us?!" I said to the commander.

"I don't know boy."

As soon as the words left her lips we were fired upon by the black pickup truck with the sleeper cab.

The deflector system turned on in response to the laser blast. It bounced off of our windshield showing an outline of a hover vehicle within our disguise.

"It is them! You were followed!" Guerrilla shouted.

*Projection System Engaged*

"It is over Watch Commander! You will suffer for your betrayal!" Lady Keiko growled through the PA system.

The Mastiff looked at the mercenary who looked back at him as if something unspoken was said between the two. We were expecting the two to try to drive off but they didn't. I don't know if it was bravado or that fact that Ben Mastiff wanted to show his new friend the capabilities of their toy. In short order those two made their decision known about giving themselves up.

Lady Keiko and I watched as the hard top canopy of the truck elevated from the rear of the truck bed and turned to face us as two weapons tubules emerged from it.

"The hell?" I exclaimed.

_*The canopy of the truck is really a weapons turret* _ Overwatch announced as the blue coupe received more incoming weapons fire.

*POW!!*

_*SHVORN!!* _

*CHA-BOOM!!*

"Boy what is our status?"

"Deflector is holding but is taking a lot of damage." I said watching the incoming fire. It was quite disturbing.

*The prototype is being hit with gun blasts and laser blasts.* The automated assistant responded.

"Ok let see if they can take as much as they are giving out." The female gorilla said pressing the third button in the column of buttons on the weapons console.

*Side-pods engaged*

"Deactivate the holo-projector boy." Lady Keiko said as she made a selection on the weapons monitor.

*Static pulse engaged*

Two balls of electricity fired from both side-pods hitting the utility vehicle dissipating on it... Attack Beast continued to fire.

"It appears to be impervious to EMP's." I said to the Gorilla warrior.

"Glaringly obvious boy!" Lady Keiko said scanning the weapons menu and making another selection.

*Machine guns engaged*

We watched as the prototype fired at the turret denting, but not stopping it.

*Laser system engaged*

Again, no effect.

_*Tunnel missile engaged* _

*Tractor missile engaged*

The missiles launched and their targets and exploded. When the smoke cleared there was very little damage; the turret was still there.

*It would appear that the prototype and Attack Beast are evenly matched commander.*

"That point is quite obvious computer!" The female warrior hissed.

Both the blue prototype and the black prototype continued firing on each other like two tanks in a war. Neither taking much damage; it was a stalemate.

"Ben I can keep this up as long as you!" The gorilla growled on the PA system.

That was went the mastiff and mercenary changed tactics. The laser fire and gunfire ceased.

"Are they giving up?" I asked the gorilla next to me.

"No."

No sooner had she responded the turret repositioned itself and then fired a white viscous substance. Instantly the prototype started getting cold very cold.

"They have a freeze ray?!" I screamed.

*Apparently so Mr. Winter.*

The deflector system held preventing the freeze ray from reaching the cockpit of the prototype and killing us, but the blue coupe was entombed in ice.

(Ben Mastiff 2, Us 0)

I watched as Ben and Guerrilla made their escape. Seeing that we had been outwitted for the second time that afternoon, Lady Keiko commander of the Knights of Sogreth went ape shit- again.

"GAARRROOAR!!!"

"Commander."

"WHAT?!" She said beating her fists against her chest.

"You know you are quite scary when you do that." I said to the perturbed gorilla. "Well, very scary."

"I am not one to keep my emotions bottled up boy. It isn't good for you." The she beast said studying me as her communicator went off.

The gorilla turned to her wrist and answered it. The individual on the other end was tall, with short blond hair, trimmed beard and mustache with red intense eyes.

"Master!" The female gorilla said greeting the dictator.

"Lady Keiko." The High Evolutionary said acknowledging her. "What is this I am hearing about your second in command defecting?"

"The Watch Commander abruptly resigned this afternoon master." The gorilla warrior said to the dictator.

"That is the fourth defection this month." The dictator said counting. "Do we know why?"

"He has lost faith in the empire and apparently has abandoned all hope that the unrest will end. But that is not all sir." Lady Keiko said reluctantly.

"Go on." The ruler of all Counter Earth said.

"He stole a invention from Master Koala."

"I was wondering if you were going to admit that to me." The dictator said. "What are you doing about it?"

"I am in pursuit of him sir. He will be punished and the weapon will be secured."

"See that it is commander, do not make me wonder if you are the right beast for this command."

"Yes sir." The gorilla warrior said as the High Evolutionary ended the communication.

Hearing that the beastial's master was questioning her superiority and whether she was the right beast for the position was quite shocking. Lady Keiko put her face in her paws and just screamed. All the stress and pressure from dealing with a command that saw more than it's share of problems from corruption and defections just mounted until it reached a tipping point; yes she went ape shit again.

"Commander if you are quite finished." I said placing my hand on her paw. "Afternoon is turning to evening and we have a rogue knight to find."

"How are we going to get out of this? We are entombed in ice!" She said turning to me.

"With one of the weapons, I am glad Sir Ram and Mara added to the prototype." I said making a selection from the weapons menu.

*Flame thrower engaged*

I then pressed the third toggle switch on the weapons console activating the copilot monitor and keyboard.

"What are you doing?" The commander asked me.

"Widening the dispersal pattern. We need to get out of this as soon as possible."

The female gorilla watched as flames shot from the front and rear of the side-pods melting the cube of ice we were entombed in.

*Mr. Winter, the ice has been melted- the prototype is free.*

"Any damage to the surrounding area?" I asked the automated assistant.

*From the battle or the flame thrower?*

"Both." I said to the automated assistant.

*There is some environmental damage. It will heal in time.*

"Commander this is your mission, what is our next move?"

"We are going back to the castle." The she beast said. "I am going to have a talk to Master Koala."

"To what end?" I asked the female warrior.

"I need to know completely what we are dealing with." The she beast said deactivating hydrofoil mode.

So as night began to fall on World Four and the curfew was approaching, Lady Keiko, Wanderer and I returned to the castle.

"Wait here boy." She said to me heading inside followed by the junior knight.

"Right." I said as I watched her and the female lizard walk inside the main tower.

"Overwatch."

*Yes Mr. Winter?*

"Run a systems diagnostic. It looks like we are going to be engaging the black prototype again I want to know our status."

*Weapons payloads have been depleted by a third. Operational Efficiency is 60%. Deflector strength has dropped to 62%*

"That would explain these cracks on the windshield. It will have to be enough."

Lady Keiko was inside the castle for a good thirty minutes presumably talking to Master Koala and her subordinates about Gif's death. While waiting, I decided to do some research on the former Watch Supervisor. I wanted to know who and what we were dealing with- perhaps we could gain an advantage.

*Ben Mastiff. Age 35, an original beastial who was a abandoned house pet and living on the streets before being rescued by the High Evolutionary and transitioned into a beastial warrior at the start of the empire thirty three years ago. His abandonment by his owners left him with a deep resentment toward second class citizens of the empire.*

*He joined the knight core at the age of twelve and worked his way through the ranks to become the watch commander of the Knights of Sogreth in World Four. He is intelligent, patient, confident and well respected by his subordinates.* Overwatch said.

"You also forgot, deceitful, deceptive, cunning and a traitor." I said to the automated assistant. As the gorilla warrior returned.

"Did you find out the information you needed commander?" I asked as she sat back down inside the prototype.

"Yes boy. Attack Beast had a built in tracker but it was deactivated after Ben stole it and Master Koala has not been able to reactivate it."

"I see. What about weaknesses?"

"It doesn't have a deflector system, but like Master Koala said, it has armor around the exterior- very dense in the front and rear not so much on the sides. Which we can use to our advantage." The female gorilla said.

"That is good to know, but how are we going to find them again?" I asked.

"Ben knows our methods and procedures and will probably be in hiding. But I think we can find him through his new friend." The gorilla warrior said.

"Guerrilla Gorilla?"

"Precisely, my spies believe the Animalitia is having a special meeting this evening just after curfew." The she beast said to me.

"Where?"

"The Seven/Seven Club on the westside of the city. We find Guerrilla Gorilla, we find Ben."

"Is that anything like the Pleasure Palace?" I asked the she beast.

As night fell on World Four and the curfew started, Lady Keiko drove the prototype to what would be the so called meeting place according to her spies; a sex club where customers went to um, have a good time.

"Well, there it is." The beastial warrior said we pulled up into full parking lot outside of a very large single level black building. This time we weren't alone.

"Wow, it is huge!" I said.

"Alright everybeast. This is the plan, I will flush our prey from the establishment, when they emerge from the building take them down. Understood?" The commander said to the small contingent of knights who assembled at a meeting place a mile away from the club.

"Yes ma'am." They said in unison.

"I would so much like to take the traitor out now, but there would be too much collateral damage." Lady Keiko grumbled.

"Not to mention you would be recognized the minuted you entered that establishment." I commented. "We need disguises- the holo-projector could be handy. But how would we maintain our disguises once inside?"

*Commander, Mr. Winter I believe the prototype is carrying two microprobes.*

"Good idea Overwatch." I said opening up the trunk.

"What are microprobes?" Lady Keiko asked.

"Short to medium range fixed surveillance devices for use inside structures- they send images to the prototype. I think we can use them and the holo projector to project images in order to disguise ourselves. The transmission would be in one direction though." I said giving the gorilla warrior what looked like a small button. I had her attach it to her uniform. I did then did the same to me.

"We need to look like a couple who is here to have a good time." Lady Keiko said to me.

"Ok but a couple of what?"

*I think I have just the thing Mr. Winter. Engaging holo-projector.*

"I guess that works." I said looking at the reformed female beastial next to me.

"We're monkeys?" Lady Keiko said looking at me.

*Chimpanzees it wasn't too difficult a disguise. More of a downgrade actually.*

"Hey!" Lady Keiko and I said to the automated assistant unison.

"Ok automated assistant. Keep this projection enabled at all costs." The gorilla now turned chimp said.

*Affirmative commander. If you need to communicate...*

"Right we will be limited to just the communicators. Hey boy what are you doing?" The commander said as I reached for her paw.

"Since we are a couple, I think we should hold paws commander. That is if you don't have any objection to touching a filthy stinking human." I said looking at her.

"The things I must endure to preserve the empire." She groaned as we made our way to the entrance.

"Odd I don't see the black prototype anywhere." I said.

"It must be well hidden." The commander said. "Everyone, this is the commander. The specialist and I are entering the sex club to search for the traitor. Everyone maintain the perimeter and let me know if you find the black prototype."

"Yes commander."

"Hurry, hurry please come in!" The greeter, a green peacock with a broad smile said. "No one is supposed to be out and about past curfew!"

"What about those here?" I asked.

"They will be enjoying our hospitality until morning." The avian said to us. "This is the Seven/Seven Club."

"For all that time?" I asked the avian.

"Just because there is a curfew doesn't mean that there can't be any nightlife." The peacock presenter said. "It just means revelers have to be creative."

"I will remember that." The commander said as we linked arms and entered the establishment.

"I get it, seven in the evening to seven in the morning." I said to my companion.

As we made entrance we discovered that this was quite the after hours place- there was a restaurant, a bar with live entertainment, a dance club, a games room and sex rooms- clothing was optional; it was discouraged actually. This place was quite large- much larger than the Pleasure Palace ever was. I don't know if I was more scared than intrigued or both.

"Do you see our target commander?" I said as I stared at the scantily clothed and naked beastials with a few scattered humans around us. "Commander?"

"There are some fine looking creatures in this place boy."

"You don't say?" I said.

"No, I don't see our targets. I think we should split up and look around."

"Well we have to the end of curfew to find them. I will check the games room."

"Right, I will check out the fine, fine, fine specimens in that dance club." The disguised gorilla said to me.

"Commander aren't you mated?" I asked my companion.

"Just because one is on a diet doesn't mean one can't look at the menu." She said walking toward a mixed crowd of beastials who were gyrating their bodies to a pulsating beat.

So we decided to check out the establishment.

The games room reminded me of a great room in a apartment or home. There were many barely clothed and non-clothed beastials enjoying themselves- some were playing some type of connect four game with a giant playing board and colored chips. Others were playing some type of modified ring toss. I watched as clydesdale tossed a colorful ring at a aroused, but well endowed tapir. In case you are wondering, the ring did hit its mark.

Then I came upon another game called Soft-balls.

(Is that anything like baseball?)

"Would you like to participate?" A naked cream colored chakat asked walking up to me. "The grand prize is a free dinner."

"Um, no, I think I would just rather watch."

"Suit yourself handsome." She said rounding up the contestants. "Alright every he-beast who is participating I need to line up against the wall over here."

I watched as ten brave males of various body sizes and shapes and species lined up against the wall facing the crowd.

"Alright fellas." The chakat said licking her chops.

The ten males who lined up for the contest removed what was left of their clothing and presented themselves for the crowd to see. I watched as the chakat walked up to the first contestant a black mule, reached out her paw and casually grabbed and fondled his testicles!

(I get it soft-balls.)

"Not bad these are quite soft, but I have felt better. Better luck next time hon." The chakat said before moving on to the next contestant.

She then felt up an embarrassed lynx who blushed at her touch.

"Nothing to be shy about- this contest is about the softest balls, not who is the most endowed. These are very soft." She said petting him on the head. From there she felt up a chubby moose, a slim boar, a cute caprine, then a rabbit, a naga, a dhole, cervine and finally an otter. She moved back and forth between the otter and the lynx before ordering them to stand side by side feeling their equipment again.

It was a tough call but she ruled on the lynx who threw his arms up in celebration as the audience cheered.

"Alright the next contest is for the females please line up now."

I watched as five brave topless females took the males' places against the wall of the games room.

"Alright, ladies let's see who jiggles the best!" The chakat announced. The winner also gets a free dinner.

I watched as a panther, bovine, deer, fox and mole all with breasts of various sizes jiggled and jiggled and jiggled to the audience delight. Oh and in case your wondering based on audience applause, the panther won. After the contest, I don't think there was a flaccid male in that entire room including me.

Afterwards I continued making my way through the games room despite the fact I was hard as a rock. Seeing the other naked patrons enjoying themselves didn't help- there was a group playing strip poker, another group playing darts and yet another group kissing and making out in the corner. From the looks of it, they were trying to play a game involving a colored mat with circles on it but didn't get far.

I soon rejoined the commander who was watching patrons watching a couple on a large monitor sway to the music. A bright yellow light engulfed them. When it dissipated so had their clothing. The two badgers were unfazed by the event- they grabbed each other and moved in closer as they continued dancing. Their fellow dancers also moved closer to get a look at their 'equipment'.

"Clothing cam." The disguised gorilla said to me.

"What?"

"It locks in on patrons who are overdressed and removes their clothes."

"WOW! Any luck?"

"Yes." She said to me. "All bad; It took me forever to check the bar and dance club."

"Well that leaves the restaurant and the sex rooms." I started to say.

"There!" The commander said directing my attention to a gorilla mercenary and a mastiff talking to a human who was wearing a finely decorated robe. "We need to find a booth next to them."

(Damn, I really, really wanted to check out the sex rooms!)

"We would like a table please." I said to flagging down a enigmatic dingo.

"Very well." she said. "Follow me sir, madam."

"No, over there next to that sexy mastiff and gorgeous gorilla." The disguised knight said to the near naked waitress.

"But aren't you two a couple?" She asked.

"We are swingers." I responded.

"So we were given a booth right behind our targets the traitor, the mercenary and their mysterious guest."

"This is quite the establishment." Ben and Guerrilla's guest commented.

"The food and entertainment are to die for Mr. E. If personal activities are more your thing they have games and then there are always the private rooms as well- clothing optional." The mercenary said as Ben and the human continued to look around.

"Thanks since we are here for the next twelve hours I guess I will be looking for something to do." The human said. "So Mr. Mastiff I hear you were formally with the knight core. Why did you leave?"

"Let's just say I realized the world is ending and that I needed to find another line of work." Ben said.

"That traitor!" Lady Keiko hissed. "I should take him down right now!"

"In front of all these innocents?" I asked. "Many will get hurt in the maylay."

"You are right 'dear' let's listen some more." She said to me.

_"What is this other line of work?" _

"Preparation." The former knight said.

"We have in our possession a super weapon that you would definitely interest you." The mercenary said.

"Really? Is it for sale?" The human asked.

"No." The mastiff said. "But its schematics are."

"With these your group can build as many as you like as you similarly prepare for the end as well. It would be more effective then say turning automated vehicles after their owners." Guerrilla said.

"Or sending out hub announcements trashing the knight core." Ben added.

"No way!" I whispered.

"What is it boy?" The disguised gorilla warrior asked me.

"That human with Ben and Guerrilla- I think he is one of the TRUTH rebels!"

"May I take you order?" The near naked female dingo with distinctive markings asked us.

"What do you have?" I asked.

"Well there is coffee, tea... me." The she beast said smiling.

"Wow, you are pretty." I said stupidly.

"Ignore him. Two house salads and some water for now." Lady Keiko said.

"As you wish." The sexy she beast said walking away.

"Did you see? She was wearing an apron! And only and apron!" I blurted it out.

(Green eyes, tan fur, pleasant frame, and that butt- wow! She was hawt! Focus Alex. You love your bear and your lioness friend. You love your bear and lioness... But damn, I wouldn't mind adding her to my menagerie!)

"Focus boy." My chimp companion said bringing me back to reality.

"That is a tempting offer Guerrilla. Say very tempting but I would like to see that weapon in action." The TRUTH rebel responded.

"That could be arranged. We just have to sneak out the back when the others aren't looking and find some targets." The mercenary said.

"Now would be a good time." Ben said escorting their human guest to a rear door of the establishment just past the private rooms.

"That is our cue." The commander said pulling me from our booth just as our scantily clad waiter was bringing us our drinks.

"And where are you two cuties off to?" She asked perplexed.

"Uh, we will be back- she is, she is, well some things can't wait." I said as the disguised chimp pulled me away.

"Are you three heading outside?" A muscular grey ox wearing a small pair of shorts (and little else) said to the ex-knight, mercenary and rebel.

"Yes we are Butch." Guerrilla said to him.

"You do know it is past curfew right?" The ox said.

"It will only be a minute." The mastiff reassured the bouncer. "I forgot to show my client something."

"Did you now?" Butch smirked. "Make it quick."

The commander watched as our targets left the building. Meanwhile I couldn't help but take a peak into one of the sex rooms as we were walking by.

"Oh my gosh!!! Wow!!" I exclaimed.

"Boy get your head in the game." The female chimp chastised me.

"There were two lions... they were sharing a lioness... I have never seen two males do that to a female before..."

"Boy!"

"Sorry. I am back."

"Let me guess, you two need to show each other something in the parking lot too?" Butch asked us.

"Guard when we exit this door. Close it shut behind us. Do not let anyone back in no matter what you hear on the other side." The disguised knight said.

"By who's authority?" The ox asked.

"The knights of Sogreth." The female chimpanzee said staring him down.

The ox read her expression and realized the chimp was serious.

"Yes ma'am." He said opening the door.

Lady Keiko pulled her service weapon and motioned me to stay behind her as we left the building and watched the rebel, mercenary and ex-knight make their way across the parking lot.

"This is the commander. Let Ben get a little farther from the building... A little farther... NOW! All available forces converge!"

Ben Mastiff, Guerrilla Gorilla and the TRUTH rebel were talking amongst themselves when they were surrounded by five knights with their weapons drawn.

"Watch Commander! Guerrilla Gorilla! and human you are our prisoners!" The jaguar Sanda and I had met when we arrived at castle Sogreth shouted aiming his laser weapon.

To Be Continued....