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Past Dues** (Part 2)**

by K9 Lupus

"Ugh, this is impossible. Maybe if I substituted that carbon fiber housing instead of the steel it'd be light enough. Or I could rewire it to use only a single relay system. Yeah, that'd do it..."

Norra diligently continued her work hunched over at her station and adjusted her lamp to get a better look at the circuit board in her clawed fingers. To all other eyes her work area was a huge mess with scattered diagrams, fuses, and scraps of metal. To her it was elegant, functional chaos. More than once a member of the team had joked that Norra's workbench also doubled as the testing site for her bombs. However, no one disputed her methodology when time and time again she met the team's needs with unmatched destruction.

Her large, bat ears twitched to the sound of the door quietly closing and with a smile she pretended to not notice the red-tailed hawk man sneaking his way inside. She counted the seconds in her head, wondering if he'd beat the record in approaching her that he didn't know she kept. Eleven...twelve...thirteen. Then her vision was obscured behind a screen of feathers. She folded her arms back to wrap her wings around his middle and take in his familiar, soothing avian scent. As much as she enjoyed the sharp balm of metal having his smell nearby was always welcome.

"So, Norra, what's that you're working on?" Marsden inquired as he hoisted up the half-fastened leather footstraps of Norra's modified bomb kit. The strap clicked and dropped the attached empty metal casing onto her workbench with a crash as it knocked over her sautering goggles. He flashed her a sheepish expression on his birdy face and Norra could only laugh. She held up her unfinished project up to Marsden to get a closer look.

"I'm working on making a more portable version of my electromagnetic detonator. It's been tough flying and carrying the old model on extended missions, and this newer version should allow us to set off the explosives without needing to be as close for the signal to reach it. We'll get to cover more ground quickly this way. Want to test it?"

Marsden awkwardly scratched through his headfeathers with a dark claw and shook his head.

"Uh...I'm good this time."

Norra acquiesced and dropped her project back into its spot among the countless other electronic parts. "I'm sure you didn't come here just to have me bore you with all of this, so what's up?"

"Hey! You're not boring. You know I'll listen even if I don't understand all the time." Marsden nuzzled his beak along the edge of Norra's neck and she brushed her lips along his jaw in return. "Ravvik's calling together a meeting for all of us right now. I'm gathering everyone up."

"Ah, I see. Well I'll be finished here in a minute. I promise I won't keep everyone waiting." Norra replied while grabbing up the fallen goggles.

"Ok, thanks. And, one more thing Norra. It's been a little while, but what do you say we head out tonight to go fly together. Moon's supposed to be full. It always looks so nice when it glints off your wings."

Norra, accustomed to Marsden's hopeless, yet welcomed sweettalk accepted the invitation with a gentle kiss against his beak. "You know it always looks better on your's, but that sounds nice. It'll be good to get out for a while."

Marsden's golden eyes beamed with joy and he turned to leave, closing the door as gently as he had when he entered.

A little too slow, but there's always next time. Norra thought as she readjusted her lamp once more.

********

Seated around a large, wooden table in their conference room, all of Ravvik's team had gathered and were exchanging friendly banter as they awaited their leader's arrival. Katya, an imposing lioness sat beside Norra discussing potential adjustments to her bomb-kit and reducing the weight of the weapons she and Marsden carried while mid-flight. Beside them, Mason, a formidable tiger was sharing a whispered comment to Ferris. Both were clad only as nature coupled with their mutations had formed them. Several others of the team had also found it easier to navigate daily life this way too after their changes, while those who still clung strongly to their former humanity resisted the brazen display. The joke had hit its mark to the knowledge of everyone in the room as Ferris loosed one of his infamous, wailing hyena laughs.

Near the front, Marsden was reviewing charts and files for their upcoming mission, creating deep circles of red with his pen before quickly crossing them out as he sought the ideal approach. Ellanna, a mighty, yet calm elephant woman was attempting to aid him with swift sketches of alternative routes drawn on a separate notebook drawn with a pencil held carefully with her trunk. Seated at the far end of the table was Dr. Lewis Carter, the newest member of Ravvik's team. The young human scientist rested his cane beside his seat and shifted his weight towards his good leg to reach over for a tissue at the end of the table. Instead, Carter accidentally knocked it further from his reach. Before he shuffled his seat back to stand, Hauk had already slid the box over to him. The wolf man had become Carter's assistant in the lab, and although Hauk had initially resisted taking instructions from someone younger than him, Carter recognized his aptitude for the sciences and a friendship had developed between the two.

Off to the side, Munroe, a massive, hulking, crocodile mutant quietly observed the rest of the group while he basked in the sunlight filtering in through the adjacent window. The change had robbed him of his voice, and so exchanging vocal pleasantries with his teammates wasn't exactly high on his priority list. He fixed an ancient, reptilian emerald of an eye on the door as it opened and Ravvik, the shark who was leader to them all finally appeared.

He entered the room with an unmistakable, absolute air of authority with hundreds of pounds of pure muscle propelling his every step. He made his way to the speaking platform near the head of the table and once there surveyed the team that had become his family over these many long shared years together. The jokes had ceased, with diagrams and notes stashed away as their focus was on him and him alone. Now was the time for business.

"I've brought you all together today to inform you that our work to recreate the virus strand that caused our transformations is nearly complete. Thanks to Dr. Carter's efforts we'll be able to begin systematic distribution of the virus to major population centers throughout the world. They will experience what we unknowingly had to endure as they join us in this step forward for human evolution. We have already eliminated all those capable of reversing the change to ensure that all of us will get the chance once more to walk the streets without fear. No longer will we need to skulk and traverse the shadows. Friends and family that have become lost to us will be within our reach once more."

Munroe's interest doubled at the prospect of finally being able to see his family. The images of their faces had begun to fragment in the murky swamps of his mind after all these years. He feared they might soon be lost forever to him if they did not act soon.

"The Agency and all those responsible for this heinous deception will soon have nowhere to hide after more become like us and Ferris completes his distribution of the seized files to every media outlet across the globe. Our story will be heard and seen worldwide. We'll give them the chance to exact their justice on those in charge of the OSRD. Should their punishment fail to be adequate we'll do our part to ensure they never forget what lies lead to.

This journey we've undertaken together... it has not been an easy one. These recent months have pushed each of us to our limits at times, but know that our efforts shall soon be rewarded. I have no delusions about where we stand right now. As we are, the ten of us alone can not see this mission through to completion. This is something that needs to be done. Without others like us we are targets, not just by The Agency, but also from the disdainful eyes of the entire world. Nothing will change unless we act as the catalyst for it. If any of you still have lingering doubts towards our shared purpose, then it must be spoken here and now. I will not accept hesitation at the moment of our decision. Are you all in agreement? "

All were silent as they contemplated the weight of what lay ahead for them. Then standing with assured confidence, Marsdenaddressed the group.

"This is an important decision from all of us. Many lives will be affected by our choice. But the things that are most important to do in life are rarely easiest. The first time I tried my wings I leapt off a tall cliff near the compound sure I would plummet to the ground. Part of me hoped that I would have and it would be the end of that. But the other part of me that wanted to stay alive and discover what this change would mean allowed me to open my wings and take my first flight.

In all that we've experienced we can't forget what we have been given through this change. We must do this to keep ourselves safe and so that we can live the lives we are meant to. I stand by Ravvik and all of you as well. You have been my guiding wind and I know we can do this." For full effect Marsden proudly stretched his wings out to their fullest span before allowing them to relax once more and take a seat.

Hauk raised a pawish hand up to take his turn speaking with the group. "I know I speak for everyone here when I say that The Agency doesn't even deserve the luxury of being called cowards and liars. They are filthy predators sustained by manipulating dreams!" he added with a growl rumbling in the back of his throat while his nose scrunched to reveal his formidable, white fangs. "This is a better way to be. Like Marsden said, you are my pack, my family, and I am with you."

"You'd think someone like me wouldn't have need of something so quaint like a family, but you guys have been pretty all right by my book. We've gone through too much to back out now. My blade is still sharp, and as long as we must hide in shadows, I'll still strike from them." Mason answered while twirling his knife across his knuckles.

"We won't have need of blades anymore if everything goes according to our plans. Being like this was how it was always meant to be. I was just too blind before to see otherwise. Now that I've gotten to see what was there lurking behind all of that pale pink skin for myself it's time to bring the inside out for everyone else! It'll be so much fun! They won't know what hit 'em! BOOM! Although I suppose that's your specialty Norra." Ferris ended with another of his cackling hyena-laughs.

Norra rolled her eyes and contemplated whether she had really spent the past years associated with that maniac. "Those who did this to us must pay for their crimes. There's no disputing that. I didn't know at first this would be something I wanted for myself, but I think about all of the people we'd be helping along the way. This isn't just for our freedom. It's for them too. This is what we're meant to do and who are we to stand against our fate?" Norra's words resulted in several nods in the room, but Katya's brow furrowed.

"It can't be for them. This is our vengeance alone. It's how we put things back in balance for everything we've had to endure. We're less than animals to them and we don't deserve to live our lives that way. They've torn us apart from our families...from all that we hold dear as we sit hopelessly on the sidelines. I won't stand for that. They will pay for what they've done, and if that ends up needing to be with more of their blood, so be it!" she snarled with a few powerful flicks of her tail behind her, looking ready to pounce.

Ellana sighed quietly as her ears flapped slowly on either side of her head. "Ravvik, you have taught me what it means to be strong. Strength is measured by how it is used. That's what you said to me that first day you found me in tears at the end of my change in the facility. Sometimes good people like us need to make these choices, that's true. I wish there were another way, but there's no reasoning with the people on the outside. To become is the only way for them to truly understand."

Munroe grunted in approval of Ellana's sentiments. He stood, briefly looming over the rest of the group before making his way over from his basking spot to where Ravvik was situated. With a quick swipe of one of his massive, scaled hands he etched a series of deep grooves into the wooden table. Satisfied with his answer, the large crocodile promptly returned to where he had been seated. He needed say nothing else to speak of his devotion to the cause.

"Dr. Carter, what do you have to say on the matter? You've yet to speak." Ravvik inquired with a steely tone.

He shuffled in his seat, then using the table for balance to avoid putting any weight on his shattered leg, made the effort to slide his chair back and stand up to address the group of animal mutants. "You've all shown me that this world is full of many secrets and seldom are those secrets used to aid those in need. They were content to leave me like this just because I wasn't of high-importance to them. We need to shake the tree to see where the fruit falls. I refuse to live the rest of my life in this fragile shell. I will be whole again. Having said all of that...I have news for all of you. As of today, the virus will no longer be in development. It's ready."

The room was abuzz with whispers while Hauk shot Carter a bewildered stare. "How can you say that?We haven't tested the serum yet." he urged in a frenzied whisper, not wanting to get involved in his claim. Carter gave his friend a confident smile.

"Oh, we will, because I'm going to be the first."

********

The group gathered later that day at the makeshift lab seated atop the 151stfloor of their compound. Few would believe that a fully functional lab was nested here with the rest of the floor still under construction, but the guise had served the team well, and Carter's aptitude for only utilizing what was needed and nothing more impressed all. Carter made a few final adjustments on his monitor and from the large, cultured vat behind them an isolated dose of the serum was dispensed into an awaiting syringe.

"You're certain you wish to do this? Once you've changed, there's no going back." Ravvik cautioned with genuine concern for his compatriot.

Carter grabbed the syringe and examined its teal blue contents briefly, then turned to face Ravvik. "This is what I want. It's my choice. I joined your cause to have a chance at fixing the wrongs that had been dealt to me. Now I have the power to erase my past and embrace my future."

With that Carter plunged the serum hard into his thigh and felt his veins pulse as the nano-virus coursed its way through his bloodstream. Each heartbeat brought with it a rush of seething heat as all the muscles in Carter's body tensed, then briefly relaxed. He collapsed and fell hard onto the ground as his cane slipped away from him. Hauk rushed over to his side, ears pressed flat against his skull, but Carter waved a shaky hand at the wolf urging him back as his transformation continued.

The sound of tearing fabric bounced against the metal framing of the makeshift lab as Carter's body swelled with layers of forming muscle. Most of his skin was darkening to an inky black, while his chest and belly lightened in contrast to a pearly white. He groaned with each labored breath and fought to kick off his boots that were already splitting to reveal a pair of widening webbed feet. Carter tried to hoist himself up onto his arms, but slammed back down to the ground and rolled onto his side as a new pressure seared the end of his spine. Quickly lengthening behind him, Carter's spine steadily elongated into a muscular mass tipped with two protruding bulbs on either side that developed into triangular flukes. His new tail swung to and fro in a frenzied pattern as countless new connections were being formed throughout his nervous system.

Unable to contain the growing bulk of his body, the tattered remains of his clothing gave way to reveal his increasingly aquatic form. Hauk and the others could feel the heat drifting off of him as the changes rapidly continued their course. Soon a rise within the valley of his shoulder blades made itself known, and the ridge of connective tissues grew rapidly into a tall dorsal fin. Muscles at his neck thickened, and each heaving breath was more of a shallow bellow. His nostrils dissolved into the flesh of his skull that was starting to lengthen into a broad, blunted snout laced with pointed, ivory teeth. His heart thundered in his chest from mounting panic as Carter he found himself suddenly unable to breathe.

My calculations...they were wrong...

He shook his head wildly from side to side as the pressure of his growing lungs became too much to bear, until with a mighty exhale through the new opening atop his head Carter found new breath. A sizable bulge swelled within his forehead as a prominent melon developed and the last vestiges of his former self faded from eternity. In mere minutes, Carter had endured what had taken weeks for all of the others.

He moved little at first, still reeling from his stark transformation. When the room finally stopped spinning, he placed his dark, webbed hands in front of him and slowly stood until he caught the wide-eyed gazes of the entire crew. Carter flashed Ravvik a halo of icy blue encompassing a wide, dark pupil and finally gathered the courage to look over himself. Carter had become a hulking behemoth of an orca. Standing on long feet shaped partially into flukes he stood taller than almost every other member of the team, only outsized by Ravvik himself, and even then not by much. A long, powerful tail extended out behind him while the rise of his dorsal fin exceeded that of the largest bulls in the wild.His body rippled with a foreign strength and seeing his cane tossed away, he habitually went towards it. Only when he stepped forward and didn't immediately crumple to the ground did Carter realize that his crippled leg had been completely healed.

"Amazing....amazing...it worked. It worked!" Carter loosed a set of pleased, undulating clicks and tones rumbling through the space of his cavernous throat.

"See! This is the dream we fight for. All will be able to realize their potential while we bring down our oppressors. The new world is at hand!" Ravvik exclaimed while patting Carter on the shoulder. The others came around to greet the newest member of their ranks and for the first time since choosing to join Ravvik's team he felt truly welcomed. The questions continued for a while until Ravvik pulled Carter casually aside to look closely at the vat housing the engineered nano-virus that had resulted from their many years of effort.

"How many doses of this serum can we produce right now?" Ravvik asked Carter as the rest of the group continued to discuss what they had seen.

"About 700 a month. We can double that once I've isolated some more efficient ingredients to produce the nano-virus."

A satisfied grin appeared across the shark's face. "Excellent. Go rest for now. We'll begin the final plans for distribution when you have your energy back. We'll be counting on you now more than ever to see our plan through."

Carter solemnly nodded "Don't worry. I'm with you."