Back to the Mountains
#1 of Back to the Mountains
WORK IN PROGRESS:
WARNING: This is a fan fiction work based on copyrighted characters. I recommend you to read first the H.P. Lovecraft's book "At the mountains of madness", since the present story is based on the events represented on that book.
Some scenes on this story are not for minors, so, if you are underage, please stop reading now.
There's not much in this first chapter, but later on there will be explicit sexual situations and some violence.
BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS
In 1931 the expedition sent from the Miskatonic University to the Antarctic circle, discovered in the deepest part of this continent, a secret that could change the history of mankind.
The unbelievable nature of this secret was useful to certain authorities to minimize the founding, this authorities have discouraged any other expedition. Discussing that the terrible incident happened back then was the consequence of the rough weather conditions and the isolation that the expedition members have suffered. As a consequence to this that region has remained untouched Ever since.
TODAY
Investigation ship: Pleyades.
Mc. Murdo strait. 77.9 degrees, south latitude.
The wind was blowing with an incredible strength, the two men on the deck had to scream each other. One of them was on a snow cat.
"Make sure you have anything you need. This is going to be one hell of a winter." Said the one on the bridge.
"It's okay, I still have to make one more trip, some of the guys want to send letters to their wives, some others want to spend the winter in the boat". Screamed the one on the snow cat.
"I understand them the last thing I could wish for is to support five months on that fucking base at below 40, no matter how sophisticated is it. Have you ever seen The Shining ?"
"Screw you."
With that, the snow cat leaves the ship and starts its journey to the depths of that frozen continent.
A few hours later, the driver arrives to a compound located in the bottom of a mountain, it was the latest thing, there are big flashlights all over the place. In the nearest side to the mountain some blasts can be heard.
The man drove the cat to the parking area, there were all kind of vehicles including some really cool snow bikes.
The man headed to the excavation site there was a man shouting orders to the others, some of them were preparing charges of dynamite.
"Sgt. Wilkins, Sr. I'm about to make the last trip, everything is right on schedule, we're ready to remain here for the winter."
A blast to their left let them to know that the charges have been detonated.
"Very good son," said Sgt. Wilkins "Tell everybody you are going back to the Pleyades one last time. If anybody wants to leave the compound this is their last chance."
Suddenly a man comes screaming from the excavation.
"Sir, we found another one, I think you should come and see this, there are specimens all over the place, and they are all very well preserved."
The three men start running, they entered a cave, there are strange bodies everywhere, at least 50 of them, they seem to be fossilized.
Their body was in the shape of a barrel, 1.7 m. High, in the lower body they have 5 tentacles instead of arms, there was a set of ramifications that eventually ended in 25 fingers, and the length of the "arms" was 1.2 m. On the back, they have what it seem to be membranous wings. The head was like a flower's, with five more ramifications extending from it with a closed eye in the end of each one of them. In the lower part of the head, there is a closed mouth full of sharp teeth, the skin was like old leather, somehow, it didn't seem to be fossilized.
Back to the compound, they were in a wide hall, full of computers and analyzers of all kind, DNA information was being displayed on a screen.
"Yes, we're getting closer." Said Sgt. Wilkins. "Mr. De Lau, make sure to report this when you make the last trip." ( Mr. De Lau is the man who was driving the snow cat.)
"Yes, sir!"
"And, Mr. De Lau... I think you should hurry up, it seems like the weather is about to get worse."
Mr. De Lau leaved the room running and the Sgt. Walks to a container that has the size of a swimming pool. A scientist is next to it, taking some notes.
"This is really amazing Sgt. It had almost stopped fighting, now just follows all my moves. It almost seems like it's studying me and not on the contrary."
"I know, and this was supposed to be just a slave, think of how much we can learn from its masters. Of course, we have to find them first, but don't worry, I think we're getting closer to them, the real show is just about to begin."
The two of them turn to look at the tank. There, floating in a clear liquid, is a thing without form, transparent, with a red nucleus, looks like a giant amoeba, and even with no eyes it seems to be looking at those two men on he other side of the glass.
MEXICO CITY.
Five months later.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Shit!" I shout as i turn the alarm off.
I stay another five minutes in bed, then I get up with a jump, I rub my eyes and head to the bathroom, after a hot shower I'm standing in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around my waist, looking at my reflection with satisfaction:
A dark gray anthro wolf with a thick line of a clearer gray that starts in my chin, it goes down my chest and belly and disappears in the towel, I'm about 1.85m, with brown eyes, the fur in my head is longer than the rest of my body.
I turn to look at a clock in a wall across the room, 8,15 AM.
"I think I should hurry."
I close my eyes and concentrate and soon my image starts to change, my long snout and my ears start to shrink, the fur in my body starts to slowly vanish.
Soon, where a wolf was is now a 25 year old guy. I get rid of the towel and I put a black pants and shirt, I return to the mirror to comb my hair, I tie my now black hair in a pony tail and I get out of my house to wait for a cab, thinking why would my boss told me not to use my car today.
After a short travel (yeah right!), I arrive to my destiny, a law firm.
I paid the guy and walked inside the building, empty as ever.
"What's up Fer," I greet the janitor in my way to the elevator.
"Good morning sir, you are a little late today."
"Yeah, well, you know ho the traffic is at this time."
The elevator door closes, but instead of pressing any button, I slip a card in a slot beneath the board, a second panel appears under the slot with a small screen, a voice recognition system and a finger print scanner.
I press the scanner with my thumb and lean to the voice ID.
"Nahualmorph 1290"
The computer took five seconds processing my ID.
"Identification confirmed, please select the desired level."
"Sub-level five."
As the elevator starts descending, I transform my body again.
Slowly, my ears and my face elongate, fur starts growing in my whole body, although, most of it remains hidden by my clothes, once loose, now tight. I remove my shoes, my feet haven't changed that much, but they're still uncomfortable, the nail in my feet and hands grow until they transform into strong talons, in my palms and my soles, appear soft pads, my mouth... no, my muzzle now has huge white fangs. As my transformation ends, the elevator doors open and I step out to a big hall, almost empty, across the room there's a big door with an armed guard on each side, I approach the door and both salute me, one of them open the door for me.
The next hall is different, there's a door at my left and another at my right, in front, there's a big des with a person working on a computer, behind it, there's a large corridor with several more doors, there are various persons going in all directions. Every wearing suits or military outfits. Some turn to look at me, but they don't look afraid or disturbed by the wolf standing by the door, holding his shoes with his right paw, some even greet me.
I go to the desk and say hi to the secretary.
"Good morning Irma, have they started yet?"
"No, but everybody is already in the meeting room, they're only waiting for you, commander Calderon is really pissed."
"Have you ever seen him in a different mood?" I joke as I start walking through the corridor.
Finally I enter the hall I was looking for, there are 7 lycanthropes and 9 humans, one of the humans is commander Calderon, a man short stature, somewhere between 45 and 50 years, kind of bold, with a messy beard (something rather unusual in high ranked officer), and , in general, a crappy look.
"Well, Mr. Nahualmorph, I'm glad that you have finally decided to honor us with your presence," said the commander in his usual sarcastic tone.
"Sorry I'm late," I tried to apologize, "There was lots of traffic."
"Whatever, sit down and let's get started."
As I take my seat, I watch the other members of the meeting, I barely know 3 of the humans, the other 5 are clearly from the U.S. Of the lycanthropes, I only know my buddy Carlos. The others I have seen only once... some time ago...
"Open your files."
At the commander's order we all removed the lock of the big folders. I'm amazed to find, amongst all the paperwork 2 books, "The Mountains of madness" and the "Necronomicon". At first I thought it was a joke, but I turn to look at the others and I see they have the same books.
"uh... is this a joke?" asked Carlos.
"No, it's not a joke," answers a very serious commander, "please read your files, once you finish, I'll answer your questions, that I'm sure will be many."
We all start reading the file, it's about certain expedition to the South Pole named Peyades. They had gone to the pole in search of very primitive life forms. They didn't have a name, and are only known as "the ancients".
I have read the mountains of madness before, so I had an idea of what the commander was up to.
According to the file, the expedition reported with a ship of the same name (Pleyades), anchored on Mc Murdo Strait, and that ship transmitted the message to a base in Hawaii.
The expedition was located over 1000 Km from Mc Murdo, it should send a report every 12 hours, the team was supposed to spend the winter at the base, 1000Km from the ship. The communications should have renewed 72 hours ago, but neither the ship nor the ground expedition had responded. Amongst the papers, there are a few maps, where the exact location of the base is shown.
"We're going to be sent to the fifth hell" I thought.
I knew what would be our mission, but I still had lots of questions.
Finally, we all finished reading the file.
"Good," said the commander, "I guess you know what your mission is, you have to go there, find out what happened, retrieve the expedition members, collect all the information you can, and in case of any treat, neutralize it effectively by any means you see fit. In two hours, you'll leave to Hawaii, you will equip yourselves there, and then you will fly to Mc Murdo strait. Any question?"
"Let's begin," I said "Why us?"
"Because you're qualified to do it, you're all well trained in the use of every kind of equipment, each one is a specialist on your field, besides, lycomorphs have great tolerance to the weather in those regions."
"And why us?" I asked again "I mean our government."
"To begin with, you already know the Mexican government doesn't know this organization exists, second, we're supposed to use all the lycomorphs from the experiment (at this point my expression turned a little dark), I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring back bad memories, anyway, we need al the lycomorphs, and you are from both countries, and third, some idiot assured that certain dumb, noisy, and in general pain in the ass wolf, was the best to lead this mission."
"I don't know if I should be pissed off or flattered" I answered "I like the idea of being alpha, but I don't like where you're sending us to."
"Wait a minute," said another wolf, a female that looked rather bored "if we are really going to face those things, I'd like to know how are we going to defend ourselves against them."
"Actually, you'll see that in Hawaii, but I assure you, you'll have the best gear available."
"If those beings really exist, Why did you allowed the book to be publicized?" asked one of the humans.
"Because sometimes, the best way to hide something is making it public. Both witnesses, the professor and the student Danforth helped us, they really made the warning the book tells. Fortunately, they understood that the only way to dissuade future expeditions was to turn the facts into fiction, so, the report they presented became publicity for the book."
"What about the Starkweather-Moore expedition?" asked another human "the report was to dissuade that expedition."
"The Starkweather-Moore expedition was going to be made in fact, we had lots of problems to dissuade them, we even had to infiltrate an agent and sabotage their equipment.
"Why now?" that question had been haunting me since the beginning "If you knew all this time what was on those mountains, and how dangerous it was, Why did you sent people now?"
"I'll answer that, "said one of the humans. Maybe I had gone to the movies a lot lately, or maybe they really exist, but this dude looked just like a man in black, high, hunk, blond hair, military cut, with his glasses on, he looked at me with despise, like if I were an inferior being and he felt compelled to answer me. "we considered that at this point, we should already have the necessary technology for this expedition, we have been entertaining the idea for some time, but it wasn't until this organization was created, that we started making real plans."
"Well, someone made a huge mistake, again." I murmured.
The man sat trying to burn holes in my head with his look, I didn't pay any attention to him and turned my head. There's when I noticed this other guy looking at the lycomorphs with a mixture of wonder and respect, like if we were his idols, but I have never seen him before. He turned to look at me and our gazes encountered for a while. He had clear brown eyes, he turned quickly, visibly ashamed. "Hmmm, this guy is not that bad". He seemed to be 22 or 23 years old, with black hair, not very long with a small buckle falling to his forehead, making him look a little funny. His face was a little round, he looked fit, although, you could see through his closed shirt that his belly was a little prominent. In the left pocket of his shirt, I can see a pair of glasses, but since he's not wearing them, I assume he uses them only when he's reading something.
"If you have any other question," said the commander "I'm sure it'll be answered once you're in Hawaii, please read the files again, the books too, try to learn as much as you can. Before you leave, I think you should introduce yourselves, let's start with you." said the commander to me.
"My name is Edgar, but everybody knows me by my code name, Nahualmorph, I'm from Mexico and I'll be leading the lycomorph team as you already know."
I sat and the female next to me got up.
"My name is Maxine, I'm with the us team and in case we face any hostile activity, I'll be in charge of designing and directing the combat tactics."
After saying this, she swayed her tail and hit me in the muzzle with it, then she took her seta, barely dissimulating a smile in her face. Well, I guess not everybody is compelled to like me.
My friend Carlos was next, his reddish fur almost gleaming to the light of the lamps.
"My name is Carlos, I'm from Mexico and I'll be your driver, but that doesn't means I'll open the door for you, ok?"
Next was a huge wolf with black fur. He was massive, taller than any of us, his enormous muscles could be seen through the gray sports jacket he was wearing, but there was a certain expression in his face that dissipated every fear you could feel seeing him.
"My name is Sly, I'm from the U.S. and I'll handle the heavy equipment we'll use, both weapons and for research."
Hearing his voice, made me remember certain actor, this dude could very well be Michael Clark Duncan turned into a wolf, although, this guy seemed a little tougher.
Next was a wolf with brown fur, the head fur longer, just like mine.
"My name is Alex, I'm from Mexico and I'm geologist."
Then it was the turn of another wolf.
"I'm Ash, I'm from the U.S. and I'm paleontologist."
Ash's name really fit him, all his body was covered in dark gray fur. Another female was next.
"Hi, I'm Kim, from U.S.A. and I am a mythologist."
Kim's fur was a golden honey color.
Finally, the last wolf stood.
"My name is Peter, I'm from the U.S. I'm a system programmer and I'll be in charge of all the communications."
The humans were next, the first one was a woman, a little skinny, but with a nice body.
"I am Sandra, I'm from Mexico and I'll be leading any special operation."
When Sandra said that I thought I heard a faint growl to my right. I nearly laugh out as I see Max's face. I guess regardless of species, women always show their teeth to a rival.
The man in black was next.
"I'm FBI agent, Howard Jonhson, special sent."
My, my, FBI, that explains some things but leaves a few questions.
Next, was a woman, she looked young, maybe 22, with glasses and blond hair.
"My name is Robin, I'm from the U.S. and I'm archeologist."
Then, there was another girl, this one looked a little older.
"I'm Lisa, from Mexico, and I'm a biologist."
Then there was this guy, definitely a cop.
"My name is Daniel, I'm from Mexico and I'll be representing the Mexican government during this mission."
Next was the guy I had been watching.
"My name is Steven, I'm from the U.S. and I'll be your medic and your vet."
Everybody started laughing.
"What? It's truth," said Steve a little annoyed "I'll be taking care of humans and lycomorphs."
Then there was another man, with a bulk body and an unfriendly look.
"I am Donald, from the U.S. mechanic."
Finally the last human.
"I'm Bill, from the U.S. I'm also a mechanic."
"Well, that's it," said the commander "the plane is on hangar 3, you all must be there 20 minutes before leaving, in the meantime, you can go to the cafeteria or the recreation area.
Everybody got up and went out looking for something to do."
I decided to stay in the meeting hall to review the files and read something of "the necronomicon".
"Do you want to go to the cafeteria?" asked Carlos standing by the door "they make a delicious Irish here."
"No thanks Charlie," I answered "let me see if I can figure something out of this mess."
Carlos left the room and I stayed alone. I noticed that there was a coat in one of the chairs.
"Someone must have forgotten it"
Everybody else were in the cafeteria. Ash, Kim, Peter and Max were on a table, drinking coffee.
"What do you think of our leader?" asked Ash, "He doesn't seem to have much experience in this matter."
"I think he's kinda cocky, and a showoff," said Max "he'd better not try to get smart on me, and that ops. Chief too."
"Give'em a chance," said Peter "Maybe they're not that bad."
Lisa was in a table, reading a magazine, when a voice startled her.
"Is this chair taken?"
It was Alex.
"No, please, be my guess."
The wolf sat next to Lisa.
"What part of the US are you from?" asked Alex.
"I'm from Washington, but I studied five years in California, what about you?"
"I was born here, grown here and I studied here, there's not much to say about me."
"It's funny to hear that from a 7 ft. Talking wolf."
They both started laughing.
I was still in the meeting hall, when the door opened and Steve came in.
"Hey, have you seen a black coat? I think I left it here."
"Yeah, it's over that chair."
Steven walked into the room and took his coat, he looked at me for a moment and then asked:
"How well do you know your team?"
The question took me a little by surprise but I managed to answer
"I only know one of them, why?"
"Well I'm supposed to be in charge of everyone's health, but I don't know any of them, I don't know if they're allergic to any medication, or if they have some chronical disease or are under any treatment."
"I can tell you about me and Carlos, we're both perfectly OK, but I barely know the rest of the guys, just like you."
"Kinda weird," said Steven "I thought you were very united and all."
"Well, we're not, in fact, besides Carlos, it's been almost a year since the last time I saw the others, but I guess they must be fine. At least me and Carlos have to be here for a periodic check."
"Yeah, I guess you're right, I'm a little inexpert, this is my first mission I this organization, you know?"
"How did you get here."
"My notes on the Vet school were very high, but I wasn't the only one, I guess it must have been because of an essay I did. "Lycanthropy as a modern disease". Six months ago, one of my professors told me he had arranged a job for me but I had to learn human health science besides my vet knowledge. At first I didn't find it very appealing, but then he told me I was going to get paid ten times more than a normal vet, and he assured me was going to like it, so I immediately begin studying medicine, four months later I got an invitation that was supposedly developing medications. My professor told me that was my big chance. I didn't believed him at first, but I decided to go anyway. The address resulted to be a facade for the American government Omega division. They conducted a few tests and I was finally admitted. I spent two months receiving combat training and some other things, Like I told you, this is my first mission, What about you?"
"Well, my life was perfectly normal until five years ago. I was a biology student totally obsessed with my work. I got a scholarship and I went to Canada. One night I went out into the forest alone, to get a blood sample from one of the wolves I was observing. I was in a rush because had very little time to present my results. So I went alone, at night. After searching a while, I found the pack I was looking for. I needed the sample from the alpha male, he had been acting weird lately and I thought he was sick. I had to wait until he got separated from the pack to shoot him a tranquilizer. When I thought the wolf was fully unconscious I approach him to retrieve the sample from one of his forepaws and before I withdraw the needle, I turned to see his face. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered the animal not only was not sedated, but also staring right to me, our gazes found each other for some time, finally I moved my arm to pull the needle out of him, and you can guess what happened."
I showed him my left arm with my paw pad up.
"Touch above the wrist, against the fur direction."
Steven caressed my arm against the fur, discovering a curious set of scars. Amongst the fur, a small markings on the skin could be seen, in diagonal shape, four from left to right, and four from right to left, the points nearly touching.
"It's a very curious bite," said Steven "It's almost symmetric."
"Yeah, I noticed that too, well, I was really expecting something the next full moon, and I got my wish. The problem was that the chains that I used to restrain myself failed and I broke loose."
"I don't get it," interrupted Steve "you don't look like the wild, blood-thirsty creature from the movies."
"We'll get there soon," I said "the chains didn't hold me and I broke loose. I don't remember what happened that night, but I woke up naked on the woods the next day, covered in blood and with a dead deer next to me. By then, I was already in the state of Colorado. I bought stronger chains and the next two nights were uneventful. But the first one was enough, right before I returned to Mexico, I got a visit from a man in a black suit, just like Agent Jonhson, he told me he could help me with my problem. I had a few doubts, but he told me they also had staff in Mexico and gave me an address. Once I was in Mexico, I decided to give it a try and I went to the place, which resulted to be this place. More than help me, they wanted to recruit me. It looked like there was already a werewolf amongst them and the agency discovered the advantages of having a lycanthrope in their lines, even in human form. You know what I mean, we have great elasticity, speed and strength, and all our senses are more developed than those of the average human, so, we're excellent soldiers. There's when I meet Carlos, He also had been bitten recently. Well, it wasn't as if we had much choices, if we refused we were to be killed because we were too dangerous to be around free."
"Is it true what happens in the movies?" asked Steven "That only silver can kill you?"
" Of course not !" I answered laughing "I am as mortal as you are, maybe a little more tough, Anyway, If we took this job we would be given a house, car, insurance, retirement, an obscene payment, and also, a safe place inside the facility for "those days", All that in exchange for risking our lives from time to time in suicidal missions around the world, But like I told you, we didn't had much choices. Over a year ago, Lycanthropes from both countries gathered in the US. The agency had been making studies on us and they thought they had a cure, they had developed a serum that was supposed to destroy the virus, or whatever it is that makes us change. Back then, there were 15 of us, the experiment killed the half. The serum was injected to us and then we were exposed to electrical charges at below freezing temperatures, the experiment had a curious effect in those who survived, What you see is the result of it. We can maintain our human or wolf form at will, Being the lat one our natural form. In both forms we have the same consciousness and memories We choosed a name for us: Lycomorphs. After that, each one returned to his country and base, of course, they didn't let us go, they had invested too much in us, so, we stayed, but now the full moon doesn't affect us the same, we get a little grumpy and it's a little hard to maintain our human shape, but that's it."
"Wow, Incredible, so... Do you know any other lycanthropes besides you guys?"
"No, but I know they exist, I've heard there are places where you can find more lycanthropes than humans, it also seems to be another kind of lycanthrope that can change at will. In central and south America there is a legend... If a mother gives birth to seven male children, the 7th will be a predestinated lycanthrope, plus, there are the pacts with the devil, but that's a different story. Now, moving to another subject, do you have any idea what we're going to deal with? Have you ever read "At the mountains of madness"?"
"No, I have never been interested in that kind of literature."
"That's too bad, I'll try to resume the important stuff. The book is about an expedition made by a university to the south pole. They found, almost by accident, what they first thought were very ancient fossils. Over 500 million years old. They assumed those were the beings described in the "Necronomicon", the same beings that arrived from outer space, and created life on earth. The "Necronomicon" called them: the ancient or the primordials. I know it sounds crazy, but it looks like they're real."
"But how is it possible?" asked Steve, amazed "How come there are no evidence that this beings ever existed?"
"Because they still exist. Have you ever hear of the Tsathogga believers?"
"No, Is it some kind of cult?"
"Indeed, Tsathogga, just like a being named Cthulu, are worshipped in some parts of the world, especially in certain places near the coast. Since this locations are very isolated, we don't know much about it. But both gods are similar to the creatures described in the "necronomicon". However, that's not what worries me. In the "mountains", they describe something, something that even the primordials fear. Something they didn't even dared to show in their carvings. The book only mentions it briefly, calling it "the terrible Kadath of the frozen desert" we can only imagine what it is. The ancient also created creatures called soggoths, and they were their slaves, they had no shape or will, they were protoplasm creatures at the service of the ancient. Somehow, the soggoths got a will of their own, and they revealed against the ancient. According to the book, the soggoths are the ones that made all the mess in the camp, so, we can assume they're the ones we're going to have to deal with."
"What are we going to use against them?" asked Steven "do you think normal weapons can cause them any damage?"
"I doubt it, but I'm sure we're going to get some kind of gun, this guys are sparing no expenses with this operation. But we're getting too ahead of ourselves, we may not even have to fight."
Steven looked t me to know if I was joking or something. We both knew very well what we were going to face there.
"All this talking gave me a cotton Muzzle," I said "what do you say if we go get a coffee?"
"Ok." Steve said.
We both got up and went to the cafeteria. Everyone else was there, chatting and having coffee or sodas Steve and I sat in an empty table, where Carlos soon joined us.
"What's up? Ready to get our asses freeze for a good time?"
"I guess so," said Steve "But the winter is over in that hemisphere, so, hopefully, we won't freeze that much."
"It's easy for you," said Carlos "Your file says you were in Alaska when you got the call. It will be easy for you to get used to the pole."
"Well, you're covered in fur from head to toe, I don't think you have much to worry about."
Carlos looked at me, as if hoping for me to say something that save him.
"Touché Charlie," I said "He beat you."
"Okay, okay," said Carlos, always in a good mood "the cool thing is, we're on our way, I always wanted to feel like I was in a horror movie."
"I forgot to tell you," I told Steve "Carlos is a total movie freak, although, he's a little right, this may turn to be just like a horror movie."
"If that's the case," said Steve "I think Carlos's luck doesn't look good, the best friend of the hero dies all the time."
"And who said Edgar was the hero?" asked Carlos, Steven blushed a little. "Besides, he doesn't always die, sometimes he is believed to be dead, and he finally shows up and saves the day. Besides, when the best friend dies, only the hero and his girlfriend survive, and since our alpha male is ironically gay..."
"Can't keep your mouth shut, can you?" I asked Carlos a little upset, because of my friend's lack of touch.
Steve looked a little surprised.
"Are you really gay?"
"Yeah, I hope you don't feel uncomfortable about it."
"Not at all."
"As I was saying," Carlos interrupted "Edgar doesn't has a girl, or a boy, so, the best friend survives with him."
"I think you should come back to the real world," I told Carlos "It's time to go."
I got up and headed towards the bar, to the place where Sandra was sitting.
"It's time to go" I told Sandra, then I addressed to the rest "Attention! It's time, I want everybody in Hangar 3 in 10 minutes."
Everybody got up from their seats, Alex approached me.
"Hey, I just ordered another coffee," he told me, a little upset.
"Order it to go." I told him.
"But we still have half an hour," Alex complained "Besides, I don't like the flavor of foam."
"Well, you have some choices," I told him, "You can turn into a human and sacrifice some of your taste sense, or you can drink it as soon as they give it to you and burn your snout, or you can simply deal with the foam flavor, you figure it out, but please don't question me again and just obey, understood?...UNDERSTOOD?"
"Yes sir," Alex obeyed and asked for a foam glass, but neither his shape nor the anger in his eyes changed.
As Alex was leaving the room, I thought I hear him mumble something like "Fucking faggot". Great, now all the lycomorphs knew I was gay, that could make my job a little more difficult.
When I reached the hangar, the team was ready and waiting for my orders. Commander Calderon was there too. Our plane was a huge private jet. It looked like our bosses wanted to keep this mission as discreet as possible. Hangar 3 connected us to the city airport, in one of the retired tracks.
"Everything is set," said the commander "the plane I checked, filled, and you already have a clearance for take off. From now on, lycomorphs are your responsibility."
"Yes sir," I told him, and the turned to my team "Alright, everybody inside."
Humans and lycomorphs obeyed, they got on the plane and took their seats.
"Be careful," said Commander Calderon before I got in the plane "I believe this mission is far more dangerous than it looks."
"Wow," I said sarcastically "are you worried about me?"
"I'm worried about the equipment you'll be using, it's very expensive, try not to destroy it."
"Don't sweat it, it's not your money." I told him as the plane door closed. Once inside, I sat between Carlos and Steve.
"What's up?" greeted me Carlos.
"Everything is ready, we'll be leaving any moment."
Right then, the engines started.
"I wonder what movie they're gonna play." said Carlos.
"Hey, this is not a pleasure trip," I told him "this will be probably our most dangerous mission."
"I don't care, I don't want to be worrying all the time, so, I expect a good movie and a decent meal, I haven't eaten yet, and coffee and sodas are not enough."
"Do you see any gorgeous girl asking if you want peanuts?" asked Steve "if you want to eat something, I guess you'll have to fetch it."
"I told you this wasn't a pleasure trip."
The pilot's voice could be heard through the speakers.
"Attention! We'll be taking off right now, please remain in your seats with your belts on."
The plane started moving and in a few seconds, we were out of the hangar, gaining speed. The tires left the ground, and we headed for Hawaii.
The trip was uneventful and we got there quick. To kill time, me and Steve decided to give Carlos something to do: he was supposed to mention a phrase from a movie and me and Steve were supposed to guess what movie it was.
I was winning 37 to 5 when all the coffee from a few hours ago started to make effect.
"I have to dispose of the excess of liquids," I told them while getting up, then I turned to Carlos and told him in a mocking tone "I'll be right back"
"You're lucky it's just us in the plane" said Carlos "otherwise, our leader would have been killed before starting the mission"
"Well, I can always break my neck if we stumble across turbulence," I said on my way to the men's room.
As I was nearing to the bathroom, I could hear the voices of Daniel and Sandra.
"I don't thrust him," I heard Daniel say "him or any of those dogs."
" Neither do I," said Sandra "But they're the only ones that can accomplish this mission, and agent Jonhson is our link with the US. Although, his part in this mission isn't very clear to me."
Both shut up when I reached the little compartment. Once I got out, they were still reclined in a little table, each one holding a glass of water, as I made my way out of the kitchen, I hear Daniel say.
"I wonder if they pee on all four?"
Having supersensitive ears is not always an advantage, looks like the special sent doesn't likes us very much, oh well...
I returned to my seat and we all prepared for the descents.
We landed on an island near to Maui, in a small private airport. The track ended in a series o hangars. When we got off the plane, a single man was waiting for us. Agent Jonhson walked straight towards him.
"All is ready agent, the base is empty and the equipment is already on the plane, you leave at once."
"Yes sir."
The man retreated and Sandra and I approached Agent Jonhson.
"What now?" asked Sandra.
"Everything is ready," answered the agent "the equipment is in the plane, our clothes are in the changing room, I suggest we change clothes and leave immediately."
"Very well," said Sandra "We'll do just that."
"Why is the base empty?" I asked agent Howard.
"Because of you," he answered "we evacuated the entire base so no one could see you or find out about the mission."
There wasn´t much sense in that, since we were able to change to our human shape at will, must be the mission.
The other man was waiting for us at the entrance of a building hidden in the luxurious vegetation of the island. We entered the building and the man lead us to a locker room, there were two tables with 8 packages each.
"This is what you'll have to wear, the packages to the left are for humans, the ones to the right are for lycomorphs."
"how did this man knew how to call us?" then I recognized him. He was the secretary of defense, obviously, he had traveled all the way to Hawaii, undercover, just to supervise us.
I recognized him because he was present in the experiment from a year ago.
Each one took a package and we started changing. As hard as I try I can't avoid turning to look at my friend Carlos, His body covered in a reddish fur. I turn around and focus on other things before it became too obvious that I'm getting aroused.
The suits were not bad at all, they were customized for lycomorphs. Everything had thermical properties, from underwear to the heavy coats, everything was black, with a blue symbol in the form of an iceberg.
The pants had zipper and buttons in both ends, to allow us to adjust our tail or protect it in extreme temperatures. The socks were made of a material unknown to me, they were very soft, yet, strong enough to not be shredded by our claws. The boots were perfectly adjusted to our feet, there was also a skirt, along sleeve shirt, a vest, a jacket, and finally, a long coat. All the suits had the same accessories, a small case with 6 flare lights, a hunting knife, a small flashlight, a little bottle with alcohol and a bandage, a dose of insulin, water proof matches and a glock 9mm with two clips, all this could be easily carried within the many pockets of our suits.
There was also a water proof wrist watch, with all the standard functions, plus a small chip that would allow us to locate any member of our party within a 500 meters range, we also had gloves, the ones for the lycomorphs had tiny holes in the fingertips, for our claws.
Finally, each case had a small device adjustable for our heads, it was an intercom, with a small lens with thermal vision, there was a more powerful flashlight, two extra clips and the sign receivers from our watches.
Once we were ready, the secretary led us to our new transport. It was a beautiful plane, made of stealth material, very much like a F111, but longer.
The secretary of defense came near to me.
"Do you have any pilots in your crew?" he asked me.
"Yes sir, I have two."
"Good, they'll fly the plane."
"How come I didn't guess it?"
"Alright," I told him, then turned to my team "Carlos and Peter, you'll fly the plane, get up and start the engines, we leave at once."
They both nodded and ran to prepare it.
"The rest, up and get your places."
We all got in the plane and took our seats, waiting for Carlos and Peter to take off.
"We need to be very careful," said Steve to me "Looks like we're not going to have any back up."
"I know," I told him "We'll be completely on our own."
The plane started moving and 30 seconds later we were on the air, on our way to the most inhospitable and hallucinating territory on the planet...