FSE

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---

Devil Seed

By

Gemma the Ice-Wolf

Chapter 15

10th and Boulder Ave.

Friday 9:34pm

Aaron dove to the side as Bruce moved in and took another swipe at him. He leaped back and pulled out his revolver, firing two rounds into the changeling tiger's chest. Bruce staggered back and snarled at him.

"You won't stop me Aaron." the creature roared. "I'll tear you apart!"

Gunshots rang out from either side of them. Both Terry and Spike and taken out their pistols and had opened fire. Aaron fired two more rounds. The changeling was now riddled with bullet wounds and bleeding out of each one. It did little more than make him angrier.

"How in the hell is he still standing?" Terry shouted. "We both emptied our magazines into him."

Bruce hissed at them.

"Persistent bugger, isn't he?" Spike yelled.

The changeling charged at Aaron again. Aaron was ready for him this time. Just as the changeling tiger was closing in he fired one more round into his upside down head. The creature was forced back by the blast and he collapsed on the ground quickly picking himself up.

"Only one way to deal with something like this guys." Aaron stated whilst taking off his jacket.

"Looks like it." said Spike.

"So we're resorting to red eye?" asked Terry. "Sounds good to me."

All three boys stood poised and ready to attack. Their breathing was suddenly synced together, and the veins in Aaron and Spike's faces were pulsing. Their eyes shifted to a solid red that gave off a dim glow.

"Ready?" Aaron started.

"Set." said Spike.

"Go!" Terry shouted.

All three of them charged at the changeling with lightning speed. The creature didn't have a chance to react as Aaron and Spike drew their combat knives while Terry pulled out three of his throwing knives. Terry made the initial strike throwing all three knives. The blades struck random areas including one of Bruce's eyes. The creature shrieked as Spike then Aaron moved in close and cut through either side of it. The changeling fell to its knees breathing heavily. Two more arms sprung from its back and it picked itself up again. Just as Spike was moving in for another strike the creature turned around and swatted him away. Spike rolled to the side and picked himself up. He charged from behind as Aaron and Terry made their second approach. Terry hurled two more knives, both striking dead center in the changeling's chest. He dove out of the way just as Aaron moved in for his attack. Both he and Spike impaled their blades into the creature as it let out a bloodcurdling scream. It raised its claws and both boys dove to the side as it took a swipe at them.

"Why won't this thing go down?" Terry shouted.

"Probably because we haven't found it's weak spot yet." said Spike. We have to locate the larvae."

Terry spat.

"That could take hours. And we don't have that kind of time"

"Yeah, but we also don't have a wood chipper handy." said Aaron.

"I'm open to suggestions." said Terry.

Spike clenched his fists.

"We'll just have to keep hitting it till we find a weak point." he said. "Process of elimination. Hit it wherever you can."

The creature started snarling and shrieking. Another set of arms sprouted from it's back, took hold of the knives, and pulled them free. Tossing the knives aside segments of the changeling's body started stretching. When the process was done the creature was standing at least nine feet tall and the chest cavity had split open to reveal a new set of jaws.

"Shit!" Terry screamed. "How the hell are we supposed to even kill this thing if it keeps changing shape?"

"Don't worry about that." Aaron shouted. "We have to take this thing out before it takes us out."

Aaron dashed to one side retrieving his combat knife and then charged. Spike followed in with Terry picking up the rear. Aaron struck first by catching one of the creature's passing arms and cutting it clean off. Spike caught another one of the multiple arms and pulled it completely out of the socket. The changeling shrieked as the limb was torn off. Terry then moved in and threw a pair of knives into the creature's new mouth then jumped away as it grabbed for him. Aaron and Spike dove out of the way as it swiped at them again. Spike took an openhanded strike to the chest that sent him rolling a short distance away. The creature then turned its attention to Aaron and its eyes started to glow red.

"You think you're the only ones who have an ace up their sleeve?" Bruce mocked. "I am far more resourceful than you think." The creature charged full force into Aaron with the same blurred speed that they had been exhibiting themselves earlier. Aaron took the full force of the creatures arm and was knocked back several feet. The changeling seized the opportunity and pounced on top him pinning his arms to the ground. His struggling only making it laugh.

"I'm going to enjoy this Aaron. I'll make you suffer first before I kill you."

With that it raised one of its claws and thrust them through Aaron's right arm, but he didn't make a sound. He just winced and looked up at the creature.

"Unfortunately for you I barely even felt that." Aaron shouted.

He took out his revolver and pointed the barrel under Bruce's head. He pulled back the hammer and fired the last round. The changeling staggered back and Aaron picked himself up. Bruce snarled again and took a step forward. A loud bang shot out from down the street and the changeling was forced to stagger back again. Aaron turned around to see Cain aiming through the scope of his sniper rifle. He pulled back the bolt and let the empty shell casing flop out. He then slammed it forward again and locked it. He fired another round at Bruce and the beast staggered back again. Cain fired again and again until he had emptied the magazine and stood by Aaron who was now nursing his bleeding arm.

The gunshots had done little to deter the changeling. It staggered back somewhat, but it was barely affected. The creature reared back it's head and let out a loud shriek. Suddenly here were two steel rods protruding from its chest. Spike and Terry had found them sitting behind a dumpster and were now using them to keep the changeling from going anywhere.

"Forget about us so quickly asshole?" Terry mocked. "Getting a little careless aren't you?"

The two yanked the rods from the creature and pivoted back.

"Whack job on three!" shouted Spike.

"Three!" shouted Terry.

Spike and Terry proceeded in a barrage of bat swings, beating the changeling in order to slow it down. Cain and Aaron watched the whole thing unfold. To them it was like a reenactment of King Kong.

"That thing just won't quit." said Cain.

"It's not the only problem we have now." said Aaron.

Cain looked over to his friend and noticed the blood running down the human's arm.

"Aw hell. When did that happen?"

"Just after he pounced on me. Gah!"

The same black slime started oozing again from the wound in Aaron's arm. From Cain's point of view this was worse than the bite he got a few weeks ago.

"You've got to fight it Aaron. Don't let that thing take over."

"Cain, how long do we have before the clean up crew arrives? Twenty minutes? Thirty? I'm afraid not this time buddy. I can't hold the Id off for long with a wound like this. I'll probably be gone within five minutes. You have any of those tranquillizers?"

Cain nodded.

"Yeah. I always carry a few."

"Good. I have a feeling you'll need it soon."

Cain could see the glare in Aaron's eyes. He started feeling uneasy.

"What are you thinking Aaron?"

"You know exactly what I'm thinking Cain. Of the three of you, you can read me the best."

"You want that thing to fight the changeling, right?"

Aaron chuckled.

"Like I said. You read me best. The way I see it, it'll be worn out after the fight. That will be your chance to use one of the tranqs."

Cain gritted his teeth. He was the first to know of Aaron's secret. The worst part was that no one knew where it came from. Try as he might, he had to admit that Aaron was right about the current situation. They had handled this before. They could do it again. He nodded reluctantly.

"Alright. How long do you think you have?"

Aaron winced as he gripped his wound tight.

"Off hand. I'd say, you've got three minutes at most. Cain, do me one favor before you pull out."

Cain held up his rifle and looked at him.

"Get Mia away from here. I don't want her caught up in this."

Cain nodded.

"Hang in there."

He turned and started making a mad dash in Spike and Terry's direction. Raising his rifle he fired a round in the back of Bruce's head. The creature fell over as Cain ran past them.

"Come on you two!" he shouted. "We're pulling out!"

Spike and Terry looked at each other.

"Pulling out?" they both said.

Terry called out to him. "Cain since when did..."

Cain cut him off. "Get moving! Aaron's got this one!"

The two looked over to Aaron. He was clenching his arm and his eyes seemed to flash red now and then.

"Oh hell." said Spike. "Now we have to contend with the Id and this damn changeling?"

"What do we do?" asked Terry. "We can't deal with both of them."

Spike dropped the rod and started after Cain. "We give the two of them plenty of room for starters!"

Terry dropped his rod and ran after the other two. "You don't have to tell me twice."

Cain stopped at Bruce's car and pulled the door open. Mia was still unconscious in the passenger seat. Unfastening the seatbelt he carefully picked her up in his arms. Terry and Spike caught up and their attention quickly turned back to the changeling who let out a ferocious roar. Its legs were bent and ready to charge when a rock suddenly struck the creature in the head. It snarled as it turned to Aaron still cradling one arm with a rock in the other.

"Forget about me asshole?" he shouted. "I thought this was between you and me?"

The changeling gnashed its teeth. Drool poured out as it started slowly advancing on Aaron. "You know, you really shouldn't have made me bleed. Not exactly something that you want to do."

The beasts pace picked up. Its razor sharp claws raised and ready to strike. Aaron grinned.

"I'm really sorry Bruce. I would never have wished this on you. The best I can do now, is set you free. This is the only way to do it. Now you will have to face off with the Id."

The black slime on Aaron's arm had by this time managed to ooze down his leg and part of his upper body. His eyes flashed red as he clenched his fists. He suddenly jerked back as a sharp pain shot through his spine. His right arm now reshaping into a large black claw. The slime quickly traveled over the rest of his body. The sounds of bone snapping and his body reshaping as it took him over. Aaron let out a final shout in agony as his head vanished within the black mass and took on a long smooth shape. In Aaron's place now stood a black, quadruped, creature with razor sharp claws, a long, sleek, tail, and several rows of sharp teeth. Its red eyes seeming to pierce right through the changeling.

The two beasts snarled and roared at each other as they began circling. The Id bearing its teeth and gnashing them as the changeling took a swipe at it. The Id reared back and leaped at the changeling with claws outstretched. It slashed this way and that causing the changeling to jump back. With no further provocation both leaped at each other. The Id biting into one of the changelings arms as the changeling clawed desperately at it with all its free limbs. The Id seemed unphased by the lethal assault and bit down harder, sinking its teeth deep into the arm before giving a hard tug and tearing the arm off with a loud snap of bone. The changeling let out a shriek as it moved away, its blood pouring over the blacktop.

A short distance away, Cain, Terry, and Spike had made a hasty retreat behind one of the buildings opposite of the cannery. Cain and Terry peered around the wall watching the fight while Spike kept a careful watch on Mia, who was lying unconscious in a patch of grass. Terry cringed after seeing the Id tear one of the changelings arms off.

"Dear God." he started. "I almost forgot how savage that thing is."

Cain nodded and hid back behind the wall.

"Hard to believe our ancestors were like that huh?"

He took out a small, thin, box from a pocket in his duster and opened it. Taking out two large darts he removed the protective caps from the needles and loaded them into an empty rifle magazine. He then ejected the magazine in the rifle, ejected the round in the chamber, and slapped the new magazine in. He then pulled back the bolt and cocked the first dart into the chamber.

"How is the Id doing?"

Terry looked back at Cain as he loaded the rifle then back to the fight just down the street from them.

"Off hand I'd say winning. Especially after it just bit off one of the changelings arms."

"So what now?" asked Spike.

Cain reached into another pocket and produced a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Taking out a cigarette he put the pack back in his pocket, lit the cigarette and took a long drag.

"We wait." he said exhaling.

The Id circled slowly. Its long tongue gliding delicately over its teeth as it seemed to glare the changeling down. The changeling snarled and spat, keeping its claws and teeth at the ready. The Id made a mock lunge and jumped back. The changeling swiping at the air with its opponent an arms length away. Trying to take charge of the fight it leaped at the Id with all of its arms and claws outstretched. It made several swipes then finally hit its mark. The Id shrieked as it backed away, its tail slashing about and slapping the ground. The changeling made another lunge. This time the Id spun around slapping the changeling with its tail. The beast rolled to the side and picked itself up. The Id, seeing an opportunity, pounced on the recovering creature. Both rolled on the ground scratching, snarling, and biting. Neither seeming to let up.

As the two separated the Id lunged again. This time it sank its teeth into the changelings side. It let out a blood curdling shriek as the Id ripped flesh and bone away. It spit out the hunk of meat and resumed biting into the gaping wound as if searching for something. The changeling trying desperately to pull the Id off, clawing and scratching with little effect. Pulling off another hunk of flesh the Id forced its prey to the ground. In one quick bite, it tore out the changeling's throat.

"Looks like the changeling is history." said Terry. "The Id just tore it apart."

Cain stood up and peered around the wall. The Id was tearing at the changeling mercilessly, digging with its claws and tearing flesh and bone away. It burrowed its head in the changeling's throat and pulled out a long white cord still coated in blood. A head emerged from the changeling, shrieking and snapping at the Id. In one hard jerk the Id tore the cord away and the creature took its final breath. The changeling fell limp and the Id let out a victorious roar.

Cain stepped out from behind the wall. Raising his rifle he took aim and fired one of the tranquilizers. The dart struck the Id in the neck. It let out a shriek as it turned its attention to Cain.

"Oh no you don't!" he exclaimed, firing a second dart.

The Id staggered and snarled as it collapsed. Its tail swaying to and fro as the beast let out a final roar and laid its head on the ground. Terry stepped out from behind the wall.

"How much was in those tranqs?" he asked.

Cain slung the rifle over his shoulder and took a final drag from his cigarette. Dropping it on the ground he stamped it out and exhaled.

"Enough to knock out an elephant." he said.

Terry looked at him with a bit of concern.

"Isn't that a bit extreme?"

Cain shook his head.

"Seems to be working. Look."

Terry turned his attention back too the Id. The slime that the creature was made from had started to recede and as it did, it began taking a more humanoid form. Moments later it disappeared and Aaron was left lying on the ground. Terry dashed over to him.

"He's okay!" he called to Cain.

Cain simply nodded.

"Cleanup should be here any time now." said Spike. "How should we handle the scene here?"

"We'll have to either make it look like suicide or an accident." Cain answered. "Either way just sounds wrong when it's an innocent victim."

Spike shook his head.

"We don't have a choice."

Cain turned and looked at him grimly.

"I know."

Concealed in the shadows two figures stood. One poised with a rifle aimed at the four guild agents. The other, much bigger of the two, held up a pair of binoculars.

"I have one of them in my sights now." said the smaller figure.

"Hold your fire." said the large one. "We're only here to observe them. You'll get your chance to deal with them later."

The smaller figure lowered the rifle and turned around.

"Well, I've seen enough. What do we do next?"

The larger figure turned around following his partner.

"We bide our time. We already know their weak point. They should be little trouble for us."

Guild Headquarters

Friday 7:45 pm

It had been a quiet day for Sam Ritter as he sat with his feet propped up on his desk. Few forms to sign, a couple mishaps in the halls, and his partner Kendra was back from her three days off. The weasel let out a sigh as he picked up a pen from his desk and pressed the button on the top, making it click. Repeating this process he looked over to the female coyote sitting at the desk across from him. She was wearing a tank top shirt and baggy pants, with a pair of boots. Not the usual attire compared to his own shirt and tie, pants, and shoes. She did have her reasons for dressing less professionally. Loose clothing gave her greater mobility. Or so she said. It didn't bother him. He actually found it attractive, but he didn't dare tell that to her. He did want to keep the relationship professional. Although he did have the inkling that she liked him. He shook his head with a grin.

"Get real Sam." he thought to himself. "No way is a girl like her going to be into someone like you. You're turning forty in what, three months? She's twenty five, practically still a kid. Not to mention when's the last time you were with a woman?"

He glanced over to her again. Kendra was looking at him rather puzzled.

"Kind of nice isn't it?" he asked, trying to avoid an awkward situation.

Kendra sat back with a smile.

"Yeah it is." she replied. "Feels like I got an extra day off. Not that I needed it."

The brown weasel set his feet down and stood up giving a stretch before walking over to the nearby coffee maker. Grabbing one of the stacked paper cups he picked up the pitcher and poured a cup.

"Think I could get one of those too?" asked Kendra. "I could use a pick-me-up."

Sam was just about to answer her when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Setting down the coffee Sam opened the door and was greeted with a stack full of files shoved in his arms. He stumbled back and turned to set them on his desk. He then turned around seeing a badger close the door. Sam stood silent for a moment.

"What the hell was that all about?" asked Kendra.

Sam shook his head.

"I don't know. Looks like we just got assigned a job."

The two looked over the stack of files. On the very top was a memo. It read: "Come to my office when you receive this. -Chief." The two looked at each other. Kendra shot up from her seat grabbing her jacket and putting it on. Sam picked up his trench coat from the coat wrack next to his desk and put it on. The two rushed out the door slamming it shut behind them.

It only took the two five minutes to get to the chief's office. Sam was nearly out of breath because they had decided to take the stairs all the way up. Kendra didn't seem to mind at all though. She didn't even look like she broke a sweat.

"Next time..." Sam wheezed. "we... take... the elevator."

"Oh come on old man." Kendra jabbed. "Bit of a workout like that does ya some good."

Sam looked up at her as he leaned against the wall.

"I'd say something mean right now, but I'm trying to keep my heart from exploding."

Sam knew that under that outfit that Kendra wore was an athletic body that nearly bordered on muscular. She wasn't buff by any means, but he had seen her muscle tone. It was probably why she got a job in his department. She had the physical ability that they needed. In the three years he'd known her, Kendra had chased people down, was a great fighter, and had some decent tracking skills. All Sam had was his brains, his sleuthing skills, and his two guns if he counted the one in his pants, which he had used more than a few times in the past. Stories about that used to be whispered around the office. He wondered if Kendra had ever heard anything. That could be embarrassing.

His thoughts were interrupted when the chief's door opened. The chief looked both of them over.

"I thought I could hear someone outside." he said. "Come in, both of you. And close the door."

The two followed him inside. Sam knew the case was serious when the chief called for him. It was plain to see on the chief's face that something was wrong. Taking his seat, the chief cleared his throat.

"Sit down both of you."

The grizzly bear wasn't one to make offers. Just orders. And everyone followed them. The two took their seats in front of his desk. The chief stroked his chin for a moment and looked the two agents over again.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I sent for you. Let me get to the point. We have a mole in the agency."

"A mole?" asked Kendra. "Since when did we have that kind of problem?"

The chief sat back in his seat.

"Since one of our agents found some suspicious notifications in our sightings reports."

Sam cleared his throat.

"You're referring to our boys in the hazmat department right?"

The chief nodded.

"The same. In the last twenty four hours we have managed to find information that points to a hacker. And a damn clever one at that."

"Hackers aren't exactly our specialty chief. What makes this one so different?"

"We believe he's been here at least twice since hacking into our systems. Whoever he is, he has managed to go undetected until one of our tech boys found some anomalies in the system. Someone managed to get in, hack into personnel and get access to just about everything."

"So then why would he come here if he hacked into the system?" asked Kendra.

The chief cleared his throat.

"He needed physical materials. The only way to get them was to come here. But, because he wasn't actual personnel he had to get into the system first. He also planted phony documents in the system before doing that."

Sam folded his arms.

"What kind of materials was he after?"

"Computer parts mostly. From what we gathered. But also because personnel files aren't accessible from the main network. He was looking for files on the four hazmat agents, and he got them."

"How long ago did all this happen?" Kendra piped up.

"From what we can gather it happened shortly after the first of the agents arrived." said the chief. "I know. I'm as amazed as you are that it took this long to find out."

"Did we get a picture of this guy?" Sam asked.

"Several, but he knew where the security cameras were. So we didn't get his face."

Sam stood up and stepped over to the door.

"Well, sounds like we've got our work cut out for us this time. We'll let you know when we've got something. I hope we can catch this guy before things get ugly."

"Just get it done." said the Chief.

Sam grinned as Kendra stood up.

"Don't we always?" he asked.

Secord Residence

Saturday 12:23am

Mia slowly opened her eyes. How she had gotten to Aaron's house she didn't know. She was lying on the couch and the last thing she could remember was Bruce in her house and cornering her in the kitchen. She suddenly shot up and looked around. Aaron was sitting in a chair next to her. He smiled at her. She smiled back weakly.

"Hey." said Aaron. "Glad you're finally awake."

"What happened?" asked Mia. "Where's Bruce?"

Aaron's smile faded. He turned his head away.

"He's dead."

Mia blinked and shook her head.

"What?"

"He's dead." he said again.

Mia's breath shortened.

"H...how? What happened?"

"Suicide." said Aaron. "He..." his voice choked. "He set himself on fire. After a fight with me . I only found out just a short time ago."

A tear rolled down Mia's cheek. She started to cry. Aaron pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest sobbing softly.

"Why Bruce?" she whispered. "Why did you have to do that?"

The two stayed like that until they both fell asleep on the couch. Both feeling too exhausted to do much else.