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With darkness descending: The story of Triss Nighthunter. A furry fiction by Rocko Wallaby

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 6: Exposed in the light.

They met up with Trav's boss in the lobby of the station, and headed towards the police parking lot containing Trav's car. Triss slipped into the back seat, while the burly chief claimed the front passengers spot. Trav pulled out of the lot, before turning towards the business district. Trav knew where he was going; it was almost taboo in the precinct to consider eating anywhere but Irish Murphy's pub, which sat on a corner block around a half mile away. The pub had been adopted by members of the force for over fifty years, with the original proprietor an ex-police officer who had opening the establishment after retiring. Over the years, while the patrons had changed and expanded, one thing had always remained the same; a room dedicated to the force and those within it, located behind glazed timber doors at the buildings rear. It held a collection of memorabilia dedicated to those killed or injured in the line of duty, which lined the walls and alcoves with tributes to those they had lost.

At this time of the day, it was likely to be empty, which suited Trav perfectly. After arriving, they headed out the back, into the dim solitude of the private bar.

The Chief rang for a bartender, and bought the first round of drinks, returning with his arms full to where the pair had slipped into a booth at the back. Handing out menus, they spent several silent minutes contemplating their orders, as the attendant returned and made note of their lunch choices, before returning out the back of the room to the kitchen beyond.

Kevin took a sip of his scotch; not a usual drink this early during a day on duty, but the circumstances seemed to call for it; and stared at the close pair sitting together opposite him. His mind processed what he was seeing; this was no casual acquaintance. These two knew each other, and knew each other well. When Triss looked at Trav in a manner clearly suggesting he take the lead in the conversation, Kevin knew something more had occurred the night he was injured than Trav had detailed in his report which still sat on his desk back at the office.

Trav cleared his throat, before offering the toast that had become formality in the bar. "To friends lost, but never forgotten". The three touched glasses, before each took a long drink from their drinks.

Kevin then eyed Triss for a moment, absently wiping the froth coating his upper lip onto his sleeve. "So, what's your story?"

Having had time to consider his options, and expecting such a question from the Chief, Triss replied "Well, been retired a few years now; Ex-RAAF special forces. Do security consultancy work, specialising in commercial and corporate espionage. Glorified IT work, really" he explained, before returning to his drink.

Trav kept his face down, sipping his drink slowly, and avoiding his boss's eyes. Kevin coughed, before continuing "So, work brought you down to those buildings two months ago, that late at night? Simple luck?" he asked.

Triss shook his head, sticking with the cover story he'd created after the incident. "Not likely. My firm had received a request for assistance following some disturbing reports of corporate vandalism in the area. Was passing on the way back from a movie, and thought I'd drop down and scope the place at night. Having the paperwork on file is one thing, but seeing the place in the flesh is always better."

How very convenient, thought Kevin, while Triss continued.

"When I heard the disturbance, I followed the sound, and saw these guys about to off Trav here. So, I had the pleasure of dealing with them in person."

"You always carry knives around with you?" asked Kevin.

"Always pays to be prepared", replied Triss, "especially in that sort of area. Not exactly premium real estate"

Having finished their first round, offered to buy a second, heading through the double doors into the front public bar to find the attendant.

While he was gone from the room, Kevin eyed Trav, who was still staring grimly at the table top. "So, you were pretty lucky, huh?" Kev asked him.

"Very" replied Trav shortly.

"I see you two have come to know each other since, too."

"Well, the guy saved my life. Least I could do was buy him a few drinks in thanks"

Hmm, sure he did, thought Kevin. Casual acquaintance, my arse!

Kevin went to continue, when the doors to the front bar opened, and Triss returned with a tray carrying their fresh drinks. Stepping into the room, the doors began to swing shut behind him, before the arm of a hooded figure stopped them, slipping through them silently. Trav glanced at the figure, thinking it surprising anyone else would be in the bar at that time of the day, but after taking in the shuffling walk and heavy cloak, his eyes became round, and he stared violently to his feet. Kevin, realising from his friends actions something was seriously wrong, glanced at the odd figure coming up behind Triss, before also rising, his hand unconsciously plunging into his pocket for his revolver.

The Marauder drew a long, shining blade from under its robe, lunging towards Triss's unprotected back. Half turned after seeing his partners reaction, the blade was driven into Triss's side, between his ribs, before the tip became lodged in his sternum.

The blow threw him forward, and he struck the wall hard, drinks scattered across the floor, as agony erupt from his side. Clutching the wound desperately, he tried to turn to face his attacker, but his legs buckled and he collapsed face down onto the floor. The Marauder straddled him, wrenching at the blade handle lodged in the Krynn's side to retrieve it for a second, fatal thrust. Suddenly, it lurched backwards as two shots rang out through the room. Hands clutching its chest, it lost its grip on Triss's clothing, shredding the fabric with its claws before dropping to his side.

Trav was running towards the pair, seeing the Marauder was still mobile enough to do further damage to his friend. The cowl covering its scaled, scarred face had slipped back, and it glared balefully at them from slitted reptile eyes. It let out a gurgling laugh, before cursing at its victim in broken english.

"Krynn!" it hissed, "Last of your kind! We know your scent now! You cannot stop us! My brothers will eat the flesh, and drink the blood of these filthy humans! The final victory will be ours!"

It reached once more into its robes, searching for another weapon, when a final shot shattered its forehead, throwing it back to lie motionless alongside the Krynn in a growing pool of dark, almost black blood.

Trav dropped to his friend's side, as Kevin lowered his pistol and gasped at the scene before him. In the struggle, Triss's camo unit had failed, revealing the alien's true form. Jesus Christ! Here was John, someone he'd known for two decades, attending the wolf man, while godzilla's evil midget cousin lay dead in a growing pool of blood beside them!

Trav tore the shirt from Triss's prone form and gasping at the blood cascading from the wound in his side. Kevin had approached from behind, gun still weakly held in his right hand, before spluttering "John! What are those things? What the hell is going on here?"

Trav turned to him, before shouting at him "Fucks sake, Kevin! I need your help here! Grab that table cloth, and pass it over!"

The Chief paused a moment, still paralyzed with indecision, before his training kicked in. Pocketting his gun, he ripped the cloth from the table, spilling cutlery across the floor. Handing it to Trav, who pressed it tightly against the Krynn's side, it didn't take them long to realise it was insufficient to stem the flow of blood, and it was only a matter of time before the injury became fatal.

Kevin laid a hand on Trav's shoulder. "John, this isn't going to work. If you want your friend to survive, he needs medical help, and needs it now!"

Trav looked down helplessly at Triss, before spinning back to his long time friend with desperation across his face. "Kevin, I've never given you any reason to not trust me, have I? I need you to trust me now! You're right. We need to get him help, and I can only do it with your assistance. Are you willing to trust me on this, Kev!"

The police chief looked down at his friend, who had cradled the still form of the alien. "You're asking a fucking lot, John!" he cursed, before helping his friend rise to his feet. As Trav bent to lift the Krynn into his arms, Kevin said "You realise that we could be in a world of shit for this!"

Trav nodded at him thankfully, before jerking his head at the corpse. "That needs to come too. Sorry Kev"

Kevin cringed, retrieving another table cloth which he wound tightly around the scaled assassin. Throwing the dead weight over a shoulder, he followed Trav as he rushed through the pub doors into the street. Onlookers gasped at their blood splattered appearance, but they pushed roughly through the crowd to Trav's sedan. Trav managed to get Triss sprawled across the back seat, while the Chief forced the dead Marauder into the space besides him. When the crowd began to close in on the vehicle, Kevin flashed his badge through the window of the car at the stunned onlookers, roaring at them to leave the area immediately! They did so in haste, as Trav gunned the vehicle into the traffic.

Looking across at Trav, Kevin took stock of the hard, cold lines on his face, before leaning back to gaze at the unconscious Triss.

"I assume there's a perfectly good explanation for this, John?" he asked, surprised at the sudden grim smile that flashed briefly on his friends face.

"I remember asking the exact same question two months ago, Kev. Unfortunately, yes, there is." was the reply, as the car sped towards the cache.

Returning his gaze out the windshield and taking stock of the passing neighbourhood, Kev wondered where they were heading. No medical facilities were located in this area, and the creature in the back obviously needed them desperately. While he knew the outcry that would occur if they brought him to a public hospital would be enormous, at least he might receive the attention he needed; especially if he had anything to say about it. He was about to ask the question, when Trav braked sharply, turning down a nondescript alley between two warehouses. Pulling the vehicle up near a metal covered doorway, Trav jumped from the car and threw open the back door, carefully pulling Triss from the vehicle. Kevin sprang to help, throwing the Krynn's other arm over his shoulder as Trav drew them through the cache entry and down to the medical bay.

____________________________________________________

An alarm sounded for the fifth time, siren blaring through the hallway.

"Security Breach! Alert! Unauthorised personnel detected. Lockdown procedures commencing!"

"Belay that!" Trav shouted, frantically stripping Triss down after placing him on the medical bay table. The flow of blood pumping from his wound had slowed dangerously, and he was becoming frantic for his friend's survival.

"Override priority alpha, code Trav One. Commence immediate medical assistance! Priority Alpha, you fool machine!" He yelled at the AI, as the medical unit rushed to scan the prone form on the bench beneath. A large acrylic shield descended, before bathing the Krynn in green laser light which made a pass from his feet to his head.

The AI, alarms silenced, reported on the results of its examination.

"Subject: Triss Nighthunter. Species: Krynn. Status: Critical. Severe abdominal trauma from a bladed instrument. Severe blood loss. Serious internal abdominal injuries. Immediate surgical repair required. Please vacate the medical unit immediately".

Kevin, who had been staring at the equipment with a somewhat glazed expression, was jolted out of his daze by Trav, who pushed him through the doorway. The room was sealed, and they could see several instruments descend onto the Krynn and commence their treatment.

Kevin shuddered, before Trav guided him down to the kitchen, seating him on a bench behind the steel dining table. After several minutes, a hot coffee was placed in his fingers, which curled around them instinctively. Trav sat heavily into the seat opposite him, sipping his own drink, and eyeing his friend apprehensively. The risk he'd taken was unavoidable. Triss needed the care only available in the cache, and the resultant security breach had he been taken to a local medical facility was unacceptable. He knew that United Systems HQ would be happier to see an agent dead, and the facility destroyed, than to have them fall into the hands of local authorities.

He also knew that the AI alert was more than simply a security warning. If he hadn't acknowledged it correctly, the AI would have armed the cache's self destruct, with the resultant explosion taking out the entire block around them.

Probably best if he didn't mention that detail to Kevin, he thought.

Trav cleared his throat nervously, while Kevin snapped his eyes to him. "I suppose you want an explanation now?"

Kevin choked on his coffee, before wheezing out "Please!"

Trav smiled grimly to himself. Déjà vu, he thought, before starting "Well, it began that night when I was saved by Triss...."

________________________________________________________________________

Several hours passed, while Trav explained his part in the operation to save the planet from the Marauder scourge. When he finally finished, he grabbed a beer from the chiller, motioning at Kevin, who shook his head in the negative. He popped the top, grabbed a seat, and waited for the resultant explosion from his boss.

Instead, Kevin rubbed his neck absently, before sighing "Sweet Zombie Jesus, Trav. If I hadn't seen this place, not to mention Triss and that scaly bastard, for myself, I'd have you locked up and the key thrown away. Problem is, I've known you too long NOT to believe this sci fi fantasy you've told me. You're one of the best officers I've ever worked with, John. I know you wouldn't fall for this shit if you truly didn't believe it one hundred percent. Nor do I think you'd blindly chase around without confirming the facts first. So, you're telling me the planet is facing an alien threat, and you're now a member of the group sent by the "good" aliens to stop them. Shit, perhaps I'm the one needing a respite in the loony bin!"

Trav grinned briefly, before turning back to the wall console for an update on Triss's condition. He'd been stabilised, and repair work had commenced on his wounds, but the system still listed his condition as "serious". He sighed, churning inside at the condition of his friend. Get better, Triss, he thought.

Returning his gaze to the other human, he asked "So, what are you going to do about it?"

Kevin stared back, having made his decision sometime earlier. "I'm going to do what I've always done for you, John. I'm going to cover your arse, and make sure these scaly bastards are cut from the equation. However, that fiasco that happened last night at the warehouse has left a bitter taste in my mouth. While it might have been inevitable, it also could have fucked up really quickly, and I don't want to see you in that medical bed where your friend is laying anytime soon. I want to know everything, John. EVERYTHING! I'll turn a blind eye to this operation this time, because I know you too well to think your story is anything but the bare truth. I'll even give you the work flexibility to do what you need to do here. But no more bullshit, OK? I don't want to see a mess of civilian corpses, just to take out a group of these blood suckers and "save the planet". You keep me in the loop, and I'll keep your operation in the dark. Agreed?"

He reached across the table towards Trav, who returned the shake solemnly. "You do realise that Triss is going to have a lot of explaining to do, don't you? His boss isn't as understanding as mine apparently is" he smiled briefly

"I feel a world of pain for his suffering when doing so", Kevin smirked, releasing his hand and relaxing back in the chair. "Now, pass me a fucking drink, and you can show me around this place while we check on your friend in there!"

__________________________________________________________________

Triss woke, mind clouded from the effects of the drugs used to sedate him. He vaguely heard the bedside alarm that reported his condition to the AI, and tried taking stock of where he was, and how he had made it back. He remembered the Marauder surprising him, and winced as he recalled the pain from the blade that speared through his guts. This scar will be a good one, he thought in morbid humour, reaching tentatively to his side and feeling the heavy bandages covering his flank. Shit, that's going to hurt when the drugs wore off!

Hearing the door slide open, he turned his gaze on the individual entering, beginning to smile at Trav's beaming face, before he froze in shock as Kevin followed him into the room.

He looked at Trav in confusion "What did you do?" he whispered, eyeing Kevin in bewilderment.

Kevin walked to the side of the bed and leaned down over the furry alien, saying in a gruff voice "He saved your sorry fuzzy arse, wolf boy! Don't pop a nut! Your secret is safe, and you can thank Trav for saving your hide back there. If he hadn't done what he did, your carcass would be joining that scaly arsehole in the freezer downstairs or, even worse, be lying on a cold slab somewhere, dissected by homeland security! He's been beside himself over your condition. I've known him too long to think otherwise. So, lay back and get better, or I'll have to bitch slap some sense into the both of you!"

Triss, stunned at the response from the human, nodded weakly, before laying back into the bedding in exhaustion. Kevin gave him a clap of encouragement on the shoulder, grinning at the both of them, before retreating from the room back to the kitchen and letting Trav move to take his place at Triss's bedside.

Drawing a chair forward, he sat into it heavily and looked across at the exhausted Krynn. He had barely managed any sleep in the three days since Triss was stabbed, and his body was starting to falter from exhaustion. To see Triss awake was a Godsend. While Kevin had managed to persuade him to rest on occasion, when he had left the cache to return to the precinct to put their cover story into place, Trav's body had refused to relax, instead sending him pacing through the corridors of the cache, until fatigue forced him to cease and he slumped dejectedly in the comm room console. He had already made a tentative report to HQ, who's surprise at being contacted by the human was considerable, to say the least. After fielding numerous questions on his identity, he roared at them to shut the hell up, or they could kiss his arse! The grilling stopped, and he gave his detailed report, before being curtly congratulated for his quick thinking. Nothing was mentioned about his bringing Kevin to the cache, for which he was grateful. Trav was strung tight enough that it wouldn't have gone down well, and perhaps HQ knew that, being wise enough to avoid the topic.

Triss looked at him, seeing the hurt beneath his eyes, and reached out to grip his arm. Trav raised reddened eyes to meet the golden ones, before reaching across and enveloping the Krynn in a careful hug, mindful of his wounds.

"I thought you were dying" he whispered into Triss's chest, while the Krynn gently stroked his hair.

"You know me. Hard to kill..." began Triss, before pausing as Trav raised his face, shocking the Krynn with the tears streaking down it.

Triss sighed, reaching out a hand and gently wiping the tears from his cheeks, before sliding his hand behind the human's neck and drawing him in close, pressing his lips lightly against those of the human. Trav opened his eyes, gazing into those of his friend, returning the kiss gently. It was several long moments before the pair broke the embrace, Trav leaning back into his chair in confusion and Triss sighing back into the pillows.

"What was that for?" whispered Trav, gazing into the Krynn's golden eyes for an explanation, almost fearful at hearing his reply.

"That was for everything" Triss replied quietly, before again drawing the human close for another kiss, slipping across the mattress to allow Trav space to lie next to him.

Having made his coffee, Kevin returned to the medical bay in time to see the two embrace, cradled in each other's arms. Backing out of the room quietly, he slid the door shut behind him and returned to the kitchen to ponder the future. After all, it wasn't every day a lifelong friend finally found his soul mate.

The story continues in Part 2: the Gryphon Complex.

http://www.sofurry.com/browse/folder/stories?by=203588&folder=19416