Family Tails

A Story of a Mixed Family in the Genetic Age

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Names of actual businesses, their products, etc, are the property of their respective owners.

Story and characters © 2013 Ronald J. Lebeck

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Chapter 27

Using their GPS units to guide them towards Kylie's location, Ron and the others spread out, keeping approximately ten meters between them. When they were close to the coordinates, they started calling out her name.

"Kylie! Kylie! Where are you?" they called out.

Slowly walking another fifty meters, they were about to shift to one side and head back to make another pass when the gust front from the storm hit. Ron switched his radio to high-power mode and changed to channel one so that he could contact Rob.

[Ron]: "SIERRA-WHISKEY-ALPHA-ONE, This is SIERRA-WHISKEY-ALPHA-TWO, over."

[Rob: "SIERRA-WHISKEY-ALPHA-TWO, this is SIERRA-WHISKEY-ALPHA-ONE, go ahead, over."

[Ron]: "ALPHA-ONE be advised gust front hitting out location. Storm approaching rapidly. Still no contact with lost sheep..."

Mike called out, "Over here...I think I see her!"

[Ron]: "ALPHA-ONE, wait one...may have visual, confirming, over."

[Rob]: "Rodger ALPHA-TWO, standing by, over."

Ron, Dr. Nemeth, Jeff, and Dave converged on Mike's location.

"Down there, next to that shallow wash by the clump of cedars," Mike said, pointing in the direction he thought he saw Kylie.

Ron looked with his binoculars...sure enough it was Kylie! Tilting he head back a little, Ron howled, knowing that it could be heard farther than human speech. When he finished, Ron looked again through his little binoculars. She waved her arms to indicate that she heard his howl.

[Ron]: "ALPHA-ONE, this is ALPHA-TWO--have confirmed visual. On our way to retrieve lost sheep. If unable to rendezvous in time due to storm, will head to alternate port. Make ready to get underway,over."

[Rob]: ALPHA-TWO, this is ALPHA-ONE, understood. Out."

"Okay, looks like that storm is going to hit soon, so we'd better haul tail and get our girl back to the barn. If we can't make it back to the plane in time, we'll have to head to The Center, Dave, stay here with Dr. Nemeth; Jeff, Mike, let's move!" Ron ordered.

Before Dr. Nemeth could say anything, the three men bolted off in the direction of Kylie's location. Dr. Nemeth watched in fascination at how quickly they covered the distance. She was going to insist on going with, but when she saw the speed at which they ran, she knew right away that she would never have been able to keep up with them.

The scent of rain was heavy in the wind, and the clouds were dark, almost black, as the men reached Kylie.

Ron got to Kylie first--after a quick hug, he asked, "Are you okay, kiddo?"

"I...think so," she replied, happy and greatly relieved, though tired and with a few nicks on her wings.

"We've got to get inside, this storm's about to hit, and we don't need to be out in it," Ron said.

"Okay," Kylie agreed.

Removing his pack, Ron instructed Kylie to hop onto his back so that he could carry her out. Mike took Ron's pack, and the proceeded to run back to where Dave and Dr. Nemeth were waiting. Dr. Nemeth gave Kylie a hug and was happy that she was all right. With Ron carrying Kylie on his back, they made their way back to Dr. Nemeth's vehicle, just in time for the rain to hit. It was coming down hard and heavy, making travel difficult. Rob radioed Ron and said that he couldn't wait any longer, and had to get the jet airborne.

"We've got to make for The Center, Darcy. Rob said that he couldn't wait any longer and had to get the jet out there. Jack's got a helo, and they'll come back in it after the storm passes," Ron said.

"Okay, we're not far from it," she said.

Lupina, Rosie, and Miki had kept the TV on in the hotel room, watching the weather reports.

"Geez guys, it looks bad out there," Rosie said nervously.

"I'm glad we don't get anything like this back home," Miki said.

"Yeah, just howling winds, minus fifty temperatures, blinding snowstorms, and an occasional volcano eruption," Lupina smirked.

"Don't forget about the mosquitoes," Rosie added.

"Yeah, can't forget those," Lupina agreed.

"At least we don't have tornadoes...," Miki said quietly.

When the announcement came on the TV that a tornado warning had been issued for the part of the state The Center was located, Lupina immediately tried to call Ron. When the call wouldn't go through, she started to get worried, and called Rob.

[Rob]: "Hey Lu, what's up?" (Jet engine sound in the background.)

Lupina:"Is Ron with you? I can't reach him on the phone."

[Rob]:"They couldn't make it back to the plane in time before the storm hit, so I had to take off.

They're heading to The Center to wait out the storm."

Lupina:"The weather service just issued a tornado warning for out there...it looks really bad.

Can you try calling him to let him know?"

[Rob]:"Sure thing, Lu. I'll call you back in a short."

"Well, what did he say?" Rosie asked impatiently.

"Rob said they didn't make it back to the plane in time and he had to take off. Ron and the guys are heading to The Center," Lupina said.

"Did they find Kylie?" Rosie asked.

"He didn't say. I'll ask him when he calls back," Lupina replied.

Dr. Nemeth was just pulling into The Center when the hail started coming down. She hurried to the barn's entrance and parked inside. Although the building looked like a normal barn on the outside, on the inside it is a reinforced concrete and steel I-beam structure designed to withstand storms.

"Now this isn't something you see every day," Mike muttered as he looked around.

Before they got the doors to the barn closed, Ron's phone went off. Looking at the display, Ron pulled out what looked like an ordinary "AA" cell flashlight from the phone's holster. Dr. Nemeth watched with curiosity at what Ron did next. He gave a tug on the flashlight's reflector housing, causing it to telescope out, and then bent the end at an angle. He next gave the tail cap a twist, which caused a plug to stick out. After plugging the device into the phone, it was then clear to Dr. Nemeth that Ron's phone was no ordinary cell phone--it was also a satellite phone!

[Ron]: "Hey Rob, what's up?"

[Rob]: "Lu called, said there's a tornado warning in your area. Looks like you've got a wall cloud forming."

[Ron]: "Lovely. We made it inside just as the hail hit. It's coming down hard here...quarter size at least. Oh, the good doctor said that there's evidence that Sumter has been doing a major no-no in his lab. The eejit's been growing some sort of hybrid things, even though he's been told not to. I think we might end up doing a little varmint hunting while here. He's got some corporate flunkie helping him, too. Time for ol' 'shark bait' to be taken down."

[Rob]: "Don't let him leave, or have a chance to cover his tracks. Jack and I will fly out in his helo as soon as the storm passes."

[Ron]: "Rodger that."

[Rob]: "How's Kylie?"

[Ron]: "Tired, and a few scratches, but otherwise okay. The hail is stopping...uh, we're heading below. See you on the flip-side."

[Rob]: "Okay. Take care."

[Ron]: "Will do. Tell Lu and Rosie I love them."

[Rob]: "I will."

Ron ended the call and said loudly, "We've gotta get below..._NOW!_Mike, grab out bag of toys--we're going to need them. Darcy, are there stairs in here heading below?" Ron barked out as the big doors shut. As he quickly disconnected the external satellite antenna and replaced it and the phone into the holster, Dr. Nemeth said that there is a way down to the lower complex, and they were to follow her.

As soon as they got down to the first level below ground, Mike set down the bag and unzipped it. The eyes of both Dr. Nemeth and Kylie widened in surprise as Mike started handing out weapons, loaded magazines, and other items. The larger firearms were silenced H&K MP-5s[1], and the side arms were special semi-auto pistols known as "hush puppies[2]". Mike also pulled out a 12-gauge shotgun and slung both it and a bandolier of shells across his shoulder.

When the four men were ready, Ron asked, "Darcy, is there any way you can keep Sumter from destroying his files and from leaving?"

She thought quickly for a moment, and then reached for the phone next to the stairwell, and punched a number.

"Billy, this is Dr. Nemeth...I need you to do something for me. Lock Dr. Sumter out of the system--completely. He's done something horribly wrong and we need to make sure he can't access any of the computers, especially his. I need your most trusted guys to make sure he doesn't leave the compound--I don't want any of the new hires in on it. Also, I've got four men with me, they're...government specialists; don't interfere with them. Got that? Okay, Get him locked out now and send someone to secure his office. I'll be up as soon as I can to explain, but it's got to be done_now_, understand? Okay, bye." Dr. Nemeth hung up the phone and sighed. "I'm sure I just put my neck in a noose for this," she said.

"You did the right thing, Darcy. Now, let's see what goes bump in the dark, deep places of the Earth," Ron said with a grin.

The first thing they did was to get Kylie back to her room. Along the way, some of the G.E.L.F.s saw them and were frightened at first, until Kylie talked with them and said what had happened.

"We can help you catch him," one of the G.E.L.F.s offered.

"Maybe they could herd him into a corner somewhere," Jeff suggested to Ron.

"We don't know what he's liable to do once he finds out we're onto him, if he hasn't already. We don't want the G.E.L.F.s getting hurt. His little creations down below, however...," Ron started to say.

"...Are toast," Mike finished with a grin.

"Kylie, stay put in your room until this is over, okay? I don't want you getting hurt," Ron said gently.

"M-Mr. Daugherty?" Kylie asked.

"You can call me 'Ron', sweetie," Ron replied softly.

Kylie grinned shyly and said, "Thank you...for coming, and...and looking for me."

"You're welcome, sweetie, it's what friends are for," Ron said, and he gave Kylie a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Dr. Nemeth went with Ron and his team down to the lowest level of the complex. Before leaving the stairwell, Mike took point, followed by Jeff, Ron, Dr. Nemeth, and Dave as rear guard. They wound cautiously through the corridors on their way towards Dr. Sumter's lab, since the new security guards recently hired seemed to be loyal to if not to Dr. Sumter, then to the corporate person who insisted they be added to The Center's security team. When they arrived at Sumter's lab, Dr. Nemeth tried several times to get the door to accept her security card, too no avail.

"It's not taking my security code. It should, because I have access to all the labs and all of the G.E.L.F. areas," Dr. Nemeth said in frustration.

"Let me take a look at it," Mike offered.

Dr. Nemeth stepped aside and Mike knelt down to look closely at the electronic lock. Reaching into one of the many pouches on his tactical vest, Mike pulled out a special tool kit. One of the items was an object the size of a card attached to a small box with a display and a keypad. Inserting the card-sized object into the lock's card slot, Mike pushed a button.

"This might take a few seconds," he said.

"That looks like something from a spy movie," Dr. Nemeth said.

Mike grinned and said, "I got this from a security company."

In less than ten seconds, the device had acquired the correct code for the lock. Using Dr. Nemeth's card and punching the numbers from the device, Mike gave a satisfied smirk as the door unlocked.

"Cheap lock," Mike quipped under his breath, putting his things back into their pouch.

Dr. Nemeth started to reach for the door when Ron put a restraining hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Holding a finger to his lips, Ron used hand signals to indicate that he and Mike would go in first, then Dr. Nemeth, and then Jeff and Dave.

On a silent count of three, Mike entered the room first, with Ron immediately behind. With weapons at the ready, the two men swept the muzzles of their weapons across the room, laser-aiming dots dancing quickly from one point to the next, ready to shoot anything that could be a threat. Jeff came into the room behind Dr. Nemeth with a hand on her back, keeping the biologist down low in case he needed to shoot over her. Dave backed into the lab, sweeping the muzzle of his weapon up and down the corridor. Jeff stood next to Dr. Nemeth while Ron and Mike checked the rest of the lab for personnel. When they say the contents of the three tanks serving as artificial wombs, they were momentarily stunned.

"By the gods...," Ron whispered.

"Yeah," Mike agreed.

Ron's face changed quickly from surprise to curling his lip in a snarl.

"Mike, these things...they're aware us us...," Ron said with a low growl.

Mike paused for a moment, sensing...,"Oh frak, you're right...just like...us."

Jeff and Dr. Nemeth came over to see what Ron and Mike were looking at. The moment they approached the tanks, the three creatures turned their heads and followed them. Dr. Nemeth's face turned white when she saw what the tanks head. The nearest one to her, "Test Subject-19", formed a leering grin on its face as it looked right at Dr. Nemeth...and promptly became aroused. It was immediately disturbing, disgusting, and even frightening to Dr. Nemeth, as it was readily apparent that these test subjects were far more developed and mature than was standard protocol for the G.E.L.F.s. Normally, the G.E.L.F.s stayed in the artificial wombs until they would otherwise be born naturally, if they had been in a mother's womb. The baby G.E.L.F.s were then raised like any other child. These test subjects, however, had been undergoing accelerated development to full maturity. In essence, they would be ready for whatever purpose they were designed for. They would not have the early socialization the other G.E.L.F.s receive.

Moving away from the tanks, Dr. Nemeth motioned to Ron, Mike, and Jeff to follow her.

"We need to destroy these things...quickly. They may already be able to get out on their own if they really wanted to," Dr. Nemeth said in a near whisper.

"We could certainly do that, but...shouldn't the G.E.L.F.s have a say in it?" Mike asked.

"I agree, they should, though I have an idea what their answer might be. These things are the reason why Kylie left last night," Ron said quietly.

"We can show them our video," Jeff suggested, referring to the little camcorders they wore attached to their vests to record their actions.

"Yeah, we could do that, though I'd feel better if Rob and Jack were here. As long as Sumter and his cronies are still loose, we should have four of us here and two with Dr. Nemeth at all times," Ron said.

"Maybe I can get us a little help," Dr. Nemeth offered.

"How so?" Ron asked.

"I'll ask some of the larger G.E.L.F.s to come," Dr. Nemeth replied.

Ron looked to each of his pack mates, and they all nodded once.

"This is their home," Jeff said.

"Okay Darcy, make the call," Ron said.

"We've got friendlies coming," Dave announced, peering out the door into the hallway.

It had taken less than ten minutes for the G.E.L.F.s to arrive after Dr. Nemeth had made the phone call. Griswold, the black bear G.E.L.F., led several others to the lab, including Karl, Mina, and a jaguar named Alma. After brief introductions, Griswold and the others saw for themselves what Dr. Sumter had created.

"What do you intend to do with them?" Griswold asked, after listening to what has been discovered so far about Dr. Sumter's creations.

"The immediate concern is that they're probably as much a danger to you folks as they would be to humans. In the long run, they'll stoke up human paranoia, and that will most certainly endanger all G.E.L.F.s," Ron said.

"We thought you guys should have a say in what to do with them," Mike added.

Griswold nodded his head, as did the other G.E.L.F.s present, appreciating the chance to add their voices.

"We decided last night that Dr. Sumter needs to be stopped. Seeing now what he made, first hand...it just proves that we were right to get help," Karl said.

"Do what you got to do," Griswold said, running a finger across his throat.

"I'll sleep better knowing something like those won't be lurking around in the night," Mina added.

The rest of the assembled G.E.L.F.s were all in agreement--destroy Dr. Sumter's creations before they could get out and do harm to G.E.L.F., human, or anything else.

"However we do this, we need to make it quick--Sumter used our DNA to give these things our abilities. They're awake, they're aware, and they've been bred to be killing machines with no guidance. They could claw their way out of those tanks, and we don't want to go hand-to-hand with them," Ron said.

"We've got enough C-4 to blow the tanks," Mike suggested. "Once they're busted, we can riddle and burn what's left."

"We don't want to bring the house down on top of us, and don't forget C-4 gives off toxic fumes when it detonates, on top of that, there's oxygen lines, so we need to be careful of fire." Ron pointed out.

"We've got AP[3] rounds--those should bust the glass and go through their armor plating," Jeff suggested.

"Okay, that'll do, though let's cut the lines to the tanks first--no need risking getting ourselves fried," Ron said.

Following suggestions from Dr. Nemeth, the four men went about securing the electrical, air, and other lines to the tanks, keeping a wary eye on the test subjects. No sooner than the air was cut off, all three test subjects began thrashing within their tanks, clawing and kicking the sides and trying to punch through the tops. Sending the G.E.L.F.s and Dr. Nemeth a fair distance down the corridor, and themselves in a position closer to the lab's door, Ron, Jeff, Mike, and Dave opened fire on the tanks. With the amount of liquid in the tanks, it didn't take long for them to rupture, spilling their contents. The three test subjects, despite having been shot several times, still tried to get up and attack their assailants, though with well-placed shots, they were quickly terminated.

"We'll deal with the bodies later--Jeff, Dave, guard the room and don't let anyone else in until we can haul the bodies outside and burn them. We don't need anyone attempting to sneak any samples. Mike, you're with me--let's get Sumter," Ron ordered.

As the storm raged on outside, Dr. Sumter was frantically trying to get outside to his vehicle. As soon as he found out that he was locked out of the computer system, he hurriedly grabbed a few things from his room--making sure that he had the portable SSD[4]with the copy of his data--and took every back way he could. His security card no longer accepted, he cursed in frustration at not being able to go down into the lower complex, where he knew all of the ins and outs. Since the office people had taken shelter below due to the tornado warning, he was left with only one option--go outside and head for the barn where his vehicle was parked.

The chief of security told Dr. Nemeth that Dr. Sumter was nowhere to be found in the lower complex.

"That means he has to be hiding in some crawlspace, or else he's up above," she told Ron.

"Ask the G.E.L.F.s if they would help look for him below just in case he might still be down there somewhere. I don't doubt he knows we're after him, so he's likely to try and make a run for it. Let's go make a quick check of his office and room," Ron instructed.

Most of the G.E.L.F.s assisted in scouring the lower complex for Dr. Sumter, while Ron, Mike, and Dr. Nemeth searched his office, room, and other places above in the mansion. A sudden movement outside on the ground caught Mike's attention as he passed by a window.

"Ron, over here," he called out.

Pointing down to the ground in front of the building, Ron and Dr. Nemeth saw a figure struggling through the wind and driving rain.

"That's got to be him," Dr. Nemeth said.

They hurried downstairs and headed to the front door. Throwing open the door, Ron and Mike bolted out, trying to catch their quarry. " SUMTER!!!" Ron yelled, "Take another step and it'll be your last!"

Ron and Mike both raised their weapons, ready to do what was necessary to make sure he couldn't run.

Dr. Sumter turned around and shouted, "You're not getting my work! I finally found the missing data I've needed, thanks to you and the others I helped to create!" He pulled out the enclosure containing the drive and held it up. "I made sure to make a copy just in case somebody decided to try and stop me--I've got friends who will pay dearly for this!" and with that he turned, and started towards the barn.

Sumter's next step was truly his last.

Suddenly everything disappeared in a blinding flash of white light with a tremendous concussive boom and blast of superheated air. An immensely powerful bolt of lightning arced between the ground and somewhere high above, lost in the towering fury of the storm, the main bolt striking the precise spot where Dr. Sumter was. Ron and Mike were thrown back by the shockwave caused by the bolt's plasma--hotter than the surface of the sun--instantly superheating the air, which expanded outward faster than the speed of sound. The winds came to a quick halt, and the rain stopped--the air suddenly became still. Hidden in the driving rain was the tornado, now clearly visible, that was bearing down on The Center. Without thinking, Dr. Nemeth rushed out and helped Ron and Mike to their feet, not daring to look where Sumter last stood. As they headed back inside, the wind struck, and they heard the thunderous roar. Things were flying through the air--small branches and other debris, though not far behind much larger things also flew. Whole trees, the roof of a farmhouse, and a shredded barn went past in the terrible cyclonic winds. Dr. Nemeth fumbled with the door lock that went down to safety. She was terrified, having never been this close to Nature's awesome wrath.

Everyone in the complex heard and felt the rumble grow steadily louder and stronger as the massive tornado approached. G.E.L.F.s and humans alike huddled together in the passageways. The lights began to flicker and ears began popping from the sudden drop in air pressure. Ron, Mike, and Dr. Nemeth took a place with the others--it was then that someone noticed the arc-flash burns on Ron and Mike's faces.

"I can deal with a little sunburn," Mike chuckled.

"Yeah, at least one of the feeders from that bolt didn't tag us," Ron said.

Mike agreed, and looked around, he eyes stopping on the other person sitting next to him.

"Hi, my name's Mike," he said, hold his hand out.

"Oh, hi. I'm Gwen," she said nervously, shaking his hand and looking up at the flickering lights.

"Scared?" Mike asked.

"Yeah...I've never been in a tornado before."

"It'll be over in a few minutes. We're safe down here," Mike said calmly.

Just then the lights went out--there were some whines, chitters, moans, whimpers, "oh my God", and other expressions of fear and uncertainty. Mike felt a warm, furry body snuggle closely to him for comfort. In the moments before the backup generators kicked in, Mike put his arm around the squirrel G.E.L.F. and held her. He could feel her nervousness subside while they talked about anything other than the storm. Shortly, the lights and the air handling system came back on when the generators finally kicked it. About that time, the rumbling above subsided and faded away, to the relief of all.

When the "all clear" was given, everyone went outside to survey the damage. Surprisingly, there was little, other than trees and other debris littering the compound here and there. Ron and Mike, with Dr. Nemeth following a ways behind, walked over to the spot where they last saw Dr. Sumter. There was little to see--the characteristic pattern in the soil caused by a lightning strike, a charred shoe, and a melted unidentifiable lump of metal. Whatever else there might have been left, was no doubt blown away by the tornado. The next day it was reported that the tornado was an EF-5, the strongest there is. Apparently, it had hopped over The Center, and continued its devastation elsewhere, eventually dissipating before hitting the Dallas metropolitan area.

There was a bit of damage inflicted upon the mansion that left everyone to wonder. One particular window was broken and a board was sticking out--when one of the security guards investigated, a shiver immediately ran down his spine. The board was an old two-by-four from a building made before the conversion to the metric system, over three meters in length, piercing the bed's mattress in the center near the pillow, with the end lodged into the floor. The room's former occupant: Harvey Allen Sumter, PhD.

Later that evening, all of the G.E.L.F.s at The Center--including Lupina and Rosie who had flown in earlier with Rob, Jack, and Miki--stood in a large circle all holding lit torches made from the branches of trees that had been deposited in the compound by the storm. In the center of the large circle, lying atop a mound of branches and cut up fallen trees, were the bodies of the three creations of the former Dr. Sumter, along with every scrap of his notes pertaining to their making. One of the G.E.L.F.s spoke...

"Humans may have created us, for whatever their original intentions or purposes, but tonight we decide what our purpose is to be in this world. Will we be as equals with the humans who created us, or will we let the flame of our own spirit fall in the night and become nothing more than a tool to further human ambition and arrogance? Although we are only starting to make our own place in this world, we are not alone--we have good friends, human friends, willing to risk all to stand with us, and help us create a new society where G.E.L.F.s and humans live together as equals. Some of our friends have already become mates to our kind, with little ones of their own on the way, which will grow up in a new world. What will that new world be for those little ones, born of G.E.L.F and human parents?

"Humans, such as Dr. Darcy Nemeth, gave us the ability to walk upright, to think about more than immediate needs, to ponder ideas and philosophies, to create art and useful things, to be more than we would have been, to dream of the future, and help shape it. However, one human sought to take from our animal cousins and our human friends, and mold an entirely different breed of G.E.L.F. to be used as a tool of war. Dr. Harvey Sumter created these to do what Nature never intended--to destroy and kill for the sake of it, to be nothing more than a weapon of hate and destruction.

"I, for one, choose to let the flame of our spirit burn brightly alongside and even joining with that of the humans, to help push back the Darkness that Dr. Sumter had embraced. I say let us cleanse the world of his evil legacy once and for all time--never again will our animal cousins, G.E.L.F.s, humans, or any other living thing be bred for the sole purpose of inflicting death and destruction.

"What say you?"

Ron, Lupina, and Rosie stepped forward, holding only one torch between the three of them.

"We chose as equals, united by, in, and for love," and together they cast the first vote, tossing their flame upon the pyre.

Rob and Helga in a similar fashion together tossed a single torch.

"For love and equality."

Dave and Lizzie, and then Jeff and Tacey, each pair bearing a single torch, cast theirs upon the pyre. Willie and Miki also cast together one torch.

"For love and respect."

Singly or in pairs, each person--G.E.L.F. and human--all tossed a torch upon the growing bonfire. In all, over three hundred torches were added to the blaze. Not one single torch was put into the small wading pool full of water that had been placed nearby to receive "no" votes.

"As the first of our kind, it is only fitting that mine is the last that shall be added."

Tossing his own torch onto the now blazing pyre, Edgar grinned as much as he could.

"I choose to give light, to create and not destroy. To the Dr. Sumters of the world I say nevermore!"

Edgar, the first true G.E.L.F. created, has always had a flair for the dramatic, as well as being philosophical. It showed in his paintings--sometimes whimsical, sometimes mystical, always thought provoking. He had returned because his longtime friend, a female coyote G.E.L.F. by the name of Anna, was one of those who graduated from college this year with Helga. Willie didn't understand Miki's reaction when he introduced his friends to Edgar, though Ron certainly did.

Edgar is a raven.

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[1] http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/mp5_general.asp

[2] http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2013/02/the-navys-mk-22-hush-puppy-pistol-2555326.html

[3] AP round - a projectile capable of penetrating armor, or other hard material such as concrete.

[4] SSD - solid-state drive; a storage device that uses non-volatile memory instead of magnetic media to store data.