Chapter 5
Darrius bent and flexed his right arm up and down a few times, hoping the tension in his muscles and joints would relax. He’d begun to realize the fall took more out of him than he’d been aware of.
“So,” he looked toward Valdez. “You said you’re a military contractor.”
She lit a cigarillo and took a deep puff. Valdez exhaled, smiling as she looked at him, “Yup. And YOU work for the labs.”
“Were you sent here by someone?” Darrius was getting uncomfortable. He could feel her eyes all over him, like he was a course on the menu. It wasn’t a safe feeling.
“Guess.”
Darrius slowly shook his head. “That’s not the most confidence-inspiring response. You know that?”
Valdez took another puff, taking a few steps closer to him. “Not like I really give a shit.”
“I’m asking,” Darius stepped back, finding a seat on a boulder near the trail, “in the hopes that I can establish a rapport. Without it…”
“You’re a civilian.”
Darrius looked at her, confused.
“Non-military. You will NOT get the rapport you seek from me.”
She took another puff, held the smoke between her teeth, and shared a toothy smile with him.
Darrius gulped, “You have me freaked out. Like I’m talking with someone who’s not all they appear to be. I know that works in your favor. I mean, I get the impression you’re good at your work, but you might be…”
“A fucking psycho….”
Darrius nodded, “Yeah. You come out here, at least as far as I can see, into a dangerous situation, just one other person.”
“I keep a small team.”
“And to top it off, you’re cavalier about being that way. Like, our situation might not be as grave as it is. Or maybe like…”
“Like I’ve seen worse? Maybe.”
“Exactly.”
She raised a foot onto a short tree stump, bent her knee toward him, smiling as she chuckled. “You know, Darrius, right?”
“Right..”
“You have every reason to be intimidated. Especially knowing how YOUR party is broken up at the moment, and MINE is in good communication, and you don’t truly know what you’re dealing with.”
He took a second to process, studying her expression, “I think I’m getting a good picture.”
Valdez nodded, meeting his eyes with hers, “Are you worried about the implications of what’s happening? Maybe concerned the kind of hot water you might be in. Considering they sent in a special team like mine?”
He shook his head.
“And I assume you’re not familiar with the legend of the white wolf? The Lobo.”
They both turned to look at Hera, who was sniffing the air several meters away. She turned back to meet their stares.
“I mean,” Valdez continued, “I figured the fable of the Lobo might…”
“I know the Lobo,” Darrius defended himself. “I have lived in this state for a while.”
She began chuckling, “Certainly wouldn’t brag about that.”
He shook his head, “And what about this LOBO fable?”
“The white wolf of the forest? The one that can deliver us from harm’s way?”
Valdez was feeling confident that Terraunt would return any moment, so she lit up another cigarillo. She offered it to Darrius. He shook his head, “Those are terrible for you.”
“What I do for a living is much worse.”
“Can you tell me about it?” Darrius was genuinely curious.
She shook her head, “Not unless you want me to kill you afterward.”
Darrius declined, “Not the most enticing offer I’ve ever had.”
Valdez moved her leg out so it was in front of Darrius. He couldn’t walk away, “I don’t have to let it be voluntary, you know? More fun that way.”
Darrius just looked at her, “Why don’t you tell me as much as is safe. Before your obvious Hormone Replacement Therapy takes over and you skin me alive?”
She smiled, “Oh, I would violate you first.” Valdez winked, “And you’re right, the testosterone makes me a little aggressive with everything. But, it helps when I’m here to mop up the labs’ messes.”
Darrius shook his head, “I dunno if all these measures are such great ideas. We could be in a much WORSE situation if the lab isn’t careful. Multiple incidents in the past ten years. From secret weapons to the POKS-10 virus. A lot of achievements and luck could be running out.”
Valdez took her foot from the stump and set it on the ground, taking a big step toward him.
Darrius looked back at her, “Tell me about that mechanical brace on your arms and knees.”
Valdez shook her head, “Not much to it. Just gives me a little ‘boost.’”
“Falls into a category of incredible inventions that might not make it in the end.”
“Sounds like a negative view,” Valdez said. “Care to explain?”
“Time is running out, you know,” Darrius said, “If the US doesn’t come up with a better plan, all our war advancements are for naught. We could fall from grace by accident, not design.”
Valdez just smiled back at him.
