"The secret of the milanés is this - the game is rigged. The cards are stacked. The dice are loaded. It's the same as it always was, people in power exert power and the others are cower in their homes, think what they are told to think, buying any product which will help them forget how horrible their lives are for another day. And that's why we don't "play" their game. We don't swallow shit sandwich and politely ask for another. It's what we are into the shadows, here is where real life is, fella." Quote from an anonymous friend.
Seattle- Tacoma abandoned port:
It was supposed to be an easy job, infiltrate, appropriate the cargo and go out as normal but not of course not, to our pleasant surprise there were other groups interested in that cargo, the dock quickly went from being an abandoned place to a place full of life, life that didn't want us there. We face other awakenings like us, gangs that more than wanting the shipment got into it for fun? And I would swear there was also an amateur team, poor kids, the shoots and explosions were also present, only the Blue Knights (a high-caliber police group) were missing to be complete this madness.
Two hours after the battle royal:
Seattle- Puyallup District: Twentwen's Restaurant.
I was there sitting at a table near the window watching the sun disappear giving way to an uneasy night, I like to be near possible emergency exits in case things get ugly, Twen the owner understand me and always keep this kind of places for me. My "date" hadn't arrived yet, that idiot Ian, he is a big orc who always likes to wear a black suit and is smart for just to be an orc. I'm going to kick his ass if he doesn't show soon, I'm the kind of person who hates waiting.
-Until you finally decide to appear Ian!.- I shout with my hands up.
- Come on man, I already told you it wasn't my fault and you know it.- he takes a chair and sits in front of me.- So Wolfy, how's your team? Did they make it?- he always call me with that name, I hate it.
- you do it for pleasure, right? Call me Joseph off the "jobs" and my alias is Lone Wolf in any case not "Wolfy"... I don't know why I bother.- I sigh and lean back on my chair.- They will survive and if despite your misinformation the cargo is safe at the base and is asleep.
- Asleep you say?
- yep the "shipment" turned out to be a man and as for the pay I have thought of a new figure for the inconvenience, I hope your client understands it.
- Ehem.- he looks away.
- this is incredible!. I will age faster if this day does not give me some good news.
- I'm sorry Wol... Joseph the client passed away, that's why my delay. You will have to settle for the advance and well. What do you plan to do with it?.- I cover my face with my hands, removing my glasses upwards, I can't even think about it.
- I'll see, it wasn't in my plans to lost the client. Ian is never easy with you.- I sigh again but he just smiles sideways.
- what will it be ... 5 years working for me? You should already have it assumed. In any case let me know when they will be ready for another move, for now, eat calmly, I invite you.- now we're talking, free food always tastes better.
-Twen the most expensive dish, please. I will notify you when we are ready.
- coming out a special menu!.- shout Twen from the kitchen.
The meeting turned into dinner, I never tire of seeing how polite he is, we ended up talking about anything else, he is a great friend and my platonic love since he is married and I like his wife and daughter.
Near the end, I get a message from Alice saying that the cargo had awakened, so I said goodbye to Ian and went straight to the base.
Seattle- Puyallup District: "Abandoned" building
As soon as I'm arriving I notice more messages from Alice, I ignore them. I'm just a few steps from the entrance. She'll tell me whatever she has to say in person. I look for the secret door that opens to an elevator, I go straight to the basement, the music in the elevator is nice because our hacker likes music and takes care of details like that. When the elevator doors open I hear a powerful roar of a beast,
-wtf was that!?
I immediately worry about my team. If it was Rex's joke again I will cut the wifi signal I swear. I hurried to get to the source of those sounds that echoed throughout our base, it was indeed a great wild beast, a fucking bear, and in my living room.
- Who was the genius that brought such an animal to our home!?.- I yelled
- It's funny that you ask because you're most guilty than us.- respond Alice smiles, she is my beautiful stepdaughter and a high-grade spiritual invocation.
- hm? (seems to have fun with the situation).
Goliath, a corpulent half-orc and best friend that competed in size with the bear, kept him from running amok all over the place using a simple chair.
- let's go little one.- he says with a funny Spanish accent and shook the chair a little threatening to hit him.- stay still or I'll give you one bad pain in the head! Oh, Boss finally. Can I hurt him or not?- Rex seeing my confused face shout.
- the bear is the cargo!.
It can't be... I feel much older now. I shouldn't have gotten up today. Let's see, I hide my nuisance and approach with a forced smile.
- Bear boy calm down, we are not the bad guys, well technically we rob you but you are safe here, you know what I am telling you right?. (I knew he is a shifter but can he understand English?).
I start to get closer showing my hands up to tell him I'm not a threat but he throws a direct blow to my face but stops before even touching me and changes his form to a muscular human.
- Not a blink? is that why the big man called you Boss little human? - said the man as he shaky, I quickly put my long coat on him.
- I felt like you wouldn't hurt me (I lied because that hit only gives me the excuse to kill him), come on, bear boy, it's not good to walk around our house naked. Rex go get some of my clothes, Alice sees if there is anything he can eat and Goliath prepares the bath. Come quickly.
Everyone started moving, the bear boy had lost consciousness in my arms so I laid him on the couch and put a blanket on a good training body, (getaway bad thought). I injected him with a cocktail of vitamins courtesy of Rex, it is quite common among his things, it helps when he plays for hours online games, he is a slim elf with some cyber-implants who plays pranks from time to time but is super reliable either in the virtual reality or with his sniper predator DS.
In minutes the bathroom was ready and Alice was finishing cooking (heating something on the micro, that girl has the power level anti-army grade but can't make a simple soup), so I slapped him to wake up and it didn't take long for him to react.
- very good, bear boy you can take a bath first, there is a change of clothes and when you finish there is hot food on the table, you do not have to worry about anything we will talk about everything when you are at your 100%.- I give him a sincere smile. The naked man just nodded and follow me to the bathroom wrapped in the blanket.
When I come back to the living room I hide a small nose bleed, I won't want to worry others about it, probably I go too far in that job and I'm paying the price. I can't avoid thinking about the crazy day we have and what I'm gonna do with him, maybe he has a family somewhere... The voice of Goliath put me out of my thoughts.
- Boss, did you arrange the new payment with Ian? We spend too much of our staff and the job payment doesn't worth it. On top of that those idiots will be after us for some time.
- Our luck has only plummeted since this morning, - sigh - no customer pays for the "shipment", he was murdered early today. I think because of that we never receive an address for the cargo. So I don't know what I'm going to do with him. Rex, did you see if he has a traceable chip?
- that was the first thing I did as soon as we secured him in our truck, he is clean and he hasn't family related in my database. By the way pure shit this day hahaha.- Rex clear any doubt show as a holographic body of the man and Alice shows his hand to add something.
- Well, I just say he has balls, he stood up to us and he is not a threat, why don't we recruit him? You know well what we need another pair of hands. We need one more member that covers our backs and today it was even more noticeable. You exposed too much and I worry about you.- Alice said stroking my hair.- You are a father to us and if it is not him, someone else does not matter to me.
- okay okay, it's time to move on I guess. But I leave the final decision for you if you want to stay here or leave. Did you hear right bear boy? Do you want to join the talk? Oh by the way your food is there.-I said without seeing him, he is bad at hiding his presence maybe he doesn't know how to use mana.
Oh, I see he can be handsome with a good bath and the right clothes, he suspiciously sniffing the food but his hungry is much stronger than the situation, and sits down to eat like he never tastes a chicken's taquitos.
- aaaaand... You can tell us your name? And what do you plan to do? - Expressed the elf as he finished eating.
- ahem right, call me Donovan, I'm so sorry for caused you guys so much trouble, I want to take that offer if you don't care (I have no better options anyway). I would like to stay, the couch is fine to me, I don't need much comfort, and eventually, in the future when the situation calms down I like to come back to my pack.- He fixes his gaze on Goliath - you must be the Alpha, right?- he asked, pointing with his fork.
- hahahahaha welcome, I already feel that we will have even more fun with you on board.- says Goliath with all the confidence in the world.- and me, the Alpha? I don't know what that means, but our leader is this little man here.- the Half-orc takes me by the shoulders with his two big hands.
- Oh, don't be offended, but you don't look like it.- Donovan continued, totally incredulous. His tone was serious and manly, he had an air of superiority and wasted confidence seems like the captivity doesn't break his will, a strong man, without a doubt. He had a lot of hair on his chest and a wild beard, robust body, I suppose it was because of genetic bear things, his hair was black and his eyes were like two ambers. I do not blame him, their mere presence to impart respect.
The laughter of my relatives did not wait, it does not bother me so much because is not the first time where the people think that Goliath is the boss.
- Sorry not to meet your expectations but I am the leader.- I said firm but the others cannot stop laughing that even the tears escaped from them, leaving my firmness on the ground.
- Seriously? I do not want to sound like a grateful evil but it is difficult to follow someone weaker than me, it is not personal it is a matter of herds (that's how I grew up)
The others. - WEAK jajajajajajaja!!!!!
- yeah yeah really funny, morons. I understand. How about this, you ask me again after a job, to remove those doubts I'll show you what I can do.- I said simply shrugging my shoulders.
- why not now? Singular combat, I have seen this place has everything here and I suppose there must be a training room, right?
Nobody liked the idea, the laughter stopped. I honestly don't know what to do, I don't want to fight but his eyes burn my soul, I can't say no to that gaze, Goliath looks at me with that "don't-do-it" on all his face, he's always like that, as much as he likes to blow things up he has a big heart and tries to carry part of my burden on his shoulders.
- First things first. Tell me about yourself and what were you doing on the dock as a simple cargo?- I try to divert the topic.
- mmmm I'm not from here that's for sure, they took me away from mine pack and used me as a test subject, 62 days ago. The normal thing for shifters, we are marginal to this society and I was merely a material for experiments. I don't know who they were but they wanted to make a medicine to regenerate tissues faster, my bear form has that effect but they didn't get the results they wanted, so I was going to be sold and the rest all known. Well for now that's enough, now I want to see what makes you the leader. Don't take it the wrong way, I don't get some combat since forever and it's funny that your pack is just you the alpha heh.
- (come on man we are very similar without the hair staff and I'm sure I'm older than you) it will be good to know what you can do and what not. All right, Come.- I said, but the truth is I feel exhausted.
We were in our special room equipped with everything necessary for arduous training, it was one hand to hand and the others were distant, it seemed that no one was even breathing. A bell started the fight followed by the background music of "two steps from hell", Rex wink at me...
Donovan launched himself towards me blow after blow, posture, breathing, he knew what he does, taekwondo, karate, and it was evident that he knew some more tricks. With every minute that passed more and more brutal he got, I knew that not responding to his attacks was what was irritating him but I ignored it.
- Grrrr.- loud breaths - why you just dodge and don't attack?.
- It's not necessary, I told you I wanted to see what you were capable of. I'll give you one more minute to hit me with all you got or we finish for today.
- Very well, you asked for it. ROOAARR !!!
It had transformed into an anthropomorphic bear, now his size had changed a bit and it was completely covered by fur, I know don't have to cry over spilled milk but the clothes that it just ripped with the transformation were mine! T-T.
Again more of the same but this time I had to deflect the blows with the help of my hands, his energy was running out and soon the minute would be up. Followed by another roar, he already gave me the idea that his complete bear form was coming and with it, he also broke my boxer... bastard!
The minute was up but he was still on his rampage, he wasn't listening to reasons moving his arms faster and faster, I don't blame him, I should fight properly, I have damaged his pride I guess.
I tried to stop one of his blows, well stopping it but he put his weight on top to propel himself and send me flying against a wall and it didn't take long for him to give me a succession of well-combined strikes given his current form, I escaped with a feint and I prepare to strike a good one this time I would attack.
Dumbass this is gonna hurt you a lot.
- Awaking Saiken!- to put at end to the bear madness I going to use some mana in this strike.
It was at this moment that the bear knows he fucked up, fear invaded him to the core, his senses were sharpened and the most primal instinct that we all have come out, his head existed only one thing Survival and he became even wilder.
Seeing the expression of his fear I get discouraged in my task. A nose bleed come again and I lowered my guard and began to be beaten, I had already lost the desire to fight, I don't know when the bear happened to be subdued by Goliath and Rex must have been in a blink while Alice was helping me hold myself up. She quickly took me to my room to give me first aid and heal everything that a first aid kit allowed her, my eyesight became cloudy and soon I fell deeply asleep.
It's not the bear's fault, was me, I knew already I was at the limit ... being affected by Alice magic and mine as a monk to be able to walk after dock battle, the wounds close but the blood does not return. I fucked myself.
....
- Please don't go!.- I shout when my tears fall uncontrollably
- If you love me let me go.- he touched my cheek and dried a few tears on it and I put my hand on his.
.....
- NOO !!!
Donovan had woken me up because I was having a bad dream, I seem him on a chair near to my bed, I can tell from his face he had been there for a long time, I gave a quick analysis of my body, I was already fully recovered and I continued to remove the bandages showing injures already healed.
- Don't worry, it wasn't your fault.- I dared to mention when I saw his worried face.
- NO! I know I fucked up, it never crossed my mind to think how hurt you must have been after the dock, the guys told me. I was an idiot, I knew I had lost and still I...- he clenches his fists and the word don't come out.
- Nothing to do then, you're forgiving, I'm as good as new I just have to eat something.- I put my hand on him and pull from his clothes to throw him on the bed.
- Aaah what are you doing?- he asks a bit embarrassed.
- for your face you have to sleep, right? Don't worry, I already have things to do, try to rest, for when you wake up we will prepare a room for you and make something with the clothing issues...
- Sorry... for everything and Thank you for letting me stays here even after what I did to you.
- hahaha don't worry, the bears are my favorite animal after all.- I smile at him and leave. (He looked cute? I hope to know more facets of him)
It smells good they must be having breakfast by now, what a bad leg I had to cook today. I arrive and feel his fulminate look.
- hehe morning.
- Good morning, calm down I cooked, as the vice of this ship I had to take care of that, and those rats can burn the house if I leave them hahaha.- Goliath said pointing to Alice and Rex
Alice and Rex just showing his tongues, and I take a seat with them.
We had finished breakfast but at first, they yelled me a bit for what happened, I explained to them that I let myself be carried away by the bravery of Donovan.
I couldn't explain to them that I saw a special brightness in his eyes they radiated passion and burn my soul... I can't understand very well what happened to me but those eyes didn't let me escape, I had to accept, I wanted to accept and fulfill their expectations, show him what I was capable of, it had been a long time since I felt the need to show off.
All that exploded in my face, I should have fight properly, and prevent him from going wild, they told me that he doesn't sleep the whole night taking care of me just how I guessed.
There is a quote that says "the eyes are the window to the soul" and in this man, you could see the sadness with pain and not because of what he did to me, since I am quite resistant, I suppose it is more complicated than that and I dare to think that it carries a lot more than it shows
Anyway, the team had decided to take a break, see how things continue in the city and what is said in the CraterMoon that it is a cybernetic space belonging to the high crime society. We have to keep a low profile for the moment the waters are uneasy.
We still don't know who those who want to capture Donovan and it will be a headache if it is some wealthy organization. The sun was about to set, we had prepared a room and he just needed to arrange it to his liking, oh and the clothes he was going to wear that is important really important, knowing that he would not wake up soon, I decided to go with Rex to the shopping center, but not before.
- Rex go ahead and do your magic, I will apologize for you when he wakes up.
- Well, you're the boss.- he replied reluctantly. Immediately afterward a drone fired a conical laser on Donovan and the voice of an electronic woman could be heard.
- scan completed.
Well now having his measurements there would be no problem choosing the wrong sizes. I gave one last look to the figure sprawled on my bed with a nice ass (getaway bad thoughts getaway). It was obvious that he had not rested properly for a long time, it would seem hot if I didn't want to throw it away because it was drooling my pillows, damn.
Already at night, warm and with a bit of the bustle of the city, we had reached our destination and we had false identification to be able to roam more freely, that reminds me that I need Ian to get me one for Donovan.
In the stores we put into the basket that Donovan looked best, thanks to the scanner and the store's app we could dress and undress its electronic mannequin, I also took advantage of buying a change for me since Donovan had destroyed my clothes yesterday.
When we had finished shopping without complications since there is always that fear of being caught with false identifications, we met Sarah the wife Ian, and her teenage daughter Tiara, they are very beautiful women with water green hair color with blue eyes, Sarah smiled and invited us to have a coffee, we didn't object.
Having taken a seat, near the windows of course, and ordered different coffees we chatted pleasantly.
- And tell me, does my husband keep causing trouble to you?
- hahaha if you only knew! - I respond and told them about the last job.
From the edge of my eye I perceived for some reason Rex is distracted, something must be wrong, and I'm right he had sent to my Linker which is an advanced communication device, the photos of three orcs secretly watching us.
* how we had not noticed them before? - I write on the table by a device on my bracelet.
*Because they weren't behind us.- he responded instantly thanks to his AutoLinker which operates directly with his mind.
- those sons of a bitch...- I whispered to myself.
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------------ Thanks for reading I hope you liked it and wait for the next chapter.