March 3rd
2230
La Taverne et L'auberge Du Renard Sournois'
Vichtenstein, France
"The fuck happened to you two?" Derringer gasped as they walked into the lobby. Horowitz and Hightower grabbed Fantanski. They brought him to a chair and immediately propped his leg up. They removed his boot, and bandaged his foot. Finally, after fetching ice from the kitchen for the swelling they sat around the fire and began to talk.
"Fuck. You guys, I appreciate it." Fantaski groaned. His foot still hurt but it was feeling much better now.
"Derringer, take Hightower and go search that damned innkeeps private quarters. And don't ask questions right now" Genoa said flatly when Derringer began to open his mouth. "I need a phone." Genoa urgently said. He ran past the lobby to the front desk. He climbed over it, and grabbed the telephone on the other side and immediately started dialing.
"Gaaaah, who the fuck is this ?" came LT. Col. Housers voice from the other end.
"It's Genoa sir. Listen, we've had an urgent development in Alsace and we need -" Genoa began but he was interrupted by a grumpy superior and older officer on the other end of the line.
Houser answered from Berlin. "A taxidermist for all the wolves you've shot? Fuckin A Liutennant, its almost midnight. I'll talk to you when you get back." Houser slammed the phone down. He turned to the entertainment he had hired for the evening, a lovely blonde he had met in the red light district just thirty minutes before. "Sorry for the interruption. Now, where are we now my shweet ?" He said with a very awkward and strange smile. His shoddy attempt at seduction was met with a poor reaction. The woman cringed. She got dressed, stood up, rolled her eyes, and left for the evening. "Genoa... That cock blocking son of a BIIIIIIIITCH !" Houser howled.
Back at the inn: "That sack of shit." Genoa muttered as he slammed the phone down. "Alright. Everyone gather around. Here's what Cpl. Fantaski and myself have uncovered it." Genoa went on to explain how they ran into the bartender. How they quickly realized she may be an SS agent in hiding, and how when confronted she attacked them with extreme ferocity and was able to surprise both himself and Fantanski and escape.
"Fuckin hell. Wish we had that much fun. All we did was learn the wolves are likely in the deep forest, north of the chapel." Derringer said in awe of Genoa's revelations.
"Valuable information." Nodded Genoa.
"Fuck that ! I'd wanted to fight some mo' nazis !" Whined Derringer. Clearly he hated being left out of a good party.
"Alright Doukas, what did you find?" Genoa asked. For some reason, Doukas popped into the parade rest, and began to speak. Genoa looked at him like he was mad.
"Sir ! I canvassed the area south of here and spoke with several locals." Doukas began sounding very serious. Broussard scoffed. If by speaking, Doukas meant flapping his arms like an idiot and making several villagers laugh at him then sure. He had done plenty of speaking. In reality, everyone in that squad knew without Broussard that day, they would have turned up empty.
"I heard first hand reports of the attacks. I think it's safe to say, we are dealing with a small pack of about 4-6 wolves. They should be easily hunted tomorrow at dusk, when they are most vulnerable." Doukas concluded.
Broussard made a face at this. He had explicitly translated and passed on the information that had been given to him. The fruit vendor explicitly said there was something more in the forest than wolves. Doukas was playing in line with what Derringer said, being cautious. And Broussard didn't like it one bit.
"Sir, there is but one more thing." Broussard began but Doukas elbowed him hard in the ribs.
"What's that?" Genoa asked.
"Nothing sir. My mistake." Broussard replied. What were the odds it was to be significant anyways. Besides, the look on Doukas's face clearly said there was a reprisal coming if he said anything. Best to keep quiet and let fate decide.
"Ok then. To summarize. We have intelligence that a small pack of wolves are operating north of here in the aschten forest. Likely a sneaky bunch, they prefer to attack lone targets. The wolves have been active for several years now, and due to the war they have gone unhunted. So they're probably a bit more bold and cunning since they haven't been cut down to size yet." Genoa said flatly.
"So here's the plan, I want Derringer with Doukas's squad, and I will lead Fantanksi's. We will enter the forest and split off to cover more ground. Equipment will be your standard rifles, sidearms if you have them, and signal flares. After all, no use breaking out the big guns for a wolf shoot. If anything goes wrong or if there is a casualty you are to fire a signal flare in the air, hold position and the other squad will regroup on location. Any questions?"
"Sir, what more do you have on the supposed SS agent? Horowitz said.
"Nothing except she's a crazy but clever bitch, she's got a terrible kick and she carries enough knives to run a small pawn shop. Knows how to use him too. If you meet her in the forest, don't kill her. I want her alive, but be ready for a fight. She already evaded capture once, and she damn near ended Cpl. Fantanski's future fatherhood endeavors." Genoa rubbed his face. It was embarrassing. To be out done by anyone, but a woman to boot. He could not believe this innocent looking young and beautiful woman had gotten the drop on both him and Fantanski.
"Technically speaking she got Fantaski twice" Genoa thought to himself. "Doesn't make a difference though. In the future, we'll be ready." Genoa finished his thought. "Anything else before we break? Nobody raised their hand. Everyone was quiet.
"Alright then. Tomorrow at dusk. Til then, the time is yours. Meet outside at 1800. And with that, good night." Genoa walked upstairs and into the room he shared with Derringer, Doukas, and Fantanski. They laid down and went to bed for the night. Genoa let the candle burn by his bedside a little longer as he read his bible. He looked outside and did a double take. He had thought for a brief second he had seen a shadow outside of his window, dancing in the pale illumination from the candle light. But there was nothing. He returned to his reading and eventually swapped out the bible for a copy of "Treasure Island" which had been one of his favorites since he was a boy. Eventually, he blew out his candle and rested his head.
"All this over some damned wolves." He thought. He felt his mind drifting off. He could hear his mother calling in from the cold for dinner, smelled like it was pasta again. But he never minded, his mother always made the best pasta on the block. But then, any semblance of this lovely dream was wiped away. Genoa heard a loud banging from next door. BAM BAM BANG CRASH. "Fuck was that?" Genoa bolted upright in bed, through his trousers, reached over and grabbed a heavy book from the night stand and he was off ! "Its Gadot and Garcia fucking around. Guy probably got his strength back after a day off his feet, sometimes that's all ya need." He thought as he walked out to tell them to quiet down. He'd known there was something he'd forgotten to ask about during all the chaos that led up to their evening brief. He entered the door to their room and what he saw next changed him.
There, on top of Garcia's chest, was a horrible black shadowy creature wearing a strange and ugly red cap. It wasn't big, but it wasn't small. It had a hold of his throat and was choking him. Garcia's face was blue and he was flailing around like a freshly caught fish. Over this corner slumped over was Gadot. Genoa could see he was breathing but he had blood coming out of his ears. Genoa roared, he could hear the others downstairs talking. He'd hoped to capture their attention, and cause them to come to his aid. But he heard downstairs a laugh and Doukas's voice say "Looks like LT's found your spider there Derry."
The creature turned and growled at him. Genoa lunged at it, and he did something very brave and very stupid. Yet, it was obviously something the creature had not expected either. He took the hand he had grabbed the book with and smacked the creature as hard as he could with it. The heavy and old leather bound bible collided with the shadow monster's jaw in a way its entire face rippled. It was ugly, inhuman. Somehow with ragged skin yet with hints of fur. The force of the blow threw the creature off of Garcia. It bounced off onto the floor and its hat fell off its head. And then looked at Genoa with serious surprise.
Wiping its mouth, the creature slowly stood up and spoke.
"Bloody hell, I'm surprised you moved that fast. It must be hard when your limping around with balls of fucking steel." It coughed up some blood. "Mutterficker that hurts. My ed' is spinnin"
Genoa was amazed. First at all the circumstances that led him in here just by mere chance. Then by the creature's reaction. He had really thought this was going to be more of a fight.
"What is that supposed to disarm me ? Its gonna take more than that you fuckin ugly freak" Genoa spat.
"Aight aight, look man I yield. I don't do the whole fighting thing. I'm more of a spooky fucker. No need to keep goin. Damn I can't even see straight. Can't just leave if I can't see straight. I could end up anywhere. I need a fuckin minute. Good hit though.'' The ugly creature rubbed its mouth.
"What the fuck are you? You're not human ! You look like a bear fucked a midget. A fucked up midget bear !" Genoa spat.
"Hey ! I still have feelings ! No ! I am not human. Kudos to you. Guess that's why you're an officer, 'lieutenant'. And for your information, I'm an Alp." The alp finished proudly as if this should mean something.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS AN ALP?" Genoa shouted at it.
"Aaah stop yellin your making it worse. Ya hit me in the mouth. That's an alps weak spot. Knocked my fuckin hat off too. I can't do anything without it." the alp whined. The alp began to pick up his cap.
"What is this?" Genoa snatched the red hat up off the floor.
"Ah, yes uh that. If you'll just be handing it over? I can write this entire ordeal off for you as a dream, youz'd be none the wiser '' the Alp smiled sheepishly. Genoa took out his lighter and held it to the cap. He clicked the igniter and watched as the flame danced in the darkness next to the cap.
"Answer my questions." He said calmly.
"Fine fine fine ! ok ! Yes Sir ! I'll answer your questions ! So first off, I am an alp." grunted the alp. Genoa moved the lighter closer to the hat. "Which is to say a sort of sleep creature, we feed off of dreams and energy ! You know me, us. We're the incubus, the succubus, Mr. Sandman ! All different names, all alps." The alp went on panicking. Genoa could tell this hat was very important to him. He moved the lighter slightly away from the cap.
"And you've always existed? Why haven't you been detected?" Genoa went on.
"Yes ! Always existed ! Although, lately it's been different. It used to be that we were undetectable. You see normally when we feed on someone's dreams we do not materialize ! But, due to... recent events. We have found ourselves bound to this world more than we would like." the alp went on.
"What events?" Genoa asked curiously.
"Truthfully, we don't know. We just know something happened recently, and things changed for us ! One minute we are in the garden, now we are here !"
"Strange place for a creature like you to live, a garden. I'd have thought you a graveyard or sewer dweller." Genoa sneered as he put the lighter close to the hat again. "Why is this ugly hat so important to you?" Genoa pushed on.
"The tarnkappe ! Or, uh in your tongue 'Camouflage cap' is the source of an alps' powers ! Without it, I can't shapeshift, disappear, or run up walls. I have no tricks without that cap !" the alp prattled on.
"Then why don't I just burn it?" Genoa mused. He moved the lighter an inch away from the cap. One slight breeze and it was up in flames.
"You could do that. Or. We could strike a deal. A contract if you will?" The alp rubbed his chin, eyeing Genoa eagerly, a look of exasperation in his eyes. It was no longer a terrifying creature. In fact, it seemed kind of pathetic.
"What sort of deal? And why would I entertain this ?" Genoa was growing increasingly frustrated. Nothing made sense. Alps? The Okkulstaffel? What was next ? Vampires? "Perhaps, I should just shoot from the hip and take a chance here." He thought to himself. "This alp could be of use after all. Besides, the little bastard had not caused any major damage ... yet."
"Alright, so here's me offer. You return my cap, and eh do the occasional odd favor for me? And I can help you. I don't think you know much about the happenstances that av gone on in the other realms too much, you scratch my arse and I'll scratch yours. I think the old hags and cunning ladies would call me something like a uh "familiar" of sorts" The Alp went on.
"What's that?" Genoa asked.
"Right er uh, so I would be a sort of "Guide" to help you. I can answer certain questions, make coffee, little things, ya know? Anyways just don't go tellin me to jump off a cliff, I won't do thar." the Alp said in an almost legal tone.
" Yea right and I'm supposed trust you? After all, you did just torment half of my men and try to square up on me?" Genoa went on still dangling his silver zippo lighter next to the cap.
"Oi, thah wasn't personal !" The Creature paused then said " ... Ok maybe that one was a little personal. HE BONKED MEH ON THE NOSE WITH AN APPLE ! Makes you feel any berrer I been hopin all over people's dreams these days. Lots of people are scared and uncertain, especially soldiers. Makes for easy prey." The alp shrugged.
"Didn't answer the question, though did you?" Genoa said through pursed lips. The tip of the flame moved a little closer to the cap.
"Woah woah easy easy ! The contract isn't just something I can break, it binds our destinies. After we shake, I can't harm, lie, cheat, steal or in any way mislead you from that moment forward. Those are the rules. Have to abide by the terms, as do you. Or... we shall be cursed and perhaps even die. Never break the contract."
"Not sure if I believe you. But, at the very least, this should be interesting. Fuck around with us again and we'll finish you off." Genoa sighed.
"RIGHT THEN" the Alp spat in his hand and extended it. "Shake."
"I will not." said Genoa disgusted.
"You must ! Tis the proper way we close a deal !" The Alp smiled and winked.
"Ughhh." Genoa spat in his own hand and shook the alps. The alp's hand was furry and soft, albeit wet from his saliva. Genoa gave a great shudder at the entire interaction and wished to forget it ever took place.
The Alp pulled out a small bronze bell with a dark wooden handle and tossed it to Genoa. "Use this to get a hold of me, three sharp rings and I'll be round. Course' I may be round anyways so it may take less, but three? Ah I should hear that. Give a fourth just in case." The alp was finished up.
"Alright fucker. Here, and leave Garcia alone." He tossed the red hat to the alp. Genoa thought twice about that. But it seemed like the only logical recourse at this time. The alp caught the hat with both hands and sobbed with joy.
"Fuck, I really thought you was gonna light it. That had been my arse. Truth be told, I wouldn't have blamed ya. I played some of the best tricks of my life on that Garshia boy or whatever. But, deal a deal." The alp said, placing the cap on its head.
"Good. Now scram" Genoa wasn't about to leave. He waited for the alp to move next. It walked over to the window ledge and was climbing out when it turned its back.
"Ay, easy now, I don't need tellin when I'm not welcome." The alp went to leave. "Now, I'm off." The alp did a backflip outside. It shapeshifted into a raven, and flew away into the night sky.
"What the fuck is going on." Genoa moaned witnessing this. He looked over. Gadot was still sitting there. Mouth open pale as a ghost.
"What the fuck happened before I came in?" Gadot tried to pull himself together.
"Sir, when the clock struck 10, it suddenly appeared. With one snap of its finger, it hurled me against the wall. I couldn't move after that. I hit my head and I couldn't move. It started choking Garcia, then. You came in sir. I owe you one." Gadot gasped.
"Alright, look. You're tired. Exhausted even. I'll post another watch for the night. Go to bed." Genoa finished. Gadot didn't need telling twice. He immediately waltzed over and crumpled onto his bed.
"Derry ! Get in here !" Genoa called down the hall. Derringer came trotting up the stairs. "What's up Lt.?"
"What's at sir?" Derringer grunted.
"DO YOUR FUCKING EARS WORK SERGEANT. WERE THE FUCK WHERE YOU JUST NOW? HOW DID YOU NOT HEAR ALL THAT ? I SHOULD DROP THE WHOLE FUCKING UNIT AND SMOKE YOU ALL UNTIL YOU DIE !" Genoa bellowed. He liked Derringer. But, somehow. Somebody fucked up. His unit failed him when he needed them.
"What are you talking about? We were tossing the tavern wenches room like you told us too ! " Derringer looked pissed.
"Right. Sorry. Did you find anything?" Genoa apologized. After all that had just happened he had totally forgotten he had asked Derringer to search the room earlier.
"Yea, shes into some creepy shit. There's a bunch of candles arranged around a pentagram by an alter. Lots of strange old books and crystals, three firearms, a small supply of strange grenades and some weird dark violet colored records that in these strange envelopes almost as those there sent to her like letters. We snatched those and we're keepin' em somewhere safe. Now whats happened?"
Genoa explained about Boz. About exactly what he was, what he had said to him, and what he had been doing to Garcia. He thought Derringer might think him crazy. But he also knew Derringer could look a man in the eye and tell when he was lying, crazy or being honest.
"Fuck me. Doukas said you'd just found a spider from earlier and were messin with it. Had no idea." Derringer was genuinely sorry. And Genoa knew it had been a long day. No use going in anymore on him for something that already happened. "Fine. Alright then knew fucking plan. Gather everyone in this room."
Derringer left. He returned with the rest of the men.
"Alright, here's a new rule. Everywhere you go, everywhere you sleep, eat, shit or any other fucking activities. I don't give a fuck if you dance on the beach naked at three am and praise Cthulu. You will have a buddy with you. You will stick with one another at all times until we return to Berlin. Laying all our cards on the table, the missions been fucking complicated as simple as it should have been. I got my ass beat, Fantaski got his ass beat. Gadot and Garcia got fucked up two nights in a row now. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. This has been a hell of a battle for some simple wolves." Genoa barked this new referendum to the men. He knew it wasn't to be popular. But who was to know what would've happened if Gadot wasn't in the room. Genoa would've never heard Garcia scream.
"When we go into the forest tomorrow, everyone better have a buddy with them. I want you in normal groups, and I want you to know who you're sticking with if you get separated." Everyone nodded. "Dismissed." Genoa muttered. The group dispersed. Genoa returned to the room. He readied himself for bed and awoke at sunrise.