(Written by SHEPHERD AKARA ©)
The hunting crew had been divided, with Yeva and her protege, Rhonda, heading North, while Knox and Hayden ventured South.
To determine the decisive tie-breaker, they resorted to a game of 'rock paper scissors.'
"Shoot!" exclaimed Knox, his frustration evident as he lost to Yeva, who triumphantly held her 'paper' hand aloft.
"Damn hammer!"
And so, the boys reluctantly consented to defeat while the girls swiftly embarked on their journey, their land rover zooming off into the distance.
As the cool sunset breeze gently whistled through the air, a sense of serene tranquility enveloped the surroundings.
"Have you ever heard of a Weiler?" inquired Knox, deftly assembling his sniper rifle.
Hayden, his voice, an octave of Knox's, laden with youthful innocence, responded with curiosity, "No, what is it?"
The woods of Chesterlake provided a solemn backdrop for introspection, with its leaves radiating a harmonious display of colors.
Hayden had only experienced a portion of its beauty, as his father had never permitted him to venture far beyond the electromagnetic force field that encased the island.
At times, he wondered if it was out of love and care, or an overprotective nature.
However, on this daring hunting expedition, Uncle Knox, ever the courageous figure, would guide him beyond the force field, far into the uncharted territories of the Wild Halo Woods.
Hovering gently in the air, two diminutive drone-bots of the Aero-Vortex diligently surveyed the island, stationed beside the fair-haired commando.
Their robotic voices echoed rhythmically through the mild breeze, a testament to their prudent observations.
"Legends speak of Weilers as vicious, savage creatures that emerged from the depths of darkness.
But let me enlighten you with the true story," Knox began, his words carrying a weight of experience.
"Long ago, a malevolent order tampered with the very fabric of DNA, birthing abominable creatures in their desperate quest for victory in war.
Since then, these creatures have evolved, lurking in the shadows, honing their senses, and adapting to the physical world."
"Wherever high frequencies abound, especially in specific locales such as this one, thanks to your super scientist Daddy, one is likely to encounter a Weiler—mutated, evolved, formidable in size, strength, speed, intelligence, and insatiable hunger."
Hayden couldn't help but gulp nervously, his concerns for his sister Rhonda intensifying.
Yet, he found solace in the strength and experience of Yeva Aleksandrova, who had ventured North.
"But just how big are they?" Hayden mustered the courage to inquire.
"Very big indeed," Knox replied. "Imagine wrestling with a grizzly, only stronger and angrier."
With a playful chuckle, Knox tossed a coupled sniper rifle to Hayden, who deftly caught it mid-air.
Hayden stared at the metallic weapon, smaller in size compared to Knox's, yet undeniably efficient, capable of wreaking havoc.
Peering through the rifle scope, Hayden then turned his gaze toward Knox, his expression filled with silent contemplation.
"What?" Knox asked, still amused. "They're not loaded, just tranquilizers. Although they still sting like needles, mind you."
And so, armed with their tranquilizer-laden weapons and a sense of trepidation, Hayden and Knox embarked on their journey into the wild.
....
(Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©)
The audacious duo embarked upon their perilous journey into the undulating woodland, where Knox, agile and nimble with his free-running expertise, led the way, while Hayden, brisk and astute, followed closely behind.
They soon approached a steep canyon, and as darkness cloaked the surroundings, the moon's luminosity cast its ethereal glow upon the cavernous depths.
However, a sudden dark cloud obscured the moon, plunging them back into obscurity. Hayden, with a sheepish grin, gasped,
"Surely, we aren't descending into that abyss?"
"Does the moonlight fail to satisfy your adventurous spirit, young one?" Knox asked, his surprise evident at the eight-year-old's panic.
"Well... my mother..."
"What concerns you about her?"
"Oh, nothing... It's just that my mother... She always warns me about venturing into enemy territory."
"But this island belongs to your father, Hay... to you! How can it be enemy territory?" Uncle Knox inquired, bemused.
"When I say 'enemy territory,' Uncle Knox, I'm referring to dark underground caverns teeming with ferocious predators," Hayden responded, his face turning pale.
"Calm yourself, my friend," Knox reassured, rummaging through his utility bag to reveal a pair of sleek, futuristic night-vision goggles.
He placed the goggles into Hayden's small hands and said, "These are infrared shades, my lad. With these, no uglies can escape your vigilant gaze."
Hayden eagerly put on the goggles, marveling at how they revealed the heat signatures emitted by every living creature, including the scurrying rodents below.
The Aero-Vortex, a diligent and efficient machine, lowered a static rope, spiraling downward with remarkable speed.
"Well, what do we have here?" Knox exclaimed, astounded by the sight.
"It was my idea," Hayden proudly declared, sporting a satisfied grin.
Knox secured the climbing harness around his waist and handed another one to the young adventurer.
"Here, kiddo. This will prevent suspension trauma," he explained while expertly knotting the ropes around Hayden.
"Oh, and you'll need gloves too. We can't have those delicate hands blistering from the friction," the British man remarked, producing a pair of thick gloves from his trusty utility bag and presenting them to his eager protégé.
With unwavering determination, the intrepid duo began their descent down the steep slope, keeping a distance of ten meters between them
Knox's landing was graceful, and Hayden's suspension was nothing short of magnificent.
They cautiously explored the caverns, their curiosity tempered by prudent vigilance. The propeller blades of the Aero-Vortex whirred softly in the cool, gentle breeze.
Guided by his super night-vision goggles, Hayden spotted a herd of gazelles migrating from a distance of a hundred yards. His face lit up with joy.
"Oh, my word," the young lad exclaimed in awe. "They are truly magnificent, Uncle Knox."
"Aye, they are indeed lovely, kiddo. Alas, tonight we aren't hunting deer," Knox remarked, his tone tinged with regret.
A nearby stream murmured as it meandered along its bed, bubbling over rocks and branches.
They had been strolling for barely thirty minutes when an ominous growl shattered the tranquility of the air.
"Halt!" commanded Knox, raising his hand with his palm facing outward.
....
(Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©)
Hayden's diminutive footsteps came to an abrupt halt, his young frame sinking to a knee as he turned his gaze outward.
Knox, the seasoned adventurer, fixed his gaze upon the fearsome beast in the distance.
It was an abhorrent creature, an alien-like mutt of vicious disposition, twice the size of a man and three times its mass.
Its fur was a nightmarish sight to behold, and its snare held a terrible allure.
With frenetic movements, the creature savagely feasted upon a fresh kill, blood oozing in a macabre display.
Its razor-sharp saber teeth tore apart the helpless gazelle, its prey, with an inescapable grip held by its formidably muscular hands.
The powerful molars gnawed at the bones, rendering them asunder.
"It's a good aim, kiddo," Knox whispered softly, his voice hushed.
Hayden's body stiffened with fright, yet his resolve matched that of his father. He mustered the courage to inquire,
"How far away is it?"
"A hundred yards," replied Knox Brandon, his voice steady and composed.
"Focus on your environment, young one, rather than your own actions," Knox began his instructive lecture.
"When employing a rifle scope, there are three adjustments to ensure your rounds find their mark."
He elucidated further, "The windage adjustment controls the impact point on the horizontal axis, while the elevation adjustment governs the vertical aspect.
Additionally, the parallax adjustment modifies the reticle's depth in relation to the target."
Knox imparted his wisdom on firing techniques, advising, "Practice good trigger control. A hasty pull of the trigger at this distance can throw off your shot.
Instead, apply slow and steady pressure, counting down from five as you squeeze, and hold the trigger for a moment after firing before releasing it."
Aware of the significance of breath control, Knox continued, "The accuracy of your rounds is greatly influenced by your breathing.
To fire accurately at long range, you must seize the natural pause between exhaling and inhaling. Breathe out slowly and squeeze the trigger during that interlude."
Hayden absorbed his mentor's words with keen ears, his hands obedient to every instruction. A bead of sweat trickled down his face, evidence of the tension that gripped him.
Knox pressed on, cautioning, "Remember, firing during inhalation or exhalation can cause slight shifts in your aim. This must be avoided."
He proceeded to address the impact of wind on the shot, stating, "Take into account the movement of the wind around the target.
Windage settings on your scope compensate for crosswinds, but at longer distances, wind becomes a more significant factor.
Observe the signs of strong wind around the creature using your binoculars, and adjust your windage accordingly, compensating to the left. The round will then find its mark."
The young Ford felt the weight of anxiety upon him. Though intelligent, the magnitude of the situation overwhelmed him, yet he slowly grasped the essence of it all.
"And how am I supposed to process all of this in the present moment?" he inquired, his voice tinged with apprehension.
"Relax," Knox reassured him. "The ability to perform effectively in high-stress situations, to manage your emotions, and to prioritize mission accomplishment above all else is as crucial to a sniper's success as their proficiency with a weapon."
Hayden let out a deep sigh, mustering his resolve. With unwavering determination, he took aim and fired a resolute shot, the bullet finding its mark in the creature's brain.
The beast came crashing down with a thunderous thud, its legs flickering before succumbing.
.....
(Written by SHEPHERD AKARA ©)
Hayden's complaint pierced the air. "You mentioned it wasn't loaded!"
Knox, in a tone tinged with sarcasm, retorted, "Did I?"
"But you specifically stated it was tranquils!"
"Ah, so it turns out it wasn't tranquilizers then?"
"No!"
"That's precisely what I've been attempting to convey to you, kid."
"No, it's the other way around. I'm the one trying to inform you."
"Hehe, now I've got you," Knox teased, reveling in the moment.
He adjusted his specially designed earbuds, ensuring optimal comfort.
"Yeva, do you read me? Please respond."
The earbuds crackled with Yeva's voice, momentarily interrupting the transmission.
"Aye, Captain."
"Prepare the chopper; we have huge cargo."
"What have you discovered?"
"Something colossal... Something truly monstrous."
Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©
....
SKYBREED ent ©