Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 69: Rising Part I

Day 175 (6:10 AM, The Holding House)

“Does anyone want to explain to me why I was pulled from my bed and thrown in here without any explanation?!" The human/beastial hybrid asked angrily.

“Zhade my DNA was found on your person." The rhino said.

“So what does that have to do with anything? We eat in the same building, bathe in the same building and even use the same bathroom."

“Where were you yesterday evening between 8:30 and 9:00?" The rhino warrior asked.

“Why don't you know? You animal people tag and track us humans."

“The trackers stopped working when all electronics stopped working." I said to him. 

“Yes the day of humanity's liberation from your oppression.... mostly." He said gritting his teeth at us.

“You are evading the question Zhade." The Commander said patiently.

“I was at home talking to Yogi. He had just come back telling me about some therapy session for the distressed and how he felt better afterwards. Why?"

“We were at the same session and were attacked while on our way home." I said studying him for his reaction.

“And you think I was responsible?!" 

“That is why you have been separated from the population son." The rhino warrior said sitting down on a nearby chair. “Alex was branded."

“You mean like cattle?" Zhade asked.

“Yes, it was degrading and humiliating." I said to him pulling up a chair.

“We are going to get to the bottom of this." Rhinox said."

“So what you are actually saying is that anyone under suspicion can just be pulled out of their home and locked up without provocation?!"

The rhino looked at the human/beastial hybrid.

“Right, this is just an offshoot of the empire. I am surprised that I wasn't automatically judged and punished." The hybrid said shaking his head.

“We are trying to route out a faction that is hostile to Mr. Winter and a potential danger to the colony."

“I know I have been critical of you and the rest of the former knights, but I don't have any hostility toward Alex despite his past." Zhade said back tracking.

“Good. But let's make sure." The Commander said pulling out his service weapon. He placed it on the truth ray setting.

“You are going to shoot me?"

The former knight nodded.

*ZAP*

*AUGH* Zhade shouted. “I feel so strange- what did you do?!"

“You have been hit with a special weapon, it compels you to breathe, spit and vomit the truth son." The rhino warrior said beginning the interrogation.

“What are you feelings toward our Strategic Operations Commander?" I asked the part human/part tiger prisoner.

“He is nothing but the current iteration of that idiot that ruled the planet for the last 30 years."

“Really?" I said astounded by his arrogance.

“My present treatment now is proof. The empire maybe gone but is it?"

“What are your feelings about Lady Ursa and Lady Barq?" I asked.

“I understand the bear woman used to run the colony along with the mongoose's mother before the former fell ill and the later disappeared. Today Lady Barq and Lady Ursa are just his lieutenants."

(Wow, he was rather blunt about it.)

“Enough of this." The rhino grumbled. “Zhade yesterday 8:30 PM. What were you doing?"

“I was meditating well, trying to do so when a certain yeti bursted into our home talking about a therapy session he attended and how it made him feel better."

“You meditate?" I asked him.

“It is how I keep my animal side and what is left of my human side in balance." The human/beastial hybrid said.

“Really?" I started to say before the Commander redirected my focus.

“I listened to him for a bit. But he kept talking and wouldn't shut up. So I stormed out."

“Alex." The rhino warrior ordered me.

“Right." I said removing the dermal regenerator from my med kit.

“My DNA was found on his torso." The rhino said to me.

“It is there, but it also mixed with Yogi's." I said double checking my findings.

“I brushed past him on the way out." Zhade said calmly.

“Sir weren't you sitting next to Yogi at the group session?"

“And we did touch while we were leaving." Rhinox said thoughtfully.

“It wasn't him sir." I said repacking the medkit.

“Which is what I have been trying to tell you! Nothing has changed guilty until proven innocent." The half human - half tiger hybrid said. “It is remarkable how many traditions from the regime survive."

Since the truth ray had not worn off, I decided to question my fellow colonist further.

“So Zhade you used to be human?" I asked exploring for more information.

“Yes."

“So when did the jagged teeth, stripes and tail appear?"

“It was shortly after the green sickness incident." He said grunting.

“You can try to resist son, but you are compelled to tell the truth." The rhino said looking him in the eye.

“I thought the disease was going to annihilate all of beastial kind and was a little too celebratory for those in power."

“So you were one of the revelers." I said to him.

“In the park, historical district, entertainment district any and every public place. I was devastated when a cure was found and even more so when the knights found me."

“You were judged and punished." The rhino warrior said. “They attempted to turn you into that which you hate."

“I was given to a goat scientist who turned me into what you see now as my punishment."

That explained his hostile attitude toward the former knights that now led the colony.

“Thank you for the information. You are not who we are seeking." Rhinox said standing and seeing himself out.

“Hey don't I get an apology for what you two put me through?!" Zhade shot back.

“How about some advice- don't be so hostile to those trying to protect us. This colony is one of the last bastions of civilization. If it falls we are all lost." I said also seeing myself out.

“Tori free him. He is not whom we seek." The rhino said to the sergal female.

I followed the Strategic Operations Commander all the way back to the central building.

“Interesting way to start the morning eh?"

“Yes. Alex head to the eating place, I am going to search for some more leads." The jolly rhino said walking back to his office.

“What about my security detail?" I asked him.

“They will meet you there."

I managed to get there just as the morning crowd was coming in.

“So what is on the menu today?" A man in his forties at a nearby table asked Mia who was wearing a nice white apron over a yellow shirt and brown pants.

“Well this morning we have Lentil walnut burgers made fresh daily. We also have chard rolls stuffed with turkey and wild rice. If that is not to your liking, there is roasted fish and veggies with quinoa and pine nuts."

“Really young lady?!" He said perking up.

“No." Dianna's adoptive daughter said.

“Well what about those of us who don't like meat?" The man's female companion asked.

“I got this Mia." Little Corey said to his adoptive sister. He was dressed in a white shirt and pants topped off with a baker's hat.

“That would be this morning's specials- black bean salad with avocado-lime dressing, or maybe tofu breakfast tacos are more to you liking. If not there is the portobello mushroom super sandwich and finally lentil curry with cashews and yogurt."

“Outstanding!" His female companion shouted this is the best eatery in the entire city.

“Actually ma'am this is the only eatery in the entire city." Mia shot back.

“You are screwing with us aren't you?" The man asked the young female waitress.

“Yup." 

“You will have what they are having." Little Corey said pointing to two humans and a werewolf at a nearby table.

“WOOF." The black and white husky said placing Corey, Rumble and my orders down on the table.

“What did Lolly say?" I asked the black haired teen.

“Something to the effect here is your food." Mr. Collins said to me. “Another bowl of soup eh?"

“Yeah chicken noodle. My appetite is slowly coming back." I said to my dining companions.

“Speaking of appetite..." 

We looked across the table at the werewolf making goo goo eyes at Lolly.

“Oh no you don't." Corey said chastising him. “We don't want any were-huskies running around!"

“Were-huskies Corey?!" I asked him.

“Yeah, Rumble can impregnate anything. I think his primary directive from his creator is to breed more about it, if you catch my drift." The snarky teen sighed. “I wouldn't mind being a were though- the superior senses, the strength, the power, not to mention that magnificent shape."

“...doesn't work that way little buddy..."

“Yeah I know." Mr. Collins said as he started eating an apple from a platter of fruit. “But if it did I would be the first one you would tell right?"

“Yeah I remember Rumble couldn't turn you into a were-creature so you were going to live vicariously through him. How is that going?" I asked as I started slurping my soup.

“...embarrassing..." The honorary beastial said as he started lapping up his omelet.

“Don't talk with your mouth full!" The teen said to his wolf. “He thinks I fuss over him too much."

“...worship..." Rumble said looking up from his plate.

“Well with a body like that how could I not? He is a magnificent specimen of his kind."

“How so?" I asked prying for details.

“Well..." The snarky teen started watching my guard who was eyeing us from across the room.

“What?" The skinny crocodile with the small yellow oval eyes and the blank clueless expression asked.

“Looks like Gahri forgot his weapon." I observed.

“He's dimwitted but lovable." The teen snarked.

“...needs to wear more clothing..." 

“Said the loincloth wearing werewolf." Corey remarked.

“I think that is all the clothing he has left- the blue shorts and the spiked belt?" I said looking at the dark green scalie again.

“What?" He said looking back.

“Are you missing something my protector?" I asked. 

“Oh yeah! Right! I will be right back!"

Corey shook his head returning to our conversation. “I worship Rumble too much? Let's see... we do snuggle when we sleep. I like to rest my head on his chest while adoring his v- shaped torso. I love hearing him snore when he is really exhausted."

Rumble gazed at his boy with that admission.

“And I like to feel his warmth, his soft fur and that luscious mane."

The were-creature continued to stare. Becoming more self-conscious of what his roomie was saying to his dining buddy.

“Ok and on some nights I like to crawl underneath his loincloth and wear it with him."

Rumble continued to stare at the black haired teen.

“Ok well most nights."

*snort*

“Alright every night." Corey admitted.

“...he likes it when we touch..."

“You do too big guy!" 

Rumble snorted again in protest or was that embarrassment- I couldn't tell.

“It is apparent that both of you have grown extremely close." I said watching their interactions.

“How could we not- I helped him transition to the beastial that he is today. I showed him how to clean his teeth, and even use the facilities- mostly."

“Mostly?" I asked.

It was at this point the were creature started fidgeting. He was becoming extremely embarrassed with what was being said.

“When voiding liquid he likes it when I sneak behind him lift his loincloth and help him aim. When he is voiding solid matter he likes when I sit on his lap and rub his belly."

“Really?" I said looking at the were-creature who started pressing his index paw fingers together at that comment.

“And when we bathe he likes it when I wash his...." 

“...how is Alex...?"

(Did Rumble abruptly change the conversation?!)

“Alright I guess- I am still having trouble sleeping."

“Well I can't blame you. The Commander is a serial snorer."

“Well there is that, but I haven't really felt the effects of it yet. Also getting up to speed with my duties in the infirmary have been keeping me busy. Especially now that we have 30 additional souls in our colony."

“I think he meant about the INCIDENT yesterday evening." The black haired teen said.

“Wow, news travels fast." I said looking up from my soup.

“...small lost city..." The were-creature said.

“That and the Commander had the warriors knocking on a lot of doors last night."

“I am fine. One of the assailants isn't and a resident is pissed for being falsely accused." I said to the black haired teen and his werewolf. “Were you on night watch?"

“Nope. It is been beneficial that there is an actual rotation for guard duty." Corey said.

“...not overtaxed..."

“Yeah I can see the benefit to that." I said.

“So is everyone in the colony healthy Alex?"

“For the most part-but an avian came in with a bizarre red rash the other day. And then there was a porcupine yesterday morning. In both cases I prescribed some ointment and sent them on their way." I responded. “It was a bizarre ugly looking rash."

“...mission...?" Rumble asked trying to prevent Corey from talking about how they bathe. I started to suspect that they may even kiss.

“Mission?" I asked my dining partners.

“I think he means the away mission to find the nomadic colony." Corey said to me.

“The away team checked in this morning. There is no trace of any of them. It is like they vanished off the face of Counter Earth." I said to him.

“...aliens...?"

“It could be the KLIS. They have been very active since the fall." I said to the escaped lab creature.

“What about ONE?" The snarky teen asked.

“Very possible- the entity has grown stronger in recent days." I said pawing at my bowl. “Which has made all our lives even more complicated."

“Suffice to say the search continues." Corey said.

“You three finished?" The scalie said returning with his spear.

“Yeah, Gahri why?" I asked.

“Sparring practice." Mr. Collins said. “Since Lady Ursa isn't here to continue her self defense class- she wanted her students to continue training."

“...crocodile and Corey are sparring partners..."

“We could use you too." The crocodile said.

“Well you're my guard for the day- I guess I am attending whether I want to or not." I said.

We left the now crowded eating room. I followed Corey, Rumble and Gahri to a gravel patch of ground on the side of the central building which had been used for several activities. This morning it would be used for sparring and the fighters needed a referee. That would be me. 

“Alright let's have a clean match no sneaky underhanded stuff." I said to the two combatants at the sparring grounds.

“I don't know about this." The grey gorilla said.

“And what is the problem Ananias?" I asked him.

“What is the problem Other? Is that this match is not balanced." The silverback said staring at his opponent.

“Meaning?" I asked.

“I like to use weapons he does not."

“...my weapons are claw and fang..." Rumble snorted.

“As I said this fight is uneven. I am going to wipe the floor with him! Well the ground anyway."

“...we will see monkey..." The werewolf growled.

“Mutt." The gorilla growled right back.

“Alright you two. This is supposed to be a sparring match so you can hone your skills. Not a fight to the death you know why right?" I said to the gorilla and werewolf.

“Yes. We are family." Rumble and Ananias groaned in unison.

“Good, I thought I was going have to make you two hug it out. Now begin!" I said lowering my hand and stepping aside to a safe distance. 

Ananias put down his sickles picking up to two foot long wooden sticks which he would use to simulate weapons.

“GRROOOAARRR!" 

“And our honorary beastial charges at his opponent in a blinding burst of speed!" I shouted.

*trip*

“Whoa! Ananias moves most of his body out of the way and at the last second except his foot-paw which he uses to trip his opponent!" I shouted. “Rumble goes rolling across the ground and nearly out of bounds! One point for our gorilla warrior!"

Rumble recovered turned around and darted toward the silverback at blinding speed.

“And Rumble unleashes another quick attack!!!" I said as the to combatants stopped and stared right at me like I was extremely stupid. “What?"

“Hey freckles, why don't you forget about the play-by-play and just referee the match?" Corey Collins shouted. 

“Ok, I can do that." I acknowledged the snarky teen's remark.

“I am coming for you mutt." The gorilla warrior announced. “So what are you gonna do when I wipe the floor with you?"

“...that will be the day..." Rumble grumbled as he charged his opponent.

Ananias did the same running toward were-creature. The two then collided. As they did Rumble tossed his sparring partner into the air like some raging bull. Ananias landed hard on his back.

*OOF*

“Point and match goes to Rumble." I announced.

“...monkey..?" The escaped lab creature inquired of the beaten silverback.

“Yeah mutt."

“...good..." The were creature said grabbing the gorilla's leg and arm. 

“Hey what are you?!" Ananias shouted as his back, and butt were brushed back and forth along the ground.

“It looks like he is wiping the floor with you!" The snarky teen shouted.

The warriors at the practice ground that morning all laughed with and at the gorilla's expense.

“HUMPH!! Next time." The gorilla warrior said rolling over.

“Hey are you ok Ananias?" I asked walking over- carefully.

“My pride- it hurts."

“All the same you did land awfully hard perhaps I should perform a quick check up."

“I am fine Other!" He said storming off.

(Yup way too serious.)

“I guess that means I am up." The crocodile with the huge jawline said. “Let's see Arugula, Corey, T'hoka, or Tanya? Decisions, decisions...."

“Hey Gahri while we are young!" The black haired teen shouted.

“Very well you then." The green scalie said stepping into the gravel patch. “That crossbow and arrows aren't going to help you now boy."

“Who says I need arrows?" The snarky teen said.

(Oh this is going to be good!) 

“You are more than twice my size and yet I am standing up to you."

“Is that supposed to impress me boy?" The crocodile asked.

“Well it could mean one of two things one that I am really crazy or two I am really dangerous... I will leave that to you to decide."

“I can't wait to get a piece of you." The scalie grinding his teeth.

“Hey Gahri no biting! Alright you two let's have a clean match use control." I warned the snarky teen and crocodile."

“Do I have too?" The croc asked.

“Because if you injure all your sparring partners. You won't have anyone to practice with." The snarky teen commented to his opponent.

There was that blank stare again.

“Yeah, that makes sense." 

“Ok you two. Now begin." I shouted.

“MY DIGNITY SHALL SCAR THY DNA." The scalie said maniacally to the black haired teen.

“What is that so supposed to mean?" I asked the lizard combatant.

“I say that to all my prey." Gahri said bouncing his eyebrows.

(Oh geez!)

Corey and Gahri locked paws and hands trying to overpower one another as their match started.

Corey for obvious reasons was easily overpowered. The crocodile flipped him sideways grabbing his arm and leg. Spun him around and prepared to slam him to ground quite hard. Only stopping at the last second to lay him down gently.

“Ok point goes to Gahri." I shouted. “Resume."

The snarky teen had another idea for his opponent. Corey ran toward the crocodile sliding between his legs. Emerging behind him- the black haired teen tapped the back of his opponent's knees with his feet sending the scalie beastial falling backwards.

“Gotcha!" He shouted.

“Point goes to Corey!" I shouted. 

“Well executed boy- you are quite cunning." Gahri said grabbing Corey's hand and pulling.

“You are not bad yourself." The snarky haired teen said pulling backward.

Those present watched the tug of war with some interest. As the green scalie yanked the teen forward. Caught off guard by the force of the pull Corey fell forward into Gahri who then tossed the teen in to the air. As Corey started to fall back to the ground the croc opened his mouth wide showing everyone there including Mr. Collins his very sharp teeth.

(GAHRI NO!) 

As the black haired teen was about to fall into the croc's mouth, Gahri closed it, stepped aside catching Corey throwing him to the ground before belly flopping on the teen.

“GAHRI CRUSH!!!!" 

“Augh!!!" Corey shouted.

“Point goes to the gator." I shouted. “I thought that was going to be Gahri crunch."

“Might makes right!" Gahri said flexing like he was some famous wrestler.

“Ok so you won this time." The teen said rolling over. “But I have the better record."

“You do not!!!" The scalie said following the human off of the gravel.

The sparing went on for the next several hours. Morning turned into late morning and then noon as I refereed quite a few matches. It was also great to see the colony's new warriors in action.

“Hey it looks like your are needed freckles." Corey said to me. I turned back toward the building to find Dianna waving at me.

“Ms. Wild what is wrong?"

“It little Addy." The she centaur said to me.

I went to see the little avian girl. 

“Wow, she got a red rash. It looks like the one that is going around."

“Itchy, itchy!!" The little girl said.

We went to the infirmary where I looked at her thigh and arm.

“Yeah it is the same thing going around. Here, I have been prescribing this ointment. Place a drop on the rash every couple of hours." I said looking at Lady Barq's charge. “You should feel relief soon."

“Thanks Alex." The she centaur said collecting the little girl and heading back downstairs.

“Crisis averted. But still that is the third case of rash within the last two days."

“Do you know what is causing it?" Gahri asked.

“No. But I better check my supplies' stock."

“Afternoon Alex." A female naga said entering the infirmary.

“Ms. Una."

“The Commander needs to speak with you in his office."

I looked at crocodile and he at me.

“Thanks, miss Una." I said darting by her, my guard following behind.

“Ah yes Alex thank you for coming." The rhino warrior said as I ran into his office. He was not alone.

“Commander what is wrong?" I gasped. “Wait who are they?"

(More suspects?)

Seated across from the rhino's desk was a elderly woman grey hair, thin, worn face and a smaller woman(?) with orange mop hair, wide hazel eyes, with a rabbit nose, ears and tail.

“These are two new members of the colony Alex. They were found in the plains west of World One. Ruth-Ann and Kenna this is Alex Winter he is one of our healers here." The rhino warrior said.

“Commander?" I asked.

“They have been vetted and completed the required protocols. I would like you to show them around." Rhinox said crossing his arms smiling.

“Um, sure. This is just rather sudden." I blurted out.

“Welcome to our community." Gahri said. “An oasis away from the apocalypse."

“Right this way Ruth Ann and Kenna." I said leading them out of the office.

“It appears this is the center of the colony." Kenna said looking around.

“This is the central building, here you will find the few amenities we do have- offices, classrooms, the eating room, showers, running water, bathrooms and the infirmary on the second floor I work there."

I gave our newest residents a tour of the building. The two were most impressed with the eating room.

“Wow, so many residents." The old woman said walking around.

“Forty-one and that is with the both of you included." I said to her.

“This place looks older than me." Ruth Ann said as we walked outside the central building.

“Yes it is several centuries old."

“What else is here?" The lady with the rabbit ears, nose and tail asked.

“Just the central building and the houses. As far as we can tell a long time ago the population lived underground during some sort of cataclysm. There is even a second lost city our primary archeologist believed existed. Possibly where the inhabitants fled to."

“What about this barren area here next to this stone road?" The old woman asked.

“Future development. One of our builders is thinking of some type of outdoor meeting place for events." I said cheerfully.

“So you are trying to take the resident's minds off of their worries?" Kenna asked.

“As much as possible." I said. 

“So tell me about yourselves." My guard asked.

“The old woman started. We lived on the outskirts of World One- we were farmers myself and my *gasp* husband. Kenna was a friend of ours. We were thankful when the High Evolutionary came to power ending the 90 year war. I just didn't think his reign would be so short."

“Yeah the end came as a shock then it was everyone for themselves." Kenna said wistfully. “We fled to the plains to ride out the winter."

“You mean the tornadic plains?!" I gasped. "There are about 400 out there a year."

“Yes." The two females said.

“My first mission with the knight core occurred out there. That area is very unstable and very dangerous."

“Well it wasn't the greatest idea. We soon ran out of everything. My husband left looking for supplies and never returned." Ruth Ann said crying. “I miss him so much."

“They were soul mates." The human/beastial hybrid said.

“As the weather broke we went eastward looking for him."

“We saw these bizarre people walking about the countryside talking about how things were getting better- they said that my husband had joined them freely."

“Ruth Ann was about to take them up on their offer- but my rabbit sense said otherwise. I grabbed her and we fled." Kenna said. As we came upon some of Ms. Una's students.

“So what is going on here?" Gahri asked rubbing Kenna's tail.

“Gahri!!!" I shouted.

“Sorry, it is so adorable." The croc said.

“It is ok Alex. It was my punishment for opposing the empire toward the end. I was to become like you gator." She said looking at the scalie.

“The empire sorta ended as my treatments were beginning." Kenna said humbly.

“So what is going on here?" Ruth Ann asked."

“It looks like Ms. Una's students are taking a break from their community project." I said. 

“My word! What is that next to those children?!" Ruth Ann asked.

“Well that is a werewolf and next to him is yeti." I said.

“Is it safe to have those creatures here?" The old woman asked surprised.

“This colony is comprised of many who survived the end of the known world humans, beastials, monsters and what is in-between. Besides Rumble is gentle." I said as Gahri, the two females and I listened in on the children.

“Rumble play with us! Play with us!" Little Corey, Mia, Yogi and Addy said poking the werewolf." 

“Children don't pester Mr. Rumble." The female cobra warned.

*GRRRRRRRR*

"Rumble play with us! Play with us! Play with us!" The children shouted.

“...very well let's play a game..." The perturbed were-creature said.

“What's it called?" Mia asked.

“...predator and prey..." Rumble grumbled.

“Never heard of it." Little Corey said.

“What are the rules?" Yogi asked.

“...I will be the predator- you pray..." Rumble Roared.

*Aiiieeee!!!!* The children screamed running in every direction.

“You did it now!" The snarky teen said watching his wolf hunt down his classmates.

“Well.... would you believe mostly gentle?" I said to Ruth Ann and Kenna back peddling.

*GRRRROOOOAR!!!*

After watching the were-creature (gently) hunt his classmates down I showed Ruth Ann and Kenna to their new (old) home.

“It is a fixer upper- but it is yours." I said presenting them with a stone house at the north side of the lost city. “Nice neighborhood too."

“Is there any chance that we could build a garden?" The human/beastial hybrid asked.

“Kenna we live underground there is no sunlight." Ruth Ann said.

“You could build a rock garden." I said trying to spin it.

“How safe is the city?"

“As safe as we can make it ma'am." My crocodile guard said. “There are four entrances and they are heavily guarded at all times.

“This city is well hidden. But unless things in the above world improve it will only be a matter of time before what is ravaging above makes it way down here." I said to them. “I am sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. Make yourselves comfortable. If there is anything you need come see me, the Commander or Dianna."

That evening as I was preparing to close the infirmary I discovered a line at the door.

The beastials I had treated for that rash had returned. Including the penguin, porcupine, Addy with Dianna and now Commander Rhinox.

“What happened?" I shouted.

“That ointment you gave us is not working!" The porcupine shouted scratching like crazy.

“My legs started itching badly just now." Rombolt said to me.

I quickly ushered in my patients. 

“The rash is driving Addy crazy!" The centaur shouted.

“Even my spines have red spots." The porcupine admitted.

“So, so itchy!!!" The little avian said scratching her leg and arm.

“Don't do that Addy it will only make it worse." Dianna said to the six year old beastial.

“So, so, so itchy." She said scratching furiously. “Looks like it has spread to her leg." I said as she continued to scratch.

It was at that precise moment that the unthinkable happened.

*POP*

The little avian Lady Barq had been caring for burst like a balloon. 

“Addy!!" Dianna cried out.

In her place were two entities- a familiar grey and white miniature horse and a blue slime.

Alex Winter July 1st, YOE 34