first hunt

The airship dropped the young people on a highway several kilometres from Mbare. They were given a small crate that had a few weapons in it. "I will use the taser." one them said as he flicked the ring on his cap. Everyone just shrugged their shoulders and took anything they deemed necessary.

"Guys the creature is attracted to cars right. Look up the road."

Everyone looked up the road and then hid in the forest. The car passed by and nothing happened at all. "The information on this road says that several accidents have happened on the kilometer peg up ahead. All accidents happened on the same spot."

The small group walked up laughing and enjoying a night walk. "Who knew one day, we would be hanging out with strangers in the middle of the night." someone said.

"Hey guys my name is Zviko and I am studying journalism." the girl who had spoken about the peg spoke again as they walked.

"I am Tapiwa. I am just wasting my life away." the male with the ringed cap said casually.

"I am Panashe and ....."

"Car!" someone cut him off and they rushed into the forest again. "Something is moving in the bushes ahead." Panashe said as he pointed at a creature that was speeding towards the car. "Let's go." they all started running towards the creature hoping to catch it before it caused an accident.

'We are not going to make it.' Panashe realised and jumped into the road. The car was still far away but it slowed down. The creature didn't stop as it rammed into the car slow car and flipped it over. Panashe saw the hairy creature and froze for a moment. 'What the hell is that?'

"Hey genius don't stop. Catch up." Tapiwa cried out as he accelerated forward. The creature looked confused for a while before it started walking back into the forest. "Those who know first aid go to the car and those who can fight well follow me." Tapiwa cried out again as he took off towards the creature.

Panashe followed Tapiwa without even realising that everyone else headed to administer first aid. He kept his eyes on Tapiwa and followed every action he took. Tapiwa dived forward and tackled the creature. "Encircle it." Tapiwa said as he recovered and withdrew the taser from his pocket. "Where is everyone else?" he asked Panashe who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Electrocute that ugly creature!" Panashe screamed and Tapiwa plunged the device into the hairy creature. The creature shook violently as the battery was emptied into it. "It's out Panashe. Restrain it."

"With what?"

"Didn't you take anything from the crate?"

"I have two explosive. ..." the chidhoma threw a rock at Panashe's face. After that it managed to land a solid punch on Tapiwa's mask. The boy flew backwards and crashed into a tree. Panashe's mask managed to reduce the impact so he was back on his feet. He threw a few kicks at the creature but they were all dodged. Tapiwa got on his feet but he saw his companion struggling to land a hit. "Just punch it Panashe!"

"Punch what? It doesn't have face." Panashe replied trying to find an opening. 'We can take this down. The two of us can.' he was confident that the both of them could take it down but the creatures speed started increasing and got on the offensive. It managed to block and fight the two males at the same time.

"This creature is not trying to protect its body." Panashe hinted Tapiwa who momentarily threw a punch at the body of the creature. "Its body is solid." Tapiwa cried out as he received two blows to the face. Panashe thought he would he use that as an opening but the creature used its elbow to block the kick and swept Panashe's feet leaving him on the ground.

"We were not prepared for this." Tapiwa said as he stood straight and got back into fighting stance. A high pitched sound suddenly cut through the air and the creature started to shake until it collapsed to the ground. A group of people appeared in the sky as they stood on staffs that had propellers with blades making them hover. "Imprison the creature while I have a chat with the children." a woman spoke as she jumped from the staff and its blades and propellers retracted leaving it looking like a normal staff.

"Oh my. How desperate is Munashe getting by employing such weak children."

"Who are you lady?" Tapiwa asked.

"We are the new generation of hunters and tsikamutandas. We are here for the creature. Also to impart some advice. Leave before Munashe gets all of you hospitalised." the woman jersey her arm which was holding the staff and the blades appeared and she jumped on it. The chidhoma was being imprisoned in what seemed to be an electric field.

"This sucks." Panashe cried out as laid on his back looking up at the night sky. "Sorry man. I should have used those explosives sooner huh." Panashe kept talking while Tapiwa looked at the small group hover away. He flicked the ring on his cap and offered Panashe a hand. "Let's get out of here."

By the time the authorities arrived at the accident scene the team had been extracted. The ride back to the diner was a quiet one. Even after the land they all went into the diner and sat down. "I am not staying for this crap." one of them said and he stood and left. Three others followed him and the remaining just looked at each other.

"We must be the crazy ones then." Zviko pointed out as she walked to the counter. Tapiwa followed her and flicked the ring. "We survived the real job. We have a lot to learn. We all thought this was a fun house until today."

"That is true. Those who left, their minds have been forced to forget about all that happened here. They will return to their normal lives." Ruvarashe said as she entered the diner. "I am sorry about the hunt children. Munashe was a little rush before you could find your perfect weapons. Go home. A message will be sent to your VCB with the weapon category and the house you belong to. Panashe. I will get you to a taxi."

When all the young people were gone Munashe and Ruvarashe sat down in the diner.

"So it begins." Munashe smiled.

"Why are you so happy about this? You risked their lives for what?"

"Ruvarashe, we managed to identify a secret organisation and we fed them false information. They now believe we are desperate and have no weapons."

"That wasn't the reason you did this was it. Zviko said you seemed angry."

"Oh yeah. Nhamo is using an anomalous object and is working with or for an anomaly. After their little robbery the UAEC will be landing tomorrow and they expect me to report to them. So yes. I need a team to help me find Nhamo before anyone else find him. I am going to use the UAEC to destroy all those who betrayed the foundation five years ago and hide the secrets we keep."

"Munashe I trust you but please don't endanger Zviko ever again. If any harm comes to her. I will cripple you for the rest of your life."

"Have a little faith in me darling. I wouldn't harm you cousin even if it was to save my own life. Also send Panashe the drone request and some money to buy the equipment. If his file is correct he should enjoy this."

"I will. And what about their armours?"

"No armours. We are going commando this time." Munashe smiled again. This time he took his phone and projected the profile of Nhamo.

"What? Why is Nhamo so interesting now?"

"Nhamo. A local crook who is now stealing science equipment. Isn't that odd?"

"What's odd about. That stuff sells for a lot in the black market."

"No Ruvarashe, you are missing the point. Most of the people who have kidnapped are scientists and engineers. People who are very good at their jobs. And all of sudden Nhamo is now stealing science equipment. The most disturbing thing is the lab they robbed. Tomorrow the UAEC will march into here and take all my files I have on the case."

"This starting to become a bigger mess than what we thought. Panashe is the only variable who got you close to a lead huh."

"Yep. I hope we can find Jess sooner."