CHAPTER 48

EDEN REFUGEE COMPOUND

Anja looked up when Martin entered the make shift clinic they had set up in the belly of one of the Mark Nine's. Anja had spent the better part of the last two days treating minor injuries and making sure that the men, women and children were inoculated against every known disease. She had no idea what sort of diseases roamed the world now, but it made her feel a little better knowing that the people with them were protected against what they knew about. The small clinic was empty now, as Anja was simply compiling the information onto several data pads for filing and storage. She watched Martin come in and pull up the chair next to her where he promptly sat down and just stared at her.

Anja tried to ignore him, and she succeeded for a few moments before tossing down the pad and looking at him. "What?"

"How are you doing?" He asked her.

"I'm fine." She snapped. "I've done over seven hundred physicals in the last three days and my eye balls are about to start shriveling up, but other than that I'm just ducky."

"Doesn't sound like it." Martin said.

"Martin what do you want?" Anja asked.

"It's eating away at you Anja." He said softly. "I can see it written all over your face."

"They… they should have told me!" She finally retorted.

"And how exactly do you tell someone you are sharing a bed with that you can change into a humanoid version of the animal whose DNA was grafted to yours?" Martin asked her.

"What… what they did…" Anja began.

"What they did is what they have always done and that is back me up." Martin told her. "If you want to blame someone blame me. I'm the one who lost it and initiated my change first. Listen… it is part of who and what we are Anja. We don't change often, but yes when we do it is not a pretty sight what we are capable of doing. Our ability to change has saved our lives on countless missions, and is the reason we are still here now." He explained to her. "I am not ashamed of what I am, and neither is Danny and Julie or any others of my team. They are not any different than they were three days ago Anja?"

"That is why your team wasn't affected by the Purge." Anja said looking at him. "The other teams couldn't change like you."

Martin chuckled softly. "You don't know the half of it." He said.

"Then tell me." Anja told him.

Martin looked at her. "Initially it was just me, Danny and Julie. And yes… we made it so the others would not be affected by the disease that ravaged the Genomes."

"How…?" Anja asked quickly.

"That doesn't matter now." Martin said. "What matters is the here and now. And you are avoiding them like they have the plague. They are the same people Anja. They haven't changed have they?"

Anja looked at him and slowly shook her head. "No."

"You have changed though." Martin said. "You aren't the Anja Peterson who came to EDEN."

"Did they send you here?" She asked quickly.

Martin shook his head. "I sent them out on patrol so we could have this little talk." He told her. "You've become a fine officer and a good friend. I don't like seeing my friends in pain. We live in a different world now Anja, one that we are new to. A world where we are going to see a lot of strange things if what we've seen so far is any indication. It's time to let go of what you know and embrace what you don't know."

"When did you suddenly become a shrink?" Anja asked.

Martin shrugged. "I had a talk with Tina. She told me what to say." He said with a smile.

Anja burst out laughing at the expression on his face and felt all the unease of the last three days simply evaporated into nothing. After a long moment, her face became a little more serious and she looked at Martin. Familiar feelings rushed through her being so close to him, and they were not at all unpleasant. In fact they were down right wonderful. "What… what do you want Martin?" She asked.

Martin looked at her. "Me? We are talking about you."

Anja shook her head quickly. "Um… I mean what do you think I should do?" She said.

Martin met her jade green eyes and fought down the urge to crush her to him and take what he so desired was his. "I… I think you should do what you want." He spoke finally.

"And… and you don't have a problem with me sleeping with them?" Anja asked him, mentally kicking herself for asking that stupid question.

"That… that is none of my business Anja." He replied not able to meet her gaze. "They are good people… and if you are comfortable… if they…"

"Thank you Martin." Anja said smiling, reaching out to touch his cheek and feeling the stubble beginning on his skin. Anja suppressed the shiver that rocketed through her just by touching his skin. "I… I saw you with…Tarifa. She's… she's very beautiful."

Martin nodded. "So are you Anja." He told her.

Anja's eyes grew a little wider at his comment and then he got to his feet quickly. "I need to check the work logs." He spoke. "Just remember what I told you ok. We might just be out of the war business."

Anja laughed softly and shook her head. "Don't quit your day job. I wouldn't count on that." She told him.

Julie lowered her combat vest to the ground outside the tent she and Danny shared, but her eyes were fixed on the duffel bag and vest leaning against the pole of the tent. She reached over to it and turned it over to see Anja's name stenciled into the fabric.

"Danny?" She called softly.

Dan turned to look at her as he lowered his gear to the ground and saw her holding up Anja's vest. They both looked at the entrance to the tent and moved closer to the opening. Danny pulled back the flap and what they saw made both their hearts sing. Anja was lying across their sleeping bags, wearing only a t-shirt and her panties. She was clutching the large blanket they used tightly to her chest, her face peaceful as she slept soundly for the first time in three days.

"It took her some time to accept it." Martin's voice spoke from behind them.

They turned and saw Martin squatting on the ground a short distance away. "Marty?" Julie asked.

"What we are capable of doing frightened her a little. It wasn't something she expected to see. She's good people guys." Martin said. "Make sure you don't hurt her."

They watched Martin stand back up and then walk off into the night around them. Julie looked at his back until she could no longer see him even with her wolf vision. He still loves her, Julie thought to herself. She turned at the movement and followed Danny into their tent and quickly removed their fatigues. Danny stretched his body out on one side of Anja as Julie lay behind her. Anja stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"Danny?" She said softly, looking into his face.

"I'm here Red." He spoke settling next to her.

"Julie?" Anja turned her head looking for Julie.

Julie spooned against Anja from behind and lowered her face over Anja's shoulder. "I'm here lover." She whispered into her ear.

Anja's eyes blinked rapidly. "I'm… I'm so sorry. I…"

Danny put a finger to her lips silencing her words. She looked at him, her green eyes blurry with forming tears but so very bright. "We should have told you." He said softly.

Julie draped her long legs over Anja and kissed her neck gently as Danny enveloped them both in his arms. "Tonight we sleep." Julie spoke. "Tomorrow we can talk. Right now we just want to enjoy smelling you back with us."

Anja's face beamed as she smiled. She nuzzled her head against Danny's chest and closed her eyes again. Danny looked at Julie and saw the single tear rolling down her cheek as she smiled in happiness. Danny smiled as well and the three of them fell into a contented sleep.WOOD ELVES CAPITAL

          The Alliance captain leaned casually against the cool wall of the cave while smoking the foul smelling cigarette. His eyes kept going to the bevy of female Wood Elves who were sitting at several tables outside the small café shop that had been built directly into the side of the mountain. This level was closest to the surface, and he could feel the wind moving through the tunnels and hitting his face. He hated staying underground with these savages, yet his orders were clear, and the blond haired Wood Elf Queen would be his reward. The captain didn't turn his head as he heard the figure move up on the other side of the wall. That side was shrouded in shadows, and it was impossible to tell who was standing there.

          "Have you discovered her location yet?" Roger Thorn asked.

          "One of the soldiers she sent back had an unfortunate accident when he returned and broke his neck." The voice said. "We attempted to treat him, but there was nothing we could do."

          "And this is of importance to me why?"

          "He was sworn to secrecy, but with the right drugs he told us everything." The voice spoke. "The rider returned from the Roan Plateau, the sight of the last attack by your special unit. He said she departed two mornings ago for the village on the border of High Elf territory that your unit attacked last month."

          "For what purpose…?" Thorn asked. "The sites were purged and the only clues left were the ones we left implicating the High Elves in the attacks."

          "Dysea found something." The voice continued. "Something she was not happy about, and that is why she has gone to the village in Wyoming."

          "She will find nothing." Thorn said again.

          "The soldier indicated it was some information that exonerated the High Elves. He was not privy to the information, but it was enough for her to go to Wyoming." The voice said. "You give Dysea too little credit my friend. She is as cunning as she is beautiful. The Holy One told her something, and she is acting on it."

          "So… the good Doctor Carson is traveling with her?"

          "He is… and our mutual employer has suggested an accident now would be perfect so that we may elect a Queen more amiable to the Alliance. And it will also eliminate a certain doctor that has been a thorn in both our sides for quite a number of years." The voice said.

          "Does our employer have any suggestions as to how he wishes it to appear?" Thorn asked.

          "Only that she was killed by the High Elves. You may fuck her as often as you like, but she must not be found under any circumstances."

          The Alliance officer nodded again. "I think I can arrange that." He said with a wicked grin, "How soon?"

          "Our employer would like to see it done within the next week if possible." The voice told him softly. "I can provide data if she moves again. She is using one of our Hopper craft now for transport."

          "Excellent. Consider it done." The Captain said.

          "Very good, text me with any information you may need. The usual frequency will suffice."

          The Captain smiled and didn't bother checking to see whom the voice belonged too. He was too good an agent for childish stunts like that. He had a mission now, and a mission he was going to enjoy.

WYOMING

THIRTY-NINE MILES NORTH OF JACKSON

SOUTHERN TIP OF JACKSON LAKE

          Dysea stared across the calm surface of the lake as the sun began to set in the horizon. It cast a red glow across the sky, which reflected brilliantly over the water. They had been here in this place for the past day, Tomea collecting evidence while her remaining five soldiers and Leland apprehensively stood guard. None of them had ever been this close to High Elf territory before, and it was trying their nerves. It had taken Tomea only six hours on the site of the village to know that the High Elves had not committed this attack either, and now all she was looking for was some sign of who would do such a thing and try to blame elves. Dysea already had a good idea in her mind, and it did not please her in the least.

          Dysea felt the Holy One approaching her from behind and she turned to watch him come up next to her.

          "It's beautiful." She said softly.

          Walter nodded. "Yes it is." He agreed.

          "This is what my people are missing." She said to him. "They are missing the beauty of such simple things as sunsets and the fresh air blowing against our skin."

           "You could always change that Dysea." Walter told her. "There is no need for the Wood Elves to remain underground and hidden in the forests. Half of your villages are built above ground, and all you need do is move them all out of the caves. I never intended you to be different from Tarifa and the High Elves. And now I can't even remember how it all came to be."

          "Leland told you?" She asked.

          Walter nodded. "He did." He replied. "What is going through that head of yours Dysea?"

          "Why would the Alliance conduct attacks in such a manner? Why go through all the effort to destroy our villages and make it appear as if the other did it?" Dysea asked.

          "I think you know the answer to that." Walter spoke.

          "They're using us aren't they?" She said looking out over the water. "They are using us to destroy the High Elves by offering us a false treaty."

          "They know that only the Wood Elves can go into the deep timber, to the heart of the High Elf domain and be victorious." Walter spoke. "And they will not simply bombard the cities because of the high concentration of natural resources Tarifa had the cities built on. They know the Wood Elves are more militaristic and their training superior to the High Elves. If they supply you with the weapons needed, there is a strong possibility you would defeat them."

          "And then they would turn on us despite this foolish treaty the Council of Elders wishes me to sign." Dysea spat.

          Walter nodded. "That is my guess." He answered. "The Wood Elves are smaller in number than the High Elves, and even though you would no doubt gain victories against them, in the end they would overwhelm you."

          "And we would all be slaves again." Dysea said with a snarl. "And the cycle would be repeated once more."

          Walter nodded solemnly. "Yes."

          "Some of the Elders must be entwined in this plot." Dysea spoke heatedly. "There is no way the Alliance could do this without some support from the Elders."

          "I'm afraid the possibility of that is also very real." Walter told her. "And if the Alliance has penetrated the Wood Elves Council of Elders, it is safe to assume they have done the same with the High Elves."

          "Would Tarifa see this?" Dysea asked looking at him.

          Walter nodded. "I believe so yes. Both of you have unique skills Dysea. Tarifa's skills reside mainly within the political realm, while yours are more military related. She is an excellent warrior, and you an excellent politician don't doubt that, but each of you has your strengths. I would imagine she has her suspicions."

          Dysea turned back to the lake surface. "The Hopper's sensors can detect infra-red signatures twenty kilometers away. We will remain here until Tomea is able to determine with no doubt who conducted these attacks." She looked at him. "When I return to the capital, I want to have proof, and then I will find the traitor on our Council. And they will pay."