87

You pass an old mining village, abandoned since cowboy times, and stop to mark its location on the map. You might be able to circulate among these ruined buildings, if you have to remain at Kiowa Xenogenetics for more than one day.

There are no signs, and the fence looks just like all the others, but you know you're close when the road gets better. When you spot a headlight in the distance, you instinctively kill your Nissan's lights and pull over. Two Kawasaki ATVs rumble down a side road. Men with rifles and helmets ride the ATVs. They look like Border Patrol, but you know they're private security. Good ones, too, if those bolt-action BadRock rifles are anything to go by. Those are guns for people who don't miss. One shot will drop a buffalo, or a vampire.

You're just wondering whether to turn your lights back on and introduce yourself, since you have all your paperwork in order, when the guards take off, followed by a low-flying quadcopter drone. Another mile down the road, you spot the sheep.

They look like regular sheep, except they wear tracking collars and they have four-digit numbers painted on one flank. These must be Dr. Caul's xenogenetic specimens. You remember Julian's text. He'd like a sample. He's been courteous so far, but you haven't really impressed him—maybe this is an opportunity. You're not sure you want to sink your fangs into one of the xenosheep, but there are other animals about. Now might be a good time to hunt.