Chapter 4: CHAPTER 4 - BLOOD AND BONES PART II
A big monster which looks like a wolf in steroids came out from the barn adjacent to the farmhouse.
Looks like it was having a nice nap and the flash bang woke it up. There are hay strands sticking out of its reddish brown fur.
On the bright side the flash bang had done the job. It lured the predator outside. But it also managed to piss off the big cat. There is a sneer on its face, frothing saliva dripping out of its maw.
The next thing that happened stunned the whole team. All of them were dumbstruck.
The big cat leaped high into the air with a running start, launching itself off of the ground with its powerful hind legs.
Then it took ...FLIGHT!!!.
No. Not really flying. It is too heavy to fly.
It is gliding through the air.
It's front and hind legs are connected to each other with webbing like thick membrane seen in frogs.
These form two wings like those of bats on either side of the predator when it stretches it's leg.
All of this happened within moments and the predator glided to the spot where the flash bang went off. The wolf still didn't find out that there are ten people gawking at it from the sideline.
Riyya is the first one who snapped out of the trance. She climbed up to a crouch position, racked the slide of her Steyr AUG putting one into the chamber, aimed and fired.
She completed all of this in one fluidic motion as if she had rehearsed the movements thousands of times.
She aimed for the neck. After the head, neck is the most vulnerable part with main arteries to the brain and trachea. All exposed to the outside with little to no skin and cartilage protecting them.
Her Steyr AUG chambered in 5.56 mm may not have enough power to penetrate the thick skull of a predator but it can definitely punch a hole through the neck.
It is the instinct and gut feeling born from tens of battles that made her analyse all of this information in the snap of a moment and reach the conclusion on the fly.
Her gun fired three times. Three rapid suppressed fire from her gun. First bullet hit the neck and resulted in blood and flesh flying in the air like a red flower blooming.
Second bullet hit somewhat above the first one but still on the neck making the wound bigger.
The third bullet hit the lower jaw of the wolf predator. Maybe because it jerked backwards due to the first two rounds.
The wolf howled out in pain and anger.
'AWUUU...GHRRHHH'. The howl was cut short by the blood filling its lungs and resulted in coughing and whimpering.
''Spread out. Spread out and fire. Don't crowd around'' shouted Michael as he lifted his gun and aimed to fire.
The predator rushed towards them with hate in it's eyes.
The team scattered around and fired at the monster only to see that the predator doesn't stop to face them or care as rounds entered it's body painting the fur more darker with blood.
'EHHHH'. Their confusion was soon resolved as they saw the newbie still standing in the original position, shaking badly as if he is in a nightmare.
Twenty five meters away.....twenty meters....
''MOVE! Run idiot'' screamed Feng as he shouldered his AR-15 and fired at the monster in full auto, spent shells flying around.
Fifteen meters.....
Ten meters..... . 'BANGGG'
The predator's head blew open as if it was a ripe watermelon. Blood and brain matter showered around.
The predator's momentum carried it forward as it slid across the grass and stopped just before the newbie's feet.
It is the .50 BMG round from Sebastian's Barrett m82 A1 that blew its head off.
Rabbit slumped down like a broken doll in front of the predator's body. His whole body shivering. His eyes glossy and unfocused. He is sweating like he just ran a marathon.
''F**k!!!. F**king newbie for God's sake'' screamed Feng to the sky.
Rogers walked towards the newbie careful not to step on the brain matter and flesh scattered on the ground
''Are you alright buddy?'' he asked as he carefully engaged the safety of the young man's gun and took it away from him.
No one needs the twitchy fingers of the newbie in the trigger when they approach him. A nervous ally is as dangerous as a capable opponent.
He then nodded toward others telling them it is now safe to approach.
''Let's get you out of this mess.''
''Now, do you need a drink?'' He asked as he pulled a steel flask from his backpack.
''Good shot there Seb.'' Said a short man with a thick moustache as he patted Sebastian on his shoulders.
His name is Patrick. He is an old fashioned ranger. Tracking prey along their route with the help of broken branches and animal dumping.
''Yeah....I am glad that I didn't mess it up''
''It was a rushed shot. I was not sure of nailing it while moving '' Sebastian said with a sigh of relief.
''Check it's head for energy core Feng''
''No way that it is an alpha, but make sure''
''Others set up a perimeter and stand guard. We made a lot of noise today.'' said Michael as he moved toward Rogers to check up on the newbie.
''Why is it always me that gets the bloody work?'' Feng complained as he unsheathed his K-bar to look among the splattered brain parts for core.
''You sweared that's why. You know boss doesn't like swearing '' said Stella sweetly as if he deserved it as she slapped in a new magazine.
''You are not going to find any core in there buddy. ''
''You know as well as me an alpha is not so easy to take down'' said Sebastian as he placed his sniper aside.
''Even if it was an alpha, that .50 BMG would have shattered it to pieces.'' Said Feng as he turned pieces of flesh around to look for the core.
Sebastian nodded. Yeah if there was a core by any chance it is gone now.
He suddenly noticed that his sister hadn't gone away with others and is still staring at the predator as if something is not right.
''What is it ? Have you found something interesting ?'' Sebastian asked jokingly even as he felt that something is not right and it is nagging his sister.
''It doesn't look the same as yesterday'' she said as she pointed towards the dead predator.
''Yeah...it doesn't. A .50 BMG to the head will do that'' Feng said as he thought blasting open one's head will account for major changes in one's look.
''No, I mean it is a lot bigger than yesterday'' she said, waving her hand all over the body of the predator to indicate the size.
''Could have grown a bit....you don't think so ?....'' Sebastian asked tentatively.
''Really Seb ?... over a single night ?'' Stella looked at him as if he is an idiot.
''What is the matter ?'' Michael asked from behind.
''Ehhh. Boss, Stella thinks it is not the same monster that we tracked yesterday '' Sebastian replied.
Michael's eyes sharpened, his face changed suddenly as if he had seen a ghost
''Are you positive Stella''
''Gather around everyone''
''CODE RED. I repeat it is CODE RED situation''
Even before Stella could reply he screamed at everybody.
'AWUUUUU'
'AWWUUUU'
Howls of more than five wolves echoed out from around.
Riyya remembered something that she had read a long time ago in an ancient manuscript preserved in the library.
Wolves....wolves hunt in packs !!!
''RUNNN'' Screamed Riyya as she turned to run.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone