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Zakhargrad Unit 582: Chapter 1

Zakhargrad is a small industrial city. It has a tight urban core with multiple six and seven floor office buildings, department stores and a large train station. In contrast to the maroon brick buildings of the city centre stand enormous concrete apartment buildings while originally white in colour are now grey from the smoke of the city's large sprawling factories.

The main industry in the city is a huge plant manufacturing small arms. There are also various factories that make steel parts for machines. The rail lines bisect the city north to south. Many trains came into the city from the north to deliver steel that are offloaded at the rail cargo terminal. The steel feeds the city's factories and the products of the industrial machine are then put on the rails again heading south towards the country's ports.

Zakhargrad is described as the industrial jewel of the People's Republic Of Iska. The country of Iska is ruled over by Dear Leader Comrade Vadim Steelhoof. Vadim is quite the tyrant in the one party state. Many creatures have met their doom for even questioning his policies some even for not clapping long enough at his rallies.

Vadim was special he was one of the "Steel Sheep" named for having to power to change their wool into sharp steel razor fleece. Before the revolution the Steel Sheep that made up just about twenty percent of the population were a hated and feared minority. Iska was mainly a nation of sheep comprising seventy percent of the population the other percentage comprised of various other anthros.

The Steel Sheep wanted change they wanted to be able to use their power openly. They were tired of hiding and being persecuted by the government of the time. Slowly they gathered strength forming resistance cells throughout Iska. The Steel Sheep had the least to lose so they made up the core leadership in the guerrilla campaign to overthrow the then government.

A bloody five year civil war started. Eventually the government fell leaving a power vacuum that one of the star military commanders of the revolution Vadim stepped into. Vadim his heart hardened from the many battles and all the death he took part in took command of the interim government. He was popular with his troops so it was easy to establish himself as dictator. The country was war weary and few resisted the takeover.

Over the last twenty years Iska was rebuilt and established itself as a world power. The rule of Vadim was a tyranny he banned political parties and established a secret police that crushed any political resistance to the new government. One of the programs of Vadim's was a scientific research project to find out how the Steel Sheep got their power, how it worked and how to enhance their powers. The effort to discover the root of the Steel Sheep's power made a unintended discovery.

The researchers while looking for a way to screen the population for those individuals who had this power found that a blood test picked a hormone that only people with a hidden power had. What was more amazing was that there are creatures that had a different power. The power to control the thoughts of other creatures.

This sent shock waves through Vadim's inner cycle they had to find and tame these creatures otherwise one could just walk in and take over the government. Vadim drew up a proposal and signed order 783. Order 783 concerned the establishment of a secret police division code named Unit 582. Unit 582's mandate was the detection of creatures that processed mind controlling powers, the study of mind control, to weaponize and defend against mind control powers and the investigation of incidents that may involve mind control powers.

In the seven years Unit 582 has operated it had established an office in most cities and had recruited thousands of creatures that most had some form of mind control power. It had made breakthroughs in the detection, use and defence against mind controlling powers.

The research arm of Unit 582 had discovered that there were three methods of mind control powers that a creature could have. Most could only use one of the methods. The first method was called the sight. The sight was the power to hypnotise a subject through optical contact. It meant that the creature had to have direct eye to eye line of sight to the subject in order to influence them. Once the subject was put into a trance like state the creature could implant commands into the subject that could be activated by voice of triggered by other actions.

The second method was called the voice. The voice was the power to push thoughts into or out of a subject. The subject needed to be able to hear and speak the same language of the voice user. If the subject did not understand the voice users commands or the voice user orders the subject to do contradictory things the power would not work. A subject under the influence of the voice didn't need to be in a trance state and could remain fully conscious while the creature using the voice influenced them. As with the sight a subject under the influence of the voice could be implanted with triggers that could be activated by other means.

The third method was the touch. The touch worked by direct touch only. The touch user had to have direct contact with the subject. Clothing or any barrier stopped this power. It has the advantage of when contact happens the touch user can hijack the subjects nervous system and thus the body rendering them helpless to resistance. The touch is more dangerous because the subject does not need to speak the same language as the touch user. The touch works the fastest because the touch bypasses the senses and works through the nervous system. Only parts of the body under general anesthetic or that have damaged or removed sensation cannot be used as vectors of control by a touch user.

Sunlight streamed into the room from the window. A creature stirred awaking from its slumber. The ram tossed the blanket from his body. He got up to a sitting position and pulled a wrist watch from the draw on the bad side table. Checking the watch the time read 7:45 AM. The ram put the watch down on the bed side table. He stood up and headed to his bathroom.

He didn't have to go far because his small apartment only had two rooms. The L shaped main room contained his bed, a stove and small sink and cabinet unit and a coffee table and two upholstered chairs. The bathroom was a walled of section that took up the back left square of his apartment. The back right square had his wardrobe and a bookshelf on the right wall. Straight ahead was his front door and to the left was the bathroom door. The ram entered the bathroom flicking on the light because of the fact his bathroom had no windows.

Yakov was greeted but the sight of his own reflection in the large mirror above the washbasin. Yakov had a large blunt muzzle that was mostly brown in colour with a white splodge around his nose and mouth. He had small horns atop his head and large floppy ears. He was wearing a blue singlet which showed his closely trimmed white fleece.

Yakov went through his usual morning routine starting to get ready for work. After showering he picked out his uniform of ILA green army fatigues. He checked himself in the mirror satisfied he went out to the main room and grabbed his keys, wallet with his ID card and slipped on his watch.

The apartment door swing open and Yakov exited into the hallway. He navigated his way to the lift and pressed the call button. He ears twitched as the lift made a ding noise signalling the door was about to open. He entered the lift stabbing the button labelled G with one of his hoof tipped fingers. Once the lift reached the lobby of his apartment building he exited out into the street.

The day seemed nice there were no clouds in the sky. The sky was a lovely shade of blue. There were other creatures about many of them sheep their hooves clopping on the concrete sidewalks. Yakov started the walk to his workplace heading down the sidewalk. He crossed the street at an intersection and headed into Vadim Park.

He liked to start the day with a coffee so he checked the time to ensure he wouldn't be late satisfied he had enough time he headed toward the coffee kiosk. The coffee kiosk was named Comrade Koffee and it stood in the middle of Vadim Park. Yakov liked this coffee place because the barista always greeted him by his name, the coffee was good and it was on the way to work.

"Hello Yakov." said Greg and Raccoon barista at Comrade Koffee. "Hello Greg. I'll have a Yakov please." The ram said. Knowing how Yakov had his coffee Greg set to work making his coffee. The ram payed for his coffee and took hold of the takeaway cup. "Thanks Greg. Have a good day." said Yakov as he waved goodbye.

Yakov walked out the other side of Vadim Park and crossed the street. His workplace coming into view. It was a cold bunker like building the only windows covered with cold blue coloured metal slats. It sat in a compound that had five meter high concrete walls surrounding it. The driveway entrance had six armed guards that were checking any creature that dared enter the high security area.

Yakov took a swig of his coffee and reached for his wallet that had his identity card in a plastic window. He approached one of the guards at the driveway entrance. Yakov approached one of the guards. Yakov observed that the ram guard was armed with a AK-74 assault rifle that was slung across his chest. "ID please comrade" he said boredom evident in his voice. Wordlessly he passed his wallet over to the guard who looked over the ID card inside satisfied he let Yakov pass into the compound.

The second checkpoint was at the buildings entry Yakov was greeted by a more friendly guard who he knew as Anthony. "Is that for me." Anthony the gray wolf said gesturing to Yakov's coffee. "I can't be seen passing out bribes Anthony. You know that." Yakov replied jokingly. The sheep passed the wolf his wallet as a formality and the wolf checked it and passed it back. "Enjoy your day." Anthony said stepping aside "Likewise." Yakov said as he entered the imposing building.

The Zakhargrad Unit 582 division Headquarters was the hub of activity for all Unit 582 operations in Zakhargrad and surrounds. It looked just like any other military compound all the personnel dressed like any of the other soldiers in the Iska Liberation Army. With Iska's large standing army it wasn't out of the usual to see ILA soldiers on the streets so it was a perfect cover for their operations.

The building itself was made from steel reinforced concrete on the upper levels there were offices and meeting rooms for the Unit 582 agents. On the mid levels there were the laboratories that conducted research and ran tests on specimens collected in the field. Underground had the holding cells and interrogation rooms a small armoury and a underground parking bay used to drop off prisoners out of sight. The ground floor had a reception area and staff break rooms and even a gym.

Yakov approached the reception desk. He was greeted by a ewe named Marther "Hi Marther are there any messages for me?" said Yakov. Marther typed away briefly on a keyboard she looked up from the green glow of the computer screen at Yakov and said "Yes, there is a message from Mr. Chevonisky. It says he left a file in your pigeon-hole." Yakov's brow narrowed in thought "Hmm. I wonder what he wants now." he said thinking aloud. "Thanks Marther." Yakov said turning to head to the lift to his floor.

Yakov stepped out of the lift onto the sixth floor. He waved to some of his co-workers that he ran into and stopped by his pigeon-hole collecting the file from Mr. Chevonisky. He opened the door to his small office and fetched his diary. He opened it to the current date and looked at what was on the agenda. It said he was due to perform an interrogation at 10:00 AM.

Yakov was one of the interrogators in Zakhargard. That was why he had his own office and not just a cube out on the main floor. Yakov had the mind control power the voice. With the voice he could make even the toughest captives confess their secrets.

What made him good was the fact he was careful not to push what he wanted to hear into the captive. With a power such as his he could make a creature absolutely believe a lie he told them. It was no good having a thrall confess nonsense that just wasted time. He wanted truth out of a subject.

Other sloppy interrogators just railroad a subject and brake them so they are totally submissive to what a interrogator wants and will tell anything to please them. Like a torture victim saying anything to stop the pain. It didn't get results.

He enjoyed using his power unlike some who were terrified to use their power and saw it as a curse. Yakov enjoyed the intimacy of it turning an enemy into a friend. Just him and a subject guiding them, moulding them. It was trilling to him to make a stronger creature bent on killing him submit to his will. Turn it around to make them think more clearly put all their stray thoughts into line.

Yakov closed his diary and headed back to the lift. He stabbed the button B2 and looked at the display at the top of the lift the numbers went down until he arrived at his destination. He exited the lift arrived at a metal mesh door with a magnetic lock. Yakov looked up at a CCTV camera on the ceiling and suddenly a loud buzzer sounded. He pulled the now unlocked security door open and went inside.

Now inside the B2 level integration block Yakov headed for observation room three. He knocked on the door twice. A moment later it opened and the pointed muzzle of Bogdan appeared. Bogdan's ears perked up and the cat like golden eyes of the silver fox widened in excitement. "Hi Yak it's a pressure to be working with one the the gr-" "Do you have the paperwork on our guest." The ram interrupted a frown spreading across his muzzle. Bogdan grinning replied "Sure do."

The fox wheeled around in the door frame and entered the room his bushy tail wagging behind him. Yakov followed him inside the darkened room. The ram looked at the main light source in the room. It was a large one way window mirrored on the other side. It looked into interrogation room three. The interrogation room had bare concrete walls and in the centre was a stainless steel table bolted into the cement floor. The room had three metal chairs on one of the chairs sat the captive who was handcuffed to a metal D ring attached to the underside of the table.

"Here it is" Bogdan exclaimed as he handed a manila folder to Yakov. The ram opened the file. "You're going to hypnotise him Yak. Aren't you?" Bogdan said his tail wagging as if he was a child asking for an ice cream. Yakov's eye's narrowed on Bogdan "This isn't a game sometimes there are lives at stake." he said. Yakov studied the fox who looked as excited as ever the ram returned his attention to the file.

Feodor Smokehoof the file read. Yakov looked at the captive through the window Feodor was a sheep with a tan face and crisp white wool. Yakov noted that the captive had a angry looking cut on his forehead. "How did he get that." he asked Bogdan. "Get what." said the fox his eyebrows raising. "The cut on his head." Yakov snapped. "He was like that when the guards brought him in." Bogdan said.

Feodor was looking at the ground like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Yakov frowned and returned his eyes to the file. He read the instructions and the notes on what command wanted to get out of the captive. He placed the paperwork on the desk inside the observation room. Bogdan perked up at the ram actions. Yakov placed his hoof tipped fingers on the door handle. "Yak!" the fox said.

The sheep paused and turned to face Bogdan. The ram stared at the fox. Bogdan said "Can I come in to observe your integration." Yakov said "No you can see just fine from here and hear the interrogation on the hidden mic." The fox's ears drooped briefly and then he approached Yakov and put a paw like hand on the side of his face. "Please Yak. I have never been in on an real interrogation before." the fox pleaded.

The sudden contact of Bogdan's handpaw made the ram's face heat up. He looked into the silver fox's eyes taking note of their beautiful liquid gold colour and regained his composure. He brushed the handpaw away. Concentrating on controlling his expression Yakov said "OK this time you can but you have to agree to the ground rules of one let me do all the talking and two don't call me Yak in front of the prisoner."

The fox smiled and said "Thanks Yakov I've always wanted to see a great like yourself work." Yakov frowned and opened to door to the hallway. Yakov exited the room and Bogdan followed closely behind. Yakov read the time on his watch 10:11 AM it said. The sheep ran his hand over his muzzle. Bogdan shot Yakov a concerned glance.

Feodor looked up as he heard the door open. In walked Yakov and Bogdan. The pair took a seat opposite the prisoner. "Hello. I am Yakov Greenhoof and my colleague is Bogdan Shadowfur." Yakov said gesturing to Bogdan. Feodor stole a glance at Yakov and returned his eyes to the floor.

"I am here to find out who has been stealing shipments from the Braggart street warehouse." Yakov said to the ram. Feodor didn't respond. "Feodor confess it was you." Yakov said this time putting his power into his voice. Feodor's face contorted into panic and he said "I stole all the shipments." Yakov clapped his hoof hands together "Case closed." he said. Yakov stood up and turned to the door. Feodor said "No. I didn't do it." his cuffs clattering on the table.

Yakov paused and then returned to his seat. "Oh but you just confessed. It's on tape too you know." Yakov said he brow furrowed in confusion. Feodor looked like he had seen a ghost and he said "No I did-" "and you're now going to confess to a plot to assassinate our dear leader Vadim Steelhoof." Yakov interrupted matter-of-factly pushing his words into the ram.

Feodor went into a convoluted story about an assassination plan against Vadim Steelhoof all the while cold sweat appearing on the ram's forehead. "Hmm. Not doing yourself any favors here now. Hay? Yakov commented after Feodor had finished. "This is what we do here. I ask you to confess and you just do it. I ask you to bark like a dog and that's just what you do. Can you bark for me? Yakov asked. Feodor started barking. "Good boy that's enough" said Yakov.

Yakov felt a thrill ark down his spine. He felt his cheeks growing flush. Licking his lips as he glared at the prisoner. He shot a glance to Bogdan who was watching the exchange engrossed his expression intense.

Feodor was trembling now and had his eyelids shut tight. "I guess you're thinking how did I end up here trapped in a cold concrete room with a creature that can effortlessly push any thought into your mind?" Yakov said. Feodor had started sobbing now wet tears ran down his muzzle.

Yakov stood up and went to stand beside the other ram. Yakov crouched down and whispered into Feodor's ear "Feodor you can get yourself out of this place but I need your help." Feodor sniffed. Yakov reached up a brushed a tear from the ram's cheek and said "You're lucky I'm interested in the truth and not just filling a quota. If you want to be free just tell me the truth. Yes, just tell me the truth not just what you think I want to hear."

Feodor composed himself and went into the story about Braggart street warehouse shipments. It turned out Feodor had nothing to do with the missing shipments but he had some suspicions about who maybe reasonable.

After Feodor had finished Yakov said "I'll get someone to bandage your head Feodor. Thank you for your cooperation." Yakov stood up and motioned to Bogdan to follow. Once Yakov and Bogdan had left the room Bogdan said "He cracked like an egg." Yakov rolled his eyes and asked the fox "Why do you think this is a game?"

Bogdan turned to the ram and said "You must admit your power is fantastic. I wish I had a power like yours." his golden cat like eyes shining despite the dimly lit hallway. "Bogdan my power can be a burden sometimes. Creatures just see my power not the man." Yakov said his eyes focusing off into the distance.

Bogdan licked his chops and asked "Say Yak have you ever used you power for fun not just on the job." When the fox said fun Yakov was snapped back to reality. "What do you mean by fun." The fox looked at the ground for a moment and then back to Yakov and said "Look I'll just come out and say it. I am curious how it feels to be under the effect of mind control."

Yakov felt blood rush to his cheeks and his pulse quicken he said "Bogdan you saw Feodor. Did he look happy?" The fox smiled and said "That's because he was a prisoner." "Listen Bogdan go see the doctor and get a bandage for our guest" Yakov said forcing his muzzle into a frown. "Yes Yak." the fox said and he walked down the corridor. Yakov listened for the buzzer on the security door and calmed himself by taking deep breaths.

That fox knew how to turn him on. Why did he have feelings for this fox he was a colleague and probably straight thought Yakov. I need to get that silver fox out of my head. An idea dawned on the ram. If I order Bogdan to do something unpleasant with my power he will drop it and he won't bring it up again. Yes it'll work and stop him from being a sycophant for my skills as well.

Yakov checked his watch it said 12:47 PM. OK time for lunch thought the ram. He left the underground interrogation block and took the lift up to the ground floor where the staff break rooms were. He entered the break room other creatures were about but the ram wasn't in the mood for small talk. Yakov checked the small fridge and found the alfalfa and clover sandwich he had left there from yesterday.

He took his sandwich and exited the break room and headed for the compound where he could be alone. Something was amiss Yakov spotted Anthony at the main door checkpoint. The grey wolf was talking into his radio his normally friendly expression was replaced by one of concern.

Yakov's ears twitched as he picked up the unmistakable sound of an assault rifle firing a short burst. The sound came from outside near the main gate. Yakov crouched down and yelled to Anthony "Are we under attack? What's going on?" The grey wolf didn't respond instead he was focused on his radio.