Terveta-Chapter 4: Professor Knetter (Part 4)
"Some days I went without sleep or food just to make a minor breakthrough in my work. I was almost driven mad by these machines on more than one occasion, but I always held myself together," he explained carefully.
Blizzard continued to watch, showing empathy for the vulpine. "I can understand your passion for them, Dean, but what on Earth would drive someone to build them? All of the squads are already ruthlessly trained in every way possible to keep the advantage in a hostile situation while being outnumbered," he said.
The professor seemed to be at a loss of words for a moment until he whispered. "Because I don't have the strength to fight or defend myself if they came after me. I wouldn't know what to do, and I don't just want to hide behind someone while I'm saved. I want to have at least be able to save myself," he went on sadly.
Blizzard watched him and smiled. "I can understand how you feel, Professor. If you keep up the work and these things are built, then I'll back you one hundred percent."
Dean nodded slowly and cleared his throat. "Thank you, Blizzard. That means a lot coming from you," he said, a smile gradually coming back into his voice.
"Don't mention it," the alpha said swishing his paw in the air as if to dismiss the thought.
Professor Knetter straightened his back and pushed both of his paws into the pockets of his lab coat. "Since you're back though, I do expect you to have brought the reward?" he asked expectantly.
Blizzard laughed under his breath and nodded. "All five tons. I guess now I know where most of it's going," he joked.
Dean smiled. "Believe me. It'll all be worth it," he repeated.
The blue husky bobbed his head in agreement before he turned and started for the laboratory exit. "I'll see you around, Professor!" he called over his shoulder. "I trust you with what you do. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a bed and heated mate that are calling my name," he half chuckled.
"Hey, wait!" Dean shouted, rushing across the room to a table pressed up against the concrete wall. Blizzard stopped and watched the fox as he dug through a small tin box for something down at the bottom. "Ah ha!" he howled and tossed something the Alpha's way.
The husky caught it in mid-air with perfect accuracy and looked down at the strange object. It was a clearish brown bottle with a dozen small capsules inside. He shook the container and looked at the scientist for an explanation.
"They're sedation pills for her heat. It should calm her down enough to let you get some sleep until her season ends."
Blizzard smiled brightly and nodded. "This is just what I need, Professor," he called as he turned again and headed for the door. During his last moments in the laboratory he heard the radio go up in volume and the strike of an arch. Finding his way up the steps, he nudged out of the doors leading to the outside and looked around. The sun had gotten even lower; he didn't realize how much time he had spent underground. The sky was just starting to show the faintest signs of color shift. He stood there for a few moments, taking in the crisp twilight air. He took one glance down at his enclosed paw and smiled with the thought of having a good night's sleep before he began to stride for home.