# Fallout - Where Now?

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Husky, Leopard, M/F, Military, Siberian Husky, Snow Leopard, Story Series, mysteries

#6 of Fallout

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;This was mental.&nbsp; I was simply over reacting.&nbsp; Why was I throwing together a suitcase of essentials and planning to flee Fairchild just because some idiot JIA agent was following the wrong snow leopard.&nbsp; But, no matter how hard the voice of reason tried to get me to quit, a stronger voice, the voice of logic, was telling me to keep going, and go faster.&nbsp; The sooner I got out of town, the better.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But that was the problem wasn't it?&nbsp; This would have been easy had I just kept to myself after the accident.&nbsp; Now I had brought an innocent girl into my problems.&nbsp; Jaimie would have to leave too.&nbsp; The officials who were having me tailed would know that I had been living with her, making Jaimie another potential target.&nbsp; I dropped my computer in the bag and zipped it shut before reentering the bedroom.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie was asleep, with the hint of a smile on her face.&nbsp; I felt bad waking her, but knew it had to be done.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Jaimie, wake up," I said sharply.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Huh?&nbsp; What is Xavier?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I need to talk."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Can it wait an hour?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She sat up and turned on the lamp beside her.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What s'up?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I need to go, you need to go.&nbsp; The hare, wasn't looking for someone else, Kirian is me, I'm Kirian.&nbsp; Need to go, they know you know me," I blurted out, stumbling over my words.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, you're babbling, slow down.&nbsp; What's wrong?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I took a deep breath.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Remember that JIA agent?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The one who was following us?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah, well, he said that he was supposed to be following a snow leopard named Kirian Harper.&nbsp; At the time I assumed that he had just found the wrong guy.&nbsp; Earlier though, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to see if I could find out who this Kirian was.&nbsp; I'm almost certain he's me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie's expression changed as what I was saying sunk in.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "See, I was going through old news paper articles, and found a few about an albino snow leopard named Kirian Harper.&nbsp; When I looked at the photos, he looks just like me, and he fits within the right timeframe for me four years ago."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I handed her the articles which I had printed out.&nbsp; Jaime examined them closely, looking between the portrait and my face several times.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So what do we need to do?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I distinctly noticed that she used the word "we".&nbsp; Though I appreciated it, I couldn't let her come with me.&nbsp; I had already endangered her life enough.&nbsp; I didn't have the right to any more, especially not now that I was aware of doing it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You need to lay low for a while.&nbsp; Someone knows you've been in contact with me so, I don't know. &nbsp;Take some time off at work, go visit a relative, go on vacation, whatever, but get out of town."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What about you?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm going to leave.&nbsp; Lead them away from you, try to lose anyone who's following me, and see what I can find out."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "That's very noble of you and all, but I'm going with you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I can't let you do that.&nbsp; I already feel guilty enough for unknowingly getting you involved."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I wasn't asking," she said sternly, and then a soft expression lightening her features, "Xavier, since I met you, my life has definitely taken a turn for the better.&nbsp; I plan on keeping it that way, so I'm staying with you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie's words disarmed me just long enough for her to grab my suitcase and throw it into her car.&nbsp; I couldn't find the words to object.&nbsp; I had had no Idea that Jaimie felt anything like that for me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey, mister urgent, don't just stand around."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I realized that I had been frozen in one place.&nbsp; I shook myself mentally and physically.&nbsp; Get moving.&nbsp; I helped Jaimie pack a few things and then started the car and departed the condo for the last time, Jaime at my side.&nbsp; A few stops to make, and we'd be long gone from town.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So where are we going?" she asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Northeast, the Highland Mountains on the far side of the desert.&nbsp; I know it's crazy, but I think that's where I was in my dreams.&nbsp; I've nothing else to go on, so, unless you have any suggestions, may as well start there."

\*\*\*

-Jardine Department of Defense, Division of Advanced Warfare

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you mean you've lost him!?" the wolverine shouted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Look sir, the JIA agent said he was ambushed, knocked out, and drug into the police station under charges of assault and armed robbery.&nbsp; By the time he got everything strait, the target was gone.&nbsp; He reported that the house appeared to have been left in a hurry."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Do we know anything else?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes, the target made a series of maximum cash withdraws from several ATM's in Fairchild before disappearing entirely."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Obviously doesn't want his electronic transactions being tracked.&nbsp; Do you have a team looking for him?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes sir, we're using every resource available."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Good.&nbsp; What about the girl he's been with?&nbsp; Do we have anything on her?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Not yet sir, but I've got a group working on getting her background and identity put together. &nbsp;As for her whereabouts, it appears she left with him.&nbsp; We believe they took her car, but we're having trouble getting the registration information on it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, it's a start at least.&nbsp; Let's get a move on it.&nbsp; They have a six hour lead on us.&nbsp; Begin by putting them on the do not fly and do not ride list.&nbsp; That'll keep them off the planes, trains, and busses.&nbsp; Next, freeze any of the targets remaining assets.&nbsp; We can't do anything about the cash for now until we can get a warrant and information from the treasury.&nbsp; I also want you to double the guards on the other four."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sir?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We don't know what's going through Kirian's mind right now.&nbsp; For all I can tell, he's had a memory relapse and next move may be to get the old squad back together.&nbsp; Not an easy task to be sure, but if he gets someone else, this could become trouble."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes sir!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Also, get me the director of Jardinian intelligence.&nbsp; I want the agent who lost them docked a pay grade, and suspended until a disciplinary hearing.&nbsp; His actions were completely unacceptable and possibly endanger the lives of members of this office.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Lastly, make preparations to activate Katana."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "General, did you say Katana?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Is there a damn echo in here?&nbsp; Yes, Katana!&nbsp; Until we know what his intentions are, I want every resource available to me.&nbsp; I hope you haven't forgotten what these individuals are capable of.&nbsp; I think it's time we started field testing anyway."

\*\*\*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, what's this all about anyway?&nbsp; I thought you decided to stop worrying about your old life," Jaimie asked gently, runner her paw across the white fur on my arm.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I did, but that's hard to do when it comes and finds me.&nbsp; Especially if it's going to threaten you.&nbsp; That's why I decided to leave."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I drove in silence for a while longer, watching the horizon lighten in front of me as a few cars began to join us on the highway.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You do understand that I have no idea what's going on, or where I'm going, and that you'd be safest getting as far away from me as possible?" I asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes, I do, but like I said, I'm staying with you no matter what,"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; More silence.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you expect to find anyway?" Jaimie inquired.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I don't know, probably nothing.&nbsp; But I don't know what else to do and I need answers right now."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, then we can look for answers together," Jaimie stated confidently, before curling up in the passenger seat and going back to sleep.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I glanced over at her.&nbsp; We were in this together, as we had beef from the moment she had decided to drag my body out of the snow, linking our destinies.&nbsp; Now our rolls were switched and I was in charge of protecting her.&nbsp; As my life was uprooted again, my only fear was the cost of failing that job.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/P1EJbyAe
Part of the series Fallout
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