{"sf1_id":207596,"sf2_id":"B1QpxJvn","title":"Fallout - An Illusion to Follow","author":"SrA havenofimage","words":3003,"posted_at":"2010-12-28T18:04:00.000Z","tags":["Bear","Falcon","Female","Fox","Gun","Husky","Leopard","Male","Military","Snow Leopard","Story Series","marten","memory"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/207596-fallout-an-illusion-to-follow","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/B1QpxJvn","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/31/a0/31a0205a-cb2d-4f11-be37-53288cc927c5","description":"#8 of Fallout","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\n-NEW MESSAGE\n\n-FROM: HQ\n\n-TO: BRAVO\n\n-SUBJECT: #1\n\nWas there any indication of his intentions?\u0026nbsp; The chief needs to know if he or any of his people are at risk.\n\nEND MESSAGE\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Take the car and try to sell it.\u0026nbsp; Cash would be best.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay, why?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"By now the JIA will have the plates and registration.\u0026nbsp; They'll be able to track it.\u0026nbsp; Besides, we won't be needing it for the next few days.\u0026nbsp; We're going off road,\" and then, adding with a sideways look, \"If you can handle it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jaimie replied with a smirk, \"You forget I'm a mountain girl.\u0026nbsp; I can do off road.\u0026nbsp; What are you going to be doing?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm going to try and get us a new set of wheels,\" which translated to something which could handle the rigors of traversing the dessert and possibly mountains.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I searched the phone directory and soon found what I was looking for.\u0026nbsp; There was a dealership for a popular motorcycle and ATV company in town.\u0026nbsp; The half page advertisement in the yellow pages indicated that they also did rentals, which was perfect.\u0026nbsp; Whether or not they'd let me rent with cash was the real question.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In the end, they did, after nearly an hour of haggling, arguing, promises, and bribes.\u0026nbsp; I may as well have bought the two ATVs I was finally given the keys to.\u0026nbsp; The dealership owner assured me I'd get the difference back \"if\" I returned the vehicles.\u0026nbsp; I only hoped Jaimie had better luck.\u0026nbsp; I told the slick dressed kangaroo who I had been working with that I'd be back to pick them up in an hour before taking a cab back to the hotel where I paid to extend the reservation for three days.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was about to return to the room and wait for Jaimie when she walked into the entrance behind me.\u0026nbsp; There was a rather large bulge in her front pocket which I eyed suspiciously.\u0026nbsp; Before I could ask any questions, she took my arm and led me to our room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So, how did it go?\" I asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Great.\u0026nbsp; I got lucky though.\u0026nbsp; Found a chop shop by accident which was happy to take the car off my hands and even more so to pay cash for it.\u0026nbsp; It looked like a pretty shady operation, but the chick who ran the shop paid decently for a car which wasn't stolen.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good, how much did you get for it?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jaimie reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded bundle of Thousands.\u0026nbsp; I whistled appreciatively.\u0026nbsp; That would defiantly help cover the ridiculous price for the ATVs.\u0026nbsp; I informed Jaimie that I was going to change and then we'd head out.\u0026nbsp; I had briefed her on my intentions over breakfast.\u0026nbsp; Though she was a bit skeptical of my source, she thankfully agreed with my plan without many questions.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A few minutes later, Jaimie stepped out of the small bathroom.\u0026nbsp; I couldn't help but stare in awe at her new appearance.\u0026nbsp; She wore an ultrathin, long sleeved, white outer layer over a blue sports bra.\u0026nbsp; Her legs were covered only in a pair of olive khaki shorts cut well above mid thigh.\u0026nbsp; Her hair was tied back with a red bandana and copper tinted sunglasses protected her eyes.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I told you I could do off road,\" she informed me, ginning at the expression on my face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I had opted for a pair of black and orange sports pants and a fur tight, white, temperature control base top.\u0026nbsp; I wore a bandana around my neck so I could pull it up to protect my nose and face.\u0026nbsp; I slipped on a pair of wide black sunglasses as we left the room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We greatly enjoyed the first part of the day, hopping over dunes, racing across flat hard pack, and navigating around large rocks.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie rode on a red four wheeler while mine was black and white.\u0026nbsp; We stopped by a small stream, still running from snow melt, for lunch.\u0026nbsp; The excitement of the morning was beginning to wear off and the search was becoming more important.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After eating, we packed back up and continued our journey north.\u0026nbsp; As it had before, the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for bothered me.\u0026nbsp; What was I expecting to find, a fenced perimeter, specked with guard towers or perhaps a sign saying restricted area?\u0026nbsp; No, if it was a secret facility that the government could deny, it probably wouldn't have any detectable outward signs.\u0026nbsp; The day moved forward and the sun got lower on the far horizon.\u0026nbsp; My exposed fur and hair was caked with red brown dust and my paws were numb from the vibration of the handle bars.\u0026nbsp; I drove along slowly and soon Jaimie pulled up alongside me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, it's starting to get dark, maybe we should call it a day and set up camp for the nigh.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah,\" I agreed reluctantly, \"you're probably right.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I steered my ATV around an outcropping spur of mountain.\u0026nbsp; As I looked at what was around the corner my heat skipped a beat.\u0026nbsp; I increased the throttle and sped forward.\u0026nbsp; Three minutes later, I was standing in front of the geographical feature which had caught my attention.\u0026nbsp; It was a broad, flat cliff.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie soon caught up and dismounted to stand next to me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What is it?\" she asked with mild concern on her face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This is it!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, this is a cliff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, it's not 'A' cliff, it's 'the' cliff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are you talking about?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This is the cliff from my dreams.\u0026nbsp; The one I'm always flying towards.\u0026nbsp; This has got to be where the bunker is!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, this is a cliff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I pulled her next to me and grinned, \"Yeah, it is.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jaimie stared at me, the concern now clearly etching her features.\u0026nbsp; I ignored this though and examined the stone face.\u0026nbsp; There had to be something.\u0026nbsp; This just had to be what I was looking for.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Jaimie!\" I shouted, \"See this crack, it runs strait up, dead center on the rock.\u0026nbsp; There is no way that's natural.\u0026nbsp; This has to be a door... or something.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay,\" she replied, skepticism dripping from her words, \"how do we open it?\"\u0026nbsp; I don't suppose you could push.\u0026nbsp; Try knocking, maybe some one's home.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Your sarcasm is doing nothing to improve the situation.\u0026nbsp; Give me a minute.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I stared at the mountainous edifice, trying to remember anything more about this place.\u0026nbsp; I sat down, resting my back against the rock, closed my eyes and kneaded my forehead where a headache had begun to develop.\u0026nbsp; There had to be something.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The sun was setting behind me while I stood before a recessed portion of the cliff and slammed my fist against stone.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Damn!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This is the third time in a row the sergeant has locked us out.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I turned to see the speaker.\u0026nbsp; He was a fox, taller than myself.\u0026nbsp; His fur was rust red, his ears and paws were white and the tip of his tail was black.\u0026nbsp; I noticed that he was clad in similar cloths as myself, grey digital pattered fatigues.\u0026nbsp; There were three others who accompanied me and the fox.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; One was a black bear.\u0026nbsp; He was about my height, but built like a tank, with bulging forearms and biceps.\u0026nbsp; His fur, close cropped hair, and eyes were black as midnight.\u0026nbsp; The very tip of his nose was brown, the only color on his body.\u0026nbsp; Beside him was a brightly colored falcon.\u0026nbsp; He was short and thin, but stood confidently and had a fearsome gleam in his eyes.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The final companion was a rather attractive female marten whose toned muscles were clearly visible.\u0026nbsp; Her fur was light tan which darkened on her lower arms and tail.\u0026nbsp; She had a cream colored collar and mask and light hair of similar color.\u0026nbsp; Her violet eyes burned with determination and I was willing to bet that she could have torn me limb for limb if she wanted to.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; It was the latter individual who spoke next, saying, \"I'm not sleeping out here again.\u0026nbsp; I'm tired of the cold.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Where do you intend to sleep, there's nothing else out here?\" this from the bear.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, if the front door is locked, why don't we try breaking in the back like I suggested last night.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You mean the training grounds entrance?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Uh hu. \u0026nbsp;There's no way it's nearly as difficult to get into as the bay door.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay,\" I said, \"and if that doesn't work, we might be able to break in through one of the ventilations shafts for the hangar and landing strip.\u0026nbsp; You know how massive those fans are.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright, how do we get there from here?\" asked the fox.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The marten spoke next, \"obviously it's somewhere on the other side of this mountain.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Right,\" I said, taking charge of the discussion, \"Curry,\" indicated the marten, \"take point and lead the way.\u0026nbsp; The rest of you, fall in, ranger file.\u0026nbsp; Trestan, can you scout ahead?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Can do,\" the falcon acknowledged before leaping into the air and rapidly disappearing from view.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I opened my eyes to see Jaimie standing over me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, are you okay?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You were like in a trance or something.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A memory.\u0026nbsp; C'mon, I think I know how to get in.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I began walking in the direction I had watched the girl in my memory travel.\u0026nbsp; I blinked several times, because, there she was in front of me, semi transparent like a ghost.\u0026nbsp; It must be a hallucination.\u0026nbsp; That being said, it would probably lead me right where I needed to go, or so I hoped.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jaimie and I clambered over rocks, traversed stretches of mountain side hiking deep into the mountain range.\u0026nbsp; The sun was almost below the horizon and the light was bad, but I couldn't stop in fear of losing my mysterious guide from my memoires.\u0026nbsp; Onward and onward the ghost marten lead, me following right behind.\u0026nbsp; I was beginning to believe that I had gone insane and was chasing a mirage to my death when we reached an open valley.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Here, my escort changed her movement.\u0026nbsp; Where she had been carefully picking our way over the rough terrain, now she darted from cover to cover across the exposed expanse.\u0026nbsp; I stayed right behind her the whole way, checking the right side where the mountain stood.\u0026nbsp; I was sure the others had the left and our six.\u0026nbsp; No reason to get ambushed by the trainers now that we had come this far.\u0026nbsp; Then I remembered that it was just me and Jaimie following an illusion.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I turned to ensure that Jaimie was still behind me.\u0026nbsp; When I looked back for the marten, she sprinted to a point in the cleared space, and then disappeared.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Wait!\" I shouted, running after her, but she was nowhere to be found.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, who are you talking to?\u0026nbsp; There's no one there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The girl, the girl from my memory,\" I stammered, but of course, Jaimie hadn't seen her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Chasing imaginary girls?\u0026nbsp; I'm not sure if I should be worried or jealous.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I inspected the place where my imagined guide had disappeared.\u0026nbsp; The was a large flat area of cement, which explained some of it.\u0026nbsp; The must have been a building here at some point.\u0026nbsp; It was now gone, only the foundation left to be slowly covered by sand and dirt and vegetation.\u0026nbsp; I knelt, running the tips of my fingers across the cool concrete pad and closed my eyes, trying to recapture the memory.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was once again behind the marten, my rifle pointed to the right, watching carefully for any contacts.\u0026nbsp; We crouched behind one of the low buildings which were constructed here for our training missions.\u0026nbsp; The falcon swooped down, landing in the middle of our formation.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay, I figured out where we are.\u0026nbsp; This is cluster four.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ah, that means this is the building that was supposed to be the embassy during our last exercise.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Exactly.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good, I know where to go from her.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I gave the signal to stand and move forward.\u0026nbsp; The marten returned to the front and lead the way.\u0026nbsp; I followed five feet behind, again covering our right flank.\u0026nbsp; We picked our way from building to building before coming to a P\u0026R station.\u0026nbsp; We moved through it, clearing the interior before continuing.\u0026nbsp; Eventually, the girl who I had referred to as Curry raised her paw in a closed fist.\u0026nbsp; The signal to stop.\u0026nbsp; She waved me forward and I soon saw why.\u0026nbsp; A solid metal door stood in the rock ahead. \u0026nbsp;A camera over the entrance swept the surrounding area.\u0026nbsp; A boulder blocked the squad from view, but that didn't help us get passed the obstacle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Give me a sec,\" she whispered, \"I'm trying to access the security network.\u0026nbsp; They've beefed it up since the last time I broke in, but it shouldn't take too long.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I waited patiently, the others completely silent.\u0026nbsp; By now it was night and the only light came from the screen of Curry's data pad.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay, I'm going to lock the motor.\u0026nbsp; The error message will be delayed for an hour before being sent.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why don't you just loop the cameras like last time?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"They won't fall for that twice.\u0026nbsp; They have a new detection system for that and I won't be able to get around it without taking more time.\u0026nbsp; This should be able to get us in.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I signaled the rest of the team and we ran in a crouch to the door.\u0026nbsp; The fox moved forward, pulling something out of a pocket.\u0026nbsp; The something turned out to be a shaped charge.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Do I need to blow it?\" he asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Curry responded, \"I don't think so.\u0026nbsp; The blast will alert everyone inside to our presence.\u0026nbsp; Not every mission needs an explosion.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I disagree.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I could tell the two were about to get into one of their usual arguments, so I made a subtle cutting motion with my right paw to silence them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Curry, what can you do?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Give me a second.\u0026nbsp; Okay, I've broken into the door controls, give me the word Harper.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Won't the unauthorized access warning alert the guards just as plainly as an explosion?\" the fox asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not if I use my digital copy of the sergeant's biometric scans to trick the computer into believing he opened the door.\u0026nbsp; Taking internal sensors offline.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good work Curry,\" I said, \"Teague, I promise you can blow up two things on our next mission.\u0026nbsp; Now get in position to breach.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You better stick to that,\" he hissed as he took his place in front of me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Curry stood on the far side of the door.\u0026nbsp; I felt Trestan tap my shoulder.\u0026nbsp; I reached forward and touched Teague's arm who nodded to her.\u0026nbsp; She pressed a finger to a command on the computer's screen.\u0026nbsp; The door slid open and we slipped in, clearing the room inside.\u0026nbsp; A computerized female voice spoke through an overhead speaker.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Authorized entry, Master Sergeant Day.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I opened my eyes to find Jaimie inspecting the surrounding area with a flashlight.\u0026nbsp; Noticing that I was watching her, she walked over to where I stood.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier, I don't know how we're going to find our way from here.\u0026nbsp; Everything looks the same.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Don't worry I know where to go.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Just trust me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; With that, I began following the path I had just taken in my mind, using building foundations and geographical references to navigate.\u0026nbsp; Soon I was standing at the boulder which had guarded us from the camera, and sure enough, sunk into a rock wall, was what could unmistakably be a door.\u0026nbsp; I walked up to it.\u0026nbsp; The metal was still mostly clear of debris.\u0026nbsp; I looked around to find a control panel.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie gave a cry of surprise and I turned to see a rock slide into the one next to it, revealing a small consol.\u0026nbsp; Better yet, the screen was on.\u0026nbsp; I walked to it and read what was written.\n\n-PLEASE SUBMIT SCAN FOR ENTRANCE\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I wondered what this meant but then noticed a small camera and finger pad next to the screen.\u0026nbsp; I placed my thumb on the pad and looked into the camera.\u0026nbsp; This was obviously a biometric scanner.\u0026nbsp; I jumped as a needle pricked my thumb, a small drop of blood appearing.\u0026nbsp; A new message scrolled across the display.\n\n-RETINAL AND BLOOD SAMPLE MATCH\n\n-PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR VOICE SCAN\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Xavier Snow.\"\n\n-VOICE PRINT MATCH\n\n-WELCOME BACK CW2 KIRIAN HARPER\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The door groaned for a moment before the servos broke through four month of disuse and it slid upon to reveal a black interior.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie shone her flashlight inside.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Shall we?\" I asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Before she could answer, I pulled her inside.\u0026nbsp; The door slid shut behind us leaving the room pitch black.\u0026nbsp; Then the sound of generators could be heard in the distance and the lights overhead flickered on.\u0026nbsp; A computerized voice crackled over an intercom system.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Authorized entry, Chief Warrant Officer Harper.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" I stated turning to Jaimie, who seemed a bit scared, \"here we are.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She nodded, seeming to be unable to speak as I lead us further into the underground facility.\u0026nbsp; Now I might get some real answers.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n-NEW MESSAGE\n\n-FROM: BRAVO\n\n-TO: HQ\n\n-SUJECT: #1\n\nNegative.\u0026nbsp; He appears to be searching for information about his past.\u0026nbsp; Showed no signs of hostility at this point\n\nEND MESSAGE\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Fallout","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/207101-fallout-leads-from-legends.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/209761-fallout-welcome-home.json"}}