{"sf1_id":499270,"sf2_id":"ve396Xpn","title":"The Unsung Hero pt. 3","author":"Acchan Escovar","words":2326,"posted_at":"2013-02-09T18:44:00.000Z","tags":["Adventure","Betrayal","Canine","Death","Depression","Evil","Folf","Human","M/M/M","Mammal","Military","No-Yiff","Post-Apocalyptic","Psychological","Sci-Fi","Science","Violence","Violence (Not In Yiff)","Wolfox"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/499270-the-unsung-hero-pt-3","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ve396Xpn","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=499270\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"It's been a while, but heres the third installment of the Unsung Hero.","content":"CHAPTER 3\n\n_4 years later_\n\n\"Lee, your logic is flawed.\u0026nbsp; Even gravity couldn't help number 24 with scaling that house.\"\u0026nbsp; Colonel crossed his arms as he was peering through the one-way Plexiglas window.\u0026nbsp; Lee was sitting beside him at a button-covered console facing the window, his hands resting on his chin and his elbows on the console.\u0026nbsp; I was standing at attention in the door frame, staring forward but constantly listening to the conversation.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Actually Colonel, it is just what he needs.\u0026nbsp; He'll just have to figure out about using the pendulum force of gravity to fling himself to the roof.\u0026nbsp; And your attempt at sarcasm amuses me.\"\u0026nbsp; Lee looked at the Colonel. \"No offense, but you take issues far too seriously.\u0026nbsp; Just because it takes 24 a few extra seconds to figure things out, doesn't mean he can't make more progress in a different field.\"\n\nThe Colonel sighed and said, \"A split second could mean the matter of life and death, mission complete or mission failed.\u0026nbsp; It could mean the loss of the war, by God.\"\u0026nbsp; Lee absorbed this, and nodded.\n\n\"I understand where you're coming from sir.\u0026nbsp; I just think that, like normal people, these Anthros have strengths and weaknesses.\u0026nbsp; Perhaps we should invest in some new DNA?\u0026nbsp; I understand that it would mean re-starting the entire cloning process, but then we could have different species of Anthro for different purposes.\"\u0026nbsp; I didn't like how they were talking about my kind like they were just machines.\u0026nbsp; Pawns were an even better metaphor.\u0026nbsp; \"For example, units like Acchan here would be excellent foot soldiers and guards.\u0026nbsp; They can hear things that we normal humans can't, and focus on things...like he is right now.\u0026nbsp; Isn't that right, Acchan?\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He turned around to look at me, and I lost my bearings at how Lee picked me out, and how he knew!\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I stammered out, \"Y-yes, sir.\u0026nbsp; I have been listening the whole time, sir.\"\u0026nbsp; I gulped and Lee smiled at the Colonel, who was gazing awestruck at Lee.\u0026nbsp; \"I couldn't help but listen in, sir.\u0026nbsp; It was too interesting to me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Lee said, \"It's perfectly fine, Acchan, I've designed you to do just that.\u0026nbsp; That curiosity makes you more alert, meaning you would hear any unknown or hostile sounds, smell any smells, etcetera.\"\u0026nbsp; He waved his hands. \"Since you're so smart, you're best at protecting people, or establishments.\u0026nbsp; Tell me, Acchan, how long have you been listening to our conversations?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I hesitated for the slightest second, \"For as long as I could remember, sir.\u0026nbsp; With all due respect, I couldn't help but listen, and I...I've come up with so many questions, sir.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, Specimen 37, I for one think you leave my presence before I decide to put you in extreme CT.\"\u0026nbsp; The Colonel said with a cherry red face.\u0026nbsp; \"And I'm not talking about finding food for your squad while fending off wild savages; I'm talking about re-enacting the bloodiest battles of mankind.\"\u0026nbsp; He stared at me hard. \"Do I make myself clear?\"\u0026nbsp; I nodded and left the room with my head hung low, my ears folded back.\u0026nbsp; I rushed to my room, only to find a strange surprise.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; An armed guard was standing next to my threshold, obviously waiting for me.\u0026nbsp; I slowed down significantly when I saw him, for I had only saw a guard twice, and both times it was unarmed, for a split second.\u0026nbsp; \"Excuse me, sir?\u0026nbsp; May I ask why you are waiting for me?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He hefted his SMG, \"Actually, I should be calling you sir.\u0026nbsp; I have been assigned as your personal body guard, sir.\"\u0026nbsp; I guess he saw my confused look.\u0026nbsp; \"There have been a few security breaches from outside the facility, and I've been assigned to you as a precaution.\u0026nbsp; Sir.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Right, then.\u0026nbsp; As you were...sir\" We traded friendly smiles and I went into my quarters.\u0026nbsp; I stopped and asked him, \"By the way, what's your name soldier?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He swallowed then said,\" My name is Corporal Seffner Riggs, sir.\"\u0026nbsp; I nodded and went to bed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was flying in my dream world, soaring over mountains, the cold wind biting my smiling face as I zoomed past cheering villages, dashing past flocks of startled birds.\u0026nbsp; One flock of geese decided to fly with me, and they made me crash.\u0026nbsp; I was suddenly in an abandoned city, there was a thick yellowish green cloud floating menacingly through the streets.\u0026nbsp; I tried getting up, but I couldn't even breathe, much less get up and run.\u0026nbsp; I stared with wide eyes as the cloud engulfed me, and I was choking on the lack of air.\u0026nbsp; I'm dying, I thought.\u0026nbsp; Suddenly, a bright flash, a scream, the cloud disappeared!\u0026nbsp; Seffner ran up to me, asking me if I was alright, and if I could hear him.\u0026nbsp; I nodded meekly, and my eyes shut in a puffy fit.\u0026nbsp; Seffner picked me up, put me over his shoulder and ran through the city.\u0026nbsp; I started to see that it was not in fact abandoned; everyone was just home, sleeping.\u0026nbsp; Seffner said he would get me help really soon, and I weakly nodded, and then we turned a corner to see Lee!\u0026nbsp; Lee was in the city, and he was going to make me move again!\u0026nbsp; I was startled when he held up something long and silvery, and then brought it down to my neck.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Acchan?\u0026nbsp; Acchan, can you hear me?\u0026nbsp; Damnit!\u0026nbsp; Acchan!\"\u0026nbsp; Lee was screaming into my face, slapping me, looking for any sign of consciousness.\u0026nbsp; My eyes shot open, and I started gasping and coughing.\u0026nbsp; Lee immediately hugged me, and said everything would be okay, like I was a baby.\u0026nbsp; \"Oh my God, Acchan, I thought we had lost you!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Panting I asked, \"Wha...what happened?\"\u0026nbsp; I looked up to see Seffner, staring at me with wide eyes of relief.\u0026nbsp; \"Did...we crash?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Lee gave a single, short laugh, and then said, \"Well, Acchan, Seffner here saved your life.\u0026nbsp; He was going into your room, and there was an intruder smothering you with a rag covered in chloroform.\"\u0026nbsp; Lee shook his head.\u0026nbsp; \"Corporal Riggs here has shot the man, most likely crippled him for life.\u0026nbsp; The Colonel is doing investigations on how the guy got into the facility undetected, and then he'll be debriefing Seffner.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Seffner...is that true?\u0026nbsp; Was, was I being...\" I gulped.\u0026nbsp; \"Assassinated?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Seffner nodded slowly with a grim expression.\u0026nbsp; \"It seems ironic, and unbelievably lucky, that I was assigned to protect you the night there was going to be a try on your life.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Lee and I both shuddered, just as the Colonel walked in with his face baboon red.\u0026nbsp; \"The man won't talk, he's currently going through intense, 'questioning'.\"\u0026nbsp; He made quotations with his fingers.\u0026nbsp; I smiled.\u0026nbsp; Even though the guy was an ice cube, you got to love how seriously he took everything.\u0026nbsp; He completely deserved the rank of Colonel.\u0026nbsp; \"Corporal Riggs.\u0026nbsp; This way, soldier.\"\u0026nbsp; He beckoned Seffner out of the room.\u0026nbsp; I was a little disappointed that my new friend, and savior, had to leave so soon.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Seffner snapped to attention, and then marched out of the room with Colonel watching the back of his head.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Lee,\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I said meekly, \"Why did he try to kill me?\"\u0026nbsp; Lee got a hurt look on his face and sighed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You see, Acchan, not everyone likes Anthros the way we do.\u0026nbsp; I don't mean to sound soft, but I see myself as a Father to you, so I'm probably taking it too seriously.\"\u0026nbsp; He rolled his eyes. \"What am I talking about, he tried to murder you.\u0026nbsp; People see Anthros as beasts, as murderers, rapists, thieves and all around criminals.\u0026nbsp; So, they decide to be hypocrites and murder, rape and steal from Anthros back.\u0026nbsp; Basically, people are jealous that they can't be what you are.\u0026nbsp; Think it as much as you want; you are more than just a clone.\u0026nbsp; You are one of a kind, superior to any others in this world.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I sat for a moment, and then stood up.\u0026nbsp; \"Lee, I need to see him.\u0026nbsp; If he tries to make another attempt, then I'll be ready, I won't be sleeping and vulnerable.\"\u0026nbsp; I put a paw on his shoulder.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll be fine, sir.\"\u0026nbsp; He nodded, and I left the infirmary.\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhen I returned to my room, there was a whole lot of commotion.\u0026nbsp; More armed guards, scientists, forensic scientists in white robes.\u0026nbsp; Everyone stopped and looked at me when I came in.\u0026nbsp; I felt an awkward pulse flow through my body, then I started backing out.\u0026nbsp; One guard followed me, and I didn't need to ask why.\n\nI already knew.\n\nI decided to not interrupt their investigation any further, so I decided to go to the CT room.\u0026nbsp; I set up the system for a search-and-destroy raid, set for a drug cartel in the jungle.\u0026nbsp; \"sir...\" the guard said. \"I don't think hooking yourself up to that machine would be a good idea.\u0026nbsp; Sir\"\u0026nbsp; I could hear the doubt in his voice about saying that to a superior, but he had good reason.\u0026nbsp; I silently scolded myself for going to the CT room instead of looking for the would-be-killer.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Soldier,\" I said to the guard, who immediately snapped to attention.\u0026nbsp; \"Do you know anything about this man who tried my life?\"\u0026nbsp; I looked him in the eye, which seemed to intimidate him.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I, I don't know, s-sir.\" He stammered.\u0026nbsp; I looked away and kept walking to the prison block to check up on the situation.\u0026nbsp; Perhaps I would run into the Colonel and Seffner on the way.\u0026nbsp; Seffner was a different one from the common stone-faced tough-as-grits rabble I normally see.\u0026nbsp; Perhaps he was forced by someone to join the Corporation?\u0026nbsp;\n\nClick.\u0026nbsp; Click.\u0026nbsp; I froze in my tracks and swiveled my ears around to pick up any more sounds.\u0026nbsp; The guard said, \"I knew Rodrick was too gentle.\u0026nbsp; This time, stay dead.\u0026nbsp; Beast.\"\u0026nbsp; And he shot.\n\nGetting shot hurts a lot more than it does in CT.\u0026nbsp; I felt the bullet rip through my shoulder; I let out an agonized scream and fell to the ground.\u0026nbsp; I curled up in the fetal position, twitching and convulsing.\u0026nbsp; Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Renegade walk up to me.\u0026nbsp; He smiled knowingly, and I'm positive he thought I was going to bleed out.\u0026nbsp; \"You're wrong,\"\u0026nbsp; I gasped out.\u0026nbsp; \"You won't leave this facility alive.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He did a double take, and staggered back.\u0026nbsp; \"How did you...?\"\u0026nbsp; I slowly stood up, painfully, covered in blood, clenching my fists to keep from screaming.\u0026nbsp; I growled, and staggered toward him.\u0026nbsp; \"No!\"\u0026nbsp; He backed up, and stared wide-eyed.\u0026nbsp; I felt myself about to cough up blood, and I doubled over.\u0026nbsp; I stood back up, and he was backing away.\u0026nbsp; I fell to all fours and let out a bloodcurdling roar.\u0026nbsp; He turned around and ran, screaming.\u0026nbsp; I started crawling after him, then going faster, and then finally pounding after him.\u0026nbsp; I pounced on top of him, breathing heavily, not feeling the bullet in my shoulder, drooling spit and blood, and staring into his eyes.\u0026nbsp; I could see the fear in his eyes, the regret, the knowing of what was going to come.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why are you coming after me?\u0026nbsp; Are you with anyone else?\"\u0026nbsp; We stared. \"You answer me!\" I shook him violently.\u0026nbsp; \"Tell me or I'll gut you right here!\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Okay, okay!\" he started crying. \"Rodrick and me, we're from this gang outside the facility! \u0026nbsp;We were sent to destroy progress in the facility, including any test subjects!\"\u0026nbsp; He sobbed.\u0026nbsp; \"Please don't kill me!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm not going to kill you.\"\u0026nbsp; He seemed dumbfounded.\u0026nbsp; \"But eventually, you'll wish I did.\"\n\nI heard footsteps pounding our way, and shouts from real guards.\u0026nbsp; I stood up, and I saw Lee bolting ahead of them.\u0026nbsp; I saluted.\u0026nbsp; \"I've captured the enemy...\" the pain returned.\u0026nbsp; \"sir.\"\u0026nbsp; Lee and another guard caught me as I fell to the ground.\u0026nbsp; \"Lee, I'm hit.\"\u0026nbsp; He looked me over, and his face turned white.\u0026nbsp; I looked at him with a confused face, and he shook his head.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry, Acchan...\" he tried to hide a tear. \"We can't keep you anymore.\"\n\nSince I was much older than the other test subjects, I was to be released into the world outside the facility.\u0026nbsp; They healed me in the infirmary for as long until I was able to walk again, which were only a few weeks.\u0026nbsp; I didn't see Lee or the Colonel from the day of the assassination attempts, after that it was a different nurse and guards every day.\u0026nbsp; I never got to see Seffner again either.\u0026nbsp; I knew I was going to miss all three of them, and I didn't even know what I was going to do outside the facility.\u0026nbsp; I've never even seen the outside before, CT was just a simulator.\u0026nbsp; Outdoors were going to be different, I don't recall ever even seeing a window.\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhen I was healthy enough to leave the infirmary, two guards walked me to an unexplored hall.\u0026nbsp; I didn't take anything with me, I didn't see the need.\u0026nbsp; What use could I have with clothes that were never touched, or gear that only worked in certain rooms?\u0026nbsp; They opened a door and led me in, then locked the door behind them.\u0026nbsp; I kept my eyes and ears down, I felt ashamed at having to leave.\u0026nbsp; My tail was grazing the floor; I never kept it that low unless Colonel was really angry with me.\u0026nbsp; It felt strange.\u0026nbsp; They typed in a code on the wall, and a hatch opened next to us.\u0026nbsp; One guard beckoned me in, so I did.\u0026nbsp; They closed the door, and I heard the system activate the pressurization sequence.\u0026nbsp; I took a deep, shaky breath.\u0026nbsp; Any moment now, I would be on the outside world.\n\n  \n  \n\n","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/470971-the-unsung-hero-pt-2.json"}