{"sf1_id":566226,"sf2_id":"qmy75ZK1","title":"Devil Seed Ch.16","author":"Gemma","words":6381,"posted_at":"2013-07-22T00:01:00.000Z","tags":["Action","Bear","Coyote","Greyhound","Human","Lion","Weasel"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/566226-devil-seed-ch-16","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/qmy75ZK1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/d1/78/d178006e-e9e6-4199-858e-6f660ddcf1a2","description":"#16 of Devil Seed\n\nHoly cow! Devil Seed is back with a new chapter! This one was a whopping 12 pages as opposed to my minimal 10-11 pages. So there's a bit of extra.","content":"Devil Seed\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBy\n\nGemma the IceWolf\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n16\n\nGuild Headquarters\n\nTuesday, 10:24 am\n\nSeveral days had passed since receiving their assignment and though they were   \nhard at work on their case, Sam and Kendra couldn't find any leads whatsoever on   \nwho their mole was or where they might find them. As Sam leaned back in his   \noffice chair while looking through a file he started grinding his teeth   \ntogether, a habit he was seldom self conscious about. Across from him, his   \ncoyote partner chewed on a pen equally perplexed. The monotony of the silence in   \nthe room wasn't helping either, but it was either that or work with the radio   \non. They just as soon preferred the quiet, but it didn't make things any easier.   \nKendra finally shot from her chair, shouting through her teeth as she tossed her   \nfolder across the room. This was more research than even she was used to.\n\nSam didn't seem phased by it really. He simply moved his head to the side as   \nthe file flew his direction, knowing that Kendra hadn't meant to throw it   \ndirectly at him. She was never a good throw. His eyes shifted up to her as he   \nlaid the file on his desk and smirked.\n\n\"Feel better?\" he asked.\n\nKendra lowered her head with a blush, obviously somewhat embarrassed by her   \nsudden outburst. \"Yeah. What the hell are we doing anyway? We're not going to   \nfind anything on this mole we have if we just sit here. These are just dossiers   \nof potential suspects. All their records are clean. And we're still not finished   \nwith it all. Shouldn't somebody else be doing this?\"\n\nSam straightened up and reached over his desk for his coffee. It had long   \nsince gone cold, but at this point he didn't care. Taking a sip of his cold   \ncoffee he shook his head and set the cup back down.\n\n\"I hate this about as much as you do Kendra, but we don't know jack shit   \nabout this guy.\"\n\nKendra flopped back into her seat. \"Maybe we need to look at the surveillance   \ntapes again. Maybe we missed something.\"\n\nSam shook his head with a shrug. \"We pretty much picked all the footage with   \na fine toothed comb. Whoever this guy is, he knew exactly where all the cameras   \nwere located and which direction to go and look when they were on him.\"\n\nThe two fell silent again for a moment. And then suddenly Kendra's eyes went   \nwide.\n\n\"I just had an epiphany.\" she announced as she shot up from her seat.\n\nSam smirked as he looked at her. \"What? Did we miss something?\"\n\nShe stood up and grabbed her jacket.\n\n\"What if we can find his face in a shot that isn't in direct camera   \nview?\"\n\n\"Like?\"\n\n\"A reflection. There has to be some image of the person's face on a wall,   \nmirror, or something that the computer scanners can pick up.\"\n\nSam nodded as he stood up and picked up his trench coat. \"Good thinking.   \nLet's see what our eggheads in the lab can come up with.\"\n\nAs they headed out the door Kendra couldn't help bringing up what Sam had   \njust said.\n\n\"Eggheads? Just how ancient are you Sam?\"\n\nA few moments later the two were in the surveillance lab watching the   \nrecordings of the mole as he weaved past security with little effort. Each time   \nthe person came into view their face was turned away from the camera. With the   \nshoulder length hair one might have assumed the mole was a woman, but the figure   \nwas too out of place to be female. As they ran through the recordings once again   \nSam and Kendra observed as the mole made his way to the computer labs on the   \nfifth floor and hacked into the system. The whole process took about fifteen   \nminutes and in that time they never saw anything that would give the man's face   \naway.\n\n\"This is just hopeless.\" Kendra complained as she slouched in a chair. \"It's   \nlike he's messing with us or something.\"\n\nSam didn't pay any attention, his eyes too focused on the screen. He kept   \nsearching and watching, looking over any perspective he could of the   \nsurveillance footage. He suddenly jumped from his seat and turned to the young   \nfemale skunk tech, at the controls.\n\n\"Hold it. Go back a few seconds.\"\n\nThe video quickly rewound and started up again. Sam stepped closer to the   \nscreen and squinted. His eyes focused on a single space.\n\n\"Okay freeze....now.\"\n\nThe tech froze the screen and Sam approached with a slight skip in his step.   \nHe started grinning ear to ear. Planting a finger on the screen he looked to the   \ntech again.\n\n\"Zoom in here on the window.\"\n\nThe screen zoomed in twice on screen and started scanning. A face, just   \nbarely visible on the window could be made out. Sam started wringing his hands   \nas he stepped back from the screen and let the surveillance tech do the rest of   \nthe work.\n\nKendra shook her head as she stood up. \"How in the hell did we manage to miss   \nthat?\"\n\nSam smirked. \"A minor oversight. It's like a \"Where's Waldo?\" book, you'll   \npass him over several times before you notice him.\"\n\n\"You used to read \"Where's Waldo?\" when you were a kid?\"\n\n\"All the time. How do you think I became a super sleuth for the Guild?\"\n\nKendra stepped away laughing to herself as the computer filtered through a   \nwhole variety of faces. The guild kept a record of most anyone that had a   \ncriminal past of any kind. Whether it were a petty thief or a terrorist, they   \nhad them all. Some of the most dangerous people in the world were in their   \ndatabase, many of which were still on the Guild's hit list. It always made Sam   \ngrin when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face. Past people he'd locked up for   \ngood or terminated.\n\nThe computer finally froze and brought up an image of a man with a profile   \nnext to it. Sam looked it over and nodded in approval.\n\n\"Interesting person. Zack Lang aka Romulus, a human, age thirty two.   \nProfessional hacker and amateur spy for hire. Wanted in several states and by   \nthe FBI on charges ranging from bomb threats and blackmail to hacking bank   \nsystems and the FBI database.\"\n\nKendra snorted. \"Nice guy. I can see why the feds would want him. That   \ndoesn't answer our newest question though. Who hired him?\"\n\nSam shook his head as he turned to the surveillance tech. \"Print out a copy   \nof that would you?\" He then turned back to Kendra who was by this time fiddling   \nwith a pen. \"I'm as puzzled on that as you are. Maybe we'll get some answers   \nonce we find this guy. Of course now comes the fun part.\"\n\nKendra smirked as she stood up and started for the door. \"Which is...?\"\n\nSam followed close behind as he took out a cigarette and set it behind his   \near. \"We get to track down the sorry shit.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nLos Angeles\n\nTuesday, 1:43 pm\n\nThe first thing they did upon leaving the Guild Headquarters was search   \nthrough the city for all the internet cafes in the area. After the first four   \nstops Kendra started to get impatient. It wasn't the tediousness of it that   \nbothered her, but she couldn't fathom why they didn't use the information on   \nLang's profile.\n\n\"I'm just saying we should be checking up on his last place of residence.   \nMaybe we can find a lead.\"\n\nSam simply shook his head as they pulled up to a red light in a green LTD.   \n\"Any of the possible trails he may have left behind have gone long cold by now.   \nNot to mention that there's no doubt in my mind he knows we're looking for him.   \nWhoever hired him undoubtedly gave him any information about the Guild he could   \nget before doing the job. That said since he's a hacker he can cover his tracks   \nin his residencies before we could get to him. We don't even know where he   \ncurrently lives if he lives anywhere at all.\"\n\nKendra's eyes went wide as she was hit with sudden realization. \"But the   \ncafes are public areas full of people that go in there daily that have seen   \nhim.\"\n\nSam nodded with a grin as the light turned green. \"That's right. Those places   \nare lousy with hackers of every shape, size, species and gender. And this guy is   \nbound to frequent at least one of them.\"\n\n\"So then we look for anyone that can identify Lang.\"\n\n\"Precisely. You're getting the hang of this.\"\n\n\"So then what's our next stop?\"\n\n\"Marty's Fish 'n' Net. Place serves fish and chips with all the internet your   \nlittle heart could ever desire.\"\n\nKendra couldn't hold back her laughter as they got out of the car. \"That's a   \nterrible name.\"\n\nOnce she was able to compose herself the two walked into the cafe and looked   \naround. Most of the tables and sofas were already occupied with computer users   \nof various age. The most noticeable thing in the place though was the present   \nsmell of salted fried fish. It wasn't terribly strong, but it did have a   \nlingering odor that would stain into a person's clothes if they stayed there   \nlong enough. Most of the patrons only glanced up at the two only to go back to   \ntheir computers just as quickly. For the most part it was quiet, with a bit of   \nmusic coming from the speakers hanging high on the walls. A middle aged, brown   \nhare in an apron and paper hat stood behind the service counter cutting and   \nbattering fish. Kendra couldn't help ringing the service bell multiple times at   \nthe counter, much to the irritation of the hare. He turned around with a   \nslightly annoyed smirk on his face as he came up to them.\n\n\"Yes yes, the bell is working. Thank you. What can I get you?\"\n\nSam rolled his eyes at Kendra and shook his head as he took out the picture   \nof Lang. \"We're looking for someone by the name of Zack Lang. We were hoping you   \ncan help us locate him.\" He held up the picture and the hare looked it over for   \na moment scratching his chin.\n\n\"Oh yeah. I've seen him. Keeps to himself pretty much. Comes in here every   \nTuesday for the late lunch special.\"\n\n\"Bingo.\" Kendra muttered.\n\nSam slipped the picture in his pocket. \"When do you think he'll get   \nhere?\"\n\n\"Oh probably about any minute now I'd say.\" said the hare. \"He usually shows   \nup by two. Eats, does something on his computer, then leaves.\"\n\nSam simply nodded and stepped away from the counter. Kendra did the same,   \nstanding by him with her arms crossed. Neither of them noticing one of the   \ncafe's patrons getting out their cell phone and sending a text message. A moment   \nlater Kendra happened to look out the window and see a male human getting off a   \nscooter and taking out his phone. He wore a red flannel jacket, blue shirt, and   \nblack jeans, with a backpack strapped to his back, with unkempt black hair and a   \nslight tan. Kendra started stepping closer to the window trying to get a better   \nlook at his face. He paused for a moment and looked up, lowering his sunglasses   \nand seeing Kendra through the window. She twirled around immediately.\n\n\"It's him!\" she shouted.\n\nSam bolted toward the door as Lang started up the motor for his scooter again   \nand started driving away. Sam made for the car with Kendra bursting through the   \nfront door of the cafe and jumping in through the window, but before they could   \npull out a taxi cab stopped right next to them, completely blocking the way   \nout.\n\n\"Get that piece of crap out of the way!\" Sam yelled to the cabby, who just   \nignored him as his passengers climbed out.\n\nKendra climbed out of the car and clenched her paws. She pointed her face   \nstraight up in the air and cried out. \"I can't fucking believe this!\"\n\nSam cut the engine and climbed out through the passenger side, the cabby   \nclearly either not understanding him or being spiteful for having had his cab   \ninsulted by a complete stranger. Whichever way he looked at it Lang was gone   \nalready. Kendra was ready to explode.\n\n\"Son of a bitch! What the hell tipped the guy off to us?\"\n\nSam was about to comment on her vulgarity when he started thinking about what   \nshe had just said. He started stomping back to the door of the cafe. \"Not what   \nKendra. Who? He shouldn't have known we were looking for him.\"\n\nShe bolted in after him and Sam stood there with his trench coat open. He   \nlooked around the cafe and everyone's eyes were on him.\n\n\"Alright somebody told that guy that we were looking for him. Now who was   \nit?\" No one answered. Sam kept his composure. \"I know somebody in here tipped   \nhim off. So I'm asking who it was.\" Again no one answered. \"You know, it would   \nbe a real shame if everyone had to crawl out of here with broken limbs. I would   \nreally hate to have to hurt everyone here just to make sure I get the culprit.   \nOr maybe we can borrow the deep fat fryer for a bit. Anybody?\"\n\nKendra looked down at him starting to worry. Had he just flipped?\n\n\"I'm not going to ask again. So whoever it was, start talking. Or someone   \ndirect us to the guilty person.\" Once again no one answered. \"Such a pity. Well,   \nwe don't have crow bars to break limbs and the deep fat fryer would probably be   \ntoo messy. So maybe we'll just drag everybody to our headquarters for   \ninterrogation, have your computers and phones confiscated and searched through   \nthoroughly for incriminating evidence to be used against you, and you'll never   \nbe seen or heard from again.\"\n\nKendra looked around the cafe, everyone including the hare at the counter   \nstayed perfectly still. Then there was one of the patrons, a greyhound by the   \nlooks of him, sitting in the corner sweating like crazy and shaking like a leaf.   \nHe didn't look sick. He looked scared. He was just a kid, probably no older than   \n15. He wore a hooded sweater, loose jeans and sneakers, brown fur, with a white   \nstreak that trailed from his nose and over his head. His eyes shifted between   \nKendra and Sam, like he was half expecting to die there. Kendra elbowed Sam and   \npointed him out. Sam nodded and started in the hound's direction.\n\n\"Thank you all for your cooperation.\" he said with a smirk.\n\nAll the other patrons went back to their computers as the two cornered the   \ngreyhound. He looked up at both of them and swallowed hard as he closed his   \nlaptop.\n\n\"Am I under arrest?\" he asked, his voice quivering.\n\n\"In a manner of speaking yes.\" Sam said as he helped him from his seat.   \nKendra grabbed his things and the two escorted him out to their car.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nGuild Headquarters\n\nTuesday, 3:51 pm\n\n\"I know we have a job to do, but he's just a kid.\" Kendra started. \"We can't   \nreally put the thumbscrews to him you know.\"\n\nSince bringing in the greyhound from the internet cafe Kendra was starting to   \nfeel a bit concerned. Even remorseful. She didn't like the idea of terrorizing a   \nminor. Sam didn't share her concern as much though. He simply gave her a gentle   \nsmile as they approached the interrogation room.\n\n\"He's been in there for a little over an hour without anyone. You saw the   \ncamera Sam. He looks like he's ready to crack.\"\n\nSam shook his head as they stood outside the door with a folder in his hand.   \n\"I wouldn't worry about it too much. Besides, did you see the look on the kid's   \nface when we brought him in? We want him to be afraid enough that he'll tell us   \nanything we want to know. Even if it's just a small amount of information, it   \nmight help. And I'm shocked that you would think I'd ever hurt a kid. I couldn't   \npossibly bring myself to do something like that. Don't worry, I'll go easy on   \nhim.\"\n\nSam entered the room and set the file on the table across from where the   \nyoung greyhound sat. He swallowed hard as he looked down at the file. His photo   \nwas clipped to it and looked slightly ill. Even more so when Sam sat down across   \nfrom him and opened the folder.\n\n\"Let's see here. Alex Grant, age fifteen, born in Antelope Valley,   \nCalifornia. Is that right?\"\n\nAlex simply nodded, too afraid to speak.\n\n\"Says here your parents died in a car accident. I'm sorry to hear that. Must   \nhave been rough. No known relatives so you've been sent from one foster home to   \nthe next till you effectively left the area after getting arrested for petty   \ntheft. You're officially a runaway.\"\n\nAlex's eyes moved back and forth between Sam and the folder. He shifted in   \nhis seat as Sam read on.\n\n\"You've been living on the streets since then and taking odd jobs by folks in   \nneed of computer advice as well as hacking small accounts. Kind of a lousy life   \ndon't you think son?\"\n\n\"Why are you reading this to me?\" Alex finally asked.\n\n\"Look I'm not here to judge you.\" said Sam. \"I know you're scared and it's   \nalright. You don't have to be. We're not even cops. But we are looking for Zack   \nLang, and you obviously know him. Is he a friend of yours? I'm guessing he is   \nsince you texted him a message warning him about us.\"\n\nAlex looked at him still worried to death. \"I-I do know him. What do you want   \nhim for anyway?\"\n\n\"Well, your friend Zack snuck into our headquarters here and then proceeded   \nto hack our systems to get the files on four of our people. Whether you know it   \nor not this guy makes a living as a hacker and spy for hire. Doesn't seem to   \ncare what the job is as long as he gets paid too.\"\n\nAlex lowered his head. \"Zack he... gives me some money every week. Just   \nenough to keep me going. I don't make a whole lot so it helps me out.\"\n\nSam sighed as he sat back in his chair. \"Look son, we don't want to hurt him.   \nWe just want some information. We want to find out who hired this guy. If it was   \nsomeone really rotten they may plan to kill him. We can ensure his safety as   \nwell as yours, but we need your help first. Is there anything you can tell us?   \nWhere he lives? Any of the places he goes to?\"\n\nAlex nodded. \"You won't do anything to him? He's like the big brother I never   \nhad.\"\n\nSam shook his head with a smile. \"No. We're the good guys. All we need to   \nknow is who hired him to hack our systems.\"\n\nAlex nodded. \"I don't know where he lives, but I know someone who does. Zack   \ngoes to a place that used to be a warehouse down on 12th and Adams Street. They   \nhave these big game tournaments every night. Zack makes some extra money there   \nwhen he isn't busy. He hasn't been there the last couple of weeks though.\"\n\nSam nodded as he tapped his finger on the table. \"He's probably been laying   \nlow. Who do we contact?\"\n\n\"The guy in charge is a lion who goes by the name Backlash. I've only met him   \nonce, but he seems to know his stuff and keeps a database on everyone that goes   \nin.\"\n\n\"I take it Backlash is a bit of a recluse?\"\n\nAlex shook his head. \"I don't think so. I see him talk to people all the   \ntime.\"\n\nSam slowly stood up from his seat and closed the folder on the table. \"Well   \nson, I think you've been pretty helpful so I guess that should be all for   \nnow.\"\n\n\"So I can go?\"\n\nNow Sam was the one shaking his head. \"I'm afraid not. You're an integral   \nperson in all this. We might need you later. However, don't think we're   \ninhospitable. You'll be staying in one of our guest suites for the time being.   \nDon't worry, it's just like a hotel room. Think of it as a vacation. After all,   \nwhere have you been sleeping these days, in an alley?\"\n\nAlex hung his head a bit and looked up at him slightly embarrassed. Sam   \nmentally kicked himself.\n\n\"Right. Sorry kid. Anyway, our personnel can get you anything you need within   \nreason and once we square this all away you might even find yourself working   \nhere. After all, someone with skills like yours does come in handy. For now   \nthough, take a breather kid, you've earned it. One of our security officers will   \nby to come get you shortly okay?\"\n\nAlex nodded and Sam stepped out of the room. Kendra was standing there with   \nher arms folded and a big smile on her face.\n\n\"I think that went well.\" she said.\n\nSam grinned as he started down the hall to the elevator. \"And I did it all   \nwithout the use of thumbscrews.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n12th and Adams Street Warehouse\n\nTuesday, 6:27 pm\n\nWith the information they had acquired from Alex Grant, Sam and Kendra found   \nthemselves pulling up to a warehouse with neon signs covering the front. Music   \nwas booming from inside and there was a line of humans and furs standing by the   \nentrance, no doubt awaiting admission. This didn't seem to deter either of them   \nas they climbed out of their car and scanned the area.\n\n\"So this place is a late night entertainment center.\" Kendra said as she   \nstraightened out her tank top and jacket. \"I'm guessing we need a reservation to   \nget in.\"\n\nSam grinned as he took out his badge. \"Not necessarily, though I do see two   \nknuckle dragging bouncers. One at the entrance and one by the end of the   \nline.\"\n\nKendra cracked her knuckles. \"You want I should bust their skulls in?\"\n\n\"Let's hope it doesn't come to that.\" Sam laughed.\n\nThe two crossed the street and walked up to the front of the line, addressing   \nsuited the bouncer who didn't look at all in the mood for talk. The large black   \nbear sneered at them as they approached.\n\n\"We're here to speak with your boss, Backlash.\" said Sam\n\n\"Nobody sees Backlash without an appointment.\" the bear growled.\n\nSam grinned as he took out his Guild badge, shining it in the bear's face. \"I   \nthink this should suffice, unless you need to see something else. My partner   \nhere is an expert at cracking skulls.\"\n\nThe bear merely grumbled and took out a two way radio. \"Hey boss, there's   \nsomebody here to see you.\"\n\n\"You think I give a damn about that?\" came a voice. \"Do they even have an   \nappointment?\"\n\n\"No, but one of them has a badge.\"\n\n\"Shit. Alright I'll be right there.\"\n\nSam smirked as he looked to Kendra. She gave the same smirk. A few moments   \nlater a lion dressed in a long coat, black jeans, and black shirt stepped   \noutside and turned to his bouncer.\n\n\"This had damn well better be good.\" he said.\n\n\"You must be Backlash.\" Sam began. \"I hope you don't mind we'd like a word   \nwith you.\"\n\n\"Sure.\" the lion said with a snarl. \"I don't have anything better to do than   \nto listen to a cop asking me about my day and if we're doing any illegal   \nactivity around here. I run a legitimate business here and I would hope you   \nrespect that.\"\n\n\"Oh I can respect that. I can't thinking you look familiar somehow.\" said Sam   \nas he stepped closer. \"Fifteen years ago. Los Angeles. There was a big murder   \ncase involving a teen lion by the name of Ferris Reed and a gang of thugs. Reed   \nwas the one that got tagged with criminal charges including murder and   \npossession of a firearm. Whole thing sounded sketchy from the get go and the kid   \nwas eventually proven innocent of any crime.\"\n\nThe lion stepped up to Sam giving him a suspicious look. He folded his arms.   \n\"Just how do you know so much about that?\"\n\n\"I was the one assigned to the case. Does the name Sam Ritter ring any   \nbells?\"\n\nThe lion's jaw dropped as the memories of those days came flooding back to   \nhim. \"Detective Sam Ritter? Holy shit man. What the hell are you doing here? My   \nGod it's good to see you.\"\n\nSam smiled. \"It's agent now. I haven't been a detective on the force for ten   \nyears now.\"\n\n\"Shit man, you look good. And who is this lovely lady?\"\n\n\"Kendra Hall. I'm Sam's partner.\"\n\nFerris smiled as he took her hand and kissed it. \"Well I'd say he's a lucky   \nguy. Come on in, we'll talk in my office.\"\n\nFerris led the two inside and across a walkway that held up against the wall.   \nThe lower floor had been hollowed out to allow more room in the building, thus   \ngiving it two floors including one with a railing that overlooked the majority   \nof the video games as well as a dance floor and the gaming arena. Lights blinked   \nand flowed across the walls and floor in a dazzling display that gave the place   \na party time atmosphere. Along the walkway was a small room set in a corner of   \nthe building that overlooked everything. Ferris led them inside and closed the   \ndoor.\n\n\"So tell me what I can do for the man who single handedly saved me from a   \nlifetime in prison?\" he said with a smile as he sat down at his desk.\n\nSam sat down while Kendra looked out the window. \"We're looking for a man   \nnamed Zack Lang.\" Sam stated. \"Ring any bells?\"\n\nFerris sat back in his chair. \"Yeah I do believe I remember that name. Comes   \nand goes at least once a week to play some games, enters the tournaments   \nsometimes and walks away with a wad of cash. Guy is pretty good at Marvel Vs.   \nCapcom. What do you want with him if you don't mind my asking?\"\n\n\"We have reason to believe that he hacked into our agency's database and   \npulled the files of four of our top agents from it. He hires himself out as a   \nhacker and spy according to our records. We want to know who hired him to do   \nit.\"\n\nFerris scratched his chin and started typing at his computer. \"Let's see.   \nHere we go. Zack Lang, age 32, lives at Gibraltar Street and Susana Avenue at   \nthe Florence Apartments, room 224.\"\n\nSam quickly took out a notepad and a pen and wrote down the information. He   \ngrinned as he looked it over. \"Now all we have to do is hope he's home.\"\n\n\"I understand he hangs around a couple of different internet cafes during the   \nweek too.\"\n\n\"We tried one of those.\" said Kendra. \"He managed to slip away from us thanks   \nto a tipper and a damn taxi cab.\"\n\nFerris shook his head. \"Well I'm afraid that's all I can give you. We don't   \nask for a lot of personal information and we keep a tight ship around here as it   \nis so everybody can have a good time. It's not easy monitoring everything   \nthough.\"\n\nSam nodded as he stood up. \"I'll bet. You have quite a setup here.\"\n\n\"Business has been good. I'd like to keep it that way if possible.\"\n\n\"Well, we appreciate the help.\" Sam said as he held out his paw.\n\nFerris stood up and shook it. \"Any time man. Glad to be of service.\"\n\nSam headed out the door and Kendra followed, heading back out to the entrance   \nand across the street to their car. The two sped off leaving Ferris to his   \nwork.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nFlorence Apartments\n\nTuesday, 8:34 pm\n\nShortly after leaving Ferris' night club and getting a quick bite to eat Sam   \nand Kendra headed off to the street address of Zack Lang's current residence.   \nAfter explaining themselves to the landlord he let them in and they headed up to   \nthe second floor to Lang's apartment. Both of them kept silent as they made   \ntheir way to his door and took positions on either side. Sam was just about to   \nknock when he heard something. It sounded like a glass pot fell over followed by   \nthe sound of muffled voices. He quietly pulled out his Berretta and stepped back   \nfrom the door. Kendra followed suit standing beside him with her handgun out and   \nready to kick down the door when the sound of gunshots echoed inside the   \nroom.\n\n\"Shit!\" Kendra yelled. \"Not good.\" She charged and kicked the door open as   \nSam took position by the doorway. Lang was sitting strapped to an office chair   \nwith his head tilted to the side and an evident bullet sized hole in the middle   \nof his head. The two human men dressed completely in black stood at either side   \nof him. One held a large handgun while the other was holding an Uzi.\n\n\"Freeze!\" Sam shouted. \"Guild agency!\"\n\nThe two gunmen raised their weapons and opened fire. Kendra dove into the   \nkitchen while Sam stayed crouched behind the doorway. The gunman with the Uzi   \nfired straight down the passage way out to the hall while Kendra reached her arm   \naround and fired, hitting the man in the leg. He backed away, taking cover   \nbehind a tipped over table. His partner called down the short hallway inside and   \na third man armed with a shotgun stepped out. All of them speaking in a foreign   \nlanguage that Kendra couldn't comprehend.\n\n\"It's always the third guy that's packing a shotgun.\" Sam groaned.\n\n\"We are sorely outgunned here Sam!\" Kendra shouted. \"What the hell do we   \ndo?\"\n\nShe fired on the group again managing to hit nothing more than a table lamp.   \nSam came out from behind the doorway and dove into the closet nearby. He fired   \nmultiple shots over their heads trying to keep the men down while Kendra   \nreloaded. Both of them returned fire and then took cover as the two armed with   \nthe Uzi and shotgun opened fire, tearing though the drywall and wood, shooting   \nanything that so much as flinched. Both Kendra and Sam reached around with their   \nhandguns and fired blindly forcing the two gunmen to take cover.\n\nSam quickly reached into his coat pocket and took out a small device and a   \npair of ear plugs. \"I have a quick solution. Cover your ears!\"\n\nKendra looked at him a bit confused. \"Say what?\"\n\n\"Cover your ears!\" he shouted again.\"\n\nQuickly placing her paws over her ears Kendra watched as Sam held up a small,   \nblack device and pressed a button on the top of it. Reaching out of the closet   \nhe tossed it out into the open and put in his earplugs. The device suddenly   \nerupted with an ear piercing shriek that grew louder and louder with every   \nsecond. Kendra clamped her ears down as tight as she could in an attempt to   \nblock out the sound. All three of the gunmen couldn't stand it. They quickly   \ndropped their weapons completely forgetting about the two agents and tried their   \nbest to cover their ears, each shouting in agony as the device screamed through   \nthe small apartment. Sam took this as the chance to step out of the closet and   \napproach the three attackers. He raised his Berretta and fired on each of them   \ntwice. He then picked up the device and pressed the button again, shutting it   \noff. He slowly turned to Kendra who was still seated on the kitchen floor and   \ncalled out to her.\n\n\"It's all clear now.\"\n\nKendra uncovered her ears and picked herself up. She stumbled out to the   \nother room rubbing her temples after she holstered her gun and looked at the   \nthree now dead gunmen lying on the floor.\n\n\"Jesus Sam! What the hell did you do?\"\n\nSam held up the small device. \"This. It's called a sonic grenade. Nasty   \nlittle thing one of our techies gave me a while back. It emits a high frequency   \nsound that reaches three hundred decibels. Good way to knock out someone's   \neardrums. I had these guys choose between their guns and their hearing. They   \nchose poorly.\"\n\nKendra shook her head. \"Well we still have one problem. Lang is dead. So what   \nthe hell do we do now?\"\n\nSam started down the short hall way to the bedroom. \"Check his body. He might   \nhave something on him.\"\n\n\"Check his body?\" Kendra cringed as she looked at Lang's fresh corpse still   \ntied to the chair. \"What makes you think he has something.\"\n\n\"These guys were looking all over the place for something, and they killed   \nLang for it. So it has to either be in among his stuff or on him.\"\n\nReluctantly Kendra started searching through Lang's pockets only turning up a   \nwallet, apartment key, and a pack of chewing gum. She rifled through the wallet   \nquickly finding little of interest say for some petty cash, a photo ID and a   \ndiners club card.\n\n\"Just what am I looking for Sam?\"\n\n\"Anything out of the ordinary.\" Sam called from the bedroom. \"Check under his   \nclothes.\"\n\nKendra quickly started patting Lang down. She paused when she heard something   \ncrinkle in his pant leg. Kneeling down she rolled it up and found a piece of   \npaper taped to his leg. She pulled it off and unfolded it.\n\n\"Sam. We've got something.\"\n\nSam came out from the bedroom and stepped over two of the dead gunmen. Kendra   \nstarted reading the letter aloud.\n\n\"To the ones from the Guild looking for me, if you're reading this I am most   \nlikely dead. Shortly after I acquired the data on your agents I was confronted   \nby my employer. He planned to kill me after I gave him the data and so I held   \nout on him. Unfortunately that proved to be a big mistake on my part as I had   \npeople hunting for me. They'll never get the data though. It's in a safe place.   \nWhile I can't tell you who my employer was due to the fact he decided to stay   \nanonymous I can tell you that he works in your agency since he showed me a Guild   \nbadge. His position in your headquarters is amongst the files on a data disc I   \nmade. I was able to get some surveillance footage of him before I pulled out of   \nthe network. It should still be in the possession of my friend Alex Grant of   \nwhom you may have already met at the Fish 'n' Net. Most likely he gave himself   \naway somehow since he's a jittery one. He's completely unaware that he has it.   \nAll of the files are encrypted in a special code that will take multiple hours   \nto decipher. Just do me one favor, tell Alex I'm sorry for getting him involved.   \nHe's still just a kid and doesn't deserve to get dragged into a dangerous   \nsituation like this. Zack Lang.\"\n\nKendra folded the letter and put it in her pocket. Sam scratched his chin.   \n\"So the kid has the disc. To be honest I was thinking Lang would have it on his   \nperson. Guy was smarter than I gave him credit for.\"\n\n\"You know this means that Alex could be in danger. If whoever wanted the data   \nfrom Lang found out about it...\"\n\nSam nodded. \"Right. We'd better get back to headquarters and have that disc   \ndeciphered. The sooner we get it from the kid the better.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nGuild Headquarters\n\nTuesday, 10:17 pm\n\n\"And that's the situation boss.\" said Sam.\n\nThe chief sat back in his chair as he mulled over what the two moderators had   \nexplained to him. His eyes darted back and forth between them. Since arriving   \nback at headquarters Sam and Kendra had had quite the story to tell. While it   \nwas unfortunate that their so called mole had died before he could give them any   \ninformation it was unsettling to think that one of the Guild's own members was a   \ntraitor.\n\n\"What of the disc. Have you retrieved it from the boy yet?\"\n\nSam nodded. \"Yes sir. Poor kid had no idea he even had it. He didn't take the   \nnews of Lang's death too well and right now he's worried someone will come after   \nhim.\"\n\nThe chief nodded. \"Right. I'll have security post two more guards near the   \nroom he's in. In the meantime have you taken time to get the disc   \ndeciphered?\"\n\n\"Not yet sir.\" said Kendra. \"Our techs don't really know what they're looking   \nat. They think it's similar to a bomb program like the ones rigged to large   \ncomputers for self destruct sequences.\"\n\n\"It's sophisticated.\" Sam added. \"Let's put it that way.\"\n\n\"You think we need a bomb expert for this?\" the chief asked.\n\nSam nodded. \"A bomb expert with computer knowledge.\"\n\nThe chief signed as he rubbed his temples. \"I think I have just the person   \nfor the job. I'll contact him first thing in the morning. In the meantime why   \ndon't you two get some rest? You've had a long day.\"\n\nSam and Kendra both stood up ready to leave.\n\n\"Thanks chief.\" they both said.\n\nThe two headed out to the hall and toward the elevator. Sam yawned as they   \nstepped in. He was starting to feel the fatigue from running around the city all   \nday. He wasn't old, but sometimes he sure felt like it.\n\n\"So now we get to play the waiting game.\" Kendra grumbled. \"Didn't we just do   \nthat?\"\n\nSam chuckled. \"This job isn't all action and adventure. Besides, we got shot   \nat once today. What more could you ask for?\"\n\n\"A car chase, a fist fight, and a six pack of beer to split with a close   \nbuddy to shoot the shit with.\"\n\n\"Well, I can't supply the first two, but we're off duty for the night and I   \nhappen to have a six pack back at my quarters. Ice cold.\"\n\nKendra grinned. \"Sounds good. I'll bring the pretzels.\"\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Devil Seed","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/245684-devil-seed-ch-15.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/943858-devil-seed-ch-17.json"}}