FSE

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Ch 9

A New Wind

The collie's reaction was less than optimal. As soon as her blindfold was removed, she went straight for Aeddan's throat.

"RAAAA" she screamed, lunging at Aeddan.

Luckily her legs were asleep and she didn't get very far. So instead she fell face first and ate dirt. It would have been rather comical if not for the current situation. As it was, it was more pathetic if anything. Aeddan helped her back in to a sitting position as she spat out dirt.

"Easy, we are not your enemy...or at least I hope we aren't. That would be unfortunate since we just rescued you from the bears" Aeddan said holding out the open end of his canteen to her.

She drank it readily, obviously not caring who he was or wither she should trust him or not. It was a little awkward since her paws were still bound with a heavy rope made from natural fibers.

Rope can actually be made from many substances. Cannabis, palm frond fibers, or even bark. In this case the rope was made from a mixture of elephant grass fibers and palm fronds. Very sturdy and nothing short of a serrated blade or flame was going to cut it. One reason the three were still tied was because of this. Another being Aeddan knew he couldn't trust anyone outside of his team, and he wasn't so sure about them either.

Having finished drinking, the collie took a long look at Aeddan. The kind that you get from a wild animal trying to size up if you're worth trying to eat. It unsettled Aeddan a little and made him think about things he had been putting off.

"How long has she been out here to get a look like that? How long have the other teams been in here?" Aeddan thought with a slight shiver knowing the answer with out wanting to think it.

"So...you're the new team huh? Was wondering when we would have to deal with you. Didn't think you would get to have us at a disadvantage" the collie said, interrupting Aeddan's thoughts.

"Frankly I didn't know how we were going to have to deal with you either. I was hoping it wouldn't have to be in conflict and we could come to an understanding. But it looks like someone got to you first huh" Aeddan replied, already knowing he spoke the truth.

"More than you know" was all the collie said before looking back at the other two.

"Here, why don't you free your friends" Aeddan said cutting the collie's bonds before handing her the knife, hilt first "and then come join us at the cave mouth. I'm sure we have things to discuss"

"You know I could kill you right now. One less to deal with" the collie said taking the knife.

"True, but I think it might be in your best interest to hear what we have to say first before you kill us in our sleep" Aeddan replied, standing smoothly before turning to go.

Soon both teams were sitting around a small fire at the cave mouth swapping information they had learned and tips they had picked up since before, and after they had been dropped unceremoniously in the training domes. The three surviving members of Jungle team gave their names willingly. The collie, named Sandra, spoke with a slight French accent and stood at roughly 5' 3". Her fur, once a beautiful shade of golden blonde, was now dirty and streaked with mud and leaves. It almost looked like it was purposeful, like camouflage. Her eyes were ice blue but looked like they had seen much blood shed and hardship. She, like Desert team and the remaining two from Jungle team wore what were once white t-shirts and forest green cargo pants.

Something about camouflage you should know. Camouflage use can be traced all the way back to the 4thcentury. It was originally used for scout ships in the Gallic Wars. Since then, camouflage has evolved to a point where radar and satellite cannot even detect objects or people using it. There are ships and jets even today that use both visual and technical camouflage to mask their presence from opposing forces.

The male gecko, who was named Gerald, was caked in mud. He spoke little, but his accent placed him somewhere in South America. His scales were originally a dark vibrant green. He stood at around 4' 11" or 5' 1". He varied between those heights as he bobbed his head a lot. Aeddan suspected he might also be a mixed species. His eyes were black, not a common occurrence in lizards. But they are in other reptiles...

The female falcon like the two before her, was covered in mud and leaves. But unlike the others, she didn't really need it as her feathers were already brown. At least as far as Aeddan could tell. She stood closer to around 6' 1". Her eyes, a piercing gold that seemed to reach deep in to you to analyze your inner most thoughts. Her name was Fiona. She sounded like she came from Canada.

"-And then you tie it in square knot. And that almost all ways holds in every situation except for the most extreme. There was one time Fredrico-" Fiona was explaining before she was cut off by Miia coming up the path.

"Aeddan, the bears are back..." Miia said hesitantly "they...they want to speak with you".

"Sandra, go with Johnny in to the cave. Johnny...make sure they are armed and I'm covered" Aeddan said picking up his rifle.

Aeddan headed down the slope to where the bears waited. There were three of them. Conrad, and two others. All three of them grizzlies. Try to imagine three large bears, standing on hind legs, at 3 meters in height; that's 9 ft. Now imagine Aeddan standing before them at a mere 6 ft... yeah. Did I mention they didn't look happy.

"You have items that belong to bears. You give back" Conrad demanded before Aeddan could even reach the bottom.

"Hello to you as well hunting comrade. I'm sure I don't know at all what you are talking about. Have you lost something? Because I would be more than happy-"

"YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE. BEARS NOT STUPID. YOU GIVE BACK NOW!" Conrad shouted, cutting off Aeddan.

"Rude...like I was saying. I would be happy to help you look for whatever it is you lost. But I can't do that unless you tell me-" Aeddan never finished because he was knocked backwards by a massive bear paw that knocked the wind from him.

Aeddan flew back up the path a good 5, maybe even 6, feet. Conrad never got another shot in. He himself flew sideways into one of the compound's walls, towards the forest from a massive clawed fist. That fist happened to be connected to Marcus. Aeddan still wonders to this day how he moved so fast across the compound. Before the other bears could move in as they were about to, an arrow landed at their feet. Everyone turned to look for the source, there was Miia knocking another arrow.

"ONE MORE STEP AND YOU DIE. WHO'S FIRST?" Miia shouted from the cave, making the other two bears back off.

"Aeddan? You ok?" Marcus asked, kneeling next to Aeddan.

"Ow...." Aeddan replied sitting up, gingerly rubbing his shoulder as he did so.

Truth be told, Aeddan was expecting a broken collar bone or something along those lines. But somehow he felt fine; other than the shoulder of course. But even that didn't feel as badly damaged as Aeddan thought.

"Aeddan, you ok? I heard you took a hit" Jamie said coming up behind Marcus with a field kit.

"I'm fine. Really, it's ok. Just really, really, really sore" Aeddan responded, trying to wave Jamie off.

Field kit is the military term for a medic's bag or case of medical equipment prepped for field use. It can hold anything from simple bandages and iodine swabs to pain killers and tourniquets. In this case the field kit held a detailed assortment of medical gear; even a glucose bag and IV tubing with needles.

"Getting smacked by someone a good 200 plus pounds on you does not result in fine. Marcus, help me with his shirt" Jamie told Marcus.

While Marcus helped remove Aeddan's shirt, Conrad was coming around.

"(Son of a bitch that hurt)" Conrad swore in Russian, cupping his head in his massive paws.

"Now Aeddan, this will hurt" Jamie told him, drawing out some injectable anesthesia with a syringe "just need to get in where he...hit...you?"

Jamie looked at Aeddan's arm where he should have been hit. The fur would obscure most untrained eyes, but Jamie had experience dealing with this kind of stuff. So she was a little confused when she couldn't find any abrasions, bruising, or swelling of any kind.

"Aeddan...are you sure he hit you and you didn't just land on this shoulder?" Jamie asked Aeddan, suddenly suspicious.

"Yeah, why? What's wrong? Is it worse than you thought?" Aeddan asked, suddenly worried he might have to lose his left arm.

"Well that's the thing. There's nothing wrong with your shoulder. In fact, your entire arm looks fine" Jamie replied, giving Aeddan a weird look like he was an impossibility that shouldn't exist.

"See? Totally fine. Now, can we get back to the matter at hand?" Aeddan said, getting up and rolling his shoulder.

"How you fine? Hit like that from bear would break bone" Conrad asked from the wall where he landed, also looking at Aeddan like he was an impossibility.

And it was true. By all accounts, Aeddan should have been in either critical condition or dead. When a grizzly bear swings its paws like that it's not meant to eviscerate or deal any kind of claw like damage. It's usually meant to daze or discourage a threat. Many a hiker or outdoorsman who has come in contact with a grizzly and been hit like that either dies or crawls away with several broken bones and even on rare occasions, internal bleeding. But somehow Aeddan was perfectly fine.

Can't worry about that now. Not at this moment. Time to push them a bit Aeddan thought, brushing himself off like he took hits like that all the time.

"I'm willing to overlook your aggressive actions if you would just tell me what is going on. If it's a matter of our current base camp, I am willing to have us move to a different location. Or is it a matter of food and supplies? I'm sure we could spare the rations now that we seem to-"

"Is not any of those things" Conrad said, abruptly cutting off Aeddan "is matter of dangerouse people captured by bears. They escape in middle of day today. Bears want them back for questions. Think they came here".

Aeddan looked up at the "sky" like he was thinking, knowing all too well who Conrad was talking about. He had no intention of giving them away knowing all too well what the bears would do. Aeddan had seen and met many others like Conrad and his bears. They were bullies, and Aeddan was just about fed up with them.

"I'm afraid I can't help you Conrad" Aeddan replied, addressing Conrad directly.

"Can not? Or Will not?" Conrad asked, glaring at Aeddan.

"Can't. Not because I don't want to, but because I have yet to see anyone else today. Other than Desert Team, yourself, and your bears" Aeddan said listing everyone on his paw before giving a little shrug.

"Well, if see them. Let bears know, no?" Conrad asked, finally standing up.

"Sure. If I meet anyone other than Desert team or your bears, I'll give you a holler"

"Bears thank you comrade...be careful. They grab high power guns before leaving" Conrad said before leaving the compound, his bear jackboots in tow.

"You know" Sandra said between bites "you handled that pretty well for a boot"

"Thank you?" Aeddan responded, not sure if Sandra was complimenting him or not.

It was now closer to evening, and both teams sat around two fires in the cave. Aeddan had decided that it would be best for everyone to move further in to the cave that afternoon. Mostly it was to keep up the charade that Desert team was fearful and therefore should be on the defensive. But Aeddan knew from reading tactical journals and military magazines that the bears were still around, watching. And Aeddan had no intention of tipping the hand he had until all the cards had been dealt out and played.

As the "sun" set behind them, casting a shadow across the compound, the jungle became eerily quiet. Like the silent shadow that fell on the compound was silencing the surrounding area. Nothing stirred in the jungle beyond. Not even the fake wind that was there to replicate a jungle breeze, moved.

"Was it always this quiet?" Aeddan asked, looking out at the jungle.

"No" Sandra responded, putting her finished ration down.

"What happened?" Marcus asked, wiping his mouth of the sticky mango juice that somehow managed to get past his careful eating habits.

"The bears and that, that...monstrosity happened" Sandra said "it used to be full of life out there. Birds in the trees, deer grazing, all kinds of animal life. And when I say all kinds, I mean all kinds. Since day one, when we were dropped here, we had to fight off lions, tigers, and an occasional panther. Stupid ones, they were in no way sentient like we are" Sandra added, catching site of Steven's glare.

"But what happened?" Aeddan asked, echoing Marcus.

"I'm getting to that" Sandra replied irately "each day we got better and better. Soon the local carnivores learned to leave us alone. We got so good in fact that one day, Salim came back from hunting with a dead tiger strapped to his back. We used to call him Psycho Salim after that" Sandra explained, fiddling with something under her shirt.

"After that, the dangerous beasts learned to steer well clear of us. And for a long while we had it peaceful. Then the bears showed up, followed by the monster" Sandra said, her voice slowly becoming a whisper.

"After the monster showed up, it became increasingly harder to hunt. Even the predators that usually stalked us had fled. Salim somehow got it in his stupid bovine head of his that it would be a good idea to hunt it down...I...I held him as he died in my arms" Sandra said, her voice cracking slightly as she buried her head in her arms, the story pouring out of her.

"And then...and then the bears came" Sandra continued, slightly muffled "they came like the night. Stealthy, mere shadows moving in the breeze. They slaughtered most of my team, and captured the rest of us" Sandra cried, tears held back now falling freely.

Aeddan didn't know why he did it, and he still puzzles over how it happened. Reaching out with one of his paws, he drew Sandra in to a strong but gentle hug. One that brought up an old memory of his mother cradling him in comfort so long ago. Sandra cried and cried, letting out all her feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and loss. And when she had nothing more to let out, she just stayed there, feeling safe in Aeddan's arms. Aeddan didn't realize he was rocking from side to side slightly whilst humming a tune that came with the dredged up memory of his mother. It was then that Aeddan realized Sandra had fallen asleep in his arms, her body exhausted after letting out all that was pent up inside her.

"Will she be alright?" Fiona asked in a hushed tone.

" She'll be fine. She just needs a good night's sleep, as I'm sure you and lizard boy here do too" Jamie whispers coming up from behind Aeddan "Marcus, help me move her"

"I'll do it. Besides, juggling her about might wake her" Aeddan replies, gathering Sandra in his arms before standing up himself.

"Are you sure? You did take a hit today, you remember that right?" Jamie asked, worry slightly showing on her face.

Aeddan nodded before heading to the back of the cave, past the rest of Desert team, with Jamie close behind.

"Be careful with her. Don't go and become a heart breaker" Jamie warned Aeddan once they were at the back of the cave.

Aeddan gave her a quizzical look like he was confused by this warning.

"Just some more free advice from your friendly team medic. And I'm not just talking about Sandra" Jamie whispered, nodding back at Miia at the second fire.

"I'll keep that mind" Aeddan whispered back, his face showing signs of worry as well now that he had to think about it.

As he turned to go, Aeddan felt a soft paw on his wrist. It was Sandra, looking at him, pleading him to stay with her.

"Please. I don't want to be alone right now" she whispered, like she feared what his answer would be.

Aeddan sighed and sat next to her, leaning his back against the cave wall. Sandra snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes. Soon her breathing became slow and deep like that of a person who was asleep. But Aeddan wasn't paying attention, for he had fallen asleep too...

The next morning, Aeddan awoke on his back, head pointing further into the cave, water dripping in his face. Somehow he had fallen over and ended up on his back. His breath making little fog clouds every time he breathed out. It was still early "morning" and it was raining again. The condensation from outside had gathered on the stalactites above him on the cave ceiling.

Aeddan groaned from laying on the hard cave floor all night. It was then he felt something warm move across his waist. Something soft and furry. It circled around his waist and pulled something else in, just as warm, soft, and furry, closer to him. Aeddan lifted his head and came face to face with Sandra. She was still asleep, and somehow cuddled up to him in the middle of the night.

Might explain how I ended up waking up on my back this morning Aeddan thought lowering his head to the cave floor so he now looked back up at the ceiling.

Aeddan heard a sigh to the right of Aeddan. He turned to look to find Jamie awake and looking at him. Her head propped up on her arm. She shook her head at him disapprovingly.

"I told you to be careful" Jamie whispered.

"I have no idea how this happened" Aeddan whispered back.

"You were a nice guy. Girls like her are used to bad boys. You should've been indifferent towards her" Jamie whispered venomously.

"Mmmmmnnn, (just five more minutes)" Sandra said in French, nuzzling Aeddan.

Jamie gave Aeddan a dirty look that spoke volumes of her disapproval. Aeddan shrugged at her in response. He had no idea what to do in this case. Mostly because he had never been in such a situation before. But being male, he also didn't see the problem...but it mostly had to do with the no experience factor.

"Just fix the issue" Jamie spat, still whispering as she got up.

"How?" Aeddan asked, try to not wake Sandra.

"Choose. You don't get chocolate and vanilla. Choose one, not both...that's how hearts are broken" Jamie replied, picking up her trench gun before heading to the cave mouth.

Aeddan looked down at Sandra one last time before leaning his head back.

"Choose huh? I don't even know how I feel" Aeddan whispered, think out loud.

"About what?" Sandra asks suddenly coming in to view over Aeddan.

She had a slightly mischievous smile like she had a secret she wanted to share but found it funny to withhold it from people if they asked. It didn't help Aeddan any that she was almost nose to nose with him. Her musky, earthy scent filling his nose. And those eyes of her's were deep and clear, no longer fogged over with hurt and loss. She seemed like a completely different person than she was last night.

"Aeddan? What choice do you have to make?" Sandra asked him again.

"Uhhh, well. The thing is, how do I put this? You see, I mean...well there's...crap, this is hard" Aeddan said stumbling over what to say.

Sandra placed a finger over his lips, silencing him.

"would it help if I took a guess at it?" Sandra asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"If...if you want to?" Aeddan said, not knowing what to say.

"Let's see" Sandra said drumming her fingers on the cave floor.

Aeddan looked past her to the cave mouth where Jamie stood with Franky the ram. They were discussing something in hushed tones. Aeddan could only assume she was giving out therapeutic advice to him for some reason or other.

"If I was to take a guess" Sandra said interrupting Aeddan's observations "there is another female here. You have a budding relationship with her, but you have no idea how you feel right now"

"Uh..."

"And it's not the oh so fair wolfess over there with the ram who is clearly not straight at all by the way, and the only one who would seem innocent enough is the lioness on guarding your mechanic right now" Sandra continued as she analysed the potential females.

"Well-"

"And I can assume you two have slept together once already by the way she looks at you. But you didn't have sex, otherwise she would have been sitting with you at the fire last night instead of Fiona or Gerald. So I can only guess that you are currently torn between two choices: start ignoring me as a potential and go after the lioness. Or, keep it professional with the lioness and-"

Sandra paused and leaned in to Aeddan, kissing him hard. Her tongue, reaching in to his mouth to caress the inside of his mouth. Aeddan found himself pulling her tighter against him, one paw on her rump and the other the back of her head, continuing to deepen the kiss. He felt his own tongue slip past her's and in to her mouth, savoring the way she tasted. They held the kiss, exploring each other's mouths with their tongues until Sandra pulled away slightly. She breathed hard like she was out of breath from running a long time.

"Wow..." Aeddan said similarly out of breath.

"I think you just made your choice" Sandra said, her smirk turning into a full grin.

"Yeah...now the hard part" Aeddan replied.

"You've never had to turn a girl down have you?" Sandra said as if she already knew the answer.

"Does telling them to do their own homework count?" Aeddan asked, rolling his eyes slightly.

"Well, how about a kiss for luck then?" Sandra asked, her mischievous smile returning.

"I'm sure that would help so-"

Aeddan never finished before Sandra was on him again, pulling him close. Their kiss lasting just a bit shorter this time, but still just as fierce. They were both still out of breath when they were done. Sandra rolled off him promptly after, kissing him on the forehead before standing and walking to the cave mouth.

"Shit, this is going to suck so hard" Aeddan said to himself, standing up himself.

Aeddan made his way down the path, adjusting the shoulder strap on his rifle as he did so. It was surprisingly cool this morning for a jungle. Usually when rain falls in the jungle it's warm, not cold. His breath made little puffs of fog every time he breathed out. It curled in wisps and swirls, like it had a force of will all its own. Aeddan marveled at the thought of that.

Heh, maybe I did take a bit of a blow yesterday Aeddan thought making his way across the compound through the rain to the armored car.

Johnny was there like he was yesterday, and the day before. His skinny butt sticking slightly skyward as he worked on some part inside the engine compartment. And so was Miia, her hay blonde fur glowing a little in the new day light after a morning bath in the pool.

The pool, which had been tainted with blood and a dead body, had been cleaned out in the past few days since they had settled in. it was now clean and crystal clear, and Aeddan had made the decision to make bathing mandatory...no matter how bad the smell of wet fur was.

Aeddan shuffled from foot to foot awkwardly, trying to think of a way to break the news to her. Before he could finalize his thoughts however, she noticed him and smiled.

"Hey Aedd-I mean, good morning Captain. How are you today?" Miia asked, trotting over to him, a slight bounce in her step. Her breasts moved more freely now and Aeddan had a hard time keeping his mind off them. He wondered if she was even wearing a bra today...

"Captain?" Miia asked, giving Aeddan a weird look like there was something wrong.

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine, everything's fine, we're all fine, uh...how are you?" Aeddan asked, snapping out of his line of thought.

"Could be better. I could be doing something else other than assist Johnny here with this grease trap of a junker" Miia replied, a bit of venom in her tone.

"That's Sargent McLaren to you Miia, now hand me the 7/16th will you?" Johnny said, holding out his paw without even looking.

Miia sighed in exasperation before heading over to a recently uncovered tool kit. After handing Johnny the tool she returned to Aeddan.

"Look Miia, we need to talk. I think-"

"ROOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRR"

"OH COME ON!" Aeddan exclaimed.

Hey there readers, it's me! Yaaaaaaaaay. I finally got a new chapter done. I know it may be slightly shorter than the last ones, but give me a break. It's been like what? A year plus? I've been busy with work and school. Finding time between them and living with my parents still, has put a damper on the time I could be writing. Yes, I still live with my parents *rolls eyes*. But I still got this chapter cranked out right? right...? So I bet you have some concerns over Aeddan's decisions in this chapter. Rest assured it's in the best interest of creating more...drama? Let's also try to remember Aeddan has no experience with girls and is still very much learning how to cope with these new emotions he suddenly has. What's that? How did he survive getting critically injured by Conrad without even a scratch? I can't tell you that. That would ruin the story...Well you will just have to wait now won't you. Anyways, here's hoping you all liked this one...and here's hoping I can get another one out sooner than this one. Otherwise this is going to be a looooong ride. Keep those paws moving everyone, and until next time Ciao. ©