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Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 73: A Bunch Of Misfits Living In A World On Fire (Rising Part V)

Day 179 (Continued)

“Lady Keiko!! You are alive!!" I screamed running toward the female gorilla. She removed two jagged swords from sheaths she worn on her back placing them on either side of the terrified lizard.

“Alex wait!" My bear knight called out to me.

Despite the warning I ran to hug that female warrior. She hadn't changed- she was still as tall as my bear with brown fur and a serious gaze, but the blue knight uniform with grey plating on the wrists, shoulders and torso was missing. In its place was a two piece black leather outfit.

I was surprised that she did not reciprocate. She looked at me, then the badger, then bear, gecko and turtle I was with.

“You are Alex Winter." She said gently.

“Yes." I said hugging her more. “I am so relieved your survived Commander! I have made several trips to World Four and not seeing you or your forces, I feared the worst!"

“So it is true. Listen, I am not whom you seek." She said to me softly.

“What are you talking about?" I said looking up from my unreciprocated hug.

“I am not Keiko. I am her sister Kala."

“WHA???"

“She did speak of you though. A homely, freckled blond haired operative from the Knights of Wundagore who helped her put down a trader within her command."

“So she said good things about me?" I said fishing for compliments.

“Only that she tolerated you, despite the fact you were over eager to meet her and gushed when you did."

“That's Commander Keiko." The badger warrior behind me said.

“You look so much like her!" I gasped.

“We are twins, but I haven't spoken to her since before the fall. I had feared for her and my niece. From what you have said, it seems I was right. If you would excuse me for a moment." She said gently brushing me aside.

“Yes, sure." I said as she picked up her swords.

“Junior Knight Ignatius you have failed this city!!!" The gorilla said berating Iggy.

“That is not fair! We are all that is left!" The terrified lizard squealed gesturing to the gecko and turtle.

“What about Commander Gator?" The female gorilla asked.

“He has been dead for six months!" came the response.

“You did a piss poor job succeeding him." Kala said staring down the lizard.

“With what? We can't maintain order with just the three of us and minimal resources!" Iggy said as the female gorilla stood over him.

“So that is was why you turned me over to that gang the last time I was here- to save your hide! COWARD!" I hissed. “If Chemar were here he would be utterly disappointed in you."

“Well we are here now." My fierce ursine warrior volunteered.

“As am I." The badger said as well.

“A knight of Wundagore and a knight of Sovereign. That brings the total to five against everything else that is out there." Iggy said sarcastically.

“Well I am retiring while I still can." The gecko said picking up his spear. “The city is finished."

“Ceil?" The turtle said.

“Faust it is open season on our kind out there if you haven't noticed." The gecko said.

“We almost died. Yeah, I kinda did." Faust said sarcastically.

“The knight core ended six months ago. Trying to defend the city and those who are left is just cavorting with a fantasy." The lizard said.

“So what you are saying is that you are giving up? Abandoning those of us who are left?" Kala said.

“Lady there is no empire. That also ended months ago." The lizard said dejected as the she gorilla grumbled.

“My sister if she were here now would not let it stand." The she beast said.

“So your sister was the Commander of the Knights of Sogreth? I have some advice for you, if you haven't heard from her by now she is most likely like my the rest of my colleagues- dead." Izzy said shielding his face afraid the gorilla would knock him into next week for his disrespectful comment.

“Blond haired boy- you appear to be some sort of healer, I believe you have patients." Kala said to me.

“Right. Ceil, Faust let's get you two checked out." I said to them. “Kala I could use a assistant." I said to the she beast. “Besides I think Iggy has some catching up to do with Lady Ursa and Lady Barq.

The female gorilla agreed to help me assess my newest patients.

“Alright we need a staging area. Preferably with a exam table." I said looking around the base station. That was explaining it lightly, there was debris everywhere.

“How about a desk?" Faust asked.

“That will do. Ceil hop up and remove your clothing. I need to do a assessment."

“Wha?!"

“You and Faust were attacked by those light things." I said gauging his reaction.

“Light people." Ceil said correcting me.

“Whatever, they were- you took two direct attacks from beings that seemingly melted two bystanders." I countered. “You could have internal injuries."

The gecko realized I was right and compiled passing his uniform and spear to Kala. I performed a detailed assessment of the warrior.

“Well?" He asked me nervously.

“I found some minor burns, no internal damage- but you have a rash on your posterior."

“Alex Winter, why are you and those female knights here?" The female gorilla asked staring me down.

(Wow, that is direct!)

“To offer my assistance- there is a epidemic spreading across what is left of the former empire and Ceil you have been afflicted."

“Is it deadly?"

“No, but it will cause you to itch and scratch and eventually go mad from all the itching. I said to the gecko.

“Hey, I have one too. We thought it was from the red sunlight." The turtle said.

“And I too boy." Kala added.

“We have developed a treatment I would like to administer it to those who are willing." I said. "I can also treat those burns as well."

I then performed a quick assessment on my two other patients. Faust had similar burns from his run in with the creatures and the same rash on his neck and back.

When Kala disrobed I observed that the she beast had a nice looking rack. Ceil called her breasts a side set, nicely rounded and shaped. I could only assume that Lady Keiko probably looked like this too. But seeing a rash that spread from her belly to her neck including her abdomen on her twin brought me back to reality.

“The itch has become disturbingly irritating." She said quietly.

I took a cylinder of ointment and a cloth from the med kit and gently started dabbing the rash on Ceil's backside, then moved to Faust's neck and back and then finally Kala.

“I can take it from here boy. Thank you."

“Actually you are doing it wrong ma'am use circular motions like this." I said rubbing her belly and then her neck and then finally her breasts.

“You have a gentle touch healer. You have done this before haven't you?" The gorilla female said making an awkward moment well, more awkward.

(Hey, I was touching her chest and enjoying it so of course she was going to retaliate!)

“Um, apply the ointment twice a day until the rash is gone." I said turning beet red.

“So how did this start exactly?" Ceil asked me.

“The epidemic was originated by that which brought an end to civilization." I said to my patients. “It is using this affliction to increase its forces and therefore its power."

“So it is doing this to prey on those who will be looking for a cure." Kala said.

“Exactly right."

“You have the means to treat those who are suffering." Faust said.

“And you realized that helping the afflicted is the only way to keep it in check." The gorilla female said raising her arms as I massaged her chest.

“Yes. We must do anything and everything we can to push back the darkness. That is why the knights and I are here."

Kala's breasts were a little bigger than my perfect person's but much smaller than my devious person's but still great to look at and touch Her nipples were petite and the brown areola rings matched her fur color. Sometimes it is great to be a healer.

“Fight back the darkness huh? I have been thinking about that a lot as well. There are those in this city who are also in need will you bring your treatment to them?" Kala asked.

“I suppose if we can do so in a safe manner." I said.

“That will be hard to do." Faust said.

“This appears to be working, thank you. I have more who are in need of your treatment for this itching affliction." The gorilla female said reclothing. “They are at the oasis."

That was around the time Lady Ursa and Lady Barq entered my staging area with Izzy following them.

“Kala, what is this oasis?" Lady Ursa asked.

“The only portion of the city that was undamaged during the fall."

“It is the only spot in the city that is still standing." I said remembering my time visiting with Mitsa and Lune there. “Izzy, let's get a look at you."

The lizard did not have a single blemish on his body. Most likely because he was in hiding and not on the front lines with his forces.

“Medic can you meet me there in a hour?" Kala gave Izzy, Faust and Ceil a very stern look before running out of the building and back into the street.

“I think she is up to something." Ceil said to Faust.

“What do you think?" The huge badger asked the bear.

“Unlike her sister, she seems even tempered." The bear responded.

“No. Should we accept her invitation?" Lady Barq said thoughtfully.

“We know this city is a battleground for various factions trying to take control, that is a given. But we are also here to help." I said to my companions.

“Even so we could be walking into a ambush." Lady Ursa said.

The three of us carefully observed the street in front of the knight's base station. It was clear. We quickly ran towards the prototypes and took off leaving Izzy, Ceil and Faust at their base station.

“So Alex, do we know where this oasis is?" The badger asked me.

“Yes ma'am it was our original destination before we diverted to save those knights." I said pulling up the copilot monitor and keyboard. “Overwatch keep the halo-projector engaged."

*Affirmative Mr. Winter.*

THREE HOURS AGO....

It took us the better part of the hour to make it to that lone city block that had survived the tornadic outbreak six months ago. We passed by more and more scenes of ruin, bodies of the deceased, dilapidated buildings strange creatures roaming around, Others, rejects lurking around corners for offerings they can give to the entity. All oblivious to two hover vehicles disguised as tumbleweeds rolling by.

*We are here again Mr. Winter.*

“Yes we are." I said looking at the image from the front mounted camera.

“See anything pet?"

“No activity." I responded.

“Let's be sure." Lady Ursa said combing through the weapons menu. She selected a target across the street a iron beam rising from the a pile of rubble and pressed the first button in the column of buttons and then the first toggle switch on the weapons console.

*Side-pod engaged.*

*Micro probe deployed.*

I pulled up the image.

“No activity in the bakery. But the structure next to it- infrared is showing life signs." I said.

“This appears to be the meeting place. But is it a trap?" My mistress' rival asked.

“Let's pull around the rear and find out." My ursine said.

The alley around the building hadn't changed, it was cleaner than the surrounding area. As we parked, I noticed a white pickup truck at the alley's end. The same one Oliver Justice and Theresa Branch were driving when Corbin and I first met them in World Three. Most likely useless because of the red sunlight that was still shining down on the city and areas controlled by the synoptic.

“This is the place mistress."

“Then that is the door." My bear said as she exited the blue coupe her sword drawn.

Lady Barq followed assessing the surroundings. “We are being watched."

The two female warriors knocked on the door of the bakery. Receiving no answer they then went to the structure next door a white single level rectangular building with a lone entrance from the alley.

“If we are being watched should we bother knocking?" I asked my comrades.

The badger took the initiative she slid open the door just in time to see a male Dalmatian go sailing right by us to land on the ground in the alley face first.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

*OOF*

“And that is how you throw your opponent.... very far." Kala said addressing a small audience of five. “I see you three made it. Please come inside."

“Wow." I said entering. The inside of the structure was a large open room with plenty of mats on the floor. It reminded me of a gym. There were also upper windows near the ceiling, with a platform around the perimeter where one could see outside into the front, side or rear of the building.

Kala went to fetch her student.

“Lune can you continue?" The gorilla asked the canine extending her black paw.

“I think so." He said accepting.

“Good. He-yah!"

“GAH!!!" The Dalmatian said covering his privates.

“I see why you love him Mitsa." Kala said to a female Dalmatian holding a newborn.

“He is simple, but lovable and after this session probably sterile." His mate replied.

“Remember when it comes to one on one combat look for a advantage fight dirty if you have to." Lady Keiko's twin advised.

“This is a gym." My bear said looking around. “Kala has been teaching self defense."

Her students I had met previously.

“Nice place you have here." Lady Barq said walking around.

“Theresa, Oliver!" I said greeting the wildlife researchers.

“Alex!" The responded in unison.

“Lune! Mitsa you had your cub!" I said running over to check out the youngling. Quite a happy puppy despite what he was born in to. He had black ears, a black nose and black dots all over his small canid form.

“His name is Luck." Mitsa said to me.

“So you know these four?" Kala said.

“Yeah we were prisoners of The Horde the last time I was here." I said smiling. “That was before we escaped."

“Well they are the ones I spoke to you about." The she gorilla said to me.

I ended up using what furniture I could find to construct a mini infirmary. Using my mistress and her rival as my assistants, I started with the Dalmatian family first.

“Well?" Mitsa asked asked as I finished assessing her.

“You are not getting enough to eat and are fatigued." I said to her.

“But given your living conditions in this city, it is understandable." The badger said.

“However, Luck is adorably cute and healthy." I said spinning it.

“Yes, unfortunately he was born into all of this. Had I known that the world would collapse, Lune and I would not have mated."

“Yeah about Lune..." My bear knight said as we watch him scratch his backside incessantly.

My next patient was a redhead in a tan jacket. He was joined by a redhead female in long grey jacket. They didn't mind being examined together.

“So you appear to be well Mr. Winter." Oliver said.

“Well long time no see Alex!" Theresa added. “How have you been?"

“After many trials and tribulations later, my colony is stable and thriving."

“So much now they are in the position to start helping everyone else." Kala said.

“Lune, Theresa and Oliver you have been afflicted." I announced. “But not to worry apply this ointment to your rashes twice a day until they are gone."

No sooner had I said that, the male Dalmatian grabbed the ointment cylinder first dropped his pants and started rubbing his rump much to everyone's embarrassment.

“So Kala what is this?" Lady Barq asked as I helped Oliver apply the ointment to his body while my bear did the same with Theresa who was scratching her neck and arms.

“This building was supposed to become a bed and breakfast but never got the chance. Now it is our dormitory where we live and train."

“Train for what?" My bear knight asked. “What is here appears to be more than just simple self defense."

The Dalmatians, the wildlife researchers all went silent and looked toward Lady Keiko's sister.

“They are vigilantes Ursa. She is planning on picking up where the Knights of Warwick failed." The badger warrior said.

“Kala, your sister would be proud." My perfect person said.

“Two humans, three Dalmatians and a gorilla?" I asked.

“Not exactly, there is another." Theresa said cryptically.

“There is one more here?" The badger warrior said.

“Yes." A mysterious disembodied voice said.

“Nezera needs to be treated as well." Kala said.

“The rash appeared this morning." The voice said.

“Well our guests are here to treat the afflicted." The female gorilla said.

“Yes, I have been listening." The voice said. “So this is an epidemic."

“It is making its way around what was left of civilization." My bear responded.

“The entity is the source and will offer relief for a price." I said to the disembodied voice.

“And you have a cure and our helping the afflicted?"

“We are and we would like to help you too if you will let us." I responded.

There was a pregnant pause as the last of Kala's vigilantes thought about our offer.

“How effective is it?" Nezera asked.

“I treated Kala earlier." I said cheerfully.

“That's right. The itching stopped almost immediately." The she gorilla said.

“Nezera without treatment the rash is only going to get worse and the itch is going to drive you mad." Mitsa warned.

(Wow, she is shy.)

“I am going to leave you with a couple day's supply of ointment in case of further flare ups." I said. “So don't worry."

There was silence again as the sixth member of Kala's group thought about receiving treatment.

“Nezera there is nothing to be afraid of." I said trying to coax out the shy patient. "Why are you being so shy?"

“I have some history with you." The voice said.

“You do?" I asked curiously.

“Nezera do you want to get better or not?" Oliver said his voice slightly agitated.

Apparently his words were very convincing because the last member of this group appeared right before Ursa, Barq and myself. It was a reality shock of untold proportions.

A pretty female bat, grey fur, hook nose, long ears, white eyes with sharp fangs seemingly materialized in front of us as if she were wearing some type of invisibility cloak and had removed it.

“YOU!!!" I hissed dropping my med kit falling backward onto my butt.

“Pet?" Lady Ursa asked drawing her sword.

“Mistress it is her!!!!" I said aiming the spear point on my grappling hook right at the bat.

“Her who?" Lady Barq asked said sensing my disposition had turned sour.

“The one I told you about. The vampire bat that tried to kill Shakara!" I shouted.

“Kill is such a harsh term." Nezera said. “I was just going to drink her blood."

“Until she was dry!" I said pointing the tip of my hook.

“Alex, Ursa, Barq please stand down!" The gorilla female shouted.

“You were hiding this thing Kala?" I said looking at her.

“She is our secret weapon." Theresa said

“Your secret weapon tried to off someone I love- someone who is precious to me!" I shouted.

“The depressed lioness with the big tatas." Nezera said. “She had been taken by The Horde passed around and none of them wanted her for anything."

“So you took her from them for yourself." Lady Barq said grabbing her spiked mace.

“She was extremely despondent when I obtained her, I offered her comfort in exchange for her life."

“That is it!" I shouted firing.

*THOK!!*

The spear of my grappling hook launched from its holder on my arm missing the she bat by six feet striking the wall. When I pressed the button to retract the tip- I was pulled off of the floor and into the wall face first.

*OOF*

“My someone is a bad shot." The she bat said.

“ENOUGH!" Kala shouted. She marched over forcing Ursa and Barq to lower their weapons while pulling me off of the wall- face first. “You are a healer are you not?"

“Yes." I responded as I was picked up by the scruff of the neck.

“Well there is your patient!"

“I promise I won't bite medic." Nezera said feigning docility.

“Very well, I will treat you but I don't have to like it."

“My so quick to judge, I must eat to survive it is no different than you, the bear, the badger, the gorilla or Dalmatians." Nezera said as I performed my assessment.

“Wrong, I clean up after myself and my food isn't sentient."

“I just like placing my refuse all in one spot instead of throwing it out into the street."

I discovered that the pretty vampire bat had developed the rash on her wings. Reluctantly, I decided to treat her.

“That is wonderful!! You have made a friend here today." She said as I applied the ointment.

“Interesting. When we last met you said that we were enemies." I said to her. “Anyway my orders are the same Nezera."

“Twice a day until it is gone." She said as I studied her. “Something else boy?"

“How did you wind up on this team?" I asked the vampire bat, but Kala responded.

“I was fighting off some undesirables one evening. Nezera chanced upon the battle and I made her an offer she couldn't refuse." The gorilla said.

“It is ok Alex." Theresa said placing her hand on the she bat's shoulder. “She is a colleague, friend and valuable member of our group."

“And she promised that she would not feed off of any of us." Lune said.

“Unless I am very desperate." The she bat said showing her petite fangs.

(Wow, another Midnight Black.)

“So what is this the purpose of this team?" The badger asked the gorilla.

“We found my sister." Ms. Branch said. “She is alive and is prisoner of The Circle."

“The what now?" I interjected.

“It is another neo radical group trying to take over the city." Oliver interjected.

“They are smaller than the group that abducted us, but just as dangerous." Mitsa said.

“Since the knight core is powerless...." Nezera started to say.

“You have been planning to rescue her yourselves." Lady Ursa said. “Hence the constant preparation and training."

“Exactly." Kala said. “My group is small but efficient but there is always room for more. Are you three interested?"

“Well if it is to help some friends..." I started to say.

“How did you find Theresa's sister?" The bear asked the gorilla.

“Where is she being kept?" The badger piling on.

NOW.....

“Okay weapons at the ready everyone." Mitsa announced handing Luck to Lune.

“Why are you leaving me behind dear?" He protested.

“Lune I love you dearly, but you would screw up a free lunch." His mate said gently berating him.

*cough* “And the most likely to die in these types of situations." *cough*

“Who said that?!" Mitsa's mate asked looking around before the female Dalmatian closed the dome to the silver coupe sealing him in.

“Do not worry Mitsa your son and mate are in the safest place they could possibly be." Lady Barq said.

“Right." The female canine said picking up a two by four with several nails at the tip.

“Kala are you absolutely sure this is the right location?" I asked the gorilla beastial.

This dilapidated structure was nowhere nice as a hotel. It was a white two story structure that had been split in half right down the middle the entrances to the rooms that were intact were accessible from the outside not an interior hallway or corridor- not really defensible. On Gaia, this pile of yuck would be called a motel.

“Alright stick to the plan." She said brushing off the question. “Move hard and fast, clear a room move on to the next.

“Right, nobody dies." Oliver said.

“I can't say the same about those who would oppose us." The vampire bat said.

I gave her a curious glance.

“Ready let's do this." Lady Barq said her spiked mace at her side.

“Agreed." My mistress said drawing her sword.

“I do get to eat anything I find right?" Nezera said looking around to uneasy stares from her companions. “My aren't we a motley crew?"

“Many coming together for a single cause, to take back this city." Lune said to the vampire bat. “Alex!"

*Side-pods engaged.*

*Tractor hooks engaged*

I lined up the cross-hair on a wooden door to one of the superior rooms on the upper floor and pressed the left toggle switch on the weapons console.

THOK!!! The tractor hooks had made contact.

“Very well, let's bring it!" I shouted powering on the prototype and throwing it into reverse. The wooden door came flying off of the hinges. That was the vigilantes' cue.

Lune, myself, Wheels and Overwatch watched as my mistress with her sword, Lady Barq with her spiked mace, Oliver with his makeshift club, Theresa with her pitchfork, Mitsa with her spiked two by four, Kala with her swords and Nezera with her bloodthirst rushed the building each choosing a room. If it was empty they would move on to the next.

“Wheels take control of the silver prototype secure our immediate surroundings."

*Acknowledged Mr. Winter.*

I watched as the silver coupe powered on and pulled away with its Dalmation riders strapped in.

“Don't I have a say in this?!" Lune shouted from the passenger seat as the puppy behind the steering wheel giggled.

“And keep Lune and his son safe." I added. “Overwatch pull up the micro probes attached to Lady Ursa and Lady Barq."

*As you wish Mr. Winter.*

Half of the former hotel had been destroyed. Kala and her vigilantes searched through what was left. It didn't take long before they encountered members of The Circle.

“Hey! Who the hell are you?! GAH!!"

“What the!!! AUGH!!"

*We should prepare Mr. Winter.* The automated assistant announced.

“Right." I said scanning the weapons menu. “It was brilliant to incorporate organic weapons into prototype."

*It was only logical, there was no way to restock the physical weaponry once it was exhausted.*

“Yeah what was that stuff Lady Barq used on me? Oh here it is."

*Glue grenade engaged.*

No sooner had I made my weapon's selection Mitsa, Oliver and Theresa carried out their first prisoner. A oryx wearing a tan robe. Its face was covered by a veil displaying the letter X.

Seeing that I pressed the left toggle switch on the weapons console.

*SPLUT*

“Hey!!" He shouted as he was covered in white grey viscous material.

Nezera tossed out the second prisoner a sheep who was wearing clothing identical to the oryx.

*SPLUT*

“AWK!!!" He shouted.

I did the same to him.

“Kala all clear." I heard Oliver say to Lady Keiko's sister.

“What a dump." Mitsa said. “Did anyone find the target?"

“No. My sister is not here. How could our info be so wrong?" Ms. Branch said dejected.

“It was not all bad. They were keeping prisoners." Kala said.

“How many?" My ursine warrior asked.

“Just one." The badger said. “Oh my!"

“Barq?" My brown bear asked her friend and rival.

“Barq?" Lady Ursa asked again.

“It is Sura, they had Sura! She has been abused." Lady Barq announced.

Alex Winter July 6th, YOE 34