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In order for Danny to understand what we are going through she is going to have to hear it all. Where we come from and how we got to where we are now. We stoke the fire at the center of camp and make a meal of it while I tell her of our world as we know it now.
“The Savage Wilds are a conservation group, spread out all across the countries from Nova Scotia through Brazil with some outfits in Europa and Asia Major. Our goal is to protect the Were people from worldwide discovery and exploitation.” I look to Danny who seems a little lost. “How is your Continental History?”
“I know that we started fightin' with United Eastern and Southern States in twenty three over some of the Madam President's policies, and succeeded in twenty eight. Nothin' much more than that.”
“Then you don't know the nature of those policies?”
She shakes her head at me, while eating a leg of bison. Her manners are something to be desired, but she will remember how to act eventually, unless this is her normal. Which may very well be the case.
“I thought so, seems those here in the west have chosen not to teach what the problem was, instead they teach of Gods and Monsters. Letting children watch the horror tripe that flows in from the other parts of the lands. Before the Civil War began there were others, Normals as we call the Nonweres. Who saw the needs we had and who had been working to aid us since our discovery at the beginning of the Twenty-First Century. We had been hiding all that time in plain sight, but once word broke of us, we needed protection, like so many misunderstood cultures. Those people helped to set up nature reserves. What used to be called National Parks. Places where those who wanted to stay away from society and those needing to be reintroduced slowly could be safe and not worry about accidentally turning Normals or maiming them in any way.”
“When numbers were larger, military institutions worldwide wanted us. But when they were unable to control us, such as people are unable to be controlled, they left us to fend for ourselves. No aide, no reintroduction into society. Swept under the proverbial rug. When President Allonsey lifted the rug and received the documents that told of our existence, she wanted us to register ourselves like dogs. So that they could get a count of how many of us there were. Most of us had been working and fighting in her military for years, some in the open others in secret. She went power hungry and demanded our numbers and we rebelled with the aid of the Normals who tried to help protect us. Weres and the Nonwere animals were hunted during the war years, some to the brink of extinction in the western countries. So many of us were battle weary and lost. It's us Wilds that have continued to try to keep the rest of us safe.”
“But why don't we already know all of this? What happened to the people back then, my grandparents? My parents, why didn't they tell us kids?” Danny asks of me and the group. She has tears standing in her eyes as she kicks at the ground...
“I think, when the countries split much of the history was lost. Only those of us who are alive now, remember and try to pass it all along.” I put a hand on her shoulder and she let it rest there, not pulling back as she had when I had tried as we sat. That's nothing short of progress.
“So I've had my tear jerker history lesson. Tell me about these wolves and all this Alpha, Beta, Subordinate shit. Cuz I'm gettin' restless here already.”
I take a deep breath. She is crass, and somewhat rude, but I am beginning to understand that this is her way. She is used to doing things at her own pace which is react then think. I am beginning to wonder if any of this is a good idea, but I continue so she might understand better.
“The Alpha, Beta, Subordinate roles are how the wolves and the coyotes align for leadership. Alphas are the top; there is one male and one female. They run the pack. Then there are the Betas, usually adult males. They are like the right hand of the Alphas, making sure that the pair’s wishes are granted and the pack stays in line. Subordinates whose sex can be either are younger, often adolescent, who help to rear the children of the Alphas. Alphas in a Nonwere society are the only ones who mate. In our society the rules are a little different depending on the pack. Sometimes a dispute will happen and a Beta will challenge the Alpha resulting in an ousting or death if they lose. We think that this is where these two causing us so much distress came from. They hunt the mountains like a well-trained pack, and from what Kale and Orion have seen, they take refuge in one of the neutral towns. That's our big problem. The Neutral towns are exactly that. Neutral. Weres are not allowed to accuse or turn within city limits. By agreeing to that they are allowed refuge to roam freely, unless they break human law. Most lones reside there and they tend to look out for each other. But an Alpha such as you Danny, with your Bounty Hunter training, you could go into that town and pull them out with Human Laws behind you which they would have to abide by or be subject to breaking their oaths. None of us can do that, because we are known to the Neutral Townships. We needed an outsider, and you my dear are simply perfect.”
“Uh, huh.” She shakes her head with a slighted laugh. “So I'm supposed to just waltz on into this township and what, grab ‘em by the collars and drag them out here for you to do what to them? If they've got bounties I'm all in, I could use the cash and the stretch of my human legs, but I'm not just handin' them over for nothin'. What did they do?”
“Would murder and rape be enough fuel for you?” A voice comes from over the fire and Danny looks up as we all do. It is Jason Wickett. The eldest brother of the Wickett Coyotes.
“Welcome Jason. It has been many moons since you joined us at the fireside.”
The others agree it has been far too long since they have lain eyes on him. He approaches the fire with his arms pressed into his chest as he bows at me and Danny.
“I am Jason Wickett and I am honored to meet you, Danny Johnston. We have heard of your reputation as a righter of wrongs and we have a wrong that must be righted. Our beloved sister Maria was taken from us, by those two wolves. We found hair and blood but no body. We know that it was them from the smell. But we are not lawmen, we want retribution. If you bring them here we will exact our justice each upon them. Please understand. She was our only baby sister. We can get you whatever you need to do the job, but we ask that you bring at least one of them back alive.”
“I think I can do that.” Danny answers patting Jason on the shoulder. “I'll need two guns, bullets, a huntin' knife, and some clothes that will fit me more like I'm used to. If you have a needle and thread I can even work that part out myself.”