The Lure of the Pack Read online

  Yes she thought, the war still continues.

  “Herr Untersturmfuhrer Kreutz?” Gone were the pleasantries, the smile and the laughter. Otto Von Kurst now had death written all over his face.

  “My Fuhrer, the final targets to complete Phase Four have been successfully reconnoitred. We are ready!”

  “Excellent, inform all Scharfuhrers to make no further moves until Saturday.”

  “Of course, my Fuhrer.”

  “Now, I require an update on the reconnaissance for Phase Five’s targets.”

  “The Scharfuhrers involved with recon for Phase Five have all reported in. Again, suitable targets have been acquired and confirmed. Another fifty detonations will take place on Sunday, as already planned my Fuhrer.”

  Just for a few seconds Otto Von Kurst fell silent, his face radiating evil, his tongue licking his lips as if the wolf inside was calling to him, baying for blood.

  “My Fuhrer?” Jochen Kreutz’s voice cut through the airwaves, he sounded concerned.

  “My apologies Kreutz, yes…I am still here. This is excellent news, again, tell the Scharfuhrers to pass my thanks and congratulations to our grenadiers.”

  “I will indeed, my Fuhrer.” Jochen Kreutz sounded elated. As always, he was proud to be serving his leader, proud to be a central, key figure in the New Totenkopf’s battle plans.

  “Now,” Von Kurst continued, his voice low and penetrating, “take note Herr Untersturmfuhrer, as of Thursday evening I will not be available for contact for at least one week. You must monitor all events yourself. Use your common sense Kreutz; keep in close contact with all Scharfuhrers during this coming weekend. After Phase Five has taken place on Sunday, recall the grenadiers to Camelot…all of them, do you understand?”

  He did understand, for Jochen Kreutz knew if his beloved leader was not contactable for some time, then there was only one explanation! “Of course, my Fuhrer.”

  “Good, I will return to Camelot at the end of next week. Remember Kreutz, do not fail me; the skills of our grenadiers will be required soon enough at Feldtberg Castle!” There was no reply as Von Kurst finished his important conversation and placed the mobile phone back on his desk. He got up, walked over to Helga and stood behind her. He breathed deeply for a moment, savouring her female essence then leaned over, randomly trailing passionate kisses down the side of his lover’s neck. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Suffer, the little children,” whispered Von Kurst as his tongue met hers.

  “I’ll have to go in unarmed and with no direct communication,” Ash Piper folded his arms as he spoke to Colonel Mann, who sat grim faced in Commander Hertschell’s office. “Security will be tight, they’ll search everyone entering the building and there will be many people around me, especially if I’m sat with a group of reporters for some time. I just won’t get the chance to speak to you!”

  “Agreed,” Charles Mann nodded his head, “very well, Nick, the satellite over the VKE warehouse, get it repositioned over their head office, at least we’ll be able to monitor Sergeant Piper’s movements whilst he’s in there.”

  “No problem Colonel!”

  “So what about the Followers?” There was a certain amount of apprehension in Jeanette Descard’s voice.

  “When Oratz returns on Wednesday evening, two Followers will once again pick up his trail from Dusseldorf airport. The ‘couple’ we have trailing Von Kurst are doing a good job, they’re outside VKE’s Head Office at present. On Thursday evening, when Piper is inside the building, the Followers will be very close by.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question, Colonel!” Jeanette looked across at Piper, “what if things go wrong? Ash will be unarmed!”

  “The Followers are well armed Jeanette, believe me. IF, anything goes wrong, we can order them in straight away, but let’s be realistic about this forthcoming event, shall we?”

  “Sir?”

  “I realise there is an element of risk in Piper meeting Von Kurst face to face, but think carefully about the situation on Thursday evening. This is a promotion for VKE, a very important night. No doubt Von Kurst and Oratz will be showing off all evening, basking in the glory of this new microchip technology they seem so keen to promote. Are they really going to cause any problems? No, I don’t think so! This is an excellent opportunity for Sergeant Piper to psyche out Von Kurst, to find out more about him and of course, from our point of view, to find out more about Piper’s kind.”

  The office door opened briskly as Commander Hertschell walked in. “Good morning everyone, my apologies for being late, I’ve been back up at SHAPE for another general review of the situation across Europe. The Top Brass are getting edgy; they think we should definitely go public regarding Von Kurst’s grenadiers.”

  “You can’t blame them!” said Jeanette.

  “I have told all concerned,” continued the Commander, brusquely, “if we do so, the violence will escalate and we won’t be able to stop Von Kurst from his final battle plan, whatever that may be.” All eyes lay on the Commander as he sat at his desk.

  “I think Thursday evening will be a key turning point in all of this, Maurice,” said the Colonel, “Piper will be able to sense Von Kurst and hopefully penetrate his thoughts.”

  “Yes, I have read your report on your proposed plan for Thursday evening, Sergeant.”

  “Sir,” Piper looked confident as he continued the conversation, “as we already know, in some inexplicable way many of my thoughts are linked directly to Von Kurst. If I can get close enough, I just might be able to gain a more thorough insight into what’s going on inside his mind with reference to the planning of these atrocities!”

  The Commander nodded his head, “well, this is certainly a very different war we are facing, and if we have to fight it through psychic links then so be it.”

  “Err, excuse me…everyone,” Nick Lucas sounded like an impish schoolboy as he looked around at his colleagues, “if Ash can read Von Kurst’s thoughts, and…well…get into his mind, then can’t Von Kurst do the same to Ash?”

  “Yes, most probably!” Colonel Mann paused momentarily, “but that’s a risk we are willing to take!”

  “But what about CEATA Colonel? If he finds out about our organisation, well…that’s crazy!”

  “We know what you mean Nick,” said the Colonel, boldly, “and in many ways you’re right, but the facts speak for themselves! We have to let Ash go in!”

  The two large, powerful wolves continued their journey. As always, they had been clever. Close to the borders of Luxembourg and Belgium they had travelled, carefully, stealthily, always keeping one step ahead of human contact. The travelling had been good. Just like their wild cousins, the two Were had been able to travel many kilometres in a day, their constant gait steady, their powerful stamina never faltering. But now the going would be that little bit tougher. As they reached the outskirts of Koln, the human wolves knew they had to be careful, for the required meeting with their Fuhrer was drawing ever closer. They would now have to move very quickly; therefore it was best to split up!

  Jurgen Falck gracefully lowered his furred, pointed ears and turned to his close friend. The two whined then whimpered. Ever since the dreadful, bloodletting days of World War Two, Falck and Kempler had always been together, except when there had been a necessity to part. Now, that necessity had arrived again, for they could not risk being seen as they drew ever closer to dense human population. They would meet the next day, Wednesday, at Von Kurst Electronics Head Office for mid-day. The two Were whined again, their beautiful, fur laden, canid bodies gently rubbing against each other, their tails wagging furiously.

  It was nearly time to track down new, human prey. For clothing and money!

  Both Were knew where their separate hunting grounds were located, but this time the kills would have to be different. This time there could be no evidence, no spilt blood and no ripped flesh. Growling, the overly large, magnificent wolves separated as both loped steadfastly towards the German city of Dusseldorf.
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  “You’re just a guinea pig aren’t you, only this time for trials on psychic warfare?” The knock at Piper’s door had come as a surprise, but he had a good idea who it was, and he was right. “They’re using you…again, the Commander and Colonel. They don’t give a damn about you Ash, they’re throwing you back into another battle, and once again you’re unarmed.”

  “I was unarmed in the Ardennes Jeanette, and I didn’t do too badly there, did I?”

  “Don’t be flippant, you know what I mean!”

  “Yes, I do know what you mean and I greatly appreciate your concern, really…I do!” It was a look that would have melted the heart of any woman, Piper’s blue and amber eyes being unable to mask the tenderness he was starting to feel for Jeanette Descard. For a moment neither spoke as they held each other’s gaze, then Piper slowly, assertively walked past her, into the corridor.

  “Where are you going?”

  “The firing range, I’ve got to keep myself busy.”

  “What time’s your flight to Dusseldorf?”

  “19.00, tomorrow evening. My final briefing with the Commander and Colonel is at 13.00. Don’t worry Jeanette, this will work out fine.”

  It was late afternoon. Otto Von Kurst had finished two sales meetings and was talking to Bernhard Steinhoff, the production Director of VKE’s Dusseldorf site.

  “I don’t blame you Otto, we all need a holiday at times and you have worked hard on this project, the break will do you good!”

  “My thoughts exactly, Bernhard,” Von Kurst sighed, it was a tired look that sat on his face, albeit a deceitful one. “Yes, I am ready for a holiday…a complete break!”

  “Good for you! As we have discussed, I will liase with Wilhelm if there are any urgent queries during next week. Of course, I don’t want to overly trouble him; he will be busy enough with his sales meetings at the other sites.” Steinhoff hesitated, “oh…how I would love to go to Rome again, even just for a couple of days. Rebecca and I thoroughly enjoyed the city, how I envy Wilhelm!”

  “He isn’t going for pleasure Bernhard, it’s strictly business!”

  “I know Otto, but I’m sure Wilhelm will find some way of entertaining himself whilst he’s there!”

  Von Kurst smiled, “oh, knowing Wilhelm…I’m sure he will.” He turned around and began walking towards his office, “remember Bernhard, as from Thursday evening I will be away for approximately two weeks.”

  “Fine Otto. Right, I’d better get back to production.”

  The two businessmen went their separate ways as Otto Von Kurst, with powerful strides walked into his office and sat down in his chair. He reached for his internal telephone and dialled 03.

  “Yes Otto!”

  “Helga, it is time for our discussion!”

  “Of course, I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Von Kurst replaced the handset and without thinking quickly looked down at his powerful hands. A low growl emitted from his vocal chords as he slowly curled his strong fingers into what could only be described as mock claws. So, Bernhard wants to visit Rome again, does he? He smiled again and threw his head back, laughing. Just don’t be there a week on Sunday, he thought!

  “That’s a perfect score Sergeant, well done!”

  “Thanks Pierre.” Ash Piper prepared to load another clip of ammunition into his favourite handgun, when the internal telephone began to ring.

  “Is Sergeant Piper with you Pierre?”

  “Yes, he is sir!”

  “Put him on!”

  “It’s the Colonel.”

  Piper nodded and handed back the USP45 as CEATA’s Chief Armourer passed over the phone. “Colonel?”

  “Sergeant, make your way to Commander Hertschell’s office immediately, Level One priority.”

  “I’m on my way!”

  “Trouble?” asked Pierre.

  “I think so!”

  “MY TWO DAUGHTERS WERE KILLED IN THE LONDON EXPLOSIONS. IT’S TIME WE HIT BACK. I AGREE WITH THE RIOTERS, KICK THEM ALL OUT!”

  Tempers were at boiling point in the British Broadcasting Studio’s Television Centre in London. It was a special two-hour show, a live airing involving politicians and senior members of Muslim and ethnic immigrant councils, with a live audience asking questions and expecting sensible answers with reference to the recent series of terrorist atrocities.

  “HOW CAN YOU SAY SUCH A THING MADAM? INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF SUCH CALLOUS WORDS!” Doctor Yazir Assam of the British Federation of Muslim Councils had a very strong argument. What he was saying made sense, but a great many people across the UK and Europe itself were running out of patience.

  “ALRIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CAN WE JUST CALM DOWN PLEASE!” Christopher Williams had a headache. The show’s presenter was becoming increasingly angry, especially with one man, a man whom he had begged the producers not to invite!

  “I AGREE WITH THE LADY WHO TRAGICALLY LOST HER DAUGHTERS! LET THE BRITISH PEOPLE SPEAK OUT, TAKE UP ARMS IF YOU NEED TOO, IT’S TIME TO FIGHT!”

  Oh shit thought Christopher, this is all I need, “MISTER WHITE, PLEASE, YOU ARE INCITING MAJOR RACIAL TENSION ONCE AGAIN. THE SITUATION IN MANY OF OUR CITIES AND TOWNS IS ALREADY, INCREDIBLY VOLATILE. HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY SUCH COMMENTS? PEOPLE ARE DYING ON BRITAIN’S STREETS!”

  “Switch this off Nick, I’ve seen enough!” Jeanette Descard’s face was sullen.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” The large screen went blank as Nick took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

  “Are you alright?” asked Jeanette.

  “Yeah, just tired. You know me Doctor, I don’t need much sleep, but I’ve hardly had any over the last forty eight hours or so, I feel like my brain’s fucked!” The phone to the side of Nick suddenly rang, “yeah…oh hi Colonel…yes, she is…sure thing.” As Nick replaced the handset he turned to Jeanette, his eyes still bleary, “you’re to report to Commander Hertschell’s office, sounds like something interesting’s come up, Level One priority!”

  Otto Von Kurst’s right index finger gently pressed the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ button. His face was ashen, with not a hint of emotion. “The time is near, Helga.”

  “I know Otto; I can feel it in my veins. The wolf speaks to me all the time.”

  Von Kurst nodded his head slowly, “the hunt is upon you my love. So tell me, how do you feel…about killing?”

  For several seconds there was silence in Von Kurst’s office. Helga was deep in thought. “I have no problems with it. The hunt must begin. I need to taste living flesh, not just packets of meat from a butcher’s shop.”

  “Agreed, and your thoughts on the prey itself, how do you feel about gaining sustenance…from mere humans.” It was the look in Helga Zeist’s eyes that made Otto Von Kurst suddenly feel very uneasy, concerned.

  “There is one I wish to stalk and hunt Otto…one human!”

  Von Kurst eye’s narrowed. Yes he thought, she is changing, becoming powerful. But there was something worrying him. He began tapping the fingers of his right hand on his desk. Of course, the lone one he thought, she wishes to hunt the lone one. “So Helga,” Von Kurst was pleased, “whom do you wish to hunt?” Again there was silence, “well my love, I await your answer.”

  Helga Zeist’s defiant roar took Otto Von Kurst completely by surprise as she quickly stood up, leaned over his desk and placed her face close to his.

  “LANA,” she yelled, “I WISH TO HUNT LANA! I WANT HER FLESH OTTO, I WANT TO KILL HER!”

  “These arrived from the FSB just a few minutes ago. Study them carefully.” Commander Maurice Hertschell passed around a selection of photographs, copied from a set of JPEGs he had received by e-mail.

  “Oh God!” Jeanette Descard looked thoroughly repulsed as she gazed at the violent images.

  “Sorry Doctor,” muttered the Commander, “I know they are not pretty, but these photographs are very, very important. Sergeant Piper, your initial thoughts please!”

  Ash Piper slowly flipped each image into view as the hair
s on the back of his neck became rigid. “My initial, gut instinct Commander, tells me these people, these…victims for want of a better word, have been ripped apart by some sort of animal.” Piper looked hard at the Commander, then the Colonel. He knew exactly what had caused the terrifying injuries.

  The Commander continued, “according to the police authorities in St Petersburg, the unfortunate people in these photographs are supposedly victims of a recent series of Mafia contract killings.”

  “That’s bollocks,” Piper shook his head, “contract killers don’t rip people apart like this. I think we all know what caused these injuries.”

  “Precisely.” The Commander’s brow furrowed, his anxiety apparent for all to see, “think carefully everyone. Wilhelm Oratz arrives in St Petersburg on a business trip for Von Kurst Electronics. His host for the visit, Vitali Menkov, is a Russian entrepreneur who formerly worked in Rostov. The man’s eye colours are brown…and amber.” There was a hushed silence in the Commander’s office as a feeling of considerable tension stifled the room. “I think we can all assume this is not mere co-incidence. Yes, the facts speak for themselves. I honestly think we have just found out the true identity…of the Rostov Ripper.”

  The sound proofing in Otto Von Kurst’s office was proving very useful, so too, was the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign. Von Kurst roared, his eyes blood red with anger.

  The male and female Were faced each other across the desk, both standing, both still in human form…but only just. They snarled at each other, their breathing heavy with adrenaline and the control required to restrain their transformations, their blood red eyes radiating violent disagreement.

  “OUT OF THE FUCKING QUESTION!”

  “SHE IS NO USE TO YOU ANY LONGER, OTTO!”

  “LANA WILL BREAK THE LONE ONE, THAT IS IMPORTANT! WE NEED TO KNOW WHO HE WORKS FOR AND HOW HIS ORGANISATION THREATENS US!” Von Kurst was seething with rage at the way his secretary, his lover, had so blatantly defied him. “LANA WILL MAKE THE FUCKING BASTARD SUFFER, AND SUFFER HE WILL! NO HELGA, YOU CANNOT HUNT LANA!”