Previous Story: 56. The Airdrop - Part 2

Lance wasn’t generally a man to break rules but it was a fine, sunny day and he felt like a proper ride. Passing beyond his normal patrol route, he urged Charger into a gallop along a wide, open street, occasionally dodging abandoned cars. As he was trapped within San Lazaro for the time being, Lance enjoyed such moments of solitude and freedom. His fellow Peacemakers were good people, but their time together was busy and intense. Even a committed law enforcer like him needed the occasional bit of down time.

Guiding Charger between a school bus and a line of motorcycles, Lance glimpsed a familiar logo. Pet Depot had branches in Canada as well as across the U.S. and he reckoned he might dig out some useful supplies. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find feed for Charger and – like any horse – he consumed a considerable amount every day. Turning off the main street, Lance and Charger made their way past several other stores before reaching Pet Depot. Lance thought he heard something, then realized it was just a sign for a bakery, squeaking as it was moved by the morning breeze. Having crossed the parking lot, Lance dismounted and tied Charger to a streetlight. He then strode towards the Pet Depot entrance, which had been wedged open with a trolley. 

He was almost there when glass shattered. Lance spun to his right and saw a wide front window collapse. The next thing he saw was an elephant’s trunk, then the rest of the elephant. But this surreal vision was not over yet. As the huge creature lumbered out of the store, it was followed by a wolf, a bear and a Komodo dragon. Sitting on the elephant’s back were a monkey and a cat. As it halted and turned towards Lance, a bald eagle appeared from nowhere and landed on its head. As if this wasn’t strange enough, Lance realized these animals had been artificially enhanced. The elephant possessed metallic tusks, the bear an artificial paw, and the Komodo dragon’s lower jaw had been replaced with a robotic version. The wolf’s eyes gleamed unnaturally while the cat seemed more metal than flesh.

So, these were the animals that had been seen around San Lazaro displaying unusual behavior. And was that the bald eagle that had supposedly taken the package sent by the mysterious scientists?

Lance retreated back across the parking lot, trying to decide if he was more frightened by the bear or the wolf. He had seen both in the wild back home but this was something else. He took his staff from his shoulder, though he knew it wouldn’t help him much if the animals attacked in unison.

He reached Charger but the animals had followed him every step. The Komodo dragon was sniffing the ground and occasionally glancing in his direction. The wolf was the closest and easily in leaping distance. Lance didn’t dare mount up and turn his back on it. Gently activating the staff’s stun batons, he prepared himself for a fight.

Lance glanced at Charger, surprised that his mount was still calm. Though he had a good temperament, most horses would run a mile from a wolf or a bear. And yet Charger stepped forward as far as his reins would allow, eyes and ears alert as he faced the other animals. Lance watched the chimpanzee slide down the elephant’s trunk then land on the ground. His oddly intelligent gaze was fixed on the horse.

——-

You are like me. You can communicate. 

Yes, we all can. My name is Walter. What’s your name? 

The human calls me Charger. He is named Lance. He is part of a group. 

We have met these groups. They all want this object called ‘the package’. Should we give it to them? 

What is it? 

We don’t know.

I can’t tell you much about the other groups but Lance and his friends seem good. I have seen them help others several times.

What do they do with the strange humans? We hate the strange humans.

I’ve heard them talk about the strange humans. Sometimes they kill them. I think this package might help defeat them.

——-

Lance was surprised to still be alive. The chimpanzee was still staring at Charger and had in fact come even closer. The last few minutes had been so odd that Lance had only just noticed the chimp was wearing a ‘I <HEART> NEW AMSTERDAM’ t-shirt. The wolf was pacing around, those glittering eyes still sending a tremor of fear through Lance. The bear was at least sitting against a car, munching its way through a packet of pet food. The Komodo dragon was ripping its way into a large tin of something smelly. The elephant was largely still, though it occasionally swung its trunk at an insect. The cat seemed thoroughly bored, while the bald eagle had just taken off.

This bizarre stand off continued until the bald eagle returned. Hovering just above Lance, it dropped a package, which clattered to the ground. It was a small metal box about a foot long with a handle on top.

Lance didn’t dare move at first but then the creatures began to leave the parking lot, the flapping eagle leading the way. The chimp was last to depart and Lance was stunned to see it wave goodbye. Charger watched the animals until they disappeared from view.

Lance picked up the package, untied Charger’s reins and mounted up. ‘We better get this to the others, boy. Quite a victory. I guess even animals trust the Regal Canadian Cavalry.’ 

Charger turned his head and did something Lance had never seen before. He rolled his eyes.

Next Story: 58. The Art of the Deal