The Lycanthroat War

In an abandoned harbor somewhere, filled with rusting warships, blanketed with snow, and illuminated only by the moon, someone is running for their life. Sparing glimpses over his shoulder shows him it's still right behind him, something big, something fast, something that's intentionally staying just a little behind him, toying with him.

Down another alleyway, cutting through another broken window, around another turn, the hulking figure obscured by darkness with glowing yellow eyes appears with a gust of wind to block the way again and again forcing him to duck and roll as it takes another swipe at him. Forcing him to make sharp turns down dark paths until he finds himself at the edge of the sea where one of those rusted ships blocks his path. There's nowhere left for him to run, the thing chasing him is staying in the shadows, just out of sight.

The only thing that breaks the silence is his own ragged breathing and heart beat followed by a low growl, it almost sounds like laughing. As if on cue, the moon is blocked out by clouds and the monster lunges, managing to get a tight grip on his shoulder, almost as if some large beast was sinking its fangs into him.

The man in her grasp is holding her arm with both hands, futilely trying to pry her off. The monster finally comes into focus as the moon comes out from behind the clouds again: a woman with a wolfish smile. The man manages to gasp out "Zorana... Volkova..."

She presses him harder into the ship "Oh, so you know who I am? That makes what I'm here for easier then." She leans in closer to him, speaking directly into his ear "You are invited to-"

She breaks off sharply and looks around, smelling the air. She tosses the man aside and kicks up one of her legs to block as the shadows elongate and take form, firmly piercing into her leg instead of her stomach. The impact has enough force to knock her off her feet and into the ship behind her, it had enough force that the ship is now falling on its side. Something in the ship catches fire and smoke begins to fill the air. The growing blob of darkness peels itself off of the ground as a sword emerges from it.

Zorana jumps up on top of the ship "Oh, this is a surprise. The Q Qs' little nightingale. When did they let you out of your cage, Marian?"
The shadows take form into that of a young looking woman "When they found out a monster like you is the hunter."
"Ha, that's cold coming from you, you're much more of a monster than I am." She glances up at the smoke as it parts just enough for the moonlight to get through "Tonight at least."

Zorana's eyes glow as the gibbous moon's light falls upon the ship, her muscles tense and relax as she kneels down and her wounds seal up "We'll pick this up some other time." and with a gust of wind, Zorana had disappeared, jumping high into the night sky.

"She got away." Turning away from the now capsized ship, Marian's eyes narrowed "Both of them."

* * *

The sun is shining, it's a bright beautiful day, and the trains are running on time. All looks well in the world, making the man constantly looking over his shoulder and wiping sweat from his brow all the more conspicuous as he boards an express train.

Looking at his ticket, he takes a seat "If all goes well I should be in Germany before nightfall, then I just have to pray for fair weather as I make my way into the countryside."

Unknown to him, a large box is being loaded into cargo five cars down.

This perfectly sealed box which no light can enter has but one peculiarity: an extendable antenna raising up from it.

Holding a brick sized cell phone up to her ear the occupant of this dark space is waiting for someone to pick up "This is Marian, reporting in."
"Marian, what are you doing out there? We've received word the target is in route to Germany of all places."
"I've already made arrangements, and I have a good idea of where he's heading."

On a rooftop overlooking the now departing train from the station, a woman in a suit lowers her binoculars "Target located, I can have him delivered by tomorrow night."
The radio beside her crackles to life "Speed is not the issue here, take extra time if needed to avoid causing... unnecessary attention."
Zorana adjusts her glasses and laughs, "I think we've already got plenty of that. But understood, commander."

* * *

On the horizon an old castle looms a top a hill. The road to the castle is winding, snaking its way around several old machines and organized piles of scrap metal. The castle itself looks to have been slowly reinforced over the years with layers of sheet metal and steel beams. The sun is beginning to set as a lone figure makes haste to the castle entrance.

On both sides of the heavy wooden door stand statues of knights, each pointing a spear where any would be visitor would stand to ring the bell. And what a bell it is, as if someone had rigged a large gong to the mechanism. The door begins to move, it's amazing how fast a solid block of wood with metal straps bolted to it for repairs can come flying outwards.

In the door stands an imposing figure at least eight feet tall, muscles tightly contained in a frock coat, with a large stitched scar displayed prominently across this man's forehead. His diminutive visitor's eyes widen, darting from the scar to his eyes and back before swallowing hard and steadying himself.

"My name is Manfrit Nobel. You are Count Egabbab Gnirut I presume?"
The count's eyes twitch and relax at the sound of his name "You presume correct, what business do you have with a relic of a bygone time such as myself?"
Sparing a glance over his shoulder at the setting sun, Manfrit elaborates "I am being hunted by what I can only describe as supernatural monsters. A beast woman and a creature of darkness. I fear they will soon descend upon me once again." He shutters at the thought of this "My father spoke very highly of your experience in these... occult matters."
The count looks Manfrit up and down "I see, do come in, Mr. Nobel, it appears we have much to discuss." as the doors open wide and the count extends one arm to beckon his guest inside from the creeping darkness.

Leading Mr. Nobel further into his abode, the count reminisces "I remember your father, he was one of Von Krautt's most enthusiastic students. An odd man, Von Krautt, in his day he was the most brilliant mind at the Kaiser's disposal." They stop at a portrait of a middle aged man dressed in white wearing an eye mask looking over a tray of knives "It was in part thanks to his science that I came to be, and due to his contribution to my creation, I came to inherit much of his estate."

They arrive in the sitting room where a warm fire is crackling, while Mr. Nobel makes himself comfortable in an armchair clearly designed for a much larger person, the count continues with his reminiscing.

"I remember my creator's most gifted student, Mrs. Amanda Korr, few could rival her willingness to advance the studies on superhuman physiology, though I later learned her methods caught up with her. I would say she is the most likened to being Von Krautt's true successor." The count takes a sip of tea before realizing he is getting off track "Your father made significant contributions to the field with physics, but the supernatural was simply outside of his focus."
Mr. Nobel puts down his tea "Which has lead me to you. You were key to the supernatural research division's understanding of the occult."
The count folds his hands and ponders for a moment before standing up and walking over to the fire, his large frame blocking out most of the flickering light as he gazes upwards. "Mr. Nobel, those whom are chasing you are no mere supernatural creatures, but highly trained individuals. If only it were a quirk of fate that they have both set their sights on you... just what is it that you have been working on for the Russians?"

* * *

The sun has finally set, the last rays of its light have vanished, now replaced by the raising Moon. At a train station a large box sits untouched in the unloading area where two guards stand watch over it.
One of the men shivers and pulls his coat around him tighter "They said someone would be along to claim this before the end of the day."
His companion chimes in, "Wish they'd hurry up, I don't like the idea of standing around waiting for someone all night."

As if on cue, an audible thud is heard coming from the box as the lid slides off. The two men exchange cautionary glances before returning their attention to this phenomenon. A woman suddenly sits up straight from within the box, her hair is black, her skin looks pale, but she seems to be Asian.

One of the men mumbles to the other "What's a person doing in a crate?"

The woman's eyes suddenly open, immediately fixating on the sound of the man's voice. Both men recoil in shock as this woman's eyes are glowing red, but that wasn't all, when she turned to look at them they could see it, a large scar on the side of her neck surrounding several puncture wounds, like someone took a bite out of her neck a long time ago.

"Ah hell..."

Marian's eyes unlock from the men and trail down to the left where she raises a hand to her neck and quickly re-buttons her collar, then reaches behind her and pulls a hood over her head to obscure her eyes. And just like that she disappeared, as if merging with the darkness leaving the two guards staring at an empty crate.

Not too far away, a jeep stops and Zorana steps out saying "This is far enough, I've got her scent now." before leaping from rooftop to rooftop in pursuit.

* * *

Back at the castle, the count is relaxing in his sitting room, still drinking tea and entertaining his guest when a loud gong echoes from the front entrance.

"If you will excuse me" says the count "it appears I have another guest to welcome."

As the fortified entrance swings open, the light from within the count's abode illuminates the form of a woman.

The count looks her up and down "Marian, agent of the Queen's Queers. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

Marian manages a curtsy "Count Egabbab Gnirut, the pleasure is mine. Though if you know who I am, then you know why I am here."

"Of course, my other guest is in the sitting room." The count motions "Please, do come in." as he guides Marian to the sitting room.

As Marian enters the sitting room her eyes glow red enough to be seen through her veil briefly. There, sitting in an oversized armchair, leg crossed, sipping tea, eyes yellow, with a toothy smile is Zorana.

"Hello nightingale, come to join our little tea party?" as Zorana puts down her teacup.

"She arrived before you did." Says the count.

Zorana adjusts her glasses "Yes, you really should spend less time checking if you're being followed."

The count interjects before Marian can grab her sword "Mr. Nobel is currently safely hidden within my castle. I found it prudent to give him some buffer given the nature of the women who currently fancy him."

"Ha, ha, ha." Zorana's laugh sounded more like barking to Marian "So how are we doing this? Winner gets the man?"

Marian is now tightly gripping the hilt of her sword, she begins to pulls her hood down as she walk over to Zorana. Zorana takes off her glasses and gets out of her chair to meet Marian in front of the fireplace, she never stops smiling. The two woman are now at a standoff, eyes locked, each waiting for the other to make a move.

As if it were the starting bell, the sound of the count closing the doors to the room sends them both jumping back to opposite corners, Marian assumes a stance as Zorana's human form disappears in a flash of grey; fur sprouting, face elongating, teeth growing sharper, Zorana is now a wolf twice the size of the woman she was.

With a pounce Zorana begins her charge on Marian, fangs bared, aiming for her throat "I'll give you another scar to match!" Marian jumps and twists to land her feet on the ceiling, using it as a launching point straight down with her sword pointed as Zorana's back. Zorana jumps to the side, but not quick enough as the blade still nicks her, first blood goes to Marian, Zorana retreats to the other side of the room.

Marian is eyeing the bloodied side of her foe before refocusing on her snarling wolf face "Without anyone to hold your leash, you're just a wild dog." and readies herself for the next onslaught.

Zorana takes off and begins running on the walls of the room, Marian is keeping a close eye on her as she circles, however the wolf has disappeared and been replaced with the form of a woman again, a woman holding a gun.

BANG BANG

Marian is now holding a gunshot wound to the gut as her blood begins to spread over her clothes.

Zorana continues to smile "What a shame, if I had my glasses on I'm sure I would've pierced your heart."

Marian's eyes are glowing brighter than ever now, the fire in the room extinguishes or rather the darkness in the room envelops it as it surrounds Marian. This shapeless dark blob lunges at Zorana, she fires her gun into it with no effect, she tries to dodge, but dark tendrils have wrapped around her feet, she can only brace for impact. A sword shines as it emerges, Zorana is able to knock it to one side with an open palm strike from a transformed arm, but she could not dodge the fist that knocked her right on the side of her face. Not to be out down, Zorana swipes her other clawed arm at Marian, but hastily stops herself when she sees the maw of over a dozen razors waiting to bite her arm off if she got in range.

Zorana reverts back to her wolf form to free herself and quickly gains some distance from the enraged vampire.

Marian's teeth shrink back to normal "What's the matter? Bite off more than you can chew?"

Zorana snaps back "Wolves don't chew, we don't have the cheek for it."

Marian spits out a bullet and readjusts her stance, though as she does she staggers; she begins to sweat and a, like a burning heat is beating down on her. Not wasting an opening when she sees one, Zorana moves back on the offensive, but before she had even cleared half of the room, she stumbles and falls to the floor, noticing she's reverted back to her human form.

A voice comes from the entrance of the room "I see it has begun to take effect." The count takes a few steps into the room "Mr. Nobel had been feverishly working on it since before either of you arrived safely cloistered away within my personal facilities I had lent him, the haste he completed his labors with is something I must admire."

Marian and Zorana are both now glaring at the count, before they could make a move in their weakened states, the count had seized them both by the neck alarming speed for one as large as him and pinned them to the floor.

The count muses "It makes sense now why the Queen's Queers and a former KGBeast operative would be after him. With his skills he must be at the top of his field, a radiation specialist without equal. In the span of only a few hours he managed to create a device capable of emitting waves similar to that of the sun capable of both weakening a vampire and blocking out the waves from the moon." The count leans back a little, Zorana begins to struggle more violently, kicking the count in the stomach repeatedly, the count ignores her and continues to hold them both down "Though, credit where credit is due, the calibrations would not have been as precise without my extensive knowledge in the occult field."

As the count gloats a loud POP is heard and the light go out, before he had time to process what just happened, the count found himself slammed into a wall and with two pissed off monsters glaring at him in the darkness.

"Ah" the count wheezed "It overloaded the breakers... ha..." looking from one set of glowing eyes to the other "You'll be interested to know... that he fled my abode some time ago... so every moment you waste on me, he will be further and further beyond your reach."

And with that the red eyes blinked out of sight.

* * *

Mr. Nobel was already several miles away, Count Egabbab had lent him a car and he was making good time, things were finally looking up for him, but then, without any warning, his windshield went black and a dark figure appeared in his passenger seat. The car came to an abrupt halt.

Hundreds of thousands of miles away, an elderly man smoking a pipe answers the phone on his desk, the name plaque next to it reads 'Senior Director Greene'.

"About time you reported in Marian, a man of my age really shouldn't be up at this hour anymore." He takes another puff from his pipe "I assume you've captured Mr. Nobel?"

"Yes, director." answers Marian over the phone "Minimal collateral, though he may need some psychological council later."

* * *

Back at the castle of Count Egabbab, Zorana is using a radio to contact someone.

"It's no good, boss. The target is in the hands of the Brits now. We'll have to chalk this up as a declined invitation to join our cause."

The radio crackles to life "Unfortunate."

Zorana is still smiling "It's not a total failure. After all, he did build a wonderful little contraption for us before being spirited away."

Zorana pulls back from the radio, the light from the candles illuminates the count's laboratory showing a large metal sphere with various cylinders sticking out of it.

The radio crackles back to life "How long until you can transport it?"

"I'd say I should have it back home by the end of the week, provided my new friend is cooperative."

"Good to hear. Make sure you come back safely."

"Yes sir, President Sokol."

END