Carla and Soph filled us in on the rest of the story. They were at the Fish Market because Carla had agreed to film a new advert for them. Rich immediately started scoping out the place and gave Soph an indication something was wrong. Soph warned their guard to call for back up and get them out of there while Carla texted me, not expecting me to be close by.

When the attackers saw them leaving, they acted before they were in the proper place to take them out all at once. The Security guard was struck on the head and stomped first. Two came for Carla, and she surprised him with a knife in the chest.

“The one with the gun was well back.” Carla said, “I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but he called me a bitch. The one who took out the security guard came up behind me, but I ducked out of reach and managed the groin/face combo Ata taught us. That was when the gunman shot at me, and I rushed him.”

Soph added, “Rich got the hand of the first attacker that came for me and got booted for his trouble. I danced out of the way of the other, but he stabbed me, and while I was dealing with it, he must have hit me, and I don’t remember anything else until I woke at the hospital.”

“From the glimpses I saw,” Carla said, “Rich held them both at bay long enough for Buck to arrive. And what was that Buck did?”

“It is his Essence Skill. It is like a stun, but I think the target muscles lock up briefly. I haven’t managed to study it too much on a live target. We have been practising on Possum fur balls on a string.” I replied.

“I think his muscles might have spasmed,” Carla said, “but I was too busy to watch.”

“We need to try to get hold of the CCTV footage,” I said.

“Good luck doing that,” said Sam.

“Anyone know why they attacked?” I asked.

Everyone shook their heads, “No one spoke apart from the occasional swear word.” Carla said.

“The Police will find out why,” Sam said.

I nodded.

We had a quiet evening, and Carla and Soph retired early. I sat outside with the dogs for a long time, just watching the stars, boats, and harbour bridge. I killed a person. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I know others have big breakdowns and emotional times. I am not them. I didn’t know how I felt. It didn’t feel right or good, but it didn’t feel bad either. I didn’t know, so I just sat and watched the night.

Eventually, I got up and got some blankets. The dogs and I lay there and watched the summer night until we fell asleep.

The next day, Commander Lewis arrived at the gate. He had with him the same flunky he had at the first meeting we had with him in the hospital: the lawyer lady.

Once we were gathered, he said, “I am here to let you know the attack on Ms Hardcastle and Ms Vaa’i has been classified as a terrorist attack, and the Military will be involved. We don’t know yet if they are associated with any known terrorist group, but they were foreigners and committed an act of terrorism on New Zealand soil and against New Zealand Citizens. The police have arrested the one who ran, but Mr Finau, your security guard, is in a coma and is not expected to wake. His family has been notified.”

Fuck. Any of us could have died. Soph, Carla and Rich especially.

“The three of you and the two dogs will now be formally attached to the military. This is necessary to take you out of Police jurisdiction. Having reviewed the camera footage and read the interviews, it is clear you are using the mutations to get advanced warning, and one of the dogs has a previously unknown active attack. Lieutenant Davis has new agreements for you to sign.”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“They will require time for my lawyers to review them,” Sam said.

“I need time to review them,” I said. “If you are planning to try to enlist us, that is not going to work for me. I will take my chances with the police case.”

I saw a slight frown appear and then disappear from Lewis’s face. I thought they were playing up the Police to get us to sign up. We were the victims in this, admittedly victims who bite back, literally in Buck and Rich’s cases.

“We do not want you to join the military in the normal sense,” Lewis said, “and these agreements reflect that. You all need some basic training, and I gathered from Lieutenant Wihongi that this is something you are looking for. Dr Mohan was very impressed with your information on active essence use and wants to work closely with you, Mr Wilkinson. We were also interested in your previously unknown poison ability.”

“I don’t think you get it,” I said. “I don’t do people.”

“Yes, you do, and very thoroughly,” Carla said. “Ata and I can both verify that.”

I frowned at her, “Bitch.” She grinned. I looked at Lewis, “I need to be away from people. I do my best work when I am alone.”

“You have had a month alone. What have you done?”

“I figured out Buck’s ability and trained him to use it. I also think I have cracked the key to helping Carla change forms. That’s why I came back into town.”

“That is impressive. I can see why Dr Mohan wants to work with you. Do you not think you would have worked faster with others to bounce ideas off?”

“No. I think I would have run for the hills.”

“Dr Mohan is working with our other Enhanced People, including myself, and we are making good progress. We would make better progress with you.”

“Enhanced People, is that what we are calling it? I am not here for other people, Lewis. I am a selfish Bastard. I am only working with these two because I am linked to the Bitch,” I said, pointing at Carla. There is no need to go into deeper reasons with these two. “I will work with Amanda as I feel it best. The rest of you can find your own way. You are not idiots, well not all of you.”

“Did you use poison in the attack?”

“No. Wait…” Was the spear poisoned? No, I am pretty sure it wasn’t. “No.”

He waited for me to elaborate on why I paused. I didn’t. Eventually, he said, “I thought the dogs were bonded to Ms Hardcastle. Why are you training them? Wouldn’t she be better doing that?”

“Because you have them dancing around playing pretty little harmless mutants in front of society. The harmless part has just been debunked, but the way. They only survived because they had been training themselves and spent an afternoon with Lieutenant Wihongi.” I was letting my anger show now. Maybe I can get in touch with my emotions after all.

“And because the Bastard suggested we needed it,” Carla added. “Good suggestion.”

“We wish to rectify this with some basic training,” Lewis reiterated.

“How long is this training?” Sophia asked.

“For you three, a month, maybe slightly longer. And we would get the police dog trainers to help you train your dogs,” Lewis replied. You will need to wait until you have mostly healed, " he said to Soph. “Your stitches should be out in a week, so maybe one to two weeks after that.”

“We will review the agreements and get back to you,” I said.

“I want them signed as soon as possible, a week at the outside. Lieutenant Davis will be the contact for the agreements.”

With that, they left.

I looked at Carla and Soph. “I will go mad on an army base for a month.”

“You are already mad. Can you get worse?” Carla said.

“Watch me.”

“We do need the training, which will include firearm training,” Carla said.

“You are looking forward to that, aren’t you, you crazy bitch?” I said. She just grinned.

“I will need your help with the dogs,” Soph told me.

“Fuck.”