I had just barely gotten out of the shower when security system alerts started popping up on my phone. Among the recent upgrades were higher-resolution cameras and an advanced AI-driven image processing system designed to identify vehicles and human (or human-like) shapes and movement. I had several cameras pointed at the wood line around my property expressly for the purpose of giving myself as much warning as possible should another group of uninvited guests decide to make an appearance. It would take time for intruders to across the short-cropped, nearly one-hundred-yard-wide fields around my house and they'd be tracked on camera the entire time. The added infrared lighting improved visibility nicely.

I was watching the camera feeds as I hastily stuffed myself into my clothes and boots. They were clearly Orcs but moving far more slowly and cautiously then before. This might indicate that my suspicion about being watched during the last engagement was accurate and that this new party of four was trying to learn from previous mistakes. They appeared to be average Orcs armed with machetes and spears. They stayed low and their heads were on swivels. I felt a small, malicious sense of satisfaction from knowing they were clearly very uncomfortable with crossing an open field without cover or concealment of any kind.

I had hatched a half-baked plan as I headed out a side door into the cold night air. Thermal imaging placed them at perhaps seventy yards out. I need to get them to break and run. I need to track them and see if they'd lead me back to their new warren-- or at least it's the general vicinity. But I also needed to make sure I didn't leave them with any tactical advantages. If I shot three and let the last one run, I could handle him later with far less risk to myself because he'd be alone. Hopefully, he'll be scared enough to basically run like hell all the way home, forgoing usual cautions and too scared to attempt an ambush against a pursuer. This was a calculated risk, of course, with no guarantee whatsoever that this lone Orc would behave in any way I might predict. But it was better than no plan at all, I suppose.

This second engagement went much like the first; three Orcs down with shots to the chest and the fourth running like an Olympic track-and-field star for the woods and parts unknown. I sent a few extra rounds in his general direction as added motivation. His comrades were quickly confirmed as “code zero” and searched. As expected, I found nothing but simple weapons and the characteristic red cloth. Seemed like the same group, although I have to question the wisdom of a follow-up attack after the losses they suffered the first time. In my recent research of Orc behavior, they're not the sort to take risks like this without an overwhelming tactical advantage-- which they clearly lacked in this case. Further, revenge does not seem to be a strong motivator for them (unlike humans). Anything is possible, I suppose, but I found this attack very puzzling.

I'd have to wait until sunrise to go after the runner. Going after him at night leaves me at a tactical disadvantage. No, thanks. Considering the ruckus he made while running away, I'm not expecting any serious trouble following his trail. Run away, little Orc. I hope shock, fear and adrenaline causes you to make a bee line straight back home. In the meantime, I decided that calling the Sheriff's Department again was a waste of time. The bodies can go into the burn pit after I get enough photos and notes to satisfy my own reporting requirements. Just need a wheelbarrow, some elbow grease, lighter and a can of kerosene. Another somewhat grim sense of satisfaction came over me watching the bodies burn. I find my dislike for Orcs has been steadily increasing and I'm almost looking forward to seeing how many more losses I can inflict upon them.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I managed to get a few hours of sleep, after which, I ate breakfast and enjoyed a cup of coffee as the sun rose. I had already collected my weapons and gear and double checked the charge status on my phone and auxiliaries and other batteries. Setting out across the yard and reaching the tree line, it was easy to find the ragged path a certain terrified Orc cut through the forest. Lots of broken twigs, disturbed vegetation and freshly turned soil. As a practical matter, I probably didn't need to slow down, take notes or get pictures-- but I did, anyway. It quickly became clear that my new Orc buddy was not heading for the warren site I had previously identified.

After a few hours, I had traveled far enough that I was no longer on familiar ground and the tracking was getting more difficult. An hour more and I had lost the track entirely, even after repeated back-tracks and re-casts. The terrain here was more rocky and less damp. With a little added care and patience, it would be relatively easy to lose a potential tracker and I'm convinced this is exactly what happened. After the Orc runner calmed down and got his head back on straight, he may have decided that countermeasures were a good idea. I'm quite certain he was fully aware that I had successfully tracked them to their warren the first time and hence, employing evasion techniques would be an entirely reasonable (even expected) response on his part.

I found a nearby hollow with some protection from the uncomfortably cold breeze. The sky had been slowly turning dark and turbulent, but the weather forecasting was not predicting any sort of precipitation. I decided lunch was a good idea while I looked over my notes and maps. The runner had to go somewhere, and I had no choice but to start speculating about it. I was glad I decided on something more than water and protein bars today. Instead, I used a carbon hand-warmer to add a bit of life to a perfectly lovely ham and cheese sandwich with a touch of spicy mustard. A bottle of fruit juice and a handful of “old guy” drugs rounded out a surprisingly satisfying meal.

While I ate, a review of my map indicated that there wasn't much out this far. A few old roads (without current names), markers for a few widely scattered, long abandoned homestead sites, one old church with a cemetery and a large site with multiple buildings and silos, probably something commercial in nature. A rail spur leading to that site was also present, although I cannot recall the last time I saw a locomotive in this region. From what I could tell, this was miles from the nearest familiar road or anywhere I knew to be inhabited. Topographic data indicated this whole area was relatively flat, with no significant water features nearby. Admittedly, nothing I saw on the map really stood out as an obvious hiding place for Orcs. Until I properly scouted this region out, there's no way to know. But that's a task for another day. I don't want to be caught out at night in what might now be Orc country.