After a while, the cheers went down for real this time. I stood on the edge of the announcement rock, looking at my Clan's happy expressions. Eventually, all eyes returned to me. I just had to wrap up the meeting.
"Our Clan is whole again and will soon be expanding! Those of you with injuries from the attack, please see Clover. All others, enjoy this perfect respite!" Everyone cheered respectfully as I finished. I jumped back down to the ground as the Eevees started milling around camp, most heading towards Clover's and Snow's den. I figured that my minor cuts and scratches could wait, heading instead towards Espeon and Umbreon, who were still touching noses. They were completely oblivious to the fact that the meeting had ended.
I sat down next to them. No reaction. I cleared my throat. No reaction. Only when I tapped Umbreon on the shoulder to get his attention did they come out of their trance.
"What?" he asked, more confused than annoyed.
"I need to talk to you guys about the attack," I said quietly, not wanting anyone else to overhear and be alarmed.
Espeon nodded. "Of course. Our den?" she asked, tilting her head towards the log.
"Sure," I nodded.
We padded to the log in a row, me next to Espeon next to Umbreon. Once inside the log den, we all sat down to confer with each other. "Espeon, I know they were Dark Types, but could you pick up on anything?"
She shook her head. "No, just vague emotions. Anger, hunger, a little fear in the beginning, and loyalty."
Umbreon looked at her in confusion. "Loyalty?"
She nodded. "Yes. It was faint, but it was definitely there. Especially on that Mandibuzz."
I was puzzled. Then, a horrifying thought struck me like a lightning bolt. "Please tell me this had nothing to do with what you guys found out.... a while ago?"
Both thought for a bit, knowing what I meant. Finally, after a terse silence, Umbreon spoke. "Possibly. But the files that we found in there were all about 'physical alterations' and 'mutating individuals' on a subject... 470 I believe." Espeon nodded in confirmation.
I was still unconvinced. "What's subject 470?"
"No idea," Umbreon shrugged. "But this stuff was weird. Whatever this subject was, they did all kinds of nasty things to it. They used chemicals to change their color, stuck on an extra tail, did something with their eyesight..."
"Yikes," I winced. That did sound nasty. "But what, if anything, does this have to do with the attack?"
An uncomfortable silence settled over the perfect pair. I gave them the look that said 'well?' Finally, Umbreon spoke again. "One of the files.... said there was a shortage of subjects..."
I tilted my head in thought. "So there are multiple subject 470's..."
Espeon finally spoke. "It might explain why they were so coordinated. Nothing like a wild pack. And with a Mandibuzz? It just doesn't add up. But if humans were involved, it would make perfect sense. It would also explain the loyalty they had."
A growing sense of dread settled over me. "So... You're suggesting that the Mightyenas were here to pick up subject 470? Whatever or whoever that is?"
Espeon and Umbreon looked just as worried. Umbreon spoke up nervously. "Bolt sent the pack running. How do we know that they didn't run straight back to their trainers?"
Espeon answered him just before I could. "We don't."
Umbreon continued to voice his concerns. "Should we move? If the pack knows where we are, they could lead these... sick humans right to us!"
I shook my head determinedly. "No way. We put a lot of effort into this camp and we are not leaving it. And the time we temporarily left to lead trainers off our scent doesn't count," I added just as Umbreon opened his mouth to point that out. "We've hidden from humans before, easily. And if they bring their Mightyenas, so what? Espeon can put up scent and sound barriers. Nothing she hasn't done before."
Espeon spoke up again. "What if they bring a Psychic type?"
"Then Umbreon will block their brain wave searches. Again, nothing he hasn't done before. As for right now, everyone will be on guard while hunting. We were just attacked in our own camp. We have a night watch. If we need to, I can assign a day watch, too, if it makes you feel better."
Umbreon nodded. "It would make me feel better. I need to protect Espeon more than ever now. It's my job!"
Espeon accepted his brief nose-touch, but then pulled away. "But look at how happy everyone is now! Do you really want to spoil that? Besides, I'm willing to bet that those Pokemon aren't half as resilient as we are. They'll be licking their wounds for some time. Let everyone enjoy the peace. No need to worry over something that isn't there."
"Espeon's right," I said to Umbreon. I'll put up a day patrol, but strictly for the reason that I want to be cautious."
"All right..." Umbreon conceded. "But they won't be gone for good. You can be sure of that."
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