The different commanders all passed the file around and looked through it before it eventually made its way to Hawkes. One of the female commanders gestured to the file folder. “So that information has been checked by multiple locations, several times over?” Pitch nodded. “Not only that but I didn't even inform them why they were running the test. It was a blind test each time. The reports from each location even state that. I show you proof of the Fear Pollution theory as well as proof of where that smog goes. This entity, referred to as Phobos, is likely the basis of the Boogeyman myth. It is fear incarnate, terror made manifest. And although we recently found an artifact that is our best chance at creating a weapon to fight this thing, I am your best shot at using it effectively.”
Hawkes slapped the file. “Do you expect normal people to understand these graphs here?” Pitch chuckled. “Fuck no, I don't even understand the graphs fully. We can make copies and send them out and you can have someone who does look at it. That's besides the point. I believe this thing is responsible for the second signal but I admit that the reason it's doing so might be because I'm here. I'm not sure if it's because it sees me as a threat or wants to subjugate me or what. Its motives are irrelevant, what is relevant is the effect it'll have if it manages to manifest its true self in our world rather than just an avatar.”
The files get passed around a second time with Hawkes clearly gritting his teeth. “So rather than properly defend yourself, you've chosen to present yourself as a lesser evil?” Pitch chuckled nervously. “It's a lot easier to convince someone there's something out there that's worse than to convince them I'm not evil. More so if the person has a prejudice. I'm not going to try and convince you that I'm a good person when you've already made up your mind about me. I've done some things that are definitely reprehensible and even condemnable, but it's nothing compared to what you'll face without my help. Could you do it without me? Maybe. I honestly would do whatever gave me the best odds of survival. You already have weapons that you know can kill me.”
One of the female commanders spoke first. “He has a point. We don't currently have a weapon to deal with a threat of the magnitude this file suggests. Having something hard to kill yet disposal to do it for us would be great. Also I've known Commander Ishwada for some time having worked with him more than once. I trust his judgement. If he says this monster can be trusted, that's good enough for me.” Hawkes groaned and looked at the ground. “Okay, show of hands. Who here thinks the entity formerly known as James Holden, currently known as Pitch Black, staying with Black Eagle is a good idea?”
There was some hesitation but more than half of the hands went up. Hawkes then asked “And who's fully opposed?” He raised his own and saw three or four other hands go up. He sighed. “Well technically this organization isn't a democracy, but for this case I'll follow the majority decision. For now.” Pitch let out a sigh of relief. “Can I go home then? I've got events to plan and a future to build.” Hawkes growled. “Don't get too comfortable or plan too far ahead. The moment I get the smallest hint you'll become a problem I won't be taking a vote. I'll just order your elimination. Before you ask for a fair trial I'll remind you that you've already confessed to multiple murders.”
Pitch grumbled. “Even serial killers who confess still get trials, they just go faster. You can't just decide to be judge, jury, and executioner just because I'm a Cryptid. You could spin some bit about the Doppelganger agreement never being intended for use in a case like mine but the fact of the matter is I still qualify for the same rights as all citizens, human or not. The moment you find an excuse to remove my rights you open the door to remove the rights of others. The first step to tyranny is the removal of the rights of criminals. Once that happens all you have to do is justify an arrest to remove the rights of someone you don't like.”
Ishwada gestured at the table. “This nation was built on these sorts of principles. Regardless of the intent of our founding fathers, or lack thereof, we still should endeavor to apply the ideals of our nation in a way that reflects the times. You can't start cutting corners just because it's convenient and easy.” Hawkes grit his teeth. “Yeah, whatever, fine. Just get out of my sight.” He waved them off. Pitch, Ishwada, and Anderson all left the room. As soon as they were out of sight of the others Ishwada grabbed Anderson by the collar. “You've got some explaining to do, Philip.”
Anderson put his hands up. “Look, I know I fucked up. I shouldn't have ratted you out like that. At first it was because I didn't trust Pitch but later it was in hopes I could help others learn to trust him. I didn't think Hawkes would use the information against us.” Ishwada gave him a shove and let go. “That's the problem Phil, you didn't think. Now everyone in Black Eagle knows about Pitch and we have to walk on eggshells.” Pitch hummed. “Calm down Jiryu, the truth would have probably come out eventually. I'll probably be put on trial after Phobos is dealt with, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let's focus on the issue at hand first.”
Ishwada grumbled lightly. “I highly doubt Hawkes will have changed his mind by then regardless of anything you do. He'll probably advocate for the death penalty.” Pitch hummed. “Wisconsin doesn't have one.” Anderson did a rolling hand gesture. “And what about Marrow? He's obviously going to be an obstacle down the line. He has something planned and I'm fairly sure he and Hawkes are working together despite Marrow being a Doppelganger.” Pitch rolled his neck as if trying to crack it. “From what I can tell Marrow is your typical shitty corpo scumbag who sees Cryptids as a resource to exploit for profit. He's not trying to end the world as we know it. It's like being under the threat of an entity like Darkside and asking what Lex Luthor is up to.”
Anderson knitted his eyebrows. “Yeah, but wouldn't Lex be doing shit behind the scenes to take advantage of the chaos later even if he helped to stop the world ending threat?” Pitch chuckled. “Well yeah, I guess. But unless we know what his motives and goals are we can't exactly do much about it. Like… it can't just be money. Even Luther had secondary motives. Granted those were born out of misplaced xenophobia and human pride. We just don't understand Marrow's character that well to predict what moves he'll make yet or if they'll even affect us.”
Ishwada growled. “Like Pitch said, we can focus on the issue that presents the biggest threat first.” Anderson hesitated, but eventually nodded. “From now on we'll be a proper team. I'm sorry for leaking information but I honestly thought I could convince Hawkes that you weren't a threat.” Pitch hummed. “You were doing what you thought to be best. I'm a little upset and feel betrayed but I'll forgive you this time.” Anderson bowed lightly. “Thank you so much. You won't regret it.” Pitch simply hummed in response. The three returned to the plane and started the journey home.
Kathryn awoke with a start, covered in a cold sweat to an empty bed, breathing heavily. She gently placed her hand on her belly. “That same nightmare again. I don't understand it. I want to be a wife. I want to be a mother. So why the hell do I keep having a nightmare about a little shadow monster bursting out of me like something from a classic sci-fi horror movie?” She slowly got out of the bed and took a hot shower before making sure Kasa had food. “Hey Kasa, how are you doing?”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Kasa rolled her head back and forth. “I'm doing okay, I guess. Nothing new going on. I could be doing better, could be doing worse. I'd like to be able to walk and look like a human though. I could also use a partner. I'd kill for some romance or even a casual hookup right about now. Not being in heat doesn't make me any less lonely.” Kathryn nodded. “It's not like I'm not trying to help you out though. Pitch and I have done what we can to accommodate you while we figure out something else. Though once Pitch is back I'd like to test a theory.”
Kasa lifted her head from her food bowl. “Oh? What are you going to test?” Kathryn gestured to Kasa's neck. I'm going to try putting a collar on you with a hope gem like the one in my ring. I'd have to have Pitch make it for me though. I'm thinking direct exposure to hope energy will act as a catalyst for changing you to be more human.” Kasa nodded as she finished her meal. After she was done she returned to the conversation. “You look really tired, Kat. Have you not been sleeping well?”
Kathryn rubbed her eyes and shook her head. “No, not really. I keep having this recurring nightmare and I don't even know why.” Kasa moved over to Kathryn and nuzzled her leg. “What about?” Kathryn started to pet Kasa. “I'm in the hospital, my belly is massive and ready to pop. The doctor has me all propped up to give birth. He's instructing me to breathe and everything is normal. Then my belly starts to writhe and eventually bursts open, popping like a fleshy balloon. A small Umbran comes out of the wound and the doctor moves his hands to hold it. He looks at me and his eyes change. They become yellow and monster-like as he grins a sharp and unnatural grin. He then congratulates me for birthing a monster in the same casual tone one would normally use to announce the gender.”
Kasa simply blinked with a blank expression as what she was told sank in. “Well that sounds… intense. Could it be you're actually nervous about what'll happen if you actually get pregnant with Pitch's child? I mean you'll be diving into unknown territory so regardless of what you want, you have no idea how it'll even work.” Kathryn hummed and put her hand on her chin. “Maybe subconsciously… but when I'm awake and think about it all I feel is warm and fuzzy. It's almost like something else is causing the nightmares.”
Kasa tilted her head. “Isn't there a mythical creature literally called a Nightmare that causes bad dreams?” Kathryn clicked her tongue. “I think I would have noticed a black horse standing in a hospital room. Also, as far as I know if Nightmares were a Cryptid they are either incredibly endangered or extinct since I've never seen a modern report of one.” Kasa hummed. “What about sleep paralysis demons?” Kathryn chuckled. “That's a medical condition, but I can definitely see a monster spawning from an event like that.”
Kasa got onto the couch and laid her head on Kathryn's lap. “Well I'm sure you'll figure it out or work through it. One step at a time, right?” Kathryn continued to pet Kasa. “Yeah, one step at a time.” The door opened and Pitch, who definitely looked like he had a rough day, stepped in. He entered the building with a groan and plopped onto the couch. “Today kinda sucked. Apparently Anderson sent Hawkes basically everything in the hopes that Hawkes would change his mind about me. Instead he used the information to try and have me executed without a trial. Blamed me for the new signal so I had to show him everything we have on Phobos so far. It's a lot easier to convince someone of a bigger threat than to change their mind about an existing one.”
Kathryn put her hand to her chin. “That's… unfortunate. I hate feeling like we're fighting an uphill battle.” Pitch pulls out a box. “Oh, I finally finished this. Based on what you told me this will hopefully help Kasa.” Kathryn opened the box to see a new collar with a gem embedded in it, similar to the one on her ring but bigger. Kathryn smiled. “I see we had the same idea. Alright Kasa, let's get this collar on you.”
Pitch grabbed the collar out of the box and carefully placed it on Kasa's neck. “It might take a bit for you to notice a difference. “Kasa lightly pawed at the collar. “You know, in some circles, this would be like an engagement ring.” Pitch chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint you, but this is a plutonic gift.” Kasa let out a soft laugh. “I know, I know. I was just teasing anyway.” Kathryn crossed her arms but smiled. “I don't much appreciate you making moves on my man.” She then laughed, making it clear she was simply adding to the joke.
Kasa ran a claw on the gem. “I really hope this works. Oh, Kat, don't you have something to talk to Pitch about?” Pitch looked at Kathryn. “Oh?” Kathryn started shifting in her seat. “Well it's nothing major but I suppose the secret to a good relationship is open communication so… I've uhhh… been having recurring nightmares.” Pitch tilted his head. “Well, things have been stressful for a while, so it's only natural. Is there something specific that's bothering you?” Kathryn nodded. “The dream involves me being pregnant and… having complications while giving birth. A small Umbran bursts out my belly and the doctor then congratulates me for birthing a monster as his face becomes more wicked and his eyes change color.”
Pitch knitted his eyebrows as his head tilted farther. “Being nervous about becoming a mom and potential complications with our situation would be natural. What color did the eyes change to?” Kathryn’s eyes looked to the side, no longer making eye contact. “Yellow, and they looked almost snake-like.” Pitch pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Yellow is the color of the eyes of Phobos that sit in the sky in place of the sun or moon in the fear realm.” Kathryn’s eyes widened. “(Could it be some sort of attack? Is Phobos trying to show the seeds of fear involving a child to taint the process? How would he even know that Pitch and I are together let alone what we do.)”
Kathryn looked at Pitch again. “Do you think there's a connection?” Pitch shrugged. “We can't rule it out. However, the solidified crystals of fear energy that encased the apple were also yellow. So it's likely that the wavelength of fear is simply in line with that of the color yellow in the visible light spectrum. I've noticed similar things with hope and fear energies tending to appear in set colors. Hope energy shines a deep blue as you can tell from the two crystals I made and the Seed of Hope that's inside the apple. It's actually quite fascinating that when there's a high enough concentration of an emotional energy it tends to appear in a set color depending on the emotion. Just like in the comic books.”
Kathryn nodded. “Well if I remember right even ancient cultures had similar color to emotion associations. They've been surprisingly consistent over the years. So it's something our ancestors were somehow aware of that persisted to this day.” Pitch nodded and hummed. “I think I'm going to turn on the TV to watch some broadcasts for a bit while we relax.” Pitch turned on the TV and flipped through a few channels before stopping at the news. “Eh, this isn't the normal time news runs.”
The lady at the desk had just started. “Hello Wisconsin, this is Grace Summers with news channel eleven with an exclusive special report. Thomas Tom Bone Marrow has announced he's going to make a special announcement. Let's cut to it.” The camera cuts to a tall muscular man with broad shoulders and salt and pepper hair. “Hello Wisconsin, hello all of America. Ever since I founded this company the slogan I created was more of a mission statement. Building a better tomorrow, today. I have built up several companies that have improved everything from medical technologies to the correctional system.”
Marrow took a brief pause before continuing. “My company has done great things and I truly believe that for the most part we have successfully held to our mission statement over the decades. However, even with the reach my companies have, there are limitations. Walls that I can't simply break down with lobbying and the construction of new buildings. So, after much consideration and thought on how best to build a better tomorrow today, I have made a bold and decisive choice about my future, the future of my companies, and the future of this very nation. That the best way to best serve that mission is by running for President in this upcoming election.”
There was a pause for some reaction time from the crowd before he continued. “I am officially announcing my intent to run for the office of President as an independent and will not be accepting any assistance from any of the major parties of this nation. Should I win I will be temporarily relinquishing my company as per required, putting it in the hands of my son Thomas Junior.” Pitch blinked and tilted his head. “What the actual fuck?”
Kathryn rubbed her chin. “This move actually makes a lot of sense actually. It'll probably be easier to affect the law from the white house. He was trying to get the death penalty in states that don't have it while setting up a network of power plants that would run on Umbrans. Though since you're the only one left I'm not sure if that's his aim anymore. Either way we definitely need to keep an eye on the upcoming election now.”
