Things seemed to be going surprisingly smoothly for Pitch and Kathryn despite the big changes and the chaos of the world. Almost too smoothly. Pitch felt a little guilty that things were going so well for him while Doppelgangers were fearing for their lives as debate over the possibility of a Cryptid registration act. That although allowed to remain citizens it might be under the condition that all non human citizens be registered with the government. There were even talks of requiring people to put their species on identification cards. Then everyone, human and not, would be clearly identified as such.
It was one thing to make it say “Human” or “Cryptid” on an i.d, but they were talking about the possibility of making it more specific. Going as far as to count different types of Cryptid as a different species and requiring it to say “ Doppelganger” or “Succubus” on the identification cards. Of course, these were just debates, people on both ends listing off extreme examples. In the end, Pitch knew they'd likely have something between doing absolutely nothing and full on putting “Umbran” on his identification card for everyone to see. He definitely wasn't excited about that possibility.
Pitch found himself avoiding the Internet for a while for his own mental health. Or at least avoiding news and social media. This didn't prevent him from hearing about it at work. After all, several of his coworkers were Cryptids. People were worried about their safety, about their families, about their relationships. Some of them were in relationships with humans that until recently didn't even know Cryptids existed let alone that they were dating one. One of the Succubi was even talking about issues a sister had while working at a gentlemen’s club. Since the idea that a Succubus would work there became obvious once the knowledge they were real was out.
Pitch knew the debates wouldn't last forever, eventually something would be done. The United Nations updated the Human Rights Act to be the Sentient Rights Act and the Non-Human Citizens Protection Act was ratified into law in the United States allowing all non-human citizens to continue to remain citizens and continue to receive the same rights and liberties as humans in most nations. That said, it was easy to assume it wasn't going to be sunshine and rainbows just because sentient Cryptids were now fully protected under the law. The new laws also gave basic rights to extraterrestrial life because the wording of the Sentient Rights Act didn't specify planet of origin.
Though thinking of the potential implications of legal wording wasn't Pitch's main focus, it was the continued talks about creating safety measures against the abilities of Cryptids, Abnormal Humans, or Hybrids. Measures such as including species on identification cards were still being discussed where everyone human and not would have to participate. This naturally made Pitch nervous as depending on how detailed it got things could be bad for him. If it was “Human” versus “Cryptid” then he'd simply be lumped in with every other Cryptid citizen.
However if it were more detailed such as to say “Human/Ethnicity” versus “ Cryptid/Type” then Pitch would have more problems since the files on specific Cryptids were now publicly available by order of the President. The file on Umbrans mentioned how they normally are people, and even though he was a hybrid and no longer needed to do that, it didn't absolve him of his past. His current actions could never atone for all the lives he had taken. Even if only the first victim was innocent because Pitch couldn't control his body and everyone else was a criminal, murder was still murder.
Black Eagle already knew what he was, and it's not like he'd have to show his civilian identification on the job. But still, he worried what people would do if a Cryptid that was as dangerous as he was, was an active member of the organization that was intended to protect the people from dangerous Cryptids. It could potentially create doubt in the organization’s judgement and their ability to protect people. It was one thing for people's bias to negatively affect Pitch, but the thought that simple association could harm Black Eagle and its ability to help was nerve-wracking.
Despite all this, Pitch did his best to focus on his work, helping contain the wild Cryptids that were more like animals. File reports, run errands, go on missions. It was strange how normal the job felt sometimes. I mean they hunted and often killed monsters, but it almost felt like a nine to five office job at times. Pitch wondered if it was like this for cops too. That, at some point, it felt less like “protect and serve” and started to feel more mundane.
Pitch was still avoiding news outlets as much as possible, but would catch passing glances from time to time. One of these times was during an interview with President Merrow on his opinion on the species registration bill that would require citizens to have their status as human or Cryptid listed on identification. Pitch paused to watch it for just a moment to see what was being said. “Now, I understand the argument that doing this would be dead to bias, but people already have ethnicity listed on identification cards here in the US.”
Marrow continued after a short pause. “The way I see it is this would be an extension of that. I will remind you that denying someone based solely on ethnicity is a violation of anti-discrimination laws that have been in place since before Cryptid citizens were recognized and those citizens would be protected under those same laws. So despite what many think, this law wouldn't be a violation of privacy or basic rights. It's actually an enchantment of something we already do, adjusted for our current situation. I fully support this bill, although I feel the wording may need a little work.”
The interviewer responded calmly. “I see, I do suppose wording on a law is just as important as the law itself, since the wording affects how it's enforced. However, I want to roll back to the comparisons to current identification practices and anti-discrimination laws. Do you not realize how often businesses get away with violating those laws with practices that equate to pocket vetoing applications? As the former CEO of a major corporation, you must be fully aware that those that sort through applications often place any with unlisted ethnicities or ones they don't like at the bottom so it doesn't count as a denial.”
President Merrow responds equally calmly. “Unfortunately, there is little I can do about bad actors finding ways to act in bad faith while technically acting within the law while still being sometimes openly biased. In these cases it is up to the citizens to act. If you have an experience with a company acting on bias and violating the spirit of anti-discrimination laws, do what we have done since the internet became a household tool. Post about it online, spread the word, warn others, then let them choose for themselves if they are still willing to work for or spend money at a business that acts that way.”
The interviewer nods. “I agree, laws only work when people enforce them and the spirit of what they are trying to achieve. Sometimes it's on the citizens to act. Report, boycott, move jobs. We as individuals need to exercise our power of choice and access to information as well as the ability to spread it. However, even in that there are bad actors and fuse reporters. So I personally advise people to do their research and trust their instincts. The system doesn't work unless we all participate and do our part.”
Pitch squinted. The interviewer was being a little too agreeable. There wasn't exactly a debate let alone an argument. It was highly likely the president set it up on his own end as a PR thing. With a sigh, he continued. It was a bit strange for the president to support the bill when he himself was a doppelganger hybrid. The people would likely be up in arms if they found out the current president wasn't human and thus already knew about Cryptids and acted like he didn't. The people might feel lied to and betrayed.
Despite how calm and reasonable he was sounding, Pitch couldn't help but feel like Marrow was intentionally steering the people into what was effectively a race war. Why would Marrow do this when he was himself a member of the minority that would get the short end of the stick? It didn't make any sense why he'd do that to his own people. Then, suddenly it hit Pitch like a ton of bricks. That could have been it, the missing piece. It didn't make sense, because Merrow was actively unhinged. There was a possibility the man had some insane delusional idea.
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Pitch couldn't help himself but mutter out loud. “My God, he might just be insane.” Pitch shook himself off for a moment. “His motivations aren't what's important right now. What is important is the fact that the high amounts of fear and hate being stoked like a fire is aggravating the issue with the veil getting weaker.” Pitch wondered if Marrow knew, it was possible since the weakening of the veil wasn't confirmed till after he became president that the information simply hadn't reached him since the otherworld and its contributions to Cryptids wasn't fully public or even fully understood.
Pitch felt a growl building in his throat, one stemming from anger at the fact that even if unintentionally the president was making his job harder and bringing them closer to a mass incursion event where the embodiment of fear itself would enter their world and people would die because of it. Pitch had out talking to and dealing with Marrow on the back burner because it was something that could wait. Now, it simply couldn't wait anymore. Pitch went to Black Eagle headquarters to talk to Ishwada about getting to talk to the president directly.
“You… oh god you're serious.” Ishwada was a bit stunned. “With all the activity lately we need you here now more than ever and you want to… take a plane to D.C to yell at the president? While your pregnant wife… waits here? I get she's still early in the pregnancy, but she needs you as much if not more than we do.” Pitch grumbled. “Well if I don't do something the whole world goes to shit. I want what every father wants, for their child to be safe, happy, and healthy. I can't exactly insure that if the closest thing to a god of fear comes over and fucks everything.”
Ishwada hesitates a moment, then nods. “Okay, okay. As someone who was once a father myself, I understand. You go do what needs to be done, for your family, for your son.” Pitch nods. “Anderson and Hammer are quite capable, I'm sure they'll be fine without me. But I will take a few people with me just in case something happens to go down while I'm out. I'll take Fae and… whoever she picks.” Ishwada chuckled. “The pixie? If you insist. She's definitely a top ranked member here, so you're in good hands.”
With a nod Pitch grabs Fae and tells her to pick a team, informing her of the mission. Unfortunately, before they could leave they got word of a report of a Cryptid in the area. With both Anderson and Hammer currently on mission Ishwada put Pitch in charge of the team. “You already have a team assembled, you can go after the target is taken care of.” Ishwada gave them the details. A large reptilian Cryptid had been spotted in the area, reported to look like an oversized mossy mutated komodo dragon, monitor lizard, or crocodile. Due to the sheer number of reptilian Cryptids, narrowing down the exact species was tricky.
Regardless, a team had to be sent, and Pitch was put on that team. Today was just another day, a mission like any other. The consistency of the work had led to the job feeling mundane and monotonous. What should have been one of the most exciting jobs in the world started to feel like a tedious slog. Two vehicles were dispatched, for a total of ten people including Pitch. This was the second time Pitch was on his own due to dispatch overlap. Pitch felt awkward, since technically he didn't have a rank, and yet, everyone in the team acted as if he was in charge.
Pitch didn't exactly see himself as a leader, but regardless of what he thought he was effectively in charge of the team. Pitch looked around the last area sighted. “Standard grid search, maintain contact. If at any point someone's comms go down, assume the worst and move accordingly.” Everyone confirmed and followed the orders given, the entire situation still feeling weird to Pitch. Some years back, he was the one being hunted as a monster, and now he was in charge of a monster hunting squad.
It felt surreal and Pitch couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of it as he scanned the area. “Man, I wish Berry or Arnold was here to talk about how fucken weird this feels. But then again, the only reason I'm in this situation is because they aren't here.” Fae looked over at him. “I know you're not officially a sub-commander, but you might be the first Cryptid to be placed in a commanding position here. They've let us serve for a long time, but I don't ever remember hearing of a Cryptid being put in charge of squads or units let alone divisions. Although it could just be common enough that it's considered normal, I'm fairly sure none of the division commanders right now are Cryptids.”
Pitch felt more uncomfortable about his unofficial position now, knowing the potential that it could be rare if not historic that he's the one leading things. He takes a breath, and shoves the thought to the side. “I’m not doing this for some sort of historical acknowledgement, I'm not even doing this because I want to. I'm doing it because it's necessary and Jiryu trusts me.” Fae chuckled. “That's also kinda funny when you think about it. Ishwada trusts you, a Cryptid, who's the same species as the one that killed his daughter.”
Pitch sighed. “I was there when that happened, and I know it's the reason he even joined to begin with. Him being a friend does feel odd sometimes, but he was close with my father. The human one that is. I was friends with his daughter when… anyway, enough about the past. We have a lizard to find.” Fae nodded and together the two focused and searched for signs of the target Cryptid. Eventually, after much searching, Pitch noticed a trail of slimy dark green. Algae, mold, seaweed, or something similar sat in wet trails making a noticeable path.
Pitch and Fae start to follow the path, calling others to let them know they found it. The trail snakes and waves across the ground, clear and easy to see. Pitch started to feel uneasy, because it seemed a little too easy. Then again he hardly struggled while on cases most of the time, usually due to his physiology. It had been quite some time since Pitch had faced something that was a genuine threat to him. Usually the challenge came in the form of protecting others. Today would likely be another one of those cases, where the only danger was to those around him.
Pitch continued cautiously, his senses open to detecting Cryptids as he did his best to avoid an ambush. After a bit more time of following the trail, he could sense its presence. Pitch immediately let everyone know it was nearby and for them to be on alert. Once he had line of sight, Pitch couldn't help but think about how repulsive the thing must have looked to other people. A large lizard that looked like it had been horribly mutated and was growing hair out of its back. Only it wasn't hair, but some sort of plant growth.
Fae whispered as she got a good look at it. “The plant mass on its back, is that a part of the Cryptid? Like with the Catoblepus? Could this be another instance of Cryptid symbiosis?” Pitch shrugged. “I don't know, but I bet Kathryn and the boys at the lab would definitely be willing to find out. I don't think it's a fungus though, it's more like an algae. I'm definitely not hype about algae right now.” Fae tilted her head, then strengthened out. “Right, the Endless Hunger case in the Bermuda area. I heard about that.”
The case had become somewhat infamous among the Black Eagle, because without Pitch it could have been a potentially world ending threat. Once it got started it could have easily snowballed into an unstoppable force. Pitch sighed as he had everyone take out Watt pistols and Volt rifles, getting ready to incapacitate and capture the Cryptid for study. Pitch gave the order to surround it and open fire, the team moved without hesitation and with practiced precision. Once the Cryptid was surrounded, everyone opened fire. The monster flailed and trashed somewhat slowly, seemingly resistant to the electric blasts.
When the Cryptid managed to get close enough to actually swat one of the soldiers, Pitch moved quickly to be in the way, the large paw and sharp claws slamming hard into Pitch. The force of the blow caused Pitch to slide backwards but he held his ground. “Not so fast ugly, if you want to hurt them, you'll have to get through me.” Then, feeling confident, decided to slug the creature in the face with his fist. The creature recoiled from the impact, then its eyes moved suddenly to glare at Pitch before it snapped its jaw at Pitch's arm.
Its teeth clamped down hard, biting into the arm in an attempt to bite it clean off, but then the creature froze in confusion after biting the arm. Its body started to go from dark green to a packer green and it made sounds of discomfort. It couldn't sense anything about Pitch outside him being a Cryptid before, but now it could feel more accurately just how outclassed it was. This was nothing short of a fear response. The monster was afraid of Pitch, and it quickly let go of his arm before turning around to flee, only to see Black Eagle soldiers were still surrounding it.
As soon as it turned around, it took multiple electric shots and tranquilizers to the face. The thing staggered and rocked around, trying to stay upright, but eventually the thing fell to its side, unconscious and barely moving. The only sign it was still alive was the slow moving of its chest as it breathed. It took the entire team to move the large reptile into the containment vehicle as the team got ready to depart and bring the specimen to the lab. “Good work everyone. Any injuries?” Pitch checked in with his team, he seemed to be a natural at this.
After confirmation of zero injuries, the team finished loading up and started rolling out, making their way to the NexGen laboratory. The team dropped off the specimen and could finally start heading out to D.C. to have a friendly chat with the president. But then, suddenly, as they were about to leave, one of the lab techs ran up. “Wait, a news broadcast just started. They're making an official announcement that I think will affect us.” Pitch sighed and looked at his phone to see what this broadcast was about. His eyes widened and his face paled to see it was announcing the ratification of the new identification bill. It'll be officially in effect in three months but all new identification cards will be provided for free.
Pitch let out a long drawn out groan. “God damn it….” He then let out a defeated sigh. “We should probably hurry, things are only going to get worse.” With that the team rushed to the airport to take the private plane to Washington D.C.
