Full Moon Rising - 02 (28 page)

“Who better to fight the worst of all monsters than the Mo
nster Squad?” Rufus asked.

24

Laura sat in Matt’s office completely dejected.  She brought the initial reports from Team 2 and what they found in Italy.  The plane was found parked at the opening of a small private hangar, the co-pilot dead, a fire axe lying near the body.  The pilot and any sign of Dominic had been erased from the plane.

Local police had taken fingerprints and scans were sent.  They confirmed what they already knew, that Dom had been in the cabin at one point in time or another as his prints were found on the co-pilot’s headset and on the handle of the fire axe.  The hunters discovered that the co-pilot was a vampire and dragged the body out into the sun to be turned to ash.  The Italian federal police were quickly made into believers, as if the white irises, fangs and black coagulated blood weren’t evidence enough.

The Italians were using facial recognition software and ev
ery security camera they could tap into to try to discover what vehicles had come and gone through the airport in the last 24 hours, but at the moment, the trail was cold.  It was as if they had fallen off the planet.  “I don’t know why I was holding out hope that they would find something.” She said, her voice betraying her.  “We’re never that lucky.”

“There’s still that chance that he went on his own, Laura.” Matt said.  “I know that nobody wants to think it, and nobody wants to admit it, but there
is
the chance.”

“Do you really believe that?” she asked, her eyes probing his.

Matt took a deep breath and tried his best to hold a poker face.  “I don’t know what to believe.  Like I said before, we weren’t there.”

“Bullshit, Matt.  We both know that Dom wouldn’t go against a direct order.” She wasn’t being argumentative, simply stating a fact that they both knew.

“Just tossing out possibilities, Laura.”

“Unlikely as they are, right?”

“Unlikely as they are.” He nodded.  “Have you notified the squad?” he asked.

“Before I came here.  Apollo is not happy…to say the least.  He’s ready to hop a plane to Italy himself.”

“I’m sure he is.”

Laura took a deep breath and stretched her neck.  The stress of the situation wearing her nerves thin.  “I looked for the Chief to inform him, but I couldn’t find him.” She said.

Matt’s face puckered in dissatisfaction and his brows creased.  “He’s at the airport picking up the newest member to his team.” He said tersely.

Laura turned an inquisitive glance at him, but he wasn’t forthcoming.  She would have to pry it out of him.  “Newest member, sir?  Who would that be?”

Matt sucked air in deeply as if preparing to rant, but instead let it out slowly.  Through clenched teeth he simply said, “Tufo.”

Laura gave him a sideways glance.  “The field agent from Ohio?” she asked.

Matt stared off at the ceiling.  “Yes.” When he finally turned back at her, she could see the anger in his eyes.  “One and the same.”

“Okay.  Why?”  She asked.  “I mean, how the hell did Mark suddenly become a hunter?” a smirk crossing her face.  “Is this a joke or something?”

“God, how I wish it were.” Matt sighed.  He stood up and grabbed his scotch bottle.  He didn’t even bother with the glass this time. He pulled the cork and upended the bottle, pulling two long swallows from it.

“Whoa, sir!” Laura exclaimed.  “Slow down!”  Matt lo
wered the bottle and sat back down.  “And pour me one too if it’s that bad.” She said, concern crossing her features.

“It’s worse, Laura.  Much worse.”  He poured her a drink and then poured himself one as well.  He practically threw the ice in the glass and glared at the bottle.  “Mark Tufo was a Gu
nnie in my old unit.” Matt began.  “In fact, he’s the last remaining member of the original Monster Squad.  How that son of a bitch survived is beyond me, but he did.” He muttered.

“Anyway, I watched so many good men die in the line of duty.  Hunting these bastards down, but somehow, Tufo stayed alive.”

“And you resent him for it?” she asked.

“What?!” Matt exclaimed.  “Hell, no.  I was tickled pink.  I loved that old asshole.  He was one of my guys and a damned fine soldier.”

“But…”

“But…we implemented the augmentation protocols.”  He continued.  “Granted, the first series was pretty crude, but it was effective.”

“And…”

“And…Mark had a family.  And I knew what the augment
ation would mean to a married man with a wife and child.  And I just couldn’t do it.  Not to Gunnie.” Matt said.  “So I had him booted from the squads.  We changed the requirements for all incoming operators.  They couldn’t be married or engaged.  Only single guys, or divorced, but only if their record deemed them highly qualified and there couldn’t be any chance of them reconciling.”

“So, you did it to save him.” Laura said softly.

“And he’s never forgiven me.” Matt said.  “I thought about explaining it to him once or twice.  The man was my friend.  Hell, I can’t tell you the number of times we saved each other’s lives.” Matt chuckled.  “He’s tougher than boot leather.  That was the reason I brought him in.”

“I’m sure if he knew…”

“He’d be pissed either way.  Here it is, years later, he’s old and broken down and still thinks he can run with these kids.  These
augmented
kids.”  Matt said.  “Well, he’s about to get his eyes opened.”

Laura smiled at him.  “Well,
one
of you is about to get your eyes opened.”

*****

Jack was driving the military Humvee back through the metro traffic.  He had picked up Tufo at the airport and the Gunnie was still not happy.  He knew that Colonel Mitchell didn’t want him out there but he would be damned if he’d let the overstuffed politician keep him from rejoining the ranks of the Monster Squad.  His wife, on the other hand, wasn’t too thrilled with his demanding to return to duty.  He tried to explain to her that he had a debt to repay, but she wanted none of it. She knew that Mark was nothing more than an adrenaline junkie, throwing himself into the fray as often as he could, breaking the rules of engagement when he was supposed to only ‘report’ sightings to the squads.  He would often engage the enemy and swear in his official reports that he had been spotted and attacked, forcing his hand to defend himself.  But now he was back and he wasn’t going to let anybody stop him, least of all, his old CO.

“How was the trip?” Jack asked, trying to make convers
ation.

“How do you think it was?  It was a freaking plane ride.  They’re all the same.” Tufo shot at him bitterly.

Jack couldn’t understand the biting remark and tried to let it slide.  Still, he pushed to get to know the man who would be working with his team.  “So, I hear you used to be on the original squad.”

“Yeah, I was…until that son of a bitch Mitchell kicked me to the curb.” He glared out the windshield, shooting angry da
ggers at passing vehicles.  Jack’s brows knitted and he squeezed the steering wheel.

“Let’s try this again.” He said through gritted teeth.  “Hi.  I’m Jack Thompson and I’ll be your Team Leader.  And if you don’t knock that fucking chip off your shoulder,
I’ll
do it for you.” He said with a mock smile.  “How’s that grab ya?”

Tufo turned in his seat and shot Jack a lopsided grin.  “Well, why don’t you just give it your best shot, Sonny?”  He shot at him slowly.  “I was hunting monsters when you were still shi
tting green.”

“I doubt that, smart ass.  It wasn’t that long ago you were a hunter, Gunnie.” Jack replied.  “So what gives?  What’s with the anger issues?”

“Why do you think?”  Tufo fired at him.  “Mitchell betrayed me.  I gave him the best years of my life and he betrayed me.  Kicked my ass to the curb without so much as a ‘see ya later’, ‘kiss my ass’ or nothing.  I think you’d be pissed, too.”

“Well, Mitchell wasn’t going to let you come back this time either.”  Jack informed him. “It was MY decision to bring you in and I’m probably going to catch fifteen rations of shit for doing it.  So just between you and me, I’d appreciate it if you’d knock off the pissed off Marine bit.”

Tufo shot him a look that would have busted the window if it had missed Jack and hit the door.  “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, Gunnie.  I’m serious.  If I don’t think I can count on you being a team player, then
I’ll
boot your ass to the curb this time.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Tufo growled.

Jack pulled the Humvee to the side of the highway and stared the man down.  “Try me.” He replied.  “If you think for one minute that I’m bullshitting you, we can step outside and settle it right now.  I’ll kick your old, wrinkled ass all up and down this highway until you see my point of view.”

Tufo cracked a grin.  “I couldn’t shove my head far enough up my ass to see your point of view,
squid.
” He quipped.  “And my ass ain’t wrinkled.”  He mumbled.  “Hairy as hell, but it ain’t wrinkled.”  He pointed toward the road ahead.  “Are you gonna drive this damn thing or are we gonna have a pecker measuring contest?”

Jack raised an eyebrow as he threw the Humvee into gear.  “I’d win.” He said.

“In your dreams, Navy.” Tufo shot back.  “My nickname in the corps was ‘Peter Dragon’.”

“Short legs, huh?” Jack shot back.

“Oh, you’re just full of come backs, aren’t ya?” Mark said with a laugh.

“If it means me not kicking your ass and sending you pac
king it back to Ohio, then so be it.”

“You just don’t want to have to tell Mitchell you got your ass kicked by an OLD Marine.” Tufo shot back.

“Yeah…you’re gonna fit right in.” Jack mumbled.

“Like I never left.” Mark sighed.

“Just remember, grandpa,
team
player or I introduce my boot to your ass.” Jack shot at him.

“No wonder Navy boys never could get a shoe shine worth a shit.  That ain’t the way to do it,
Sonny
.”  Tufo fired back.  “Spit and lots of rubbing.”

“No masturbating in the truck, jarhead!” Jack smiled.

“If I were, you wouldn’t be able to see out the windshield.” Tufo shot back.  “I’d offer you a pony ride, but you don’t have a saddle and I don’t allow bare backing.” 

“I should have suspected you were a little ‘off’.” Jack shot at him.  “You
are
a Marine.”

“Floating on the surface and crapping on the squids below me.”

Jack groaned at the bad pun.  “How did Mitchell put up with you?” he asked.

“You don’t remember?  He fired my ass.”

“Now I know why.”  Jack mumbled.  “You’re mouthy as hell for a toothless old fart.”

“Who you calling toothless?   And I’m pretty sure that fart was fresh.  May have had a lump or two in it.”

“Great.  You’re more fun than a barrel of…eww, gross!  I thought you were kidding!” Jack yelled as he reached for the window crank.  Mark sat in the passenger seat and laughed to himself. 

“Pickled eggs and beer.  Did it just for Mitchell.  Been cooking that one up
all
the way here.” He cackled, his eyes burning at his own flatulence.  “Oh, damn.  You might want to pull over.  I think I’m sitting in something.” He said leaning to one side.

Jack gagged and tried to pull his undershirt over his nose.  “No way, if you did, you’re sitting in it!”

“No, seriously, I think you might want to.”  Mark said laughing.  “Got any napkins?  I feel something wet and warm.”  Jack was dry heaving and flipping him the bird.  “Okay, but it’s your upholstery.” Then gagged himself.

“I swear to Christ, do that again and you’re walking to the base.”  But the two were almost to the main gate.  Jack was fa
nning the air, fighting the urge to gag and Tufo sat in the passenger seat laughing as they approached.  When the gate guard stuck his head in the window to look at Jack’s ID, he pulled his face back sharply.

“Good grief.  Are you transporting a dead body?” he gasped.

“Not yet.” Jack muttered.  The gate guard waved them through and Tufo burst out laughing again.  “I wish you had saved that for Mitchell’s office.  Seriously.  The ventilation in there sucks nuts.  He wouldn’t be able to go back for hours.”

“Good to know.” Mark laughed.  And squeaked out another.

“For the love of Pete, roll down your window!” Jack yelled.

“I’m marking you with my man-scent.” Tufo stated, his arms crossed against his chest, eyes watering.

“You’re etching
glass
!”  Jack held back a retch as he drove like hell for the hangar, his head hanging out the window.  He shot across the gravel road and slid the huge truck up to the hangar  doors, the guards opening them as soon as they saw him coming. 

As soon as Jack was inside, he shut the engine off and jumped out as fast as he could, gasping for fresh air.  Tufo laughed as he stepped from the truck.  “Yeah, we’re going to have a blast.”

“What’s with you Gunnie?”

“Too many years raising English Bulldogs, I guess.  Sinuses are all but burned out.” He quipped.  “Never feed them anything with ‘soy’.  Tears their tummies up.” He stated matter of factly.