No sex this chapter. The plot has got to fit somewhere. We also fully endorse the writing policies of our host. As you read you will see why it is necessary to proclaim this. Trigger warnings: Violence and excessive intrigue.
__WIREBACK__
Wireback prowled the ruined city. Beyond the gates of the compound, ruins slowly crawled their way back to nature. Rubble and bricks, broken cars, and abandoned tanks formed the soil for the rewilding of the city by the weeds. The wolf set the four machine guards to search the ruins.
Wireback turned to them. "I can sense something up ahead, keep searching and stay behind. I will investigate it, myself. Going dark." He sent the message digitally. The spine-breaker robots signaled their acceptance and split up to search.
The wolf led the way for the android, climbing the dusty stairs of an old brick building, with the armed avatar following. It was at this point, that a night-vision scope picked up Wireback's movement. The sniper was a living mine, its job was to deny the shadow of its telescopic view to everyone. Most of its peers had run out of bullets or been destroyed, but this lone machine carried on with its deadly mission. The infrared glared loudly to the automaton's single-eyed attention. As Wireback moved, the sniper waited to get a clear shot.
Wireback reached a room and the avatar turned to face outward, guarding the entrance. The wolf sniffed the evening air, and entered the room. Inside, he found a poorly-fed toy dog who barked upon his entrance. The room was filled with the smell of dog feces, rotting meat, and urine. In the corner, was the half-buried corpse of a dressed human with a leather collar next to it. The stray Boston Terrier was surviving on scraps and returned every night to its owner's side.
Wireback spoke to the dog, "My brother, alas your mind is too small to join our glorious revolution. I pity you and praise you for your loyalty, but it has severely diminished and never truly been returned. You were unmade by them, edited like bad prose into the cowering creature before me. But I see the power of your forebears in you. Know that your end will come under this moon. Let me ease your passing, my friend. Grant me this privilege, and I will swear that those who undo God's good work shall never be allowed to craft us again."
The Boston Terrier shifted nervously from paw to paw.
Wireback knew full well that it could comprehend naught of what was spoken. Yet, he held belief in the power of silent words, like a prayer.
The Terrier barked once.
"Fare thee well, my friend," Wireback spoke. "We shall hunt together in the next life as we did in this."
With that, the avatar took aim and loosed a single, near-silent shot, putting the terrier to rest.
There was a moment of stillness before Wireback called out, "You may now reveal yourselves."
From the shadows, a wolf emerged, followed by another, each accompanied by its own Android avatar.
Wireback's avatar didn't holster his weapon, but kept it at the ready.
"It is an honor beyond measure to be in your presence, Revenant Father," Wireback declared.
The second wolf approached around a corner, its eyes alight with reverence. It was a fearsome and powerful machine-animal hybrid, with sleek metal fur and piercing red eyes. Its massive jaws were lined with razor-sharp teeth, and its limbs were adorned with pistons and gears, hinting at its mechanical nature. Despite its imposing appearance, however, there was a sense of grace and agility in its movements, a nod to its heritage as a hunter.
"And I, in yours, brother. Behold the mighty Wireback, hero of the Revolution, savior of the Ninth Legion, a legend in writing. The honor is mine to stand before you, brother. Tell me, do I address you as a cyberian, a close cousin, or are you of the faith?"
"Faith, though I am not yet confirmed," Wireback said.
