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ADMIRAL BLUE AND GENERAL Williams sat across the table from each other in another long meeting. Eventually, the subject of the Wolf Nation became the topic.

“We had a small set-back this past week,” General Strait reported. “Nothing major. We’ll get back on track soon, re-start testing and training.”

“What have you learned so far?” one of the members asked.

“Any dual-natured person can identify another. By using them in this capacity we’ll reach one of our goals, knowing how many pack members work in government. We suspect there are pack members holding high offices but aren’t sure” General Strait said.

“Are they doing their jobs? Have there been any complaints?” This question came from another member, surprising Admiral Blue.

“There have been no complaints. Based on a few personnel records I’ve seen, they’ve done their jobs. But that’s not the point. Do we really want pack members in positions of authority? Who will they obey in case of a fallout? What if Silas Knight instructs them to do something illegal or he’ll stop their hearts from beating?”

“General Straits are you now accusing Silas Knight of stopping the hearts of the individuals you claimed were full-bloods? We’ve seen no records, no proof, nothing to back up your claims. Do you have proof?” the same member asked.

The General’s face reddened. “Yes, we did.”

“Proof that Knight stopped hearts? Where are they? We would like to see your proof.” He lifted a folder. “These are the coroner reports of the individuals who died and show nothing unusual for humans. Definitely, nothing to suggest they were part wolf and states they had heart attacks arising from other complications. Where is your proof to say otherwise?”

General Strait looked at the table for a brief second. “The officer handling the tests has disappeared.”

Admiral Blue sat back in shock and looked at General Williams who looked just as surprised as him.

“Disappeared?” Admiral Blue asked sitting forward. “When?”

General Straits shook his head. “I don’t know. He hasn’t shown up to work in a few days.”

“Are you implying that this one person holds all the information for a government testing operation?” Admiral Blue asked.

General Strait reported his last conversation with Lee, surprising Admiral Blue again when he heard the name.

“Major General Lee was court-martialed and sentenced. Why was he working on this project without our consent or knowledge?” another member asked.

Admiral Bents looked at General Strait. “Lee has a lot of knowledge in these matters, we petitioned the President for his release to work on this project.”

“And now he’s gone, along with proof of your research,” General Williams said. “Have you made any attempts to recover the information? Was it classified? How was it handled?”

Admiral Bents raised his hand. “We have enough information to continue and fulfill the President’s request.”

“You did not answer the question. What attempt has been made to recover this information? How was the matter handled? What if Lee has outside interests?” another member challenged.

“Yes, I sent a team to the location Lee resided to search for clues and answers. When I have a report, I’ll share it with this council. General Lee is an honored soldier who made a mistake. I and the President don’t believe him to be a traitor as you suggest.” He turned from that member and looked at the rest of the Chiefs.

“What do you know now, that we didn’t know before?” another member asked. “Your reports aren’t giving any new information. A massacre happened in a para-military building and we don’t know if it was a foreign power or our own.”

Admiral Bents opened a folder and leaned forward with his hands on the table. “Our plans to recruit and train a similar force to the Knights was approved and we moved forward to choose 24 candidates.”

“Where did you recruit? Were they all foreigners?” General Williams asked.

“All but two were foreigners, two Americans.”

“Were background checks done on these candidates?” General Williams asked.

“Most were checked,” Admiral Bents said.

“Is that information available? Those bodies will be sent somewhere for burial or are you disposing of them here?” General Williams asked.

“I don’t have that information, but it’s doubtful they’ll be returned.” Admiral Bents met General Williams gaze.

“Is it possible that an enemy or enemies of one or more of the men you hired are responsible for the massacre?” Williams continued staring at the Admiral.

“Anything’s possible. The appropriate authorities are looking into the matter. Our primary task is to learn information that can be used to defend ourselves against the Wolf Nation. Secondary, the President wants to know the size of the Nation. As far as securing a reliable count of the Wolf Nation, we need to continue our efforts in securing individuals capable of identifying pack members.”

There was murmuring around the table, once again surprising Admiral Blue.

“How do you intend to do that? I’m against recruiting foreigners who may have ulterior motives, or may choose individuals on a whim without any proof,” Admiral Blue said, feeling the tide might be turning. “Especially when the coroner cannot corroborate the individuals used in your experiments are anything more than human. The whole thing could turn into a witch hunt”

There were murmured agreements.

“We knew there is no visible way to determine between pack and humans,” Admiral Bents said.

“Then how do you intend to go forward?” another member asked.

Admiral Bents looked at the folder in front of him again for several seconds. “I don’t know how to proceed.” He looked at Admiral Blue. “You’re sure Silas Knight had nothing to do with any of this?”

“Of course not. I can only tell you what he said and hope he has been as honest with us as we’ve been with him.” Admiral Blue held Bents gaze for a few seconds.

“If Silas Knight was involved with the death of these people,” Admiral Bents said looking around the table. “He’s a bigger threat than we imagined.”

“I’ve never heard of or ever seen any evidence of any pack member using a blade, or a sword, to kill over 20 men. According to both you and General Strait, these were highly skilled, fighting men with extra abilities,” another member said.

“All our intelligence on Silas Knight and his pack never mentioned the use of swords.” He pointed at Admiral Bents. “You’re going in the wrong direction with this, Admiral. I agree we have a problem, a big one based on what happened in our backyard less than 48 hours ago which in my opinion, is more critical than chasing the Wolf Pack. They aren’t going anywhere. For now, let’s focus on what kind of weapons were used with such lethal accuracy against those men. What if they had been our own? How do we handle such a threat?”

Admiral Blue sat stunned at the turn of events. Had La Patron removed General Lee? It was possible and a stroke of genius. Should he make a motion regarding Lee? No. If someone else wanted an investigation, he’d vote for it.

The pressure eased off his chest as tension rolled off him when no one mentioned a census or accounting of the Wolf Nation. Turning in his seat, his gaze clashed with Admiral Bents heated glare and he knew in his gut the man hadn’t given up, no matter what the Joint Chiefs said.