Raven and Alara moved cautiously through the destroyed sidewalks of the Central Park Zoo. Raven turned her head slightly, her emerald green eyes moving to Alara beside her.
"We'll make our way to the veterinarian center," Raven said, her voice low but calm. "That's where they keep both the blood and genetic samples on ice. This zoo looks mostly mutated by now, so stay alert for any possible threats."
As she spoke, Raven deployed her two flying drones from the system space. Metal Mouse was also released silently, disappearing into the shadows behind Alara, as a guardian ready to protect Alara if needed. Raven plans to build Alara her own specialized guardian robot eventually, but that will take time. For now, Metal Mouse can do the job.
Raven felt a quiet relief watching Metal Mouse trail Alara like a protective shadow. With this small measure of security in place, they continued moving forward, each gripping their AK-203 rifles equipped with dual magazines, omni silencers, and Fluid rounds locked and loaded. Raven's fingers held the rifle grip confidently, and Alara, steady and confident, mirrored her movements.
Suddenly, Raven received a signal from one of her drones. They detected movement heading in their direction. A hidden balck shape moving low to the ground in the brush to their right. Raven lifted a hand, signaling Alara without the need for words.
"Alara," Raven said, her tone excited. "Enemy incoming on your two o'clock. Take the big cat down."
From the shadow of a twisted bush, a mutated black panther emerged quietly. Its emaciated frame stretching over coiled muscle and visible bone, as skin clung to his body like a wet cloth. The black panthers' claws glowed a deep, blood-red, curved like knives. His teeth jagged and saw-like. Above his dark, violent eyes, two thick black horns curled back like a grotesque gargoyle.
Alara didn't flinch at the sight. She raised her rifle, her fingers adjusting her laser sight. Her blue eyes looked through the short range scope with focus. Then, with zero hesitation, she pulled the trigger.
Pew pew pew.
A controlled burst of 7.62x39mm fluid rounds shot out of the rifle barrel, each bullet cut through the air. As they struck the panther's skull and chest, sending explosions of black blood spraying across the dead grass around the panther. The black panther leapt forward towards Alara, its claws tearing the earth, but mid-air, his momentum died suddenly. As the poisonous fluid rounds quickly took effect, killing the panther.
With a final, pained groan, the panther hit the ground. As thick black blood flowed out from his ears and eyes.
Raven approached the panther from behind, a small, pleased smile on her lips. Without a word, she reached out and gave Alara a firm slap on her butt.
"Good job," she praised in an excited manor.
Alara jumped is surprise, her entire face turning red as she turned her head towards Raven. "Don't do that in public! You're such a flirt," she yelled in embarrassment.
Raven's smile deepened. "Public? There's no one here but me," she said. Her eyes glowing with quiet amusement. If anyone dared to watch them, she would simply erase them from existence. No one else deserves to see this side of Alara. Her embarrassment, her sweetness it belongs to her alone.
Alara puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment, her blue eyes moving away from Raven's as she tried to compose herself. Her hand held her rifle awkwardly, debating whether to slap Raven's butt back or kiss her instead.
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 181 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone