Pontius opened a folded sheet of paper and peered at it carefully. Meanwhile, the howl was repeated.
Were in the Four Dis. Ta-a-ak. Howl was from here and somewhere here.
Welcome, this is Invisible Five. Were in the Four Dis. Will the big hunt start at seven? Weve heard the callsigns.
Nobody answered him.
It all fits, Pontius said, turning the map to Nero. You see, they moved north. Everything was as agreed.
But Nero did not glance at the map Pontius held out.
The hunt has begun, Pontius repeated, shaking his map.
I see, and earlier for two whole hours! Idiots! said Nero.
You are always dissatisfied with everything. Relax and lets enjoy the Hunt. Put the radio aside. Now she is not needed. Nobody will answer. Now everything is offline.
Pontius lifted his head and uttered first a guttural wheeze, then a powerful loud sound. Howl.
Nero turned sharply to the howling comrade, swung, wanted to argue something, but silently threw the radio into his backpack. Ersus chuckled softly and howled too. But he didnt do it so loudly. Yersuss howl was uneven and short.
We are already in the Hunt! He grunted contentedly and cleared his throat.
I have other plans now, said Nero, packing his things into his backpack.
Ersus looked at his comrade with interest.
I will deliver the captive where necessary, and I will get much more pleasure from it than from your Hunt, and not only, Nero grinned under his breath. Come on, take part in the Hunt.
Great, I didnt want to miss such an event, Ersus was delighted, apparently, he was not tempted to mess with the captive. When he heard the howl, all perked up and looked discontentedly in the direction of Junia.
And put in a word about us. Were on your team, Pontius asked. It is not for nothing that we ran through the woods here.
Yeah, we are your friends, supported comrade Ersus.
Nero nodded.
Yes, friends, he grunted, not quite satisfied, then turned and pointed a finger at Pontius. Keep your walkie-talkie with you, okay?
But its forbidden to use any of these new things on the Great Hunt! objected Pontius.
Ill call you as soon as I deal with this kitty. Once Im within earshot, youll answer. Got it?
Okay, Pontius agreed and put the radio back in his pocket.
Ersus looked at his friends and smiled contentedly. Then he tried to howl again, but coughed.
Marianne, taking advantage of the new care of the Werewolves, crept up on Junia. She watched his every careful step closely. Marianne touched the girls hands. They were cold and were tied tightly with a rope. He loosened the knot a little. These fetters were not difficult, but it was impossible to remove the heavy metal chain that encircled the girls waist.
Castle, the girl whispered, barely discernible, touching a heavy object on a chain at the roots of a tree with her foot.
Ill save you, Marianne said almost with his lips. The same eyes that he remembered were looking at him. Only now they seemed to Marianne a little different.
Junia is a werewolf! Cat werewolf!
The girl kept her head a little to one side, as if she were embarrassed by her appearance, but when Marianne bent down to her, she straightened. Junia saw that Marianne was just like her. Also with feline features.
I will help you, everything will be fine. Just wait, whispered Marianne and jumped back into the shadows, returning in his tracks. Then he took refuge with the folded things between the trees. It was a risky act, but Marianne couldnt think of anything better.
And how are you going now? Its not easy with wolf paws, Pontius asked.
Not the first time. Ill finish. Ill be there by morning. And there my hands will return. And dont be stupid, take your guns with you, Nero said, kicking his backpack.
Dont be insulted, okay? put in Ersus.
By the way, guns are not by the rules, Pontius said. I try to honor the traditions of the Hunt. If the Wolf Council finds out
We have net shooters, said Ersus. Why carry an extra load with you?
Pontius nodded and continued:
And I can not shoot from a gun with this, showed an outstretched palm and nodded at the backpack. And I dont want it to rub my back.
Yes, not according to the rules, Nero, repeated Ersus. Again we will get it because of your cunning.
Nero, meanwhile, fiddled with his backpack, pulled out a gun. It was uncomfortable to hold him in his hands with his claws. Nero took it between his teeth, but immediately threw it away.
Well, to hell with you. Im worried about both of you! And for the success of the business. And you and the net shooters are going to Wolf Mountain? Well done!
The comrades made no objection. Ersus sat closer to the fire and looked at the flame. Pontius scratched his leg with his claws.
Looking at the Werewolves by the fire and making sure they were busy with their packing, Marianne crept up to the outermost of the snowmobiles, pulled the hood. He gave way, revealing the inner tie rods and a small plastic reservoir. Marianne didnt know if it was for oil or fuel, but the idea of throwing snow at him seemed great. Marianne slowly unscrewed the lid of the tank, holding the hood with his other hand (the sharp smell of gasoline hit his nose), then threw a handful of snow inside, scooped up more with his palm.
Melting snow will disable the snowmobile
Marianne was sure of it. At least I hoped very much. Footsteps were heard. They headed straight for the awning. Marianne, in a panic, somehow attached the tank lid, quickly pulled his hand and returned the hood to its place. The footsteps stopped.
What is it? Nero asked sharply. Do you smell it?
Marianne backed away, cuddling as low as possible to the snow.
The werewolves must have sniffed. There was silence. Marianne quietly crawled further and further, then turned behind a tree and froze.
Gasoline, said Ersus.
Nero appeared under the awning, froze by the snowmobile.
Yeah, gasoline. Nero examined the snowmobile, throwing the hood open with a crash. Who didnt screw the lid down to the end? She can barely hold on. Hence the smell.
Ersus and Pontius exchanged glances. Ersus shrugged his shoulders.
This is your scooter. You know best, Pontius replied.
Is the tank leaking? asked Ersus.
No, the tank is all right. The lid is barely screwed on. Nero walked over to the other snowmobile and removed the canister from the trunk.
Just in case, Ill refuel. No, though. The tank is almost full. Nero looked at the fuel gauge. There was a dull sound. Marianne tried not to breathe and listened to what the oolki were doing. They could smell it, but now the smell of gasoline spread in the air like a sickening curtain. Nero fiddled with the snowmobile for another minute, then pushed it out from under the shed. I inserted my gun into a special cover located under the steering wheel.
Now, in the vacant space formed under the canopy, the tree behind which Marianne was hiding was perfectly visible.
Marianne waited for the Werewolves to talk about something again, and quickly climbed up the tree.
From a height of five meters, he looked down, tried to make out the werewolves. Two by the fire. One is missing. Nero has gone somewhere.
You will jerk, you will run behind on a leash, heard Marianne a disgusting voice.