The worse was the memory where he was involved with the humans who tried to split us up. I didn't managed to get that far up the food chain with my seasoned investigation. Roland will never let me forget it. Oleg would tease me forever. Ollie asked me to worry about that later. I showed them everything and the council member used hypnosis to force the president to tell them everything and released the prison with full pardon. He was hypnotized to resign and we were allowed to leave the building unharmed. The hostage takers were curious but they were busy celebrating. I got in the same vehicle as Sam and one of his guards had turned into a beast. Three council members joined me. They convinced me to wait till we were back in the palace to deal with the traitor. Sam wanted to argue but he was held down by the Pretorian guards as I bit him for further investigation. I was crying and everyone felt my pain. They didn't like it. He was planning to find a way to hand me over too. This was the last straw. When we got to the palace Sam was dragged to the dungeons.
I was insulted that the werewolves were being represented by fools. The whole point was to prove werewolf can rule and be fair. So the council did a vote and appointed a new werewolf name Zeb. Before he was sworn in I had to search his memories for any treacherous intent. I apologised profusely. He didn't seem to mind. He was surprised I believed they are good people. So he was motivated to prove me right. Then Sam was injected with antigens which humanised him and he was sent to the humans to face their retribution. The Nocturnals don't involve in criminal activities so if anyone is caught they will be punished surely. Afterwards I braced myself for Roland's Sherlock Holmes jokes but I got none. I got a pat on the head and a promise to help with the investigation. The humans were amazed that we handed over one of our own. We waited till the antigens were no longer visible before handing him in. We made sure they can't synthesize or bioengineer it either.
I was sad that werewolves were getting a bad name. So they came up with a solution. A different werewolf emperor on their turn to make sure they don't get another Sam or Abe. Jesse asked them to take me out for a spin since fresh air will do me some good. I was taken to the mall where I watched a man order food and the server mistook his request. Suddenly I remembered the day I went to the food court after my recovery. I had snuck out of Ravencroft and spent time with mom. It was her day off and I wanted to make new memories. I was about to reach the counter when someone random dude pushed me aside. He cut the queue to give his order. He barked, "Give me Five" the guy in the counter gave him a high five. Everyone burst out laughing. He took a deep breath before he started pointing at five random beverages he wanted. All of them were mocktails. The man was told by the manager to get in line. He can't jump into the front and expect service. So after an intense staring contest he walked to the back of the queue.
Roland was laughing as he tried to keep a straight face. Ivar imitated the man, "Give me Five" Serena gave him a high five. The other members of security were laughing. So were the council members. I blushed red as a few asked about memory lane. I heard Bronson answer that it was how I relaxed. I remember a humourous moment and help elevate the tension. I had a stockpile of silly memories. Roland recalled the waiter's expression after I had mentioned how mom and I had eaten at four other restaurants before coming here. He wanted to know which insane asylum I had escaped till he saw mom's badge. Oleg recalled the memory of me hitting the washing machine as a mid since I wasn't informed of it's purpose. Ivar remembered the twin who was on the trampoline. Serena remembered the old man who had goodbye to his burger like it was his girlfriend after his wife caught him sneaking into a barbecue. A few remembered the ice cream pose and one remembered the prank I pulled by turning the frames upsidedown. Mom thought she was hallucinating due to overwork. She took a week off to rest. Batou came with a care package. Uncle J sent his butler to help with housework.
The one that made everyone laugh the hardest was the memory of the younger me singing a patriotic song with a twist. I replaced country and god with the words eggs and toasties. In my defense I didn't know what they were saying so I made it up. As the laughter died down a few curious ones asked me how old I was. I recalled I was about a year and a half or maybe I was two. They forgave me since I was little when I did it. The laughter was still heard occasionally as I pass by. The Pretorian guards were grinning ear to ear. I sat down and was focused on the troubles brewing outside. I sensed a person standing outside. It was the man I bit. I blushed red as I walked over to apologize. The guards happily followed me out. I muttered, "Hello" he grinned at me and asked permission to come in. I told him this was a very bad time. He smiled as he promised not to take much time. I stepped aside to let him through. When he was inside I apologized for the bite. He laughed merrily as he brushed me off. He came to warn us that the army was going for martial law. They had found a nest of Vamperuf. They are going to unleash them into the public. I was advised to warn the public and keep him anonymous.
Oleg promised to do so. I ignored them all as I kept apologizing. He gave me a pat on the head before leaving. I connected with everyone and told them to make sure they are in an area where their homes are surrounded by humans. This will be some sort of protection. I have a feeling they are about to do aerial bombardment. No one questioned my logic and ran for cover. The news blared the Vamperuf attack on several cities. They were killed but Martial law was enforced. The government had no standing anymore. The police and other investigators were told to stand down. The parliament was disbanded. The senators were sent home. Since these are an official separate species we were spared. Sure enough an hour later some neighborhoods were bombed by fighter jets. We watched smoke billow. Thankfully no one in the family was harmed. They thanked me for my quick wit and promised to be extra careful. Some of the homes belonged to Nocturnals. But they had hidden in the underground tunnels for safety. The military sent their apologies and the council accepted it since the family was safe and sound.
Road closures and check points popped up overnight. The soldiers came to search the building. They didn't ask us to go out since they knew some of us were sensitive to sunlight. The laboratory was moved to the subbasement levels and they had no inkling. They asked very politely where I was. Oleg answered that the last time anyone mentioned me I was somewhere in the Baltic sea. But that was eight weeks ago so he has no clue. I told Oleg to be quiet. I don't want the trigger happy people to start shooting. The soldier ordered his men to put their guns on the table as they searched the place. They followed the orders to the letter. The men asked when I was coming to the capital. Ivar explained that I will be going elsewhere once it is time to rule. Since the States was compromised. The man made it clear that they are not the bad guys. They are just following orders. I explained that he and the others are innocent but they will eventually get orders that will ruin their sleep. Almost all the Nocturnal here has experienced it. He asked how many were soldiers. Oleg and Roland explained that they are retired. They are Nocturnals so they can't join the army. Their priority is protect the family. They were offered other positions but they willingly chose this. Oleg and the soldier shook hands before he ordered his men to clear out. I asked him if they are going bomb this building. He promised us they won't. I wasn't taking any chances. Once he left I moved us to the subbasement levels.