Continued from here part 8

(Note: This is set a couple months before the current events in the Iron Age)

St. Louis M.O.

A large creature seemingly made of swamp mess walks through the streets of the city. Iron soldiers had demanded an I-Dent but it seemed unconcerned. They continuously fired on it but it barely noticed as it marched on. They finally relented as he crossed out of city limits. One claimed, "We chased it out."

"Are you kidding, the starking thing didn't even look at us."

***

Curtis, Tiffany and Dennis were hurried into a large shelter along with all but Ed, his sons and around 30 of the oldest boys. They were concerned about the massive steel doors blocked by several steel beams. Tiffany looked to the little girl next to her, "What's going on?"

She looked up from her doll and nonchalantly replied, "Its a full moon tonight."

Outside the shelter Ed was stretching his legs as General Balain came over the hill along with a dozen Hunter class soldiers. She gave a curious look to the group of shirtless men standing in the snow, "Don't suppose you boys have proper I-Dents?"

Ed laughed, "You have bad timing lady."

She then noticed many of the boys beginning to twitch and convulse as Ed spoke, "See a few of the older boys decided to help protect this place, so they went ahead and officially joined the Russel family."

"Where have I heard that name before?"

The Grey screamed and fell. Balain looked back,"What is it?"

She looked up shaking,"Rage, ancient and aggressive."

Ed held his gut and grunted, "Bet none of you brought silver."

Tiffany and Dennis were shocked by the sounds of animalistic roars and repulser fire as Curtis took a nap on a cot undisturbed. Tiffany shook him awake, "What?"

"Go find out what's going on out there."

He grumbled, "Fine."

He jumped up to a beam along the ceiling and looked out a window, "Awesome!"

Dennis looked up, "What?"

"A freaking werewolf army is fighting the tin goons."

Outside

The soldiers began to panic as the werewolves charged through repulser blasts. The Grey, overcome by the primal rage she felt all around ran not noticing the Krangs wandering about. Balain turned at her screams and watched as the massive reptiles ripped the mutant clone apart. She ordered a full retreat but only managed to save herself. She stopped in the air and looked down on the sight of Krangs fighting the werewolves over the remains of her soldiers.

She then hit her comm, "Marcum, we have a huge problem at Lake Tahoe."

"What now?"

***

The entirety of the Sacramento Iron Hall arrived early the next day but the village had completely cleared out.

***

Tunnels beneath Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Curtis and the others marched with the orphans toward a Spider camp with hopes of a more permanent relocation. As they went Curtis stepped up to Ed, "So, do you remember what happens when you're all fangs and fur?"

Ed shrugs, "Bits and pieces. Mostly just a red haze."

***

Dodge City, Kansas

The Man-Thing marches past a band of Goblins who had taken up residence in the abandoned city. He ignored their threats and taunts as he walked to the center of the city and sat down.

***

Beneath Carson City, Nevada.

The tunnels let out in the ruined city. Several men from the Spider camp met them and loaded them into trucks. Curtis and Tiffany bid farewell to them as they hopped into a truck provided for them and headed east.

(To be continued.)