“Wait, hold on a sec. For a moment I thought I heard you say Executed?” said Aleu. Rohn subtly nodded his head.

“No Aleu, you heard me right. I did say Executed. I’m sorry, but that’s the way things are here.” Rohn replied reluctantly. It still hadn’t fully registered in Aleu’s mind of the gravity of Rohn’s statement. Aleu’s fate now rested on what ever words she says’s next.

“Well, let’s say I do join this ‘Darkwatch’ organization. Would I still be able to live a normal life? Would I still be able to see my family and friends?” the she-wolf asked the Regulator. Rohn first sighed before answering.

“When someone becomes a new member they become dead to the world. There former life has ended, from that point forward your soul purpose is to serve the Darkwatch. You vanish from public view; you no longer exist to the outside world.” Aleu sat silent, if her choices were right in front of her. She could accept the offer and become a Darkwatch Regulator. But in doing so she would never see anyone she held dear to her heart. Lady and Tramp, her Father and Mother; she’d never A.J. or Sakura again! And the list went on with the countless other people she knew. She could only imagine how they would feel when she would disappear from their lives. On the other hand if she refused she would most certainly die. In either scenario the life that she knew was over and that either choice would change it forever. But she did think of another possible outcome. If she accepted Rohn’s offer she may come across the opportunity to escape though it may be a long time away. But even the slightest chance was better than none at all. “Aleu.” Rohn continued. “I’m not sure if this will effect your decision but, in all honesty, you were able to hold your own against an attack from the undead. Granted the creatures you fought weren’t the worst that’s out there but you were able to defend yourself and received minor injuries. Someone like you would be of great value to us.”

Aleu had made her choice and looked into Rohn’s eyes. “Alright, I’ll join your organization. But not because I want to.” Said Aleu. Rohn grew a friendly smiled at the wolf.

“I was hoping you’d say that, it saves me a bullet too.” He said to her and shook her hand. “Well, now we need to get you a uniform and a more appropriate weapon. But first I think you’d like a hot bath and a good night’s rest, or what’s left of it anyway.” Rohn then knocked on the door and another Regulator stepped in the room. “This gentleman will lead you to the dorms; there you can find bathing facilities and a fresh set of clothes until we get you a uniform to ware.” Rohn finished and handed Aleu over to the Regulator. This one was polite and tipped his hat at Aleu. “Ma’am.” He said letting walk out the door before himself.

The Darkwatch is obviously a military organization. Every one; and I do mean EVERY ONE was dressed in some kind of uniform. Each one unique to what ever that particular person specialized in. Rohn, for example, is a Sharp Shooter or “Sniper”. His uniform allowed him to move freely and quickly and carried numerous rounds of ammunition for his rifle or carbine. Another uniform with unique characteristics was the Demolitions expert or “Demo Man”. The soldier wearing this uniform had to be a very large and strong man in order to move. The whole outfit was covered in think steel plates; the collar itself was exaggerated so it could protect the neck of its wearer. The helmet looked similarly to that of a typical “Western” hat but constructed entirely from steel and had a face plate the looked like a stylized skull. A bomb could go off mire inches away from the soldier and he wouldn’t suffer any harm from shrapnel.

The man guiding Aleu wore a different uniform. Like all of the Darkwatch’s uniforms they looked to be constructed of black leather. This uniform was fairly basic, Black pants and a black “Bib” shirt with a white Cross on the front was the main part of the outfit. The boots were black and in places were “Armored” with steel plates. The spurs seemed to be made of silver and had signs of extensive use. He also wore a typical “Western” style hat and a dark red bandanna around his neck. On his left upper arm, near the shoulder, was a symbol Aleu repeatedly saw throughout the complex. A circular “Sheriff’s Badge” with a 5 pointed star, its tips sticking out of the main circle. In the center was a very creepy looking skull with long fangs coming down from the upper jaw. Aleu deduced that this was the organization’s symbol, their “Coat of Arms” if you will. As for the “Citadel” it was a vast labyrinth, corridors and passage ways were everywhere carved directly into the rock. Only occasional support was needed to keep areas from collapsing. The lager halls and corridors had rails sunk into the floor; the rail heads flush with the floor’s surface. These seemed to be either 24 inch or 18 inch gauge tracks that small fireless steamers or compressed air locomotives used to haul goods, supplies, weapons and ammunition to all parts of the Citadel.

There technology was decades ahead from the rest of the world! While the world’s “State of the Art” was gasoline powered vehicles, mostly trucks, that weren’t all too reliable and broke down constantly the Darkwatch, still used Steam Power for almost everything they had! Locomotives, self propelled armored Battle Wagons with vastly improved Duel Gatling Guns that could fire 900 rounds a minute or more! Even with their hand held weapons, the Darkwatch was far more advanced. During the late 1870’s the Darkwatch developed what they called the “Rail Rocket”. It was made from a Naval Signal Cannon and fired self propelled rounds with self contained charges that explode on contact! Recently the Darkwatch had developed a new “Automatic Machine Gun”. It looked like a Rifle with a large rectangular magazine below the breach and a tube, similar in dimension to the barrel, underneath the barrel. Unlike a typical Rifle that fires a single bullet at a time this gun fries bullets in rapid succession and sound almost like a Woodpecker. They even started a similar weapon that fires 10 gauge Buck Shot!

After walking through what seemed like an endless maze Aleu and her guide came to another large door. This door was similar to the one she had seem earlier after climbing off the train. Aleu had seen other doors just like it in other areas of the Citadel. They seemed to separate different areas or “Zones” of the complex. Like the one door before hand this one also had massive internal locks and gears which opened and closed the door mechanically. The inside of this area, the Dorm Area, was set up similarly to a prison. Multiple levels and Blocks made up this portion of the complex. But each “Cell” was fairly large like a Single Bedroom apartment, complete with a private bathroom, large closet and storage compartment; though it looked more like a glorified Gun Case. There were some simple pieces of wood furniture like a nightstand and wardrobe. The bed had a stuffed feather mattress and pillow covered with animal skins. The frame was crude and made of iron plates bolted together. The walls and floor were rock and stone. Though fortunately there were vents for warm air circulate. The door was made of Iron and Steel. The outside had a handle with a small lever that opened the door. But the inside had a large steel latch used to lock the door from the inside. Aleu looked at the bed and saw a set of very faded white cotton clothes. Aleu turned to her guide and thanked him. Again the regulator tipped his hat and closed the door as he left Aleu.

The wolf looked at her surroundings. She sighed wondering what she had gotten into. She turned her head and looked at the set of clothes to her side. She didn’t know what to make of the whole situation. These “Darkwatch” people did save her life, but then would not have any problem dismembering one of there own or kill an innocent life in order to keep themselves from being discovered. Aleu could feel that Rohn wasn’t a threat to her and he was kind at heart. They say that they’re mission is to protect man kind from Evil, but at the same time they seem as ruthless as their enemies. So many questions and thoughts whizzed through the She-Wolf’s brain that she had no answers for. Again Aleu sighed; she picked up the clothes from the foot of the bed and headed for the bathroom. She shut and locked the door and then turned on the hot water for the shower.
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Chapter 6, Enjoy!