Butterbeans and the eye of the storm

Most of the building had fallen flat. The Sergeant begins immediately searching for the Lieutenant and Alex. Butterbeans sniffs and paws furiously in the debris. The din of the fallen building had been extreme. The eerie absence of noise was like a tomb. And the Sergeant and Butterbeans were silent as they searched.

Within moments they are joined by more hands as the backup they had requested earlier, arrives in force. Furthermore, there are several large armored vehicles just now pulling up to their flanks. It seems their backup is right on time.

Butterbeans and the eye of the storm

The Sergeant pushes and removes debris as fast as he’s able. All the while shouting for the Lieutenant. Butterbeans echoes his cries with her own barks and growls as they both search furiously. The ground begins to shake, and for the briefest of moments everyone pauses.

Then from just a few feet away they hear noise and some of the fallen debris moves. The Sergeant rushes to the moving debris and begins removing more. He cries out as Butterbeans joins him, her tail wagging excitedly. They have located their friends.

Furthermore, it appears that Alex and the Lieutenant are both okay. Additionally, they made well beyond the fallen elevator. Butterbeans, tail wagging furiously, tugs on Alex’s sleeve helping him escape the pile of ruble. However, they are not out of the woods yet as the ground shakes mightily again.

The Sergeant helps the Lieutenant from the ruble, and Alex and Butterbeans follow them back to the waiting support vehicles behind them. There is abundant activity as more troops arrive to assist in the special operation. The scene is ordered chaos.

Assignment

A particular form closes in on Alex and Butterbeans. The approaching agent is flanked by two larger agents, and walks purposefully to Alex.

The ground tremors again. This time the sound is clearly audible. Indeed, it is as though something enormous burrows beneath their feet. The agent holds a hand out to Alex while introducing himself.

“Hello Alex. It is a pleasure to finally meet you and Butterbeans. Though these are unusual circumstances, I’m glad to make your acquaintance.” The Agent pauses briefly, eyeing something beyond Alex. Then he speaks again this time more to the point. So to speak.

“This situation is something we couldn’t have anticipated. However, you and Butterbeans already have valuable experience and intel.” Agent Thomas pauses once more, to let his words sink in, before continuing.

“We’re going to need you to go back in Alex. You and Butterbeans. There’s too much riding on this, and you two are the only ones to ever survive an encounter with it. What do you say Alex? Want to give us a hand?” Butterbeans huffs a quick bark and looks at Alex. Would they lend a hand?