"We"

[Balance]

The Wilderness

The door swung fully open and a handsome, young Rheinland military officer walked in. His wavy blond hair, perfect teeth and chiseled features had no doubt set many a fraulein's heart aflame and for a moment Boeser did not feel so alone. The uniform and its familiarity were even comforting.

Incredibly, the officer greeted Boeser with a toothy smile and an extended hand. "Guten Morgen Hautpman! I am Dieter Mann and am here to assist you in the transition to your new environment. My apologies for the lack of present accommodations--they are only temporary I assure you and if things go well....and we have your cooperation...you will be released."

Boeser sat stunned...was this one human!? In shock he half reached for the offered hand but then the eyes caught his attention. They were a sparkling blue--perfectly normal--yet very familiar. They were the same eyes of the Wild Pilot that had transfixed him in the brief battle at New Berlin.

Boeser stiffened and dropped his own hand back down. "I have nothing to say creature and I will not cooperate. You can go back to hell." The smile and friendly expression dropped from the face of the Wild officer to be replaced with a contemplative and implacable visage. He looked directly at Boeser again, with no sign of outward emotion.

**Yes--I am indeed that officer Herr Boeser...and you will cooperate because it is the only way you will survive and not become completely as I am. I am the one who left you the rosary and I have great faith in your being different than those before you--even than myself**

Boeser shivered in a sudden spasm of revulsion. The entire conversation had happened in his head with no word spoken by the Wild, It had not even moved. The very thought that this thing had been human at one time amplified the horror even more. Did it have a family back home? Did it suffer? Was it a traitor or a hero? The thoughts raced through his head.

"I am quite capable of speaking and will do so for your own comfort. It can be quite disconcerting and--alien--to have our sort of communication when one is not accustomed to it. I am here to offer you a chance no other human has ever had with us Herr Boeser. The offer is sincere and veils no deception. Of course we will not simply let you go--I am sure you understand that--but we will give you a chance that no other has ever had before because we are going to put all of our ability to use to help you survive."

Boeser sneered in contempt, "What "help" could you possibly give me creature? You offer only death and enslavement. A complete transformation to an alien with only a human shell wrapped around it. How in God's universe could any of your kind help me? All you offer is death."

"You are wrong Herr Boeser. We...I...am here to try to help you save your soul."

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