The international animal trafficker known as The Rooster sights his rifle on a black bear rooting for grubs in a decaying silver maple tree in the woods of Nebraska. Black bear organs fetch a high price on the black market. Hiding nearby, investigative reporter Alexander Henry trains his camera on The Rooster. Suddenly, a massive cloud of leaves and debris swarms over The Rooster. The startled bear runs away from the commotion, directly towards Alexander Henry's hide. Despite his fear that The Rooster may have discovered him, Mr. Henry decides that encountering the frightened bear is a bigger threat and bolts away. As he jumps a fallen log, a searing pain shoots down his leg. Someone has shot the reporter with a tranquilizer dart. When the drug wears off, Mr. Henry finds himself a captive in an underground cell. But why would anyone want to hold him prisoner? In answer, a Jacob's slot on the solid prison door opens, and in waddles a badger. The baffled and alarmed reporter now wonders, "Why would they stick a live badger in a prison cell with me?" So he holds out his hands in a non-threatening manner, and attempts to befriend the badger. "There there. Good girl. Nice badger. I will not hurt you." The badger rises up on her hind legs, eyes the man curiously, and places her paws on her hips. "Mr. Henry," the badger replies. "We should be making those same assurances to you."
The BADGER WAR
By Scott W. GuttormsonTrafford Publishing
Copyright © 2013 Scott W. Guttormson
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4907-1985-6Contents
Part I THE DART FLEW AND STRUCK THE MAN, 17,
Chapter 1 HERE COMES THE FLOOD, 19,
Chapter 2 PRISON, 23,
Chapter 3 IN THE PRISON CELL, HENRY MEETS HOOD, 25,
Chapter 4 HISTORY LESSON: DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN BADGER, 29,
Chapter 5 BADGERS AT PLAY: YOUNG BADGERS FLEE FROM DEN, 31,
Chapter 6 BADGERS AT PLAY: THE BADGERS' FLIGHT REVISITED, 33,
Chapter 7 HOOD RETURNS AND GIVES FIRST LECTURE, 35,
Chapter 8 THAT NIGHT I DREAM, 39,
Chapter 9 BADGERS AT PLAY: EXPLORE OTTER POND, 43,
Chapter 10 INTRODUCTION OF HENRY TO A WOLVERINE, 47,
Chapter 11 HOOD GRANTS TOUR OF VAULT, 49,
Chapter 12 UNFRIENDLY EYES, 53,
Chapter 13 VAULT, 55,
Chapter 14 THE SKUNK IN THE VAULT, 57,
Chapter 15 BADGERS AT PLAY: SUNSHINE IN SEWARD'S GLEN, 59,
Chapter 16 HOOD GIVES TOUR OF ROOTED TUNNEL CLASSROOM, 63,
Chapter 17 HISTORY LESSON: DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN BADGER DEN, 69,
Chapter 18 BADGERS AT PLAY: WOLVER, DUKE, AND THE DENMAKERS, 71,
Part II ALEXANDER HENRY WANDERS THE TUNNEL, 75,
Chapter 19 HENRY STUMBLES ON SPEECH BY HEAD-FISHER, 77,
Chapter 20 THE MARCH FORESHADOWED IN THE CLOUDS, 83,
Chapter 21 BADGERS AT PLAY: SUNSHINE AND WILLOW TALK IN SEWARD'S GLEN, 85,
Chapter 22 HISTORY LESSON: DESCRIPTION OF FUR, 87,
Chapter 23 HOOD INTRODUCES HENRY TO THING-IN-ITSELF, 89,
Chapter 24 THING-IN-ITSELF DISCUSSES THE BIRTH OF TURTLE, 93,
Chapter 25 BADGERS AT PLAY: YOUTHFUL RIVALS, 97,
Chapter 26 THE CHARACTERS, 103,
Chapter 27 HISTORY LESSON: SCIENTIFIC FAMILY MUSTELIDAE, 105,
Chapter 28 DINNER PARTY WITH HOOD, 107,
Chapter 29 BADGERS AT PLAY: PUCK AND WILLOW, 115,
Chapter 30 BADGERS AT PLAY: HARE BROTHER COLLECTS THE BADGER CUBS, 119,
Chapter 31 BADGERS AT PLAY: A MEALTIME STORY, 123,
Chapter 32 ROOTED TUNNEL EXPLORED, 129,
Chapter 33 HENRY RETURNS TO MEET LISP IN HIS ROOM, 131,
Chapter 34 ROOTED TUNNEL AGES, 135,
Chapter 35 BADGERS AT PLAY: THE TRIP TO THE TUNNEL, 137,
Chapter 36 BADGERS AT PLAY: ARRIVAL OF TRU'S TROOP, 143,
Chapter 37 BADGERS AT PLAY: HARE BROTHER TEACHES SELF-DEFENSE, 145,
Part III THE PLANS SOLIDIFY, 151,
Chapter 38 THE BLACKGUARD LEGACY, 153,
Chapter 39 HEAD COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS STRATEGIES, 157,
Chapter 40 SPLINTER MAKES DEMANDS AT HEAD COUNCIL MEETING, 165,
Chapter 41 THING-IN-ITSELF DISCUSSES HOW HUMAN STEALS MOTION GIFT, 171,
Chapter 42 STRIPE JAWTOOTH TAKES HENRY ON NIGHTLY FOOD HUNT, 175,
Chapter 43 THE HUNT, 181,
Chapter 44 THE GAME, 185,
Chapter 45 AUTHOR HENRY'S REFLECTION ON ANIMAL PROGRESS, 187,
Chapter 46 THE GREAT PROVIDER, 191,
Chapter 47 HOOD GRANTS TOUR OF INFIRMARY, 195,
Chapter 48 HELTI CONFESSES, 201,
Chapter 49 LITTLE BIT AND FRI MARRIAGE, 207,
Chapter 50 DINNER WITH LITTLE BIT AND FRI, 211,
Chapter 51 BADGERS AT PLAY: TRU AND LITTLE BIT ADVENTURES, 215,
Chapter 52 THE AGE OF CARRION, 219,
Chapter 53 THE RISE OF THE THIRD, 221,
Part IV THIS IS MY LAND, 225,
Chapter 54 SPLINTER DECLARES WAR, 227,
Chapter 55 HEAD COUNCIL DISCUSSES PREPARATIONS, 231,
Chapter 56 THE NEXT MORNING, 235,
Chapter 57 THAT NIGHT'S HEAD COUNCIL MEETING, 239,
Chapter 58 SAMMI SPEAKS, 245,
Chapter 59 THING-IN-ITSELF'S FINAL VISIT, 251,
Chapter 60 THE FINAL MORNING IN ROOTED TUNNEL, 255,
Chapter 61 THIRD COUNCIL MEETING UNDER NEWLY-TITLED HEAD-FISHER, 259,
Chapter 62 LEAVE THAT NIGHT, 261,
Chapter 63 CAMP, 263,
Chapter 64 WHAT ABOUT ME, 265,
Chapter 65 AND I DREAMED, 269,
Chapter 66 WHELM THE CITY, 271,
Chapter 67 TRU RALLIES THE TROOPS, 275,
Chapter 68 RESISTANCE ON A HILLTOP, 277,
Chapter 69 SPLINTER'S CURSE, 281,
Chapter 70 WAR, 285,
Chapter 71 NIGHT, AND REFLECTION ON SPLINTER'S PROGRESS, 287,
Chapter 72 VIEW OF WAR FROM THE EAST, 291,
Chapter 73 THE EXPOSURE, 293,
Chapter 74 SPLINTER'S CHARGE, 295,
Chapter 75 DISPATCH THE HUMAN, 297,
Chapter 76 WHITE FLAG, 299,
Chapter 77 MARTYR, 301,
Chapter 78 THUMB, 305,
Chapter 79 LAST SHOT OF THE WAR, 307,
Chapter 80 THE GREAT WHITE SPIRIT BEAR, 311,
Chapter 81 NIGHT REFLECTION, 313,
Chapter 82 THING-IN-ITSELF'S LAST LESSON-IMPANATION, 315,
Chapter 83 TRIBUTE TO THE FIRE-STARTERS, 319,
CHAPTER 1
HERE COMES THE FLOOD
* * *
In the woods of Nebraska, during the transformation from summer to autumn, a rifle barrel sticks out from a camouflaged blind. The cross hairs of the rifle are fixed on a female bear. The bear is wearing a curious red collar.
She is feeding to the north of the blind, which is cloaked in netting and camouflage. A secretive smile slithers across the rifleman's face.
I am shrouded similarly in a ghimli suit, recording the hunter's expression with a digital camera from a vantage point 100 meters to the northeast of the man. I had been tracking the black market trade for bear, and my work had led me here.
An investigative lead had identified Park Ranger Shelby Reeves as a person of interest. During surveillance, I witnessed an unknown man give Ms. Reeves an envelope. Ms. Reeves then presented the man with a state map highlighted with red circles and numbers.
The mysterious man would later be found to be the international exotic animal trafficker known as "The Rooster."
After the exchange, the Rooster's next stop was at an Army Navy surplus store, where he purchased camouflaged hunting fatigues and camping gear.
That night, while the Rooster slept at a local motel, I purchased an identical set of camouflage fatigues and camping gear, and returned to stake out the motel. Being an investigative reporter, I am always prepared with cameras, bags, binoculars, and most importantly, cash.
On the afternoon of the next day, approximately 100 miles from the hotel, I observe the Rooster point a rifle at a black bear rooting for grubs in the decaying mass of a fallen silver maple.
It had taken the Rooster only four hours to locate this bear. Amazed at the efficiency of this operation, I hold my breath.
The Rooster closes his left eye, thumbs the safety, and releases a half-breath. Suddenly, an explosion of dirt and twigs and leaves surrounds the poacher, sweeping him away in a wave of sound and earth.
Just as quickly, the noise dies.
The man has vanished.
I am left staring at the vacant spot once containing the hunter, wondering if the suspended dust floating on the faint breeze really marked the location of the other man.
Panicked, I study the surrounding brush for any sign of the armed poacher. Had the Rooster discovered me? Am I now a target?
Before I could carry these thoughts any further, a panicked grunting sound is heard to the immediate west. The bear, obviously spooked by the explosion of leaves, is fleeing the area.
Now I am faced with two immediate concerns. One: The bear is racing in my direction. Two: a potentially violent and definitely armed man has vanished in the underbrush before my eyes.
After a quick re-examination of the scene, I bolt upright and race in a southwest direction, towards George Drouillard trail.
This would take me uncomfortably close to the Rooster's location, but that seems preferable to staying here and having a panicked bear run into...
