Jim Roberson let out a sigh as he walked around the block. He thought over the past few weeks, his latest missions.

Cartel guys. Mob bosses. Smugglers.

No innocent little doves, that's for sure. But also folks who were by no means supervillains.

Not people the ILS should deal with.

And the ILS...something had changed.

It was subtle, for the most part things were business as usual. Nothing about his daily life had changed. No big reforms had been announced since the initial changes by the Acting Director.

But the missions came slightly more often.

The communications were slightly more brief.

Agents and heroes didn't stop to chat in the halls as much, now marching down to their next task.

And the requests sounded increasingly like orders.

Jim let out a sigh.

And nearly walked into a man wearing a hat and sunglasses.

"Captain Hot Devil."

Jim narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist.

"Can I help you?"

The man took off his sunglasses and Jim relaxed.

"Oh, Agent Wilson, didn't recognize you. It's good to see you again but I'd prefer to keep my private life private."

Agent Wilson nodded.

"I'm sorry, I wouldn't be here under any other circumstances."

Jim let out another sigh.

"I know where this is going."

Agent Wilson slowly nodded.

"Captain Hot Devil, the BSI needs your help. And possibly the world with it."

Bob reviewed his notes and nodded his head. He was just about ready. He took out his phone.

“Miss Wojnicz, how are you?”

“Bob, sir! Thank you for calling! I’m doing great! I can’t thank you enough for this job, this is amazing!”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Just, each and every day I get to see things I never would have dreamed of! Who knew there were so many rare materials in this world? And now I get to build things with them, and then see them on the news! And my dad has been so mad, he thinks I’m off with some bad crowd or something, it’s great!”

“It’s great that you found something you love.”

“All thanks to you! Oh! Sorry, I got a little excited hearing from you, sir. Were you calling for something?”

“It’s good you’re enthusiastic. And yes, I have a commission for you.”

“Oh, I’ll go get Mrs. Tanifuji then!”

“Not for the company. For you. And you alone, this job is confidential.”

“For me?!”

“Yes.”

“Is that…am I…um…”

“Take a deep breath, Miss Wojnicz.”

“Ok, whew, huh. Ok, um, are you sure you want me?”

“Yes.”

“Um, why me though?”

“You’re the best person for this job.”

“Wow, um, t-thanks for the flattery?”

“I’m serious.”

“Oh…um…”

“Miss Wojnicz.”

“Yes?”

“I chose you based on the work you’ve already shown us. Believe in yourself, and just do what you always do, and it will work out.”

“...”

“I would not have called you if you couldn’t do it.”

“...thanks. What’s the job?”

A few minutes of hashing out details and requirements later and Bob ended the call, and dialed another number.

“Linda.”

“Bob! I was getting worried since I hadn’t heard from you in a while…”

“How are you?”

“I’m fine, though feels like I’m being pushed out. I won’t have much power here soon. They’re going to reform the ILS structure soon, bring it more in line with a military operation.”

“That’s fine.”

“If you say so.”

“I’m going to make a big play soon. I want you to make sure our allies are ready when the time comes.”

“...this is it, then. What’s the time frame?”

“Uncertain, but they’ll definitely catch my signal.”

“I got it. We’ll be ready.”

“Good. Once that's done just keep your head down. I don’t want anything happening to you in the final stretch.”

“...Thanks. I’ll be careful. You too, I’m guessing you’ll be in a lot more danger than we will?”

“Only if we succeed.”

“Then we will.”

Bob ended the call. One more to go.

“Carl.”

“Hey Bob, how are you doing?”

“Fine, yourself?”

“Meh, I keep trying to beat some common sense into these idiots, but looks like they’re all the same. Ah well, I’m just a consultant though, they’re the masters of the dark arts after all! What can I do for you?”

“Can you arrange something for me?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Hit the target, expect failure.”

“Ah, I see. I think I know just the guy, he’s really annoying.”

“Thanks, Carl.”

“Anytime, Bob!”

Bob walked behind the cell leader, a squad of armed minions following behind. The leader was carrying a large briefcase.

It was rare for their busy leader to oversee things personally. But well, there was a lot of money at stake today. A lot of money.

The leader entered the back seat of an unremarkable car, nodding at Bob.

“Let’s circle around a bit and then return in waves. Take the boys for a drink before you come back. I don’t want anyone tailing us back to base.”

Bob gave a salute.

And then they felt it.

A quiet rumble.

Thud.

Thud.

The rumbling grew louder. The men could feel the ground shake. They heard people scream.

THUD.

THUD.

Everyone turned to look down the street.

“Weapons up!”

Bob yelled out and pulled out his pistol. The other minions cocked and aimed their rifles.

And then it came from the intersection.

Towering above the cars and fleeing people was 13 feet and 6 tons of thick, brown fur. Open wounds in the fur revealed rotting flesh. Large yellow tusks curving in front of its face. Empty eye sockets glowed with purple flame.

An undead Wooly Mammoth.

At its feet, undead Sabertooth Tigers stalked the streets, growling at cars and pedestrians. On top of the mammoth was thin young man, wearing a black hoodie and a ski mask.

“Muahahahaha! Tremble before me! I am the Necro-Mammoth the true successor of the Necrosaurus! You who tread upon the graves of the mammoths…um…”

The Necro-Mammoth glanced around, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a notecard.

“It was, like this? Um, Ice Age of Death? Where was it, I know it was here somewhere.”

The young man looked at everyone staring at him. He shrunk his shoulders and hid himself on the top of the mammoth.

“...just kill those guys and bring me the briefcase.”

The sabertooth tigers growled and dashed down the street.

“Open fire!”

Thunder and smoke rang out on the street as the minions let loose a wall of lead. The tigers roared, but still they came. Bob grabbed two of the minions by the shoulder.

“You two, get the boss out of here! We’ll hold them off!”

The two minions nodded and got into the car, starting the engine. The leader looked at Bob once last time.

“Bob…”

“Go! This is my job.”

The leader nodded once, and the car drove off. Bob turned back to the front and swore. The tigers had already reached the line of minions, screams and blood filling the air. He glanced back, the car had turned down another street and was no longer visible. Bob let out a sigh.

And then he turned and ran as fast as he could.

Faster, faster!

His legs were on fire. His lungs gasped for breath.

But he could hear the growing and the paws pounding the ground.

And they were growing louder.

He grit his teeth, fighting the urge to look back. He put as much power into his legs as he could, swinging his arms while he pushed off the ground with all his might.

He could practically feel the cold breath of the undead behind him.

There!

He swung hard to the right, rushing down a particular alleyway.

A dead end.

He leaned over his knees, gasping for breath at the end of the alley.

The tigers rushed past.

He held his breath.

One of the tigers paused, and turned to look down the alley.

Bob swore.

The other tiger came back as well, and the pair slowly stalked towards Bob. Bob backed up until his back was against the wall.

The tigers got close, crouching down to ready their pounce.

Bob smirked.

And hit the button hidden on the wall.

A trap door opened beneath the tigers, who disappeared into the ground.

Bob heard a thud, and then a large number of metallic clanks and two very angry roars. He pressed the button once more, causing the trap doors to close.

Bob took a deep breath and then strolled out of the alley, allowing himself to smile, even hum a small tune.

Even in a world of wonder weapons, super powers, and eldritch magic, sometimes the best weapon was a simple hole in the ground.

Admittedly, the bear traps were a bit superfluous.

But oh so satisfying.

The leader swore as the car blew past another intersection. This was supposed to be a simple fund transfer. The large quantities involved required his personal attention but it was something they had done a thousand times before. Not once had a single incident occurred and there was no indication this time would be any different.

And now he had lost his best minion.

The leader swore again. The worst possible timing. Their work was just picking up, the leaders had big things in store. He couldn’t afford to lose people right now, he just didn’t have time to find, vet, and train up competent help. Even worse, he had lost one of the few men he knew he could trust.

And trust was the most precious commodity in his profession.

He was then thrust out of his thoughts.

As well as his seat.

The leader swore as his head hit the side of the car and the world went spinning. He shook his head and looked up.

The mammoth stood before them, tigers at its feet.

He turned to the front of the car. Both of the minions had their heads on the dashboard, and lay still.

The mammoth stopped, and the Necro-Mammoth leaped down. The leader let out a sigh.

“Boy, do you have any idea what you’re doing? Any idea of who you’re dealing with? Let me tell you, even if you take the case, even if you kill me, you’re screwed. Completely, utterly screwed. We will come for you, and there’s not a single corner on this planet you can hide from us.”

The Necro-Mammoth grinned.

“Nope! And I don’t care. What does it matter who you are? The government? The ILS? The Mob? All are beneath me. All are insignificant compared to the unfathomable powers I wield! And now I will take what I am rightfully owed!”

The young man took out a small wand made of bone, with a purple jewel on top, and pointed it at the car.

“Now die!”

A sound like thunder.

The purple jewel shattered.

The Necro-Mammoth jumped back in panic, looking around.

“Who?”

Another gunshot, this time in the necromancer’s head. He dropped to the ground, lifeless.

As did all his beastly minions, which began crumbling into dust.

The leader looked up, and allowed himself to smile. Down the street was a lone man, hunched over and breathing heavily, smoke still rising from the barrel of his gun.

“Bob! You’re alive!”

Bob slowly nodded his head as he walked over to the car, opening the door and extending his hand to the leader.

“Somehow. Are you all right?”

The leader nodded.

“Thanks to you.”

The leader looked at Bob for a minute and then sighed.

“Bob. I think you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“To learn who we truly are. You have proven yourself competent, intelligent, and loyal. Today would have been a disaster for our organization if it was not for you. I hate to lose you, but it’s a waste for our organization to keep you as one of my henchmen.”

“I’m going to recommend you to our headquarters. The decision is ultimately theirs, but I hope we can continue on as equal brothers of the cause.”

Bob gave a salute.

“Thank you, sir.”

“To peace everlasting.”

“To peace everlasting.”