Elias began his performance, screaming through the thin metal wall at the lead poacher. “I’ll give you everything! Patrol schedules, hidden fuel caches, I can even disable the perimeter sensors!” He poured out every lie he could think of, trying to buy the minutes he needed. “I have access to the main gateway! Just let me go, and you can take whatever you want! Just don’t hurt the calf!”
The truck suddenly screeched to a halt. The back doors swung open, and the lead poacher stared down at him with a look of pure, unadulterated disdain. Elias blinked, adjusting his eyes to the harsh light of the setting sun. “You’re a pathetic rat,” the poacher sneered, his hand gripping Elias’s collar.
“We aren’t taking any chances with you. You’re a liability, and I don’t trade with rats.” The poacher signaled to his men, and they began dragging Elias toward the edge of the vehicle, preparing to discard him.