Read H.E.R.O. - Horde for Free Online

perhaps they have their own idea of what an orc is, and are making guys into that?"
    Agent Carrigan nodded, "That makes sense.  I'll collect the identity of these men and follow up with their families to see if they have anything in common.  If there is I'll let you both know."
    Rayna said, "Right.  Something did this to them - and they weren't prepared, based on their current clothing."
    I said, "Man, the military would love whatever did this.  Imagine an entire squad ... or hell - imagine a full company of these guys in battle.  These had little combat training, but if they were prepared...."
    Rayna said, "That's a frightening thought."
    I realized her eye creatures weren't around.
    I glanced about and said, "Hey, where are your other dudes?"
    "Not in sight.  News will be here in minutes.  Speaking of - fly home, Kar.  I don't want pics of you floating about."
    The dragon nodded, uncurled itself from her neck and walked out on her then-outstretched hand.  It leapt into the air and flapped up into the sky.
    Spartan walked up behind me and said, "Man, that is so cool, Rayna."
    She grinned.  "Thanks!  You should see what I gave your friend."
    I glanced at Spartan as he glanced at me.  I shrugged.
    She continued, "Oh, I meant Psystar.  I gave her a living doll."
    Zonk was close enough to hear.  He made a sound as if he was cold and said, "Ugh.  Dolls are creepy."
    I said, "A lot of people think clowns are creepy, Zonk."
    "What?!  Clowns are cool."
    "No, seriously.  A lot of people are afraid of them."
    "But clowns can do this...."  He waved his hand through the air and several colorful balloons made of bright little particles were in his hand.  He bumped them up into the air where they turned into small fireworks.
    "That's more of a magician thing, actually...."
    "You're a grumpy gus, Black Tiger."
    I chuckled.
    Rayna glanced at the officers standing nearby, stepped up very close to me and whispered, "What if these are aliens?"
    I shook my head, "Not actual ones.  The clothes and wallets matching the rough look of the guys ruins that idea.  However, we can't rule them out as the cause of the change."
    "We need to find the blue guys from the Selestor starship."
    I nodded.  I took a small metal-lined glass vial from a pouch and stopped over by the H.E.R.O. uniformed bricks as they loaded up the horde guys into the super paddy wagons.
    I said, "Excuse me officer, I need some evidence."
    He nodded and stepped to the side.  I popped my claws, cut one of them and collected a blood sample, and then sealed it.
    I nodded at the officer, "Thanks, man."
    He asked, "Any idea what these are?"
    I replied, "Only suspicions, and we don't want to spread rumors until we know more.  They're extremely strong, by the way - not nearly what a normal brick is, but be aware."
    "Got it."
    I heard Agent Carrigan say, "Don't do it, Zonk."
    He replied, "What?"
    "You were going to jump in front of the paddy wagon as it left, and you know it."
    "I wouldn't do that...."
    "You did it last time."
    "Did I?"
    "Yeah.  It's bad enough that we get complaints from the city bus drivers and garbage truck drivers about you jumping in front of them to get run over."
    "Yeah, but it makes people laugh."
    "It freaks out the drivers."
    "Oh, come on, it's not like they can't see me nearby - I stand out like a splash of color in a drab street."
    "Still, you could damage the vehicles."
    "I get squished when they run me over, it doesn't hurt them."
    "There's still a bump."
    "Like the city streets don't have bumps?"
    She sighed.  "You just won't listen, will you?"
    "I listened just now!"
    "But you still aren't going to change."
    "I change all the time!  My shorts, that is."
    "Oh, god....  Fine, shoo.  Off with you."
    "All righty then.  Night everyone, Rayna, new guys!"
    His eyes kept flicking over toward the paddy wagon as the driver began pulling away.  He dove down the street a short distance ahead of it.  The driver hit the brakes, but not in