Page 30 of Sheltering Instinct

How many times would the recall commands need to be issued? Would the handler need to intervene with a bite-release device or a shock? Either would be disqualifying for Iniquus.

“Mojo, release,” a soldier commanded.

Mojo inched backward so his mouth no longer encircled Levi’s arm. With his legs bunched under him, Mojo was ready to leap forward and trap Levi again if need be.

Levi thought he might like to test that.

As the soldiers approached, Mojo’s eyes remained locked with Levi’s. The intensity of the strength and intelligence Levi read there was damned impressive.

“Levi?” the soldier called out.

“That’s me.”

“How are you doing today, sir?” the soldier commanding Mojo asked.

“I’m just going to lie here very still.”

“When I command you to, roll to your stomach and spread your legs as wide as you can, then lace your fingers behind your head. If you would like to observe Mojo’s behaviors when you roll, face me. Ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

The soldier barked out the orders, and Levi followed them precisely.

“Mojo, to me.”

From his crouch, Mojo turned and raced to the soldier and sat at his feet looking up for his next command.

“Mojo, flank.”

Mojo rounded to the side of the soldier, and together, they walked slowly forward.

“Mojo, en guard.” Mojo shifted into fur missile launch position as the soldier patted Levi down.

“Sir, I will now place the handcuffs on your wrists,” the soldier said. “We will lower one arm then the other on my command.”

“What would happen if I didn’t? What would happen if, for example, I spun and knocked you over, and you didn’t give Mojo any commands?”

“Would you like to see, sir?” There was laughter in the soldier's voice.

“I would indeed,” Levi said.

“Very well, I would have you do it when both hands are behind you. You might be able to get your hands on the ground. I might be blocking them from Mojo’s view. We’ll try our best to make your scenario work.”

The two men acted their way through the first arm, then as the second came down, Levi twisted, threw the soldier to theground, then yanked his legs toward his chest, rolling to get himself standing. Before Levi could plant a foot on the ground, he was whipped into a kneeling spin.

Once again, Levi found himself in the dirt before his brain could analyze the situation.

Mojo gave his arm a good shake to remind Levi who was in charge.

It was Mojo. It was definitely Mojo. There were no ifs, ands, or buts.

“This is good enough, sir?” the soldier asked, definitely laughing this time. “Or you would like to continue?”

“Yep. That’ll do it,” Levi said through gritted teeth. “Could you get that release again, please?”

Mojo responded to his recall with the crisp precision of a soldier on the parade ground.

Enrico took control of Mojo as the soldier ran off to the helicopter and moved on to the next skill they would practice in this evolution. With Mojo in a sit by Enrico’s side, Levi pulled off the suit, then sank to the ground, winded.

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