Hellhounds vs. The Storm

Snow fell in soft, steady sheets over the ruins of the old monastery on Solovki. The wind from the sea rattled the rusted gates that surrounded what used to be an infamous gulag. Now it was a variant holding facility, or what was left of one.
Nate stood at the edge of the courtyard, his boots half buried in snow. His breath fogged in the cold air, but his dark eyes were steady as he scanned the shattered watchtowers. Behind him, the rest of the squad spread out in practiced silence.
Vas scanned the site with a pair of binoculars. “People actually live there? The place looks like one stiff breeze from falling over.” He noted before passing Nate the binoculars.

“People is apparently a subjective term,” Nate reminded him.

“This place was infamous? Seems like the wilderness might kill ya faster then the gulag.” Vas snorted.

“Keyword is was,” Nate answered, pushing open the warped metal door to the main compound building. The hinges squealed in protest. The air inside was dark and stale, smelling of burned metal and seawater. Overturned cots littered the hallways, along with kevlar and a few stray weapons.

“Looks like the guards ran,” Jai said, kicking an overturned helmet.

“They didn’t just run,” Nate corrected, pointing to a scorched line carved down the concrete hallway that led to a three foot crater. “Lightning strike.”

Jai frowned. “Inside the building?”

“No Jai into the Siberian wilderness. If they weren’t inside they might as well be dead.” Rey pointed as he side eyes Jai.

“Well … we know there's a guy who shoots lighting. Obviously.” Vas said. “We should be prepared for others. Who knows who else might be eeking out an existence in there.”

“That’s why they sent us,” Jai said proudly, thumping Vas on the shoulder. “Best of the best. Let’s find the freaks and get some Russian McDonalds on the way home. I heard they rebranded the Big Mac as the Big Hit. New sauce and everything.”

“Nothing mild cardiac arrest and burger-” Vas started.

“Stow it,” Nate snapped. “Be as quippy as you want after we have the targets in custody.” He was following a second scorched set of marks in the concrete. Not lightning, fire maybe, he thought, taking mental notes.

He followed the trail into the courtyard behind the compound. The wind had picked up since they’d gone inside, howling across the open space.
“Holy shit,” Jai was the first to comment. Five guards lay half-burried in the snow, their rifles strewn around. One had a charred hole through his chest where lightning had struck. Another had clearly been hit by something strong, his body thrown against a concrete barrier hard enough to crack it.
“Same guy or two different guys?” Vas asked the peanut gallery.

“Two. I vote two.” Rey said, looking over the damage. “Really doubt it could be one guy…”

“Could be more,” Nate reminded them. “Electric, Fire, Strength, Whatever it is, Top wants ‘em alive if possible.”

“Course they do.” Vas, Jai and Rey said at the same time.

“No whining,” Nate warned. He knew it sucked, it always sucked, but orders were orders.

“That wasn’t whining, just mild bitching.” Vas chuckled.

“You can bitch all you want when we have them in custody on the way home.” Nate offered. “Cold toes, shitty food, bring it on. Until then? Let’s just get this done.”

“Yea yea yea … let's do this …” Vas said, giving Nate a playful shoulder check.

“Hear they’re serving brownies tonight … sooner we get back the better,” Rey added.

“Food. A Hellhound's only weakness.” Vas snarked.

“If it’s stupid but it motivates you? It’s not stupid,” Nate chuckled in response. “Let’s follow the trail of destruction, see where it leads.”