Free Wolf Island by Darren Shan Page B

stapled printout of about twenty pages, then hands copies around to the rest of us. The small sheaf is
     crammed with all sorts of info about the island, its history, dimensions, wildlife, plant life, natural formations. There
     are several maps, most of the island, but also of the surrounding waters, noting currents, depth, temperatures, sea life.
    “They’ve built a base,” Timas points out. “Page nine. They constructed it on the island’s largest crag, so they need only
     face an assault from one direction if the werewolves get out of control. That extra measure wasn’t a necessity — the fortifications
     are sound, with more than six separate security systems in place, powered by a variety of independent generators. The werewolves
     might have the run of the island, but the people inside the compound are quite —”
    “The beasts are running free?” Shark interrupts.
    “Yes. That’s on page four. They were set loose once delivered to the island, though they can be recaptured, singly or in small
     groups, using a variety of equipment provided for such a purpose.”
    “Maybe Terry was right,” Meera says dubiously. “Perhaps Prae took them there to let them live naturally.”
    “I think not,” Timas purrs, “and would refer you to page fourteen, appendix Bii, in support of my opinion.”
    Antoine and a few of the others flick forward. Shark tosses his copy of the report aside and snaps, “Don’t play games. Just
     tell us.”
    “No games,” Timas says mildly. “The appendix outlines everything concisely. But if you would prefer an oral report…”
    “I would,” Shark snarls.
    “No!” Antoine gasps, turning a shade paler beneath his tan. He must be a speed-reader because he’s already flicking from page
     fourteen to fifteen, eyes scanning the lines super-fast. “This can’t be right. I would have known.”
    “The figures are accurate,” Timas says. “Nothing is speculative.” He faces Shark. “A third have been genetically, surgically,
     and electronically modified by Prae Athim and her team. She found a way to corrupt their metabolisms. This allowed her to
     do two things. First, using steroids, implants, and a variety of drugs, she created faster, stronger animals. Second, by operating
     on their brains and using other implants, she was able to train them.”
    “They can’t survive at those levels,” Antoine says, glancing up from his report. “Their bodies can’t hold, not subjected to
     such degrees of abuse.”
    “Their long-term prospects are grim,” Timas agrees. “But they can last a few years, or so the scientists believe.”
    “What have they been trained to do?” Shark asks.
    “Nothing too complex,” Timas says. “They can hunt in small groups, in pursuit of predefined targets — like hounds, they can
     be given a person’s scent. They’re not as reliable as hounds. In a crowded environment they might be distracted and chase
     others instead. And they’ll turn on their handlers afterwards unless subdued. But that’s a huge step forward.”
    “I’d no idea she’d advanced to such a stage,” Antoine whispers. “We’ve been trying to install control mechanisms for decades.
     We could have done so much good if we’d known about this. We still could.”
    “The Lambs are finished,” Shark says, “at least as far as werewolves are concerned. Do you really think people will trust
     you with their young once word of this gets out? And it will — have no doubt about that.”
    “You’re right,” Antoine sighs. “But those on the island are still alive. If we can bring them back under our authority and
     follow up on these incredible breakthroughs…”
    “You’re assuming we’ll leave any of them alive,” Shark laughs brutally. Before Antoine can react to that, he says to Timas,
     “What’s the best way to hit them? Do we need more troops?”
    Timas purses his lips. “If the original implants had been left intact, we could have electronically