Lance Ulrick Interviewed

Excerpt from They Call Me Death:
Lance Ulrick walked over with his usual tough-guy swagger, blond ponytail swishing behind him. At just over six foot, he is one of the shortest men on wall duty at night, but the width of his shoulders makes up for it. Of all of the gung-ho "I love to be military" men in my unit, Lance is the worst. If he'd been born a shifter, he would surely be an alpha. I hate patrolling with him almost as much as he hates me. I'm the only woman in our unit he hasn't slept with.

Missy Jane: Tonight I'm interviewing Lance Ulrick, a soldier from CHS. Welcome Lance! I'll take questions from the readers.

Reader: What do you do for a living?

Lance: Hello everyone. I'm a human soldier manning the wall that separates the shifter city of Circe from the human city of Georgetown. I keep the animals in their place. It's against the law in CHS for shifters to cross the border under any circumstances. Humans can go into FNT, but not the other way around. We try to deport them peacefully but...they're animals.

Reader: Isn't it a little harsh for no shifters allowed at all? Surely not all of them are bad?

Lance: What can I say, that's not my call. The human government put it in the treaty and the Alpha agreed. That's the law and I just uphold it.

Missy: And I'm sure you do a fine job…

Lance: Thanks. I try.

Reader: Do you have something against shifters? Please tell us what a shifter has done to you.

Lance: I wouldn't necessarily say I have something against shape-shifters. It's my job to keep them out of the Combined Human Sates and in their own country, the Federal Nation of Therianthropes. Some of them obey the law and some don't. I just do my job.

Reader: And what happens when they get out of hand?

Lance: Well, we all carry handguns and Alexia even carries a sword. Most of the shape-shifters that give us a hard time are aggressive species so we have to defend ourselves aggressively. I've never had to kill one though. Knock them out cold with a hard fist to the head, yeah. But I haven't killed any.

Reader: Can Lance give us a description of himself? And what is he wearing?

Lance: Hehe, sure thing. Usually I'm out in the hot sun in full uniform, a black t-shirt, black cargo pants and black military boots. Right now I'm taking it easy in well worn jeans and a white t-shirt. I like variety.

Reader: That's sexy, but what do you look like, hair color/length, eye color build. We already know you are short...at only 6 ft. LOL. Oh yeah and boxers or briefs?

Missy: Wow, getting a little personal.

Lance: That's quite all right. I like curious women ;-) I'm actually six-one and into boxer briefs, specifically in blue. Yeah, other guys tower over me. But you know the saying the bigger they are the harder they fall? Height doesn't mean much. I have dark blond hair that's pretty straight most days. I keep it in a ponytail out of my way. I'd cut it if my commander didn't hate it so much.

Missy: Let's not forget your chiseled jaw and broad shoulders. Ladies, he has a six pack to weep over...sigh.

Lance: (grin)

Reader: So if you were to choose someone to be your ultimate female...what would she be like?

Lance: Believe it or not I really like intelligent women. Yeah, I know Alexia was saying some pretty evil things about me, but she's wrong. Smart women are a turn on because I can actually hold a conversation with them. Of course, it helps if they're pretty too.

Missy: Sigh, yeah, Lance. Alexia is sooo wrong about you ;-P

Reader: Do you consider yourself a ladies man?

Lance: What a great question. Yes I do, as a matter of fact. My partner, Alexia Williams, might not completely agree with my way of thinking. But, there's no denying I make the ladies happy. Hell, half our time is spent just walking back and forth along the wall. I keep things interesting.

Reader: What do you do in your spare time?

Lance: Spare time? Do you know how many hours I spend on that wall? A lot. When I'm not enjoying female company I like to read mysteries. Kinda the same thing really.;-D

Reader: Will we see more of Lance?

Missy: Absolutely! Lance has a lot going on right now.

Lance: Oh yeah. I just finished a mission that was close to my heart, but that task is by no means complete.

Missy: Cryptic words, Lance?

Lance: (grins)

Important Names and Dates

Sandulf Theodereiks, born July 24, 1501
Andor Olavson, born October 3, 1745
Alexia Williams, born April 25, 2000
Gavin Lance Ulrick, born July 20, 2004
Emily Grace Olavson, born July 2 , 2012
Arnold Michael Olavson born June 15, 2031

My Interview by a Human

Most of you know I do what I can to socialize with the Humans and keep the peace. I hope someday the wall will crumble never to be rebuilt. Until that time, I've found Human social media, such as it is for now, an excellent resource to this end. I was recently interviewed by author Missy Jane for the Human Social Standard. Here it is for your perusal:

MJ: Good morning Alpha, and thank you so much for joining me today on the Human Social Standard radio show. How are you?
ST: Good morning, Ms. Jane. I am well, thank you.
MJ: I'd like to start by properly introducing you to our audience and follow up with questions they sent in over the past week. Okay?
ST: That is certainly acceptable.
MJ: Thank you. For the listeners who don't know, I'm speaking to Sandulf Theodereiks, the Alpha of the Theodereiks Pack and leader of the Federal Nation of Therianthropes. Did I get all of that right?
ST: (chuckle) Yes. Very well done.
MJ: Thank you. I'm not certain if every human realizes that the whole shifter country is essentially your pack. Can you explain that?
ST: Well, basically it is as you say. I'm the Alpha of my pack, however that is not limited to the wolves of FNT. Once I was named leader of all shifters on this continent, they each became a member of my pack regardless of their animal.
MJ: Interesting. So every creatures from sky to sea is under your authority?
ST: In FNT, yes. My authority and my protection. They go hand in hand.
MJ: Of course. Now two of the prevailing questions from our audience are how old are you and how long have you been Alpha of FNT?
ST: I've officially been the Alpha of FNT since the treaty was signed to
end the war with the humans. However, the other shifters recognized me as their
alpha long before that. Currently I'm five hundred and eight years old. The oldest living wolf shifter in the world.
MJ: I see. Our audience also wants to know if you view the wall as a barrier keeping you out, or a cage keeping you in?
ST: Intriguing question. To be honest I hadn't thought of it as either. I see the wall as a barrier for certain but not one that affects only me. I believe it affects everyone and so long as it stands there will never be true peace.
MJ: So, you don't think it keeps the peace?
ST: Not as well as the species learning to live together would.
MJ: Excuse me for saying so, Alpha, but don't you think that's a little naive? I mean even before shifters revealed themselves, humans had trouble living together in peace.
ST: That is certainly true, but I believe tolerance can be taught to even the simplest mind.
MJ: I hope you're right. Well, our time is nearly up but I hope you'll agree to visit again and answer the rest of our questions.
ST: Absolutely. Most fear the unknown and I wish to be known among the humans.
MJ: And not feared?
ST: That certainly depends on the human in question.

More Than One Day a Year

I recently traveled to the northern territories, into Alaska and Old Canada, where I don't often have the opportunity to wander. Many of my old friends have passed on, leaving the younger generation to take their places. It was a good visit and I learned many things about the pups who will one day rule these lands when I'm long gone. They showed me due respect and humility. They spoke of their responsibilities and goals for the future. I see great things happening in the northern tribes and hope the southern cities can learn from them.

Tradition seemed to be a prevalent theme among the elders. They spoke of it the whole time I was there and I saw with my own eyes how they've instilled the need for tradition within their young. That made me think of the many human traditions and customs we've adapted as our own over the years. This being February, one such tradition is the holiday of Valentines. When I was a young man playing human I used to participate in the foolishness that is Valentine's Day to impress the ladies. I have not done so in more years than I can count. The question is why?

It was never a conscious decision to stop celebrating Valentine's. If I had a mate I would give her flowers and gifts all year long rather than on one particular day. I believe it is very human to choose a single day in the year to celebrate something so wondrous as love. Perhaps because they believe it is fleeting. We know better. Shifters are lucky enough to know there is a mate out there for each of us. Whether you want to believe it or not, it is so.

So if you have found your mate, whether or not your mate is human, just remember that love lasts all year long. Therefore, you should embrace it each and every day. Don't be afraid to show your mate, family and friends your love for them. It isn't love that is fleeting, but life. Take advantage of these peaceful moments while we have them.

The Animal Menagerie

I feel it necessary to post a few rules in reference to the entertainment complex known as The Animal Menagerie. If you don't know of it feel free to overlook this information unless you plan to visit Circe in the future. For the residents of Circe, reading and remembering this information is in your best interest. There may be a test later.

1. The Animal Menagerie straddles the wall with an entry on both sides. No shifter, and I mean NO shifter, has permission to exit through the doors leading into Georgetown. This should be obvious. Each of you should be shaking your head over my even mentioning this irrefutable fact. If not, feel free to contact me in person.

2. The Menagerie is an adult entertainment center not a daycare. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to allow your children to enter with or without you. Those friendly doormen who were keeping their sight above waist level and missing the youngsters sneaking in have been treated. I personally ensured they will have no such vision problems in the future. Any person, shifter or human, younger than twenty years of age will be turned away.

3. The Pleasure Caves located at the rear of the building are for the mutual enjoyment of everyone who enters. Guards have been posted to ensure no one in bonds is dragged in conscious or not. I really can't believe I'm having to address this. Just as we don't play with our food, we don't drug and tie-up our playmates.

4. It will no longer be a 24/7 establishment. Unfortunately, recent trouble has the human council of Georgetown considering a curfew for their residents. As all of you are aware, I will never set such restrictions within FNT. However, to keep the humans where they're supposed to be I've been asked to regulate the Menagerie's hours of operation. I haven't established those yet and will welcome your input.

For the time being these are the most important rules. There are others listed by each entry.

My View of Things

Humans can be quite amusing at the best of times. I try to remind myself on a daily basis there are many humans with redeeming qualities. I just don’t know if there are enough of them to outweigh the others. I think of my ex-wife and it turns my stomach to remember that I chose her of my own free will. Karma sure can be a bitch, and she showed no mercy when she paired me with that sadistic whore. The only goodness out of that union was my beautiful daughter, Emily. She is half human, the poor child, and one day I’ll have to repent for that grave mistake.

I look out as I soar high above the human lands, disguised as a golden eagle, and none of them the wiser. With my keen sight I see fewer and fewer acts of kindness on the human side of the wall than before the war. Now they are wary of even each other, as they try to live in this new world of our making. I am proud to be a shifter. I’ve roamed this earth for nearly three-hundred years and revealing myself as an animal cost all that had grown precious to me in that time.

My ex-wife wasn’t much of a loss, but my daughter, my job, friends and colleagues… It’s left a hole in me I don’t know how to heal. The alpha has my undying loyalty, for he has the strength to see us through this transition. The humans are learning to live with us and we with them. However, I don’t know how long this fragile peace will last. How long can the animals control their baser nature to kill that which they don’t understand? As a shifter, I only hope the humans will remain humane.

It starts here:

Good evening. This is the first post for the new FNT blog. Here I will update every member of the pack on news that is important enough for all of you to know, but not so important I need to step into your minds and plant it there. This is a project I've been planning for a while, however, as negotiations continue with the human government my time has been stretched thin. Every now and again you may receive news from someone other than myself. Nevertheless, it will be straight from me.

First, I'd like to reiterate that hacking into the Worldwide Human Internal Network is forbidden and punishable by FNT law. My technological team has spent countless hours creating and maintaining the Shifter Worldwide Network. Therefore no one should have reason to use WHIN for any reason whatsoever. If you encounter any problems with SWN please go through the appropriate channels to report them.

Second, news has reached my ears that the Animal Menagerie has seen an increase in shifter/human violence. Whether it is originating with the humans or not I expect every member of my pack who frequents the Menagerie to take extra care with the humans in their midst. We are stronger, faster and smarter than them. Be the better animal and don't take advantage of their weaknesses.

Third and final, the incident at Castor laboratories has been resolved. I'm aware that some residents of Circe took it upon themselves to breach the wall while the investigation was ongoing. That is forbidden by both governments. If anyone feels they have a reason to travel into Georgetown I'll be more than happy to discuss why that is not so. I'm currently residing at the fortress in the New Colorado Territories and plan to remain here for an indefinite period of time. Feel free to come visit and we'll discuss your need to defy me.

If there are any questions about anything posted above, let me know.