"Yes, Fargo, as you requested."
"He looks strong, obedient?" I asked.
"Yes, he is very strong and very protective." As I approached the dog growled barring his teeth. Drake crouched restraining the dog. "I will hold him," he reassured me.
I took a step back. "He's just like you then. Trained to protect his master."
"He would kill to protect his master, just as I would."
Drake's programming was complete, an ex-marine--a killing machine. He'd been living off-radar for the past three months, deep in the forest while I remodelled his mind. He was now under my control and performed tasks without question.
"You understand what I'm asking of you?" I asked watching him carefully as he held tightly onto Fargo.
"Yes, my purpose is to protect you--my master, through any means possible. You told me that people are looking for you, but you did not want me to kill them. You told me of a way, you taught me. The only way to protect you was to sacrifice myself."
"That time has come, do it now."
"As you wish Master," Drake replied. He crouched, a leg either side of the dog. He grasped a paw in each hand and rested his head on the animals head. The dog struggled a little as Drake murmured the words I'd taught him. Fargo growled and yelped as thrashing wildly but Drake held on tightly.
Fargo collapsed to the floor under Drake's weight, and they both remained motionless for a few moments. Then there was movement, the large muscular dog pulled itself free from under Drake. It shook itself and sniffed Drake's face then turned to look at me.
I felt nervous, anxiety turned my stomach. There was no one to stop the dog if it attacked. I stood my ground, it approached and sniffed at my hand then licked it. "Master," the animal growled.
Kneeling I grasped Fargo's head and looked into its eyes--I could see Drake. A human spirit and mind trapped within a beast; my slave. "You remember?"
"Everything," he growled.
"This is your body now, there is no way out. But you have the knowledge to possess others, should I demand it or you need to serve or protect me."
"Yes."
My attention turned to Drake's old body; strong, young, different. I'd done some bad things, and those that wanted me dead were still looking for me. This was Drake's true purpose, to provide an empty vessel. A new identity, that of a hero for me to inhabit; an intelligent companion like Fargo was only a bonus.
The dog sat and watched as I rolled Drake's lifeless body onto its front. I climbed his back, aligning myself with is strong limbs. I whispered the spell and his empty frame sucked me inside, desperate to be full again.
I coughed, spitting dirt from my mouth and rolled over. The trees above my head blurred, and I gasped as my body tensed, spasming for a moment. I relaxed, knowing like Fargo there was no going back now.
Sitting up, I studied my new body. For once I felt strong, tireless. My mind consumed all of Drake's memories; his history, his skills--everything I needed to pass myself off as Drake Kurzinski the retired marine.
Fargo, loped over and licked my face. I hugged him and rubbed his chest. "Good boy," I told him. I got to my feet and followed the path back to the make-shift camp where Drake had been living, Fargo trotted obediently at my heals.
"It's time for Drake Kurzinski to return to city," I told Fargo. He said nothing, but I knew I was going to be safe with my protector.
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