The siege of Lake Tramonto

The siege of Lake Tramonto takes place when Lake Tramonto prepares itself to be attacked by Drake Merwin and the coyotes after Mohamed Kadeer spots them killing Howard.

Before the battle
Drake and Brittney, instructed by the Gaiaphage to capture Diana (as it needs her baby), seek help from the coyotes. However, the coyotes refuse to cooperate until they can eat, as there are only seven of them left after the Gaiaphage refused to let them kill and eat humans in case they ate someone important. However, Pack Leader adds slyly that the Gaiaphage said nothing about eating humans that were already dead. Drake agrees to kill someone so they can eat him, and they find Howard heading to his still at Coates Academy.

Howard claims he is a good friend of Bright Hands and if the coyotes touch him, he would kill them all. Pack Leader hisses that his pack is hungry, and so Howard pretends to get them food from his bag but instead draws out a knife and threatens them with it, daring them to try and kill him. An amused Pack Leader explains that they aren't going to kill him, and when a nonplussed Howard tells them they can't eat him without killing him, Pack Leader tells him that Drake will kill him instead, as Drake appears. Howard desperately tells Drake that he could be useful, which Drake admitted was true, but the coyotes have to eat. Drake strangles Howard and the coyotes eat him - all of which is witnessed by Mohamed Kadeer, who runs back to Lake Tramonto and sounds the alarm.

During the battle
With the alarm sounded, Sam has everyone evacuate onto the boats, which have the advantage of being out on the water. He sends Brianna to search for Drake, forcing him to hide in a rock crevice. Orc guards the boat Diana is on, but later leaves for shore to take revenge on Drake. Astrid decides to go to Perdido Beach in order to deliver the message to Caine and Albert of the rapidly spreading stain on the FAYZ wall. From his hiding place, Drake sees Orc depart in the rowboat, leaving Diana's boat unguarded. Before he can act, he feels Brittney emerging so he leaves a message for her. As Brittney has no need to breathe, she stays submerged in the water and swims to Diana's boat. She is successful and enters the engine room, where Drake emerges. Drake takes Diana, in addition to a little named Justin as hostage. When Sam finds out, he orders Jack and Dekka to pursue Drake. Computer Jack is the first to reach Drake, whereupon a brief battle ensues. Drake finds out he cannot strangle Jack, a result of Jack's super strength, so he slits Jack's neck instead. Dekka and Orc find a mortally wounded Jack, and Orc takes him back while Dekka continues the pursuit.