FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Virtually Real Part: 12: Dragons, and Tigers, and Foxes

Returning Characters:

Video-Fox/Kelly Fox/Shock Dafox

Prowl-Ar Nightiger/Tiger

Kyle Dacat/Red XIII/Nanaki/Drake

Mahan

We stepped through the doors into a room holding five raised medical tubes with a metal catwalk in front of them.

"So this is the evolver chamber. Somehow I thought it would be bigger" Kelly said, looking around.

"Well, this is the primary section. The physical sample section is actually underneath this level and the DNA data storage banks are concealed behind the back wall. Did you commit all of my notes to memory before shredding them?"

"Not on purpose. Let's say I'm a fan and I've read everything more than a few times. The truth is I often fantasize what it would be like living in that universe."

"As a member of the Fox Clan on Celtis Aranaki?"

"No as a Shendrian special agent collecting information to report home." Kelly said grinning at me.

"Then you're a shifter. Now I really do need to know, is Video Fox just a fursona you play for your reports or do you truly feel that you should be vulpine."

"Oh, I'm definitely a fox. Though the truth is my primary fursona is as a male tiger/fox hybrid. V-Fox is just the fursona I use in my news reports."

"If you're changing your fursona to a fox tiger hybrid just to try and get me to make you a member of my crew-"

"No, no, it isn't that. At least it isn't only that. Mahan, can you access my online accounts?"

"Easily and I think I see where you're going with this. Captain, permission to upload an image to your headset?"

"Go ahead."

"Why doesn't he just put it up on the screen?" Kelly asked.

"The Evolver Chamber isn't connected to any of Mahan's systems. In fact it’s completely self-contained and isn’t actually connected to any other systems on the ship. At least that was the case the last time I checked. I’m fairly certain Mahan must have hooked it up to the V.R. computer in order to transfer Kyle into a biological body. Otherwise he has to access it with one of his drones. If you hadn’t noticed his voice is currently being projected through my headset. I'm seeing the images now. Standard red fox but with light creamy yellow stripes keeping with the Lightstripe motif, cute."

"Mahan! I thought you'd pull up the photo of the suit I wear to cons! Um, the picture you’re looking at is safe for work, isn’t it?”

“It’s a reference sheet for Shock Dafox, and not it isn’t sfw.” I laughed, at Kelly’s blush.

"Day Fox? You're kidding right?" Kyle asked, with a laugh.

"According to the file names and entry dates he has been using that name for the last eight years. Almost as long as you've been using Dacat." Mahan stated.

"Well, from this point on, if you prefer, we'll call you Shock. Alright, the first step is a full body scan." I hit a button on the control panel and part of the wall slid to the side revealing a small changing room. "Once you are inside and the door is closed a drawer will open and you'll be directed to strip, placing all items in the drawer. Don't worry it will all be returned. You'll get plenty of directions to move around in order to assess your flexibility. Once the scanning is complete you'll receive a jumpsuit. Re-dressed and you'll be released to come out here then we'll begin the process of designing your new body."

***

The door slid open and Shock stepped out wearing a loose gray jumpsuit. "I feel like a prisoner in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie wearing this. All it’s missing is a prisoner number or barcode."

"Sorry, about that but you won't be in it long."

"Where's Kyle?" Shock asked looking around.

"He's currently working with Mahan to make sure your house isn't being watched. Now please have a seat and we'll get to work."

As Shock sat down I brought up the scan of his body. "This might be a bit embarrassing, and I apologize for that."

"I figured I'd have to go through something like this the moment you mentioned I'd be scanned. Though, I'm rather surprised that it isn't a 3D hologram."

"That will be generated as we build your body." I made a few adjustments and the female genitals changed to male but everything else stayed the same.

"That's . . . disturbing."

"Don't worry the computer will update as we go into each system." A few more adjustments and we were looking at Kelly's skeleton. I growled as the analysis started showing where the bones had been broken in the past. "This isn't normal wear and tear. Who did this to you?"

"Really, most of them are from actual accidents where I was always trying to prove that I was just one of the guys." Shock insisted.

"Bull shit! If we're going to go any further you are going to be completely honest with me, even if you think I don't want to hear it or you don't want to think about it. Now, I'm asking again who did this to you and have they been punished for abusing you?"

"It was my step-father, and it's only because I'm not normal. He's always been good to my mom and little brother. So please don't do anything to him."

I sighed trying to control my anger.

"Deep scan in progress however I can already tell you Shock still isn’t being completely honest. I will spare you both the details, but appropriate actions will being taken."

I knew that Mahan hadn’t broadcast that for Shock to hear but it didn’t seem to matter. Obviously I wasn’t doing a good job of hiding my feelings.

"You're going to kill him?" Shock asked, a touch of fear in his voice.

"No, Mahan doesn't need to resort to such crude direct actions." I quickly diverted the conversation back to the image on the screen. The less Shock knew the better off he'd be. "Well, getting back on topic, the first thing we're going to do is upgrade your skeleton. It'll be infused with carbon nano-fibers greatly increasing the bone's strength. It'll take about two and a half times the force to break them now. Just don't get a dragon dropped on you." I rubbed my side where I'd had my ribs repaired, "Trust me, it isn't as fun as it sounds."

"Wait, the graphic changed making the bones larger but you didn't press anything yet."

"As I said the computer automatically updates the graphic as the new DNA manifests. You shouldn't notice it as much now that the basic frame is set. Currently you're looking at an even six foot in height but you could see another inch or two of growth. Is that good for you, or do you want me to set your height now?"

"I'm good with six foot, or a bit more, so there is no need to change that.

"I'm replacing your fillings and two implants."

"Those were legitimately my fault.” Shock quickly pointed out. “I was showing off while skateboarding in suit and had a nasty fall. The mechanics in my head, made a real mess of my face and jaw. If you look closely you can still see the scars."

"Damn teenagers," I mumbled. I saved the skeleton and a life size hologram appeared in the room. Next I brought up the graphic of the circulatory system and again small bubbles popped up showing all the defects and concerns. "I really hate to bring this up but did you know that you’re riddled with cancer? I mean surely a doctor informed you at some point of this inoperable brain tumor?"

"The fuck!" Shock yelled sounding on the verge of tears.

"Don't worry, when we're done you'll be cancer free and immune to developing it again. It seems your circulatory system is in remarkable condition. You've been doing your best to remain healthy at the very least. You heart is a little overworked, but that isn't surprising" I saved the file and the heart and blood vessels threaded onto the skeleton graphic.

"That is freaking creepy the heart is even beating."

"Eh, just wait until the digestive system slides into place. Next up is the respiratory phase. I've already taken care of the lung cancer. It seems the air quality hasn't gotten much better since I was last down there. You're not a smoker so that's a point in your favor toward the possibility of eventually becoming a crewmember. I need to warn you that you're going to be coughing for a while as you re-adjust. Basically it'll be like having a bad cold."

"Is there anything I can do about that?"

"No, and no drugs will help alleviate the pain. Since this is an enhancement instead of a full rebuild the effects shouldn't last more than a couple days."

"Are you telling me you can create a whole new body for me?"

"I would have thought that was obvious considering Kyle was a game character before Mahan gave him a biological body. I'll talk a little more about cloning later."

As I saved the lungs seemed to inflate into position.

"That was kind of neat compared to how everything else seemed so crawl around."

"Yeah, well watching the intestines squirm about is much worse and that is up next. Let's see you've had your tonsils removed you're going to get those back. There is a bit of colon damage but it wasn't life threatening. Was that your step-father or did you get adventurous? Never mind it doesn't matter I'm going to make a few changes that will make things easier in the future. Not to be indelicate but you'll still be tight for your partners but you're not going to experience much in the way of pain, even from someone well endowed.”

I felt like puking as a large number of alerts popped up showing the massive damage to Shock’s soon to be non-existent female reproductive system. In that moment I was very tempted to go down to Earth and rip out Shock’s step-father’s throat personally. I took a deep breath and cleared the image. Shock didn’t say anything but I could tell he was extremely embarrassed.

“Moving on, I'm guessing you don't have the best diet considering you are a bit on the malnourished side."

"That comes from not making enough to pay my bills and eat properly. I also try to save up for conventions and pay for V-Fox’s channel fees."

"I wasn't suggesting it was a problem, yet. If you had an eating disorder it would have been part of the analysis. I'm just saying that I'm upgrading your system so that with a proper multivitamin, and nutritious meals at least twice a week you can get away with eating any way you want without problems. However you're going to find that you need more water than you may be used to drinking. That comes with your new metabolism. You're also not going to be able to get drunk or high since your enhanced system will automatically filter out such foreign agents."

"What if I get sick?"

"You're not going to get sick, unless it is something truly alien to human existence. Technically I really shouldn't be doing any of this for you. So you need to know before we go any farther there are some side effects that you may not like."

"What sort of side effects?"

"Just from the minor changes we're making, baring a major accident, you could easily reach 200 years old. You're also not going to be able to father any children."

"You said I'd be a fully functioning male."

"Functional, yes; compatible, no. Once we make the changes you're not really going to be completely human anymore. I’ll store a sample of your unaltered DNA, so if you ever do decide you want children the option will still be available. Of course that will require getting permission from me to tell your chosen mate about Kyle and myself first. On the up side it doesn't matter if your mate is male or female. Don't ask, I've actually shared that information over the years and it is always conveniently 'lost' since it falls under human genome manipulation. Plus a shit load of ridiculous morality laws."

"This is information that you've released. So technically if V-Fox could find some evidence he could report on it, right?"

I shook my head "Obviously I'm going to need to implant advanced interrogation resistance skills instead of the regular package. You're just looking to piss off the powers that be."

"Always."

"At least you've been too distracted to watch the latest changes. Next up is the renal system. I see you've donated a kidney."

"Yeah, I wish I'd had more choice in the matter, but it isn't a decision I regret being forced to make."

"Do I want to know?" I growled.

"I- I had a half-brother. When he was five and I was ten, his kidneys failed. I guess it was a genetic thing but I was the closest match so of course my step-father volunteered me to save his life. That was before he found out I was trans. I doubt he’d have allowed the transplant if he’d known that. My brother, he- he didn't survive the surgery. I really wish he had, he was a good kid. That was when my step-father started ‘punishing’ me. And saying if I hadn’t been so defective then-" Shock rubbed his eyes and looked away.

I wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be alright. Instead I quickly moved on. "There's no liver damage, I take it you don't drink?"

"I’m still underage!”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Okay maybe I have but not excessively and I've never had enough to be considered drunk."

"Good, since there was a risk of alcoholism in your genetic line. Of course that isn't a problem anymore."

"Not much of a change there, I guess the digestive system sort of hides everything." Shock said looking at the hologram.

"Moving on to sight and hearing, you're pretty good there but I'm still bumping you up so that both are a bit better. I'm now adding in your muscles and ligaments."

"I'm starting to look more human at least."

“I’m upping your musculature slightly to fill out your form, unless you prefer the slightly feminine look?”

“No! I mean.” Shock sighed, “I want to look completely male, if that makes sense.

I nodded. "Next up will be your skin. I'm doing this because working with the male anatomy for the reproductive system without skin is just a bit too disturbing, and no I don't want to get into my reactions since it was my own body I was working on. From this point on we'll be working directly with the projection. I'm adding your original skin now."

"That can't be right." Shock said as areas of muscle projected out of the skin layer.

"Give it a moment. The computer will fill in the gaps created by your altered structure. There, see fully skinned, or covered, I guess I should say."

Shock stood up and walked around the projection. "Can I touch it?"

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, "It's a solid projection if that's what you mean. Oh what the hell, I'm just going to say it. You can go ahead and touch yourself all you want."

Shock stared at me for a moment and then burst out laughing. "How long have you been holding that one in?"

"Longer than you can imagine. I knew one day I'd have someone ask me that very question."

"Damn, I'm ripped, however my butt could be a little more defined."

"Tell me when it looks right to you." I went back to the musculature file and carefully adjusted the settings.

"There that's good."

"Anything else in the muscle structure?"

"Yeah, the pectoral muscles are a bit large. While definition is good they're bulging just a bit much."

I reduced the chest slightly. "Trust me everything will look and feel different once the change is complete. What looks overly large or small won't be. If that's it, we can move on to the color. Are you comfortable with your pigment level?"

"Are you really asking if I want to change my race?"

"While that is possible it isn't what I'm asking. You have a light tan right now but also a lot of UV damage so I'm guessing your tan is artificial. All I'm suggesting is that I can give you that tanned look permanently, with no tan lines, or ultra violet damage."

"Ah, yes that would make things easier."

"You also have some skin blemishes that I'm taking care of. Now on to your scars, and you have more than a few of them, do you want me to erase them or not?"

"Keep them, they're a part of who I am."

"That's fine but I'm removing the surgery scar where you donated your kidney. No need for uncomfortable questions why you have that one and both kidneys. I can also add scars if you like."

"No, I'm sure I'll pick up a few more from my own stupidity."

"Yeah, even with advanced healing if the damage is great enough you’ll end up with scars. At least under ordinary circumstances."

"I sense a story there."

"Nothing to tell really, I had a few scars Kyle found unsightly so he had them erased. Moving on, you have four tattoos. The double male symbol on your right hip, Furry pride paw prints on the back of your shoulders, and a fox on your left ankle. Do you want any of them removed, moved, or new ones added?"

"Yeah, remove one pride marks and move the other to my left butt cheek. Also change the fox's coloring to match my fursona and move it to my left pec. Leave the double male symbol as it is. No, change the color so that they are rainbows."

I made the changes and looked back. "Anything else?"

"Can you reduce the fox slightly?"

I reduced the image.

"Enlarge the hip mark about as much as you reduced the fox and rotate the pride mark so it's like a furry reached around and . . . that's it."

"How about piercings? While I'm not a big fan of body piercing my ears are pierced. It is permanent with no possibility of closing up."

"I've never had my ears pierced, it just seemed too girly. Now that I'm not going to have to try so hard I suppose I'll go ahead. It's not like I have to use them."

"Now, on to your face. The computer has already made subtle gender based changes. I went ahead and enlarged your nose a bit more as well as some jaw line adjustment. Is there anything you want to change?"

"The eyes look different."

"I know, and there's no helping that. I call it the soulless effect. It's because this is basically a life-like manikin with nothing resembling a personality."

"I figured that but I'm talking about the color, there seems to be a lot of gold flecks mixed in with the normal brown. I'm not saying they need to be changed; it's just not what I was expecting. It's strange but I feel that is the way my eyes should be. Everything else is actually pretty much what it should be. You did an amazing job of capturing what I really should have looked like."

There was a hiss of static in my headset as Mahan signaled his next comment was for my ears only. "Are you going to tell him his eyes are like that because you've already mixed in a bit of fox and tiger DNA, just in case you do decide he can join the crew?"

I switched to the next file while carefully looking at first the "N" and then the "O" keys.

"Understood." Mahan replied.

Hair sprouted and quickly grew out moving and forming itself into the style that Shock currently sported. "I'm going to point out right now that I've removed the male pattern baldness that runs in your line of the family. Basically this is just to adjust the color."

"Ooo, just how far can I take this?"

I started with silver and then went through bubble gum pink, electric blue, mint green, and deep purple before returning to his original dirty blond color. "It can give you any color you can imagine. However, you're stuck in the average range of human normal since you're not to draw to much attention to yourself. Unfortunately after the changes your hair isn't going to bleach or take dye very easily."

"That sucks."

"I know and I'm sorry about that. On the upside at this point I can program exactly where and how thickly you'll grow body hair."

"Ugh, there's something I didn't want to think about."

"You're going to be fully male and that means you're going to have to deal with it." I made a few adjustments and the body hair grew in very light, almost unnoticeable. Next the beard and mustache stubble grew in. "This is the standard male growth pattern." I made another adjustment and the beard was reduced leaving the neck and cheeks clear with just a goatee and mustache combination. "This is my custom look. I still shave most of the time, but since it only grows in a specific pattern it looks good even if I don't get around to shaving for a couple of days."

"Uh yeah, I think I'll go with your custom look as well. What about pubic hair?"

"That was the next region. Unless you want to make changes I usually don’t bother making changes."

"That's fine, but just out of curiosity what would I look like with a treasure trail?"

I made the adjustments.

"Change it back! I look horrible."

I laughed, "I had pretty much the same reaction. It looks hot in art, but unless a guy has a special something about him, it looks horrid in reality. So about the hair color?"

"Maybe darken it just a bit so it’s mostly brown with hints of blond rather than the other way around."

I made the changes and Shock just nodded.

"Now we're going to get overly personal."

"Yeah, I just watched my insides wriggle about, so I don't think it can get any more personal just because you're adding my new equipment to the model."

"Before I do, I need to know whether you want to be circumcised or not?"

"Now there's something I'd never considered before, but I think I'd prefer to keep my foreskin. That way if I don't like it I can have it surgically removed later."

"That's another thing, if you have any medical concerns you need to contact Mahan so we can deal with them. Unless it's a medical emergency, like getting hit by a bus, you will be falling under the not sharing medical tech secrets."

"What if I get sick?"

"I told you, you won't be getting sick anymore. It's like the ultimate vaccination. Hell, you even have an elevated immunity to radiation. That's why I asked about skin color, you're never going to get any lighter or darker and sunburns are a thing of the past. If any of this is too much for you let me know and you can quit now, before the changes are set. It's what my friends and other potential crew members decided."

"What the fuck? You're telling me that your friends bailed on you because they couldn't accept longer healthier lives? No wonder you're so hesitant to accept anyone attempting to join you."

I sighed "It wasn’t the health, it's the knowledge that they would have had to watch as everyone they knew grow old and die. It's not an easy thing to do, even if you only have a few loved ones."

"Listen, if it makes a difference, I don't have anyone that gives a damn about me. I'm ready to take the plunge and cut off all ties to Earth right now if I could stay here."

"I don't doubt it, but I don't want you to have any regrets in a few hundred years so you're going to have to spend a bit more time 'living' down there. Speaking of 'down there' what do you think?"

"It- well I'm not complaining or anything, but it seems a bit large from my experience."

"The penis length is six and a half inches when fully erect, just a bit over average. Though most men want it to be bigger."

"I may have neglected to tell you that male anatomy has gotten somewhat smaller since your time on Earth. Five inches is now the upper range of average." Mahan stated.

"Thank you, for making me look like a complete fool by not telling me that sooner." I growled.

"Don't worry about it. The size actually looks good with the rest of the body so don't change it." Shock said blushing slightly.

I shook my head; "The only way you could sound more like a straight guy is if you'd asked me to make it bigger."

"In that case maybe," Shock paused and grinned at me. "I'm just kidding of course. So is that it?"

"For the moment. Now we need to discuss payment."

"Wait, what? What do I have that you can't get for yourself?"

"Your soul. Mwah ha ha ha."

Shock stared at me gravely. "Sorry, that's not for sale even if you turned me into a fox shifter. Now what is it you actually want?"

"Seriously, I'm asking for you soul here. Before you go into the chamber for your changes you have to have a memory crystal generated. Basically it is a complete copy of your mind, both conscious and subconscious, recorded on a crystal matrix. This has to be made as a backup in case your memories don't return after the process. The memory crystal is then used to reboot your mind."

"What does that have to do with my soul?"

"There is a good chance I may eventually decide you’ll be a good fit as a crew member. For that reason I'm adding you to the sentinel program."

"You're turning me into a mutant hunting cyborg, are you?"

"Sentinel, as in guardian. Earlier you asked about cloning that is the heart of the sentinel program. At some point after you've died I may feel the need to revive you in a body grown from your modified DNA with your mind uploaded from the mem-crystal. If you agree to that possibility we can continue." I prepared myself to hear the same rejection I'd heard so long ago.

"That's it? I'd rather I didn't have to wait until after I'm dead to become a member of your crew, but I'm not seeing a down side here."

"You're actually good with that?" I asked in surprise.

"Don't you get it? If it meant I could become a fox shifter and stay here I'm even willing to become a slutty little fox pet for you and Kyle."

"And that's why you need to spend a bit more time living and evaluating what you really want out life before joining the team."

"You're the one making the rules, so I'll go through the proper procedure. But, even if you reject my application, I'm just going to keep trying to find some way to convince you."

"Just so you know he still has my vote." Kyle said, leaning against the door frame.

"Uh, how long have you been standing there?” Shock asked.

"I just barely got here. It seems your house is secure. The neighbors might be keeping a wary eye on the place but no physical government presence and Mahan hasn't found any digital spying on any of Shock or Kelly's activities, but there is now a concerted effort to discover the true identity of Video Fox. Mahan is taking care of those problems."

"Shock." I said loudly.

"Huh, what?" He said rapidly turning his head toward me and blushing a bright red.

"If it's not too much to ask, can you try pulling your attention away from the dragon in the doorway?"

"Sorry, it's just, daAamn. I thought he was hot as a human, but-"

Kyle walked in and rested his hand on Shocks shoulder, "Come on Tiger, let the little foxy get his fill. You know I'm still all yours after all."

"It's a good thing Shock hasn't been in the evolver yet. Otherwise he'd be ripping right through that flimsy jumpsuit."

Shock coughed, "Um, what is involved in making a memory crystal?"

I hit another sequence and the opposite wall from the scanner slid open revealing a low medical bed. “Just lay down on there and I'll move the headset into place. Then just relax, remain still, and quiet, as the machine does all the work."

"How long does it take?"

"Between one and two minutes."

Shock got into position and I started the machine. About a minute and a half later the process was complete. I held up an orange crystal, "Here you are, every thought, dream and experience you've ever had in a condensed crystalline data packet. Now on to the evolver."

Shock climbed the three stairs and stood on the catwalk. "Which chamber do I use?"

"It doesn't matter just strip down and get in." Kyle and I both turned away to give him some privacy.

Shock laughed, "I know what you're trying to do, but do you really think staring at the model of what I'm about to look like is any better than just watching me take this suit off?"

"Just hurry up and get in the pod."

"I'm in. Oh it shuts automa-" Shock's voice cut off as the pod sealed and the fast acting sedative pumped in.

"You know I heard what he said?" Kyle asked.

"Of course I know. You'd been there for a while."

As soon as we've taken him back down to Earth I think a night in the V.R. chamber, just you and me, and a pair of slutty fox twins would be really hot."

"I'm starting to think you might have a bit of a twin fetish. And I agree it sounds hot, but we still have work to do."

"I'm just letting you know that I'm not opposed to his suggestion."

"Enough, it's hard enough-".

Kyle slipped up behind me and ran his hand down the front of my jock strap reminding me I still hadn’t reset my cloths after the dance number. "Yeah, I noticed that too." He said as the continued to grope me.

"To keep from giving in to his suggestion without your help." I gasped.

"So what now?" he asked finally stepping back.

"We use the memory crystal, model, and the VR chamber to make sure everything is perfect before we start the transformation process."

***

"Shock, wake up."

"Where am I?" He slowly sat up and looked around. We're in the primary VR Chamber. Specifically a recreation of my San Hokkaido town house."

"Where?" Shock asked in confusion.

"It doesn't really matter. What is important is that it is a world made up of a fusion of steam punk, 50's American pop culture, Japanese otaku, and unrepressed sexual freedom."

Shock got up and looked out the window. "There's a guy out there with a mechanical hand wearing a top hat, long tailed black tuxedo jacket, pink feather boa that matches his hair color, enormous gold belt, blue sandals and nothing else."

"I pulled the curtain aside, "Huh, it must be Friday. Prez only dresses formally on Fridays."

"Do I want to know?" hock asked.

"The locals call him Prez because he's a different president every day of the month." I looked closer, "Ah, he's President Presley today. You can tell by the belt and blue suede sandals." A powered bicycle chugged down the avenue being ridden sidesaddle by a Hippo Lady, counter balanced by a sidecar full of groceries. As she approached a loud AoOooga issued from her horn and she waved at Prez.

"There are real furrys here as well? What kind of deranged mind comes up with something like this?"

"Technically the computer does. I give it a random list of possibilities and then it extrapolates a working world out of them. Sometimes the results are fun with interesting characters so I save them to have adventures in later. I often come here when I need a good laugh."

"So why did you bring me here?"

"So you could make the final adjustments on your body. I must say you're adapting really well."

"I'm," Shock glanced down and then yanked the curtain closed, "I'm not wearing any clothing and I've been standing here with the whole world watching!"

"In this world you could have gone out for a stroll and nobody would bat an eye. Right now the important thing is how do you feel? I need complete honesty. No thinking that it is good enough you have to feel it is perfect for you."

"Wait, if I'm here in my new body why are you asking about things I feel need to be altered?"

"It's because you're not really here. Right now your mind is running off your mem-crystal. You, that is the physical you, are currently in the evolver chamber being held in stasis until the final adjustments are complete."

"So the real me isn't going to remember any of this?"

"Of course you will. The new memories will be uploaded during your hyper education phase so you'll remember all of this."

Shock nodded and then moved around. Stretching, throwing a few air punches and a couple of kicks. "This is amazing. For the first time in my life I feel right, if that makes sense. He stopped moving around and ran his hands over his chest. "You were right, it is a bit different seeing and feeling it from the inside. Everything is perfect."

I rolled my eyes, "Sorry, I can't accept that when you haven't even tested all the equipment yet."

"Captain, are you coming on to me?" Shock asked with a grin.

"Computer, Shock needs to be dressed casual, but conservative."

Shock laughed at the costume. The red mesh top was form fitting. The loose white mesh board shorts covered everything but were completely transparent at the same time revealing showing off bright orange panties that would never remain in place for more than two steps. "Change the panties to a jock strap, and high top hiking boots with a steam punk flair. Oh and a cowboy hat with flight goggles around the hat band." Shock said as he looked down and his costume.

"Also generate a full length mirror so he can get a look at himself."

Shock adjusted his hat so that it sat at an angle, and then turned so he could see his backside. "Damn, my ass looks even hotter in the new body. But the costume still isn't quite right. Computer, give me a steam punk watch that extends from my wrist halfway up my arm and looks like it does just about everything except tell time and then hide a small digital time display under some sort of cover."

"Now you're really getting into the spirit. Since you're properly dressed, go across the park and turn left. At the end of the block, across the street you'll see a house that looks like a cross between a pagoda and Victorian mansion with red doors. That is the community bordello. Once inside go to the front desk and tell the receptionist that Master Lightstripe sent you to relieve you of the burden of virginity."

"I'm not a virgin."

"You are in that body."

"Don't worry, you don't really have to say much more than I sent you. You'll be asked to describe the partner or partners you wish to partake in pleasure with. Be as specific as you can imagine and the computer will make sure that such individuals are available. Remember this is a world with furrys and you need to get a full appreciation of how your new body works so I encourage you to be adventurous. Don't worry, since you are currently a projection you can't really be injured. When you've finished come back here or if you're too mentally exhausted ask them to take you home and you'll re-materialize here likely laying on the settee."

"Um, are you going to be watching?"

"No, this is your private time. In fact, Computer, for the duration of this simulation lock my movements to this house. Lock can only be released with permission from-"

I grabbed a pen and pad and scribbled out a quick note before turning it to Shock."

"Oh, Shock Dafox."

"Prowl-Ar Nightiger can no longer interact with this simulation beyond the confines of this townhouse." The computer announced.

"There, now you have complete privacy. Have fun and then come back and tell me if anything needs to be adjusted. Oh, try not to take more than two or three hours. It's not dangerous, or anything, but I hate leaving a body in stasis for too long."

"Are you sure I won't get noticed going out like this?"

"Far from it. You're likely going to attract a lot of attention. But hey, this world’s motto is if you've got it flaunt it, if you don't got it flaunt it like you do."

"If I become a crew member I think I'm going to spend a lot of time here getting to know the characters."

***

I woke to the sound of knocking and rapid movement. I looked around and caught a glimpse of Kyle's tail as he left the room. I glanced at the clock. It had been three hours and forty-nine minutes.

"Tiger, we have company."

I quickly adjusted myself so I was at least semi decent. Kyle escorted in a horse, wearing full English riding gear, carrying Shock. He placed him on the settee and turned toward me."

"Master Lightstripe, Mistress Mary requests that from now on you provide forty eight hours’ notice before this one visits. After exhausting his first two partners he went on to outlast one otter, and two foxes. At that point Mistress sent in the rabbits. They accomplished what seemed an impossible task but they have all requested a week's vacation to recover. When I left we were still waiting for the dragon, tiger, otter, and one fox to regain consciousness."

I just sat there in shock and Kyle didn't seem any better.

"None of us have ever witnessed such, um, stamina from a human. Mistress Mary formally requests that when he recovers, should he be seeking employment in the trade she is willing to hire him at triple the standard starting rate."

"Triple?"

"Yes. Don't tell anyone, but I overheard her mumbling about how it would be better if your friend was working for her, rather risk him going to the competition."

"Thank Mistress Mary for the offer, but he is supposed to be aboard the next train heading east. I told him not to take so long."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I really wanted to see if I was up to the challenge next time."

"Well, he does a lot of traveling, so if I receive word that he is returning I'll let Mistress Mary know to prepare a proper reception. Now if you'll excuse us, we really must try to find a way to wake him so he doesn't miss his train."

I slipped the horse several large bills for his trouble in bringing Shock home and Kyle escorted him to the door. He quickly returned with an odd look on his muzzle.

"There is no way it was a coincidence that he started out with a dragon and a tiger, right?"

"I don't even want to think about it until he's back on Earth. I promised him privacy and I’ll keep my word."

"I didn't promise anything and I bet Mahan didn't either.”

"What I do know is that he wasn't with our avatars, since they are locked specifically to us."

"So how do we wake him?"

"That's easy.” I grinned evilly, “Computer, location change: Europe, inquisition, prison cells. Use masking program Kyle will be playing the King's Shadow and I will be the Inquisitor."

The scene shifted Kyle and I stood outside a cell. Inside Shock was passed out on the floor. He was dressed in a flimsy see through red nightgown and obviously leaking seed from his nethers.

"Computer, on my command reboot Shock’s consciousness. Awaken Demon Spawn!"

Shock twitched, groaned and vomited semen. "Oh God, I think I really over did it."

"You dare blaspheme in the presence of his Holiness, The Grand High Inquisitor!" Kyle yelled, pushing shock over with the blunt end of his staff.

Shock looked up groggily, "The what now?"

"Silence! You are accused of being a succubus, using your body to drain honest men's vitality. We will forgo a trial as the evidence continues to seep from your body. Demon, you will be burned at the stake sending you back to hell where your kind belong."

"Can't we work out some sort of deal?" Shock asked grinning as he seemed to realize what was going on.

"Your kind sickens me."

Shock grinned wider, "That's not what your rod of divinity is telling me, Captain."

I glanced down, "Oh bloody hell."

Kyle laughed, "I bet I know what you're thinking about, Milord."

"I bet you don't." I growled defensively.

"I win if it involves either two foxes or three bunnies." Shock announced.

"Close, but you lose. It involves locking a little foxy in chastity and time shifting the scene ten years into the future. For the two of us no time would pass but for the cocky foxy here, he would experience the full ten years."

I snapped my fingers and Shock flinched at the cold metal now confining him.

"Please you can't do this, it's cruel and inhumane." Shock whined.

"He’s right, Tiger. We'd better make yearly visits to be sure he isn't completely broken." Kyle said with a laugh.

"Oh God, please no." Shock begged.

"Computer, scene shift, return to starting point”

Shock let out a groan of despair and then gasped as we returned to the town house.

"When I make a suggestion you really should pay attention. I wanted you to return and report your condition and instead you over indulged." Kyle sat in my chair and I slid onto his lap.

"I'm sorry. Honestly everything is a bit hazy after my first two partners double knotted me."

I had to shift a bit as Kyle's member suddenly slipped from his slit. If he hadn't been wearing pants he'd already be inside me.

"So from what you can remember are there any changes that need to be made?"

"The body is almost perfect. The only way it could be any better is if I could shift into an anthro-fox form."

"That might happen eventually. Computer, save Shock to his crystal and end simulation." The room immediately shifted to its basic empty state leaving only the chair we were sitting in. "New simulation Captain's bedroom."

"What are you-"? Kyle started to ask.

I tore off my dancing costume and started on Kyle's clothes. "Computer, alert Mahan to send a drone to start Shock's transformation process and then set VR Chamber to Master setting and complete privacy lockdown."

"Acknowledged."

"Drake, I need you to shift into your original form and make me your true mate. Right now."

Kyle looked surprised but quickly shifted anyway.

***

"That was, mind numbing." Kyle panted.

"And yet you can still speak." I tilted my head back and kissed the side of Kyle's draconic jaw. We had shifted several times and at the moment I was in my anthro-tiger form and Kyle in his anthro-dragon form, still knotted inside of me.

"I'm not complaining, but what brought about your sudden shift in character?"

"Do you know how long it's been since I last had release?"

Kyle looked thoughtful for a moment, "No, I don't."

"It was with Talon in the slaver's ship. Way back before you teased me incessantly with Tas. Then Kelly comes along and creates imitations of us that bonked themselves into oblivion. That was the last straw, I couldn't wait any longer."

"You were so pent up you were honestly considering Kelly's offer, weren't you?" He moved pressing his knot firmly against my prostate."

"Oh God, yes!" I gasped, and Kyle laughed. "Talk about playing dirty. Yes, I can't deny that I'm tempted, but I think Kelly has more potential than that. If he still wants to be our pet in a few years, we'll talk about the possibility."

Kyle laughed, "I think Mahan is trying to tell us something."

I glanced at the wall display where a message was blinking.

"Stop fornicating and get down to the Evolver Chamber. Kelly's transformation finished 52 minutes ago. It's rude to leave him on ice like this."

Kyle laughed again as the display blinked and the number changed to "53" minutes. "Kelly, and Mahan, can wait. This is our private time and you my little tiger aren't going anywhere until we're both completely satisfied."

"Mmm, I guess Kelly is just going to have to join the crew, because we are never leaving this room again."

***

"It's taken you long enough! You do know that Video Fox’s next pod cast is supposed to go live in five minutes, right?" Mahan berated us.

"Patch the feed to my headset."

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm hijacking, Shock's show. His viewers are going to get an inside look at the Runner."

"You've got three minutes."

"So I guess I'll start here." I walked to the doors of the VR chamber and stepped out. Then I reset my clothing to uniform mode.

"You're live." Mahan announced.

"Good morning cubs, kits, and kittens. As you can probably tell, I'm not V-Fox. I'm sorry for hijacking your newscast this morning, but I thought, after my rude exit yesterday I owed all of you something special. So I'm going to provide you with a bit of a tour of the Shadow Runner. I'm starting with one of my favorite locations, The Virtual Reality Simulation Chamber. In there if I can imagine it, I can live it. Computer, generate a city street scene in a world were humans and anthro-humans coexist." The door opened onto a busy street littered with small shops and mobile venders. I stepped into the chamber and started walking.

"You're probably wondering the point of such a mundane simulation? The truth is within five minutes the computer will start randomly generating story hooks. Computer, pause program. Since I've been at this for a while let me show you what I mean."

I glance around and then approached a store entryway. I pushed the door open on a scene where the checker was being held at gunpoint. "If I hadn't paused the game it would likely start either a crime drama." I walked back out and across the street to an alley entry. Just a little way into the alley five mask-wearing human's had a pair of young foxes pinned in a corner. "Hearing cries of pain and derisive laughing I might cross the species divide and try to rescue these two in order to launch a heroic defender game. I could go on as there are three more similar set ups that I've already noticed. As a matter of fact I think I'll actually play this scenario later. Computer, save game as Prowl-Ar, fox twin, rescue and shut down the VR chamber."

I exited the room and headed down the hall to the lift. "I know this bit isn't that exciting but I'm sure some viewers might be interested in the fact that the hallways are rather large and, other than strategic hand holds, the walls are carefully covered. This is to minimize injury under zero gravity conditions. I should also note that I keep the artificial gravity at Earth standard plus point five. This means that if I ever did come back down to Earth, rather than being frail like most astronauts, I'm much stronger than the average individual."

I stopped and hit the button for the lift. “We refer to this as the 'lift' but it travels both vertically and horizontally. With the ship being nearly 2.5 kilometers long walking everywhere takes much too long. Orchard, please."

Within a minute the lift came to a stop. "The next location, the orchard, is the ship's largest garden area. I stepped into the seemingly gigantic room. "I know it looks huge but it's actually a trick. The walls mimic the existing growth. There are eight gardens in total. Their primary purpose is to keep the air fresh. They also provide fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs. The gardens also provide a good place to relax and de-stress."

I continued through the garden pointing out a couple of varieties that were now extinct on Earth, and then back out to the lift.

"This is the bridge. You're probably thinking that it isn't as impressive as some you've seen on television, however it is really just a back up to make crew members feel useful." I sat in my command seat. "Mahan, initialize merge pod."

"Are we going somewhere?"

"No, initialize but do not engage."

"Understood."

As the seat rose I continued, "This is the ship's primary control system, and the reason the Shadow Runner can never be taken from me." The pod sealed with a hiss and the star field display engaged. "From here, despite the ship's size, I can fly it as if it were a starfighter thanks to its vastly over powered engine systems. To use the system Mahan and I merge our minds together basically turning the Shadow Runner into a living individual. Disengage, merge pod." The command seat started back down. "It has taken years of careful conditioning and programming to enable Mahan and me to merge, and more importantly disengage, without reducing me to a vegetative state. At this point if anyone else were to even attempt the process instant brain death would be the best case scenario."

I got up and headed back to the lift. "I'm releasing this information because I'm sure some fools with the funds to get themselves into space are thinking that they can easily take the ship from me. Mahan, in the unlikely event someone got past all of your defenses-"

"Not possible. Should all crew members be killed and all of my backup's go offline the Shadow Runner will jump blind into altered space thirty seconds later all engine systems would go super critical reducing the ship to atoms and spreading them across time and space. Of course such an explosion may also destroy the known universe, but what do I care since I'll no longer exist anyway."

"Basically I'm trying to reinforce the fact that Mahan is exceedingly vengeful and isn't a fan of biological life forms."

"That is not entirely true. I like Kyle, tolerate you, and I'm thinking Video Fox might have potential."

"Wow that was unexpected. That isn't the impression you gave me earlier. I’m surprised my value has actually gone up a bit."

"I’ll be informing Kyle you’re insulting yourself again. Still I know what you really mean. I've had some time to actually study Video Fox’s news casts and he really seems to care about getting to the truth, even if his audience doesn't want to hear it. I can respect that."

"And that brings us to the Captain's quarters." I opened the door and stepped inside. "Surprised? It isn't much larger than an average apartment. In fact the only smaller accommodations on the ship are for the flight commander and the starfighter pilot's quarters. Not that there is anyone to occupy those beds. Mahan, switch the camera feed so that it is on me." I sat down in my favorite chair. "I have one last bit of information to share. Video Fox has made the request to join my crew. I'm actually considering his application, but I'm not ready to allow a stranger aboard. So for the next few years I'm making him my official diplomat on Earth. Now this is just a posting for Video Fox. The individual inside the suit will remain a citizen of his or her country of origin and I'm not going to require them to do anything against their beliefs. Basically I'm extending my protection to him due to my continued communication with him. That means if you threaten, attack, or persecute him I'll take it personally. I'll also consider it an act of aggression and take reasonable action to rectify the situation. V-Fox, I'll be contacting you shortly. I ask that you refrain from commenting or answering questions until after we've talked privately. To everyone else, thank you for putting up with this boring tour of my ship. Prowl-Ar, signing off."

"Mahan, I know you've created backdoors into the VR computer. I want you to have Kyle meet us in the main chamber for a team meeting."

"Does that include your new diplomat?"

"I still have his mem-crystal with me. I'll load it and have it ready for when we need him."

***

"Am I dead and joining the crew this time?" Shock asked.

"You know, it's really disturbing hearing how hopeful you are at the possibility of being dead." Kyle said.

"Sorry Commander, it's just that I really want to be here."

"No, you're not dead yet. Your physical self has just finished the transition and is waiting to be woken up. However, I've been contemplating your future. So Shock, I want you and Kyle to watch Video Fox’s latest newscast, guest hosted by your truly."

Everyone sat at a meeting table and watched the video. When it finished Kyle sat back with a smirk on his muzzle and Shock stared at the blank monitor for several minutes. Eventually he turned toward me.

"Are you serious? I mean, you're not just screwing with my mind, and this is a sick elaborate joke, right?"

"Kyle, you've indicated several times now that you would vote yes to crew status. How do you feel about my decision?"

"I don't know, do you really think he'll be able to handle the responsibility?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. I've made my decision when I transmitted that report. However, for Shock to actually hold any sort of station requires a unanimous decision by the core members."

Kyle sighed, "In all honesty I never thought you'd allow even this much contact. Yes, I think allowing Shock to act as our representative on the planet as a way to establish his worth as an eventual crew member is the right decision."

"Mahan, what is your vote?"

"If he agrees to allow me to closely monitor all of his activities I don't have a problem with it."

"Shock, the core crew has made its decision. Now what are your feelings on the matter?"

"I'm in, I'm in, I'm in!" He shouted.

"I'll take that as agreement. Now I'm sorry but I have to put you back to sleep while I discuss a private matter with Mahan and Kyle."

"That's-" Shock's avatar disappeared.

"There's something else to discuss?"

"I think I know what it is, and I don't think it's a very good idea, at all." Mahan stated.

"Mind giving me a clue?" Kyle asked.

"I'm considering going ahead and giving Shock the ability to shift."

Mahan’s avatar let out a grunt and crossed his arms while Kyle gasped and stared at me.

"Really?" He asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I know it is really out of character for me, but you both know I do my damnedest to consider all possibilities. Most end up revolving around Shock being captured to use against us. His being able to shift may end up being the edge he will need to stay alive. If he screws up I'll have his tail up here to form lock him to his human state immediately."

Mahan smiled, "I suppose that would be the ultimate test of whether he is crew material or not."

"It seems a bit cruel to give him the ability to shift and then not let him use it." Kyle said.

"I'm not saying he can't use it. I'm saying he can't get caught using it."

"One condition, if he screws up once, but nobody gets hurt he gets a pass. Of course, he doesn't need to know that." Kyle said, a stern look on his face.

Mahan laughed, and a shiver ran down my spine. The computer laughed so rarely that it was disturbing. "Thinking of your little Zen garden indiscretion? How about you Prowl-Ar? I seem to remember erasing several web reports about people finding ‘cougar tracks' of unusual size."

"You've made your point.” I sighed, “Shock, return.”

"-fine. Wait, why are you all looking at me that way?"

"It's not quite how I thought he would look." Kyle said.

"Of course not, hybrids require more work. That is an equal mix of fox and tiger. I’m going to need to make adjustments. Computer, switch to evolver simulation and project Shock's current form on the holo-display platform."

"I-I've shifted!" Shock yelled in surprise.

"You're a quick one."

"Mahan, be nice," Kyle said, before I could.

"It this what you think I should look like? There's a lot more tiger than fox there."

I laughed, "Yeah, when you combine two species the results are never perfect the first time. What needs to be changed?"

"Really, I should be mostly fox with tiger stripes. Oh, and I’d like to be able to purr it that is possible."

I adjusted the setting and the tail changed, the muzzle became more fox like and a few of the stripes disappeared the image also shortened to about 5'8". “I can make it so you can purr, but it means you won’t be able to roar. Still you’ll be able to scream like a fox.

Shock looked at the new image. "That's actually a lot better but the stripes shouldn't be black."

"Give me a moment I've got to overlay a bit of custom DNA to accomplish that change. Mahan, can you-"

"I've got a drone in the evolver chamber making the same adjustments so you won't have to memorize them."

"Thank you. Shock, I think that's as close as we're going to get. I can't do anything about your claws being retractable or the fact that your knot, in median form will be slightly undersized. However, on the up side no feline phallic spines. So, how do you feel?"

"I- I don't know what to say. I thought my male human body felt perfect but that was an awkward imitation to what I feel now. This is the true me made physical."

"Are you sure there's nothing that needs to be changed? I need to know because this modification can only be done once. I can easily tweak your human body but the species overlay can't be changed. This has to be your true fursona because you’ll never be able to shift to another."

"No, this is perfect it’s I've always wanted."

"There is one last thing I want you to clear your mind and think of yourself as you appeared in your human form. If it helps imagine looking into a mirror and seeing yourself turn human."

The change was slow at first, but quickly sped up until Shock was once again human. "That's all it takes?" Shock asked opening his eyes.

"That's it, and with practice you'll get better. Eventually you'll only have to think of shifting and the change will be automatic." I smiled as Shock started shrinking. Computer, isolate Shock to program 'First Shift' and run program with an appropriate teacher."

"Please select program progression speed."

"One hour real time equals one year simulation time."

"Huh, I wish Mahan had done that for me." Kyle said grimacing.

Mahan smiled, "Do you really think you spent five years adjusting to each of your forms?"

"I thought I had."

"That's because for you five years had passed. Mahan, how long until this new set of changes are completed?"

About an hour, as long as there are no signs of rejection."

"Right, I'd better get to the Evolver in case we go that direction."

***

Kelly timidly stepped out of the pod and looked around.

"Hello Kelly, welcome back to reality. You're probably really confused at the moment. Oh and you'll probably have a bit of memory loss. That is to be expected and only lasts for a short time."

"Who, are you?"

"My name is Prowl-Ar, but that doesn't matter as much as who you are. Your name is Kelly Fox and you're an eighteen-year-old furry reporter. Just so that you don't have a mental break when your memories start coming back, until a couple hours ago you were physically female. Now you are male, as you requested."

"I- I- Please daddy stop!" Kelly screamed and collapsed.

I ran up the three stairs and pulled him into an awkward hug, "You're safe here and no one is going to hurt you. Just breathe and let the memory and terror pass. I'd forgotten that the first time you use the evolver your darkest most repressed memories are the first to return. I promise I'll protect you as long as you need me too."

"What if I still need protecting when my memories return?"

I laughed, "From the sound of it you've recovered already."

"Just because I remember who I am doesn't mean I don't want your protection."

"Oh you'll be adequately protected. Here put these on." I handed Kelly a watch and a cloth bracelet. He looked at me oddly but put both on the same wrist."

"No silly they go on opposing wrists. The same as these ankle cuffs."

"I'm really not into jewelry."

"Oh, I think you'll like this." I grinned and slipped the cuffs over his feet. "Now about getting you something to wear. What would be your preferred outfit?"

"A T-shirt and jeans will be fine." Kelly gasped as the smart cloth grew up his arms and legs forming blue jeans and a blank orange T-shirt. "What is this?"

"I'll explain shortly. Right now I need you to get into the memory implantation machine."

"I thought we'd discuss what skills and education you were going to give me."

"We will, but I need to make sure your memory is fully intact before we start that. Don't worry this is just a precaution. You wouldn't want to get back down to Earth and wonder if there was something you forgot to ask, right? Plus it'll only take a minute and then we'll discuss the new skills you're going to need."

"I guess. So where is the implantation machine?"

"Same unit as we used to make your mem-crystal. You remember that don't you?"

"Vaguely, maybe you'd better show me."

I glared at him, "Sure right this way, it's just down the hall and through the airlock."

"So much for protecting me."

"Oh you'd be protected. The smart cloth automatically forms a vacuum suit to protect you. So you'd survive, until you suffocated."

Kelly sat on the bed of the implantation device, "Oh right, I remember now! It's this machine, right?"

"Have you also forgotten you're trying to get on my good side?"

Kelly gasped, "I-, sorry."

I winked, "Don't be sorry. You're doing a pretty good job so far. Now lay back and let the memories of the last year sink in."

"Year?" Kelly asked, just as the machine started."

The memory implantation actually took closer to ten minutes. I'd sat down, picked up the manga Kyle had been reading when I was last in the chamber, and started reading.

As the machine shut down Kelly sat up and stared off into space.

"Well, how are you feeling?"

"Confused, none of that really happened, right? It all took place in a VR simulation, but because you've implanted it in my memories it's like it was completely real. Oh God, the sex was definitely unreal. Then you let me have a taste of what it will be like to be a shifter if I become a member of your crew. Followed by a blurry haze of living a year as a feral fox. Oh God! I was shot and barely survived! I- I remember the pain. It was worse than when my stepfather beat and then raped me! Why? Why did you do that to me?"

"Calm down, focus on my voice and remember what I told you. Focus, like you're looking in a mirror watching yourself change into your anthro fox form."

"But-"

"Do it. That is an order little fox."

Kelly looked at me in horror. I'd shifted to my tiger form and was towering over his quivering form. He tucked his tail in and curled into a ball, changing not into his anthro form but going full fox. "Focus, you've gone too far. Try again only this time you need to see your full fox form in the mirror growing into your anthro form."

Slowly he started to change back.

"That's it, you're doing good, just a little more."

Shock looked up at me, "Is- Is this real, or am I still in the VR chamber?"

"Welcome to the Shadow Runners, diplomatic agent Shock Dafox."

"So this is, real?"

"As real as it gets. I'm sorry about what happened to you during your First Shift experience. Honestly I had nothing to do with the events that took place. While it was about a year in your memories only an hour passed here in real time. Unfortunately that memory is going to be with you for the rest of your life. That's just the way it works. Kyle hasn't told me about his, yet so I can't be certain, but from my limited knowledge the memory is always disturbing and painful. I try to think of it as a reminder that even though we can change our forms we're not invincible like some horror movie monsters."

Shock laughed, "What do you use to keep a were-tiger away?"

"Stop right there. No matter what you say it will be in bad taste."

"Cum-"

"Hah!" Kyle interrupted as he entered the room. "It's been my experience that my tiger can't get enough of that."

I groaned and Shock covered his face in embarrassment.

"I was going to say cumin." Shock whined.

"Shock, just a hint, in your anthro form you don't show embarrassment on your cheeks. It's the inside of your ears that turn bright pink."

"So tiger, have you told him yet?"

"Told me what?" Shock asked backing his ears.

Kyle shook his head, "If you need me, I'm going to be in the crew mess hall making breakfast."

"Coward!" I yelled as Kyle slipped back out of the room. "There are some rules, very strict rules, you're going to have to follow once you're back on Earth."

"You're sending me back, even though you've given me the ability to shift?"

"You wouldn't be a very good diplomat otherwise."

"Oh, I forgot about that, what with being able to shift and spending a year as a fox."

"The first rule is you can't let anyone else know you can shift, ever. Mahan will be keeping a close eye on all of your activities to make sure you don't screw up. If you do I'll drag you back up here and form lock you to human. That means you'll still be a shifter, but you'll never be able to shift ever again. That's a hell you don't want to experience."

"I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but why did you make me a shifter now?"

"I did it because there is one situation where I'll overlook the first rule. If you're ever taken hostage you can do everything in your power to survive. While your anthro form is only a little smaller than your human form it is also stronger and your legs have a completely different configuration. It'll make escape much easier."

"I get it, if I go completely fox it'll be even easier to get out of confinement."

I nodded.

"So basically I'll only be able to shift when no one is around. What about when I'm suiting? So long as I wear my suit head no one would know."

"No one but whoever constructs the suit."

"Oh, right." Shock looked at the floor.

"Stop moping. Just ask your current clothes to change into Video Fox."

"Um, I need my fursuit."

"That isn't going to work since your smart cloth is programmed with two fursuits."

"What?"

"You have two important suiting fursonas so I took the liberty of programming both of them."

"I need my Shock Fox fursuit. Whoa, that was quick." Shock move around a bit testing his new suit."

"Just be damn careful you don't get cut because most of the exposed areas are your own fur."

"My tail!"

"You're surprised it isn't covered? I consulted with Mahan, and he tells me that no one is likely to notice it is real if you're careful. Just don’t accidentally slam it in a door or sit on it wrong." I cringed, "Trust me you'll be using words you didn't even know you knew."

"So just the one rule?"

"No, when I said that Mahan will be keeping an eye on you I mean that quite literally. From this point on you have no privacy where he is concerned. However he does keep all of our private files in separate locations so that I don't have access to it. Also you have a colony of nanites near your eardrum allowing me to talk to you and hear what you are hearing at any time. This will be for emergency use only. If you're captured and we're trying to rescue you we wouldn't want to work at cross purposes and accidentally hit you in the crossfire."

"That last part makes sense. As for Mahan watching me, it seems he'd be doing that whether I was joining the team or not so I guess it doesn't really matter. Is there anything else?"

"Yeah, Kyle claims he has a rule you have to follow, but he refuses to tell me what it is. Mahan, might also impose other rules and I have one last rule. Don't get yourself killed. Yeah, I can bring you back but it is really tedious especially if you could have avoided the situation to begin with."

"I think that may be the least troubling rule you're imposing."

"Now that we've got that out of the way let's go and have breakfast before discussing the skills we're going to load you up with."

***