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Virtually Real part 13: What to do with a Fox

Returning Characters:

Prowl-Ar

Shock

Kyle

Sticks – Wolf

Connor – Fox

Evan – Lion

Tas – Thylacine

Aaron – Lynx

Talon – Western Dragon

We slowly finished eating breakfast just enjoying the relaxed feelings. I was actually surprised how well Shock just seemed to fit in, like he was meant to be here. Kyle grinned at me and I shook my head. No, I shouldn’t even be considering such things. Shock needed to go back down to Earth, at least for a few more years.

"Alright Shock, it's time to talk about the new skills I'm going to be giving you. It works much like how we uploaded your memories from the mem-crystal." I said, trying to distract myself.

"So I'll remember learning the information rather than just being able to access the knowledge implanted in my brain?" He asked.

"Basically, but it can be a bit disconcerting since they won't be your own memories. Instead the memories and skills are often from VR simulations. It's like a first person shooter where you really only see your hands and the weapon you're carrying. You never see the one doing the actual learning."

"What about fighting skills? Those aren't a matter of downloading information."

"You'd be surprised. Can you still feel a bit of pain where you were shot?" I asked.

"Hell yes I can still feel it!"

"But you weren't shot. Your body was in the Evolver Chamber so how can you still 'feel' something that never really happened to you?"

"Hmm." Shock rubbed his thigh, presumably where he'd been shot. "So what are you loading me up with?"

"There are some basic skills that all crew members have to know. First up is battlefield first-aid. Basically this covers how to deal with just about every injury from a simple splinter up to removing a limb if required, and I'm not just talking about treating others it includes how to do the procedure on yourself without going into shock."

"You're kidding?" Shock asked, looking at me skeptically.

"In an extreme situation it may be the only way to save your own life. It is best you know how to do it. After all, I can use the evolver to replace a limb far easier than resorting to the sentinel program. It takes between two and five years for a complete resurrection. Next up is meditation, a skill you're going to need if you're going to be able to pull off self-surgery. It also helps clear the mind and stay calm in extreme situations."

"I've done a bit of meditating in the past, but I could never really silence my mind."

"That can still be a problem, but now you'll know how to deal with it. Moving on to survival skills. The basic package covers all hostile environments and vacuum. However, you're also getting skills to survive and resist interrogation and advanced interrogation techniques. You need to be really careful how you use these skills. In conjunction with meditation. You'll be able to flat-line your mental activity, fooling most machines into reading you as being brain dead. You'll also be able to stop your own heart from beating. You'll even be able to short-circuit your own nervous system so you won't feel any pain. Needless to say all of these skills carry the risk of leading to true death, so don't use them unless you have no other choice."

"Have you downloaded those skills as well?" Shock asked in surprise.

"Yes, I'm the Captain of this ship and the crew is always my first concern. If I'm ever captured and it gets to the point where I can't escape or I feel that any rescue attempt has too high a risk. I'll completely shut down. Once I’m really dead my nanites go offline signaling Mahan glass the area and start the sentinel process."

"Glass the area?" Kyle asked in confusion.

"Yes, you don't need all the details but I have weapons that can convert a mountain to a river of molten glass. It's very effective in vaporizing evidence. Though to be honest I've never tried using it on a planet with an atmosphere. It could cook the whole planet. Though if it’s so bad that Prowl-Ar self terminates, to hell with the indigenous population." Mahan stated.

"Mahan, we've had this discussion before. You're to try and limit civilian casualties as much as possible. You do have other weapons that can dispose of any remains."

"True, but they wouldn't be as much fun to use."

"Seriously, how do you sleep at night knowing your AI could space you at any moment?" Shock asked.

"The same way he knows my threats to wipe is core and backups are empty."

"It's because it would be way more trouble than it's worth to start over with a new biological component for the merge system. I can accomplish a lot of things, but navigating unknown routes through altered space requires a certain sense that seems innate to a living being. However now that Kyle is here . . ."

“You know damn well if you kill him you’d better kill me as well.” Kyle growled angrily.

I just smiled at my mate. "Moving on, you'll like this next skill set, even if you won't get to practice it; basic starfighter and shuttle piloting."

Shock jumped up and was literally bouncing. "I get to fly real space ships?"

"Hah! I told you he'd bounce when he learned that!" Kyle laughed.

I calmly stood up and walked over to the matter generator. A second later I turned around with a plate and a single chocolate chip cookie in the center.

"What's this?" Kyle asked.

"Good dragon, you were right so you get a cookie."

"Are you patronizing me?" He asked, standing up and advancing on my threateningly, narrowing is eyes.

"Yes. Yes I am." I turned and headed back toward the table.

"Wait just a minute." He grabbed my shoulder and carefully spun me around. "My cookie." He popped the cookie in his mouth, bit it twice, and swallowed.

I grabbed his muzzle whiskers and gently pulled his head down to my level and kissed him. "My mate."

"How long have you two been together? I’m asking because you both seem to still be in that sickeningly sweet phase."

I sat back down at the table, ignoring Shock's comment. "Moving on, we've got basic weaponry skills. Blasters, firearms, and improvised weaponry. I'm upgrading your training with marksmanship and sharpshooter skills as well. Along with that there is unarmed combat. The basic package includes self-defense and several forms of martial arts. That's pretty much it for required crew skills. However, you're also getting a few more specialized skills. I'm sure you already know you're getting a pretty comprehensive journalism package but there is also a large range of diplomatic skills I’m giving you to cover your new role as Shadow Runner Diplomat. I'm also adding in a large number of languages that you'll be able to speak and write."

"What new languages?"

"Mahan, want to run down the list?"

"Of course, proper English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Dutch and Afrikaans."

"What about Maori, Polish, and Hindi?"

"So noted and added to the list."

"Oh shit, I was being sarcastic."

"Sorry, you'll have to do sarcasm on your own." Mahan stated in an overly monotone voice.

"If you cram all those languages into me I'll be a gibbering wreck."

"No, you won't. It might seem strange but you really don't notice until you're in the middle of a conversation and you think 'oh, I'm speaking another language'. Currently I'm at three hundred and twenty . . . Mahan, is it twenty three of twenty four?"

"If you include reading binary and brail, and American sign-language you're currently at three hundred and forty-two"

"Wait, are there that many languages in the world?"

"That's also counting made up languages like Klingon and Elvish, dead languages like Gaelic and Ancient Egyptian, and derivations like Old and Middle English. There are a lot more than you'd expect. Oh, Mahan add code breaking to Shock’s abilities as well, and the Shadow Runner cipher. If he does need to pass on information to us in code it would be best if he knew the ones you created."

"I already included those skills in the diplomatic package."

"Finally there is one last skill set that you wanted. You're getting a full down load of everything related to the Kithara wind staff. That includes music, dance, fighting techniques, composition, self-defense and construction. I'm actually interested to see and hear the kind of music a fox can create using it. Just remember it is going to take a lot of practice to make something that sounds pleasing since there isn't exactly a lot of information to start with."

"Will I be able to perform as a human, like you did?" Shock asked, his tail twitching in obvious excitement.

"Actually, until you've found your own style, it is likely going to be the only way you'll be able to create anything that sounds good. That is of course if I ever sounded good to begin with, since in this case it's my own memories you'll be using.” I paused watching Shock closely. “It's true, you can tell by the facial twitches when a fox is thinking evil thoughts. Just what are you planning?"

"I'm planning on doing a lot of practicing, in suit, to perform at con talent shows."

I rolled my eyes. "Try not to over exert yourself. Using the stave is extremely exhausting so trying to pull it off in a fur suit might be exceedingly dangerous."

"So can we go now? I really want to get started!" Shock asked jumping up and heading toward the door.

"Oh look, the fox is bouncing again. I wonder how long it will take him to explode if I force him to wait."

"Bad human, no cookie for you." Kyle stated with a laugh.

I laughed so hard, not only at Kyle’s statement but at the look on Shock’s face as well. I ended up flipping the chair over backwards smacking my head on the floor. It hurt like hell but I still couldn't quite stop laughing. "Damn it Kyle, you really are my perfect mate."

"Unfortunately, it seems I married an idiot. Mahan, please tell me he didn't seriously injure himself, again."

"I'm not detecting any more brain damage than he had to begin with."

"Good. I'd hate to think he'd concussed himself and is about to throw up that perfectly made breakfast I slaved over."

I forced myself to stop laughing, sighed, and slowly got up. "Drake, I wouldn't dare insult your culinary skills that way. I'd at least find a way to hold it in until I could blame it on the medical drone."

Kyle shook his head, "You would, wouldn't you?"

"It's better than risking the loss of my own head."

Shock had stopped bouncing ad cautiously glanced back and forth at the two of us.

I laughed again. "Psychotic killer A.I., unstable dragon that likes to rip the heads of defenseless medical drones, and an idiot Captain that is half crazy, a quarter insane, and a quarter lost down the drain. I bet you're rethinking the whole wanting to join this mad, mad crew?" I smiled as evilly as I could.

Shock quirked up one side of his mouth in a lopsided grin, "Nope. I think I'll fit right in."

We all stood silently for an uncomfortable length of time.

"I don't think he's going to change his mind. I suggest taking him to the memory implantation device and getting started before you have to do another show to cover for Video Fox being unavailable." Kyle said with a laugh.

Shock bounded toward the door, "Race you to the lift!"

"What the hell was I thinking?" I muttered as I started to follow.

"Shock! Get back here." Kyle yelled.

Kyle yipped, spun around, and ran back into the cafeteria. "Sorry, Sir. Thank you for breakfast it really was delicious. Much better than I usually get, Not that I'm being flippant or saying that it in anyway even compares to what I've been surviving on. Sorry, I'm just a little excited and it seems to be going to my head, and I'll stop talking now."

"Good. Before you go any further I have a rule that you may not like. I'm sure you're not going to like the consequences if you break it."

Shock stood up straight as stared at Kyle in complete concentration.

"In the past my mate has been hurt by those closest to him. It has taken him centuries to deal with that pain. He is just starting to trust again, as evidenced by your being here. So here is the rule: if you betray his trust I will personally hunt you down and make sure you die a slow and painful death. However, the moment before you die I'll copy your suffering onto a mem-crystal and resurrect you with that memory and start the torture all over again. I promise you will experience more than a thousand deaths. Unfortunately, for you, it is too late to back out, so I really hope you can live up to the Captain's expectations."

"Y-yes, Sir." Shock stuttered, with his tail between his legs.

"Come on Shock, let's get you set up. And you!" I pointed at Kyle, "Wait right there until I get back." I walked out of the mess hall with Shock close behind. "Don't let him scare you. He's just putting on an act."

"I don't think it's an act. He loves you deeply, and is worried about you. Yeah, that was scary, but I can understand his reasoning. I just wish," Shock paused for several seconds, "I hope I can find someone to care that deeply about me one day."

"I'm sure you will. Here we are the education room."

"This isn't the Evolver Chamber."

"Of course not. That unit is only useful for making mem-crystals and reloading your own memories. The machines in here are less like medical device and more like a library storage unit. It's also here on the recreational deck making it easier to access if anyone feels the need to learn new skills."

"How long is this going to take?"

"It depends on how well you assimilate the knowledge. I'll know better after your first session. I'll pull you back out when it's time for lunch. Now sit down, lay back, and let the machine do its work."

***

I quickly returned to the mess hall. Kyle had taken a seat and was patiently waiting for me. "Now I know why you refused to tell me what you were planning."

"Of course. Had you known, you wouldn't have come up for breakfast. You would have also made sure I couldn't say anything to Shock. So stay mad as long as you like. I meant what I promised and I'm not going back on my word. If he hurts you he is going to die repeatedly. I can't- you know I'm still there, your core self still has a desperate grip on the part I left in you. You said we can't change our core selves, but I did it and I'm going to continue being there forever. I can't risk having anyone hurt us again."

I sighed, "I'm not mad, not exactly. I do wish you hadn't made that promise, but I understand why you did it. I even get the feeling that Shock admires you more because of it."

"He's a good kid and I really don't think he'll betray us."

"Are you two really that dense? The kid is deceiving both of you and you don't even realize it. I've been trying to keep out of it since it really didn't impact me, but get a clue. Shock's most honest moment was when he said he'd be a slutty little fox pet for you and Kyle. Don't scoff; I was watching his vitals. I can’t say that he wants to be your pet, per-say, but what he does want more than anything is to remain here with the two of you, and I don’t mean as just a member of the crew. I’m fairly certain if he knew about your marking fetish he'd be on his knees begging you to mark him as your property."

"Mahan, I suggest you check your systems. You've obviously developed a glitch. I’m sure he was only joking about being our pet."

"Oh yes Master Nanaki, use me and make me your pet."

We both jerked around to stare at the video screen. A black dragon with white markings was pounding deep into Shock's backside.

"Mahan that was a private-" I started to object.

"Please Uncle Tigris, I know it's wrong, but I need you to own me. I'll be a perfect little pet for you and your mate."

My jaw dropped as a dark red tiger hybrid pushed his canine member deep into Shock's throat. A tiger with my exact markings in Kyle's coloration. "Mmm, you're such a good pet." The imitation of Kyle said just before the screen went blank.

"Since coming out of the evolver he's been producing submissive pheromones like mad whenever he's in your presence. The only reason you two haven't noticed is because I've been running the filters above capacity, and the modifications that make you both more susceptible to each other rather than fox pheromones."

"Mahan, why are you bringing this up to begin with? There are some things, such as Shock's fantasy life that individuals like to keep private. I told Shock that his time in the VR chamber was his own private time." The scene we’d just seen might have been arousing if I wasn’t so infuriated.

"Whether you fully realize it or not you have made Shock a member of the crew. Yes, you're sending him back down to Earth as your diplomatic representative, but that doesn't make him any less a part of the crew. To that end it is my responsibility to maintain the health and safety of my crew; therefore I can't allow this situation to go unresolved."

"So what do you want me to do? Make him my pet and to Hell with the consequences?" I yelled.

"Tiger, please calm down. If that is what Shock wants what would be wrong with him becoming our pet?" Kyle asked.

"He just turned eighteen!"

"So? Considering our virtual reality game I’d think you’d be thrilled about that fact.”

I took several deep, calming breaths. "This isn’t virtual reality, however. Shock is only eighteen years old, so he has a lot of life that he should experience before he devotes the rest of eternity to being our pet. Consider twenty or a hundred years down the road when he's come to resent us because, when it comes down to it, we are the ones that should have known better." I slumped down in a chair feeling, not quite broken, but very close to it.

"I'm not saying you need to make him your pet. I'm just pointing out you need to deal with the situation so that he doesn't go and needlessly get himself into trouble. Right now he probably thinks you don't really care about his well-being. Consider how you felt at the end of the game when you believed that Kyle didn't return your feelings. It is the same situation. You're going to send Shock away with him believing you're only putting up with him because you want someone to represent your interests on Earth. Don't either one of you try to tell me that you aren't interested in him sexually or already overly emotionally involved. I'm not stupid and not all of my sensors can 'glitch' that badly or consistently. What I'm telling you both is speak with Shock about what he wants and your concerns. I'm sure you can all reconcile the problems without too much emotional scaring. Now, you'd better not need me for a while. I'm sick of dealing with you biologicals. With all this business dealing with furrys, I've downloaded several centuries’ worth of literature and videos relating to the topic. I'm going to spend some private time in the VR chamber reading."

"Several centuries?" Kyle asked.

"Don't worry, he'll be keeping a low level monitoring program active making sure nothing goes wrong with the ship. Otherwise we may as well consider him completely offline. More than likely he's going to remain that way until we deal with the situation in a way he finds satisfactory."

"What if we deal with it by not dealing with it?"

"Not an option. I've been through this type of behavior before and ignoring his unsubtle advice has nasty consequences."

"Such as?"

"Your favorite chew toy, the doctor drone, believe it or not she used to be really helpful with a cheerful disposition."

"What did you do?" Kyle asked in surprise.

"I refused to deal with my feelings and erased, or thought I'd erased, a certain program from the VR computer."

"Are you telling me I'm the reason you have an evil doctor?"

"Why do you think I thought it was so damn funny that you were the one that ripped her head of? Though she has mellowed quite a bit the first couple of years it was pretty bad. Believe it or not, he made life so miserable I actually had to abandon ship for nearly a decade just so that I'd have meat in my diet. He made a mess of the food generators leaving them unusable. Sure I had the gardens but with my altered feline DNA I require higher levels of meat protein. So I evacuated out to the Junkyard.” I paused in surprise. “Mahan! You- You-"

"What's the matter?" Kyle asked.

"Don't you get it? He forced me off the ship so that I wouldn't inadvertently discover that he was-"

Kyle growled, "Me! He made you miserable so that he could create me. Mahan! You lied to me! We had an agreement that my becoming a biological entity wouldn't hurt Prowl-Ar."

"I didn't lie, I'd already sent him away by the time we made that deal. I'm shutting down the internal com-system. Now leave me alone until you've dealt with your problems on your own."

"So what are we going to do?"

"You've made it clear that you're okay with the idea, but I'm not; at least not yet. We just got married and mated. Call me selfish, but I'm not ready to share you with anyone else. Before you bring it up I'm not talking about the VR games since no matter how realistic we'll both always know they aren't completely real. Shock, on the other hand, is another living individual with his own thoughts and feelings that can't just be altered by asking the computer to make adjustments. However, at the same time I don't want to lose him to someone else that won't treat him with the respect that he deserves. I know if we send him back down to Earth without him knowing exactly how we feel, he'll likely go out looking for someone to fill the need he has for protection and acceptance."

"How about a compromise? Video Fox is going to be our diplomatic envoy, so he has to go back down to Earth. Before Shock Dafox leaves, if he really wants to be our pet, we accept him as such. That leaves Kelly Fox to go out and get the experience of having a life, knowing that his Shock fursona has two loving masters that he will eventually be coming home to."

"I like the sound of that, but if Kelly finds someone, that he loves and truly loves him in return, as deeply as we love each other, we'll at least act happy for him and never mention the pet thing again."

"Sound's good to me. Hear that Mahan? We've worked things out, so no screwing with the food generator."

Mahan remained silent.

"I'm sure he's listening, but I doubt he is going to speak to either one of us until we actually work this out with Shock. After all, we may have found a solution that works for us, but Shock might not think it is such a great solution for him."

"So when are we going to present this plan to him?"

"After he's completed the implanted courses. Its best he remain focused on them as much as he can at the moment. Though I'm going to adjust the scheduling a bit. I'm lengthening his down time and scheduling in more private VR 'practice' sessions."

Kyle laughed, "Why don't you just let him run free in the 'House' program?"

"Hey, that's ours. Though I could make a back-up copy that he could just happen to find that wouldn't impact the 'real' game but still give him an idea of what we expect from our slaves."

"How do you propose he find it to begin with?"

"Oh I don't think it's going to be that hard. I have a feeling that the next time Shock enters the VR chamber he is going to 'find' the House whether we wanted him to or not. It’s the type of thing Mahan would do. At least by making a copy for him to find it will preserve our game as it is."

"You really think Mahan would do something like that?"

"He wants us to deal with the situation, what better way than to let Shock 'discover' that we aren't adverse to a bit of slave or pet play?"

"You'd better hurry up and make that copy then. I'd rather not have anyone playing with my slaves before I have the chance to sample them first. Besides, Mahan isn't the only one with reading to catch up on." Kyle said winking at me.

"As my Sacred Dragon orders." I said as I quickly stood up and bowed.

"Oh shut up and get to work."

I just laughed as I left the mess hall.

***

I glanced at Shock's monitor as I entered the education facility. Mahan had started him off with meditation and the physical skills. From my own experiences I knew he'd either wake up full of energy and in desperate need to burn it off or extremely exhausted and I'd have to carry him to his- I stopped in mid thought as I realized I'd never gotten around to setting up quarters for him. "Mahan, I need-" Of course Mahan wouldn't listen to me and without him getting quarters set up would be impossible. Unless Mahan had already set up quarters for him. "Computer, has Shock been assigned quarters?"

"Shock Dafox has been assigned quarters on the command crew deck."

"I'd have placed him here on the recreation deck but at least he has a place to rest." The education unit hissed as the headset retracted.

"So tire." Was all he got out before he passed out. I shifted to my anthro form, picked him up, and carried him to the lift.

"Destination, please."

"Command crew deck." I growled. Mahan usually knew where I was heading so all I had to do was enter the lift and then exit at my destination. I stepped off the lift, "Computer, give light panel directional assistance to the room prepared for Shock Dafox."

Blue light panels illuminated along the bottom of the wall. I groaned as they led directly to my own quarters. "Mahan, you son of a blender." I walked in and Kyle looked up from his book.

"What's going on?"

"Mahan has designated our quarters as Shock's living space as well."

"He's really doing his damnedest to force the situation."

"Yeah, I'm just going to put Shock on the couch-"

"No."

"Huh?"

"I said, no. Take him in and put him to bed properly."

"But-"

"Mahan, is being an ass, but that doesn't mean Shock should have suffer because of it. He needs rest, and sleeping on the couch isn't good enough."

"I'm not going to argue about it. I just thought I'd point out we're likely going to need to wash the bedding afterwards."

"You're not being speciest, are you?"

"No, it's just that I haven't bothered with the laundry yet so the bedding is drenched in our scents. If he's as desperate to be with us as Mahan has implied-"

"We'll have a bed covered if fox spunk." Kyle moaned.

"I'm not certain I like that glazed look in your eyes."

"You can't tell me you're not turned on by the thought of me taking you while forcing you to lick up Shock's seed."

I shook my head by Kyle wasn’t wrong. I carried Shock into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. "Smart cloth, retract." The fabric almost seemed to evaporate leaving only the wrist and leg cuffs behind. I pulled the sheet over Shock.

"He let out a small moan, "Love you, Tiger."

I slowly backed out of the room and turned to Kyle, "We may have a problem."

"Yeah, I'm all worked up and our bed is occupied."

I rolled my eyes. "Shock talks in his sleep."

"That is so cute."

"Cute yes, but extremely bad for us. We're giving him a lot of information that he could eventually leak without even realizing it."

"Is there anything we can do about it?"

"I don't know. It might just be a reaction to the implantation process. We won't know for sure until Mahan can check and see if this is something new."

"So what are we going to do in the mean time?"

"You said you 'were all worked up' so I propose we slip into the private VR chamber and take care of our needs. It is the one place I’ve completely locked Mahan out of."

"Are the walls sound proofed?"

"If they're not I doubt Shock is going to complain."

***

I slowly woke to the feeling of Kyle grinding his erection against my own. I didn't mind but I'd have thought he'd be satisfied after earlier. I was so exhausted I'd fall back asleep if he'd just stop making cute little excited yips. My eyes shot open just as I felt my groin and abs coated in fox semen.

Shock let out a little gasp, he seemed to wake up just as his orgasm hit him. "Oh God! This is just a dream. I'm going to wake up any second now in my own bed." He said closing his eyes tightly.

"If it's just a dream, then let's enjoy it while it lasts." Kyle yawned and slid right up against Shock's back sandwiching him between us. He draped his arm over the fox to block any form of escape. "I thought you said Mahan couldn't access this VR chamber? Not that I mind this little surprise."

"Kyle, we're not in the VR chamber."

"Please Commander, I don't remember anything after entering the education machine. I'd never do-"

"Shh, don't say anything more. Master Prowl-Ar doesn't like being lied to." Nuzzling against Shock’s neck.

I sighed, "He's right pet." I almost laughed as a jet of precum joined the mess already on my belly. "We already know what you want, not that crawling into bed with you was in any way planned."

"You- you know?"

"Mahan pointed it out to us. I was all for the idea of making you our pet, but-" Kyle started.

Shock started to shiver, "Please, please don't reject me. I'll be a good pet, I swear."

"Hush, we're not rejecting you. However, there are some things you need to understand. First off, Kyle and I just became mates so we're going to need some time for just the two of us. Second Video Fox has a job to do. Finally, I'm sure you've done the calculations so you know I'm centuries older than you are and even though Kyle has only been a biological entity for a few years he has had a lot more life experience. We feel that Kelly needs to build up a bit more of that life experience before making such a long term commitment."

"I've had more than enough experiences already to know I'd rather be right here between two masters that I can trust." Shock sobbed.

"I know you believe that with all your heart, but what Kyle said earlier is true. I've been betrayed and rejected in the past and I don't want to feel that way ever again. I'm telling you this because I don't want you to resent us a hundred or more years from now because we didn't insist on you taking the time to make sure this is the kind of commitment you really want."

"But what if I get old, and fat, and ugly, and you no longer find me attractive?" Shock started to whimper.

"Mahan, we're dealing with the situation. Can you please join us for a moment?" I sighed, "I'm about to share something with both that I find very personal and painful."

"Prowl-Ar, I don't recommend doing this. You are risking your own mental stability."

"Please use the deep scan on subject William Wildside, target year 2018. Display holographic image of subject in the nude."

"I refuse on the grounds that it will negatively impact your health."

"No, I know Kyle loves me for more than my looks. We literally share a part of each other's soul. Kelly needs to see, no, needs to understand that there is no way that I'm worried about what he looks like when he's older."

"Um, Tiger, who are you talking about?"

"He wants me to show you what he looked like at his worst. Before he used the evolver to become Prowl-Ar. However, I'm not going to do it." Mahan stated.

"Don't make me use the command override to force you." I threatened.

"Hah, this is one time that threat is totally empty. Since you destroyed all records of your previous life the only way you can get such an image is with a deep scan, but that is the one thing you cannot force me to access."

"Master-"

"Shock, even if you become our pet, I'll never be comfortable with you calling me Master. I'm not a fan of titles."

"Why is it important that I see what you looked like?"

I wrapped my own arm around Sock just below Kyle's. "Because I was old, fat, and ugly."

They were both silent. It was difficult to read the emotions on the fox and dragon faces, but I could feel what Kyle was feeling through our link. Most of it was fear that Mahan was right, but also . . . "Shame? Kyle, I don't understand why you're feeling ashamed."

"I- I already know what you looked like. I can't tell you how or why as that would be breaking a promise."

"Mahan showed you. I'm betting he had a lot more 'advice' for you as well. You know what, Mahan? You can just fuck off to whatever corner of the ship you've been hiding in. Shock, at the time I was 44, 550 lbs. with, you know I'm not even going to get into any of my other problems. What I'm trying to point out is even if you get old and fat, which is unlikely considering your upgraded body, I can always reset your body to the way it is now."

"So you're saying eventually you'll accept me, but right now you just want me so that I can work for you."

"That's not what he's trying to say at all. We're accepting you, Shock Dafox, as our pet, right now. I'm sure my tiger, has a collar he can put on you. However, Video Fox isn't our pet, he's the Shadow Runner diplomat and he has to go back down to Earth."

"Unfortunately you two are sort of a package deal so our pet has to go where Video Fox goes." I licked the end of his nose.

He giggled. "That is so weird with you being in your human form."

I smirked and then continued, “Kelly Fox has no ties to the Shadow Runners and is free to go out and get that life experience we were talking about. Should he discover that he no longer wants Shock to be our pet we'll understand and let him go free with no hard feelings."

"Speak for yourself, I'll be experiencing a bit of remorse at losing our cute little foxy, but I won't hold it against him. If he finds someone that'll love him as much as we do."

Shock laughed, "I'm not that cute."

"You're just saying that because you can't see yourself from my angle." Kyle reached down as gently squeezed one of Shock's fuzzy butt cheeks. "So very cute."

"Kyle, haven't you had enough yet?"

"There's never enough when it comes to my tiger and my fox."

"Mas- Prowl-Ar, you said this wasn't planned, so I was just wondering, why did you crawl into bed with me?"

Mahan let out a laugh. "I assigned you to their quarters so they had no choice but to put you to bed here. Then they entered Prowl-Ar's private VR chamber presumably to fornicate. A great deal of fornication must have taken place because they both emerged completely brain fried on each other's pheromones. I doubt they even noticed you were already in the bed when they crawled under the covers and passed out."

I moaned as a warm wet tongue slid across my belly. Shock had wiggled down and had started cleaning his cum from my body. "As wonderful a sensation as that is-" My eyes crossed as he enveloped my member in his vulpine muzzle.

"This is so hot, watching you feed our pet his breakfast." Kyle giggled.

If I hadn’t been so preoccupied I’d have pointed out that dragons shouldn’t giggle. Shock slid his hand paw up my body to the mating scars on my shoulder, still red where Kyle had marked me only a day, or was it two, earlier.

He slowly slid his muzzle back with a distinct pop as I slid free. "Kelly is going to need a matched set of those marks from each of you."

"That would really complicate your life." I said as Shock turned his attention to Kyle's cock.

"Oh Gods, screw the whole diplomatic thing. I say we never leave this bed."

I reached down and pulled Shock off from the third of Kyle's cock he'd managed to get in his muzzle. "As pleasurable as that sounds it really isn't feasible. Besides Video Fox has a show to do and we don't want him straining his vocal chords trying to get that weapon of yours all the way down his throat."

Shock whimpered, "Screw the show. They can wait another day or two."

"Are you really questioning my decisions?"

Shocks ears went back and down immediately, his tail curled up between his legs, and his eyes went wide. "N-Never, Sir."

I pulled the quivering fox into a hug. "Don't look so afraid, we're not actually your Masters yet. Before that happens we are going to have a long discussion. I'm still not exactly comfortable with the idea, so you are going to explain what it is you want from us and spell out your exact terms and conditions. After all, you already know our conditions for being here it’s only fair that we know exactly what you want."

"How can you think like that when you've got to be as aroused as I am?" Kyle asked.

"It comes from the fact that until you mated me the closest I'd gotten to sex was in VR, and as real as that seems, it still pales in comparison to the real thing. So after centuries of practice of working, no matter how horny I might be, I’m able to compartmentalize my needs."

"My God, that has to be the most horrible thing I could ever imagine. Even I, as screwed up as I used to be, found a willing partner when I was desperate enough." Shock said.

"Well, that ends right now." Kyle stated.

"Wait, what part?"

"The part about you finding a willing partner just because you're horny. You're only allowed to have sex with Prowl-Ar and me."

Shock looked confused.

I pulled gently on his tail. "Kelly can, for now, go out and do what he wants, but you are ours."

Shock grinned, "Of course Masters, but what about Video Fox?"

"Sorry, but V-Fox is off the menu as well. We wouldn't want our diplomat involved in a sex scandal, now would we?"

"I guess not. So, if we're not having sex, what are we doing today?"

"First we're going to all get cleaned up, have breakfast and then Video Fox has a show to do."

"How? I haven't exactly been keeping up with my regular news feeds?"

"Silly fox," Kyle grinned evilly, "You are the current news. You've been completely out of contact since the Captain offered to make you our Diplomat. Don't you think it's time to let the world know what you've decided?"

"That could work, but it would be a rather short story."

What if you broadcast it live from the bridge while we take the Runner out of Earth orbit?"

"Are you kidding me? You'd let me be the first fur suiter in space? V-Fox's cred would be," Shock grinned, "astronomical."

"Shower first, breakfast second, and then work."

***

"You're going to regret doing this." Mahan mocked me, as I waited in my command seat.

"I'm not going to regret it."

"Not to agree with Mahan, but you sound more like you're trying to convince yourself than Mahan." Kyle said, from his new seat next to mine.

The lift door opened and Video Fox Stepped onto the bridge. "I really am going to regret this" I thought to myself."

"Hello my fellow furrys! Check out the new threads. As the official Shadow Runner Diplomat I'm entitled to wear the official uniform. For those of you wondering, my clothes are made of easily obtainable man-made fibers, unfortunately. But hey, check out where I am right now!" Mahan shifted the camera angle so that it was from V-Fox's point of view.

"Oh, I should probably mention the new suit head has built in cameras so you get to see what I'm seeing. Yes I’m actually seeing this because the new suit has built in video screens so now more stumbling around half blind. As I was saying welcome to the bridge of the Shadow Runner. Can you believe it? Captain Nightiger has actually let me come aboard his ship!"

"Mahan, contact Earth's space ground control and let them know that we're about to move the big scary spaceship out of Earth orbit." I turned and looked at Video Fox. "Sit down and secure your safety harness. You're technically the first civilian to travel with us and if the unexpected happens I'd rather you were safely belted in."

"Yes Sir. Um, where would you like me to sit?"

"Anywhere is fine. Mahan has locked out all terminals other than Kyle’s and my own."

"Ground Control has been informed, but they don't seem very pleased. They're requesting our aid in exploring the system. Specifically they'd like us to pick up two probes and place them in orbit around Titan and Enceladus."

"Let them know that we'll consider their request, but such an operation doesn't require the Runner to remain in a position that some likely consider threatening."

"Message sent, engines are hot, and the Freem Drive is primed."

"Captain, if it isn't against the rules, can you explain why you refer to your faster-than-light drive it as ‘Freem’?"

"It's short for Free Motion. Basically instead of trying to increase our speed the drive, for lack of a better term, grabs onto a gravity line. I'm not sure if you know the old term ley-line but it is basically the same thing. The universe is covered with these gravity ley-lines. The Freem drive grabs a line, usually where two lines overlay each other and opens a doorway into altered space. Before you ask altered space is basically a dimensional void outside normal space-time. If you know the exact coordinates before opening the door you can slip through and exit again fairly easily. Without exact coordinates things get interesting. Say I decided to jump to another star system," I looked directly at Video Fox’s camera, "Yes, I said star system and not solar system. That is something that just about everyone on Earth needs drilled into their heads. We are currently in the only solar system in existence. Earth's primary, star, sun, or whatever you want to call it is named Sol, hence Sol or Solar system. Now as I was saying when I decide it is time to extend Human exploration, say to the Alpha Centari system, I'll have to merge my biological mind with Mahan, the ship's A.I., so that the combined Shadow Runner entity can navigate the passage by feeling the gravitational lines."

"Um, not that I'm worried or anything, but why are you using the Freem drive?"

"Because it would be a very long and boring trip out to Saturn using the conventional engines, no matter how powerful they are. I could even plot an in system jump but it gets tricky with Saturn currently on the opposite side of the sun right now. So we're jumping out to the junkyard and then back again."

"The junkyard?" V-Fox asked.

"The Captain is, Mahan, what is the word I'm looking for?" Kyle asked.

"Hoarder, most likely."

I sighed, "I'm a collector not a hoarder."

"That's the word I was thinking of. The Captain collects-"

"Commander, let's not spoil the surprise. I turned to Video Fox again, I should mention that your viewers are going to notice what will seem like a cut in the footage. This is because the transmission is live. To them no time will seem to pass between the moment we enter altered space and when we exit again. However, for us the trip will take a little over five minutes. I've got the line and we're going to altered space."

Video Fox stared at the swirling colors on the monitor. "Is that what it looks like outside?"

"Not exactly, it is pretty close to what I see when I'm in the shuttle though the colors are a bit more vibrant. When I'm in my anthro form, strangely it is much less chaotic. The colors seem to swirl around an open tunnel, when I'm merged with Mahan it looks like a giant chaotic spider web I'm guessing it appears differently for everyone who experiences it."

"Um, you realize I'm still transmitting?"

I laughed, "While we're in altered space your signal doesn't exist. We are completely outside space and time. That's why your audience will see the image jump. Now get back into character because we're about to re-enter real space. Focus on the forward monitor, I think you and everyone watching is in for a shock."

I dropped out of altered space at the very edge of the Junkyard.

"Holy shit! There are hundreds of ships out there."

"Like I said, I'm a collector. Nearly all those ships are from old science fiction shows." I changed the focus, "In this view alone you can see the Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist, and Home One, the Enterprise series, Prometheus and Hammond, the Jupiter series, The Arc, SDF-1, Serenity, Millennium Falcon, Defiant, Bebop, Outlaw Star, Tulip, Sol Bianca, and Ragnarok. However, as you've already seem I don't share my toys."

"If you took every last person on Earth would there be enough to crew all of these ships?"

"At rough estimate it wouldn't even require the entire furry community. This is because many of the ships, though they look and in some cases function like their name sakes, use the same streamlined systems created for me." Mahan stated proudly.

I shifted the view so that it focused on the killer rock. "This is what I really want your audience to see. This nearly solid metallic rock is what would have shattered the Earth. After using the sun's gravity to slow it down we brought it here to be broken down and used as raw material for more ships. Though, I have been considering the possibility of building a functional space colony based on current Earth Tech, of course, and donating it to the Sol system as its next big step into space. Of course it may take fifty or sixty years to construct. Then likely another hundred to become fully self-sufficient. Still turning the rock meant to kill the Earth into an Earth colony has a certain irony."

"What if someone finds this place?" V-Fox asked.

"We're deep into the void the only way to plot this location would be to get an accurate star reading and I'm making sure that there aren't enough references being shown. Even then to get here someone would have to have a ship capable of making the trip."

"How long are we going to be here?"

I grinned, "About that long." I engaged the Freem drive again.

"I get why you wanted everyone to see the killer rock, but why show off the junkyard?"

"It's the middle of nowhere, so where do you think the raw material came from to build all of those ships?"

"How many Earth killers?"

"In just the last century 26 planet killers and 32 extinction level, twelve massive enough to wipe out a city or more if they hit water creating a tsunami and six that would have been near misses but there was a chance they could have been caught by gravity and pulled in. The rest of the material I harvested from the Asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt."

"Why so many?"

"I used to think that it was an advanced race of aliens firing them at us. However, with this newest piece of evidence I now believe they are the remnants of a nova that took place perhaps before multi cellular life evolved on Earth. The light disappeared before humans and we're just now seeing what's left of the physical remains. For the next couple of centuries I'm going to be keeping a close watch on that sector of space in case something bigger and faster is headed our way. Mahan, would we be able to stop anything 'bigger and faster' if it was heading for us?" For the first time in a very long time I was scared. It'd taken everything the Shadow Runner had to catch that last rock.

"If detected soon enough we might be able to alter its trajectory. However, I'd recommend evacuating as many people as possible to the ships in the Junkyard if we detect anything larger."

"We're coming up on our exit. Shock, table this discussion, I don't want mass panic, so this is just between crew members."

The mouth of Video Fox’s suit fell open and since it was controlled by his own mouth I quickly reviewed what I'd said. I sighed, "Damn."

Kyle laughed, "Its official now. Shock, welcome to the crew."

I dropped us out of altered space and Saturn filled most of the monitor. "I'm not worried if anyone tracks our current position because I'm cloaking the ship now and then I'll move us into hiding. I just thought your loyal viewers deserved a nice view to focus on to end your show for today."

"Thank you Captain, for trusting me enough to film on your bridge. Call me selfish, because there are a lot more deserving people than myself, but I really hope one day I'll be worthy to sit at one of these stations, as a member of your crew. Thank you for watching all you cubs, kits, and kids. This is Video Fox IN SPACE!"

The suit head quickly retracted and Shock unhooked his restraints. "Am I, do you, was that just a slip of the tongue or?"

I rolled my eyes, "No Shock, you're not a 'crew' member."

He looked hurt and on the verge of tears.

"Crew members won’t get to know about the evolver chamber, they don't get to wear a command uniform, and they certainly don't get the ability to shift. You're already far more than just a crew member, you're a part of our team. You still have to go back to Earth and be our representative, at least until most people get the idea that nothing has really changed other than they now know that we're out here 'protecting' them."

Kyle laughed as Shock landed in my lap joyfully licking my face like a puppy.

"Shock! I get that you're happy but this is the bridge, show a little self-restraint, please."

"I thought I was by not attempting to get in your pants."

"Enough of that. Mahan, please move us into our final parking orbit. I'm taking this fluffy ball of energy to The VR chamber. I'm going to work him to exhaustion-"

Shock shot off my lap and over to the lift where he bounced from one foot to the other. "I can't wait!"

"Making him practice what he learned in his first knowledge implantation session." The bouncing immediately stopped. "Kyle," I turned to him and winked, "You'd better come as well, to help me makes sure Shock behaves himself."

"Oh, I certainly plan on cumming, whether he behaves himself or not."

“Yep, definitely regretting it.” I mumbled.

***

I stood in the center of House's dojo, Kyle sat off to the side, and Shock stood in front of me. "House, I need my wind staff and a second staff adjusted to Shock's vulpine stature."

House appeared holding three wind staves. "You did not specify which form you would be taking to practice, so I have taken the liberty of providing an extra staff designed for your human physique."

I shifted to my anthro tiger form and took the larger rod. "Thank you, House." He then passed the foot long rod to Shock.

"Huh, I thought it would be bigger."

I grinned, thumbed the activation button, and snapped my wrist. The ends of the staff shot out to seven and a half feet with a bass growl.

Shock imitated me but his staff was only about five and a quarter feet and made a sickly whiny noise.

"Try again, but this time be more assertive in the forward snap. You flinched as it extended. Think of it like casting a fishing pole. Actually do a double snap cast and then immediately back snap like you're setting the hook."

Shock tried again. This time the staff let out a high pitched howl with a loud 'yip' on the back snap. He smiled and spun around stopping in starting position. The staff perfectly perpendicular, slightly to the left side, with the right hand over the left.

I slowly walked roughly ten paces away. "Good. First off, Kyle will be your audience so turn toward him."

Shock turned and bowed.

"According to the implantation device you already have a full set of current compositions. Let's see what you can do with the 'Sunset in Summer', then I'll join you for 'Darkness Hides' and we'll finish with the duet 'Alone No More'. Begin when you are ready."

Shock took a deep breath closed his eyes and started his dance. I winced more than a few times, but Shock completed the performance. At the end he dropped to his knees and started crying.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking believing I could do this."

I walked over to him. "Stop whining and get up. Did you think this was going to be easy? You're a fox trying to use an instrument designed for anthro cheetahs. With the memory and skill implants you have the combined knowledge of the cheetah form, tiger form, and human form. Unfortunately there isn't a fox form, yet. Of course your first performance wasn't going to be perfect. You have to adapt your own style."

"Before we start the next song can I practice it first?" He asked.

"Of course." I ruffled his head fur, walked over, and sat down beside Kyle.

"That was painful to watch. Are you going to be that . . . unfeeling at my first attempt at dragon form?"

"And wolf form, and lion form, and extra mean if you screw up human form; however I'll give you a break when you try hybrid form."

I smiled as Shock ran through the first stanza for the third time finally producing an acceptable rendition. He suddenly stopped and stared at his staff moving it first in long sweeping arcs and then in short snapping curves.

"It's not about controlling the staff. It's interacting with it. Letting the mood flow through me for the staff to reflect." He mused, continuing to move the staff.

"Alpha Kyle, is he another new brother?"

I nearly sprained my neck as I jerked around. Sticks, Conner, Evan, Tas, and Aaron had joined us. I'd forgotten that I'd left the harem program paused so when I requested the training dojo the computer had naturally started the program.

"Hello I'm Evan, are you the new fox's mate?" he asked me.

Aaron laughed so loudly that Shock came to a stop and stared at us.

"Um Prowl-Ar, who are these people and why are they all naked?"

I sighed, "House, please summon everyone to the dojo."

Kyle laughed, "This is going to be good. I can't wait to see how you explain this to everyone."

"You're lucky I love you so much." I stood up and walked up to Shock. "Just ignore them for the moment and keep practicing, we're about to have a real audience."

Shock started dancing again slowly working his way through the choreography. Talon was the last one to arrive.

"Sorry, I was stretching my wings when Masters . . . Master Prowl-Ar, you were just outside and then there was a flash of light and now you're, here?"

"Yes, I'll explain everything just sit down."

"Forgive me Master Kyle, but who is this tiger that thinks he can order us around." Evan asked.

"Evan, please sit down and listen." Kyle stood up and joined me. "In fact I order all of you to do those things."

Everyone quickly settled themselves.

"Very good, the floor is all yours, Tiger."

"Everyone, I know this is going to come as a surprise to most of you, but I am your master." I shifted to my human form and a collective gasp filled the room. "While I haven't lied to you I still haven't been completely honest. I was indeed born in this form but I've gained the ability to change forms. Of course Master Kyle also has the ability to shift, and he is even better at it since he can choose between four different species. Shock," I glanced at him and grinned, "is my great nephew and can also shift."

"Is that why he has stripes even though he's a fox like me?" Conner asked.

"That's right, Shock is a fox tiger hybrid while I'm a tiger wolf hybrid."

"Shock, these are our pleasure slaves. You'll note that each of them has a color coded collar black with white stripes for me and dark red with bright red stripes for Kyle."

"Um, this isn't-"

"Pause game." Kyle yelled.

"Go ahead and finish your thought."

Shock looked at the assembled menagerie. "Most of them are- You know that- God, what kind of- of-"

"Pervert?" Kyle asked.

"I think he wants to say pedophile, or maybe monster. Take a deep breath and remember this is a very realistic game."

"Most of them are children!" Shock yelled.

"Yes, but this is a VR simulation. If this were the real world I'd share what you're feeling right now. In fact, I’ve debated erasing the program on several occasions. In case you haven't noticed I'm extremely hesitant about being in sexual situations with you and you're a very real consenting adult. That's another thing, if you get to know them you'll find that, even given their simulated age, most of them think more like adults than children."

"Kyle, you're actually okay with this situation?" Shock asked.

I laughed.

"I've watched the entire game, most of it without Prowl-Ar knowing. I don't have a problem with it. Alright, I got a bit mad when he allowed Evan to mark him with a mating bite, but in his defense he didn't know that I was watching and since then we have worked out that little problem." Kyle laughed, "Now that I think about it, my Tiger seems a bit afraid of doing anything sexual outside this chamber. Still, if I had a problem with it do you really think this game would still exist? For that matter do you think I’d have slaves of my own?"

Shock looked at me and I felt a shiver down my spine. I knew that look, whether on a human, fox, or tiger it was the look of hate.

"C-computer, shut down game and reset to previous save point." I slumped to the floor, it was happening again. I knew, I just knew Kelly hated me and would leave like everybody else. I felt Kyle wrap his arms around me.

"I'm here. I'll always be here." He reminded me.

"What's wrong with him?" Shock asked.

"You! You little shit. He's having a breakdown because he believes you hate him and you're rejecting him even after begging to be here!" Kyle yelled.

I felt a cold nose against my cheek and warm licks on my chin. "I'm here, and I'll stay here for as long as you you'll have me. I don't hate you and I- I'm not rejecting you. I don't ever want to lose you. I- I was just upset. I-it’s just I know what it’s like to be a victim of rape when you’re a child. Seeing them it- it took me back to my own worst memories."

I grabbed him, barely understanding what he was saying, and pulled him close. "I can't, can't lose- not again." I heard voices, Shock’s and Kyle’s, but I couldn't understand them as everything faded to black.

***

I'm here again. I hate this place. I'm afraid of this place. It's cold here. There are three cement stairs, a small landing and an alcove with a boarded up doorway. I'm huddled in the alcove. There’s snow on the ground dirty gray stuff. Mostly trampled into ugly ice sheets.

I'm dying, everyone knows, but even if they see me they just look through me. I cough up blood. That is new, but I feel even colder.

I still remember the first time I was here. I don't remember the date but it was long before I'd come to terms with being gay. There was no snow, no ice, the air wasn’t cold. It didn't burn to breath. The people passing still spoke. Saying things like faggot and AIDS. Of course they still didn't look at me. That wasn't what was killing me it was the loneliness. All of those people and no one cared that I was dying.

I cough again and there's more blood. A startling splash of color in a gray reality. I can feel it flowing out my nose. I start to cry but its tears of blood. I'm so cold I feel it freezing to my skin. "Please, help me." I stammer, but no one even looks at me anymore. It hurts so much. I never tried reaching out the other times. I don't want to die alone like this again. It's not cold anymore. I can't feel anything. I know my body is dead. All that's left is the eternity until the last few nerves in my brain finally die. He is here again. Death. He was there the first time silent and uncaring. This time he's laughing at me. There's no sound but he is laughing all the same. Even Death itself is rejecting me.

***

I'm awake, at least my mind is awake, but I can't feel my body. I can't move, I can't even open my eyes. Logically I know it is just sleep paralysis. It happens every time I have the dream. I'm alone. I'm always alone. I'll be alone for the rest of eternity.

I chose to be alone. Why? I know why, it's because I didn't want the dream to be real. As long as I'm alive there is a slim chance I'll find love.

I'm crying, I can feel the tears seeping out of my tightly closed eyes. I'll completely wake soon. Not that it matters. I'll still be-

"I'm here. I promise I'll always be here."

Kyle! My mate! My mind short circuits for a moment. "I'm not alone anymore." I gasp and start to sob. I still can't feel my body but warmth wells up from my core, from the part of me that is Kyle.

"Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you. I want to be here with you. Don't send me away."

I finally opened my eyes. I was in bed. Kyle behind me holding me tightly to his body. Shock in front clinging to me his head tucked under my chin. He was also holding me tightly. I couldn't have moved even if I had full motor control. Hell, it was a wonder I was even able to breath.

"Shock, there's something you and Kyle both need to know. In all of my long life I've only fantasized about being with another human being four times. Of those four, two have been in the last few weeks. I've never once had a fantasy involving an underage human."

"Can I ask about the three I'm competing with?" Kyle grumbled.

"The first was a girl way back in junior high. In the fantasy we were being intimate but there was no sex involved. The second-"

"Was you best friend, Russell, right?" Kyle asked.

I sighed, "You'd think so, but no. By the time I'd accepted the possibility I might prefer being with males my fantasies had turned a bit more exotic. Besides I always knew he was straight. I admit I was a bit jealous when he got married, but that quickly went away when I saw for myself how much he loved his wife. That's also the reason, though it hurt more than any other rejection that I've adhered to his request that I only resurrect him, if not doing so means the extinction of humanity."

"So, if you'd already found furry, who was number two?" Shock asked.

"Sorry, even now I'm not going to say his name, but he was a furry, unbelievably charming, handsome by human standards, straight, mated, and had a family. Like I said it was a fantasy and nothing more. He likely didn't even know I felt more than friendship for him. Though I had many fantasies about his fursona."

"Ooo, what species was his fursona?" Shock was quick to ask.

I looked at both of my bed mates and blushed.

"Come on Tiger, spill it."

"Fox and Eastern dragon hybrid. His reference sheet looked like a perfect blending of both phenotypes and he projected a sense of draconic protectiveness and vulpine playfulness."

I felt so embarrassed saying that nestled between a fox and dragon.

"Did you ever revisit that fantasy in VR?" Kyle asked.

I couldn't answer which was fine because I really didn't want to answer.

"Oh my God, he did."

"The other two humans were the two of you."

"Us? Why fantasize when we're right here?"

"It's not a slight against you, my Drake, but I had to be sure of my own reaction to you in your human form. After the way I reacted at the Cherry Rose, I couldn't trust myself. I didn't want to disappoint you. So while you were playing the game and I was 'healing' I fantasized about you. And I'm ashamed to say that just to be sure I spent some time with you, as a human in my private VR chamber."

Kyle looked at me in shock.

"I didn't have sex." I quickly added. "Just a bit of fondling. And if it helps I deleted the program, not to hide it from you but because it was woefully inadequate to compared to the real thing. Still it did give me the courage to give myself to you completely body and soul."

"And the fourth, I suppose was Kelly?"

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean by 'not exactly'?" Shock yelped.

I sighed, "That fantasy was right after you first suggested becoming our pet. In it I was just an observer. More than anything I was curious how I would feel about you and Kyle being intimate with each other without me."

Kyle squeezed e tighter.

"Love, can't breathe." I gasped as he loosened his grip. "You didn’t let me finish. I was going to say how surprised I was that I didn't feel jealous. Instead I was turned on knowing that our bond is strong enough that having Shock join us will only make us stronger."

"Is that why you had such a strong reaction when you thought Shock was rejecting you?" Mahan suddenly asked.

"Mahan, shut up." All three of us started laughing as we realized we'd all said the same thing together.

I took a deep breath, "Shock, now that I've had my say I'm going to unlock the House file so that you can review all of my actions. I want you to try not to judge me until the end. Afterwards, if you decide that you don't want to be with someone like me. I- I'll let you go, and I'll make sure Kyle doesn't carry out his threat because of this."

"I don't want to leave. I never wanted to leave you. It's just . . . You know my past and how my step-father abused me. When I saw those cubs and heard they were your pleasure slaves all I could think is that you were just like him. I know it wasn't fair and I know you care way too much about others to force yourself on someone."

That comment struck all the way to my core. Both Kyle and I gasped in pain.

"Tiger, he's not saying you're inflicting yourself on anyone. Mahan, prepare the House file, observer viewpoint, as a memory download for Shock. Also send a drone to assist him with the device. Shock, I think my mate and I need a little alone time. Plus, I think you'll feel better about the whole situation after 'viewing' the game file. Keep in mind that he didn't know I existed until he rescued Talon from being terminated."

"You're allowing me loose on the ship unescorted?" Shock asked in surprise.

"You know the way to the lift where Mahan will take you to the recreation deck so it's not like you'll get lost. Plus I know from personal experience Mahan won't let you go where you're not supposed to."

Shock licked my lips. It wasn't exactly a kiss, but a part of me knew it meant the same thing.

"I'm not leaving, I'm just following Kyle's orders." He let go of me, slipped out of the bed and just as quickly left the room.

***