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CHAPTER 6

"Minister Lokagos, this is Prosok. I'm sorry to disturb you during your break, but you wanted to know as soon as the refugees were transferred completely."

The fox wrinkled his small black nose; not mad at his assistant's interruption-just a little annoyed. Leaning back in his soft cushioned chair, Lokagos enjoyed for a moment the pleasantly warm breeze that ruffled his whiskers. "Good to hear," he finally remarked. Opening his eyes the fox gazed into a bright blue sky, dotted by high clouds that passed lazily overhead. "What's the status of the wolf ship?"

"Sir, they've not left the area yet, and they don't appear to know we're still here, either. Also sir, they're transmitting to their home planet now if you'd like to listen in."

"Not now, but prepare a brief. I'll go over it in a few minutes."

"Yes, sir. Sorry to have disturbed you," said Prosok, and the contented fox was again left in a beautiful silence, save for the whistle of the wind through the trees.

Lokagos closed his eyes again, focusing his other senses on the rolling meadow around him. Through his tall ears he heard the rustle of leaves and grasses in the breeze and smelled the sweet pollen in the air. He smiled to himself. Glykos flowers; the scent of such a familiar childhood icon warming his spirits. It had been a long time since he'd been to this meadow. It rested a little way behind his family's country retreat, a favorite home away from home when he was a small cub. It was a shame his wife was away on business. He would have loved her company.

A shadow passed over his face and the minister cracked an eye open, expecting to see a large cloud had passed over the sun. What he saw was neither a cloud nor welcomed on this, his afternoon leave.

A silver face stared down at him from above, a fox he unfortunately knew well. Sozo stared down at him, a corner of his muzzle arched in a devious sneer. His ruffled fur was a silvery-white, broken only by his ebony black ear-tips and nose. There was a mischievous flicker in Sozo's dark green eyes that told Lokagos the fox wasn't there strictly for business.

"Minister, I hope you realize that this will not solve anything," he said.

Lokagos turned his face away and repositioned himself in the reclined cushion, his back turned to the intruder. "I don't recall giving you permission to disrupt me while I'm napping, Sozo...least of all on private property. And I disagree: Napping solves everything."

The silver fox chucked at his crimson-colored companion, then looked around himself. They were in the middle of nowhere, the minister's lounge chair being the only unnatural object within half a kilometer radius. Sozo had to admit it was gorgeous in its own rustic way.

"Yes, Lokagos, I can see why you'd say that. You'll have to let me visit here again sometime."

Lokagos growled resentfully in his throat. "That's Minister Lokagos, Sozo. Is there a specific reason you came here, or was it simply to disturb me?"

"No, not at all, minister. I mean only to warn you that we're not dealing with rational beings. Even if the wolves understand how pointless it would be to resist us, they will certainly try to do so. It's in their nature to be unyielding, stubborn, and reckless with life-as you can plainly see. Hence the reason we must deal with them quickly."

Lokagos turned to face the other. "Whatever you say, Sozo. You're the 'subject matter expert' on this matter," he said in a mocking tone, though it was completely true. The Bureau of Security and Defense had named him as such.

Personally, Lokagos did not trust the silver fox. Not by a long shot. In his own opinion Sozo was a spiteful pup bent on personal revenge against the wolf race for their past injuries to him and others. There was actually very little of Sozo's past that Lokagos did know: His early life among the wolves and the pain it caused him. Lokagos sympathized with Sozo's vendetta. He really did. But the line between retribution and a reckless lust for revenge was a thin one. Especially with Sozo. And Lokagos was not about to allow Sozo to use that as an excuse to be reckless with his ship and its crew.

Then Lokagos had a thought. He smiled deviously, showing his bright fangs in the warm sunlight. "It should interest you to know, Sozo, that I ordered to have Commander Banks transferred as well."

Sozo stared down at the minister. "What," he asked more out of surprise than disbelief.

"Yes. He should be at the facility with the others. Isolated, of course."

A fire shined in the silver fox's eyes in that moment. Although Lokagos was not watching he could only imagine the wheels beginning to turn in this fox's head.

"I'll need to question him as soon as possible, then."

"Yes, you had better, seeing as you're the expert." And leave me to my peace, pup.

"Very well," said Sozo with a sudden air of duty. "I'll report to you with my findings as soon as I'm finished."

Minister Lokagos turned over and closed his eyes once again. "Glad to hear it," he sighed, and smiled when he heard Sozo leave. But the peaceful moment was short lived.

Beep! Beep!

Lokagos cursed obscenities as he sat up in his lounge chair, opening his eyes once again in time to see the meadow disappear in a flash, replaced by the soft beige wall of his office. He was once again aboard the Excedra, his magnificent ship, staring at the plaques and photographs hung on the wall across his desk.

Gripping the arms of his firm chair he barked to his empty office, "Sozo, that son of a bitch!"

***

Warmth was the first thing that Scott Banks felt as he slowly regained consciousness. It wasn't warmth in the thermal sense, either, but rather a kind of calm, comforting mood that was surreal to mind and body. It was like swimming in one of the mineral springs on Triticum's west continent.

The further his mind swam through his mental pool, the larger it seemed to become, the shore yet unseen. As more of his mind returned to wakefulness the further from land he felt, and the greater his confusion grew. What was happening? Where was he and why couldn't he see or move? He was trapped, floating blindly, and it was in that uncertainty that his memory began to break the surface. The Mourning Son. His nephew Eli and a being called Ionious. The last thing he could remember was speaking with him. Why should that be important to him now? Who was he anyway and why did Scott feel a strange sense of danger when he thought of the name?

The wolf's calm tranquility was forgotten as this foreboding gave way to worry and doubt.

Wait! That's what he was doing: Talking to Ionious in the sick bay when suddenly the power failed and...a white flash...'A show of force!' That's what the fox that was controlling his nephew's body had said. He was going to show him just how powerful and capable they were.

What did that mean? Where am I now!

Scott fought desperately to regain control of himself, and was failing miserably. A wall barred him from waking himself fully, and he feared what he might find once he did. If he did. He pushed on the wall as hard as he could muster his will-power when suddenly everything gave way and he found himself sitting up in bed, yowling aloud and panting heavily. He rubbed at his eyes with his paws to force the haze of sleep from them and saw light-toned walls surrounding him. He was in a small room, square in shape, sitting on a softly cushioned bed without blankets or sheets. Everything smelled new to him here, without familiarity and reassurance. Warmth seemed to radiate up from below him. It was not altogether unpleasant, but the foreignness of it warned his instinct of threat. He didn't like it.

Swinging over the edge of the low bed, his bare foot-paws thudding against the floor (it felt soft against his leathery pads), Scott took a deep breath. Wait a minute...a soft floor against his bare paws? Where were his boots? Looking down he saw that his uniform had been replaced by a loose tunic of a white cotton-type fabric.

Perhaps he had been injured in an explosion or accident and was in the sick bay. It didn't look anything like the ship, though. Maybe a hospital somewhere? Scott looked down at himself, rubbing his chest and belly behind the fabric, checking for broken bones, cuts, bandages; anything that would show he'd been injured. But nothing of the sort could be found. He rubbed a paw against his forehead, attempting to make sense of the situation when a fingertip brushed against a hard metal plate stuck to his fur. It was small, about three centimeters on one side and rough to the touch. He tried to pull at it, but it wouldn't budge without pulling painfully at his flesh.

"What the hell," he murmured, but a noise to his left made him turn to the door.

In stepped a short canine dressed in a deep red, almost maroon, uniform. His muzzle was long and pointed compared to the wolf's, and his ears were a bit longer and more pointed as well. His bushy tail trailed lazily behind him, a reddish-orange tipped with black. To Scott's surprise it was a fox.

The fox looked over to him as he entered the small room and grinned shallowly, his brow furrowing just a bit as if in curiosity.

"Le'oom derdones av'greet," it said softly.

Scott's ears perked at the sound. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I..." he tried to say, his voice rough. He cleared his throat, trying again. "I don't understand."

The fox seemed to understand him, however, and stepped slowly forward to raise a paw to Scott's face. The wolf jerked a little in surprise, but held still as he permitted the fox to tap the metal plate against his forehead.

"There, that should help," said the fox again. "You've been asleep now for almost an entire day, Commander Banks. It's not just you, though. The decontamination process has a way of draining one's energy."

"Decontamination," Scott asked, feeling just a little nauseous.

"Yes, commander. For our protection you were screened for any and all pathogens: viruses, parasites, bacteria, prions, toxins...you name it. Everything dangerous was removed from your body, so consider this a benefit to you as well."

The fox walked to a counter on the other side of the room and picked up a thin, crescent-shaped object. Scott could see that it was clear, or mostly clear, and when the fox placed it on the bridge of his nose and over his eyes it began to glow. The fox stepped closer to him and looked up and down the wolf's body through the object. A cold chill ran down Scott's back. For one reason or another he felt completely naked and helpless.

"Well, everything looks fine to me. I'll let Ionious know that you are awake, commander."

"Ionious," the wolf asked, rubbing again at his forehead.

The fox laughed. "Yes, he's the director and head master of this facility. He'll be in to see you in a moment."

"The 'facility?'" For some reason the term did not sound especially reassuring. "Is that a ship?"

"Heavens no, commander. You're on the Vulpine home world. Now wait here and don't leave this room. We have security protocols in place," said the fox before disappearing around the corner.

Foxes decontaminating him? The home world? The same home world Ionious said was so far away? It was all too unbelievable to be reasonable. Surely it wasn't real...was it? Scott had to lean back on the bed again as he suddenly became very dizzy and unsteady. What had happened to him? Or to the Mourning Son?

Maybe he wasn't awake yet. Maybe he was still swimming in that pool he was in only minutes before, only now his mind had finally gone off the deep end. He moaned as he rubbed his head with both palms.

"Excuse me, commander?"

Scott jumped up at hearing the voice. The young fox that had left his room had returned with another behind him, this one much older by the looks of it. His fur was a deeper red than the first, but streaked with grey in some spots around the eyes and ears. He wore a uniform identical to the younger fox's, but the wolf noticed several insignia that the younger did not have. This particular fox was a grim-faced creature, if ever there was one. Not unlike Councilwolf Gilder, he thought oddly.

"Um..." Scott struggled to speak. "You must be Ionious?"

The older fox dipped his ears politely. "Yes, I am, commander. Welcome to the Refugee Rehabilitation Center. I am the manager of this instillation. I believe you've already met my assistant, Bothios." The younger dipped his ears as well, but remained silent as Ionious continued: "I'll get right to the point, commander-"

"Please," Scott interrupted, rubbing his forehead with a palm. "Call me Scott. I'm having enough trouble thinking right now without military courtesy."

Ionious frowned from the corner of his muzzle, but nodded. "Very well. As I was saying, you've been brought here because we both have questions we want answered, and I believe we can help each other."

Scott opened his mouth to interject but the fox wouldn't let him.

"First...Scott...you need to come with us. You've been fitted with a behavior modification probe, so I'd suggest cooperating with us."

The wolf's eyes widened, his body tensing. "A probe? If you've stuck anything into my body I want it out now!"

Ionious raised his paws to calm the wolf. "Relax, Scott. Please. Nothing has been inserted into your body. However, that does not mean we cannot affect you in any way we deem necessary. That probe on your temple below the ear controls your brain chemistry in many ways. You've already seen its lingual properties."

Bothios handed Ionious a small pad the size of a playing card, and the older fox tapped it a few times. Almost instantly Scott felt a wave of calm fill his mind and body, his alarm and tension melting away. He sighed involuntarily, a much needed release from the stress of his present situation, and so many others before this one.

"Now, you won't try to struggle, escape, or be difficult will you, Scott?"

The wolf shook his head. "No, of course not." And why should he? It was so much easier to cooperate with these gentle creatures. They hadn't tried to harm him yet. Why couldn't he trust them? And besides, where would he escape to? He didn't know where he was or how to get to anywhere he'd rather be.

Wait...Why am I thinking like this? I could escape if I wanted to, right? No, that wasn't possible. He wouldn't allow himself to do anything like that. That would be absurd.

Then a spark of realization lit in the wolf. "Oh, gods," he moaned, and he buried his face in his palms.

"I know the mood and behavior control can be unsettling, Scott. Please try to understand that this is a precaution."

Scott understood, certainly. Perhaps too well. This was violating his will, forcing him to think things he normally wouldn't think, and it terrified him. "You can't do this to someone," he whispered quietly. "You...you shouldn't..."

"Shouldn't what, Scott? Control you like a slave? Is that what you meant?"

Scott looked up at him, wanting to growl in anger, bear his fangs. But he was somehow unable to do so. Being controlled like this was horrifying, but it was even worse knowing that he was aware of his own inability to do anything about it. An instinctual fear told him he should fight. Attack. Flee! But not even that seemed possible. The more he seemed to think of doing either, the more frozen, the more clouded such thoughts became.

"I never...I didn't...want to do it...to them."

It came out as a mumble, but Ionious seemed to hear him just fine.

"I know, Scott," he said after a moment and with the flick of a paw a wave of emotion escaped from the wolf.

Scott collapsed, just barely catching himself from falling to the floor as he moaned out his anger and frustration at once, no longer feeling the restraint the probe put on his mind. His reaction made the two foxes step back a pace. Scott saw the elder's paw hovering dangerously over the small pad and forced himself to calm down. He took several deep breaths, in and out, before speaking.

"I'm alright, just please...don't do that again."

Ionious pulled his paw away from the pad, much to Scott's relief. "I'm sorry. I know it was uncomfortable. You're not a prisoner here, but we need to be careful. I hope it will be the last time. Now, we really must be going. Please follow me."

Scott nodded slowly and slid uneasily off the edge of his bed. He followed Ionious and Bothios down a long, brightly lit corridor while Ionious explained the nature of his facility:

"We constructed the Center as a place to care for the refuges that would be returning. It's actually one of three. As of now this facility can care for just over one and a half million, though that depends greatly on the condition most will be in when they arrive."

The entire right wall of the corridor was one solid pane of glass-or something similar-and was slanted outward at a gentle curve from the roof to the floor. Through it, the wolf could see and feel the warm rays of the sun upon his fur. That alone was some small comfort. It was low on the horizon, and a quick inquiry of Ionious told him that it was morning here.

As they walked Scott only half-listened to the fox as he stared out the window, scrutinizing the low buildings, the distant hills, the oddly-formed trees nearby.

"...but we couldn't be certain of exactly how many of our kind were in slavery until a survey of your territory was made. In stealth, of course..."

Scott had never seen such architecture and design before. He supposed that a facility capable of housing over a million and a half creatures would have to be massive. But from what he could see of his narrow view, size was not something the Center could brag. Across a wide field of low-cut grasses and shrubs, another long window exactly like the one he gazed through stared back at him. Squinting, he could see small figures walking along it. The building across the way was squat and flat with a gently sloping curve to the sides that seemed to naturally rise from the ground rather than the tall and square design of most complexes throughout the Lupine Empire.

"There's currently not enough space to house the more than seventeen million now enslaved throughout your empire, and to do so all at once would prove especially taxing. As you know nearly all of them are in poor health, are uneducated, and will not assimilate easily into a free life at home."

Then Ionious stopped and turned around to face Scott. Before now the wolf had been aimlessly following the fox as he spoke, his assistant nearby. Ionious looked to the wolf with a serious gaze, studying him like a germ through a microscope.

"Your two slaves that you brought aboard your ship, Scott: Are they the only two you own?"

The wolf nodded. "Yes. Sarah and John are brother and sister. Twins. Their mother was owned by my father."

The last comment seemed to disturb the fox, at least in part, but he didn't press the matter further. "The reason I ask is that they're both in remarkably good health. Cognition scanning tells us that both seem to be educated-literate, at least-with reasoning and cognition quotients well above their like."

Scott didn't know what to say to the fox, or if it even required a response. "I just...um...tried to take care of them both as much as possible."

To Scott's surprise Ionious actually smiled at him. It was slight and barely recognizable on the stern creature's muzzle, but it was certainly there. In a way, it put the wolf at ease. Ionious turned around and began walking down the hallway again, with Scott and Bothios following close behind.

"I'd be willing to believe it's more than simply 'taking care of them,' Scott. 'Taking care' is something you do to a good piece of furniture. It was your ancestor Nigel Banks that was responsible for the enslavement, however unintentional that may have been. You feel somehow responsible for that, don't you?"

Scott was shocked. His memory flashed suddenly to the mind control device on his head, and he felt sick to his stomach. "How do you know that?" he asked.

"You forget your nephew, Scott. According to the report I was given on him it's a theme in your family, though you've tried to keep your sentiments as secret as possible to avoid scrutiny."

The wolf sighed heavily. "Yes. It's dangerous to be suspected as a fox sympathizer-especially on a planet like Triticum. There have been uprisings before, so anything seen as supporting their freedom is punished."

Ionious lifted an eyebrow. "You say that with a great deal of resentment."

Scott hung his head. "I regret how such things can seem so worthless nowadays to so many. Life, I mean. Even someone else's. I hate it. I'm assuming that's why you've brought me here? To help you put an end to this?"

"Yes, but only to a limited extent. While I may be the director of rehabilitation, the responsibility of freeing our kind lies with others. You will be meeting them in time. But first, I want you to see something."

They stopped at an interval in the hall where Ionious directed his younger assistant to a spot on the wall. Bothios stepped over to the wall, where he placed the palm of his paw to the surface of what, to Scott, looked like a smooth pane of fogged glass. At the fox's touch, however, a beautifully subtle sheen of energy flashed over the surface and the pane disappeared into thin air.

Scott gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief. He moved slowly closer to the open portal, amazed at what he saw arranged in perfect order down the inner chamber.

"We worked many of the kinks in the system before now, but trials and simulations will only work so well. Nothing works like the real thing. I'll be making my recommendation to the Bureau to prepare operating at full capacity as soon as appropriate."

The wolf's shocked gaze passed over the scene incredulously. "By the gods," Scott whispered quietly.