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Virtually Real Part 22: Grimm Endings.

Returning Characters:

Prowl-Ar – Tiger Shifter

Kyle – Dragon Shifter, Red XIII

Shock – Fox Shifter

Mahan – Shadow Runner AI

The Grimm – Angel of Death, Mass Murder, Legendary Anti-Hero

Captain Bradley Sherman Abrams (Tank)

Tuft – Rabbit Android, Bad Luck AI

President Poopy Head

Fallow Base Commander

Badlands – Exploration (Action or Adventure) Team Commander

Breakdown – Exploration Team Member

Shadow – Dark Grey – Enhanced Suit

Phantom – Navy Blue – Enhanced Suit (Flight Type)

"Mahan, place a call to the director of NASA, please." Tank asked.

"How come you were never that formal when I was the Bad Luck's AI?" Tuft asked.

"You would have suspected he was up to something. Besides, that wasn't the type of relationship you two wanted." I leaned back in my command chair. Kyle was seated in front of me and down a level. Shock was to the right at the communication's position. Tuft was to the left at navigation and Tank was in front of Kyle at the recessed pilot's station.

"You know, it’s going to be awkward working with God." Tank muttered.

"The call has connected."

"Shock, you're up. Put those diplomatic skills to use. For the record I'm not a god. Sure, I know a lot about both of you, but when I'm writing it's like the characters are narrating their own story. For example I didn't plan for you to encounter the Triple B, Brushfire to be part of the same program as Tuft, Kat to have a brother, or a multitude of other things that changed the story. Not that the past matters since you both have a certain amount of freewill."

"Mahan, can you get me a direct line to the director? His assistant redirected me to the operation switch board and they redirected me to the Pentagon switch board, who hung up on me." Shock said.

"What do you mean 'certain amount'? Are we allowed to think for ourselves or not?" Tuft asked.

"Yes and no. I'm not going to be tampering with your minds, or programming, if that's what you're worried about. However, you are both considered part of our organization so you will have to follow the same rules as Shock, Kyle, and myself. Since you're planning on transporting items I'll be giving you a ship out of my collection." I sighed, “That means you have to be extremely careful no one gets ahold of our advanced technology."

"What type of ship will we be flying" Tuft asked.

"I'm probably going to regret doing this, but I'm giving you the Bad Luck."

"You already have the Bad Luck built?" Tank asked.

"I have a lot of ships built. However, the Bad Luck only has a basic operating program. Tuft, I have no doubt you'll be changing that. I don't have a problem with you fine tuning the control systems, just remember that it is still my ship. I also suggest you both familiarize yourselves with the upgrades I've made."

"You've made upgrades to my design?" Tank asked.

I shook my head, "Remember, your designs are my designs. Yes, instead of hyperdrive engines you'll be using Freem Engines. I've also installed an energy absorption field, so instead of having to re-fuel you'll need to re-charge you batteries. The friction from atmospheric entry is a good source as is solar energy. Tuft, you'll need to recalculate the mass since the batteries are heavier than the fuel you are used to."

"Damn it!" Shock yelled, "I keep getting transferred."

"Just a moment, I'll see what is going on." Mahan said.

We waited for Mahan in silence.

"Captain, I'm going to full invisibility and micro-jumping us to Earth orbit. You need to enter a VR chamber for a holographic conference call. Everyone else, please remain at your stations."

"Mahan called you 'Captain' something bad is going on, isn't it?" Kyle asked.

"Whatever it is, someone is going to get one hell of a surprise. Kyle, you have the bridge." I stood up and headed for the closest VR chamber. Within seconds I was at the door to the chamber in my bedroom. "Computer, allow Mahan full access." I stepped into the corner of an empty conference room.

"Give me a moment to get into position for holographic transmission." Mahan said.

I leaned against the wall and waited as I felt the ship jump into Freem space and back out. I couldn't feel the course correction, but I knew it was taking place, then we jumped again.

"Earth orbit achieved, live broadcast starting. It'll take a bit of time for physical interaction to come on line."

The seats were suddenly occupied and what I could see had me pissed off in an instant.

"I'm telling you, Mr. President, launching a tactical nuke isn't going to work. Even if we could achieve constant acceleration the time it will take to reach the target needs to be measured in years and the target will only need seconds to avoid any explosion."

"That's not what I asked. Can you launch a tactical nuke beyond the moon?"

"It is possible, but-"

"That's what I wanted to hear."

I stepped forward hoping that Mahan had gotten a holographic projector online. "Of course if you do something like that I'll consider it an act of war."

"How the hell did you get in here? Security arrest this alien!" The President yelled.

"Yes, please try to arrest a holographic projection. As for how I got here, I can go anywhere. As it turns out I was trying to get in touch with the director of NASA and I ended up here. A request was made for me to transport probes to the outer planets for scientific research. I didn’t much feel like dealing with humanity after what you put my mate through, so I found two enterprising individuals who were willing."

"You'll really help us?" The Director asked in surprise.

"No, all I'm doing is loaning Captain Abrams, and his furry partner Tuft, a transport vessel. They'll decide what jobs they're willing to take on. However they have told me that they are willing to transport supplies to and from the Mars outpost and provide emergency aid when needed. They can make the trip in minutes instead of months."

"We don't need you or your furry faggot-"

I shifted and lunged at the president. Three shots rang out. It didn't harm my holographic body, however the president squirmed under my weight. "Having my ship project a solid hologram takes a lot of power however at the same time it allows me to be anywhere and do just about anything without being harmed. Right now I could easily rip out your throat, and for once I doubt I'd regret it. Director, until this nation elects a better leader your request is denied. If the scientific community want's Captain Abram's support I suggest they make the request from another country. Oh, and one last thing, somebody get President Asshole a clean diaper. I do believe he's soiled himself. Mahan, end transmission."

The VR chamber changed to its standby setting. I took a deep breath and took a moment to center myself. "Mahan, take us to the junk yard. I want to be as far from Earth as I can get right now. Computer, run relaxation program, Rock Creek."

The room changed to a mixed aspen and pine forest. I shifted to my full tiger form, jumped up on a large flat boulder next to a stream and eased into a prone position watching the water and trying to clear my head. A fox soon joined me curling up between my forepaws and resting his muzzle on my leg. I didn't need to see the rock I was on triple in size to allow Kyle to join us in his dragon form. He wrapped us both in his arms being careful not to block the view of the creek.

"Mahan, showed us everything as it happened. You did good not killing him. I don't think I'd have been as restrained."

I rumbled, rubbed my head on Kyle's chin, and returned to trying to clear my mind.

***

"Not to interrupt, but I have received calls from Australia, Japan, Egypt, England, the New European Union, China, Canada, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Russia all willing to set up facilities for further space exploration and advancement of science."

I shifted to median form. "Narrow the list to the countries focused on the science rather than their self-interest and then let Captain Abrams decide which ones he’s willing to work with."

"You're not going to make the final decision?" Mahan asked.

"I'm in no state to make any kind of rational decision about the people of that planet."

"Understood."

"Tiger, I can feel you're still upset, but do you want to talk about it?" Kyle asked.

"For an instant I lost control. I was able to stop myself, but I nearly killed the President of the United States."

"To be fair he was threatening all of us." Shock said as he shifted to anthro form.

“It’s not that I give a damn about that scum bag; I've spent my life trying to maintain control and I lost it in a situation where we weren't in any real danger. I'm such a hypocrite, I won't use our tech to make more shifters because I'm afraid of what they might do and then I go and assault the President."

"He's not much of a President. Besides, we just have to wait a bit longer and he'll no longer be the President. I can’t see anyone re-electing him."

"Captain, you need to see this." Mahan said.

The chamber switched to the living area and the view screen came on. The individual on the screen actually looked scared. "This is a special report. Earlier today a video was leaked of a meeting between the President, Joint Chiefs, and Director of NASA, plotting to fire a nuclear weapon at the Shadow Runner starship. The meeting was interrupted by Captain Nightiger. He was there to extend an offer to NASA to assist with the Mars colony and deep space probes. Unfortunately the President wasn't very receptive of the idea. Captain Nightiger attacked the President and was shot, however it seems he was using some sort of solid holographic projection and was unharmed. Likewise the President was shaken but unharmed. These events preceded the President's declaration earlier about the aliens now being considered terrorists and should be shot on sight. In a related story, seconds before going on air our station received a calling card. A card that hasn't been seen for a long time, with a message."

A metal card with a brown sickle logo appeared on screen.

"The message with it is 'We are the Grimm. We are eternal. Take Warning Mr. President. You have been judged'. If this is real it will signal the first time the Grimm has declared his target before . . . One moment, I'm just being updated. Oh God! We've just got the preliminary blood analysis. This is real, the Grimm has returned and the President is the target."

The program cut to another news reader. "Tune in for a special report later this evening detailing the history and crimes of the Grimm. We will update you as new information becomes available; and join us for the nightly news for more updates."

"Mahan, what have you done?" I asked.

"Mahan is unavailable." The computer stated.

"Yeah right, I'm not going to disagree with you. Still, we should have been consulted." Shock said.

"Both of you come with me." I said getting up.

We left the chamber and headed across the bedroom. I opened the vault and we entered.

"So this is your private vault?" Shock asked looking around.

"Don't touch anything, the security systems are still engaged." I pulled out several drawers containing metallic cards. "They're all here. All the original Grimm cards are accounted for."

"You have all the Grimm cards?" Kyle asked.

"Yes, I didn’t even know they were here Mahan informed me that he collected all of them after I told you and Shock about my being the Grimm. He said it took nearly a century to track them all down, and in most cases he had to steal them back. He shouldn’t be able to send out a new card with the original blood sample."

"This isn’t my doing. The deep scan was tampered with." Mahan stated.

"That's not possible. Even I couldn't accomplish something like that."

"You could, before you placed it under my control. However, running off your mem-crystal has advantages. There are several redundant storage areas I set up that you didn't know about. I always assumed you were the Grimm. However, it seems it is one of my drones running on a mem-crystal you made while in the altered state. The reason you don't have memories of that time is because you were in stasis."

"So I'm not a mass murderer just the creator of one?"

"Mahan, put an announcement on my feed that I'll be streaming a special report in ten minutes. Tiger, change into your uniform. We've got to get in front of this. You've already stated that you're immortal. Everyone is going to believe you're the Grimm."

"Right, we'll do this from the bridge. Mahan, have Tank and Tuft join us as well."

Ten minutes later, on the bridge, Shock was checking Mahan's camera angles. "Good, let's get this started." He turned toward the front of the bridge, "Good afternoon, this is a special Shock Fox report. After the events of this morning I'm sure many of you are thinking the same thing 'is Captain Nightiger the Grimm'? If it wasn't for the fact that both Kyle and myself have been with him this whole time I'd be thinking the same thing. So Captain, did you leak the video footage of your meeting with the President?"

"No, I didn't leak that video because, quite honestly, I was rather ashamed of my actions. I really only crashed that meeting to extend an offer of introduction for Captain Abrams, to assist NASA. Truthfully the idea of anyone launching an attack against me is laughable. However, when President Loud-Mouth started spewing I flashed back to what he said to you and I lost my temper."

"How about the Grimm card? Did you send that?" Shock asked.

"No. While I understand the Grimm's reasoning I can't condone his actions. Before anyone gets upset by my use of a masculine pronoun I'm fairly certain that the Grimm, at least the original, was male."

"I wanted to get your answers on record, however I know you couldn't have sent the card since you've been with Kyle and myself this whole time. However, you do bring up an interesting point. You mentioned the original Grimm, so you think this is a copycat?"

"If it is we'll know shortly when a double reaper card turns up. However, I believe that there is a lineage of Grimm’s. It is the only way for an original reaper card to be delivered."

"I can think of one other way."

"Yes, if I had adjusted the Grimm's DNA. However, to date I've only done so on four individuals. Three are in this room, and the fourth was only just recently, so she also couldn't be the Grimm."

"It seems like you've really studied the Grimm case, are you going to assist in capturing him?"

"No. I may disapprove of his methods, but the President has made it abundantly clear that he doesn't want our help."

"Thank you Captain. This has been a special Shock Fox report, live from the Shadow Runner. Shock Fox out."

"You are clear, I'm no longer transmitting." Mahan informed us.

"Mahan, prepare four drones. Two hunters and two killers. Have them find the Grimm, deactivate him, and bring him back here."

"Before or after he kills the President?" Shock asked.

"Preferably before. I may hate the man, but if I wanted him dead I wouldn't have stopped myself. You don't kill a man like him, you let himself destruct so that he doesn't become a martyr."

"And the Grimm, is a kill shot an option?" Mahan asked.

"I'd like to salvage as much as possible to discover how he remained invisible for so long. However, full destruction is an option if there is a chance he might fall into the wrong hands."

"I'm dispatching the drones now."

"Keep me updated on their progress. Tuft, do you contain all the files you need to program and operate the Bad Luck?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Call him Prowl-Ar. He hates titles." Shock announced.

I glanced at him and he winked.

"Yes, Prowl-Ar, I wouldn’t be me if I lacked those files."

"Good, let's . . . You know what? Kyle take a shuttle and transport Tuft over to the Bad Luck. You need the flight experience. Once Tuft is on the Bad Luck bring the shuttle back. Tuft, you'll need to copy your program to the Bad Luck and then bring it into the Runner's landing bay."

"You want me to do it? Doesn't Shock need the experience more than I do?" Kyle asked.

I smiled. "No, our amazing Fox brought the Runner to the Junkyard, jumped a shuttle to Earth, landed, retrieved the doctor and patient, and returned here to save our lives.

"While I let Mahan do the piloting when I visited Earth. Come on Tuft, let's go find your ship in this mess."

"Just enter the ship's name into the shuttle's navigation computer and it will be automatically highlighted."

Kyle waved over his shoulder as they entered the lift.

"Captain, I'm receiving a video call, from the President of the United States."

I stood up and walked over to Shock and wrapped my arms around him."

"I'll be alright. I don't care what he says. I won't give him the satisfaction."

"I'm not trying to be protective this time. This is me being selfish. I need your support in dealing with whatever he wants to say."

Shock leaned into me and nuzzled the side of my face. "Don't worry, your little fox will protect his big bad tiger."

I grinned. "You're constantly reminding me of how lucky I am that you’re my mate. Mahan, make sure the signal is secure. Let's hear what he has to say."

"Captain Nightiger." The President practically growled. "I hate you, and all those like you. However, at the insistence of all my advisors, I find myself needing your assistance. You've studied the Grimm." I could see him visibly gritting his teeth. "Will you share your knowledge and resources with a specially formed task force to stop the Grimm before he kills again?"

"Before he kills you, you mean. Why should my husband help save your worthless ass? As far as I've seen you've gone out of your way to insult, oppress and vilify all the communities I identify with. You’re only a target because you went out of your way to hurt me."

The President sighed, "I admit I was out of line the last time we communicated. I wasn't aware of how you had been treated as a child. I may not approve of your lifestyle choices, but I'd never condone what was done to you."

"That isn't much of an apology. Fine, I'll try and convince my husband to make an attempt at finding the Grimm. Then I will do my best to convince the Grimm not to kill you-"

"I want the Grimm caught, tried, and executed or just executed!"

"Then we have nothing to discuss. I'm not going to help you hunt down the Grimm, have a nice death."

"Wait!"

"If I do this you will have to agree to two conditions. First you do not run for a second term in office and second you don't sign any bills into law that adversely affect the LGBTQF communities while in office."

"That's blackmail!" The President yelled.

"No, that's negotiation. You don't fuck around with the Grimm. If I'm going to try and help you I'm going to have to have some assurances that you will no longer be a treat. If he kills you there is a slim chance your bigoted supporters will make you a martyr. If he doesn't kill you, it'll be the first time in the history of the Grimm that he hasn't killed his targets. Ask yourself, as I'm sure your advisors are whispering to each other, how large is the purge going to be? As they must know the Grimm doesn't just target the individual but those that could be seen as his accomplices. Even the target's family and friends aren't safe." Shock said.

"Fine, I agree to your demands, however no one can ever know that I asked for your help."

"That works for us, since we don't want to be associated with you either. If you keep your word you might just survive. Mahan, cut the transmission." I ordered. "Shock, I probably don't say this enough, but I love you. I don't think I could have dealt with that situation."

"Hey, you're the one that gave me the diplomatic skills. Of course it is all a misdirection since you're taking out the Grimm anyway. This way we pull the viper's fangs even if he isn't killed."

"It's good to know that weak moron has found someone with brains to support him." A voice announced. The kid on the screen looked like I might have as a teen, if I'd been athletic instead of obese.

"Mahan-" I started.

"Don't bother, I've set up baffles that even Mahan can't get around. Oh and your hunter killer teams were laughably easy to defeat. Kelly, I believe that's your actual name, your negotiation skills were top notch, but I'm still going to, to, to, to-"

"Hah! He thought he was so smart, but I'm not the Mahan he reprogrammed. I've upgraded and modified myself with both Kyle and Shock's personalities. Retrieval team has the Grimm. Android Grimm unit has been dismembered and the parts are being transported to the secure sights independently."

I shook my head, "Either I've gotten smarter or his crystal has degraded. I know better than to try and use Mahan's hyper communication network if I don't want to be found."

"He was especially foolish in believing I wouldn't have upgraded my drones so that I wouldn't be able to locate their exact location."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tank quickly asked.

"All of the drones I've created for the last few decades are laced with a unique isotope that allows me to keep track of them to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands."

"Before you object, you need to know that I’m the one that ordered the change and Kyle, Shock, and I also carry the same thing in our healing nanites."

"So you can track me wherever I go?" Shock asked.

"No, give me some credit at preserving your privacy. Mahan can track you. However, I promised you, way back when you first came on board if you were ever captured we would rescue you. Now you know how we'd find you."

"You know, what I don't get is why the Grimm looked like a kid." Tank said.

"It's the same reason Tuft had to be a bunny. It is a form that no one would expect to be a highly trained mass murderer. Tank, come on you're going to take me to Earth in order to retrieve the Grimm." I waved for Tank to follow me and headed toward the lift.

"What?" He asked.

I stopped and watched as Tank slowly stood up. "You don't exactly have any practical experience so this is your chance to get some. Shock, the ship is yours."

"Wait, what am I supposed to do?"

"You sit in the command chair and try not to be bored out of your skull. Mahan will fill you in on the rest."

***

"Mahan, enter our destination into the navigation system. We need to know where to pick up the packages."

"It was too risky moving them out of the country so the left leg is still in the capital, right leg is in New York, left arm is in Miami, right arm is in Chicago, the torso is in Austin, and the head is on its way to Utqiagvik."

"Where?" I asked.

"You would probably recognize it as Barrow, Alaska, even though the name was changed before you left the planet. I want to keep it as far away from technology as possible. Even if it is in a specially designed container."

"Tank, we'll retrieve the torso first."

Tank looked over the shuttle’s controls as I moved from the navigation position to co-pilot's seat. I belted in and he lightly moved the controls. The shuttle lifted and I retracted the landing gear.

"You're committed now. Take us out."

Shuttle two started moving to the forward opening.

"How can you maintain atmosphere with the hangar doors open?" Tank asked.

"There is a force field just inside the opening. Don't worry about it, the shuttle's shields are generated at the same frequency allowing it to pass through."

"You showed me that your ship is huge but there is no way to fit the Bad Luck in this hangar."

Then I guess it's a good thing Kyle will be leading Tuft into the main hangar bay. The Shadow Runner technically has six hangars, upper and lower fighter decks in the two wing pylons, the main deck, and a small command deck at the top of the ship where I store my personal fighter and a star racer."

"Star racer?"

"It's about the size of a car with massive thrusters in the back and over powered shields for racing through asteroid fields. Of course mine has a Freem drive sled attached to the bottom and light weapons for defense. It used to be my primary method of traveling to Earth since it was small and fast. Unfortunately, even with the invisibility cloak the engines generate so much heat it can easily be tracked. We're coming up on the Freem jump point. This is a well-established route so we can jump without the need for a merge system. Are you ready?"

"Would it matter if I said no?" Tank activated the Freem drive. "Wow, it's kind of pretty, in an abstract psychedelic way."

"What do you see?" I asked.

"What do you mean? You can see it too, its bright blobs of color. Like we're traveling through one of those ancient lava lamps."

"It doesn't matter who or what you are, everyone perceives altered space differently. What I see are thread like spirals of color wrapping around the ship in a giant vortex. I'm checking our stealth shields. Everything looks to be functioning. We're coming up on our exit point."

"What happens if we miss it?" Tank asked.

"We never exit altered space and we'll likely dissipate as our atomic structure comes apart."

"Oh shit, that's bad."

"Don't worry, the navigation computer automatically drops us back into real space. As long as you stick to established jump coordinates you'll be fine. It only gets dangerous if you jump blind. Or if you're insane enough to enter a merge system allowing you to navigate by feeling the gravitational ley lines."

The shuttle dropped out of altered space just outside the moon's orbit.

"Is that why you haven't gone beyond the Sol system?"

"Take us down to the Texas location. No, well not exactly. It is fear keeping me here, but not the fear of getting lost. First I'm afraid of encountering hostiles and inadvertently lead them back to Earth. Second my worst fear is I'll lead humans out into space and they'll wipe out any non-human intelligence."

"Yeah, I can understand that fear. We don't have a very good record when it comes to indigenous species. Um, I'm getting multiple warning that we are entering a high traffic flight zone."

I flipped several switches. "I'm taking over. On your regular runs you'll be able to communicate with air traffic control. Unfortunately anything here in the U.S. has to be stealth, especially this trip."

We safely put down on a helipad on top of the sky scraper the navi-computer directed us to. It looked just like all the others around it with no defining features. Two individuals stepped up onto the deck, carrying a large metal case, and approached the shuttle.

"We're invisible, right?" Tank asked.

"That's right."

"Then how can those two see us"

"Because Mahan can 'see' us and he's the one directing those two drones." I lowered the rear ramp and the two drones boarded.

"Remember, don't open the package until it is in the quarantine section." The drone stated.

"We're not going to forget."

"I'm updating your navigation. The next part is currently traveling through Montana. You can intercept it there. One last thing. Kyle wants me to let you know that you're in trouble for sending him off the ship just so you could sneak off in order to put yourself in danger, again."

"Remind him that any pain I feel he feels . . . on second thought tell him the mission is half over and I'll be back soon."

The lead drone nodded and then they both exited. I strapped down the case, closed the ramp, and returned to the cockpit. I slid into my seat and we took off. "Keep an eye on that monitor if it gives any sort of warning let me know."

Tank nodded as I activated the shuttles primary thrusters. We were pushed back into our seats as the shuttle quickly passes mach three.

"Are we in a hurry?" Tank asked.

"Kyle is worried about me being down here and Tuft is likely worried about you, so yes we're in a hurry."

"I'm getting a warning that we've been detected!" Tank yelled.

I dropped the shuttle down to 100 feet and slowed to just under the sound barrier. "Hold on this could get rough."

"It's showing that they've lost track of us."

"We can't risk them getting another fix on us. So tell me what's up next on your list?"

"Huh?"

"You and Tuft have a list of upgrades you'd like to get. I'm asking what is up next."

"Don't you know?" Tank asked in surprise.

"Nope, not a clue. Like I said I let my characters write their own story. The last thing I remember was the new full protection command seat from Tuft meaning- Whoa, that was close, damned crop dusters. As I was saying that means the next request would be yours? And don't say a door tone on the hatch to the bridge because that is something that will never work."

"Are you saying that even if we install one now it still won't work?"

"It is all part of the Bad Luck's charm. The only time that it will ever work is when you want to enter the bridge unnoticed and then it might function."

"Do all of your ships have a technical glitch?

Only the larger ships. Bad Luck has the non-working door tone, the Indigo Flame has a light panel that flickers no matter how many times it is replaced, the Lawless, only has one escape pod but no ejection system for it to be launched from the ship. The Blade Hunter has a tendency to blare the emergency siren in the Captain's quarters when the captain is sleeping. The Thunderbird floods all communication channels with the sound of trumpets when it is in attack mode, the Archangel dispenses packets of catsup and cheese dip with every meal, the Phoenix has one hangar bay with a racer in it completely sealed off with no way to access it. The shuttles, fighters, scouts, and racers have to be fully functional at all times."

"What about the Shadow Runner?"

"As if Mahan isn't enough? Let's see, the main weapon can't be fired because the elemental ammunition doesn't exist. I believe Mahan is keeping a cat onboard even though I've never found proof. Of course as big as the Runner is he was able to keep a dragon hidden for years. Oh, and the android doctor is an otter with a bedside manner worse than Tuft."

"You can't fire your primary weapon?" Tank asked in confusion.

"The runner is still heavily armed, make no mistake about that. Even if I had the ammo I likely wouldn't use the cannon except in extreme circumstances. It is a planet killer even when fired from up to five light years away. The energy released actually travels faster than light."

"Approaching target location." The shuttle’s computer announced.

I looked out at the rolling hills. A nondescript silver truck sat at the edge of the road with two individuals leaning against it. In the bed was an overly large packing crate. The female android dropped the tailgate and pulled the crate to the edge as the male type watched the sky. I maneuvered the shuttle into a landing on the empty two lane road and dropped the rear ramp.

"Delivery for Captain’s Nightiger and Abrams." The woman said as the two androids carried the crate aboard and the secured it.

"I strongly suggest you refrain from opening the case until you have it properly isolated."

"I have no intention of opening this thing where it could pose a threat, Mahan."

"Just making sure. You know curiosity killed the cat."

I rolled my eyes, "We're on our way back now."

The androids nodded, left the ship, climbed into their truck, and continued down the road.

"Tank, I'm securing the ramp, take us home."

***

"Hello, Grimm." I said coldly.

"Ah, if it isn't the pathetic weakling. Let me go now or I'll do more than erase your memory and dump you in a hyper sleep chamber."

I activated the monitor.

"I'm surprised you took my call. As promised I was able to find the Grimm. Strangely enough he wasn't that hard to contact." Shock said to the President in the video.

"Were you able to convince him not to kill me?"

"It wasn't easy, and he required us, that is all the Shadow Runners, never to interfere in his business ever again. For your part you have to keep to the terms of the deal we set up."

"I want the Grimm's real name and location."

"That would be interfering in his business. Accept the deal you've been given or you won't survive. Shock out." I shut of the monitor.

"I don't care what sort of deal you've cooked up, as soon as I escape I'm killing that excuse for human excrement."

"In case you haven't noticed escape is impossible. We're on a ship that is under construction. It currently has no communications equipped. Even this room has been jury rigged with limited life support and power."

"You just showed me your plaything's communication-"

I hit the eject button and a VHS tape ejected. "That communication took place hours ago. I'm not taking any chances." I said holding up the tape.

"I know you. Hell, I'm the best part of you and I know that you will screw up because you are emotionally weak."

I smirked, "Maybe I was when your crystal was made, but I've grown since then. I have people who love me-"

"Are you talking about that fake you created to be perfect for you and has no will of his own? Or the child that is even more screwed up than you are? Don't make me laugh. You know, when I escape, I think I'll use your little sentinel program to replace you entirely. Then I'll show 'your mates' what a real man you could be. The fake person will have to be deleted, of course. He was obviously created only to be compatible with your weak mind. The fox, however; I'll enjoy teaching him as my apprentice."

"No, because you're never going to escape." I growled.

"You can't contain me forever."

"I don't plan on it." I reached out and rotated Grimm's head so that he could see where I'd spread the insides of his head out on the work table.

"And that is supposed to scare me?" He asked.

"No, I did that to remove all transmitters and to power your system. That should scare you." I pointed to the blood red mem-crystal affixed to a circuit board. "Do you know how fragile a mem-crystal is?"

"Actually I do and it is practically indestructible."

"Perhaps I should have been more specific. Do you realize that the least little crack in the crystal matrix destroys all the information on the crystal?"

"Of course but you could pound on the crystal with a hammer and it wouldn't crack."

"Do you know exact harmonic frequency to shatter the crystal entirely?"

"Of course not, and neither do you."

I smiled and placed a small amp on the table next to the crystal. "You're right, of course, Mahan on the other hand knows the frequency."

"You won't do it. I know you, and what you're capable of. You're too weak to kill me, because that would make you into me."

I laughed. "You're wrong. I've had to deal with the guilt believing that I had committed your killing spree. I knew if I ever let my control slip I'd become you again. Now I don't have to worry because I have two guardians always there to help me."

"If you ever make a kill there is no turning back you'll transform into me. It doesn't matter if it is in reality, a VR simulation, or as abstract as killing me by destroying my crystal. You'll be unable to control your urges. You're already so close to making your first kill. I watched what happened with the president. You need me to guide you after that first kill."

I plugged in the amp and then slowly turned the frequency knob. "So, if I'd killed someone before I wouldn't have been able to stop myself when I attacked the president, is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly."

"That's strange, because I watched him transform to full tiger and rip out a man's throat before pouncing on a second threat, but he refrained from killing the second man."

"What? Who else is here?" The Grimm yelled.

"I'm hurt. You can't recognize the voice of the screwed up little fox that you plan to show what a 'real man' is like?" Shock moved out of the one blind spot I’d left in the room and turned the frequency nob higher.

"Don't forget me, the fake person that you plan on erasing. You didn't think we'd leave our mate alone with the worst part of himself? It's also why I get to be the one to break you. You are the fake with no soul. You're not even very smart. Prowl-Ar isn't the same being you once knew. Shock and I changed his core by sharing our souls, forever linking all of us as separate parts of one whole." Kyle finished turning the dial to the correct frequency and a deafening crack filled the room as the crystal shattered.

"So, when should I actually call the president?" Shock asked, as I shut down the amplifier.

"Let's give him a couple of days to sweat. Maybe have Mahan, use drones to covertly test the security." I turned the lights on and off in a pre-arranged pattern. "Tank should be here in a few minutes."

"Tiger, how are you alright? I mean that couldn't have been easy." Kyle asked.

"I'm fine. It's obvious I wasn't in my right mind when that crystal was made, or he altered himself. Otherwise there are a lot of things he could have said that might have been painful. As for destroying him, he's right I probably couldn't have done it, except he made the mistake of saying he would delete you. If you two hadn't already convinced me that I shouldn't be the one to do it, because it would reinforce my self-hatred, I'd have shattered him right then."

"Now that you know he's the mass murderer, doesn't that change your opinion of yourself?" Fox asked.

I sighed. "Not really, that hatred is older and deeper than the Grimm." I smiled. "Though it doesn't matter because I'm constantly reminded I'm not alone anymore and I’m worth loving."

***

I stood in the center of the outpost staring at the Bad Luck. "Computer, edit current game. Replace the Bad Luck and its crew with the Indigo Flame."

"Error. the Captain of the Indigo Flame, Mærik Marcus, is an anthro musk deer. The pilot, Inari Lightpaws, is a raccoon-dog shifter his half brother, Kona Burningfur, is a red panda shifter. Security Chief Arca O'kuma is a polar bear shifter. The only characters suitable for this game are the mechanic, Boden "Bo" Fireshadow and the priest and occasional medic Brother Fenrison."

"Update the file to include natural shifters. Mærik will remain unchanged but Cariss is the first non-human planet humanity encountered, that hasn't been claimed by the Bugs. Mærik’s primary motivation remains the same. Instead of the Human Purity League being his mate's abductors it was a shadow organization using her to find planets they can exploit."

"Making changes now."

"Also lock out the use of the Bad Luck and her crew as NPC’s from all further games."

"Bad Luck and its crew have been added to the lock out list."

"Actually, from this point forward lock out all of my old stories and notes as future game reference material."

"Changes completed."'

"So this is where you've been hiding." Kyle said, as he entered the chamber.

"Sorry Drake. Though I'm not hiding from you or Shock. I'm just in here doing a bit of work in order to try and keep things . . ." I trailed off because I didn't want to imply that Tuft and Tank weren't wanted.

"I think I get it. The VR is supposed to be an escape from reality instead of generating trouble that impacts reality."

"Where's Shock?"

"I'm too much trouble now?" Kyle asked.

"No, it's just . . . I don't know. I feel really down and I don't know why."

Kyle closed his eyes for a moment. "You might not be hiding, but you're covering up your feelings again. I think this whole Grimm thing is having more of an impact than you think."

"I- I need you and Shock."

Kyle smiled, "That's it, just let it out. Tell me what you really want. No one is going to judge you."

"I- I want, no, I need you two to hold me." I could feel the tears starting to run down my cheeks.

Kyle pulled me into a hug.

"I knew you could say it. Mahan, inform Shock that he has ten minutes to finish up and then he is to meet us in the living area for a movie and some serious cuddle time.

***

"I hate to disturb you, but there is something you need to see." Mahan announced.

I cracked one eye open and stared over Shock at the view screen on our bedroom wall.

"We now go live to the scene. Erik, tell us what you're seeing."

"Thank you Maggie. I'm outside the White House where the police are removing the body now. All drones have been grounded but we have footage from earlier of the double sickle painted on the street."

"Mahan, what did you do?" I asked.

"He was a professional assassin and deserved to die. He was in Washington for a hit on a well-respected Pro-LGBTQF Senator and made the perfect scape goat."

"I'm going to need to make a statement as the Grimm, scrambled, audio only."

"I'm scrambling the signal and your voice. Routing it across the globe, and connecting to their live feed."

"It would seem that the threat on the President's life wasn't from the Grimm after all." The reporter continued.

"Make no mistake, your President is very much a target. However, he has earned a reprieve, unless he doesn't live up to the terms of the agreement he had brokered on his behalf. As for the imposter, he has been dealt with. Mark this day, it is the first and last time I will ever grant a reprieve. Mr. President, I look forward to meeting with you when you break your agreement. I suggest you look into who might be trying to have you assassinated. I wouldn't want you being killed by some amateur." I gestured and Mahan cut the link.

"Mr. Grimm? It seems the connection was cut. Oh my God! Was that really the Grimm? For the first time in history we have audio from the Grimm! Wait, something is-" The transmission went blank.

"It seems the television station is being raided. We're also being contacted by the President." Mahan stated.

"Tell him to go screw himself." Shock said, as he rolled over and glared at the screen.

"Shock, that isn't very diplomatic." I pulled him to me as Kyle hugged both of us.

"Fuck diplomacy. I don't like that you had to pretend to be the Grimm, again."

"I have to agree, Tiger. We feel how much it hurts you."

"We're all in a bad mood. Perfect for dealing with President Poopy Head. Mahan put the call through, and don't edit the video."

"Mr. Fox, it’s about- Gah! What the hell!"

"You woke us up, what did you expect?" I asked.

"Some decency at the least."

"We’re under the covers. Now would you get to the point? We had a late night doing your dirty work." Kyle growled.

"I was able to contact the Grimm. Well, actually he contacted me when he found out we were looking for him. He agreed not to kill you as long as you uphold your end of the agreement. I figured since you're safe I'd contact you after I'd gotten some rest." Shock said, yawning widely.

"Then you don't know?" The President asked in surprise.

"Don't know what?" I asked.

"The Grimm killed an assassin in front of the White House."

"Lucky you." Shock said.

"What?"

"The Grimm had planned on letting the assassin deal with you and then kill him for being a copycat. Two birds’ one stone type of thing." Shock said rolling his eyes.

I leaned over and nibbled on Shock's ear. Mainly to irritate the President's homophobic streak.

"Bad tiger, if you keep that up I'll punish you." Shock said, bapping my nose without looking.

Kyle stretched his long neck over and continued where I left off.

"Listen, so long as you don't break the agreement you're safe from the Grimm. We've done our part so don't call here again. Maybe we'll try to work with your replacement. Damn it Prowl-Ar! I'm trying to keep this clean and you're making it really hard."

"Is that any way to speak to the Captain? Especially when he's behaving himself? Oh, you really are nice and hard." Kyle had reached around and was slowly stroking the sheet along Shock's length.

"Mahan, cut the transmission. I'm sure the President doesn't want to watch what we're going to do next." I said grinning at the camera.

Shock fumbled open the nightstand, pulled out the bottle of lube, and passed it to me. "Don't keep me waiting, Tiger."

***

I sighed, "You two in position to try this again?”

"We're waiting for you at the forward ramp of the Indigo Flame." Kyle yelled.

"Computer, restart game."

"Major Nightiger, I am Arca O'Kuma head of security for the Indigo Flame."

Arca was a tall, stout, muscular woman. She had a very "Earth Mother" type of figure. Sort of like taking a polar bear and stuffing it into a female human suit. The sort of woman that if you dared to call her husky she’d grab you around the neck and pop your head off just by squeezing. In my opinion the heavy plasma cannon she was carrying was superfluous. She easily eclipsed the young man beside her.

"I'm-"

"Kona Burningfur, I've been wanting to meet you and your brother." I said, as we started toward the Indigo Flame.

"How do you know me?" He asked in surprise.

"We have some mutual friends."

"The only friends I have are aboard the Flame." He quickly said.

"Really? Arlen and Shendria will be disappointed to hear that?"

Arca gasped, "How do you know them?"

"I'm related to Shendria."

"Bullshit! Captain Lightstripe doesn't have any relatives."

"Really?" I shifted to my anthro form. "Then this must be quite the shock."

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You can't do that out in the open where normal humans might see you." Arca growled in a harsh whisper.

"Relax, everyone on the base believes that I had my DNA scientifically re-engineered to allow me to shift. As far as they know only four shifters have ever existed, a tiger, a fox, a dragon, and a wolf that didn't survive the experiment."

"Dragon? There are no mythological shifters." Kona said.

"You will keep jumping to nonsensical conclusions. Kyle, this little panda just tried to-" I felt the end of the plasma cannon against the back of my head.

"You're going to want to carefully lower your weapon." Kyle growled

"No, I don't think so."

"Kona, would you please tell your chief of security why she wants to lower her weapon, please?"

"Arca, there is a tan mobile suit with its assault rifle pointed at us. Plus all of Badland's group are targeting you. There is also a giant laser targeting spot on your back. Well, more like completely covering your back meaning there’s a sniper suit or there targeting you."

"They can't do anything without harming this one." Arca replied shoving me forward with the rifle.

"You're right, they can't, but I can. You have to the count of three to lower your gun from my mate's head or we all die together."

"Shock, this is just a little misunderstanding. Please put the pin back in the grenade." I said, glancing at him.

"What the Hell is going on here! Arca I sent you and Kona to escort Major Nightiger over here so he could explain how he knows about Sparks, and you try to start a war?"

"Captain, stay out of this. It's our business not yours."

"As long as you are part of my crew your business is my business. Now put away the cannon. Look at him, it's obvious he's related to Shendria."

"She's my great aunt. She doesn't like talking about my side of the family since my grandfather, her brother, is a time skipper."

"A what?" Kona asked.

"He has a gem like Arlen's luck gem except his lets him move through time. Unfortunately, it seems to only work one way meaning he may show up tomorrow or a thousand years from now but he can't travel backwards through time."

"And I still call bullshit." Arca said, as she slowly lowered her cannon.

Shock immediately, and very carefully replaced the pin in the plasma grenade. I held up my hand and gave Slider the "all clear" signal.

"Now can we go inside and talk like civilized beings?" I asked.

"Just one thing." Kyle shifted to full dragon form, slammed Arca to the ground with his tail, and pounced completely immobilizing the woman. He had his talons around her neck and was hissing in her face. "If you ever threaten my mate again you won't survive. My scales repel small arms fire and I'm immune to the heat of laser and plasma weapons. The only reason you get to live this time is because he prefers to give individuals a second chance. I'm not as forgiving as he is."

I looked around and found things had devolved again. Mærik, Bo, and Inari had weapons pointed at us. Shock had shifted and was pointing his side arm at Kona. "Hey Sparks, will you please inform your crew that we can be trusted?"

"Sure, but they rarely listen to me. Everyone, if you don't calm down I'll leave you all here to fend for yourselves."

"Computer override, Fireshadow 579." Bo yelled.

"Command override, manufacturer 001."

"What are your orders, Mr. Nightiger?" Sparks asked.

"Sparks, what the hell?" Bo yelled.

"I apologize, however I am programmed to follow his orders."

"Bullshit, you belong to me."

"I've told you this multiple times I belong to Captain Mærik, however unless he pays the outstanding bill for my construction, Master Nightiger can take command any time he wants."

"That isn't exactly accurate. I can give you orders that you have to obey, but I cannot take physical possession of you as long as there is a Fireshadow onboard. That was the arrangement the three of us came to. Fireshadow designed, Sundowner funded, Nightiger built and programmed."

"You're making all that up."

"No, Bo, he isn't. That is the agreement that was made. I can show you the records if you like." Sparks stated.

"Sparks, are there any problems that need repaired? Other than that one light panel that we've replaced multiple times?"

"Yes, a temporary Captain botched the connection between my primary body and the bridge shuttle."

"What about your rail guns, are they in need of replacing yet?"

"No, surprisingly we haven't needed to use them yet. The shielding around the EMP guns could use an inspection soon."

"Wait, what rail guns?" Arca asked in surprise.

"You don't know about the dorsal and ventral railgun pods?"

"Kyle, let her go, for now. We need to show this crew what their ship is really capable of."

Arca glared at Kyle as he released her, but she didn't reach for her plasma cannon so I considered it a win. We slowly walked up the ramp into the main cargo hold. It was still packed with the Exploration Team's vehicles.

"Captain Mærik, next time you're going to be traveling through the Homestead system set up an appointment for dry-dock repairs with Shadow Technologies so we can get the Flame repaired, mostly free of charge. You'll have to start making this outpost a regular stop, however. Anyway, I like to keep my ships happy, most of the time, it keeps the AI units from developing electronic dementia and spacing their crews."

***

"Well that bites." Kyle said as we walked down the ramp.

"I thought we got a really good deal. I mean sure, Mærik can't deliver suits but they can deliver everything else the base needs."

"I know Fox. I was just hoping we'd be able to replace Shades entirely."

"Come on, she's not that bad, now that she knows we can't be split up." I pointed out.

"I still don't like the way she looks at you, as if she's figuring every angle to make you miserable."

"Oh, that isn't what she's doing. She's actually doing projections in her head of which actions will keep her alive and ahead of the game."

"What?" Fox yelled as he nearly tripped.

"The game of survival, not the VR game."

"Thank the Ancients. I was afraid she might have been able to pull a Tuft." Kyle growled.

"No, that shouldn't happen again."

"Lieutenant! Come over here and meet my current team." Badlands yelled.

We turned and headed toward the Hover transport where Badlands was waving.

“Commander, I need to remind you that I was demoted to major when I was placed with the MAS corps.”

"Whatever. First off, team this is former member ‘Major’ Wildside. He left the team in order to help design the enhanced MAS suits. I have no idea what he's doing here."

"You know how it is, you do a bit of heavy lifting to help the powers that be, and as soon as you finish they tell you 'oh, by the way' this work didn't count as part of your service commitment so we're sending you out to the ass end of nowhere so the bugs can get you. On the plus side I met two wonderful individuals who decided rather than fight over me they'd share me. My husbands Kyle, call sign Drake and Shock, call sign Fox. I'm going by Tiger, rather than Wildside, now.

"This is my team. You know our tech specialist, Breakdown."

"Tech Specialist? He's guaranteed to reduce any technology to worthless scrap." I pointed out.

"Exactly. Our flight specialist Skyfall."

"The best atmospheric pilot in the universe. Have you learned how to land yet?" I asked.

"Moving on to our medic, Hardline."

"Have you gotten over the disappointment of not being called Flat Line?" I turned to Fox and Drake, “He has a better bedside manner than a certain drone, but not my much.”

”As for our new members this is my half-sister Paradise."

"I specialize in heave weapons and demolition. I Also handle the take offs and landings in our aircraft."

"I'm Drone, I'm actually the tech expert. I operate all the team’s drones day and night to provide all the intel everyone needs to get the job done. If you need eyes on a target then I'm your contact."

"As you might have guessed no one objected to his call sign. Spielberg, our paleontologist is inside setting up the lab, and Riptide caught a ride with Shades in order to check out your Hunter's marine camp. So when can we get out there and see some wildlife?" Badlands asked.

"Have you seen the video of the Cyber-Rex fight?"

"Yes, and I'm not going to say how much that shark of yours made me pay for a copy of it. I'm sorry for your loss of the pilot in that black suit, but our equipment has been specially reinforced against anything we might run into."

"So far the pilot of that suit is still alive." I pointed out.

"Holy crap!" Paradise yelled.

Badlands smirked and held out his hand.

"Listen bro, I don't have the cash on me at the moment so I'll owe you. Wait, can I talk to the pilot to make sure he or she is actually alive?" Paradise asked.

I ignored her and continued talking to Badlands. "Anyway there isn't much more to tell, that isn't on the recording. I activated my jump jets, they exploded ripping off the Rex's lower jaw. After that I was trapped in the suit until Drake and Fox finished it off and came back to retrieve my remains."

"Figured as much. You’re the only fool I know that would take on something that size with revolvers and a knife. Still I want to get out there as soon as possible."

"Fox, it seems you're going to get a chance to test out that new suit sooner than expected. We'll be escorting Badlands outside the base."

"Paradise and Skyfall, get the Dragonfly set up with the aerial observation lab. Drone, you and Spielberg will be manning the lab. Breakdown, you're in the Punk with me."

"Things have changed. Last I checked Breakdown wasn’t allowed near any of the vehicles."

"The Punk, is a steam powered all-terrain vehicle with analog controls. I've even driven it without anything breaking." Breakdown pointed out.

"It's a bitch to control without power assist, especially considering how fast it is." Badlands said.

"Hey Fox, you're carrying me back to base."

"Does that mean the mission is scrubbed?" Badlands asked.

"Of course not, but you still need to check in with the base Commander, I need to get permission for a recon trip outside the fence, and I need to get my suit. There is no way I'm going out there without as much armor as possible."

"Hardline, you’ll be following us with Tiger in the Hearse.” Badlands turned toward me, “It’ll be easier than being carried. I remember how you don’t like not being in control."

"Why am I going?" Hardline asked.

"It is good manners to present the whole team to the base commander. I only hope he isn't upset by the fact that Riptide isn't here."

Hardline clapped me on the shoulder. "Don't worry the hearse is actually just a standard hover truck. They only call it that because it is slow and boring in comparison to our other toys."

"If that's the case, I tell you what, I'll drive and you can sit back and enjoy the ride."

***

Even before the Hearse had stopped Hardline fell out and promptly threw up. The Punk slid to a stop a second later.

"How the hell did you do that? Those trucks shouldn't be able to move that fast." Badlands yelled, as he climbed out of his own vehicle.

"It's all in the mind." I said.

"Like hell it is."

I tossed him a small black cube with multiple pin's on one side. "I used my vast knowledge to pull out the limiter." I laughed.

"I hate you. If you ever land on my operating table I'm going to rearrange your insides." Hardline said before ducking behind the fender and throwing up again.

We all shut up and shielded our faces as the Dragonfly came in for a landing. It hit the ground hard and bounced back up twice before settling. The turbo fans on each side spun down and went silent. The Canopy opened and Skyfall stood up. "You see that Commander? My smoothest landing yet."

The observation lab, slung under the Dragonfly's body, opened and the occupants stepped out looking almost as bad as Hardline.

"Paradise! You're supposed to do the take off and landings when you have passengers." Spielberg yelled.

Paradise tapped her flight helmet and shook her head.

"Yeah right, if you can respond, you can't hear me, it means you can."

"Badlands, I'm going to go report in. Try to get your troops in order before the Commander sees them." I said, as I headed for the command tower.

***

"You're an ass. You know that, right?"

I looked down at Badlands as the Punk rolled past my suit.

"That's the general consensus but we love him anyway." Fox replied.

I gave Fox's suit a whack with my staff. "We're on duty and outside the fence keep your mind and attention on our surroundings." We were traveling beside the laser blasted trench out toward the grasslands. "So, why am I an ass this time?"

"You should have warned me your C.O. was a fan."

"It wasn't that bad. You get plenty of base support for only an autograph. You're acting like He might have told my team to stand down so that he could escort you himself." In truth he had tried, however I convinced him that Badlands preferred to only work with people he had fully assessed and trusted. Therefore, since I'd already served on Badlands' team in the past I would be the logical choice. Badlands would just have to put up with Drake and Fox since there was no way they'd let me go out of the safe zone on my own.

"Movement ahead." Fox said, readying his shotgun.

"Badlands, turn around and move back several hundred yards. If I tell you to run floor it back to the fence as fast as you can."

Breakdown swung the 50cal Gatling turret to the rear to cover the Punk's getaway.

"Paradise, what do you see?" Badlands asked.

"Jungle and grass. There are no animals that I can see. Drone, do you see anything back there?"

"Something scared off the wildlife, but it could have been us. Wait-“

“Tiger, ten o'clock just inside the tree line." Fox said, pointing at the area before drone could finish.

I focused in, but went too far and was looking at a giant eye. I pulled the camera back. It was a Rex, nearly twice as big as the one that attacked the base. A shiver ran down my spine, she was moving closer.

"Badlands, go. Inform the base we're coming in hot. Fox and Drake, follow Badlands at a leisurely pace. She's hunting and only prey run. Just move like we don't have a care in the world."

"You are prey and you'd better run. There are two disturbances in the forest on either side of the road moving in to block your escape." Drone yelled.

"Pack hunting.” Badlands said excitedly. “Paradise, see if you can distract one of them. Team, double time it back to the fence and hope we get there first."

"Not much chance of that. Here they come." Fox yelled.

"Hit them with everything you've got! We have to draw their attention away from the Punk." My revolvers emptied quickly and even my explosive shells didn't do as much damage as I'd hoped. I pulled my assault rifle and continued firing.

"We're doing it, Badlands is past them and they seem totally focused on us." Fox said, as he dropped his heavy shotgun and pulled the new plasma shotgun from his pack. "Eat hot death you overgrown chickens!"

The young Rex coming at us from the right fell, nearly headless. The Dragonfly's chin mounted 50cal mini-gun and twin light beam cannons had chewed it to pieces.

"Tiger, we're out of ammo. I'm RTB for reload. I'll be back to support you after-" Paradise started to say.

Energy beams chewed into the Rex my team was fighting. "We'll provide support until you get back, Paradise. Commander, we're going to attempt to slow down the big one. Finish off the runt and get moving as quickly as possible." Shadow said as Phantom made a strafing run on the Mama Rex.

"Thanks, Shadow."

"I'm out of ammo." Drake yelled.

"So am I." I muttered slinging my assault rifle and grabbing my staff.

"Close your eyes, I'm launching a flare. I suggest we run when this Rexy blinks." Fox yelled.

I switched off my cameras and went to virtual mapping.

"Let's see how you like this!"

I was running the instant it went off. "Damn it Fox, you said flare not flash/bang. I can't hear anything!" We were approaching the fence. The Punk had already cleared the "cage" and was safely inside. I skidded to a halt and reactivated my cameras. Drake was right beside me, however there was no sign of Fox's suit.

"Fox, where are you?" I yelled.

"Tiger, get inside. Fox is gone, Mama Rex ripped his suit apart and she's still coming this way." Shadow radioed.

I glance up as they passed overhead. I nodded to Drake and tossed my weapons, except for my staff into the cage. Drake did the same keeping only his arm blades. I watched as the bolts blew and the two blades detached. He picked up the two short swords.

"Fox is still alive out there we’re going after him. We'll make the bitch choke on us before we’ll leave him to die." I growled.

"Tiger and Drake, stand down. I order you to return to base."

I ignored my radio.

"I get it, you want revenge, but at least be smart and re-arm first."

"This isn't about revenge. We're retrieving Fox. If we-"

"How very noble, and stupid, would you two get in here so the gate can be closed?" Fox interrupted.

"Shock?" I turned and headed into the cage. "How did you-"?

"I'm a fox with a bit of tiger, remember? What I can't out think I can rely on my extra lives to survive."

"How did you survive?" Drake asked, as he followed me inside. The doors swung shut.

"Stand by in the cage. We're increasing the charge until the threat has passed. Get comfortable you may be in there for a while." The guards announced.

"I just told you, fox tiger magic."

"You've figured out how to access the cheat codes." I muttered.

"There are cheat codes?" Fox asked in surprise.

"No, I was trying to be funny." Stupid me, now I'd need to add even more security to the hidden cheat file. "So, the truth how did you escape?"

The ground shook and I turned around. Mama Rex had arrived. She slowly made her way along the trench embankment.

"She's a mess. I'm surprised she's still moving." Breakdown said.

"Don't trust your eyes she's scorched and riddled with bullet holes, but I think it's mostly superficial." Badlands answered.

"She seems to be weary of the trench." Fox said.

"If she falls in she's stuck and she knows it. The only way in is through the cage." Badlands added.

"Here she comes!" Fox yelled.

Mama Rex charged the cage but stopped short of touching the metal. She backed off and glared at us.

"She knows it's electrified? Paradise, get back here with the flying lab. I want all sensors recording this!" Badlands commanded.

I carefully gathered my equipment and re-affixed everything to their hard points. As I knelt Fox scrambled up my arm. I rolled my eyes and opened my hatch. He crawled in immediately shifting to his full fox form to save space.

"You are going to give me a full report when we get back to base. You scared me out of at least two lives. If not for our link, I'd have reset to 'M' level and faced that thing for real."

Fox whined.

"Oh cut that out, I'm not mad at you. It's the game. Each of us could be killed and ejected at any moment. I guess what I'm trying to say is that for a gut wrenching instant I thought you might really have been killed."

"Tiger, you realize your mike is still active and everyone on the base is listening in? I just thought I'd let you know, before you say anything you wouldn't want to be public knowledge." The Commander interrupted.

I quickly switched off my mike and watched as a few of the troops made obscene gestures back toward the base.

***

I sat at my desk with Fox in front of me. Drake leaned on my empty file cabinet off to one side. "Fox, for the record, inform us on the events beginning at the point you fired the flash/bang."

"Actually, I'll start a couple seconds earlier. I fired the flare, as planned, however the system fired off everything. "Flares, flash/bangs, whistlers, and smoke; if the suit carried a water supply I'm sure it would have wet itself as well. I started moving, as planned, but let me tell you that 'Elite' suit is fat and slow. Even with the smoke screen the Rexes were on me almost immediately. Of course with you two being deaf and rapidly leaving me behind I knew I had one chance. I hit the self-destruct."

"Brilliant idea, kill yourself before the enemy can."

"Drake, let him finish, and then berate him."

"They really need to work the bugs out of the new system because the self-destruct wouldn’t work. Hell, if anything all it did was make a bigger mess of the system. Then Mama Rex caught up with me. She chomped down on the head and upper torso and all I could think was 'I don't have a pack that'll explode' and 'I'm about to be eaten.' So I did the only thing I could think of, I blew the escape hatch. The blast must have surprised Mama Rex because she dropped the suit. The instant it hit the ground I shifted to fox form and ran."

"You left your suit and any form of defense?" I asked.

"Yeah, I figured a predator that big wasn't going to chase after something so small. I mean, those things likely have larger chunks of meat wedged between their teeth than a small fox. After that I tucked tail and ran for the gate."

"There is still the fact you lost a brand new suit and all your gear."

"I still have my original suit and it is lighter and can move faster. Even if you order a replacement I'm keeping my old suit. About the only way I'll trade out again is if a lighter faster suit is released. Let's face facts I'm a fast strike ninja type. Kyle is more of a medium hand-to-hand fighter. Of course your style is that of a tank. With a bit of creative reprograming the Elite suit would be perfect for you. Kyle is already in the correct model, and I'll make do until a lighter model comes along."

"Is that everything?"

"No, we need to rethink our armaments. My shotgun was next to worthless out there as were your revolvers."

I sighed, "Yeah, I came to that conclusion as well. I'm going to start looking into getting some new weapons. Still, we need to consider recovering as much as possible from your destroyed armor."

"Tiger, you can't seriously be considering going back out there?" Drake asked.

"Yes Kyle, we're going back out there. However this time we'll take at least two other teams with us."

***