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Virtually Real Part 40: Infiltration

Returning Characters:

Prowl-Ar/Tyberius ‘Tigris’ Sunfel

Kyle/Jorge Bugenhagen

Shock

Wolf

Tank

Tuft

Rin

Frost

Mars Base Commander: Artemis Mars

We were a day into our journey. Without a merge system and no charted Freem course the trip to Accordan, the Alliance's neutral ground, would take three days. At least once a hyperspace corridor was charted I'd be able to pilot the Bad Luck back through altered space. That would give us a day to speak with the Alliance and a day to get back. Though I was fairly certain Rin would work in some unneeded delays if we didn't get back before we were missed."

"So, what's the story behind that monstrosity of a station?" Tank asked, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts about what might happen if we were really late.

"It's from the future." I mumbled.

"Listen, we've been sitting here for the last half hour doing nothing. No one will be watching us. Besides Mahan will edit it anyway. I want to know the real story behind it."

I sighed and turned my chair at the navigation console to look up at him, only to find Tuft was massaging Tank's shoulders.

"Don't mind me, though I'd like to hear what you have to say."

I tried to think of the shortest explanation I could come up with. "It's from the first universe I created. Well, that I co-created. The writings include a novel length manuscript, a personal journal from the perspective of the main character, a few short stories, and more than a few short story beginnings. We, my best friend and I, wrote the novel as a way to deal with the pressures of high school. Being picked on by a member of the football team? In the story we'd kill him off in the most stupid way possible. It really was cringe beyond cringe. Two years in we realized we had no plot. So I went back through what we'd written, found a usable idea and with an additional line here and there pulled it together. After three years we had a novel. Then we went separate ways and it sat for four years.

"Why didn't you try to publish it?" Tank asked.

"At that time self-publishing wasn't an acceptable way to do things. This was way back before the internet was widely available. Besides, I knew how bad it really was."

"You said it sat for four years what happened then?" Tuft asked.

"I got my first computer."

"You mean you actually lived in a time when you didn't have a computer?" Tank asked in surprise.

"Wait, did you have a computer when you wrote our story?" Tuft asked.

"Of course. Anyway, after getting that computer I re-wrote the whole novel in two weeks and then presented it to Russell to see what he thought, since he had actually done the most work on the first version."

"Did he like it?" Tuft asked.

"Yes, but we both agreed that it either needed an epilogue, another chapter, or a good start on a second novel because we left off with the deaths of all the heroes and the villain escaping death. Though by that point it is clear she had been a puppet for a much more evil individual. Basically the good guys lost."

"What kind of story is that?" Tank asked.

"A realistic one, if you ask me." Kyle said, as he entered.

"Listening in again?" I asked.

"I do like to make an entrance."

"So did you finish the second story?" Tank asked.

"I . . . No, I was in college and I had a creative writing professor who told me 'give up writing, if all you're going to write is that cheap science fiction garbage' so I tried to write what he wanted to see and I barely passed the class. I would have given up writing entirely, it hurt so much, but when I got home I wrote a line that changed my life."

"Really? What was it?" Kyle asked.

"I died today." I said, before laughing.

"Was this one of your suicide attempts?" Kyle asked, looking scared. He was worried, likely thinking he's stirred up a bad memory.

"No, I wasn't depressed. I was hurt and angry. I'd been failing to find a muse for a second novel, but for a short paragraph or two no problem. I took two very different pieces of work for inspiration. The Captain's log opening from Star Trek and the Diary of Anne Frank and started a journal written from the view of the main character in the novel. Beginning years before the novel, it was his story as to how and why he became Prowler: The Homeless One. I thought it was just a short project that would end when the events of the novel started. However I realized that I could use ‘Prowler's Log’ to add an extra depth to the novel so I'd go just until the end. By that point Both Russell and I had separately written a few short stories so I needed to add those events in. Even now I add an entry to the log every decade or so."

"That doesn't really tell us anything about Big Hub though." Tank pointed out.

"I know, but I need you to understand that there is a lot of history and lore I've built up about that universe and it isn't all mine. In fact Russell created the station for one of his short stories and then I later added several more layers of lore. What I've been doing is stalling for time as I try to remember most of it."

"You could have just told us that instead of all that needless information." Tuft complained.

"Only a select few know the full story, from the point of that universe anyway. The station was originally built by the Kah Har, a race native to that galaxy, as a super weapon to use against humanity. Their technology allowed them to create wormholes across the known universe but ultimately humanity discovered these shortcuts and started flooding every new galaxy they found. Including the Kah Har's home galaxy. In a last ditch effort they abandoned Big Hub because humans were too entrenched for a single weapon to destroy them all. All but the thirteen most powerful Kah Har ascended, becoming non-corporeal beings while simultaneously wiping out every human that had entered their galaxy. The thirteen remained behind to control any new human infestations. They did their best using what could best be termed super powers to cull the influx but even with their power they were getting overwhelmed. Then came Arlen Sundowner and his mate Shendria Lightstripe. Arlen would have been your decedent, Tank, at least that was what I had written in my notes since I slavishly stuck to only writing stories for that universe."

"How would that have worked?" Tuft asked.

"I hadn't planned that out yet, but your android body could be modified in a great number of ways."

"No way, not going to happen." Tuft said while stamping one foot.

"Not with that attitude." Kyle laughed.

“So Arlen had the bright idea that the Kah Har should simply close the wormholes leading to human space. They decide that if they closed the gates then the remaining humans would die out. They used all their power to close all but two gates to human controlled space, in case Arlen ever wanted to return home. When the gates were closed the Thirteen had also ascended and all that remained were thirteen gems. Arlen took one that gave the owner the ability to alter probability, known as the Luck gem. A second gem, of Time, was eventually given to Arlen and Shendria's son. The rest Arlen hid. For hundreds of years Big Hub was abandoned. Then came Brother Fenrison a self-described monk devoted to the Gods of gambling. He wasn't in charge for long before the rich, powerful, and highly corrupt individuals took over the inner ring and started projects carving out party halls and all manner of fanciful things in the core. Centuries later the first story written by Russell is about a human custodian and her slave being attacked in an attempt to replace her. Then my story about Dirk and Buck-"

"The Doctor?" Kyle asked, "I thought you trusted him a little too easily.

"Yeah, he's a shifter and damn good at his job. In fact he'd likely be better than Jordan, if he was real."

"So you’re planning on replacing our Wolf then?" Kyle asked, while grinning.

"Never. Jordan is a member of the crew he's . . . I was going to say family, but he's much more than that."

"Careful, you're going to make your dragon jealous." Tuft announced.

"I wish. He's still having dreams of . . . Never mind. The important things to know is that Big Hub has several hidden super cannon batteries powerful enough to obliterate the Shadow Runner and the Pirate Dawna Destruction, the novel's hero's love interest, now owns the station. Whatever you do don't piss her off."

"Is there anyone else we should know about?" Tank asked.

I sighed, "It seems that Prowler is still in the Kah Har galaxy so there aren't two of me running around. Trace is one of my, I mean Prowler's sons. He’s a tiger/leopard hybrid shifter with milk chocolate brown fur and tan stripes. Since he is here it's a good bet that Tye is with Prowler considering they've figured out he's less likely to do things that will get himself killed when they're with him."

Kyle chuckled. "So that's what’s required. I'll let Frost and Rin know."

I glared at him but continued. Buck, is a rabbit fox hybrid shifter and is the Shadow Runner representative on the station when Dawna isn't present. Dirk, Buck's husband, is a doctor that runs a free clinic on the central ring and specializes in furs. He's a cacomistle, or ringtail, shifter and though he doesn't know it he's a half-brother to Inari and Kona from the Indigo Flame. There is one other person you need to be aware of, Arlen Sundowner He's an immortal that has had extensive dealings with the Kah Har gods. That's another thing; there are three timelines involved, ours, The Flame's, and Big Hub's. Worse yet there are two separate Arlens in this timeline at the same time. Tank, be extra careful around him. I had plans to have him be your descendant."

"You're kidding?" Tank said in confusion.

"Like I said, I was slavishly devoted to a single universe."

Tuft looked thoughtful, "Is there any way we can use this information to our advantage?"

Kyle laughed, "You could try but Dawna would likely eat you as a light snack. Even I was scared of her." He turned toward me, "I still wouldn't have backed down if you hadn't ordered me to. No one hurts my Tiger without dire consequences."

"Drake, how many times do I have to say it? You didn't almost kill me."

"No! I did kill you and it’s only because Jordan is such a good doctor that he was able to revive you."

"I wasn't really dead, not completely anyway. I knew you were holding me, keeping me from Death. Besides it was my own damn stupidity that got me into the situation to begin with. Now stop punishing yourself."

"I think we missed something there." Tank said, as he stared at us.

I sighed and started telling them about my rescue mission to Earth.

***

I leaned back and propped my feet up on the navigation console. I was currently alone on the ship. Well, relatively alone. Tank and Tuft were supposedly in their quarters, but in truth they’d left VR to run a transport mission between Earth and Mars. Kyle was in the galley fixing some lunch. The truth was he had also stepped out to do the food prep in his own kitchen leaving me alone for the first time since my mission to the station.

"Can we talk?" Mahan asked.

Of course I was never really alone while I was still on the Runner. "What's up, Mahan?"

"I've finished running the simulations you requested."

I sat up straight again. "Go on."

"There is a 99.99% probability that Jordan is not a God. However, that 0.01% chance is creating interesting results. I’d like to continue the simulation to see where it goes."

You're taking a personal interest in a VR simulation? It must really be fascinating to hold your attention." I grinned.

"Would you like me to tell you about it?"

"No, you've told me what I needed to know. Oh, there is one thing that I probably shouldn't ask, but I'm going to anyway. In any of the simulations does Jordan betray us?"

Mahan was silent for several minutes. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

"Not even once. In many of the simulations he even gave his life to protect you or other member of the crew. However it is impossible to know for certain. Reality does have a way of surprising you when you least expect it. It is strange though, the other members of the crew all betray you at least once."

I smiled, "Probably for my own good, right?"

"Maybe. Moving on, I wish to inform you that I was finally abler to add a few species to the Evolver list."

"What?"

"You asked me to discover if it would be possible to add Rexouium, Avali, Feenix, Sergals, Hobkins, Wickerbeasts and several other popular created species to the evolver in case you wanted to create those species in reality. I must say the easiest was the synth since they could be considered a variation of my drone technology. Protogens and Primogens were impossible to recreate."

"What about Dutch Angel Dragons?"

"After I was able to unlock Kyle's dragon morph I was able to recreate them, but significant changes have been made in order for them to be biologically feasible. The biggest challenge with all the new creatures was creating an animal form, for them to become shifters. I did have fun creating palates for Soda Roos, Pop Otters, Add Wolves, Comic Cats and Sparkle Dogs. Though they are nearly all just fur color swaps."

"I don't remember ordering you to do that. And Pop Otter, isn't that the same as soda Roos?"

"I'm not surprised you've forgotten, it was all the way back to your first year aboard. As for Pop Otters, their color patterns are based on popular cultural icons not fizzy drinks."

The main view screen displayed three otters one colored to look like Optimus Prime, the second was blue and orange with a Denver Bronco's horse mascot images on his cheeks, the last one really confused me his fur color was identical to Shock's Video Fox fursona. "Mahan-".

The first two disappeared and two more were displayed.

"This is a joke. You're just making a point, right?"

"I wish I was." The images were replaced by the three otters playing a VR game together. "Face it, you've become a popular icon whether you like it or . . ."

"Mahan?" I was concerned. It wasn't like Mahan to trail off like that unless it was on purpose.

"We have a situation developing on Mars. Someone is tampering with one of Marvin's drones. I have two of mine ready for you and Kyle to take control of as soon as he gets to a VR chamber."

"Pause game, and reset to meeting room."

"What's the emergency? Mahan told me to get to the closest VR chamber." Kyle said breathlessly.

"It's not exactly an emergency, yet." I replied.

"It must be important to pause the game so we can all be part of the meeting." Shock said, as he took a seat.

"Dad, you're not planning on taking off again, are you?" Frost asked.

"Don't worry, he's not taking off, even if it means I have to sedate him." Jordan growled.

"Hear that, Dad? You've finally got that mutiny you've been asking for." Rin laughed.

"I'm not physically going anywhere. However, the fact is someone on Mars is tampering with our technology."

"Our tech?" Jordan said in surprise.

"I told you, once you're a member of the crew there was no turning back, so yes, it's our technology. Our drone technology to be specific."

"Oh my God!" Rin yelled, "Any country that could mass produce them would be able to take over the world."

"There are certain safety measures in place to prevent that from happening. That is why Prowl-Ar isn't more upset. Though even I am curious. Especially considering the one doing the snooping isn't trying to steal anything. It's almost as if he simply wants to know how it works."

"It also helps that I know that Marvin operates on second generation drone tech so he's only 50 or 60 years more advanced than current Earth drone technology. Kyle and I will be going in using the current generation 12 models." I said

"Generation 9, Tank and Tuft are using the gen 11's and the 12s are the heavy combat units. Before you ask the 10s are only here on the ship."

"So how are you going to sneak in?" Frost asked.

Through the main airlock. Jorge Bugenhagen will be taking over plant sciences and cooking duties."

"So am I American, German, or a bit of both?" Kyle asked, in a passable German accent.

"Born and raised in Germany but immigrated to the United States with your family when you were fourteen so a bit of both. Tyberius or Tigris Sunfel will be in charge of planetary mapping and resource exploration. He will also serve as temporary medic. You'll be joining the life science officer and hydrologist that are currently prepping for Tank's arrival."

"Add me to that list." Jordan quickly said. "Not that I don't trust your skills, Captain, but Mars needs a medical officer. Even if this will be temporary it may be enough to convince the Commander to finally recommend the position become official on the next crew rotation."

"And your real reason?" Jordan flinched, probably thinking I'd read his emotions rather than his movements. He didn't lie, he was smarter than that.

"I’d rather not say."

"He wants to go to make sure we don't hurt anyone." Kyle said.

The little, nearly inaudible gasp he made betrayed Jordan more than anything. The look of horror was also a good indicator that Kyle was right.

"It's not a bad idea-" Shock started.

"No, I barely cleared two sets of paperwork. I'm sorry Jordan but you'll have to sit this one out as well. Everyone please leave the chamber. Prowl-Ar your pick up time is coming up. Kyle, I’m transferring you now." Mahan stated.

"Where am I starting?" I asked.

"The Deep Space Ultra Observatory in the Canadian Rockies. Your mission was mapping the stars. Your motivation for getting to Mars is to use the Olympus Mons Observatory to target the Shadow Runner. Of course you'll continue to feed the people funding your extra research false info."

"That's keeping our enemies’ way too close."

"The Tigris Sunfel drone was placed in the position for just such an eventuality. We also fund most of the research done at the observatory so bribing someone that works there is the only way to get such information. It is a complete coincidence that he was being considered for the next Mars rotation. Jorge was also a last minute candidate, and has only signed on to finish out the current rotation. The other two individuals are Robert Smith, a hydrologist, and Karen Ross, environmental science."

"You've got to be kidding me. Dr. Ross's degree is honorary, at best, bought and paid for with her daddy's money. I doubt she can even count higher than two without her accountant feeding her the numbers." Jordan raged.

"Why don't you tell us how you really feel about her?" I asked.

Jordan glared at me, "Because I prefer not to use such language in polite company. I'm glad I'm not going on this mission now. If anyone needs me I'll be in my lab playing with slime molds, or engineering dinosaurs to take over the world, or perhaps genetically engineer some spider mouse hybrids to release on the Mars Station." Jordan grumbled as he stormed out of the VR chamber.

"Do we need to worry about him?" Shock asked.

"No, I'm sure he was joking. There is no way he is going to risk a spider getting loose on the ship, hybrid or otherwise."

"But why with a mouse?"

"Because, it seems, Mahan has been a bit too open with privileged information."

"Phobias are part of your medical record. Shock, please exit the chamber, The Bad Luck is already landing."

As Shock ran from the chamber I could hear him giggling. "Mahan, I'm warning you right now if I see a single mouse I'm shutting you down, blowing up the Shadow Runner, jumping to the junkyard in a dart, going E.V.A., blowing up the dart, and starting fresh on the Thunderbird."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I promised not to kill myself. I never promised not to kill everyone else and bring them back using sentinel."

"Hey, I said hurry up. We're running behind schedule thanks to you."

I glanced up and was startled by the man with Tuft's voice. I really hadn't expected to see him using a human drone. Mahan had better have gotten the message that I was deadly serious."

"Are you all right?" Tuft asked.

I shook my head and stumbled up the ramp. "Sorry, I just never expected this. I mean I barely had any warning you were coming let alone in a vehicle like this. How does it even work?"

"Sorry, but that isn't for you to know." Tuft said as he escorted me toward the lounge.

"You really need to work on your people skills." I said, just before Tuft pushed me into the room and locked the door.

"You're not wrong. He didn't even have the common decency to introduce himself. I'm Bob Smith, hydrology. I'm the one that makes sure the water recyc isn't yellow and doesn't taste of urine."

"Don't mind him. He's just a glorified plumber. I of course don't need any introduction since I'm sure you recognize me."

I just stared at her,

"I'm Doctor Karen Ross."

"And why should I know you?"

Karen gasped and Bob let out a belly laugh.

"Because I'm famous!" Karen yelled, as she stamped her foot.

"If you say so, though I've never heard of you."

"Don't you watch V.R. or, or read?"

I felt the ship land again. I doubted the other two even noticed since they weren’t attuned to the slight shift in gravity. "Of course I read. I have a special subscription to an independent manga publisher. It's a pain to get delivered up to the observatory, and I have no idea how I'm going to get it on Mars. As for virtual reality, why would I bother with that when I have the stars to look at? I'm Tyberius Sunfel, exo-geography and stellar cartography, but most people just call me Tigris."

"I've never heard of you. Still if you play your cards right you can get to know me a lot better."

The way she pushed up against me I was reassessing what Jordan had said. She hadn't bought her degree with money. I heard a throat being cleared behind me. I glanced back and then ran to the man standing in the doorway causing Karen to fall flat on her face. "Jorge! I should have known." I yelled, as I wrapped my arms around him. He seemed surprised but quickly recovered as I kissed him.

"You know each other?" Karen asked as she slowly got to her feet."

"Of course I know him. He's my husband."

"Fuck, I was touching a-"

The distinctive "Tzzz" sound of a plasma rifle being charged filled the room. "I suggest you choose your next words very carefully. There are certain words my husband really doesn't like being said on his ship."

"I was going to say a married man." Karen replied, and she almost sounded believable, almost.

"Excuse me, is there any chance I can speak with your Captain while my husband gets to know our new teammates."

"Good luck with that. He has no personality what so ever." Karen laughed.

"Tuft, I'm sure Tank would like to see me. We are after all family, and I don't mean because four of us are using drone bodies." I whispered.

"What are you bribing him with?" Karen asked smugly. "Whatever it is it won't work. It's like trying to bargain with a robot.

"You know what? I think the Captain would be happy to see you." Tuft said politely, giving Karen a dirty look.

"What?" both Bob and Karen yelled. Jorge just laughed as Tuft escorted me out, the plasma rifle pointed at my back.

The door to the bridge chimed just before it slid open. Tank turned and stared at us. I walked in and plopped down at the navigation console.

"Am I imagining it, or did that door just chime?" Tank asked.

I was locked out, of course I easily overrode that.

"You didn't imagine it. I can't believe it, but it really ... Hey! What are you-" the ship jumped to altered space, "doing?" Tuft started to say.

"Tank, it's me, Prowl-Ar and Jorge is Kyle. We've had a technology breach at the Mars base so we're going in quietly to do an investigation. We weren't even going to reveal ourselves to the two of you. However there is no way in hell I'm spending the next three days in the lounge with that whore. I'd go crazy."

Tuft grinned at me.

"Fine crazier."

I dropped us out at the junkyard. "Tuft, I'm sorry about what I said about your people skills. After dealing with that . . . woman, I can't fault you for not wanting to interact with the rest of us." I adjusted course and we jumped back toward Mars.

"Yeah, she just kept going on about how she was a big star on VR. I saw her running around during that "rescue" mission. Kyle nearly stepped on her, twice. Seems like she is some sort of VR News Reporter in the game. After meeting her I really wish he had or better yed I’d gotten the chance to do it myself. Maybe next time."

"You know she wouldn't have been injured, right?"

"Of course, but she'd have had to start over as a brand new character and I wouldn't have had to listen to her go on and on about how she was the real star of the incident." Tuft said as he rolled his eyes. “Of course I wasn't going to tell her that I was there so I knew she was full of shit."

"Huh, I guess I was really wrong, you have excellent people skills."

"I'd shoot her if we were in the game. But that would get messy here in the real world what with having to shoot all of you and blame your deaths on explosive decompression caused by an object strike."

"That would not be a good idea. After all the work Mahan put into these two drones backstories, he’d be most displeased. I'm likely going to catch hell for saying that they're married."

"Speaking of which, if that woman had said what she had intended-" Tank started.

"Such a sad thing being blown out an airlock. To be fair she shouldn't have been in there to begin with and how were you supposed know it was going to fail like that?" I asked.

"What about the other guy?" Tuft asked.

"Blackmail. You have two witnesses to the way she dismissed him as 'just a plumber' as far as we know he could have damaged the airlock door because of that."

"Damn, I'm glad we're on your side, that's cold." Tank said.

"And calculated. I may be the homicidal bunny, but I almost never think that far ahead."

"Remember, so far you've never really killed anyone." I dropped us back out of altered space.

"Right it was all a story. Have you killed anyone?" Tank asked.

"Look we've arrived at Mars. I'd better go down and get strapped in for landing with the rest of the passengers." Tank and Tuft just stared at me as I left the bridge.

***

I don't know what they were talking about, while I was on the bridge, but all three of my fellow passengers were glaring at each other as I entered.

"Tigris, since you've returned on your own, I presume your meeting with the Captain went well?" Jorge asked.

"It did indeed. We need to get seated and strap in for landing."

"Impossible. The trip from Earth to Mars takes months." Bob said.

"If you had read the briefing report you'd know this ship belongs to those alien freaks. So the trip was only going to take a few days."

I could feel Jorge's anger, so I laughed to diffuse the situation. “You think you're educated? I was one of the few people that knew we were about to become extinct from that meteor impact. Those 'freaks' are the reason you're alive."

Now Jorge laughed. "Tigris has been studying the group since that incident. So he's obviously better informed than you are. Even I know this ship has the ability to travel from Earth to Mars in minutes." Jorge turned toward me, "I take it you convinced him to get us here as quickly as possible?" Jorge asked, as he sat down and buckled the safety restraints.

I quickly took the seat beside him. "It wasn't difficult. Tuft is a really nice guy, if you respect his boundaries. He did all the convincing. He wanted one of us off the ship as quickly as possible even if it meant shoving her out an airlock."

"How sad, flushed like a turd. Why she was tampering with the airlock we may never know." Bob mocked.

Karen mumbled something but I couldn't make it out. I felt the anti-grav kick in which meant we'd entered Mar’s gravitational field. "So Robert are you on this mission for a full rotation or are you like Jorge and I, up here just to fill in the current rotation?"

"My term here is to complete the current rotation with the option to stay longer. It all depends on if I can complete my personal mission. I have it on good authority the Mars VR server is connected to the VR Greenwood base. If I can get an interview with those freaks my popularity will soar and maybe I'll be able to prove they aren't the heroes everyone seems to think they are." Karen interrupted.

Jorge grinned at me. I knew what he was thinking. Dr. Ross was going to be sorely disappointed to discover the Runners were no longer on Greenwood.

"I'm going to be there for the completion of this rotation and the next. If it was possible I wouldn't go back to Earth. This will be my fourth rotation and I can't tell you how exited I am that it is extra long." Bob said excitedly.

I felt the Bad Luck set down and I unhooked my restraints without thinking.

"What are you doing?" Karen asked.

I quickly pointed at the wrap-around viewing window. "In case you hadn't noticed, we've landed."

Jorge laughed, "That's why I love you so much, Tigris, you always notice the most important details." He helped cover for me. I really needed to remember normal humans wouldn't be able to sense what we could.

The Bad Luck started to descend.

"What is happening? Are we sinking?" Bob yelled.

"No. I am not sinking. I am entering the Shadow Runner hangar on a lift. While not specifically built for me this hangar is large enough for a transport of my size. It makes loading and unloading much easier."

"Who are you?" Karen asked.

"I am the Bad Luck, or more specifically the Bad Luck's A.I. and you Doctor Karen Ross, will return the components you've been collecting. Otherwise Tuft is authorized to execute you in accordance with the transport contract Captain Abrams made with your employer."

Karen gasped as the door slid open and Tuft targeted her. "You three, you're cleared to leave. Dr. Ross, once they leave please strip."

We hurried out the door but I heard Karen say something about "rights" her "lawyer" and Tuft laughing.

***

We stood on the landing pad as an individual went through what little luggage we had. As the Commander paced restlessly. Karen soon came down the ramp looking thoroughly disheveled.

“I apologize for this one’s tardiness, Commander Mars, but she was attempting to steel Shadow Runner property." Tuft said, now in his proper rabbit body.

"Next time just shoot the offender and let me know, I don't like to be kept waiting." The Commander sighed and shook her head. "No, you'd better not, it'll just cause more of a headache for all of us in the long run. Alright you four, I'm Commander Artemis Mars, don't bother with the jokes I've heard them all, and the first person to laugh has kitchen duty for the rest of this crew rotation,"

It wasn't easy to keep from laughing, but I nearly broke when Jorge didn't bother hiding his laughter.

"Mister," Commander Mars scrolled down her data pad, "Bugenhagen you're on . . . Oh, so you’re our new cook." She rolled her eyes. "To continue there are some new rules you need to be made aware of. First off the only use of VR will be to make reports to your research facilities and once a week you'll be allowed free time to contact family members. There will be absolutely no VR gaming of any form. While on your own time you will be allowed to watch VR programs on a 2D monitor."

"You can't do that! I'm a VR celebrity. I have to make daily updates." Karen shrieked.

"Actually as the base commander, she can make any rule she likes." Bob quickly pointed out.

"Robert, welcome back. If you don’t like the no V.R. Rule you’re really going to love the next one. All sexual interaction between crew members is forbidden, including married couples. I really don't know how you two slipped that detail past the selection committee." Commander Mars said, glaring and Jorge and me.

"Probably because that is none of their damn business." Jorge stated.

"What about off base?" I asked.

Commander Mars looked at me in confusion and then laughed. "If you figure out a way to have sex and not die out there, then I'm certainly not going to stop you. However I need to point out that the inside of the rovers is considered part of the base and are constantly monitored."

"Commander, I've removed all contraband from their belongings."

She looked at the two piles of items. "That's it? Where are Sunfel and Bugenhagen's items?"

"Other than a couple of spare jumpsuits, data pads, and notebooks they didn't have anything else."

"We were barely informed that we were part of this mission. In fact I was only notified as Captain Abrams was approaching the observatory." I said.

"You don't even have a VR headset."

"My research is completely independent so I don't have anyone to report to besides Jorge, and since we don't engage in virtual physical interactions I could communicate with him using the base's VR system."

"You don't . . ."

"It just isn't the same as 'real' interaction. So we abstain until we can be together and then we go at it like wild animals." Jorge said, while grinning.

I heard a phantom laugh and realized Shock must have been listening in on the drone's frequency.

"I've heard enough. I'm not staying on this hell hole a moment longer." Karen yelled.

We all jerked as the Bad Luck's ramp locked shut.

"You are contracted to this base for the next two years. Once your rotation is complete your contraband will be returned and I'll be happy to never see you again. Bugenhagen and Smith you'll be bunking together in the male life sciences section. Sunfel, I'm putting you in with Russo in the geology section. Ross you're in the female life sciences section with Carson and Swift."

"I was guaranteed private accommodations."

"You'll have all the privacy you want, in your lab. It was good enough for Delacroix-"

"That brain dead moron? He wouldn't know a good time if she sat in his lap and started to wiggle."

Jorge grabbed my shoulder. "Not here. She'll get what's coming to her when we can't be connected to it." He whispered.

I could feel that he was just as pissed off as I was. All I could think was "this bitch is going to pay for insulting Jordan that way."

"What's wrong ass lover, you know that-" Karen doubled over with the Commander's fist in her gut.

"Congratulations Ross, for the next three months you're cleaning the base septic system, by hand. If you ever insult Jordan Delacroix like that again we’re going for a long walk across the Martian desert. Just me and you, without your pressure suit."

"You wouldn't dare." Karen gasped.

"Really, Delacroix was the best scientist on this God forsaken outpost. He kept to himself, didn't complain, and did his work efficiently. The perfect scientist. If the attempted murder hadn’t been made public knowledge I'd have dealt with those three trouble makers myself. I just wish Delacroix had made a little more noise about the bullying before it got that far. I only hope those Shadow Runners really appreciate having him as a crew member. Now you're free to settle in."

"Don't we get a tour or at least directions?" Jorge asked.

"It's not that big an outpost. Fumbling around until you find your way is the quickest way to learn the layout. Ross, you're with me, I have a clogged shitter for you to clean out."

"Don't worry, Jorge I've been here enough times that once we're in the old section I'll know where we need to go." Bob said.

"I can point you in the right direction. I'd show you the way to your quarters but I need to take this contraband to lock up." the security officer told me.

"No. Honestly, I like the idea of wandering around. It'll give me a chance to form a good mental map of the base."

"Right, you must be the new cartographer. I'm Hansen, combination security and mechanic. I'm responsible for keeping the lights on and the fighting to a minimum. I know I'm a failure when it comes to the security thing, but the atmospheric leak in command took precedence. I couldn't believe someone would risk all our lives just to get back at Jordan over something, as I understand it, he had no control over in a VR game. I mean he didn't really say much, probably because he didn't know much English, but he was always friendly." Hansen looked in the direction the Commander had gone, "Don't tell the Commander, but I'm glad Jordan is gone."

I was about to growl when he continued.

"From what I've seen he's much happier with the Shadow Runners than he was here."

"Could you two please clear the landing bay? We'd really like to take off now." Tank said, over the loudspeaker.

I looked up toward the Bad Luck's bridge and nodded as Hansen scrambled for the hatch.

"Move it fool! I'm surprised those two are being so polite today. Ordinarily they'd have already started opening the bay doors!"

I slowly walked to the hatch, turned and waved at the bridge, stepped back into the airlock and secured the door.

"Do you have a death wish?" Hansen asked.

"No, I just got to know Captain Abrams and Tuft on the trip so I knew they weren't likely to space me"

Hansen looked me over, "I'm putting you on my 'to watch' list. You're obviously not all there upstairs."

I laughed, "You have no idea."

***

As I walked through the cramped corridors, I wasn't lost due to the map Mahan was projecting into my vision, I considered cutting through my part of the outpost. After all those tunnels and corridors were scaled larger so I wouldn't feel so confined. I decided against it and even purposely took a few wrong turns. The commander mentioned we were being monitored and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to get suspicious, at least not yet. I stopped at the door to my shared quarters and took a moment to adjust. Lengths of duct tape were stretched across the door and written on them in Italian with black marker were multiple warnings to stay out, private, and go away. I braced myself and pulled the door open and gasped. Every surface in the room was covered with parts from one of Marvin's drones. The room's single occupant was in the only clutter free corner looking at a part under a microscope. I carefully entered and pulled the door shut. Still he didn't react. I looked at the two bunks and chose the one with the most parts on it. I ripped the cover off dumping all the parts on the floor. That got his attention.

"What the fuck are you doing in here? Oh shit! How am I supposed to get this thing back together now that you've scattered all the parts? Who are you? Couldn't you read or at least try to read the warnings on the door? Do you even understand me you great dolt?"

"Wow, so many questions." I sat on the newly cleared bed and started unlacing my boots. "Yes I understand and can read Italian. I'm Tyberius Sunfel, but please call me Tigris, only my mother and grandmother call me Tyberius, and then only when they're mad. I'm here because this is my bunk. As for putting this thing back together, what's the point?"

“The point is my job is making sure the outpost's drones are working properly. What do you do? Dig in the dirt and play VR games?"

I laughed, "No I look at the stars and make geological maps, using your drones, so Earth can rape this rock for everything they can get. As for the drone, it's dead. Its control chips are fried along with any other useful technology the Shadow Runners don't want to share with us. Even if you rebuild it you'd never get it off the planet without them coming and stopping you."

"Maybe that's what I want." He said.

"You want them to tear you limb from limb and likely eat you alive?"

"No, but if sacrificing a leg is the cost to work with this incredible drone technology I'd gladly pay it. Besides if even half the rumors are true they could regrow it. In which case I'd give up both legs and an arm. Hell, if they really can download a mind into a drone body I'd give them all of me."

I stared at him for several seconds, "What are you a protogen?"

He glared at me. "I think you mean Synth, protogens have biological components. No, if I could change like that I'd choose to be a Sergal."

"Well, Sergal, I was yanked out of my lab and brought here early in the morning Earth time and I really need to get some sleep. When I wake up maybe I'll help you get this mess cleaned up and turned over to Marvin for recycling." I barely got my eyes shut when Mahan logged me out.

"What the hell were you thinking? You're way over the safety limit for remote piloting.”

“Mahan, yell at me later. What I need right now is sleep."

***

I woke with a start, not knowing where I was. I quickly relaxed as I realized I was holding Shock. He rolled over and yawned in my face.

"Ugh, Fox breath."

"You love me and you know it, even with my fox breath."

I pulled him closer and kissed him. "You're right and love makes you do stupid things."

"How long is this investigation going to be? I'm not sure how long I'm going to be able to put up with mates that pass out the instant they disconnect from their drones."

"Kyle passed out as well?" I asked.

"Yeah. Actually I'm surprised he isn't here with us."

"He's with Jordan. I down loaded the drone's files and Kyle insisted he be there when Jordan attempted to view them." Mahan said.

"Good, I hope he focuses on all the positive comments and not what Super Slut had to say."

"He seems rather surprised about that. Anyway you have about half an hour until . . . Something is wrong, your roommate is approaching the Tigris drone with a knife. Either he plans to kill you, or . . ."

"Or you made a mistake and he figured out I'm using a drone body. Sorry Fox, no yiffies this morning. I'll find some way to make it up to you."

"You'd better or I'll get my yiffies from Wolf."

I paused for a moment. "If he's willing," I paused again, really thinking about what I was going to say. I was about to tell him to go for it as a joke, but . . . "Listen, if you're both looking to relieve a bit of pressure I don't have a problem with you having sex with Jordan. Just try and remember two things, you belong to Kyle and I just as we belong to you. Make sure Jordan understands you're sharing pleasure, not building a deeper relationship."

"And the second thing?"

"Try and keep an eye on what is happening to Ky-Jorge and I. The last thing we need is to be found out because our drone doubles get critically damaged due to not be able to focus on our jobs."

"You mean like this?" Shock asked as he slipped a claw into his sheath and carefully grazed his overly sensitive cock.

I nearly doubled over in pleasure. "You're evil, you know that right?"

"Of course, and you wouldn't have me any other way."

I hobbled into the VR chamber as Shock continued playing with himself.

***

My eyes shot open and I grabbed Luca's wrist just as the cold blade touched synthetic skin.

"Interesting, you must have built in proximity alert functions. You seem much more advanced than the Marvin series."

"What?"

"You're a drone. A fairly complex one at that."

"You're insane."

"Am I?"

I yanked my thin blanket off revealing myself. "What sort of drone wakes up with morning wood?"

Luca stared at me, or at my erection. I blushed and pulled the blanket back over myself. "Sorry, that probably wasn't my best option for proving I'm not a drone."

Luca quickly typed something on his pad. "You're even more advanced than I thought."

I groaned in frustration. "Let's try this from another angle. Why do you think I'm a drone?"

Luca looked startled as if he hadn't expected that question. "Last night when you logged off there was a minor but noticeable delay as that bodies native AI took over. It probably isn't noticeable to most people but I've studied drones for most of my life, so it was obvious to me. Second your rapid eye movement indicating dreaming loops every 55 minutes. Finally you didn't react when I touched you. Only when I used the knife did you react."

An alarm went off next to my bed alerting me to the fact I needed to get breakfast and start work. "I really don't know what you're thinking, but we're not done talking about this." I said quickly dressing. As I headed for the door Luca followed me. "What are you doing?"

"It's my rest day so I'm going to spend it helping my new roommate settle in."

"So you're going to follow me around all day looking for proof to prove your crazy theory? Wonderful, since I don't seem to have any other choice, you can show me the way to the cafeteria."

"I'm sure you already know the way with a complete map of the base, but if this is the way you want to do this I'll play along.”

Luca led me along a winding path through the facility, likely trying to catch me off guard. His plan failed. Once we reached the cafeteria I glared at him, "I hope there's a shorter path because I don't think I'm going to remember that one."

"Ty, did you sleep in again? You're running late. I've got your breakfast prepared. Oh, who's your new friend?"

"This is my roommate, Luca."

"Ah Hah! Caught you, I never told you my name."

I rolled my eyes, "The commander told me I'd be rooming with Luca Russo. You're my roommate, therefore you're Luca."

"And you shift between languages much too easily to be human."

"What is he going on about?" Jorge asked in perfect Italian.

"Luca, seems to think I'm a robotic drone."

Jorge laughed, "You've got to be kidding."

"I'm not kidding, your friend is a drone and I'm compiling proof."

It was my turn to laugh, "Luca, meet Jorge, my husband."

Luca twitched as though his entire world was falling apart. He quickly grinned, "So you're both drones. The perfect way to cover up the truth."

I shook my head in exasperation. "So, what's for breakfast?"

"I thought I'd start out with something nice and heavy. Hash browns, potato starch pancakes and vegetarian sausage. You know the sort of thing to really clog up the pipes. For dinner I'm making extra spicy soft flower tacos for a real kick."

I started laughing, "That is . . . I’d never have thought . . . When it comes to plotting revenge I'm leaving the details up to you from now on. Dr. Ross won’t know what hit her."

"Remember, the next time you piss me off you won't be laughing so hard."

I just grinned, took the tray he handed me, and sat at an unoccupied table. Luca quickly joined me. Seconds later the Commander walked up. Russo, it's good to see you making friends, finally. And you Sunfel, I must say I'm surprised at the fact you and your husband were able to keep from exchanging any sexual banter."

Luca gave me a strange look. "Until we figure out a way to hook up outside it's best to try not to think about it. However, if we'd known about your rules we'd have made better use of our time on the trip here." I grumbled.

"You think it’s bad now, just wait a month." She laughed, as she walked away.

I watched her leave the cafeteria and let out a quite laugh. "You'd be surprised how long we can go without sex."

"Interesting." Luca said.

I was startled having forgotten Luca's presence. He was rapidly scribbling on his pad. I considered just dumping my tray since I'd lost my appetite, but I didn't want to insult Jorge, and give Luca more to scribble about. I quickly finished breakfast and then plugged my pad into a public port. I downloaded a map of the base and headed for my lab. Luca was quick to follow. Once we reached the lab I stopped him.

"Unless one of your drones malfunctions I don't need your help." I said as I stepped inside, shut, and locked the door. I sat at the desk and started going over the previous survey maps.

"Marvin, command phrase "Martian’s rule.' The security cameras won't record this conversation and will only show me continuing to review the maps."

"Supreme Leader, have you come to disintegrate that horrible Earthling that ruined one of my drone bodies?"

"Not exactly, but we are here to investigate. Can you provide me with Luca Russo's file?"

"Certainly."

I'd meant to look over the file last night aboard the Runner. Luca had an exemplary record except for one, well two problems. He didn't relate well to other people often resorting to antagonistic behavior. Because of this he isolated himself as a defense mechanism. I was surprised by the Commander's latest notes.

"I've decided to place Sunfel with Russo. From the file I received it seems Sunfel is unlikely to take offense to Russo's attitude. I know I shouldn't interfere like this, but since Delacroix's abduction Russo hasn't spoken to anyone. Even his reports are written out. I hope, as a trained medic Sunfel will be able to help Russo's deteriorating mental health."

The second note was added just after she passed through the cafeteria.

"I was surprised to find that Russo seems to have attached himself to Sunfel. I hadn't expected that. It makes me wonder if maybe there's more to Tyberius Sunfel than his file would suggest. Still if it improves the health of the team I'm not going to complain."

"Marvin, please bring up Sunfel's file." My file was actually rather small and unremarkable. However there was one note, just a single question from Commander Mars. "I wonder how long it will take those two to figure out the Shadow Runner sections aren't considered part of the base?"

I chuckled to myself. That was the first thing I thought; however, since we could log off our drones we could actually fornicate far from the Mars base. "Mahan, I want to log out." I blinked as I was once again aboard the ship.

"Took you long enough.” Kyle said, as he entered the chamber.

"I wanted to check Luca's and my file without Mahan editing them."

"I'd never, well not Luca's file anyway."

"So, have you decided what to do with him?" Kyle asked.

"No, not yet anyway. Though it is rather difficult to get to know him when he so adamantly believes I'm a drone. Mahan, can you-".

"I've already updated the software. I've introduced a randomizer to the eye movement, added new breathing protocols so it matches the simulated dream state, and produced a program for sleep movement based on recordings of your sleep patterns. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do about the jump when you take control or logging out." Mahan said.

"Good, stay alert because I'm sure he's compiling a list proving I'm a drone."

“If nothing else this mission is providing valuable information for improving my drones."

"Shock, how are Jordan and the kids doing?"

"They're worried you're not getting enough rest but they are loving the show. Mahan tapped into the base security systems."

I blushed, "They didn't-"

"Don't worry Mahan cropped the image, still they all laughed at the look on Luca's face. They all thought he looked stunned, but I saw more. Be careful or you're going to have another fool wanting a taste of tiger."

I groaned, "That isn't even my real body."

"Maybe that's what he likes so much about it?" Kyle said.

"Well, since I'm going to have to put up with him when my shift ends I'm going to go and get a bit more sleep."

***

I carefully watched the drone’s actions and logged back in at the moment I thought would have the least effect.

"Much better, now you just have to figure out how to do that when someone is watching." Mahan said.

"Easier said than done when logging out around Luca. He's as observant as I am when he's locked on a target. Which would be a good thing if I wasn't the target."

I checked over the drones work and found he'd done a week’s worth of work and had at least a years’ worth of results. It seemed one of Jordan's attackers wasn't just homicidal he was incompetent as well. With this much work done I'd only need to use the sample drones rather than survey ones, or I could just pass the information off to the geology department since I was only here to find the best locations to dig for resources, not dig them up myself. I went through the data and wrote up a report for just over a day's worth of work and forwarded it to the Commander and the geology department.

I checked the time and found that I still had over two hours until Kyle- I shook my head, logging in and out like this I really needed to keep our cover identities in mind. It was over two hours until Jorge would have dinner ready.

I decided, even with having to put up with Luca's complaints, I'd use the extra time to clean up our quarters. As the door to my lab slid open I found Luca slumped against the far wall completely unconscious. I quickly stepped back inside and closed the door.

"Marvin, when was the last time Luca got any sleep?"

"Forty three hours, eight minutes, fifteen seconds before he fell asleep waiting for you to finish."

I quickly sat at my terminal. "Commander, as the current medical specialist it has come to my attention that Luca Russo has over worked himself. I was alerted to this fact by the base AI, an unnerving thing to have a disembodied voice suddenly start giving you information. But I digress, Russo hasn't slept for 43 hours. I'm removing him from duty for the next two days and if he is unable to sleep I will sedate him." I sent the message and stood up only to have to sit back down as the Commander immediately replied.

"Your actions are not motivated by personal reasons, are they?"

"Absolutely not. Yes, I admit Russo can be a bit irritating, but I would never allow my personal feelings to affect my professional medical opinions. Please check with your AI to verify my assessment. Respectfully, Tigris Sunfel." I returned to the hallway and gently picked up Luca. I had to admit, when he wasn't trying to annoy the hell out of me, he was really cute. I shook my head again. If I kept this up it would start to seem like sleeping with new crew members would become a habit. I stopped dead in my tracks. What was wrong with me? I'd barely met Luca and I was already thinking of him as a crew member? I really didn't know anything about him. Well, other than what was in his file, but that didn't really tell me what he was like.

I made my way back to our bunk receiving more than a few startled looks along the way. Once inside I put Luca in my bunk, really the only clean space in the room, and covered him over. He curled up in my blanket, but otherwise didn't react in any way. I sighed and started cleaning up the drone parts sorting them into parts that could be recycled and those that needed to be disintegrated.

***

As I walked back from the drone room I couldn't help noticing the differences between the Runner section and the Mars base. 90% of the base was underground, not that it mattered since the Martian surface was rather boring to look at after a couple of weeks. The main base was three levels deep the upper level contained the labs and work spaces, middle level was housing and recreation, and the bottom level was maintenance. Hidden around the edges and a further three levels below was the Shadow runner additions. I paused at the hidden entrance. While the Runner tunnels were larger they were basically just the raw stone. The base walls were smoothed and painted a soft blue down to the halfway point where it changed to green giving the effect of sky and grass. I'd have to consider making changes to my own interior designs. I locked down the entrance and returned to my room.

Luca was still asleep and I really didn't want to wake him, but I figured if he'd been going without sleep he hadn't been eating either. "Luca, wake up." I said, as I gently shook him.

He sat bolt upright looking around in confusion. "Where am I?"

"You're on my bunk in our quarters."

"How?"

"I carried you here after you passed out in the hall outside my lab. I really didn't want to wake you, but it's time for dinner and you can get plenty of sleep over the next two days. You're on medical leave by the way. You're obviously suffering from sleep deprivation."

"I'm sorry, I know I can be overly provocative. I try not to be, but I still know you're a drone."

It took me a few seconds to realize he meant agitating instead of provocative.

"WAIT! What have you done with all the drone parts? I'll never get them reassembled if you've jumbled them even more."

"I collected everything and turned it over to one of the AI's drones. I don't know where you get your courage from but I don't want to anger the Shadow Runners. Especially the dragon, he really scares me."

"I, I hadn't really thought about that. I just thought if I had a better understanding of the tech I'd be able to build a new type of fursuit. One that uses a VR connection allowing the furson to really be their fursona."

"An interesting idea, but I doubt the Runners would ever allow it."

"They might if I was able to do it with modern technology. I was just studying the drone to get an idea how it works."

"Have you considered as asking them for permission?" I asked.

Luca laughed, "There is no way they'd respond to someone like me. I'm just not special like them."

It took everything I had not to laugh. "Enough of that for now. Jorge hates when I'm late for dinner and I don't want to disappoint him."

***

"You're late." Jorge said, as he glared at me.

"It's my fault." Luca said.

I was a bit surprised at his taking the blame, but I wasn't going to argue.

“That’s fine. I was actually going to say that it was a good thing because it allows us to eat together."

"Oh, I- I'll sit over here by myself then."

The look of disappointment was almost enough to convince me to let him join us. “Listen, Jorge and I have only shared meals by way of video chat for the better part of the last year. Give us fifteen to thirty minutes of 'alone' time and then we'll invite you over to join us." Now he looked hurt and I had the feeling he'd heard that before only to be forgotten about.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he remembers. Now the important question bland, mild, spicy, hot, or Oh God I can't feel my tongue?" Jorge asked.

"You expect me to believe you were able to spice up soy burger beyond mild? I know you didn't have any spices in your luggage." Commander Mars interrupted as she entered. I was starting to get the feeling she was stalking Jorge and I to be sure we weren’t ‘up’ to anything.

"It wasn't in my luggage it was in the new samples. I'm going to attempt to grow something beyond tubers and beans." Jorge said, smoothly.

"And you're wasting valuable samples?"

"Of course not. This is just my introduction to the crew by making breakfast palatable and then wowing them with dinner. So what is your preference?"

"Hit me with your hottest." The commander laughed.

Jorge grinned and quickly dished up the Commander's tacos. "Here, you're going to want this." He said, passing over a large cup along with the Commander’s tray.

"What's this?"

"Soy milk. It's not as effective as real milk but it's better than water."

She laughed, and we all stood back and watched. She took a bite, chewed, swallowed, grabbed the soy milk and drained half the cup.

"God, I've missed that. Mr. Bugenhagen, you are a miracle." She said, before taking her second bite. She moaned but I couldn't tell if it was from pain or pleasure.

"Ty, yours is spiced the way you like it. Mr. Russo, what is your preferred spice level?"

"Um, I really don’t like spicy foods so mild."

"If it is still too spicy or you think it is to mild let me know so I can get it perfect next time." Jorge insisted.

He passed Luca a tray, made his own and then we chose a table away from everyone else.

"Nuh puh duh uh." The Commander tried to yell.

"’No public displays of affection’, got it Commander." I yelled back. "Speak in Gaelic." I whispered to Jorge.

Jorge nodded as we switched languages. "You don't think they'll be able to translate this?" He asked.

"I doubt it since it’s a dead language."

"So, you're thinking of offering Luca a place on the crew."

"How-"?

"You smile every time you look at him. I've only seen you do that for crew members. Not even Slider and Lee were the recipients of that. I agree he is sexually attractive, but that isn't it. Even I feel like he belongs on the Runner with us. I'd blame it on pheromones, but we're immune to that in these bodies." He said glancing at Luca.

"So you agree with me?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes, but I'd like to hear the rest of the crew's feelings before we make any decisions."

"I wouldn't think of adding anyone without the consent of the whole crew."

Jorge nodded and then waved Luca to join us.

"What language was that?" He asked, as he joined us.

"Gaelic, every year Jorge and I challenge each other to learn a new language."

"Wow, how many languages do you know?" Luca asked.

"Trying to work out how long we've been together? The math won't add up since we knew more than one language when we finally realized we were meant to be together." Jorge replied.

"Why don't you wear wedding bands?" Luca asked.

"The same reason we don't share a last name. It's hard enough getting funding and assignments like this when the powers that be know your husband is competing for the same funds." I said.

Jorge smiled, "Ty here didn't even know I'd applied under both our names for this assignment. I knew it was a long shot that we'd both be chosen at the same time, but I also knew how badly he wanted to get a chance to use the Olympus Mons observatory. It sucks that someone had to get hurt to make it happen."

"Yeah, I liked Jordan. Even though we barely talked to each other he’s the only one that politely asked for my drones to collect his samples. I think, given time we could have become friends. If I didn't screw it up like I always do."

Jorge looked at me and I could see Kyle behind it, Lucas deserved to be a member of the crew. We just had to convince everyone else.

***

I logged off and waited as the chamber changed back to its stand by setting. This time I had waited until Luca had fallen asleep first. After my afternoon nap I was still awake and ready to discuss Luca with the rest of the crew.

"Tiger, Jordan took a Dart and left just after you finished eating breakfast this morning." Shock said, as he entered the chamber.

"WHAT?"

"You didn't stop him?" Kyle asked as he entered.

"Hey, don't blame me, he was already gone long before I was even informed. Blame Mahan, he's the one who approved Jordan's plan."

"Mahan," I growled. "Mind filling us in?"

"When it became obvious you were considering adding Lucas to the crew, Jordan insisted, and I agreed, he should get a better read on Mr. Russo. The three of you are obviously compromised due to your link and I can't be sure Frost and Rin won't support you because you're their parents. That leaves Jordan as the only voice of reason. His plan is to remain hidden in the Runner portion of the base while getting a read on Luca's true emotions."

"First off I'd hope Rin and Frost would make up their own minds rather than just going along with us. Second, I agree that it isn't a bad plan but I really wish you'd discussed it with us first. Finally what is your opinion of Luca?"

"As you may have guessed I've done a deep scan and I didn't find anything overly objectionable. All things considered he is likely suitable as a crew member. That is if you don't object to his occasional attempts to provoke situations and his sexuality. He's-"

"Enough! That is information that we don't need to know unless or until he wants us to know. However, you're avoiding the question." I quickly interrupted.

"I'll continue to do so until Jordan makes his decision."

"I guess that means all we can do is ask the kids for their opinion." Kyle said.

"Hey, you didn't ask for my opinion."

"Sorry Foxy, what do you think?" Kyle asked.

"He's hot, and that's as a human. If you can transform him into a Sergal . . ." Shock murred and shook a little. "So hot."

While I couldn't read his mind I could feel the intense arousal Shock was experiencing.

Kyle laughed, "That’s why we didn't ask.”

"Obviously we'll ask the kids their opinion on the next break. Fox, this is your fault," I visibly adjusted my erection, "so I expect you to take care of it."

"Mmm, my pleasure." Shock replied running his tongue around his muzzle.

I had my suit retract and Shock wrapped his muzzle around my member. As my eyes rolled back in pleasure my last coherent thought was "I'm not on the base so it isn’t against the rules."

***

I was a bit out of it when I "woke up", but my head quickly cleared. Luca was still sleeping so I quietly slipped out. I had a quick breakfast and asked Jorge to have something prepared for Luca when he finally woke up.

Jorge insisted he knew the perfect thing and reminded me I had a job to get done while I worked. I nodded and headed for my lab. Once set up reviewing more of the backlogged maps I logged out and went in search of the kids.

I found both of them in the living room grinning like idiots. The view screen displayed Jorge talking with Luca.

I narrowed my eyes, "You already know what I want to ask, don't you?"

"Told you so." Frost laughed.

"So what do you think of Luca?" I asked anyway.

"I'm not really sure. He seems ... I don't know, like all of us, hurt and needing people who'll treat him like a friend. I think eventually he would fit in with us." Frost said.

"So that's one vote of no, but maybe in the-"

"No! I'm saying he needs to join us before anyone can hurt him anymore. I just think that it is going to take him time to adjust to the fact that we care about him and that he is important." Frost quickly clarified.

"Before I answer I want to know why you want him. More to the point is it because you find him sexually attractive?" Rin asked.

"Rin! You can't ask something like that." Frost yelled.

I sat down and really thought about my answer. "I'd like to say no but I do find him attractive. However I don't think that's the reason I want him on the Runner. He seems broken, maybe not in the same way as we are, and he is covering it pretty well, but there is a pain there. I can see it in his eyes."

"As long as yiffing him isn't your primary motivation then I'm fine with him joining the crew." Rin said, as she winked at me and Frost rolled his eyes.

"Dad, can I offer a suggestion?"

"Of course, Frost."

He pointed at the screen, "Don't make him sit in the hall outside your lab all day again."

I glanced at the screen. Mahan had switched to the base security cameras showing Luca sitting in the hall outside my lab.

"Mahan, can you zoom in on his face?" I asked.

I was right he was crying and looking really dejected. I glanced at the kids.

"Go!" They both yelled.

I sprinted toward the VR chamber cursing myself. Luca was reaching out for a friend and I'd basically rejected him . . . twice.

I logged in and looked over the work Tyberius had completed. Finding what looked like a promising sight for subsurface ice, I prepared myself so that it would seem I was prepared to search the base for someone to send out a recon drone. The door slid open and I stopped as if in shock. "Luca, what are you doing here? I ordered you to get some rest."

He quickly wiped his eyes, "Does it look like I'm working?" He asked in an angry tone, but now I could hear the real pain behind it.

I rolled my eyes, “Whatever, you can still help me. I need a coring drone sent out to check my findings. If I'm right we may have a new source of water."

His eyes lit up like I'd just given him the full breakdown of Marvin's construction.

"Captain, I don't know what . . . Oh shit! I thought you kept your lab isolated." Jordan said, from an opening into the Runner section of the base.

I grabbed the front of Luca's jumpsuit pulling him inside locking the door behind us.

"Marvin, full security mode." I ordered, as I collapsed into my seat.

"Delacroix? What are you . . ."

I watched as what was happening dawned on Luca. "Wait, you really are a drone?"

I sighed, "Yes and no. Yes, Tyberius Sunfel is a drone, but I'm not Mr. Sunfel. I'm just using this drone as a telepresence unit."

"Jordan called you . . ." Luca bolted for the door hitting the activation button over and over.

"It's not going to open until I order Marvin to unlock the door.” I said.

"You're here to kill me, aren't you?" Luca asked as he slowly turned around.

"No, we were here to investigate and then warn or threaten you not to meddle with our tech, but killing you was never an option."

"You said 'were' that implies killing me is now an option. So go ahead and do it already. You may have scared me for a second, but I really don't care. Just hurry up and get it over with." Luca yelled defiantly.

Jordan shook his head. "You don't really want to die."

"Yes I do."

"He doesn't. He's scared and using false bravado to keep from looking weak. I've been here getting a reading on his feelings, sorry about lying and saying I'd be in my lab. Anyway my answer to your unasked question is yes."

I bit my lip. Obviously Jordan could lie to us without being detected if he made it seem like a joke. I considered telling him that I knew all along, after all I'd had decades learning to control myself so I couldn't be detected.

"What is he talking about?" Luca asked.

"Jordan is a sensitive, he knows what others are feeling even if they are hiding those feelings from themselves."

"What is the question you haven't asked?" Luca asked.

"There are a great many but the most relevant is, would you like to join the crew of the Shadow Runner?"

***

Note: The character Luca Russo is based on a real person and has been created and is being used with permission.