FSE

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Chapter #2

Anastasia finished slipping on her usual leather garments, before she worked on putting her long dark red hair into a pony-tail. Underneath the her leather jacket she wore a black sleeveless V-neck shirt, that contrasted her cream complexion. She had accepted Pup's invite to dinner, though she had been surprised as to where he wanted to take her. She found out quickly it would be at his residence in the complex, and more surprising was that he was going to be cooking their dinner. After a quick check of herself she put on a light layer of crimson lipstick, before heading out of her quarters towards Pup's. Her mind started to re-run the entire day's events as she walked, especially on the thoughts brought on by Alexia Wolf's apparent new relationship. "I wonder if our two species can interbreed...." She thought as she absent minded rubbed the scar on her stomach, where an opponents knife had destroyed her contraceptive implant during a trail. She shrugged off those thoughts, having had no use for contraceptives since her last debacle of a relationship.

Dark moved around his quarters straightening some things, while setting the table that at best may have been able to fit three people. He had cooked steaks some of the vegetables that had been deemed "Digestible" by Wolfin doctors, though he had grown to like potatoes somewhat over the past year and a half. He checked the clock on his wall and moved quickly to turn the temperature control back up to sixty five degrees, thankful that his coat had thinned some since coming to Skye. He wore thin black khaki pants and a thin black T-shirt, though he opted to keep his paw-like feet bare against the cool linoleum flooring. He made a quick check of his recently brushed black fur and smiled some, having grown very good at brushing out the "puff ball" look that the air blast fur dryers tend to give. He moved back to the kitchen area and checked the food, before hearing a loud knock on the door that made him sigh in relief. He quickly wiped his paws, before moving over to the door and flipping up the heavy bar he had installed himself. He opened the door and made a light bow as he saw Anastasia Kerensky holding the piece of paper that he had taped to his door. "Please come in and make yourself comfortable Anastasia, dinner will be ready in just a moment." He said as he watched her enter, before having to dodge the wadded piece of paper the hurled at his head.

Anastasia turned and watched as he shut the door, before smiling as she saw he had installed an arm bar lock that even she couldn't break. "Well I see you've improved on your locks Pup, makes me glad that you left that note taped to the door." She watched his wolfin maw slowly turn into a grin, before taking in a deep sniff of the air and smiling to herself. "Well I can smell that dinner is done, and is the steak I smell?" She looked back at him and got a rather happy smile to show on his wolfin face, before watching him move to the small kitchen. She sat herself at the smaller of the tables two chairs, before taking a good look at the rest of the furniture again. She noted that his quarters were very spartan like clan quarters, except for the fact that an Elemental would fit comfortably in any of the furniture. After a moment she watched him walk up to the table with their plates, though is was easily noticeable that their portion sizes were different. "Thanks Pup, smells wonderful." She said as she quickly grabbed her fork and knife, before cutting herself a good junk of steak.

Dark took his time eating, having had to deal with flash frozen meats until a few weeks ago. He smiled as he watched her eat, guessing she hadn't had much aside from those blasted human MRE's he'd heard about. "How do you like the upgrades to your machine Anastasia?"

She looked up at him and wiped her mouth with a cloth quickly, mostly since she had just realized she was acting as if she had been starved. "It will take a little more time to get used to them, but so far I love them."

Dark smiled at that and nodded. "Well I must say you created one heck of a ruckus in the main barracks during our practice." He chuckled as he saw her eyebrow raise, though his laughter was more about the junk of steak sticking half out of her mouth. "Only three people have ever set Feral on it's back...Me when I earned that machine, my instructor two days later, and now you." He watched her eyebrows raise for a moment, before watching the piece of meat finally disappear into her mouth.

"Ya know how to flatter a girl Pup...invite her to a fine meal, and then tell her she's one of only three people to have knocked your machine on it's ass." Anastasia smiled and slipped her coat from her shoulders, finding the room temperature comfortably cool as she hooked it onto the back of her chair. "You know...I heard a rumor a few times since I've been here...you almost used orbital bombardment on this planet after the Falcons ambushed your fleet...." She trailed off as she watched his ears fold back against his head as he stared down at his lap. "I didn't mean to offend..." Dark held up a large paw to silence her, before looking up to let her see the tear that was sliding into his fur. She never thought she would see any day that the hulking Fleet Commander before her would cry, making her wonder what nerve she had hit to cause that.

Dark wiped the tear from his furred face and sighed as he fought back buried grief and emotions, that had been piling up since the death of his mate. "My...mate..." He started to loose against the onslaught of memories. "She was the Captain of the Battleship that the Admiral was on...." He felt her hand gently touch his shoulder, making him slowly look up to meet her gaze.

Anastasia's mind churned a mile a minute as her clan ways and her morality clashed against one another like two speeding aerospace fighters at top speed. She had never known that he had had a mate, nor the fact that she had been one of the many Wolfin murdered in the Falcon's surprise attack. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as her more moral side won the battle, feeling his arms wrap well around her waist as his tears quickly soaked the shoulder of her shirt. She quickly found herself holding a sobbing Wolfin Fleet Commander, or rather he was holding her as she rubbed the back of his large neck trying to comfort him some.

Dark's ears twitched as he heard the light creak of his bedroom door, before feeling the still much cooler air grace his fur. He quickly shot out of his chair while spinning Anastasia into it, eyes still blurry from tears as he heard the faint clicks of claws. He heard Anastasia's startled gasp as a spine frosting growl rumbled from the throat of what Dark knew had to be the largest feral wolf she had ever seen. He quickly barred any path to her as his vision cleared, having prayed that the Great Wolf would have slept longer. "She is a friend and you will not harm her...." He said slowly in German as what could only be called his room mate looked up at him, which honestly didn't require too much effort on the wolf's part.

Anastasia's eyes stayed locked to the wolf as she for once in her life felt like crapping herself, her mouth still hung open as it looked up at Pup. After a moment though it clicked in her head which language he had just spoken, making it that much more of a surprise to see the black bear sized wolf nod lightly to Pup. She looked over it's jet black fur, marveling at the beast that she could probably ride like a horse.

"Zeus old friend, be good to her." Dark said in German as he stepped aside, to watch the Great Wolf nod to him before easing towards Anastasia. "No worries Anastasia...he's just not that used to humans yet. You are the first to come into our quarters." Dark smiled as he watched his room mate nod again, knowing that Zeus wouldn't harm her. He like Dark had somewhat of a soft spot for women, and Dark had appreciated that since he met the wolf.

*******

Anastasia woke early the next morning to loud snoring, quickly opening her eyes to see Zeus laying passed out beside her in Pup's bed. She groaned softly as she pulled the heavy comforter up to her ears, feeling the room's almost frigid air nipping at them. She remembered talking late into the night with Pup about Zeus and his previous mate, finding out that Zeus had been with him for the past fifteen years. She could think of no one better qualified as a bodyguard, than the snoring Great Wolf that laid beside her. One thing she was truly grateful for now, was the fact that she had fallen asleep almost fully dressed.

Outside the room Dark moved through the small kitchen, looking over a few reports on his PDA as he sipped at a large mug of coffee. He was only wearing a very light pair of shorts, having no idea that Anastasia was awake yet. As he skimmed over the various reports he found a medical file, stopping as he noticed it had a red marker on it. "Funny those are normally only put on files for now non-combat pilots, I don't remember authorizing any training yesterday. How the hell could someone get injured?" He sighed as he opened the file, quickly seeing that it was one of his Werewolf pilots. He smiled as he saw the reason for her new Non-combat status, she was now pregnant. "That's wonderful, I wonder who she chose as her mate..." He nearly dropped his mug as he saw the father's identity. He quickly guzzled the last half of his coffee and refilled the mug as he re-read the report, not noticing his tail was now wagging happily. He never heard the soft footsteps approach him, until he heard a light chuckle behind him. His head shot to the side to see Anastasia standing a few feet from him with the heavy comforter wrapped tightly around her, making him smile as he held out the large mug for her to take. "I'll go adjust the temperature, have some." He said as she took the mug, quickly moving to nudge the temperature control for the main area back up to sixty degrees. He felt the air vents pump warmer air into the room, before turning to see Anastasia shrug off the comforter and lean back against the counter sipping at the hot coffee. "I have something you need to read Anastasia..."

Anastasia set down the heavy mug and took the PDA from an oddly smiling Pup, wondering just what could make him smile that much. She toggled the file he pointed to and started to skim over the first part, knowing well that almost any military instantly changed the status of their pilots and warriors to Non-combat when pregnant. "So you have one less pilot now...odd, I thought that most warriors were normally give contraceptives to.....WHAT?" she almost dropped the pad as she read the fathers name, a name she knew was one of HER people. She flipped over to the next page of the file, finding that it was one of her strongest Elementals that had come with her. "How did Klaus get her pregnant? We're two totally different species...." She rambled out loud, her surprise letting her control of her body slip from her grasp without her knowing. She started to re-read the files, going over how such a thing could happen, not that the aspect didn't appeal to her. She nearly yelled in surprise as she felt Pup's large paw-like hand gently touch her shoulder, quickly looking up to him to see him still smiling. "This is amazing..."

Dark cut her off with a deep sniff at the air as he smelled something that was somewhat familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. "Are you wearing a perfume Anastasia? It smells lovely..." He trailed off as she gave him a very odd look, quickly remembering that she had never worn any in his presence before.

Anastasia looked at him quizzically as he asked her about perfume, her mind taking a moment to process his question. "No, I know you Wolfin have a very powerful nose, so I've never worn any since landing here. Why do you....Oh..." She trailed off as she realized what he had smelled, her eyes automatically locking onto his crotch. Her jaw almost dropped as she saw the outline of his hardware as it slowly started to spring to life. "Tell me Pup...did your people study the effect of human pheromones on Wolfin people? Or are you that happy about this news?" She asked as her gaze traveled quickly back up to meet his, swearing that she could see a blush under his fur.

**************

Dark and Anastasia walked into the maintenance bay, both wearing their combat armor as they gently moved over to the waiting group of pilots that were eyeing their machines. Human and Wolfin alike snapped to attention and saluted the two commanders, all of them already suited into their respective combat armors. The two commanders Saluted back as they looked over their eager pilots, both of them sharing a small smile.

Dark was the first to speak. "Ok Listen up people, This isn't going to be some easy going run of the mill simulator. I've had the techs work up a little something special to get everyone used to working together." He pressed a button on his PDA and uploaded a mission file to every pilots PDA. "We're going to be fighting against Tech operated machines, along with a few that are remote operated by some pilots that aren't here." He watched a few of the Wolfin nod, while some of Anastasia's people looked somewhat shocked.

"I don't believe in Simulators or marker rounds, everything today will be as it was yesterday." He and Anastasia shared wicked grins. "Live fire testing. The only true way to break in machines and people, at least unless we have ground pounders with us. They won't be aiming to cut you from your cockpits, or blow your fusion engines." He looked over to Anastasia to have her finish up.

"Ok people mount up and get ready to move out. We're do on the proving grounds in ten." She looked directly at her group of pilots. "We're not fighting to carry on our genes anymore, so work together with the Wolfin, they saved our asses so lets make sure they know it was worth it. Now get your asses in your machines people." She put on her helmet and triggered it's lock, before watching all of the other pilots do the same.

Dark escorted Anastasia to her machine and smiled as he got her helmet free, giving her a loving kiss. "Be sure to not totally obliterate the opposition...the technicians will have our hides if they have to totally rebuild their machines."

"No worries my mate, me and my people will follow Wolfin practices. Disable not destroy." She smiled as a thought crossed her mind. "What are we going up against?" Her answer was a light shrug of his shoulders, making her shake her head some. "Wonderful...see you top side." She said as she watched him start to move towards the Feral, smiling lightly to herself as she noticed the Techs hadn't repainted the sections she had damaged. She moved into her cockpit and latched the heavy hatch, locking her helmet back in place as she moved to her command chair.

Ten minutes later the commanders and their pilots machines were all assembled at the entrance to the proving grounds. Aside from the commanders machines there were, four Werewolves, two quadruped Dire Wolves, seven Great Wolf one hundred ton tanks, and a squad of Howler siege tanks for the Wolfin. While the Humans had a pair of Mad Cats, one Catapult, one Ryoken, one Uziel, one Blade, three M1 Marksman tanks, and two Demolisher II's with Gauss rifle refits. All of the human's mechs had different modifications made to better suit their pilots fighting styles. Every pilot and crewman had read over their mission report, finding that their objectives were simple. Find and capture enemy base of operations, while disabling the enemies combat units.

As they entered the proving grounds Dark turned to see the heavy gates close behind them, smiling as his people held true to protocol. He raised Feral's arm for the strike team to halt, before triggering his Mic. "Ok people by the numbers this time, tanks will stay to the rear until we find their main force. Pilots are to pair up with the machine beside them, watch each others backs...." He smiled as he watched a single Werewolf and the Ryoken move to each others side, knowing it was Alexia and Jacobi. He watched as the others started to pair up, surprising him some as he watched the massive machines of war mingle for a moment like people at a party. Though it still surprised him when he felt the clunk of a Ryoken II's metal finger on the shoulder of Feral, making him turn and smile some as he looked at Anastasia. "Yes I know....you and me, my mate." He said over a private channel, before switching back to the main. "Ok, our objective is on the other side of the proving grounds. All we know is the enemy force will be a strong mix. Ready up, we have some ground to cover." He turned off his Mic, before throttling Feral up to forty kph to set the speed for the assault team.

Once they crossed into the once raging industrial area of the city, the team slowed to almost a halt. Anastasia's machine turned with the Feral to face their troops, pointing one of her mech's fingers at the Blade and it's partner Dire Wolf. "Eric and Blade, you two scout ahead and keep within range of our sensors." She looked over the dire wolf for a moment as the quadruped mech nodded it's head, giving her a good view of it's titanium alloy teeth. She watched the both light up their throttles and shoot ahead of the assault team, the fifty five ton Dire wolf easily matching speed with the blade. She turned her machine and moved with Pup, matching his new speed of fifty kph and triggering the comm channel that linked her to him. "You know...no matter how much I see your people's designs...they make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end." She heard a rumbling chuckle boom from her mate, giving her an idea of tripping his Feral.

"If you think these machines are scary, your not going to like the new machines we're going to be getting in a few weeks. Besides, every one of our machines starts as a base model. The pilots preferences and fighting style is what determines the load out of our machines, why do you think Jacobi's machine is sporting that shield and sword." He switched frequencies quickly as he saw the Blade and Dire wolf returning. "What did you find?"

"Sir, they have a few turrets stationed about a two kilometers ahead of us. Looks to me like light perimeter defenses, only thing that worries me is that we didn't get any machines on our scopes." The Wolfin pilot kept the twin rotary autocannon turret atop his machine spun behind him as he spoke.

"Jacobi and Alexia, you two take position behind the tanks in case we have a cold starter. Barrett and Eli, once we reach range I want you to snipe those turrets with your launchers. Everyone else get ready for anything." He nudged his throttle forward, moving to one side so that Eli's Mad cat and Barrett's Werewolf could lock on.

"Outer defensive turrets are now down, all pilots prepare for assault." Came over the speaker in the simulator bay, making the she-wolf look up and nod at the camera. Her hand strayed to her furred stomach as she smiled within her helmet, thinking of the life that was now growing within her belly. She looked up at the camera feeds that showed the Fleet Commander's assault force heading closer and closer to where her machine laid in hiding. She had been assigned to run a Hatchetman mech, which suited her well enough since they weren't going to be using their own tech. "I will be attacking in thirty seconds...striker forces ready up." She triggered the switch on the side of her helmet that activated the neurolinks, feeling the light pressure of the sensors as they pressed against the back of her head.

"Sir we have contacts!" Came a started Wolfin voice over the comms, Making Dark and Anastasia quickly check their own sensors. "It's a trap! Take Defensive positions around the assault tanks!" Dark barked out the order as he watched the face of a building just ahead of him erupt into debris, revealing a Hatchetman mech that wasted no time in attacking him. He Loved to get close up, shoving his throttle forward to meet the hatchet wielding medium mech head on. He heard Concussion cannons firing off behind him as he came within range of the machines namesake, saving his ammo for later as he lunged Feral's clawed hands forward. The Hatchetman's short ax handle slamming into Feral's open palm, denting the armor some before he used Feral's free hand to grab hold of the Hatchetman's hip area. Medium lasers and a few autocannon rounds stabbed at The Feral, before Dark spun his machine on it's left foot. Advanced Myomer muscles spun Feral before Dark opened it's clawed hands, throwing the forty five ton machine a full thirty four meters. He watched the machine slam it's ax wielding side through a small apartment building, before triggering one of his concussion cannons to bury the damaged machine it rubble. Missiles danced along Feral's back armor, making him turn to see the small battle raging behind him.

Anastasia danced her machine to the side to dodge the claws of a Mantis light mech, slamming a concussion cannon baring arm into the machines chest. "Rest in pieces Stravag!" She nearly screamed out as her instincts took over, triggering the new weapon. She watched as the thirty ton machine was blown back as if it were only a rag doll, a gaping hole in it's middle that once held the gyro. She turned to see the tank column in the middle of the assault force focusing their combined destructive power against a looming Templar, watching as barrage after barrage flew from their barrels. The Templar's hip joint failed under the incoming onslaught, letting the machine topple sidewards into a small warehouse. She lurched her machine back as she watched a rail gun round from Feral blur past her, turning to watch as a seventy five ton Black Knight lost it's cockpit.

"Oh shit!" Yelled Eric as two, one hundred ton Jupiter mechs stormed out of a warehouse just ahead of his Blade. "We've got two Jupiters coming from our right flank." He and Blade kicked up their throttles and turned their machines back towards the assault group, autocannon rounds chewing into a building where they had just been.

Anastasia and Dark hurtled their machines towards where Eric and Blade had reported the Jupiters to be. Both of them stomped their jump jet pedals as they neared the fast approaching scouts, their machines soaring into the air. The smaller machines bolting under them without loosing speed, as they moved to check the assault group's left flank. Both commanders landed before throttling back some, seeing the two titans of war moving towards them. They watched as both machines were shrouded in exhaust, while lock on alarms blared in their cockpits. PPC's and autocannon ammo answered the barrage of missiles, before Dark triggered a concussion cannon to smash most of the missiles from the air. Their machines each took a few hits, before they each ducked behind buildings on either side of the four lane road. "You take the high road, and I'll take the low road." Dark said into his comm as he checked his damage read out, finding it acceptable as

Anastasia answered him. "And I'll kill a Jupiter before you..." He watched her machine literally jump into the air, before she triggered her jump jets. He moved Feral back into the street and took a knee, preparing to test his cooling system again as he lashed out with his autocannons and his rail gun.

Alexia dodged her Ryoken to the side as Jacobi lashed out with his machines sword at the Daishi that had rounded the corner, trying to attack the assault groups rear. She lashed out with her Ryoken's ER medium pulse lasers, while watching the Daishi suddenly find a Wolfin Dire Wolf literally biting into it's elbow joint. "Damn their ferocious fighters..." She said aloud to herself, hearing a light chuckle from her Werewolf piloting mate. She watched as he blocked an autocannon barrage with his shield, before answering with the Assault class laser mounted in the center of his machines shield. She added her dual streak MRM twenty packs to the fray as the Dire Wolf let go and backpedaled. She watched as the Daishi's upper torso and cockpit were hammered, seeing the machine topple forward as it went lifeless. She checked her heat levels and found them into the yellow, making her sigh as she turned towards the tank formation.

Dark let Feral's auto shutdown system kick in as the second Jupiter fell atop it's partner, after Anastasia had triggered both of her concussion cannons to obliterate it's hip actuators. After a moment Feral came back online, his eyes checking his damage readouts. "I'm down a concussion cannon, and Feral's only got a third of it's armor left."

Anastasia walked her mech beside Feral as Dark turned to rejoin the assault group, finding her own damage readout within acceptable operations. "You need to be more careful now, I have a feeling we haven't seen all of their base defenders yet." She checked her ammo counters, finding herself not liking the low amounts. "And just how many machines do the technicians have hidden out here?" She asked as they came into view of their column, a look of awe covering her face at the disabled mechs around them.

"My dear...if I knew that, they would only move them and mix them up more. Our technician's are also base defenders, in case the majority of pilots are elsewhere during an attack." He switched channels quickly as he looked over their forces, seeing plenty of dented and slagged armor on the heavier machines. "Good job team, but we're not finished yet. Howlers load the good shells, Eric and Blade go and get a look at their remaining defenders." He watched as the two speed demons threw their throttles open, quickly disappearing into the ruined block. He turned Feral back to the remaining units, smiling some to himself as none of their machines were downed. "Ready up and move out." He turned and moved Feral beside Anastasia's Ryoken II, setting a gentle pace of twenty kph.

As they reached the block where the enemy base was, Eric and Blade literally skidded to a halt in front of the column. "M'Lord they have two Juggernauts, one Daishi, and one Nova Cat guarding what seems to be their base. The base seems to be hardened, so it should be able to withstand close calls from the howlers...." Blade trailed off as he realized he said something he shouldn't have.

"M'Lord?" Was all Anastasia said as she turned her machine some towards Pup's Feral. "What did he mean by that?" Anastasia's mind crackled with questions that she wanted to ask now.

"Save it for after the mission Anastasia, and Blade..." He sighed softly. "This makes the fourth time I'm having to remind you to not call me that..." He watched Blades machine nod. "Get into a safe position and target them for us." He now somewhat dreaded having to explain the use of the title to Anastasia later.

Deep within the complex a technician was overseeing the operation, smiling to himself as he saw the assault force starting to show themselves. They were all there...wait they were missing the tank column that the Fleet Commander had taken with him. A warning siren sounded in his simulator, before half of the assault force disappeared behind clouds of missile exhaust. "They've got a spotter somewhere!" But it was already to late for him. His Nova Cat's upper torso and cockpit were hammered as high explosive artillery rained down on it with lethal precision. The monitors around him winked out before he yanked off his helmet and double over spilling the contents of his stomach on the simulator's floor.

As the last defender fell under the combined missile and artillery barrage, Dark watched as white smoke belched out of the enemy base. "Congratulations people, we won." He listened to the chorus of cheers and happy yips coming from the pilots and tank crews, smiling happily that every machine they had brought in was going to be leaving under it's own power. "Pack it up folks and lets head back to base, I owe you all a round at the barracks." He triggered another comm channel and smiled for a moment. "Ash, make sure every technician on your shift and the next four rotations gets double pay."

************

Anastasia's eyes roamed over the crowd of technicians and combat personnel drinking and joking, before she noticed Pup moving towards her with two mugs of what looked to be lager. "I haven't forgotten...so spill it M'Lord..." She watched as he visibly winced at her statement, before he handed her a mug and sat down.

"You want the short and sweet explanation..." He looked into her eyes. "Or do you want to torture me and make me spill all the details?" He gave his best "Puppy dog look", which sadly only made her burst out into laughter.

After she caught her breath, Anastasia took a sip from her mug pondering which to choose. She turned after a moment and smiled some, watching his ears fold back some in worry. "Short and sweet for now my mate...I will get the rest of the details soon enough..." She smiled as she watched his ears perk up and some of the worry leave his features.

Dark thought for a moment before he took a large drink from his mug, sighing before he looked into her eyes. "My full name is Lord Darkmoon Direwolf. My families companies produce the Dire Wolf machines, along with the Howler siege tanks...." He trailed off as he watched an extremely rare thing happen, Anastasia's jaw dropped and stayed there. He took a chance and leaned toward her, pressing his Wolfin lips to hers, finding it worked well at snapping her back to reality. After a long passionate kiss he leaned back, smiling as she still looked somewhat shocked. "Would M'Lady care to retire to her quarters?" He watched confusion fill her features, before her body went rigidly stiff under his large hand.

Anastasia pulled Pup's hand from the now open zipper of her pants, zipping them back up before she guzzled the rest of her mug in one go. She watched him do much the same, before they both stood to leave. She had a lot to think about now, though now that would have to wait until she'd had a certain itch scratched. She felt Pup's paw gently rub her shoulder as they got more near her quarters, turning her head to see him looking her over some. "What is it?" She asked as he looked up to her face with a smile.

"I'm just trying to picture you in a formal dress..." He trailed off as she spun around and started at him as they reached her quarters. His hand went back to her zipper, popping the snap loose on her waist as his hand dove inside. He watched her hand slap against the finger scanner, while his large clawed fingers gently worked into her pants. He smiled as she finally got the door open, knowing this evening was going to be very long...and very fun.