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Virtually Real Part 38: Meet the Teachers

Returning Characters

Shadow Runner Crew

Prowl-Ar, Shock, Kyle, Frost, Rin, Jordan, Tank, and Tuft

Furry Station One Crew

Jennifer Steele: Station Security

Janelle Redfield: Station Security

Counterstrike: Station Commander

Vanguard: Counterstrike’s wife.

Dr. Nichole Michelle Redfield: Medic

Mark Redfield (Jan and Nichole’s trans son.)

Silverbolt: Station Artificial Intelligence

I set my racer down in a hangar bay and waited as it pressurized. I couldn't imagine what the station crew would need me for. I was startled when Jen tapped on my window. I opened the door and climbed out.

"Good morning Prowl-Ar. I hope we didn't interrupt you at a crucial point in your game."

"Jen, skip the nice act, it isn't you."

"Thank God, I thought my head was going to explode. I tried to tell everyone you didn't need to be here, but I was out voted."

I sighed, "So why am I here?"

"The Commander wants you to meet the teachers who've applied for positions."

"They're here on the station already?" I asked in surprise.

"No, they're joining us through VR."

I groaned in response. "Silverbolt, didn't you inform the Commander that all Shadow Runner Installations are on the same network? I could have easily just logged in on the Runner."

"I did, Sir. However Commander Counterstrike wanted to gauge your reactions without the possibility of filters."

I shifted to my anthro form. "Let’s see how well he reads this-" I went silent as I realized Jen had her sidearm partially out of its holster.

She slowly slid it back into place and secured it. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to shift like that. It's going to take me a while to get used to it."

I was about to smile but quickly caught myself. In my current form such a display would definitely get me shot. "It's fine. I should have warned you I was going to shift. I guess I've gotten used to shifting whenever I feel like it. It's strange, when I was on my own I almost never changed. Now with people around me, I'm less cautious about my form."

"It's not that strange considering you're around other shifters most of the time. Here we are. We made sure to use the VR chamber closest to the hangar, if it helps any.”

"Lord Nightiger, so good of you to join us. We've chosen the first seven teaching applicants. They will be teaching the freshmen class. Silverbolt, if you'll please contact them."

"Do they know they’ve been selected?" I asked.

"No, and they will appear as their current avatar. First up physical sciences Moira Campbell." Silverbolt informed me.

"What? Don't tell me my system broke, again."

I cleared my throat and the small green otter avatar slowly turned around.

"Um, what world is this and how did I get here?" She was obviously using full face capture because I could see the shock when she looked at me. "Captain Nightiger? No, this is a joke. Cory, did you set this up?"

"It isn't a joke, you've been chosen to teach physical science aboard FS-1." I replied.

"Oh! That's wonderful! Oh, I really should look more dignified."

I could tell she'd pulled up her menu to change avatars. "Just a moment there is a price to pay."

She looked up at me in fear.

"Before you change I need to boop the snoot."

The rest of the crew looked at me in absolute horror. But Ms. Campbell giggled and moved over next to me where I lightly booped her nose. "Silverbolt, please change Ms. Campbell's avatar to her human form.

"It's actually Doctor Campbell. Wait don't!"

Dr. Campbell was quite a bit different compared to her otter avatar. The most obvious being she had to be close to seventy years old.

"I know, I'm not what you're looking for." She said sadly. It was obvious she had been using a voice mask with the otter avatar to sound younger.

"You are a bit old for the position."

I wasn't sure who said it, but I stood up and glared for a few seconds at each of them. "Silverbolt, you did read everyone the rules that govern all Shadow Runner Facilities?"

"Yes sir, so the Commander should know what he said is out of line."

"Doctor, I apologize. Your age doesn't matter; it's your knowledge and teaching skills that are important. So please tell us a bit about yourself.

"Really? I'm from Rhode Island and my kids are the most important thing to me. I mean my students, I wasn't able to have children of my own, and one of the worst days of my life was when I was forcibly retired. I know it's not really healthy, but now I spend most of my time in VR as you've seen, pretending to be younger in order to fit in. I do make science streams that have a pretty good following."

"Do you have anyone in your life?" I asked.

"No, I don't have any family and my husband died, Oh, sixteen years ago now. Really, all I had was my students."

"Do you think you'll be able to adapt to life on a space station?"

"Listen young man, for the last three years I've been stuck in this assisted living complex, so yes I think I'll do just fine."

"Dr. Campbell, I'm not sure if you know this or not, but I'm much older than you are."

"Oh I've heard the rumors, but just because you're chronologically older doesn't make you-".

"The faster than light story is a complete work of fiction I've been out here watching over Earth this whole time and through a combination of nanotechnology, and genetic manipulation I am effectively immortal. Now we'll contact you again with details on moving to the station once we've finished informing your fellow staff members. Oh, you'll likely want to keep this meeting a secret."

"Yes, it wouldn't be good if a senile old bat that pretends she's an otter starts claiming she's been plotting with a known terrorist." She laughed, "I could announce it to the world and nobody would believe me. Still, I'll keep quiet. I look forward to going back to work."

Dr. Campbell returned to her otter form and Silverbolt returned her to her game. "Next up Is South African English teacher, Neal Watson."

A young African man in a neatly pressed suit appeared. "Good evening, my name is Neal Watson and I teach English."

"Proper or American?" I interrupted.

"Proper, of course."

"You do realize you'll be expected to teach as both a language and a writing course, since the students may not know English or only know the very basics?" Janelle asked

"I fully believe that one cannot really know one’s own language until you've learned a second language. Currently I've learned six."

"You seem well educated and likely in high demand. Why do you want to come here to teach?"

"I um" He glanced to one side as if looking for guidance."

"Silverbolt please display everyone currently in Mr. Watson's VR space."

A hot pink Rexouium with rainbow quills and feathers, and Silver markings appeared.

"Uh, OWO. I mean hello."

"Oh hell!" I thought to myself "Why did it have to be a Rex? I was immune to puppy dog eyes in all species except Rexes."

"I pushed him to apply. He was fired when the private school, where he was working found out about me. Can you forgive him?"

And of course he gave me the “please forgive me” look.

"I'm sure he'll forgive you eventually. So how did you get him fired are you a sex offender?" Jen asked.

"No!” Neal yelled. “It's stupid really. This is my husband but he's also my pet. When the university found out they decided that we didn't represent their moral ideals. I'm not even sure how they found out since we keep our professional and private lives completely separate."

"You said 'lives' what does your pet do?" I asked.

"He's an accountant for Fyretech."

"Silverbolt, contact Mahan for me." I ordered.

"What is it now?" Mahan asked as he appeared.

"I need employment records on that Rex."

"Who do I get to hack?" Mahan asked excitedly.

"Fyretech."

"Oh, how mundane."

It was funny watching Mahan go from excited to bored so quickly.

"You can't hack them they have the best security-" James started to say.

"James Watson, hard worker though distracted at times. Has been reprimanded once for possessing unauthorized electronic device."

"I can explain-".

"The supervisor in turn was warned not to make it an issue. Further violations due to said device were to be ignored due to low security risk and management dispensation for said device." Mahan informed me.

"Wait, what?" Neal asked.

"I gave him a pass. He is in a high stress position and on the days you use the vibrator on him he is actually less stressed and does a better job."

"I'm confused." Neal said.

"Fyretech is owned by the Shadow Runners, so technically Mahan is your boss. It also means all the agreements you signed to get your job are still in effect for this meeting." I pointed out.

"It also means you can transfer to the station and still keep your job, not that you need money on the station." Mahan said.

"Actually, if you are willing, you could teach an accounting class according to your file. We'll contact you again before pick up and transfer with more details.

"Uh, thank you, Sir." James said, looking to be in shock.

Silverbolt shut down the link. "I can't seem to interrupt the game of our physical education teacher." He said in confusion.

"Let me try. Oh, yeah I see the trouble. I'm making a few adjustments." Mahan stated.

I found myself lying in a depression on a desert world.

"The contact is currently in the MAS game and is being watched. He is escorting a civilian transport group. Your suit is the same as your customized suit except in desert tan. You are hidden under a retractable chameleon clothe cover. The escort group is approaching. I'm tapping you into their team channel. The Station crew is in observer mode and only you can hear them." Mahan informed me.

"This is so boring. I thought there would be more action than this."

"Jack, we fought off a bug assault last week. The missions are balanced to keep the story progressing."

"I know sir, but Jackrabbit is right. It doesn't make this mission any less boring."

"Coyote, don't you start as well."

I could see them now; a heavy armor Modified suit, an Infantry suit modified with the heavy armor parts, and an Elite unit upgraded with additional tank parts.

"The program is about to spring a surprise attack of three bug raiding parties. I've paused the main game aboard the Runner and I'm adding in Drake and Fox. Wolf team are also watching from observer mode, should they be needed." Mahan said.

"Mahan filled us in. I'm not happy you took off again, but I'm not blaming you. Counterstrike on the other hand had better be very careful the next time I see him." Drake whispered over the com.

"I apologize Commander, but I wanted to see how Captain Nightiger reacted to our choices for teachers. I thought we'd just be meeting them in a nice office setting. I hadn't considered something like this happening." Counterstrike replied.

"Rattler team, defensive positions our primary duty is to protect the transports."

"Stripes team, lets break some exoskeletons."

"Sir, I have movement behind us." Jackrabbit warned his commander.

I opened the main channel. "Keep your head in the game, rookie. We're here to show you how it's done." I sprinted forward heading for the small gap between two bugs, holding my staff horizontally. I hit the thrusters on my pack and cut the two bugs in half.

"Two at once, not bad." Drake yelled.

I glanced back. He was already airborne with all of his leg and feet thrusters firing. He took a quick aim with his plasm rifles and killed two bugs with head shots. He tossed the guns up, flipped, and came down cutting down a further two bugs with his arm blades. He caught his rifles and dispatched a further two bugs.

"Flames, you're such a show off." Fox yelled, as he double tapped his fourth bug. "However our fearless leader needs more practice.

"Watch it Vids, It's not my fault you two are so good at killing Bugs." With the threat neutralized we turned toward the group only to discover they were pinned down and about to be overrun by way too many Bugs.

"Mahan, what the hell?" I yelled.

"Those three idiots have been requesting a hard battle. This scenario had a low chance of success. It seems the program is compensating by adding a further 80 enemy units. As soon as I can nullify the condition I'll send help."

"Hear that, we've either got to win this or hold out until help arrives."

"Vids and I are with you, Stripes." Kyle announced.

I was glad they'd caught on to the fact we needed to use new call signs since others were watching this scenario. I swung my staff over my shoulder and the locking mechanism sprang up and clamped onto it. I pulled out my own two new heavy plasma rifles, I'd save the revolvers as a last resort, and sprinted toward the besieged convoy.

"This is team Counterstrike, We've got your right flank." The Station Commander announced.

"Team Bonecutter has the left."

"Team Shadow is covering your tail." Jordan said.

I watched as three flight types started a strafing run. "Team Spitfire rules the sky! Mark yelled.

"Mahan, you've gotten everybody except-" I was interrupted as a green MAS tank unit with a familiar tortoise insignia emblazoned on it raced past. Perched atop it as a brown suit with a hare insignia on its shoulder.

"This is team HAah, we'll support the heavy’s and civilians."

"Team Hah?" I asked as I started shooting Bugs.

"Heavy Armor and Homicide."

"Of course." I rolled me eyes. Nineteen suits and a tank unit against eighty Bugs. It was going to be a massacre, for the Bugs anyway.

As the last Bug fell our support teams saluted and faded back into the desert surroundings.

"Damn, this really is a hard mission." Rattler said, as he carefully righted one of the transports.

"Any casualties? I asked, as I leaned on my staff. I'd used up all of my ammo and for the last few battles I'd used my staff.

"You're- . . . and they're . . . Oh my God! I can't believe this!" Jackrabbit actually squeaked.

"Jack, what are you on about?"

"Rattler, look at their suits."

"Yeah, they have customized suits. Did you notice their skills? They obviously passed boot camp with ease."

"No sir, I mean really look. The weapons, custom parts. Now imagine Stripes' suit in black, Flame's suit in Red, and Vid's suit in orange. Hell, even their supposed call signs Stripes, Flames, and Vids."

Rattler gasped "You're-".

"A Special Operations team. Pause game."

"Current storyline has been paused."

The suits faded away. I turned to Kyle, and Shock. "I'll get back as soon as I can."

"Like I said Tiger, Mahan filled us in. However, if you need more help we'll be on standby." Kyle said, before Mahan shut down his connection to the game server.

"Sorry about that, I can't have you announcing our presence on an open server."

"You're really him! I can't believe this, we're actually meeting you." Jackrabbit babbled.

"Jack, think about it. We aren't important enough for that. This is just some glitch in the game or a mass release message." Coyote said.

"What about the battle?" Jack asked.

"The program probably used the best teams as Special Forces in order to get every storyline to a point where the message can be sent uninterrupted. Think about it, there is no way to make a suit move like that. I'm using full motion capture and I can't do most of the moves they made. That was all computer generated." Rattler explained.

I was about to eject two of them when I realized I didn't know which one I was supposed to meet.

"Silverbolt, the command crew can be brought back in now." I turned back to Rattler Team, "I hate to tell you this, but Jackrabbit is right."

Rattler glared at me for a second, likely irritated that I contradicted him. I could tell the instant everything I said dawned on him.

"No way, not possible."

I shifted to full tiger form, stretched, yawned and shifted back to human. "Damn, that fight really pushed my limits. I'm going to need to spend more time with my trainer program. I'm starting to get soft.

"Ryan, that wasn't an avatar change it was to smooth. Even I can't change like that without lagging, and you know that is my hobby." Coyote whispered.

I turned to Counterstrike. "Let me guess, Rattler here is the one you want me to evaluate." He nodded and I sighed.

"Evaluate me for what?" Rattler asked.

"Physical Education teacher aboard FS-1 at the Station Academy." Dr. Redfield explained. "Your time in space and working at the Mars Station uniquely qualifies you."

"What did you do on Mars?" I asked.

"I was the Medic before Dr. Delacroix replaced me. I'm a biologist primarily studying how humans are adapting to life in space and alien worlds. During our Earth time we're encouraged to take on teaching jobs. Most sequester themselves in universities but I like the feeling that what I'm doing will improve the next generation so I teach high school biology. I coach and teach P.E. in order to stay in shape for my next off planet mission."

"Sounds like you're pretty well established why would you apply for a job on the station?" Counterstrike asked.

"Are you kidding? This would be a dream job. I'd get to teach and be able to observe humans living on a space station. It might make dating a bit difficult, since I'm not LGBTQ+. Though I'm not opposed to the idea of dating furry females."

"So you’re on your own then?" Jen asked.

"For now. I've had plenty of offers, considering my semi-stardom from living on another planet, but-".

"You want someone that sees you and not the glamour. I get it. We'll get in touch with more details before pick up."

"What about us? Did we even have a chance?" Jack asked.

"Um, I have no idea. Silverbolt?"

"Please state your names and position you applied for."

"Jack Darby, English." Jackrabbit stated.

"Carlos Rivera, Math." Coyote added.

"Curios, Mr. Rivera, you are actually our next contactee. You would be teaching Algebra." Silverbolt stated.

"Yes! Oh, but only if I can bring my partner with me."

"Please give me a moment." Silverbolt asked.

"So you're a furry?" I asked.

"No, why do you ask? Oh, the call signs we chose them when we were assigned to this hellhole. I'm actually pan but my partner is gay."

"I didn't know you were married or dating or whatever. You seem to spend all of your free time in the game with Jackrabbit . . . Oh. I'm so stupid." Rattler exclaimed.

"I told you he didn't have a clue." Jack laughed.

"Sorry that took so long, but the files I had didn't mention Mr. Rivera having a partner. After consulting with Mahan I've determined that you lied. This means your application has been rejected."

I sighed, "Mahan, I'm requesting a rescan of all information, however I'd like you to review all computer and VR files pertaining to Carlos Rivera and Jack Darby."

Jack gasped, "Wait, you can access all-"

"I see where I made the error. The pair have been in a committed relationship for the last four years. They have tried to obtain a marriage visa since their Virtual wedding last year but all applications have been blocked. Both for Mr. Darby to immigrate to the US and for Mr. Rivera to move to the UK. I won't go into details, but it is all because of a U.S. executive order.” Silverbolt said.

“Shock is very displeased with a certain individual right now." Mahan added.

"You're both in of course, however the English position has already been filled." I informed them.

"I'm also qualified to teach Literature and History." Jack quickly added.

"Are you willing to learn a new form of history?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean history as it actually was rather than skewed by the winners and interpreted by generations of historians."

"I wish that was possible but-"

"You're hired, I'll go into details once you're aboard."

"Um, okay."

"We'll talk later. Now you need to get back into position in order to finish your escort mission." The scene blanked out and I turned to the crew. I was done for the day. That battle really had been intense and between Kyle’s irritation and Shock's anger seeping in, if I kept this up I'd likely drive away any potential applicants. "You don't expect me to go through the entire roster today do you?"

"Of course not. We only have two more for the moment. The art and the music teachers." Counterstrike stated.

"I don't know if I can go on."

"We have to get to the art teacher at the least. She's not only applying for the teaching position but also requesting asylum." Jen said.

I straightened immediately. "What."

"The thing is we have no way to contact her."

"What's her name?"

"Fzaed90363, but I ran a check and there is no physical markers for Mahan to do a scan for. We hoped you would know more." Silverbolt said.

"How would I know anything?"

"Because this was in her portfolio of previous work." Silverbolt replied as a very familiar picture appeared.

It was the commission piece Shock had gotten of the three of us. "Silverbolt, please bring Shock into the meeting. He was holding a shotgun in one hand, a crossbow in the other and a metal card in his mouth. I grabbed the Grimm card and quickly pocketed it.

"Thanks, which do you think would be better, or at least most painful?" He asked.

"No, we're not doing this."

"I warned him. You can't say he doesn't deserve it." Shock growled.

"Forget about that for right now. We have another problem." I forcibly turned him to look at the painting.

I already told you the artist only does one or two commissions a year and she won't take commissions from the same client twice. I was lucky to get this one."

"Look closer at the details. There's something off about this version. I can't figure it out but it isn't the same as the one in our living room. Oh, Mahan overlay our painting with this one and then remove everything that is identical."

I was surprised how many differences there were. “There’s a Quran on the table." I started listing.

"There is some sort of case with the word 'Persecution’ on it." Counterstrike said.

"The case also has the flag of Oman on it." Jen pointed out

“What are these marks around the edge?" Vanguard asked.

"It's called Morse code. I didn't think anyone knew it anymore. Mahan translate it."

"Help. Father knows. Secret Police. Life endangered. Then a series of numbers. Translated into coordinated it puts the location in Oman. I'm doing a scan on those coordinates." A video came up of a young woman being dragged through a house with a mob outside.

"We were too late." Jen gasped.

I ran from the chamber and down the hall to my racer. Mahan wouldn't have displayed that if it wasn't happening live. Fortunately the hanger was still pressurized. I dove into my racer, slammed the door shut, and locked it down. "Silverbolt, emergency launch, blow the hangar door." I shot out of the hangar. "Mahan, emergency jump coordinates for space to atmospheric jump."

"Coordinates set I'm bringing the sentinel protocol online. Pull on your emergency mem crystal recorder unit.”

“I'm wearing my headset and the program is running. Mahan, do everything you can to keep Kyle and Kelly alive until my replacement wakes up."

"God speed, Sir."

I activated the Freem engines. In system jumps were inherently dangerous due to the infinitesimal margin for error. Jumping into atmosphere was just stupid. The mob on the ground had to have thought the wrath of Allah was upon them or the gates of hell had opened in the sky. Which wasn't far off. The exotic material of altered space should never be introduced to atmospheric particles. I wrestled control of the racer away from gravity and was able to pull out of my dive. Thank God the racer was designed for asteroid obstacle courses. Sill I was only inches from the ground. Three men were holding a girl, her clothes torn and functioning more as restraints than covering her modesty. I popped the passenger door. I already had my pistol out. "Asylum granted. Get in."

The girl tore away diving into the racer. Once in the seat she did her best to cover her nudity.

I increased the antigravity and we shot up a good two hundred feet. "Pull the door shut and lock it."

"I c-can't." she stuttered in Arabic, well it was a close enough translation.

"I'm not interested in copping a look. I'm completely uninterested in the female form. However if you don't get that door shut and sealed we're both going to die." I gritted my teeth. The on board computer informed me someone was trying to get a lock on me.

I heard the door slam down.

"Not so rough, this is a precision machine. There's a handle mechanism turn it clockwise until the red marks match up." I heard the distinct thunk of the locks engaging and then alarms started going off.

They had a lock. I watched as the missile got closer at the last second I pushed the anti-grav to max and activated the rear thrusters. The racer was small enough I could do that without worrying about burning the sky. We flew upward and forward but the missile didn't explode. It shot past us but then circled and was still locked on. Meaning it was a smart missile. I checked the altimeter we'd just passed 2000 feet

"Shit. Shit! SHIT! This thing wasn't designed for rapid planetary escapes. I zeroed the anti-grav and we dropped like a rock. Let's see how skilled they are at low altitude maneuvers."

My passenger was screaming and bracing herself into the seat. Her concern over being naked lost for the moment.

"Shut up you're making it hard to concentrate. In the compartment behind the seat is a survival pack. Inside is an all-purpose survival suit. It'll look like a belt. Get it out and wrap it around your waist. Make sure you re-secure everything else back in the compartment. Brace yourself for a moment I'm changing direction. I hit the thrusters reorienting so we were pointed up looking directly at the missile chasing us down. I pulled the trigger and the racer's twin plasma guns fired. There was a click and I risked a glance at my passenger. She was in her seat and the nanites were rapidly generating a cloth jumpsuit. I focused back on the missile. It had seemingly dodged my shots. "How much fuel does this damn thing have? Secure your harness this is going to get dangerous."

"What?"

"Seatbelt. Five point. Between legs, sides, and over shoulders." I heard four clicks and at least one of the warnings went green.

"I'm asking how you think things could get any more dangerous." She yelled.

"I'm taking us down to twenty feet and then running for the ocean at three times the speed of sound."

"That's-"

I slammed the rear thrusters to full power, the inertial dampeners barely taking the strain, and then dropped the nose so we were horizontal once again, blasting forward. I noticed the missile adjust course not tracking, but predicting where we were heading. There was a human controlling the damn thing. I dialed the repulser field to full power. In theory it created a bubble around the racer allowing it to 'bounce' off from an asteroid impact. Of course I'd never tested it. Hopefully it would be enough to protect us.

The explosion literally bounced us like a cue ball being hit off a pool table. The field had taken the blow but it promptly shorted out. I'd need to revise the system. I was just happy the alarms had- my thought was interrupted as the alarms returned only this time there were four locks. I caught myself reaching for the Freem activation controls. I had to remind myself if I opened a rift this deep in the atmosphere it would have the same effect as generating a black hole. I glanced at my passenger. She was unconscious either passed out or more likely blacked out from some of the maneuvers I was using. I'd likely be there too if not for living in heavy gravity for so long. I noticed in the moments I'd been distracted I'd traded sand for water. I smiled, “Follow this assholes.” I shut down my thrusters and zeroed the anti-grav again. The racer skipped like a stone over the waves.

"We have now passed into international waters." The onboard computer announced.

"Recalculate for their perceived boarder." I checked my speed. We were still skipping, but our speed was rapidly dropping. I bit my lip the racer wasn't built for aquatic environments. Two heavy plasma bolts shot past me destroying the missiles.

"You are firing on a Shadow Runner Craft in international airspace. If you persist it will be considered an act of war. You will note that all military assets are currently being targeted from space. If you fire we fire. Is a single individual really worth the complete annihilation of your country?" Shock asked, over all airwaves.

"Those shots that took out the missiles didn't come from space." I mumbled. I gasped as I realized what was going on. I opened a secure link to the ship hiding just over the horizon. "Blade Hunter, do not, I repeat do not fire the main gun."

"Why not Captain?" Wolf asked.

I sighed as I realized it was pointless trying to get him to stop calling me "Captain" even though he was disobeying orders. "I'll tell you once we're back aboard the Runner. Just trust me that cannon cannot be used inside an atmosphere."

"Don't worry Tiger, I've powered down the cannon. However we are still heavily armed and we'll escort you back." Shock replied.

"I take it Kyle is in orbit doing the targeting?"

"Uh, yeah, sort of."

I really didn't like the sound of that. Rotate the tank cannon so that it is pointed aft and prepare to match speed with me." I was still skipping forward riding out my earlier speed and using the anti-grave to keep racer from catching the surface and crashing. I re-engaged the thrusters and shot forward again. Within seconds we were flying parallel to the Blade Hunter.

"How can something like that fly?"

I was surprised when my passenger spoke English. I glanced out at the Blade. It looked like a flying saucer had a long brick dropped on one side of it and on the other was a massive cannon. On the top of the brick section was what looked like a small turret pointed backward.

"Blade prepare to link."

Voice print authorization, Commander Jahar Træn, recognized. Racer command module synchronization commencing."

"Brace yourself and try not to scream again." I hit the side and bottom thrusters sending us into a high speed roll. At the end of the maneuver We were still parallel the Blade only now we were above the primary, brick body with less that five-foot of clearance. I wasn't very happy. In all the simulations I was able to pull that off with a two foot clearance. I adjusted the anti grav and slowly inched down to the two foot mark.

"Extending docking clamps." Blade announced.

"Activating landing gear." There was a slight thud as the magnetic pads hit the top of the ship.

"What the hell are you doing? It's hard enough controlling this thing as it is." Shock yelled.

"Docking clamps secure extending umbilical." There was a much softer thud and then the windows turned black.

"What's happening?" my passenger asked.

"Give the system a few seconds to boot."

"Racer control system offline. Command override connection to Blade established. You now have full control, Jahar."

The view screen turned clear again but it had multiple gauges and readouts displayed. "This is a ship wide warning, I am now in complete control. Strap yourselves into the nearest seat and have your motion sickness bag close at paw. We have multiple hostiles inbound and some of them might even feel like assisting us. This isn't one of my games so let's see if I can get out of this without starting a world war."

I pulled back on the control stick pointing the nose up and hit the thrusters shooting us up to 3000 feet in seconds. I'd picked up another four of those "smart" missiles on the way. I killed all the power and put the Blade into a flat spin using the small guns to take out two of them. I could see the other two adjusting their course to intercept us as we fell. I opened a full spectrum channel. "Under ordinary circumstances I'd turn this engagement into a little game where I'd let you think you had a chance of winning, but I'm just not feeling it today. I pointed the ship toward space again and left everything behind.

As soon as were in orbit I understood Shocks comment. The Shadow Runner wasn't covering us. Shock had been bluffing using the holographic projection satellites.

My passenger glanced out the window as we flashed past the space station. "How fast are we moving?"

"We'll be at FS-1 in half an hour at this speed." I bumped the thrusters up to full power. "Maybe sooner. The station is half way between Earth and Mars. You still want asylum and the art teacher position, correct?"

"You got my message? Thank Allah."

"If you don't mind my asking, what is your name? The only one I know is Kaleen, the one you used to sign your art."

"Kaleen is my fursona and I'd prefer to use that rather than the name I was given."

"I take it you’re a bit of a radical?"

"That's a polite way of putting it. My family are . . . fundamentalists. When they learned about my art especially the subject matter, the fact that I do commissions, and that the money I've made went to an organization dedicated female education they . . ." She trailed off as though she couldn't deal with what would have happened if I hadn't arrived. "Thank Allah all my work is backed up on a server in-"

I opened a secure channel to the Runner. "Mahan I need you to-"

"I completed the transfer to our servers as you took off from the station."

I closed the channel. "Your work is secure. Everything else you need can be easily obtained on the station."

"How much is that going to cost me?"

"Not much."

"That isn't an answer."

We don't have a lot of need for currency out here. Just about anything you could want you can have. Mahan maintains interests on Earth, but that's about it. You'll have food, shelter, and a teaching job. You'll still be able to take commissions and donate your money wherever you want. The difference is Mahan or Silverbolt will act as your banker."

"Silverbolt?"

"Furry Station 1's primary artificial intelligence unit."

"Approaching FS-1." Blade announced

"Prepare for separation. Fox, take the Blade back to the Runner while I drop off Kaleen and meet with the last teacher on the list for today."

"We'll be staying here to keep an eye on you. Those were Commander Kyle's orders and honestly, I don't want to go back and face him without you."

"He's not angry at you."

"He will be if I don't bring you back."

"Fine, request docking assistance and Blade will handle the rest. Silverbolt will direct you to the correct VR chamber."

I landed in a new hangar. Hopefully Silverbolt wouldn't be too upset at the way I left. Once pressurized I was surprised to find both doctors waiting for us.

"So, you went out and found yourself a real doctor. I have to say I approve. I'm surprised, but I do think you needed more 'real' people around you."

"Pardon me Doctor Redfield, but what do you mean by 'real'." Jordan asked.

"Just what I said. Mahan is a computer projection of Prowl-Ar's mind. Tank, Tuft, and the former Doctor are androids. One of them is a bigger bitch from hell than I am, no less. Kyle and Frost are both game characters, and Shock, is still just a teenager, even if he is considered an adult, so he barely counts. I haven't met Rin yet but she's also a child. That leaves you and Prowl-Ar, and he isn’t really completely human anymore either."

I couldn't believe she wasn't reading Jordan's reactions. Even I could tell he was mad.

"Don't get me wrong, they're made for each other, quite literally in some cases. However, in my medical opinion they all need serious mental help."

I heard a sniffle and looked past Dr. Redfield to Shock, standing in the doorway wiping his eyes. I was about to tell her to pack her bags when Jordan growled.

"Doctor, I don't know what the Captain sees in you, but I trust him. So there must be a reason you're here. If it wasn't for that fact I'd be doing to you what Kyle did to Brook, my medical assistant drone. Before you even start, I don't care that you're human. After all, how did you put it, I'm not completely human any more either. I'm sure the Captain could easily replace you. However, if you ever hurt any of my crew mates again, the way you just hurt Shock, I'll make sure you suffer greatly before you die."

"Shock? Oh shit, I didn't mean . . . he shouldn't have-."

"Just make sure Kaleen gets settled in." I said coldly as I walked past Nichole in order to catch up with Shock.

"So you're the station's doctor? I can't say I'm happy about that." Kaleen muttered.

"Shit."

"Yes, and you did a good job of spreading it around. If it wasn't that I agreed to one more meeting we'd leave now. Maybe-". I said, as I whirled around.

"No, just because I'm upset doesn't mean you shouldn't finish your job. After all I'm not a child that has to be cared for. What she said hurt, but only because I didn't expect such stupidity from someone we chose to be here. In a position that millions of others desperately want and at least a few hundred are likely more qualified to fill." Shock said, from just outside the doorway.

"Actually she’s here because her wife quit her job as a show of support for you and her sister-in-law asked us if we could help. She just happened to be a doctor and it made it easier to put her in the position than hire someone else." Even though I was talking to Shock I was glaring at Nichole. "I suggest you remember that, Doctor."

As we headed for the VR chamber I was surprised to hear Jordan growl at Dr. Redfield. I paused a respectful distance down the hall, but I could still hear them.

"If you value your life stay far away from my ship and crew. They may have problems, but they are better than any humans on Earth. The Captain will likely forgive you in a few days. He's good about that. Mahan has showed me things about them, horrible things, things that nobody should have to experience, so that I can help them. Through it all no matter how shitty the world has been to them Prowl-Ar really tries to see the good in people. I'm not that forgiving. If you ever hurt them like that again I promise you, I will erase you from this reality."

I tapped behind my ear. Jordan still spoke primarily in French but that seemed a strange way of threatening someone. French was part of my language knowledge, but maybe it was the translator nanites had messed it up. Of course I wasn't exactly up to date with current slang. So maybe I just needed a language update. Shock giggled quietly interrupting my thoughts.

"Our Doctor has fangs even in his human form.” Shock winked at me, “Fangs and a giant pair of-“.

“No, bad Foxy, no lewd thoughts on the job." We started walking before Jordan could figure out we'd been listening in. Still the image of big, black, furry, wolf balls bouncing against my muzzle kept popping into my head. I adjusted myself. "How the hell am I supposed to interview the music teacher now?"

Shock giggled louder. "I bet I know what you're thinking about."

"Evil little fox."

"Yip." Shock replied grinning as widely as his muzzle would allow.

"Are you two alright? And what is that smell?" It's almost like-" Jordan glanced down following the scent.

"Tiger cheered me up so I put some images in his head that would cheer him up." Shock replied, stressing the "up".

"You're a telepath? That wasn't in any-"

"No silly, I used fox magic." Shock laughed.

"Oh, you were being indecent again." Jordan said, while rolling his eyes.

"I was not! I was being lewd. I've still got my pants on after all." Shock turned to me and acted like he was whispering but was actually a bit louder than usual. "I don't want to alarm you, but I think the Wolf is on to me."

"You wish." I replied.

"You know it."

Jordan face palmed and I couldn't help but laugh as we walked into the VR chamber.

"It's about time you got back. Where's the Doctor." Vanguard asked.

"It wasn't exactly my best rescue. Dr. Redfield is examining the art teacher to be sure my flying didn't do any permanent damage."

"If you don't mind my asking what was with the stone skipping maneuver?" Counterstrike asked.

"By killing the engines and skipping like a stone it made it harder to track me due to the spray. Unfortunately those missiles were human guided so I wasn't able to throw them off completely."

"Let's get on with the last interview." Jan insisted.

"We need to wait a few more minutes for the virtual concert he is attending to end." Silverbolt announced.

"Cut into the feed so that-"

"That would be unethical, Commander. The concert is a closed event and you do not have an invitation. I can play a selection of the artists’ works while we wait."

Calling the music that started playing elevator music would be an insult to those who wrote elevator music. What we were listening to was bland and soulless. No wonder Shock liked the music Mahan had tried to torture him with. "Silverbolt, play anything from my favorites archive. Terri Clark's "Empty" started to play. Country wouldn't have been my first choice, but it was better than what had been playing.

The crew sat there looking stunned. Jordan was looking at me like I'd finally lost my mind and Shock was slowly swaying to the rhythm.

"You know, the more I listen to the archives the more I realize how boring modern music has become. This . . . this is how I feel about you and Kyle." As the song finished Shock immediately hugged me wiping a tear from his eye.

"You're not wrong. From the fragments historians have been able to piece together ancient music was much more dynamic than it is today. That is just one of the reasons I applied to become the musical director of your little project. Oh sorry, allow me to introduce myself. I am Suchikawa Tomamaru. I have degrees in musical history, and performance arts. I'm also qualified to teach both instrumental and vocal performance."

"So you want to be the music teacher in order to get a look at my music archives?" I asked.

"Yes, though after watching your daughter's performance with that, Wind Staff, I believe she called it, I knew I had to learn more about it."

"You'll have full access to the musical archives, however the wind staff will not be available for study. That's not to say you can't watch archived footage of its use, I'm just not willing to provide details on construction and how it works."

"You've adapted more than a single song!"

"The staff sounds different depending on size and species using it. Currently the archives contain performances for humans, tigers, foxes, and one for use with a fursuit."

"Don't forget lynx style. Rin has been putting in a lot of time adapting songs for her own species." Shock informed me.

I glanced at Jordan.

"Don't look at me. I'm not really interested in learning those skills."

I nodded in understanding. I turned back to Mr. Suchikawa.

"If you decide to hire me what documentation will I need to present for a work visa?"

"I believe we will be hiring you, as for documentation we will contact you with more information once we have completed the full teaching staff selection."

"I understand. It has been an honor meeting you and I look forward to hearing from you soon."

I bowed and Silverbolt cut the link. I turned to the Station crew. "When you've selected the teachers for the sophomore class contact me. However, I'll remain on the Runner from now on. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back and deal with the consequences of pissing off my dragon mate."

***

I jumped us to the junkyard instead of directly to the Runner. "Hey Jordan, can you sense anyone other than Shock and me right now?"

"Yes, there are two others over on that station, why?"

His answer actually surprised me. I hadn't counted on him being able to sense Tank and Tuft since they were still androids. "I uh, was wondering about you sensory range. However, it seems you can sense life forms other than human."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Tank and Tuft are both currently androids."

"So? I can sense how much they love each other. Did you believe I wouldn’t be able to sense something like that? I mean I can sense Brook's constant irritation with Kyle. I can even occasionally sense Mahan, but the way he fragments himself into separate places and individual drones makes it nearly impossible to know how he is really feeling. However, what I'm sensing from you right now is deception and a small amount of fear."

I sighed, "Fine, I'd like you to remain here for a day or two."

"Is this some sort of punishment?"

"No!" I quickly answered.

"What he's trying to say is that Kyle is really angry right now and he doesn't want you to suffer." Shock said for me.

"Shock, I'd like you to pick up Frost and Rin and return here-".

"Not going to happen." Shock said before I could finish.

"I agree with Shock. If things go badly with Kyle, you're going to need someone to talk to."

I brought up the Blade Hunter's lock down system. I could shut down propulsion for a couple of days. It’s not like they'd be in any danger and Tank or Tuft could easily "rescue" them with the Bad Luck. I was just trying to protect them, wasn't I? I paused the sequence. If I was doing the right thing then why was I crying?

"Tiger, are you alright?" Shock asked.

I reached back toward the terminal to complete the shutdown.

"Captain, I trust you'll make the best choice. Just please answer the question, are you alright?" Jordan asked.

I cleared the program and set the jump coordinates. "I'm fine, just a little tired is all, so my mind seems to be wandering. Shock, I'm transferring control back to you on the Blade. Double check my coordinates and then take us home."

***

As soon as we came out of altered space the Runner decloaked. I separated the racer and aimed for my private hangar on top while Shock angled the Blade Hunter toward the main hangar bay on the bottom.

"Mahan, can you delay Shock for a little while?"

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

"Kyle's likely to be doing a bit of yelling and may even get a bit violent. Shock shouldn't have to see that."

"Do you really think Kyle will get violent?"

"I don't know, but I deserve it if he does. I don't want you to interfere. That's an order by the way, not that anyone listens to my orders."

"I have a security drone on standby. I'll only interfere if you or Kyle's life is in danger."

I sighed, that was likely the best result I could hope for. "Can you have the deck drone lock down my racer? For once I don't think making Kyle wait would be a good idea."

"I'm deploying the drone now."

I watched the hangar doors close as a drone started securing the racer to the deck. By the time the hangar was pressurized the drone had finished and was returning to its storage dock.

I slowly descended the stairs to the bedroom. Despite what I said to Mahan I wasn't looking forward to being yelled at. As I entered the room Kyle was waiting. He just stood there arms crossed as I sealed the bulkhead door. I slowly turned only to be engulfed in a tight embrace. We stood there silently for several minutes before Kyle pushed me away. I fell awkwardly backward landing on our bed.

"You stupid ass! First you take off without telling us. Then you get dragged into a VR battle, do you even know what level it was set to?"

"The station's maximum level is below our usual level."

"I'm not finished! Then you go off to Earth on a rescue mission, alone I might add, in your lightly armed racer. The shuttle is better armed and protected than that thing. Does it even have a cloaking device installed?"

I wanted to answer, but he was right the racer wasn't equipped with a cloaking device. In fact the only thing the racer had going for it was that it was easy to quickly get in and out of. Hell despite looking a bit like a car it didn't even have airbags.

"Your silence tells me that it doesn't. But you know what the worst part is? You knew you were likely going to die. You think I didn't notice Mahan making an emergency memory crystal for you? Do you know how that made me feel? Taking off to save someone we don't know and believing you have little chance of succeeding?"

"Kyle, I-"

"Get out! I don't want to see you right now."

I got up and slowly made my way to the door. I looked back but Kyle had turned his back to me. Still, I could tell he was crying. I continued on to the door. I paused before opening it. "I love you." I murmured and opened the door.

Shock slid to a stop just outside. He was out of breath. "We. Need. Talk."

"Later, Kyle needs you right now." It took everything I had to mask how I was feeling. "We'll talk later."

Shock entered the bedroom and I entered my office. "Mahan, lock down my office, full privacy mode." There was a hiss of static, likely Mahan attempting to stop me. However I was the only one that could go private even from him. I lowered myself onto my couch, curled into a ball and started to cry. Of all the ways that could have gone this was the worst. If he’d yelled, berated, and even hit me I could have accepted that. But to send me away? I just lay there. I couldn't sleep, if anything it even hurt to keep breathing.

***

"Not again.” It was the nightmare, again. I was huddled in the same doorway. The people passing by were dressed for warm weather, but I was still cold, so very cold. This time it wasn't seeping in from the outside, but growing from within. Nobody noticed, they never do. Maybe this time would be the last. I didn't care anymore. I promised I wouldn't kill myself. That didn't mean I had to fight to stay alive. With nothing left to live for what was the point?

I could see him, Death. He wasn't laughing at me, this time. This time he wasn't going to ignore me. "I'm here damn you." I yelled. I tried to stand up but something was holding me back. "You've been taunting me for decades! Take me already!" I gasped as a figure appeared between me and Death. This was . . . unexpected.

"You are not welcome here. Leave him alone. He is mine now."

Death seemed to say something but I couldn't understand it.

"I said leave! I've already claimed this one and through him his mates as well."

Again Death spoke to the being.

"I don't understand, how can you have a claim on him, but not want him to die?"

I was confused, this was my nightmare, but Death and some other deity that I couldn't even recognize were arguing over my soul. Stranger still they both wanted me alive for some reason? I screamed as my heart seemed to explode. Both Death and the being looked at me. Death had changed into a black fox and the other looked like- the explosion hit me again and my eyes snapped open. Shock was holding his wind staff above me. Jordan moved into my line of sight beginning to press on my chest as Kyle leaned in to kiss me.

"No." I gasped, they were preforming CPR. "I died?"

"Oh Tiger, I'm sorry. I'm sooo sorry. I was so mad that I wasn't thinking. I love you and I don't want to lose you." Kyle sobbed pulling me onto his lap.

"We almost lost you." Jordan said, as he leaned back against the couch "That really would have reflected poorly on me, you know."

I suddenly remembered in that last instant where I was dead the god arguing with death had looked at me and he had looked like Jordan. Strange how the mind worked in the instant between life and death.

"Normally I'd suggest you get some rest, but now I'm not sure what to suggest." Jordan said.

"No, you are correct Doctor. Rest is the best idea, however-" Mahan started.

"He'll be fine as long as we are with him. We know what he was feeling and he only has that nightmare when he's alone." Shock said.

Kyle pulled me closer, "The combination of our soul bond and physical contact is what he really needs right now."

"All right, Mahan I want you to monitor him closely from now on. As an order from the ship's doctor, concerning the health of the Captain, takes precedence. He shouldn’t be able to block you monitoring him anymore." Jordan stood up and turned to leave.

"Jordan, thank you. Thank you for saving me." I said weakly.

"That's what I'm here for."

I wanted to say more but Kyle had picked me up and we were already heading for the bedroom. What was wrong with me? Seeing Death transform into Reaper, wasn't that surprising. It had never happened before, but it wasn't a stretch of the imagination. However casting Jordan in the form of a savior God? That was new and probably something I should discuss with a mental health professional. If I wasn’t so tired I'd have laughed. Like we'd be able to find anyone crazy enough to deal with us.

***

I was sitting in my chair in the living room. Shock was in his studio streaming, Kyle was off tending his garden, and Frost was in VR chatting with people. I typed in a note to Mahan to make sure he was being careful. Rin was on the couch watching the original Gundam anime, surprisingly for the first time. She was obviously the unlucky one to draw the short straw. Since my little near death experience Jordan had ordered complete rest and Mahan made sure someone was constantly with me.

Kyle was constantly apologizing and trying to make sure I knew that he loved me. Frost also watched me closely since he didn't want to lose another parent. Shock wasn't bad but he did watch me closely to make sure I wasn't doing anything stressful. I didn't mind Rin, since she was easily distracted by any movie with giant robots.

I went back to my VR game review and probability simulations. I may have been breaking the rules but I had to know why, when I was dying, I'd seen Jordan as a God. There was something familiar about the idea but I couldn't place why.

I cleared the screen, it had been my third run through of every interaction I'd had with Jordan. While there were a few actions or turns of phrase that could imply divinity nothing really stuck out as anything other than translation anomalies.

"VR probability simulations are completed and none of them point to Jordan being a god. I've even run a deep scan on his complete history and just to be sure checked his DNA as well. He is, or was until his adjustments, completely human." Mahan communicated through my translator nanites so as not to alert Rin. He was the only one I'd confided in about my experience.

"There is something there I remember . . ." I paused in my typing.

"You've gone over your interaction and at no time has-"

"Run a deep scan on me, for all instances I've encountered individuals named Jordan. Narrow the search with the word god." I rapidly typed.

"First close interaction found, you had a cousin named Jordan. Second incidence your mother worked with a Jordan. Third . . ." Mahan seemed to trail off."

"Mahan? Did you find something?" I typed.

"Give me a moment I'm running another deep scan."

I gave him a moment, and then a minute. Five minutes later he stated speaking again.

"Jordan Delacroix, a French furry. You started interacting with him in the 2020's. You read and enjoined his stories some of which cast him as a mortal with a divine spirit. You spoke with him quite extensively until I abducted you. I am ashamed to say that I convinced you to remove him from your memory after so many of your friends rejected you."

"You what!" I yelled.

"Dad, are you alright?" Rin asked.

"Sorry, I'm fine just a little irritated that Mahan blocked my access to something."

"I'm sure it's for you own good."

I sighed, "Maybe, it still surprised me though."

"Alright, so long as you're not doing anything wrong."

"Like Mahan would allow that." I laughed, hoping she wouldn’t pick up the note of sarcasm in it.

"There's more, and even I am having a hard time believing what I've uncovered." An image of Jordan appeared on my screen. "Look familiar?"

"Of course it's Jordan." I typed.

"Yes, but if you look closer you'll notice very minor differences between the two Jordans." Another picture came up giving a side by side comparison.

"My God." I whispered low enough that Rin didn't notice.

"No, both were mortal, but the similarity is uncanny. After the deep scan I can tell you the two are distantly related but their DNA was nearly identical before you altered it."

"Are you telling me Jordan is a god?" I typed.

"No, he is or was human until you changed him. However I cannot rule out the possibility of our Jordan being the reincarnation of that Jordan. There is one thing I really can't explain. The past Jordan gave you a fictitious last name, Delacroix. I have that Jordan's memory crystal in my memory vault. I'd like permission to run a series of VR simulations along with our Jordan's crystal to see how the two react in the same situations."

I considered the ramifications of such an action. "This is classified to just the two of us. No records of this project will be shared. I also want you to run a series of simulations as if the Jordan's are a God. Not that I think he is, but if my mind is using him as a defense mechanism against that dream I want to be sure it won't adversely affect me or more importantly the way I treat our Jordan. While you’re at it also run simulations where one is a god and one is mortal. Even if there isn’t any conclusive information is should make interesting viewing."

"Of course." Mahan replied as I put the computer away.

"That was a lot of typing. You weren't working, were you?" I don't want Shock and Kyle upset because I let you get away with something you shouldn’t have been doing." Rin said, looking at me with concern.

"Don't worry, Rin. He was just communicating with me using text so as not to interrupt your show." Mahan assured her.

***

I pushed the button outside the door to Jordan's lab a second time. Kyle leaned against the wall across the corridor looking bored and Shock stood in the middle of the hallway.

"It looks like he's busy, you'll just have to try again later." Shock grinned and started to turn back toward the lift.

"Mahan, inform Jordan if he doesn't unlock the lab and see me I'm ripping this freaking door off."

Kyle laughed. "I doubt that's possible."

I turned on him. I'd been on down time for a full month. I was patient, but I had my limits. "What makes you say that?" I snapped.

"You design things with multiple redundancies in case of emergencies. The lab, if it became contaminated, would have to be secure. You'd make it so that you couldn't break in, no matter how much you wanted to, because it would endanger the rest of the ship."

I started to try and respond several times, but I couldn't find the words to say anything because he was right.

"Why are you interrupting my work?" Jordan asked as the door slid open.

"What are you working on?" Shock asked.

"That's classified, for now."

"Mahan-"

"Don't bother Prowl-Ar. Jordan has requested the project remain private for now. Are you going to break the rules?"

"No, that's not what I'm here for. Doctor I need a complete exam so I can get back to work or at least gaming, and so I don't constantly have to have a shadow watching me." Once I finished I just stood there for several seconds in silence. I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I realized what was going on. "Mahan, who won?"

"Shock gave you two days maximum, Frost bet three days, and Jordan believed you'd last a week. Rin believed you'd hold out for two weeks and Kyle won with a month."

"What can I say? I know my Tiger, since technically I've spent the most time with him."

"And what had you bet, Mahan?"

"Two hours. That's two hours after you learned you were under constant supervision."

"Wait, as I understand it, you are mostly a copy of the Captain's mind. So how is it your prediction is so far off?" Jordan asked.

"It just shows how much he has come to love and respect all of you and how much all of you have changed him. I've been prepared to go dormant from the beginning expecting a major outburst. I'm actually surprised how calm he's remaining."

"Getting overly angry isn't going to get me back to work, and by now the station likely has the teachers chosen for the next grade level."

"You didn't tell him?" Jordan asked looking first at Kyle then at Shock.

"Tell me what?" Now I let a bit of anger slip into the link between us knowing Jordan was likely picking up on it as well.

"Kyle took care of the interviews for the teachers for the sophomore class." Shock explained.

"Shock did the interviews for the junior class teachers and Jordan took care of the senior class teachers." Kyle continued.

"All that's left is choosing a headmaster. The Station crew are having difficulty coming to any form of agreement on a candidate, but I’m sure they’ll get there eventually." Jordan finished.

"I might have someone to fill the role, but I'll need to talk to him about it. Something I can't do until Jordan clears me for duty." I grinned knowingly.

"You knew? How?" Shock asked.

"You and Kyle told me. You've both been having nightmares about how I'd react when I found out."

"That's fair but we're not the only ones having nightmares what about yours?"

"Mine?" I immediately wondered what they might have seen or learned.

"Yes yours, you keep dreaming that one of us, and I'm including the kids and Jordan is going to decide that you're not worth being around and leave you." Shock explained.

I sniffled, I didn't even realize I'd been having dreams like that. Sure it was always there at the back of my mind, but I didn't realize I'd been inflicting it on my mates.

"It's okay. We know you have no control over that fear when you're asleep. We love you and we always will even if we, at least I, get mad at you sometimes, no matter what." Kyle insisted.

"I may not love you in the same way, but I do love you as a friend and the only way I'm leaving is if you force me to. And even then I'll keep reminding you of all the reasons you should keep me here because this is definitely where I belong." Jordan stated.

All three of them moved forward and wrapped me in a group hug.

"Does this mean my suspension is over?" I asked.

All three groaned, but hugged me that much tighter.

***