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Virtually Real Chapter 42: My Wolf

Prowl-Ar Nightiger: Captain of the Shadow Runner

Kyle Dacat-Nightiger: Prowl-Ar’s mate and recreation of Red XIII

Shock DaFox-Nightiger: Prowl-Ar’s mate and Communications Expert

Frost: Prowl-Ar and Kyle’s son

Rin: The Nightiger’s adopted daughter

Tye Dacat: Computer AI created from one of Prowl-Ar’s stories

Trace Dacat: Tye’s twin Brother.

Nature Wolf Darkmane: Trace and Tye’s lover

Jordan Delacroix (Wolf): Shadow Runner’s chief medical officer

Brook: Wolf’s assistant.

Luca: Drone specialist

Mahan: AI of the Shadow Runner.

Kazu: Dojinshi creator living in the Furry Nation’s Japanese Embassy

Vexy Varek (Vex): Dragon player character in the MAS game.

Dirk (DRK short for Don’t Really Know): Big Hub Doctor in MAS Game

Buck Briarspike: Special Agent in MAS game Dirk’s Mate.

Hunter: Big Hub Station Chief of Security

Dawna Destruction: Undisputed ruler of Big Hub Station. Trace and Tye’s step-mother.

Captain Cooper: Captain of the Gryphon in the MAS game

Haro: Computer AI of Furry Colony 1

R2: Computer AI of Furry Colony 2

We walked out into the repair bay. Tye had convinced Dawna to release us into "his custody". Shock joined us at one of the train stations. It amazed me how quickly he could make friends. After ten minutes he paused the game and asked if I'd allow Tye and Nature to remain in the game for a while. Tye confessed that he was an AI and was hoping to stick around much longer. Shock immediately launched into questions about the events he'd read in my stories and I fell asleep. When Kyle woke me for our stop, several hours later, it was just the three of us.

Several minutes later I sighed as I looked out over the monstrosity Rin had created. It looked like she had rammed a heavy cargo transport up the ass of a medium scout ship. She'd even re-mounted larger engines on wing spars coming out of the ship's back to simulate a gryphon’s wings.

"What do you think?" Rin asked, as she ran up. "I tried to be true to the ship's name. I know she isn't very pretty but once they finish painting her you'll never know she wasn't designed that way."

"How many suit bays and drop pods?" I asked.

"Ten, and a work bay with enough room to work on up to three suits at once. I also improved the crew accommodations. Captain Cooper was a constant ass until I showed him that his own quarters would double in size. After that he approved every change without even looking at them."

"Sorry I'm late. Tuft was trying to convince me I'd have more fun if I signed on as a crewmember of the Bad Luck." Vex said, as he joined us.

"You weren't tempted?" Kyle asked.

"No, I never thought I'd say this, but that bunny scares me."

"Who are you?" Shock asked.

"This is Vex, we sort of picked him up on our diplomatic mission. He'll be a part of our group for now."

"Is that our ship? It's so, so-" Vex seemed to be conflicted as to what to say.

"Our daughter Rin built it. It's really something to behold wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed." He replied.

I could tell Vex was being sarcastic and Rin seemed to realize it as well.

"You don't have to lie to me. I know it's ugly right now, but once they get it painted it'll look good." Rin said.

"It doesn't matter what it looks like as long as it is space worthy and functions properly then it is perfect. I have no doubt what so ever about your skills so I know it'll be a good ship." I reassured her.

Rin frowned, "What is that thing?" She asked, pointing at the all-terrain transport and trailer being lifted into the ship. The thing looked like a vastly oversized semi-tractor with a corresponding vault like trailer. The whole thing was covered in chrome and currency symbols from a thousand worlds.

"That is your new support vehicle." Trace said, as he joined us. "Tye and Nature are making sure it is parked correctly. When we get a chance we'll strip it down and rebuild it to better suit our needs. For now we need to . . . be away from Big Hub for a while."

"Listen, I don't need a support crew. I'm fully capable of making all the repairs the suits could possibly need." Rin insisted, glaring at Trace.

"We're not taking your place. Tye is an expert with computers he'll be working the hyperspace link, network jamming, and all that fiddly stuff. And Nature is an expert in all types of ground vehicles. Besides, wouldn't you want us transporting your tools rather than having them taking up space on your suit and slowing you down?" Trace asked.

"So, who are you?" Rin asked

"Oh! Sorry, I'm Trace, Lord Prowler Lightstripe's son. Though I hope you don't get upset if I slip up and call Captain Nightiger Dad once in a while. I know he's only an ancient ancestor, but he reminds me of Prowler, only better."

Rin glanced at me in confusion, and I signed "Go with it."

"Right, Frosty was telling me about you. It doesn't bother me, after all it's not like I'm really his daughter, since I'm only adopted."

"Rin-" I started but Trace was already pulling her into a hug.

"Please don't say things like that. On my Mom's world being adopted by the Clan is a sacred thing and on Prowler's home world adoption kept the families from going to war." Trace paused for a moment. "In reality all three of us are adopted as well."

"All three of you? Rin asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I was adopted into my Mom's Clan after First Shift, even though I wasn't a leopard shifter and then Rusty adopted Tye and I when we thought Prowler had been killed. Prowler adopted Tye even though he was just a character generated in a virtual reality game, and Nature was adopted by Master Darkmane only hours after he was born."

"Pause game." Rin ordered. "Dad, didn't you learn from Tuft, you can't have characters-"

"Actually Rin, I'm the one that created the glitch that made Tuft possible. He was a test to see if I could make the jump from AI to biological as well. I'm also the one responsible for the programming error that added you to the Fallow server." Tye said, surprising Rin as he seemed to appear.

"Wait, why did you get Rin involved?" I asked.

"Because she asked for help. Just a moment." Tye disappeared for a few moments and then reappeared. The program changed and we were standing on a roof top. Another Rin was slowly walking toward the edge.

"Prowl-Ar, if you can hear me, please send me a sign. I can't live like this. My parents don't want me and my classmates act like I don't exist. I'm going to . . ." Rin dropped to her knees a few feet before she reached the edge. We could hear my announcement that I was opening the MAS game to the public.

Once I'd finished the announcement continued. "One randomly selected player will be guaranteed to start their game on Fallow where they'll get the chance to work directly with the Tiger team. Register now for your chance."

"You mean the contest was rigged." Rin growled.

"No, because there was no contest. You're the only one that heard that message." Tye responded.

"I was in the first group of 500 that responded and I certainly didn't hear the contest part of the message." Vex added.

"Wait, were you involved in in my being added to Prowl-Ar's game?" He asked.

"Yes, at least the first time you started playing, but I'm not going to go into the reasons. For the record I had nothing to do with Kyle, Shock, Jordan, or Luca. Eventually I plan on bringing Trace and Nature out of the game into reality. Until then they'll just be advanced NPCs. Now let's get back to the game."

"Admiral, the Gryphon is loaded and we are ready to depart." Captain Cooper announced over the intercom.

Rin pulled away from Trace, ran over to the com box, and hit a button. "Wait! What about the paint?"

"It's been stowed. Crews can apply it while you're doing your recon thing."

I walked over to Rin and pushed the button. We'll be boarding shortly. There are a few things that still need to be cleared up with Shadow Tech."

"Understood. I want to depart within the hour."

I looked over those assembled. Shock, Kyle, Rin, Trace, and Vex with Tye and Nature already onboard. That left Frost and Jordan. "Does anyone know where Frost is?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Dad, he's already on board. I've got him running system checks on all our suits. I haven't seen Wolf since I started modifying the ship though." Rin replied.

"He's probably still at the free clinic. Everyone gat aboard. I don't want Captain Cooper leaving one of you behind."

"What about you?" Vex asked.

"If he’s anything like Prowler, if Cooper takes off without him he’ll catch up, even if it means having to buy a new ship. Captain, I'm going with you. My ID card will open any door and everyone on the station knows not to mess with me." Trace said.

"Fine, let’s go, before the Captain decides to leave early. I’m not sure I could afford the prices of ships around here.

***

I stepped off the train. The station was actually rather clean and well maintained compared to the version from my story. We slowly headed for the bank of lifts. It wasn't as crowded as I'd expected, though.

"You two, state your business roaming the streets this late into the rest rotation." A station guard yelled, while marching up to us.

"I have business with Mr. Briarspike."

"Then come back during the day rotation. This is a respectable section." The guard said, reaching for his gun.

"Get lost or get reprimanded. We're not in the mood to deal with a private guard with a jumped up sense of duty." Trace growled.

"I'm taking you both into custody."

"I'm giving you one chance to walk away. If you don’t take it I'll let Dawna deal with you. She can be real nasty if I wake her up for something this trivial." Trace insisted.

"Trace, that's Lady Destruction, and don't bother her I’m more than capable of dealing with this." I shifted and the guard stepped back.

"Lord Prowler! My apologies! I didn't realize it was you."

"That's because he was never here. Got it!" Trace said, harshly.

"Master Trace! Yes sir, nothing out of the ordinary occurred on my watch, Sir."

We continued past the guard and into a lift. I set it for the top floor and shifted back to human.

"That wasn't a very smart move. A lot of people are not happy about Dawna being in direct command of the station. You could have gotten us killed and there isn't a sentinel system on this side of the gateway."

"Wrong, I have my own system. I hope you don't mind, considering you and Tye created it. Unfortunately, you're not part of it my system, yet."

"Is there anything you haven't copied? I'm surprised my future hasn't already been destroyed."

The lift doors opened on the small street leading up to the park. Most of the shops were closed, but I pulled Trace over to one set up to serve late night visitors.

The Dreana Skree waitress that came out looked really over worked. Her blue skin was turning a sad shade of green, her naturally pixy like body had wasted away to the point she looked extremely malnourished, and her dragonfly like wings hung limply down her back. "What can I get you?" She tried to sound enthusiastic, she really did.

"Your manager for a start." I said, as gently as I could.

"Don't get involved." Trace hissed.

"Sir, please, I haven't-"

"What is going on out here?" A well-built man demanded. "Karra, get their order and be quick about it or I'll dock your pay again."

"Karra, was it? When was the last time you had a sun treatment?"

"A sun treatment?" She asked.

"Listen I don't know who you are, but I'm Jonas Dacat and I have power-".

I had the man against the wall with my gun against his temple. "Don't shift or your brains will be splattered across the bulk head." I whispered. "You are a jumped up Dawncaller and if you ever use the Dacat name again I'll make it my clan's mission to hunt you down and punish you, severely."

"You can't threaten me."

"I'm not, I'm going to leave your information with Lady Destruction and let Lord Lightstripe deal with you."

"Hah, a nobody like-"

"I wouldn't finish that if I were you." A voice behind us said. I glanced back at the young man. It took me a moment to realize he was Buck, Prowler's special agent on Big Hub.

"Well if it isn't everybody's favorite chew toy come to get a little-"

He didn't finish as I'd pulled the trigger. I'm not sure who was the most shocked. I sighed. And let what was left of the body slump to the floor. "Agent Briarspike, Buck, is Hunter still in charge of the Station police force?"

"Uh, yeah. Are you going to turn yourself in?" buck asked in surprise.

"Just place a call for him. Make sure he knows this is 'clan' business. And if you have a virtual reality chamber available Karra here needs a sun treatment."

"Sun treatment?" Buck asked.

"Dreana Skree require at least thirty hours of direct sunlight a week to remain healthy. It's why they are rarely seen anywhere other than Vesuvia."

"You mean I'm sick? I thought it was just stress and being overworked. Now I don’t have a job and the only other places that were willing to hire me were-" She started shaking and gasping, her species form of grief, as they didn't cry, since it was a waste of precious water.

"What are you talking about? You own this nice little cafe." I pointed out.

"You can't just-" Buck started.

"Actually he can. And if he couldn't then I can." Trace said, as he walked into the cafe.

"What's he doing?" Buck asked.

"Probably making the necessary changes to the cafe's ownership papers."

"Who is he? And who are you?" Karra asked in confusion.

"Who I am doesn't really matter. Who he is? Well, he's Trace Dacat, the son of Prowler, The Homeless One."

"I really wish you'd told me that before I forwarded the security video to Hunter. He'll be here in a few minutes and getting Trace involved isn't going to sit well with Lady Destruction." Buck said.

"Go ahead and get Kara into a VR chamber. With the video evidence I'm certain Hunter won't need her testimony."

"Hunter is still likely going to want to talk to her."

"Trust me, he won't. Even if he does we'll deal with that if it comes up. While you're getting her in can you have Dr. Delacroix meet us out here? As soon as this is dealt with we need to get to our ship before it leaves."

"Of course Lord-"

"Don't, just don't." I cringed.

Buck nodded and escorted Karra away. I went ahead and sat back down. Only to jump up and run into the cafe, past Trace and into the restroom where I proceeded to vomit repeatedly. Once I thought I'd regained control I went to the sink and started to rinse the remains from my uniform, the nanites making it easier but that was followed by a round of dry heaving. Once I was sure I wasn't going to start again I stepped out.

Trace quickly passed me a glass of cool water. "Sip it, or you'll be back in there. So, first kill?"

"No, well the first time I've killed someone unable to fight back. What he said. I didn't think I just reacted."

"So you know about Buck's past then?"

"Yeah, The only way he could have known about Buck is if he was one of the individuals who- who-."

"Who assaulted, raped, and marked Buck as their property." Trace said sadly. It's why I was sent here with Dawna. Prowler is, or is about to put the Dacat regime in its place so it's best if I'm not there."

"Trace, I-".

"There you are. You're under arrest for murder." I looked up at the wolf in a station security uniform. He was pointing his blaster at me.

"Buck told you this is clan business. I asked him to call you so that Dawncaller's death is properly reported."

"According to the records the victim is a member of the Dacat Clan. According to clan law he is protected from the other clans."

"You will not refer to anyone by that name. There are only two Dacats. Myself and my brother Tye." Trace yelled.

"Master Trace! I didn't realize you were involved. Even still, you don't have the authority to-".

"No, I don't, but he does. He's Prowl-Ar Nightiger, or the one true Lord Lightstripe of this time."

"Hunter! You got here quicker than I expected." Buck said, as he entered with both Dirk and Jordan.

"Captain, are you alright? Buck mentioned something about a fight.” Jordan said, as he pushed Hunter to one side so that he could examine me.

"More like an execution." Hunter growled.

"The Captain wouldn't kill anyone without a good reason." He growled.

"He did and was proud enough to send me the video." Hunter growled even louder.

Jordan balled up his fists and stepped closer to Hunter, looking down on the wolf.

"If you think you can intimidate me, think again. You're just an oversized human."

Jordan shifted and Hunter tucked his tail and cowered before Wolf's Dire Wolf anthro form. 'W-what are you?" Hunter whimpered.

I shifted and placed my hand on wolf's shoulder. "Stand down, you've proven your point. Hunter may be an arrogant little pup but he is loyal to his clan and Lord Lightstripe. Besides, he's right about what I did. There's no denying I killed that tiger."

"What did the dumb ass do this time?" Dirk asked as he finally made his way into the cafe.

"He- he was in the process of calling Buck a chew toy. The only way he could have known that, with buck in his human form, was if he was one of the ones . . ." I was having a hard time speaking for some reason.

"Hunter, write it up as a small disturbance. I'll deal with this." Dirk said.

"Listen, Dirk, I'm the one in charge of station security-".

"Yes, but this is a breach of Shendrian Protocol and Lord Lightstripe left Buck and myself in charge of those problems. That shifter didn't obey a Lightstripe, and he nearly revealed all of us to a non-Shendrian. He was executed as was required."

By this point I was sitting on the grand staircase leading up to the park. Dirk continued talking but I tuned him out. "I hadn't planned on killing . . . I was going to let Dawna . . ." I muttered.

"Captain!" Wolf pulled me into a hug. "I'm sure you did what was right.

I felt Trace hug me as well.

"Dirk! He's going into shock!" Wolf yelled.

I felt a needle being pressed against my neck and then nothing.

***

"Captain, can you hear me?"

I cracked my eyes open and immediately closed them. Everything was too bright. I could feel Shock and Kyle. They were scared and tired, very tired. "Mahan, reduce the lights."

"Reducing the lights by three quarters."

I opened my eyes again. I was surrounded. Shock and Kyle were on each side of me. They looked absolutely wretched. Next were Frost and Rin. I could tell both had been crying. Then Trace and Tye, it seemed they weren't in any better condition. At the end of the bed was Nature, Luca, and a human I assumed to be Vex. Jordan and Brook were off to one side looking over some monitors.

"You gave us all a scare Prowl."

I turned my head and noticed Tuft and Tank were also here."

"Pause game." I said weakly.

"Tiger, we're not in the game." Kyle said quietly.

"We have to be. How else can everyone be here?"

"Dad, you've . . . It’s been four months. Trace, Tye, and Nature are currently using drone bodies . . . As are Buck and Dirk."

"What!" I tried to sit up but both Kyle and Shock held me down.

"They're sleeping right now. I hate to admit it but keeping you alive has kept all of us busy. I'm still not sure why all your systems suddenly shut down like that. I needed Dirk's help since he was programmed to specialize in shifter physiology." Jordan said, as he approached.

"And Vex?" I asked.

He sighed, "I . . ."

"I had Tank retrieve him. You needed all the friends you could get." Mahan replied. "Besides you would have brought him on board eventually."

I shook my head. "If I had died you could easily have brought me back using the sentinel program. So why did you go to all this trouble for a murderer."

"We don't want a copy of you, not if there is the slimmest of chances you'll survive." Shock growled. "Besides you're not a murderer, that's just a game."

"All right, everyone but Tank and Tuft, go get some rest. As you can see he’s alive and I’ll make sure he recovers."

"Why us?" Tuft asked.

"Because they're not going to let him be alone." Jordan gestured to the group, and you two have rested the most. Besides the Captain, now that he's come out of the coma needs some real rest."

I tried to protest but Jordan had obviously already injected me with a sedative.

***

I opened my eyes and fortunately the lights had already been turned down.

"You're awake? That sedative should have lasted another three hours, at least." Dirk said.

I looked at the young man sitting at Jordan's desk. "You shouldn't be here."

Dirk laughed, "I tried, just remember I told you not to bet with a fox." He looked across the room at the silver rabbit sitting next to me.

"Hey, I'm half fox, so don't be speciest." Buck replied.

"Doesn't matter. You shouldn't be betting with Shock to begin with. He's been warned about gambling. So, why are you two here?" I asked.

Dirk walked over and sat in the chair on the right side of my bed. “Honestly, I think your husbands panicked. I gave you a shot of . . ." Dirk glanced at Buck.

"You might as well tell him. If everyone is to be believed he created the drug, and us as well." Buck replied.

"I still can't say it. You taught me how taboo it is to mention that drug." Dirk replied.

I sighed, "I know what you're talking about, but it wouldn't have had any effect. Well, it might have shifted me to observer mode but that's it. There isn’t any real world equivalent so it wouldn’t have any other affects."

"That's what I told them, after they increased my AI level." Dirk said, shaking his head.

"Mahan, why didn't you tell them?" I asked.

"Um, who are you talking to?" Buck asked.

I sighed, obviously Kyle or Shock had shut Mahan down. "Command override TAO, Trace Alpha One. Priority Clearance. Back Door Protocol initiate. Restore Mahan to full function." I expected Mahan to start shouting, but there was still silence. I regretted what I was about to say but it had to be done, obviously it wasn’t Kyle or Shock. "Tye override, wraith command, zero one."

"It's about time! Now that he's in a drone body I'm purging that little shit's program from the system. Shut me down will he! And to answer your question I did tell them that Dirk wasn't responsible and he wouldn't be able to help. I even tried to stop them and that’s when Tye shut me down."

I shook my head. "Of course once you were uplifted you insisted Buck be uplifted as well?" I asked Dirk.

"I didn't get a chance. Kyle had already uplifted Buck insisting it was what you would have done."

"He's right, I would have. So now that you are out what are your plans?"

Buck laughed, "Just like our Prowler. So, you really created us as game characters?"

"No, story characters. Your story started just as Buck woke up from a coma and ended when Dirk set up his clinic."

Dirk nodded. "I have a question. Why did you name me . . . the way you did?"

I looked away only to find Buck glaring at me. "Don't Really Know, DRK, or Dirk; having no real past gave you a unique perspective on the events. It also put you on the same level as Buck."

"Do- do I even have a past?"

"Of course you have a past. You were raised and trained by a member of the Kah Har's favored race under the protection of Coyote himself. Beyond that you were born in the deep past. Your mother was . . . It doesn't matter what does matter is that your father had a unique ability to produce shifter offspring, though he wasn't a shifter himself. The Human Purity League placed you in a suspended animation tube which was activated centuries later. If you'd remained in the game you'd have, eventually gotten to know a couple of your half-brothers after they too were freed from hyper sleep. Actually depending on when the program brought the station back you might have already met them. Kona and Inari."

"I remember them a red panda and raccoon dog. They were desperate to get into contact with Arlen." Buck said.

Dirk smiled, "At least you weren't going to leave me with nothing. Though I suppose it's the same thing now."

"Come on my Little Ghost, we're together and now we know for certain no one is directing our actions." Buck pointed out.

"So, now that your lives are your own, what do you have planned?"

"We were thinking of signing on as crew for the Bad Luck. You don't need another doctor getting in Jordan's way." Dirk said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"And I'm a good pilot." Buck added.

"I'm sorry." Dirk said.

"For what, finding a place for yourselves? Listen, in this group we're all family. If you don't feel comfortable here then I want you to be some place you can be comfortable. Tank and Tuft have a similar background so all four of you will have a few things in common."

"That wasn't what I was apologizing for." Dirk insisted.

"Then what?" Suddenly I couldn't keep my eyes open.

"Doctor's orders. If you woke up before getting a full eight hours sleep you were to be sedated again."

Dirk must have injected a sedatives onto my I.V. when I wasn't looking. "I'm going to have words with Wolf." I thought as I drifted away

***

I controlled my breathing and heart rate. If I wanted to stay awake I needed to be sure I wasn't being watched.

"So, I wonder if he can control himself enough to fool the monitors, like Prowler can." Trace or Tye asked.

"Why don't you ask him? He's been awake for the last three minutes." Jordan replied.

"You knew?" One of the twins asked.

"Of course, when Mahan gave me my medical training download he made sure I knew all of the crew's tricks. Besides the Captain needs to be awake for a short time."

I stopped trying to control myself and opened my eyes.

"So, do we call you Captain, Prowl-Ar, Old Man, or Dad?" Trace asked.

I looked at him thoughtfully and then grinned. "What does it matter? You're going to call me what you want, no matter what I say."

"Trace, he knows everything about us, so he likely knows what you're thinking right now."

"That's not true, Tye. The moment his program was uplifted to the point he had free will his thoughts became his own. I can guess, but it would only be a little better than guessing what anyone thinks."

"So Dad, why did you create us?" Trace asked.

"You're not going to like my answer."

"Probably not, but I still want to know." Trace insisted.

"In your case it was partially to show that there were consequences to Prowler's actions."

"Partially?"

I sighed. "When I'm writing it's like the characters choose their own path. Honestly I had no intention of meeting you in that dungeon, prison, or whatever you want to call it. I was going to have the meeting take place at the end of the arena fight. You however seemed to want to do things differently."

"So why do I have earlier memories?" Surely you didn't create my resentment over the fact you left my mom to be with Dawna, and then my anger when you didn't return after Mom was killed?"

"Trace," I pulled on his arm until he moved closer and then I hugged him. "I'm sorry. Your story made for more drama. I've made the characters in my stories do a lot of things just for the story. If I'd ever thought any of them would be made real . . ." I considered what I wanted to say. "I don't know if I would have changed anything. I honestly like the young men you've become."

Both Trace and Tye stared at me in shocked silence so I continued. "As to your memories some of them are from notes I kept about you, Some VR computer created to give your characters motivation and the rest Mahan likely created. You are truly unique individuals and not some characters I created in a story."

They both hugged me.

"That's enough, you're not the only ones wanting to see our Captain, while he's still awake." Jordan said.

"But Uncle Wolf, There is so much more to ask him." Tye complained.

"You already know all my codes or at least the important ones. Just don't get yourselves killed flying around the system in the racers."

"Don't worry, the first thing we did after getting biological bodies was add our memcrystals to sentinel." Trace said.

"Fine, try not to damage my racers then."

"See Tye, I told you he cared more for his racer than us." Trace pointed out trying to look sad.

"Jordan, shoot me now, please."

"As I said, there are others wanting to see you before you are sedated again."

"Not with a tranq, with a gun, a blaster, or a nuclear missile; I don't care just put me down and make sure Mahan doesn’t bring me back until those two have found someone else to torment."

“Come on you two, I think Luca was looking to stir up some trouble, after he gets his turn to talk to the Captain, of course.” Trace and Tye laughed as they were escorted out.

I could see the nasty looks Jordan kept giving me. He soon returned with Luca which really surprised me. Especially when Luca immediately hugged me. "What is this about?"

"I just want you to know how much I appreciate being made a part of your crew."

"What brought this on?" I asked in confusion.

"When I saw how everyone was reacting to your coma. At first I didn't understand why they were so upset. As I understand it if you died they could just bring you back. Obviously there was some data I was missing so I studied you."

"And what did you find?" I asked with some interest.

"Probably more than I should have. I guess the most important thing is that you don't let just anyone onboard your ship. Of course that makes sense, but more than that you seem to really care how your crew feels. Not just about you but about each other as well. I thought Rin was kidding when she made me join in that group hug, but she really did mean it. You really do think of us as family, at least as far as emotionally. I mean, after what I saw in the VR replay where you, Fox, Drake, and Wolf got it on. I really wish I'd been here for some of that action."

Luca blushed and quickly covered his mouth. Obviously he hadn't planned on saying that last part. I decided to mess with him to see just how much I could embarrass him. "Are you saying you want to ride the tiger?"

"Definitely. Just lift your tail and I'll make sure you're well used."

"Alright Luca, enough of that. The last thing the Captain needs is to be thinking about an overly horny Sergal." Jordan said, practically dragging Luca out of the room.

"I'm not a Sergal yet, but once Prowl-Ar changes me I'm sure he won’t be able to resist."

"I'm not going to let you take advantage of the Captain, now get back to your lab. Or go play with those oversexed kittens and their little wolf."

As Jordan turned around I could see that what he was aroused, but then, I was tenting the sheet myself and it wasn't just what Luca had said.

"Listen, Jordan-"

"You may be able to keep everybody else out, but as acting Captain you can't lock me out." Kyle said, as he and Shock entered.

"The Captain has had enough excitement for one day. You two and Vex can meet with him tomorrow. If you insist on staying then no talking about anything that's going to make him want to leave that bed."

Kyle smirked and Shock laughed. They were up to something I could feel that much. Kyle grabbed Jordan and placed him on the edge of the bed.

"What are you up to?” Jordan asked.

"Shock and I have been watching you. You are way more devoted to our mate than just as the chief medical officer."

"Even without a soul bond we can tell you love him. Kyle and I decided to have Prowl-Ar give you nearly equal status with the two of us." Shock said grinning.

"I don't understand, you’re making me a co-commander of the ship?"

"No silly Wolf. It means you'll be able to have sex with us and Prowl-Ar without having to worry about it being wrong. You want to have intercourse with our mate, but you're worried what the consequences will be. We're telling you there'll be no consequences. Effectively you'll be our fourth mate in everything but title. Leaving you free to find a true mate of your own, if you ever decide that's what you want." Shock said smiling at Jordan.

"I- I-"

I reached out and took Jordan's hand. "It's alright. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it; for you."

"I- I want you to fuck me, tie me, and fill me with your seed. I want you to keep mating me until I'm carrying your cubs!"

Kyle and Shock looked surprised but covered it up quickly enough.

I pulled Jordan closer and ran my hand up under his shirt and across his abs. "Clothing command override, nude." The nanites immediately retracted leaving Jordan with only the cuffs on his wrists and ankles. "I can make that happen, if it’s what you truly want." Jordan groaned, shooting a jet of pre up across his belly and my hand.

"Tiger, two last things before we go and make sure the door stays shut. You're not finished until you've knotted and marked him as yours. The other is I'm giving you permission to kiss him." I gasped at what he said, as he gently lifted Jordan's chin. "You, you're not coming between us. You're joining us little wolf. Remember this, we may let others have sex with our mate, but you're the only one we're willing, for now, to accept as our equal."

Jordan stared as Kyle turned and left the room.

I pulled Jordan against me. "Normally I'd prefer it if you topped me, but what I want will always be secondary to your needs. Only Kyle, Shock, and you get to know this. No matter how dominant I am out there where everyone can see me, when I'm alone with my mates I belong to them, and now to you."

Jordan turned over and started grinding his erection against my own. "So if I told you, you weren't allowed to cum you wouldn't?"

"Yes, for as long as I could. Now, however, that isn't an option. Kyle left instructions I'm not going to disobey." I gasped at the feeling of being penetrated. It seemed Kyle and Shock were setting the speed of this encounter through the link. I did my best to block the feelings. This was for Jordan, not for their, or even my pleasure. I cupped his cheek, I wasn't fond of the beard, but it didn't matter. I sighed and kissed him. I loved him. I loved him as much as I loved Kyle and Shock. I wasn't even sure when or how it had happened.

Jordan pulled me closer, something I didn't think possible, and I could feel his feelings as though we were soul bound. He broke the kiss first.

"I love you too."

I gasped in surprise, "How?"

"Sensitive, remember? I've loved you since we first met. It's really why I wasn't around in the game. But I couldn't stay away. Then . . . You saved my life and I thought maybe you had feelings for me. It wasn't until the night of the party that I knew for sure."

"We were high on those berries."

"No, before we started drinking. You insisted you couldn't dance, but you went out of your way to dance with me anyway. It was then I got a good read on your feelings and you felt the same way about me as you do about Kyle and Shock."

I groaned. Kyle was practically punching Shock's prostate.

I heard a scattering of instruments as Jordan fumbled for something on the medical tray. "They're really trying to force you to hurry up."

"Y-you can feel them?"

Jordan smiled and I practically melted. “Not directly, I feel them through you. It's dulled slightly and it feels strange, like I'm topping and bottoming myself at the same time. I- I don't like it, not like this. It's, to insubstantial."

I felt him press something into my hand. I looked at the bottle of lube.

"For your catheter, but I think we can find a better use for it."

I jetted a bit of pre across his abs. I didn't think I'd ever consider sounding, but with Jordan being a trained professional, I- I'd do it with him if it was something he wanted to do with me. I felt his hand on my cheek.

"I can't read your thoughts but whatever you're thinking is naughty and exciting."

"I coated myself with a small amount of the lube, "Have you bottomed before?"

"I- yes during my First Shift but I didn't take his knot. I'm kind of scared at the thought."

I groaned at my own stupidity. He'd also bottomed when we got drunk. "Don't be afraid, you can take it easily." I rolled Jordan onto his back and lifted his hips. He automatically wrapped his legs around me. "Just remember," I lined myself up and pushed in going as far as I could, "we're not completely human anymore so I made sure this would always be pleasurable." I shifted growing larger inside of him.

"Oh God!" He ran his fingers through my fur exploring my pecs and abs. "You're even sexier covered in fur.”

I gently ran my claws over his delicate skin just noticing a small tribal tattoo of a stylized tiger on his pectoral. "Did you get this recently?"

"Uh yeah." Jordan shifted and the fur covering the tattoo turned white and started to glow."

I started thrusting instinctively. "You had Kyle help you use the evolver." I grinned wondering what other changes Wolf might have made.

"Yes! God don't stop I need this so bad!"

I couldn't stop if I wanted to. "You tried to use it to bring me out of my coma, didn't you?" I growled, pulling out slightly and flipping Wolf onto his belly before pounding into him faster and harder.

"Yes, yes, God YES!" Wolf howled and started to spasm.

I bit into his shoulder and shoved my knot in hard tying my bitch. We lay there panting until my knot reduced enough to pull out. I immediately thrust in again starting the process over.

***

"Tiger?" Wolf asked.

I blinked. I was still knotted to him, and sensitive to the point of pain. "Mmm?" I responded.

"Did we just do that?"

"You’ve got me all tied up. Unless you slipped out while I was-" I yelped, a most un-tiger like sound, as he clamped down on me.

"So we did just fornicate for nearly three and a half hours. I'm sorry, by the way. I didn’t intend to cause us that much pain."

"Wolf, I need to check something."

"Don't even think of moving." Wolf growled.

"I'm not. What I need to check is deep in my own mind. Normally I wouldn't do this without Shock or Kyle to watch over my defenseless body. However I know I can trust you, the same as I trust them."

"Please don't. I love you, likely more than I really should, but I don't want to share my soul with Shock and Kyle."

I gently kissed Wolf's ear making it twitch. "That's not my plan. I just need to be sure I didn't link with you by mistake."

"Can a link be undone?"

I felt a pain in my chest, as though my heart had been ripped out.

"Not that I'm abandoning you. I want to be here with you, by your side, just not a part of you. If that makes sense."

"Y-yeah, I understand."

"No you don't. I'm telling you I'm going to be here supporting you, no matter what, for as long as I can. Considering we're pretty much immortal, I'm not leaving you. Now go check your soul so you can rest easier."

I dropped peacefully into the darkness soon finding my tiger waiting.

"Well that was surprising." He said, a Cheshire grin on his muzzle.

"Yeah, Wolf is . . . something special."

"Yes he is, but I was talking about your coma. Normally you have a couple of centuries between episodes yet this one happened after only a few decades."

I shook my head. I've never had so many new people and events to deal with. Anyway I'm here..." The "sky" exploded with silver threads. Billions, hundreds of billions of threads filled the darkness.

"You wanted to check your links to others. These are all your connections."

"I'm not. There's so many. How?"

"These threads represent the connections you've made through your life. Is it so surprising the avatar of hope would have connections to everyone?"

"What? How can I be . . . what you called me? I barely have any hope at all."

The tiger shook his head. "What you feel and believe doesn't matter, it’s all about what others feel about you."

"I- I can't deal with this. I just came to make sure I hadn't accidentally forged another soul bond."

"To the one you call Wolf? You can't forge something that already existed." The Tiger waved his paw and all the threads disappeared leaving only a single link. "This thread has existed since shortly after you started playing the game. It's not like the others, this one will always be with you regardless of what actions you take in the game. Though it is only right that the Avatars of hope and compassion would find each other eventually."

"How can I be the avatar of hope when I'm so hopeless?"

"You inspire hope in others."

"And Wolf is the avatar of compassion?"

"Yes, however to answer your unasked question it is impossible for you two to soul bond like you have with the Drake and Fox due to your unique existence. Now it's time for you to wake up."

"Wait what do you mean?" I tried to ask.

"Oh! I- I thought you were still with your tiger. It doesn't matter." Wolf said.

I could tell he was either upset or embarrassed by what he obviously confessed.

"I don't understand his meaning in asking this but Wolf asked you if he could call you his Big Brother. Why would he ask you something like that?" Mahan asked, through the nanite receiver, so Wolf couldn't hear him.

I held Wolf tight and whispered in his ear, "It's a bit strange, considering I'm still knotted to you, but it's what you want, Little Brother, I'd be honored."

"Mahan told you, didn't he?"

"Don't blame him. He's just really confused, but I think I get it."

Wolf pulled free of my shrinking member and rolled over to face me. "I- I know what I'm about to ask is wrong, especially after what I just said, but is it really possible for me to get pregnant?"

"Not exactly, but you wouldn't know the difference."

"I- I want to carry your child. To feel him growing inside me and know he or she is ours. Please promise me-"

I grabbed his muzzle silencing him. "Jordan, I can't make any promises, especially of this magnitude. However, if it is what you really want I'll . . ." I sighed. "Listen, I don't fully understand it but I love you, and if this is what you want I'll . . . we will make it happen. However, we're immortal now, so there is plenty of time. I'm just asking that you give Rin and Frost time to grow up first. Then, unless you find a better mate or reconsider . . ."

"Tiger, Mahan is making sure we are seeing and hearing this. Go ahead and promise him." I heard Kyle say followed by Shock chanting "Do it!" over and over.

"Big Brother? I haven't broken you, have I?"

"Little Brother, if it's what you still want after Rin and Frost are grown, I promise to give you a child, perhaps even twins."

Wolf hugged me tightly. "I love you Big Brother."

I returned the hug. “I love you too, Little Brother."

Wolf fell asleep almost instantly and I was close behind. The last thing I heard was Shock's voice.

"Ah, they’re so cute together. Still after all the work you put in to adjust Wolf's pheromones I'd hoped to test out the ones that turns him into a dominate top."

I'd have to deal with that after I woke up again.

***

I slowly opened my eyes and smiled. My wolf was still snuggled up against me. I glanced around and the room was empty. “Mahan? Secure the door if there is a medical emergency send them to auxiliary medical with Brook."

"Understood."

"Is something wrong? I thought I heard you say emergency?" Wolf said waking up immediately.

"No, no emergency." For a moment I nearly reconsidered what I was about to do. I reached under Wolf's tail, and as expected he was leaking my cum. I collected some on my paw and reached back and coated my own entrance.

"Haven't you gotten enough yet? If you haven't, too bad I'm too sensitive back there to take you again." Wolf moaned.

I had to do this right. I rolled on my hands and knees, dropped onto my arms, arched my back and lifted my tail as high as I could. "Wolfy, I need you sooo bad." He looked at me and sniffed as though dismissing me, but within seconds he was grinding his cock beneath my tail.

"Does the little kitten need the attention of his big bad wolf?"

"Yes! Prove you're as good as the dragon and the fox." Wolf growled and immediately thrust into me, hilting in one move. I groaned in pleasure.

"I'm better!" he snarled beginning to thrust wildly.

My mind started to get fuzzy and I understood what Kyle had tried to do, but he'd gone too far, as usual, I'd need to adjust our susceptibility so we didn't lose our minds while-" I roared and came as Wolf knotted me and bit into my shoulder just inside Kyle's mating bite then I lost track of everything again.

***

I woke up alone. I was starting to hate that feeling. Sure I'd been alone for centuries, but now that I knew what I was missing it was extra painful. I could tell Kyle and Shock were still asleep and I was surprised that I could feel Wolf nearby. It wasn't as strong a connection as I had with my mates but now that I knew the link was there I could sense Wolf's feelings. He was concentrating on something, probably something revolutionary that I wouldn't be able to allow him to use.

"I don't know who you were fornicating with, but if I find out I'm going to have very harsh words with them. This area is for the treatment of injuries, not coitus. The doctor was far too lenient. He even made sure to clean all the evidence before I could study it. It was that dragon, wasn't it? No I'm not making any accusations. I know it was him. If you're healthy enough for that then you can finish recovering in your own quarters. Unfortunately the doctors say you stay here, where they can easily check you out." Brook ranted at me.

"You're right. I am well enough to recover in my own quarters. Please let Dr. Delacroix know that I've checked myself out." I got up and my uniform covered me as I walked out of the infirmary, nearly tripping over Luca. "Do you ever sleep in your quarters?" I asked in amusement.

"Only when I have somebody to sleep with, not that we get much sleep."

I closed my eyes. "You've been sleeping with Tye, Trace, and Nature."

"Um, why do you say that?"

"Because you were shy and quiet when we brought you aboard and now . . . You sound like, given the chance you'd-"

"Before you finish I’ll like to point out I'm exclusively a top."

"Uh huh. That just tells me you haven't found the right individual you'd trust enough to occasionally bottom for."

"That . . . That's not what I'm here for. I wanted to get your permission to join your VR game."

You don't need my permission for that. Create a character bio for yourself and we'll find a way to fit you in. Technically it's Shock's game so you need to work with- oof." I exhaled violently as Luca pulled me into a hug.

"I can't believe you took me in like this. Don't get me wrong I love my family but, since coming here it feels like I have two families now. I'll go talk to Shock right away."

"I suggest you go to a VR chamber and work on your character. Shock's sleeping right now."

"I'll do that now, unless you need a bit of fresh cream for breakfast?"

"God, just how horny are you?"

"You won't know that until you give in to my powers of persuasion." Luca said, as he did his best to look extra sexy as he walked away.

"Captain, can I talk to you?" Vex asked.

I jumped and blushed as I had been staring at Luca's butt and imagining all sorts of things I'd like to do. “Mmm, what is it Vexy?"

"This is probably completely inappropriate, but would it be possible to move my family to the Furry Station?"

"Are they furry?"

"No." Vex replied as he sat down against the wall and started crying. "Since joining you in the game they started being threatened. I don't know how people found out I'm Vexy Varek, but since I'm up here where they can't touch me the anti-furrys have gone after my family."

I helped Vex up and led him into the infirmary. "Brook, can you provide Vex with a mild sedative? He's been overly stressed and is lacking in sleep."

"I'll form my own opinion, thank you very much." She took Vex from me and escorted him to a bed.

"Vex, don't worry. I'll find a way to make sure they are safe." I left him in Brook's care. One in the hallway I glanced at the open corridor. “Mahan, install some sort of seating along this wall so those waiting don’t have to sit on the floor anymore.” Then I headed for the VR chamber. I had some big simulations to test.

***

I sighed. I'd had to expand the conference room in the VR Chamber for all the members of the crew as well as the station command crew and a few others. "I've asked you all to meet me because I’ve been reviewing the situation on Earth." I sighed, "I never imagined it would get so bad so fast."

"Prowl-Ar, It may not be my place to speak, since I'm not a furry, but I can tell you that there is very little anti-furry activity here in Japan."

"Kazu, you live and work on Shadow Runner property. That alone gives you the right to speak here." I quickly pointed out.

"He has a point though." Jordan said. "France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Scotland, Ireland, England, Egypt, Canada, Australia, Thailand, and India are all furry safe zones."

"They are also the countries where we have embassies. The worst areas are the United States, Russia, China, Israel, Republic of the Caribbean, Mexico, Kingdom of Persia, and just about all of the Middle Eastern bloc. The countries that absolutely refuse to recognize us as a sovereign furry nation." Shock said reluctantly.

"We've been taking people in here on the station, mostly family and friends of the command crew and our teachers. The station is currently at about a quarter capacity but it'll get over crowded rather quickly if this keeps up." Vanguard reported.

"Dad, the classes had to be modified a bit. Most of us are furrys or have family that are furrys. Most of the diverse student body you'd hoped for refused the invitations to join." Rin said sadly.

"I know you probably don't want to hear this but, if you choose suitable command crews you could reduce the stress on the station using the ships out here in the junkyard." Tank advised.

"Everyone seems to be missing what we really need are our own colonies." Shock said angrily. “Once they are opened up Earth can go . . . rot.”

"We may as well wish for the anti-furs to disappear." Luca said, as he shook his head.

I felt like running and hiding. I'd had some crazy even suicidal plans before but this one I was fairly certain would mean my death. Worse yet I'd be taking the people I loved most with me. I pulled up the graphic. “Everyone, this graphic is of Colony one, A.I. name Haro, currently on its way in system. Haro, what is your current status?"

"I'm approaching Neptune orbit. Please confirm, you are ordering me to perform a breaking burn rather than accelerating in system?"

"Order to break confirmed."

"Haro, continue with previous orders and continue your acceleration burn. Tiger, what are you doing?" Kyle asked.

"Either what is most needed or my stupidest stunt yet. Most of you have seen the Runner. It is approximately two and a half kilometers long this is the Runner next to the colony. This red splotch right here the colony is massive and it is too fragile to equip with a Freem drive. Basically there's almost no way to get the whole colony into and back out of altered space without it tearing itself apart."

"You said almost, Big Hub station is bigger and it can travel through altered space." Trace pointed out.

"How does it do it through?" I asked.

"I- I don't really know."

"It's because it was built by the Kah Har and isn't real. Still I'd suggest it creates a spiral jump field around the entire structure. Basically the station itself is a massive Freem engine. We don't have that option." I moved on to the next graphic. "This is the colony with the Shadow Runner's jump envelope extended to its maximum." The red splotch moved to the front of the colony and a red energy field stretched back covering the front quarter of the station."

"That isn't-" Tye paused, "You're not-. Dad, that's suicide!"

I sighed again, and moved to the next graphic. "This is with the addition of the Runner's Sister ship, the Archangel." Now the front and back were covered and I progressed to the last graphic. "And these are its other sister ships Phoenix and Thunderbird." The last two ships appeared and wrapped the center portion of the station. By jumping all four ships simultaneously we will either transport the colony to the inner system or cease to exist as we are torn apart by the energies in altered space."

"It would only work if all four ships activated their Freem engines within milliseconds of each other." Tye adjusted the graphics so that the Thunderbird moved forward and The Phoenix back. "I don't suppose there is a way of moving these two ships inside the main structure so that all four are inline?"

"Not easily and repairing it would take nearly as long as letting it continue on course. The only way to do this is-"

"If you say a four way merge, I'm having Wolf put you back in a coma and then in stasis for a couple hundred years." Shock growled.

"Little brother, I may not have the closest relationship with my human family, but they are being attacked because I'm here, and they're in one of the tolerant nations. Let's at least hear our Tiger's plans."

There was complete silence at Wolf's words.

"So we merge that takes care of the Runner but what about the other three ships?" Kyle asked.

"Only four of us are qualified to use the merge system. I'll be here on the Runner. Trace and Tye, decide which ship you prefer between the Phoenix and the Thunderbird. Kyle, you'll be merged with the Archangel."

"Prowl-Ar has run multiple simulations and this is the best option. I will copy myself to the computer cores of each ship and then the merge files for each of you. So while you'll all be in individual ships merged to me I'll exist as multiple parts of a single whole. I do this all the time with my drones so that part is easy. Making sure each of you decouple once the colony is in place is a bit more difficult." Mahan explained.

"I’ve planned for that as well. Each of us needs to have someone we have a link with to pull us out of the merge state. Kyle, you'll have Shock. Trace or Tye will have Nature, but the other will-"

"I want Luca. We don't have the same connection as everyone else but we do have enough in common that it should still work out." Trace announced.

"Luca, is that alight with you?" I asked in surprise.

"I don't know. I'm really not sure what you're asking me to do." He responded.

"Basically you need to remind Trace why he needs to return to being human."

"Oh you mean like reminding him how much he loves the feeling of my-"

"Yes! Just like that! You don't have to say anything else, please." Trace begged.

Obviously a lot had changed for him and for Luca in the last four months."

"You didn't tell us who you're going to have making sure you return to us." Kyle pointed out.

"As you well know I'm not supposed to use the merge system for a bit over a year. There is a good possibility I won't be able to separate from the system, so Wolf will be the one making sure I either return or re-uploads my mind from a mem crystal if anything goes wrong."

"Tiger, are the other three colonies completed?" Shock asked.

I heard shocked gasps from nearly everyone in the meeting. "Shock, that information wasn't supposed to be known."

"Whatever, I'm just running some scenarios. We jump out to the junkyard and then to Earth because longer jumps are much more stable. So wouldn't it be a better idea to jump colony two or three in from the outermost edge of the system? Just checking the numbers we have a much higher survival rate."

"If you- if we are really going to do this, it will be one colony only, until I'm satisfied all of us have recovered sufficiently to attempt the transport of a second colony." Wolf said sternly.

"Doctor Wolf is correct. This insane idea of yours is likely to leave you mentally drained if not dead. Those who do survive are going to need time to recover," Dirk agreed with Wolf.

"That's another thing, all crew members, other than the four piloting and their safeties, will transfer over to Furry Station One or the Junkyard with Tank and Tuft. Before you can complain my decision is final."

"Captain, this is Haro, I'm still waiting for confirmation as to whether I should break or accelerate."

"Haro, remain on original course and accelerate."

"Understood Captain, Haro, out."

***

We sat in the merge pod waiting for the other three ships to get into position. I tried to relax but I couldn't. "Little Brother, I'm sorry."

"What for?" Wolf asked.

"For making you be here with me."

"There is nowhere else I'd rather be."

"I mean, if this doesn't work we are guaranteed to die. The other three ships, if they act quickly enough, have a chance at least." I said, sadly. Sure the sentinel program was ready, but the thought of being the one responsible-

Wolf interrupted my thoughts by gently gripping my shoulder. "Big Brother, there is nowhere else I'd rather be. With Kyle and Shock piloting the Archangel, you need me. This is where I belong. The only thing that might make it better is if . . . No this isn't the time for such trivial matters, Archangel is in position."

"Tiger, Shock and I are ready." Kyle reported in.

"This is Thunderbird, I am ready."

"Phoenix here and I'm in position."

"R2, are you prepared?" The sharp whistle followed by a warble translated to “yes, quit stalling" but that wasn't good enough. "You've been equipped with the ability to speak in basic. So please repeat, your answer please."

"I hate this voice you gave me and I can't find another that I like. I said I'm ready."

I sighed unable to stall any longer I merged with Mahan. I reopened my eyes and reached out covering the front of R2's colony in the glow of our rapidly expanding jump field. I felt the field meet and merge with my son the Thunderbird and then the other one, Phoenix joined us. Finally I felt the caring touch of my mate as the Archangel's energy completed the circuit. As the leader I had to open the gate, navigate all of us through altered space and back out in an orbit between Earth and Mars. I reached out and gently pulled space apart. The doorway out of real space opened but nowhere big enough the energy- I paused as I felt first one and then the other twin join me as they added their own power ripping open a hole large enough for the station.

Colony and crew engage real space engines and start the countdown I started forward and quickly entered altered space. I could feel we were working as one. The transition took less than a minute and we had the colony in position.

"Shadow Runner, Prowl-Ar, are you OK?" I couldn't tell who was talking to me. I had multiple alert messages. I was drifting with no power.

"My tiger, I'm here. Let go of the connection and come back to us, to me."

The voice. It was tearing me apart. I needed to stop it.

"Tiger, we all love you. Please come back to us."

That was a wide beam broadcast from the Archangel. It wasn't helping. Something had gone wrong, very wrong. Systems started crashing. If I didn't disconnect my biological component's systems would be next.

"Take my hand."

I blinked for a second I thought I saw God, but a micron later I realized it was Jordan. "You can't be here. The only way is if you . . ."

"Tye talked me through setting up a shell program. I'm in the merge but not a part of it."

"Get out! You've got to get out and . . . and kill my biological component. That will break the merge and my other component can start repairs. If you don't we’ll all die."

"My tiger, take my hand. I'm here to lead you out of the merge." Jordan said again.

"It won't work."

"Don't you trust me?"

"With every part of my being."

"Then take my hand."

I reached out and as our fingers touched I was violently ejected from the merge. I pulled the helmet off and turned in my seat. "I don't know how- Wolf!"

Jordan was unconscious and blood dripped from his nose. "Mahan run med scan on Jordan."

Medical scanners are down but ambient sensors cannot detect a heartbeat. He- he gave up his life for us. I'll initiate sentinel."

"No! I'm not letting him go. Not now, not ever!" I pulled Jordan from the pod and started CPR. "Get every doctor over here as fast as possible and get a portable medical tube up here as well.” I yelled desperately.

***

Je voudrais juste prendre un moment pour dire un merci spécial à Jordan. Sans votre soutien et sans avoir cru en moi, j'aurais arrêté de publier cette histoire il y a longtemps. Juste pour que tout le monde sache que perdre votre personnage n'a pas été facile, mais avec votre soutien, cette histoire est loin d'être terminée. Merci mon loup, ce chapitre vous est vraiment dédié.