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Into the Stars

Chapter Ten

By Roofles

Isaac and Typhon slept soundly in the room provided to them by Samson at the Moonlight Inn. Well, almost soundless. The heavy saberwolf continued to slumber with a growling baritone of a snore that shook Isaac's legs Typhon was currently snuggling with.

The Terran managed to worm his way out from underneath the heavy, musky, sweaty saberwolf to get some fresh air away from wolf ass. Typhon didn't even seem to notice as Isaac used one of his hind paws as a makeshift pillow, settling in for the night.

The Terran just looked out the window, waiting for sleep to take him once again and hoping this night would come to an end already. It hadn't been the night he'd expected. While a fun wild ride, there was more to this than Isaac would like.

Typhon was clearly getting far too attached. Seemingly still unaware of Isaac's intentions. This was, after all as Isaac saw it, puppy love. Typhon didn't have anyone else and was projecting that wanting need onto the Terran. An alien race the saberwolf seemed to know about but had no contact in previously.

Isaac recalled his days in the academy. Just a teen going through puberty, going into his adult years trapped in the dorms with a bunch of other guys. The dorms not being coed until the normal college years.

It left Isaac with plenty of opportunities to experiment with. To learn about, to learn from. To figure out step by step, and not always in a safe environment. Though it was frowned on, it wasn't like he'd been kicked out when he was caught that one time in the locker room. However, it could affect his overall academic progress in becoming a pilot if certain teachers and officials found out.

Even in the known universe, there were still those out there that didn't see something as two guys banging being ok. Some alien races forbid it, while others only did the act. Using other means to produce offspring.

Still, that thrill of keeping things secret. Figuring things out in the locker room. In the showers after a rather long, grueling training session with his best friend… Accidentally dropping the soap and just…

Isaac almost laughed, blushing in the face as he recalled it. Typhon rubbing the side of his face with his other hind paw wasn't helping the semi he was sporting at the moment. The smell, the feel of this other male with him was still driving him wild despite his efforts to force the thoughts out of his head.

It really had been a pleasant distraction from reality. A single night could make a world of difference after all.

“Ah, to be young and ignorant again…" Isaac almost envied Typhon for that. Exploring things again, figuring it all out. It had been a hell of a time. Both good and bad. Still, Isaac wouldn't have changed it for the world.

At least Typhon had someone watching his ass for him and eating it too. Isaac hadn't been so lucky.

“I'll help him out." Isaac had long since decided. It was clear Typhon was just some horny, lost teenager in space. Deluded by his own people to think that somehow Isaac belonged to them, to him, because the Terran was wearing this band on his arm.

Among all the other things Isaac saw was wrong with the saberwolf culture. The almost war like race seemed to treat their own people just as harshly as they saw others. It was a place Isaac truly did not want to “Belong" too. Only a fool, or a kinky fucker, would want that. Isaac was neither.

Isaac couldn't just up and abandon this lost space wolf, however. He knew Typhon wouldn't be able to survive. Probably end up in some backwater space prison on some unmarked planet, if he was lucky. There were plenty of sick, twisted people out between the stars. Very few would drop everything to help some fable spacewolf that got lost in his mission to become an adult.

And there were plenty of others that would take advantage of Typhon's naivety.

“And if the Cartels are involved…" Isaac frowned at that only hearing about the groups in hushed whispers. The boogiemen that would come and steal away people in the middle of the night, from their own homes and beds.

Things people wouldn't openly talk about. It was easier to pretend things were safe and ok after all than to swallow the harsh truth of the universe. Any day you could die out there…

Isaac knew such stories to be true. They weren't just something mothers told their children to go to bed. The Cartels were very real and did far worse than just kidnap people. Isaac wanted to look up the white blossom Cartel; the noxious blooms were a poisonous plant to all but the insect morphs. It smell was as sweet as honey covered rotting flesh…

“If they're here…" Isaac groaned at the thought practically screaming at this point into Typhon's hind paw on his face; squished between the two paws as Typhon rolled over a bit more on the human. “I got to report this… I have to report so much…"

Isaac didn't want too.

He didn't want to risk exposing Typhon to the bullshit he would have to deal with for sending it in. A rogue AI, what happened on the mining planet Xi'toss, about the strange alien spacewolf he was banded too amongst all the questionable things the Tigeron's seem to be doing in recent galactic years. Isaac wasn't even sure where to begin on such things.

If he could even somehow get in contact with the Terran Fleet. Isaac needed to look into an embassy here on the planet and hope they would be reasonable. His gambit to get on the Tigeron's good side had failed and he was left with little choice but to go begging around for information…

That could wait until morning, he decided closing his eyes. Only to get a wolf paw pushed against it as Typhon stretched once more as he hugged Isaac lower body closer.

Isaac really needed to get away already…

Away from this all.

Back to a normal-ish life.

“That's what I want… right?" The question lingered long into the night as Isaac found sleep once more take him in the dead of night.

Maybe tomorrow would be a better day.

…

Elsewhere…

In a pub at the edge of the city, near the base of the trade city on the outskirts of the jungle a certain coyote was trying to drink his worries away. Juke had his cowboy hat down over his face, half resting against the table in the far back corner away from everyone else as he tapped a dull finger on the table's surface.

And on the bill in front of him. Something Juke wouldn't be able to pay for. Strapped for cash as it was, the coyote hadn't managed to pawn anything of value while drinking his woes away. He'd have to play a few games of cards and hope for the best it seemed.

Again…

Like the rest of the pub, the table was scratched and worn as if seeing one too many scuffles over the years. There was a smell in the air like stale puke, dried piss and spilled beer no one bothered to clean up. It wasn't a place the others would come too, Juke knew. Wanting some peace and quiet.

Only to have that interrupted.

“There you are." The snide voice of the tigeron spoke up. Juke tilted his hat up to get a good look at the white fur, black striped tigeron standing in front of him.

“Great, the calvary here…" Juke half joked, half cursed lowering his hat back down.

Ba'Tai had a travelers cloak on as if wanting to appear like one of the many tourists that visited the city. Just passing through. It did little to hide his extra pair of arms or the white, black striped fur that stood out in the shoddy establishment. He was well washed, smelling something like lavender in the otherwise dirty, unkempt room. Every eye had taken notice the very second he'd walked in, storming his way over to the coyote's table. No one seemed to take interest however, preferring to keep their lives instead of sticking their nose in business that didn't benefit them any.

“You know how long it took to find you!" Ba'Tai tail flicked, the end of it twitching violently with annoyance. Ba'Tai kept his face otherwise calm and collected; the points of his claws however betrayed his frustration with the canine.

“The hell you want?" Juke sat up slowly, rubbing an eye with one hand as the other carefully slipped under the table finding the revolver at his side. “You got what you wanted." Juke half teased, half joked and half cursed… wondering how he managed that with so many halfs.

He was too drunk for this shit. Or maybe not drunk enough yet.

“Our business is far from concluded, mutt face." The tigeron motioned with one hand, keeping two at his side and the other on the table now. Two of the Noxious Cartel came over. The insects having an emblem of a white lotus on the front of their black suits.

Even when it had just been the tigeron, Juke had been outnumbered. The tiger able to have two more hands than him. Add in a couple of insect morphs and it left the coyote in a rather unfavorable situation.

“I told you about the damned ship. What more do ya' want?" Juke just spat out, not in the mood to deal with this. He had enough on his plate without having to deal with royalty while he was at it.

There was a very clear reason why he had not wanted to go to Tigeron space.

“You still owe us." The cockroach hissed at him. The translator around the insect morph's neck translating it into something the coyote marshal could understand.

“Your debt hasn't been paid, yet." Ba'Tai only smiled seeing the look that passed over Juke's face. Taking a sickening delight in Juke's lamentations. It was brief and fleeting, quickly replaced with the stone cold stare Juke would use as a marshal. The brief display of weakness was all the tiger needed to sate his appetite.

“I did everything you ask. What more do ya' want from me?" Juke got up and four guns were drawn on him. He didn't make any sudden moves and they didn't fire, yet.

“You neglected to tell us about the guardian." Ba'Tai was the one to start up, motioning with a single arm for the two hired goons to ease up. The two insects stashed their guns underneath their long coats with their multiple arms; they took positions nearby to keep an eye on anyone foolish enough to get involved in cartel business.

No one dared to even look at them.

“Guardian?" Juke snorted out a laugh as he picked up his glass and empty it, slamming the mug back on the table as he wiped his lips off. “The fuck' ya' on about?" Juke spat the words as he motioned for another drink. The waitress wisely chose not to notice his frantic gesture.

“The guardian with the Terran." Ba'Tai was not amused and his voice was barely contained as he glared at the coyote as if Juke was playing some sick game with him. Ba'Tai did not enjoy games that he hadn't planned.

“The dog?" Juke was absolutely lost on the matter and drunk. Very, very drunk at this point. Or maybe not drunk enough to deal with this bullshit. The thought, once more, made him smile. A goofy drunken smile that made him nearly teeter over. “I told you about the Terran boy. About the ship and about his fancy dandy wrist band." Juke waved at the tigeron with a laugh.

Ba'Tai nose wrinkled smelling the alcohol on Juke's breath.

“The wrist band, you did not." Ba'Tai bared his fangs now. “If I had known there was a guardian here, I would have acted accordingly." The tigeron took a moment, rubbing his brow with one of his many hands, settling his breath as he thought it over.

“How would knowing about some lost space pup change anything?" Juke just rolled his eyes, taking a seat and motioning for the waitress to bring him another drink, again. She decided the only safe course was to head into the back, away from whatever was going on over there.

There was a safe room in the back, built for situations exactly like this and chose to hide inside.

Ba'Tai had enough at this point and slapped the drink out Juke's hand, slamming two more onto the table and grabbing the front of Juke's shirt with the last of his hands. The coyote just looked over at his empty mug on the floor with a whine.

“It still had some left in it…" Juke didn't even seem to realize the tigeron was about to rip his face off as claws extended from an uplifted hand.

“You can drink yourself stupid after I have what's rightfully mine!" Ba'Tai voice was low, the growl that filled it made his chest shake as claws dug through Juke's shirt and into his chest fur. “That ship and everything in it belongs to me!"

“The damn dog belongs to you?" Juke only asked finally looking over at him.

“What?" Ba'Tai was the one confused now, easing up his grip.

“According to the Terran boy, he found wolfy in some sort of hibernation chamber on the ship. Woke him up an everythin'." Juke could only shrug, trying to shake Ba'Tai arm away now as he swatted at it with a limp wrist. The coyote barely able to make out the three tigeron in front of him as he hiccupped with a drunken smile.

Ba'Tai nose wrinkled at the putrid smell of the coyote's breath and he tossed the canine back into his seat, wiping his hand off after touching the washed up marshal.

“On the ship? That shouldn't be possible…" Ba'Tai muttered aloud, rubbing a hand over his chin lost in thought. “The Stellar Drift shouldn't be accessible and yet, here it is. Did someone break into father's vault to…" Ba'Tai licked over his teeth as he looked over at the coyote. Just glad Juke was too drunk to be paying him any attention as he thought out loud. “What game is he playing at?"

“I paid off my debt… just leave me alone." Juke slumped against the table. Ba'Tai turned his attention back to the drunkard.

With one hand he flipped the table over, sending its contents and Juke sprawling onto the floor.

“You lost the compressed crystals! You lied about access to the ship! And you lied about the guardian…" Ba'Tai pulled out one of his side arms, aiming it straight at the coyote's chest. He took a moment. Juke didn't even try to move out of the way as he reached for his fallen drink on the floor.

A spilled drink, with a spilled washed up ex-marshal. Seemed fitting in a way.

“There you are, ya' silly little rascal. Trying to get away from me…" The coyote just mumbled incoherently as he grabbed at the air around the handle to the mug, trying to grab it in a drunken stupor.

“No…" Ba'Tai decided, if only out of sick sense of pity. “You can still be useful. You'll contact them. Set up a meet where we… are you even listening!" Ba'Tai snarled at the coyote who was now hugging the mug to his chest as he rocked back and forth. Wiping a hand over his face, the tigeron just grumbled aloud in his native tongue. “I wish I never left the capital…"

The trade port was a ruse constructed by the Tigeron Empire a long time ago. It was a tourist trap that would allow the Tigeron forces to inspect each and every vessel that came into their sector of space; foreign ships attracted to the planet's surface like bees to honey. Every ship they built had a failsafe installed to recall them back to one of these ports located throughout their multi-galaxy controlled space.

Isaac and his crew weren't the first to be trapped inside such a vessel to return. It allowed for the Tigeron forces to gather intel, to garner favors with rich nobles whose children had gotten caught in their web and even provided diplomatic situations. A complicated, giant scheme drafted, created and put into motion to keep an eye on the entire galaxy.

Sending numerous of their own ships, unmanned, into empty space in hopes of finding new untouched races. Exploratory drones in a way. To scout out sectors of empty space. To keep an eye on things.

Tigeron had been the first great nation to make first contact with over half the known races out there. The tigers prided themselves on being the first to bring others into the fold. It allowed them to hold certain favor from them. Gaining benefits from the encounter. These ignorant alien species were more likely to trust Tigeron over the Galactic Front and, in turn, would unwittingly be brought underneath the Tigeron banner. Numerous planets had fallen for their elegantly simple ruse.

Offering a hand in peace as they shackles the wrist of those who took it… and destroyed those who didn't.

It allowed the tigers to get a hold of the species technology before anyone else even were aware of their existence. Plundering the planet of their resources and people alike. Sophisticated pirates they had been called; none had the courage to say so to their face however. Only the highest elite amongst the families knew the true reason why the Tigeron's did what they did. Up front for the populace, they were the peacekeepers that the Galactic Front gladly showed them off to be.

After all, it was a Tigeron vessel that had first crashed landed on earth so many, many years ago. The Tigeron in question making first contact with a Terran and in turn would eventually bring them into the fold. Though that is a story for another time…

“What about the others?" Ba'Tai assistant, V'zrk, asked. The insect morph looking over at the other patrons. The bar was mostly empty that night and very few were still inside.

“There can be no witnesses…" Ba'Tai snarled under his breath, already planning to hunt down the guardian and his pet Terran in the meantime. With a simple flick of a wrist, the Tigeron motioned for someone to drag Juke along.

The corner of the pub shimmered, shifting as if the light was refracting off a mirror. Out stepped a reptilian that had been hidden there the whole time. The Tigeron barely acknowledged his presence as the chameleon took another careful, two toed claw step forward. His long tail whipping behind him with a curved nail on the end of it like a fisherman's hook.

The hooked tail snagged the back of the coyote duster and roughly dragged Juke over. Both of the reptilian's eyes, looking in two different directions, looked around the room before focusing on the two insect morphs that quickly opened fire on the few patrons inside. Including the bartender. Their screams quickly silenced, forever.

“What of thisss dog?" Cameron Artavis asked with an almost hissing sound; the chameleons long tongue licking over one of his eyes quickly before darting back into its mouth. The tigeron's face twisted in a scowl at the disgusting gesture, turning away from the bounty hunter he hired.

“We need him, alive." Ba'Tai only sighed wishing he could just hire his own men on the matter. Due to the secrecy of this, he couldn't dare risk his father finding out.

Too many people were already aware of his scheme.

The lizard seemed to frown at this, though it was hard to tell on his almost beak like face. His scales continued to shimmer and change colors. Going from bright greens to dark yellows as his eyes never stopped moving. Looking all around the room and eying one of the insect morphs longer than needed.

“In one piece?" Artavis ended up asking, swallowing loudly as he finally looked away from one of the insects. Ba'Tai had hired the chameleon for the very reason his people and the insect morphs were not on friendly terms.

If the Noxious Cartel dared to bare their fangs at the tigeron prince, Ba'Tai needed someone that wouldn't hesitate to shoot.

“No." The tigeron smiled at that, giving a cruel hearty laugh as he strode out of the room with his shoulders back, head held high in the most arrogant of ways over the dead bodies of the others inside the pub.

No matter how many corpses he'd have to walk over, Ba'Tai would reach the stars…

Artavis dragged Juke behind with his tail; the thick muscular tail hook easily pulling the several hundred pound coyote along with him. The lizard race Artavis belonged too were known for their tail strength, able to pull up their own bodies into the forest planet they lived in.

Artavis was an extremely rare family within his people that could meld into the very world around him. His suit was tight, forming to his body as he followed after the Tigeron. It would shift and change colors along with the chameleon providing him with absolute camouflage, so long as he wasn't moving.

Tossing Juke into the back of an unmarked hover container; Artavis pulled out a wicked curved blade from his side. The twisted sickle was made of bone and leather. At first it would appear to be from an animal. On closer inspection one could tell the curved blade resembled the hooked tail of the lizard and the leather was the scales of his own people…

“Who you want me to kill?" Artavis did smile at this. One part of his job he actually enjoyed. He licked over his other eye making the tigeron frown once more. At least his bloodlust was quality Ba'Tai liked.

Ba'Tai did enjoy that aspect of the hired merc. As long as the pay was good, and as a tigeron prince that was never an issue, and there was something to kill; he'd have the lizard's loyalty to the end of time.

“First thing first…" The tigeron cracked two knuckles with his other two hands as he stared down at the drunk coyote. “We need to get some information from our dear friend." The lizard tail twitched at that, the only sign he even heard the tigeron as his eyes continued to shift and move. “Then, we'll set a little trap and kill two birds with one stone…"

Ba'Tai would have his ship. His family legacy and the pride and joy of tigeron tech. The Stellar Drift was far more than these simpletons realized. It was the only reason they foolishly left it unguarded as they had. To think a Terran and a Guardian were allowed in it was unheard of.

And it boiled the tigeron's blood, his very pride being insulted. At least he had a means to vent such frustrations as he picked up Juke with one hand.

“You really should've of just played along, like all the others…" Ba'Tai said with almost pity. There was a glint in his eyes that told the lizard next to him how much he looked forward to this. After all, it was the same look Artavis had before the kill.

Ba'Tai lifted an arm, only to pause as he heard it. A faint voice buzzing in the coyote's ear. It made the tiger's beady ear twitch as he lowered the arm down, reaching over to pluck the small earpiece from it.

It was glossy and smooth, the surface looking almost like a stone. Ba'Tai placed it in his ear, hearing the sound on the other end.

All the tigeron could hear was the snoring of the saberwolf who had forgotten to turn his earpiece off after use. Keeping the line open even in the middle of the night. Something that had been on and working during the two's love making. Allowing Samson, Sphinx and even Juke to listen in, unless they muted it themselves, the whole time…

“This could be very useful…" Ba'Tai mused aloud dropping Juke to the ground. “I'm glad I'm so merciful…" He gave a wicked fanged smile as he stepped over the canine. With a flick of his wrist, he told the chameleon to put Juke into the trunk so they could go.

Artavis would, after having some fun with his new drunken friend. Planning to rough up the wash-up, ex-marshal coyote to alleviate some of his frustration over the matter.

“I do love my job." Artavis only laughed as he was allowed a good five minutes before Ba'Tai ordered for him to hurry along. “Morning can't come soon enough…"

…

Morning came faster than it should've and Isaac woke up face down against the bed, somehow. Feeling as if he had just been through the grueling, twelve hour boot camp back in the academy. And just like after that, the first and only thing he had on his mind as he tossed Typhon's leg off his body, was that of a shower. Isaac needed a shower, badly. For more than one reason.

Isaac slipped out from under the saberwolf with a bit of effort, finally managing to get onto his feet again.

“Speaking of which…" Isaac said grabbing Typhon's ankle and giving the saberwolf a good tugging pull.

Typhon woke with a startled yelp as he slid halfway off the bed and onto the floor, one leg still held up by Isaac. The canine quickly sat up looking around before seeing Isaac, conflicted over if he was glad or annoyed to see the Terran still holding his leg.

He decided to growl, noting the time.

“Morning, sunshine." Isaac laughed with a wink, letting the leg drop as he waved over one shoulder heading towards the bathroom. “Come on, we need to wash up for today."

“Five more minutes…" Typhon slumped against the bed. It took his brain a couple of minutes for the rusty gears to wake up enough to turn to catch what Isaac had said. “Wait, did you say WE?" The blue fur canine was awake instantly.

“Yes?" Isaac only answered after the saberwolf slipped off the bed, hitting his chin against the ground and scrambled his way on all fours over to peak his head into the bathroom. Isaac was brushing his teeth, stark naked as he looked over at the canine.

Isaac mechanical arm seemed to shine in the bright light of the bathroom. His artificial eye turning to look over at Typhon as his other looked in the mirror in front of him at Typhon's reflection. The strange look made Typhon shudder.

“Unnatural…" Typhon muttered under his face as he guiltily took in the Terran's body.

Isaac wasn't lean, he was fit. Adding a couple of pounds over the years left him with a solid build as Typhon saw it. A military build, though maybe not so far as a soldier's. It showcased how Isaac changed course into a pilot rather than a front line soldier. The Terran's pale flesh, red hair wasn't as off putting as Typhon thought, compared to the other Terran's he'd seen in the past couple weeks. The band was still on Isaac's wrist as well as the translation collar around his neck.

It made Typhon's tail wag, seeing the two. As if the two things marked Isaac as his property.

“You just, never let me… before." Typhon muttered, ears splaying out as he took a timid step further inside. The derpy smile never left the canine's face as he stood up to join Isaac by the sink.

“Well, you're the size of a cow for starts." Typhon didn't know what that was but somehow felt insulted by it still nonetheless. “And I doubt there would've been room." Isaac just flossed his teeth before turning the shower on. “Best to freshen up for the day and you'll need help getting your back."

Typhon ear batted, tail lowering.

“Are you… ashamed of what we did?" Typhon's nose twitched as he smelled the human in the small bathroom. Isaac smiled at that. The simple sniff was all Typhon needed to detect Isaac's emotions.

Though there was more there than Isaac said. Typhon could only ever guess what was going through Isaac's head.

“Nah, was fun. Been a while since I could just let loose like that. Didn't realize I could have some fun on the ship." Isaac blushed a bit, not looking at his companion. “I never really done it with an alien… dog, before."

“Wolf." Typhon frowned at that. He had to correct Isaac each and every time the Terran did that. Both of them knew Isaac did it on purpose at this point.

“It just wasn't on my bucket list! I know a lot of people want to bang an alien; I just never really had the thought to really think I ever would get a chance to, well, stick it in one. Or be stuck? Or the luxury of such freedom." Isaac only chuckled with a shake of his head.

“What's a bucket list?" Typhon inquired as Isaac tried to figure out how to work the inns shower.

Most Tigeron tech weren't design for other races in mind. For starters, there were twice as many buttons and knobs as anything Terran's made. With the two other arms in mind, Tigeron's had decided to add every needless thing possible to each of their contraptions. Utilizing their unique physiology.

Isaac had always been told by his superiors it was because the Tigeron saw themselves as above all the other races. Adding numerous additional controls to their tech instead of having things automated like everyone else. That they “wanted to be in control of things, no matter the cost." It also made it very difficult for others to use their tech.

“It's a list you make and plan to mark off before you die." Isaac shrugged, trying to focus on how to operate the shower. He just stared at the screen putting it together as he mentally had to translate the foreign language displayed on it. “Like feats and accomplishments you want to do before you die." Isaac muttered as he fiddled with the controls.

The shower was no different. Isaac had to set the exact temperature for starts, the water pressure, how much water was allowed to come out of the spout any given minute and even adjust how the water sprayed. The only thing Isaac liked about it was the fact it had been designed for someone like Typhon in mind, size wise. Allowing the two plenty of space to wash the heated, sweaty, musky mess from last night away.

Typhon mostly just stood there. Looking down at the tiles, unable to look over at the Terran who bathed without shame. Isaac treated it like the old locker rooms back in the academy. The showers back then didn't have dividers and he ended up having full length conversation with his classmates as he scrubbed his giblets clean.

Typhon on the other hand hadn't even seen another person naked until he met Isaac. It had been a simple, horny desire to get his would be companion to strip for him. Isaac blunt nature and clinical approach left the saberwolf stunned on how to react to such a thing. Ending up just going along with the more experienced one with his tail tucked.

The others back on Saber would've made fun of Typhon and pushed him even further away from the pack. Isaac on the other hand kept him at arm's length but still invited Typhon along with it. A part of the canine hoped that after last night that distance would be breached and he could stay close to the Terran.

Clinging to him like a lost child, separated from their mother and home…

It hadn't. Or at least, not as much as Typhon would have wanted, getting worked up as he saw Isaac wash off from his peripheral vision, still trying to focus on counting the tiles in the shower.

“Well, I did have ulterior motives for this." Isaac began only after he felt clean enough to stop focusing on the saberwolf's spunk dried to his pubes. Typhon's ears splayed out as the flush on the already warm, wet saberwolf's face intensified three fold.

“Oh?" Typhon managed to say, trying not to show his excitement.

“More of a question, I guess." Isaac stepped out of the shower much to Typhon's disappointment. “I wanted to make sure you bathed for starts or it would be rather pointless…"

“I'm utterly confused but go ahead." Typhon just said looking over the different spouts coming from out of the wall, unsure which was which.

“Middle is shampoo." Isaac said looking in at the saberwolf, unable to help the smirk on his face. It was funny to see just how clueless Typhon was about all. The space wolf would be so lost without him. “Left is conditioner and the last, don't worry about."

“Why?"

“It's not for people like us. Fur or flesh," Isaac explained after. “It's made for those with scales and more… squishy bodies."

“Ah…" Typhon didn't follow but nodded along as if he did. “What was the question?"

“Well, it's a proposal. Not a question." Isaac tip toed around asking, afraid of the response. It was one reason why he shut the door to the shower, separating himself from the saberwolf just in case.

“Just ask the freaking question!" Typhon growled now. Maybe it was best not to get him worked up.

“Well… What do you think about not going to Saber?" Isaac started with. The shower cut off abruptly and the door was quickly swung open making Isaac have to jump away.

Typhon was standing there with a frown on his soaking wet face. His rich blue fur was dripping wet as he just stared at the Terran, his body sobbing wet. “What?" Typhon only barked. The action sending droplets in every direction.

Isaac chuckled uneasily.

“Well, I was thinking… what if… we didn't go to Saber." Isaac stammered out a bit as the automated dryer turned on in the shower, blow drying the saberwolf's fur dry from all sides. Typhon just stood there with that same look on his face as he didn't take his eyes off the Terran. The two just standing there waiting for the dryer to turn off.

A good couple minutes later, it clicked off. “And instead, you joined the Fleet?" Isaac finally finished with.

Typhon ear flicked. The only sign he had even heard the question.

It was how the Tigeron had, somewhat, introduced the Terran's into the grand scheme of things. Bringing an ambassador along to the Galactic Front as an envoy for humanity to introduce them into the fold of things.

“What?" Typhon just asked.

“Well, there is a program in the Terran Fleet that allows others, like yourself, to join the ranks as a sort of trial run… of sorts…" Isaac was really not selling this well. It had been something he'd been thinking about for some time, unsure how to approach the saberwolf about it however. “It would allow you to join the Galactic Front and maybe… your people… too?"

Isaac tried to give a reassuring smile. It had been one of several ideas the Terran had in mind to get free of the saberwolf. If Typhon joined the Galactic Front, the organization could handle him from there. Typhon would be safe and Isaac would be free. It would also allow Typhon to see the universe, relatively safely.

There were plenty of people out there that would do questionable things if they caught such a valuable, rare asset as a Saber. Typhon's strange, glowing fur alone would sell for millions of credits on the black market.

“Like the academy, you went through?" Typhon just quirked his head as if truly thinking about it. It was hard to tell as he hadn't blinked yet since Isaac had asked the question. Those inverted eyes just staring at him.

The dark “whites" of his eyes with the center iris's looking like miniature galaxies dotted with stars.

“Something like that, yeah! They do this exchange program and I'm sure it would be great for you! They could teach you so much without…" Isaac didn't want to say it but Typhon seemed to pick up on it.

“The cruelty of Saber." Typhon frowned, finally looking away as he let out a heavy breath. “The rules of Saber are there for a reason, Isaac…" The saberwolf took a step out to confront the Terran now. “I know how dangerous space is! I know not to trust anyone. Saber teaches us to be strong, even if it may seem cruel or unusual to an outsider. There are things out there that need us to be strong, for those who can't be."

“Like who?" Isaac just asked directly. Typhon pulled back at that.

“Uh… who, what?"

“Like who are you defending? Who do you need to be strong against?" Isaac rolled his eyes as he tried to get some actual details from Typhon. The saberwolf always spoke highly of Saber, despite the many warnings he gave the Terran. Still, Isaac knew very, very little about the planet itself or the culture.

Sweet words only went so far without actual data to back it up. Isaac preferred to rely on factual data over wish washy, sugar coated words.

“Well… bad people…?" Typhon offered weakly. Isaac didn't buy that for a single second as he waved it away, telling the saberwolf to make sure to brush his teeth and exited the bathroom to get ready for the day.

“Besides, you trusted me the day we met." Isaac rolled his eyes to counter Typhon's attempt at appearing independent.

“Yeah! Well… you're different!" Typhon just growled back making the Terran stop in the open doorway. Isaac gave him a look.

“Oh, sweetie… no." Isaac shook his head, letting the door shut behind him and left it at that as he got dressed.

Isaac figured Typhon had been told a whole trough of hogwash. His people deluding Typhon into thinking there was some sort of big bad alien race out there they needed to be strong against, to fight. How ridiculous was that? Isaac just shook his head with a laugh as he waited for Typhon to finish getting ready.

Isaac had to show the saberwolf so many things as it was. Simple, basic, hygienic things like brushing your teeth. To think Typhon was some kind of space warrior being trained to fight against some unknown enemy. Such propaganda was used commonly in the Armada.

“…poor guy." Isaac couldn't look at Typhon any longer and decided to wait in the hall. At this point just pitying the canine. It was one reason why Isaac had stuck around as long as he had.

Pity.

“I'm just saying," Isaac started up fifteen minutes later as the two headed down for breakfast. Each dressed in the jumpsuits they had gotten the other day. “If you join, you'd have a lot more freedom than you do now! You could see so many planets and explore the entire galaxy! You'd be an ambassador for your people and, and, and…" Isaac went on.

Typhon didn't say anything, still frowning on the matter as the two took a seat at the downstairs table provided by the inn. Breakfast was quickly served and though Isaac helped himself, Typhon simply picked at his food without making eye contact.

“Typhon." Isaac said his name and only when the space wolf looked up at him did the Terran continue. “I know this isn't exactly…"

“Natural." Typhon grunted the word. Not the word Isaac would use but decided not to argue against it. It was the very word Typhon used whenever he got worked up or upset about something. Isaac blamed his people for that.

“Right, well… life isn't so cut and dry." Isaac started with. Keeping his voice calm and soothing as he reached a hand over to touch Typhon's own on the table. Typhon's ear twitched as his eyes looked down at the small hand on his. Isaac chose to use his non-artificial hand for this.

Typhon only grunted, looking away. He left his hand there, savoring the comforting feel of the smaller hand on his. Just like the other night when Isaac took charge. Even smaller than he was, Typhon found comfort in Isaac guiding words and gestures.

“Things aren't black and white out there. There aren't just good and bad people. It's a lot more complicated than that." Isaac went on, still just trying to give the blue fur saberwolf a reassuring smile. “You have to look at things from every angle, every side. Otherwise your just like…" Isaac stopped himself, bringing his hand back now and holding it.

“Like?" Typhon asked only when Isaac didn't continue.

“The Terran Armada…" Isaac voice was low as he spoke, making sure no one but the wolf's keen ears could pick up his words. “They aren't… they don't… maybe their the monsters in the dark you've been training against." Isaac found himself saying.

Though he didn't know why.

Monsters in the dark.

It somehow seemed fitting.

“Between the stars…" Isaac voice was low and hallow. He shook his head, recollecting his hearts as he smiled back at Typhon. “Just. Just don't be like them and you'll be fine."

Isaac smiled.

It was as fake as the artificial eye looking at the spacewolf.

“Let's eat!" Isaac just laughed as he dug in.

Typhon joined in, though far slower than Isaac as his eyes strayed over to the Terran's artificial hand.

“Who hurt you?" Typhon wanted to ask looking at that hand. Isaac just continued to spread the honey butter on the pastry, offering it over to Typhon.

The wolf took it, bashfully lowering his muzzle down and opening it just enough to bite it from the Terran's hand. Isaac smiled at that. At him. It warmed Typhon's chest and he found his tail wagging despite the heavy conversation they had been having.

Isaac went back to finishing up breakfast, talking about something or other. Typhon didn't hear him or recall what it was about as he continued to watch the Terran.

Typhon figured Isaac saw him as some kind of amateur in all this. Typhon had his own training in the matter and wasn't as helpless as he let the Terran think. There was fifteen ways alone he could disable and incapacitate the Terran in front of him; knock Isaac out and drag him to Saber if that was what it took.

Still, looking at the Terran in front of him. Typhon knew, he didn't have the gumpshun for that. Be it what they had done the other night, or the past weeks they had spent together. Typhon had realized one thing in all this.

“Ok." Typhon just said making Isaac give him a look.

“Ok, what?"

“I'll join the fleet." Typhon just smiled in turn seeming far older than he was in that moment. Answering Isaac earlier question with a strong conviction to his brief words. Even if it hurt inside. Even if it was unnatural. That it went against everything Typhon had ever been taught.

Looking at the Terran in front him now. Typhon could only think. “He was worth it."

“Seriously?" Isaac nearly gagged on his drink, setting the ceramic cup back down as he just stared dumbfounded at the saberwolf. He figured it would take hours, if not days or weeks to convince the saberwolf.

Isaac had already planned three other things in order to get rid of Typhon while at the same time making sure the saberwolf was safe.

“You'll join the Fleet?" Isaac had to ask. Had to make sure of.

“Sure. If it makes you happy. I can do that." Typhon smiled back. It wasn't genuine, nor were his words. Still, the idea of losing Isaac in that moment made the other worries and concerns lose steam. As long as Typhon could stick with Isaac he was sure, one day, he could convince the human to return with him to Saber.

And as long as Isaac was banded, they would remain together until the end of time.

“This is, I mean just… this is awesome!" Isaac nearly shouted as he pulled his tablet out and began to go over things on it. “I'm sure theirs an embassy here. We can, we can go there. Together! And figure this out. One step at a time. Follow all the standards procedures and just…"

Isaac went on. Smiling and talking, in far better spirits than he was previously.

Typhon smiled at that, his tail lowering however as he looked at the Terran. He placed a hand on Isaac's and the human didn't even seem to notice as Typhon touched the artificial one resting on the tablet top. The feel of it against his finger felt off…

Typhon felt off as he just watched Isaac work.

“Oh, this is so great! You'll learn so much! There's so much to teach you and once you graduate you can transfer to the Galactic Front and start there as well! This'll open so many doors for you and, and…" Isaac was nearly giddy glad the easiest, safest option had actually worked.

“As long as you'll be there." Typhon just said in turn. Isaac stopped at that, looking up at him. “This whole thing. Leaving Saber. Ending up on that ship. Being… lost…" Typhon looked back at the Terran, giving him a toothy smile. “It was worth it, to meet you."

Isaac heart plummeted at that as the canine before him wagged his tail.

“Uh, well… Typhon…" Isaac started up, putting the tablet away at his side. The tablet connected to the magnetic port at his side, hanging loosely from it.

The two were quickly interrupted by their other two companions. Sphinx was still in the full body armored suit he'd taken control of, sitting down in the a chair he pulled up to the tablet and turning around. He rested on the back of it.

“Nice face." Isaac snorted looking at Sphinx. The robotic feline's helmet had been changed out for another with a dark screen on the front of it. It lit up showcasing a simple smiling face one would text their friend.

“Thanks. Samson head it done for me. ;)" Sphinx just winked at him using the crude emoticons on the screen to show the emotions to metallic helmet couldn't.

“He did a… good job." Isaac frowned, trying not to say “for an old man." Who even used such basic emotes these days?

“Better than nothing. :P" Sphinx responded as if reading his head, offering a shrug with two arms and rested on the other two of the metallic Tigeron suit. “You boys seem to be having a good… morning. x3" Sphinx continued.

Isaac gave Typhon a look.

“What?" He ended up just asking after the saberwolf shrugged at him. Typhon was glaring at the helmet, not liking the new face at all.

“Oh, come on. We both know you BOTH had a good time. x3" Sphinx just went on as Samson took a seat on the other side. The Ursa Major didn't look at any of the three and was focusing his full attention on the cup he had poured for himself as if it were the only interesting thing in the room.

“Samson, what's he talking about?" Isaac asked looking over at the bear. Samson quickly looked away.

“Kids these days…" The bear just grumbled and Isaac was sure he was blushing. “Back in my day we just… and not… with that…" Samson eyes wondered over to the saberwolf before quickly looking away once more.

“The hell?" Isaac frowned now trying to figure it out. He didn't like being out of the loop on things. “Do you know what they're talking about?" Isaac just asked. Typhon shrugged in turn, still eying Sphinx's new get up questionably.

Typhon wanted to take the helmet off just to make sure there was no one underneath it. Sphinx had to swat the saberwolf's hand away for the third time as their mechanical friend went on.

“How was it?" Sphinx just asked finally looking over at Typhon. “Your first time and all. Not like I'd know. >:c" Sphinx said angrily.

“First time for what?" Typhon asked innocently as things seemed to click for Isaac whose whole face turned red as his freckles now.

“You heard!" Isaac nearly gasped, having to cover his mouth from shouting. “How? When? What!" Isaac pressed further making Sphinx giggle like a school child.

“You boys really need to… turn your mic off… before doing such things…" Samson mumbled under his breath, still blushing with both his round beady ears down as he stared into his cup. Isaac just covered his face with both hands, slumping against the table.

“I always turn my earpiece off!" Isaac started before looking up quickly, glaring at Typhon. “You!" He hissed between his teeth reaching over and tried to strangle the saberwolf. “This is your fault!"

“I. Don't. Know. What. You. Mean." Typhon said as Isaac shook him to the best of his abilities.

“Their earpiece! You forgot to turn it off!" Isaac said fussing with one of the saberwolf's diamond shape ears and then the other. Cursing, Isaac demanded to know where it was.

“Where what is?"

“The earpiece!" Isaac let him go, resting back and rubbing his temples now. “Please tell me you both turned it off before things got serious…" Isaac pleaded looking at the two.

“Sure." Samson looked away, his face betraying his lie.

“Nope! >:3" Sphinx practically meowed, purring after as he rested his chin on two hands and began pestering the two for questions about the whole ordeal. “I want all the nitty gritty wet and sloshy, slurp dirty details!"

“You heard!" Isaac groaned. “You don't need to know anything more!"

“Do you regret it now?" Typhon whined covering his own face with an arm as he slumped against the table.

“I regret so many things." Isaac sighed out, resting back in his chair.

“W-well, w-what's the p-plans boys?" Samson tried to change the conversation, coughing into one gloved hand and still not making eye contact with anyone.

“It's just sex, Samson. >.<" Sphinx shook his head at that. “Grow up."

“That's something coming from you." Isaac grumbled before turning to Samson. “Typhon has agreed to participate in the exchange program for the Terran Fleet. I'll be taking him to the embassy here in the city to get him checked in so we can arrange a ride back for the both of us." Isaac gave Typhon a smile.

The canine tried to return it.

“Is that so?" Samson rubbed his chin, mulling that over as he looked over at the saberwolf then over at Isaac. Then at the band. “I see…" The bear tone was flat as he just left it at that.

“What about you two?" Isaac asked.

“I'll be checking on the ship first." Samson started with. “We'll swing by and check in with you boys after, make sure everything goes… ok." Samson left it at that, not saying more on the matter. “You can keep the earpiece on, unless you boys are going to get a quickie in first."

Isaac nearly choked on his drink again while Typhon wagged at the prospect.

“I'm sure there are so many more things you can show him. >;)" Sphinx laughed at Isaac's misfortune.

“Not sure how this could get worse." Isaac tapped a finger on the table looking around their group. “Hey. Either of you hear from Juke?" Isaac's face faltered, already figuring the answer. The two shook their heads. “Where is that drunk bastard…" Isaac continued to tap a finger on the table.

His agitation must've been evident as Typhon placed his hand back on Isaac's, stopping the Terran from continuing his drumming. That didn't stop Isaac from thinking it over, not even seeming to notice Typhon had touched his hand as he mulled it over. The other two exchanged a look.

“What are you thinking? ;P" Sphinx just asked.

“Just want to check on that old dog before we go… I'm worried about him." Isaac just shrugged off, seeming to come off casual. Be it the time they spent together, or the smell Typhon detected, the saberwolf knew Isaac wasn't letting on as much as he normally would.

Isaac fear and worry for Juke stemmed from their shared experiences down within the mines of Xi'Toss. While Typhon seemed all but immune to whatever had happened down there, the lingered dread still remained for Isaac.

And the Terran feared what isolation would do to a man like Juke. Left alone, only with his thoughts at a bottom of an empty flask.

Unaware of the others listening in on their conversation already to make plans and move as the group parted ways with a wave.

“We'll meet you at the embassy in an hour or so." Samson said as he and Sphinx headed out, leaving Isaac and Typhon alone in the city once more.

“So…" Typhon started as they watched the others go. “Quickie?" Typhon grinned toothily.

Isaac all but ignored him as he just headed off, using the map on the tablet to guide them towards the embassy and the trap they were unwittingly stumbling into.