((For those of you who know Ammy and the story behind her alchemy past and present, feel free to join the adventure.))

"Is it human?" the question came in the dark.

"No, it has fur. It has clothes." a reply in the dark.

"Why would a creature need clothing if it has fur?" another question in the dark.

"Modest? Civilization? Who knows. It has metal limbs as well." the reply was astonishment.

A cold, gloved touch in the dark. "It has alchemy in its blood! Get the Colonel. Roy will want to know about this. We may have a Chimaera that can do alchemy here!" shouts in the dark.

A clear voice broke through the dark. "Ammy. Calm. Your mind wanders away again. Bring yourself back to the present." Instructed Ember Pallin.

Emerald eyes open and she looks around. She was sitting on a metal cargo deck inside a large ship. The questions of the past kept her mind fuzzy. After a moment she remembered where she was. She looked around the cargo bay and her green eyes fell on a gray cloaked figure. His hood was down, and short cropped red hair and gray eyes were seen.

"I am sorry Ember. Any time I try to meditate like you show me, the past comes to me." she replied frustrated. Her back was aching from sitting on the cold metal floor.

"That is okay Ammy. It takes time to move past your memories. For now it is a start. I will be on the bridge. You can relax for now." Ember moved away with the grace of a spacer and a Jedi.

Ammy stood and walked to a view port. Two nights ago, a lupinossai chimaera was after her. Street and a few others distracted it enough for her to flee. She was placed in the care of Ember Pallin, Street Wolf's Force Master. He took her aboard his newly renovated Dreadnaught class corvette ship. He told her that he seriously doubted the State had space faring craft.

So, for now, she watched Rhydin from the Bi-Duran. Ember offered to teach her better meditation to handle the stress she was constantly under. Her mind wandered back to the days in the State Army. And it wandered forward to the recent past of her college blown away and students in hiding. She was getting tired of chaos.

Green eyes glowed in the darkness. They looked at a martial world from a barrier of bars. The gleam in them told any who saw them that they had witness wonders, horrors, and the unusual. The emeralds sparks also stated quite simply, "Just Try It!"

Ammy couldn't remember how she ended up in a prison cell. She remembered etching the Realm Array in the night sky. The green glow of her soul energy fueling the lines and arcana. The Realm Gate felt cold as she stepped through it then blackness took her. She remembered the voices and questions in the dark, but that was all.

In the darkness of the cell she did know a few things. She was alive. Her paws and feet were not bound. She was acutely aware of having no clothing on anymore, and her fur felt as if it had been parted, combed, and inspected.

She flexed her arms and legs. The servos and cyber muscles responded well. Nothing was damaged in the realm jump. She paced the cell wondering if she was in the right realm or if she had read the map wrong. Well, with Fleet's luck, you never knew if a map he made was right or not.

The flames of her memories shifted and fanned from that cell to an open Glenn and a lake. She was sitting with Fleet Wolf, a Realms Scout for Lupinoss. He was handsome, charming, knew a lot of things, and he could do magic beyond belief.

Ember Pallins voice rippled through her memory. "Wake up."

Ammy opened her emerald eyes and looked around the Bi-Durans cargo bay. They looked disappointed at not seeing Fleet in the room. She tried to clear her mind but any attempt at calmness failed.

Ember Pallin just smiled briefly and walked over to Ammy. He removed the Holocron's recording disc. "I believe that will be a good start for now. I suggest you walk around and enjoy some personal time. I know that pain you're dealing with. We will resume training when you have reunited your thoughts and heart."

Ammy just looked at the floor. Her ears flattened a little. She thought that Fleets memory would be gone, or at least faded enough to forget.

"Ammy. Be calm. Accept your feelings. You have no one to prove anything to. You are who you are and we all must grieve or go insane. This Fleet was very close to you. Don't handle his memory with such a light, naive outlook. You need to accept his loss, remember the happiness he brought and hold that in place of the sorrow of him missing." Ember instructed calmly.

"Maybe the isolation of the Bi-Duran is a bit much for you at the moment. Take the shuttle to Rhydin and relax." Ember walked away.

Ammy just sat on the cold floor for an hour left to her thoughts. She just sat there like a statue. Her appearance was calm, but tears were welling up.

3 hours later, the Bi-Durans shuttle, The Addaptus, was streaking for the space port outside of Rhydin.

The Addaptus veered from its rendezvous with the star port. It kicked around and headed south. Clouds streamed by and snow covered the beginnings of the mountains. Ammy brought the Addaptus down slowly. The Lambda Class shuttle settled on to fresh snow with a hiss from its hot exhaust nozzles.

Ammy keyed the door open and dropped the entry ramp. Cold, crisp air blew into the shuttle from Southern Glenn. Cold enough to make her shiver. Her white fur was not going to be thick enough today. She headed back to the cockpit and saw a package on a passenger seat labeled for her.

"Odd. Who left this? Ember and I are the only ones on Bi-Duran." She muttered in the silence of the shuttles cabin. The handwriting though, told her right away who it was. Street Wolf. Her brow rose in further surprise. She began unwrapping the package. She was speechless. Inside was a deep brown, leather riding jacket, fur lined, oiled, and a furred hood attached as well.

Ammy lifted the jacket out in aw. The symbols of her and Fleets family dens where entwined and tooled on the front of the jacket. The back had the symbols she picked out when the State gave her the title of Chaotic Alchemist. The leather felt good, and the fur was soft, warm, and red brindle in color.

A note fell out of the package as she draped the jacket on the back of the chair. It read:

'To my wild, and well loved daughter Ammy.
Hey Ammy. Found a gift ye could use now that yer uniform is gone. A friend o' mine made it. It should fit, if not, yer able to make it fit. Hope it keeps ye warm. Fen has been helping research sealin' methods for the shadowlings.
The patrols of State Alchemists haven't lightened, but some are glad for me savin their butts. Keep low lassie and I'll see ya when I can.

Yer Adopted Da'
Street Wolf the Demon Hunter.'

Ammy felt warm already without putting on the jacket. She took the jacket to the entry ramp, unzipped it, and slid it on. It fit like a glove and the left sleeve was big enough for her cybernetic arm. The fur felt warm and comfy as well. She had to get Street something to repay him. She threw up the hood and walked down ramp warm and comfy.

With a click on her left arm the Addaptus sealed itself and would remain so until she returned. She crunched through the snow and enjoyed the beauty. She saw a large snow flake fall and got an idea for gifts. She began transmuting 10 inch snowflake sculptures out of the ice adding color here and there.

22 snowflakes later she stopped for the day. It was time to pack up and get back to the Bi-Duran for safety. As she packed the snow flake sculptures, a boot crunched in the snow behind her. Her heart went racing, then her nose caught the scent of the boots owner. A familiar scent.

"Hello Daemen. Shouldn't you be back in Central hitting on girls and getting promoted for my death?" She asked bitterly.

'Now, now Ammy. Don't be rude to your former instructor. You were my brightest student, yet you cant get the concept of being dead and hiding. You took a shuttle here and started performing alchemy in plain sight.' Daemen sighed.

Ammy stood, pack in her paws and turned and looked at Daemen. He was slightly taller than her, brown eyes, red hair, and a good farming tan on his skin. He was a rather good looking human in her eyes. "I have been hiding and defending when needed, but even a quarry gone to ground can go den crazy. I needed some air." she shot back with a familiar haughty tone.

Daemen just smiled fondly. 'Ah, there's that stubborn attitude again. Really, come now, you need to be more careful. Oh, nice jacket by the way, looks good on you.'

If Ammy could have blushed she would have. "Why are you here Daemen?"

'The State will no longer believe my story of your death. They find my relationship to and with you as a teacher, and' his voice trailed off low, ' lover suspect. They have restarted the hunt for you again.' Daemen told her bluntly.

Ammy thought on this news for a bit. Her green eyes looked to his brown ones. "Did you leave the State then? Are you here to help me? It's been lonely on the Bi-Duran, and...." her voice stopped when Daemen placed a white gloved finger on her muzzle.

'Ammy, I have been sent to kill you.' Daemen tried to keep emotion out of his voice but the pain was heard.

"Should I run now?" Ammy asked, a tear in her eyes. Her paw was clenched on the back pack strap and the metal paw was ready to be turned to a blade.

'No. I came to warn you. As for today, I never saw you. Please, don't get caught by a patrol. I will try to keep things low until I can find a way to clear your name. And I promise you that when this is done, we'll be together if you wish.' Daemen said quietly.

Before either of them could say anything further a familiar voice was shouting at them and threatening Daemen. It was Mokksha. She was running for Ammy. Daemen took Ammy's muzzle in his hands, gave Ammy a kiss and walked away quickly.

Ammy was stunned by that and just watched him walk away. "Good bye Daeman the Champion of Life." she whispered.

Ammy watched Daemen go and she turned for the lake. Her paw tried to wipe a way the tears coming, but she wasn't succeeding. She was startled some when she heard Nex calling out to her. She smiled as much as she could and waited for him to catch up. Her metal paws toeing the snow.

In that brief time of waiting a memory flashed through her mind.

*Lieutenant Daemen, meet your newest student, Ammy Wolf-Spiritor. She's a visitor from a distant land and has come for alchemy training. She is in your charge. Keep her safe and teach her well. She must pass all exams flawlessly.

Her green eyes met his brown eyes, and Ammy found this human none threatening, and a hint of admiration as well in those browns.

"Welcome to the State, Ammy. Please have a seat and relax. We will begin studies tomorrow. I am Daemen, Champion of Life Alchemist. May I say, I have never seen your kind before and you are very unique indeed." He just smiled and those brown melted her icy emeralds.*

She blinked and noticed Nex was standing there watching her.

"Hello Nex."

"My pain is for no one to bear but me. I couldn't stand to see another take it. I just have to many memories for my own good." she touched Nex's face with her metal paw.

Readjusting her pack she looked down to the lake. "I came to make some more snowflake sculptures as gifts. I wasn't expecting to see someone from my past show up. And now he is sent to kill me." the last was whispered.

She began to walk down to the lake, her new jacket keeping her warm.

She gave Nex a warm smile and lead him down to the lake. She sat her pack on a rock and picked up a stick. She worked on several alchemy arrays, each one scrawling and rolling along the hillside. Each array had a different pattern snowflake laid into the center of the array. Arcana symbols varied with each one though. Once she was satisfied with each array, she closed her eyes, took a breath and clapped her paws then touched each array.

Multipointed snow flake sculptures rose from the snow in crystalline wonder. Some blinked, others changed colors. Each one was cool to the touch and would store energy when held. She grinned at her handiwork and began packing them into her bag. As she slipped the last one in, she looked out across the lake at the sunset. Snow was beginning to fall.

"Thanks for guarding me Nex. Some days I truly feel lonely." She sat on a rock by him.

"I am always running, fighting, even killing to live." she sighed. "Ten years it has been since my mate disappeared looking for allies to aide in a fight again Fen Stridar when he was still evil."

She went silent for a moment. "Tell me about yourself Nex. Do you have anyone?"

::He draws an array in the snow and touches it as the lake freezes with the pattern of a large heart with a snowflake appers there with his name over it so people think it was him doing all the alcemy there:: There this way if any one asks him who was doing alcemy here he could say it was me since he has proof it was me right there. They have no reason to question if he is lieing or not. Trail is off of you and on me then.

His mind replayed the Holocron images. For the most part, Ammy's dreams and memories would play normally to her, but to a watcher like Ember, he saw the truth. Subtle details were there in every memory. The State was gathering sample from Ammy to make a better Chimaera for battle.

The Force whispered to him that if they were to succeed in perfecting a Lupinossai Chimaera, no realm was safe and Lupinoss may go to war as well. He strode down the 90 meter central corridor and turned to the right for the launch bay. He meditated on what to do more.

He felt a twinge of anger rising in him. He saw unbalance coming, and that something was to be done before it happens. He would need allies that knew the realm and he couldn't take Ammy. That would put her in danger. He would need to find the Nex war angel and talk to him. If they strike fast, they may stop the coming chaos.

He walked swiftly up the Addaptus' ramp and sealed the door. Minutes later the shuttle roared away. He touched a few keys and keyed the sensors to scan for Nex energy. He headed for the Glenn.

Ember set the Addaptus in a hover pattern over the Southern Glen. As the shuttle slowly floated over the target he sought, he leaped out of the hatch and landed in the snow a safe distance away. He didn't want to startle his target.

He could feel energy welling out of the being at the lake. He walked calmly forward. His boots crunched and pushed through the snow. He was within 50 feet of Nex and he stopped. Wind form the Addaptus kicked up a snow flurry that made him vanish for a second and then reappear.

He dropped his gray cowl and his gray eyes fell on Nex. "Are you Nex? Friend of Ammy?" He asked, his voice calm.

Gray eyes focused slightly, and Ember stood there. He felt the energy surging and swirling through Nex like a time bomb. So unstable, never the less, even a master has to use less precise methods to help a student sometimes.

Cold, misty clouds rose from Embers mouth. "After Ammy, I am not. I see you are quite keen on reacting to any perceivable threat to her. I am glad of this." Ember spoke slowly and in calm none aggressive tones.

He slowly turned so that Nex's katana was right at his heart. "Better to slay a Force user with him facing you than away. I intend no harm to Ammy. I have been giving her refuge up in space. I have actually come because of some information learned from her memories. Would you like to listen, or shall I wait for death?"

Ember kept his body calm and mind focused. Nex was very unstable, but he proceeded with his plan.

"I have been recording Ammy's memories during our training exercises in hopes of learning how to help her. The last series of images recorded show something larger at work. The State has been gathering samples from Ammy by using Damaen, her former instructor, to distract her. Not very hard considering how love struck his with her and her with him."

"What is concerning though is the fact that the State seeks to make a pure Chimaera form of the Lupinossi. I have researched their history and talked with my apprentice Street Wolf. If this happens the true spirit and purpose of the Lupinossi race will be seen. They were originally created for war and domination. The forms we have are a slightly softer and kinder version due to a human meddling with a deities plans."

Ember moved his gloved hands and rubbed the arms of his cloak to add some warmth. He didn't want to warm up the usual way less it triggers Nex in some fashion. Whirring was heard with each movement. He continued his tale.

"The computers have simulated the destructive capabilities of the pure chimaera. The destruction would be massive. Now, add Ammy's alchemical abilities to the line and a world would go up in a single array. I came here to find you and to ask for help. I wish to strike at the State's heart swiftly and quickly to maintain balance. Will you help me, friend of Ammy's?"

He nodded to Nex and looked at Pheniox. His gray eyes glinted in approval of what he saw.

"Very well then. However, killing is not my only intention. I want all of the States information and samples as well as any live specimens. This will be for Ammy to decide on how to handle and I will house them on my ship so no one has access to them or the information."

He looked at his chronometer and noted that Ammy would be wondering where he disappeared to.

"I appreciate you letting me join. Let me handle the collection of what I need to get. However, I will only kill when needed. I balance not ablate. Now, I must return to the Bi-Duran. Ammy will be worried that I have not returned."

He tossed a com link to Nex and Pheniox. "If you need me or I get anywhere I'll call."

The Addaptus swung around and he leaps onto the open ramp. The ramp closes and the Addaptus streaks away for the Bi-Duran.

((DM Moderation Action is now in progress. Being the DM of this SL, the last post by pheniox is ignored. As set and arranged with Nex in PM, the action happening outside of SL that were discussed with my character in the Red Dragon Inn are future events and have not happened in the story line yet. Ember Pallin has justification for being irate at this God Mode post. The attacks on Central have not happen yet. *First Warning*))

Ammy watched the Addaptus glide into the Bi-Durans dock. She wondered where Ember had rushed off to. She removed the coppery Holocron recording disks. She kept meditating after Ember left and had added a good hour more of memories. Hopping off of the bed, Ammy walked out of her quarters and headed for the docking bay.

The door opened and Ember strolled through not even recognizing Ammy. His usually cool gray eyes were molten silver and his jaw was clenched. Ammy could feel anger just flowing from him. She gave him space and followed him from a distance.

"Master Ember, are you okay?" Ammy asked.

Ember just kept walking and then promptly sat in the captains chair. He kept his eyes staring out the view screen.

Ammy was at a loss. She walked up slowly to the bridge and sat at a sensor terminal and watched Ember.

"I meditated for another hour master. More memories have been recorded." She said in a best imitation of Embers calm soothing tones.

Ember just sat there and stared at Rhydin. After an hour of staring and sifting through the weave of the future, Ember spoke softly without menace. "Ammy, we can not trust or use the war angels. I have seen the weave and their methods would place a realm in utter unbalance and chaos. I am going to pickup Street Wolf, and locate Fleet Wolf. We are going to do something as a clan."

::Nexvonic looks at the ground and shakes his head befor pressing his com link and yelling not knowing if Ammy could hear it or not:: Listen in my culture to walk away like that is an act of total disrespect sir! So until you appologize i have no need or interest in doing anything with some one as dissrespectful as you! As far as Ammy goes i will alwas be her friend. Have a good day sir. ::He turns off the com link and puts it away::

::He opens his eyes after meditating and sighs after opening the com link:: Ok listen I know me and my dad seem to be different from the others. We are wild and will kill any who go after our love ones. My father and I have been to central and we stole the blue prints. I want you to have them. Send Ammy down to get them please.

::he smile and shakes his head:: You miss understand I see. To my race to ask for help but not to sit so we can talk actions over is a slap in the face. That action is like saying we are under you. We are warriors who depend on tact. My father and I talked over our actions befor we attacked and we knew our target too well. We wanted to show that if you attack our own we will go after you even if it risks our lives. To our race that is a sign of loyalty an respect and that is what i have for Ammy. So realy my gray force user it seems we both in a way started to jump the guns so to speak. I acted in the way I knew best when I did not know she had other allies. If I knew befor hand I would have taken this into account. I know I seem unstable and I know I seem like chaos in its living form ,but you must take into account. War is nothing move then Chaos and my race is born of war. So your right! I AM DANGEROUS FOR ANY ONE WHO DARES HARM MY OWN! THIS INCLUDES AMMY CAUSE SHE HAS BEEN MY FRIEND FOR TOO LONG NOT TO BE ONE OF MINE! SO YOUR RIGHT FORCE USER...I AM UNSTABLE I AM DEADLY AND I WILL PROTECT AMMY WITH MY LIFE! ::he breaths heavy then relaxes:: It seems you have never killed an angel if you feel using guns will kill me. I am sorry but your wroung. If you want to kill me you have to kill me in my true form. Now they will need to get threw me make sure I stay dead to kill Ammy or I will just keep coming back to protect her and kill them again and again. I want to work with you ,but you must ask yourself force user. Do you realy fallow the way of the force enough to work at my side?....Do not take offence to that question i ask it only because a true master of the force tends to understand other races befor approching them and doing something even the smallest action to offend them. So are you realy ready to understand all forms of war to win and protect her? Think abought this my friend. I do hope we can find commen ground." ::He turns the com link off and breaks it so the tracer in it is off he himself vanishes thow light races of his own force energy stay in the air in the glen::

((Withdrawl Accepted. SL Continuing))

The messages played and replayed in the shuttle cabin. Ammy sat there shocked at how fast and vicious Nex had turned. She shook her head slowly.

What mother said was true. 'Don't trust someone ready to throw their lives away for you if you only met them for a short time. They'll turn on you faster than a rabid dog.'

Ammy flicked the com on. "Ember Pallin. I give you direct orders to raise their island. I can not afford to have war angels and the state threaten me or my people. I am uploading to you the coordinates of Pheniox's home island on Rhydin. Leave nothing behind."

She gave the coordinates and watched in silence. The Bi-Duran glowed as green and red energy spat out followed by blue trails of proton torpedos heading for the island home of Nex and Pheniox. Nothing was left when the bombardment finished. Thankfully the Island was not attached to anything major on Rhydin.

"Lupis and Canis, forgive a leader of what she must do to keep our people safe."

The com crackled to life. "I know this was hard for you Ammy, but learn from this. Not every angel has good intentions." Embers voice said coldly and cut out.

Ammy flicked on the com unit and set the heading for the Den.

"Nice to hear your voice again Hex. I assume you saw the firepower from the Bi-Duran. We had an ally gone rogue. I am heading for the landing pad at the Den. I welcome the escort. It's time to start planning on what to do about the State."

Another voice crackled on top of her transmission. *Hex of the Iron Dragon. We have not met yet, but I have seen Ammy's memories on the Holocron and know you can be trusted. The Bi-Duran has been powered down. You are free to pass and the sensors log all of your ships as friendlies now.* Ember cool tones came through. *Bi-Duran out.*

"Welcome to the madness Hex. The State has been too quiet and not attacking. Ember believes he knows why. See you planet side. Ammy and the Addaptus out." She hit the com switch, set the navigation computer on auto and closed her eyes for a little rest. Raining laser light and exploding earth still played in her mind.

The Addaptus set down on the landing pad at the Den. Ammy stepped out of the shuttle and watched Hex and his entourage circling for a landing. She walked to the edge of the Den and realized something gray and shimmering around the village. She passed through it and nothing happened. Two Lupinosse guards, armed with compound bows and H.E.X. tipped heads (High Explosive). Two combat style Marduks were on guard as well.

They approached Ammy and explained what was going on. Apparently, some of the demons Street had been hunting had been attempting raids on the Den. No raids succeeded and they made use of Ammy's Nethacite generators. A Nethacite field now encased the Den in a protective bubble that negated magic. Only Lupinosse and Marduk were allowed to pass and the few adopted members of the Den.

Ammy just grinned. Her people were smart and ingenious. She never had the generators set up for this type of visual, and large range coverage. They were adapting her advances quite well. She felt a bit better about nothing unwanted getting in or seeing the Den.

The Den had improved quite a bit. The garden square was now flourishing with flowers, vegetables, and the fountains, each one a marble statue depicting the founders of the Den, had crystal clear water flowing from their outstretched paws. She felt like she had never left. Wood buildings now had plascreet and metal structures helping support them. Kids ran every where.

Her legs took her to the house her and Fleet have. It sat there, dark, closed and lonely. She reached the doorstep and opened the alchemical lock on the door. As she stepped in, the room lights came on. A Lupinosse was sitting in her recliner and blue eyes gazed at her. A big smile was on its muzzle.

"Ammy, I am home." Came Fleet's warming voice.

Ammy couldn't believe it. "Fleet? Fleet!" She ran and jumped into his awaiting arms. She hugged him and didn't want him to disappear again.

Hex maneuvered the gunship around for a landing on the Den's tarmac, silently issuing a command to three of the Marduk serving guard duty for the Lupinosse. Two Gunner models and one Brute immediately broke off from the regular duties and moved over to take up sentry positions around Hex's gunship and the two interceptors which were just landing.

Running through the post-flight checklist, the machine slid out of the pilot's seat and moved down the small passageway to the airlock, followed by the Elite which had been in the gunner's seat. By the time the humanoid machine's feet touched the ground, the other two Elites in the fighters were walking over to join their Commisar. Hex simply nodded to the trio, "Stay with the ships for the moment. If we are staying for any length of time, I will send word."

All three soldiers saluted, closed fist slapped to chest over the heart. Hex returned the gesture, then turned and walked towards the Den proper to look for Ammy. Stopping briefly to ask for directions, Hex remarked at how the place had changed while Iron Dragon had been busy with their offworld contracts. The Den had expanded considerably, and had integrated the Marduk Drones and Functions admirably.

Following the directions given, Hex paused a moment at the door. It thought it had heard a second voice from within, but the sound was too muffled and distorted to analyze. After the equivalent of a mental shrug, Hex knocked on Ammy's door...

((Meanwhile))

Street cruised the dusty lanes of Rhydin. No signs of rogue demons or monsters around. He had no bounties out and he was feeling a bit obsolete. The ion engine whined in a steady song as his modified Harley motorcycle cruised along.

A crackle was heard on his bike's com unit.

*Street....hiss.....Street.....hiss.... Wolf....This...is.... Ammy.....hiss.....mission.....available......Lupin osse Den....hiss....silence*

That got Streets attention. He hadn't heard from his adopted daughter in quite some time. His orange cybernetic eye glowed as it flashed data and directions back to the Den. He would stop by the Red Dragon Inn first. He was quite parched and dry from all the dust.

Ammy took the com link and smiled at Hex for a moment. Then looked at Fleet. He just gave her that look and roguish grin that said 'Now what did you get us into.'

"When we get a hold of Street, Fen, and Ember, strategies will be discussed. When that happens, I would be happy to have you join the meeting. I believe for the most part that Recon and Intel will be our first objective. I am curious as to why the State has been so quiet lately."

She merged the com link with her arm. "Let me know if the Iron Dragons needs the services of the Chaotic Alchemist." She just grinned, her emerald eyes flashing.

((Back at the Lupinosse Den))

After Hex had left, Ammy walked to her work bench and pulled out two items. A black soul gem, and a mini holo-recorder that she had acquired from Hex. Ammy took the recorder and placed it on the floor by the corner of the room. Fleet just sat back down in his favorite chair and watched Ammy at work.

Ammy walked away from the recorder and snapped with her metal fingers. The recorder came to life.

"Street Wolf. This message is for Street Wolf. This is Ammy Wolf-Spiritor. I have an urgent mission requiring your services. When your available please return to the Lupinosse Den. Our people are in trouble."

Ammy set the recorder to broadcast. Once the message was set, she stored it back in her workbench drawer. Next she clutched the black soul gem and held it to her heart. It glowed blue.

"Hello Fen. I am sorry to disturb your self appointed solitude, but I have a request. I need your help. The Den and the Lupinossi face peril at the hands of the State Alchemists. I am gathering Street Wolf, Fleet Wolf, and Ember Pallin to my aid. Hex and his Marduk have also lent aid.

The State are dabbling with Lupinossi genetics and are trying unlock Damaen the Champions true purpose. Will you help us keep that reality buried? You are welcome in the Den anytime you wish."

The gem faded back to its former black color. She stored that away too. She looked tired, happy, and worried. "I sure hope they get those messages. I know the Marduk and Ember are strong, but the State has more firepower and tricks than we have seen so far."

Fleet stretched a bit and nodded to Ammy. He then stood and stripped out of his warrior tunic and hakema. He walked for their bedroom and just gave Ammy one casual glance out the corner of his blue eyes.

Ammy didn't need any more hints than that.

Fleet was up early. He could still hear Ammy sleeping in the bedroom. He hadn't had such a...mhm...thrilling night like that in ten years. He walked into the little kitchen they had in just his Hakemah pants. He fixed some tea and looked at the table in the den. There were maps and papers strewn all over it.

Mug in hand, he walked over and tried to sort out the mess. Blueprints, sketches, reports and a Jedi Holocron. Ammy appeared to have been working hard on leading a raid on Central. He was amused. They must have done something to piss off his love greatly. His eyes strayed to the Holocron. He had heard about these things.

He picked it up in his paw. He rolled it around and tried to figure out how it worked. He felt a click and a hologram came to life. It wasn't a person but a scene from some odd movie. He saw a rewind button and he pressed it. The hologram was static as it rewound. Then the play button flashed. Fleet walked to his favorite chair and sat down.

He pressed play, and spent all morning watching what had happen to Ammy for the ten years he was gone.

Fleet stared at the blue prints and data hard and long. He heard Street mention the obvious question. He looked up at him and Fen.

"Yes. We will attack and take all traces of our kind from that realm. I swore to my fathers, father, that Lupinossi will not perfected into a killing race for subduing realms." Fleets voice was low and cold.

"How are we to attack this enemy? And who are they?" Fen asked. He knew little about what was going on.

Street spoke up before Fleet could. "The enemy is known as the State. They have an army of regular troopers and elite State Alchemists on the same level or below our little Ammy. The are trying to kill her just because she is a chimera in their eyes and can do alchemy. They view her as dangerous. How we do it, I don't know, but I think he does." Street jerked his black furred head in Fleet's direction.

"I have a few ideas on a good assault on Central, their capital and headquarters. But, the actual plan will be Ammy's. She is the one they have declared death on." Fleet stated calmly.

Street and Fen gathered around the cluttered table and studied the information presented.

"Hmm. A full Battalion of tanks. 50,000 troops, fire arms, 100 State Alchemists, patrols, glyphs, seals." Street rattled off. "Going to be hard assaulting the facility. What is the goal of our mission Fleet?"

"From what I gather, an Alchemist known as Shou Tucker, Sewing Life Alchemist, is perfecting the union of our Lupinossi race. In short, trying to make the State a nice new chimera soldier that they have yet to perfect. So it would seem that we need to capture the samples, possibly the Alchemist as well, and kill all of the living specimens made." Fleet scratched his furred chest.

"Maybe a direct assault isn't needed, but a diversionary assault to allow a team to sneak in. What do we have in ways of supplies, reinforcements and allies?" Fen asked.

"I am still gathering that information, but so far, we have the 200 marduk guarding the Den, 200 more that Hex has left on standby for us from the Iron Dragons, 50 of our own Den volunteering, and one Gray Force User." Fleet rattled off. "Supplies, not much yet."

Fen nodded and looked to Street. "We need to get preparations under way then and bolster what we have."

Just as Ammy mentioned getting used to with no clothing on, Ember walked right through the front door.

"Really. You have no issue just being in your fur? Well you do look really good. Metal and fur, nice combination." He quipped as he looked her up and down.

Ammy just laughed and kept working the 3d model of Central. Ember approached the table and went into an at-ease posture.

"So, what have we got planned so far for this attack? Full charge up the front? Diversions? Espionage or covert missions? Recon?" He fired off the questions.

Ammy just paid attention to her model. Fleet was looking at maps and Ember saw the calculating look in his blue eyes. He had heard about Ammy's mate, but this was the first time he had met Fleet. Fen and Street started reporting the status of troops and what the had available for supplies.

Ember surveyed the looming walls and gates of Central, the HQ for the State Alchemists. Several militia walked in routine patrols with a State Alchemist within calling distance. Snipers and heavy machine guns were now placed at regular intervals along the parapets of the walls giving overlapping areas of fire. The main doors leading into Central were charged and etched with alchemy.

He lowered his binoculars and dipped behind a tree stump. Fen had found this nice tall hill, well outside of the city, but with a clear view to Central. A metal hand rubbed his red beard. The fortifications looked nothing like the layouts they pieced together from Ammy's memories. Seeing the alchemy seals on the doors gave Ember a good idea they were expecting a fight from Ammy.

Placing the binoculars back into their case, Ember pulled out some Soulstra bread that was supplied to them by the Den before they left. He looked down at the sandy brown cloak, black pants, reddish tunic, and long leather gloves that lay on the grass where he let them fall. Ammy had given Ember clothing that would make him look like a typical traveler.

His gray eyes travelled over to Fen, who was currently crouched by a wagon they had procured for travel to furnish their tale of traveling merchants. He kept staring at the Lupinossai, who, with the aid of his soul magic, looked nothing like an anthro wolf. He had a weathered complexion of a travelled desert merchant. He even walked with a normal gait.

Fen was checking their gear they had stashed under merchandise that had "slipped out" of the back of a merchant wagon. He just chuckled. Fen was very nervous to be here, and he had good reason to be. A Lupinossai would be labeled a chimaera and killed. Ember himself would be looked on with mistrust if they saw both of his metal arms. Automail was common on limb, but to have both replaced raised the need for too many questions.

Fen's ears flicked a bit and he looked down the hill. He motioned to Ember that a patrol was making it's daily ride out. Ember pulled on the long leather gloves, brushed Soulstra bread crumbs off his cloack, and made sure his light saber was tucked well out of sight. He but on a very convincing smile and prepared to fall into the roll of "Rambir the traveling merchant of carpetry".

Ammy sit on the living room carpet cross legged. She closed her eyes and meditated. The Jedi holocron recording her memories and thoughts. The holocron came to life as she sank into meditation. Ember appeared and smiled.

"Today, we do more than meditation Ammy. We begin Force training. You will need it for the battles to come, and to protect your children."

Her eyes snapped open at what Ember said. Children? She blinked away the shock and wondered if the human had gone off his rocker. He was an odd Force user. But there was no way to interrogate a hologram. So she closed eyes once more and listened to his instructions. She started with focusing on a pillow on the couch, and willing the strands of Force she saw in her mind to wrap around it, lift it, and bring it to her.

The pillow shivered and fell off the couch. She opened her eyes and looked in disappointment. She tried again and it lifted in the air a few inches and was stuck under the coffee table. Another try sent the pillow rocketing into the ceiling and the coffee table flipping end over end into the wall. The crash brought Fleet out of the bedroom in cautious haste, katana held ready.

He looked from her to coffee table and back. She told him she was practicing the Force. He just chuckled and went back to bed.

Left alone again, she set her mind to remove the coffee table from the wall, and set it on the floor where it had been. It went through the door this time. By morning, she was exhausted mentally, but she managed to make the pillow float and dance, and the coffee table stayed put. Now she was touching walls, doors, and ceiling to repair the damage with alchemy. She wondered how the scouting mission was going.

Fleet stood in the small Den square and looked at the marduk assault force and the ranks of Lupinossi warriors. They had all volunteered to go after the nation of Central to keep one of their own safe.

Fleet made sure they were all in good health and ready for a fight. Now all the did was wait for Ember and Fen to return.

Fen walked his double out of the room behind Ember. His mind realized a slight problem with their plan. The faces of the guards were known. He uttered words in a soft whisper.

"Your face, my face, what is yours now is mine, what's mine now is yours. Bind this trade by your soul."

Fen just grinned as the false face of his own illusionary spell making him human in appearance shifted the look of the face. He now wore the guards face. A mask of magical energy now flowed on to the limp guard, distorting his face to be Fens. Embers too had be altered. Another whisper as they were nearing a main hall.

"Do not be frightened Jedi, but I gave your prisoner your face. You have his now."

"Quick thinking Fen. Maybe you should see about training as a Jedi?"

Fen kept from saying anything as several officers passed by. Once they were far enough away, he whispered.

"No interest Jedi. I have done enough magic and sorcery in my life. I do not wish for more power for either good or evil. I just wish to be left in peace when this is done."

One of many forks in the hall appeared. Which way to go, and they needed to act fast. An escort should not show signs of being lost. Luckily as they got closer, the militaristic minds of the alchemist had designed the halls with checkpoints at the midway points of the hallways. Side glances as they walked showed the right hall with several guards. The left only two. Fen veered left with his prisoner.

"Halt! Who are they?"One of the guards held up his hand.

"Two merchants that promised information about Ammy the Chaotic Alchemist. They were lying. Tried to jump us when asking for a place to rest. Poor saps didn't know what hit them." he smiled. No harm in the truth.

"Pitty, the Fheurer really needs all the information he can get. Take them to the holding cells, the Fheurer will see them when they wake and not when they are out."

Wrong hall! Fen just nodded. "Thought maybe the Fheurer's beauty speech would rouse them." He said with a hearty laugh. Fen tugged the prisoner around.

The guards were laughing too. "Indeed! Fheurer Armstrong does like to brag a lot."

Ember followed Fen. He was indeed amused at how fast the Lupe could think on his feet. There's a story here, I just know it, that Fen has yet to tell.

Marching back the fork, they walked down the right hallway. All six guards came to attention. One look at the escorts and their unconscious prisoners brought grins to their faces.

"Well done captains! Caught more insurgents I see. We'll take 'em from here."

They couldn't protest as the mock prisoners were taken. Fen and Ember nodded, saluted and walked away.

"Captains? I am not sure this is luck or someone playing with us." Fen whispered.

"Play or Trap, we are not exactly toothless. Let us investigate quickly. Ammy and Fleet are more than likely getting worried."

Being in the guise of captains, Ember and Fen had fair access to most of Centrals facilities. While walking casually down halls on supposed security shifts they got a fair view of the Grand Library, several training seminars for upcoming State Alchemists, and the vaults for the States weaponry and armaments.

"They have tanks, fire arms, even rockets. Pretty advanced for a culture stuck in the alchemy era." observed Ember.

"Just because you use the arcane doesn't mean you can't use the unknown. Seeing what Ammy can make and use, I am not surprised by the States technology." Fen muttered.

They had been looking for access to the alchemy labs where samples of Ammy's blood, fur, and tissues were being used for creating devastating chimeras. So far, the hunt has turned up little. Fen and Ember split up and placed small tracking nodes in a few nooks and crannies of the armory. They had done so with the lecture rooms and Grand Library.

Fen began to feel unsettled and magical energy thrummed through the realm. He looked to Ember. "I think Ammy is on her way now. I felt a realm gate open."

Ember raised an eyebrow at Fen. "Then we must step our mission. Time to find someone who knows their way around and ask them politely to to show us." his gray eyes showed a glint that spoke volumes. The Force master wasn't likely to be polite about asking.

It didn't take the State to realize a rift had opened in their realm. Ammy and Fleet had lead their troops halfway to Central when they notice dust clouds ahead of them. The State Army was coming for them.

"Spread out! Mardukes, clusters of four, diamond formation. Lay down artillery fire. When their tanks are within 500 feet, heavy suppressing fire with lethality. Luprikai fighters, hold back and ready for surgical strikes against the enemy when the opportunity presents. Defenders forward and lock shields. Mages to bombard any State Alchemist you see. If none present, then fire at will. Fighters the ground troops are yours. Healers, you know what to do." Ammy barked out orders like a seasoned general. Given her time spent with the State, it was a fare statement.

"Fleet take a quarter of our troops and swing left. I will take a small strike force of mages right into the bushes. The rest of you stand your ground. They will come straight in. Tanks will fire first, followed by rifles and side arms. Plan on the State Alchemist putting their talents to use. Now let's go make a big racket. Our boys in Central need the distraction." She shouted to all encouragingly.

Inside though, she deeply hoped that Fen and Ember were still alive.

Fleet and his company of troops vanished in the vegetation on the left side of the road. He's lead troops before and this brought back the nostalgia of fighting for the Greater Den Wolf army back home. His paws flashed out silent hand signals.

Five archers went up trees and readied for a hail of Soul Bolts. Ten heavy armored warriors, all stocky Earthre lumbered forward and made sure the bushes they hid behind could be trampled easily for a surprise attack. Three Spiritor mages stood in the rear flanks ready to unleash hell. Fleet was with the warriors, his black bladed katana out and sucking in the life of anything it touched.

His ice blue eyes watched the approaching dust clouds. The dust was so thick it was obscuring any visual confirmation.

"Stay ready." he growled softly. Metallic blue wings erupted from his back and he soared high into the air in seconds. He flew over the dust barrier and saw that the State really had a grand army and that half of it must be here just for them.

Fleet touched a soul gem on his shoulder and whispered into it. "Ammy, love, you really know how to piss off your colleagues. Ten tanks, three thousand standard troops, and what I can see a minimum of twenty state alchemists."

"Copy love. Remember, this is not a victory fight, but a stall diversion. May Lupis and Canis watch over his children. Ammy out."

((Keeping with my rules, I will lay this on going back story to rest.))