Personal Log Entry 01: Somehow I did it again Tammy. I found myself attached to a ragtag group of rebellion fighters, and now I am in a Sprintar Prison cell. It's not really all that bad here. We get plenty of juice, seasoned venison, and the guards love to chat. However, one of the rebells had a blanket that she swears is not flea infested. Then why did we wake up itching the next morning. It's kinda hard to scratch an itch when you only have one arm.... Oh, why do I have only one arm.
Funny thing happened to our little rebellion group. We ran into Fen Stridar, Lord Pompus, and Wannabe Evil Deity of Lupinoss. Well, we found out he could back up those claims. We got into a scrap with him. The city we were in is now rubble, two of our best soldiers deserted when they came close to death. I was able to buy us some time by transmuting my arm into a lance and impaling Fen, but my magic powers went crazy and while we were stuck together, my arm shattered, blowing us apart. My legs barely want to work. My friends drag me 4 miles to safety where we were captured by local militia.
I didn't think things could get any worse, but I was wrong. John Michaels came to claim my old soul back to stabilize our homelands magic shield. I was drained, tired, and a mechanical wreck. I surrendered to his touch and we left the prison on magic only a deity could work. Then I was shoved against a shimmering barrier so high up in the air I could see Lupinoss and the Tallon mountains. The barrier hurt, and I felt something being ripped out of me. I must have passed out.

Personal Log Entry 02: Life just got more interesting and confusing when I woke up. I found myself inside of a gigantic robotic ship called a Mother. It housed a race of robots called Marduk. The first meeting scared me into passing out as all I saw was a 7 foot tall insect with red eyes staring at me. When I came to again, another Marduk, name Tex was their to help me adjust to my new surroundings. He was covered in fur and configured to closely resemble a Lupinossi.
What I found interesting was that my left arm and both of my legs had be completely replaced with new ones. These new appendages were now hooked into my nervous system. I could now feel whatever I touched with my left paw, and feel sand beneath my feet again. These were feelings I thought I would never feel again for 6 months. The gift comes with its own price. I can no longer transmute my metal limbs without severe pain.
The Mother AI found me intriguing on the day I met...I believe....was a her. She wanted to know about me, my home, and even made me special as I was the only one of my kind here now. Then she clothed me, gave me a shuttle and had Tex take me to a world called Rhydin to meet another Marduk named Hex who may be able to help me find my way back home.

Personal Log 03:

After meeting Hex today, I was a bit shocked by him. I have never met a 9 ft robotic preying mantis before. He showed me to a tavern called the Shaved Kurrii. He then introduced me to Lord Brutin. Now here is a meeting I don't wish to repeat again. Lord Brutin is a very nice Alpha, but the circumstances and conditions of the meeting could have been better. As I was talking with him, some pompous fat human decides to vaporize a slave of his right in the room and acted like it was nothing. I was appalled at the obvious disregard for life, and noticed he was eying Lord Brutin with menace.
Wanting to impress a possible alpha, I made a reflective metal shield behind my back. The flash of my transmutation though caught the eye of his Sith bodyguard who mistook as the threat and the fat human. It was a tense few moments as the Sith and I locked gazes, her glowing saber in front poised at my reflective shield. Hex was finally able to get our attention to stand down. In which case, I felt thoroughly embarrassed and dashed out the door for the night. I could always meet him again tomorrow.
Well tomorrow came, but circumstances again made my meeting with Lord Brutin less than favorable. On my way to the Shaved Kurrii, the shaved slaves of the fat guy from last night waited in a side alley for me. They took me by surprise, catching me in the ribs with several hits of there iron maces. About the 4 hit, I was aware of my situation, and I think I lost control. All I remember was snapping my fingers and blowing an arm off here, a leg there. They screamed and ran away. My sides hurt. I couldn't breath very well, but I was determined to meet Lord Brutin and not run away like a scared puppy again.
The meeting went better than I thought, with him asking for a few demonstrations. He hired me on the spot. The demo's unfortunately added to my body's injuries. With no one paying attention to me in the midst of the tavern din, I collapsed on the floor, breath not wanting to stay in my punctured lungs. Luckily Hex saw me collapse and summoned several medics and healers to my aide. I spent my first night of employment lying in the Compounds Medical Bay under the watch of Suede.

Personal Log Entry 04:

I'll keep this one short Tammy. I pushed myself to hard the next day after I was hired. I kept duplicating items and food per request. I even transmuted a guillotine on the spot. But my body was not thoroughly ready for the strain so soon. A wild wood elf tried to show my wild healing magic which I tried to mimic. The unfamiliar magic sparked a migraine in my head. Next thing I knew the light above me exploded. Then everything kept getting brighter and I swear my eyes were sparking with an odd glow. I tried to leave the Shaved Kurrii to get fresh air to clear my head. I made it halfway to the door and collapsed, with my last memory of bottles and glasses shattering around me. I woke up in Hex's lab that evening with Suede hovering concerned over my unconscious form. I was ordered by her to stay put for two days and rest. I need to put this book away and sleep some more. Hex will be getting me ready for more meetings with Lord Brutin.

Personal Log Entry 05:
Lord Brutin has finally given me my orders, though I am a bit disappointed by them. I am to be on standby for when they need me. Till then, I am to rest. Rest! What am I? Some first ling puppy that can't handle any stress? Alright, I will agree that I tend to pass out at the drop of a hat if I transmutes things too much, but I can work on that, I think?? I am a Lupinossi gifted with alchemy. Hell, I have even killed other Lupinossi in battle. I'll show them I am not a puppy.
Later that evening Tammy, I was force fed my own words. We had two strangers waltz into the tavern and threaten Lord Brutin. Naturally, we all jumped on them. They walked in when Lord Brutin had 7 of his body guards there. Hex, Verishia the Sith, Gunslayer, and I were there waltzing in for glory. We could handle two goons. We were not expecting demigod type power. Hex took a lot of damage that fight. I tried to blow a limb of the brute, but it just took the hit and kept coming. Verishia and Gun had their hands full with the and elf.
I rushed in close to put my new metal limbs to use and found out that any kicks or punches were useless. I was even nailed by a shocking blast of magic that messed up my arm. I tried transmuting in battle with my new limbs for the first time that night. It felt like my arm was being ripped off. I gritted my teeth, and pressed on transmuting it into a war hammer, while transmuting random metal plates and cups into daggers, knives, and a blaster for others to use.
Hex actually made some progress with the hulking brute, but its life blood corroded Hex's body, then it started to thrash hex all around the tavern. Hex just couldn't take it and shutdown. Gun and Verishia now had both of the enemies against them. We needed Hex's firepower. I threw every ounce of soul energy into him and was able to repair his body just enough for him to mess up the brute good. From there the battle was in our favor forcing them to teleport in retreat. I then spent the next few minutes healing who I could and trying to repair the inn as well. Well you know what was coming I am sure. I pushed and pushed too hard. I hit the ground, and was out for a few days. I finally woke in Hex's lab thoroughly tired and badly in need of repairs.

Personal Log Entry 6:
I woke up to Hex fine tuning a new body for himself. The fight we had a few days back in the tavern made him reconsider his old body design. From what I can see, lying on an overstuffed pillow next to my work table, the body was taking on a scorpion like appearance. I got up and walked over to Hex. He was standing at the nano-factory controls, the fingers on his new humanoid hands typing at a blazing speed, his humanoid face contorted into a look of concentration. For the past few days I have been watching him make theses new bodies with fascination. The way he designs them and the way the nano-factory displayed the process, I learn a whole appreciation for the machinery that now makes up my legs and left arm.
I limped into the Shaved Kurrii that night for some food and apple juice. Nadine just seems to serve the best chilled apple juice in Rhydin. My legs were killing me. The muscles needed some tightening, tendons were near snapping, and both of my shins were bent out of alignment. My left kept leaking liquid metal from the torn muscles. These will just have to wait. I have been devoting my time and attention to helping Hex get his bodies into full operation.
I walked in to the Shaved Kurrii thirsty and hungry. Nadine fixed me right up with my favorite juice and plenty of meat. The crowd was light so I tried to do some repairs on my arm at the table. Jokes and gossip were flying around that were just too hard to ignore. I gave up on repairs when I lost the tendon fillament for the third time. I limped back to my comfy corner in Hex's lab and curled up for some more sleep.
Two days later, Hex's bodies were done and just in time for the war Lord Brutin was having him waged. I finally subjected my self to the nano-repair facilities and restored my limbs. With limbs back to normal I walked to the Shaved Kurri in a good mood. That wouldn't last long. I faced another enemy when I got to the tavern. The enemy was the lack of any knowledge on intimacy or sex. My muzzle can flap some times and before I know it, even Lord Brutin knows I have never been with anyone. Now, I keep getting secret smiles, and covered smirks as everyone is trying to find their Little Ammy a wolfy friend.

Personal Log Entry 07: Sigh... Dear Tammy. Where do I begin. The last 3 weeks have been a sea of nightmares and emotions for me. To get my mind off of everyones quest to get me a date, I have thrown myself into full concentration on the Lodestone Nethicite project so we can have a fighting chance against magic wielding opponents. So far I have made a near duplicate of the Lodestone Magecite from home, but, I don't have any ashes from my old body so I was forced to make a few new modifications to the formula. The magecite works a little too well. It drains magic. Even my soul energy is not safe. The prototype is too powerful and erratic to use outside of the lab. Maybe I can tweak the magecite material and somehow change the lodestone to something more repelling.
I woke the next couple of mornings with a headache from this project and decided to go the Shaved Kurrii for a little rest break from work. Rest though, would not wait for me. It left its body guard Distress at the bar. I ran into a slaver that had an oh so lovely attitude. She decided to pull Nadine's hair to get her to gasp in pain just to prove to me that no one can tell her what to do. Funny, I wasn't telling her to do anything, just asking her to treat Nadine nicely. Needless to say, Tammy, in the brief display of power, I saw Spiritor in my mind. His red eyes glaring at me and he's drink that I spilt when my paw caught the edge of the carpet. I still feel his whip on my back, and the look of hate when I turned the whip to dust in his paws. That was the day I was silenced for a year. I still brush my fingers over my throat where his serrated basalt knife sliced fur, flesh, and vocal chords. I came back to the present and tried to restrain my fear and hate. I walked back to the bar and found Distress there just laughing. It wasn't finished with me for the night. The slaver just sounded so airy when she said "It was just an accident" in such a flippant way. My eyes sparked, and she was lucky. It was just the brandy bottle that blew up and not her hand that pulled Nadine's hair.
Distress' shift and fun with me was just about over, so it decided to introduce me to a new friend, Grief. Grief was escorted by another Lupinossi. I was shocked when I saw him walk in and immediately hound me mercilessly. He saw my branding and immediately thought mage trash. I was not in the mood for it and we had a brawl in the Shaved Kurrii. It didn't last long. He tried to pull soul guns on me, but I just happen to have that magecite on me. It fried his guns. I then went as far as to take my hate at the slaver out on him. Last time I saw him that night, his muzzle was swollen and he limped. I had his guns in my paws as well.
The next night I met Arak, an anthro gryphon mage knight. He took a liking to me right away. I was blushing from his comments. We even went out on a hunt that night and had fun. I keep mentioning "had fun". Every time fun happens, something nasty waits for me in the dark. I returned to my experiment and still got no where. The magecite was hopelessly erratic. Then I saw my old notes and noticed I didn't add any of my blood to the equation. I remedied this problem, but I couldn't remember how your syringes looked, Tammy. Five bloody stabs later I had plenty of blood, but now my right arm hurt, and my head was getting dizzy. I stored the blood in some glass vials that Hex had and walked to the Shaved Kurrii for some fresh air. Suede the medic was there, and was not happy to see me dizzy and the rag around my arm soaked in blood. Again I get scolded not to work too hard and to see her for more blood letting.
My mood is as low as I can get at this point. My experiment is at a stalemate, I am lonely, and thoughts of that other Lupinossi came to my mind. How did he get here? Lupinoss had a tight magical shield. He shouldn't be here. I sipped my cold apple juice that seemed to magically appeared by my paw, though I know Nadine was lurking near me somewhere. A shadow fell across the table. I looked up and saw him again. One red eye looking down at me, slightly unfocused. His head battered, the left eye gone with a crude patch over it. He coughed blood. I swear by Canis I didn't lose that much control on him.
I patched him up as much as possible but the injuries were too much for my skill. At least he stopped coughing blood on the table. Most of the other patrons left the Shaved Kurrii, not wanting to be around a dying "It". He thanked me for the healing in an odd scottish/irish accent. Who goes around calling people lassie and laddie any more? Seeing the tavern empty, he decides to answer my previous questions my mind was gnawing on. I learned to hate him and me to the fullest that night.
I woke in the dimmed and darkened lab on the compound the next day. I don't remember how long I cried, or when I finally passed out from grief. The his voice popped back into my head.
Stranger: You don't remember me do you lassie?

Should I know You?

Stranger: You should. I am Street of Den Wolf. Last general and beta elder of the now deceased Wolf Den. Your alchemy and experiments 40 years back doomed us all lassie.


Impossible, I have only been gone for 2 months from Lupinoss. How could 40 years have gone by?

Street Wolf: Lassie, realm hopping speeds up time in Lupinoss. I am now 80 years old. My homeland is now taken over by Spiritor, your own Den, and most of my blood, kin, and friends are dead because of you. Your transmutation liquid gave Spiritor the weapon he needed. He mad Soul Knights. Nasty blokes. They are souls bound to armor and walk like the living. The feel nothing. Fear nothing. Stop at Nothing.

That can't be. Fleet Wolf and his fang troops were on there way to stop the mages and bring the war to a close. You can't possibly mean that they were wiped out. They are the best.

Street Wolf: They were the best lassie. Best against the living, but not against the unfeeling Soul Knights. The war has been going on for 20 years. We finally got beaten when the Order of the Soul swept our land. They were 4,000 strong. I was captured, so was Fleet. I was tied up in the capital square of Wolf City, whipped, beaten and made fun of for being a Wolf. Then they drug Fleet out and tortured him for the crowds amusement. The finally killed him when he couldn't scream anymore. The forced transmutation liquid down his throat. I can't mention anymore as the sight is still pain full in my mind. And then, for an encore, my mate and my daughter were trussed up, raped in front of me, and the slaughtered the same was as Fleet. They thought the were giving me pity by removing my left eye that kept staring at their bodies. When I threatened undying revenge, they removed my manhood, opened a realm gate, beat me senselessly, and I am now here exiled. All because of your transmutation fluid lassie.

I couldn't take the echo of those words in my head. I walked out of the dark lab and into the Shaved Kurrii. That was my first night to try Ever Clear. It didn't make things better, just made me sick. I looked like death warmed over and took to staying

Personal Log 08: I finally cried as much as my body could take it. I forced myself to go to the Shaved Kurrii for food, and whether I wanted it or not, companionship. Street was there, and behaving rudely. Evidently Arak had healed him completely. Though as I look at his muzzle, I wonder why his left eye was never restored and why he kept the grizzly mark of exile branded on his cheek?
Street saw me and proceeded to try and be my friend and mentor for the rest of the night. "Just shoot me and let me die." is all i could think when he came near me. Though he did apologize for bringing the news to me in such a menacing manner. He had been through a nightmare and it was only fair he would be enraged telling a Spiritor what has happened. He further apologized when he saw my branding up close and the experiment classing number with it.
The following few days I could not concentrate on anything. The loss of Fleet and the feeling of responsibility for the loss of thousands still crushing me. Street decided to take charge of me and become an Alpha and Mentor to me. He pushed me hard with physical training exercises for young warriors. I was repeatedly bruised and knocked down in close combat, all the while Street's brow furrowed in concern and his voice turning sharp on me. I didn't understand what he trying to do. How could I fight with memories haunting me.
Amongst the days of hard training, berating, and some magical practice from Arak, a ray of hope lit on me. Another Lupinossi was seen in Rhydin. Again, I wondered how they were getting here, but when I saw who it was, I forgot my concerns, well at least for a few days. The stranger looked like my lost love Fleet. My soul felt torn between wanting to believe he was alive and giving in to the fact he was dead.
4 nights later, I finally got enough courage to walk up to him and ask him who he was. He told me he never knew me and never heard of anyone named like me. Arak was able to ask him more questions when I wasn't around. He told me that this stranger was Fleet, but not the Fleet I knew. This Fleet was from a parallel time line that I never existed in. Before Arak could tell me anymore, I was prancing around happy like a puppy with a new ball. I had a chance to start over fresh with someone close to my lost lover as I could get. I end this log tonight with happiness. Now on to my experiments again. I think I'll start with a new change of wardrobe, and maybe some armor to boot.

Personal Log Entry 09:

Well Tammy, I now have Hex's lab equipment mastered down to a fine science. I am now wearing a wonderful jumpsuit with no legs and the left arm missing on purpose. I'll have to confess that I like to show of my robotic limbs as it makes me feel all the more special and unique. I have made detachable armor shelling that snaps over my metallic muscles to keep them safe. They may be metal, but the still get injured, and they hurt when the are hit. I was tired of the liquid silver look and decided to try something new. I went for metallic blue casings with metallic red joint and hock boots. Everyone loves the new look.
On a more technical note, Arak gave me a gift for my birthday. He made me soul batteries. I just charge them when I can then tap them when I need a recharge in battle. Supposedly I can go 7 hours now in battle with my transmutation talents, but there has yet to be any action to proved this theory. Speaking of the soul batteries, I am planning on duplicating them and adding it to Street Wolf's guns. I want to do something to show that I understand him, but have a problem thinking of how. Then he asked me to make him new guns as his old ones quit working.
Speaking of Street, he did something odd last night and it scared me. He tapped into a flash back of his last battle he was in command of. The way he talked, reacted, and his general energy was frighteningly erratic. I asked Rishi if this was how I got when I flash back to my horror days under Spiritors whip. She wouldn't answer me.
Now I sit in the lab on my pillow with Street unconscious on another pillow next to me. He went back so much that his mind told him he was fatally injured and his body kicked into regeneration mode. I looked back to the pieces of his guns now on the little work table I have. The design and functions were so archaic and horribly done I don't know how he survived using them.
Yet, as I touch the pieces, the Fleet I lost, touches me back. He supposed made these for Street and even commended his soul gem to Streets keeping and use in the guns. Sigh...Fleet....That was the old Fleet. Now I am happily enjoying a new Fleet from another timeline. Even though he doesn't know me and I never existed in his time, it makes the other little secrets that the old Fleet knew easier to hide from everyone including him. Though, now I have this Fleet ripped away from me for who knows how long. His Realms Investigations HQ demanded a personal report face to face and he didn't seem happy about it. I could smell worry and a hint of fear. The way he acts and does things, that was very odd. Well Street is starting to stir and I still have two guns to resurrect. I'll write more later Tammy.

Transmutation Log 01:

Entry: Soul Charged, Multi Effect Guns.

Recipient: Street Wolf

Artifacts Registry Name: Lupinossi Soul Eagles

Primary Configuration of Artifact: Mimics appearance and weight of 2 .45 caliber Desert Eagle Automatic Pistols.

Capacity: 6 Power Core Gems shaped to magazine clip form.

Clip Capacity: 1 clip will last 2 hours with normal mode amunition. 1 hour with modification ammunition. 30 seconds with panic mode activated.

Ammunition Specs:
Normal Mode Ammunition: Single fire or rapid fire burst of condensed soul energy. Rated as the same impact of hammer rounds, or 200lbs of force per square inch.

Modification Ammunition:
Modification 1: Searing energy. Lightning bolt lances out to 30 feet. Straight line of sight path.

Modification 2: Flames of Draconis. Searing Ball of Dragon fire. Ranged at 40 feet. 3 foot diameter. Wielder directed flight path.

Modification 3: Ice Ram. Ice meteor impacts at 2,000lbs of force per square inch. Ranged at 15 feet. 3 foot diameter. Straight line of sight path.

Modification 4: Orb of Attraction: Gravity well pulls all objects towards it and crushes them the intense gravity well. Rated at 2 feet in diameter. Will pull all objects under 30lbs into the void easily. Will drag all objects under 80lbs. Well pull at objects under 150lbs. Orb may be cancelled by commanding it with "Negatre!"

Modification 5: Panic Mode: Warning, will drain power cores in 30 seconds. Fleets Blood Fang Souls: Wielder is shielded inside a nexus of whirling blades wielded by souls. Rated at 20 feet in all directions. Activation code required. "Soultre Fleetre Bloodre Fangre!" The effects will last till cores are spent.

Cores will recharge from wielder automatically: 30 minutes is required to recharge a core. The core must be held in the palms to allow full contact of soul energy. Soul energy once stored, will not fade from the power core.

Process of creating these artifacts as recorded by Ammy Spiritor's Soul Gem:

Ammy Spiritor: Walks in to the quiet and empty Shaved Kurrii and sits at a table. She lays out the pieces of Streets old guns, pulls her leather book out and begins to work.

Ammy Spiritor: "Lets start with the frame. He loves .45 automatics. These frames must have been from and early model. Lets transmute it to a Dessert Eagle style frame." she etches runes on the table around the frames of the guns and marks a few symbols that indicate change by will. Closing her eyes, she breathes deeply and touches the runes.

Ammy Spiritor: The frames twisted, warped and reformed. Old metal resolving and reforming to new metal and the frame grew to Ammy's will.

Ammy Spiritor: She picked up the frames and inpsected each one with scrutiny, waving a metal paw over any deffect.

Ammy Spiritor: She set them aside and focused on the internal mechanisms.

Ammy Spiritor: "Five soul gems in a clip to be shuffled by a crude spell. They are scratched, the energy faded, and the gems just about to turn to dust." She holds them in her metallic left paw, then squeezes tight, crushing them to powder. "We will make better ones." She pulls out one of Araks Soul Batteries, places it inside a circle inscribed with an X and several lines connecting to the a circle with a symbole of consumption. She placed the powdered soul gems in the circle.

Ammy Spiritor: The powder glowed and coalesced into a growing form duplicating the soul battery in the other circle.

Ammy Spiritor: The only difference was this gem was multicolored where the soul battery was a clear diamond. She grinned. This will do very well.

Ammy Spiritor: "Now then, there is no need for moving parts in these guns." Touches the frames once more and they fill in to look exactly like Dessert Eagles with a few little touches. She reshaped the the gem then duplicated it.

Ammy Spiritor: The two gems were now shaped like ammo clips the old guns housed. Upon further relflection she duplicated 4 more.

Ammy Spiritor: "Never hurts to have spares." she said to herself.

Ammy Spiritor: "Now then...." flipping a few pages she stops on a page and inscribes a few runic symbols in gold and silver over the hand grip, sides, and the mock barrel.

Arak Kryyn: Arak could feel the slight tug of Power as he slipped into the Kurii silently. Watching with a smile on his beak.

Arak Kryyn: "Have you already finished the effect spells?"

Ammy Spiritor: "Time for a test." she snapped the book closed, and grabbed two power cores. She snapped it in as she heard Arak.

Ammy Spiritor: "We will find out."

Ammy Spiritor: Her eyes glow blue and the guns radiate an aqua glow as her soul energy passed into the power cores.

Arak Kryyn: Soft chuckle as the gryphon padded over on bare paws, then traced a series of runes in the air. The spell created a field of energy rippling in front of the bar counter. "Use this as your target range."

Ammy Spiritor: "Core power charged to 1/4 strength." she said flatly as if from a distance.

Ammy Spiritor: "Commencing test fire of Lupinossi Soul Eagles. Modification 1!"

Ammy Spiritor: She snaps off a searing bolt of lightning at the target square.

Ammy Spiritor: Grins as the field is hard put to stay stable.

Arak Kryyn: Arak watched as the energy crackled across the shield and was drained away. "Ahhhh, lightning effect. I had a few ideas about that actually."

Ammy Spiritor: "Testing modification 2!"

Ammy Spiritor: Snaps off a shot of dragons fire from the gun and watches it splash across the field.

Ammy Spiritor: "Commencing test of Modification 3!"

Arak Kryyn: A feathered brow raised at the second shot, "Multiple fire modes? Impressive. I hadn't thought of that."

Ammy Spiritor: An ice meteor impacts the shield.

Arak Kryyn: Quickly reinforces and widens the target field.

Ammy Spiritor: "Modification 4!"

Ammy Spiritor: A dark void appears by the field and things start to fly towards it. "Negatre!"

Ammy Spiritor: The void fades

Ammy Spiritor: The items clatter to the floor.

Arak Kryyn: Arak blinks and squawks, "Gravity effects?!"

Ammy Spiritor: Her eyes glow blue again and the guns shine brightly now. "Power cores fully charged, commencing test of final Modification 5. Arak, please add more barriers to prevent damage to the Kurri." she said in the vacant voice again.

Arak Kryyn: "That's my limit hon. Perhaps you'd better save this test for later?"

Arak Kryyn: The gryphon looked back at Ammy, frowning in worry.

Ammy Spiritor: Gets up and moves mechanically out the door and to the street. Seeing no people around this late she methodically measures her position.

Arak Kryyn: Arak hops up and follows quickly.

Ammy Spiritor: "No targets in range. Dammage range minimal. Final Modification test commencing. Arak, please stay 20 feet away from me."

Arak Kryyn: Okay, now the mage knight was really worried, "You'd better know what you're doing!" Tossing another target field up into the air about a hundred feet up.

Ammy Spiritor: "Final modification command execution test. Soultre Fleetre Bloodre Fangre!"

Ammy Spiritor: 20 feet in all directions a host of ghostly images erupt and phantom blades ripped through the air with deadly reality. Ammy was untouched, seeming the nexus to a lethal storm of blades.

Arak Kryyn: Arak squawked again and jumped back another ten feet just in case.

Ammy Spiritor: "Power core drain rapid. cores now at 75%, now 50%, now 25%, power cores exhausted." the ghostly images stood to attention, saluted ammy and melted away. She staggered a little and shook her head.

Ammy Spiritor: "30 seconds." she said exhausted.

Ammy Spiritor: "And with full power cores. Anymore and any user would be killed or worse, the souls released in rage."

Arak Kryyn: The gryphon stood by, a little worried still, but not quite willing to risk moving in just yet.

Ammy Spiritor: Walks to the bench out front and drops wearily in it.

Ammy Spiritor: She places the guns by her side.

Ammy Spiritor: "It is safe arak." she said weakly. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly and deeply, her body glowing faintly as she worked on tapping manan.

Arak Kryyn: Now Arak moves over and lays a hand on her shoulder, muttering a quick rejuvination spell and letting the energy flow back into her body.

Ammy Spiritor: Nods her apreciation. "It wont be this draining as I put regenerating glyphs on his power gems to automatically recharge them.

Ammy Spiritor: Nods to herself. "Yes. he wont have to learn how to charge them. He can just hold them for a certain period of time and they will recharge automatically. About 30 minutes per clip.
Thats all I can do tonight."

I thought she was gone. When I was forced through the barrier by John Michaels, he said she wouldn't be there anymore. Why did she return? I don't remember everything that happened last night at the Shaved Kurrii, but what I do haunts my sleep. I was someone else. I had more power than I believed I could harness. I was bent on domination of Rhydin and everything else. I even came close to enslaving Rishi into my own...I don't know what. And my shoulder keeps hurting like I was shot. I remember Fleet patching up my shoulder and giving me some drugs. Next thing I know, he's lying in my arms, back bleeding and unconscious. Street was there, but very supportive and concerned.
I woke up the next morning in the Medical Bay. Now I know it wasn't a nightmare but reality last night. Fleet lay hooked to machines monitoring his life. What happened? Street won't say a thing and is pacing back and forth waiting for Hex. And then I realize a slight weight on my neck. I reach up and feel a collar snapped securely in place. Memories of old' flood back and I spent the rest of the day crying.


Personal Log Entry 10:

Ammy The Chaotic. Thats what I have heard throughout my life in the Spiritors' Experimental Lab and Prisoner Exchange Tower. I thought she was a kind person, and outsider come to help Lupinoss when Damaeon the Champion sought to wipe us out. She drove his army back, returned our land to normal and even made the magic barrier. How could she be evil? You've lied to me all of my life Tammy, and I think I know why. You were hoping she would completely take over my body and remove my soul or consume it. But she didn't.
Now I am here in a different realm dealing with a nightmare long thought over with. What am I to do? I have one body and at times two souls trying to dwell in it. Do I give in to one? Do I fight it? Or do I just remove the prize they fight over?
Fleet still hasn't woken. The medics are concerned about his health as he evidently used every last drop of energy on me. Why I am I the focus of chaos and tragedy? I am now beginning to see that I am more of a danger to everyone if I am alive.
And Rishi? She seemed to be in bliss with the chaos going on. What does she gain from it?
I returned to the lab to try and sleep, the medics telling me that ignoring my health in concern for Fleet's was foolish. When I returned to the lab I saw that my pack and the two guns were returned to me, and a note on the table. The glyphs told me right away it was Lupinossi.

Dear Ammy,
I found your gear left behind in the Shaved Kurrii lassie. I brought them over and I hope you can replace your sometime soon. I admire the guns and I am pretty sure you did that for me, but I can not accept them at this moment. Not when I was cold enough to shoot you just to stop the witch that is in you. I am looking for Hex to see what I can do for his army. Take care of Fleet, and I hope you survive your trials. Don't take the collar to heart too much lassie. Fleet was sorry he had to place it on you, but it was the only way. And watch out for the Sith. She's gone nuts from your power and wants more. I am off now. See you in the Shaved Kurrii sometime.

Street Wolf

P.S. I shot you. I can no longer fool myself into thinking your my daughter. But I will always be found of you.


I sighed deeply after that letter. I was just getting used to him being a father I never had. Dropping the letter I see my old soul gem on the table. It was glowing.

Personal Log Entry 11:

My head spins now. This night has been odd. Fleet woke from his coma. I tried healing Rishi and was shocked by my collar which I no longer have due to a deal Fleet made with his HQ. He bartered his rights to being an heir to Lupinoss and his powers as a deity to buy my life? I didn't know he was a deity. And what' worse, he is 150 years old. Shudder, but he looks 28.
And that's only the beginning. He is now dealing with Lord Brutin to sell prisoners as slaves to him. I don't know about this Fleet. He keeps telling me that being an Alpha meant seeing everything in shades of gray. Brutin says it's their job to do the dirt work and hard decisions.
I should be happy since there is a way to get to Lupinoss now with Fleet, but its isn't my Lupinoss. I am just confused. My head hurts, and I want to scream, be in bed with Fleet, and kill him at the same time. I turned nineteen today and I get this as my gift.

I woke this morning alone in Hex's lab. I should have been snuggled up with Fleet, but after last night, I just want to be away from him for a day. So much happens so quickly here. One moment, he's in a coma, next minute he's our Alpha. Why can't he just be his sweet self again?

Maybe I am being too selfish. He is back in Ryhdin, and I should be happy. Why should I care what he does with the Lupinossi. They are not from my time, I knew no one then.

She slammed her paws on the table sending tools and papers scuttling off of it. "I can't keep letting my mind wander on me like this. I will never get any work done. I promised Brutin to get somewhere with my magic nethicite. I have to focus." She shouted to the empty lab. It echoed back to her.

She picked up her book and went back to researching the rite properties needed. The words and glyphs slid of the page as all she could think of was Fleet holding her in his arms. He was weak, she could feel that, but at that moment, she felt like nothing could rip her away from him. She dropped the book and curled up on the pillow with her thoughts.

"Why did I ever want to become a woman? I had to go find a male, and now my life is a spiral of emotions." she whispers.

An hour later the labs entry chime goes off startling Ammy. She walks slowly to the door trying to get her thoughts to ease. The air currents in the lab felt good on her fur. She didn't care if anyone saw her naked. She looked at the view screen and saw Street Wolf waiting to be let.

He felt a twinge of regret as he walked up to Hex's Lab. He was going to ask for his guns back even though he wrote Ammy a letter saying he couldn't accept them.

How could he? He had shot her in the shoulder. He had harmed another Lupinossi he was given orders to protect. By all rights he should be shot himself by her. He shook his scarred head. He needed the guns. He was going to find Hex and apply for a position the Legion of Chains army. He needed every advantage he could get in this modern realm.

But, then who will watch and guard Ammy? Fleet probably could, but Fleet's not been the same since he bartered everything for Ammy's life that night. His care free attitude somehow seemed replaced by a straightforward mind, and grudgingly a quick study of a strong Alpha.

"By rights I should be Alpha." He thought, but the fact that Fleet was 150 years old put him solidly in first place with knowledge of Lupinossi and other Realms. "I will just have to settle for Beta position and help him where I can." he grimaced at that thought.

Well, he was at the Lab's door. He pressed the call button and waited. He could here Ammy stir inside, then pause by the door. It opened after a few moments. She stood there, with nothing on but her fur, and she looked like a wreck. This was not her usual cool, professional look she had at the Shaved Kurrii.

She motioned him inside, a slight click click followed her as her robotic legs glided smoothly on the metal flooring.

She wasn't surprised by Streets appearance. She knew he would be back for the guns. She smiled at him and tried to groom her blue hair into something manageable. He just shook his head no when she tried to look better.

"Nae lassie. Don't get all prim and proper for me. I realize I caught you at a bad time. I was just wondering if I could get my guns?" Street said calmly. He looked at me not like a male who wanted me, but like a father who was admiring how his daughter grew.

She sat on her pillow and just looked at Street. "He can't just write a letter feeling sorry for shooting me and then expect me to overlook that." She thought.

"I'll have to think about it Street of Wolf. You did shoot me, and that was with a real bullet. These guns are more potent with magic attached to them. How do I know you wont shoot me with them?" She asked, her red orange eyes glowing in the darkness.

"I..it was the only thing I could think to do when you lost control of that demon. I would have done something less drastic, but that Sith was near you. She looked like she enjoyed Ammy the Chaotic too much. I couldn't risk getting close to her. That lassie just doesn't feel right. I could of killed you on the spot lass. But...I....care for you." He muttered the last of his statement and fidgeted.

"Cared for me?" she thought. "Like a lover? Can't be. He already showed no interest in my body. Could he acting like a father?" she wondered in confusion.

"Why do you care for me Street?" She asked.

"Lassie, I know you were here before I was and must have done something right to survive by yourself. But when I arrived, I saw a young lass who was not sure what she got herself into and that she was treading close to a whirlpool. I guess my pain of losing my daughter Topaz and how she was like you made turned me to fathering you. You look and act like you could've used a father in your life." He replied soothingly.

He was right. She had never had a father. Being a clone blank gone sentient when the soul merging of Ammy the Chaotic was delayed for 18 years, she only knew Tammy her lab keeper. "But is he saying that I need more guidance. I am a grown woman. I have slept with a male, two males in fact. I am 19 now. I don't need his fathering." she waged the argument in her head.

He could see Ammy was having difficulty with what he said. "If it helps any lass, I will always love you as a father. You will always be a daughter to me." He said softly.

"I...." her thoughts kept colliding. Someone that cared for her, and tried to protect her without wanting anything back. How could she turn him down and hold back something he needs? "Or does he need me?" she wondered.

"Meet me by the Shaved Kurrii tonight Street. I will decide then if you get your guns back and....that'll be all for now." she replied flatly.

Street turned and headed out of the lab. As the door closed, he heard her crying softly, and he knew that he heard a silent "and if I need you as a father." in her words. Tonight at the Shaved Kurrii it will be. He walked off in the noon sun whistling a marching cadence that only he knew now. His troops no longer alive to sing or march in step to it anymore.

Personal Log Entry 12:

Tonight was a swirl of emotions. I finally decided that having a father wouldn't be so bad. At least I would be able to talk to him and not feel like a complete pup, most of the time.

I met him at the Shaved Kurrii as we planned. He was happy to get his guns and happy to have me as a daughter. When we went for a few drinks, Fleet Wolf was hip deep in business with Lord Brutin. No surprise there. My boyfriend had turned serious and Alpha like in one night since waking from his coma. I guess he bartered dearly for me and now he was trying to make up for it.

He called us over for a chat after he finished with Brutin. He wanted me to work on the Command Collars Brutin was ordering from him. The were to be modified with my Nethicite when I had it ready. To be collared was bad, to be forced to do what the owner said was worse. To be stripped powerless of your magic on top of that was inhumane, but this time I didn't look a Fleet like he was a monster. I knew Brutin had many enemies that would be easier dealt with with these collars. So, would be happy to modify them.

After a few details on the collars were explained, he then looked at us and asked if he could be our Alpha. What kind of Alpha asks that? Step in and take it Fleet. But I was glad he asked. I was hoping to get him to commit to being my mate. I may be hasty, but the last Fleet I had, died before we got that far. Not this time. I can learn to overlook the slave selling that Fleet was doing as part of trade with Brutin from his realm.

I also wanted to keep a small shard of Ammy the Chaotic inside of me. I feel like she was my silent mother since I was made from her genes. Fleet and Rishi are trying to talk me out of it. I was told that she would grow into a full being again since she fed off of any Chaos. Am I selfish to keep something dangerous in me because I think it is the closest thing to mother?

We left the Shaved Kurrii that night to find Street. We were going to go through the Lupinossi mating rituals in private that would unite me and Fleet into an Alpha pair. I just hope I did not make a mistake. It was too late now for second thoughts. Tonight I become Ammy S. Wolf.

She lay there just panting. Fleet was over her, concern etched on his muzzle. He kept looking at her left shoulder and then back at her. She heard Hex land and come in to the Shaved Kurrii. Her eyes refused to open. She was in so much pain that she saw white.

Rishi had decided to syphon more power from her that night in the Shaved Kurrii. She didn't even know it was happening. She just kept talking to Fleet about the removal of the Chaotic demoness, and had her hands on her stealing away its power. "Why does she want this thing so much!" Her mind screamed out. It brings nothing but pain, misery, and death to all it touches.

Ammy kept getting nervous over the whole procedure that Fleet even offered to drug her to help calm her nerves. Rishi stopped that. I still fealt nervous and wanted to just run. I never like having things ripped away from me. Then Fleet started to glow from a chant he muttered softly. Evidently John Michaels, our deity, owed him one last favor and granted him a small does of deity power again. Fleet touched me and before I knew it, Chaotic was in him and no longer in me. I felt different, in command, and no longer panicked. Chaotic was keeping me addled to feed off of me.

Now I lay here, on my back in pain due to these decisions. With Fleet holding the shard Rishi wanted to put it into a container. Arak offered to make one faster than I could, but he didn't tell Rishi it would take a few days. I would have been glad to make the container while Fleet waited with the shard in custody. Rishi went ballistic when Arak refused to make the container and started syphoning off of Fleet.

Rishi sparked blue when she began and Fleet knew what happened. A fragment of the shard she had still remained and revived when it contacted the shard in Fleet. Chaotic manifested in ethereal form and attacked us. Thank Lupis she was still fragmented. The fight lasted only a few long minutes, but we drove her to weakness.

Chaotic leapt straight into Rishi when she knew she would lose. Rishi was in pain, the power of the shards trying to take her over. I scrambled to her and placed the old soul gem of Ammy the Chaotic into her chest. It immediately started negating the energies and drawing her into the gem. Rishi had her container of sorts. But it came at cost. Chaotic now hated Ammy and when I touched Rishi with the gem, once it was transmuted into her body, my robotic arm blew apart.

My Arm! That's why I hurt. That's why Fleet is concerned. Hex is near me now. He touches my arm and the pain flares more, then the pain goes away. The relief is so sudden I passed out.

I felt Fleet come and go through the day as I slept. I could feel his blue and green eyes go to my right shoulder. He must be driving Hex nuts about a new arm, and I wouldn't know. He took me to the lab for some reason then I was in his soft in the room Brutin gave us.

His smell was always comforting. Last night I could smell he was excited about something and he exercised as much control as possible not to disturb me. I will find out in the morning what has happened. For now, the drugs call me back to bliss.

Morning came and found me in bed, the covers up to my nose. Fleet always liked it when he found me like this. I lay there wondering if I would feel the prick of Fleets needle again. He was keeping me asleep for some reason. I would love to wake. I have played, replayed, and grown tired of my dreams and nightmares.j

My ears twitched as I heard Fleets claws click on the wood floor. He was trying to be quiet. Clinking and clanking of metal announced he had packages with him. I slowly rolled over in bed and peeked over the covers to look at him. He had just unslung two backs to the floor with a soft clunk. He moved to the large desk in the room and laid a long, cloth wrapped package on the desk top.

I could feel and smell excitement from him. I could also feel weariness from him as well. How late did he stay out the last few days? I could never remember if he slept by me since that night. He had stripped off his warrior tunic and hakama, and was heading for the bed.

When Fleet got closer, I saw he was tired. I didn't move. I didn't tense. I let him think I was still asleep. He gingerly slid under the covers to not wake me, brushed one of my red forelocks from my muzzle, kissed my cheek and was gone to dream.

He closeness and presence was like a warm fuzzy blanket. I can stand one more rerun of my dreams. Being close to him in bed was worth the boredom.

Why? Why did I hate Fleet so much? I asked for the mating. I asked for him to be my Alpha, yet I still wanted to inflict pain on him. In fact, I did tonight. I received my new arm from Hex. With it came a monofilament whip that could cut through almost anything, and a stun rod. I got a funny notion to stun Fleet in shoulder and listened to it.

It felt...good. I felt like something heavy was released in attacking him. Though I had made him mad. He had drug me out of the Shaved Kurrii by the ear like a puppy. We then had a fight in which he humiliated me.

But he still loved me. I could sense that. I could also sense he was not liking what he had to do but did it as an Alpha. I never knew how much strain an Alpha could be until I had one for a mate.

He left that night to take care of business. His prisoners he was selling to Brutin were getting attacked by the Envoys that brought them. I walked out of the Shaved Kurrii to see what I could do, but took my time. He looked very concerned and I didn't want to distract or get in the way.

"I'll clean up the mess after he is done." She nodded to herself silently.

Clean up Fleets mess I did. I arrived after the short skirmish was over. Blood was everywhere. He directed me to an unconscious Lupinossi Male. His shoulders were twisted awkwardly, and his hands were cut cleanly at the wrists. Blood pooled quickly from them.

I touched him and blew white mist onto his wrists. They sealed up and the blood stopped flowing. I could not reattach his hands. He would never be able to hold or do anything delicate again. She looked at Fleet for an explanation. He was examining 10 dead prisoners with a scowl.

He then told me to take the prisoner to Suedes clinic and not leave him until he was stable and secured. He was stalking off to Brutins office, smeared in blood.

I hauled the heavy lunk to Suedes clinic. The medics on the emergency detail were very helpful. We got the Lupinossi settled, monitored, and his shoulders relocated again. I then transmuted the bed railing into cuffs and shackles and left him to sleep for the night. The shock and blood loss would keep him sleeping for a day.

Now to find Fleet and find out what went wrong.

I heard Fleet leave in the morning. I found out what went wrong. The escorts for the prisoners decided to play judge, jury, and executioner. Fleet was upset. They had killed 10 of his prisoners, and 9 escorts died in his rage.

Now he left me with a prisoner in tow to correct the situation and do "other" business. She had a feeling he was walking into danger, and he told her stay put. She tried to talk him into taking her. He wouldn't. He love me too much to risk my safety. What about his safety? Does an Alpha just walk blindly into danger or willingly into it?

She stayed in bed the rest of the day and just cried. She didn't want him to die out there and wanted him to come home safe.

I can't just lie in bed and be selfish with my grief and worry. I need distraction. I threw the covers off of me and slowly slid out of bed. I smelled of old corn chips and my fur was a mess. I sat at the desk and spent an hour brushing my fur out and looking at myself in the mirror. My fur was white and no longer blemished by the red tattoos of Chaos.

She looked closer in shock. Her eyes were not the same either. The red and orange were now a light blue ring with a white center. How odd. Could this be related the white glow I give off now instead of my usual Aqua Blue aura? What did I lose when Ammy the Chaotic left? Am I now changed to something new? Or was this how my body was supposed to look when I was born in that tube?

She actually liked the new eyes and never did like the red fur patches. She left the brush on the desk and took a shower. Once she finished she shook the water off and headed for her uniform. She pulled out a small gem from a pocket and blew on it. A rush of warm air passed over her and her fur dried quickly.

Dry now she, she slipped into her uniform, zipped it up and walked out of the room. She headed for Hex's Lab. She could hear Street barking out orders to the prisoners. Well at least he has something to occupy himself with now. She reached Hex's lab.

She walked in and turned on the lights. Emotions flooded into her. She had spent only 2 months in his Lab, but it felt like home. Her corner work space and living area remained. Untouched the way she left it when Street had his nightmares. Had it really been 3 weeks since she was in the lab? She walked over to the table and let her right, metal paw glide over the objects and items she had been working with. Little bits of memories and emotions flowed into her as she touched them.

She was working feverishly on Anti-Magic Technology to prove herself to Lord Brutin as useful. She laughed at that notion now. She was very useful, she was just kidding herself about how apparent it was. She would pick up where she left off. She just needed to retrieve her notes. She grinned at remembering how Hex taught her to type on the computer.

She walked over and flipped on the terminal and saw a message waiting for her. She read it and then cried. This time the tears weren't bitter sorrow, but sweet happiness. Hex had sent a gift with Fleet whether he knew it or not.

Parentage? Parenting? Lineage? Family?

The words echoed in her head.

"Parentage. How would I know who my parents were. I was created from the ashes of Ammy the Chaotic. People say I should look like her if I am a clone of her genes, or am I? Maybe I was just some waif they picked up for their experiments." She thought. Her finger nails tapping on her work bench.

"Parenting?? Why should I know about that? I am not expecting pups." She tossed that question to the back of her mind.

"Lineage. I am not sure how I will ever know my lineage. No one knew much about her when she came to Lupinoss. Maybe I could root around the archives in one of these realms." She thought. She tacked that mental note to the front of her minds peg board.

"Family." That word turned to ash in her mind and left a dry taste in her muzzle. "That is something I am still figuring out. It's so alien to me that anytime someone acts or treats me like family, I think they are jerks." She crumpled up that question and just dropped it onto the floor of her mind.

She put down the Magic Tomes Arak loaned her and stepped out for some fresh air. Night time had swallowed Rhydin. She just let her paws move on their own and soon she was on a path to a Glen. The area must be beautiful in the day time.

A little copse to the side of the trail caught her attention and she walked into it. The area just resonated with peace, and...and...magic! She studied everything in the copse and loved the flowers their. The place lifted her mood and she pulled out some items in her pack and started experimenting once again.

Tonight she succeeded in creating a block of pure Nethicite. Nature lent her peace of mind and energy to create it. Now she was getting somewhere.

Gun found her in the copse and invited her over to their stargazing party. On the way they ran into Mokksha, Guns adopted daughter. His explanation of the situation uncrumpled the note about Family laying on her minds floor and wouldn't go away. She felt a twinge of pain in her heart and felt alone even with Gun and Mokksha near her.

A brother and her friend were looking for a lost sister on the trail and ran into them. Gun and I noticed the brothers strong love and concern. Another stab to my heart. I willed my aching heart to go away, and reminded myself that Fleet would be back in a week.

We arrived at the stargazing sight and interrupted Alae and Nadine in something private. I felt even more awkward and a third stab to my heart was too much. I turned and ran on all fours.

I reached the Red Dragon Inn in 5 minutes, and realized when I stopped that I had been crying the entire way. Mokksha followed me and tried to comfort me in a booth. Arak even happened by. They tried to get me to realize that I have nothing to concerned with by not knowing parents and to just move on with Fleet.

I left and went to the Lab to sleep. Being in an empty room with Fleets smell wouldn't help my emotions. I curled up on my pillow amongst unfeeling machines and wondered what it would be like not to have emotions. Maybe then I would have peace.

I lay here next to Fleet, his rhythmic breathing soothing like a beach. I opened one eye and noticed he was still sleeping. He looked exhausted. To most people he appeared young, acted young, and even gave off the aura of being young. But she knew the truth. When he was home asleep, by her side, the years of realm hopping appear.

Specks of silver white could be seen in his coat. His dazzling blue hair was showing light streaks of fading green to white. His body had some scars if you petted him under all that fur. It must be hard being 150 years old in body, but 28 in mind and soul. One would think the mind would snap by thinking of everything that lived in died in such a short time span of a realm hop. Maybe thats what pushed mother to being a creature of chaos.

She sighed and tensed as she saw Fleet stir by her. She smoothed his hair, and rubbed his back. She felt the welts left behind from the Lupinossi Realm Ban they carved into his back. Maybe this would temper his anger at displays of destruction.

The thought struck her like a slap to the muzzle. She was shocked at how she could think that when she herself was guilty of going into destructive rages when a slave was hurt. She flattened her ears and went back to petting Fleet to sleep. She was glad he was home.

As she lay there feeling time crawl to a stop, she reflected on what has been bothering her. Why do I keep searching for mother, family, and lineage? From what I know, that search would just lead to pain. Am I drawn to emotional pain?

That doesn't make sense. Though, I will have to admit, that I had been so used to being whipped in the lab for mistakes that I am unnerved when not punished for a mistake. Surely I can get past this. Fleet is here, and loves me. I have an odd family with the SA, and everyone has vowed not to let anyone hurt me. So why do I miss the pain? Why do I miss a mother I never knew or a family I never had?

She closed her eyes and just let the questions run on unheeded and fell back asleep to their droning in her head.

The next two days were nice and calm. Fleet had aquired to Air Lupinossi. They were short, about 3 feet tall, and had beautiful wings that worked. Tiana Sprintar was the name of a Jack Russel/ Corgi Mix. Her caramel feathered wings dazzling. She had the muzzle for speech, and Fleet has taken to teaching her the common Rhdynian language. He wanted her to be his aide.

The other one just skulked around. She was the epitome of lithe muscle and her violet eyes spoke of lethality. She was some mix of werewolf and greyhound. Fast, light, and temperamental. She could only use sing song Lupinossai and could barely read Lupinossi glyphs, but she cleaned well, didn't complain, and we find that she can be persuasive with uncooperative gifts. She can handle a knife and garrote wire like you couldn't believe.

I was working on a complex alchemical array from the notes I copied from Arak's tomes when Tiana flitted in with a message from Fleet. He wanted some time with me and was relaxing at the Shaved Kurrii. I put my notes on hold, and stepped out into the warm night. I needed a break. Array lines were swimming in front of my eyes.

I stepped into the Kurrii and notice that a wash of tension and anger was just ebbing. That was never good in the Kurrii. I looked in and all seemed normal. Fleet was trying to tell a patron that the crystalline tables could be fixed by my alchemy when he broke them. I really wished he would be more careful.

I spent time talking with Fleet, Alae, Gun, and Rishi. Tonight's topic was the usual one. Rishi and men. I still giggle when I think of those two things together. Just when I was getting comfy, Tiana brought a message to us. Fleet read it, and I glanced at the glyphs as he looked to the others. He told them a complete lie about the elders wishing to speak to us. We had 15 upset troopers on our door step demanding justice against the elders they hated.

We left the Shaved Kurrii. Fleet was deep in thought. We got close to our private quarters in the compound and stopped out of sight. 15 armed and armored Lupinossi were waiting in formation on our door step!

While Fleet pondered away. Hex appeared through the realms gate in his heavy artillery body and spoke to Fleet. Fleet was going to try to talk to the troops to stem any further losses with Hex as an escort. He then turned to me and told me to stay at Hex's lab and keep away from the private quarters till he had the situation under control. He didn't want someone trying to use my as leverage if a fight broke out.

So I walked down a different alley and spent a lonely night at the Lab. Now I'll have to wait to finish my work.

Last night I had fun. While Fleet and Hex did the whole command and dominate thing, I learned to dance! My heart still leaps at how my body could move to sound. And my metal paws let me twirl at amazing speed. Fleet won't know what hit him next time we are in the Kurrii.

I wonder if he knows how to dance himself?

Fleet walked into the Lab looking.

Fleet: "Okay love, the situation is taken care of. We can return to our apartments." He said with a weariness that made her feel tired.

"Fleet do you know how to dance?" I asked sweetly.

He just grinned.

Fleet: "Yes I do." He offered a paw and I played Blackmore's Night- Ghost of a Rose.

We spent several hours in bliss dancing to our hearts content.

The following days have been wonderful. Fleet was attending to the needs of Lupinossi trade via soul gem transmissions. Tiana was making progress with speaking Rhydinian, and Shardre was keeping things very orderly in the apartments.

Shardre has taken a liking to helping my in Hex's Lab. Since most of the projects and experiments I perform are private and secret her language barrier is perfect. Which I am glad for today. After being on Ryhdin for 5 months, I have now perfected my original experiment promised to Lord Brutin.

"Shardre, gather the 50 collars. I am preparing the components of the nethicite now. We will need to get them in alignment to combine them." I instructed Shardre.

I cleared furniture and equipment away from the center of the lab. Shardre flew over with the packs of holding, the command collars inside of them. She laid them on the floor and watched the preparations. I took chalk and traced a 30 ft circle on the floor. Then 50 smaller circles on the inside edge of the circle.

"Shardre, the collars, put one in each circle." I instructed her as I went to the next part of the diagram.

Tracing an octagonal pattern, I placed circles at each intersecting point. Shardre hovered by me not touching the ground to avoid marring the chalk. I placed the components needed for the nethicite in the 8 circles of the octagonal.

The first pair of circles opposite of each other she poured Energy Crystal powder into to piles. She had perfected the process of taking several Energy Crystals for lights sabers and remolding the large crystals into millions of perfect copies on the scale of sand grains.

The second pair of circles opposite each other she placed a bar of pure silver.

The third circle was pl

Fleet looked at the electric clock on the apartment wall. It was 4 am and the windows still showed cold starlight. Tiana, his assistant was snuggled up in his bed, now vacant of his mate Ammy.

Her name brought back to mind the nights events. As he wandered the trails of memory, his eyes fell to the desk top he was sitting by. A braided leather cat of nine tails laid by his paw. It was destined for Ammy's back in a few hours as punishment for wanting to flee life and abandon the Den.

He sighed wearily, and cradled his forehead in his right paw. Street Wolf, his somewhat loyal Beta was to be the one to administer the whipping. On hindsight, he was starting to feel that he had made a mistake in treating Ammy this way. What was he to do? He was an Alpha of a new den in a new realm. His pack looked to him for leadership, and dare he say it, the deplorable job of punishment.

His mind wandered back to last night again. Ammy had just succeeded in helping Verishia and Alae conquer a shadow spirit that possessed Gunther. At the end, Ammy slid into a coma as she pushed herself hard. He remembered doing everything in his power to keep her stable. He even went and mind walked into Gunthers head to find his soul and ask him to bring Ammy back to him. He was so afraid she wouldn't wake up.

Gunther and Verishia had managed to speak with Ammy and her mother Phoenix, but Ammy was reluctant to come back to the living. She no longer wanted pain, and was tired of being on the verge of death anytime she helped people. She even stated that we didn't even have a pack, and that my worry counted as nothing since I worried too much.

That was the first time I felt my heart shatter and grow cold. The first time I walked out on Ammy's injured form and abandoned my duties as a medic in the SA. It was also the first time for me to return and beat Ammy into submission and the collar her like a slave.

His brows furrowed. A tear glimmered in his eyes. He had lost his temper as an Alpha and has now most likely damaged the fragile trust Ammy had in him.

His thoughts were interrupted, by the door opening with no knock. He knew that only one person would enter without permission. He looked up and saw Street Wolf standing in front of him. His scowl and bared teeth showed that he had heard what had happened.

Fleet: "Have a seat Street, and I know. You're upset and I am not going to try to order you to be quiet. In fact, this discussion is between friends and not superiors." In a wearied voice.

Street: Was caught off guard by Fleets attitude. Evidently Fleet was rattled by what he has done. He nodded to Fleet and sat. "So, Laddie, you've caused a nice little Alpha mess. Care to fill me in on why?"

Fleet: "I lost my temper in the moment and mistook self preservation for selfishness and abandonment. I beat Ammy in front of Lord Brutin and her friends in the Shaved Kurrii, then collared her. She is to serve as a slave and do Shardre's and Tiana's chores for 2 weeks, be collared and tethered to me in public at all times. And....." sighed. "To be whipped by you 5 times with this cat of nine tails." he said, brushing the whip with his paw. "And, to spite her, I am letting Tiana sleep with me, though I can't stomach that idea and have taken to sleeping in my chair at night."

Street: Sat there absorbing the information with amazement. Not only and Alpha mess, but a potential pack disaster on Fleet's paws. "Laddie, you're in real deep. I don't need to tell you that you've just gone back to square one with Ammy's trust. And you have made a major mistake as an Alpha in letting your emotions gain control. I can suggest a solution, but it will require your trust in me, laddie, and the willingness of Ammy. Our troops are sensing all of this disturbance between the two of you. I have kept as much rabble muted as possible, but once they here their Alpha attacked his mate in a fit of mistaken rage, you're through." He said. He let the last part sink into Fleet's head.

Fleet: "What do you suggest then?" He asked in hope bordering no dismay.

Street: "First, you must confront Ammy, talk to her, and understand her laddie. She's just 19. A wee pup to us guys. You remember being 19 I wager. Reckless, immature, and hyper I bet. I know I was, and got a lot of it knocked out of me in the Blood Fangs. Ammy is different. She is lacking parentage until now with Phoenix. She also is confused about where she stands in this little den of ours. She has no directives from Brutin or you laddie. She's spinnin' in circles to decide what she is supposed to do. Also, most of the things we do here including interacting with our friends in the Shaved Kurrii caries the weight of danger. We have attacks at that tavern often and Ammy is willing to jump in paws first with no questions." He paused to let it sink in.

Fleet: Nodded, his ears lowering as a pup might do when being lectured.

Street: "Secondly, stop coddling Ammy. If she wants to be with you no matter what, let her. She's a tough nut. I should know. The first time I met her, she broke my nose and several ribs and took my guns. Thirdly, drop the nonsense about why she loves you. Can you honestly remember any of your feelings or decisions at 19 to be pure or direct? She'll understand eventually why she loves you, till then, let her work it out in peace. Now then, you've gotta get that collar off of her as soon as possible. Granted laddie, you made your punishment proclamation in front of everyone including Brutin. But explain to Ammy why she must keep the collar on and tell her not to take it to heart."

Fleet: Remained quiet and attentive.

Street: "Lastly, you and I both know, the ruling methods in our lands are full of corrupt Alphas. You can't entirely back out of this punishment as it would show favoritism, but you can publicly admit your mistake and then proceed to correct it."

Fleet: Ears rose slightly. "How?"

Street: "By doing what is right and hopefully showing Ammy you do care about her and that she is not an object to order around or mistreat. This is what I strongly suggest you do. Proceed with the punishment, but explain it to Ammy in person and in private. Some manual labor won't hurt her. It'll let her strengthen her body some as long as she no longer feels worthless. The collar is something you can't avoid now, but it doesn't have to be as degrading as it appears. Finally, show Ammy you really love her. Stand if for her on the whipping. Take the punishment for her in public and double it to 10 lashes. This will show her you care, and it will prove to our pack that you are mortal and can make mistakes but wont abuse your position to hide it." He said sternly.

Fleet: Just watched Street and thought long and hard on the suggestion. "You're right Street. I will accept that solution. I will talk to Ammy in private and explain things and ask her to forgive me. I will publicly explain the decision to the den and publicly accept the flogging, but, it is to be 15 lashes. I have harmed my mate, abused my position, and was lead astray with my emotions."

Street: Just sat and looked at Fleet. "Laddie, you can be hard on yourself sometimes. Just because your an Alpha doesn't mean your perfect nor that you have to live up to hight expectations. BE YOUR SELF! If you really want 15 lashes, then fine, let the last five bring sense back into your head. We all see you struggling as a leader, but we know you try your hardest. Not a single one of us doubt you as a leader and we will be there to help you learn. Now then, I must go and gather the troops for their Alpha's first Public Announcement and Punishment." He stood.

Fleet bowed to Street as low as possible. "Thank you Street. I value you as a Beta and will try to listen more. I will be in the compounds military courtyard in 5 hours. I wish to talk to Ammy."

Street just smiled, picked up the whip, and walked out of the appartment.

She could find no rest. She ached from the ordeal with the shadow spirit last night, and the sorrow and injuries she had taken from Fleet would not let her go. She laid awake all night and wondered if she would ever be freed again or if she was only a slave to Fleet.

"Even if he freed me, would he leave me free, or will he just put the collar on me again when he loses his temper?" the thought echoed in her mind.

Phoenix just stayed quiet while her daughter was in her own little world. She admitted to herself that maybe her decree was harsh, but something was not right between Fleet and Ammy. They needed to work this out, and she felt it was safer to remove Ammy's powers for both of their safety.

Ammy drifted in and out of self pity, anger, hate, and sadness for what seemed like eternity. A paw on her shoulder shattered that infinite void. She heard a familiar voice that both comforted and frightened her now.

Fleet: "Wake up....Love and follow me to the garden. I want to talk with you." He said in a voice that hinted at something...regret? sorrow?

She rolled out of bed sorely, and followed Fleet, the leather leash attached to her collar. They walked in the cool morning breeze. It was 6 am and the garden was quiet. Alae was no where to be seen. A large bay window looked down on the garden and they both had heard of Brutin's often vigil of staring out of it.

He sat on a rock and patted to one next to him. The leas held limp in his paws. She sat by him and softly held her ribs where he had kicked her last night.

Fleet: "I....I....came to say I am sorry. I have hated myself for beating you up in public, for humiliating you, and...." looked at the leash, "turning you into a slave."

Ammy: Was shocked to hear this apology, but an anger inside kept the amazement concealed. She wasn't sure she could believe this.

Fleet: "Street just finished talking to me. I realized I acted out of being hurt on the inside by what I thought was selfishness by you. Street has made me realize that was not the case. I want to tell you that if I could, I would cancel this punishment and set you free, but as an Alpha, by saying it in public, I have to follow through. I...just want you to know that I love you, and don't want to lose you. The collaring, the servitude will only be a public facade. I value you as my mate, my love, someone to hold and talk to." his voice was cracking and she spied a tear here and there.

Ammy: "How do I know you wont lose your temper again and throw me back into this collar? You can say sorry all you want, but you've put me back in the one spot I vowed never to again. You have forced me into something I despise. I couldn't give a rats @@@ about your public appearance and what you must follow through with. Your using me as an example." She said, her voice barely calm.

Fleet: "You have every right not to trust me, but I still love you. I... will promise on my fathers soul gem that if I lose my temper I'll just run as fast as I can till I feel nothing. I will collar myself before I collar you again. I know this may sound pathetic, but I am taking your place for the whipping this morning. Street will be whipping me in public in front of our den after I explain my mistake. I am not a flawless leader, and I not perfect. I am just Lupinossi." He said, looking down at the ground.

Ammy: Some of the anger left her. He was taking part of her punishment that he willing admitted was a mistake. "How many lashes?"

Fleet: "I will be receiving 15 lashes. 5 lashes for each mistake I made." He said with no emotions.

Ammy: A small gasp escaped her muzzle. "How many was I supposed to have been given?"

Fleet: "Five lashes."

Ammy: Phoenix nodded in approval in her soul gem. Fleet was learning something valuable here. He was learning to lead, to take responsibility, and how to lead not order someone. "Daughter." She whispered into Ammy's mind. "He does love you. I am sure you can trust him again." Ammy shook her head for a moment then looked to Fleet. "I'll trust you Fleet, as my mate, my love, and my mentor, if...." she paused to get up the nerve... "you allow me to give you the last 5 lashes as a reminder of what you did to me." she asked softly, tears forming in her eyes.

Fleet: "Agreed." He wasn't even looking at her anymore. "I'll let you go back inside and prepare. You have 2 hours till we go to the military courtyard for the whipping. I love you dearly." He placed the leather leash in her paws and walked out of the garden.

She spent an hour reflecting on their discussion. She was amazed that for someone 150 years old, they could admit they were wrong and not try to wheedle out of it. Then it struck her. That was what she loved about Fleet. He was himself when he didn't try too hard.

It was 10 am, and the sun shone brightly on the SA's military compound. All 500 Lupinossi troops stood in their unique units, uniforms and weapons polished and ready. Today, they were told, would be addressed by their Alpha.

Street strode up and down the ranks making sure all were in proper formation. His uniform was clean, and his guns hung proudly on his hips. A new item was on his belt. A cat of nine tails he had picked up from Fleet. He was to be the administrator of a public whipping today.

He made sure that the courtyard was free to use at this time, but allowed anyone not in the Fleetian Den to be a witness. Why should they hide the mistake of their Alpha like some clandestine secret. He marched up to the front ranks and saw Fleet and Ammy walk into the compound. A grimace touched his muzzle. It was time to start the show.

Fleet walked up to Street, Ammy in tow with the leash in Fleets paws.

Street: "I hope you're ready Laddie. I know this wont be easy, but believe me, it is needed." he said to Fleet in a reassuring voice.

Fleet: "There has been one change to the event. I have granted Ammy the right to give me the last 5 lashes as a reminder to me." He said with no emotion.

Street: Looked to Ammy and was surprised not to see glee in her eyes. Maybe she was maturing. "Alright then Fleet. I will have a medic on stand by to treat you."

Fleet: "No. I bear my pain and my scars. They will help me usher in a Den built on trust and respect."

Street: Nodded and lead Fleet and Ammy to the raised platform. A whipping post, with its red stained tethers stood irresolute in the morning light. Street clipped a lapel mic to Fleets tunic.

Fleet: "Brothers and Sisters of the new Fleetian Den! I am Fleet Wolf, your Alpha. I am honored to see you here today in your finest glory. You make us proud. But this event is not to be just for praise. As an Alpha, I must both commend and condemn a pack mate. The condemned is none other than my mate Ammy Wolf Spirritor."

The troops broke silence with a murmur of voices. The den elders, in there low rankings, raised wizened eyebrows at this statement. A few grinned and nudged it other. Every one resumed silence when a crackling boom of thunder was heard from Street's Soul Eagles.

Fleet: "However, the condemnation is not without flaw. I lost my integrity in a fit of emotions and condemned her to whipping and temporary slavery. I was a foolish pup. I am unable to renounce the condemnation as it was made public to all her peers and to Lord Brutin himself. The slavery punishment will proceed for 2 weeks as ordered, but, I know that the leaders from our own homeland were corrupt. I am not giving leniency or immunity from law to Alphas. Ammy's punishment must continue as I said, but I am taking the whipping she is to receive as my punishment for failing you as an Alpha. Let it be know, that I am a Lupinossi, not a god, not a perfect being, but a flawed Lupinossi like the rest of you. I am above no laws."

The troops were unearthly silent. Even the elders were taken aback by this statement. An Alpha, apologizing, and even accepting punishment? That was unheard of and heresy. But, they kept their peace. They were no longer Alphas themselves do to the corruption Fleet spoke of.

Street: He walked up to Fleet, and took the lapel mic. He switched it off. His voice needed no assistance. "Fleet of Wolf, Alpha of The Fleetian Den, Mate of Ammy Wolf Spirritor. You have been found tainted with the act of false condemnation and the beating of your mate in public. By your own decree, you accept her punishment made in false wisdom. You shall receive 5 lashes for beating your mate in public. Another 5 lashes for false condemnation, and a final 5 lashes to be give by your mate as punishment for heeding to your emotions in a time of leadership. Do you accept?"

Fleet: "Yes."

Street: Motioned to two soldiers. The marched up quickly and stripped Fleet of his clothing, then tethered his paws to the post. The soldiers turned and left, but not before a gleam of pride and acceptance of Fleet was seen in there eyes. Street saw this and just nodded. This was how it should be. He uncoiled the whip. "May Lupis give you strength to endure, and Canis find mercy in her heart to spare your pain." Street spoke the litany of punishment and unleashed the first lash.

Fleet: 9 lines of fire seared his back. He felt flesh and fur part ways with his body. He remained calmed. Another lash and he forced the pain aside. He looked Ammy and focused on her and his love for her. 3 more lashes and his back felt as if it was on fire.

Street: Proceeded to deal out the next five lashes to Fleet. Anyone looking could see him grimace with each swing he gave. Fleet was doing the right thing he kept telling himself, but it still hurt to lash his Alpha. He kept the lashings even in strength and severity. Soon it was lash 10. Fleet was starting to sag a little on the tethers. He motioned for Ammy to step forward.

Ammy: She watched Fleet take her whipping. Watched him watch her to chase the pain from his mind. She caught the movement of Street paw and walked up to Street numbly. Could she... could she... really whip him. Street placed the warm leather handle of the whip into her paws and took her leash. She turned and took a good look at her mate. His back bled freely. Fur was missing in patches. Muscle could be seen. He would never be able to use his deity wings again. Street coughed and gave the leash a slight tug, enough to jingle the collar to get her attention. She asked for this, now she must go through with it or be condemned to them herself. The whip uncoiled. She placed it in her right non mechanical hand. She let fly the first lash, felt it tear into his back, saw him shiver slightly. His muse of pain distraction gone. Again she lashed, and again, and again.
She was to the last lash now. Fleet was not sagging against the tethers. The binding rubbing his wrists raw. People could hear him lightly gasping and a faint sob. But not a sob of pain, but a sob of acceptance. She bowed her head. Tears streamed down and she didn't move for five minutes. Street jingled the leash again.

Street: "Finish it Lassie. It is the last stroke, then all will be done." He said gruffly. Fighting back tears himself.

Ammy: "I love you Fleet for being who you are and not trying to be someone else. Never lose that quality my love." She said and lashed out one last time.

Fleet: Howled in pain at the final lash and just hung limp. Her voice and words lashing his heart more than the whip. He now knew, truly knew why she loved him.

The two soldiers that stripped Fleet marched up again. One supported Fleet as much as she could without brushing his ravaged back. The other one released the tethers. They both let him sink to his knees slowly. Street motioned them to fall back in rank. He then turned to the troops.

Street: "Punishment has been served. Give a warrior's howl to Fleet Wolf, Alpha of Honor!" He howled.

The whole compound echoed with 500 Lupinossi howling in loud accord. The howling carried over the city of Ryhdin.

Street: "Fall out. You're all dismissed. 3 days leave for everyone! No scram!"

The crowd dispersed and Street turned around. Ammy was sitting next to Fleet, crying. He kept pushing her paws away. "Let me be with the pain for now. I deserve it. I'll let you tend to my back love, just not yet."

Street just shook his head. Some things don't change but at least he admitted to letting her help him later. He walked up and put a paw on the only part of Fleets shoulder not ravaged. The area of his dens tattoo from Lupinoss. His birth marking and heritage. "You held up laddie. Let your mate tend to you, and I strongly urge you not to do any duties for a week until you heal. It can wait." He then strode off to make sure the troops didn't go too wild with their first taste of leave.

I spent all day scrubbing floors, moving laundry, scrubbing laundry, hanging laundry. If I see another sheet I'll scream!

I was headed for the communal kitchen to help with supper for the Den. My choke collar jingled as a small leather tab leash hung from it. I wouldn't get snagged on something, but I could still be reigned in. I hated the collar but lived with it. 10 more days to be free of it.

I wasn't expecting Mother to teach me something in alchemy today with my powers negated by her.

Phoenix: "Just because alchemists can use magic doesn't mean it's the only solution or way. Alchemy is more than creating objects or healing with energy. It's about creating items useful to everyone even if they are mundane." She chimed in my ear as I stirred a boiling pot of vegetables.

"How so?" I asked.

Phoenix: "The pot your stirring has vegetables in it. Most Lupinossi I know of cannot handle raw vegetables that well and receive nourishment from them. You have to cook them a bit to release the nourishment. Alchemy follows the same rules. You can't make a potion to heal some one or cure an illness without pulling out the nourishing qualities from materials less nourishing."

I stood there stirring the pot and just thought about this fact for the rest of the day.

He sat in the apartment contemplating what to employ his Den in to support itself. War was an option for the soldiers, but even the most die hard warrior needs a break. A time to perform a different task. He would need to talk to all 500 Lupinossi to find out what they did or can do outside of the military.

He glanced to the door as Tiana strolled in. She was wearing a smug grin and swung a leather leash in her paw. He had heard from one of the troops of Tiana's rough reigning in of Ammy when not needed.

"Tiana, you look happy today?" I asked quizzically. The smugness disappeared in a flash. She walked over to Fleet and looked innocent.

Tiana: "Just happy to have an Alpha that knows what he is doing and a Den that is strong." she said sweetly.

"And the leash?" I asked politely, pointing to the leather lead.

Tiana: Looked down at the leather leash. "I was, uhm, walking a dire wolf in the garden."

My eyebrows just shot up in amusement. There were no dire wolves in our den or on Rhydin last time I checked. Now there was a thought. Dire Wolves sold in Rhydin. Mental note, look into it.

"Odd. When did you get a pet?"

Tiana: Rolled her eyes around a little and tried not to look like she was lying. "Two days ago."

"What does it look like? What' its name? Is it a male or female? Can it speak?"

Tiana: Looked like she was really cornered with those questions. "Uhm, white with a red and blue mane, Female, can talk when I let her, and her name is.... Spirit." She said, a slight shake in her voice.

Fleet chuckled. She knew she was caught. She hung her head.

"Give me the leash and next time you see Ammy, apologize to her. You don't have to treat someone in a collar inhumanly. Just think about this. What if it was you in the collar? Would you want others to do the same thing to you?"

Tiana: "No Alpha." She handed the leash back to Fleet.

"Good. Now I have a project for you. Find out what skills everyone has in our Den. We need more areas to be employed in to thrive in Rhydin."

Tiana perked up at the job and grabbed a note book and pen and flew off to take care of it.

She gritted her teeth. I you stopped for a moment, you could hear them grind. She was on her 3rd day of scrubbing the kitchens and cleaning the dishes. One of the Lupinossi females, Rubina, dropped a bucket full of dishes and utensils into her wash tub, then walked away to fill it up again.

"Why do I have to clean these dishes? Can't we just use them like they are. They aren't even that dirty!" she hissed to herself. Her paws were soaked. Luckily the metal her left paw was made of was rust proof. She picked up a fork and glared at it.

Phoenix: "You ask why we clean things? Didn't Tammy teach you a thing in that laboratory of hers?" the soul gem whispered on Ammys collar.

She dropped the fork back into the bucket and picked up the sponge reluctantly. "A lot of experimentation practices and rudimentary field first aid." She picked up a pot and started into a mind numbing rhythm with the sponge.

Phoenix: "And she never taught you about cleanliness or contamination?" her voice held a note of a sigh.

"She tried, but I liked playing in the dirt and crawling around on the labs stone floors." she said, scrubbing the pot more.

Phoenix: If she had a body or hands she would have rubbed a head if she had one. "Contamination is something that can range from dust to poison. It can be the tiny thing that turns a healthy being into a sick or dying entity. It can render a healing potion into a ghastly poison or a benign magic spell into a fatal mistake. It is the same with food, hygiene, and living space. You let contamination take over, and it'll prove to be a disaster."

"But wouldn't that mean everything is already a disaster? This realm isn't very clean nor was home." She rinsed the pot, stacked with the other 20 pots that shined. She was feeling like she was making progress, and loved how clean they looked. Then, Rubina took 10 of the pots and started tossing food into them. Her smile fell as she knew she would have to wash them again.

Phoenix: Saw the inner smile and felt Ammy's sense of accomplishment. "You like how the pots were clean. Why?"

"They look shiny, new, and....just like they are....uhmm...." she thought.

Phoenix: "Safe?!" she said coxing Ammy.

"Yeah. Safe." She nodded.

Phoenix: "Well then, safe is good. Contamination is bad, but, don't go over board with that set of values. Some contamination can be good, but that is another lesson. For now, if you keep things clean, anything you do, be it magic, alchemy, even cooking, it will work better, taste better, and even perform better."

Ammy just looked confused sigh into the bucket of soapy water. A bubble emerged and floated before Ammy. She watched it, captivated by the fascinating fact that it could float in the air yet be liquid. Then it burst and Ammy was a little disappointed.

Phoenix: "That soap bubble Ammy, is a nice little example. The water was contaminated by a lot of soap. This is not a bad thing. You blew into it and the soap captured some of your breath and formed a bubble. It could float because your breath held less contamination that the bubble. Now it popped when the contamination was worn thin releasing your breath to be mixed and used by someone else. So, when something is contaminated, it can't be used freely, but when it is cleaned, it can be used by all."

Ammy looked at the bucket, then at the dishes, then at the food being cooked. She saw a glass that wasn't very clean and someone pour a drink into it. The person took a swig, made a face, and spat it out. The glass was set on a tray and brought over to her bucket. She could see flakes of food and dirt in floating in the drink.

"Ick, that doesn't look very nice to drink."

Phoenix: Laughed lightly. "Now you can see why keeping things clean are needed. That drink would have been find. Same with food, or wounds. Keep them clean, they are fine. Let them go and you'll get 'Icky'." she grinned to herself in the gem.

Ammy looked like she was getting it and went back to the dishes no longer hating them.

He stood in the middle of the apartment. His torso bear, and a pile of bloodied bandages on the floor next to him. He had his Soul River sword in his paws, the blade, normally liquid, was solid and straight. His blues eyes narrowed a bit, then he flicked the sword forward in a fluid motion to strike the head off of an invisible opponent.

Or, that was the idea. His healing back protested and in mid stroke searing pain struck him and the sword dropped from his paws. It impaled the floor and stood their quivering from the fall. The sword quivered again as Fleet hit the floor with his knees gasping. He could feel his back ooze a bit. He wasn't anywhere near the fitness needed to fight.

He gritted his teeth and stood up. Maybe he was an idiot for taking all of those lashes, but what is worse. Him in pain, or seeing Ammy in pain and the possibility of her walking away from him. Reaching down, he wrenched the sword free of the floor and shivered in pain. He re sheathed the sword and dropped it on the desk.

Fleet sat gingerly in the chair and grabbed a roll of clean bandages from a pile on the dresser. He couldn't stay in the apartment any longer. He needed to be out and see what was going on in the world. That and an Alpha can't show this much weakness.

He wrapped his back as best as possible the picked of a braided leather leash. Ammy could use a break as well. He pulled on his red tunic and left it loose, then stepped out of the apartment and headed for the kitchens.

She sat in the medical suite of Suedes clinic watching technicians treat Fleets back. She rested her muzzle in her paws and reflected on the nights discussions in the Shaved Kurrii. It had started with her and Fleet walking in and Fleet acting very unusual. They found out why really quick. His back was still a mess from the whipping.

The girls were right, he was an idiot for not getting medical help. The wounds had festered and he was heading for blood poisoning. In fact, the techs told her that Fleet had passed over that line already. But it wasn't too late. They could screen it out and help him recover. It would take a few days, and he was not to do anything.

So, here she sat. She was now the leading Alpha of the Fleetian Den by Lupinossi custom. Lupinossi customs were really complicated and stupid for all she was concerned. Alae and Nadine kept telling her that males were complicated and never made since, except for Brutin. She wasn't sure if he made a lot sense either under his calm appearance.

But that was thought for another day. The technicians were finished dressing his back and attaching monitors to him. The walked out. Ammy slid the chair next to him and brushed his blue hair from his muzzle. The had him sedated for the pain.

"Well love, you decided to push bravado too far this time. I don't know what Alpha's are supposed to do, but I know dying from saving face is not likely one of them." She leaned close to his ear and whispered. "I am in charge of the Den for now while you recover Fleet. I am changing things so this doesn't happen again."

She stood up and walked out of the clinics suite. She wore the collar with her mothers soul gem attached to it. Phoenix seemed to be really quiet lately through the whole ordeal. I guess she thinks I am learning enough things already.

Last night rankled his fur. He was sick of females stating he was so complicated and confusing. He made a lot of sense, to himself at least. His daughter was getting in over her little head. She didn't know anything about running a den.

"I don't know, but I will find out when I try." was her answer to his question about her being able to lead a den.

You don't try to do anything in a den. You just do it. That's the way it has always been. Smooth, organized, and a chain of command. He sat back in his chair and pulled a clove cigarette out an lit it. He watched the smoke curl and twist away.

"Chain of Command" he rolled the words in his head. What he said to Nadine was true. Alphas lead, but the Betas run the pack. He puffed out a cloud of clove scented smoke. Betas run the pack and where was he in this mess? He was leading troops in parade drills and practices. They were living in peace time. The troops need something else to do and he was seeing how his unavailability to run the pack lead to Fleets blunders.

Talna ran through the door of the Lupinossi training facility panting. She looked drop dead gorgeous but the scowl on her muzzle made him drop any notions on flirting.

"Problems Talna lassie?" He asked.

Talna: "It's our new Alpha! Ammy Spiritor is proclaiming the end of the den structure!" she shot out in a gasp of air.

He chuckled, then laughed. His daughter had guts. If she can't understand the system, she'd just do away with it and start over. Talna just stared at him in horror.

Talna: "How can you laugh sir? Our den is on the verge of collapse! A female should have never been put in charge!"

"Talna, watch yer tongue. I put you in charge of a lot of things and yer a female. Let's leave our new Alpha alone and see what happens. Change can always be good. We are in peace time. The den could do with a new way running."

Talna's jaw just dropped as she watched the Beta of the Fleetian Den do nothing or even show anger at the annihilation of the Den Structure.

Talna: "So generations of running dens being wiped away means nothing to you?"

"Generations of running dens has lead to the problems we face. We ain't in our realms anymore. We are in a new realm and old ways no longer hold true. So, I am going to let her run things and help where possible. She may breath new life into the den. You're dismissed for now Talna."

She turned and walked away stunned.

She found herself again in the medical suite, watching Fleet sleep. Was he truly weak? Or did he just act weak? What is really at the bottom of Fleet?

She remembered Hex mentioned that he came from a powerful bloodline from his realm. How powerful? What was up with those blue wings and the magic he could do?

She had too many questions and only one person could answer them. He was just under medications and was not able to speak. She thought of Guns coma and wondered. She touched her rose diamond.

"Mother. Mother? I need to talk to you." She said softly.

Phoenix: "Yes daughter?"

"Could you, could you allow me to use my powers to enter his mind please?"

Phoenix: "Why not let him sleep then talk to him?"

"Because I need answers, and I need to talk to him about what is happening now. I am worried about what Brutin told me. The others in the Den may see this and want overthrow what I am doing."

Phoenix: "Sound logic daughter, however, his mind might be one you need to tread carefully in." she said with a warning tone.

"Why?"

Phoenix: "This Fleets energy is not normal. He is not the common Fleet you knew that died. This one is very different. I will allow you mind scaping, but that is all. No other powers will activated."

"Why are you keeping my powers negated? Haven't I learn enough?"

Phoenix: "No you have not learned what you need to learn. I can not tell you what you need. This is a test for every alchemist that can wield magic. We all lose our powers for a time until we find what we need to regain it."

"But you control whether I can or cannot use it?"

Phoenix: "I am just a watcher. I am merely obeying the mana stream. It wants you to learn something and it has told me it is leaving you for now. It has heard and felt your concern and will grant you this little bit of power. Use it wisely daughter. You only get one shot."

She thought on this. It seemed she was doing a lot of thinking on everything lately. She nodded to mother, though she was not there to see the nod. She stood up and walked to Fleets side.

She placed her metal paw on his forehead. "Love, this is Ammy. I need to talk to you one Alpha to another. Let me in. Let me in." she asked.

He felt her metallic touch. Herd her whisper into his mind. Felt her energy that had lain dormant, stir again and touch his mind. He was standing on a battle field. Milling masses of Lupinossai fighters ranging back an forth. The weather was hot and he wore the sash of command.

He looked down and saw he had his familiar plate armor on with spatters of blood here and there. His old katana was securely grasped in his paw, blood dripping off of its tip. The spatter made a little rhythmic pitter patter on the plate armor of a dead Lupinossai at his feet. His grand father, Wolf lay their, graying muzzle pulled back in a death stiffened look of shock. A smooth puncture was in his breastplate, where his heart used to beat for 4 generations of leadership. The puncture was a smooth sliver shape matching his katanas blade profile.

He knew this battle. It was the battle for new order. The battle no one knew but him and the new elders on the council of Lupinoss. That was after the escort mission that led to disaster in Rhydin. He came back enraged at the audacity of the prisoner he bought to spare their lives being slaughtered at whim.

This battle was a coup takeover. He knew the council was rotten to the core. Even his grandfather who was the oldest elder on the council was soft and bent his head to deals made in the dark. He knelt in the blood quagmire from the body and closed his grandfathers eyes.

"Was it worth your life grandfather, to have my father murdered, and your favorite grandson ambushed? Your body tells me this is not so. May your soul wonder on in torture. Fen will not have you. You have been damned Wolf of Lupis the Brave."

He stood and looked over the battle. It was a war that was already won. The realm was waiting for a change. It had dried and withered in the corruption. He was the spark that ignited the change. He flicked the blood off of his katana and sheathed it. He heard an echo across the battlefield.

"Let me in. Let me in."

I know that voice. What is Ammy doing here? It was dangerous in his mind. Too dangerous for a non deity to be loose in. He would have to find her. But, the scenery changed, he felt the cooling wave of medication in his veins and the world went out.

Ammy stood on the shores of an island. Tall, sharp clawed mountains greeted her. She knew these mountains. They were the Tallons in her homeland, or would be if you were outside of the realm. She saw a path, well worn and smooth. She started up the path and wound through the mountains.

Little resting platteaus dotted the trail. Each one held a landscape view of a memory. She was watching one right now. She saw Fleet, a very young Fleet. He was but a pup. 4 years old she would guess. He was being held by his parents. The appeared to be waiting for someone. As they waited, she saw that Fleet had a small pair of blue wings on his back.

Seconds passed and figure arrived. It was John Michaels. He approached the parents and looked down at Fleet.

John: "He has his fathers eyes, his mothers wings and the aura of his great grand parents. He glows with magic Chewie." He looked at Fleets father.

Chewie: "That is why we are concerned. The elder told us that his magic was not the normal kind. His magic was higher."

John: "You are correct my great grandson. You are correct. He will be the ruler of Lupinoss when it is time for a new deity. When I die, he will take my responsibilities and cause the land to flourish. Till then, he will know only hardship and trials. He is a diamond in the rough, and the worlds he will see will be his polishing. Guard him well and be sure not to tell him of his destiny. I will impart that knowledge to him at the appropriate time."

The memory faded and Ammy stood there wondering about this. "So he is a deity. Just not fully aware of it."

She continued up the path, more memory plateaus, more pieces to Fleets puzzle fell into place. He has been around for a few centuries, more than his body showed. He was 150 in lupinossi years, but his memories, his soul, was over 200 years old. She shivered at the knowledge that she was so close to some one so old and wise.

One last plateau appeared a few step away from the end of the trail. She stopped and watched. Fleet appeared, but it was a current form of Fleet. He was talking to an older John Michaels.

Fleet: "I don't want this gift! I don't want immortal life! How am I to love and live if everything and everyone I know dies around me! This is a curse not a gift. Take it back and leave me!"

John: "I can not Fleet. Your gift was given to you by fate and genetics. You can deny as easy as you could stop breathing. You must accept whether you like it or not. It is not a choice. The power has been with you since you were a pup. Now it is you."

Fleet: "I can't handle all of this power. You want me to travel everywhere and learn. Why? So I can see other cultures tear themselves apart? So I can watch more friends die? Lead people back to my realm to fight for resources?"

John: "To learn Fleet. To learn. To be a strong leader to those who need you."

Fleet: "I am not a leader! I make more mistakes than should be allowed."

John: "Exactly. A flawed leader will not fall to pride and a need for power. You will fall and fail, fail and fall, but you will learn from it and lead people even better."

Fleet: "And my stupidity not to get my back healed? That wasn't something to be proud of."

John: "No it wasn't. You were moping from you lack of control on your temper. It will happen. When it does though, that is when a leader is to look to those he leads. They will lead you. It works both ways. Now then, you have a guest walking your memories. Get to her quickly. You know what wanders the landscape here. They may be memories, but some take deadlier form than others." he advised.

The memory faded. Ammy wandered what he meant by that. She followed the rest of the path and stepped into Lupinoss. She felt like she was home again. She walked for what seemed like hours in beauty and bliss, letting herself enjoy home again. She didn't see the shapes following her.

Fleet found himself in a wild field. Flowers of all types were here. He could smell the No-Tameh river from here. It was the Plains of Dew. Why did his mind bring him here? Nothing ever happened on the plains of dew that he could remember. It was a place for growing of crops to feed the dens. No one living would fight here.

It struck him. No one living. He cursed himself. He was attacked here when he was younger. A new scout in the army. His eyes scanned the area for grass movement. The Cursed would be around here. He saw movement. It was himself, but younger.

He was on his dire wolf mount looking bored and tired. Scouting was new to him and he was overloaded from watching everything. Fleet walked towards the image, his steps quickening. The image passed over a small bridge and Fleet knew it was too late. 5 Cursed rose from the grasses and attacked the dire wolf mount. It spasmed as the tainted claws impaled it hide throwing the rider off into the grass.

Fleet watched himself bring his broad sword to paw and kill two of the cursed. Watched as the other 3 snuck in from behind and attacked. That day marked the day he knew he was different. He fell and was attacked, but came back up swinging killing the other 3 Cursed. He some how walked off back his Pack city for aide. A 3 day walk.

"That was the day I realized that I had deity blood in me. That was what kept me from turning into a cursed with my multitudes of cuts and wounds. Though now, whenever I get near a lot of carnage, I turn into one slightly and something demonic possesses me. This is why I fear for Ammy. I know what it's like to have a demon inside wanting out."

Her heard a scream of anger come over the plains. It was from the south. The direction that lead to the path out of Lupinoss. He spread blue feathered wings and flew out to the south.

Ammy didn't know what the hell these things were. The looked like Lupinossi, but the fur, the eyes, the bodies, all said death and dying. There were 5 of them. They had followed in the grass, but one had stepped on a twig. She spun and saw them lurking. Cover gone, they rose and came at her.

She clapped her hands, but nothing happened. "Shoot, no magic!" she forgot. She dodged a lunge and yelled at the creature. But alchemy isn't magic! Its redirecting your own energy by science. She back peddled and took out chalk. She etched a transmute array on her metal arm and touched it with her paws.

She focused on the arm and watched it morph to a long blade. She grinned and ducked. The creatures had caught up with her, but now she was armed. She lunged in and slashed at the nearest creature. It growled in pain and evaporated in a dark mist that hung in the air. It was coming for her. She avoided the slow moving cloud and attacked. Another one. This creature had a weapon and blocked her blow.

Fleet could see a few figures in the grass land and a small cloud as well. Bingo. Cursed. Sun glinted on a figure that was fighting them. Ammy! He dove, his katana out and he angled for a line strike at two that were sneaking up on her. He cleaved them both as he landed.

Ammy heard shrieks and looked over her shoulder. Fleet was their. Katana gleaming in sunlight, two creatures dead.

Ammy: "Watch out! They make some weird cloud!"

Fleet: "I know. It Lupanecrosis in its 4th stages." He flapped his wings. "Winre heedre! Oustre Necrose!" A strong gust kicked up from his flapping wings. The three clouds dissipated in the breeze.

Ammy returned to the creature she was battling. With Fleet here, she wouldn't have to worry about the other creature. She lunged then withdrew. Her head was spinning. She forgot. Without magic, she was running on her own energy. The creature saw it had an opening and moved in quickly.

Ammy knew it would pounce on her and waited. She placed a metal pawed kick into it as it landed. The creature flew over her and thudded to the ground.

Fleet started after the last Cursed. It was huge! As he circled it he saw Ammy falter. He thought briefly and then was interrupted by his adversaries strike. He now focused on it.

A jeweled rapier appeared by Ammys paw. She looked down in amusement at it. She started to wonder how it got there and then saw the creature leaping at her again. Wonder gone, she grabbed the rapier and stabbed the creature. It died in an instant and a cloud formed. She rolled out of the way and watched it settle on the grass. Everything withered and died where the cloud touched.

Fleet looked the cursed in the eyes. "You're awfully big my friend. You're not a memory. Who are you?"

Cursed: "I am the beast in you. I want to play Fleety ol' boy. I want carnage. You kept me in chains until you took in the Chaotic. She fed me, made me stronger. Now that we are in your mind, I can kill you and gain control." it grinned at him wickedly.

Fleet: "You are wrong. We may be in my mind, but we are not alone. Ammy, love. I need your help." he called to Ammy.

Ammy: Looked in surprise and her hearth thudded in her chest. Fleet had asked for her help. Rapier in hand she stood.

Cursed: "She's nothing Fleet. A weakling just like you. You both are selfish pups. Give in. Let me out. I'll lead the Lupinossi to glory. Rhydin can be our realm!"

Fleet: "Wrong again. Rhydin is free. Lupinossi were kept hidden in Lupinoss to prevent themselves from being tools of war for pointless battle. I will make sure I keep John Michaels promise." He leveled the katana at the cursed.

Cursed: "Strike me, and you suffer!" He howled. It started to move for Fleet then roared in pain.

Ammy: "And if I stab you? Then what? Fleet has felt my lashing on him for betraying me. He can deal with me stabbing you." She shoved the rapier in deeper.

Fleet grimaced. His back hurt. He felt impaled, but bore it. His mate was helping him with his own nightmare. He strode forward and plunged his katana into the beasts heart. He felt cold but kept it there. This was a dream, not reality. He will not die.

The cursed looked in horror at a united front and then disappeared.

Fleet: "You're not bad with a blade." he grinned.

Ammy: "You're not bad with magic and memories. We need to talk. Mind waking up?"

Fleet just smiled.

All she saw was his blue eyes then she was back in the clinic suite. The whole day had gone by. Street was sitting in the corner watching her. Medics fidgeted. Her back ached liked she'd been standing tense to long.

Fleet sat up slowly in bed then smiled at everyone. "Good day to you all. Shall we talk?"

He sat in the medical bed and nodded to his mate and Street. His back felt a lot better and he's strength was returning. "You wanted to talk to me, Alpha to Alpha? I am guessing that you have stepped in while I was injured, Ammy."

Ammy: Nodded. "Yes, I did, but only to help things run better." She stated and waved a paw around. She stopped and stared. A jeweled rapier was clasped in her metal paw.

Fleet: "You may think it a dream or you may consider the event real. When you travel the mind of a deity, beware. Even dreams can kill. That sword is real. It is called Sanity's Requiem. My mother used to wield it. It will serve you well when you cant use alchemy Love. Now then. What has happened since you've been in charge?" He glanced at her and set his blue eyes on her white frosted ones.

Ammy: "I..I..." she swallowed the stood tall, the rapier held in a position of familiarity. "I am now in control of the Den Fleet, and I am abolishing the Den Structure way of life." She said. Fire in her eyes. She was ready for a fight.

Fleet looked at Street. Street just nodded to him and confirmed that Ammy was serious.

Fleet: "I see. And you wish to over throw me while I am injured and sick?"

Ammy: "I saw it as my only chance to make it quick and smooth. I didn't know if I could fight your for full control of the Den. So I came to replace you while you were week. To show you how week you've become." She dropped her gaze and sniffed a bit.

Fleet: Closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed his head. His ears flicked back and forth. "I...see. Yes, my leadership has been poor. I have been dealing with a losing issue in my mind, but that is past now. Yet, I am sure the Den is well aware of what is happening. So you wish to replace me as Alpha then. What about you Street?" He looked to his beta in the corner.

Street: Stared back at Fleet with his red eye. "She's the new Alpha. I am here to give her advice and support. You are still the active Alpha as well. We can not have two rullin alphas in our den laddie, unless.....you decide to go along with Ammy's plan."

Fleet: Looked to Ammy. "Let's here this plan then Love. I am all ears at the moment."

Ammy: "I proposed to Lord Brutin to buy back the slaves and to abolish the Den Structure system so you and Street would stop hurting yourselves in needles acts of bravado. I want to build a community for all of us to live in like a large family. Brutin has even suggested we build our own small compound or town just between the SA and Rhydin city so we can charge our own tax and keep it running. Street has found several hundred good acres for building."

Fleet: Absorbed what Ammy was saying. "So how will the community run?"

Ammy: "By an appointed leader or leaders for a period of time then they step down and led by another leader."

Fleet: "I see. And how do we support this community?"

Ammy: "You've already started that phase. Our community will have its own shops and services. Those working there provide a small tax that goes into the community and the rest they keep."

Fleet: "So you want to turn a functioning den into a village? Are you going to be able to do this and perform your duties in the SA as well?"

Ammy: "I can try my best."

Street groaned at that answer and Fleet chuckled.

Fleet: "I see now. Well then, I suggest this. We both lead this community until it is stable, then we step down and start the electoral position. This way I can help you in leading, and you can help me in avoiding mistakes." Raised an eyebrow at Ammy.

Ammy stood there and thought on the deal. She started pacing back and forth. Street just sat there and watched, looking bored. Fleet regarded these two. If a community was to be built, the three of them needed to be close together.

Ammy: "Very well then. We kill the Den Structure and erect the community structure. I am not sure yet how this will work, but we can buy the land first, then buy the freedom of the slaves when we can. And, by housing the slaves in the town, Brutin has stated they will work harder seeing what they get when they are free. He will build the building we need since his slaves will be housed there. Then we buy back the buildings when we can."

Fleet: Grinned at Ammy. He opened his arms wide. "Come here Love. You've been a very creative girl."

Ammy leaped into Fleets medical bed and hugged him. He muffled the pain of his back being squeezed. He was lucky to have her as a mate.

It was Fleets turn to sit in the corner of Suedes clinic and watch the medics tend to Ammy's injuries. He chuckled. She knew how to take command in the heat of the moment, but once she hit calm waters, she falters.

Last night was one hell of a way to test her ability to command in battle. He was tired of being in the medical suite that night and left with Ammy. They had received a few scouting reports from Street about land for sale to build The Den. An idea Brutin and Ammy came up with while he was under sedation.

He sighed. He had failed as an Alpha and was proven to weak for the position. Ammy stepped in and filled the void of leadership. Now they were turning a den into a community, and they would both lead in it.

He shook his head and brought his attention to the fore. They were walking past the acreages that were available when a realm gate appeared. Nothing new really. Most who came to Rhydin passed through one whether they knew it or not. What caught him by surprise was a Cursed coming through, followed by 4 more Cursed.

He shivered some. They weren't indestructible, but it just took one hit, and one who knows not of them are doomed by the curse. He and Ammy took out four of them quickly. Ammy was grazed in the cheek, but Fleet couldn't worry about that at the moment. The fifth one must have be a former mage in its life and started slingin spells at them.

They hi tailed it in retreat. The got into com range and hailed Street. By the time they met up with him, they were in town. Ammy ran for the Shaved Kurriis district. Her idea. Simple. That district was always taking damage from idiots that attacked Brutin. Most people with common sense have moved out. We'd take the fight there and have some help as well.

We arrived with the cursed right on Streets tail. It walked into an ambush. Rishi was ready and sliced the cursed in half. We regrouped in the tavern and then made sure everyone wasn't injured. I gave Ammy the antidotes for the Cursed wound she took to the cheek.

Brutin was a bit upset and wanted a full explanation. We didn't have one. How can one have one when you are suddenly attacked and have to retreat. I left Ammy to Brutin, and headed for the area again to investigate the origin of the gate. Gun, Street, and Hex came along. I was glad.

The gate opened again and 9 Soul Knights appeared. These were suits of battle armor that were controlled by a soul gem. And one lupinossi mage. This was not good. Another realm must have found Rhydin and the way to realm hop.

A good fire fight ensued. We were able to take out all of the soul knights. Gun looked worse for were, his aging body not handling the combat well. The mage though.

Fleet shivered more and rubbed his fore head. The mage was Fen Stridar. He was the Evil Deity of Lupinoss. How the hell he got here he was not for sure. Last time he saw Fen, he was imprisoned by deity restrictions to perform his deity duties in Lupinoss. How did he break free?

He slipped by us in battle and telleported to the Shaved Kurrii. He acted like he was tracking something. I ran back as fast as I could, and found him in a firefight with Rishi, Ammy, and Gilli. He was pretty tough and took the barrage, the only thing he suffered was the loss of wardrobe. We thought we would have a long battle but Hex appeared with Nethicite powder on board and weakened him.

We tried to kill Fen, but he vanished. Now he was out there somewhere. He heard Ammy growl and whimper in the same breath. The fight may have gone smoothly, but Ammy was thrown in the fight into the Kurriis wall. Suede was amazed she survived.

I was complemented on my fast reaction for medical treatment and pain management, but that helped little. Ammy had both shoulders dislocated, 6 broken ribs, and a good concussion. He was amazed her skull wasn't cracked. His cocktail wore off half way through there treatments on her. The poor tech on duty found out the hard way when he was setting her ribs. He was still out from the punch.

A medic approached Fleet and waited patiently, tapping a boot. The Lupinossi appeared to be lost in thought. "Sir?" He tapped my foot.

I looked up at him. "Yes?"

"She will be fine now. We have her patched up as much as possible. Gonna take 4 days for her to heal. Thankfully your race has a fast healing rate. We gave her a vial of pills and giving you a vial as well. It's a pain medication that will work quickly and less dramatically than your outdated KetVal Morphine cocktails. Seriously sir, I you wish, we have a medical library you can have access to to update your knowledge."

The medic backed up a pace at Fleets ghost of a scowl. "I see." Fleet said with coldness. "Very well then. Can I take my mate out of here?" His blue eyes leveled at the medic.

The medic gulped. Those eyes could kill if they wanted to. "Yes sir. Just keep her calm and relaxed for the four days. You can remove the supports and bandages when the time is up." He saluted, turned, and scurried away. He had heard rumors of Fleets anger.

Fleet just shook his head. He was tired of everyone treating him like an idiot. They want serious. Fine. He'll give them serious. He stood and walked over to Ammy.

"Hey love. You heading my way?" he hooked a thumb to the exit door.

She nodded slowly and winced when she did. She stood slowly and winced more. Her arms in slings, just moved closer holding her ribs. Fleet slowly put his arm around her and lifted lightly. She relaxed a little. Together they walked out of the clinic.

"I believe we have some things to talk to Brutin about. Street told me that Brutin has bought land for The Den."

We walked for Brutins office slowly. Ammy enjoyed the mid afternoon breeze that kicked up.

What was a soldier to do when not drilling, teaching, or killing something?

This question always plagued Street. Very few of his troop hung out with him. The felt they didn't deserve the privilege. Well he did have a promise to go out shooting or hunting with Gun and his adopted daughter Mokkie. That would be great but his firepower was too much. Gun was working on a Dessert Eagle for him.

He walked a dusty side street of Rhydin and found a small lot tucked in between buildings. In the lot he saw something odd. It had two wheels, and handle bars. A metal ribcage was empty where the beasts heart should be. A sign read, "Free to a new Home AS IS!".

He looked around and saw that no one was in charge of it. He grinned. He walked up to the metal beast and inspected it. There were dials on the handle bar, a worn leather seat where a saddle should be, and a hollow drum between the seat and the bars. The wheels were a bit shot, but the thing looked captivating.

He looked around again, then swung a leg over and straddled the beast. He sat and relaxed. It was comfy for being worn out. The handle bars were in easy reach. He grabbed them and leaned back. It felt so natural.

He looked around again. He didn't want any one to see a grin of pure joy on his muzzle. He saw some lettering on the drum and wiped away caked dirt and sand. It read "Harley Davidson Motorcycle" on it.

"Well then. Now I know what to research. You are now going to be my steed." He patted the motorcycle. He hopped off, stood by its side and pushed the motorcycle out of the lot and towards the SA compound. He knew of a lab and someone who could point him in the right direction for information. A grin emerged and grew wider on his muzzle. He had his hobby now.

The 52 year old veteran calmly made his way through the districts as his mind wandered on an internal compass.

Taking a bearing, his unconscious thoughts brought him to through several repetitions of the circling the city. While turning a corner with his eyes gazing upon not but a foot from where he stepped, Gunther nearly collided with his comrade soldier the Lupinossi known as Street Wolf.

"Greetings soldier" spoke Fleet.

"Howdy. I wasn't able to procure a Desert Eagle suitable for you, but found something just as nice. Here."

Reaching behind his back, the veteran retreived a black anodized revolver that seemed to glimmer strangely in the fleeting afternoon light just prior to the night's clutches. Twirling the revolver several times along the trigger guard he caught it at the handle to pass over as a gift to the awaiting Street.

"Smith and Wesson 686 Combat Revolver. 7 Shots. Chambered for .357 caliber rounds and .38 caliber rounds. Special Order."

"Oh... this is very nice... a well balanced gun..."

"And just in case 7 shots isn't enough, these loaders should suffice." handing over a pair of speed loaders to awaiting paws.

"Thank you Gun. I'll have to go shopping for a holster as that I'm fully packed on firepower." as the brink of tears weltered up in the aged Street's eyes yet he dare not let them fall.

"I'll be at the Inn this evening. I hope to see you there later."

Nodding silently, the two veterans parted their separate ways.

He'd spent some time in the Red Dragon Inn during his leave time. He was collecting intel on a project of his. He was trying to get parts for something called a motorcycle. It was a very odd metal steed indeed, and it needed a heart to run.

He sat in the smoke filled inn and kept an ear out for anything useful but no one knew anymore than him on the subject. He was going to have to talk to Hex eventually about using the nano lab.

He sighed, finished his Guiness and walked out of the inn into the night, whistling Jupiter Jazz.

He should be happy. Hex was making all of the parts he needed for the motorcycle plus upgraded parts. He would have them all by tomorrow night. Then why was he here on patrol with a urge to shoot some one?

It was those two girls in the Kurrii. They started some dang Rite of Domination and started a serious knock down drag out fight that threatened everyone. He collared them, called Brutin and was told to let them go. Nothing makes sense anymore.

He puffed his cigarette some more and focused on getting through his shift tonight.

She was in Hex's lab writing in a new leather book. Some wouldn't find this odd. Some would say it indicated her expanding beyond what she knew and that she needed another tome to record it. Those that knew better knew that it was something to note. Ammy rarely recorded out of her old tome. That tome had infinite page