Brutin walked into the Magistrates office and stopped with a flourish and smile. Rishi stopped just behind him but per her history, stayed still and quiet. "What do you want you son of a..."

"Ah yes, Chief Magistrate." Brutin interrupted the man as his face turned red and the veins popped out on his forehead.

"Don't you come here acting friendly like nothing has happened since your cursed arrival! You have my sweet Penelope!" The man yelled at the top of his lungs and those who had still been working stopped to watch the show.

Brutin just smiled and then leaned forward slightly. "Shall I tell you what your beloved daughter did for me last night after I went to bed? I assure you, it is quite graphic in the retelling." Brutin said lightly as the man hunched over and two others stepped forward to comfort him, a hand each on his back.

"If you came to insult him leave." One of the men said evenly and Brutin only smiled and stepped forward to the desk.

"I am here for business. I am buying the tracts of land north of the Association compound. I am also here to pay fees on building permits and zoning. I am creating a residential and commercial district in this area. I want to process the fees and pay the required taxes." He said and they stood there in stunned silence as the Chief Magistrate recovered himself and stood back up.

"If you think you can spread your poison further than you already have you can forget it. I have no other daughters to sacrifice to you, the answer is NO!" The Chief yelled but stood his ground.

"This is for an exiled people. Outcasts, criminals and freed slaves, a place for them to start over and make a life for themselves." Brutin replied calmly and waited.

"You think you can do some community work and be forgiven?" The Chief was a lot calmer now, his yelling fit over for the moment.

"Community Work. Very punny." Brutin replied and then glanced about. "Charity I believe is what you were searching for. Very well. I expect to never have you raise your voice to me again, we will perhaps never be friends Chief but I believe I showed you my tenacity. I shall send a slave once a week to clean this place up for you, as well as your home." He said and the Chief spat at the offer. Brutin only replied by smiling. He turned to go and then stopped, turning back. "I shall also need the permits for building this community up, pick a liaison and send him over, we will pay the fees as we go." He finished and walked out, the interview over.

He walked back to the compound to begin working over the plans of building, everything would have to be cleared through Ammy of course but at least the materials could be gathered and a layout started. He picked up his brandy and sipped it, looking out his window and over the garden.

"Penelope." He said calmly and the girl came forward and knelt patiently waiting. "Tomorrow you are to go to the Magistrates Office and clean it." He ignored her startled look. "Afterwards you are to go to his house and clean that. You have twenty four hours to accomplish these tasks." He said and the girl started trembling so badly he could see it out of the corner of his eye.

"Y..y...y...yes Master." She said in disbelief. The girl got up to leave, numb with shock.

"One more thing." He said and she winced, as if he was about to take back what he had said. "The place was filthy, you will do this weekly." He turned back to the window and Penelope stared at him for a few moments before scurrying off.

Brutin stared over the flowers for a few seconds and then looked down to his brandy, this brand was more robust than others....

The machine was in it's own office just down the hall from Brutin's when the signal from the surveilance system notified it that Fleet and Ammy had entered Brutin's office. Standing up and setting reports aside, Hex strode out and down to the doorway, looking over Ammy's injured form and up to Fleet.

"Good afternoon Lady Ammy, Lord Fleet. What can I help you with today?"

Hex's face usually was vacant of normal emotional expression, and while appearing human, was as blank as a mask. At Ammy's words and wince of pain the machine started forwards a half inch, then paused, a frown of worry creased across it's lips.

The machine's head turned to Fleet, the normally dim red glow of the eyes somehow brighter than usual, "Have Suede's medics said if she is in any danger from being out of the clinic? I would not wish to put you in danger by being here right away." This last was spoken directly to Ammy herself.

Stepping forwards, Hex smoothly dropped down to one knee to look Ammy right in the eyes, "I will ensure that you will have the one hundred soldiers you require. If necessary, I will purchase their contracts myself."

Hex paused long enough to let Ammy see the machine's earnest expression, then stood up again and turned to Fleet, a slight tilt of the head as Hex accessed the observation drone that followed Brutin every time he left the compound, a security measure Hex had instated but not made public. Finally Hex nodded, "Lord Brutin is returning to the compound as we speak, he should be here shortly."

Brutin finished his close personal inspection and sat up, wiping the sweat from his brow before exhaling. Portia grabbed his arm and attempted to drag him back down on top of her but he only turned to smile at her. "Inspection over." She groaned miserably but he was not about to fall for it. "Time to get back to work." He announced and this time she signed.

The slave girl disentangled herself and stood up with a stretch to tease him with her naked body before bending over to pick up his clothing and handing it to him one by one as he dressed. She watched brazenly staring as he worked and he silently watched her as he did. She had come a long way in the short time he had her. "When are you coming back to me?" She finally asked and he finished buttoning up his shirt and smiled down to her.

"When I feel like it." He said evenly and she put her head down chastened. It was not a girl's place to ask such a thing, but it was not frowned upon either.

He stepped from the area he had cornered her in and walked back down the hall to his office, stopping momentarily to see that others had arrived before him.

"Greetings all, what can I do for you?" He asked as he crossed the floor to his desk and poured himself a brandy. He drank from the glass before setting it down and looking at Ammy who sat regarding him so intently.

Fleet looked at Ammy deteriorating condition and decided to step in. "Lord Brutin, I believe we will arrange another time to discuss this matter. Lady Ammy's condition prompts me to move her to a place of rest. We are honored that you have bought the land. For now, I will arrange for the funds to be given to you for the 100 Lupinossai slaves. From there, we will plan our next step."

Fleet bowed to Lord Brutin then assisted Ammy in standing. He escorted her to the door. He bowed to Hex as well then walked Ammy out of the office.

Ammy had Tiana fly a message over to Brutins office. The message was sealed in an envelope with a wax seal that had 3 orbs with power radiating from it. It was Ammy's personal seal. Tiana slid the message under the door and flitted back to the apartments in search of Fleet. He was still missing.

The message read:

To Lord Brutin:

I have recovered well and my mind is no longer muddled. I am having Fleet draw up designs for the Dens layout. Street Wolf, when he is not performing his duties in the Legion of Chain will resume the duties of Chief of Security and Defense for the Den. He is working on a means to help get around faster. I am now the Chair of the Den. I will be running most of the aspects of the Den till I find capable leaders. As to our current point of business. I was originally asking for 100 Lupinossi slaves to be bought.

On hindsight, our communities coffers are dangerously low to obtain that many. I will need to reduce the number from 100 to 50 Lupinossi slaves. I will remit the payment to you when you are ready to conclude this first of what I hope will be many friendly business transactions between your House and our Den.

Learning to Serve,
Ammy Spirit-Wolf

She stood there for an hour and knocked. She heard nothing on the other side. She hastily penned a note and left it with the pouch of gold and the case of floor plans.

She drew a circle and transmuted the items to the other side of the door. She stood, and walked out of his office and headed for the Den building sites.

Fleet wiped some sweat from his brows. The Den was coming along grandly. The buildings were being raised and soon the Lupiossai would move in. He sat back on his heels and looked up to the sky. Gray clouds were gathering. A sniff told him rain was soon.

He let his blues eyes fall on the horizon and the dusty road leading to the main path to Rhydin City. Something glinted in the afternoon sun. It was getting closer. Fleets ears picked up a rattling, clanking sound. His years as a scout told him enough. Armor, heavy, and moving steadily. No panting or moderate breathing.

He stood and popped his back. He walked toward the glinting object. He unsnapped Soul River on his waist as walked calmly along the emerging town square. Several of the Free Lupinossai looked up at him from their work with concern. They all could see that Fleet was focused on something and that was not good.

As he walked closer, the glinting object sped up. Clanking was very loud and a glistening suit of silver armor ran up to Fleet with no occupant. It stopped and flung a black envelope at Fleet. Fleet just let it drop to the dusty ground.

"What are you doing in our Den, vile warrior." He asked in a low voice. A growl was beginning.

The armor just stared back with empty visor holes. Fleet asked it again.

"I know you're capable of speech minion. Again, what are you doing in our Den?"

Hell Knight: "To serve the will of Fen Stridar. Your message has been delivered. Heed to the warnings or else." Its voice grated.

"Or else? What do you plan to do nagindug?" Fleets eyes were gleaming coldly. His paw was on Soul Rivers hilt.

Hell Knight: "We will raise this community to the ground starting now." It removed 3 cubes of the same metal it was made of. It tossed them on the ground and grated out the command, "Rivivre". 3 more suits of armor grew.

The Hell Knights proceeded to head for the Lupinossai workers and the buildings. Their gauntlets glowed blue energy. Energy that smelled familiar.

"Chaotic!" He growled. He dashed over to the nearest Hell Knight. In mid stride Soul River was unsheathed and in whip form. He lassoed the Knight around its torso and yanked back. The armor under the whip melted and the whip slid free. Fleet caught himself from falling.

The Hell Knight shifted its form and now it was coming at him. Soul River reverted to blade mode and he closed with it. The other 3 Knights were coming under attacks from the 50 Lupinossai, but it was not having an effect on them.

The Hell Knight closed with Fleet and swung a gauntlet that shifted to a blade in mid swing. It glowed blue and crashed into Soul River with a jarring impact. Fleet skidded back a few feet. The Knights arm shifted to lance mode and it charged Fleet.

He waited for the last second between freedom and impalement. He sidestepped to the right, and grabbed the lance arm and flipped the Knight. The Knight clanged to the ground and Fleet winced. His paw went numb from the contact. He looked down and saw a few blisters.

"Okay, no touchy with these guys." He hissed. He ran up and stabbed Soul River into the prone suit of armor. The blade passed through easily as if he stabbed water. The Knight rose. Fleet leaped back.

"What's the weakness of these guys?" He gritted his teeth. Direct attacks were useless. The blade or weapon will just pass through. Okay, we'll try some side effects then. He ran up and stabbed the armor and ignited fiery flames of magic into its torso. The Knight howled, but not in agony. It howled in glee. It glowed blue and the flames died.

"What the?" Fleet was caught off guard as a gauntlet collided with ribs. He was launched 4 feet in the air and crashed down hard. He gasped for air as stars lit up his vision. The Hell Knight approached him. Both arms razor sharp lances. A buzz filled Fleets ears. He blinked and stood slowly. The buzz remained. Then he realized that the buzz was a hum of electricity.

He stared at the suit and looked for magical aura. It had one, but it was the aura of Chaotic. No more, no less. He looked deeper and saw infinite machines flowing like water. Same as Ammy's limbs. Observation was over as he dodged lances and parried them.

The Lupinossai workers were holding their own by constantly harassing the other 3 Hell Knights. Fleet dodged another series of blows and closed the gap. He reached out and touched the Hell Knight again.

"Desre Compre!" He howled. His paw went numb again but watched as the suits arm began to disintegrate. The Hell Knights visor holes glowed blue.

Hell Knight: "Well done on unraveling one weakness, Fleetwolf. But it will take more than that to stop us." The voice wasn't grating but female.

"Chaotic. You were banished from this realm. Why are you here?" He growled and let it the growl build.

Chaotic: "I found a new ally. Fen is such a catch. We are partners now. I protect him and lead his toy soldiers. In return, I will get Ammy's body back without the annoying soul attached." She laughed.

"NO!" He let the building growl out. A sonic impact hit the Hell Knight and the body caved in. He howled again and watched the armor crumple more. He glared at it and brought his freezing stare to bear. His head felt weak and then his magic was gone.

He looked shocked. Shaking off the daze he spun and brought Soul River to bear on the Hell Knights head. The blade shattered.

"No! How do you have this technology?" Fleet gasped. Only Nethicite would render his blade brittle. The Hell Knight just laughed and reformed again.

Chaotic: "Not so tough without your magic or sword are you?" She launched the armor forward and began attacking Fleet. She pummeled him with biometal gauntlets hard as granite.

Fleet did what he could to dodge the blows. His magic and speed gone. Though, there was one thing he could do that was not magic. He dodged a blow then howled right at the chest plate. The close proximity blew the plate apart. The core glowed blue and he saw a blue sliver in the armor.

"Now I have found your heart!" He moved forward and ducked under a blow. Another howl blew the arm off. The Hell Knight had no arms to assail him with. He stepped close and howled right into the blown chest plate. The sliver shattered and the armor ground to a halt. It toppled over.

Fleet grinned then ran for the other 3 Hell Knights. He heard a high pitched wine behind him and knew the cavalry had arrived. He didn't even have to look over his shoulder to see Street Wolf. A barrage of Soul Shots lanced into the 3 Hell Knights. The shots went through the armor with no effect.

Fleet closed in and howled again at the closest knight. Its torso blew open. He howled again and shattered its shard of Chaotic. He went to work on the other 2 knights.

Street was now lancing the 2 knights with fire blasts. The armor glowed blue and the shots died before striking them. Fleet closed in but the Knights knew what his tactic was. The protected their chests with shield arms and started attacking him with morning star flails.

A revved engine was heard then Street was seen slamming into a Knight with his bike. He was by Fleets side. His Redemption guns holstered. He had the cat of nine tails out and a special .357 revolver in his paws. He attacked the crushed night. He wrapped the whip around the helmet and pulled quickly. The helmet flew off. Street unload all 8 rounds inside the armor. Shots ricocheted and the Knight stopped. It's shard shattered.

Fleet was caught by a morning star flail when his paw slipped. He heard ribs and his left arm crunch. Pain lance through him. He began to howl in pain but held back. He redirected it into a howl of attack. He held up his right paw and howled into it. His paw shook and a coalescing ball of vibrating air appeared. He leaped forward and slammed the sphere through the shield and into the chest of the Knight.

The sphere shredded the bio metal on impact and when it reach the interior of the suit, he released control. The sound blast blew outward and the Hell Knight was shrapnel. He stood and looked around him. The Den was undamaged. The Lupinossai workers were attacking the dead armor and hacking trophies off of it. They posted 3 helmets on poles in the town square and celebrated in dance and song.

Street walked over to Fleet. A dusty, sealed black envelope was in his paws. "Ye dropped it lad."

Fleet tried to open it but his left arm wouldn't work. Street slit the envelope open and gave the letter to Fleet.

"TO Fleetwolf. Mate of Ammy Spiritor. I know your talents now. We will meet again." - Fen Stridar.

"It was a test?" He glared at the note. His world was starting to sway and things were going gray. His body let him know that injury was done.

Street: "Easy laddie. Yer bleedin." He put an arm around Fleet and guided him to his bike. "Laddies. Make sure the guests are given a proper displaying. I am taking the lad to Suedes medical bay."

Fleet was propped up behind Street. He let the Ion engine whine up and they took off for the SA compound.