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A big thanks to Dasher Cheetah for being my editor, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. More to cum *winks*

The Dark: Chapter 2

Zion packed up the contents of his hotel room, deep in thought as he did so. Today was the big day. The Horizon was scheduled to travel to Mars under the power of its sub-light drive. Aboard it would be its engineering staff and Captain, to pick him and his mates up. This would be the trio's first viewing of the mysterious warship.

Admiral Drago had sent a message to Zion, wishing him luck. Although the dragon still harbored negative feelings towards his cousin for going behind his back with his research, he welcomed the good will. Family was very important to the draconian race.

A knock at his door brought the dragon out of his thoughts. He stood up from his packing and padded over to the door. The view screen revealed Andrew as the waiting party. Zion opened the door and smiled welcome as Andrew padded into the room. "Good morning Zion, I hope the night brought you rest and comfort," said the fox. Zion chuckled and said, "Andrew, I designed half of the systems on that ship. No, the night did not bring me comfort. In fact I hardly slept." Andrew tilted his head in curiosity and asked, "Zion since we first met all you have done is criticize the ship, why?"

Zion sighed and walked to his bag. He pulled out a small circular device and activated it. Turning back he said, "Andrew, what I am about to tell you is classified at the highest levels. This device disables any listening devices in the area so we are now safe to talk."

Andrew nodded, unsure of what he was about to be told but curious as to what was bothering Zion so much. "What you may or may not know is that a few years ago we discovered an abandoned lab on one of Mar's moons. It housed a very advanced piece of technology, a crystal reactor. We have long thought about what such a device could do, as it is capable of producing insane amounts of power, theoretically. But this one was burned out. The core should be so stable that this should not happen. After considerable research, we narrowed down the crystal matrix to one of three possibilities. From there, we found only one would power the device. The problem is that the reactor is extremely unstable. I fear it's a characteristic of the technology we used to create the crystal. Admiral Drago went behind my back and used my notes to build most of the systems on that ship. Its untested and highly unstable Andrew! He is asking me to hold it together and perfect the technology under possible battle conditions."

Andrew stood numb at what he was hearing. He had been told the ship was special but had never been briefed about the specifics. He said in disbelief, "I knew it was big, but this is insane! How am I supposed to be the chief engineer of something I have never even heard of! I was not briefed on this?" Zion laughed and answered, "You use the link to access my knowledge about the technology and ask me questions. Now come, let's gather up our wolfy and get to the space port. We don't want to miss our date with death."

The two gathered up Zion's supplies and walked back to Niko's hotel room. Andrew used his key card to access the room and opened the door. As Zion and Andrew turned and looked in the room, they spotted the wolf on the bed squatting over a large dildo that was half way up his rump. He was moaning with a fully erect cock, leaking pre. The wolf paused and blushed slightly, his ears going back to half erect as he said, "Well lets face it Andrew, this isn't the worst position you have caught me in." The fox held his sides and roared with laughter. Zion chuckled and shook his head in amusement. Niko blushed deeply and stood up, removing the dildo from his rump. "I would love to pound you hun, but we are running late.", said Andrew as he regained his composure. Niko nodded and went into the bathroom. He finished himself off and cleaned up. It was that or he would have trouble putting his uniform on. Then he quickly dressed himself. With everybody's belongings gathered up, the three slowly made their way to the lobby of the hotel. Awaiting them was Admiral Drago himself. Niko and Andrew immediately dropped their bags and saluted, Zion however stood as he was and chuckled. Being family had some additional benefits after all. The admiral eyed the two and then Zion. It was apparent to the experienced dragon that something had happened between them. As a dragon of the same blood line he could feel a difference in the aura of Zion. He smiled as he stepped forward and embraced his nephew in a familiar way, then said, "Its good to see that you are acquainted with your assistants already. Andrew is the top of his field in all things technology and Niko is one of the best at security. I thought both would be beneficial to you and it seems they already have been." Niko and Andrew both blushed slightly as Zion chuckled. "I hardly think my sex life is any of your concern cousin."

The admiral smiled and jibed back, "Who said I was referring to sex?" This time it was Zion's turn to blush as Niko and Andrew chuckled quietly to themselves. Drago went on,"As you were gentleman, there's no need for such formalities all the time." The wolf and fox relaxed slightly, but not completely. The admiral shook his head as he lamented, "The bad part about having rank is that you're always that rank. This is a social call gentleman. I have come to take you to the space port and show you the ship. I am extremely excited about its completion." The older dragon smiled happily and Zion said with a bit of concern, "Yes cousin, as am I Let us hope its not the death of all of us." The admiral shook his head as the four walked to the waiting car. Their belongings were placed in the trunk as all piled into the passenger compartment.

Once the door was shut, the admiral smiled and said, "For the sake of conversation let us dispose with formalities while its just the four of us. How much do you two know of draconian history and tradition?" Niko and Andrew sat confused for a moment before Niko answered, "Not much I am afraid...why?" The admiral laughed and then said, "Because Zion has marked you as his mates, he has imprinted both of you upon himself."

Zion blushed bright red as Andrew spoke up, "Yes we know sir. Not the extent of significance of course but we know he marked us and we marked him." The admiral nodded knowingly as he sent to Zion mentally, "Zion, let the fox speak for himself." Andrew shuddered and looked around as he exclaimed, "What was that?"

Zion sighed and said, "For dragon's, biting somebody is much more than ceremony. We have the ability to link ourselves with another, to...unite our very soul with that of our partner. That is why dragons very rarely mate outside of their own species, that and the obvious size issue. When I bit you that night, it was more than just a bite. I united us completely for life. And that is why you 'heard' Drago. He is family to me and so can also communicate mentally with me. You were tuned in thru me."

Niko sat dazed at what he was hearing, he had felt a difference. It was almost like his mind was more than it had previously been, however he had simply shrugged it off. Now he couldn't ignore the obvious.

Zion sat silent; he had not understood why he had done what he did; only that he had to do it. The car came to a halt in front of the shuttle which would take them to the ship. Admiral Drago said, "I suspect you three have some things to sort out. It seems I have an emergency meeting. I will leave you three to your duties. Good day." With that they exited the car and stood confused. Zion fumed at his cousin; once again, he had stuck his nose where it had no place being. As he turned, Niko and Andrew looked at him with questioning eyes.

Zion sighed deeply as the three boarded the shuttle. After taking their seats, Zion continued, "Let me explain. Dragons have a unique ability. We can link with those we care deeply about. Now ordinarily that is reserved for mates. However . . . well, I just felt something about the two of you. I had to mark you, I do not know why, I just did! Please do not be angry at me?"

Niko sat in awe of the dragon and what he had just told them. Before them was the very definition of power and strength in a creature and he was only concerned that they not be upset at what he had done. It would have been nice to have been given a choice, rather than having it imposed upon them but it was done. As he thought on it, he could feel how anxious Zion was that they could accept this and not be angry or hate him for it. He also felt how much Zion cared for them both and that feeling was so great that neither Niko or Andrew could ever doubt the great dragon loved them both deeply. Looking at Andrew, Niko focused on him and felt the undercurrent of love from his foxy mate and that he was waiting to see what Niko would do. The wolf sent his love to Andrew, who murred and melted a little into the seat with a dreamy smile. Niko smiled and turned to Zion and said, "We are honored you chose us dear." He gently kissed the dragon before they strapped into their seats for takeoff. The shuttle shuddered as its lifted easily off the pad. After the initial thrust, Niko asked, "What I don't understand is why the admiral came to tell us that?"

Zion laughed with relief and said, "Because my cousin has always been jealous of me. I got the brains and looks, he got the military training. All my life he's kept an eye on me as the family has always deemed HIM the responsible one." Zion shook his head with a degree of chagrin.

Niko smiled softly and said, "Hun I understand family politics better than you may believe. I am the youngest of five pups and my family wanted me to stay home and take over the farm. I had other idea's, so I followed my heart and my head. It led me to my foxy." He gave Andrew a tender smile and Andrew nodded, knowing this about his wolfy mate.

Andrew told Zion, "I am the runt of the litter of kits. My father was a military man, my mother was a woman of questionable repute. I grew up with discipline during the times my father was home and watched her sleep with everybody who was willing while my dad was away."

Zion nodded and smiled brightly, a feeling of bonding flowed between them. Now aware of the link, all three used it to share their feelings with each other. It was true that Niko and Andrew were slightly bothered by the situation they had been thrust into, yet it comforted them to be wanted as they were.

As the shuttle neared the ship, all looked out the window at it. The ship itself was rectangular in shape. Its front contained the bridge and was made of a clear metal alloy. The bridge itself was massive compared to most command bridges. It was designed as the very core of the ship. It was where every command originated from. Under the bridge sat three torpedo launchers. This ship was equipped with the newest version of the quantum torpedo. A little further back, and mounted on all four sides of the ship were beam weapons, capable of blowing most capital ships in half with one shot. They also were able to swivel and be aimed outward to defend the ship from attacks to the sides and rear for complete coverage. At its aft were the shuttle bay and fighter launchers, in case the main weapons were not enough or perhaps too much. It paid to have more than one option available in the arsenal. The shuttle zoomed along the ships' side and began docking procedures. There was no denying it, the ship was massive.

As the shuttle sat down, the bay doors closed behind them. The trio unbelted themselves from the seats they were in and made their way to the shuttles exit. The door slowly hissed its way open and the captain awaited them on the other side.

In front of them was a black wolf, with steel blue eyes. Zion stepped forward and extended his paw. "My name is Zion Drago; I have been assigned as sub commander." The wolf nodded and smiled as he said, "Yes I know, the wolf is Niko and the Fox is Andrew. My name is Brasen Accendo; I am the commander of this ship." The wolf shook each of their paws as they exited the ship. "This ship is much larger than ordinary vessels, so I will show you to your rooms. Admiral Drago messaged ahead and requested you have rooms close to each other."

As they walked, they discussed the capabilities of the ship and the Captain said, "We have only attempted a partial power up of the core and have run into several serious problems already. The core began to destabilized at fifty percent, however automatic safeguards shut the system down." Zion nodded, "I'm glad that he thought to steal that system as well."

The Captain turn and eyed his sub commander before asking with concern, "What do you mean stole?" Zion laughed and responded, "Let me guess, he didn't tell you?" The wolf shook his head and Zion continued, "This ship was never meant to be built yet. Admiral Drago stole my notes, gave them to some federation yes men and in turn they built this with technology that is far too unstable for the field." Brasen nodded his understanding and asked with a hint of worry, "Can you fix the problem?" The dragon shook his head, "I do not know yet. I must get myself set up and become familiar with the ship and its systems first." The Captain nodded chewed his lip before smiling warmly. He was glad to have the chief inventor of the ship aboard to take care of things. If anyone could get his ship ready in time for the mission, it was him. Brasen was of course aware of the danger they were headed toward and silently cursed the higher ups who had ordered this half baked plan. He stopped in front of a door and said, "Of course. These are your quarters. Zion you have the sub commander's quarters. It's equipped with an office for your work duties." Zion nodded and stepped into his quarters. "Andrew and Niko you have the quarters across from him, a bit smaller but larger than most." They nodded and expressed their thanks. The Captain continued his walk. What the dragon had told him troubled him greatly.

Zion walked into his quarters; the first room was indeed an office. It was set up already with most of the equipment he required. At the back wall, in front of the windows was his desk. To the left was a couch and coffee table, to the right was the door to his quarters. He stepped through it to find a decent sized room. It contained a bathroom, a bed, a dresser with mirror, and a replicator. He smiled and put his bags down on his bed. He had been quite impressed with the overall construction and thankful his rooms were large enough to accommodate his size. That he would have Niko and Andrew as partners too made the room even more welcome. The inside was rather plain and simple. The walls were made of a gray metal. The deck plaiting likewise. Little consideration was given to comfort or style. Instead it was designed to take a beating. Its support structure was highly visible and extremely sturdy. As he looked in the mirror at his reflection, the door to his office hissed open, and through it stepped Niko.

Zion smiled and walked over to his friend; the two embraced and held each other closely. As they parted, Zion smiled at Niko and said, "I will get us some coffee. I feel there is something on your mind my friend." Niko nodded as Zion walked to the replicator and gathered two cups of coffee and a plate of cookies. He returned and sat them on the coffee table. Niko took a seat, and Zion sat beside him.

Niko began by saying, "Zion, I've been thinking about the mind link thing." Zion nodded and said, "Alright, what about it?" Niko paused to gather the right words and said, "It's such an extraordinary gift...why us? We are really just two nobodies in federation uniforms."

The dragon smiled and said softly, "You're not a nobody to me. You are both kind, loving, compassionate and in my book you are worthy of it." Niko sipped his coffee and sighed, "We have only ever had each other Zion. Never anybody else to count on, not until now anyways." Zion nodded, "Well now you will always have me." Niko smiled and leaned in toward Zion. He wrapped his arms around Zion's neck and kissed his dragon passionately. For the first time in a very long time they were wanted and needed by another. It felt good to matter to someone at last. Zion moaned and wrapped his arms around his wolf. Their tongues slid against each other as they explored their partners' maw. Zion leaned back, pulling Niko on top of him. The two lay kissing as Zion wrapped his tail around Niko's leg. Niko broke the kiss and lay his head on Zion's chest. He nuzzled it gently and then lay still, enjoying the warm embrace of his new partner.

Andrew smiled in his room. He could feel the love that was being shared. He didn't mind being left out this one time. Niko needed the reassurance of Zion's love, more than himself at the moment. He was happy to give his mate that. None of them knew it but their fates were linked for life. Partners for eternity, and friends through thick and thin. Three souls, created by love, divided by time, and united by destiny!