FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The year 2022. Forty seven years after the Intervention. Canada. In route to the Sovereign city of Williams point.

The ship flew high over the earth, soaring with frictionless ease as it made its cross continental transit. Inside was Gabriel Thomas, a twenty two year old man on his way to a very special honor. It was to be the next step in his education, to study under a Sovereign, an incredible opportunity for any human.

The high flying rapid transit shuttle was of human design, one of the fruits of the technological age in which he lived. Looking out the window he marveled at the spectacle of the earth as they flew above, his first time seeing the amazing sight for himself. He had only just left his home state of Texas for the first time, now rocketing thousands of miles per hour over the entire country.

Before long they dove back into the atmosphere, piercing heavy clouds as the snow covered world bellow came into view.

It was like a beacon in the snowy wilderness, the massive shining structures of the Sovereign city. It had been built above the caverns of the original complex where they had once hid. Its buildings stood high, a complex network of supports and towers that only the Sovereigns could build and maintain. There were no roads here, the traffic all airborne as the inhabitants, tourists and world leaders came to visit with the largest settlement of Sovereigns in the world.

The Canadian government was a little shocked when it was first revealed they had been living within their borders for decades, but any tension soon ended when they offered compensation for their presence, paying taxes in goods, technology and information for the land they were using.

Gabriel was excited for the opportunity he had here, and couldn't help but be pretty nervous. He knew the Sovereigns were powerful, the greatest scientists in the world. And now he was here to represent his whole species in a way. Ready to take humanity into even greater heights as they had said. Part of an old promise kept from the benevolent watchers, our greater destiny.

The Sovereigns had begun these programs since even before their emergence, expanding them as time went on, tutoring some of the world's greatest human leaders in politics, science and even art. Many first came to them to escape troubles, to find love and protection from the great creatures. But even the meekest found themselves imbued with greatness, standing tall as their inner potential was found and raised up. And many more seeked the console of the Sovereigns in their challenges of leadership, such people the catalyst for the golden age humanity now enjoyed alongside their valiant protectors.

The shuttle came to a slow, Gabriel and the other passengers leaning toward the large windows as they came close. They looked down upon the intricate structures below, holding the millions who live and work in this once barren wilderness.

Flying into one of the massive buildings they docked. As the passengers departed Gabriel grabbed his bags and exited the vehicle. Steam was rising from the exterior of the craft as the heated metal cooled in the arctic air. Gabriel wore a heavy jacket, hanging open as he walked into the warmth of the terminal. Under the jacket he wore a clean shirt and tie, looking his best for the prestigious honor of being here. He nervously adjusted the tie, folding the jacket under an arm as he looked out over a large window. He marveled at the view. Rolling mountains covered in the vast evergreen forest, the Sovereigns city nestled securely within it all as the smaller structures pushed outward.

Pulling out his phone he snapped a photo, smiling excitedly as he posted the image online, letting his parents know he had arrived safely.

He always admired the Sovereigns, he had heard the stories of their emergence many times, a fact and product of his time. His parents were only kids when the Intervention happened, his grandparents telling the most vivid stories of the events.

It was strange for the younger generation like him to hear them speak of the old world, for them there had always been Sovereigns. He saw them on TV, news and other entertainment. Some of his favorite shows growing up had Sovereign actors or hosts, the gentle charismatic creatures teaching the world how to grow stronger, to foster progress and human unity in a world that always seemed at calm.

Breaking his focus the man's smart phone started vibrating in his hand, Gabriel looking at the screen before he picked up.

“Hello?"

“Greetings Mr. Thomas, I trust you had a pleasant flight." Spoke a female voice over the speaker.

“Yes! The view was amazing! Where should I meet you?"

“Right here, on your left." The voice answered.

Gabriel looked over, seeing a female four legged Sovereign smiling and walking his way. She had a thick collar on, necessary for human interactions.

She was a stark looking doberman. Fur a deep burgundy red with almost peach markings on her chest, belly, cheeks and ears. Her ears stood tall, having been cropped. Unlike her mundane ancestors the cropping was her own choice, a dignified look in the sleek canine. Upon both ears was a golden earing piercing them, adding to her regal appearance.

“Oh! Ms Persephone, I presume?" Gabriel greeted, letting the phone drop from his ear. The dog gave him a friendly sniff, smiling as she spoke from the collar around her neck.

“You presume correct, I am to be your mentor, good to meet you Gabriel." She spoke, sitting down on her haunches as a big paw reached up to him.

Gabriel took the paw in hand, bending down towards the dignified dog as they shook. He gave a polite bow, a common way for a human to greet a Sovereign personally, a show of respect for the great creatures.

“Follow me, we can drop off your luggage before the tour." She instructed, now walking alongside the man as they headed to the elevator of the tall hub.

On the street Persephone guided the man down the alien looking roads, keeping him close as she let him take it all in. The weather was quite cold outside, even Persephone donning a jacket as her short fur could not hold against the chilling wind. Gabriel couldn't help but huddle against himself, not used to such cold weather.

A building away they met a dozen other humans students who had their own Sovereigns at their sides. Teaching was a high art to Sovereigns, seeking the one on one mentorships as the best way to build great minds.

Then the dogs, both upright and four legged took turns introducing the new students to the city. The structure of the city itself required introduction, the space designed entirely for and by Sovereigns.

Unlike human urban blocks with vehicles and sidewalks this city contained a spider web of walking paths on the ground with robotic traffic whizzing overhead. Tunnels dotted the landscape, elevators leading down to the caverns still in use bellow. All driving was done by machines, seeing to the distribution of peoples and materials at all hours. Along the ground more robots moved about, tending and cleaning as the Sovereigns put their minds to the larger tasks.

Foliage was abundant in the city, greenage sprouting all over as it was carefully fed or trimmed back by the mechanical keepers to preserve a natural balance the old concrete jungles of humanity never maintained. The whole city held a more organic and pleasant design than most humans were accustomed to.

Interest focused as the tour reached a statue larger than life, a shepherd mutt sitting tall on his haunches. Made of solid marble the dog had a proud noble look about him. It was not Sovereign made, this sculpture a gift from human artists. Flowers, letters and other sentimental objects were strewn at his feet.

It was a monument to Rex, the first Sovereign. He had died the year before, a dog of seventy six years. He had said his goodbyes to the world, his poor once mundane body failing faster than his childrens. Sovereign medicine had seen to the ageing canine, but he had chosen to end the struggle, to let his death come at last. He was tired, having seen so many more years than he could have ever expected, accomplishing so much that he was thankful to let it end, his task complete, his works immortalized upon the world.

Gabriel remembered the day he died, it was all over the news, a sad moment for humanity and a truly somber day for all Sovereigns.

He was the start of it all, his blood flowing through every one of his now millions of children. His death was a big moment in this new history, the first Sovereign to die naturally. An eerie proof of their mortality. He had become an inspiration to so many, his personal journey and struggles told and retold around the world. His forgiveness, and inspiring words were repeated to shape generations of both Sovereign and human to come.

Rex had not been the Sovereigns leader, but he was held highly by all, a symbolic head of a race ruled by shared vision and consensus. Many other Sovereigns held similar roles, often the eldest taking the job of a speaker, one who stands up to represent a community of Sovereigns and their combined will.

Upon Rex's memorial was a special plaque. It contained no words but held all of his memories, his thoughts and experiences up until his death. Many Sovereigns came to experience it directly, their now passed grandfather giving a personal message to all who came to read it. It was a mysterious technology to many humans, but holding great significance to the Sovereigns.

Humans also came from far and wide to pay their own respects, the many physical items their doing.

Within the well tended park there were more sculptures, murals and other artistic wonders. Some were made by Sovereigns others by humans, each of them showing great creative power.

Many of the works were from or representing the early days of the Sovereign's presence on earth. It had been a trying time for many.

Humanity was at its lowest point, having made a terrible mistake, we had chosen destruction over life, blind in our arrogance and false confidences. Our technology had grown tremendously, but humanity had not yet matured to handle the power it wielded. Even humans knew its foolishness, but most were powerless to halt the destruction that inched ever closer.

The Sovereigns had been waiting in secret, knowing there was a small chance humanity would divert course away from the looming destruction in a moment of realization.

But that did not happen, things fell as sadly predicted. There was still that moment of realization, tragic in that it had come too late, the machines of war rolling ever forward as regret and terror gripped the heart of humanity. The most terrible mistake had been made, and it was too late to go back.

Then the Intervention occurred, that moment of realization was not to be in vain. Thanks to the Sovereigns humanity had a second chance, a chance to look upon ourselves and reflect.

They told people to look to the future, to learn from the past and know there was always hope. That was the message the Sovereigns gave, that despite humanity's foils there was much good within the human race. That with guidance we had a future, the light within us could shine bright.

He knew those early days had been tough for many, seeing great changes looming over them. Back then the Sovereigns were untested, unknown to most. But as time went on the creatures steered the world with a gentle hand, only intervening where necessary to safeguard the growth they had seeded. To end the war that had nearly destroyed the planet and stop the petty squabbling that had brought the world to its knees. It was a sobering time for many after decades of war and military posturing. But they had now seen the end results of such action first hand.

As time went on where many feared oppression and control under paw of the powerful canines they found a freedom unlike anyone had known before. Free of the military oppression made necessary by mutual distrust and struggles of power the world could suddenly focus inward. Nations still stood tall but their borders seemed to fade, humanity feeling more like one peoples than ever before under the Sovereigns. And then humans could finally reach out into the universe to earn their place within it.

Most people realized The Sovereigns did not want to conquer humanity, they let humanity's greatest aspects rise where they had once floundered, their delicate guidance bringing a future people had thought lost.

They stopped at another mural, one portraying humans from across the world, leaping, running and competing. It was a tribute to the 1976 olympic games. It was rather shocking for the world to be able to host the games just a little over a year after the intervention. But with some Sovereign aid it went on as scheduled, the world uniting as the Sovereigns let humanity hold the symbolic event. They did not foist themselves into the games, only watching with pride as the world's greatest came together. It was a strange time for all, an emotional celebration of the world we had gotten back, and hope in the the future we had always strived for.

The mural was painted by Sovereign hands, a gift for humanity and a praise of our accomplishments. For all that had gone wrong there was hope, through unity we always would be stronger.

As the decades rolled on people saw the message of the Sovereigns in action, science technology and prosperity springing from humanity under their watch and guidance. Since the first day many humans worked with them, leaders seeking counsel and even mentorship under the wise creatures.

And now Gabriel and his peers stood at similar heights, walking among the greatest minds in the world. Truly they lived in amazing times, he and the other humans knew the next three months would be some of the best of their lives.

After the tour Gabriel found the way back to his modest dormitory, a building made specifically for humans like him visiting or studying in the city. He laid down on the new bed, struggling to sleep as excitement filled him.

The next morning he reported to Persephone at the base of the mechanical sciences tower, riding the long elevator underground as she took him to her lab. She opened the door ahead of them, using her mind to grasp the doors invisible handle. All the technology here was built with four legged Sovereigns in mind, letting them be as adept as their upright cousins.

The lab was one among many, nestled deep in the old tunnels of the original settlement.

Gabriel was amazed when he walked inside. The room was not very large, the size of a two car garage. But the place was packed with equipment, some of the most advanced he had ever seen, only having read about such things in books.

Gabriel was a student of applied robotics, one of many hoping to improve human automation and productivity. Humans had begun taking over these tasks from the Sovereigns over the years, finally able to stand entirely upon our own technology.

Persephone was one of the minds behind Sovereign robotics, the machines that made structures like the ones he had seen above possible. Sovereign droids and robots were still miles above human tech, even now roaming the solar system to make way for Sovereign research and expansion.

“Welcome to my workshop" The female doberman spoke through the collar, looking to the human as his eyes traced about the cluttered room.

“Wow..." Was all he could say, seeing dozens of prototypes, half finished concepts strewn about.

Hanging from the ceiling was a pair of robotic arms, complex fingers reaching down as it moved about a sturdy rail system. They stopped and waved to him, the big doberman smiling as she controlled the remote appendages, a pair of her hands in this space.

Gabriel grinned as he reached out, shaking hands with the amazing dog through her proxy limb.

“And let me introduce you to the others." She smiled, gesturing with her real paw to another, thicker pair of arms in the corner.

“This one here is for the heavy stuff." The large appendage waved to him, its strength used for lifting where the finer tuned machines would struggle.

“And for micro functions." Waved six more proxy appendages with fine instruments on what could be only abstractly called fingers.

The original two pairs of hands moved back above the doberman, pulling out a chair as she climbed up to a table at the center of it all.

Seeing the invitation Gabriel took a seat opposite as he looked across to the Sovereign.

“You may have been selected for great potential in science, but today we will stow the equipment, there is something more pertinent for you to learn."

One of her proxy hands reached down and opened a box laid out on the table. Inside was a special object sitting on a protective velvet cushion. A circlet, gold and covered with intricate, powerful technology.

It was called a Sovereign crown, a very costly piece of tech, only made possible after decades of hard research.

Early designs had worked like a recording device, allowing a Sovereign to catalog their memories and thoughts for others and even humans to experience. It was an amazing technology, but for a long time was limited, a one way kind of communication with many instabilities with human minds.

But now with this crown a human could tap into the mental wavelength of the Sovereigns, to communicate in real time. To all who had used one, it was a humbling and life changing experience.

Human minds were not at the level of a Sovereign's, but this was an important step and the greatest teaching tool in existence. It was said only a few months with a sovereign tutor was worth more than decades of typical study, and the benefits only increased exponentially with time. Gabriel like many others were to have a three month apprenticeship before he would go back to the human world, imparted with incredible knowledge to guide research and society with.

Gabriel looked to the device, giving a long breath out as he steeled himself, preparing for this incredible gift and challenge.

“Are you prepared?" Persephone spoke, giving the human a moment as he sat tall in the chair.

“Yes, I am ready."

At those words Persephone's proxy robotic hands grasped the device, lifting it from the box as she carefully placed it upon his head.

Sliding over his cranium it fell into place, a sudden jolt of energy rushing into Gabriel's human mind.

“Ughhh…!" He gasped, hands grabbing at the chair as it hit him, his mind feeling dizzy.

Thoughts flew chaotically within his head as he struggled to stabilize himself. His body seemed detached from him, almost falling through the floor as he struggled to hang on. Of all the books and papers he had read only one thing was certain, nothing can quite prepare a human for something like this.

He breathed harder, feeling his mind start to align itself again, fingers clutching the chair's armrests as his nails dug into the fabric.

It was utterly surreal, his own mind open to himself. His perspective of the world shifted as he noticed a newness within his consciousness, ideas that were objects, symbols, words and within it all he felt a massive presence near him. His eyes, ears and mind tried to make sense of it all until he heard something speak into him.

It was clearly a voice, Persephone's, but different, not a sound but an idea, thoughts streaming from the big dog sitting across from him.

“You are doing well Gabriel, breathe... let your muscles relax." All the while she felt as if she was hugging right next to him, her very thoughts touching him.

He noticed the intensity in his fingers, letting them soften their grip as he realized he was safe, body firmly in the chair.

“I am here with you… Relax..." She repeated, something akin to a soft whisper in his mind.

He could actually feel her around him now, Sovereigns able to help stabilize a new consciousness with their own. Sovereign parents did it with their pups, the equivalent of helping a child walk, holding them up with their own power until they might stand on their own.

To gabriel it felt like a hug, somehow feeling the concept of the big dogs paws around him, keeping his mind safe in the maelstrom he was just plunged into.

“Ohhh… " He breathed out, looking around the room as he saw the world through different eyes.

“This is incredible..." He spoke with his mouth. Not just seeing the room and the many pieces of equipment but feeling them, the devices tuned to be malleable by Sovereign minds.

“Do not use your voice, use your self..." He heard her call into him, wanting him to stretch his new muscles.

“Hel... Hello?" He thought, feeling like he was thinking into the wind, struggling to control his new internal voice.

“Greetings, it's nice to finally speak to you." She responded, emphasizing the you, now directly interfacing with the human, their very thoughts mixing together.

“This will take some getting used to..." He chuckled to himself.

He relaxed, letting her guide him, allowing his mind to stretch into the new space he had found within himself.

“Indeed, you will pick up quickly, I can tell." She praised, still hugging close to his mind.

“Now, lets try something simple, I will give you an idea, take it." She whispered, almost as if against his shoulder, herself wrapped around his.

Within his mind he felt it, an idea slipping into him as he clumsily reached for it. Suddenly he felt it flow through him, images and ideas filling him as he saw himself inside a memory.

He viewed the world from three feet off the ground, looking to a group of Sovereigns exiting a vehicle. Walking forward from the group was a tall male, his gaze meeting the viewers and exchanging some kind of thought before the scene stopped. Gabriel's perception suddenly snapped back into the chair across from Persephone.

“Very good, now tell me in words what you saw." She asked, patiently guiding the new student.

“Not much, I saw a tall labrador Sovereign getting out of a car, he seemed happy." Gabriel answered back.

“Good, now, who was he? Whose memory did I show you?" She questioned.

A sudden realization hit him. The Sovereign was Persephone's former robotics supervisor and puppyhood friend. The eyes he had seen from was Persephone herself, she was there to meet him after years apart, the male coming back from europe after overseeing a high scale building project for the local people. The thought they exchanged was the success of that project.

Gabriel was shocked, how did he know all that? Of course after a moment of reflection it was clear, memories often had more embedded within them than at first glance. He had suddenly been imparted with a heavy amount of knowledge from a small moment of her life. Every detail holding so much to read.

“Very impressive, you are correct in those realizations." Persephone spoke back to him, shocking Gabriel as he realized the Sovereign had read the ruminations as they bounced inside his head, not even needing him to answer. Persephone was impressed by what she saw, not many got that much right away, Gabriel was indeed showing great potential.

“This is unreal.." The human couldn't help but think, smiling as he stretched out a part of himself he never thought he had. And there was her, a Sovereign and a lifelong expert in the art of thoughts and memories. He marveled at her poise, not just seeing it, but feeling it as she stayed close to his mind with a gentle grace.

“Now, lets try something else." The dog spoke through him again, sending another memory as he held it close and let it flow into him.

He felt himself a tiny creature, wiggling on weak legs as a great warmth pressed to the side. A massive presence hovered close physically and mentally, the voice of a caring guardian as a smooth tongue lapped at his small body. It was Persephone's earliest memory, her tiny mind reaching back to her mother as what could only be described as the equivalent of “I love you" echoed between them, joined by a small chorus of shaky voices from all around her. He was overcome with a powerful calm, a sense of belonging, safety, peace and family.

Coming out from the memory he felt himself almost sinking into the chair, eyes closing as he realized he was back, the echo of that peaceful vision having seeped into him.

“Your mother, that was so sweet..." He thought with a smile, still feeling that sense of happiness imparted to him.

“Yes, it's far more than information that can pass between us. Now you try, show me something from your life. Something trivial, start simple."

“To do this you will need to search your mind for a moment, feel as if you are pulling it out from the shelf that has been the past few years. Then grasp it, holding it high in your hands." She instructed, sitting back as Gabriel began to follow her instruction, feeling her essence guiding him as he opened a small memory.

It was from back in college, he and his friends were staying at a lakehouse for spring break. The mildly inebriated humans laughed around the fire, it was a good weekend, times that he missed.

“Very good, I got the message loud and clear." She praised, smiling in body and mind as he looked back to her, chuckling as he shared this strange new ability with her. It had only been recent years that humans could share their thoughts and memories with Sovereigns, giving an unprecedented window into the different lives of the creatures.

He sat back in his chair and smiled at the big dog, he couldn't help but be in awe of her.

He had thought she was very cute when they met, and now sitting across the table he felt the beauty of the elegant dog, her slender ears, barreled chest and curvy body absolutely striking. Sovereigns were said to be beautiful and elegant, and she was a notch above in his eyes, the very embodiment of Sovereign grace.

“Aww… thank you." She thought back, shocking the man as he realized he had just thought that out in the open.

“Oh dear.. I am so sorry ma'am, I didn't realize you could hear me." He scrambled, trying to save face in front of his teacher.

“It's alright, it takes some time to get a handle on your thoughts and of others." She said.

Indeed it was an important skill, with the amount of raw data and conversation happening in a Sovereign living space it would be maddening to hear it all at once, not even a Sovereign's mind could stand it for long. Instead they learned to control the traffic so to speak, able to let their mind rest or focus on individuals.

“Pups have the same difficulty, blurting out their thoughts at a moment's notice. It takes time to master."

“Ok, I will try to keep my… brain? In check." He said, not sure how to phrase the new ability.

“But do not worry, honesty is an important part of any relationship. As your mentor I tell you not to be ashamed of your thoughts, I am here to help you master them." The Doberman tried to reassure him, giving an understanding smile.

“I will try." He answered back with a little nod of his head.

“Now, let your mind rest. You may take off the device." Persephone asked, not wanting to over do it for the humans first experience.

Gabriel reached up, lifting the crown from his head as the world seemed to suddenly go much quieter.

He sighed out, putting the crown back in its box as he felt its unnatural weight lift from him. His mind was now back to normal, mundane. A feeling within him already missed it, but he knew he must not rush so fast into this new frontier. Improper use of the device could be devastating to an unprepared and unguided human mind. These sessions were necessary to ease him into the power.

The rest of the day was spent introducing him to the underground facility, meeting other Sovereigns and even some humans working on a variety of pursuits and pleasures here. To Sovereigns engineering, art, computer programing, music and storytelling were all within the same field of creation. The advanced creatures seeing the similarities in such pursuits, the ability of the mind to conjure the world around it, the art of creation the highest of pursuits.

That night Gabriel returned to his small dorm, finding his mind falling back to those feelings he had in the lab. He was restless, barely able to wait for another day with Persephone, she was amazing, letting his now private thoughts ruminate upon her.

As days went by Gabriel wore the crown for longer, his mind tested more as he flexed the new muscles under the Sovereign's care. He was given permission to control the many proxy objects in Persephone's lab, marveling as he made one of the robotic hands reach out to himself, shaking his own hand as he grinned at the novel act, starting to master the intricate world around him.

More memories were shared between them, the human learning how to catalog and control what he was given.

He had noticed Persephone often moved towards a box on the wall, staring towards it now and then as she let him unravel a conceptual puzzle she had given him.

He could sense the object in his mind, another access point like the robotic proxies and other tools. Within it was something very powerful.

“What is that?" Gabriel asked one day, having noticed her attention turned to it.

“That is a Sovereign neural hub, it allows me to make quick communications over long distances. Think of it like our version of the internet, a repository for everything we are and do."

“Wow? really?" He asked, trying to focus upon it like the other objects he had.

“It is too much, your mind is not ready." She warned. But the human continued on, curious to the nature of it.

Tapping into the device Gabriel's mind was slammed with a downpour of information. It got heavier and heavier, thoughts, ideas, images and sounds bombarding him like an avalanche as he couldn't even grasp a single one.

He tried to pull away, but struggled as he felt the pain of his overwhelmed mind. Mercifully he felt Persephone reaching for him, blocking the device as he wobbled on his feet, staggered from the shock.

“Oww… what was that?" The human struggled to speak through his shaky mind.

“You are not able to parse the amount of information within, it takes years for humans to safely navigate the mindscape."

“That was a bit much..." Gabriel grunted, still feeling a ringing in his head from the shock.

“Sometimes the best way to learn is to experience failure for yourself, your confidence has grown since we started, but you must feel your limits, know and respect them."

Gabriel had known the crown he wore was potentially dangerous to him, now realizing it in a very visceral way. He had to remember the power such a thing held.

“This is a good time for another lesson, sit down." Persephone asked, sitting herself as Gabriel joined her across the table.

“You have heard the history before, but it's time you experienced our version." The doberman called to him, bringing forth something of great weight towards him.

Gabriel carefully took it, diving into the book of ideas and thoughts as he saw them playing in his mind.

It was a account of the history of the Sovereigns. From the early beginnings in secret all the way to the intervention and the modern age.

He saw the personal stories of thousands of Sovereigns, their faces thoughts and passions laid out to him. He saw the important days in clarity, feeling the emotions and strife of the world before the intervention.

He even felt how Sovereigns viewed humans, the act of seeing humanity as a separate thing from himself a strange sensation for any person. The visions continued as he browsed through the massive encyclopedia of events, peoples and revelations.

He lost track of time, metaphorically turning the page with his mind as he pursued the details of some parts, letting the images and feelings soak in. He almost became lost in it before he pulled back, snapping back into reality.

He blinked for a moment, realizing only a few minutes had gone by, Persephone staring back to him patiently.

“Nothing like feeling history unfolding before you." She smiled, seeing him digesting the data given to him.

“Wow… I didn't even finish, how much was in there?" He asked, mind boggled. He had heard of much of their history, but to spend a critical moment from within it was something amazing.

“See for yourself, re-open that tome." She said, using the usual analogies that helped humans understand the concepts Sovereigns grew up with.

Indeed it was, Gabriel dove back into the history lesson now stored within the library that he saw inside his own mind.

“Now, search for this. Who was the first man to join the Sovereigns?"

Gabriel began to parse the information, seeing that chapter spring forth to him.

“He was William Tennent, twenty one years old when he first met a Sovereign… he actually didn't know what she was at first." Gabriel thought, diving deep into this particular facet of history.

“Indeed, the man this city is named after, how many children did he have?"

“One hundred and sixty three… all from a white husky Sovereign named Snow, or Snowy as he called her. They still live here in the city." Gabriel answered, the images and feelings of that family coming into his mind. He had probably heard the man's name before, but it was something else to see directly into his recorded life, now watching how the man changed over the long years. He was confident any question she asked he could find the answer inside those memories and events.

Then his mind slipped deeper into the subject, he felt a memory come out he didn't expect. The big husky's body was pressed into the man, their limbs wrapped around one another. Human and canine anatomy pushing and pulling as the heated couple made love. He felt the huskies body tense, the scent of her beloved human pouring through her mind, their love evident as their sexual union grew more desperate, man and bitch calling to one another. Gabriel quickly pushed that memory back down, feeling a little embarrassed, like he had just peeped into something private.

Persephone didn't say anything, just watching the man peruse the catalog of information as she held close to his side, still a necessary part to stabilize his growing ability.

Gabriel knew of human and Sovereign relationships. The peculiar fact that they could functionally breed with humans and that many people desired to. It was the genesis of themselves and was viewed as a great honor to love a human, of which many were happy to be a part of.

It had taken awhile for the world to know and accept it. But now it was simply a fact of the times. Humanity's very intimate connection with the Sovereigns known to all, though still not a topic for polite company.

Returning to the physical Gabriel suddenly noticed he was aroused, wiggling awkwardly in his seat trying to hide from the astute dog. He was thankful when Persephone carried on, letting his mind refocus.

The weeks went on as Gabriel grew more adept and stable, now walking the halls with Persephone, and then the streets as he experienced the wandering thoughts of others. Now and then he greeted new Sovereigns with his mind as they stopped to indulge the humans training, testing him at Persephone's request.

It could be a bit overwhelming for the human, just standing on a street corner as he felt the minds of thousands around him, their thoughts calling out, answering and passing casual information across the city. He began to pick up on some of it. Sovereigns would relay information to one another like shouts across the sky, a weather report just calculated, or the presence of a significant individual a distance away.

The entire time Persephone was at his side, mentally holding his hand at first. But soon she was able to let go, letting the man stand and walk on his own with his mind. She just stayed on his heel, both physically and mentally as she smiled at her protege.

One night after his science lesson Persephone joined him on a walk in the city.

She was clad in a heavy jacket, her little nub of a tail pushing out the back as she kept warm in the chilly northern weather. It was relaxing to just take in the city like this, seeing it with new eyes and marveling at its grandeur in a new way. He let his mind calm from the rigors of the day, Persephone did the same as they walked, giving a casual chat as they shared their families and early experiences with one another. It was astounding how different human and Sovereign lives were, both taking comfort in the familiarities they found within each other.

After a time they found themselves resting in a park on the outskirts. The snow had been brushed away, cold ground beneath them as they looked to the towering city. Dots and lights moved about as the activity continued day and night. But the subdued light of the city did little to hide the stars set above them.

Man and Sovereign looked up to the clear night. Their thoughts working together as they watched a Sovereign shuttle soar into the sky with great speed, disappearing into the vastness above.

“Do you ever think that thousands of years ago a man and his dog looked up at the same sky?" Persephone asked, her tone almost philosophical.

Gabriel turned to her, smiling as her slow breath rose into the air.

“No, why do you ask?" He responded, at first thinking this was another test, but her tone seemed more friendly.

“I think about it a lot. A small tribe wandering over the ancient earth, human and dog huddled together as they looked up."

“Humans had just began to master the world around them, looking to that patchwork in the sky and wondering if it was their destiny." She said smiling, watching as a small light drifted across the sky, a large human space station shining even from the ground as it made its circuit about the earth.

“There must have been someone, somewhere, hound at his side." Gabriel answered the canine.

Then he felt something unusual, Persephone, physically leaned against him, her body and tone relaxed as she seemed pleased by his response.

“Yes, they had no concept of the power and glory they would one day hold." She smiled high, always having been a bit of a dreamer like most all Sovereigns, fascinated by the patterns and intricacies of the cosmos.

Gabriel let his weight lean into her, staring up as well. In his mind he felt her close to him again, a comforting familiarity between them.

It was astounding to think how far the world had come. Ancient roots rising to mastery, human and canine walking side by side in the past and now into the future. He felt Persephone smile and agree, her head gently pushing into his shoulder.

This was truly an amazing time to be alive, and he was just where he wanted to be in this moment.

They finished the walk, dropping Gabriel off at his dorm before Persephone trotted back to her lab to meet him again in the morning. He watched her move off among the smaller night crowds, jacketed body striding as a light snow began to fall from the sky.

Back home in his dorm Gabriel relaxed his tired body. Laying down as his mind drifted back into his thoughts over the past months.

Things were going better than he could have ever expected, he was learning quickly and feeling his potential rising by the day.

He thought back to the many days spent in the lab, the beautiful doberman watching and celebrating as he mastered her challenges.

He was basking in her praise and she reveling in his pride.

It was so starkly intimate, in all his life he had never felt closer to anyone. And now tonight he had felt something even more calming and intimate from her. It was unlike anything to feel someone else with your mind, to reach out, and feel yourself held in someone's thoughts.

She was quite the genius, and a beauty, gentle and kind. He had to admit he had grown very used to her form, lighting up when she flashed him a big doggy smile and a wag during the day. He wished this mentorship could last longer, wishing he could just stay.

His thoughts began to wonder as he gave a long sigh.

He wondered what it would feel like to touch her, running his hand across her deep burgundy red fur, feeling the tight muscles underneath, to grace her long neck and feel her canine heart beating against him, a lurid sense in the air.

Gabriel felt himself falling into it, unable, unwilling to pause as he felt her body in his mind.

He imagined her physical form, the lithe doberman stretched before him, her long legs, paws splayed as he ran a hand over her belly. He had never touched her more than a paw shake but through the memories he had collected he could imagine it well, running his hand over that thin stomach with her button nipples, her sensual body against him as they fell into one another.

He knew that young Sovereigns often had casual sex before settling down, indulging those primal instincts with little shame before they found a permanent partner. Gabriel wondered if she had let a human lay with her, he wondered if she would let him, maybe just once. A deep male urge overtook him, rolling forward as he let the fantasy play in his heightened mind. To press himself into her, to let it all out.

He imagined she would be starkly passionate, wild and nearly feral as she made love. He wondered what she would feel like, what she would cry out to his mind at her peak. The images and thoughts became overwhelming to him, his mind's eye now staring back to the big dogs bright beautiful face, their passions colliding in one final impact.

The man moaned out loud in his silent room, feeling the imagined image hold, his body inside hers, letting loose into the beautiful Sovereign. Then it slowly faded, the man quickly pushing the images back into a corner of his mind.

Sitting up he felt the sheets warm and his groin wet. He was shocked, not thinking it would go that far, his heightened mind making it feel so real.

The echo of pleasure was still fresh in him, the shame of the indulgent, lurid thing he had just gratified himself with. He knew they were close, but he was taking it way too far.

Then he felt a sudden unusual fear few other humans had to contend with. What if she found this memory within him? What would she think to see this indulgent thing he was doing to her? He now knew no memory could truly be buried, that lurid, visceral image of screwing his teacher was going to be in some part of him forever.

He got up, awkwardly cleaning himself off as he couldn't get the image out of his head.

He became even more worried as he ruminated on it, realizing how strong that lurid fantasy was, growing bigger as he focused on it. He needed to let it go, throw it to the bottom of his mind and let it stay undisturbed. He was doing so well with Persephone's training, he couldn't afford to ruin things between them with such a crude indulgence, so he rolled over one last time letting it hide deep within.

His education continued, now working heavily with robotics and design. Persephone gave him lessons, dolling it out slowly to the meeker human. If the history lesson he was given before was a large tome, this was an entire library.

Within it he was privy to information humans could not have had before, the secrets of Sovereign technology, the complex ideas hard for even the brilliant young man to digest, or any human for that matter. This information was nearly impossible to put into normal words, only the surface concepts recorded. But now he like many before were breaching the veil.

His mentor was patient, knowing well how to ease him into the ocean she was setting him off into. She explained the concepts to him, helping to illustrate for the human as he grasped to understand. The sessions were long but Gabriel learned much, working with her thoughts and the cataloged revelations and research of thousands of Sovereigns before.

With time it became more obvious the crown was fostering growth directly within his mind. An intended effect of the technology, his brain itself rewiring to make new connections, new efficiencies that let him process more, faster and in greater swaths. He was still no Sovereign, but it was a step.

Two and a half months into his mentorship Gabriel was taking the crown home with him, wearing it days on end as his mind adjusted to it. Persephone was careful to monitor him each day, happy to know he was handling it well.

One of the aspects of this mentorship many humans failed to understand is that they were not picking the greatest test scores or the highest IQ's.

Indeed what the Sovereigns called a bright mind was something more abstract than numbers, only half of the tests they had were such, the rest were diving into the human's thoughts, their very being. They knew even the most brilliant mind without heart and imagination was weak, or even dangerous.

In fact the Sovereigns had been tutoring humans even before the Intervention, often their lovers were their students, using their trust and connection to guide the often once forlorn people to become the earliest leaders of human change.

Weeks later as Gabriel walked into Persephone's lab they greeted one another mentally. He could tell there was something big on her thoughts. He sat to prepare for the usual morning briefing.

“I have been reviewing your latest design, and I wanted to convene with you about it."

“Yes? Is there something wrong? I feel like I needed more time for the guidance system." He explained, speaking of the challenge she had set to him, redesigning components of a simple digging drone used in zero g environments.

“Gabriel, your design is ingenious." The Sovereign announced, holding her own head tall in pride as the man turned to her in surprise.

“Really? I thought it may work but..."

“More specifically, you increased thrust efficiency by five percent over the current first generation model, if my calculations hold up in reality."

“Are you sure? I could have made a mistake, it was just a notion to try." The human said unconfidently, not even believing his accomplishment yet.

“The design may seem crude from a first glance but with only some minor modifications from me the thrust ratio of the rcs system means the new model is fifty grams lighter without sacrificing stability."

“You found an improvement we had not yet seen." She explained again, knowing that despite some human perceptions Sovereigns were not perfect minds, they simply had significantly greater capacity than humans. And this human with her guidance had just corrected a flaw, a minor flaw but still an improvement to their offworld tech.

Gabriel sat stunned in the chair, he could easily tell she was truthful, the emotion coming from her mind obvious, she was beaming with pride for him.

“I don't know what to say." He spoke out to her.

“I say we take this design to prototype, I have already double checked the data with thirty others. We are approved for testing."

“When do we start?" Gabriel asked, seeing the speed and unbureaucratic nature of Sovereign sciences in action.

“Right now, we can finish today if we push." The female doberman spoke loud and clear to him.

“Yes ma'am! " Gabriel thought standing up, watching as Persephone joined him towards the work bench, both taking control of the equipment as they began casting the design.

It took most of the day but it was finished, a one foot long digging robot ready for field testing. With pride Gabriel wrapped it in a clean box, pushing it down the hall to the Sovereign launch bays. Meeting the offworld science team they took it away for the scheduled test. Gabriel and Persephone watched side by side as the ship flew off, their combined effort ready to face the world.

Like two nervous parents they waited. Hours into the night they finally got the test results back as Persephone translated the complex message to him. It was a success, the first time a human design improved upon a Sovereign one. It was minor, but still a breakthrough. The news spread at the speed of thought through the Sovereigns, a defining moment for humanity as their consensus gave.

The human populace would hear about it later, the slower spread of information in that world now more obvious than ever to the human.

Back in her lab they celebrated, Gabriel knew he had Persephone to thank, it was very much their joint design. Without her help and corrections it would not be possible.

He had always heard the true power of a Sovereign was when they were connected to others, able to assess a problem from dozens or even thousands of angles. And now he had tapped into that power and added to their combined strength.

“This is a big day Gabriel." Persephone called out to him, her little nub of a tail wagging happily as he read the press release to the human media. She knew this was a defining time, humans showing their potential more and more every year.

“It all seems a little much, it was just a small improvement." He said looking up from the tablet, the words proclaiming him as some kind of genius. It felt a little intimidating to be honest.

“That's what progress often is, a multitude of little steps forward, and now one of them is yours." She said, still wagging her bottom happily.

“Relax, this is a time to celebrate, not to doubt." The big dog reassured him, one of her proxy hands now moving towards the corner of the room.

“Here, I got this for you." She called out as his attention shifted to the robotic arm digging through a refrigeration unit.

The hand pulled back a bottle of old stonebreaker. A locally brewed beer Gabriel had grown very fond of in his college town.

“Whoa, how did you know?" He asked, taking the cold beer in hand.

“You blurted it out in an idle thought about a month ago, I did not inform you because I wanted it to be a surprise." Persephone chuckled, having hidden it for some time, hoping for an appropriate occasion to break it out.

Gabriel laughed, smiling as he twisted the cap, letting the hoppy scent of the alcohol hit him before taking a well deserved sip.

“Ahh…“ His mouth sighed out, taking in the favored beverage.

“It's been too long since I had one of these." Gabriel thought.

“Want one?" He then asked, offering her a bottle if she wished.

“I cannot, alcohol will just make me ill." The canine had to inform.

“Oh yeah, forgot about that."

“But you can show me." The doberman proposed, curious to the specific taste of the stuff the man seemed to adore.

After finishing another swig Gabriel packaged his little experiance up like she had taught him, passing it to the dog as she tasted it through him, the doberman smiling back as they shared the thought.

“There are many memories within that taste." She pointed out, knowing one's favorite things often had much emotional subtext and association.

“I suppose it reminds me of good times with good people." Gabriel ruminated, tipping the bottle to the doberman as he shared another one of those memories.

Later in the night Gabriel was on his third beer, relaxing and waiting for more news. They both got several messages from other Sovereigns and some human scientists, congratulating the pair and making plans for a roll out of the new designs.

They were now sitting on her bed, more like a large couch for the four legged Sovereign. The padding on the wall made a good backrest for the human, sitting side by side as they relaxed after the long day. His dress shirt was open, tie askew as he let it out, Persephone forgoing her collar as her long neck lay bare.

“Whew… think I've had about enough." Gabriel admitted, feeling the pleasant buzz of the alcohol, not wanting to get carried away in front of the dignified Sovereign.

“So have you gotten carried away?" Persephone interrupted his thought, the man opening himself up more than intended.

“Got a few friends who know how to push me."

“Really? Show me..."

The buzzed human obliged, going back as he sifted through his experiences.

He went back to some wild nights from years before, awkward dances and shared jokes with friends as they made fools of themselves. The doberman at his side laughed in her mind with him.

The Sovereign examined his memories closely, she had never been drunk before, or ever encountered alcohol outside of a clinical or informative sense. But seeing it through his eyes she could actually understand why some humans enjoyed the stuff, as foolish as it could be.

Fidgeting her paws on the soft bed she felt the proximal effect of his buzz, letting it tingle over her own body as if she was the one feeling it.

“Are you getting a contact buzz?" Gabriel laughed to her, noticing the extra relaxation from the big dog.

“You might call it that..." She thought, her body subtly leaning towards the human, feeling herself relax in the strange mock stupor.

Without even thinking Gabriel reached up, hand falling to her bare shoulders as he pet down her back, feeling the short smooth fur under his digits, rising again with another stroke as she leaned back into his touch.

But a moment later he stopped, throwing a quick apology to his mentor, not even realizing at first what he was doing. She was not a house pet, she was a Sovereign, a great mind to be respected.

But before he could make another apology he felt her reach out to him emotionally, her back still held high, subtly asking for him to touch her.

“Are you sure? I mean I didn't think Sovereigns would like that..." He stumbled.

“What dog doesn't take comfort in a human touch? …pet me." The Sovereign requested, her emotional voice lower, almost breathy as her big eyes pleaded back to him.

Feeling her drawing him in Gabriel returned his hand, the whole of his digits and palm falling to her back. He pressed into her, feeling the contentment seeping from the canine. He pet her all down her back, enjoying the mutual sensation as he placed his beer down, now bringing both hands up as he rubbed and scratched down the dog's body.

“Mmm… very nice." She cooed, bracing her paws against the bed. His fingers now digging and scratching as she reveled in the physical touch.

She asked for more, turning her head as Gabriel's hand slid up her long, smooth neck, finding a tall ear. He gently rubbed her ear between his fingers, the thin flesh and soft fuzzy fur between his fingertips. Her whole head turned to him, eyes closing as her sensitive ear was rubbed lovingly. Her earing wobbled as she basked in it, happily letting the man caress her.

Moving down he was careful around her lobes, rubbing firmly as she gently guided his fingers, letting him know just how she liked it.

His whole palm fell against her cheek as his fingers rubbed her ear, the fine fur against his skin as human fingers massaged the supple canine.

“Oh yes… that's the spot." She called back, rubbing her face into his open hand. Man and dog were lost in the casual petting as her whole body leaned further into him, now pressed against his side. His touch grew bolder, leaning against her as he felt her weight shift, suddenly falling back into him. His arms cradled around her as he held the elegant doberman against himself, her mind singing some soothing hum.

They lay against one another, Gabriel feeling her slow breathing, her heartbeat as his other hand stretched around and rubbed her large chest. She was lovely, pressing back to him in earnest at each touch, praising his attention with soft thoughts from her mind. The man let himself fall into the hug, it felt so right to hold her close.

He felt her breath close to him, her tongue licking up his arm as she cooed in his embrace, unfettered as man and dog held against one another.

Suddenly he felt her eyes upon him, opening his own as he lay back against the couch like bed. Persephone was in his arms, her body against his chest as her neck turned to him, their faces holding close to one another.

It felt so natural as their thoughts held one another, desire seeping forth as man and Sovereign pressed in, their lips touching in a kiss. Only a tiny voice inside him questioned it, quickly drowned out by what he heard emanating from her.

Lips and tongues pressed, feeling a kind of candid freedom within the private lab.

Something more was happening inside his mind, he almost felt himself melting into her, now feeling the Sovereigns primal heartbeat, her feelings and sensations oozing into himself as he grew weak, feeling nothing but her body against him.

They quickly synced up, tongues lapping at one another as they kissed, their differing anatomy seeming trivial as the mammals shared their passion with one another.

Arms and paws hugging close Gabriel felt the space between them fade to almost nothing, mouth and lips grasping at her without a second thought. He had never felt anyone like this, bodys and minds entwined.

Feeling her long curvy body against him Gabriel could sense her arousal, an unmistakable set of thoughts pouring from her, his own feelings threatening to fall out as he lost composure with her.

“Let me feel what you hold back…" He heard her speak into his mind, a lurid whisper that challenged him. She knew well when he was holding back, the human no match for the Sovereigns inquisitive senses.

“Show me… unburden your mind..." She whispered into him again, her long tongue licking across his lips, tasting the passion on his breath.

Losing himself Gabriel's hand slipped downward, hugging closer as he felt along her slender belly. Under his fingers he found one of her many teets, rubbing it within the short soft fur, not even thinking of anything else but the desire he felt from and for her.

Finally his mind gave way, physically gasping out around her probing tongue as his feelings poured into her hungry mind.

Every fondness he had for her, the respect and admiration to his astounding mentor. The little moments and successes they shared. The intimate connection they had forged. And the lurid, carnal dreams he had, the primal desire and wish of a hopeful male.

The effect on her own self was immediate, letting the withheld desires seep into her, her body burning hot against him.

“Oh, Gabriel…" He heard her think to him. The dobermans internal voice sounding weak, pleading and impassioned like he had never heard from her before. Persephone stopped mid kiss as she panted against him, the man feeling the hot ragged breath of her desperation.

Gabriel paused his body, both panting as they opened their eyes together. She was smiling up to him, Gabriel now realizing how far he had just gone. She was pressed so close, his arms around her and her paws on his arms. Below her thighs spread wide on the bed, her arousal wafting into the air.

“Erghh.. Err?" His mouth fumbled to speak, trying to focus as detached thoughts seemed to rattle in his mind, realizing what he had just done.

“Gabriel, are you alright?" She called to him, feeling his hands slip from her.

“I didn't mean to..." He apologized, letting go of the Sovereign as he remembered that she was his mentor, a teacher. He had just crossed a very big line.

“No, you certainly meant to... " She smirked, big teeth shining between her dark lips as she tried to ease the worried human. Gabriel could not deny it. No excuse like that could work on a Sovereign, she had seen right into his mind in those moments, a raw undeniable truth of what he did feel for her.

“Do not be ashamed. Did you not feel my mind with yours?" The Doberman asked him, her body still very close as he remembered their embrace.

He had felt her, a strong draw that had dared him to fall into her desire, to expose his own.

“I heard… I felt things. It seemed..." The human thought back to her, trying to process the very primal urges, desires and ideas he had seen bounce between them for the first time.

“Sometimes the stirring of the heart can be almost feral, an ancient, wild longing of the passionate animals that we are."

“We have both felt it, the time we spend together, the delights as we touch one another's minds… I have so wanted to give this a chance, do you feel the same?" She asked him, yielding as she let him answer.

“But… What will they say… I wasn't supposed to fall in love here. What will mom and dad think..." Gabriel worried, letting the negative feelings take command, frightened at ridicule as most humans were prone to. It was common to make jokes about humans falling for Sovereigns. The couples had become normalized for the most part, but it's not something common people would bring up without some weird looks and a few downturned expressions.

If he went home with Persephone at his side, what would they say? Would they be disappointed they weren't getting human grandchildren? Would they think he was bewitched by the Sovereign?

Persephone watched him think, taking in the worry of the human, it was clear this wasn't as easy of a decision for him as it was for her. The human had only just been introduced to a Sovereign lifestyle, not internalizing what she meant to unburden himself. She and her peers never had to worry about anything like he did, the thoughts foreign to her.

“I cannot change your mind, this is your decision to make." She admitted, Her voice feeling almost sad as she realized he may not be ready, despite his thoughts on her. She knew humans were complex creatures when it came to love and social norms. She could not force this, you cannot force ones will.

“There is only one who knows what you truly desire… You must search your own mind, face what you feel, all of those thoughts." She guided him, Her mental presence still heavy around him again, hugging close to ease his worry.

As he had been trained Gabriel turned his mind's gaze inward, feeling the dobermans guiding influence as she stood mentally side by side.

It was true, he had many strong feelings about her. She was an amazing scientist, a brilliant mind and a patient, kind mentor. She was the very embodiment of a Sovereign, elegant and powerful. He didn't want to lose her, he was indeed falling for Persephone. Even in their short time he felt that link with her, chemistry as one might say.

The way her big ears swiveled about as she emoted with her thoughts, the little wiggle of her nubby tail when she got excited in the lab, the feel of her mind. All her little features endeared her to him.

And he couldn't help but let his male mind fall to her body, where he once found her cute she was now gorgeous. The curves of her canine form seemed so feminine, so delicate in her beauty.

And with that she felt his thoughts caress over her, the Sovereign seeing herself from his eyes, watching his emotions starting to settle within the worried human. The barriers in his mind seemed small, surmountable. He had to give this a chance.

Then he felt her mind hug closer to him, opening herself in kind. The entire chapter of her mind devoted to him was laid bare.

He felt the pride she had in him, their little and their big triumphs during his training, the joy she felt for him. And then he saw himself come sharply into focus, feeling a deep love that she had been fostering for him, something more than a student.

Opening a bit more he saw the seven men and women Persephone had tutored before him. She had pride for them all, enjoyed their company and was sad to see them go. But it was clear she felt different about him. Her mind explained it as a kind of animal magnetism. Instincts Sovereigns were not often to deny, instead following inner desires in the realms of love.

And then something more came to the surface, he saw her imagination. It was of them both, hands, paws and bodies clinging together as they embraced, a great sense of comfort and passion between them.

The vision ending Gabriel sat back, the image seeming to linger as he felt her against him in reality, that comfort and passion still between them.

“But what will it mean… the mentorship..." Gabriel worried, not wanting to ruin the education he was supposed to be getting here.

“That is true, you will no longer be my student, you will be my partner." She told him, Gabriel's mind able to understand she meant both romantically and creatively.

“When Sovereigns connect intimately with one another our minds become open to each other like no one else."

“Passionate lovers make the best partners in work, more in sync than any other minds. Today I think we've proved more than capable working partners. Now I wish to try the other aspect of us..." The female doberman breathily called.

“I have been thinking to end my tutoring and settle down soon, I would be happy to be your lover., your partner in life." She smiled up to him, finding his hand as he held her warm paw.

“So… this isn't frowned on?" The human asked, venturing into unknown territory with this bold canine.

“No, it is expected, the connection between Sovereign and human is a sacred bond. Mentors do not last long before they find such a soul to complete them…"

“Love is a primal thing, when we find it we hold nothing back. Come what may, love always is the way."

Gabriel breathed out, feeling the confidence of the Sovereign, her emotions rising up with his own, she was right.

“Upon this newfound canvas let us unleash our desires, feel our passions collide, our bodies joined..."

“So… touch me…" She called out, leaning back against him again. He could feel a primal heat burning within her, the big dog pushing her body into him. He embraced her, hands sliding back onto her large chest, fingers caressing her as she breathed.

Fingers moving down he felt the dog tingle under his touch. Her belly was smooth, her waist so thin as her teats passed under his palm. The bare skin was warm, taking the moment to rub as her long hind legs pushed into the air, spreading as she arched against his touch.

He pushed his cheek into her neck, her tongue out and panting as the intelligent Sovereign yielded to his hands.

Looking over her shoulder and down her body he saw her spread legs, soft canine vulva pushing from her lithe form.

“Touch..." She called again, hips pushing up as she begged.

His hand slid down her supple thigh, the warmth of her nearly bare fur was strong, so close to her femininity. Touching the cushioning flesh he let his fingers slide over it, taking in the puffy shape of the bitches body.

Her canine lips were so soft, gently squeezing the voluptuous flesh as he moaned out. It was an odd feeling at first, he could sense her body as her mind held close to him, sharing her pleasure. From this he knew her delights, the effects of his touch, just how sensitive she was, how desperate she was to feel more.

He looked down, her reddish lips set within the peach colored fur of her groin. His fingers contorted the puffy shape as he pressed down upon it, feeling her pleasure push back into him, her sensitive body melting under his touch.

She rubbed herself against his probing fingers, feeling her plump bitch lips flex and squeeze against him. She felt that deep carnal urge, letting her hips flex as his fingers circled and pushed. Her flesh was like putty between them.

She wanted him to feel what she had to offer, guiding one of his fingers as she begged him with her thoughts.

Pushing down against the part of her lips she opened, moist and ready as he sunk in. Diving in he felt her hot feminine flesh hug tight, caressing his finger back as he marveled in her feel.

Before going further he hooked his finger up into her, finding her clit with subtle guidance, feeling a shock of direct pleasure run up his finger from her body.

Inside he felt her nuby flesh wiggle against his finger as he touched, shocks of pleasure at each little motion, his own mind hazing as he gave in to the bestial indulgence.

Persephone too was feeling it, pushing her bare groin into the human's hand, his fingers around and inside her feminine treasure, feeling him explore and learn her body. She saw the man's eyes closed, own mouth panting in time with hers as pleasure rumbled within her, now struggling to contain it.

Her body slipped down further into the bed, paws gripped tight around the man's forearms as she started to buck up into him. His hand held firm against her, struggling as he stayed clamped to her groin, finger circling her little nub as she gave a little huff on each flick.

Gabriel's own mind was hazing as he felt the bestial, primal drive in the Sovereign bursting forth. Not many saw this aspect of Sovereigns for themselves, the very animal, very canine part of the benevolent beings.

He felt her pleasure building, his own jaw clenching as hers now locked tight, huffing through her long snout. His hand was jammed against her lips, soft hot flesh around and against him as he felt her peak.

It was a series of jolts, rising in tempo as she thrust upward rapidly, staggering as she let out a final volley of thrusts. Gabriel felt the alien sensation of the canine cumming against his hand, the release seeming to run up his arm as it trembled with her.

“Ahh! Ohh!!" Gabriel spoke aloud, feeling her climax echoing into his own body. The human struggled to contain himself, feeling himself almost washed away with the bitches pleasures. The Sovereign ground her body into his hand a few more times, then subsided as she came down from the high.

He was left rubbing her trembling clit, feeling the Sovereign bitch melting into his chest at her exhaustion, his own breath ragged.

“Your close…." She paused to tease, still cooling from her own peak as she felt the male's own needs emanating from him. His body strained, on the edge as her passions threatened to tip him.

Gabriel breathed out, letting his hand rise to her belly as he slowly rubbed, trying to calm himself.

She gave him that moment, paws stretching down to her bare thighs, pads rubbing as her stimulated vulva flexed, muzzle pressing against his cheek.

“How did that feel?" She asked, cheek to cheek against the human as he breathed hard from the new experience.

“Oh my god… It felt like I had lost it..." He smiled beside her muzzle, actually having felt a female's orgasm, his body almost going over the edge with her.

“You almost did." She teased the human, just barely managing to contain himself. He laughed back with his hand patting her big chest.

“You always heard the stories… I just never thought I'd be one of them..." He ruminated, letting his body lay flatter, Persephone, now on her side as she lay against his chest to relax.

“Our species has been intimately connected for tens of thousands of years… our love and bonds growing stronger with time. And now we stand at a pinnacle, our bodies, minds and dreams enmeshed."

“So, have you been with a human?" He thought, petting down the dog's side, feeling himself as her lover, his mind easily accepting the role.

“No, I've only fooled around with other canines, as a human would say." She smirked.

“But there are always the experiences from the mindscape to indulge in." She moaned, pushing herself into his chest, something reaching out to him.

He took it, feeling a recorded memory play in his mind.

He saw visions of men with their Sovereign females. Some were tantalizing stories, real and fictional as human and Sovereign found their desires with one another. Tongues slid over flesh, closing upon the males as they worked their magic, scents and sensations flowing through them. The females braced themselves, human hands all over them, gripping, bodies thrusting, desire coming to a peak as man and bitch held close.

Gabriel pulled back, feeling the quick flashes already affecting him. He had heard rumors that Sovereigns kept some strange form of erotica, but he had never expected to actually see it.

“Yes, we share much of our lives and our passions. Perhaps one day you can share your own stories with the collective." She whispered, feeling her body tingling against the human.

Gabriel could feel it too, his body still aroused as he yearned to take the next step.

“So do we just…" He trailed off, a little nervous as things rolled forward, his and her mind's already making the decision.

Persephone sat back up onto the bed, giving Gabriel room as they repositioned.

Gabriel began pulling off his shirt, the doberman watching intently as his skin came into view.

Throwing the shirt away he felt her head reach in, tongue lapping over his exposed chest. One of his hands pet down her long neck, scratching the dog as he struggled to unbuckle his pants with the other. Finally sliding the clothing down he kicked it away after a few moments, boxers tented high.

Persephone moved lower, stopping at his navel as he wiggled free from the boxers, eager to unclothe as her mind demanded of him.

Finally he was fully bare, the dobermans paws upon his thighs, nose huffing against his proud manhood. She took him in with a heavy sniff, the raw intimate scent of the male exciting the canine.

Her long tongue gave a gentle lick as she covered his length, leaving his member wobbling as he breathed above. But she wasn't going to use her tongue tonight, teasing him with her mind, letting him know what she had planned for him.

Standing up the Doberman stepped over him, Gabriel adjusting himself on the bed as asked, feet on the ground and groin spread.

Persephone faced him, squatting down as she came to the human's lap, her forepaws landing on his shoulders.

She lowered another inch until her slick vulva kissed Gabriel's tip, his member hard and eager as it twitched.

The proud doberman sat tall, long neck and head staring down to the man. He traced down her big chest, slender waist and creamy thighs as she began to envelope him as she fell.

“Ahhh…." He moaned aloud, her motion slow and deliberate as his broad head pierced her lips, spreading wide as she took him slowly.

Her tongue fell to his bare neck, lapping and rising as she fell further, his member taking the plunge into her waiting depths.

“Oh god..." He moaned aloud, feeling himself slide into her hot, velvety flesh. As they pushed deeper her heat washed over him, making his member twitch against her tight embrace. He could feel her like never before, the sensation of spreading and being spread both in his mind as she connected with him in the tender moment.

She could feel his pleasure, careful as she let the sensation rise, ending as she found her rear in his lap. Her large lips wrapped around and pushed between them, the sensations familiar, but yet very new and raw for the human.

Gabriel breathed hard at the new feeling, taking the merciful moment to revel in the sensation, deep inside the beautiful bitch, her arousal peaking up again as he felt his canine lover to the core, her pleasure his, and his hers.

Persephone lapped affectionately at his cheek, her mind holding close to him again as she eased the human into a new realm of pleasure, hoping to not overwhelm the more fragile humans mind.

His hands ran down her back, feeling her paws wrap around his neck as her muzzle tilted, meeting his lips in a firm kiss.

Their bodies pressed, Persephone's warm thighs resting on his legs, her weight firmly in his lap as he kissed back into the Sovereign once again.

“Ugh… uhh..." Gabriel moaned, feeling himself twitch inside her, her own body pulling on him, the heat of their union growing brighter in his mind.

He had had sex before, but not like this. Persephone was embracing him physically and emotionally. The big dog in his thoughts, an almost ethereal connection gripping them both.

His hands fell to her bottom, the bitches hips curving in as he dug into the short fur of her rear. His own hips pushed up, feeling her flesh flex and stretch with his, the slow purposeful sensation echoing through them both.

Pausing the kiss Persephone pulled back, long tongue hanging as they both looked between them, her lips stretched wide as man and bitch joined in the interspecies bond.

With a satisfied internal moan she rose, putting her hindpaws on the bed. Giving a devious stare she let the man feel every delicate inch of her moist body slide up him.

Then she fell again, pushing back his skin, sliding over his sensitive body as her heat enveloped him. Then it began again, hips rising and leaving a wet slide up his member before she fell, her lips mashing into his groin as he was pushed deep.

Gabriel couldn't keep his eyes off it, her heavy flesh gliding up and down his member, his mind focusing as his mouth held agape. He was feeling the most acute sexual pleasure he had ever experienced, almost hypnotized by the bitches flexing body over his firm manhood.

Gabriel's hands gripped her rear, digging in as he felt the powerful sensations of Sovereign intercourse wash over him.

"Mhhh...." He moaned, hands following her undulations, a slow circular motion as she flexed herself over his manhood.

Within her tight passage he felt every bit of her, their bodies union strong as she took all of him in earnest. Meanwhile she was purposeful in each motion, feeling his building pleasure carefully rising.

He could already feel it welling back up, that desperate male need rising as the bitch moved faster, giving a purposeful tempo as she herself felt his peak approaching, her supple canine flesh quivering as he stretched her wide over and over.

His own hips rose from the bed, giving solid little pumps up into Persephone. Their minds syncing close he felt each rise and fall between them like waves crashing upon the rocks. Their passion grew stronger, body's growing weaker. Persephone was slamming fast into him, he responding in kind as the feral rhythm increased between them.

He almost felt it in slow motion now, each delicate slide inside her body, the heat washing over him, the ragged pants of the canine against his face, her own emotions trembling in anticipation.

Then he heard her speak out to him. But the voice was new, some primal almost feral part of herself uttering her plea.

“Give it to me… give.. give.. give..." She begged. The big dog fell into the primal chant as her pleasure grew, feelings of filling, holding, loving, belonging and living. All the emotions swirled in her mind and into his, his own deep instincts coming forth, the voice of two delicate creatures holding together in mutual passion.

Bouncing in the man's lap, the union of their sexes grew tighter as Gabriel braced himself, feeling that edge ever closer.

Her claws dug into the back of his neck, desperate as her mind wrapped around his, entwining intimately as he felt her thoughts and pleasures almost as if his own.

Then he felt it, one more slide down and the corked pleasure within him burst free.

“Ohh, godddd… " His mouth let loose with a whisper, mind calling out to the beautiful doberman as his body tensed, pushing up into hers.

He breathed hard, a warm shock running down his spine, through his limbs, into his very being. Delighting in the visceral pleasure he moaned against her, arms holding firm around her rear.

The canines motions continued, each slide of their bodies raising him higher as he gasped in ecstasy, body twitching and his mind grasping until he felt something more pour down upon him.

Above the twitching human Persephone shuddered, her own peak falling as human and canine minds collapsed into one another at a mutual peak. The power of it was staggering to the human, his body and thoughts splashing into hers, the bitches delicate internal gasps filling him as he filled her.

Within their body's their genitals hugged tight, trembling and pulsing as their bodies embraced, The man's seed shooting deep into the desperate canine.

In their minds the lovers embraced with their very beings, twirling through the vastness of their own minds. It was the most intimate two Sovereigns could be, joined to the core.

Her chest pushed hard into his, hips rolling shallow as Gabriel held her bottom hard against his groin, feeling his essence pour forth into the panting canines impassioned body.

It was astounding, their combined pleasure tangible in those moments. His peak lingered, their hips mashing together as he felt himself squirt deep into her, her body clenching and hugging as they mated.

Their peaks cooling man and bitch whispered to one another with their thoughts, the pleasure still washing over the couple as delicate candid words passed between them. Physically they both smiled, their minds laying exhausted against one another, encircled and satisfied.

Gabriel came back to himself, glancing down as he saw the red dobermans groin firmly hilted in his lap, her paws still clinging hard around him, body giving a little shake as she recovered from the exertion. He sighed out hard, taking a long breath back as he recovered from the weight of their lovemaking. He felt his heartbeat in his chest, and hers in time as they basked in the afterglow of the tremendous peak.

Controling her own pants Persephone came back to herself, looking face to face with the man as she weakly held in his lap, his body nestled deep within hers.

Reaching forward their lips met again, curled together on the bed as the big dog lapped at him, her emotions and passion oozing through them both as his eager body returned the favor.

Remembering to catch his breath Gabriel leaned back, feeling the weight of the dog hanging from his neck as she smiled and spoke with her mind.

“How are we feeling?" She almost smirked, seeing the man smile wider in response.

“Wow..." He responded, lungs pumping into the warm air around them.

“Good, it didn't melt your brain." She joked, giving him a lap on the cheek.

He just laughed, kissing back as they continued to converse with their minds.

“But wow... did it almost feel like it..." Gabriel smiled, delighting with the beautiful dog.

“Yes, it can be hard to describe such an intimate moment together, to become so enmeshed." She moaned against him, long legs starting to find purchase under her as she lifted.

Breaking the kiss Gabriel felt her pulling from him, his tall member reluctantly slipping free as a drip of arousal and seed fell from her big lips.

Falling to the bed at his side he sat shoulder to shoulder with the big dog. A few more drips of seed fell from her, the bitch too tired to clean it as she panted.

Across the room the remote arms began moving, digging out extra pieces of her modular bed as the man lifted his feet to let them snap on, giving more space to the new couple. Such beds were made for both shapes of Sovereigns and for singles or couples.

His hand fell back to her face, rubbing up her long ear as she leaned her head into him, giving a long huff through her nose.

“Mmm… a nice way to end a great day." She cooed. Feeling her human close, that deep wish she had been having finally settled and sated.

“So how does this work? How do I become your partner?" He asked, unsure of the politics of such an arrangement.

“You just did, welcome to the team, human." Persephone spoke, Elegant neck craning over as she smirked to him.

As her partner it meant he would be working full time with her and other Sovereigns, using his newfound abilities to master the art of thought and creation unlike he had ever expected.

“A nice way to make it official." He joked, stroking down her side as they sat. He knew Sovereigns were straight and direct, he supposed an experience like that is more binding than any ceremony.

“You have learned well, a bright mind indeed." She praised, thinking how much Gabriel embodied the potential Sovereigns had always seen within humans.

Man and bitch sat quietly for a few more minutes, their exposed groins still wet as they sunk into the cushioning without a care.

“I think i'm ready." Gabriel smiled, letting himself feel confident at her side.

“If it helps I know you are ready." Persephone smiled back, justifying his confidence.

Gabriel sat back, he knew this wasn't expected, and more than a few may think oddly of him. But this is just where he wanted to be.

“Oh yes, and now the head of robotics says congrats on the partnership, he hopes I wasn't too rough on you." The doberman grinned, having already gotten a message back from the mindscape.

“Jeez news spreads fast." He chuckled, realizing the whole department probably already knows he slept with Persephone, since partner and mate seemed synonymous here. If not already they would know the moment they stepped from the lab, the physical trace of their activity undeniable.

“Don't worry, telling any humans will be your business, we understand it can be difficult." She reassured him, knowing personal information was more precious among humans.

“Yeah i'll see to that, need to let them know i'll be staying. I'm sure some department will miss me coming back."

“Maybe we could do some traveling, I've always wanted to get to see the world outside the city." The doberman offered, knowing the future of them both was open.

“And when the time comes we can raise the pups just about anywhere." The female spoke, reminding the human he was going to father pups if he kept this up.

Sovereigns had been using birth control for years, letting the frantic pace of their breeding slow from the early days were population growth and genetic diversity was so critical. Now Sovereigns enjoyed fewer litters, focusing on their growing families and more stable relationships.

Exhaustion taking them late into the night Gabriel and Persephone laid down together. The man spooned the bitch, wrapping an arm around her as they held close, pulling a blanket overtop as they settled. He was going to have to go back to the human dormitory to get his things and let them know he wouldn't need the room anymore But that was for tomorrow.

“This is just amazing..." The man thought, letting the long busy day catch up with him.

“Amazing times, brighter futures..." She cooed back, letting sleep settle into them both, calming one another as they drifted off.

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Author's Notes: Man this series has been a rollercoaster. Hope people enjoyed a bit more man/dog action in a cute little romance.

And I do hope this chapter and the next put any fears people had to rest about the fate of humanity. I thought It was pretty clear, but I realize that I often write in more vague notions so I can see someone missing the clues. If I knew that I would have been much more direct, but no taking it back now.

I thought lines like.

“it was the wisdom of the Sovereigns that would bring humanity into the future with them, to join them in the light of the stars."

And

“Any brute can crush the weak underfoot, to demand praise when they deserve none. It's something altogether different to stand so high above that those bellow strive to follow, to bask in the glory you hold, to lead them higher than ever before."

Were good ways to sum things up and hint at what was to come. And the whole Reginald looking into Rex's memories thing telegraphed the intention too. Humans would not be happy getting sat on and unable to flourish, we need to strive, to build and to dream, and with Sovereigns that could finally happen.

And to me it makes perfect sense a species built on the unity and collaboration within themselves would reach out and seek the strength of others, raising humanity up to join them. But it needed time, to guide the human race forward and beyond their past weaknesses so they would be ready, and the technology prepared to meet the challenge.

But I can see how previous wordings could have let people think differently. It's common that I see my previous writing and wish I had reworded some things, but I suppose here it was more important due to the high emotions people feel about the topic.

I do hope this chapter calmed anyone's concerns about the direction of things, I meant for this to be an uplifting story about humanity coming back from the brink.

So next we have a look farther into the future, as the children of Tera reach out into the cosmos.