Who Am I? Part 03
Warning. This section contains a scene with male human on female fur rape as well as related violence. I understand if this isn't what you'd normally read however it is important to the progression of the characters and the story.
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Buck spit the mouthwash into the sink and turned back toward his room when the main door slid open. He dropped, rolled forward, and spun into a combat crouch. He nearly laughed at the shocked expression on Dirk's face.
"Did you think I was going to attack you or something?" Dirk asked as he stepped into the room.
"Yes, I mean no! I mean, I've been trying to remember what happened before I lost my memory and I guess that has made me a bit jumpy."
Dirk smiled, "Yes I can imagine how you'd be extra jumpy about that."
Buck frowned for a moment as the tried to figure out what Dirk meant and then grinned when he got the joke. He shook his head and entered his cubicle. "As you may have guessed I've learned a bit about myself since you left yesterday."
Dirk bit the corner of his lip and prepared for whatever Eight had to say.
"It seems my name is Whiteheart Briarspike but I went by the nickname Buck. Also at some point I received extensive combat training." Buck snapped his mouth shut as he realized that perhaps he shouldn't have admitted that last part.
"Combat training? That is unusual, though not unheard of. Perhaps your previous owner trained you to be a bodyguard." Dirk said as he entered the small room.
"Bodyguard? Yes, something about that word does seem familiar." Buck exhaled in relief. Dirk didn't seem to be upset about what he had said.
"So how did you learn what your name was?"
Buck froze; he hadn't considered the possibility that Dirk would want to know how he had learned that information. "It . . . It was written on a picture of my parents."
"I see, hey do you mind if I leave my bag here? I'm going to be changing my quarters so that I can me closer to work but until then I need a safe place to leave my belongings?" Dirk said in order to change the subject.
"Yeah, I guess." Buck said as he quickly turned to look at Dirk only to discover that Dirk had turned his back. He was surprised when his senses told him that not only was Dirk upset but he was also crying. Without thinking Buck stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Dirk holding him close. "What's wrong?" he whispered.
Dirk leaned back into the embrace, "I . . . I never new my parents that's all."
"Oh, I didn't realize."
"It's all right, it . . . I . . ."
"I'm sure they loved you very much and would have been proud of you."
"Yeah, maybe if they'd stuck around to get to know me but they didn't. So I can't see why you'd think they loved me."
"Because I . . ." Buck broke the sentence as he realized what he was about to say. Did he really mean it? Could he mean it considering he barely even knew his own name? Yes, he did mean it. Somehow he had known it from the moment he had first seen Dirk in the infirmary. "Because I . . ."
Dirk quickly turned and held his hand up stopping Buck before he could finish.
"Don't. Don't say anymore, at least, not until you have your memory back. I don't want you to say something that you will regret."
"I won't regret it no matter what I remember I . . ."
Dirk stopped him again. It was like a sun had gone super nova filling him with warmth. This was what he wanted to hear. But at the same time he felt the crushing emptiness of a black hole as he forced his own feeling into the abyss. "I know what you want to say and for now that is enough."
Buck felt his eyes begin to water. What had he done? Had he really just tried to confess his feeling to someone who didn't feel the same way about him? Had his senses been affected by the trauma so much that he had misunderstood how Dirk really felt about him?
Dirk gently wiped the tears from Buck's eyes, "Don't . . . Don't cry I feel the same way, really I do. This . . . Right now . . ."
Buck leaned forward slightly and pressed his lips against Dirk's lips silencing him. He only resisted for an instant. A minute passed and then two before Buck broke the kiss.
"So how about we go out and get some breakfast?" Buck asked as he slipped around Dirk and out the door.
Dirk gasped and braced himself against the wall. As he regained his senses Buck's question sank in and Dirk had to run to catch up with him. He'd check the news later just to make sure that the station hadn't been testing the real space engines.
* * *
Buck had intended to wait for Dirk once he reached the plaza in front of the building but as he opened the door rather than stopping he doubled his pace. Dirk, not far behind, slid to a stop and then ran back toward Buck's room and his medicine bag.
The woman that Buck and Dirk had met the day before lay unconscious in a slowly growing pool of blood. Her attackers, five human men, had forced Snookums to her paws and knees. Four of them were holding her down while the fifth was standing behind her. He was holding her tail up in his left hand and fumbling his engorging member from his pants with his right.
Snookums screamed and the man moaned as he forced his way in, "Oh gods this is one tight pussy!"
"Well hurry up so the rest of us can get a little."
"Hold her tail so I can get a better grip then."
One of the men forced her tail over her back. Suddenly there was a meaty sickening crunch. Snookums went limp in shock but it was the rapist who fell, his head hanging grotesquely to one side.
Buck narrowed his eyes as he looked at the four remaining vermin.
"You're going to pay for that. The largest of the men said as he slid a bloody knife out of its sheath.
Buck recognized him as the same man who had nearly assaulted him earlier. As he charged forward Buck sidestepped, grabbed the bastard's knife arm. He spun it around popping it out of the socket before slamming the knife into the guy's back. He groaned once and began to convulse.
Buck didn't bother to look back he charged the remaining men. The first hit the ground an instant after Buck's open palm hit his chest; he gasped several times and stopped moving. Buck however didn't stop. Using the force of the impact he dropped to the ground bringing his feet up and then burying them in the next man's gut. The man screamed as Buck's claws tore him open.
Buck, now splattered with blood and gore, jumped back to his feet to deal with the final attacker. However he quickly discovered that he was the only one standing. The last man was on his knees clutching at the remains of his throat. Snookums, blood coating her mouth, slowly pulled herself toward her master.
"By the Gods!" Dirk yelled as he arrived.
"Please, you've got to help her." Snookums gasped.
Dirk kneeled next to the woman and examined her; "She'll be fine it's only a flesh wound. With a bit of regenerative surgery there won't even be a scar. Now how about you two?" Dirk asked as he turned toward Buck, "Oh Gods you're covered in blood!"
"Don't worry, none of it is mine." Buck said as he rolled Snookums onto her back. She yowled in pain and passed out.
Dirk gasped as they finally noticed the knife sticking out of her chest, "Buck I need you to get a firm grip on that knife but don't remove it yet!" He yelled as he lifted the medicine pouch. He was surprised to discover that the straps were already open. He pulled a syringe with a bone needle from the pouch. He quickly injected the substance it contained into Snookums neck and returned the syringe to the pouch.
Snookums gasped and then went deathly still. Dirk shook his head and prayed to Reaper that he hadn't used to large a dose. He then grabbed the green crystal shard and gently placed the tip against the stab wound right against the knife blade.
"Now very slowly begin pulling the knife out." Dirk said as he closed his eyes in extreme concentration.
As Buck began to remove the blade the crystal started to glow. At first it was faint but as the knife was removed green flames surrounded Dirks hands. As the knife exited, the wound closed and within seconds was completely gone.
The flames disappeared and Dirk fell forward. Buck quickly put his hand out to catch him and as flesh met fur Buck felt his soul being drained from his body into Dirks. Rather than pulling back Buck closed his eyes and forced more energy into Dirk.
Dirk gasped and pulled back. They sat there just staring into each other's eyes for several seconds.
"Oh, I must say this is a rather disturbing. What happened? Did I have one of my spells again? Ariel where are you? Why didn't you catch me?" Snookums' owner said as she rolled herself into a sitting position facing away from the carnage.
"Oh my, I've been injured. Ariel, my little Snookums what has happened? Where are you?" She asked as her voice rose in pitch.
"You and your pet were attacked. Buck was able to stop your attackers but both you and Snookums received injuries." Dirk said as he closed the medicine pouch. "You have a cut on your face and possibly a mild concussion. I recommend you have your doctor check you out. Snookums on the other hand has been sexually assaulted and has a collapsed lung. I've given her a drug that will keep her unconscious and stable until we can get her to a treatment facility. As for your attackers they are all dead." Dirk continued as he shakily got to his feet.
"No! Ariel what am I going to do? I don't know any doctors who would be willing to treat her!" The woman wailed as she crawled over and cradled the leopard's head in her lap.
"I can treat her but I don't have the equipment. I know of only one place where I'll be able to get her in but it'll cost a lot of credits."
"I don't care how much it costs! I'll pay you whatever you want!"
"I'm not the one you're going to have to pay. It's Devil, I mean Doctor, Benson who you'll have to pay." Dirk said as he motioned for Buck to grab the cat's legs.
"Oh no, I know about him he'll kill her for sure. The only one that can be trusted in that office is his intern!"
"I . . . Listen I'm a bit weak at the moment so you're going to have to help us move your pet." Dirk stammered.
Dirk leaned down and took hold of Ariel's arm just as the lift doors opened. Three armed men charged out and aimed their guns at both Buck and Dirk.
"Governor, what has happened? When you didn't arrive on time we feared the worst!" The group commander yelled as he helped the woman to her feet.
"All of you put those weapons away and help me. We were attacked. This fine gentleman and his pet saved me. Now I order you to help them get my Snookums to a medical facility!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" The commander saluted and pushed both Dirk and Buck to one side. The Trio lifted Ariel and carried her to the lift.
"You two, come with me."
"As you command Governor." Dirk said as he grabbed Bucks arm and pulled him along to a second lift.
"Seeing as how you saved me, please call me Ms. Erikson." She said as the lift door closed.
* * *
"What in the Kriosh is this all about!" Dr. Benson yelled as the group pushed into his infirmary.
"Just a medical emergency, nothing new. You three, place Ariel on the third bed from the door. That's the one reserved for furries." Dirk said as he walked beyond the group. He kept his back to them as he opened the medicine pouch and placed a syringe on an instrument tray. He then resealed the pouch and tied the carry strap to his belt.
"Good now, I want everyone out of here while I work." He said as he pushed his arms into a machine in the corner. When he pulled them out they were coated in a sterile film. He then opened the closet and pulled out a surgical gown. Once he had it on he once again put his arms in the glover. This time instead of a light film his arms were coated in a thick white rubber.
"Hold it right there! This is my infirmary and I say who gets operated on!" Dr. Benson yelled.
"You must be the esteemed Doctor Benson, I am Governor Erickson," she said as she gently took him by the arm, "You see, my pet and I had some trouble and your intern was kind enough to help us. He did say that your services would be costly but my pet would of course receive the best care possible."
Benson glared at the woman for a second and then a giant smile split his grizzled face. His eyes almost twinkled as he turned toward his office. "Governor, I can assure you that everything he said is true. Now if you'll just come with me to my office we can discuss the admittance fees."
Dirk shook his head, "Well, what are you waiting for? I said get out so that I can work."
The security guards glanced at each other, "Fine, we'll leave the room but not our post we'll be right outside the door." The commander said as he waved the others out first.
Buck turned to follow them.
"Buck, I need you to stay here."
He nodded and stood next to the bed and stared at his bloody foot paws.
"Right, first thing I need you to do is inject Arial with the drug I placed on the tray." Dirk said as he pulled the medical scanner from the wall at the head of the bed. There was a beep and a pastel blue light appeared along the foot of the bed.
Buck picked up the syringe and looked back and forth from Ariel to the syringe. "Nedles?" he whispered.
"Buck you need to hurry up with that so I can begin the scan."
Buck trembled, something was wrong. It was like someone else had taken control of his body. "Where did you get this?" he asked as he felt himself preparing to kill the man he loved.
"We don't have time for this. I received it from my first teacher who received it from someone she only referred to as The Chosen One. I don't know where it came from but I know that Ariel can't survive much longer, even in this state of biologic semi-stasis without oxygen!"
Buck quickly injected Ariel and then fell into the chair next to the bed. "What is wrong with me?" he thought as the blue light progressed up Ariel's body. It slowed as it reached her chest and then resumed its speed as it finished scanning her head.
"Good the wound was completely repaired." Dirk said as he pulled a mask from a wall drawer and placed it over Ariel's face. A short heavy plastic tube slid into her mouth and then a second softer tube progressed down her throat into her lungs.
Buck felt sick, not only had he killed four men but he had also been on the verge of killing Dirk for no reason. Why, just because he has a couple of doses of Seldon and Nedles? Buck gasped when his hands jerked into fists. What was it about the names of those drugs that had him reacting this way? It was because they are from my home planet! He suddenly realized. And anyone who knows about Shen . . . Shen . . . Anyone who knows about my home world and isn't a . . . Any one who knows has to be killed.
"Buck! Snap out of it!" Dirk yelled.
"Oh, what is it?" Buck said as he jumped to his feet.
"I need you to strip out of those clothes including your sandals."
Buck nodded and pulled off his shirt. It pulled his fur where the blood had dried and matted. Dirk quickly looked away as Buck continued.
"Here, I suppose those security agents need them as evidence?"
"Probably." Dirk said as he walked over to a sterilizer unit and dropped the clothes in and started the cycle, "There is a sonic shower in the back corner. It won't be very pleasant but I don't see as we have a choice." Dirk suddenly turned toward the main doors where the security guards were arguing with several men in green uniforms.
"Oh shit!" Dirk stuffed his medicine pouch behind Ariel's pillow, pulled off his own clothes, and stuffed them into the sterilizer resetting the cycle. He grabbed Bucks arm and dragged him into the sonic shower, "Jab your fingers in your ears because this is going to hurt!" he yelled as he turned the shower to the maximum setting and hit the button to start the sequence.
Buck screamed in pain. Dirk wrapped his arms around the rabbit to hold him up and placed his hands over Buck's ears for an added layer of protection.
Dirk began to cry both for the pain in his own ears and because of the pain he was forcing Buck to endure. When the cycle ended he lifted Buck and carried him to the bed next to Ariel. He covered him with the thin blanket before retrieving his clothes. He noticed that the men were still arguing and was glad that the windows framing the front of the room were one way. Dr. Benson liked to keep an eye on his clients without having them watching him work, that is, when he worked.
The computer at the head of Ariel's bed beeped and Dirk jumped. He ran over to it and slowly removed the tube from her throat. She coughed twice and lay back.
"Thank you for saving me." She said before sitting up and coughing again.
"Quiet, you're going to need rest." Dirk said as he slipped his medicine pouch out from behind her pillow, "I hope your master is as important as her title suggests because it looks like we may have Imperiam troubles."
Ariel turned her head to look at the entrance and gasped, "What happened to Buck?"
"He had a nasty reaction to the sonic shower."
Ariel winced, "I hope he'll be all right, we owe him a lot. I only hope he was right when he said that once we reach Accordia we'll find people who will help us liberate everyone."
"What?" Dirk yelled as the door flew open.
"We are here to terminate these animals." A tall man in a green uniform said answering what he believed Dirk had asked him.
"On what grounds?" Dirk yelled as he moved to block the Imperiam Agents.
"They are responsible for the deaths of five humans. Two of whom were Imperiam Agents. Now step aside or you will share in their fate."
"Oh no you won't!" yelled Dr. Benson as he came storming out of his office.
"You have no say in this matter. We have evidence that both of the animals are responsible." The agent said as he pulled out a holographic projector. The scene started as the first man fell. As the recording continued Dirk was relieved that by some miracle Buck's back had been in the direct line of the recorder when they had healed Ariel's stab wound. The recording ended when the group entered the lift.
Dr. Benson's mouth dropped open. He couldn't believe what he had seen. He could have made a fortune if he'd sold the rabbit instead of sending it off with Dirk, "Listen I'm not saying you can't do your job. I'm saying that I don't want you killing that cat while she is in my infirmary. If she dies in here I'm required to refund a portion of the credits I received for healing her."
The agent smirked and nodded, "I'll be sure to make a note of that Doctor. This will go a long way to removing that black mark that you've been building for your actions in helping non humans."
Governor Erikson marched up to the Agent, "And I suppose the recording doesn't show the fact that those men attacked me first?"
The man smiled down at Erikson, "No governor it doesn't. However even if it did it wouldn't matter since the Imperiam has zero tolerance for animal on human violence. Even if those animals hadn't killed the men they would still be executed."
"I see, well then I guess you leave us no choice." Gov. Erikson nodded and stepped back.
The agent smiled and began to raise his gun only to stop as he felt a cold piece of metal against his temple.
"By order of the Council of Governors I declare Big Hub Station an independent nation. Cough, cough, all loyal station security members are to place known Imperiam Agents under arrest and they are to be moved to the prison on the inner ring. All citizens who are loyal to the Imperiam I suggest you make arrangements to leave the station immediately. Cough, cough, cough. All non-human residents as of this moment you are free. If your former masters try to remove you from the station by force you have the legal right to defend yourself." Arial began coughing again and dropped the small communications link on the bed.
Gov. Erikson picked it up and continued, "All furry security units are to report to duty stations immediately by order of Governors Erikson and Snowe." She placed the link back on the bed and looked over at Buck. Well Mr. Briarspike, I pray you're right about Accordia being a safe haven. Can you move Snookums?"
"I . . . I don't think it would be a good idea."
"Doctor, We'll be taking a wheel chair. However I'm sure you included that in the amount you've already charged me."
Dirk fell back against Buck's bed and just stared as the group marched out. Buck had some sort of connection with the Governors' Council? He was interrupted as Buck's clothes slammed into his head.
"Get that animal out of here! And don't bother showing up for work tomorrow you're fired. And I'm going to see to it that you never become a doctor on this station!"
"I'll leave once I've made sure Buck is all right."
"I'll give you a choice, either you leave now through the front door or I'll be ejecting your ashes out the airlock!" Benson yelled as he pulled a small gun from his pocket, "Did you think I've lived this long without being able to protect myself from the slime that decide they don't have to pay? Ieeeeeeeee!" Benson yelled as Dirk grabbed his hand and slammed it down on the bed's metal railing forcing him to drop the gun.
"You know Benny, you're right. I've been putting up with your insults and threats long enough. I'm the one who has been doing all the work around here while you've been raking in the credits. Well I hope you haven't been wasting those credits because you're going to need them." Dirk said as he slammed Benson's hand against the railing several more times, "You know, I'm not a doctor or anything but if I was I'd have to say that your fingers and maybe even your arm could be broken. I hope you can find a doctor willing to fix you up." Dirk quickly turned at the sound of a giggle from the bed.
"I'll kill both of you for this." Benson growled as he clutched his injured arm to his chest.
"We'll be waiting for you." Buck said as he slowly sat up.
Benson glared at both of them and then marched out of the room.
"So do you think we can go and get some breakfast now? I'm really starving."
Dirk laughed and tossed Buck his clothes, "Yeah, breakfast sounds good."
* * *
Dirk picked at his salad; he was hungry enough but he just couldn't believe everything that had happened. In the last few hours he had lost everything. Well, almost everything; he smiled as he watched Buck eating.
Buck finished his salad and reached for the last bread stick when he noticed Dirk staring at him, "What, do I have salad dressing on my face?" he asked as he reached for a napkin.
"No, I was just admiring the view."
Buck quickly glanced over his shoulder. The only other people on the shop's raised deck were a tiger and painted canine. They were holding hands and it was rather obvious that they had known each other for some time but this was probably the first time they had been able to display their feelings. Beyond the deck the streets were crowded with people, both human and furs. Buck smiled as he realized that there wasn't a collar to be seen and the only people who looked unhappy were the humans.
"Yes, it does seem wonderful doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it's good to see so many happy people but I wasn't looking beyond our table."
The inside of Buck's ears turned red, "Mr. Ghosthunter, are you flirting with me?" Buck asked as he slowly turned back around, "Dirk are you alright?"
The blood had drained from Dirks face, "Where . . . how . . . what did you just say?"
"I just asked if you were flirting with me? What's wrong?" Buck asked growing concerned.
"You . . . you called me Mr. Ghosthunter."
"Yeah, so that is your last name isn't it? I'm sure that's what you told me. Wait that isn't right is it?" Buck said as he scrunched up his eyebrows in concentration.
Dirk twitched and a shiver ran down his back. A memory almost like a daydream seemed to be swimming before his eyes.
"I think I can remember something." Buck mumbled, "We were in a meadow looking up at the stars. You'd just told me how one day you wanted to be a doctor. You had made a promise to your teacher that you would help to free the furs of the galaxy. Then I turned to you and . . ." Buck trailed off as he realized that it hadn't been Dirk in the dream. Instead he had turned and looked into the large golden eyes of a ringtail fur.
"And you said that long ago there had been another like us who had dreamed of bringing freedom and peace to the galaxy but now he was just a ghost. Then I said who better then I to hunt the dream of a ghost? Then you smiled, laughed and . . . and that's it I can't remember anything else." Dirk said as he pressed his fingers against his temples. It felt as though someone had shoved a giant needle through his head.
"That's impossible, isn't it? I mean I'm the one that is suffering from memory loss. Besides I distinctly remember that it was another fur that I was talking to."
"I know, I've had dreams where I've been a fur but nothing like this before. I can only come up with one possibility. I had just completed my training at the main station medical unit. I had passed all my tests with top grades. The only thing between my goal of becoming a fully trained and licensed doctor was a one-year internship with a private physician. I had done so well that I had my pick of just about any of the doctors on the station. However there was a six month wait until I could begin."
"What does that have to do with our sharing a memory?"
"I'm getting to that. So I had six months to kill and nothing to do and like a fool I headed for the outer ring for a bit of recreation. You see I spent a lot of my childhood there so I thought I could take care of myself. While there I met a guy about my own age who convinced me that he could turn my six months into a two year vacation on a pristine planet and I could still be back in time to start work."
"How, time travel?" Buck frowned, "No, virtual reality it was a VR chamber. An illegal VR chamber."
"Right, at least that's what the guy promised, a virtual vacation of my wildest fantasy. I was of course skeptical; after all VR is illegal, but after seeing that the chamber was real I got all my things in order and returned the next day. I remember returning to the guy's ship and entering the chamber, stepping out onto the virtual planet, and then waking up six months later in the main medical facility. They told me that I'd been a victim of a scam and that I was lucky to be alive. I couldn't remember anything so I thought the guy had knocked me out and placed me in stasis for the six months."
"But if we share the same memory then we must have both been in the VR chamber together." Buck whispered as the waiter approached their table.
Dirk nodded his agreement with the statement.
"Excuse me sir, but could you please re-authorize payment of you meal? There seems to be a problem with your account."
Dirk frowned and took the proffered payment pad. He slid his identity card into the slot.
The message "Identcard Not Valid. Please Update Card and Try Again." Scrolled across the screen in bright red letters.
Dirk sighed in disgust, "Do you have a secure connection to the station's banking computer I can use?"
The waiter smiled and pointed to a jack recessed into the side of the table.
"I can pay for this." Buck said as he pulled out his own Identcard.
"Not if someone has frozen our accounts." Dirk said as he plugged the pad in and accessed his account. What he found both amazed and scared him. His account had increased nearly five hundred percent. The data pad beeped and spat out his card as the credits for their meal had been transferred.
"Now what has gone wrong?" Buck asked as Dirk had once again gone deathly white.
"I . . . I think someone has made a mistake." Dirk stuttered.
"Excuse me sirs, I do not wish to be rude, but could you please be going now? You're escort has been waiting for you and they are frightening away customers."
"Escort?" Both Dirk and Buck said simultaneously.
The waiter nodded and pointed to two men, one human and one wolf, dressed in gray uniforms. As Dirk and Buck stared the human approached their table.
"Yes sirs, we have been ordered to escort you back to your rooms. Because of the events of earlier today you may be seen as targets of violence. It is our job to keep you safe until you can appear before the governing council in two weeks."
"Wait, I don't have a room yet. I was going to visit the housing offices later today in order to set up a new residence."
"That has already been taken care of. You have been assigned to the quarters of Thorne White. He is your former pet's, former owner whom the Imperiam executed for operating an illegal virtual reality simulation chamber."
"What!" Both Dirk and Buck yelled.
Suddenly the wolf ran up to the table and grabbed Dirk by the arm, "We've got trouble, it's time to move!" He yelled as he pulled Dirk to his feet an instant before the chair exploded.
"It's a blaster! That means Imperiam Agents we haven't caught yet! The man yelled as he and Buck sprinted after the wolf and Dirk as several more shots passed by missing them by inches.
Dirk risked a look back nearly tripping; he gasped and ran faster, "Not Imperiam, someone we've pissed off even more. That's Benson!"
"Same thing, Dr. Benson must be an Imperiam Agent! Only Imperiam Agents have energy weapons like that blaster!" The wolf growled.
Buck grabbed Dirk's free hand and kept him from falling as they flung themselves into a stairwell. They dashed down two flights and then back out onto a smaller plaza. As the wolf watched the lifts and the stairwell doors the man opened the doors to the security lift. Once safely inside they all breathed a sigh of relief as the lift dropped to the eighth level.