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I stood on the balcony that night. Our accommodations in the newly renovated ambassador suite in New York. I hadn't been to this city ever, but I'd heard all the stories; How it never sleeps. And in that moment I was one with the city.

Turning the ring on my finger, an idle habit I found myself doing over the last ten years, was a mild comfort while sleep escaped me. I knew a little of what to expect, but this was Amicus's first time celebrating in a Pride parade.

His light snores interrupted my rumination.

Would he be ready for this?

Would the world be ready?

Because the one fact that I knew I dreaded was that this was all going to be broadcast live, across the globe. The first emissary of the Galaxias was to show support for something that even my world hadn't fully accepted yet.

And this would also be broadcast to Adastra, eventually. This would send rumbles throughout the empire, possibly the rest of the Galaxias.

This is necessary.

I heard the voice in my mind. The Monitor. I guess this was their way of telling me that this was the right path. I was headed in the right direction and I shouldn't be so worried.

And then that thought spiraled… the last time the Parents decided that intervention was necessary, I died.

A cold shudder erupted along my spine despite the moist summer air.

…

World leaders accepted it as fact rather quickly. In a few years they were able to verify, at least mathematically, that the Parents could exist. They confirmed that the possibility was valid in the known models at the time, and that something not unlike life could exist on a higher dimension to our own… And that it might have the means, and the interest, to intervene from time to time.

And seeing me, and hearing my story, only served to prove the hypothesis to be correct. How my neck had been healed, how they were able to confirm through a whole slew of tests that the lingua did exist in my brain, embedded in the language-processing centers as Amicus said on the day he kidnapped me.

… Some of them wanted to vivisect me.

To extract the lingua. To study it. To capitalize on it. Killing me, and the hope of ever uplifting the human race.

I felt so alone in those moments. Surrounded by people so alike and yet so alien to me, and knowing my wolf was light-years away made it that much more palpable.

I would stroke the ring and turn it on my finger then like I was doing now; as a reminder of our connection.

…

Sighing, I went back to bed. The snoring wolf grasping at me half-asleep as I nestled up to his body.

“Something vexes you." I heard him whisper, breaking the illusion that he was still asleep.

He brought me closer, and I reached up to hold at his paw as he did. “I'm worried."

“About tomorrow?" He asked, to which I nodded and kissed his paw briefly. “If you are afraid that something bad will happen, we can call it off."

“But, this needs to happen." I said, defeated. “And I do want this. Part of me does, at least."

“You want to show the world your love. That is why I want to be by your side."

I wanted to tell him. To fill him in on how history for us had so many blights. So many steps backwards. To let him at least know that there were people on this planet that would disagree with us being together, and would express that distaste… sometimes violently.

I could feel the tears welling up in me. It was like coming out all over again. That fear, that hesitation, that question of whether it's really worth it to tell the truth when the lie is so much safer.

He hugged me closer, obviously feeling the shudder that took hold in my chest.

“Marco. We don't have to do this." He tried to reassure me.

Then I thought to what Virginia had said about needing to establish common ground between our peoples so they would be more inclined to accept them as allies. As friends.

“No, we do." I sighed frustrated. “The Parents want this too, apparently." I said. Trying my best to keep myself composed. “I guess I'm just not used to being on display like this."

“You were on display many times on Adastra." Amicus interrupted.

“Yeah, but nobody knew me." I tried to capture why I was feeling the way I was. How it was easier to be on display on Adastra because at the end of the day I didn't care what other wolves thought.

But everyone here knew who I was. When I was released, all of my information was leaked to the press. I was, effectively, outed.

“If that is your concern, then you do not need to be at my side."

“I do. I'm your husband. The emperor's consort." I said, feeling myself deflating. “Your pet."

He took a moment to take in the scent of my hair.

“Marco." He said, calmly and collected. He wasn't giving me his emperor facade, this was him. Amicus. The wolf I had grown to love. “You are my husband. If any still call you my pet, then let me handle them."

“Don't go starting fights on my account" I whimpered, amused at how my wolf could be so protective.

“I will not fight." He relented meekly. “Unless it's for you."

Even though it betrayed how wolven culture was still brutish compared to humanity, it gave me comfort to know he'd do that for me.

I smiled as the night finally start to catch at my eyelids, with my lover stroking me gently.

I didn't know what to do, but at least at that moment I was safe in the arms of my husband.

…

We had to check in with the parade coordinator next morning before finding our float. We would be somewhere in the middle, before all the corporate ads, and among the messages of solidarity and equality.

Amicus had to shoo some of the agents that came with us away. Of course I understood why they were here. I was with the diplomat from another planet. The U.N. insisted, as they wanted to ensure his safety, and they would flank the float as it progressed down the streets we were to parade down.

Our float was not nearly as garish as the rest, but there was one giant glitter-encrusted rainbow above where we would be seated, and stars everywhere… clearly to represent a love that spanned the galaxy.

It would be touching, if it weren't so transparent.

This was a political move. We couldn't just march together, we were here to make a statement. It was expected of us.

I was to be next to the emperor of Adastra as his husband and lover. I was to be seen in this moment and as much as I was happy about being able to spend time with my wolf, it all felt so manufactured. So… fake.

I sighed.

I wanted this to be a beautiful moment and right now, all the anticipation, the fear, the dread, it was all in my stomach boiling away and eroding my will to continue. I wanted to walk away and bring my wolf with me. I wanted to celebrate with him, not be a prop to show that our two cultures could integrate successfully.

I wanted to just love him right now. To kiss him, to tell him that we're ditching it all and going back to Adastra.

… I let my mind open as best I could in that moment. Perhaps I would get a message from the Monitor telling me to suddenly change my mind, to have an excuse to back out that wasn't related to my cowardice… but as I had come to expect, silence was their answer.

Still, they would probably tell me to stay the course and to play my part. Be the dutiful husband to the emperor of Adastra, and the emissary of the Galaxias.

“Ahotep, there you are." I heard a familiar voice.

Turning, I saw the soft face of the jackal that I had come to know quite well.

“Neferu!" I smiled “Ahotep be with you!"

It was our way of expressing friendship. Even though I am no longer considered a Khemian citizen, he still greets me like one and right now I needed something familiar.

“And Ahotep be with you as well" He wasn't wearing his traditional casual Khemian garb, which was strange to say the least as I had always known him to dress revealingly. It was his formal attire. It was quite striking in it's contrast to who I knew Neferu to be, the head-dress glinting brightly in the light.

“Are you here to steal the show?" I joked, cocking my head to the side with a smile.

“No, no. This is for all of us. It was either this or showing off my body." He grinned.

“That wouldn't be so alien here" I said, remembering that most of the floats behind us would have half-naked dancers… but I immediately cringed at my poor choice of words.

He grinned, showing me more of his teeth. “Oh, ha, yes. Do not worry, Marco. I wouldn't dream of upstaging the emperor, or you." He smiled softly, taking my hand in his paw and kissing it politely. “The day is shaping up to be bright and sunny, and I hear rumor that this year has drawn far more crowds than previously."

“They're here to see you two." I gestured to Amicus who was coming over to meet us.

“Ahh, Marco. It is almost time." Amicus said. “And I hope you don't mind, but I've dispatched two security drones to follow us."

I gave him a puzzled look, but he gestured to the floating saucers now hovering above our heads.

“To assure you that we will be safe here." He said, but I looked around at the agents all standing stoically in the background.

I knew this was his way of assuring me things would go well.

And it worked.

He saw my reaction. How I smiled as my shoulders relaxed. And when he smiled back I went over to embrace him.

“Oh my." The jackal chuckled. “That would certainly be a lovely thing to see… on the float." He smiled, then urged us to get on it with a gesture.

It was at this moment I saw Scipio coming up. He had finished speaking with the interpreter and the parade coordinator about something, and was now returning to Neferu's side.

“Ahotep be with you, Marco." Scipio offered as he saw Amicus and myself. “Please forgive the intrusion, but, Neferu. I've asked about what you wanted and I was able to find a place. Out of the way, but secure."

“Have security sweep the location an hour before our arrival." Neferu turned to address both Amicus and myself. “If the two of you do not have plans after the parade, we have managed to find an appropriate location to celebrate. A small affair, but if you are free and are interested, I would be delighted to have you accompany us."

“Yes, though please dress appropriately." Scipio interjected.

“Is this not appropriate?" Amicus wondered, gesturing to the usual Adastran garb I had grown accustomed to seeing him in when he was in public.

Neferu chuckled. “No, it sadly would not be. Come, after the parade, we can get proper clothing for the venue."

“This is shaping up to be quite the day." Amicus turned to me. “But if you wish, we will spend it together alone… after." He waited for my reaction, and I smiled as I tilted my head in Neferu's direction. “Then I guess we can."

He turned to Neferu and Scipio, a look of joyful determination on him that was almost comical and said “We shall go to the markets together."

I sighed, and laughed a little. Even after so much had happened, he could still crack a smile.

…

The parade went off without a hitch.

I was paranoid for no reason.

Nothing untoward happened other than seeing a few signs from a very small group near the middle condemning us to hell for sinning against the one true god.

When Amicus saw that I noticed them, he asked. I told him that it would take a long time to explain it fully. He simply smiled, held my hand and leaned in to kiss me which the crowd cheered for.

…

We went shopping with Neferu and Scipio, and a dozen security officers.

I had to be the interpreter for all of what they said. It made getting what we wanted difficult, but it was possible with enough patience. Though finding stores that had clothing that would fit all of them, given their size compared to a human, was the hardest.

And we weren't the only people around. There was a crowd growing, and the security team did a good enough job of keeping them away, but there were a few paparazzi in the crowd taking photos of us. Clearly images of the alien wolf that was bringing humanity out of a sort of dark-age would fetch a pretty penny.

When we finally found a place, I remember asking him to try on a pair of leather pants, though he couldn't pull them all the way up as his tail was in the way, the attendant assured us it would be a simple adjustment.

By the end of it he looked amazing in his Earthling clothing. Leather pants, a tight t-shirt with pair of rainbow lips printed on the front, and the jewelry he already had on.

I had trouble focusing on things when I took in the sexy image of my wolf. And I could tell that he could sense it with how my aroma must have shifted because his ears flushed red and a grin erupted on his muzzle.

Neferu and Scipio also looked fabulous. Neferu had chosen a tank-top to show off his muscles and golden tattoos, and Scipio wore a broad-striped dress-shirt with a pair of long pants.

After shopping was dinner, but it wasn't at any restaurant. We walked along the street flanked by agents as we went from food-cart to food-cart as Pride-day celebrations happened all around us.

Amicus tried as much as he could, his stomach seemingly bottomless. The way he smiled as he tried all the different foods helped push out the unease in my mind. He said it reminded him of how things were when he was a pup and his father would bring him to the market, sampling all the different foods that Adastra was famous for.

Perhaps that's where his appetite came from?

When we were finished, we headed to where Skipio had arranged. It was a club, and there was music. The air was thick and heavy and it felt like the thump of the beat carried through harder because of the cloying wetness impregnating the air.

We were ushered in before I could even question it as the waiting crowd gawked. I wasn't sure if it was because we had cut the line, or because I was with three large canine aliens.

“So, Marco. What is it that humans do in places like this?" Neferu asked, his shoulders moving to the rhythm.

“We drink, chat, dance sometimes."

“Ooh, dancing? I think I might like this."

“Do you not have places to dance?" I asked him, as he had to reminded that I hadn't visited Khemia with him yet.

“Oh, we do, but it's often reserved for special occasions." He wriggled his hips along with the beat, locking eyes with Scipio who then bashfully looked away.

“So, a pride parade isn't a big enough occasion?" I teased, and this caused the jackal to sputter, and Scipio gawk.

“I did not mean to offend." He quickly offered, seeming upset with himself that he may have crossed a social taboo he wasn't aware of.

“No offense." I assured him. “I was pulling your tail." I grinned. “Relax a bit, Nef!"

He laughed. “Oh you simians and your sense of humor. It is a delight!" he nearly squealed. “But, if dancing is what is done here, then as you say, 'when in Rome!'" and with that he practically leapt on to the dance floor throwing his arms up in a celebratory manner to move with the beat.

I looked around the venue. It was a nice intimate club, but the thing that caught my attention was that Neferu was dancing with people. Other humans. They all seemed interested and were dancing along with him. I could tell he was a curiosity. A very attractive curiosity at that. A jackal-headed alien from the planet Khemia whose body was sculpted to be the epitome of peak physical fitness on his world. A civilization that touched ours eons ago.

That alone drew out the phones in the background that caught all of what he was doing.

When he noticed, and realized what was happening, he simply grinned wider, turned to flash his rump to them with a wag of his tail, and whipped back around to blow a kiss.

Scipio was rigid next to me. His ears flushing even deeper than before, matching his flustered expression.

Still… humans. And the crowd was growing.

I placed a hand on Amicus's arm and squeezed gently. He turned to speak into my ear above the din.

“If this is becoming too much." He offered. “Neferu assured me the location was swept and secure."

“I know. It's just… Them." I looked towards the now larger crowd watching the dancing jackal whom was now hip-to-hip with another. “I don't know. Too many people."

I squeezed his arm again.

“If you have the sense that trouble may occur, then I'll ask Com to increase security measures."

I sighed, relieved. I didn't realize how much it hit me until then how much I had changed. How much I had adapted to life as the husband of an emperor. The exhaustion alone was sometimes more than I could handle. Having to smile, nod, be diplomatic and wise because not only was I the husband and consort of the emperor of Adastra, I was effectively the ambassador for Earth in all but name. But worst of all, having lived with the wolves, I had to learn to be cut-throat when necessary, and always alert to machinations.

And I started out as a mere pet to them.

It was at that moment I heard something that chilled me.

One word shouted above the din. One word born of hate.

Amicus was alerted and had his arm around me before I heard them.

Two cracks.

The sound reverberating as if the entire room had become a bell, or that may have been my ears ringing from the gun-shots.

I heard Amicus yelp, but not even a second after that he was gone from my sight.

The ringing faded into screams as everyone fled or ducked for cover.

The room was chaos.

I turned to look for Amicus.

He had someone.

He punched them, then grabbed their arm forcefully to the sound of cracking bones.

The now limp and contorted hand holding a smoking gun released its grip and the gun fell to land on the floor with a solid thump.

It all happened so quickly, before I knew it I saw Amicus with his teeth fully bared, and diving down on to the assailant's neck, a wild and primal look in his eyes.

“Amicus, NO!" I shouted over the chaos.

He froze, his face shocked for just a second, then immediately threw the man down into a heap at his feet with a disgusted look.

He came storming back and reached out for me. “Are you okay?" he asked, a look of panic on his face.

I shook my head. It wasn't like I could feel much of anything right now anyway.

I noticed the blood spreading along the sleeve of his shirt. “You're hurt."

“It does not feel—"

“Neferu!" Scipio shouted.

“Ahotep" Amicus and I both turned to hear Neferu's voice. “I…" his paws were bloody, his face was a rictus of dread, and there was a hole in his shirt which was spreading red with blood.

He collapsed.

“Com, emergency dispatch. We need a doctor. NOW!" Amicus's voice was quick and commanding.

Com replied through the drone's speaker. “Emergency services contacted. Estimated arrival in one minute."

“Dammit!" Amicus cursed. “This isn't good."

“Suggestion, Amicus. Take clean fabric and apply pressure to staunch bleeding." Com robotically replied.

He ripped his shirt and had it wrapped into a ball. He pressed it against the wound which caused a yelp from Neferu who looked like he was about to cry. Scipio was there, holding Neferu's paw tightly in both of his while the human agents that accompanied us flanked us wordlessly.

“Stay with us." I remember whispering mindlessly. I don't know to whom because with the sound of Neferu sobbing, Amicus shouting to Scipio, everyone else's attention was glued to the grisly scene in front of me.

So nobody would have heard me.

Or maybe they would.

Would the Parents hear me?

Probably. But they would stay silent, or say this was meant to happen.

The siren announced the arrival of the ambulance and the medics that came rushing in with a gurney were already around us before I could fully process what was happening.

Amicus was ushered out, trying his best to talk to the medics, but since they did not have a lingua, all they heard was an ancient dialect of Latin.

Neferu was rushed out with Scipio in the ambulance, the siren finally receding into the distance.

Amicus had blood covering his front, and I had a dead look in my eyes.

What had just happened?

He had his wound dressed within a minute.

A medic draped a silver blanket over me.

What had just happened?

We were escorted back to the suite.

Amicus guided me into the shower.

What the fuck had just happened?!

I felt him. His touch. It was gentle, but I flinched.

He was silent and held still. His arm out as if to want to touch me, to bring me back.

His breathing was heavy, but measured.

I could tell he was having a difficult time holding himself in, but he was able to be the calm, strong emperor that I needed right now.

I looked at him.

He looked at me.

He started the shower and proceeded to wash me down. I didn't have much blood on me, and most of what was washed down the drain came off him, but eventually we were both clean… if only physically.

When the shower was over we sat down on the edge of the bed, his bandaged arm over my shoulders.

I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I wanted to be touched.

I stood and reached for the remote control and turned on the news.

Maybe the television would give me something.

Amicus sat with his paws clasped together. His eyes never leaving me as I stood there.

The news was nothing more than pundits covering the Pride parade earlier, and of course there I was. Sitting next to a wolf-headed alien. There were even a few shots of us kissing.

The show was interrupted.

“Breaking news." they said.

“Ambassador to the alien world Khemia has been—"

I turned the T.V. off to stare at my dull reflection in the screen's surface.

“Marco." Amicus urged, standing and reaching out to me. “You're safe with me now."

“Neferu!" I shouted, shaking as I realized I could do something. “Com, where's Neferu?!"

The drone that was hovering above us buzzed for a second, then replied. “Neferu has been moved to Mount Shaddai General Hospital and is listed in stable condition."

I felt something inside of me crack.

Good news.

I smiled as tears started coming.

Amicus reached out to hold me.

I had witnessed one of my best friends take a bullet.

I had heard the voice too.

That word.

That fucking slur.

I was angry.

I was terrified.

And I was happy Neferu was still alive.

All of it came crashing out at once.

I felt Amicus hold me up because I couldn't feel my legs. He carried me to the bed, holding me close.

I was placed down and I could feel the mattress move with his bulk. It was the largest mattress they had and it was just barely enough for the two of us.

He pulled me close as another sob came out. If this was how Amicus and Neferu and Scipio were to be treated by humans, then what's to stop them from deciding that after being uplifted they should get rid of the wolves? Or the jackals? Or the bears? Or any of the other Siblings?

I was angry… but my wolf held me back. Holding me tight as I shook while the last sob came out… More as a wail than a cry.

And then…

Finally…

Neferu was alive.

Scipio was with him.

Amicus was safe.

I was shaky and unsure. As if I was afraid something more would happen.

But for the next few hours as we laid together, dreading the future and what it could bring, nothing happened.

Sleep didn't come easily, but eventually the exhaustion overtook both of us and we ended up drifting off.

I had no reason to expect a dream, and none came.

The Parents were like this sometimes… evasive, coy, especially after putting us through hell.

I guess it was for the better.

I would have screamed at them.

***

We were awoken to the sound of knocking at the door.

“Ugh, Com, what hour is it?" Amicus called out to the floating drone.

Com buzzed for a second. “It is the ninth hour."

The knock came again, louder this time.

“Fine." Amicus muttered as he leaned up. Still not fully used to the twenty-four hour day on Earth.

Placing an arm on my shoulder as I turned on to my back, my wolf looked at me with a gentle smile.

The knock came again, causing Amicus's eyes to roll as he threw himself out of bed.

He was in his underwear when he opened the door, rubbing the sleep out of an eye with the heel of his paw.

I didn't hear much of what was said from my position, so I chose to sit up in bed. It wasn't until I heard him say “thank you" that he closed the door and returned to the bedroom.

“Virginia has dispatched Adastran troops to guard us, and Neferu." He said, his voice measured.

Then his eyes turned soft as he looked at me.

“How are you?" he asked, his smile widening softly.

“I think I'll be okay." I said, trying my best to return the smile, albeit weakly.

“Neferu is healing and is expected to make a full recovery." He smirked. “Though his pride may still be injured."

I sighed, relieved. Even though I was told last night that he was stable, anything could have happened while we were asleep.

“He's awake and asking for you." Amicus said, and that perked me up a bit. “He says he feels dreadful because his security sweep should have caught whomever it was that attacked us."

Then I vaguely remembered seeing a police officer or two asking questions of the crowd. “The cameras?" I asked.

“Evidence has been collected. Most of the people there were quite willing." He frowned. “Though security did inform me that a few of them tried to trade for money."

I rolled my eyes. Of course there would be a few looking for an easy score. Surely that footage would be found on-line, going viral on social media; If it wasn't for money, it was for fame.

I just hoped it wouldn't encourage the worst kinds of responses.

And then I remembered the shooter.

Amicus cut me off from that thought, however, when he asked. “The word that he shouted. I've heard it before." He sighed. “but I just want to make sure I understand the context…" he paused, trying to find the right words. “Is it said in any other way here than it would be said on Adastra?"

I shook my head.

“So here it is used as a denigration."

I nodded.

He smacked his tongue at the roof of his mouth and inhaled.

“I was under the impression, what with the parade, that your society embraced such things." His words came out harsh.

I shook my head. “The truth is, it's only recently that this all changed."

He tilted his head. “Were you akin to pets? Slaves?" I shook mine.

“People are taught to hate us. We're different."

“That is an absurd thing to be taught." He exploded, eyebrows furrowed. Then he gritted his teeth. “Wait, so, if they hate you because you're different, then will they hate all wolves? Khemians?"

I sighed, heavily. This was something that I knew would be an issue. It was why it had to take eight years to get humanity prepared for integration into the Galaxius, and even then it was only the world-leaders that I managed to convince. The people that they represented would be an entirely different battle… one which I felt had taken a step back because of yesterday.

But I told him all of it. Our history, as best I could. How the police were oppressing and harassing us, how the lawmakers considered us sub-human, and how we stood up when we got sick of it.

It wasn't the most exhaustive presentation, but it was enough.

He stood and embraced me and said “To think that your people would face such hardship and still have the courage to stand proudly."

We stood there. The air fresh from the balcony carrying the promise of rain.

“I know Adastran culture has similar misgivings. It's still considered an insult by some to raise one's tail." He turned to me, “but we have made so much progress." He smiled, holding up his paw with the stretch-ring on it.

I smiled and looked at mine.

The rings that represented our marriage. It took him eight years to prepare his culture for the idea, but within the year of me returning we were making oaths in front of the triumvirate of Adastra city to certify our marriage, and afterward there was a ceremony to show the Parents our dedication. The first of its kind on Adastra, but not the last.

What shocked the Adastran people wasn't so much that their emperor was marrying another male, but that he was marrying his previous pet. That was the scandal and led to far more gossip than my sex did.

His face then lost all joy as he realized the severity of what we had talked about. I knew he was trying to find a way through this. I could see it working in his mind by the way his eyes were up and his brow furrowed.

“I would strongly recommend not making a scene of what happened at the next meeting with the United Nations." I urged. Fearing that his wolven pride was wounded and knowing how he sometimes gets when it is.

“Of course, I defer to your wisdom. This is a human affair and I am the outsider." He nodded. “As for the attack last night, I would advise that you do not speak further on this publicly." He urged. “Until we know where the lapse in security came from, it's best to assume the worst."

“You think there's a spy?"

“I know there's a spy." He said as he gritted his teeth. “But we must not tip them off that we know. This must be kept quiet, and handled by Adastran security."

I swallowed. This was it. We couldn't go back to pretending things were fine.

…

Breakfast was nothing special, though it was very similar to meals we ate on Adastra consisting of various meats, cheeses, vegetables (most of which were pickled) and bread.

Amicus as usual ate most of the food. I didn't mind. I was full from my meal anyway and we ended up lounging on the bed as he couldn't seem to keep his paws off of me. Likely to be assured I was still there and in one piece.

He seemed calm and collected which felt like an act because he had been injured, and his friend and ally had been taken to the hospital, likely to be prodded and poked more than usual because he was an alien. The eight years apart seemed to have done wonders for his temper and I found this part of him, the official face he wore when he was thinking on things, to be oddly reassuring.

“So, do we have to make time to see Nef?" I asked as I stroked at his paws next to my chest. “I mean, if I remember, today's schedule is packed."

“I have canceled some of the meetings today." Amicus said flatly.

“You can't." This was all necessary for integration. “The United Nations is expecting another speech."

“And they'll only get a lecture on acceptance." he huffed, his jaw squared. “Not on the applications of stretch-technology."

I blinked. That was one of the most important parts of integration. Making sure that our species wasn't isolated and trapped on one planet.

“Are you sure that's wise?" I asked.

“Your world is not ready." He said, this time with a pout that was discernible from the way he said it.

He was hurt.

His lover, his husband, was hurt.

He didn't want to cooperate with anyone that would make him, or anyone he loved, feel like that.

He would sometimes do this. He would say that it is an insult to the emperor to treat his husband so poorly. But I knew he would say such things because he was angry and frustrated at the situation.

His macho attitude was endearing sometimes, but now wasn't the time.

I reached up to slide my hand along the side of his face, to which his eyes narrowed and he leaned into the touch with a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

“We can't just stop what the Parents have set in motion, Amicus" I said as he started to gently stroke at my chest and belly. “We both agreed to take steps to ensure humanity is uplifted."

“But do we have to be the ones to do it?" He whined, clearly missing the palace, and the security that it afforded.

I nodded, then looked up into his eyes. His blue eyes were locked on mine, lines of worry and fear crossing his face.

“I am concerned that if we were to give humans stretch technology, their apparent war-like nature might cause conflict." He said, “My only thought at this moment is ensuring your safety, and the safety of all of the Galaxius."

It was at that moment that Com decided to interrupt.

“Amicus, Marco, your presence has been requested at the United Nations."

Amicus sighed and snapped back “Tell them we will be one hour late."

“Shouldn't we go now?" I asked, seeing the stern look in my wolf's eyes.

“No." He pouted. “They can wait."

“Please don't be like this, Amicus." I urged softly, trying to soothe my wolf.

“Be like what?" he asked, his temper flaring at the edges.

I winced, and he noticed.

“I am sorry, my husband. Sometimes I have to remind myself that this is why I cherish you as I do." He said, his head lowering. “You challenge me when I need to be challenged, as an equal should."

I smiled and kissed him.

He kissed me back.

“Com, tell the delegation that we will be arriving after the twelfth hour." He said as he smiled. “I must discuss some things with Neferu, after what happened."

I nodded. “I'm coming with you."

It was his turn to nod this time.

“Com, arrange transportation to Mount Shaddai general hospital." Amicus said as he reached for his robe. “And ensure that we have Adastran security in place."

“Affirmative, Amicus." Com replied before buzzing, then stated “security detail has been notified. Shall I fetch transportation?"

He nodded towards the hovering drone.

…

The drive was slow.

The United Nations insisted on increasing security, seemingly aghast that an attempt on our lives had occurred. We were assured that all steps would be taken to address the incident, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

The wolven detail was with us every step of the way and they were far more effective at keeping the crowd away from us than the U.N.'s security detail could. I guess people were still somewhat afraid of wolves, even though these wolves were, mostly, peaceful.

It took about ten minutes for us to be cleared and granted access to Neferu. One of the nurses even dropped her clipboard in shock when she saw Amicus's stern wolven face.

The room they were keeping Neferu in was secure and had Adastran guards at the door. They stiffened, then bowed at the hip when Amicus came forward, to which he nodded in return and had the door opened for him by them.

He had to crouch a bit to get through the door, as his massive frame took up almost all the space.

Neferu, for all the pain he was likely in, still smiled broadly at his good friend and ally, Amicus.

“Ahotep be praised!" He exclaimed. “I had thought the worst had happened when I awoke and Scipio was the only face I recognized." He coughed, which elicited a wince and a grunt from him.

“Rest, Neferu." Amicus urged in a casual manner. “Integration of Parent-tech with human-tech has produced some good things." He pointed to the glowing screen next to Neferu's bed. Alien in design, but portraying all his vitals.

“I assume that I shall not be able to make it to the meeting with the delegation today." Neferu finally broke the silence that had claimed us. “But do bring Scipio with you. He shall serve in my stead."

Scipio took this moment to speak up. “I would much rather not."

“You are here as my aide first." He said, his gaze soft as he looked at the wolf with the braided mane. “You do have duties. One of which is making sure that our interests are in alignment with those of the humans."

Scipio squeezed Neferu's paw tighter.

Neferu smiled.

“I will be safe here. I have instructed our A.I., Ahm, to keep guard and make sure none get through security." I tried to interject, but he cut me off quickly. “Khemian technology has fewer limitations than Parent-tech does, Marco. And I have a nervo with me.

Scipio tried to object, but the look that Neferu game him cut him off before he could say much more.

With that, Scipio stood, brushed off his pants, and smiled at me innocently. “Then if everything is in order here?"

Amicus nodded. “I believe everything is as it should be." He mused. “The Parents saw fit to ensure you survived, Neferu."

“Honestly, I would say it's more that this planet's medical technology is quite advanced already." He said, a note of amusement in his voice. “Though they are quite barbaric in some of their methods." He looked at the shaved patch of fur where the surgeons extracted the bullet and stitched him back together. “I believe this may cause a scar." He pouted.

“It will do your reputation some good." Amicus joked.

“Yes, assaulted not just by the wolves, but by humans now too." His smile faded slightly at the painful memories. “I'm sure my reputation will need a battle-scar to elevate me, at least in wolven eyes." He grinned at Amicus. He smiled through the pain. “Ahm, please arrange for some proper painkillers. These drugs they have me on make me feel dull, and they don't seem to do much else."

A drone sailed away, out the door.

“In any case, do the two of you not have important business to discuss?" Neferu urged politely.

“Yes, we do." Amicus sighed. “Business which I had hoped could be saved for later when things are less—"

I placed my hand on his arm to reassure him that, at least right now, things were okay.

“Then there's the matter of security." Scipio piped up. “If there was a lapse, we cannot—"

Amicus raised his paw to silence Scipio.

His voice lowered. “We should all consider keeping our communications with one another private."

Scipio nodded with Neferu.

“We cannot assume that there are not ears with which to hear." Neferu added in a near-whisper. “And things are at a very precarious position right now."

“They will want answers." Amicus was talking about the delegation.

“As do I" Neferu added, his look reminding me that while he was a friend, he was also the son of the Pharaoh. A position that afforded him no luxury to be casual in the face of something that could upset the balance of power in the Galaxias. Someone, for whatever reason, had managed to get through security with a loaded weapon.

Suddenly I felt unsafe.

Everything risked coming back up again; The screams, the gunshots, the blood.

No. I had to keep that out of my head right now. It would do us no good for me to lose my composure.

Besides, my time would be occupied at the United Nations. I would be expected to be there with Amicus. Most delegates had neuros installed when they determined it was safe, but there were some holdouts. It was often my job to act as a translator for them.

But judging by his attitude after what transpired, I worried I would have to be selective in what I said to them.

…

The motorcade to the United Nations was quick, and mostly uneventful. Though we did have a detail of wolven soldiers with us, the delegation insisted on sending more of their agents with us.

A fact that drew tension in the limousine.

Nothing was said through the trip. Amicus kept up the stoic face of the emperor of Adastra.

We were escorted to the speaking hall and shown our seats.

What stood out to me when we sat was that the auditorium where the meetings took place was quiet.

“On behalf of all of us" the delegate to the United States spoke “we would like to offer our most sincere apologies for recent events."

A shooter. During pride. Who managed to target the Ambassadors to Khemia and Adastra respectively. One of which could have been killed.

Amicus acknowledged the apology with a nod, choosing to stay silent.

When it was his turn to talk, he didn't say much about what they all wanted to hear; Stretch-technology. Instead he was true to his word and gave a rather rousing speech about how our cultures share many things, but there being much work to do still.

He left things vague when pressed.

He was still angry, but at least he was being diplomatic.

I would be angry too were I in his position.

Talks continued throughout most of the afternoon. I performed my duty as well as I could and I didn't have to be careful and rephrase any of what Amicus said, as it was pretty clear that talks were breaking down.

It was the seventeenth hour of the day when the delegation was dismissed and all of us were getting hungry.

Scipio, when we were no longer needed on the floor, chose to return to the hospital, leaving Amicus and I to figure out what to do for food.

…

We walked into the ambassadorial suite and before I could say something, Amicus put a finger to his lips.

“Com, initiate security check protocol." He said in a low voice.

The drone hovering near buzzed, then floated around the room. A blade of light fanning out from the lens on its front, scanning everything in the room.

It returned and it made a pinging sound three times.

Amicus turned to me, his brow low and his lips pursed.

“I'm hungry" he said clearly with a wink. “Let's go out for dinner."

…

The street we were walking on was flanked by soldiers who kept the growing crowd away, most of whom had cameras.

“We can talk" he said.

Looking around, I was puzzled by his decision. “Won't they hear us?"

“It's unlikely that any of them have a lingua, so at least they will not know what I have to say."

I paused, unsure if I wanted this, but looking at his stern gaze, I understood he was right. I would have to be careful what I said, but he could speak freely.

Oddly enough, however, Amicus kept his focus on the street around us, his eyes scanning the horizon, picking out people in the following crowd, his eyes darting to the cameras that were all over the sidewalk.

“Here" I said, choosing the nearest place that looked like it served food.

We entered, two wolves taking place at the door to ensure we would be undisturbed, and the other two taking up strategic positions in the diner.

The place smells of grease and cleaner underneath the smell of cooking meat and potatoes.

Aside from us, the server with a nervous face, and the kitchen staff, the place was empty.

“What's delicious?" Amicus asks the server standing with a gawking look on her face.

“She probably doesn't understand you." I said.

He turns to me. “Good. We can figure out our next steps. But I am hungry."

I nodded. Knowing that the server was listening in caused the hairs on my neck to stand up.

But I realized she was just a server. Likely scared shit-less that her workplace now had a giant alien wolf to serve.

I looked at the panels above the bar. The usual greasy spoon offerings of hamburgers with French fries, and other easy fried foods.

“How hungry are you?" I asked my wolf.

He smiled.

“Yeah." I turned to address the server in English who was still staring at us gob-smacked. “Hello? Can we get two combo fours, two large servings of chicken tenders, and… two milkshakes please."

“Um…" the server was doing her best to write it down. “Okay, vanilla? Chocolate? Strawberry?"

I turned to Amicus. “Can you eat chocolate?"

He nods. “I am aware of your planet's canine species, but our biology is closer to yours than theirs."

I turned back to the server. “And two large chocolate shakes please."

She nodded and finished writing up the order.

“How much?" I asked.

“I don't want any trouble." The server squeaked, backing up slightly. “Are they eating too?" Gesturing to the wolves at our side, and the door.

They all shook their heads. Clearly they were either not hungry, or they took their duty far more seriously than it felt like we were in this situation.

We didn't have to wait for very long because in about ten minutes our orders were placed in front of us. The sound was the first thing I noticed as the chicken was still sizzling from the fryer. Amicus's mouth was watering quite a bit and he nearly burned his tongue when he tucked into the piping hot meat.

The rest of the meal went just as quickly, him devouring his share while I nibbled at mine.

It wasn't when he got to trying the milkshake that his eyes went wide and his ears canted forward.

He sucked all of his down, then asked for another.

It was nice in that moment. Even though he was stuffing his face, this was the Amicus I loved. A little window to see my wolf as he was when his defenses were down and he was free to be himself around me. Not the stoic emperor, but the almost youthful pup with a bright disposition and an innocent heart.

When he had finished his meal, wiping his chin with a napkin, he looked at me.

“Marco. I have a ship available."

I sputtered through my milkshake. “What? You mean you want to go?"

He nodded.

“Why? What about the Parents?"

“I trust that their path for us will continue, but right now things are too dangerous."

I looked down at the empty plates before us.

“I need to make sure you are safe." He said, reaching over to clasp my hands in his large paws.

“But, the Parents…?" I asked, worried that he was defying them, and risking our futures becoming uncertain again.

“Sometimes I wonder about them…" he paused, looking down at our hands. “They've done nothing but cause suffering for us."

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach, like I had heard him confess something far deeper than he would ever be willing to admit.

“But when I find myself dwelling on that, I'm reminded of you." He squeezed my hands in his paws. “How we would never have met, how I would have become Cato's puppet, or murdered by his hand had they not pointed me in the direction of finding you."

Our eyes met. The blue of his eyes appearing like pools in the light of the diner.

“I trust in them." He said. “But right now, as things are now, I cannot have you in harm's way."

He looked at me. I swallowed through a mouth that went dry in seconds.

“I just got you back not even two years ago." He said. “I am not losing you again."

“Okay, but I want to talk to the shooter." I broke through the stupor I was feeling. “Com, where's the shooter from the club?"

The drone hovering near me buzzed for a second, then calmly spoke “Suspect has been detained at the courthouse located at…" Com listed out the address. It wasn't far. “… Bail has not been set."

“I assume that's good news?" Amicus asked as I smiled at that last bit.

“It means he isn't going anywhere."

***

I filled him in on the way to the courthouse. If I could get to the shooter, I could ask him questions. Since it was almost a certainty that he wouldn't have a lingua, he wouldn't understand Amicus, or the guards that would accompany us.

I didn't know what sorts of questions to ask, as I felt I would know when the moment came. I had to have faith that something would go right today and I could score perhaps one small victory.

Getting clearance to visit the prisoner wasn't easy, as we had to get someone from the United Nations to pull rank for us, but it happened and we were granted access.

“I really, really hope this guy isn't some random homophobe." I said to Amicus who was following me one step behind me. “You can't argue with them half of the time, and the other half they're usually just religious nut-jobs."

“Something smells strange." Amicus interrupted, sniffing the air.

We turned the corner to something I'd never wanted to see.

Inside the cell was what I assumed was the remains of the shooter. I didn't get a good look at them at the club, but the state they were in, there's no way I would have been able to confirm anything anyway.

The cell was coated with blood and viscera as if he had simply exploded on the spot.

Images of the club raced through my mind. The spreading red on Neferu's shirt, on Amicus, the screams… it all came back at once in the forefront of my mind.

And now this.

Whatever I had in my stomach left it post haste to be vomited on to the floor. And before I knew it, Amicus was holding me and steadying me while I tried to recover my balance.

“Guard! Alert!" I heard him shout, and in seconds the wolven soldiers that were with us stormed in, followed quickly by human officers with their guns drawn.

Some of them pointed their guns at us, to which Amicus growled menacingly. That's when I accepted it. I was going to die. Shot by a cop.

If I were to die, at least I was with my wolf.

“STAND DOWN!" I heard a deep bassy voice shout. This wasn't Amicus.

The police stood with their guns still trained on us, but their posture shifted. They stiffened and stood rigid as if an inspection were about to occur.

“So this is the alien wolf, eh?" I heard the voice boom out. “Stand down. This is an ambassador."

A few grumbles as guns were holstered, removing them from the equation.

The tension was ratcheted down until it was brought back up with a deep and accusative “What the hell just happened in my precinct?" she was fuming when she saw the cell. Clearly undisturbed by the viscera.

Amicus stepped forward. “The evidence looks like it could be a blast from a kinetic energy weapon."

“Mmmhm." The Sergeant said. “And does anyone speak dog around here?" she shouted, her eyes landing on me while Amicus's hackles bristled at the insult. “I know you do."

“An energy weapon." I said, clearly. Then I turned to Amicus. “I was under the impression that weapons systems weren't agreed to yet by the United Nations?" Putting emphasis on the United Nations because I felt like I had to flex on the chief as she watched me like a hawk.

“Don't get cute, sweetie." She replied. “Right now you two are my number one suspects until I find evidence to the contrary."

“We have surveillance footage in our drones. And I am certain these cameras" Amicus pointed around the room “caught everything."

She nodded, arms crossed, but clearly understanding what Amicus meant. “It'll take a few, but we can check them now." Then she turned her head to bark at the officers behind her. “Ford, Harrison, you two are on it. Get footage to my desk in ten minutes."

Two officers quickly left the room, and the rest started milling about, hands on their holsters as the wolven guards were gripping the hilts of their swords.

“Don't bring a knife to a gunfight, hon." The chief winked.

“Stand down" I urged. Amicus nodded in agreement. And the rest of the soldiers relaxed, their eyes staying focused around the room, sizing up any potential threats.

We waited there for less than ten minutes before we were called in to the chief's office.

She had footage on the screen showing the man blowing up, and then a minute later, we walked into the precinct.

“Seems you boys are in the clear… for now." The chief said callously. “Though I'm sure you could pull diplomatic immunity if you really wanted to" she paused to look me square in the eye. “That you didn't says something."

Amicus nodded. “Please tell her that I am grateful for her cooperation."

I turned to her but she nodded at me. “I know a thank-you when I see one."

The thing that bothered me crystallized. “Com, are there any records of drones being dispatched to this precinct before our arrival?"

Com buzzed for a second, then a clicking, then spoke calmly “All imperial drones are accounted for. None have been sent to this location other than the units that accompany you now."

This was a relief… but Amicus's brow was furrowed. This didn't look good.

“Amicus?" I asked…

“Com, locate Neferu." He snapped.

The drone buzzed for a second. “Neferu is currently located in Mount Shaddai General Hospital."

That seemed to cool his temper a bit, but he was still insistent.

“Com. Have any Khemian drones been sent to this location in the past few hours?"

Com buzzed, then clicked a few times, then replied. “That information is inaccessible."

Amicus's hackles rose as I could feel the tension in his arm as he readied to stand.

“That damn jackal." He muttered. “I swear if he—"

“If he did what?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. “He isn't this sloppy." I urged.

“He is the only one on this planet that has access to technology that could do what we saw in that cell." He said plainly. “If we did not do it, then we must find out who did."

“Are we done here?" The chief interrupted. “Or do I have to tell you to get the hell out of my office?"

Amicus huffed, but we both left.

…

Amicus was storming through the hospital halls. Determined to get answers from the only other diplomat that could offer them.

“Neferu" He shouted when we saw the Jackal being helped out of the bed by the dutiful wolf, Scipio.

“Amicus" He said flatly. “What brings you here in such a sour mood?" he asked, his face calm and collected.

“Did you kill the shooter?" He demanded to know. The jackal blinked.

“I assure you, I am not one to get my paws so bloody."

Amicus gritted his teeth, knowing this wasn't the answer he was seeking. “Don't play coy with me, Neferu." He snapped. His hackles starting to rise.

He explained what happened to the now sitting Jackal. Neferu, for all his training, lost his composure slightly when Amicus mentioned the mess in the cell, but regained it quickly when Amicus finished saying what he needed to say, and was waiting for a response from his long-time friend and ally.

Neferu simply looked at Amicus in the eye, his face a desert of expression, and said “I assure you, if I wanted that brute murdered, I would be far more delicate about it."

“So you have nothing to do with it?" Amicus asked, his confidence briefly shaken.

“Of course not." Neferu smiled. “You forget yourself, Amicus. We jackals are not nearly as brutish in our justice as your species is."

Amicus bristled at that. It was a wedge that always found a way of being brought up…

His pride was wounded, but surprisingly, his temper didn't flare up this time. Instead he sighed, took a moment to collect his thoughts.

“Did you see the drone?" Neferu asked in a way that implied a bit more than just casual interest.

Scipio looked at him with a serious glare.

Amicus shakes his head. “No. One second the shooter was there, the other second he was a mess on the wall. But all evidence is consistent with drone weaponry specifications."

“Yes, but did you see the drone in the room?"

“No."

In a few minutes after consulting with Com, it was verified. None of the Khemian drones were dispatched to the precinct.

Amicus sighed, and went to embrace the Jackal, his suspicions eroded. Neferu winced, a paw at his wound. Amicus apologizes, but Neferu bats it away dismissively as if it is genuinely unnecessary.

“Then it seems that there may be another player in the game." Amicus said.

“Do we have any intelligence on other children?" I interjected. “Their technological capabilities?"

“All the children save for the Khemians have Parent-tech. So, their drones wouldn't be capable of this." Skipio said.

“What information is there on cloaking technology?" I asked.

Amicus spoke. “We do have some information about other children pursuing it, but we have no knowledge as to their motives… save for perhaps the Omorphans… so unless they have been gifted it by the Khemians…" Amicus looks to Neferu who shakes his head. “Then they should not be in possession of cloaking technology that can be applied on such a small scale."

“I don't like it." I said. “This feels like Alexios all over again."

Amicus huffed in agreement. The cat that threw Adastra into chaos.

…

“Don't you know what time it is here?" I heard Cassius's voice coming through the com channel that Amicus had opened. We were in his ship in Central Park near the concert grounds. Two wolven guards keeping watch from outside.

“Apologies, brother." Amicus's voice was calm and authoritative as he looked at the white-furred wolf's face in the vid-screen. “I will be brief."

“I should hope so. This conversation alone is using up precious resources."

“We need to speak with Alexios." Amicus said.

“…" Cassius paused, his demeanor shifting. “What do you want with him?"

“We have a few questions about Omorphan technology."

“You're wasting your time, Amicus." Cassius rebuked him. “This can wait until you're back. And I will be filing a report with Virginia about this. The energy to power this call could keep Lux warm for a week."

“Wait." I interrupted. “Cass, please." I urged.

“Why would I do anything for you, simian?" his red eyes narrowed.

“Cass?" I heard his voice in the background. “It's the first hour, come back to bed." It was Alexios.

Cassius sighed.

“Alexios." I called. “What can you tell us of Omorphan tech?"

“Marco?" I heard Alexios's voice come through, terse. “Cassius, tell that ape that I know nothing."

“You heard him, Marco? He has nothing for you." Cassius tried to close the call.

“Surely there's something. You were connected." I urged.

“How dare you remind me you little…" I had gotten under Alexios's skin. “I'll have you know that I was cut off. Nothing. Disavowed all knowledge of me. I do not exist to them anymore."

“So you're saying the Omorphans haven't been researching how to cloak drones?" I asked bluntly.

He was silent for far too long. “What have you been hearing?" his voice was cold, unmoved.

I thought it best to tell him what had happened up to this point. He seemed to be moved when I mentioned Neferu being shot, but he kept his composure up through the majority of it.

When I had finished, he sat there, clearly trying to figure out his next move.

He opened his mouth… then said. “I assure you, even when I was an agent for Omorpha, I was not kept in the loop of our research and development divisions."

I wanted to sigh.

“But…" he offered, a smile cracking on his lips. “There were… rumours, if you will, that parent-tech could be reduced in size, though that was considered theoretical at best."

“So… they found a way to cloak a drone by shrinking the technology to cloak ships."

“That does sound like a viable pursuit for a research and development division that had the most resources allocated to it." The cat grinned slyly. “But it doesn't necessarily mean anything, nor does it necessarily implicate anyone."

He was right. Alexios's word would bear no weight if we brought it to challenge the Omorphan government on charges of interference, and we couldn't count on the Monitor to intervene because of what he said at the start.

Those damn cats always managed to avoid being caught with their paws dirty.

“If you are quite done" I heard Cassius interrupt. “It is late, we are tired, and we have important things to do tomorrow so good night to you." The signal cut off abruptly.

“He was manipulating you." Amicus warned. And he was right. Nothing that cat could say could be trusted. He had the empire at its knees once and has since paid the consequences for his treachery.

“But what if some of what he said is true?" I asked. “There's always a sliver of truth in a lie."

“You are being hopeful. This didn't give us anything."

“Well, perhaps. Perhaps not."

I thought to the island on Adastra.

“Amicus." I asked my wolf. “Can you detect alien tech from here?"

“Possibly. Though the range of my scanner is not very far. Ten kilometers perhaps."

“Just fire it up please. Humor me."

He tapped at the illuminated console and eventually I heard a soft descending ping sound… then a few blips and red dots started to appear on the view-screen.

“There are many signals, but some of these are the result of the uplift. What do you hope to accomplish?"

“Com. Isolate data to show all non-human tech within range."

The display narrowed down to show fewer blips.

“Now, Com, remove all known Khemian and Adastran tech from this display."

The blips started winking out. All but one was left.

It was in the park. To the north of us.

Amicus's brow was furrowed. “We're going to find it, aren't we?"

“I think we have to." I said.

…

The night air was cold and the clouds were thick and heavy.

Amicus and I, flanked by guards, set out to track down the signal.

“I don't like this." Amicus urged.

“One piece of alien tech. We just need to find it." I said.

“You're being impulsive." Amicus warned as we trudged through the park. “I don't like it."

The signal led us deep into the forested parts of the park.

Amicus was hesitant, his eyes constantly scanning the horizon while my eyes went to the tablet and back to our surroundings.

The signal on the tablet stayed perfectly still as we approached.

“Here" I heard one of the guards call out.

We approached where the wolf was standing.

Immediately the scene felt familiar.

Before us stood a tree. A very large tree in the depths of the forest. It's branches tall and the leaves sparkling in the night air as if filaments of silver could be seen in its veins.

I recognized it, as did Amicus.

An Omorphan com station.

The four of us were alerted to a loud snap in the underbrush about fifty paces away.

Amicus's face took on a deathly seriousness as he pointed to the guards, then to the underbrush.

They nodded and fanned out, approaching from the side, while Amicus stood back, keeping an eye on the bushes.

Then I heard something… a familiar winding up sound.

The air crackled as I heard the thump, and then a blast as one of the guards was knocked away, the ground beneath him erupting into a spray of dirt and grass.

He sailed through the air, and landed, his head colliding against a tree and going limp.

The other soldier, startled, unsheathed his sword and raised it to stab at the underbrush, and it was then that a gray humanoid cat with green stripes leapt out and tackled the wolven guard.

The wolf fought against the smaller attacker, but the struggle ended when the cat swung their paw and hit the guard squarely in the temple.

The soldier collapsed, and the cat stood, dropping the sizable, and now bloodied rock, from his paw.

The cat, now exposed, stood there. His eyes darting between Amicus and I, impassive and calculating.

Amicus took the opportunity to charge at the cat who nimbly leapt over the wolf, and landed to place a kick in the small of his back.

Amicus careened forward, stumbling, until he righted himself and turned again to face his attacker. Then he crouched into a familiar stance. His paws in front and ready.

The cat dashed in, and Amicus launched at him.

The cat blocked the attack Amicus tried to give him, to strike him in the muzzle. But the cat responded with a sharp slap with claws extended along the side of his chin, leaving furrows that soon seeped blood.

Amicus's eyes narrowed as he turned his face, scowling, to the cat.

The cat took the first opportunity and launched another jab at the wolf, but this time Amicus was faster, grabbing the cat's arm in his large paw.

He was squeezing it, and I could hear a stifled cry from the cat, but instead of relenting, the cat slashed at Amicus again, this time Amicus dodged the blow. But as much as the hit didn't land, it did startle him enough for his grip to loosen, and the cat wrested his arm free. The cat then leap backwards, putting distance between himself and the angry wolf, rubbing at his arm.

I took this opportunity to launch myself at the cat, choosing to throw myself on him in the hopes of taking him down.

But the cat was too quick and must have heard my attack coming because he spun around, his leg careening through the air, to land squarely in my side.

The wind was knocked out of me and I staggered.

The cat chose this moment to attack me. His feet nimble and quick, crossing the space between us in seconds, his claws slashing at the air around me as I did my best to dodge them.

The cat's grin was wide with every slash his eyes were wild, his pupils narrow.

I saw him raise his paw, as if to come down on my arm, and I saw my chance to move in and elbow him in the side, grabbing his arm, and then twisting all of my weight on my foot to have him come tumbling down on to the ground.

He twisted his legs as he fell, contorted his body awkwardly while pressing his palms flat on the ground, and leapt up with a great kick that I swore I couldn't have dodged, but I did. My head jerking back just in time and just enough to feel the turbulence in the air that the strike caused.

He was on his feet and two body lengths away from me by the time his kick, turned cartwheel, had failed to connect… but he kept his posture low, flashed his claws, and dashed at me with them at the side. His tail whipping in all directions as his hunting instinct was in full control.

I saw the blur of gray fur before I realized what had happened. Amicus had come in from the side and knocked the cat on to the ground, this time being gripped tightly by the collar of his jacket.

He smiled as Amicus raised him off the ground, brought his knee up to meet Amicus's chin, and slid out of his jacket as if it was made to be shed like a snake's skin.

Then I heard it. A sound I really wished I hadn't remembered, but glad I did.

“Duck!" I shouted, pushing Amicus to the side as a concussive blast from a drone came soaring down to tear up the ground in a small crater, showering dirt and grass around.

Again the wind-up sound, and again I dodged. The explosion at my heels told me I was lucky this time, but I was winded and knew I couldn't keep this up forever.

I saw Amicus size up the opponent twenty paces from us. Around his head was a visor of sort that looked to be constructed of the same light that the Parents' tablet screens were made of, and he was pointing at us with a paw that appeared gloved in the same blue light.

I heard the wind-up sound, and I dove out of the way just in time to feel the ground erupt at my feet with the explosion.

I fell on my front, and I knew that this would be the final shot. The one that would turn me into that mess of entrails like the shooter in the cell.

The wind-up sound never came.

I looked, and the cat was running, with Amicus hot on his heels.

“Amicus, wait!" I called, but he either didn't hear me, or was too focused on catching the cat.

The cat leapt deeper into the forest with the wolf close behind.

I stood, and waited for what felt like hours, even though it was only seconds.

“Target acquired, awaiting command" I heard, the sound causing me to spin around just in time to see the cat standing there. He didn't appear to be using the tech from before… I was puzzled how he would have escaped Amicus so easily, but then it clicked.

They did have cloaking technology, it was shrunk somehow, and the bastards figured out a way to cloak themselves.

“Fire!" I shouted to Com.

The drone keeping guard above me whirred up a shot, and before I knew it the cat smirked while flicking a switch next to his ear. His body shimmered and faded from view just in time to hear a buzzing sound from Com, whom quickly sputtered “targeting systems failure. Unable to lock on."

“Com, can you track him?"

The drone above me buzzed for a second, then replied “negative. All known scanning methods fail."

“You really are a stupid ape, aren't you." I heard his voice, then felt his fist hitting my abdomen. “And you specifically. Complaining about everything to your equally stupid husband."

The next hit was square across the face. I could feel the cat's claws raking my skin, leaving bloody furrows.

“Oh how you cried when the Jackal was shot." I could hear the smile, though I couldn't see it.

I swung my arm up quickly, hoping to strike out at the invisible cat but only hitting the air.

“Ooh." He purred. “The little ape wants to play?" I heard him taunt, just to the right of me. “Yes, how about we play."

I felt the air beside me shift just in time to twist myself to punch at the air. I hit something furred, and I was rewarded with a grunting sound.

“Oh now that hurt." He cooed menacingly and I was rewarded with three sharp punches. One to my stomach, doubling me over in pain, the other to my shoulder, knocking me off balance, and the third landing in the pit of my arm which caused a shooting numbness to spread throughout it, rendering it useless.

I threw myself to the side, crouching and tucking my limp arm under me, rolling to then stand and face where the cloaked spy's voice was laughing loud and tauntingly.

“So you're here to kill me?" I stupidly asked.

“The ape can learn after all." The spy's voice rang out, I could tell from how it was in different locations each time he spoke that he was circling around me.

I had to keep him talking.

“And what does Amicus have to do with any of this?" I demanded.

I didn't actually think I would get an answer, and I didn't. The only thing I got in return were a few more jabs, this time one to my stomach, and then the side of my jaw.

I swung my good arm around me, hoping to catch him, but all I felt was the currents of air around it.

“So this is just politics?" I shouted, spitting out the blood that had collected in my mouth.

“Oh no. You specifically are the target."

“Why?" I asked, though I only got laughter. “Why don't you just finish it then?" I taunted, looking to my left, turning my ear towards where his voice was coming from.

“If that's how you want to play, that's fine by me."

He was in front of me.

I wasn't going to die this time.

I kicked my leg forward with all of my weight towards the sound of his voice.

My foot connected with something soft.

I heard a deflated squeal and a thump against the ground. I swung out my foot again and caught the invisible cat in what I assumed was the stomach, to a satisfying pained grunt.

The air shimmered, and the cloaking field fell. The cat's expression one of panic. Then I heard the sound. The wind-up sound, then a thump, and before I knew what was happening I was being thrown back from the explosion, covered in blood and dirt to come sailing down on the ground.

I was in a daze as I tried to sit up, but the air felt like molasses around me as the ringing in my ears faded, so too did the light.

…

“Marco" I heard, muffled and distant.

I tried to open my eyes, but darkness took me again.

…

Next thing I knew I was being jostled around.

Yes, that's it. I was being carried again.

I hoped my neck was okay.

…

I felt myself on a gurney, the world was moving, but it's like I was motionless.

I could feel him.

Amicus.

He was there. I could hear his voice.

He was worried.

Again.

I was lifted from one table to another.

They cut my clothing off of me. Probably good anyway, it was heavy and wet against my skin.

I felt sponges cleaning me.

I felt a sharp pinch on my hand.

That's when things went dark again.

…

A planet floated in front of me. Large, glimmering, Earth.

I could feel them. I knew they were there. I was familiar with their presence and greeted them, completely forgetting how I got there.

This was necessary.

I heard the Monitor's voice all around me.

You have done well.

“Amicus" I called, wiling myself a voice.

But nothing…

I woke up after what felt like only a minute had passed… but my eyes were bleary like I had been asleep for a decade.

“Marco?" I heard him. My wolf. He had my hand in his paw.

“Where am—" I tried to speak but my throat was parched.

He offered me a small cup of what looked like apple juice.

He was smiling. A tired smile.

“Am I changed again?" I reached up to touch my neck with leaden hands.

He shook his head, and I smiled thankful that another piece of me hadn't been taken.

“I'm really tired." I said.

He came closer, placing a paw on my head, and I could see the fur around his eyes was wet.

“What happened?" I asked.

“Drone weaponry. You weren't the target, but you were too close to the blast."

“Did you?" I asked, my brow furrowed slightly.

He shook his head. “None of the imperial or Khemian drones were responsible for the shot that killed him."

I leaned up, thinking that something I had been told needed to be said, but the air around me became thick and the room started to warp around me.

“You have a concussion." Amicus said. “You need to rest."

I did as I was told. I didn't have the strength, physically or mentally, to fight him right now and I was in a hospital surrounded by wolven guards. I was safe.

Amicus visited every day as I recovered Though the furthering of integration of Humanity into the Galaxius did steal most of his time still… but whenever he could be next to me, he was.

There were always two wolven soldiers guarding me, night and day, as well as three imperial security drones hovering nearby.

The doctors said I “really got my bell rung" and if it weren't for the newest advances in Parental-tech integration, they would have lost me.

…

I was released from the hospital to a crowd of news trucks and cameras swarming us.

Amicus nearly punched one of the camera operators for getting too close… and the rest of them all caught it.

We eventually made it back to the ambassadorial suite.

The place was a mess. The furniture was upturned and cushions and blankets were strewn everywhere.

“We found the listening devices. It was not the United Nations." He said. “They were Parental-tech, but much smaller than anything we've ever seen."

“The Omorfans." I groaned, my head still a little wobbly.

He nodded. “This only confirms what we thought." He then sighed and turned to place his paws on my shoulders. “We are returning to Adastra."

I was shaken alert. “Wait, what? But, we're not done yet!"

“I cannot risk another incident." He urged me to sit down. “You are not safe here and If what our informants tell us is true, they want you."

“Wouldn't I be safer here? Farther away from them?" I tried to argue. Feeling like he was threatening to go against the Parent's will.

He shook his head. “They have found a way to infiltrate human society, and this move on their part is worrisome. This means they're either desperate, or they're ready to make a move."

I tried to protest, I wanted to do or say something to convince him that this was the wrong path, but I didn't know that.

…

The United Nations delegation was not pleased, but they were assured that they would still have access to our advancements as they took the necessary steps to integrate them into their society, safely, and at a pace that would not threaten further disruptions.

As for our presence on the planet, Amicus was quite direct, stating that the life of him, his allies, and most importantly, his husband was at risk and he couldn't in good conscience allow us to stay.

There were protests, and some even wanted to start a debate on the matter, but Amicus was firm in his decision. He was the emperor of Adastra after all, and while the delegates were used to getting their way, this was one time when they did not.

…

My last night on Earth, at least as far as I believed, was spent in the ambassadorial suite. I was on the balcony with Amicus, taking in the air as the heavy clouds decided to give up their precious cargo.

We stood out there, in the rain. I didn't know when I would next feel it, the touch of my planet, but I had to believe I would. I was born here and there were so many memories I wanted to share with Amicus here, eventually.

“It's time, love." He said. “Our window approaches."

I nodded, holding the paw that was holding me close to him as we looked out at the darkened sky.

I turned to kiss him.

He brought his paws up to my face and cupped it gently, all the while holding our lips together.

“I hope the Parents aren't upset with us." I said when the kiss broke.

“I have no reason to believe they will be. Integration takes time."

“I guess so. Little steps, after all. We are barely a sibling species."

He nodded, and brought me to the door of the suite.

Nice as it was, and despite the time that we'd lived there together, this wasn't home.