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Virtually Real Part 11: Is This What You Really Want?

Returning Characters:

Prowl-Ar

Kyle

Mahan

Notes: While I used my real name in the original manuscript the name used here is actually a pseudonym I’ve used in the past.

I groaned and slowly sat up. It felt strange waking up alone. I considered going into trance again, but decided to just let sleeping tigers lie. I felt, I'm not sure how to put it other than lighter. I looked around for Kyle but he wasn't in the living area. I slowly got up and headed for the bedroom.

"Mahan?"

"Kyle is collecting items for your breakfast in one of the gardens."

"Thank you, but that wasn’t what I was going to ask. Are we still in the junkyard or in the Solar system?"

"Considering your condition I decided it would be best if we remained in the Junkyard."

"Next question, what is the status of project 'R'?" I started to lay out my uniform.

"Complete and awaiting retrieval."

"It's only been a month, how can everything be complete? The power required to manufacture even such a small amount of smart metal-"

"I had to do something with the excess energy we absorbed basking in the sun's corona waiting for that rock to slow down. I also filled all the water holding tanks and fuel reserves. We're still extremely over capacity and risking a blowout in the battery cores. I've even been running all available drones cleaning and upgrading sections. Just this morning I completed another battery core and a double merge pod, should another triple merge be required. Besides, I've been working on the bracelets and boot cuffs since Kyle decided to join you as a biological."

"Hmm, dock with the base and transfer the excess power. I don't want you risking any systems."

"With the new battery core I should be able-"

"Either transfer the excess to the base's systems or I'll give the order to force you to dump the excess." I looked over what I'd laid out. Of course it was all made of smart cloth and I'd have on my smart cloth body suit so if I needed to shift I'd remain decent. My combat boots with smart metal bands, not the easiest items to manufacture but practically indestructible. Loose black cargo pants with two gray stripes on the thighs along with my gun belt, and blade sheath. I'd never be allowed to wear my armament into a meeting but it would leave an impression during a video conference call. My dark blue vest with sky blue stripes over the shoulders and under the arm holes was simple enough and I considered leaving off the harness but decided to use it. It made for a better place to clip my personal shield generator. "Now cape, or no cape?"

"It depends on the situation and the statement you are trying to make. Are you going for Captain Nightiger, or Lord Lightstripe?"

"I'll get Kyle's opinion before I make the final decision. Tapestry retract." At the order the tapestry that covered the wall in front of the merge pod rose into the ceiling reveling two doors, one equipped with multiple scanners. I stepped up to the vault door and placed my palm on the scanner plate.

"Hand print, verified." A needle shot up from the center of the pad. "Genetic scan 99.99% and poison nullified."

"I am Prowler the Homeless One."

"Voice print and code, verified. Welcome, Captain." The door clicked but didn't open.

"Shut down secondary security systems."

"Sealing bulkhead, pressurizing vault, and shutting down laser defense grid." With a hiss the door swung open and I stepped inside.

"You're going all out on this meeting?" Mahan asked

"Of course, it's the only way to deal with politicians." I picked up my blade. It was a single piece of carved bone. An "L" shaped handle wrapped in black leather flowed into the rectangular blade with the creature's preternaturally sharp saw-like teeth along the back. It was completely fake of course. Oh it would register as biological in composition but DNA sampling would be impossible. Next was my headset I wouldn't need any of its special functions but like the shield I'd be wearing it for the sake of completing my uniform. Though I did reset the visor to black instead of red.

I looked around, I really didn't have much that needed to be kept in the vault. The only other objects were two wooden containers about a foot square with small lids to individual compartments. On top of each lid was a lacquer inlay picture of a colored gem. I ran my thumb over the black gem picture. I wanted to open the lid but I promised myself, until I had definitive proof, I wouldn't open any of the lids no matter how curious I might be. I turned and exited the vault. I placed my headset and blade on the bed with my uniform. "Mahan, please have a drone bring up the special items and lay out a uniform for Kyle."

"Should I adjust all the metal components to match the gold of his bracelets or leave it silver like yours?"

"I think the gold suits him better. Also change the belt buckles to flat metal rather than the green "S.R." logo inlay."

"Any other changes?"

"No, that will do for now. I'm headed in for a shower."

***

I adjusted the cape one last time, spun, and marched through the door into the living room.

"So, I haven't seen that look since you first appeared in the game world. The cape is new though. I'm not saying I don't like it, but it would look better as solid black instead of alternating black and dark gray stripes." Kyle said looking up from his cooking.

He was in his human form again, a form that he often took when in the kitchen. Eventually I’d have to redesign it to better fit his anthro-dragon size. I walked to the kitchen and then around the island so I was standing next to him and held up a data pad, "Kyle Dacat, also known as Red XIII or Nanaki, this document officially declares that you have been pressed into service aboard the Starship PNX-0001 Shadow Runner for the term of this life and all others beyond. Your position will from this point forward will be second in command. Do you accept?"

Kyle grinned, "What if I say no?"

"That is not an option. The only answer available is yes. Let the record show that First Officer Dacat has accepted his fate. From this point on he has complete access to all ship systems." I stated.

"As the Shadow Runner's primary intelligence I have witnessed Officer Dacat's acceptance and the document has been placed in my files."

"This is rather ridiculous." Kyle laughed.

I went down on one knee, "Kyle, I know I have a long way to go before I'll be truly worthy of you, but would you consent to be my life mate?"

"What has gotten into you? We're already mates and you're a bit overdressed to consummate the bond at the moment." He asked in confusion.

I sighed, "I'm officially asking you to be my husband."

"Of course I'll be your husband.” Kyle shook his head, “I thought that would be rather obvious by now. Though I prefer to be your mate. The concept of being a husband is just so . . . human."

"Hold out your arms, please."

"Mahan, run a medical scan on Prowl-Ar."

"Don't you trust him?"

"Of course I trust him. He's just acting really strangely at the moment."

Still, he held out his hands and I slid off the oversized bracelets he’d been wearing and snapped the new set into place.”

"These are too small. I won’t be able to shift."

"They're made of smart-metal so they resize with you."

"Like the smart-cloth?"

"Similar, but metals are much more difficult to manufacture." Then I slid a platinum ring onto his finger. Around the band was an inlay of yellow and white gold in a double helix pattern. I place an identical ring in his palm and stood up. "If this is what you truly want, place that ring on my finger and I'll officially belong to you."

Kyle smiled and slid the ring onto my finger, "Mine." He whispered.

"As Captain of this craft I officially declare that we are husbands, mates, and yes I am yours." I pulled Kyle into a kiss.

After a few moments Kyle pulled away. "You really are an idiot, you know that? You go to all the trouble to get dressed up for this and here I am wearing an apron."

I unhooked my cape, wadded it up and tossed it on my chair. "That's not why I'm dressed up. Had you been here when Mahan informed me that your bracelets and the rings had been completed I wouldn’t have waited. The proposal and wedding bit would have happened right then. The uniform was required to officially make you second in command. Though it seems I need to get a new cape made."

"Can't you just change the color like any smart-clothe?

"Oh, it isn't smart-clothe. It's related, but chameleon cloth has only two options the color, or colors, it was made in and light detracting." I picked the cape back up, ran my finger down the edge and held it in front of me.

"It's an invisibility cloak!" Kyle exclaimed.

"Basically, and the only reason I'm letting you know is because you, as my mate, are entitled to wear a cape as part of your uniform."

"Uniform?"

"That's right, in the rare event where we have to officially deal with outsiders every member of the crew, even if it is just the two of us, must be in uniform. The cape is really for special events. There are a few options to personalize your look for non-formal occasions. Once we've finished breakfast you need to get changed. I've taken the liberty of laying out your uniform on the bed."

"Excuse me? Who was it that did all the work?" Mahan asked.

"Well, I had Mahan use one of his drones to lay it out."

Kyle laughed at my confession.

***

I stared at Kyle as he modeled his uniform. "Blue really isn't your color. Let's make a few changes." I went to the closet and retrieved the clothing design pad. I pulled up the uniform program and adjusted the colors of Kyle's vest and pants, but quickly changed the pants back. I paused for a moment and then changed the stripes form gray to red. "Let's see what changing the vest colors is like. I tapped Kyle’s chest with the stylus and the blue vest changed to dark brick red with bright red stripes.

Kyle looked at himself in the mirror. "The red stripes are a bit bright but I think it looks much better than the blue." He shifted to his dragon form.” He looked a bit surprised. “The dark red is actually a couple shades darker than my fur, I’d thought it would be about the same color. Still the bright seems a bit more subdued in this form.” He turned first to the right and then the left, his tall sinuous body letting him stretch enough to actually see his full back. “I like it.”

"Mahan, has Kyle completed advanced piloting, and starfighter combat training?" I asked.

"No, he's only mastered basic atmospheric and zero gravity maneuvers."

I sighed. "So no space racing courses either?"

"That is correct."

"Um, what does that have to do with my uniform?" Kyle asked.

"Fighter pilots are allowed to wear flight jackets and space racers can wear impact resistant body armor as part of their official uniform. That means you are restricted to the standard uniform. However, since we are mated, you have the distinction of being the only other individual allowed to wear a cape. That’s just for official events, you can always make minor modifications to your duty uniform if you want."

"I think I'll stick with the standard uniform for now. Though I may change the pants to something a bit tighter at some point."

"Yeah, you’ve got the body for it, that’s for sure.”

Kyle grinned and gave me a knowing look. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered what I was saying. I shook my head trying to pick up my original line of thought. “That means we've put this off about as long as possible." I sighed, "Mahan, how bad has the reaction to our presents been?"

"Things are really active at the moment. While there are of course some claiming that the whole operation is just a hoax, many more are heralding us as saviors."

"Wait, I was asking about the messages on the private network. Are you telling me that someone leaked our actions to the public?" I asked in surprise. I hadn’t expected any of the officials and scientists that I left the message for to actually admit the planet was in danger, much less that it had been saved by an outside force.

"Do you want a breakdown of the individuals that publicized the information?" Mahan asked.

"Just how much was leaked?" Kyle asked.

"The only thing that isn't public knowledge is where the rock ended up and that we survived."

"We could just let them believe we didn't survive." Kyle said looking at me.

"I would not advise that course of action. Several of the informed countries are claiming that we are part of a covert agency created by their enemies. If we do nothing our actions will likely lead to another cold war at the very least."

"I guess that means no hiding then. So what are you going to do?"

Damn, I was actually considering going back into hiding. "We're going to have a press conference. Mahan, send the invites out to every news agency. They are limited to five questions which they will submit to us within three hours. We will then answer the most common questions that they have submitted in four hours. Also I'm going to want to make a direct call right afterwards. I know the official agencies will spin what we say to suit their own agendas. However there is one individual I know won’t edit us, as long as I agree to give him an exclusive follow up.”

"You're kidding, right? I know you watch Video Fox’s channel News-for-Furs, but really, do you think he is the best choice?"

"Last I checked he has the most trusted news site for not only furs but the greater LGBTQF community as well."

"I’d like to point out her site is also banned in over a quarter of the planet's nations and she receives death threats on a regular basis."

I growled ad Mahan’s mistake. "He! When he’s in suit he, identifies as male. Do not slip up like that again. Especially considering that is how he keeps anyone following through on those threats."

"I still think giving him an exclusive will be a massive mistake."

"What can those that don't like it do? Place sanctions against us? Nuke us? Hurl ineffective threats?" Kyle asked with a laugh.

"No, but they may threaten the furry and LGBTQ communities? Or worse actually starting full scale persecutions."

"Can you directly access Kelly's phone?"

"Which one?"

"Yeah, stupid question. Send her a text asking her to call the-"

"Hello."

I slapped my palm against my face, "Hello Kelly, this is Captain Nightiger. Yes, the one that made an asteroid disappear."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me. Who are you and how did you get this number?"

"I just told you who I am and my ship's A.I. can access any phone or computer. I'm calling you to see if someone you're really close to would like to have a chance at an exclusive follow up interview with me after I deal with the international news vultures."

"Holy shit! This has to be a joke right?"

"Hey, I-" Kyle gave me a dirty look, "That is, my husband and I, might live out here at the edges of the system but I still do my best to keep up on what is happening in the community."

"Um, why are you calling me? There are plenty of LGBTQF channels."

"Sorry, I should have stated that I was talking exclusively about the furry community."

"You're- I'll contact the individual that you're talking about."

"I'll be giving my recorded statements in four hours, and I'm willing to give you a live interview directly afterward."

"Can I have my friend contact you?"

"If you prefer, but this line is now completely secure so Video Fox can discuss anything with me now if he likes."

"You know?" Kelly asked in surprise.

"Sort of, my ship's A. I. can get me just about any information I need. Maybe you've noticed a drop in the number of threats you've been receiving?"

"You?"

"Just a bit of filtering and making sure the guilty incriminate themselves.” Mahan replied.

“Anyway the reason I called is because it has been suggested giving you an exclusive interview may cause problems for the communities and-"

"If the governments don't like it screw 'em. I'm a reporter so the news comes first. Now, are there any subjects that are off the table or can I ask you anything?"

"You can ask whatever you want, but that doesn't mean I'll give you an answer. Also, while I catch the national news, when I can, I'm really out of the loop when it comes to politics. I'm not saying you can't ask, but I doubt I'll be able to provide any interesting answers in that regard."

"Do I get an advance copy of what you're going to tell the world?"

"I wish I could, but the news agencies have three hours to come up with their questions and I'll only have an hour to come up with my responses. I'll send you a copy at the same time I send theirs. If they hold off on broadcasting it for editing purposes, you'll have a definite jump on them."

"I'll be counting the minutes. Just one quick question."

"Just one?"

"This isn't part of the interview. You know both my fursona and my real identity so, who is the other you?"

"Hah, I'll give you a little nibble then. I am Prowl-Ar Nightiger. That is both my fursona and my identity. Yes I was given another name when I was born in 1974 but I had Mahan erase all evidence of it long ago."

"1974! How is that possible?"

"You'll just have to save that for the interview, since you only asked for one question. Bye."

"So taking your date of birth and subtracting it from the current-" Kyle started.

"We're both practically immortal at this point, does my true age really matter?"

"Of course not. I just didn't realize I was attracted to senior centenarians."

I flopped back on the bed, "I'm getting too old for this shit."

"I've heard you're only as old as you feel so that must make you what mid-2000's, at least?"

"I'm not that old, kid." I got up and headed for the door. "Come on, if we're going to do this we might as well make it a real spectacle."

"What are you planning?" Kyle asked.

"I'm taking us into Earth orbit. As big as the Runner is that should be close enough to prove we’re not a hoax."

"Should I call ahead and make sure the Space Station has its defibrillator charged and standing by?" Mahan asked.

"Not a bad idea. Alert the Station that we are moving to the Lagrange point between the Earth and the moon. Also warn them that the Shadow Runner is approximately two and a half kilometers in length."

***

I sat in my command chair while Kyle had swiveled the navigator’s seat around to watch me. "Time's up, Mahan, please condense the questions and give me the first one." I announced

"First up is: who, or what, are you and where are you from?"

"That's two questions, but I guess they do go together. I am Prowl-Ar Nightiger, a name I chose for myself, and I'm mostly human. Before anyone panics all I mean by 'mostly' is the fact that I've used this ship's advanced medical facilities to make custom changes to my DNA and I have medical nanites boosting my over-all health. As for where I'm from, I was born in South Central Idaho, United States on October 27, 1974. Now because most of you think I'm lying about being that old there is a simple explanation. This ship has several faster-than-light options and foolishly I experimented with the easiest to understand. However the closer to the speed of light you get the slower time passes. Fortunately I've worked out how to use a different system so now I can jump between two points without suffering from time dilation."

"Next question, what are you going to do now, and are you a threat?"

"I'm planning on going back into hiding until another asteroid, alien invasion, or similar problem comes up. Am I a threat? That depends on how you judge my actions. I have no intention of attacking Earth but at the same time I'm not going to save humanity from its own stupidity."

"I'm really working at paraphrasing this one since most of the responses were phrased more like demands rather than questions. Will you share your advanced technology with the world?"

"No. I know this is cold and heartless of me, but even medical technology can be twisted and re-engineered into weapons of war."

"In the information that was released we've seen you and your husband, how many people are part of your crew?"

I laughed "Currently there are three members. Myself, my mate and second in command Kyle Dacat, and the Shadow Runner's artificial intelligence system Mahan. He is the one reading off the questions for me. Before anyone gets the bright idea of trying to take the Runner by force, remember you've likely already seen it sitting in the sun's corona without taking any damage. Even in the unlikely event that all of its shield systems were to fail there is currently no weapon on Earth that can penetrate the armor."

"I will add that Prowl-Ar and Kyle are now integral components to my functions and if anything were to happen to either one of them I'll be very displeased. I'm talking about destabilizing the sun causing it to go nova level of displeased." Mahan stated.

"I should point out that Mahan is fully sapient and is not hampered by any silly robotic laws. While I think he's kidding I wouldn't try to stop him if something happened to Kyle."

Kyle smiled. "I don't have any real ties to Earth, so I'd actually go ahead and help Mahan."

"I guess that means we are a threat if action taken against us leads to one of us being severely injured or killed. Next question."

"Where and how did you get your ship? Captain, if you don't mind, I'll answer this one." Mahan said.

"That's fine with me."

"It's none of your damn business where I came from. And for the record I chose both Prowl-Ar and Kyle to be my crew. Now moving on, are you responsible for the alien abductions."

"I knew that one was going to come up. The answer is no. While it's true Mahan sort of abducted me, Kyle was given a choice on whether or not to join me. And as far as I know we are the only biological entities that have ever been aboard. I think one last question should be enough for now."

"Okay, the last question is the most asked question on the internet. How do we become members of your crew?"

"Wow, I hadn't expected that one, at least not in this interview. I'm not really looking for more crew members. Technically Mahan only needs a single biological Captain, so the Shadow Runner is fully staffed. However if Mahan, Kyle, or I decide we wanted more individuals aboard we'd have to all agree on the individual. Of course that person would have an extraordinary difficult time convincing just one of us that they are needed."

"That's it, I'll just go over it real quick to make sure there wasn't anything in the background that could pose a security risk."

"Contact Video Fox, please."

“I’d just like to say again I think this is a mistake.”

"My man, Prowl-Ar, you're the talk of the net. Everyone that's anyone and even the nobodies want to know the dirt on you."

"I just finished off the recording for the canned news feeds. Mahan is just checking it for security leaks."

"I've finished and everything checks out."

"Dude, you have your own video specialist and you still contacted me? I'm touched."

"And likely touching yourself in excitement." Mahan said sourly.

"Dude, that's harsh."

"Yeah, Mahan isn't a fan." I replied

"I'm hurt."

"Why, did your watchers find a new meme to obsess over?"

I sighed in confusion, either Mahan really hated Video Fox or he really liked him. I’d never seen him trying to be that irritating except toward myself.

"In all seriousness I wish I could air this, you've got real talent in the burn department.”

"I've also got more intelligence on a single CMD than everyone in your forums."

"I missed something there, what is a CMD?"

"It was an insult obviously. CMD is short for Crystal Matrix Drive. A single crystal is enough to hold the memories and life experience of a human being. A single CMD holds 25 crystals so he's saying the combined knowledge of all your followers adds up to less than 25 people." I informed him.

"That would have been a burn, if you hadn't needed to explain it."

"I'm going to send you a copy of my Q & A so you can be ready with your own questions, but you are not to release the information until after the deadline is reached. I'm trusting you on this, but Mahan will be watching to make sure you follow the rules, and after viewing the recording I think you'll understand why pissing him off wouldn't end well."

"When the deadline is reached do I have permission to livestream the recording so that my followers can see it without the typical 'big news' edits?"

"Of Course, in fact you can start telling your viewers now that you're getting an unedited copy and you'll have a surprise for everyone watching your feed right after the video ends."

"I'm ready to receive your transmission, Captain."

"It's been sitting on your drive since the moment you said I had talent. Check the file 'touched' in the folder titled 'boring memes’."

"You cracked my security and my password? You really do got mad skillz."

"Your mother’s full maiden name, spelled backwards, converted to binary, translated into hexadecimal, with an exclamation point at the end what's so difficult about that? Cracking every single nuclear launch code on the planet, only took me an afternoon. But to be fair, I was also reading 'War and Peace', 'Pride and Prejudice', and 'The Art of War' in its original format."

"How?"

"Mahan is the Shadow Runner's artificial intelligence so he can do multiple tasks at the same time. Though I've tried to order him to keep his activities to three or less at a time."

"That was only two, code breaking and reading."

Kyle started laughing, "He’s got you there Tiger."

"Um, Kyle, just so I don't accidentally insult you during the interview, are you also a furry."

"Heh, yeah when I'm not a scaly."

"Kyle's fursona can take on several different forms with one being an Eastern dragon."

"Right, I'd better stomp on my curiosity so I'll have something left to ask you during the live stream. V-Fox out."

"Mahan, you're right I'm probably going to regret doing this interview. Remember, no mentioning the fact that we really can shift into anthropomorphic forms. That's something I know humanity isn't ready for.

***

"There you have it pups, cubs, and, kits the complete unedited version of the second hottest news story I'm putting out this week. Why second place you ask? Because the hottest news is my next interview that's starting right now! You're not going to believe this but Captain Nightiger," Video Fox paused for effect, "is a furry and he is giving us an exclusive live follow up interview here and now. Say hello to Captain Nightiger."

"Please, call me Prowl-Ar. You make my name sound like I'm some sort of super hero."

"That's exactly what you are. You just saved the planet. If that doesn't give you super hero status I don't know what will. And Tabbytigeress agrees saying 'you couldn't be any more of a hero if you wore a cape and flew around Ney York.'"

Kyle burst out laughing hysterically.

"Kyle, I love you, but if you say one word I'll make you regret it."

"You have to know that's now my first question. You mentioned altering your DNA, does that mean you can fly?"

"No, I can't fly. The closest I can get to flight is turning off the artificial gravity and propelling myself down the hallways. Kyle's having a fit because my dress uniform includes a cape." I said rolling my eyes.

"I'm getting a flood of watchers asking the same thing, and really I'd like to know this as well."

"I think I know what the question is and the answer is, yes I can alter a human's DNA so that they can become their fursona."

"Holy shit! Just O-M-G. I never expected that answer."

"I have no intention of lying you our followers. Yes, I can transform a human being into a true furry. However, I don't want anyone to get their hopes up because I'm not going to change anybody. As I said earlier I'm not sharing any technology. I know it's cruel, but that's just the way it is."

"That's a real kick in the balls, but it's not like things have changed for us."

"Listen, it's not that I don't sympathize with everyone. However, it would only take one instant of anger for an anthro to rip someone's throat out. Even if I wasn't directly responsible for the murder I'd still be culpable."

V ox paused as if deep in thought. "I suppose I can understand your thinking there, even though it means I can't become my true self. The next question is for Mahan, if he is willing to talk to me."

"Obviously I wasn't intimidating enough. Go ahead and ask your question."

"While Prowl-Ar said that he isn't looking for any more crew, he didn't completely eliminate the possibility either. So what sort of extraordinary lengths would a furson have to go through to convince you that they'd be worthy of a chance?"

"First off they'd have to send me an honest written request explaining why they think I would need them. Next they would have to understand that I would do a deep search into their past-"

"Mahan, do not elaborate on what you mean by 'deep search' that is crew only information."

"Understood, Captain. Next the individual would have to understand that they would be devoting their life to the ship and the rest of the crew. That means cutting off all connections, communications, and loyalty to family, friends, nation, and Earth itself. That is all before the really hard part of the process begins."

"Alright, given that you can't tell us everything, what would be the hard part?"

"That would be an interview with Kyle and myself. As you will note no one has made the cut so far." I said.

"Kyle, How did you convince Prowl-Ar to make you a part of his crew?"

"I'm Red XIII, Mahan-"

"Kyle!"

"What, you didn't say that was a secret like the other thing?"

"There you have it Furiends and followers. The Captain has cut the feed. I'd say we learned an important fact here today. At some point in the past we had a member named Kyle that either suited or used the fursona of Red XIII. Now, I know that Mahan probably erased all digital evidence, but one of us might just have physical evidence of who he really is and if we figure that out maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to learn how he was chosen. If you find anything let me know. V-Fox out."

"Mahan, did you cut the feed?" I quickly asked.

"No, we're still connected. Video Fox has shut down his live feed however."

"That's right, I'm still here. ’The thing' is the fact that Kyle, at least, can physically shift?"

"Oh! By telling him my true identity, but sitting here as a human, was basically the same thing as telling him I was a shifter. I’m sorry.” Kyle said looking at me guiltily.

"Wait, you really are the game character?" Video Fox asked in surprise.

"Shit. Kyle, I really do love you, but you were never this talkative in the game."

"Blame Mahan, he's the one that filled in my back story. I wasn't in a good place during the events in the game. Plus after certain recent events I just feel more outgoing than I did before."

"Is this you, or is there another shifter out there?"

We both turned to the monitor as a Japanese newspaper clipping of Kyle in his full dragon form curled up on a large flat stone flashed up on the screen.

"Mahan!" I yelled.

"It's not my fault! That image was deleted from every digital source within an hour of being taken. If you want to place blame then look at Kyle."

"Hey, it was a nice sunny spot and the park was named 'The Dragon's Resting Place', how was I supposed to know I was the only real dragon on the planet? Besides if Mahan erased all the pictures how does Video Fox have it?"

"The story popped up in my feed and I immediately printed it off, so I’d have a physical copy. Wait, you gave up your original cat/dog form to shift into a dragon?"

I sighed, "Mahan, black out Video Fox’s area. I want to be sure no one can eavesdrop on this conversation."

"Everything?"

"Everything, except critical medical devices and his secure link. V-Fox you've got less than a minute shut down all your computers before the power goes out. I'm calling the phone we spoke on earlier."

The phone rang until it should have gone to voice mail but Mahan overrode it so that it would keep ringing.

"Sorry, I didn't answer immediately, I got most everything saved and shut down."

"If you were saving anything about us you were wasting your time since it will be deleted. Now as you guessed I've altered my DNA so that I can physically shift into a tiger. Mahan, for lack of a better description, generated Kyle so that he can take the forms of four different species. I need to note that I had no knowledge of Mahan's actions at the time. And the only reason Kyle can take so many forms is because it was encoded into his DNA as it was being written."

"So, I can shift into my original hybrid form, of course. However I can also shift into wolf or lion forms, since those are the species my hybrid form is based on, and as you've seen an Eastern dragon form."

"This might be out of line, but can I see you shift?" Video Fox asked.

"Fine." I relaxed and let my form change.

"Doesn't it hurt? And how do your clothes change with you?"

"Actually I don't feel any pain at all. During the time it takes to shift all pain receptors seem to shut down."

"Wait, OH SHIT! OH SHIT! OH SHIT! Where is it? I know it's right here somewhere. There you are! Is this you?" He held a small custom figure of a black anthro tiger up to the phone's camera.

"Where did you get that?" I asked in surprise.

"It was in a box of stuff my dad found when we were cleaning out my great, great grand father's house. Dad said it was just old crap that had kicked around the family for years and I should just toss it out. Of course I kept it all. Really it was my first introduction into all things furry. It has to be you, the stripe patterns are the same and it would explain the Red XIII pictures."

"Mahan?"

"Deep scan already in progress.”

"There were other drawings and stories and . . . Shadow Runner. You- that- how?"

"Confirmed, Kelly is a direct descendant from your brother's line."

"Holy crap, you're really him, aren't you?"

"That depends on what you mean. I used to be William Wildside, a sci-fi/fantasy writer but that was a very long time ago. I'm not the Prowler character in my stories however. Yes, the Shadow Runner is basically the same, but Mahan is based on my memory crystal instead of the Prowler character."

"If I write up a formal request, as Mahan said, would you at least look at it rather than deleting it without consideration? I'm not asking for any promises. I just want to know if it is pointless or not to even try." Video Fox asked suddenly changing the topic.

"If you put in the effort I promise I'll read it. However, that doesn't mean you have any better chance of getting aboard this ship than anybody else. However, you have to do something for us."

"Name it and it's done!"

"Shred and if possible burn every bit of physical evidence you have. You're likely going to be watched very closely after that interview, and I don't mean by your fans and followers. You can keep Tegrin, since there isn't any link between me and my custom."

"Tegrin?" Video Fox asked.

"I've used a lot of names. That one is exclusive for the minifigure that you now have."

"I promise as soon as the power comes back on the shredding will begin."

"I look forward to reading your application, Prowl-Ar out."

"The computer glitch that shut down the power has now resolved itself." Mahan stated.

"Well, tell us what the Deep Scan found."

"You said that a Deep Scan is information for crew only, but I have no idea what you're talking about." Kyle said.

"If anyone ever learns about this everyone one Earth would band together to make sure we are destroyed. As I told you, when I jumped back in time to create the Shadow Runner time loop I also set up a scanning system that records everything within the Solar system at the atomic level. It is still running. The system is completely autonomous and can build new information storage facilities whenever memory becomes limited. Trust me there is a lot of data."

"However your mate was smart enough to realize that he might be tempted to miss use the power of that much information. So he made it so that I'm the only one that can do a deep scan. Most people would be terribly paranoid that they are being watched, but the truth is even I don't have the processing power to access that much information."

"But if you do a deep scan you're only looking at a single individual's past making things much easier. So tell us about Prowl-Ar's many times removed niece." Kyle said.

"Kelly Fox, last name legally changed three months ago when he turned eighteen, was an emancipated minor from the age of fifteen when her mother evicted her from their lives. Likely to save her life, when they learned Kelly was researching gender reassignment surgery they were very displeased. When they discovered that she was a furry it was the last straw."

"So Kelly has been on his own since he was fifteen?"

"Completely. The courts ordered his parents to provide child support. Surprisingly he is now living in Prowl-Ar's house."

"Wait, you still maintain a place on Earth after all this time? How is that possible?" Kyle asked.

I brought up the map on the main monitor. I'd thought everything had changed but looking closer I could see that there were a few things that hadn't. "The property is maintained by Mahan hiring individuals to take care of it. It's paid for using funds accumulated through smart investing. Also maintained by Mahan."

"When he turned eighteen the child support ended. While advertising on his Video Fox site does give him a little supplemental income, it is barely enough to keep his channel running. Even with two part time jobs, and not having to pay rent he is having difficulties paying his bills. Further education in journalism is highly doubtful and projecting the search out, even though he believes he'll be promoted to full time at one of his jobs, I find that he has no hope of advancement. Further he rarely gets the nutrition he needs due to not being able to afford enough food."

"What is his social status?"

"Video Fox has more than a million followers but no real friends. Kelly likewise has co-workers but no close friends. He has given up on dating due to gender identity complications and because he has neither the time nor money to devote to the prospect."

"Final assessment?"

"If Kelly Fox disappeared almost nobody would notice, and those that might wouldn't care. If Video Fox disappeared a lot of people would notice. Whether they would care or not is debatable."

"As soon as he sends you his application let me know. I'm going to spend some time in the V.R. chamber. Kyle, I don't mind if you join me, but if it isn't too much to ask, can you give me an hour before you do?"

"Yes, I think we all need a bit of alone time to process all of this. Do you need the main chamber or will you use the smaller one in our quarters?"

"I'll take the smaller one since I'm mostly just going to be sitting and thinking."

"I'll join you in an hour then."

***

I looked out over the clay hills at the wild crested wheat and sagebrush. In the distance, maybe a quarter of a mile away, farther if traveling by foot over the hills was the closest structure in sight. An old house long abandoned. To my right was the only other visible structure a half mile away on another hill was my Aunt's house, a double wide trailer also empty now that she was gone. Just over the slight rise and down the hill behind me was my grandparent's house and the mobile home I grew up in. This, was the world of my childhood.

"It's almost as secluded as my home in Cosmo Canyon." Kyle said as he arrived in the chamber.

"I guess it is. Strangely, I was happy here." I stood up and we crested the hill looking down on the grove of cottonwood and assorted fruit trees all surrounded by a junkyard. "The closest individuals my own age were over two miles downriver. Not that it matters since they wouldn't associate with trailer trash anyway."

As we continued down, the hill was flattened, the old cars disappeared, and soon houses popped up around the property edges. The structures had changed as well. The old house covered in tarpaper that my mom had grown up in was gone as well as the trailer from my early years. The main house now had a deck, new siding and a fenced in yard. Most of the old trees were gone. “This is what the place looked like the last time I was here." I’d have started crying about the changes if I hadn’t long since accepted them. I stood outside the gate as it continued to change. The deck became enclosed, two of the chimneys disappeared, the green roof was replaces with a blue one and the white siding turned yellow and was in need of replacing.

"I suppose this is what it looks like now?" Kyle asked.

I opened the gate, walked up the path, up the stairs, in the porch and reached for the door knob.

"Shouldn't you knock?" He asked.

"Heh, it's my house and you're the only one here."

I opened the door and stepped into a modern combination kitchen and dining room. Sure it looked a bit used but it just didn't feel right without the antique wood fired cook stove. I continued into the living room. It was, thankfully, nearly the same. The furnace was gone and I noticed ducts for a central heating system. The large bar/cabinet still took up one wall and was filled with odd nick-knacks, some of which I recognized as my own former possessions.

"Why are you doing this to yourself? I can feel the pain through our link." Kyle asked.

"It isn't really pain just a sense of loss that comes from the world moving on without me." I turned and headed down the hall. In an alcove to my right was the door to the basement, the bathroom, and the first bedroom. "We used this bedroom as a library after my grandparents died. Mom had her bed in the living room because neither one of us felt like sleeping in here."

"So they both died in there?"

"No, actually they both died in the living room. It's just that this room was always their private space." I opened the door and found that Kelly was using it as his bedroom. I was surprised to see the lion wall hanging that had hung in my room when I'd lived here. Otherwise the room was rather bare. I closed the door and continued down the hall to the back room, my room."

I turned the handle but found it locked. "Computer, end program." The V.R. chamber returned to its blank state.

"Why did you stop?"

"You're right, I was just torturing myself. Besides, I have a good idea how it looks from Video Fox’s web reports. I’m actually a bit surprised I didn’t recognize it. So, what did you get up to while I was meditating up there on the hill?"

"Would you believe me if I told you I was doing the same thing? The only difference being I was with my father. I know he isn't real, and he would have been disappointed that I chose a male for a mate, but I think he would have approved of you none the less. Even though it means I'll never have cubs of my own."

"You know that we can have cubs, right? It's just a matter of combining DNA and the ship has all the needed facilities and technology."

"I hadn't really thought about it. I just resigned myself to the fact that it wouldn't be possible when I decided you really were the only mate I'd ever want."

"I've considered the possibility from time to time, but even after all these years I still think that I don't have the temperament to raise cubs."

"Is it because you're afraid of yourself, or that you'll just end up being like your father? Not that it matters, since I don't feel the yearning to have a cub of my own all that strongly. Still it is good to know that the possibility exists. So, about our current situation. I'm guessing you've been thinking about Kelly?"

"Yeah, I have, but I haven't come to any conclusions yet. What about you?"

"No matter how distant the connection may be, he's family and it seems that his life hasn't been kind to him. You ended up with the Shadow Runner, I ended up with a mate. Even if you decide not to accept him as a member of the crew he deserves something good in his life."

I sighed, "Yeah, I agree. At the least, if he is still interested, I'm going to invite him aboard the ship for gender reassignment and a journalism knowledge implant."

"It may not be relevant to your discussion, but Kelly has followed your instructions to destroy all your old manuscripts and notes. I also want to point out he seemed to struggle with destroying a few of them."

"How is he progressing on his letter?" I asked.

"In a word, poorly. He started and deleted it multiple times before he had to go to work. It seems that joining us is something that he wants really badly and he is agonizing over making sure his application is perfect. I would suggest giving him enough rope to either hang or save himself."

"Mahan, is he possible crew material, yes or no?"

"I’m loath to admit this, but eventually yes, currently no. He needs to find a way to prove himself."

"Kyle, same question."

"I want to agree with Mahan, but if my own actions are anything to go by, then my becoming a member of the crew would have been no. I think Kelly will be better than I've been, so my vote is yes."

"My vote is also currently no to becoming a crew member. However I'm willing to give him a chance to prove himself. Kyle, warm up the shuttle I've got a few things to pack and then we are going to go and check on my house."

"Yes, Sir." Kyle yelled as he ran from the room.

"Mahan, can you arrange it so that Kelly loses his job in a time frame that will put him at home about fifteen minutes after Kyle and I land?"

"Easy enough since they are planning on letting him go at the end of the week anyway."

"Have his other job text him that they are letting him go as soon as he gets home."

"You're cruel, you know that."

"Also set him up as primary property care taker on my house, retroactive from his eighteenth birthday. Send an apology text for the delay in releasing his funds in a timely manner just as he enters."

"How much is he to be paid?"

"I leave that to you, since you can best figure out what he really needs to cover his bills with a nice amount left over."

"So enough to be comfortable but not enough to become complacent. Have a good trip."

"You know, have the pilot training V.R. unit set up as an alien medical facility. If he wants to be a part of this crew I want to see how he reacts to the unexpected."

"That is just outright sick. Should I patch in the doctor's personality to the alien overseer."

"There's no need to be sadistic."

"You're right, I'll save that for your next medical examination."

"On second thought set it up as a government interrogation room. Kyle and I can play a game of bad cop, worse cop."

"Now that's an idea I like. Find out if he'll break and betray us under pressure."

***

"It's strange sitting here waiting like this. It feels like we're still in the V.R. simulation.

The living room appeared to be completely empty. Only the indentations in the chair cushions betraying our presence.

"Kelly is pulling into the lane." Mahan announced on our headsets.

I quickly dialed down the volume set so that Mahan sounded like he was whispering.

"I don't hear a car."

Kyle laughed, “You really haven’t been paying close enough attention, they're all electric now."

"I'm sending the second firing notice." Mahan announced.

"What the fuck!" We easily heard Kelly yel.

"We're silent from here on out." I whispered.

A door banged to the side of the house and I jerked around as keys rattled in the lock on the living room door. I hadn't expected entry from the deck since we never used that door. In my time it opened to empty space. The door cracked open and I heard a text alert from Kelly's phone.

"Now what?" he growled, "I've already lost both . . ." He went silent as he read the text.

Luckily he was so distracted he didn't hear me stand up. He might have noticed the hypodermic gun against his neck, but by then it was too late. I easily lifted him over my shoulder. "Damn, he's lighter than I imagined. Kyle, grab his keys and phone and be sure to lock the doors behind us."

***

Kelly came to just as quickly when Kyle administered the antidote.

"Who the hell are you, where the hell are we, and what the fuck do you want?"

I opened a file folder, "Kelly Fox, also known as Video Fox and V-Fox. Transgender furry 'reporter'." I purposely smirked and made air quotes with my fingers. "General nuisance, and a pointless waste of resources. Until yesterday not considered a threat. No longer a threat as she is now a non-entity."

"Listen asshole, when you refer to me you use male pronouns."

"Girly, I don't give a flying fuck what you have in your pants. All we want is in your head, and you are going to cooperate or my partner will find less civilized ways of making you talk."

"Fuck you. I know my rights and I'm not telling you a damn thing."

"Why did the alien contact you of all people?"

"He liked my ass."

I sat and glared at him. I didn't dare speak because I'd have laughed. Admittedly Kelly had a nice ass, but that wasn't the reply I was expecting. Kyle walked over and back handed him across the face and then returned to his place by the door.

"My step-father hit me harder than that, you pussy."

Kyle walked back over, pulled out his gun, cocked the trigger, and placed the muzzle against Kelly's temple. "Try answer again." He growled.

"How the hell should I know? He called me up, said he was a fan and offered to give me an exclusive interview. You have a file on me so you have to know that I couldn't afford to pass up such an opportunity."

Kyle pulled the trigger and the hammer clicked on the empty chamber. He then held the gun in front of Kelley as he slowly pulled pack the slide and chambered a round.

"Next time, janitor hosing brain off wall."

Kyle holstered the gun and returned to his post.

"Who is Captain Nightiger?"

"I don't know, if you watched the interview you already have all the information I have."

"When checking your 'studio' we found bags of shredded documents. What was it you destroyed?"

"You didn't throw it away did you? That's two years’ worth of collecting. I'm planning on recycling it by using it as stuffing in a daki. Maybe by the time I can afford it I’ll have enough for two one of Prowl-Ar and the other of his husband." Kelly said glaring at me waiting for some sort of reaction.

I was impressed with his quick thinking, a little less at the idea of Kyle and myself being someone else’s body pillows. "Were you responsible for the power outage?"

"Hell no! I lost everything from the interview when the power blew."

"How likely do you believe it is the alien will contact you again?"

"Honestly, I think it's very unlikely. Now that he's said what he wanted the world to know, I'm betting he is going to do what he said and go back into hiding, until another cosmic disaster threatens the planet. Now this is just my opinion, but I don't think he really gives a damn about humans, but he does care about Earth."

"You work for us, he contact again?" Kyle asked.

"Sure, why not? It's not like I have any real connection to him or anything."

I heard it and I could tell Kyle had as well, even though his response was good the undertone was obviously “go to hell.” "You're going to have to work on that. I could tell you were lying that time."

"I'm not lying."

"Computer, switch program from interrogation to Prowler's office setting two." The scenery changed to a woodland meadow with old stumps as chairs and a desk of stacked stones. The suits Kyle and I had been wearing faded away revealing our uniforms and finally the head and voice mask disappeared. "Kelly, welcome aboard the Shadow Runner."

"I'm sorry about threatening you with the gun, but the V.R. was set to safe mode so even if the gun misfired you would have remained uninjured." Kyle apologized.

"What about backhanding me?"

"I'm not going to apologize for that. Unfortunately 'safe mode' blunted the blow. Suggesting that my mate is only interested in your ass, no matter how cute it may or may not be, wasn't a good answer."

"So this was just an elaborate test to see if I would break under pressure?"

"Partially, but mostly it was just to screw with you. Tell me, would my first idea of an alien abduction complete with probing have been better?"

"You are one sick son of a bitch."

"That's not a very nice thing to say about your very great grandmother." I pointed out. “Then again she did once tell me if she was into furry her fursona would definitely be a dog, I suppose she might have taken that as a compliment.”

"Sorry, wait, since I’m here does this mean you're allowing me to join your crew?"

I could hear the excitement in his voice. "No, however we have decided to help you out a bit."

"What do you mean?" He asked, still actually sounding excited.

"You've already discovered the first part. I'm the one that got you fired from your dead end jobs."

"Actually, I did that. However, you were going to be fired from the first job at the end of the week." Mahan stated.

"That's a bit disconcerting, having a disembodied voice suddenly speaking to you."

"You get used to Mahan fairly quickly. I also had him make you the primary caretaker of my property. Had I known you were living there I would have done so sooner."

"I was told the place was in a trust and could be used by any family member that needed a home."

"Yes, my grandfather made me promise, when I was still a teenager, that I would do everything I could to keep the property in the family to be used for that very purpose. At the time neither one of us could imagine the fact that I'd end up making myself immortal. The whole story about flirting with light speed was complete fiction. I've actually been out here this whole time. And the farthest I've gotten out of the system is a couple of light years."

"Let me get this straight, you have a starship capable of intergalactic travel and you haven't even been to the neighboring star system? I’m still not sure what to write for my application, but this is why you really need a crew."

"Please explain." Mahan said, as his avatar appeared.

"So this is how you see yourself?" Kelly asked.

"What's wrong with it? I created the look as a composite of depictions of Merlin, Gandalf, Dumbledore, and Prowl-Ar's grandfather."

"There's nothing wrong, it's just not what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Something more alien."

"You've gotten off track. Why do you think the ship needs more crew?" I asked.

"To provide motivation through a common desire to explore. Anyway, if I'm not here to join your crew, then why am I here? I mean you could have texted me the information about the house."

"You're here to have your DNA altered."

"You're giving me the ability to shift!" Kelly yelled in excitement.

"No, that would only be an option if you weren't returning to Earth. If you're interested we have a way of altering your DNA to make you a fully functional male. No drugs, surgery, or hormone treatments. You just get into a medical tube and a few hours later you wake up completely changed. While we're at it I'll add a few extras to make sure your body is in good condition. After the treatment I'm willing to implant a bit of knowledge and some skills to make it easier to get a journalism degree."

"Wow, that's a lot to take in."

"Most of it is completely voluntary. I'm not going to force you to make changes you don't want. The exception being, before you leave you'll get a memory and skill implant that will allow you to better defend yourself during interrogations."

"Yeah, I can see where you'd require something like that. Can you give me a bit of time to think about everything?"

"Sure, is there someplace you like to go to think? The chamber can generate nearly any location."

"This really is a virtual reality chamber then?"

"Of course, if you'll stand up I'll show you where I often go to think. Computer, run program Prowl-Ar home meditation."

Once again we were standing on the sand hill.

"Where are we?"

I grinned and motioned for him to follow me. As we walked over the top of the hill Kelly dropped to his knees.

"This is-"

"This is where you've been living, but as it was in the mid 1980's, back when I was a kid and this was my whole world. My grandfather owned everything from here to the creek, down to the river, and a good portion of the clay hills on the right."

"My God, no wonder you avoid coming home. Compared to what's left this is indescribably amazing."

"So where do you go to think?"

"You're going to laugh."

"Probably, but what I think doesn't matter."

"I don't have a set location. It's just where ever I happen to be I put on my VR headset and I'm in a corner booth at the Sundowner Cantina. Usually watching a random furry male preforming on stage. It’s a private simulation so no one else has ever seen it. I suppose now that Mahan knows about it he’ll be erasing it."

"Computer new program, Sundowner Cantina, early evening, slow day, T'yer performing on stage. Arlen recognizes Kelly as a regular and, as with only special clients, serves him water."

The cantina formed around us. "Kyle and I will be in another booth. When you're done thinking you can come and let us know. T'yer always does a double set. First something high energy and exciting to work up the crowd and then slow and sensual to cool down and to prepare them for the next act.”

The cheetah walked up the staircase set in the "T" shaped stage. All he was wearing was a white shimmer-silk jock strap with billowing sand colored cloud-lace attached to the strap and gold anklets. Once at center stage the stairs lifted becoming a flat surface. T'yer took his position kneeling at center stage his hands behind his back. He raised his head as if looking toward the sky. A hissing sound started and abruptly ended with a snap and a wail of pain as T'yer flinched. Another hiss, snap, and cry of pain. Then he swung his arms wide and his wind staff snapped out to its full two meter length with a roar. T'yer moved into his dance move swinging the staff creating intricate rhythms with each movement.

"How is he doing that?" Kyle asked.

"The staff is a highly technical piece of musical equipment. Everything from hand movement to speed and angle creates a different sound. While T'yer is no master he does have extraordinary skill."

"I meant how is the V.R. computer generating the show when all it had was your notes? I mean this is a complex routine and it sounds amazing."

"You think this is good? Shift to your anthro-lion form. The wind staff was created to be enjoyed by felines."

"You're avoiding the question."

"That's because Kelly is likely to ask that as well. Just sit back and enjoy the show I’ll explain later."

"Could I learn to preform like that or is it limited to anthro-cheetahs?"

"Stay here and enjoy, there's something I want to tweak about the next program."

I made my way up to the bar.

"Hey kid, what'll you have?"

"A shot of Snarion Whisker Burner and to tell your boy onstage that his second song of the evening will be Ro'Jul."

"That's a duet and unless you have any talent with a wind staff-"

"I wouldn't have made the request if I didn't plan on playing the secondary."

"Here's your Burner, This should be interesting I've never seen or even heard of a human using a wind staff."

I downed the drink and grinned. Sure to the non-player characters a Whisker Burner would leave all but the strongest humans comatose. All I got was a slight tingling with a light taste of mint.

"I'm sure I'll find a suitable costume backstage."

"You'd better be quick this song is half over."

I quickly slipped out the back door, down the stairs, and into the basement back-stage area. Roam, the bouncer, didn't take any notice of me. "Smart cloth configuration to copy the VR T'yer character, silver jock-strap with white cloud-lace and silver anklets. Additionally, as I am playing the traditionally feminine part, cloud lace should form a shawl in sky blue."

I glanced in one of the large mirrors, "The shawl is too wide, and it shouldn't cover the shoulders." It thinned considerably. "Good, the front should be open all the way to the waist. The garment is connected to the waist strap and continues freely to knee length. Perfect." I quickly ran through a few stretches as the stage stairs lowered. "Don't think, just be the character. Computer, generate my wind staff, human configuration, traditional, alto." A staff, similar to bamboo formed in front of me. While a traditional wind-staff didn't have the range of T'yer's mechanical staff it had the range needed to play what amounted to Juliet. I slowly made my way up the stairs.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I mean no disrespect but you’ll be playing my character's love interest and there is a lot of physical-"

T'yer stopped abruptly, I'm not sure if it was because of the costume or the fact I was using a traditional instrument. I did my best to smile demurely, likely failing miserably, and took my place at stage left. I ran through the complete routine in my mind in order to ignore the crowd. I felt a paw brush along my shoulder and realized the show had begun.

***

Fifteen minutes later T'yer helped me down the stairs to the back stage. I was really out of practice but I'd still preformed adequately.

"That was incredible. If I wasn't already mated I'd ask-"

I held up my hand showing my ring. "We're both mated so it would be best if you don't go there. In fact that performance could be considered a mating gift."

"Oh shock!" He yelled.

"Don't worry, he enjoys seeing me with other males. It reminds him that no matter how much attention I get I chose him as my mate."

"Wow, I hope Ral can be half that understanding."

"If he truly loves you then he'll understand that when you are on stage you are only playing a role. Now I'd better get back to my mate."

"Aren't you going to change?"

"And ruin the chance to spoil him a little more? I don't think so."

"But the patrons can be rather, rough."

"Just let them try, my mate's a Snarion Outlaw from the Lion Clan and is intimidating even before the claws come out."

"Listen, if you ever feel like preforming again I'm more than willing to share my stage with you." T’yer said bowing deeply.

"Don't be surprised if I take you up on that offer." The door closed behind me and I slowly made my way back up to the cantina. Of course the patrons ignored me since I wasn't really there. I slid into the booth with Kyle and immediately noticed Kelly had joined him.

"I've got to ask, was that performance to entertain me or Kyle?"

"Sorry Kelly, but that was entirely for Kyle's benefit. Unfortunately I'm out of practice. Luckily my part wasn't as energetic as the hero's is."

"About the story line."

"It's Romeo and Juliet condensed to a fifteen minute dance. The love between two typically incompatible characters and the length they go to in order to be together even if it is in the afterlife."

"It was really hot and since you're still in costume you're obviously trying to keep me distracted." Kyle rumbled.

"I guess it's not working."

Kyle fidgeted a bit in his seat. "I wouldn't say that. But I really want to know how you pulled it off."

"I haven't, yet. I'm saving that for later when we don't have a guest."

Kyle looked confused and Kelly bit his lip to keep from laughing.

"However, in regards to the music and dance the reason it is possible is because I sat through thousands of performances and the computer slowly picked up on my reactions to build the base program. Once the general freestyle sound was pleasing came the choreography, stories, and themes. Once things seemed to be working properly I did a memory implant of the skills needed to perform. After that it took a long time and a lot of practice before I stopped hitting bad notes. However, with my experience you, Kyle, wouldn't need to put in quite as much work to become proficient. Sorry Kelly, but the wind staff falls under the no technology rule."

"What about a traditional bamboo staff?"

"If it is something you really want, I'll consider it."

"Even though I didn't do a lot of thinking, I've come to the conclusion that I'm all in. Getting transition surgery is something I've known I needed since I was twelve. I just couldn't afford it and I knew it wasn't something my parents would help me with."

"Remember, I'm not talking about surgery here. You will be altered at the genetic level. It'll be like you have always been a male from birth."

"Will it just be physical or will there be mental changes as well?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

"While your memories will remain exactly the same you may start to notice some changes due to the fact your body will be producing different hormones. I have to tell you there is a risk that you may shift a bit toward finding some females attractive for a time until you've fully adjusted."

"I trust you, and I'm ready for this."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. We still have to do a full body and genetic baseline scan and then custom design your new look."

"Um, custom design?"

"Of course. You didn't think I was going to tinker with your DNA, swap out your female parts for male and call it good, did you? I mean, it's your body and you're going to have to live with it so why not make sure it is really perfect for you?