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WOLVES OF ARCANUS

(Arc Two: New Beginnings)

Chapter 1: Mission Debrief

Sailing majestically out of the solar system, the Galactic Alliance Starship Wotan, headed back out into the universe to continue their mission of eradicating the species known as the Tibican wherever they encroached on other inhabitant's worlds.

They'd stopped at the only inhabited planet in this system because their enemy had visited there but were pleased to discover the planet's inhabitants had met the Tibican with significant and catastrophic resistance ... catastrophic for the enemy, that is. The scouts had found to their instant demise that the feline species was well able to defend themselves from being slaughtered and their planet raped. They kicked the Tibican's asses, destroying them before they could summon reinforcements.

As was protocol, the Captain of the Wotan was holding a debriefing on the successful mission a day after they'd said farewell to the Kats on Aristal and left orbit. Ing was an imposing wolf who stood over six feet tall with powerful shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His brown hair was buzz cut short, much as Feral wore his. His gray/brown fur peeked out from his impressive silver and blue uniform that gave him a distinctive air of authority. He was well respected by his crew as a fair but firm leader and had been captain of the Wotan for more than twenty years.

He took his seat at the head of the table in his private conference room and waited patiently for the rest of his command crew and the insertion team involved in the mission to seat themselves.

To his right was the Insertion Team Commander, Major Wieland. A mixed gray/brown/black furred specimen, he was shorter than the captain and with a leaner build. His hair was white which caused him endless teasing. Most claimed his job of riding herd over the various strong willed personalities of the insertion teams had prematurely aged him.

To Captain Ing's left sat his first officer, Commander Shegar, leaning indolently back in his seat. He nodded at everyone in an absentminded sort of way but no one was fooled. The wolf was always alert and observant but had perfected the art of appearing lazy and inattentive to better catch a person in a lie. A cunning and smart leader in his own right, Shegar was an excellent second in command. No one just meeting him, however, would realize that at first glance. He presented a laid back appearance and his handsome good looks made others not look past the package to the sharp mind behind the amber eyes. Not as tall as the captain nor as broad through the shoulders, he nonetheless managed to catch many a female's eyes with his thick black fur streaked with silver and rakish good looks.

Down the table sat the rest of the command staff: Tennar, Chief Medical Officer, sat next to the Chief Engineer, Commander Taglar and ranged together at the end of the table was the insertion team: Kam, Donler, Genus, and Tara; with Star, their Chief Wizard, sitting next to Tara and leaning against the window that looked out into space behind him.

Clearing his throat lightly, Ing brought the meeting to order. "Kam, let's hear your report."

"Yes sir. Mission task was to investigate the inhabitants of Aristal and uncover how they had managed to destroy the Tibican and if any of the enemy were still present. In the course of the mission, we discovered the largest city, called Megakat by its inhabitants, was maintaining a constant alert status against an unknown enemy. We thought it was from the Tibican attack but only a small portion of their attention was monitoring space, the rest of their rather formidable security force was firmly centered on major facilities of important significance all around the city, such as: refineries, the nuclear power plant, biochemical and weapons laboratories.

I decided we would investigate further to see what the danger could be. I know we had all hoped to be able to take some much needed shore leave but I was forced to put that consideration on hold until the threat level to our people could be better assessed. I'm sorry it took nearly another five months before it could finally be granted."

"True it was a bit of a hardship for most aboard, but the waiting paid off with the best shore leave I can remember in many years," Taglar inserted, grinning from ear to ear. Everyone else nodded in agreement with broad smiles on every face.

"Yes, well that was certainly true," Kam chuckled before continuing his report. "Anyway, my team quickly learned the city was plagued by repeated attacks from some high powered and deadly criminals who, for one reason or another, wanted to take over the city or simply rape it of all it's valuables. This they attempted over and over only to be halted by the legitimate defenders and a pair of vigilantes. Despite the defenders efforts, however, their enemies still managed to do ruinous amounts of damage to the city's economy and caused untold numbers of casualties over a period of ten of their planet's years. And the reason for so many years of this, is these same criminals manage to escape again and again to wreak havoc repeatedly, demoralizing the population.

Despite the constant strife, however, our preliminary study of the inhabitants or Kats, as they call themselves, clearly demonstrate they aren't pushovers. Far from it, the Kats are a strong, hardy and feisty species that won't hesitate to defend itself when threatened. But they much prefer a more peaceful existence. But then, what thinking society doesn't. That didn't mean they weren't more warlike in their past but they seem to have overcome that and now seek only to raise families, work, and improve their lives.

But out enemies certainly learned, Kats are not to be taken lightly. Which they certainly proved when they destroyed the Tibican utterly and even defeated a space pirate, a couple of years earlier, who tried to steal the planet's water. They clearly are a species to be respected and feared. The Tibican learned that harsh lesson with their lives as there is no trace of them left on the planet and the space pirate also paid with his life for trying to rob them.

All facts that left us confused. If they could handle an invasion from space not once but twice, why were they having so much difficulty getting rid of their own pests? This led us to investigate deeper and soon uncovered a serious problem. No one was following up on each incident and insuring it was truly over and solved so as to prevent a repeat. This cycle of poor monitoring was repeated over and over for years.

It wasn't until we'd been advising them for a few months and they'd hired a very sharp and thorough archivist based on our advice, that they finally uncovered a serious case of graft in their city government that had been the reason for the problem all along.

However, until that was uncovered, my team and I did our best, while still remaining incognito, to help the defenders solve their omega problems. Which we succeeded when we helped the defenders take out one the top two offenders, Dr. Viper. Not long after, the second offender, the most dangerous of them, decided to attack the Wotan.

How he had discovered the Wotan's existence through its shielding is still unknown but however he'd done it, the creature was determined to steal our technology and use it to take over the city. I happened to be with the Chief Enforcer, one Commander Ulysses Feral, that day when the city's observatory discovered a battle going on in space.

Making a command decision, I deliberately revealed our existence to Commander Feral, who had recently become my lover, and convinced him to help me collect my team and enlist the aid of his least favorite people, the SWAT Kats. As you already know, they were the vigilante team that actually defeated and captured the omegas with their better weaponry. Feral's own forces were severely undermanned and technologically behind due to that same graft that was later discovered which was the direct cause of the Commander's chronic budget shortfalls and the source of the constant friction between the city's defenders. Keeping them at odds and continuing the cycle of failure to end their problems with the omegas effectively.

With Commander Feral aboard my shuttle and the SWAT Kats flying their space-capable Turbokat beside us, we beat off and defeated the omega, destroying him in the process.

Now that our existence was known, my team were allowed to interact more fully with our contacts and were more effective in our efforts to advise the Kats in how to rid themselves of their other super criminals while still obeying our prime directive.

It was at this time, the opinion we held that the Kats would make a good addition to the Galactic Alliance was put forward to their United Nations. They were receptive and deliberations began immediately.

Meanwhile, Megakat City began a thorough eradication of the omegas and took legal action (based on the data they'd uncovered during their investigation) to arrest the former mayor of the city and twelve members of their city council to end the graft that had gone on unnoticed for more than ten years. The coup, conducted by then Deputy Mayor Briggs, caused a significant uproar among the citizenry when they learned how long the rape of their city coffers had gone on. But once Ms. Briggs assured them this had solved their on-going difficulties, they began to rally around her.

Former Mayor Manx is now in jail serving a life sentence and Ms. Briggs is the new temporary Mayor until the elections later this year. She should have no problem getting elected as long as she succeeds in removing her only roadblock that of the suspected shadow agency which is thought to have been behind Manx's regime, funding it and insuring none could replace their puppet. Having observed her closely, I'm confident she will ferret the criminals out and have them incarcerated very soon. She's a strong willed female and is well equipped to handle this new challenge.

With most of the danger to their most populated city on the planet, managed, the United Nations were able to focus more on how our offer to join would benefit them as a whole. As you all know, they quickly voted yes and submitted their request which was quickly accepted. I have to say, that is without a doubt the fastest approval of a planet I've ever heard of and the fastest decision making I've ever witnessed from a planetary government that had never gone into space yet. Both amazing feats," Kam observed.

"The end result of their regaining control of their city and making it safe again, was the Wotan gaining three new crew members. That's because, with their mission in life completed, the SWAT Kats (call signs T-Bone and Razor) known as Chance Furlong and Jake Clawson without their masks, decided to give a new career a try and chose to join our crew which will make them the first of their kind to leave their home world for space.

Commander Ulysses Feral, now ex-Chief Enforcer, made the same decision though his was partly due to being newly mated and bonded to me. The other reason was the incorporation of robot officers among his Enforcers which will make them well able to handle most anything that comes their way. He even found an excellent replacement who has no qualms working with a partial robot force.

That bit of innovation was helped along by Donar's hard work in convincing Professor Hackle, a brilliant scientist and inventor, that his robot program could be useful toward Kat kind's defense against the criminal elements and any more incursions from space but still meet his need for more pacifist ways of utilizing robots...the Kat is absolutely adamant that his robots not be used for fighting or war. Donar worked hard to persuade the professor that, if done right, robots in the defense department would not be used in that manner. Hackle finally relented and began mass producing them a few months ago.

The new robots have been paired with Kat partners and are learning to work together as a team. It's slow going because mistrust of the things has to be overcome first. That behavior was caused by an honest mistake by Professor Hackle in trying to save two escaped criminals by placing their consciousness into the bodies of robots."

"Wait This is the first I heard of such a thing being possible. It's a dangerous thing to do yet he succeeded?" Tennar interjected, urgently.

"Yes, but he told me it was a once in a life time experiment that happened to work but was something he wasn't certain he could or would repeat, especially after what happened," Donar was quick to point out.

Frowning, Tennar turned to his captain with a troubled expression on his face. "Captain, I strongly recommend this bit of information be expunged from our records. If this were to be released to the alliance, the results could be catastrophic. There would be no stopping some well meaning or unscrupulous persons from deciding this would be an incredible way to cheat death. Whole worlds could end up warring over the process, wiping out whole species. Then there's the have and have nots struggling to afford such a thing themselves bringing strife to our peaceful alliance."

Mouths gaped as the magnitude of Tennar's scenario sank in.

Captain Ing looked stricken. "I agree. Kam, Donar strike that entry from your records immediately and insure there is no trace of it in any file aboard ship."

"Yes sir," both wolves said, tightly.

"Thank you for spotting it, Tennar. I would not want us to be responsible for such a holocaust," Ing said gravely.

"I'm just very glad we do these debriefings so quickly, captain," Tennar said, very glad a possible disaster had been averted.

Though still a little shaken by what had just been said, Kam gathered himself and continued his report. "As I was saying, I have no doubt the highly adaptive Kats won't take long to accept robots and, in less time than most species, they'll begin to see robots as just an everyday thing. In the near future, robots will be functioning smoothly side by side with Kats."

"Excuse me for interrupting, Kam, Donar spoke up, glancing at the captain for permission. Everyone eyed him warily, afraid something else had been found that was dangerous in the report.

Fortunately, that wasn't the case as Donar continued after receiving the captain's nod, "For the record, I wanted to add, part of what I had to do to make this more palatable to the professor, was telling him to forge ahead with his original plans to build robots that provided helpful services to ordinary Kats; such as nanny bots, cleaning crews, and those that could handle dangerous jobs, etc. With the elimination of the central matrix system he first was thinking of utilizing, he accepted very readily the method used in the alliance of the Three Laws of Robotics. He was actually relieved to have a different system as the SWAT Kats had informed him they'd seen how his original system could be corrupted and turn their world into a nightmare."

"How the heck did they know that?" Taglar demanded.

Kam answered. "It seems the SWAT Kats have had three unwanted lessons in dimensional travel. Two of which were caused by the Pastmaster and one by Razor's experimental dimensional radar which he immediately dismantled after their trip into an alternate dimension where they were evil."

Taglar's eyebrows rose in shocked surprise. "He built a dimensional radar? That's just amazing for a pre-space species." He shook his head. "My apologies for interrupting."

"That's quite alright Taglar. I find that news a bit unsettling myself. Glad the youngster is under our wing now. I don't want to think what he could have gotten himself into that might have had a detrimental effect on the rest of the universe," the captain observed, gravely.

Everyone shuddered at the thought, except for Genus who knew just how bright his mate was but had already promised himself to keep a close watch over Jake.

"Oh, I'd like to add, before allowing Kam to continue, that these robots of Hackles would be a boon in his planet's, soon to be built, space station. Come to that, other space ports would love to have these things if they prove successful. Hackle could make a huge profit for his world by selling or leasing them to other worlds when word gets out how efficient, effective and safe his style of robots are, especially the way he's made them effectively tamper-proof."

The captain eyed Taglar with interest and asked, "...and how did you learn that? I thought you'd not had any contact with the professor."

"Hackle graciously gave me a copy of the schematics for the police bots through Donar, sir, and I have to say, they are by far much better looking and more flexible than any I've seen in the Alliance, Chief Engineer Tagler said, his admiration for the Kat's genius patently obvious. He wasn't easy to impress but Hackle had definitely succeeded. "Professor Hackle is an exceptional inventor, especially considering how he's done all this work at such an advanced age. His passing will be deeply felt both on his world and in the alliance, I'm certain."

"And that had me worried," Donar managed to interject again. "I brought my concerns about the professor's frailness to Ms. Briggs and asked what could be done to see he didn't over work himself and that his ideas and inventions wouldn't be lost. She was unhappy that no one had thought about the tom's welfare and immediately came up with a plan to search engineering schools for students who held the same pacifistic views and thought along the same lines as he does. Then recruit them to be apprentices for him thus secretly monitoring his health while learning all he knows and insuring his work is carefully archived for future generations."

"A wise precaution and excellent solution. Thank you for following through and ensuring this will happen, Donar. His work will help increase their ties with the alliance and earn them respect. I'm pleased they will already have such things to use as barter when their space station is up and running." Ing nodded, pleased.

"To finish my report, sir..." Kam reminded everyone that he wasn't quite done. The captain nodded. "The inclusion of robots within his Enforcers has left my mate feeling the city was now in good paws so it was safe enough for him to now step down and do something else with his life. Not wanting to make me decide between space and being planet-bound, he chose to come aboard the Wotan as a new crew member. I'm amazed and in awe of him for taking such a drastic step." The group smirked at the young wolf's obvious pride and joy in his mate.

"It merely proves what everyone knows already about your mate, Kam...that he is a very brave Kat and it's equally obvious that you and he are madly in love with each other for which we are extremely happy for you both. Congratulations!" Shegar smiled, amused and pleased to see the young wolf so content and over joyed at being mated.

"He is that definitely, sir, and thank you," Kam said sunnily then became more formal to complete his report. "The last task we accomplished before considering our mission complete was to convince the new Mayor of Megakat City, Calico Briggs that she should take her place as a modern day version of her ancestor, Queen Callista an ancient and powerful sorcerer, to become one herself.

We all know the decision was an excellent one as she has turned out to be very powerful. The reason for asking her to take on this task was so she could handle any magical enemy that might show up and couldn't be handled by the beefed up Enforcers, and, specifically, to take out the criminal known as the Pastmaster.

This creature, it was learned, is the one responsible for the havoc and destruction of numerous worlds within the alliance. All of it caused by his indiscriminate use of time portals. Her mission is to permanently dispose of him and she has willingly accepted this responsibility. I'm certain the Galactic Council will be greatly relieved to see that threat ended. And that, sir, concludes my report, at last," Kam said with a flourish, leaning back in his seat and folding his paws together as he waited for others to give their reports.

"Excellent summation, Kam. And I'm very pleased with the completion of this mission. It's always a wonderful moral booster for the crew and our world when we succeed in signing on a new planet for the alliance and all of you were responsible for that. Congratulations."

Everyone grinned and looked pleased with themselves.

"Now, Tennar, let's have your medical report on the regular crew and our new recruits, please," Captain Ing requested as he signed off on Kam's report on his computer pad.

"All crew members did get shore leave, with only minor injuries occurring, as usual, and all are feeling more fresh and alert. Star has reported that all the wizards have availed themselves of the magical enclave's sanctuary and received the same relief he had from the encounter. I have made record of them for our files but did not submit it through to Medical Headquarters."

"Why not?"

"Because they are very insular and though they accepted us readily enough and found our presence as beneficial as we did theirs, they made it clear that only the Wotan's wizards would be welcome. However, Star got them to allow me to visit so I might speak with them directly. I felt it important to inform them that their skills at healing the spirit of their kind would become of greater importance in the future when Kats spread out into the universe. For their continued well being, Kats must return home to rejuvenate whenever possible though how frequent that will be necessary will have to be based on what is learned from those first ones leaving.

Which means watching and observing Ulysses, Jake, and Chance to see how they fare and how long it takes before they develop any problems being away from their home. With my records to start things rolling and adding to it what the enclave discovers from the threes behavior when they return home, we should have a base line for those future Kats that leave.

This was the gist of what I discussed with them. Surprisingly, they willingly agreed to the task saying they felt they'd been on the cusp of great events and our arrival had solidified that belief. Star agreed with them. I have recorded their agreement about monitoring their spacefaring brethren but because it concerns only Kats, and only three in specific, I have not felt the Alliance Medical needed to be made aware of it as yet."

"Ah...I see. I bow to your judgement on this, however, I don't think I need to remind you to insure this is inserted in our three Kat crew members medical files, eh?" Tennar shook his head. "Good. By the way..." Ing turned to Star now, "...how will rejuvenation be managed? Will it require the star-faring Kats to see the enclave or will just being on home ground be enough?"

"Being in contact with the planet's surface for a time should be sufficient, sir...and no..." Star forestalled his leader from the question he could plainly see in the wolf's eyes. "...I have no idea how much time will be required. However, I did discuss this requirement with Callie before I left from my last trip down and we came up with a workable solution.

After I took her to meet with the enclave leader, she, myself, and the leader, decided she would be the only contact between them and their world. Then we came up with a contract that will work for both sides. In it she stipulated the enclave would be considered a valuable planetary asset, not just Megakat City's, toward the space program. They would be paid from a central fund set aside by the United Nations for their efforts in keeping their world calm and at peace and for treatment of traveling Kats in space. They spelled out the responsibilities they were willing to undertake: keeping records on intervals tolerated and length of time required for recovery on every Kat traveling in space. Said records would be maintained in their enclave with a copies being sent regularly to the Mayor's office, the United Nations Medical Section, and their budget offices. Based on their findings, a guideline for travelers will be developed and handed out. I think we covered everything and everyone was satisfied. I too have a copy of that contract in my files and a copy is in your inbox for your review," Star finished, a satisfied smile on his face.

Ing had raised his eyebrows during Star's report in pleased surprise. "An amazing amount of work you've done there, my friend. And I'm pleased Callie was willing to accept this additional responsibility despite the already heavy workload she labors under. She is indeed an incredible female."

"That she is sir. But I am very glad she is mated, as I'm extremely worried about her over extending herself to the point of mental and physical exhaustion."

The captain snorted, a twinkle in his eye. "Oh sure, a curator of a museum as well as anthropologist, who also is a work-a-holic just like her mate. One hopes they care enough about each other they will keep one another in check."

Star shrugged. "Type A personalities are their own worst enemies, sir."

"So true." Ing said. Everyone chuckled over that truism.

"Excellent work, Star. Anything further, Tennar?" Ing asked, turning back to the medical officer.

"Yes sir, I wish to report that I did manage to get the minerals and trace elements the Kats will require for maintaining their good health, as well as uploading their medical files and any other medical data necessary for their care. And don't worry, Kam...I did get all the information I could find on how to manage your mate's rather unique physiology," Tennar said, before Kam could interject on that very subject. The young wolf subsided, looking relieved. "However, during my exams of our new recruits I came across something very interesting in two of the Kat's scans." He had everyone's attention at that statement.

"And?" Ing asked when Tennar didn't continue immediately.

"It seems Ulysses and Jake have untapped magical potential."

"What?" Kam blurted, bolting upright and gaping at the medical officer.

Genus' reaction was just as stunned. "You're kidding Isn't being brilliant enough?"

Tennar gave them both a tight smile. "Jake's abilities tend toward techno magic while Ulysses is more the fire version."

"That figures..." Kam muttered, dazed by this new piece of information about his mate.

"And how does that affect their position with us?" Ing asked, a frown of concern on his face.

Tennar sighed. "I'm afraid this is in Star's area of expertise. I'll let him answer that."

The captain turned his head toward his head wizard. "Well?"

Star actually looked a little uncomfortable. "I would normally caution a wait and see action on them so they have time to get their space legs, however..." He sighed. "Jake tests very high on the scale and is apparently already doing unconscious magic during those many times when he had to come up with a specific weapon for an attack that hadn't occurred which was why he always seemed to have just what was needed. As for Ulysses...his unique physiology has a lot to do with his treading into the magical realm. His survival rate or luck as some called it, to cheat death when he clearly should have been killed many times over, has a lot to do with a nascent precognition gift that is directly linked with his ability to bear young and his more than usual tendency toward temper flareups."

"Hence the fire part of his magic...fun," Kam groaned. "My mate hates magic with a passion after having to endure so many bad contacts with it in his former job. Telling him he's got a magical core will flat freak him out and set that fiery temper off. Can't we ignore it? Star shook his head. That's what I would have preferred to do as I just said. However, the energies wielded by the Sept could very easily accidentally force Ulysses and Jake's nascent skills to the forefront. Without training that could spell disaster for us and them. So, as you can see, waiting is not possible," he said, unhappily.

Kam and Genus both shuddered with fear and gave each other a commiserating look. There was no way around it...they had to convince their mates to accept magical training because there was no other choice despite both Kat's obvious hatred of magic. However, they knew when the two learned it was the only way to keep the ship and their crew mates safe they would accept it but they wouldn't be happy and that fallout would have to be endured by their wolf mates.

Their captain felt the same as he spoke aloud what they were thinking. "I see. Well, then there's no help for it. Schedule them for training immediately and if it will help convince them, tell them it's an order from me." He wasn't any happier than the pair were about this. It would make Jake and Ulysses' adjustments harder than they already were.

"How are they adapting, otherwise?" Ing asked, quietly.

"Too early to tell yet, though homesickness, certainly...I'll be closely monitoring them as well as interviewing their significant others to keep on top of any difficulties. Though I would appreciate each of you that are tied to them to tell me of anything 'off' about your partner before it becomes a real issue," Tennar warned, eyeing the three wolves in question. Kam, Genus, and Tara nodded gravely, that they understood. "With that, I've concluded my report, Captain."

"Anyone else have anything to report?"

"Just a comment, sir," Chief Taglar responded. When he got the go-ahead nod from his captain, he leaned forward and spoke earnestly, "I have to say that Jake is one incredible Kat. As young as he is, he's far ahead of us on many, from skills to thinking of things we've not begun to imagine and in areas he's never had prior knowledge of until he came aboard. He soaks up knowledge like a sponge and I'm seriously concerned he could burn himself out if he's not monitored closely. That being said, and with the addition of his magical abilities, I request he be assigned directly under me so I can keep a close eye on him."

"I know its usual for a newcomer to be assigned to all areas of the ship for familiarity training but I already know Jake is quite capable of learning those things in just under a few days and know it cold. I'm sure Tennar and Star will back me up on this..." he gave both wolves a questioning eye. They nodded.

Returning his attention to his captain, he said, "I'll quiz him when he's finished his tour of the ship to be sure he is totally familiar with the ship. After that, the only things that should pull him from engineering is the physical training requirements and magical training. The book learning he can do on his off time and I already know he'll have it thoroughly down long before his partner and be using it right away. That's how capable he is."

"What do you think Star?" Ing asked.

Star nodded without hesitation. "I agree. Jake will handle the load easily. He'll actually thrive on it. But, I also know he will work himself to exhaustion so both Taglar and I will have to keep a close watch on him. Beyond that, we've managed to pick up a most valuable crew member that will possibly grow past our ship eventually."

"Let's hope that won't be for a long time. I'd hate to lose what amounts to a national treasure," Ing chuckled. "Very well. I bow to your collective expertise and assign Jake to Taglar's section."

"Thank you, sir."

"However, that doesn't solve my problem with Ulysses. I have him splitting between engineering and security presently to see which suits him best. However, with magical training now added to his already heavy class work and newcomer orientation, unlike Jake, he will have difficulty keeping up and may become extremely frustrated. To prevent that, I feel it best to pull him out and have him focus exclusively on his newcomer and magical training. Anyone have a valid objection?" Ing asked.

"He definitely won't like it, sir, as he has a need to be a functioning part of the crew but I have to agree, he will become overwhelmed quickly despite being sharper than you think he is," Kam said staunchly.

Ing smiled gently at the bristling wolf. "Easy, Kam. I have not denigrated your mate. I know he's intelligent and bright as well as a brilliant strategist. He would have to be as Chief Enforcer. However, he hasn't cracked a book in years and being aboard a starship, as you well know, if far different than flying in atmosphere. There is much he must know to keep him safe so whatever you have to do to convince him this is not punishment but vitally necessary, you must do and if his famous temper gets in the way, only then send him to me and I'll deal with him at that time, understood?"

*sigh* "Yes, sir." Kam acquiesced, grimacing. There would be a lot of noise coming from their quarters tonight. Good thing they were well insulated.

"If there is nothing more to report..." Ing paused to look at each person in turn. Negative head shakes greeted him. " ...Then return to duty." He rose from his seat causing everyone else to rise as well and wait until he left the room first.

Once in his comfortable ready room off the bridge, Ing went to the nearby window and stared pensively at the passing starscape. Things are about to become interesting and difficult for my three new recruits...," he mused aloud, "...especially for poor Ulysses. Shaking his head, he turned and sat down at his desk and tackled the work waiting there for him.

Chapter 2: Chance: Transitions, Homesickness, and Training

Hissing in frustration, the sandy colored feline violently shoved himself from his computer console and lunged to his feet. Stalking toward the large, oval window, he leaned against it and stared moodily at the moving star scape.

Of course, it really wasn't the stars he was seeing. The ship was traveling at warp speed and that view would have driven him insane as it wasn't something his brain was able to process being an insane mix of kaleidoscopic and garish colors and wild impossible images. So the massive computer that ran the Wotan displayed a harmless star scape for all to see. Quite ingenious really.

He raised a paw to caress the glassy surface. He was still amazed at how much the 'window' resembled glass but he knew from his lessons it wasn't anything of the kind. The material was transparent aluminum. He'd frankly gaped at the engineering crew member who had told him that. No way had he even contemplated such a thing existing but here it was guarding him against the absolutely forbidding temperatures and lack of oxygen on the other side of it and looking like ordinary glass the whole time.

It wasn't the first of the things he marveled at but it was one of the most impressive. The second was getting anything he asked to eat from a replicator and the exact temperature he enjoyed for his shower. The Wotan was an absolute cornucopia of fantastic technological advancements and he was thrilled by it all like a kitten in a candy shop.

However...and here he turned to give the computer in the corner a nasty look...there was a downside to all this amazing stuff.

It had been years since he'd cracked a book and though, this time it was all on computer, the lessons weren't any more palatable now than they were then. But there was a major difference between then and now...here learning meant staying alive in a ship you couldn't just put on a parachute and escape and that what you knew could mean the difference between living or dying very quickly. Nothing quite matched that level of threat in the Enforcer Academy.

To be sure, the academy taught many of the same lessons: be a team player, fly specialized crafts, use weapons, self defense and combat fighting methods, and all the laws governing the city and law enforcement; but out here in space, those lessons were added to with flying through the stars, learning to live in a confined space, alien relations, space walking, first contact with new species, and much, much, more. Just learning to navigate in space took far more learning than flying in an atmosphere. But the biggest difference between his old life and the new was learning to actually be a team player. Something he failed at on Aristal.

Failure here meant the death of a whole crew, including yourself. Being a team player meant living another day safe and sound.

He had been so used to relying on only himself and his partner for so many years, retraining himself out of that habit and learning to trust others, was turning out to be really difficult. But changing mental gears is what he had to do and quickly. Being the lone ranger simply didn't work well out here, unless you had a death wish or were contemplating suicide. So to become a team player aboard the Wotan meant learning things he'd never heard of before.

From astrophysics to starship operations to the history of the Alliance to magic (of all things). None of it was easy and he hadn't even got close to flying a shuttle yet. That was a long way off because he first had to clearly understand the nature of space travel and maneuvering in it and what warp drive was all about. Doing that wrong meant starting in one place and plowing into a planet at the other end because you didn't understand how to navigate through wormholes.

All this information made his head ache. When he started this journey, he was frankly intimidated by the amount of stuff he had to learn. Jake, he thought sourly, just lapped it up. He was having no problems. But then, his ability to understand just about anything he read and was taught was the reason Chance had managed to graduate from the academy in the first place. If he'd had to rely on himself, he'd have flunked out within the first year.

So since his arrival aboard the Wotan, he started his day with a shower then breakfast, sometimes with Tara, and, other times, with his partner. Though, since they'd come aboard the Wotan, he seen very little of Jake as the cinnamon tom was very busy in engineering, his studies, and, of course, Genus' arms.

It made Chance feel a little jealous at how fast Jake was learning all the myriad of subjects they had to cover without as much effort that it took his friend. However, there was one thing he didn't envy his partner. Barely a day since they'd left Aristal, Genus had revealed some startling news to Jake. It took his partner until the next day to get over his shock and come to speak with him, seeking some comfort from his best friend.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"Magic You're kidding " He'd shouted, shocked at what his friend had told him. "And Feral too?" That had made him even more incredulous.

"Yeah..." Jake looked uncomfortable and unhappy. "Star told me I already was using magic of a sort when I invented all those unique weapons we used. I don't want to learn magic! " He blurted, bitter and upset.

Chance wrapped a comforting arm around his best friend, his expression worried and angry. "Then don't do it."

Jake shook his head violently, his expression even more morose. "Can't! If I don't learn how to use it properly and have it under my control, it could be forced from me and harm everyone around me. Just being surrounded by the other wizards on board could cause me to mess up their energies. Which, I'm told, is a very bad thing for the Wotan in general."

Feeling sick, Chance hugged Jake more tightly since he couldn't think of anything to say that would make this easier for his friend. After a long uncomfortable moment, they parted and stared at each other.

"Then you'll just have to be the best magical whatsis you can be! " Chance declared stoutly.

Jake couldn't help but chuckle at that then sighed, "...yeah I guess...not like I have a choice but it certainly makes a greater workload with everything else I'm trying to learn."

"Yeah, that really sucks alright. Bet Feral is having a fit about it and Kam is having to plug his ears," Chance said, trying for a little humor.

His friend grimaced at first then shook his head and smiled a little. "I have no idea, but I'm betting you're right and Kam is sleeping on what passes for a couch here."

Chance laughed at the image that evoked.

That conversation had been just days after they'd left home. The next day, he'd been coming down a corridor when Feral came around the far corner. Seeing the thundercloud expression on the former Chief Enforcer's face, made him decide ducking into a nearby classroom was a better option than facing the tom's obvious ire. Yeah, the Commander was pissed and probably would remain that way for some time until he accepted he couldn't avoid the magical training. Chance kinda felt sorry for him.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Those first weeks had been way too hectic. Orientation filled their every waking hour with subjects he expected plus ones he'd would never have considered would be important. Feral looked rather boggled at the amount of subjects they had to cover and that was after they'd been put through physical and mental examinations and tests, being fitted with a language chip in their skulls, received initial counseling, a briefing from the Captain, learning to get about the ship from stem to stern, emergency procedures, what to do when the ship was under attack, the rank structure, social skills required around all the different species aboard, and even be familiar with magic and how to behave toward the Sept.

Jake's obvious excited relish at learning so many new things made Chance and Feral have a rare moment of shared disgust and envy. When he remembered seeing that list of courses, he blanched and wished not for the first time, he could just go home now.

Anyway, that had been a couple of months ago and they had since adjusted to their busy new lives but it hadn't been easy.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

His mind pulled back to the present when he began to get stiff leaning against the glass. He straightened and did some stretching motions while his mind continued to remember those first few weeks in space.

Homesickness had ambushed him only two weeks out from Aristal. The excitement of being aboard the starship and the hectic orientation period had faded, allowing memories of home to haunt him.

He'd missed a mandatory class because he was feeling particularly down and had lost track of time which sent Tara to his quarters to check on him.

She had found him leaning morosely against the window, a pensive and sad expression on his face.

Walking up to him, she gently caressed his back, her sympathetic expression was reflected next to his in the window. "Aw Chance...homesick guy?"

Chance sighed deeply. "I hadn't expected it to bother me at all but...being locked inside a ship and gliding through space makes me miss the sun shining on my face as I flew through the skies of my home."

Shaking her head, she pulled him around to face her. Lifting his chin with her finger, she stared into his eyes and said firmly, "This was what you were warned about, my love. Remember being in space means we must rely on each other for comfort, friendship, and survival. If one of us is disturbed or ill the effect on the rest of the crew is far reaching and could have catastrophic results. That is why everyone must pay strict attention to their own well being and that of their fellow crew mates. If something troubles you or them during sleep, work, or finding happiness, then immediate action must be taken. It isn't like planet-side where one can allow the afflicted to seek help or not. That isn't an option here. We survive only by paying attention and interfering when required to help one another before it becomes a dangerous problem." She eyed him closely to insure he was listening to her.

"So, here's where you must make a choice: see Dr. Tennar, use the holodeck, see Star, or the Captain. Let them help you feel more like yourself. Ignoring the issue is strictly against regulations that we must all abide by. Got it?" She asked, seriously.

He'd heard all this already because it had been drilled into him during his first orientation but coming from one who cared deeply for him made it harder to ignore like he wanted to. It just wasn't something he liked to do...ask for help with emotional issues...but like she said, there really wasn't a choice about this and he couldn't pretend he didn't have a problem because it was already affecting him enough to show. He nodded mutely at her.

Giving him a last, piercing look, she leaned close and kissed him then left him alone.

He turned back to the window and sighed again. So what should he do? He had tried the holodeck. It was a fantastic device. Like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

Inside that plain, stark black room with white lines running through it, the computer would make a world that looked and felt so real, the body and mind were completely fooled. One could program a particular place, time, and images, wait until the computer formed it then march into...home. Chance with Tara's help, had programed it for a day on Aristal. It had been strange walking toward the Turbokat in their old hangar, feeling his familiar g-suit on his body and helmet on his head, then climbing aboard the jet and taking it out, actually flying through the greenish tinged skies of his home.

Nothing about it felt wrong in anyway even though he knew it wasn't real. He knew this was only a large room aboard a star ship hurtling through space but his senses only saw and felt what he was experiencing. It had been exhilarating. Jake had even joined him a few times. But...he didn't think this would help this time.

In the end, he opted to seeing Dr. Tennar. That worthy sent him to a very nice ship's counselor. A feline species very like himself except she had wings, her ears were more bat-like and she had a strange naked tail. He'd blinked at that but had learned quickly that reacting to something new was okay but continuing to stare was not. Counselor Ssslan was comfortable to be with and he had not as much trouble relating his feelings to her as he thought he might. She succeeded in easing much of his feelings of loss and sorrow from missing his home. He was still seeing her at least once a week.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Turning away from the window and his trip down memory lane, he knew he'd delayed long enough getting back to his studies. He grimaced as he sat down heavily at his desk again. He hated the fact that all this learning was such a slow, torturous process for him.

Nor did he like the other form of learning they all had to submit to. This involved having a headset placed over his temples and, for the first four hours of sleep, his brain would listen to a particular lesson selected by his course studies teacher, Lt. Fatar. The next day, he would have to sit for a few minutes until the fuzziness from the sleep learning eased off before getting up. Then he would have to put up with Lt. Fatar's high, fluted voice going over everything he'd learned during that sleep period, ensuring he truly grasped the subject before allowing the tabby to go on to the next subject.

The first time he met Lt. Fatar, he was a bit leery of the creature that looked very like a ferret but now, some two months later, the creature was just another crew mate.

Crud How he hated all this book learning and how slow it was for him to grasp it all. He'd probably go crazy with all the sitting in a classroom or before his computer time if it weren't for the blessed relief of self defense classes.

His smile was all teeth. During that class, he could burn off his frustrations. His teacher, a creature that looked like a huge red bull (no horns though) and was very tall (over eight feet), had hooves. Those should have made him easy to hear coming down the corridors but Lt. Hooftor (the closest the language translator could come to the huffing sound he made) was light on his feet and made a barely-heard tapping sound when he walked. And the big creature was capable of moving lightning fast.

Chance had prided himself on his own lightning speed but soon learned he couldn't hold a candle to Hooftor's ability. He got pasted numerous times but didn't get upset or riled being bested so often. He respected Hooftor and learned a great deal from the security lieutenant.

At least, Jake stood no better chance against the bull either, he thought with a smirk. His partner was swift and light which was why he was so good in a fire fight on the ground but against the bull he seemed slower than molasses. But the damn tom treated his many defeats against the bull as a challenge to be overcome.

The only real satisfaction any of them got was when they sparred against each other. This they'd never had the opportunity to do, especially Feral who had wanted to plow a fist into Chance's face many a time. Now was his opportunity, but what they both discovered...they were equally matched. Jake, though, proved he was much better than Feral which really riled the big tom as he tried repeatedly to land a blow but could never get close enough as Jake danced out of reach over and over again. It was funnier than hell.

He did have to admit, reluctantly, that Feral fared far better against Lt. Hooftor than himself. Which shouldn't be possible since he and the dark tom were evenly matched. It seemed to have more to do with Feral's size that mattered in this case and there was nothing Chance could do about that advantage except to learn other methods of besting their instructor. And once he did manage to win a few matches against Hooftor, even if it happened rarely, he could consider himself well able to take on anything he faced from then on.

A smiled flitted across his face suddenly. Pride gleamed in his eyes as he remembered yesterday's class. Hooftor didn't give out compliments very often but when he did, it meant a lot. And he'd given Chance one such rare compliment during their weapons training with some of the light sidearms the crew carried. It had brightened the tabby's day and gave him bragging rights. Finding something he was good at right now was a definite boost to his confidence.

At that moment, something flashed on his screen demanding his attention. Sighing, Chance stopped wool gathering and reached to start the lesson again when his door chimed. Smiling in relief at the reprieve, he called out as he got back to his feet.

"Come in."

The door slid open and there stood his girl friend. Tara was a lieutenant in the medical and communications fields as well as an insertion team member which is how he'd met her. She was as tall as he but slimmer in built with lots of curves in the right places that were covered in thick tan fur. Her muscles were hard and many, showing off the fact she worked out often. Her muzzle opened to reveal a mouth full of fangs longer than his own and just as sharp, as she smiled, her copper eyes sparkling with warmth.

The door automatically slid closed behind her as she sashayed toward him, her long, thick, bushy tail lazily swishing behind her. She was in uniform so she must have just gotten off duty, he thought.

Smiling broadly, Chance took her into his arms and proceeded to kiss that mouth thoroughly. One paw reached up to grasp a handful of her gloriously long and thick copper hair. Bangs of it fell down her broad forehead and brushed his eyebrows, tickling him.

For a few short, blissful moments, they were lost in each other but soon they parted just far enough their noses touched.

"I thought I'd stop by and see if you'd like to take a break and go to lunch with me," She said, her fingers caressing his cheek fur.

"Music to my ears. I need a break. Let's see what they've got that I can be shocked and choke on or is lip-smacking good," Chance joked as he led her toward the door which immediately slid open as soon as they approached.

Tara laughed. "I like how you are willing to try anything new even if you make the most outrageous expressions when it's something you find disgusting."

Chance just laughed.

CHAPTER 3: Jake: Transitions, Homesickness, & Training

Genus stepped into the quarters he shared with Jake. He had hoped it would be empty but there was the red tom at the computer console going through a lesson he'd been given during orientation.

Jake had heard him enter and halted the problem he was working on to look up and smile at his mate. He'd stopped thinking of Genus as just a lover when they'd done the tour of Aristal. It was obvious to all they would always be together so denying they were mates made no sense.

Hi, how was the debriefing? He asked, casually.

Genus winced inside...and he's given me an opening too...he thought unhappily. Rubbing his neck and feeling distinctly uncomfortable, he stared into his mate's brown eyes a moment before saying, rather bluntly, It went well but new information came out about you and Ulysses. I'm sorry, Jake but your tests have stated you two have a magical core and...

What? Jake lunged from his seat to stand in front of Genus, paws curled into fists. What did you say?

Huffing out a breath of air, Genus calmly repeated what he'd said. You possess a magical core that leans toward that of a techno-mage. As a matter of fact, Star says you already use some magic though you have no control over it.

Jake could only gape at the burly wolf then, trembling with shock, he turned and sat back down again, staring at his paws.

So what happens now? He asked in a small, tight voice.

Genus felt a little sick inside at the way Jake seemed to pull into himself and cut everyone off. That wall effect had only happened once since they'd been together and he'd not liked it at all. When he asked Jake's partner about the behavior, he was told...

All I can tell you is let him ride it out. Nothing you say or do will make him open back up until he's good and ready, Chance had said. He gave Genus a clap to the back in commiseration. I know it sucks but that's just the way he is and I learned to respect it. He comes around fairly quickly but he apparently just needs this method of isolation from everything to get back his equilibrium is all.

Thanks, Genus said, rather sourly.

Sure, no problem, Chance said, smiling sadly before leaving the wolf to ruminate over this quirk of his mate.

And just as Chance had predicted, Jake was fine about twenty-four hours later. But it wasn't pleasant for Genus to put up with. He had great respect for the tabby doing so all those years they were together.

Bringing his mind back to the moment at paw, he sighed and said, Star will be scheduling you immediately for magical training. The other news is much better...you're to be assigned under Chief Taglar full time. He feels you shouldn't be required to sit through orientation since you are so quick to learn. Instead, he will assign a crew man to take you around personally to get the orientation done at your accelerated pace, then the Chief will test you and send the results to the captain. The rest you have to know you're already acquiring on the computer so the rest of your time will be spent working in engineer. Isn't that great?

Jake gave him a wane smile. Yeah, that part sounds fantastic, but... his expression tightened into one of anger. I don't want to use magic Why can't I chose not to? He demanded.

Because the energies the Sept use will cause your untrained magic to react and not necessarily in a benign way. The danger you and Ulysses present in your untrained state is incalculable to both the ship and crew. It is by the captain's direct order that you two undergo magical training. I'm truly sorry but there is no choice.

Hissing in anger, Jake turned away and stalked out of their quarters, the door barely opening in time before he would have run into it.

Genus stood stunned. Should he go after his mate or let him burn off steam? Maybe he's gone to see his partner? That didn't upset the wolf as it would have someone else. He well understood the bond the two shared and wasn't threatened by its existence.

Sighing, he decided to leave Jake be for now and let him return on his own when the tom was ready.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Some time later, Jake returned but said very little to Genus, just nodding his head to acknowledge him but moving past and through to his work room and shutting the door.

This private space had been provided by the captain just for Jake. This was to allow the Kat the ability to put down his ideas the moment they struck him. They didn't want to inhibit his creativity in any way.

However, right now all his brilliance had deserted him. His eyes didn't even see the diagram, he'd pinned to the bulletin board before him. He had gone to see his partner just as Genus had guessed. Chance was just as shocked and upset as Jake was but understood there was no choice and tried to make a small joke about how much Feral would hate this too.

He had too agree Feral would be showing more temper than Jake on this subject. But that hardly matter to the cinnamon tom right now. He wasn't that adverse to using magic, he just didn't' like the idea he had no choice on whether to use it or not. And it was the fact that this was added on top of everything else he needed to learn as well.

Yes, he was quick at learning but that didn't mean he liked being overloaded with studies. Shaking his head, he rubbed his temples. Only on board less than forty-eight hours and already he felt overwhelmed. So not fair, he sighed, deeply.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The next day he was eyeing the device held by the Chief of Medical Officer, rather warily. So that goes into my brain?

Tennar took the question seriously and didn't downplay the Kat's understandable fear. This was an extremely intelligent being and having something inserted into the most important part of his body should cause some concern and reluctance.

The other two Kat's were looking very freaked out about this but if he could convince Jake that it was safe, he felt Ulysses and Chance would fall in line...he hoped. But, this wasn't his first case of dealing with this particular fear. Many years of coaxing newcomers to accepting the device had taught him patience and a few tricks of the trade for getting cooperation. So with practiced ease, he took a lecturing stance and explained the device to the three.

Sort of. This... In his fingers was a pair of tweezers and held within them was an extremely tiny device that looked like a computer chip to Jakes' eyes. ...is inserted into the Broca's area of the brain that controls speech. That is in the small section located at the bottom of the left frontal lobe. The procedure is painless and quick. When this is anchored firmly in place, it will not wander. Once placed properly it will serve as an instantaneous translator for nearly any organic language spoken in the Alliance. This will allow you to understand and speak the language being spoken to you. This has been used in the Alliance for more than a century so it has been well tested and I assure you is completely safe.

Jake still wasn't that enamored about having an alien device put into his brain. What about my... he grimaced, showing clear distaste, "...magical abilities? Won't that cause some problems with anything electronic?

An understandable concern coming from your level of technology, Jake, but, you see, this isn't made of metal and wires and circuitry with a power source. It is totally organic inside and out so it is not affected by any kind of energy and is 'invisible' to magic. Since its only purpose is to translate language, it doesn't set off any alarms outside or inside the body. And that too has been tested. Star and his Sept all wear one of these without any ill effects.

Jake's eyebrows raised at the mention of organic. Really? An organic computer, eh? What's the power source?"

Tennar hid a smile. The Kat had caught on instantly that this was a tiny computer not a data chip of some kind that required an additional device to make it work. That is correct and it is totally self contained and is powered by your own body's natural energy."

The red tom's eyes widened at that. "Really? Now that's cool."

I don't think so. It sounds creepy to me to have a computer in my head. And I still do not like the idea of having one in my head at all, Chance interjected suddenly, growling with uneasiness.

Feral was equally uneasy and unhappy. He scowled at the thing and said flatly, I don't care how safe it is, I don't like the idea of someone mucking around in my brain so they can put something like that in there.

Easy, love. Don't take on so about it. After all, I wear one and so does everyone aboard, Kam soothed. His decision to be present for this important first step for the three Kats becoming crew members had been a good one. He wasn't surprised his mate would object. But he also knew, Ulysses wouldn't disobey a direct order from the captain. He just hoped he could coax the big tom to accept without having to get the captain involved.

I still don't like it but know it's required, Feral grunted, still scowling and looking very unhappy.

I'm with you on that Feral, Chance found himself agreeing.

Just because I think it is cool doesn't mean I like it anymore than any of you, however, it is required of every crew member and that's now us, so stop complaining and let us get this done, Jake said bluntly.

Feral and Chance scowled in unison, but knew he was right so submitted to the procedure without further objections. The procedure was easy and painless, and none of them noticed anything different about each other afterwards, so relaxed and forgot about it.

One more hurtle achieved for the newcomers, Tennar thought. Though I don't envy the pair with magic. That training is quite grueling.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Jake and Feral learned quickly just how much they hated the magical part of their training after only the first day. The procedure to turn on their magical cores had been far more benign and easy compared to what they were being put through now.

Like Callie before them, they had to endure multiple tests even before training could begin then underwent individual sessions with Star with Jake being first. Despite being aboard ship some two days now, this was actually the first time Jake had ever met the Chief Wizard.

Star surprised him. Leaner and much shorter than Tennar, the wolf possessed an eerie calm that didn't quite match the faintly dreamy expression in his startling pale blue eyes. Adding to his mystique were the odd symbols tattooed on each cheek and forehead. His clothing only enhanced that ethereal quality he had about him.

Unlike the rest of the crew, the wizards wore a different type of uniform, if one could call it that. Jake's uniform was silver with blue banding along legs and arms with his rank on each shoulder, very similar to the Enforcer's style of wear.

But the wizard's attire comprised of a shirt made of some kind of silky, shiny material with many symbols stitched in silver on it, the sleeves were bell-like, apparently to allow his arms and paws more freedom of movement. The pants were the same but plain in appearance. His feet were shod in soft leather coverings. Around his waist a silver sash wound around it then was tied in some stylized knot and placed over his left hip. The sash also had symbols stitched in it.

Hello, Jake...I'm Star. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the wizard said in a mild, pleasant voice.

I hope you understand that I don't feel exactly the same, Jake said, rather uncomfortably. He wasn't used to be rude but this whole business felt off to him. His body was warmer than usual and he felt all this energy crawling along his skin under his fur. It wasn't pleasant.

Of course. Feeling uncomfortable, correct?

Yeah, just a bit hot and a kind of creepy sensation under my fur," Jake admitted.

That is your magical energy trying to decide where to go and that's what we're going to do right now...teach you how to get control of it and force it to obey your commands. This room we're in will contain any accidental spillage so no one will be harmed," Star assured him.

Except for you... Jake muttered. He had already surmised the room had been heavily fortified to contain the energy that anyone training in here used. Though it did not appear to be anything special about the room really until he felt pressure against his eardrums when the door was sealed behind him and Star. It also wasn't empty. A large table holding a lot of odd mental junk, or so it appeared to him, sat in the center of the floor.

Star smiled gently. I assure you, Jake, I am quite able to defend myself. Shall we get started?

Jake shrugged. You're the teacher...

An hour later Jake's head felt like it would explode. Star had him use magic to repair the stuff that had been laid out on the table. It turned out to be all kinds of electronic devices used aboard the ship but none of it was anything he'd ever seen before. However, the moment he began studying them to fix them, he had been amazed at how quickly he could figure out how to put them together again, and even knew what they were used for simply by feeling their textures with his magic. It just boggled his mind. He was quick and smart, that was a given but this was like he had a helping hand right beside him advising him on what to do. It was weird and exhilarating but headache producing too.

Here Jake, drink this...it will ease the reaction headache from doing so much magic at one sitting, Star said, handing the Kat a mug of some hot liquid, his expression concerned.

He watched the Kat drink the liquid and make a disgusted face but not argue or complain as he drained it dry. Star was very worried. He had not intended for the tom to work quite so hard or long but there was no way to halt the magic once it started pushing at the tom. He was stunned when Jake had completed all the repairs in record time.

Aristal seemed to produce some very incredibly talented individuals. He was almost afraid to see what Ulysses would be capable of during his session. He had a suspicion he'd need to put some really strong shields around himself when he dealt with that Kat's fire magic.

Once you rest for a little then we'll go through the steps necessary to teach you control and grounding, he told the tom when Jake set the cup down and began to look less pained.

Jake sighed and rolled his eyes but listened patiently as Star explained what he had to do.

When the session was over, he was ordered to go back to his quarters and take an hour nap before reporting to engineering. For once, Jake didn't disobey. Their quarters were quiet as Genus was on duty. Jake staggered to their bed and collapsed on it. Only seconds later he was out cold.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The magical sessions were grueling on top of all the other things he had to learn. None of them had even started the myriad of course work they had to complete to be considered full fledged crew members. Orientation covered everything that had to do with functioning aboard a star ship and though Jake had breezed through the manuals and guidebooks, he still had to do the physical things yet.

Like emergency response behavior, medical training, basic knowledge of every section of the ship from the bridge to the engine room. During most of this, Chance and Ulysses attended with him including defense training which was more intense than anything they done on their own. While he was getting used to the grueling schedule, a new problem cropped up only a couple of weeks later.

It was Genus who first noticed the problem. Peering into Jake's work space in the room attached to their quarters, he noted his mate was still was using an old fashioned method (in contrast to the high tech and easier to use computer system) of putting his ideas down on real paper. Diagrams of his most recent ideas were pinned to the wall above the work bench.

Frowning, Genus realized his mate was possibly suffering symptoms of homesickness. And when he brought the observation up to his mate, Jake vociferously denied it.

Homesickness? Are you kidding? I've been way too busy trying to learn everything I'm supposed to know and magical training on top of that to be missing home. How could I be suffering homesickness? I don't' feel sad or unhappy, Jake objected.

It shows in your clear desire to cling to the familiar, my love. Doing your diagraming the old fashioned way helps you keep hold of what you were used to back home. It's a way for your subconscious to deal with being away from your home and coping with all the new challenges you've been thrown.

All newcomers suffer from it to one degree or another. No one, no matter how strong willed, is immune to its affects. It's worse for those who have never been away from solid ground and a sky over their head. Some never adjust but that won't be true of you. I know with a little help, you'll adjust fairly quickly but you won't on your own, Genus warned, gently.

Jake could only frown and shake his head. Genus' experience and knowledge in this couldn't be questioned but the red tom still had trouble believing he was suffering from homesickness. But since he couldn't refute it, he had to accept it and seek help. He knew the options. The three of them had been thoroughly briefed on what to do when this occurred.

Grimacing in annoyance, he said, Fine, I'll go see Tennar.

Relieved, Jake wasn't going to put up a fight about this, Genus still felt compelled to add, Do it soon, love.

I will, promise, his mate agreed. And he had and that's when he learned his partner was having difficulties too. He didn't know how Feral was faring as the tom didn't cross their paths much except during orientation. He did learn the big tom had been pulled from duty until he finished orientation, magical training, and his course studies.

That must have pissed him off royally, Jake mused, not envying Kam the hassle of dealing with such a temper prone mate all the time. He assumed from what little gossip he'd heard in his short time here, that Kam was keeping his mate in line with superior sex. Though he did hear Feral gave as good as he got. Now that made him snort in amusement. It still surprised him to learn the big tom was dual sex...never would have guessed that in a million years!

As for himself, he was amused and surprised to learn he and Chance were seeing the same counselor. He wasn't any happier than his partner to need this kind of help. But he was forced to admit, he did like the odd creature and received enough comfort from his first few sessions with Ssslan that he was sleeping better and beginning to let go of his old habits a little at a time.

However, he did not think they would get him to stop drawing his designs on actual paper any time soon. It comforted him to do something the old fashioned way and Genus wisely left him alone on the subject.

CHAPTER 4: Feral: Transitions, Homesickness, & Training

Feral stretched and sighed. They were now two days out from Aristal and still he couldn't seem to shake a feeling of loss. Kam had comforted him when the dreaded 'homesickness bug' struck as he watched his world rotate on its axis through the view port just before the Wotan's planned departure. That moment had been bittersweet and drove home the fact his life had truly changed.

Homesickness is normal, my love...every newcomer suffers it so there's nothing to be ashamed of... Kam had started to say at the time, wrapping an arm around him and hugging him close.

I'm not ashamed, just surprised is all, he had sighed then turned into the hug. I love you and that should be enough.

I love you too but unfortunately, that's not enough to dispel this feeling you're having. You'll learn in orientation that ignoring it or trying to tough it out is not the answer nor will it be allowed. How you feel is very important to the safety and well being of this crew. When you're out of sorts or something is troubling you, help is available and expected to be used. In a closed environment such as this one, we live and die by how we react and if we're distracted by an emotional issue or illness that could spell disaster for all, Kam warned.

He remembered getting immediately uptight about that stricture then resigning himself almost in the same instant. Such a roller coaster of emotions he was dealing with right now and it left him confused and bewildered. He hadn't realized until just now, how his former behavior of being quick tempered and ignoring his emotions as a way to deal with everyday stresses would not be tolerated here and the reasons were very sound. But that didn't help the fact this was the way he'd done things all his life.

You're talking about me changing who I am to fit in here, he'd complained, fretfully then winced when it came out as a whine. He did not whine But you're doing it A small voice in his head said. His conscious was certainly working overtime of late.

Kam had shaken his head. No I am not. But because you think that's the case, I must insist you see Dr. Tennar immediately. This needs to be nipped in the bud quickly so that you don't begin to feel threatened by being here.

Feral stared at his mate, thunderstruck. I do not feel threatened, he denied, loudly.

Easy, Ulysses...I'm on your side, love. I'm not handling this well and only causing you more distress. I'm just not trained to deal with these kinds of issues newcomers have so please bear with me if I get this wrong. But this is exactly why you need to go see Dr. Tennar right now. I want you happy and...

Will he put me through some adjustment machine? Feral interrupted, rather nastily, anger making him unreasonable. He regretted the words the minute they left his mouth. I'm sorry, I shouldn't snap at you. I just feel hemmed in and it makes me uncomfortable.

I know which is why we're leaving this minute to see someone about that," Kam said, firmly and began tugging his mate out the door. Things were escalating out of his control and he needed to nip this problem immediately in the bud.

Feral found himself being gently but firmly escorted to the medical section.

Dr. Tennar eyed them questioningly, though he did not appeared surprised to see them as they walked into his office. It was clear, Ulysses was obviously unhappy and reluctant to be here.

I'm unable to help Ulysses deal with a serious bout of homesickness and fear of not being to adjust to his new life here, Kam came to the point quickly.

Feral gave his mate a shocked and angry look and was about to rebut that rather bald statement when Dr. Tennar smoothly interrupted.

Do not jump on your mate, Ulysses. He obviously is very concerned for you which is why you are here. If you disagree with what he said please tell me now.

Feral's mouth opened instantly to deny what Kam had said, but snapped it shut again almost immediately as he thought better of what he was about to say. He may not have liked how Kam had described his problem, but he couldn't deny it was true simply because it sounded so lame spoken aloud, at least to his ears.

Tennar nodded. Allow me to introduce you to a few people, he said, leading Feral into a different section of the medical center.

This area was quiet and had many rooms off a central hall. Nearly all the doors were open except for two. They passed down the hall to what was apparently a small waiting/break room. It was very nice with deep green carpeting material and a scattering of comfortable seating all designed differently to accommodate the diverse members of the crew.

Feral eyed the various pieces of strangely designed furniture with a jaundiced eye. One such piece looked more like an S than anything anyone could sit on. He didn't think he'd seen a crew member yet that could fit that but then, he hadn't seen all the crew either. Shrugging off the oddness of it all, he eyed warily the small group of beings gathered there, talking, eating and relaxing near one of the replicators.

Good morning all, Tennar sang out as they approached. This is one of our new crew members from Aristal. His name is Ulysses and he is Kam's bonded.

Everyone gave the Kat a warm greeting then waited for Tennar to explain what was up. I would like you all to take a moment, if you have time, to see which of you would like to be his counselor.

All eyes studied the Kat for a long moment then a felinoid male stood and came over to Feral while the others watched and listened politely. Giving Feral a warm smile, he asked, in a soft, mellow voice, Greetings, Ulysses. My name is Rrrluh. Would you care to speak with me a moment?

In his head, Feral said, No way in hell but aloud he said, politely, Certainly.

Rrrluh escorted Feral back to the hall then entered one of the rooms on the left. He waited for Feral to step inside then said, Door close. It slid shut immediately.

Feral looked around the room. The space was small but not claustrophobically so and simply decorated with a few personal touches; an odd plant was growing in one corner, paintings from some planet...possibly Rrrluh's own...were on the walls, a thick burgundy floor covering gave gently under his feet. Oddly, there was only one chair. It was a thickly padded kind of bench with a back. He saw no where he was supposed to sit. In front of the single seat a highly polished type of odd tree had been cut and made into an interesting table. A small computer console was tucked in the corner near the replicator which completed the room.

Computer, seating for a biped felinoid, non-reclining, Rrrluh said. Instantly, a beam from the ceiling shone down and, when it vanished, a normal (to his eyes) looking cushion chair had appeared.

So there are other forms of the replicator on the ship, Feral thought, filing the information away for later study.

Please have a seat, Ulysses.

Reluctantly, Feral moved to the newly made chair and sat, it was remarkably comfortable. Across from him, Rrrluh curled rather than sat in the other odd seat. The counselor looked a bit like one of the wild species of felines Aristal once had in their ancient past. He was as tall as himself, but nuch leaner, like a runner and had a fall of long black hair tied at the nape of his neck with some kind of blue hide material. His fur was short and barred with silver over blue-gray and his face was barred as well. His barred tail was tucked around his curled legs and bright eyes of emerald green eyed him with lively interest.

You don't want to be here and you certainly didn't want to have a conversation with me, Rrrluh said, bluntly, though his expression was still open and friendly.

Feral had blinked wide eyes at the creature in shock. How...

Rrrluh chuckled lightly. It was written on your face.

It was not, Feral said automatically. He had cultivated a stone face long ago. None had penetrated it except his mate.

I will concede, to most you have perfected the expressionless face, hiding your emotions well, but it does not work against me and, I suspect, not with Kam either, Rrrluh said, confidently.

Feral frowned at him but could think of nothing to say to that at first. After Rrrluh said nothing more, Feral finally asked, How?

Specialized training and the fact we are of a similar species. That gives me an advantage over my fellow counselors. I can read the smallest nuance and body tells, a person gives away without realizing it. A tiny twitch of your left eye, a flash...very brief...in those golden eyes, told me how annoyed your were and I extrapolated the rest from hearing a little about you from ship board gossip.

I'm going to have to be very careful around him then, was Feral's immediate thought. He frowned, which also meant this guy could actually help me. If I'm required to see someone it might as well be someone who I don't have to explain every little emotion to, which I hate doing in the first place.

You've decided...excellent, Rrrluh stated, his manner pleased, startling Feral anew.

Grimacing sourly, Feral growled, At least let me agree to it aloud. That's just too creepy for me at the moment. However,... his expression became more thoughtful as something occurred to him, I would be grateful if you could teach me how to do what you do. It would have helped me immensely in my former job but I have an idea it will be even more useful in whatever capacity the Captain decides to place me eventually.

Rrrluh grinned broadly. That's a good beginning, Ulysses. Thinking toward what can help you rather than dwell on how it makes you uncomfortable shows me you are capable of moving forward and helping with your own counseling. You are far more adaptable than you give yourself credit and I think this problem you're having now will not take long to resolve to your satisfaction.

Feral looked pleased and surprised. Oh, well that's good.

Let's begin...

The session ran a little under an hour and by the time Rrrluh was escorting him out, Feral was definitely feeling more confident about his new life and less disturbed by his feelings of leaving home. He was forced to admit, there was a lot to be said for therapy but he would never admit that aloud to anyone.

He realized, of course, that it would take many more sessions to help him learn the techniques he needed to control his temper and retrain his coping mechanisms but at least it had been a good start. It also did not hurt that Kam made sex a part of the therapy that first night.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

A few days later he received his list of requirements for orientation and newcomer courses and all he could do was gape it in dismay and horror. It was much more involved and longer than anything he had taken at the Enforcer Academy. The list contained numerous subjects, some of which sounded familiar while others were totally in the realm of science (something he wasn't particular adept at) and others in fields he had never heard of. There was simply too many subjects and he was supposed to learn all of it in a year? How the heck did they expect him to do that? Briefly, he wondered how the SWAT Kats were taking this but shoved that thought away when he confronted his mate about the list.

He waved the sheet of odd paper under his mate's nose and snapped, You've got to be kidding me?"

Kam snorted, mildly amused. "No, unfortunately, its no joke. That is exactly what all of us were required to go through back on our home worlds before we could even step off the planet for space. Though I will admit, we were given at least two or more years to complete it. However, newcomers haven't got that luxury so we have methods of helping you go through all that faster and, in many ways, much more efficiently. Wish I could have done it that way," he grimaced.

"Anyway, being on a ship already, you simply have to learn what you need as fast as you can so you are not a liability nor a threat to the safety of the ship and its crew," Kam reminded him.

I understand that, thank you very much!" Feral huffed, irritably. "My complaint is how the hell do you expect us to cram all this in so quickly?"

He'd stared down at the list again but it didn't get any shorter or less daunting than the first time he had read it:

Alliance Star Ship Academy Courses Arcanus:

History

Language

Arcanus Space Fleet General Orders and Regulations

Galactic Alliance

History: Introductory

Language: Standard: Mandatory

Law: Introductory

Protocols

Prime Directive

Rank Order and Command Structure

Wotan Additional Orders and Regulations not covered in Arcanus Space Fleet Regs

General knowledge

Computer Operation

Xenobiology: Introductory

Basic Astro theory, Navigation, Exobiology/Xenobiology

Basic Emergency Medical

Magical History and Familiarity

First Time Space Traveler and Alien Contact Orientation

Cultural and Social Anthropology

Elementary Temporal Mechanics

First Contact

Interspecies Ethics

Interspecies Protocol

Intrasystem Peacekeeping Operations

Robotics

Starship Operations

Statistical Mechanics

Stellar Cartography

Survival Strategies

Tactical Analysis

Temporal Mechanics

Training

Unarmed Combat (or specialized unarmed combat type)

Tactical Operations (Space and Planet bound)

Space Walk (EVA Suit Operation)

Pilot: Shuttlecraft, Fighter, Starship (general)

Zero-G Operations

"Well, of course you are not expected to simply absorb all that in a classroom or on the computer. We have sleep learning to speed up the process," Kam told him with a straight face, though he was laughing at his mate's expression inside.

Feral's eyes had widened in shock. "Sleep learning? We had that garbage on my planet and it never worked."

"That is not true here. It is very effective and cuts study time to nothing. Don't worry so much about it, Uly. They will teach you the ropes and you will be an expert in no time. And besides, that method of learning insures you retain what you have been taught much quicker and more thoroughly. Believe me. The only things you have to do in classrooms are experiments, social mores, self defense, piloting, space walking, that sort of thing. Easy," Kam reassured him.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

He did not feel reassured but also did not feel like arguing with his mate about it since it would get him no where anyway. His new found confidence was being tested and overwhelmed by all that was expected of him but he never avoided a challenge and he wouldn't now.

It was lucky he had such light duty when he first came on board ahead of the SWAT Kats. He'd only been required to shadow Chief Taglar in Engineering and Commander Shegar on security of the ship to see where he felt the most comfortable. It was like a mini-vacation as he toured the ship during those days before their departure from Aristal.

How he was to put in all this studying and still spend time in those two areas, he had no clue. His musings were interrupted by the arrival of his mate. His pleasure at seeing Kam was instantly wiped away when he caught his mate's less than happy expression.

What's wrong? Something bad come up during the debriefing? He asked, concerned.

Well, not bad, per se...most of the debriefing was upbeat and pleased the captain a great deal. However, it was what Tennar revealed toward the end that upset Genus and I. There's just no way to say this that won't make you mad and upset, love, so I'll just come out with it. During your exam and Jake's, Dr. Tennar found you both possessed a magical core... his words got swallowed up with his mate's reaction to that unwelcome news.

Feral's hard won calm was blown away as he shouted, "What No way...uh...uh... not happening! His mind couldn't accept what it heard so his speech came out rather garbled and harsh. He was nearly meowing with fury and fear.

Easy, easy... Kam quickly soothed, wrapping his mate in his arms and hugging him tight.

"I...don't...want...to...do...magic " Feral accentuated each word with a stabbing finger into Kam's chest as he shoved himself out of the embrace and stormed to the huge space window to glare at the computer generated stars rushing by.

Kam rubbed the spot his mate had abused and sighed. It was going to be a long night. After many bitter words from Uly and more conciliatory but firm arguments from him, his mate finally calmed down and capitulated but he did not want his mate's company in their bed that night. Sighing wearily, Kam sought other quarters, hoping his mate would be more amendable in the morning.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

All Feral's anger and fear was wasted breath but it felt good to at least get it out of his system. Kam had made it plain that for the safety and good of the ship and crew he would accept magical training. Though Kam didn't say he had to accept it gracefully.

And, to make things even more unpalatable, he learned the next day that he was being temporarily pulled from his shadowing duty in Engineering and Security. That had made him even angrier at first, but he quickly realized with the addition of magical training on top of the other courses and orientation he was expected to do, no way would he have any time for anything else. Sighing, he reconciled himself to his new path but he certainly did not look forward to all that book learning after so many years out of school.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

They just have to make everything hard for me, he fumed when he learned he was not going to orientation today like he thought, but to magical training immediately and he positively hated the thought of it.

His mood foul, he allowed Kam to escort him to the part of the ship that was warded tightly to help contain the energies the Wizard Sept of the crew utilized in their daily work and in their normal lives.

Meeting the Chief Wizard, Star, was rather unsettling as he was a strange looking wolf with his pale blue eyes and tattooed face. Those eyes seemed to peer into his very soul.

After being given a brief hug farewell by his mate, Feral was left to Star's less than tender mercies. The wizard quietly led him to a special room that was both heavily constructed and thickly lined with baffles of some kind. He was also told it was spell warded. The closing of the door felt like he'd stepped into a pressurized room. The space was empty except for two oversized, thick cushions on the floor and the lighting was rather dim. The walls had been painted a deep blue and the floor was made of some kind of soft material but it wasn't carpeting, it was colored with patterns of differing blue and green shades.

Your first lesson, Ulysses, is extremely important. It must be learned thoroughly before we can start your real training. This is called center and ground and it is a very necessary part of doing any kind of magic," Star explained, patiently.

Star could see and sense just how angry Ulysses was but he paid it no attention to that as he set about getting his student to listen and learn. Having heard how stubborn Feral could be from Kam's report, he opted for a more direct approach to gain the Kat's undivided attention and obedience.

Feral stood before him trying to hide his annoyance at being here but was determined to learn. He was a good soldier and knew there would be many things he would not like but it made no difference in the scheme of things.

Star knew the big tom would do as he was told being the well trained officer he was, however, the wizard needed to prove to the prickly tom that Star was totally capable of handling anything Uly would toss at him. They needed to get this bit of domination nonsense (as he thought of it) over with before they could get down to the true learning here. So with no expression at all, Star used only a little of his considerable power to sweep the big Kat's feet from under him then force the powerful body to assume a sitting position on one of the cushions. The finishing touch was to magically glue the tom's butt to the floor.

Ulysses had yelped in surprise and anger, glaring up from the floor at Star as he attempted to rise to object strongly to being treated like that. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not move.

Star hid his amusement and went to sit at his own cushion, crossing his legs, and preparing his mind for what was to come. From slit lids, he observed Ulysses behaving like a pouting and angry kitten.

Mentally, he sighed. He knew the tom was receiving therapy. Hopefully, it would help teach this temper prone tom to learn control. He was far too old to be having temper tantrums. With the amount of power, Star could sense bubbling under the surface, he knew he had to teach this Kat control very quickly or Uly could become a true danger to all. Showing who was boss right at the starting gate was Ulysses' first lesson that Star was to be obeyed instantly and respected for the knowledge he held and that he could and would be able to control the Kat if need be during these sessions. This was the only thing, he felt, this Kat would understand.

And he'd been right. Feral was convinced Star was very powerful and could manage him with ease so obeying was a smarter idea. With the tom's temper cooled and his attention more focused, Star spent the next two hours getting the Kat to center and ground. What made it so difficult was the Kat's inability to relax and keep his mind focused on the specific task at paw. That was because Feral was too used to multi-tasking and never taking time to just meditate and relax so his focus could be clearer. This explained his quick temper, high frustration levels, and inflexibility. It was going to take a combination of therapy and retraining to first teach this stubborn Kat the importance of thinking things through thoroughly before acting on impulse as was his habit. Flexibility would come after.

Which was why it took so long for Feral to grasp the simple concept of centering his mind and soul and grounding it. After more than two and a half hours, the Kat finally succeeded. He could now center and ground without a second's hesitation.

Excellent That is the hardest task to master and you've succeeded. Here is something to deal with the reaction headache, Star said, handing a steaming mug to the big tom.

Grimacing with pain, Feral took the mug and, though the stuff stunk and tasted nasty, downed it without hesitation. Within only a few moments, his headache was gone. His body went limp with relief. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been until the herbal forced his body to relax. Multiple twitches across his shoulders told him just how tight he'd held his body during the training.

That's enough for today. Take a hot shower and allow your mate to give you a massage to ease your sore muscles. I won't see you again until the day after tomorrow as your 'magical' muscles will need to be rested, Star told him, releasing the tom from his enforced position. Plus, I believe you have a great deal of orientation to begin.

Yes, I do, Feral said with ill grace as he got to his feet.

Star took no offense and simply smiled as he opened the door and released his reluctant student to go back to his quarters.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The next day Feral found himself in the medical bay with Chance and Jake watching Dr. Tennar explain the insertion of the translation device. His first reaction was the same as the other two, no way would he let something like that be inserted.

But, after Jake had asked questions and Dr. Tennar had explained the process thoroughly, did he and Chance allow it to be done. He had to admit, the whole thing wasn't painful and he didn't even notice the thing except he could now understand his fellow crew members with a bit more clarity.

As soon as that vital thing had been done, the three were immediately plunged into a whirlwind of lessons on how to survive, live, and function aboard a star ship. The first part was incredibly boring but necessary: learning the rank structure, taking skills and knowledge tests to see where they stood before determining what they needed to learn, a brief coverage on all the species aboard and the social mores they had to know to interact with them without causing insult.

That had taken more than two days. The next step was learning what to do if the ship was under attack and what was expected of them as untrained crew members. All three enjoyed the self defense training they were introduced to which helped to burn off their frustrations on how much they had to learn and, especially, for the two learning to do magic.

Like Chance, Feral found he liked Lt. Hooftor because sparring with him allowed him to use all his strength instead of holding back. And it didn't matter if he got beat a lot during the practice, it just meant he needed to learn newer methods of fighting and that excited him. He loved pushing himself to the limit. But what made the whole session the best day he'd had since learning he had to do magic was getting a chance to trounce his former antagonists. He found he was better at some forms of defense than Chance though they turned out to be nearly even in strength. But it was Jake he learned some humility from. The smaller tom was light and fast and difficult to lay a paw on. He gained a lot of respect for the tom after that.

Coming back to his quarters sweaty and bruised but sporting a huge smile that had caused his mate to eye him with bemusement, Feral began to undress.

What has you so happy despite having, obviously, received a good trouncing in the defense class?

Grinning even more broadly, Feral crowed, I got to spar with those two pains in the tail.

Kam smirked. Ohhh...I see. And you won?

Not exactly but I did get to wipe that constant smirk from Furlong's face.

His mate snickered at the joy in Ulysses' tone. ...and what about Jake?

Feral rolled his eyes and shrugged. Ah, well, Clawson is like a shadow, quick and fast on his feet, I do freely admit. After attempting to land a blow on him, I learned to respect his method of fighting that allows him to take on opponents much larger and more powerful than himself. He even got one tag on Hooftor, to his surprised pleasure.

Kam's eyebrows rose. Seriously? I'll have to be more watchful when next I spar with him, though I don't usually see him that often. But it sounds like I should make the time just for the challenge. It's very rare anyone gets a tag on Hooftor at any time."

So I've heard and watched. I never landed a blow and spent a great deal of time flying through the air. But getting to spar with Furlong was worth it even though we are rather evenly matched and I did great one hell of a workout. I really needed it. Didn't realize how much stress I had built up or Furlong for that matter as we didn't hold back."

"That's good to hear. Go take a shower, love, and I'll use the medi-wand on the worst of your sore muscles and bruises then we'll get something to eat.

Sounds like a plan but I have one addition to that, Feral said, a hot glint in his eye.

Oh and what would that be, Kam rumbled silkily, already having a good idea what was on his mate's mind now.

Join me in the shower.

You couldn't keep me out. His own eyes glowing with fire and anticipation, Kam quickly stripped his clothes off, though he wasn't as fast as his mate who was already stripped and heading toward the shower at nearly a trot. Laughing at his mate's obvious urgency, he stalked after, his cock leading the way, already hard and excited.

This story is already 30 chapters long and still a WIP so I won't post the rest here. This will just wet your appetite for more. Read the rest here: https://www.fanfiction.net/story/story_preview.php?storyid=8668703&chapter=1/