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In Gateway Station's Main Treatment Area.

"I can feel him." Dana whispered, a smile slowly spreading across her muzzle. It had taken what seemed like hours, but with the help of the equines they had finally connected with nova's unconscious mind.

<Take him in your arms and hold him tight, child. Together, we shall guide you back to the light.> The gestalt of Amalthea, Beleth and Eshera mentally replied, speaking in a combined voice of telepathic unity. With Dana as their focal point, the trio began telepathically altering the patterns of energy in nova's body, carefully fallowing the template provided by the human Graystone, in order to repair the damage to his mind.

"His neural activity is increasing, be ready with the sleep inducer so he does not regain consciousness." Dr Ember warned the others as he saw spikes in Nova's mental readings. While he was pleased to see his matriarchs were succeeding in restoring the human's mind, he very much wanted to avoid the boy regaining consciousness with as much damage as still needed to be repaired. After all, allowing him to awaken in agonizing pain would be extremely traumatic, witch they feared would cause him even greater harm.

"Theta waves are beginning to form, but they are very erratic. I recommend administering Caltrazen to stabilize them." Melinda said as she worked to recalibrate the sleep inducers, one eye still carefully monitoring her screens.

"No." Doctor Ember corrected. "Caltrazen would have unacceptably deleterious effects on human synaptic interconnectivity." He took a moment to check his personal xenobiological database for the correct medication. "Give him 20ccs of neropantathan."

Melinda nodded to Crystal who quickly administered the medication while the bunny placed the set of sleep inducers on either side of Nova's head. Then all they could do was wait and watch, occasionally adjusting the nanites and dialing down there output as the boy's body began to respond.

Half an hour later the nanites power output was barely a tenth of what it had been wile acting as a life support system, only sending strong enough impulses to bridge the burned sections of spinal cord. The rest of nova's metabolism, cardio pulmonary system and circulation had nearly reached what was normal for a resting human. Just as the boy's body began to twitch, nearly to the point of waking Dr Ember acted, activating the inducer to smoothly transition him from the oblivion of unconsciousness, into a state of peaceful sleep.

Flash

Wile Dana was in contact with her human love, it was little more then a vague impression of him, like one might experience cuddled with another sleeping person. But as he was transitioned into an active state of sleep the mink was momentarily blinded by a flash of mental light. When her vision cleared the mink found herself looking into a lush green vally surrounding a small and peaceful lake. Off in the distance the low meadow grasses were bordered by a thick evergreen forest as far as the eye could see.

Truly it was a tranquil and idyllic scene of pure untouched nature in it's absolute perfection, beauty unspoiled by the touch of any living creature. Momentarily dazzled by the telepathic vision before her, it took Dana several long seconds to realize there was a small trembling figure cradled in her arms.

"Nova?" She asked softly as she pulled him tighter to her, feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the reunion with her mate. "Is it you my love? Is it really you?"

Unable to remember his time in the afterlife, Nova's memory had reverted to the moment just before his death. Very slowly he lifted his head, his bright blue eyes meeting hers as he exclaimed. "Oh my Mistress, thank the goddess! They didn't hurt you did they? I tried so very hard to protect you."

He stopped speaking for a moment, remembering the look of pain and hate in her eyes as they knelt together in engineering. Timidly, fearful she might still be angry with his apparent betrayal he softly whispered. "You... you do know I was just pretending to help them, right Mistress? It.... it was the only way I could think of to protect you. The Captain... gave me permission... too."

Both in the dream vision as well as the real world tears started to leak from Dana's eyes, her jaw softly quivering. Her beloved mate had sacrificed himself for her, dieing in fear and pain to protect her and still he feared she would reject him. It shamed her as a female when her culture demanded it was her duty to protect and provide for her male. Again she felt unworthy of him, of a mate who had so utterly given himself to her.

"Yes my love. You protected me and my crew, we all survived because of you." She tenderly told him as she tilted his head up, tenderly pressing a kiss to his lips. Several moments later she breathlessly added. "Now it's my turn to keep you safe my love. I'm never going to let you be harmed again."

Obviously relieved by her understanding and acceptance, nova released the anxious breath he had been holding. Much reassured he now snuggled up close to her and nuzzled the underside of her muzzle as he lovingly whispered. "It is my duty to protect you, my Mistress. Even if it meant surrendering my life, I would do everything possible to keep any harm from touching you."

Dana inhaled sharply as the realization struck her, nova did not know that he had in fact already died protecting her. That while shielding her with his own body, he had been mercilessly murdered by his own people. That If not for a miracle of technology, there separation would have been complete and his soul would have been returned to the goddess. Little did she know the truth of what had happened to him or what his return to mortal flesh would mean for their future.

She was still looking into his eyes, trying to find the right words to explain what had happened to him when Nova took notice of three shadowy figures standing behind her. Slowly he pulled slightly back from her and looked over the mink's shoulder to pier at them. They appeared as ghostly apparitions, shimmering figures in vague Anthro shapes holding hands. One of them he seemed to know, her presence was familiar. The other two were strangers and he found himself fearful of them, resenting their trespass into his safe place. In response to that momentary flash of childish resentment, the two figures nova didn't know were flung far into the sky, banished from his world of dreams in a dazzling flash of light.

The remaining figure resolved into Eshara, her presence growing much stronger as the shadow around her faded now that she was no longer shielding her matriarchs. The unicorn mare was so startled by the expulsion of the others that her expression of peace and serenity was quickly replaced with shock as she looked to either side of her. The paws that had been holding Amalthea and Beleth's moments before slowly came up in front of her as she collected herself, fearful of doing anything that might cause nova to banish her as well. Carefully, in a very soft and disarming tone she slowly approached them as she said. "Nova child, please calm your mind. I mean you no harm, it is just me, Eshara. You do remember me, don't you child?"

Dana, having little to no experience with telepathy was even more shocked by this turn of events. All she could think to do was cuddle nova closer to her, soothing and reassuring him as she added. "Yes my love. You are safe, no one is going to harm you."

After a long snuggle with the mink he loved, nova glanced back at Eshara. He remained silent for several long moments, trying to understand how either of them where able to enter his world of dreams. With a deep breath he finally decided that it was okay for them to be here with him. After all, nothing was able to harm him here. "Mistress, wile I don't understand how you got here, you are both welcome in my safe place."

"Your safe place?" Dana asked, obviously confused.

"This world of dreams has always been my refuge from pain and suffering, Mistress. No matter how bad my life has been or how I have been punished, no one has ever been able to harm me here." Nova whispered, his eyes downcast in shame.

"Dear Goddess, you're a dream walker?" Eshara asked, her eyes growing wide.

Back in the medical bay

Without warning Amalthea and Beleth were both suddenly thrown away from the sleeping human. Fortunately for Beleth she was close enough for Kayla and Sasha to catch, but Amalthea was mere inches from hitting the floor snout first when her guard caught her telekinetically. By the time she was back on her hooves the guard was at her side to steady her. "My lady, are you injured? what happened?"

"My goddess!!" She gasped. "As soon as he noticed us, he forced us out of his mind. I've never felt anything like that."

Beleth, after taking several long moments to shake off the feeling of dizzy disorientation from the forcible ejection, softly groaned. "I have, Sister. It has been many years since I felt one so strong, but I'm certain that was a Tel'takic."

Still helping to keep the Nightmare on her shaky hooves, Kayla shamefully lowered her eyes as she apologized. "My ladies I am so very sorry about this. Even though I don't understand what just happened, as Nova's owner, I take full responsibility for his actions."

After taking a moment to clear her mind and rub the bridge of her snout Beleth tenderly responded. "Nonsense, child. This was unforeseeable. Tel'takic is a panic reaction of untrained telepathic minds. As we had already determined your human doesn't possess a telepathic gift, he shouldn't have been able to do it."

Having left the other doctors to watch over Nova, Dr Ember first made a telepathic scan of the Lady Amalthea to ensure her mental stability, then repeated the process with Beleth as he asked. "Are you sure, Mother? If that had been a tel'takic wouldn't it have also severed the link with sister Eshara and her charge as well?"

It was then that they all took notice of the fact that Eshara and Dana were still in telepathic contact with the sleeping Nova. Each had a relaxed look of serenity on their faces and Dana, with wet cheek fur, had a tender smile on her muzzle. Confused by this Beleth tried reaching out to touch Eshara's mind, only to find it impossible to make contact with her.

<I don't understand this.> Beleth sent to the others.

<Mothers, are you absolutely certain he isn't telepathic?> Dr Ember asked, obviously confused by this seemingly impossible turn of events.

<We scanned him as deeply as we could and only detected empathy. But after this, I just don't know.> Beleth added, her thoughts carrying much uncertainty. <His empathic gift alone makes him one of us, but should he prove to be telepathic as well it will most surely complicate matters.>

At that moment the normally quiet and reserved Twilight Guards fur Afina, added her own mental voice to the conversation. <My Ladies, I feel it is my duty to remind you of the laws pertaining to the enslavement of telepaths. If this human does prove to be a true telepath, then the guard will have no other choice but to intercede and invalidate their ownership of him, for there own protection. After all, a telepath can only be owned by another, more powerful telepath. That would be regrettable given the love these furs seem to have for him, but the law exists because such furs can and have used there gifts to manipulate and control there owners.>

This drew a moment of silence from all of them as they pondered the implications of contesting this human's ownership with the military. It would mean not only acknowledging the existence of a human telepath, but doing so publicly. With recent resurgence of mistrust of telepaths brought about by the gifts beginning to present in non equine Anthros and the current climate of hatred for humans, that would be far to public a fight for there liking. It could even spark off tensions none of them wished to think about.

< Brother, Sisters, we are getting ahead of ourselves here. Until we can fully assess his potential, our priority is to heal this child. Once he has fully recovered we can take the time to properly test and evaluate any gifts he may or may not possess. Above all else, it is our duty to aid those in need.> Amalthea said, acting as the voice of reason.

< Yes, Sister.> They answered, submitting to her authority as there chosen leader.

< Very well. Brother Marcus, I wish for you to continue treating this human. Wile you are assisting the team at the institute, see if it is possible to run a full genetic profile on him. If you discover any of the genes for telepathy, then the council will look into the laws on this matter and act if needed.> Amalthea concluded, ending there private conference.

Knowing that non gifted furs where often made uncomfortable by telepaths communicating mind to mind in there presence, Amalthea responded aloud to Dr Ember's earlier question. "Not necessarily. This child knows both sister Eshara and her charge, but we are strangers to him. It is possible that they might have been ignored because he trusts them. Irregardless, much remains to be done. Wile we've successfully restored his mind, I believe the child's body still requires much attention."

"Regrettably, yes. This poor child suffered a great deal of damage. But thankfully, it shouldn't take very long to repair." Dr Ember said, nodding. He then looked back to the three doctors clustered around the medical workstation for confirmation as he asked. "Am I correct that we need only replace his destroyed lung and kidney, as well as regenerate the damage to his spinal cord?"

The station's chief medical officer, Dr Riversong, took a second to scan her open case file before answering. "Yes, then of course repairing the muscle and tissue damage around the wounds. I estimate it should only take two, perhaps three hours once the replacement organs have finished cloning. Fortunately, That process was started when he first arrived, so they should be ready soon."

"Um, it's a bit more..." Melinda started, only to trail off and fall silent as she glanced guiltily to Crystal. It didn't take a telepath to see that both of the doctors from the Crimson Claw were suddenly very uncomfortable. Obviously There had to be something more about the case, something they had not yet divulged.

Before Dr Ember could ask, Kayla let out a long sigh. "I had hoped this wouldn't be necessary, but you have my authorization to share the relevant medical records with them. Medical information only, everything else remains classified."

This drew some questioning looks from Dr. Riversong and the Equines as Crystal withdrew a data device and handed it over to Dr. Ember. She waited a moment wile the stallion inserted it into one of the medical work stations before trying to explain, choosing her words very carefully. " Soon after docking, Melinda and I intended to bring Nova down to the Royal Medical Academy. Do to some... extreme physical abuse he suffered as a child, we hoped to consult with several specialists in order to come up with a proper course of treatment for him."

As Dr. Ember started reviewing the information, the Lady Amalthea spoke into the uncomfortable silence. "From the limited information sister Eshara was able to share with me a few days ago, I suspect it was accompanied by extensive mental abuse as well."

Kayla's long vulpine tongue took a moment to lick her suddenly dry lips, the vixen thinking rapidly. Reluctantly, she found herself having to concede the point. "Yes my Lady. But due to some very complicated circumstances, I was required to place a temporary obsidian level security seal on the Information. Normally your position as a High Councilor would grant you sufficient clearance, but In this case the decision must be made by Fleet Command."

The Lady Amalthea found herself shocked by this. Obsidian was the highest level of clearance, normally restricted to royalty and military flag officers. Even the high council was only granted access to such information as needed, on a case by case bases. She had just begun to contemplate who she would have to contact for access to this information when she was distracted by Dr. Ember swearing. "Child of Innocence save my soul!"

The stallion lifted his eyes and fixed Kayla with a frank, accusatory glare. "Abuse, My Tail. Since this thrice dammed war started, I have spent nearly 30 years treating human prisoners for every imaginable injury. This, " He said, pointing a damming finger at the monitor " I have seen far to many times. He was tortured, I suspect from one of your dammed interrogations."

Of course the angry stallion didn't mean an interrogation Kayla herself had preformed, obviously referring to the military in general. Still there was an accusation in his tone, implying he believed that she or some fur under her command had been the one to brutalized this boy. This was a truly sore subject between the Order and the Military, there willingness to result to such brutal tactics in order to extract information from high value captives.

It caused all equines a great deal of guilt, knowing that every human who suffered was because they refused to use their abilities to forcibly, yet painlessly extract information from them. It would be so easy, just a few minutes of concentration and they would possess all the knowledge in the humans mind. But there in lied the danger. If even one equine was allowed to disregard her vows, even for what seemed like a good cause, it could be the first step in a chain of events that would lead to there races destruction.

That Dr Ember might be wrong in this case became obvious as all the equines empathically sensed a wave of resentment surging from Kayla, even as he made the accusation. Although they could all feel her anger, nothing showed on her face as she answered in as cold a tone as possible without being outright insubordinate. "I don't know what kind of fur you think I am, but I would never allow such dishonorable behavior on my ship. Wile I have been forced to do things I am not proud of, abusing a male, much less a child, is not one of them. Everything you are seeing, all that unspeakable cruelty, happened to nova before joining us."

Wile reading a fur's thoughts was forbidden, nothing stopped the two matriarchs from empathically reading the truthfulness of Kayla's statements. Even if someone was a frequent and confident liar, it was nearly impossible to hide the subconscious feelings of guilt and anxiety that came from trying to deceive another. Not sensing anything like that from the vixen captain would normally be enough to convince them of her innocents, had not Dr Ember reached out to them mentally. < Sisters, she is lying to us. While most of these injuries date back years, It is clear that this human was severely beaten only a few days ago.>

Dr Ember's mental voice slowly trailed off as something on the screen caught his attention. He remained silent for several very long seconds as feelings of revulsion and disgust emanated from him. When he was able to compose himself, he added in a small, hurt voice. <My Goddess. If what I am seeing here is accurate, that poor child was violently raped by another male less than a week ago. A .. A feline, I think. By the pit, what did they do to him?>

< They rescued the child from the one abusing him.> The mental voice of Eshara cut into their conversation, surprising them. With the time dilation effect of direct telepathic contact the trio of equines had failed to notice when Eshara and Dana awoke from contact with the sleeping nova. Now the mink was babbling something to her captain, hugging her and nearly weeping in joy at having spoken to her male again.

< The child was violated by the captain of the ship they rescued him from. The beating, wile it did take place on board the Crimson Claw, is not what you think it was.> Eshara said, looking back and forth between them. Very carefully, staying within Kayla's orders to reveal nothing of Nova's origins, Eshara increased the telepathic contact with the other equines and relayed the events of the last week to them. She perhaps came close to violating the spirit of those orders when she shared Nova's brutal treatment on board the Black Rock after being taken from an escape pod in the wreckage of Star Base Gamma.

< I... see.> The Lady Amalthea responded slowly. There had been a lot of thoughts and feelings from Eshara's trips into Nova's mind, the boy's fear and pain, as well as the love that bonded him to his new family. There was also a large glimpse of the dark alter personality that had motivated her to contact the order for help in healing him. It was a great deal of information to digest, but it had effectively dispelled all thoughts of Nova being mistreated by the furs in their presence.

After coming out of the prolonged telepathic contact required to share nearly a weeks worth of experiences, she noticed Kayla, Sasha and Dana all looking at her. Obviously they could tell what she and the other equines had been doing, perhaps wondering if she had been defending them or siding with her own kind. Deciding to put them at ease, she spoke aloud to her matriarchs for there benefit. "Mothers, I give you my word of honor that no fur here has mistreated this child in any way. In fact, they have treated him no differently then any other male who willingly submitted himself to a companion collar."

"Mistreated him?" Dana asked in surprise, having missed their earlier conversation. "My Ladies, I know Nova is human, but he is still a male, my male. I love him and would never hurt him."

"It's okay child, there was just some concerns regarding nova's medical scans." Eshara said, giving the mink a comforting hug.

Amalthea, sensing the situation devolving and knowing they would need to preserve as much good will with this human's owners as possible, stepped forward and laid a paw on Dana's shoulder. "Be calm child. We have felt the love you have for this male and do not believe that you harmed him. Questions of his injuries can wait until this security matter has been resolved. For now we would prefer to focus on how we can assist in healing him."

Stepping back after giving Dana a tender kiss on the forehead, Amalthea returned her gaze to the doctors as she asked. "Given brother Marcus's reaction to that file, I assume that healing this child will require much more time then we first thought?"

Crystal, the chief medical officer of the Crimson Claw nodded. "For the immediate life threatening injuries, it should take about a day to repair. But for all the preexisting damage, we had estimated ten days, to perhaps two weeks depending on how many specialists we can recruit. The muscular and tissue damage will be difficult enough to regenerate, but there is neurological injuries far beyond my level of expertise."

Doctor Ember, eager to make up for his earlier unfounded accusation, spoke up at this point. "If I might make a suggestion, I think I know of a method that might greatly reduce the time needed to heal this child. Have any of you by chance read any of the Mountain Valley Institute's published research on full body regeneration? It is still an experimental treatment, but it has been showing very promising results in cases of large scale trauma."

While Crystal and Doctor Riversong could only flick their ears, Melinda nodded as a smile grew on her muzzle. "Yes, we covered it in my last year at the Royal Medical Academy. A subject is fully immersed in a tank of biogel and rebuilt from the cellular level by nanites, much like the device on Dana's tail." she said, pointing to the portable regeneration unit on the tip of the mink's scorched tail. Already it had repaired nearly all of the damage cause by the energy beam that had grazed it.

"Exactly." Dr Ember said with a nod. "With the biogel providing all the raw materials for the nanites, whole limbs have been regrown in mere days. While I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to use this process on neurological injuries, all the other damage to this human's body should be easily repaired in two, perhaps three days. After that, it is only a matter of time and physical therapy for him to fully recover."

"So soon?" Dana asked, grinning so wide the tips of her fangs where showing.

"Potentially!" Dr Ember cautioned. "As I said, the procedure is still experimental. To my knowledge it has not been tried on humans as of yet. Since the process works by rebuilding a subjects body to the best potential of the DNA, I will need to consult with my colleagues at the institute and see if it is even possible for a human genome to be sequenced for the process."

Of course, this would also give him the opportunity to sequence the boys DNA in order to look for genes indicating telepathic abilities. Two birds, one stone, a win for both of them.

"Is this process safe?" Dana asked, her smile fading slightly. "I don't like the idea of my Nova being experimented on."

Dr Ember gave her a small, reassuring nod. "It's not really new technology, just an improvement on an already proven method. Portable regenerators, such as the one on your tail have been used without complication for decades. While no procedure is completely safe, the risks in full body regeneration are minimal. To my knowledge there have been no serious negative reactions in the three years it has been in use."

"Crystal?" Dana asked, turning to the doctor she trusted most.

The feline took a moment to consider the options before speaking. "The nanites that are keeping him alive will not last indefinitely, the longer we rely on them, the greater the risk of complications. As long as this process is safe for humans, it would be best to heal him as quickly as possible."

Dana then looked over to Kayla, still unsure. "Captain? What do you think? I would love to have him healthy again in a few days, but I don't know if I'm in the right state of mind to judge what is best for him."

Having served with Dana for over twenty years, Kayla knew that her friends biggest weakness was the inability to make quick decisions wile under pressure. As a technically minded and analytical person, she would get stuck trying to work out all the little details, all the possibilities. Personally she believed that was the soul reason the mink hadn't been given a command of her own. As indispensable as good engineers where, they rarely made for good captains.

Thankfully for her friend, this was a decision they shared. Kayla took the minks paws as she quickly look to Crystal, who simply nodded in confirmation. She then looked back to the doctors as she said. "You have our permission to contact the Institute and make preparations to have Nova admitted. But in the mean time, I want you to do all you can for him here. If this full body regeneration turns out to be unsuitable for our Nova, I at least want you to get him past the point where his life is in danger."

"A very wise precaution." Dr Ember told her with a small bow. "I understand there are security issues involved, but it would be helpful if i could transmit these previous medical records along with your Nova's current case file. The more information the institute has, the quicker they can design and implement a treatment protocol."

This Kayla had to take a long moment to consider. Technically, the security seal she had been forced to place on nova, included the records in question. Sharing them, even out of context would cause any half intelligent or caring person to ask questions that might lead to the very information that needed to be kept secret. With a deep sigh, the vixen flicked her ears as she answered. "With all due respect my lady, those files are still classified. Showing them to you is one thing, as you are a member of the high council. But allowing them to be distributed where any fur could see them? I'm sorry, that is out of the question."

Dr Ember was obviously disappointed by this. "I understand. Still, such a detailed scan would have been extremely useful in designing a template for the nanites."

"So take a new set of scans." Melinda, the medical student interjected, confused as to why this was a problem. "If the scans we took of nova are classified, then we can just make a new set. In fact, the scanners in this facility are even more advanced then the ones on the Claw. In thirty minutes, we could map all of his injuries down to the molecular level."

"Dear Goddess, why didn't I think of that!" Dr Ember said, actually looking embarrassed.

"The question is, why didn't I think of it." Kayla chided herself. "Any good officer spends half her career finding ways around restrictive regulations. This is a solution so simple I never would have thought of it. By generating a new set of scans, the classified set will no longer be an issue."

"What scans?" Dr Ember said with a grin as he cleared his monitor, ejected the data device and handed it back to Crystal. He then turned his attention to Dr Riversong as the chief medical officer of the star base. "Doctor, it is my medical opinion that we should make a detailed scan of the patient for the current case file. Do you concur?"

"Why yes doctor, I do. But perhaps we should hold off until after we have replaced his damaged organs." She said, returning his grin conspiratorially.

With a plan of action, the group split up, the equines retiring to Dr Riversong's office to begin making com calls. Wile Dr Ember contacted the institute, the lady Amalthea started working her council contacts, trying to gain access to Kayla's classified report on nova. As they worked, Beleth spoke telepathically with the fifty other priestesses elsewhere on the station who where currently counseling the crew of the crimson claw.

The three remaining doctors likewise set to work, Dr Riversong heading over to the med lab to check on the synthesizing of the replacement organs. As that was still expected to take over an hour, Melinda and Crystal decided to devote there time to working with dermal regenerators on the burn scarring across nova's legs and back, healing as much as possible.

With nothing for them to do, Kayla and Sasha took the exhausted Dana back to the recovery area. As soon as they walked in, the engineering crew took notice of the change in there boss. Gone was her grief and sorrow, replaced with a tired but joyful smile. Mick the deer buck, who was cuddled up in the protective arms of his bunny lover, was the one to ask why the mink looked so happy. This resulted in a long explanation from Eshara as the captain and Sasha settled Dana in bed, cuddling and petting the mink to sooth her.

This worked exceptionally well as they both knew the bisexual, mostly lesbian mink had been lacking female attention recently. Oddly, Kayla wondered if she had been more attentive to her friends needs, would the mink have gone looking for a playmate that night and found nova, a human who seemed capable of making her happy, regardless of his gender. The universe was truly a strange place sometimes.

She was broken from her musing as Eshara finished relating the recent events, earning an overjoyed cheer from the crew that quickly devolved into a chorus of pained groans. Wile most of there injuries had been healed, it would still take some time for the aches and pains to subside. That was why as badly as she would need these furs to conduct repairs on her ship, she placed them all on a week long medical leave.

After that, time slowly past. At some point Dana had fallen asleep with her head resting on Sasha's breasts, still cuddled between the pair. Quietly Kayla touched her com badge to get a report from fire on the clean up and repair efforts, only to be told that Star Services investigators had declared the ship a crime scene. As per protocol, they had ordered the remaining crew to the station and where currently conducting debriefings. Fire and the Mistresses of Mayhem having already finished there's, were now with the station's tactical team filling out after action reports.

Most of it had been pretty straight forward, taken directly from the combat logs and TAAC feeds. There where only two outstanding questions, the first being the identity of the fur who had sabotage the ship's surveillance systems and slave collar control program. The investigative team was already working on that, excluding the claw's security team for fear they might take vengeance on her.

The other question while not as urgent, was still a mystery that needed to be answered. "We've been over this a dozen times, but we still can't figure out who is responsible for the premature teleporter extraction that protected the Chief and Nova. We know it couldn't have come from the ship as our teleportors where disabled along with the main computer. After questioning the team that extracted the rest of the crew, we know for sure they weren't involved." Fire told her.

As soon as the fox finished his report, Sasha started chuckling with one of her paws still tenderly running through Dana's hair. "Had I known that was troubling you, I would have taken responsibility sooner."

She then looked down, kissing Dana's nose tenderly. "The teleportor chief on the vigilant is an old friend of mine. When I saw her ship was also in port, she was happy to standby as a backup for Gateway's team. Thankfully, I also gave her access to the feed from nova's collar. When she herd him telling the chief goodbye, she realized he intended to sacrifice himself. She told me that wile extracting them wasn't an option due to that thrice dammed scattering field, she realized that as long as she didn't need to dematerialize them, the teleporter containment field could act like a personal defense shield."

Sasha sighed softly. "The poor dear was heart broken when she thought that, as quickly as she was able to modify her teleportor, it wasn't soon enough to protect them both."

"Commander, your friend should be proud of her accomplishment. It was what? Less then 90 seconds from the time nova said his goodbye, till that field went up? Modifying a teleport sequence that quickly was no easy feat. Plus, she was able to stop the humans from finishing the job. If just one more shot had gotten through, Dana and her boy might have both be dead." Fire said, his voice tinged with sadness and loss. It was then they realized that he and the rest of the crew still believed there new ship's slave had died. Quickly, Sasha filled him in on the recent events, then asked him to spread the word to the rest of the crew as he placed them all on leave for the next two days. Much reassured, the tod disconnected to happily carry out his new orders.

Over the next two hours the engineering crew where treated and discharged by the station's medical staff, Eshara taking a few minutes with each to assess their mental states and schedule counseling appointments for those who needed it. By that time Dana had woken up from her much needed nap, embarrassed to find her muzzle resting firmly between Sasha's breasts. With pink tinted ears she tried to apologize, only to be teasingly kissed by the grinning white tiger.

The flustered and now slightly aroused mink was still trying to recover from that very unexpected intimacy, when Dr Ember returned with news. The surgery to replace Nova's damaged organ's had been completely successful. There had also been a response from the Mountain Valley Institute. "The director of the Institute was very pleased to receive our call. It turns out that the process has already been used in varying degrees on several human volunteers, mostly to re-grow limbs lost in the war. There has even been a case where it was able to completely regenerate a damaged spinal cord, restoring the subjects ability to walk." Doctor Ember told them with a huge smile.

He then went on to explain. "Although this will be the first time the process will be used to regenerate injuries of this magnitude, the director is utterly confident of success. Thanks to my matriarch's influence, the institute is already preparing the human version of bio gel and sequencing your nova's DNA. By the time he is ready to be transferred groundside, they should have a tank ready and waiting for him."

"So soon?" Dana asked. "Somehow I expected it would take a few days, given that my Nova is human."

To this Dr. Ember nodded. "While the Institute doesn't normally treat aliens, as I said they have had some experience treating human war victims. With any luck, your little human will be up and on his feet in a matter of days."

"That's so wonderful." Dana said, hugging the stallion in gratitude.

Then she turned to Kayla and Sasha as she said. "Once my nova is healthy again, I... I'm going to keep him locked in my cabin all day, where he can never get hurt again."

This earned a small laugh from the others and a suggestive grin from Sasha as she teased. "Oh, how very traditional of you minky-kins. But although we all wish we could keep our males safe at home, if you still intend to keep him on the ship with us, he will have duties outside your cabin."

"Females!!" Dr. Ember pretended to gripe. "If you had your way, all us poor males would be uneducated, bare furred and kept in the den all our lives."

"Aww, don't be like that brother." Eshara soothed, hugging him tenderly. "We just wish to keep our beloved males safe. After all, we need males to sire our cubs and perpetuate the species. Without you, there would be no future generations."

Doctor Ember shook his head softly, tossing his main. "Sister, we males are more than just cub makers. Anyway, we need to start making preparations to move your human planet side. Because of his condition we can't risk teleporting him, so the stations chief medical officer is arranging a shuttle to bring him down to the institute."

"Witch means it is time for us to get back to work." Kayla said with a sigh. "Dana, I know you well enough to know how torn you are between wanting to start repairs on the ship and staying to see to our Nova. But until the investigation is finished, they won't be allowing any of us back on board. So, I am ordering you on medical leave for the next two days. Take the time to get him settled at the institute and rest up yourself, there will be a lot of work waiting when you get back."

"Don't I know it." The mink groaned. "Not only do I have all the damage from the fight to fix, but my poor engine room is in shambles. At least I can get my mothers to start cutting replacement crystals for the jump drive when I go back home."

She then grinned ever so slightly. "Hopefully a job that big will help distract them when I show up with a human companion, slave or not. But daddy, I have no idea how he is going to react."

As Sasha helped the others up she asked. "Is our sire very traditional?"

"Extremely... Remember I am from a prominent family. When my older sisters got mated, he delighted in turning their males into proper house husbands. I honestly don't have a clue how he is going to react to me having a human male as a lover." She told them, biting her lower lip.

This earned another laugh, one that died quickly as Eshara's head suddenly whipped around to look at the door to the main treatment area. "That's not good! Something in the other room has Crystal extremely angry and more than a little frightened."

The group quickly rushed through the door led by Kayla, the vixen giving an irritated growl to show she was in no mood to deal with any more aggravations today. Clustered around nova's bed they found Crystal in what appeared to be a standoff with three new furs. Thankfully the two large bears where merely station security officers, but the slim vixen between them wore the black and blood red uniform of the intelligence services. Before there arrival this was something Kayla feared, military intelligence showing up to abscond with there boy. With the takeover of her ship and nova's apparent death, this possibility had slipped to the back of her mind. Now it had returned as an all to present threat.

As she approached the arguing pair, Kayla was relieved to see that she would only be dealing with a commander. If anything, she would have the advantage of rank on her side. If the sudden knot in the pit of her stomach was any indication, she was going to need it.

"I don't care what your orders are, Commander! My patient is in no condition to be taken anywhere." Crystal was snarling, her claws out and tail lashing.

"With all due respect doctor, you just said this human was stable. My orders from Admiral Silvermane are to bring him to headquarters for immediate interrogation." The vixen responded, waving dismissively.

"I said stable, but still critical. He still requires life support to compensate for a badly damaged spinal cord. He wouldn't survive a trip anywhere without close medical supervision, much less your interrogation." Crystal spat the last word with the disgust she felt it deserved.

The vixen snorted with growing impatience. "If that is all that is required, I will send for one of our medical officers and you can brief her for the trip to headquarters."

Kayla took that as her queue to step forward, puffing out her chest and growling deeply as she spoke. "Commander, what is the meaning of this?"

The new vixen turned to look at Kayla, her face becoming completely impassive in the presence of a superior officer. "Ma'am! I am Commander Redears of Section Four. We received a report that this human is in possession of critical military intelligence. I am under orders from Admiral Silvermane to immediately transport him to headquarters for debriefing."

As often happened when Kayla was nervous or stressed, the left side of her muzzle pulled up to expose a single fang. She then lowered her tone to one a few degrees above freezing as she replied. "Commander, I am fully aware of the information this human possesses. I am after all, the one who filed the report on him. But as you can see, the situation has changed. With him this badly wounded, medical regulations supersede all other orders until his attending physician releases him."

"I'm sorry captain, but in this case medical regulations do not affect my orders. As a non Anthro citizen, captured in an active war zone, he has been designated as an enemy combatant. As long as this human is still alive, the admiral will expect me to bring him to her." Commander Redears said, her face still impassive.

"Well then, it is fortunate for all involved that we are here to rescind those orders." Came a familiar voice from behind both vixens. They turned just as the Ladies Amalthea and Beleth came through the door, fallowed by Afina the Twilight Guard mare. The trio had been nearly to the teleportor room on there way back to the temple when they received a frantic telepathic call for help from Eshara. After allowing them to view the unfolding events through her own eyes, the matriarchs had come running back to intercede before things got out of paw.

After taking a second to catch her breath from the quick run, Amalthea assumed a gentle expression as she went on. "As loath as I am to use my authority as a High Councilor to interfere in military matters, in this case I feel compelled to do so. I can't in good conscience allow you to endanger this young male's life."

Now the vixen's mask of calm control slipped as she realized the extent of the opposition against her. The strange thing was, for the life of her she couldn't understand why such powerful people where trying to protect a human, the enemy of her people. Still she had her orders and a duty to do all within her power to carry them out. Carefully, keeping the proper amount of respect in her tone the vixen said. "Madam High Councilor. While I have great respect for you, it is improper, possibly even illegal for a member of the Council to issue orders directly to a military officer outside her chain of command. If I where to obey your wishes and disregard a lawful order from my commanding officer, I would be derelict in my duties."

To this the Blessed Matriarch simply nodded with a small smile. "You are quite correct in that, child. And while I could simply call the Empress and have her order the Star Marshall, to order your admiral, to countermand her orders, I think it will be much simpler for us to pay the station military commander a visit. I believe as she is the highest ranking of the admiralty, she will be willing and able to resolve this issue in a legal and proper manner."

Commander Redears swallowed deeply, her blood running cold. As she wasn't able to sweat like a human when stressed, her muzzle slightly parted as she started to softly pant. If this mare did as she had just threatened, contacting the leader of the empire or the head of the military about her, she would be lucky if she only ended up being demoted. Most likely by this time next week, she would find herself assigned to a front line combat unit.

Timidly she found herself stammering. "Um, n... no ma'am. I don't tha... think that will be ness... necessary. I'll contact Admiral Silvermane right away and te... tell her that the interaga ... debriefing ... will have to be postponed."

To this Amalthea simply flicked her ears, knowing in that moment she had won. But still, she needed to make sure her authority in this matter would not be questioned again. At least until she was able to fully discover the mysteries of this human's mental gifts. "I'm afraid it isn't that simple child. As you said, we must do this legally."

She turned to the Twilight Guard mare, waving her closer. "Afina dear, would you please remain and watch over this child? I would be very disappointed if he wasn't here when we returned."

The chestnut colored mare frowned, looking from the sleeping human, across the other furs and back to the matriarchs. "My Lady, if I remain here, it would leave you and Lady Beleth unprotected. There are those who..."

But before she could finish that statement the Blessed Matriarch cut her off with a flick of the ears and a warning look. As she did so, she also stepped forward and laid a paw on Kayla and Sasha's shoulders. "O Afina, my overprotective child. With such brave and valiant soldiers to keep us safe, you don't have to worry about such a short trip to the admiral's office. After all, as this human's owner, we will be needing the dear captain's presence. As for this honorable feline warrior, I'm certain she will volunteer her services as bodyguard."

Telepathically she added. <As soon as we leave, summon three more of the guard. Have two of them come to the admiral's office for our protection. The other should come here to assist you. I don't trust the military not to try and abscond with this human when our backs are turned. I have a feeling it will take something as feared as the Guard to prevent any duplicity.>

Understanding, but still not liking it, Afina replied aloud to both orders. "As you wish, My Lady."

She then approached Kayla and Sasha, handing her combat staff to the vixen and her side arm to the white tiger. She took a moment to look them both in the eyes, her face set in a hard expression. "I am entrusting you with the protection of my matriarchs, guard them with your lives."

Wile Sasha was able to quickly and efficiently check and prepare the standard side arm, Kayla required some instructions from Afina on a weapon designed exclusively for the Twilight Guard. This allowed Dana a moment to asked Lady Amalthea if there was anything she could do to help. With a gentle smile, the Alicorn simply told her to stay with her boy as he would need her when he awoke.

After that the group departed, Kayla taking point like a good leader, Sasha fallowing with the two matriarchs safely between them. Trailing behind like she was being marched to her own execution was Commander Redears, the vixen's tail nearly dragging on the deck behind her. Once they were gone, the Twilight Guard mare turned and looked at the two remaining security officers, eyeing them pointedly as she asked. "I am not going to have any trouble from you, am I?"

Both were quick to flick their ears and raise their paws in gesture of surrender as they said. "No Ma'am."

"Very well, then I think we should move to the waiting room so the doctors can get back to work." As she said that, the mare used her natural psionic ability to manipulate the energy in her body, causing her eyes to glow a luminous red. Along with that she added a small empathic push of fear, causing both of the security officers to rapidly retreat to the waiting area. Before joining them, she looked over her shoulder to Dr Ember, mentally promising to keep them out of his mane. She also suggested they complete the preparations to move Nova groundside as quickly as possible.

As soon as the door was closed Melinda, the bunny medical student shuddered with a deep whimper. "Dear Goddess, I'll never get used to seeing them do that. Every time there eyes glow, it feels like I'm about to wet myself."

Both Eshara and Dr Ember looked at each other, there momentary amusement at the security officers reaction suddenly fading to shame. Marcus as the elder of the two spoke up, genuine sympathy in his tone. "Yes, that feeling of fear is caused by a small empathic push, coupled with the glowing eyes. Many of the Guard often use that little trick to intimidate others, especially when they intend to harm the helpless. Perhaps it is a character flaw on there part, but it does come from an honest desire to protect the innocent."

"Yes, it is things like that witch causes some furs to still fear us. That or simply mistrust telepaths in general." Eshara felt the need to add, sighing deeply.

Anthro Gateway Station's Tactical Operations Center

Anthro Gateway station was an immense orbital habitat, it's construction requiring over a hundred years of painstaking effort. It boasted a population of fifty thousand permanent residents, with over two hundred thousand travelers passing through it's corridors each day. As the primary star port for the Anthro home world, it served as traffic control for all starships, as well as the command center for planetary defense. Given the shear size of this floating city in space, it's design necessitated being broken up into eleven interconnected segments, each several miles in diameter. For convenience and practicality the medical facilities were located in the central shaft, connecting and bridging all other segments.

When the Crimson Claw arrived, it had of course docked in the military section, comprising the lower four segments. In order to return to that high security area the blessed matriarch's group needed to change lifts five times, each with there own security check point. This resulted in several necessary, yet still annoying delays.

As it turned out the main issue was the simple fact that both Kayla and Sasha were armed, as station regulations normally forbid all but officers and security to carry weapons wile on board. For a few moments it looked as if they would have to surrender the weapons entrusted to them before being allowed to meet with the Admiral. That was until The Blessed Matriarch made it clear to security that both tigress and vixen were empowered as bodyguards for herself and Lady Beleth.

No guard, no matter how duty struck was foolish enough to argue the point after that. Not only were they charged with the safety of the religious leaders of the Anthro people, but also members of the High Council. Instead, three additional guards took it upon themselves to join the party, increasing the circle of protection around the matriarchs. After that, the remaining levels of security passed by quickly as most guard stations simply waved them through.

For the majority of the trip the group had remained mostly silent, save for the two equines communicating telepathically. It was Beleth who started off the conversation, sharing her concerns. <Sister, you know that tel'takic changes things. Even if we couldn't sense telepathy from that boy, he must possess it in some degree.>

<I... know.> Amalthea said slowly. <But I don't understand how this could be possible. Our sisters who went to earth carefully tested a great many humans, even some who claimed to be gifted and found no sign of telepathy in any of them. For this child to have even the small degree of empathy we could verify is very... troubling.>

Beleth was silent for several long moments as she contemplated there earlier conversation. Finally she simply had to ask. <Will we challenge their ownership of him? Afina is correct in her assessment of the laws on this matter. While it is exceedingly rare for one of us to commit a crime worthy of a collar, such rogues all to often use their gifts to manipulate an owner. That is why she can only be owned by a more powerful telepath who she cannot influence. This human on the other paw, may be using his gifts on others without even knowing it.>

For nearly a full minute Amalthea said nothing, but Beleth could feel her spike of mental activity. Finally she responded just before stepping off the lift. <Dear sister, I would hate to think that is the case. If it was true, It would cast serious doubt on the love I could feel between them.> She gave Beleth a sideways glance, unsure of her own experience. <Did you feel any taint of suggestion or compulsion from that mink wile we where in contact with her mind?>

She took a moment to think about the thoughts and feelings she experienced while linked to Dana's mind. Finally she said as she flicked her ears. <No, as odd as it is for a fur to love a human, her feelings felt pure and natural to me. Besides as weak as his empathy is, it would only be effective through prolonged physical contact. I didn't get the impression he had spent any intimate time with the others, so he couldn't have affected them. This vixen and tigress escorting us for example, both care deeply about him. But from their feelings, the pair are clearly lesbian and in a committed relationship. So obviously they wouldn't have been intimate with him.>

That got a small knowing grin from Amalthea. <I wouldn't be so sure about the tigress, dear sister. She feels bisexual to me. But you are right, I don't think that human has slept with anyone except his Mistress/Mate. Surely not sister Eshara, that is for sure. But even if she had slept with him, she would have been able to tell if he was unconsciously manipulating her.>

Both fell silent for several minutes. Finally Beleth asked again. <So, will we challenge their ownership of him?>

Amalthea mentally sighed. <I don't think so. Or at least, not yet. His loyalty is to them. If we took him away from them, he would resent us for it. That resentment would make him hostile toward us and uncooperative. If we are to evaluate his full potential, we will need his willing compliance. After we understand what gifts he has and how strong they are, we can revisit the issue. For now, I will use my influence to ensure he is taken to the institute. From there, it will be easy to get him moved to the temple for his recovery.>

With the final security station having called ahead to warn operations of their imminent arrival, Amalthea was pleased to see a tall feline wearing captain's rank waiting to greet them. " Lady Amalthea, Lady Beleth, welcome. To what do we owe the honor of this visit?"

Amalthea assumed an expression that was a careful blend of anger and concern, the alicorn extending her wings slightly as she replied. "A matter most serious, I'm afraid. It would appear we are having a disagreement with military intelligence over the health and welfare of a critically wounded young male."

She then took a step back and lifted a paw to indicate commander Redears as she added. "It would seem they are most intent on interrogating him, irrelevant of the fact he is still on life support. I am hoping Admiral Whiteclaw is available to resolve the issue."

The feline captain tried and failed to keep the surprise out of her expression, her eyes widening as she fixed Commander Redears with a hard look. "And what exactly would be so important that it can't wait for a reasonable recovery period, commander?"

The vixen felt her muzzle go dry as dust, having to swallow hard several times before carefully answering. "Admiral Silvermane ordered me to bring the Human in question to her at headquarters, Ma'am. I'm afraid the exact reason is classified."

At first the captain looked angry and then confused as Redears explained. When the blessed matriarch had spoken of a young male, she had naturally assumed the alicorn had meant an anthro cub. And wile risking one of there males was nearly unthinkable, in rare cases it became regrettably necessary. But a human? For the life of her she couldn't understand why any fur would care about the life of a human, much less someone this powerful.

Personally she felt the best thing to do with humans was to toss each and every one of them out the airlock. But given that this humans welfare seamed important to the blessed matriarch, she could not, dared not voice that opinion in her presence. Instead she simply nodded politely. "I see. If you will excuse me for a moment my lady, I will announce you to the admiral."

With that, she quickly turned and disappeared into the admiral's office, momentarily leaving the group alone. With nothing else to do and not having visited this place before, both Amalthea and Beleth took the opportunity to look around the command center. It was so unlike the simplistic architecture of the equine mountain city with it's calm and simplistic pace of life, instead resembling a hive of frenetic activity.

In basic design philosophy the room resembled a larger and more complex version of a command carrier's bridge. Roughly forty feet in diameter, the center of the circular room was dominated by a massive view screen flanked with a dozen workstations on both sides. At each one sat a fur supervising different aspects of station operations from engineering and life support, to tactical systems and traffic control. In place of the officer's chairs and pilot stations was a large computerized table showing a full tactical display of the Anthro system. Judging by the conversation of the ten officers currently crowded around it, a ship out near the asteroid belt was in some distress.

Apparently there had been some kind of engineering emergency that had tripped the ship's core breach protocols. The crew had just abandoned ship, evacuating in life pods to await inbound rescue craft. That was as far as they got, there ease dropping interrupted by the feline captain's return. For a moment she had a troubled look on her face, but it quickly cleared when she saw them. "The Admiral will see you now, my ladies." But before she turned to escort them in she looked to Kayla and Sasha, telling them they could wait in a nearby room.

To this Amalthea simply fixed the feline with a hard glare that silenced her. She then said in a stern tone that made it clear she would brook no disobedience. "No, Child! These two have been empowered to protect myself and sister Beleth. Additionally, the good captain here is the owner of the young male in question. As an interested party, I require her presence." The Feline's ears slicked back at the pure authority in the blessed matriarch's tone and she said nothing, simply turning and leading them through the door.

Behind a highly polished wooden desk emblazoned with the seal of the Anthro Alliance Star Services sat Admiral Starlight Whiteclaw, a very tall, well muscled and immaculately groomed female white tiger. While she was still graced with much of the beauty gifted to her in youth, the white fur on the right side of her muzzle and torn left ear told of hard years spent in combat. For those who didn't understand feline culture or the importance their species placed on its warrior honor, the choice not to have such disfigurement repaired might seem odd. Those who did understand would know that to a feline warrior, such scars were trophies, meant to display her bravery and prowess.

As the party entered the Admiral gracefully rose to her feet, coming around her desk to properly greet them. "Lady Amalthea, Lady Beleth, this is truly an honor. How may I be of service?"

Of course she already knew why they where there, having been informed by the feline captain. But by the rules of polite society she was required to feign ignorance so that she could make a show of offering them her personal service. This earned a polite smile from both equines, as they gracefully played along.

After the traditional offering and accepting of refreshments, the party settled into seats so the blessed matriarch could begin explaining the situation with the young human. She was quite detailed as to why she believed it was in his best interest to be transferred to the institute in order to restore him to full health. The only thing she left out was their suspicion that he might be telepathic, feeling to say so would add unnecessary complications to an already complex situation.

Admiral Whiteclaw listened intently, leaning forward with her muzzle resting on her paws. When Amalthea finished the feline leaned back, flicking her eyes to Kayla and Sasha before bringing them to rest on the very nervous Redears. "And Silvermain objects to waiting until this male can survive without life support? I find that very strange. Silvermain is very good at her job, but she's not normally so impulsive."

Redears swallowed before answering, not liking the tone in the Admiral's voice. Thankfully she still had a glimmer of hope that with some carefully chosen words, she would be able to pull her tail from the fire, not to mention saving her career.

It wasn't until she actually started speaking that she realized the blessed matriarch had already provided her with a way out, she only needed to play it correctly. "Early this morning, Admiral Silvermane told me that due to the report she received indicating this human was in possession of critical military intelligence, I was to retrieve him immediately upon docking and bring him to headquarters for debriefing. To be clear, I was ordered to do so before the incident on board the crimson claw where the human was injured."

The vixen took a moment to draw a steadying breath before continuing. "But after Lady Amalthea explained the current situation to me, I am inclined to agree with her. I personally have no wish to endanger a male's life, even a human one. The problem is, as an elected official she cannot directly counterman my orders. Weather I wish to or not, I would be derelict in my duty if I did not take this human into custody. Properly, as a high councilor she can relay her wishes through the chain of command, but by the time they are turned into proper orders, the human will already be at headquarters and the damage will be done."

She took a moment to draw another deep breath, forcing a small smile on her muzzle as she finished with. "Besides, I believe the interrogation... " She stopped speaking, seeing the look of anger that crossed the Lady Amalthea's face. Quickly she corrected herself, realizing what she had been about to say. "Debriefing will be a lot smoother and more efficient if the human is healthy and able to answer questions without constant interruptions for medical treatment."

Before the Admiral could respond to that, the Lady Amalthea turned her head and fixed the vixen with a penetrating gaze. "In this case, your brutal methods of interrogation will not be needed. Once the child has recovered, sister Beleth and I will retrieve the information you are seeking."

It was hard to tell who was more shocked by this, commander Redears or the Admiral. Over the centuries, the military had formally petitioned the order several times to use there gifts to extract information from prisoners. With exceedingly rare exception, such requests had always been refused unless a life was in imminent danger. Because of this, It took Admiral Whiteclaw several moments to compose herself before she could speak. "Forgive me my Lady, but do I understand correctly that you intend to interrogate him telepathically? Not that I am objecting, but Isn't it a violation of your beliefs to use your gifts to forcibly extract information from someone's mind?"

Amalthea gave her an amused little smile. "Is it so surprising that we would do so in order to prevent a child from being tortured? But in this case, I hardly believe that it will come to that."

She took a moment to gesture to Kayla. "This young male has developed a deep and loving bond with his owners. If the good captain simply asks him for the information you seek, he will willingly give it to her without the slightest need for force or coercion. Our role will simply be to verify that his answers are complete and truthful, empathy alone will be sufficient for that. If deeper telepathic contact does prove to be necessary, the child will grant us consent as long as his owner gives her permission."

Her expression then hardened as she concluded. "The only reason we are willing to do even this much is that this child is emotionally fragile. The kind of methods your interrogators would use to gain the same information, might do him irreparable harm and leave him with a deep hatred for all Anthro kind. That I will not allow, even if I must seek the empress's assistance to prevent it."

The Admiral hesitated, contemplating this odd turn of events. Frankly, she agreed with the blessed matriarchs assessment that military intelligence's normal methods would surely poison the boy against them. Still she was concerned these ladies might not fully comprehend what they where getting involved in. "My Lady, are you aware of the kind of information we are talking about? If captain Snowpaw's report proves to be accurate, it might be very... distressing... for you."

For a long moment Amalthea fell silent as her eyes lost focus, her expression going slack and vacant. For nearly a full minute she remained that way, her only sign of life being her deep and steady breathing. Finally she drew a deep breath as she returned to herself, her eyes locking with the admiral's as she nodded.

For a moment, an infinitely sad look crossed the alicorn's face. "Yes, I am fully aware of exactly what this is about. Before coming to see you, I instructed my assistant back at the temple to use my council authority to access the report you have been referring to. She has just finished sharing its contents with me."

Her look of sadness then melted into anger as she continued in a much colder tone. "What I find distressing is that military intelligence would even consider torturing someone who has spent his entire childhood being so brutalized. That is despicable, if not down right sinful."

That simple statement carried so much unspoken accusation, suggesting anyone who would do such a thing must be truly cruel and heartless, lacking in honor and compassion. Beleth on the other paw was finding the information even harder to except. As the one responsible for the protection and welfare of the equine children, to know that any child had been so victimized hurt her down to her very soul. With no clear direction to vent her anger and revulsion she directed it at Kayla, a good deal spilling over to Sasha for the simple fact she was there. "Or enslave a helpless child who was raised in a collar and sexually abused by his captors!"

Admiral Whiteclaw was stunned to speechlessness, so shocked by the implications directed at them. Commander Redears as the one who had been sent to retrieve the boy for possibly brutal treatment at the paws of her superiors looked as if she was ready to flee for her very life. But Kayla, Kayla felt herself deeply ashamed that one of the spiritual leaders of there people would think so little of her.

Trying to keep the hurt out of her voice, the vixen tried quickly to explain. "My ladies, if you read the most recent addendum to my report, you would know that I only placed nova in my collar for his protection. When he was on board The Black Rock, it's captain beat and raped him. That honor less mongrel was trying to reclaim nova and my only option to keep him safe was to take him for my own."

Kayla stopped for a moment, swallowing hard to build up her courage for the coming confession. "But what I did not, could not put in my report was that offering nova my collar, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. When I was still a cub, my father was arrested and sentenced to twenty years in a collar. The ship transporting him to the home world was lost, he died still a slave. Ever since, I have detested the very practice of slavery."

She breathed deeply, her eyes growing damp. "Losing him nearly destroyed my family. I swore I would never have anything to do with the practice of slavery after that. But this little human, he was in such pain, so weak and vulnerable. He has been so deeply damaged by life that I violated my own long held convictions as an act of compassion to try and protect him."

She then lifted her eyes, locking gazes with both equines. "If you don't believe that, ask Mother Eshara. She knows my heart on this matter better than most. Or better yet, I give you permission to see it directly from my mind."

"That won't be necessary child, I believe you. Please forgive my outburst, I see now that it was uncalled for." Beleth said, actually looking embarrassed. Neither equine had needed to probe the vixen's mind in order to verify the truth of her statement, their passive empathic sense was more than enough to tell she had not been lying to them. That and her feelings for this human went a lot deeper than even she had admitted to herself. Along with the sympathy she felt for him, there was also a small hint of love and a hope that by protecting him, she could somehow absolve her long held guilt for not being able to save her father when he was collared.

"Well then," Admiral Whiteclaw said to get their attention. "I believe we have come to a consensus as to what should be done with this human for the time being. Commander Redears, please inform Admiral Silvermane that his debriefing must wait until he has recovered. For now, on my authority he will be released to the custody of the Lady Amalthea and transported down to the Mountain Valley Institute for treatment."

"Yes Ma'am." The vixen said, quickly rising and heading for the door, grateful to escape with her fur intact. Just as it opened she stopped and let out a small startled "eep," Stepping back at the sight of two more of the Twilight Guard standing just outside. Both of them glared at her for a moment then moved to the side, allowing her to quickly scamper away.

To spite her still heightened emotions Beleth couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, waving the guards inside. Telepathically she informed them that they would be ready to leave soon as the matter had just been successfully resolved. The two simply nodded and silently collected the weapons from Kayla and Sasha, taking over the protection of the matriarchs.

While they did this Amalthea was addressing the Admiral. "Sister Afina informs me that the doctors have nearly finished with the portable life support unit. Because it is unsafe to teleport the child, his other owner has gone ahead to prepare a shuttle for the trip groundside. If you will excuse us, Sister Beleth and I will head down and meet them at the dock."

Getting to her feet, the Admiral bowed to the ladies as she answered. "Of course. I do hope that the next time we meet it will be under more pleasant circumstances."

She then looked over to Kayla and Sasha as she added. "If you two will please remain, I think we have much to discuss."

Both simply nodded, waiting for the matriarchs and their protectors to leave. Once they were out the door, Sasha turned and took the Admiral in a bone-crushing hug. The two felines then pulled Kayla into their embrace, each exchanging loving kisses. "Little sister, it is so good to see you. And you Kayla, why is it every time we meet you seem to delight in bringing such interesting complications into my life? Your chief engineer in love with a human, one that belonged to the butcher no less! You know keeping him is not going to be easy."

Sasha just grinned as she licked Starlight's neck with a deep purr. "Big sister, you know you love it when we make your life so interesting. Can you think of a better challenge for your skill and ingenuity then helping to preserve true love? "

"Well then, why don't you tell me exactly how all this came about and the true reasons this little human means so much to you, Dana and the rest of your crew?"

To be continued...