FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 23

The early morning sun rising in the southeast of the Unutulmus sky that day was a bright one. Its light bathing the purple hued forest in a pleasant warmth which slowly awoke all the creatures that dwelled in the dense brush as its dappled sunlight filtered down through the leaves and into wherever they had slept the night before. For one of these said creatures however, a certain heavyset middle aged man named Barnabus Comet, the warmth of the sunny rays was the furthest thing from his mind when his amber eyes fluttered open after his restful sleep.

Giving a yawn the still naked man stretched and gave a tired sounding hum as he stared up to the forest canopy over his head. 'Ugh... why did I have to wake up this early?' He grimaced as he laid there back against a rough and bumpy log.

Trying to move to sit up Barnabus suddenly found himself unable to move, a heavy body holding him down with a death grip as its owner continued to blissfully snore away in his ear. "What the...?" Glancing down his own hairy chest Barnabus found himself chuckling as a certain bright orange mohawk atop an olive colored head met his vision.

"Really Mickey?" The Jack whispered as he tried to keep from laughing. "You're really cuddling up to me like a lamprey. Gently the amused man brushed a stray tuff of hair which had fallen down over the Verdomian's forehead and stared at him for a moment. Miktes wasn't the most beautiful person when he was dog tired it appeared, the younger man snoring like a buzz saw as he drooled to the point where it was matting the human's chest.

But there was a certain charm to the big grumpy goon Barnabus supposed. Like back in that motel room back on Loma Prime he realized how relaxed and handsome that orcan face could look when he stopped all his fussing. In fact Miktes looked so peaceful at that moment that Barnabus decided that he'd allow him to sleep for a few extra minutes. After all it would take a while for him to redress, back up their small camp, and then program his P.A.D. with the hastily made map Alfred had copied from Professor Tworows letter.

Being as careful as he could the dark haired man tried his best to slip out from under the heavy arm holding him in place, slowly taking the alien by his wrist and moving the appendage keeping him nestled up to the other man. Freed now Barnabus carefully began squirming his way out from under the redhead but quickly found himself trapped once again as Miktes reached out and grabbed him in a bear hug as he wrapped his tail around his upper thigh.

"Not going to make this easy are you?" Barnabus huffed as he was held again.

"No I'm not." Miktes gruff voice sounded from behind him.

With a yelp Barnabus found himself roughly pushed down flat on his back again, a very wide awake Miktes climbing on top of him and straddling his hips as he stared down at him. "You trying to run get away again human?" The larger man asked huskily.

"Perish the thought Mick." Barnabus responded, trying not to crack a smart assed smile. Something which was truly hard to do with a nude six-foot seven man on top of him. "Now get off of me will ya? You're heavier than a sack of bricks."

"You weren't telling me to get off of you last night." Miktes brought up with a playful growl. Dirtily the Verdomian began to grind himself against the man under him. Their nakedness very evident to both of them with every movement as private area ground against each other. "In fact you were begging for it if I remember. Twice actually."

"Well, um t-that was t-then this is now." Barnabus stuttered. After that little bit of fun they had during that first little round the eager beaver Jack had woken the alien up in the middle of the night for another go. "Now... if you're done rubbing up against me like a big ol' tom cat we got to make tracks to that temple."

Miktes snorted at the idea of having leave the wonderful campsite where they had rutted so passionately. "Fine but..." Grunting the warrior rolled himself off of his friend and plopped down on his tailed backside. "...You owe me one later submissive."

Lifting his head a little to give Miktes a raised eyebrow Barnabus smirked. "I owe you one?" He asked from his couchant position. "Who let who take the lead last night?"

Miktes pouted at that and grunted a noncommittal response. "Hey... 'bout that?" He said looking worried and embarrassed at the same time. "You sure you're not hurt or anything? I sort of fucked you real hard there for a while."

"That's putting it lightly." Barnabus laughed. "My tail end is going to remember that night till the day I croak." Sitting up the older man scooted back against the log behind them and reached for his P.A.D. in his vest pocket. This little bit of pillow talk was enjoyable but they really needed to get going. But, to answer your question big green: the only thing that's hurting right now is my back and that's only because I slept on the ground naked as a jay bird."

"You never slept naked outside before?" Miktes asked in curiosity.

Barnabus glanced up from the P.A.D. screen for a moment to nod. "Well yeah most people I know have never done something like this." He gave the other man a questioning look. "You're telling me you've done this before?"

"Of course I have." Miktes responded as if sleeping nude in the wilderness was the most natural thing in the universe. "We Verdomian's do it all the time during overnight hunts. It gets so cold that we need to stay warm by huddling naked under a blanket for warmth."

There was a sinister sounding snicker. "Sometimes we rub up against each other so much that we end up fucking like a pack of horny bastards. Course since it's a bunch of dominates so there's always a struggle. I remember this one story I heard about these two strong dominates who fought over the rest of their friends. The two of them started circling each other and then..."

While Miktes began telling an incredible dirty little tale that knowing the braggart was most likely was only half true, Barnabus began humming softly to himself. He had to tune his friend out and find out where exactly they were heading. Something which became harder and harder as the Verdomian went on in great description about the group of beefy naked Verdomians erotically wrestling each other under a blanket. It was like a scene out of a really bad or a really good porno.

[Barnabus: Again I'm really surprised how I've changed. Was it really only a month or so ago that I was adamantly denying that I was... jalapeño, I still hate this phrase, a chubby chaser? Trying my hardest to keep up the appearance that I was only interested in those tight little twinks dancing on stripper stages or muscle gods like Ekkar to save face with everyone who would think I'm nuts. Now though, after seeing Miktes naked so many times I really do find the big lug sexy now. There's just something about his raw sexuality and that large body that gets me going. Something that I really appreciate now without shame. Actually... I've come to appreciate a lot of things since that mission on Verdomo.

I've learned how lucky I've really been all this time. How instead of chasing that stupid idea of being like my hero Captain Cosmos I should have been enjoying my life as an ordinary run of the mill Jack with my ship and my friends at my side. Speaking of the guys I wonder how they're all doing. I hope wherever they are they're safe right now. Which now that I think about it they might not be. Ekkar's no doubt on the move again and tracking the shuttles we stole. If he was to go after their ship first instead mine and Miktes' then that means my crew are in real big trouble. Ekkar wouldn't kill them outright I know that. Not after all the trouble I've cause him. He'd wait to do it in front of me to teach a lesson. Which is all the more reason why we have to get our rears in gear. I need a bargaining chip so that I have some leverage if it comes to that.]

***************

Alfred felt himself sighing deeply as he pushed open the door to Moah's workshop and floated his way into the weightless and airless work space. His spacewalk suite was riding up on him again. The tight fitting and frankly ghastly colored outfit going places where no one had ever gone before. It only made his disdain for doing what they were doing all the more prevalent. Salvaging the remains of the wild Comet to see if there was anything still useable in the wreckage.

The doctor could still remember the gasp he made as they came out of hyperspace and Rana eased them a short distance away from the pot marked and heavily damaged spaceship that they had all once called their home. It's hull sporting a gaping blowtorched hole from where Ekkar and his men had boarded it. The sight had been so heartbreaking that it had taken Alfred all he had not to burst out into tears as they began making preparations to go on board themselves. Luckily the way Moah was pouting when they only found two human sized suits had lifted his sprit enough to keep him from breaking down.

Speaking of the Mechanic, the large cheerful man was busy rambling into the medic's ear at that very moment only making him all the more nervous. Giving out very complicated instructions on what to remove and not to remove from his messy and very disorganized looking living space in the back of the Wild Comet's engine room.

"Hey Porter you done down there yet?" Rana's voice came over Alfred's radio. "I've finished cleaning out our armory, some personal things from our rooms, and downloaded our personal files from the computer."

"I'm not sure about down here Miss Najjar." Alfred responded. "Moah's sort of asking me to get a lot of stuff."

Up on the second story of the Comet Rana slowly floated out of the Cargo bay a frown on her face. Why did the two men she was with have to be so much trouble sometimes? "Moah." She said shortly to the third member of their party. "What did I tell you before we started salvaging? We can only get the essentials and a few personal trinkets."

"Ragi Rana!" Moah whined over the communication channel. "Ji Kohje huygoi nar gi tinoi juuyol. Itto kora def hoot jick wento--."

"Moah!" Rana interrupted sternly. "We don't have time for this big guy, ok?"

There were a few moments of awkward silence over the com before Moah sighed and said very hurt sounding. "Doosha Rana." There was a small pause. "Moah. Not. Mean. To upset."

There is was. That apologetic tone that all three of the male members of her crew used whenever she was mad at them. The one that went straight for Rana's hear and caused to mentally slap herself for hurting someone who she cared about. "Sorry I just snapped at you Moah." The Jack pilot apologized. "I guess I'm just short because I'm worried about Barnabus and Miktes. Those two dimwits are defenseless until we get the military to com and help."

"Ji kokoju, ragi koh gu uto gi juuyol?" Moah seemed to ask hesitantly. "Ji'at poilo garzz giff?"

Sighing at the way Moah's voice cracked a little when he said whatever he did Rana connected her radio back to Alfred. "Care to tell me what he just said Al...?"

"He asked if we could at least get his tool box." Alfred explained. "To Girunjh the tools they use to work are one of the most important things in their lives. They're given them as a part of their chosen profession ceremony."

"Fine Moah, we'll get them for you." Rana sighed as she instantly caved after hearing that little tidbit of information. "But, I'm coming down to the engine room so at least we can be quick about it."

"I'll be awaiting your appearance miss Najjar." Alfred said happily.

Stuffing the last of the things she had taken from the cargo bay into a bag she was carrying, Rana slowly made her way over to the stairs which led to the lower story and swam in midair downwards. Passing the pictures they had placed in the stairwell the dark haired woman gave a small sigh as memories caught up with her. Her, Barnabus, Alfred, and Moah had spent so many years in this ship and it was a shame that it was now out of commission. Their lives uprooted now because of the stupid mission they were on. But at the same time that bitter thought cropped up in her mind Rana also realized that they had to keeping going on with it too. If only to keep something out of the hands of a man like Clayworth and that Warg partner of his. Whatever the Warg Empire wanted the statues for, whether that zany ancient legend was true or not, couldn't be any good.

Coming to the bottom of the steps Rana went to start heading down the short hallway leading to the Comet's engines room but before she even moved and inch Moah's panicked voice blared over the radio leaving her dazed. Whatever was wrong had the Girunjh panicking his words coming out like one single word. "TENPLU! Oi funol teppo yet li hyperspace folp foba! Covva Juuyol zanz huygoi foba!!"

"Moah calm down!" Alfred shouted back over his radio, trying his best to get the other man to stop. It was rare for Moah to be this upset about anything. "You know I can't understand you when you talk like a regular Girunjh does. Speak slower please."

A deep sigh came over the com system followed by Moah repeating what he had just said slowly. When the he finished Alfred began seeing why he was acting the way he was his own heart rate increasing to a maddening level at the news. "Miss Najjar there's a ship outside right now." He informed. "It's on an intercept course and will be here any second!"

"WHAT!?" Rana yelled back her eyes going wide in terror. Ekkar must have realized that they had stolen the artifact and come back to get them first. "Guys forget about salvaging the ship! We have to get back to the shuttle and vanish before they do a scan and find us--"

Before Rana could finish giving her orders the entire ship was bathed in the bright green light similar to the scanners back on Aquarii, the radios they were using to communicate shorting out only a few seconds later, the channels they were using to communicate shutting down and leaving them all on their own.

'Crap.' Rana thought grimly as the ship began to rock from a tractor beam hitting it. 'We're in a hell of a lot of trouble now.'

***************

[Barnabus: It's been nearly a day and a half since me and Miktes left our little camp by Ekkar's fancy-smacy shuttle and began traveling through the Unutulmus forest and I got to say it's been real tough going. We've struggled our way along this unbeaten path fighting against the vines and bushes, wading through fast running rivers and murky ponds, and even having to climb up a twenty foot rocky ledge that only seemed to get bigger and bigger the further we went up along the way. But you want to know the strange part about having to do all this hiking and sweating? It's that as we slowly make our way to the relic I keep catching myself smiling at being able to play explorer. Yeah, yeah I know I'm nuts folks but stick with me I'll explain it.

Doing all this sort of reminds me of that camping trip with Frank and my pop. Getting dirty and tired out in the wilderness and what not. It also takes me back to my time back at the I.U.G. military boot camp. Back to those long ten mile hikes which while I hated with a passion at first I came to enjoy because it was good bonding with the other recruits. Of course that wasn't the only reason I enjoyed it if I remember correctly. There was also the little fact that I got a very, very nice view of my superior officer's nice rounded rump during those marches and an even nicer view of him in the showers afterwards. Man he was something! I can still remember the time that me and him were in the showers alone and he... ... ... No! Focus Comet, focus. Can't go getting yourself excited. Especially since I've now learned that a certain someone can smell it on me. Speaking of my grumpy Verdomian, he's not so keen on this whole walking through the forest thing as I am. Or at least that's what I'm getting from the overly dramatic way he's trudging his way behind me, complaining with every single step. It's annoying to say the least and frustrating to say the most. But hopefully he'll get over it soon and--]

"--My feet are starting to hurt." Miktes complained for the hundredth time that day.

Coming to a stop, Barnabus spun around and gave the younger man a frown which received a huffy scowl in return. "Jalapeño, Mick come on! Do you really have to keep complaining like some sort of big baby?" He sighed. "I mean, of course you do who am I kidding? But we've only been walking for a few hours since daybreak."

Miktes snorted and folded his arms over his chest at being called a baby but remained silent about that little insult. Instead opting to keep complaining about their journey. "Yeah a few hours and we haven't stopped for even a fucking break!" He pointed out petulantly.

Looking around them Miktes quickly spotted a large flat rock nearby and flopped down on it. "I'm not moving my ass an inch till I'm good and ready." He declared. "And I don't care what you say 'bout it ya dumb human."

Rolling his eyes at his companion Barnabus leaned against a nearby tree and took out his P.A.D. to check the map Alfred had made from Tworows letter. "Sorry to break it to you big green but I'm in charge here so I say we keep on moving, got it." He pointed out absently. Finding what he was looking for Barnabus held out his P.A.D. for Miktes to look at. "Besides look, the temple's only another six or seven miles away or so if our map is right."

Miktes raised an eyebrow ridge hearing the word "only" being used to describe six or seven miles. That sounded like a hell of a lot more walking to him. Even that wouldn't have been so bad but the overly chipper mood his human had been in the last day or so was beginning to grate on his nerves. No one should be this chipper about walking this much.

It was getting to the point that Miktes began believing that his green feet would fall off if he didn't find a way to make Barnabus give them a break. There just had to be a way! Thinking for a few moments as he sat there the warrior suddenly conceived of a devious little plot that he was sure was going to work. It would do the trick with him after all and he was sure he had way more control then his human did.

Smirking over to Barnabus, the younger man gave him a low mating growl and tried to put on the best seductive face he could muster on his grumpy mug. After the several times they had fucked he knew the way to get to the thing in Barnabus' pants.

"Hey, how 'bout instead of walking more we could take a little break to have some fun?" Miktes suggested as he groped himself through his shorts. "We could do it right here on this big rock. I'll even bend over and let you go first. Rut my ass something good and see how many times we can go at it."

This infantile attempt at seduction fell on death ears of course. Barnabus covering up a snort of laughter with his hand and raising an eyebrow at his companion. "Really?" He asked in amusement. "You're actually trying to sweet talk me into letting you take a break?"

"Hey, it's a good offer." Miktes defended haughtily. So much for the seductive approach. "And you should consider yourself lucky. You got a dominate offering himself up to you here. A submissive's dream come true."

"Ah but you see I'm not a submissive kid." Barnabus pointed out smartly. "And besides if you really want to know what's really lucky then I'll tell you what's lucky." He waited for Miktes to raise an inquisitive eyebrow ridge before he continued. "What's really lucky is us finally getting to that temple first. So move your tailed backside before I put my booted foot right up it."

Seeing that he wasn't getting anywhere with his friend Miktes gave the shorter man a dirty look for his refusal to give him what he wanted and stood back up in compliance. Usually he'd be more uncooperative after getting barked at like. No proper dominate in their right mind would stand getting bossed around by a sub after all. But with Barnabus it was different. He actually wanted to please him. Even if the warrior was loath to admit that simple fact.

Chuckling at the broody face he was getting Barnabus went over to Miktes and put an arm over the taller man's back giving him a brief hug before he released him and started walking down the trail again. "Heya, if it helps I'll slow down a little for an hour or so." He said giving in just a little. "After all can't have your precious tootsies falling off now can we?"

"Tootsies?" Miktes wondered out loud as he padded after the hairy man.

"It's a babyish word for feet." Barnabus laughed back. "Now stop stalling and move them clodhoppers of yours. We're on a schedule."

"But my feet hurt." Miktes whined again as if any of the previous argument never happened. When he didn't get a respond to his childish complaining the warrior pouted. Face glaring down at the mossy ground below him as he traveled.

{Miktes: Yeah, yeah I know. A dominate like me should be used to having to walk around like this. After all back when I was forced to participate in group hunts by my father I traveled a lot further then what me and Barnabus have. But for some reason I don't feel like doing any sort of walking right not. Maybe it's cause I've been spending all my time on that flying house. I have sort of been lazy the last couple of months after all. But what I really think the cause is, is because I don't like the idea that the closer we get to that place we're going the closer I get to having to leave. Something which after the last two nights of fucking in the forest with my amazing temporary mate I'm hating even more. The thought of going back and leaving this human of mine behind is making my stomach ache and twist. I'm not sure what's making it do that but I know that it's going to get even worse when it happens.}

Brought back suddenly from his own inner thoughts as he unexpectedly found himself giving a ungraceful yelp, Miktes bumped into something very solid, his arms windmilling in great circles while he stumbled backwards and tripped over his own feet, his whole person ending up on the mossy ground with his ample backside and pride wounded.

"The fuck!?" Glaring up at whatever he had collided with the Verdomian was irritated to see it had been Barnabus who had laid him flat on his ass. The older man having suddenly stopped dead center in the path, his vision locked at something beyond the bushes in front of them.

Anger and his own embarrassment getting the better of him Miktes quickly hopped up onto his feet and shook his fist at the human. They might have been friends and lovers now but no one, no one humiliated the mighty Miktes of the Hestry Clan! Not even his lover. "What the hell's the big idea!" He growled, face tinting. "You just knocked me down!"

Strangely all the shouting and growling seemed to fail to register with the older man. Barnabus not moving an inch. Now this was the last straw for Miktes. Now he was being ignored? 'Bastard.' Deciding to force his companion to look at him the surly orc stomped his way over to Barnabus and grabbed him by his shoulder.

"Hey stupid!" Miktes shouted rudely. "I said: What's the big idea 'bout knocking me... whoa."

Halfway through his mini tantrum at the perceived rudeness being shown to him, Miktes had let his eyes slowly shift away from the side of the Barnabus' head to what he had found so interesting as to ignore him for. When he did however all anger evaporated in an instant and the Verdomian completely understood why the other man had neglected to respond to him. Anyone would be left speechless by the wonders they were standing before.

Stretched out before the duo was an ancient looking and vast city. It's crumbling vine and fauna covered buildings made of bleached white stone with smoky glass windows and high metal spires which were so tall that they seemed to touch the pink tinted sky itself. The white and gray cobblestone streets below the monoliths were just as amazing too. Weed covered and rubble strewed but still breathtaking with several strange machines that resembled the carts that Miktes had seen on Barnabus' floating island.

Pushing Barnabus out of his way gently and stepping out into the street Miktes found himself snapping his head back and forth trying desperately to take everything in. He had never seen a place abandoned like this. It would have been creepy and intimidating to his simple mind if it wasn't overloaded with wonder. "What sort of place is this?"

"I think this is where we've been walking to all day Mickey." Barnabus answered just as awestruck. Stepping into the city himself, the jack captain had to shake his head a few times in an attempt to see if he was really seeing what he was seeing.

When he had heard that there had been an intelligent race on Unutulmus that had long ago become instinct, Barnabus had expected them to have been somewhere close to where the Verdomians had been civilization-wise. A prosperous but still stone-age locked people. After all that's where a lot of races check out. A simple problem like a plague or extreme weather change wiping them out before they knew it. But this place... it was so advanced.

Which led to another question. A species like this would have had to have other settlements on the planet or this size. But the scans the shuttle had taken had only picked up the temple nothing about this city. It was almost like it was a colony or something. And if that were true then where had the people who had lived here come from in the first place. Maybe they weren't truly extinct after all. Maybe on some other world they were still kicking and would be angered to find out they had been robbed.

"If only I knew what these guys looked like." Barnabus said to himself. "It'd help if I had some idea."

"Hey over here!" Miktes voice cut through Barnabus' thought. "Stop staring like an idiot and get yer ass over here and look at this."

Turning to where Miktes had been standing Barnabus was surprised to see that the redhead had started to explore on his own. The Verdomian now standing several feet away from him, looking straight up at some sort of large statue. "Be right there Mick." He called out to the green skin.

Padding his way over to him Barnabus let his eyes go upwards so that he could get a closer look at what Miktes had found, getting what he assumed was his first look of what the Unutulmusian people must of looked like.

The statue depicted a tall thinly built woman with long flowing hair that went all the way down to her dainty feet. Her hands, long and oddly six fingered with a thumb on each side were held out in a welcoming gesture. One open palm beckoning those who saw her to come closer while the other seemed to be brushing back one of her long strands of hair over one large and pointed bat-like ear as she smiled.

She was stunning, beautiful even, Barnabus thought. Almost like the elves from those movies and books Alfred liked to partake in that he thought no one knew about. The ones where Barnabus would secretly ogled the dwarves much to his own embarrassment. Of course Miktes being himself had a very different opinion about the stone woman the he had.

"Kinda scrawny ain't she." Miktes remarked. "Must not eat enough."

Barnabus chuckled at the alien's rude assumption of the woman's appearance. It seemed that Verdomians only thought that the chubby or thickset were attractive. It was a shame the guys back in the bars on Aquarii didn't feel that way. Would have made getting company back on all those lonely nights a whole lot easier for someone of Barnabus' size.

"Not everyone can be a beauty queen like you Mickey." He said patting Miktes' belly with the back of his hand.

The way Barnabus had just touched his belly caused a stir in Miktes ceremonial shorts, which unfortunately he couldn't attend to at the moment. "Watch who you're calling a queen." He huffed instead. "If anything I'm a king."

"King of throwing hissy fits maybe." Barnabus snickered smartly. Unfortunately the Jack's amusement from his little joke didn't last long however. His chortling replaced with a girlish yelp as his ass was stung by the sharp pain caused by Miktes' long tail as it lashed playfully across his left butt cheek.

Now rubbing the stinging sore on his bottom Barnabus looked over to the younger man with his mouth slightly agape. He hadn't realized that the Verdomian had such control over his long whip like tail like that. "D-Did you just whip me?" He asked

"Serves ya right for being mouthy and knocking me on my ass earlier." Miktes smirked back. Please beyond belief that he had at last gotten on over his bothersome human lover. He was starting to understand why Barnabus teased him all the time. It was a hellava lot of fun making someone all red in the face. "Now let's stop staring at this skinny woman and let's get back to finding that thing we came for. You said we gotta hurry, right?"

Grumbling to himself for a second at getting his ass lashed like he had Barnabus looked around them and spotted the very top of what looked like a pyramid. "I'm betting that what we're looking for is over in that there building." He said pointing to it. "At least that's where I'd keep an ancient artifact thingy."

"Guess you're right. Ours was in the biggest building too." Miktes said shrugging. "Bet I can get there before you can."

"Sure thing kid. Oh, and before I forget..." Barnabus began, affection coloring his words as a grin crossed his bearded lips. "...I'm going to get you back for what you did just now."

"Just try!" Snorting the warrior lifted his nose in the air and started walking away while hiding the smirk that was spreading across his own face. "Like some stupid human could surprise the great Miktes, Firstborn of Hestry clan anyway!"

Barnabus didn't know if he should be annoyed or amused that the Verdomian pompous declaration. But in the end he decided on the latter. After all being a bit of a rowdy jerk was just of Miktes' charm. And to him that just made him all the more attractive. Not that Barnabus liked to admit that he thought about the alien that way.

***************

The rest of the trip through the ancient abandoned city was thankfully wasn't as hard as the trip through the woods had been for Barnabus and Miktes. The pair slowly but steadily wandering through the empty streets as they headed towards the pyramid that Barnabus had spotted in the distance. This calm stroll gave the two a chance to bicker and joke around with one another however, giving some levity to the trek. Barnabus even getting back at Miktes as he had promised with an open palm slap to his green colored rump and soundly getting chased and tackled to the ground by the ever mature warrior for doing so. The grown men ending up wrestling on the ground for a few moments before they realized how ridiculous they were acting and instantly rolled off of each other

To Barnabus they was he was acting was a bit surprising to him but at the same time kind of refreshing. It was almost as if he were a young man again of twenty or so. Energy was coursing through his body, making him feel lighter and more rambunctious the more time he spent around the man traveling with him. Whatever was causing this rejuvenation, he was truly loving it and from the way Miktes was smiling in-between growls and huffy words he was too.

Eventually though through all the roughhousing and fighting the duo did end up making their way to their destination. The long walk through the city coming to an end when they found themselves standing in an overgrown courtyard in front of a pair of tall golden doors.

Stepping up to the gigantic barrier Barnabus placed his hand upon the rough surface and traced a few of the designs with his fingertips. "Something tells me they didn't just leave something like open." Proving his point the middle aged man gave the doors a hearty push which had no effect, the metal slabs stubbornly staying in place. "Jalapeño that's heavy." Turning to Miktes, Barnabus gave a shrug. "Maybe we should try and find another entrance. I'm sure if we walk around some more we'll be able to--"

Hearing the dreaded words "Walk around some more" being spoken by his human companion, Miktes decided to solve this latest problem the only way he knew how to. Through brute force. Crouching down the Verdomian steeled himself then charged forward with all his might. His hefty green body making a dull thud as it made contact with the golden doors and forced them open with stale gusts of air and Barnabus' surprised gasp in the background.

Stumbling to a stop after the doors gave way Miktes spun around and smirked at the older man while dusting off his hands. "There problem solved." He said, the deed now done. "Ya coming or are you just going to stand there like an idiot?"

Barnabus let out the breath he had been holding in a puff. Completely amazed that Miktes had so easily strong armed his way through the barriers. "Sometimes I forget how strong you are." He said walking past the alien and into the building. "Guess it's nice to have a big dimwitted lug around sometimes."

"Was that a thank you submissive?" Miktes asked stalking after him. "Cause I think it sounded like one." Not getting an answer besides a sly smile and a roll of the eyes the warrior snorted at Barnabus and quickly gave the human another playful whip with his tail as they continued inside.

Entering the pyramid and stepping into a large lobby like room, Barnabus and Miktes were once again amazed by what was within. Large and ordinate statues similar to the one they had come across earlier along with golden rune covered walls that stretched up higher than either of them could see.

Spinning around slowly as they headed towards the center Barnabus let out a low whistle. "Boy oh boy this joint certainly isn't short on any razzmatazz." He remarked while running his eyes over the area. "Sort of makes me nervous about just busting our way in."

"You scared human?" Miktes asked mockingly as he followed.

Giving a huff of laughter, Barnabus glanced over his shoulder at the younger man. "Not scared just worried is all." He assured. "This all sort of reminds me of those temples in those old Vidscreen movies. Like the one we watched on movie night back on the Wild Comet."

Miktes nodded his mind going back to the strange story he had watched on his human's flashing window. Some old guy in a strange hat wandering around where he should have been. It had been boring save for the fights and the way Alfred had yelped at the sight of someone eating animal brains. But all in all Miktes had enjoyed the entire experience in the end. If only because Barnabus was sitting next to him at the time with his arm over the back of the couch and around him.

"Hey Mick, over here." Barnabus called out suddenly. Looking ahead Miktes watched as his lover jogged his way over to a dark looking hallway and peered inside. "You think the relic is down there?" He asked.

"What do I know." Miktes huffed while coming up behind him. "You're the one leading the way."

"Geeze make it sound like you respect me a little bit won't you?" Barnabus laughed. Pulling out the multitool he had brought with them he flicked it into the flashlight mode. "Come one then kid, let's get this over with." He grimaced walking into the darkness. "Don't forget to be careful by the way. I know your temple didn't have any, but there might be booby traps somewhere around here."

"Booby traps?" The inevitable question came.

Barnabus rolled his eyes. It always seemed that when he was with Miktes he was answering question after question. Not that he minded it. It was sort of fun teaching the primitive man about things. "You know things that kill intruders and keep them from stealing." He explained. "Something which only a big boob would get caught up in."

"Oh those things. Like I'd ever be stupid enough to step into a trap." Miktes said huffily. First Barnabus doubted his strength now his intelligence. Sometimes the human really didn't get that a dominate like him was the most prefect, smartest, strongest, and bravest male in all of-- "Fuck!"

Hopping forward on one foot as he tripped over something, Miktes found himself bumping into Barnabus' back for the second time that day. His face growing red as the human turned around and gave him a knowing look.

"What happened?" Barnabus asked growing concerned. They didn't need Miktes getting a sprained ankle or anything now. "You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

"Fucking floor just sank down a little and tripped me is all." Miktes replied back more embarrassed then anything. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Sank down?" Peering down to where Miktes had been standing moments ago Barnabus' eyes grew wide as he witnessed a seemingly inconspicuous looking tile on the floor start to make a clicking sound as it rose back into place to match its neighbors. Then alarmingly the passageway around them began to make the same clicking sound too, the noise echoing through the darkness and right into his ears.

Instantly knowing what was about to happen Barnabus lurched forward, tackling Miktes and sending the two of them flying towards the floor with a shout of, "DUCK MICKEY" as they flew through the air.

His back hitting the cold stone floor under them Miktes gave a surprised growl and tried to push Barnabus off of him. Were they under attack or something? If that was true then he had to do his dominate duty and protect them. The Verdomian never got an answer to his questions though. Barnabus' heavy body rolling on top of his as swooshing sounds rang out from above them and a rain of rocks and debris fell down onto them.

The barrage above lasted only a few moments but for Miktes it felt longer. Barnabus' body on top of him helping to drown out the noise and cause that pesky problem in his shorts to reappear. But then just as quickly as it had begun Barnabus rolled off of him with a laugh.

"What's so funny?" Miktes grumped at the sudden lost.

"Booby traps!" Barnabus said excitedly. "They actually have booby traps here!" Shifting again the older man propped his head on his hand and grinned over at the alien. "I know I told everyone that I'd be more serious and give up on trying to be some sort of space hero but come on! This is just like what happened on Captain Cosmos episode three-thirty-seven, revenge of the arbitrators revenge revengance part two!!"

Miktes frowned at the human and let his eyes shift to the now dart covered wall behind him then back. From the indents in the walls he could tell that if they had been hit they'd be dead by now. "I'm beginning to see why the woman always calls you a moron." He muttered.

"Yeah well its still fun." Still excited Barnabus leaned forward and gave Miktes a quick peck on the cheek before he stood back up and offered his hand. "Come one we can't let this little snafu stop us now can we?"

Allowing himself to be pulled to his feet Miktes grunted a surly sounding, "Fine but we better not get ourselves killed.", Which had Barnabus shaking his head and chuckling as he started heading down the hallway with a noticeable bounce in his step.

Watching the human as he went Miktes unconscionably rubbed the spot where he had just been kissed, a small smile crossing his face for a few seconds before he quickly covered it up with an annoyed sounding growl. 'Stop getting all mushy!' The Verdomian warned himself. 'You're a dominate so start acting like one. Don't get all turned on by a little kiss like that!'

Continuing without any further delay the two would-be explores carefully made their way down the rest of the corridor, making sure to avoid triggering any more booby traps as they slowly walked. Eventually through a mess of cobwebs and gravel they found themselves exiting the long hall and stepping into another room. This one much smaller than the first one they had been in with what appeared to be dark figures standing against the walls just beyond Barnabus makeshift flashlight.

"This is what we came here for?" Miktes asked looking around. This dingy little room didn't look like anything special. The room where they kept their artifact in back at Kalaban village was much grander then this dump.

"Heya don't go knocking other peoples taste in decor Mickey." Barnabus quipped. Stepping forward the Jack headed towards the closest of the obscured statues and shined his light trying to get a better look. Like outside this sculpture was of another Unutulmusian its hands out in what looked like a welcoming gesture. But unlike the ones outside this one was a male, his features sharp and piercing and his body surprisingly naked.

"Well hello there handsome." Barnabus smirked up at the stone figure. "Don't suppose your single, are you?"

"It's a rock stupid." Miktes huffed from behind the older man.

"I know that but..." Barnabus let his eyes flick down to the Unutulmusian's large member. "...You got to admit that he's got some talents down there."

"Mines bigger." Snatching the Barnabus' multitool out of the human's hands Miktes started going over to one of the other statues. He wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible. No need to let his "companion" keep visually groping the artifacts in the room.

Lifting the shaft of light upwards however the orc found himself forgetting all about keeping Barnabus away from the statues as he came face to face with another Verdomian. Well... a stone one that is. "What the hell..."

Barnabus too was surprised and quickly grabbed his flashlight again as it fell from Miktes surprised hands. "What the heck it this doing here?" He asked out loud as he inspected the stone visage. A creeping suspicion suddenly running up his spine Barnabus moved the light to the other statues one by one and was just as shocked when the naked stone forms of a round and jolly looking Girunjh, a smug and smarmy smiling Fidraon, a sinister and savage looking Warg, and lastly a barrel chested mountain of a human with a long beard and fierce expression on his face revealed themselves in the gentle light.

"I can't believe it." Walking up to the human statue Barnabus ran his hand across the man's bearded cheek. Something vaguely familiar about the man it depicted that he could just place. "Guess this explains why there are artifacts all over the place then doesn't it? The people here must of traveled to all each of these worlds and left an artifact."

"But the Strangers are the ones who gave my people out artifact." Miktes pointed out as he examined the Verdomian statue. Looking down at the idols feet he noticed for the first time a small tablet at the bottom with writing on it. "Hey, come over here and look at this."

Heading back over to Miktes, Barnabus peered down to the large book-like tablet at the statue's base, his brows furrowing when he didn't see anything special about it. "Ok, I give kid what's so special about this?"

"I think this is Verdomian writing." The redhead said back gruffly. "But... it looks kinda old though."

Now this was interesting. "Can you read it Mick?" Barnabus asked kneeling down to get a closer look.

"I think I can." Miktes said sitting down next to him. "But I'm not very good at it. Never really cared to get any good at reading and junk like that. No real warrior needs that sort of shit to hunt and fight."

"Still, I'd appreciate it if you tried for me Mickey." Barnabus said looking over to him, his eyes pleading. "I wouldn't mind finding out why these things are here."

"S-Sure." Miktes nodded unsurely. 'Stupid human always making me do stuff cause he looks at me all weird.' Taking a deep breath the Verdomian tried his best to remember his lessons back home and unsteadily and slowly began reading what was written down in front of him, his voice gruff but clear in the silence of the dark room they were in.

"On a wo-wo-world green as an em-rold with ve-veins of blue we met a race of tu-tu-tusked men." Miktes began shakily. "They were rough but good h-hearted so we decided to leave the k-key to the..." The Verdomian gave a frustrated growl as he came to an unfamiliar word his face heating up at feeling stupid.

"Calm down and keep going Miktes." Barnabus encouraged softly, rubbing small circles on Miktes' back. He could tell that the redhead was having a lot of trouble with reading. Something which he himself had experienced when he was still in school. "Just skip over that word and move on to the rest of it."

Miktes could feel his face tinting at the soft touch of the man behind him. "O-ok" He muttered. "So we decided to leave the k-key to the... "thing" ...to keep it safe from those who would use it. In e-exchange we offered the tusked men anything they wanted."

Eyes traveling to the next part of the tale, Miktes found himself gasping as he read over the finally part of the tablet. "B-But all t-they wanted was to find love. To discover the other part of their souls. We were moved by this simple wish so w-we gave them a their way without question. Creating a blue li-li-liquid that when drank would merge the spirit of the drinker with the one they were meant to be with and only that one person. On any other it would be... i-i-i-inert."

{Miktes: Is this where the ritual of destiny comes from? Are the people who lived in this weird purple world the strangers? I don't' want to believe it, believe that they were real, but... it's got to be true. The only thing odder about all this is finding out that my people could have gotten anything they wanted for looking after that rock and all they wished for true love? That's kinda embarrassing if you really think about it. A race of warriors and hunters who are tough and strong wanting something that mushy.

But like I said it's gotta be true. That explains why couples are so close where I'm from. Why mama and father and all those other people are so happy all the fucking time. Guess I'll be the same way too with Ocher when Barnabus' skinny friend finishes that stuff to break out bound. After reading this though there's something that's starting to bug me. If the sacred liquid is only supposed to work on our true mates then why did it work with Barnabus and me?}

Looking over his shoulder to Barnabus, Miktes found the older man looking back at him with a curious expression on his face. Had he been thinking the same thing he had only moments ago?

Whether he did or not the human suddenly backed away from him and stood back up. "Heya... you think these other rocks have stories too?"

"I dunno maybe." Miktes muttered. Looking over to the human statue he pointed over to it. "Why don't you go over there and try to read yours."

"Sure." Padding up to the human statue Barnabus looked down and frowned at unfamiliar text written on the stone table. It looked like something he saw once when him and his crew were delivering some ancient Norse artifacts from a place called Valhalla to a museum. Defiantly something he couldn't read.

Luckily however Barnabus had just the thing to solve that problem. Pulling out his P.A.D. the Jack brought up a little translation program he used when they needed to translate road signs during deliveries and held the device over the tablet at the base of the sculpture.

"Let's see... looks like it's the same story here more or less." He announced over to Miktes. "Only difference is that my people asked for... adaptability?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Miktes huffed.

"I guess we wanted to be able to adapt to any situation." Barnabus shrugged not completely getting it. "You know, be able to survive no matter what."

"Asking for that's just dumb." Miktes huffed. "If you ain't' tough enough to handle stuff you don't deserve to be alive." When Barnabus gave him an annoyed look the warrior quickly realized he had put his foot in his mouth and quickly tried to change the subject. "W-What about that Ekkar thing's people?"

Going over to the Fidraon relic, Barnabus quickly scanned it too, then the Girunjh one, and lastly the Warg one. "Ekkar's race asked for beauty, Moah's asked for wisdom, and... big surprise the Wargs asked for power." Barnabus said listing them off. "Sounds like the elves living here had their hands in each of our worlds."

"Yeah... I guess they did." Miktes agreed. Looking over to the Unutulmusian statue the Verdomian frowned a question forming in his mind. "What do you think they asked for?"

"They were the ones who hid the artifacts I'm sure they already had everything they wanted." Approaching the final statue anyway Barnabus went to hold up his P.A.D. up to the tablet at the bottom, but stopped before he got close a small indent in the legs of the statue catching his eyes. "What's this now?"

Reaching forward Barnabus pressed the panel and recoiled as it made a click and fell off its hinges. A very familiar object coming into view once the dust had settled. Nestled within a tiny compartment was a small stone depiction of an elfish looking baby, it's smiling and peaceful face expertly crafted and almost lifelike.

"I think we found what we're looking for!" Barnabus said excitedly. Snatching the artifact out of its hiding place he held it up for Miktes to see. "Really pretty isn't it?"

"I'm just glad we can get the fuck out of here." Miktes said gruffly. "This place is starting to make me feel weird."

"Awe are you scared?" Barnabus asked getting to his feet. His tone patronizing in the same way Miktes' had been when he asked the same question earlier.

The teasing earned the human an angry snort which morphed into a smug grin. "Yeah I'm scared." Miktes said much to Barnabus surprise. "How about when we make camp for the night you let me hold you close so I feel safer."

"You're a tricky one Mickey." Barnabus chuckled. "But fine I'll let you cuddle the heck out of me tonight if it makes you happy. But only cause we're finally done with all this. Now all we got to do is find somewhere to hide and wait for the others to come with the military."

"Sounds good to me." Miktes said beginning to walk out of the room. "Tonight I'm going to find us lots of meat to celebrate too. Stuff your belly till it's ready to burst then stuff your--"

"I get the point!" Barnabus interrupted before the younger man could finish his dirty thought. What was with Miktes and thinking with the little head in his pants? Not that it was that little mind you. "Just keep your pants on till we're ready to camp for the night."

Growing quiet the two men quickly made their way back through the corridor and into the lobby of the temple they had successfully robbed. Their sprits high and their minds consumed with the things they would be doing once they settled for the night as they exited the building and walked out into the courtyard just outside.

This good mood unfortunately came to a very sudden and terrifying end the very moment they stepped out of the pyramid and into the bright Unutulmus day. A round of laser fire erupting around their feet which they quickly had to jump back to avoid getting struck by, the two of them falling onto their bottom in the dirt as even more shots flew over their heads and sparked against the golden surface of the building behind them.

Groaning as his poor spine surged with pain from falling onto his butt; Barnabus quickly sat up and searched the area around them. Strangely there was no sign of whoever had just shot at them but he knew they had to be somewhere close by. Laser weapons only had so much of a reach. Carefully he reached down for his multitool ready to pull it from his holster. "Ok, listen here Mick." He whispered over to Miktes. "As soon as I say go I'll start firing like a loon and then we run like out backsides are on fire. We'll hide in the forest and loose whoever just fired on us--"

"--Like hell we are. Those bastards just now could of hit you!" Miktes growled jumping to his feet and standing between his friend and whoever was trying to attack them. "Hey you, whoever the fuck you are! If you want yer asses kicked then come on out so I can do it."

"Miktes don't provoke them!" Barnabus shouted trying to get him to stop. But it was too late, the individuals who had tried to kill them did as Miktes had challenged and slowly made themselves known. Flickering into existence as the cloaking devices they were using were shut off and revealing themselves to be a troop of Warg soldiers. All of them armed to the teeth with laser weapons, knives, and their own devastating arm blades.

Beginning to sweat as these people attacking them blinked into view Miktes was at first taken aback. The purple creature he had seen on the floating island hadn't looked this intimidating as the ones surrounding them now. But that didn't matter in the end. He had to protect Barnabus from them.

"O-Ok not that you're here who's first?" Miktes said trying to sound tougher then he felt at that very moment. "I'll take you all on and leave you bleeding in the dirt."

There was a chorus of laughter from the mass of creatures in front of them, a terrible thing sounding akin to a death rattle. Then suddenly two of the Warg's raised their weapons and fired without any delay, Barnabus scrambling to his feet in an effort to grab the alien like he had when they triggered the booby trap inside the pyramid. The attempt for rescue failed however, Miktes getting struck by the blasts of light before Barnabus could reach him and being sent flying backwards onto the ground with an angry sounding roar.

For several moments Barnabus couldn't see. His thoughts clouded with rage at the fact that the Wargs had just killed Miktes right before his eyes. But then the redhead's angry cursing snapped him out of is daze and thankfully alerted him that he was still alive. Looking over to where Miktes had landed the Jack was relieved to see that the shots fired had been binding capsules. Things bounty hunters used to incapacitate their marks.

"Get me out of these dam things!" Miktes shouted his face red with rage."

"I'm a-coming Mickey!" Barnabus said rushing over to the tied man. He needed to free the Verdomian quickly so that they could escape. But just before he reached the other man Barnabus unexpectedly found himself magically levitated off of the ground as something grabbed the back of his shirt as more Warg laughter rang out

"What the...?" Barnabus cursed as he dangled there in the air. Spinning around best he could the spacer saw the all too familiar glimmering of a Warg coming out of cloak and gasped as he came face to face with another warrior who had somehow gotten close to them. "Let me go you big ape!" Barnabus demanded.

The Warg holding him up seemed to ignore the order and raised his free clawed hand to his ear pushing a button on a small device. "We've got them lord Ragno." He simply stated. "Awaiting you arrival."

"We'll be there momentarily." Ragno's voice responded back over the device. "Get our guests ready won't you?"

"Yes milord." Turning around with Barnabus still hanging in the air the Warg motioned over to Miktes. "You two help the green one to his feet. If he gives you any trouble just use your fist till he complies. But don't kill him yet."

There were two gruff sounding, "Yes sirs", before two of the soldiers stomped their way over to Miktes and pulled the fussing and growling man to his feet with some difficultly. Then as a group the Wargs marched them over to the entryway of the courtyard just as Ragno appeared at the gate.

Strolling over to their captives like a conquering king Ragno smirked as he saw the twin looks of hatred that were directed at them. "Well, well, well fancy meeting you two gentlemen here." He said darkly. "How have you been enjoying your stay on this festering life riddled trash heap?"

"FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Miktes roared from his place between the two soldiers holding him. The Verdomian outburst quickly got a response when the Warg on his left gave him a brutal punch in his side. "I'M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU AND RIP OUT YOUR THROATS!

"Violent little thing isn't he." Ragno chuckled as he watched his orcish prisoner try to free himself.

"Yeah that's my Verdomian for you." Barnabus agreed through gritted teeth. "Why don't you let him go and see how violent he can get ya heel."

"I would... but we need him alive for a little while longer." Dusting himself off for a moment Ragno approached Barnabus and grabbed the human by the front of his shirt, taking over for the Warg which had captured the smaller man. "But enough of all these pleasantries hum? How about we get right down to business and you give me what I came here for."

Not willing to let the purple alien have his way Barnabus spat in Ragno's face in response to his request. "What the heck are you bunch of bums doing this deep in I.U.G. space anyway?" He asked. "Shouldn't the I.U.G. military have blown your butt ugly spaceship out of the sky the moment it entered our territory?"

Barely contained rage boiling within him as spittle ran down his scaled face Ragno had to take several calming breaths to keep himself from murdering the worthless creature in his grasp. After what seemed like several minutes he replied to what had been asked. "If an I.U.G. ship was fool enough to approach us we'd be the ones blowing them out of the sky I assure you." He said smugly. "But I don't think it would come to that. You see we have something that gives us a free pass. Isn't that right Anguis?"

"Yes Ragno but I'd morn those brave souls who gave their lives." Ekkar's voice came from behind the Warg general.

Tilting his head to the side the best he could Barnabus scowled as Ekkar flickered into view along with several of his pretty boy's. "I should have known you'd be here too." Barnabus huffed. "So your big mystery client who will give you everything you ever wanted is a Warg general."

"Yes he's been a very beneficial client for several years now." Ekkar said smirking. "In fact you even went on a few missions for him when you were a part of my crew."

Hearing that made Barnabus' blood boil. To think he had been tricked into betraying the I.U.G. because of the Fidraon bastard in front of him. "So... what's the price on betraying over a hundred trillion people Ekkar? A new beach house, a new ship?"

"More than that Barney." Ekkar said flatly and emotionlessly. "Like I said this job will get me everything we've ever wanted. Money, glory, and a prominent position of power after the Warg take over."

"Really?" Barnabus chuckled with false bravado. "You think you're actually going to get anything if you and your big purple Romeo get what you're after? You're a selfish idiot but I know you know how the Warg treat other species. They eat us for breakfast."

Seeing the small waver in his partners face at that reminder Ragno quickly moved the chatty human away from the dragon in an effort to keep him quiet. "As much as I'm enjoying this little lovers spat Ekkar I think it's time we got our property back from this whelp." He said casually. "I'm sure he has it on his or that Verdomian things persons."

"Y-Yeah." Ekkar quickly shook the forming doubt in his mind that Barnabus had planted and went over to his ex-lover. "Oh, I am going to enjoy this." He muttered as he began rummaging through the other Jack's pockets in a very handsy search.

Standing a few feet away from Barnabus and their captors Miktes let out a savage sounding growl, his eyes beginning to shift into their cat-like appearance. How dare that fucking lizard touch his human again! Miktes knew he should have gutted him back on his stupid giant flying house. But luckily for Ekkar Barnabus instantly heard his companion's anger and turned to him offering a look that screamed for Miktes to calm.

Which thankfully the warrior did when he caught sight of it. He didn't remain quiet though opting to instead shout across the courtyard at the man groping his friend so obscenely. "Get your hands off of him you dam dirty lizard!" He warned with deadly intent.

"I'll touch him wherever I wish you stupid primitive lout." Ekkar sniffed back. Proving his point the Platinum rank Jack grabbed Barnabus by the front of his pants, gripping his penis in a death lock which left the bearded man hissing in pain. "See he likes it anyway." Ekkar continued delighting in the grief he was causing. "Just a shame that he refused my offer to show him the pleasures of returning to my bedroom. I'd love to get a chance to fuck his worthless ass till he screamed for mercy."

"Why let something as trivial as a refusal stop you from having you fun." Ragno asked his lips curling into an evil looking grin. "Back on the Warg home world we have this process that insures that troublesome bedmates are more compliant. Sure it's similar to a lobotomy but what's a little drooling when you're having your fun with them."

Ekkar seemed to be taken by this idea and smirked at Barnabus as the human scowled back at him. "That's something I might look into now that you mention it." He turned back to Miktes. "I might even have it done to that thing over there. See why he's so special as to leave me for him."

Miktes snorted at the threat. "I'd rather cut off my own head then rut your narrow ass bastard." He snapped. "That or cut your empty one off."

Eyes furious at the insult to his prefect bottom, Ekkar reached down intent on giving the other man what he wished. But stopped when Ragno gave him a warning growl and the troops around them lifted their weapons. "Oh, I almost forgot we need him alive for now don't we." The dragon sighed. "Consider yourself lucky "Dick-tes" you'd be dead by now if I had my way."

"Don't worry my dear, dear friend." Ragno said patronizingly. "When we get what we want from him I'd be happy to allow you to blast his green head right off."

"Your right." Going back to exploring and groping his way through Barnabus pockets, Ekkar quickly found what he had been looking for. Both the Verdomian and Unutulmusian relics which he present to Ragno with no small amount of fanfare. "Here you go General Ragno."

Letting go of Barnabus who was quickly recaptured again by a nearby Warg elite, Ragno snatched the statuettes out of the dragon alien's hands. "I think you meant to call me All-Master Ragno Fidraon!" He guffawed. "Now let's get going. We got ourselves an ancient weapon to awaken."

[Barnabus: I think I just lost big time.]