FSE

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I found the rooms off to the sides were bedrooms and bathrooms for those who were inside the panic room facility. There were no windows anywhere and Joka confirmed that it was an intentional part of the design. I decided to lay down on one of the beds and tried to load something to do on the holographics. Sadly all I got was a warning display stating that all computer archive systems were offline.

As I couldn't find anything to do to consume my time, I decided to have a nap. Joka insisted the door remain open so he could keep an eye on me as it was his job at the time. Sleep was difficult for me to achieve, worry for my master dominated my thoughts. I didn't know when or if he would return, even if he would return in one piece.

I awoke some time later sensing another body in the bed next to me. I jolted awake and looked around curious as to who was there. On one side was Prince Takash, Prince Reon's heavily pregnant adopted tiger son. He was laying on his side with his hands on his belly and snoozing softly, he looked so peaceful and happy.

His belly drew my eye, so large and full of life, it moved on occasion from the cubs within shifting and kicking. I fought the urge to reach out and rub the soft fur and feel the movement beneath his flesh. It was difficult for me to imagine, or believe, that in only a few months, my belly would be as stretched out and swollen as his was.

When I looked to my other side I nearly jumped out of the bed. Prince Reon was laying on his side facing towards me, a huge toothy, lewd grin on his face. If I had been a betting man I would have put stakes on him being a colossal pervert, and probably have won if he voiced any one of the countless mental images he was probably thinking at the time.

“Hi there, thought I was someone else?” He asked wryly, the smile never leaving his face.

“I...I...I..” I stuttered before taking a deep breath to cry out for Joka. Reon's hand was quick to cover my mouth, the smile disappearing fast and turned to a stern expression.

“No, no, no, shhh, if you wake Takash I will not be pleased and will need to punish you,” he warned me and I couldn't help my eyes widening in a little fear before finally I nodded “Good boy, you should stay calm anyway I hear.” his hand moved from my mouth to my belly giving it a soft rub. I shivered a little at the contact, feeling his large furred and padded hand rub over my stomach.

“I have also heard that you haven't eaten since this morning, Let us get you fed, my brother would not forgive me if I didn't get some food in there with his kittens,” he said and got up helping me up a moment later, being careful not to wake the sleeping tiger “He hopefully won't be too much longer, the rest of my boys are all waiting out in the control room.”

“I think he would be more angry that you were in the bed with him,” Joka announced from the doorway. My head snapped in that direction and he had a stern, irritated look upon his face, yet there was a sparkle of amusement in his eye “You aren't listed as his guardian Reon, I am.”

“Kill joy.” The prince said as I bushed myself off, sticking his tongue out childishly at the tall hybrid.

“He is correct however, you should consume something, even if it is a smoothie,” Joka said walking over and gently took my arm, keeping me close as we past the price back out into the main room. All of Prince Reon's boys were around the room, the two stallions tapping away at one of the consoles while the others played with other items.

Nyios was working at the security terminal, seemingly having luck patching into various systems and investigating the state of the ship. I was a little surprised that he had managed to hack into the system seeing as the entire ship was on top level lock down.

“When..” I started to ask as Joka almost dragged me to the small dining room through another door.

“Three hours ago, about half an hour after you fell asleep,” he answered before I could even finish the question “I am still surprised they managed to get into the safe room while it was on lockdown... without me opening it from the inside.”

“You keep forgetting my lion was a tactical special operative in direct service to the my father, with specialisation in electronic warfare,” Reon announced with a chuckle as I was pushed into a seat “And that almost all of my boys have had advanced combat training.”

“Yeah with only Merin and Takash declining the offer to take part in that... I remember now how much a pain they all were to train,” Joka said with an eye roll before looking down to me “wait here, I will get you something to eat.”

“Lief also declined that invitation too,” Reon added as he took a seat close by, visibly deflating a bit at remembering the boy. I tilted my head a little watching him as he seemed to make a pointed study of the table in front of him, before he blinked and looked up at me with a smile “You remind me of him a little.”

I nodded, not wanting to think of in what way he was implying. Joka returned a moment later and deposited a plate in front of me with a large glass of water. A simple toasted sandwich but my mouth watered a little at the scent of the perfectly toasted bread and hot melted cheese.

“I have some combat training,” I clarified to them lifting one of the slices “although most of it is in almost entirely ship to ship fighter combat.”

I started eating and got half way through the plate before I had even realised how much I had eaten. I looked up as Joka was placing another plate down with a knowing smile then took a seat himself to my other side.

“What nothing for me?” Reon asked with mock insult, a broad teasing smile on his face as he looked across the table at Joka.

“I was instructed to care for him, not you, you are big enough and ugly enough to get your own food.” Joka retorted with a smirk and the lion laughed loudly, leaning back in his chair.

“It is good to know you have never lost that playful spark Joka,” the prince replied “I was worried when my brother made you his second that you would lose it.”

“Only in public, Reon, in private I'll still call you a powder puff with a cock on to your face.” Joka replied with a playful smile.

As I started to dig into the second plate there was a rumble and the ship shook. The two males looked up at the walls for a moment before returning to looking at each other critically. The worry and confusion was clear on their faces.

“That was close,” Joka said simply giving a soft thoughtful rumble “It didn't feel like a shield impact either, you don't think...”

“The only people who knew where the panic room was built was the the royal family and those closest to my brother,” Reon said blankly “everyone who knew of it was on this ship, it was even put in after the ship was built. It doesn't even exist on any blueprints and the internal scanners can't see it either.”

There was another rumble, closer this time and they both gave a growl, the sound a mixture of anger and concern.

“Nyios, what is going on!?” Reon called out and started to get up.

“The explosions are on this level, from the feel of it they are using breaching charges. From the limited data the terminal is giving me they have already broken through several security bulkheads,” came the response from the lion “I am doing what I can to delay and misdirect them, but...” there was another rumble, that time the blast was audible.

“Joka, wake Takash, then secure him, David and Merin in the escape pod,” Reon ordered, giving the hybrid no room for argument and they both got up quickly “Nyios activate a code black alert, it should be a button on the command chair. That will notify my brother of the emergency and unlock the weapons lockers, everyone else arm yourselves!”

I was dragged out of my chair by Joka who moved with haste back to the bedroom and gently shook the pregnant tiger awake. He looked up groggily with a soft growl as to why he was awoken but when another explosion went off, this time close enough that the bed shook, he got up without an argument.

The tall hybrid grabbed a rifle from one of the hidden weapons racks that opened in the wall as we passed it. We reached the end of the short hallway next to the bedroom, he placed his hand on the wall and it opening up to reveal an escape pod.

“W...wait what about...” I tried to protest before he shoved me inside.

“Get in! We will only jettison this as a last resort, now get in!” he ordered angrily as there was another explosion, this time the secret door to the safe room erupted in a fireball. I was grabbed from behind by Merin and pulled into the pod, the door closing in front of me sealing Joka and the others on the other side.

The hybrid gave a nod to us then turned to start shooting. All sound from outside the pod was cut off, only our breathing and the soft hum of the craft coming to life filled the air. Merin moved to the controls and started pressing buttons to try to activate the shields I assumed. I moved back to the door, looking through the window and watched helplessly as weapons fire flew all around the room, coming and going from the breached wall.

“David, come away from...” Merin started to tell me before I watched, with an up close, unobstructed view, as Joka was struck with a shot to the side of the face. The explosion of gore from the hit splattered across the window and I looked on in horror as he slowly crumpled to the ground. His only remaining eye met mine and a smile spread on what remained of his face. That smile faded a moment later and he went still as blood started to pool under him.

Hands latched onto my arm and I was yanked away by Takash, pulled to his side and had my face buried in his plush furry chest. I could only hear a heartbeat, I couldn't tell if it was my own or his, either way it was pulsing too fast. Thinking it was his I tried to tell him to calm down, but all I could sound was a loud scream into his fur.

“Calm down, shh, you're ok,” the tiger tried to sooth, rubbing my back holding me tightly and looked to Merin “Bro, kill the lights.”

The room went pitch black a moment later and another pair of hands found their way to my back to try to comfort me. I didn't even know why I was so shaken, I had seen so many people die when I ran the colony, some in petty squabbles over our dwindling resources, some in fighters that were shot down. Every death had rattled me but never to this degree.

I don't know how long we sat in the silent darkness. I didn't know if we were going to be waiting for someone to open the pod or for the craft to be ejected from the ship. The whole while I was shaking, heart racing while the pair of them rubbed softly at my back and lights flashed through the gore covered window.

“Th...The weapons fire has stopped,” Takash suddenly announced yet he didn't let me go “Merin, you can see better than we can in the dark, have a look see if you can see something out there.” all I could hear was the ruffling of fur and fabric as said feline moved to the window to look out.

“There are people out there... but I can't make out more than shapes through the... blood,” Merin reported “Shit someone's coming!”

The sound of him ducking away from the window was unmistakable and we all braced ourselves for the worst. When the intercom clicked on I jumped and pressed myself closer to the tiger, feeling as he flinched as well.

“Merin, open up,” came a voice that I didn't expect to hear, that soothed my building worried and stresses substantially “Or I will tell Reon you have been trying to replace your lube with Fauxilisation again.”

“Master!” I called out in a mix of relief and joy.

“Shh, that could be them using a voice synthesizer.” Takash said softly and kept his grip on me tight.

“I need more than a threat to make me open this door!” Merin replied after finding the button to activate the communication link to whomever was outside.

“Very well... what was that code we came up with again... ah yes... Open up bitch or your Daddy says you won't get any more cock!” the voice announced and I nearly choked on my next breath trying not to laugh. The lights came on, blinding us temporarily as Merin tapped a code into the door mechanism.

“That's him alright, surprised he could remember that line to be honest.” the feline said with a smirk on his face. I realised he didn't have his blindfold on and was keeping his eyes closed while he punched in the code. When the door finally opened, the emperor was indeed standing there on the other side with a stern look on his face.

“Where's David?” was his first and only question before he took a step in and spotted me with the tiger. He exhaled heavily, clearly releasing some of the tension he had built up “Oh thank the gods you are alright... All of you.”

I pulled away from Takash and ran to the tall lion, hugging him tight. He released a soft chuckle and rubbed down my back softly. Behind him was his brother who was probably waiting for his turn to step in and embrace his boys.

“M...Master... Joka... he...” I started and he hushed me softly placing a finger to my lips.

“Shh, I know...” he said hushing me softly, sadness clearly evident in his voice “Come, the ship is ours once more. We are about to dock again with the Serengeti, we will head to the royal quarters there.”

I nodded and let him guide me out of the pod and back down the hall. Joka's body had been moved to the main room and was covered with a blanket. The room itself was covered in scorch marks from the weapons fire, consoles damaged and several more bodies piled into one corner. Against another wall was five men, all in tight bindings and being held at gunpoint by Reon's two stallions and Sparks.

All of Reon's boys seemed to be ok, if a little shaken. The prince himself had taken a seat on one of the few remaining chairs looking grumpy but unharmed, eyeing off the men being held at gunpoint. I shuddered to imagine what he was thinking, I had always sensed that deep down the prince had a mean streak a mile wide and as black as space.

We didn't stop however, the lion kept us moving out and down the hallway to the royal lift. The halls were just as badly damaged yet the turbolift area of the hall remained clean. We waited patiently outside the lift, the ship gave a shudder, signalling it had docked with the station just before the doors opened.

“About time,” he grumbled as we stepped into the lift “Serengeti Royal Quarters.” there was a beep of acknowledgement and we started the decent.

“M...Master I...”

“Hush, let's get to our quarters first, I will have Kaydex come to check you,” he said, pulling up a display and typing in a few things “I'm sorry I left you, David, if I had known that could happen I never would have. How they found out about the safe room I don't know but... whoever leaked the information will pay dearly.”

I just nodded, remaining silent for the rest of the trip. I wasn't exactly sure how I was feeling, or if I even wanted to try to put words to it. On some level I was angry, completely furious that he had left us while he went off to fight. At the same time I understood why he had done so. He was showing he was not a ruler that just stood by and watched as his men went to fight for him.

I was also sad, I had gotten to like Joka, started seeing him as a friend whom I could trust and he was gone. His life snuffed out right before my eyes and I hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye, to thank him for everything he had done for me or help him if it had even been possible. Yet while I understood that he gave his life to protect not only me but everyone who had been in the safe room, I couldn't get my mind past the brutal way in which it had happened.

The image of his face, half blown apart, his only eye fixated securely to my own, shocked gaze, and a smile on his lips would not leave my mind. I could not erase it, like it was burned to my vision permanently.

“Are you ok David?” Master asked softly looking down at me when my grip tightened in the fur on his arm. I wanted to answer that I wasn't, that I didn't know if I would be for some time, but when I opened my mouth all that came out was the content of my stomach in a flood, splashing to the floor of the lift.

To say that toasted cheese sandwiches tasted better going down would have been an understatement. I coughed up the last of what was in my throat as master lifted me into his arms and clear of the bile. The lift come to a stop a few moments later and he stepped off casually, clearly in no rush to relinquish me from his arms.

---

I laid on one side of a vast bed as Kaydex tended to me, running his hand scanner carefully over my body giving extra attention to my belly. He appeared flustered, a little rattled and irritated but he was handling his job with some level of professionalism. Clearly all of the events of the day had gotten to him, he probably had spent most of the day tending to wounded, dealing with dead bodies or defending himself and his medical bay.

“He and the baby are ok,” the tiger eventually announced while heaving a gusty exhale “his stress levels are high, he is dehydrated and malnourished. The vomiting earlier I could chock up to any number of reasons, morning sickness, his current stress level... and a few other reasons come to mind too.”

He looked towards to the emperor sitting in a large chair on the other side of the room. The lion just nodded, looking like he had been lost in thought and the doctor had barely gotten through to him. Master had barely spoken since we reached the royal suite, having told me to lay on the bed and then told the doctor about my vomiting when he arrived.

“I recommend a hearty, but not heavy meal, plenty to drink, and bed rest... for both of you.” Kaydex instructed giving the feline a pointed look.

“Fine, you win this time, if only because I am too tired to argue,” Master replied with a disgruntled grumble “Anything else?”

“Yes... I will be retiring as your doctor, effective immediately,” the tiger announced, which shook the lion enough to get his full attention “I am almost due Leniad, my mate wants me home and I'm sorry, my kittens and my mate take priority. I have already lined up my replacement, he will be here tomorrow. Soon I know but he will fulfil his role perfectly, there is no-one better suited.”

“Could have picked a better time you know,” Master admonished with a grumble “I would rather not need to have a new doctor who is wet behind the ears or worse, has no idea about how to handle Davids condition.” Kaydex chuckled then and smiled.

“Do you really think I am that stupid?” he replied, raising an eyebrow, walking slowly around the bed towards the lion “You are getting someone who is specialised in that... particular field. He is a Kiquvari.”

“How...Wha...” the lion blinked sitting up a bit as the doctor got to a spare chair and sat, one hand rubbing his belly while the other scrolled through a data pad “How did you get a Kiqu? They have always said they don't want to be part of the Empire.”

“I never said he was going to be part of the Empire,” Kaydex replied, rubbing over his stomach soothingly “I have been in contact with him for some time, he made the offer himself to take my place. He is as good as I am and will be bringing some of his technology with him. I expect medbay one will be retrofitted to his needs upon his arrival.”

“The whole ship needs serious repairs I will probably be grounded here on the station for a month or more,” master said with a grumble “Joka's fleet will be becoming part of the escort. Although I will probably retire the Red Pride as that was dedicated to him.”

“It was his personal ship, he designed it himself,” Kaydex included with a sigh and shrug “Anyway, food and rest Leniad, I have to go finish up reports, you will have all the required paperwork by morning.” He heaved himself up and waddled to the door looking back.

“I will see you at the funerals, and the execution.” he added getting a nod from the lion before he stepped out, the door closing behind him.

Master sighed and pushed himself up from his own seat and walked over. He looked tired and pained, clearly struggling with the days events in his own way. He reached out a hand to me offering to help me up. I took it, if only to feel the warmth of his contact as he heaved me to my paws.

“Let's get something to eat, David.” he said calmly and I nodded following him into the small large dining room.

“M...Master I...”

“Stop, David,” he commanded, not even looking down at me “Just, stop. He did his job, he did what his duty demanded of him, he did what his conscious demanded of him. If he hadn't, if he had let you fight like I am sure you wanted to, and you had been the one hit instead of him, he would never have forgiven himself. And I never would have forgiven him or you.

“It is something you are yet to learn David. Yes you are a slave, but now you carry my cub, you are more valuable than this ship to anyone in this empire. Almost more than me. Joka could not let harm come to you or my cub, or to Takash and his kittens. Even my brother was ready to sacrifice himself to protect you, THAT is your worth right now.”

He sat me down in a chair before heading to the replicator, neither of us ready to cook anything. He punched in the order and gave a sigh as he waited for it to process and looked back at me. He looked ready to say more when there was a beeping noise and he groaned, pressing a button above the replicator.

“What!?” he asked angrily and you could almost hear the flinch of the person on the other side of the com channel.

“S...sorry to disturb you your highness, This is tower station on the Sovereign, we just received word Lord Kamale is sending up supply and repair ships.” they informed him trying to remain calm.

“This couldn't be told to me in a message why?” he growled back as the replicator finished and he brought over a couple of plates of food, a simple meal of salad and steaks.

“A couple of reasons Lord,” Captain Markeus's voice now sounded across the channel “One, the holo systems only work on the Sovereign, the Serengeti hasn't yet been retrofitted with them. Two most network connections between the ship and station are still down, we are endeavouring to repair them as fast as we can. Three you have been ignoring our messages since we re-docked with the station, and four Lord Kamale is on his way up himself, we assume to attend the execution of his daughter, Lady Kamale.”

“I see, I apologise for my lack of communication, I have been... busy.” Master replied with a sigh as he sat “Make sure security escorts him to the dignitary section on the Serengeti, the Sovereign is to remain off limits to all without my permission till the repairs are finished. I want it done by the on ship crew. The only time I want any access between the ship and station crews is for the trade of supplies, am I understood?”

“Yes, Emperor,” the captain replied “I would like to add sir, please don't get angry with my crew, we are all just as bad up here as you. Goodnight sire, I will see you tomorrow for the inspection. Markeus out.”

Master grumbled as the channel closed, clearly not happy at how he had just been admonished but he seemed to understand what it had been required. Even I knew that Captain Markeus wouldn't have said anything if it wasn't required.

“It is going to be a long week...” Master muttered with a sigh before he sat and started to eat “After this we will have a bath and then go to bed.” I nodded numbly, pushing the food around a little before hunger won out and I started to eat.

My sleep that night, while easy to fall into, had been difficult to maintain. I awoke more than once near screaming by the memory of Joka's death running through my mind. Master had been quick to try to settle me, trying to calm me as best he could and usher me back to sleep.

The next day we were both in a less than pristine condition as we were escorted around the Sovereign by Captain Markeus. We were accompanied by the chief engineer and a large group of engineers. Any damage that wasn't worse than weapon impacts and scorch marks had been repaired or cleaned, the rest was disturbing to witness. Bulkheads blown open, blood smears and splatters still being seen to by crew members, destroyed consoles and more showing just how bad the ship had been damaged by the attempted coup.

The primary locations, engineering, bridge and computer core were still undamaged. However there was a lot of damage outside those rooms showing how desperate they had been to gain access. Oddly the brigs were undamaged, with the prisoners still locked away within their cells.

Master eyed former general Tsuris with disdain and contempt. Locked behind a force field, the tiger was still covered in bloody bandages wearing only a pair of underwear and looking as battered as the rest of the ship.

“Tomorrow...” Master said low, slow and with all the certainty of a grave. I felt a flash of fear run through me realising just how angry the lion was as he stood in front of me. Even the guards in the room and the captain next to me seemed to cower a little.

“I want the ship stripped, new carpets, new paint, the works, salvage and recycle what you can,” Master ordered as we headed back to the lifts “I know it's more work, but we may as well use our time repairing to do a complete overhaul of some things. The carpets in the halls clearly weren't up to specs seeing that they are wearing out already.”

“Yes Sire,we will see to it.” the captain replied giving a slight bow as a message came up for both of them on a hollow display. They read it over quickly and Master sighed turning back to Captain Markeus.

“Grant him leave to dock on the ship,” he instructed “full diplomatic privileges, David and I will meet with you at the docking bay to greet them. Direct him to bay thirteen, afterwards there is to be no access below clearance level eight to that bay, understand?”

“Yes sire, I will see you there.” the dragon replied and gave a bow as the lift doors opened.

“Royal section, Sovereign.” Master ordered as we got in, the doors closing and I looked up at him in confusion.

“Our new Doctor is arriving,” he informed me flatly “and I would prefer to change into my better clothes for this... I just hope that he remembers to wear something...”

The royal section had been cleaned up, with the damaged area closed off behind a hastily erected wall. Masters suit was just as we had left it the previous day, the cleaners hadn't even been in to tidy up yet and master heaved a sigh as he quickly gathered up the required clothing.

“Damn doctors always have the worst timing,” he muttered and I gave a soft chuckle “What? They do.”

“I'd say he has good timing Master, he arrived before we had to get the message on a data-pad and were on the station.” I said with a smile and walked over to help him get dressed.

“True, but why couldn't it be more towards the afternoon?” he grumbled as I straightened out his jacket and rolled my eyes.

“Because he's a Doctor, and they don't like doing afternoon appointments.” I said, finally managing to make him smile.

The docking bay was large, and except for the odd shaped ship slowly settling down, was quite empty excluding the guards, the captain and us. There was a cooing noise from the ship, almost like a whales call, as it finally touched down. A ramp extended from the side as a door appeared like a mouth opening at its top, all of it having been practically seamless before.

From the entrance stepped a tall, blood orange coloured male. He wore only a tight pair of pants, the rest of his body on display. He looked like a typical Kiquvari if the records I had read were correct.

Standing at reasonable height, he had a short muzzle and bright Magenta eyes that almost glowed. Behind each eye were two tentacles, the back ones longer than the front. He had some deep purple markings on his body and some bulging, bright magenta veins on his knees, shoulders and around the base of his tail.

I knew that these 'Veins' were actually his Biodraulics. Their bodies supported by an organic fluid that flowed around and concentrated in specific areas. It gave them remarkable speed, strength and stamina, to the point they could lift weights greater than any human ever could.

He had six nipples on his front, two on his chest and four on his swollen dome of a belly. As I had learned, Kiquvari, or Kiqu for short, were masters of genetics and even better breeders. Able to take genetic information from any race and produce offspring. They sold their services, usually at great expense and used themselves as surrogates for the growing young.

They had been the ones to invent the Fauxilisation drug, a cheap substitute for their personal services. The trade off was that the drug had a short shelf life and only a 50/50 chance of working, where as their services were a 100% chance of success.

He smiled warmly as he looked our way and slowly made his way down the ramp, walking as if his belly didn't hinder him at all.

“Emperor Leniad! You giant kitten you! It has been ages!” He greeted walking right up and shook the lion's hand like they were old friends.

“Zox'i, I didn't know you were the one who was taking over for Kaydex,” Master greeted in return and chuckled softly “I thought you were primarily security forces?”

“That pussy said he was retiring and needed a replacement and how could I refuse working for you?” he answered with a smile, waving one hand dismissively “Besides... from what I hear you need a bit of security anyway... how many...?”

“Too many... forty three including...” Master sighed and looked down, reaching out to place a hand on the kiqu's domed belly “Including Joka... a further fifty critical and over two hundred with minor injuries.”

“Damn... I liked that that hybrid, is Neos...?” he asked and Master shook his head.

“He is ok all things considered, he was holed up with Kaydex,” he replied “Never attack a doctor in his own medical bay... those poor bastards had no chance.” They both chuckled and looked up as more footsteps came down the ramp.

One was a digitigrade dragon much like the captain. He was covered in blue-green scales, with white on his chest, belly and down his tail. He wore a pair of pants much like my own, with a loincloth between his legs dangling to his knees. His wings looked damaged, like they had once been flayed and then someone attempted to repair them. His belly was swollen too, domed out in front of him but not as bad as Zox'i's belly.

Helping him down the ramp was another tall male, pushing 8' if I had been forced to guess. He was covered in cyan fur with deep purple striping over it. He wore only a pair of shorts that looked a little too tight, showing off his package almost too well. Large soft looking eyes looked out over a short muzzle with some impressive tusk-like teeth, two long floppy ears tied back with tentacles much like the Kiqu's but extending from the back of his head like dreadlocks.

His long, powerful looking arms looked almost like a great apes and were helping the dragon maintain his balance as they walked. He was a little chubby with a 'dad bod' kind of build, eight nipples adorned his front, with one on each pectoral and six on his belly. He walked on large digitgrade feet, a long, fluffy tail extended out behind him, swaying with each step.

By his feet was what looked like a dog, but I had never seen a dog like it before. Canine face, floppy ears that seemed to only be a chunky loop of flesh, behind them rested two tentacles, again much like the Kiqu. Its bright magenta eyes showed intelligence and it appeared to be keeping an eye on the dragon in front of it.

Covered head to tail in deep green fur, a lighter green covered its chin, neck and underside. Down its back and over its hips were the same, magenta coloured biodraulics that Zox'i had. What I found more odd was its paws, namely its fore-paws which almost looked like under developed hands.

“Ah, here they come,” Zox'i said with a smile looking back at the approaching group “Emperor, allow me to introduce...”

“I have met your pet and the dragon before,” Master cut him off with a chuckle.

“Ah but you did not know their names, seeing as they are going to be staying here too, I will need to introduce them,” the tall Kiqu said with barely a flinch and stepped over to the three arriving and placed his hands gently on the dragons shoulder, said male flinching a bit but Zox'i paid it no mind “This is Hunter.”

“Hunter, finally a name hmm? It's only been... what? A year and you never reported it? Does he have a last name?” The tall lion asked, voice conveying some curiosity mixed with amusement.

“I swore an oath to him not to reveal that information I am afraid, and I shan't be breaking it, even for you.” the orange alien replied with a smile. The dragon, Hunter, blushed a little looking to one side. The creature behind him nuzzled his leg and gave a lick to his hand getting his attention, the dragon reaching down to run his fingers through its fur.

“The pup is Ov'ids,” Zox'i continued looking down at the strange pet who was looking around the people gathered, eyes lingering on me but it remained by Hunter's side “He is a little adventurous, but friendly and hypoallergenic. Make sure your crew know that he may wander the ship a little, but is generally open to attention.” Master nodded looking to the captain who saluted.

“Yes sir! I will have a ship wide notification go out as soon as I return to the bridge.” the dragon said getting another nod from the lion.

“Lastly, this mound of hunky muscle is Bogra,” Zox'i finally introduced gesturing to the large male beside Hunter, he simply nodded in greeting but maintained his friendly and calm body language “He will be around, but probably stay mainly with me when I am not overly busy or Hunter when he is out and about. He will also be assisting me in my duties aboard ship, but only if needed.”

“I see, it is good to meet you all,” Master said with a smile then gestured to the dragon beside him “You all know myself... this is Captain Markeus. He is captain of the IFS Sovereign, if you have any questions, please feel free to message him or his second in command. Sadly they are not here right now as they are overseeing the repair efforts with our chief engineer.”

“Pleasure to meet you sirs,” Markeus greeted stepping forward to shake their hands. No one missed how Hunter flinched back a little “I'm sorry, Derakthaers nethwur ganue oanegr?” Hunter blinked looking to the others, Zox'i and Bogra chuckled.

“Sorry to disappoint you Captain, Hunter is not a Draconian like yourself, he was a human originally.” Bogra said, voice deep and smooth, a slight hint of gravel towards the end. Just the sound of it had me shuddering and wanting to hear more of it.

“Ah, I see... my apologies,” Markeus replied with a slight chuckle “I did not mean to cause you any distress young Hunter, you are safe here, I was asking who your clutch belonged to.”

“M...My clutch is my own,” Hunter replied, voice a little raspy like he didn't use it often, but there was a sweetness to it “B...Bogra is th..the father.”

“Hunter is shy, has high anxiety and is nervous of new people,” Zox'i said simply “If he is alone please approach carefully, usually Ov'ids will be with him, if he gets triggered, try to keep him calm and send me a message. Ov'ids or myself will arrive after a few minutes.”

“Understood,” Master replied nodding looking to Markeus who nodded as well.

“This, is my slave, David,” Master finally introduced me, a hand lifting to gesture in my direction.

“Hello Sir's.” I greeted giving a bow only to get a slight smack to the top of the head. When I looked up it was Zox'i frowning at me.

“No bowing in your condition.” he scolded.

“Yes sir, sorry sir.”

“David will be your primary patient while on board,” master said with a smile and Zox'i nodded. There was a chirp from Ov'ids who trotted forward and sniffed at me before giving my leg soft nuzzles.

“Well that's impressive, Ov'ids took two months to warm up to Bogra... seems he likes you.” Zox'i mentioned with a chuckle.

“Or it is something else.” Bogra added before shrugging.

“We have quarters set aside for you,” Captain Markeus said a few seconds later “What would you like us to do about your ship?”

“Oh don't worry about quarters, we will stay within Milgais, she gets lonely on her own,” the Kiqu answered with a shrug “As for what to do with her, I would like to request some high intensity UV lights installed here in the bay, or she may fall asleep. She may wander outside and explore the systems we visit, just send her a message before you jump away and she will come back.”

“You say that like your ship is alive,” Markeus muttered and Master chuckled.

“That's because it is captain,” the lion informed him making the dragon blink in surprise “Kiqu tech is all Bio-engineered. Hence why this bay will be off limits to everyone below a level eight clearance unless accompanied by someone with that clearance.”

“Yes sire.” the dragon responded and Master smiled raising a hand to the Kiqu.

“Come, I will show you to your new med bay.”

“Thank you Leniad,” the Kiqu replied before looking to the creature by my side “Ov'ids, can you and Bogra get my stuff please? I will send you a map to follow. Hunter, come with me, You and David can get acquainted.”

Ov'ids gave a happy trill and trotted back into the ship with Bogra following, Hunter walking over to stick close to the Kiqu.

“Relax Hunter, David wont hurt you.” Master told him before we started walking.

By time we reached the medbay Hunter had warmed to me and Master. Smiling when he looked in our direction whenever we looked at him. Outside the medbay was a team of workers cleaning and repairing. Inside was a bit of a shambles, more so than normal anyway. Neos was working at cleaning some of it up but even I could see his heart just wasn't in it.

“N...Neos...” I said softly before even realising I had spoken. He blinked and looked up, eyes meeting mine and I just couldn't keep the contact for longer than a second. Guilt welled up inside of me at his gaze and I dropped back a step as the others walked in.

“I...I'm....” I started as I sensed him approach, any words caught in my throat were quickly forgotten when he slapped me hard across the face.

“Don't you dare!” Neos scolded angrily before grabbing my chin and forced me to look at him “Don't you dare apologise, you have nothing to apologise for!”

“But... but I...”

“Are alive, you are NOT at fault,” he said, grip tightening a little “That is what he died for, for both of you. So... just shut up, and give me a damn hug.”

I sighed and nodded doing so, hugging him tightly as we hid our faces in each others shoulders. Master and the others just watched, quietly from one side, letting us take our time consoling each other.

“I assume you saw his last moments?” the human asked as we broke apart and gave a sad smile as I nodded “How...?”

“With a smile on his face,” I answered with a slight chuckle “With a god damn smile.”

“Cheeky shit... couldn't even go without a shit eating grin on his face.” the human replied with a soft chuckle of his own.

“Well... half his face,” Master added with a smirk making us both laugh “Anyway, Neos, this is Zox'i, he is taking over the chief medical position as of today.”

“Greetings sir, I apologise for that and for slapping him Sire,” Neos said taking a step back and gave a slight bow of the head to Zox'i and master “it was something that had to be done.”

“Perfectly understandable,” the Kiqu placated with a smile, Master just raising his hand understanding “So you are Neos hmm? Good to finally meet you, at least this way you won't need to wait for the egg to arrive, I can deliver it to you in person.”

“Oh yeah... our egg... he mentioned something about that I...”

“Will accept it,” Master instructed him almost firmly but had a soft smile on his face “After all, what better way to keep his memory alive?”

“I expect Masters cub to meet it one day.” I added with a smile making Neos blink and sigh.

“Ok... fine, not fair ganging up on me guys.” he grumbled and Zox'i just seemed to keep smiling.

“So, I take it this room doesn't normally look like this?” Zox'i asked gesturing to the room.

“That's debatable,” Neos answered rolling his eyes “Kay didn't exactly keep a tight ship.”

“Understatement of the year,” Master muttered with a chuckle “Never knew him to keep things clean, was always the nurses doing that.”

“Well at any rate, this room will work, I will need to make some changes though to fit my gear.” Zox'i informed the lion, smile still on his face as he started to wander around.

“Make any changes you need, we are currently grounded for repairs,” Master informed him “We may be here a few weeks. The Serengeti has a powerful drive, but it was never designed for going to the outer colonies like the Sovereign is.”

“The carpet will need to come up to start with... I have a better substance that will keep itself clean and sterile... and the beds... Well I am sure the other medbays will be happy with a few more beds.”

“Well this is your kingdom effectively, so do what you'd like, sadly this is all the room you have available, and I do need to ask you don't draw too much power.” Master informed him and he chuckled.

“I will draw less than is already being used, as for room, it is more than enough. Wait till I am finished, you may be impressed.”