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Virtually Real Chapter 56: Finding Home.

Characters:

Prowl-Ar Nightiger (Tiger): Human Immortal shapeshifter. Able to change from human to anthro or full black tiger with white stripes at will. However spends most of his time in human form Whether he calls himself Lord Lightstripe or Lord Nightiger, Prowl-Ar is the master of the House Nexus dimension.

Kyle (Drake) Dacat: Quadrimorph that spends most of his time in his anthro Eastern Fur dragon form. His personality is based on Red XIII or Nanaki from the original Final Fantasy VII game.

Shock Dafox: Former trans-male transitioned using Shadow Runner technology. A furry news caster that Prowl-Ar gave an exclusive interview to.

Jordan (Wolf): Ship’s doctor, dual shifter able to change into a wolf with all black fur and a white tiger with small saber fangs. Prowl-Ar’s third husband.

Rider of Death/Rider/Saber: Anthro Sabretooth Cat, part of the MAS (Mobile Armor Suit) game. Was moved into reality and is now one of Wolf and Prowl-Ar’s mates.

Mahan: Holographic or drone interface. Artificial Intelligence based on Prowl-Ar's mind, but different due to extensive self-modification. Primary intelligence of The Shadow Runner spacecraft.

Charcoal: An Arcanine pokemorph slave belonging to Prowl-Ar

Sparx (Sparkle): Luxray pokemorph slave

Chomper: Tyrantrum pokemorph slave, tends to forget he has functioning arms and hands.

Stone: Day form Lycanroc pokemorph slave. Tends to think canines are the heist form of life.

Dusk: Twilight form Lycanroc pokemon slave. Stone’s brother and Wolf’s slave.

Inferno: Carnigreis Nexomon slave. Is unable to speak on his own his own, but his mate Speed is able to translate the electrical impulses in his brain in order to speak for him.

Tu'ruk: Orc slave owned by Wolf.

"So, what ingenious plan do you have to get us out of this one?" Shock asked.

The hangar was really only large enough to fit two shuttles, though under normal circumstances it only contained one. This wasn't normal and the only vehicle was the maintenance hover sled.

"This place is really small." He continued.

"It's only a bolt hold shelter. Not meant for constant use. To be honest there's only really room for three people and it's only meant to be used for a couple of days." I explained.

"Fang, Blood, and I have been here a week already."

"Blood!" Dusk and Stone yelled at the same time.

"Yeah, I try to escape to another world and you two find me anyway." The night form Lycanroc said, entering from the tunnel at the back followed closely by a Mightyena.

Shock sniffled. "We arrived just outside the basement and that creature dragged . . . one of us inside. We ran for it. We didn't make it very far before it chased after us three of my Pokémon remained to fight it while Fang and Blood escorted me here."

"We saw the remains." They must have fought bravely to allow you to escape." Wolf said, giving Shock a hug. "Tiger can you call Mahan for a shuttle?"

"I could try, but the fact that Shock hasn't had any drones arrive suggests the Runner isn't in this system. I say that because, if the nations had launched nukes, I'd have given up on the planet and set off to create a new Earth."

“What about getting to another base? I know you have one in the area." Shock said hopefully.

“After meeting Mahan and changing myself I spent more than a few years here. This base was the first one. The second was out in the desert. Unfortunately the elevator down to the underground pneumatic train isn't here. So this world's Prowl-Ar left the planet really early in the timeline. That means we are stuck here. However we have a matter generator so food and water isn’t a problem. Plus we also should have, or can, make the tools for enlarging the space."

"How much longer do you think we'll be here?" Shock asked.

I thought for a minute, "Until past Prowl-Ar is injured and placed in a tube for healing. Then we should be able to portal back to the mansion and then out again to a better world. So maybe a week at most. I just don't understand why we'd be in a world like this. True there is always a risk but usually these scenarios are created as a punishment."

"I- I might have rigged the game so I could be working on my group while you were stuck in the past." Shock stuttered.

"Yeah, that would do it. I suggest you start using the matter generators to make beds for everyone. Wolf, give Shock and his companions a full medical check. No, you know what? We all probably need to have a check for radiation exposure."

"What are you going to be doing?" Wolf asked.

“I'm sort of familiar with the topography and geology, so I'm going to get the mining tools out to begin building down a level. I figure first thing we need is an armory and a proper medical facility. Then a cafeteria and restroom. Below that I'll start setting up living quarters for everyone."

Wolf nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let me just scan you for radiation real quick."

I stood still as he scanned.

"Hmm there is some degradation to your uniform but you're good just one thing, you're a bit vitamin deficient. I'm just going to boost your system."

He was quick with the injector surprising me.

"Shock, give me a hand before the sedative takes full effect."

"You tranquilized me?" I asked as they helped me stumble to one of the sleeping pads.

"You need the rest, well we all do, but you more than the rest of us. Followed by Shock." Shock gave a yip before Wolf lowered him to the pad beside me.

"Don't worry I'm going to sleep as well. Tu'ruk and Chomper you're taking first watch along with either Blood or Fang. Whichever one has had more sleep should stay awake."

I figured Jordan would set up relief watches as well, but I wasn't awake enough to be sure.

***

I woke to the feeling of a dull throbbing in the floor. Several of the others were up as well and looked to be playing some sort of card game. Shock was still unconscious and when I peeked at his dreams I doubted he'd be waking any time soon. Wolf, however was missing. I got up and made my way down to the small apartment. A new hallway led away toward the East. I quickly followed it to a very large open cavern.

"Jordan!" I yelled, as loud as I could.

He glanced back at me and waved before continuing to annihilate the rock with the excavator.

I ran over and hooked the heads up display connector from the device to Jordan's headset. He gasped and nearly lost his grip. I grabbed it continuing. "Hook it to my headset."

He quickly did and I reversed the beam building in support structures and walls until the unit had discharged enough of the built up energy so that it wouldn't explode. I'd need to make changes to the cavern but the roof would hold for a while at least.

"Sorry! I didn't know."

"I know, and I'm not blaming you. It's not like I keep user manuals or anything. The excavator converts solid matter to energy but you have to convert that energy back into matter to prevent an overload. Plus such a large space needs a lot of support structure."

"I hadn't planned to clear such a big area but once I started . . ."

"Yeah, Even I get carried away at times. So what were you building?"

"Considering the world we seem to be in I figured we'd need an infirmary. Then I figured a cafeteria, rec room, maybe a pool."

"All good ideas. I just hope we're out of here before we really need them. Now let's get to work. You tell me what you want and where to put it and I'll. . ."

"Oh, I can think of a lot of places."

I blushed as I realized how suggestive what I'd said was.

"But right now let's get this place set up." Jordan finished saying, much to my relief. "Once that's done I'll think of some more things you can place."

We made adjustments to the layout for a cafeteria and "dug" a pool in what had started as a rec room. As for the actual rec room I left it to Wolf, now that he knew how to hook the machine into his headset. I went back upstairs to the small living area and into the hanger. "Everyone, Wolf has completed the cafeteria and pool areas. If you want you can go down and get something to eat or have a swim. There are large areas where you can spread out and feel a little less cramped. We'll start work on the sleeping quarters soon. Shock, there's something I'd like you to help me with."

The hanger cleared out and Shock yawned and approached me slowly. "You're thinking of going out there aren't you?"

"No, well not exactly. I'd like to launch a stealth drone. Just to get an idea of what we're dealing with."

"How big?" Shock asked.

"About your size to begin with. Though if possible I'd like to also launch a probe."

"And what is required?"

I've got to go outside to launch them."

"That's going to be difficult. Wolf welded the hanger door shut while we were sleeping."

"I noticed. However, that isn't the only exit."

"Wait. Those tubes are two way?"

"Yes. For the drone you just have to unfold the four antigravity pods and two thrust engine arms and activate it. It'll automatically rise to 100 foot and go into standby mode."

"And the probe?"

"It and its launch platform have to be assembled. The pneumatic system can transport the parts but it takes a minute for them to reach the destination so I can't return until the system is clear."

"So teach one of your slaves." Shock insisted.

"It's the middle of the day. All I have to do is get the drone launched and then we have eyes in the sky to make sure I'm safe. It’ll take all three of us. One controlling the drone, and assembling the probe and the third directing the slaves to send the parts in the right order and when to send them."

"Send me the drone as soon as I've cleared the tube. One thing, if I'm attacked I'll just be ejected from the game right?'

I looked around making sure no one could see and then I twisted a bit of rock next to the tube. A small arms locker was exposed. I handed Shock a heavy plasma caster. "It works just like a shotgun, except it fires super-heated plasma. Unless these things have extremely heat resistant armor it should stop them. At least long enough to get in the tube to escape."

"Though, I should-"

"I'm going, end of story now where is the drone?"

I walked over to the crate it was stored in, shifted to my anthro bull form and easily lifted it out. "Normally we'd launch this out the main doors or one of Mahan's drones would move it. See this panel?" I asked pointing at it. "Open it, press the button. The rest is automatic so get you tail back here."

Shock nodded and entered the hatch. He was whisked away immediately. I synched the drone to my headset while waiting for the tube to clear.

"I'm here and the area is clear send the drone." Shock thought to me.

I pushed it in and waited. The next thing I knew I had an aerial view of the area. Shock was looking around with his gun up. "Shock get back here." I radioed.

"I heard something. It sounded like a dog whining.

I scanned the area locking on to a creature. It looked . . . well like a nightmare. It had scales like a pangolin on a catlike body with a dog like head. Though it didn't have jowls instead its jaw was completely exposed showing off at least two rows of teeth. "Shock, you have a target lock on your headset. Don't make any sudden moves. Keep looking ahead but adjust your gun so the two target indicators line up and fire. Then get in the damn tube."

Shock fired setting the bush the creature was behind on fire. It yelped and jumped back but the plasma didn't seem to do any damage. It lunged forward but luckily the second of surprise was all Shock needed.

Shock tumbled out of the tube. "Mind telling me what I shot at?" I sent the image to his headset. "That's almost as bad as the other one. What's it doing?"

I watched as it clawed at the lift shutter. There was a loud scrape and a part of the metal gave way. I activated the failsafe and that tube was filled with compressed concrete. Nothing would be getting in that way. "The probe is out of the question. None of us are going out there again. The drone can't get into space but I might be able to get it up far enough to see if any satellites still exist and can be used."

"Used for what?" Wolf asked, entering the room.

"To see if I can access the deep scan satellites and maybe discover what happened and how bad the planet is."

Wolf nodded and walked up to me, pushing me against the wall. "We're not leaving this safe area except by portal. Understood?" He activated the other failsafe blocking the second escape tunnel. "Now do you think that door weld will hold?"

I grinned. "Give me a moment and it will." Wolf let me go and I used the control pad next to the door causing two more thick layers of metal to close over the area. "We're secure now. About the only thing that could open those doors would be for the planet to fall into a black hole."

Wolf nodded. "Good now what are you planning?"

"I'm going to go to the living area, sit down, and remote pilot the drone around to see what else might be out there. Before taking it as high as possible to test if I can hack into a spy satellite. Completely safe from any harm."

"I'm going to go for a swim. Wash some of the dirt off." Shock answered.

"I'll tell you the same thing I told all our slaves, use the showers in the locker room first, so you don't dirty the pool water."

"So, what are you going to do?" I asked.

"I'm going to get you some lunch and then you're going to stop playing so we can build some bedrooms."

I could tell Wolf was irritated with my actions, but he was doing his best not to be really mad. I nodded and headed for the living area.

***

As I maneuvered the drone around the local area enough to tell there were three of the large creatures; I figured one female and two smaller males. Next I flew the drone as high as possible and surprisingly it synched with the Shadow Runner network automatically.

Most satellites had de-orbited. Mine were of course still in position. The world was in bad shape. There were areas that were recovering. The rainforests and jungles were growing back rather quickly and the sub-Arctic pine forest was beginning to grow in once more. The scans estimated that there were still 900,000 humans surviving. Though only about 100,000 were genetically viable. We even had a human enclave relatively close to us, maybe five miles, but the risk of getting there was. . . Something wasn't right.

I dropped the drone like a meteor reversing its gravity nearly too late and then taking it up to only 100 feet above the ground. I activated the stealth and then approached. What had once been a box canyon and was now just a box. The end that opened onto the river had been walled off. A river of fresh spring water still flowed through the heavy chain mesh across the bottom. The top had been encircled by walls and watch towers. Beyond the wall a lone figure had been chained by the ankle. There was also the corpses of several of the biters that had stalked Shock and even one of the big killers. I took the drone in as close as I dared.

"We'll come get you as quickly as possible." I pulled the drone back as he swung what appeared to be a bone axe. I set the drone to observer and it rose to a thousand feet. I disconnected and headed for the hangar bay.

I diverted more power to the matter generator as a vehicle took shape.

"Tiger, nothing seems to be working. Even half the lights are out. What madness is this?" Shock yelled, as he entered.

"Tiger, no. You're not going out there. If you feel too confined we can take a break." Wolf said, as he followed close behind Shock.

"I haven't lost it, and we're going out there. I can't drive and use the guns at the same time."

"We shouldn't just go killing those creatures. For all we know they could be the next evolutionary step." Wolf insisted.

"Screw them."

"Well, maybe if they weren't so violent."

Wolf and I both looked at Shock.

"Oh don't tell me you haven't imagined it, if it was an anthro."

"As I was saying I don’t care if this whole world burns. I was able to tap into the Runner network. There are still humans around, unfortunately. Not that they will be for long if they try to stop me."

"Tiger. Your emotions are all over the place."

"His mind is the same.” Wolf added. “He's running so many strategies, variables, and outcomes I can't read him."

"Rider is here. The humans are using him as bait for the creatures out there."

"How much longer, before the vehicle is complete?" Wolf growled "Oh, and I call gunner."

"Shock will take the top mounted heavy twin turret. Wolf, you'll take charge of the rest of the vehicles defenses while I drive."

"Why?" He asked.

I bit my lip. “Because, as much as I hate it, if things go wrong you're going to have to get out of the truck, disintegrate Rider's chains and get back inside as quickly as possible. Rider'll do whatever you say without question."

"What makes you think that?" Wolf asked.

"Because all of us, except maybe Tiger, would do exactly what you say."

I didn't correct Shock. He didn't need to know how rarely I wouldn’t do what Wolf told me too, as well.

"I, but I'm-".

"You are the heart of our group." Shock continued.

"No, Tiger is."

Shock laughed, "He's our mind, Kyle is our soul, and Rider is our strength."

"And you are?" I asked.

"I'm our drive, of course." He said, grinning and then glancing between Wolf and I.

"Is he seriously waiting for one of us to say 'yeah, our sex drive'?" Wolf thought to me.

"Vehicle generation complete including special additions." The computer alerted us.

"Um, Tiger, I think you made a mistake. That is a ground vehicle and the only exit is a cliff face." Wolf pointed out.

"This beast is all terrain. Just trust me and get in."

"What about the others?" Wolf asked as we crawled inside.

"They're safer here. They won't even notice we've left. Computer, lower us into the vehicle launch tube."

"Launch tube!" Shock yelled.

"Shock focus. We're likely to have the creature in the basement on us as soon as we hit the surface. Everyone make sure you're belted in." There was a jolt and the bay floor descended. Moments later there was a clang as we hit the bottom. “Set your headsets for noise cancelation. I made this thing loud to announce or presence." I turned the key and the truck literally roared to life.

"What the hell does this thing run on?" one of them asked as I put it in gear and accelerated.

"Hydrocarbon fuel created by a matter generator powered by a micro fission/fusion reactor."

"We're riding a nuclear reactor?" Wolf yelled.

"Don't worry, it's fairly stable. If you need to worry about something worry about the engine exhaust."

"Launch area clear, raising artificial road surface."

There was a bit of a thump as we came out of the tube and onto the road just past where Shock's slaves had died. Even though it was the middle of the day the creature came screaming at us. It didn't stand much chance against the armor piercing explosive rounds Shock was firing at it. I slowed and turned the corner.

"So where are we headed?" Wolf asked.

"To the closest bridge in the area. I just hope it's still there." Shock answered.

Several minutes later we could all see the bridge was mostly gone. The beast, as Shock titled it, sat idling as we looked at the bridge remains.

"There are four other bridges we can try. It's a long way to travel though. You really should have used the drone to check first." Shock pointed out.

I didn't respond. I turned around and headed back up the hill. This side of the river had a less extreme slope compared to the sheer cliff of the North side but it should be enough to generate plenty of speed.

"So which one do we try next?" Shock asked.

I turned around again so we were pointed back toward the non-existent bridge.

"Tiger, why are you blocking me?" Wolf asked.

I slammed the accelerator to the floor. Shock screamed but Wolf just watched me. It scared me a bit that he trusted me so much. Perhaps even more than I trusted myself. At the last possible instant I activated the anti-gravity unit and our momentum carried us across the gap to the road on the other side.

"You knew the bridge was out the whole time. I bet you even checked to see if any of the other bridges are intact as well." Wolf said with a laugh.

I smirked and nodded.

"You're evil. You know that right? What was all that about letting us think we couldn't cross?" Shock asked.

"I had to judge how much run up speed we'd need to get across. I left out thrusters in favor of extra armor. I you think that was bad wait until you see what I have planned for our return trip."

"What are you going to do? Drive off the canyon rim?"

I didn't respond.

"That's exactly what you're planning, isn't it?" Wolf asked.

"It keeps the ones holding Rider from following or tracking us."

"But will it actually work? Can you get us back across that way?" Shock asked.

"I'm fairly certain of it. The problem will be over shooting the best landing zone and having to do a bit of off road driving, not that it'll be a challenge. As long as we don't land in a tree. And before you panic I'll be able to stop the decent and then use the drone to nudge us away from obstacles. You know me, back up plans for the backup plan."

"How long?" Wolf asked.

"About ten more minutes on the road and another five off road, maybe. I'm not actually sure if there is a road to the location or not."

While there wasn't an established road the area was relatively smooth. I rolled to a stop about a hundred meters from the closest tower and shut down the engine. We didn't really need it if since it was basically there to generate noise and give a power boost to acceleration.

"Want me to go get Rider?" Wolf asked.

"No, let’s try negotiation first."

"You’re going out there, aren't you?" Wolf growled.

"Only if they send someone out to talk with us. Until then we wait."

"How long?" Shock asked.

"As long as it takes. Until then hold your fire, even if they shoot at us. Wolf, Let me know if anyone approaches us."

"And what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to see how Rider is doing. Using the drone in stealth mode. I'm not getting out, yet."

I hooked into the truck's system and uplinked to the drone. I was really glad the anti-grav didn't make any noise.

"Rider, don't respond unless you're facing away from your captors and even then keep it to a whisper."

"It's about time you got here. I got a notice that I could enter the game so I did and I was portalled here. It seems the humans here don't like anthros."

"How are you doing?"

"I could use something to eat. I don't want to risk eating the things I've killed. Fortunately they bring me water every couple of hours. I'd like more but it is enough to keep me alive. I suppose you're in the vehicle?"

"Yeah, Jordan and Shock are also with me. I'm going to try and negotiate your release. If it goes bad or they don't show up soon I'm going to put this beast between you and them. Shock will shoot your chain and then we'll get out of here."

"Oh, they like to negotiate, just don't trust them to keep their word."

"Tiger, someone is approaching." Wolf said, shaking me.

"I'm switching to speaker so you can hear what is happening."

There were three people a negotiator, likely, and two guards. I opened the door and stepped out fully armored with two cases. The guard's guns immediately trained on me. I slowly placed the cases on the ground and then removed the armor's faceplate showing that I was human under the tiger mask. They lowered their guns and seemed to relax slightly.

"Hello, what brings you to the Clear Springs Community?" The one in charge asked.

"You've imprisoned my scout. I'd like him back."

"You mean that mutant?" He asked.

"Scout. I can pay 1,476 bottle caps for him."

"That is a lot of bottle caps, but we can't just let a creature like that loose. What if it breeds?"

"It won't."

"Sorry even for that much-".

I held up the other case. "Vacuum sealed case. Six bottles of cola fresh as day it was bottled. Real collector’s item. Caps and two bottles for Scout."

The guards tensed up. I could tell I wouldn't be leaving with any of it.

"Maybe you take all of it, say it was just bottle caps and split the rest between the three of you? Two bottles each is good deal. I leave with my scout and nobody dies."

"There is no key, for shackles." One of the guards said, speaking for the first time. “Prisoners survive and fight until eaten.”

There was a whine followed by a zap.

"I don't think that'll be a problem. That was my medic. I don't think you want to know what my gunner can do." I slipped my faceplate back on as they all looked at Rider. He immediately ran for the truck. They started to lift their rifles and there was an explosion where they'd chained him. Instead of the metal pole there was a six foot wide two foot deep crater.

"I really suggest you take the deal. If you shoot at me, or my men, you will be the first to die here." I stepped up on the running board. They hadn't noticed that Wolf had been inching closer to me the whole time. "Don't try to follow us."

A bullet pinged off the armored glass and I quickly crawled in as Wolf moved over. I started the engine "Shock, weapons free if they follow you can deal with them as you like, just try to keep casualties to a minimum.

"They've got three cars and they are chasing us, Sorry make that two."

"You destroyed one?" Wolf asked.

"Didn't have to. The engine blew up on its own. The second is turning back. I'm powering the cannons up to max and putting a nice big hole in front of their truck."

“I’m here, by the way. Thanks for making sure before taking off.” Rider said sarcastically.

I felt the power drain as we slowed slightly.

"Yeah! We'll be long gone, hopefully even from this realm before the get that truck back out." Shock laughed.

"Tiger, you can slow down. They're not following us."

I glanced over and Wolf was hooked into the relay for the drone. I slowed and turned onto the road we came on. No need to do anything risky or stupid like jumping off the canyon rim and hoping for a good landing on the other side of the river.

“Sorry Rider, but I trusted Shock had given enough of a distraction and you were good enough to get inside without needing to check.”

“Okay, you’re not wrong, but at least check next time.”

“There’s better not be a next time.” Wolf growled, glaring at Rider.

“It’s not my fault! That’s where the computer put me. I thought all of you were inside and I just had to convince them to let me in.”

I sort of zoned out focusing on my driving while Wolf and Rider continued. The crossing was uneventful. Wolf had moved to the back to treat Rider. The poor cat was mildly dehydrated, sleep deprived, and irritable after arguing. Fortunately He'd passed out, or Wolf drugged him, when he sat down. I wasn't going to ask.

"Tiger, they're watching us from the canyon rim." Shock informed me.

"Don't worry, they'll lose us when we enter the clay hills and then we'll disappear completely. Wolf, have you finished with Rider?"

"He's resting. Not much more I can do until I can scan him."

"Okay, I want you up here on the auxiliary weapons again."

"What are you doing?" He asked as he moved into the passenger seat.

“I'm going to stop just before the entry and equip the drone with a weapons pod, just in case. That means getting out, and I'd rather not get attacked."

“I don’t like it but it does make sense.”

“Don’t worry I’ll use the top hatch and only be partially exposed.” After that it didn't take more than a minute to get back to the main part of the base. I parked the truck on the ramp. We worked together to move Rider to the lift. As it rose we found all of our slaves waiting for us, looking very displeased.

I sighed, "Has anyone checked to see if the portal is open yet?"

"House open portal." Shock said, unenthusiastically.

Much to our surprise the portal opened.

"Everyone through now!" I yelled. Tu'ruk and Charcoal lifted Rider between them. As Shock, Wolf, and I stepped through I noticed the fountain still had a few missing slaves.

"New destination selected portal opening."

"House, I swear this had better be a nicer world than the last one, or else." Wolf growled.

***

At first I thought we'd arrived in a country setting but I quickly realized everything was too manicured.

"A modern world, maybe?" Wolf asked, obviously reading my thoughts.

"That's not good. They can be much more dangerous than what we just left." I said looking around. As if on que we were surrounded by men in uniform. It was a strange juxtaposition. Their uniforms looked Victorian with modern flak jackets and weapons.

"This is a slave free zone. You can't have those filthy animals here." The leader said angrily.

"Sir, he isn't armed. That is a class one violation." Another officer pointed out.

I glared at him. "Full armor weapons free." The first officer who had spoken was looking into the barrels of my plasma blaster.

"Banned nano-technology. That is a science code violation. Are you ready for sentencing?"

"I don't like this world. I think we're actually going to have to be the bad guys here." I thought to the others.

"Scan's complete." The officer that spoke started to gag and a moment later was vomiting.

The one in charge seemed to flinch as the information must have been transmitted to him. "Evidence of genetic manipulation detected. Identification made. I hereby sentence you to death under the authority of the Conservative States of America for crimes against human purity, William-."

I didn't flinch, but immediately opened fire. Fortunately their shielding was designed for projectiles rather than energy weapons. And they all died quickly.

"You- you just killed police officers." Shock stuttered.

"We need to move. We're not safe here. Triangulating position. San Antonio, Texas. We have a facility here. At least I hope one was set up in this world."

"When are we this time?" Wolf asked.

"No response, that's not good. We're a few years short of the first collapse. Currently anyone that doesn't fit the norm, as defined by the government, can be executed on sight."

"Define the conditions." Inferno insisted.

"Anyone that isn't a white, straight, CIS, Christian, male. Texas is special in that it requires men to be armed at all times as well. Now come on, we need to get moving. There should be an entrance to the facility here in the park. I just hope it's there."

The entrance was hidden in a tunnel along the river walk. It was disguised as a graffiti door with "entry to paradise" Written above and "welcome to hell, please wipe your feet" across the bottom with a patch of Astroturf glued to the path. I stepped on the turf and wiped my feet. The door slid to the side exposing a ladder going down.

“Everyone in and down the ladder as quickly as possible. We don't want anyone seeing us."

After climbing for several minutes the area opened up and we spread out around the base of the ladder.

"Great. More tunnels and holes." Dusk complained.

"Tiger, are we in the sewer?" Wolf asked.

"No, we're much deeper than that. This is . . . or was a safe haven for the outcasts. Think of it as a club that you could only get into if you were abnormal. A place where you can wear drag, a fursuit, or even just a collar and pup hood. There was one set up in nearly every major city. Very few were ever found. There is a maze of tunnels, and if you can't read the markings you get lost."

"And you can read the markings, of course." Rider said.

"I don't need to. I have detailed maps on my headset. Still that's not where we're going. Instead we're going deeper." I pushed several bricks and a door opened on a lift. I sent wolf and his slaves down first. Then Rider and my slaves. Finally I joined Shock and his two slaves and we descended. The lift opened and I found everyone looking around in awe. It looked like we'd stepped out into another world on a bright sunny day.

"I thought we were going down." Sparx said, as he flexed is toes in the grass.

"We are underground. This room is about a hundred meter cube. Holographic projectors make it look like we're outside. More time and energy went into this base."

"Computer, please pause the game." Wolf requested.

"Game is paused."

"Okay, we need to talk about what happened. You just gunned down a team of police officers without a second thought."

"Or guilt." Shock added.

"Even if this is just a game that isn't like you." Wolf continued.

"First off, they weren't police. They were fanatics, trained to kill anything that didn't conform to their beliefs. You're right I didn't feel guilty. I lived through that hell." I sighed, and sat on the ground. "Mahan had retrieved me and I'd filled my head with skills while making my body look like it does today. Then I worked with the resistance. Getting people out of the U.S. Then they closed the borders I helped to get them into shelters. You have to understand they went after furrys, gays, science fiction fans, cross dressers, comic fans, book fans, ethnic, etc. Basically anyone that didn't fit their long list of undesirables."

"Why haven't I heard of this before?" Shock asked.

"You have but most of the records were discovered and sanitized. The victor writes the history. Eventually the stupidity spread to the rest of the world. It didn't take long after that for the collapse. That tends to happen when you kill off all the people that do the thinking. Once the worst of the problem had killed themselves off I helped to restart. I thought it was best not to really push the history."

"Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Shock quoted.

"People are stupid and can deny the truth even as it stabs them in the eye. It was better everyone forgot." I countered.

"Is that why it isn't taught as a collapse?" Wolf asked.

"Yeah it's likely. Anyway, the reason I acted and felt the way I did is because when it happened in the past I'd tried to negotiate. I was safe in my armor but everyone else was killed. Even though I didn’t have any close emotional ties with them it still hurt. I wasn't going to let that happen in the game. Which reminds me, Computer, why are we being sent to nightmare worlds?"

"For every broken rule or cheat a negative action is imposed."

"What rules were broken?"

"Shock changed the program to allow him to meet you sooner and you cheated by circumventing the realm evolution by moving forward in time."

"Wait! That character was added to the game by you and jumped us through time. So we didn't break the rules." Wolf yelled.

"Reviewing." It took the computer several minutes before responding. "You are correct the program should not have generated a character with time master abilities."

"Computer, because of this I make two requests. First of all our current slaves be transported to original planned game start point. As they didn't break any rules they shouldn’t be punished. Second, we will portal across realms immediately and the next realm will be a completely random chance."

"This punishment is within the rules and is acceptable."

I stood up and we all got back into position. "Resume game."

***

We rolled the dice and, for me at least, I rolled low. When I arrived I was naked and stuck in my bull form. A quick check showed that I was currently locked in this form without access to any high tech weapons or the ability to be understood by humans. The world, at least the part I portalled into seemed mostly deserted. Unfortunately a giant bull man tends to get noticed. I was quickly captured. I didn't try to fight back as the people were basically peasants. I’m not sure how they drugged me but the next thing I knew I was in a cage being carted to a city.

I was quickly sold and prodded into another cage. I just hoped the others were doing better than I was. I'm not sure how long I was in the cage but it felt like days. At least it was just bars surrounding me and I had room to move. The other cages quickly filled with creatures as well.

I was soon prodded to a metal portcullis and I realized I was looking out on a maze.

"Lords, Lady's, Citizens and Gods we have a special spectacle for you today. We are going to recreate the slaying of the Minotaur!"

"Of fuck." I muttered.

"Our hero will be played by the Wolf of Gaul. As for our minotaur the good people of Herculania captured a true minotaur for us."

"Great, they think I'm a mindless human eating beast here to fight and die for their entertainment. Well, this bull is a tiger in disguise and I'm going down fighting." I thought as I readied myself.

"Tiger? Are you the minotaur I'm supposed to kill?"

"Chiot?"

"This is going to be fun. Let’s really give them a show. If we stay in contact we can just miss each other multiple times to keep the tension going."

_ _

"And when we finally meet?"

_ _

"I'm certainly not going to kill you."

_ _

"I agree with you there."

_ _

"Can you shift?" Wolf asked.

"No I'm locked in my Minotaur form, and naked by the way."

_ _

"Really? I'm locked in my Wolf form but I have armor that makes it look like I'm a human in a Wolf suit."

_ _

"I wonder . . ." I concentrated and I formed a small black flame in my hand. "Magic abilities are open in this realm. Wait, did I set your magic ability?"

"Don't worry, I created one of my own, Shadow Wolf Summoning. I can call on a pack of wolves to help me."

"And as an added feature our own Rider of Death will be hunting both the Minotaur and the Wolf." The announcer shouted.

"Rider as well? We're going to make a mess. I wonder where Shock is?" Wolf pondered.

"All things considered he's probably the King's concubine." I could sense Wolf wanted to deny the idea but he didn't instead our gates opened. “Don’t worry about him. With all the magic stirring in the area he’s likely dealing with the fact he’s heavily over powered.” I stepped out into the sun and immediately was hit by a wave of heat. The sun was directly overhead so the walls provided no shadows. I wandered seemingly aimlessly letting Wolf miss me as I had all my senses attuned to not encounter Rider.

"Stupid. You could just talk to him through the gem." Reaper whispered.

I felt like an idiot even though the game was projecting my image as being completely nude my telegem and the shards couldn't actually be removed. "Rider, you're hunting your mates." I heard a laugh on the other side of the wall next to me.

"You think I couldn't tell? The way you've been playing your scents are permeating the place. Also the area is getting smaller. We're slowly being herded toward the center where we won't have a choice but fight to the death."

"That isn't going to happen." Wolf stated.

I was getting mad at the situation. Not my normal mad but the kind where someone was going to pay.

"Whoa! Tiger, calm down I can feel the effects of your dark fire, and I thought I was immune." Wolf mentally shouted.

I glanced at my hands and sure enough, they were sheathed in black flames. "Right, magical world. Unfortunately I didn't set Rider's magic-"

"It's armor. Mahan set it and I modified it. These people are going to learn not to mess with us." Rider replied.

Suddenly we were facing each other in the center and the walls disappeared. They weren't retracted, they just simply evaporated.

"Amazing! All three have made it to the end now they must fight to the death." The Announcer yelled.

It seemed we were in a recreation of the Roman Empire so I decided to be descriptive. "Go suck Pluto's testicles. We're not fighting for your entertainment!"

"Shadow Pack!" Wolf yelled, and a pack of wolf shaped shadow beings formed a frontal guard.

"Full Armor!" Rider shouted. He lifted upwards and was encased in an opaque energy form of his MAS suit.

"Dark Fire, combination!" I yelled and concentrated. I wrapped Rider's massive sword in flame and the fur of Jordan's shadow pack turned to dark fire.

There was a laugh from the main box. "You mortals can be so amusing." The individual swept his hand to the side and our powers were gone. "Now finish the games." There was an ear shattering scream and a giant nine tailed fox stepped into the coliseum. Literally stepped over the edge of the structure.

"I am Kitsuné and these mortals are under my protection."

The one in the box waved his hand again but the fox remained. "I am a God! You cannot suppress my powers."

"Actually, he probably could if he knew what to take and where to aim." Shock mentally said, as he rubbed against my leg. "This place is a buffet of powers I can use." Shock stood on my shoulder in his full fox form.

Lightning shot out of the viewing box. I hit the ground twitching. "Shock has been eliminated from the game" scrolled across my headset.

"Your pet's illusions were pathetic. Pluto, it is yours now."

"No." I said, standing up. I was rapidly losing my sense of self. "Eh- en- end pro- gram."

"Voice print unrecognized."

"Sleep and calm yourself." Reaper ordered.

I didn't sleep though I watched as I changed to my anthro tiger form. "Resurrection." Reaper yelled.

"You do not possess that ability." The computer informed him.

"Voice identification, Reaper."

"Recalibrating. Kah Har God Reaper has entered the game."

"The hell?" Rider asked.

"I think my death pushed our tiger to the tipping point and Reaper took over before he lost control." Shock replied, as he got to his feet, now in anthro form.

There were gasps but Reaper’s eyes were trained on the viewing box. "You dare to injure one under my protection?"

"I am the King of the Gods. I do as I wish. Who do you think you are to speak to me this way?"

"I am Death. You are a pitiful immortal that has let power go to your head."

"I am Pluto, the god of death and the under-".

Reaper raised my hand and then clenched my hand into a fist. There was a sickening crunch cutting off what the god was saying. "Well then, I'm sure I didn’t just kill you. Don't worry all these other pathetic god wannabe's will be joining you soon."

There was a deafening roar. "Reaper! Enough. Computer, pause game and run program soulscape." Reaper looked up as Kyle materialized above us. I could feel again. I wasn't angry anymore instead I was tired, so very tired. “All I could think was “Great another violation back to hell worlds.”

"Tiger, we're here. We're all here. You're going to be alright."

"Kyle, what happened?" Wolf asked.

"When Mahan made me, he gave me a . . . gift, I guess you'd say. I can- Bill, rest-".

When I woke up I reviewed everything I could but Mahan had done a thorough job of erasing nearly three hours of game content and my mates refused to tell me what had happened. I guess it didn't really matter. I had a pretty good idea what the gift was. Mahan had used one of my hyper education sessions to implant a mental command to knock me out if I ever lost control. A command Kyle was the key to activating. But it wasn't just me, even now Reaper was still in a deeply dormant state. I didn't mind that Kyle could keep me from going feral, but . . .

"Don't worry about it. You have us. Remember, you don't need to be the strong one and protect all of us. We are your mates and we protect each other."

"Thank you my wolf."

"Just come back to bed and stop dwelling on things. You may think you're not tired, but you need some rest, natural unforced rest."

_ _

"Yes, Love."

***

"Mahan, since we're taking a short break from the game, is there anything I should know?"

"No."

"Mahan, am I still the captain of the Shadow Runner?"

"Of course. Everyone would be very upset with me if I tried removing you from command."

"And has someone finally been elected to take over as leader of the Furry Nation?"

"There have been discussions, but in the end no one else wants the job."

"Then how am I supposed to do my job if you continue to refuse to give me reports?"

Mahan paused for longer than normal.

"Anti-Furry and Anti-LGTBQ+ rhetoric is still above average on Earth. The governments are trying to educate new 'resources', but many of them end up being furry as well. If the situation continues to devolve you may have to consider mobilizing the junkyard for a mass evacuation."

"How long before things become critical?"

"At current rate, eight to ten years. I continue to monitor the situation. In Furry Station news nine students have been expelled so far this term for anti-furry and bigotry. The station crew are doing quite well. Also one teacher has been replaced."

"What!"

"There wasn't a problem, if that's what you were thinking. She requested permission to move to Colony One in order to continue teaching there. Headmaster Monte approved of the transfer."

"That's fine, I trust Monte knows what he's doing."

"Colony One is now fully self-sufficient and they have converted a large portion of the inner surface to grain production. They hope to end hunger on Earth. Ships and crew will be needed for transport. Captain Abrams designed a ship and I took the liberty of starting production. Three barges will be ready when the crop is."

"Okay, but you should have informed me and gotten permission to begin ship production.”

"Luca has been busy on Colony Two."

"Do I want to know?"

"A small community of synths now exists and is able to self-replicate. Luca is now studying other mechanical beings from science fiction. Don't worry, without your permission he is limited to experimenting in VR, but he is looking into making protogens a reality."

"Cheese and toasters, I'm not sure that's the best idea. Most robots ended up killing people and as I remember protogens tend to require vast amounts of RAM and like explosions."

"That is why he is restricted to VR. Besides what’s wrong with needing lots of RAM and liking explosions? Anyway, the Mars Colony has declared independence and has requested diplomatic relations with us. Shock, as our diplomatic specialist is handling that. We received a short communication from Vexy: 'Halfway there. Beacon is activated. Next message in a couple of months.' Not very detailed. So their journey must be going well."

"I hope so, if we have to have mass evacuations it would be nice to find a safe place to live even if we have to set up colonies in another system. Anything else?"

"Kyle visited Frost, Snowie, and Rekcah. He requested that the meeting be completely private and I wasn't to record it so I am unable to give you any report on what happened other than when he returned he was calm."

"I figured each of my mates would visit them at some point."

"Also I should note that Jordan has cultured a slime creature that feeds on toxic chemicals and expels the remains as soil. He is now working on adapting it to consume radioactive debris."

"That's good to know. Anything else?"

"I'm still analyzing the time wave anomaly. As far as I can tell nothing has been effected. Now, this is only conjecture, it is possible that the anomaly was a natural phenomenon that we haven't seen before or it was created by another civilization that attempted to change time."

"There is one other possibility; we change the timeline at some point."

"That is possible but highly unlikely."

"Yeah, so how long before we return to the game?"

"Approximately three hours."

"I think I'll go spend time with the kids."

"No. Jordan has ordered you to rest. As he did so as the ship's doctor that means you are confined to your bedroom. You can read, meditate, nap, or anything else that doesn't involve communication or leaving this room."

"Love, will you tell Mahan to allow me out of the bedroom so I can spend time with the children?" I telepathically asked.

"No. Don't get me wrong, I love that you want to be with the kids, but Kyle hasn't been spending enough time with them. So for now it is just Kyle and Dash spending quality time. Don't worry I'm making sure everyone spends plenty of time with them. As for you, why don't you do some writing? I'm sure you still have plenty of stories to tell."

"Yes, Love."

"He shut you down didn't he?"

"Shut up Mahan."

***

I carefully sat up. When we started I'd gotten into position on the ground, but now I was in a cart being pulled by Rider in his feral form.

"Ah, you're awake." Shock said happily, "In the chaos of Reaper's actions we were able to escape. Since no one in this realm knows our human forms we've remained hidden. Of course the massive amounts of illusion magic being used has allowed me to keep us hidden; even from the so called Gods it would seem. We're currently headed south in order to confuse pursuit. Since Wolf is considered to be from Gaul we decided it would be best to hire passage by boat."

"No, better to double back now."

"Why?" Kyle asked.

"Reaper just killed Pluto, and made Jupiter look stupid. Illusion magic or not the moment we enter any port city Neptune, the third brother, will know. No, it's best to deal with mortal armies and lower gods than take on the God of the sea."

"At this time it isn't going to be an easy trek, but far easier for us than an ordinary human. However, I'm sure I can get us there." Wolf assured us.

The trip north was relatively easy, though it felt like everyone was watching us. When the roads ended. We began climbing toward the pass taking the reverse path that Hannibal had or would eventually travel. It was hard to be sure of dates in this world. Winter still had a grip here and we took to our feral forms.

Kyle and Jordan took their wolf forms being the best suited to the cold. When Shock shifted his winter coat grew in making him extra fluffy. Rider, however wasn't quite as fortunate. His sabretooth form being adapted for savannahs. I was fortunate to have based my tiger form on the Tigris altacia. The Siberian tiger was well adapted for the cold.

Hunting wasn't easy, most of the prey was still down lower waiting for spring to reach the passes. We did our best to find shelter and when it wasn't available we'd curl up together and share body heat.

I knew it was only a game, and I'm not sure how the computer did it, but it was obvious when we passed out of the influence of the Roman Gods. The tension and feeling we were being watched dropped away. I didn't know the gods of this land. They had been subsumed and erased after Rome conquer the region. Our trip out of the mountains was fairly easy and relatively quick given our animal forms traveled faster than our human ones.

We avoided several small towns. They had been fortified by Roman garrisons. Soon however we had to change to human to avoid hunters. After a few days we stopped. There was nothing to see around us except small copse of trees and open grassland.

"Jordan?" I asked quietly.

"This is my home, or at least where I grew up."

"How can you tell?" Kyle asked.

"Would you recognize Cosmo Canyon even before the settlement was built?"

"Well yeah but-" Kyle smiled and nodded, "There are just some things you know. I get it."

"I- I just-"

"We'll set up camp here." I ordered.

"We should find a town-"

"Jordan, this is your home we’ll be safe here." I reassured him.

"No, this is just where I'll grow up. My home is with my mates, no matter where we are."

"I couldn't agree more." I said, hugging him.

We were quickly wrapped in a group hug. "It is true, home is with your family, and not where you live." Rider added.

We didn't worry about setting anything up instead we just curled up together under the stars.

***

I awoke in the deep of the night. I slipped out of my mates embrace but Wolf woke up.

"Tiger?"

"Shh, I'm just stepping out of the game to relieve myself. I'll be back in a few minutes. Just go back to sleep."

"He mumbled something like "be quick" and fell back asleep.

I could have taken care of my needs in game, but I wasn't going to lie to Jordan. Once done I returned, but not to the area where the others were sleeping. I stopped a little way away.

I knelt down and dug a small hole. I carefully placed a small wooden totem in the bottom. My carving skills weren't very good and it could have represented almost any four legged mammal. However I'd done my best trying to make it represent a wolf. The trip out of the VR chamber had another reason I'd injected my hand making it so I couldn't feel any pain. I glanced at my sleeping mates and quietly apologized before making a shallow cut across my palm. I forced the blood to dribble out on the totem and surrounding dirt. The wound would be gone in minutes and feeling would return within the hour.

"Gods of this land, I'm sorry your true names have been lost, yet I make this sacrifice to you. I ask that you watch over my Jordan. I know I have no right to make such a request, yet I do so anyway. To protect him, my mates, or my children I'd sacrifice my life." I covered over the sacrifice and pressed the ground down.

"That explains that little anachronism." Mahan communicated through the translator nanites.

"What do you mean?"

"Long before you became my Captain that trinket appeared from nowhere causing a time ripple."

"And you're just now reporting it?"

"While it caused a ripple, nothing was changed and it rotted away before being found. Besides it simply came into being there was no sign of who or how it came to be in pre-Roman France. Still, I have no explanation how a holographicaly generated item, which never left the VR chamber, ended up in the past."

"We know there's more to the universe than we can understand; Reaper proves that. Perhaps one of the Gods accepted my gift?" I considered digging the totem back out, but decided to let it be.

I returned to where my mates were sleeping. Jordan seemed to be having a nightmare. I generated a blanket and slipped under it with him, holding him close. He quickly stopped struggling and settled against me falling into a restful sleep.

***

I woke to the smell of cooking fish. Not surprisingly I was the last one to wake. Kyle was cooking several fish on skewers while Jordan was making some sort of herb sauce.

"Bonjour mon papa tigre. Did the smell of good food wake you?" Jordan asked.

I blushed nervously and Kyle laughed. "Don't worry about it. We've known for some time that our Wolf calls you that."

"I think it's rather cute. Plus it serves you right for saying you're 'so old' all the time." Shock laughed. "Here big brother, I'm pretty sure these are the herbs you wanted."

"Big brother?" I asked.

"Oh, you think only daddy tiger and his puppy are the only ones that get to be kinky?"

"I'm-"

"No! Please Rider, you and Kyle can tell me at another time. Just let me deal with the fact you all know about . . . that."

"Ah, poor kitten." Rider said, smirking at me.

"Enough, no teasing our tiger, and Kyle, watch what you're doing you're going to overcook the fish." Wolf said.

"Not likely."

"Anyway, I was thinking we could camp here until-"

"No. I did some scouting this morning. There is a settlement nearby. Within a day or perhaps a day and a half walk, for us, from here. Strategically we need to get as far from the lands of the Gods we angered as possible." Rider pointed out.

"I suppose. It's just . . . never mind, we'll have breakfast and move on."

"Don't worry, you can visit any time you want." Shock said, happily.

"I know, it's just not the same though."

"Like I said, don't worry. I know you can't return right now but once your family decides to sell I've set it up with Mahan to buy the property and set it up the same way Prowl-Ar did with his home."

"That's wonderful! Thank you Shock." Jordon sounded happy and Shock smiled, but I could tell it was only partially sincere. After breakfast Wolf went for a walk as we packed up our meager camp.

"Shouldn't we go find him?" Kyle asked, after we were done and some time had passed.

"I'll go. I think I know what he's feeling." I said.

"Just because you have a telepathic link doesn't mean you can read him like we can read each other." Shock pointed out.

"Foxy, this isn't about any special ability. It's . . . well, several life times of experience. Go ahead and start North we'll catch up."

"Don't take too long. You need to do your share of the work setting up camp this evening." Kyle yelled, as I followed Wolf's scent.

Wolf wasn't very far from camp. He was laying in the grass staring at the sky. I sat down and lay back so we were side by side.

"This is likely as close as I'll ever get to going home again, isn't it?"

"No, we can program in the home you remember."

"It's still not real."

"No, it isn't."

"Does it get any easier?"

"No, not really."

"You could have lied."

"I'm not going to lie to you. The feeling of loss will always be there, but our friends, mates, and kids do help, where we are now, feel like home."

"Yeah, you're right about that. It's just . . ."

"While it's not possible to go back, maybe eventually your family will realize what a wonderful person you are and want you to visit."

"I doubt it. I- I sent them a message asking them if they'd like to meet our children. I'm not going to tell you what they said, but it wasn't nice."

We lay quietly for some time. "It's their loss. If they can't see what a wonderful individual you are then they aren't worthy to call themselves you parents. Just don't give up hope. While they're still alive there is always hope they'll realize the mistake they've made.

Again the silence stretched. "Merci, mon papa tigre."

I blushed, I couldn't help myself. "We really should get going."

"Just a little bit longer, okay?"

"Computer, pause game but keep current simulation running."

"So, we're just going to lay here in the grass?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, for as long as our mate wants." I replied."

"None of you have to stay if you don't want. I just want some time-".

Kyle flopped down and I readjusted so our heads were close together.

"Just like in some anime." Shock said, as he joined the circle.

"Can't say as I really understand it but I'm not going to be left out." Rider grumbled, joining as well.

I almost laughed. Something in my memory was triggered a line from a movie or TV show from deep in the past. "Here we are all lying down, bunch of dumb asses." Still, true or not I felt complete. I reached out taking Jordan and Kyle's hands linking fingers. We all knew the instant the link was complete a sense of love and well-being filled us. We were mates. We were a family, we were home. As long as we were together, it didn't matter where we were, we'd always be home.

***