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Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 12: The Darkness Is Gathering

March 19th YOE 35

11:11 PM (Chaundoon)

A monarch of a fallen kingdom visits World Seven's first prisoner in its first prison.

"Halt who goes there?" Gahri asked as a white figure dressed in a white toga approached his duty post.

"Come closer into the light!" A female voice opposite the crocodile ordered.

"Gahri, Ripple." The dragoness acknowledged the two guards.

"Duchess! You look rather radiant this evening." The junior knight said smiling.

"And you two look rather bored." The yellow eyed dragon said addressing the two guards.

"Guarding a big pit on the outskirts of the city isn't what I would call a choice assignment your majesty but I understand its importance." The female dragon said bowing.

"Has the ambassador said anything since his incarceration?" Jua asked.

"He wants to know what he has done to deserve this treatment." That gator replied.

"REALLY?!" The ruler grumbled. "I would like to speak with him now."

"Yes, right this this way." Gahri said stepping aside to let the leader of the sand folk walk by.

"Did you really just make a pass at our ruler?" Ripple asked Gahri.

"Uh, I was trying to lighten the mood?" The junior knight said to his dragon companion.

_"_Evening Umbeo, I trust the accommodations are not to your liking." The dragoness said addressing the pile of rocks within the pit that used to comprise a whole being.

"Urr?" The leader of the stone folk said.

"This was made especially for you very deep and very isolated. If you asked my opinion you got off easy for what you and your kind did."

Ambassador Umbeo looked wistfully at the duchess.

"Urrrrrrr." He replied as he was the one on the receiving end of a great atrocity.

"I need to know. You can be prickly at times- but I have never known you to be violent. So why did your tribe attack my tribe?"

"URRR...."

"It is rather quite convenient that you have no recollection. Who were those creatures with you?"

The rock creature shrugged his shoulders which were two paces over from his head.

"We lost twenty three warriors from your unprovoked attack. Half of my subjects demand retribution. The other half want your head on a platter." The dragoness said with smoke billowing from her nostrils.

"Urrr?" Umbeo said looking up at her.

"You can proclaim your innocence all you want, but your subordinates are on the run and as for you- your ultimate fate is yet to be decided." The leader of the sand folk said as she finished her one-sided conversation with the knights' prisoner.

11:41 PM King's Chambers Central Tower...

"Sorren how are you feeling?" The female sand dragon asked approaching her beau.

The red dragon was seated in a chair looking out of his bedroom window at the planet's two suns that had just set.

"It only hurts when I breathe.... well a little." King dragon responded to his squeeze.

"Your healers did a great job treating your injuries." The white dragon said inspecting his bandages before standing next to him at the window.

"How is the prisoner?"

"Still saying he doesn't remember his rampage on my village, killing my subjects or the occupation afterwards."

"Do you think he is telling the truth Jua?" King Dragon said watching the scenery.

"No. But let's not talk about that now. Did you know this is my favorite time of day Sorren?"

"It is mine as well Jua. It is the time of day when all hustle and bustle ends and the world sleeps. Well some of it, the rest well..." The goofy dragon said bouncing his eyebrows.

"Will you stop!" The leader of the sand folk giggled. "In all seriousness, thank you for taking in my subjects."

"Well it was too dangerous to remain out there and there was no telling if the stone folk would attack again." King Dragon said placing his paw on the white dragoness' paw.

"You have been nothing but kind to us."

"Right back at you babe. Err... I mean your majesty. Anyway, I could say the same to you- I enjoy your insight and counsel. It has helped me grow into a leader AND in other ways."

"More decorum, less sexual innuendoes and the attire- what you wore in your previous position is not quite appropriate for a reigning monarch." Jua said chastising the red dragon.

"You mean you didn't like the shirt and shorts I wore to the last council meeting?"

Duchess Jua stared at the goofy dragon neutral faced and lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes your majesty." He grinned stupidly.

"I have decided that my subjects and myself will only stay until we can find a place to rebuild. A safe place."

"Nonsense. That place is here Jua. We have more then enough space and you said it yourself I am a ruler of a combined kingdom- beastials, humans and monsters. The sand folk would fit in perfectly right here."

"But our traditions are a bit different than yours. What about the inevitable conflict? What if we break one of your laws or the reverse happens?"

"Yes there would be a period of adjustment Jua. But we are friends and allies we will figure it out."

"Just as you and the council figured out the order of succession after your injury?"

"Umm hmm." King Dragon replied.

"Sorren the moon!" The white dragoness said pointing.

"Which one? There are three of them Jua."

"The dark one... did it just twinkle?" She asked startled.

The red dragon stared at the two illuminated ones that lined the sky and then at the recently appeared dark moon.

"It looks like it is drawing in stars around it like some sort of black hole!!!"

The couple stared transfixed at the celestial event wondering if it was some sort of illusion or if what they were witnessing was actually happening.

"Have you seen anything like this before?" The red dragon turned to the white dragon.

"Not in all my years. With everything that has happened to our kingdoms, I fear that this is an omen."

March 20th YOE 35

7:59 AM Assembly Hall...

"Well will you look at the new arrivals!" Basil said to his mate. "Are you sure you and Una are going to have enough room?"

"It is going to be a challenge instructing our own students and those from the sand folk's village." The black bear said to the cave bear. "But Una is going to take half and I will take the other half."

"Then there is also the cultural differences, aptitude, learning style and..."

"I get it Basil. We will have to be flexible." Rose said hugging her mate as her son watched.

"Then there is also the trauma from the loss of their village, trauma from the recent attack..." The cave bear continued.

"And the lives that were lost." Kip added.

"Right, that means we will have to be extra gracious then right Kip?" Rose said smiling.

"Um, momma they brought their weapons to the assembly." The little bear said looking at the sharp spears present among the crowd.

"Well there certainly are a lot of weapons out there..."

"Well have a good day." Basil said giving his mate a passionate kiss. "There is a colony counsel meeting about all that has been going on."

"How are we going to address it papa?" The little bear asked.

"I don't know. But we have to figure something out soon." The brown bear with a grey muzzle said hugging his adoptive son. "Be good. I will see you later."

No sooner had Basil departed Ms. Una soon joined Ms. Rose, Together they welcomed their regular students from the city and the new students from outside the city at a make shift assembly hall near their classrooms.

The hall was packed with the teacher's regular students as well as sand folk younglings and their parents.

"Good morning everyone." The female naga said starting the assembly. "I am Ms. Una and to my right is Ms. Rose- we are the two teachers here in the city."

"There are only two?" A parent asked. The teachers noted how very tribal her clothing was.

"Ahem, yes only two." The female black bear responded. "We wanted to extend a warm welcome to our new students and their parents and to address any questions you may have about our educational system here in the city." The she bear said to those present.

"We know that transitioning from your village to our city was a big move for many of you. But we hope you like it here and possibly choose to stay..." Ms. Una said continuing. "There is more than enough space."

"Hey Corbin, how is Dawn?" Kiwi asked the mongoose boy who was seated near him.

"She had some slight neurological effects from the storm cloud but is otherwise fine. Have your parent's loosened their grip on you yet?"

"Only recently." The brown haired pre-teen said.

"I don't think so." Corbin said pointing to a maned wolf who was watching them from the shadows.

"Nuts." Kiwi replied.

"Psst." A black bear cub said to some yellow and brown dragons seated near them. "Hi ya. I am Kip. This is Kiwi."

"Hi." The pre-teen noting that the sand folk males were topless and only wore loin-clothed brown bottom wear. Very tribal.

"Hi, I am Ganzel and this is my brother Trail."

"We are sorry about what happened to your village." The little bear said to the dragon twins.

"Yeah we are too." Ganzel replied.

"We wanted to rebuild but duchess Jua said that it wasn't safe with everything going on." Trail added.

"Yeah we sympathize." Kip responded.

"How could you? Have you ever been through what we been through?" Trail asked.

"Um, yeah- we kinda lost our whole planet." Kiwi replied.

"Wow that is harsh." Ganzel replied.

"Actually many here in our colony lost even more than that. Kiwi here lost his family." Kip replied.

"I was wondering why you looked different from those who were caring for you." Trail replied.

"Oh I am human, the wolf and chakat? They are my guardians. We found each other after we became refugees."

"They adopted Kiwi when we moved to this planet." The black bear cub replied.

"Kip here was more fortunate he didn't lose his parents before moving here." Kiwi added.

"No but we were in suspended animation for a long time." The bear cub said dropping his gaze to the floor.

"What is suspended animation?" The yellow sand dragon asked.

"It is like a living death you can breathe but you can't move and you stuck for a long, long, long time. It is a long story- Kip and his family were deemed criminals by the ruler of our world and were punished shortly before his reign ended." The teen boy said.

"I still have nightmares about it." The bear cub admitted.

"Sounds like you have been through a lot." Ganzel replied.

"Well Ms. Una has a support group for those who have been through many bad things. She helped me a lot." The little bear said as the four returned their attention to the assembly where both teachers had started taking questions.

"...We also have vacant vocations within the city that we would like to have filled." The black she bear replied.

"That is nice." A mother holding her youngster in the crowd said dismissively. "But I would like to hear about the curriculum here at the school what exactly do you teach your students?"

"Well, students are taught the basics- reading, writing, arithmetic." The female naga began.

"What about history?" Another parent from the audience inquired.

"We cover the history of our past rulers up to the present." The she bear opined.

"You mean the history of your previous world. What about this one?" Another sand folk parent asked.

"Well, being new settlers to this planet it we..." Ms. Rose began before she was cut off.

"What about the sciences?" Another parent asked.

"We instruct our students about anatomy, physiology, geography, physics, measurements, chemistry..." The female snake lady said trying to pick up from her co-teacher.

"From your previous world Counter Earth was it? What about Chaundoon?" A brown male dressed only in tan bottom wear asked.

"We are um, still discovering the majestic wonders of our new home planet." Kip's mother replied.

"Ms. Rose, Ms. Una you off-worlders are fascinated that there are thirty six hour days on this world and by your own words that there isn't any cold days here. Do you even know what that is so?" Another of the sand folk asked grilling the two teachers like it was some kind of roast.

"Well...."

"Are you aware of how many creatures and civilizations comprise Chaundoon?" Another question came from the crowd.

"Um...."

The two teachers started drowning under the increasing scrutiny of the parent's questions.

"Momma and Ms. Una aren't doing so well." Kip said to Kiwi as the interrogations continued. There was a big cloud of frustration building in the venue as well.

"I think the comment that the teachers needed teachers didn't help either." Trail replied.

Kip and Kiwi nodded in agreement.

"Ganzel is your tribe proficient at hunting and tracking?" Kiwi asked the sand dragon twins.

"We are why do you ask?" Trail responded.

"Because it looks like you cornered and caught your prey and now are preparing a feast." Kip replied.

"Wanna be friends?" Kiwi asked Ganzel and Trail.

10:00 AM Russell and Nikka's bed and breakfast....

"Schwee!"

"Um, what is that?" A bare chested grey male dragon who was with brown female asked approaching the front desk of the inn. Both looked like they had gone toe to toe and claw to claw with the stone folk and were not the winners of that fight.

"That is Addy. She said welcome." A she skunk behind the counter said greeting the couple.

"How may we help you?" A grey and white pony asked.

"We are looking for a place to stay temporarily the grey dragon replied."

"Sorry we are over booked here at our little hotel." Russell said gently.

"But I think we can find you a place." Nikka replied smiling.

"It is only temporary until our leader decides that it is safe to return to our village." The female asked resting her bloodied spear against the wall.

"Schwee! Schwee!" Addy asked.

"What that little slime say?" The male dragon asked.

"What if your leader decides that it is too dangerous to return?" Nikka said translating.

"Schwee, schwee..."

"There is safety in numbers." Russell said finishing the translation.

"But the desert is our home...." The male dragon replied.

"Maybe it is time for a change. Remember King Dragon's subjects are from off world emigrating to our world for them was the biggest upheaval of all." His female companion replied.

"If you like I could show you what we have available in the city." Nikka replied.

"We would like that." The couple said in unison.

"My pleasure, right this way." The she skunk replied. "I think we might have just expanded our business Russell."

"Well don't take too long Nikka." The pony said nodding.

"Why is that?"

"We have a line." The miniature horse said pointing out the door of their establishment.

"Oh my." Nikka replied.

12:10 PM Lunch time at the central tower...

"Mitsa, Lune afternoon." I said greeting the proprietors at their ice cream shop.

"Hi Alex." Lune said greeting me.

"Say isn't it a little early for desserts?" The she dalmatian asked me.

"It is, I was wondering if I could eat my lunch here?"

"The Wilds restaurant that crowded?" The male dalmatian replied.

"Actually it is. When Sorren opened up the city to the sand folk..." I started to say but Mitsa was quicker.

"That's right the population of the city nearly doubled." The she beast responded.

"We noticed that our business picked up considerably as well." Lune said. "Many of the sand folk have never had ice cream, cake or any of the other desserts we offer."

"Sounds like you guys are a big hit." I replied yawning.

"Alex, you look tired." The Mitsa said gently.

"Well you guys aren't the only ones who have been busy. We have been busting our butts in medical screening the new additions to the city in addition to treating the injured and sick from around the area." I replied.

"With everything that is going on you are seeing an uptick in visits?" Lune asked watching three sand folk younglings walk into their sweet shop.

I nodded as our conversation was interrupted.

"Welcome to Delectable Delights." Mitsa said greeting three of Duchess Jua's subjects.

"We heard you have some convection called ice cream what is it?" A yellow youngling asked.

"Well..." Lune started to say.

I continued to much on my salad and listen to the he dalamatian try to explain what ice cream was to three youngsters who have never sampled the delicacy from Counter Earth. It was quite amusing as was the trio's reaction to the dreaded brain freeze.

12:38 PM The infirmary...

"Alright Shaman Psi open your mouth and say ah." Penny Penguin ordered the grey dragon like being on the examination table in her office.

"You can call me Psi." The sand folk's healer replied sticking out his tongue for the lead of medical to examine. "Is this really necessary?"

"It is for all current residents of this city. My staff is conducting physical examinations on everyone who resides here."

"So if anyone becomes sick you would know what they were like before they became sick. Very insightful."

"Because there are so many species and creatures to keep track of you as well. Hmm...." The penguin said as she ran the triangular scanner over Psi again. "Besides you are the designated healer of your tribe." The she penguin said trying very hard not to get lost in the bare chested dragon's beautiful pecks and dreamy eyes. Damn, these sand dragons are a handsome species.

"I am." Psi said as that triangular scanner ran over his mid-section again. And his glorious scales.

"You would be a welcome addition to the infirmary. We have been swamped ever since this side of the planet learned of our existence and in essence have became a regional medical center for every little malady and I mean EVERY. Hmm...."

"Something wrong Ms. Penguin?"

"You can call me Penny. Actually yeah, your readings are interesting." The leader of the infirmary said looking at the scanner again.

The grey dragon watched the she penguin study the findings on the scanner display before responding. "Um, interesting how?"

"According to this you aren't aging and your organs are in pristine condition; there is no wear or tear. It is as if someone hit the pause button."

"But other than that I am in perfect health?"

"Well for someone whose cells aren't degrading." Penny said removing the scanner.

The dragon was quiet for a long moment before he responded. "You are right, I am not aging."

"What is your secret?" The director of medical asked eager to hear what she thought was the discovery of a new found fountain of youth on this planet.

"It is my tailsman." Psi said pointing to the necklace and its totem he was wearing.

"A yellow circle and a red triangle? That is rather striking."

"It is more than that. This reanimates inanimate objects." Psi replied.

"Say what?"

"If you were to place this on say a statue- the statue would come to life." The grey dragon replied.

"That I find rather hard to believe." The penguin said crossing her flippers.

"Well believe it because you are looking at something that was once inanimate."

"Are you saying you are like the dead come to life?"

"I never had a mother or a father. I was sculpted." Psi said to the astounded she penguin.

"So exactly how old are you?"

12:52 PM just outside Penny's closed office door...

"What are you guys doing?" I asked returning from my lunch break.

I found Shakara and Lily Blossom with their ears on the door to our boss' office.

"Penny is interviewing the sand folks' shaman." My devious lioness replied.

"Psi?"

"Yes, he has a certain mystique about him." The medicine lady added. "Very mysterious."

"Well, that will have to wait ladies, we have a line." I said bringing my colleagues back to reality.

The lioness and goat glared at me as they went back to their examination tables and ordered in the next three patients- more of the duchess's subjects and one of the mer folk. An adorable boy.

"Mathias welcome!" I said to my next patient of the afternoon.

"Ugg, Alex can we just get this over?" The short yellowish dragon like being said resting his spear against the wall.

"And good afternoon to you too." I replied to one of the personal guards of the duchess.

"I am sorry to be so abrupt but I have many other things I need to be doing instead of this medical evaluation."

"It is necessary, I need to know what you look like healthy so I can effectively treat you when you are sick. Besides Mattimeo can cover for you while you are away. Now hold still." I ordered.

I started running my scanner over him. His heart rate was accelerated and blood pressure elevated.

"I take it these readings must be normal for you." I replied writing down the results.

"Maybe." Was his short reply.

"I know the last few days have been unbelievably impossible for you- but trust me, you are safer here in the city than out there."

"I sense an ulterior motive Mr. Winter- you are hoping that we stay and become permanent residents of your city." He said staring me down.

"Close allies and friends too. Actually. I was wondering how you perform that wind attack it is amazing." I said smiling.

"As easily as your king can breathe fire I suppose..." The short dragon responded before we were interrupted.

"Little cutie I need your scanner." Shakara replied. "My patient is injured and Penny has mine."

"I guess we are finished here Mathias." I replied handing my devious person my scanner.

The mer folk boy appeared to be approximately ten or eleven with green skin, yellow orange eyes, blue hair a tail- a humanoid looking sea monster.

"Let's see- you have some cuts, scrapes, blisters little one and oh dear..." My lioness started to say.

"Shakara?" I asked walking over. Mathias followed me.

"Your organs are bruised... all of them. What happened?"

"It was the rock people." The boy coughed. "Some passersby brought me here."

"Well little one you are going to be staying with us for awhile your interior injuries are of concern." Shakara said gently.

"Child are you sure it was the stone folk?" Mathias said reaching for his spear.

The mer folk boy nodded.

"Our village was attacked by them recently as well- many of them are still out there on the run. Can you tell us everything that you remember?" The short yellow dragon said to Shakara's patient.

01:43 PM Emergency meeting Colony Council Chambers....

"According to the boy their clan was attacked in the same manner, most escaped to the safety of their lake. Saan, the boy wasn't so lucky duchess, council members." Mathias said.

"Well that explains why nearby tribes have vacated their territories." I said to those in attendance.

The meeting was a very big deal; The leaders of the new knight core were in attendance Lady Ursa, Lady Barq, Commander Rhinox and Commander Sanda as well the duchess, her personal guards Mathias and Mattimeo and the former leaders of World Six who were filling in for Sorren who was still in traction.

"How did Saan make his way here?" The dragoness asked.

"He was found wandering in the dry lands and brought here by the marsh folk." I replied.

"Do we know the attacker's last whereabouts?" Shira asked.

"According to the boy they appeared to be headed toward the dessert." The short dragon replied to the tigress.

"If this is true, this is the first confirmed siting in three days." Mattimeo added. "They are probably in disarray since we caught their leader defending their our village.

"And gave them a beating they will not soon forget." Mathias added.

"Or they are on a rampage taking out their defeat on the luckless who cross their path." The duchess replied. "More are going to suffer just as we did."

"Duchess your conversations with their leader... has their been any progress?" My fierce ursine warrior asked.

"Umbeo claims he doesn't remember attacking our village or fighting us." The dragoness replied.

"That is rather convenient." Rhinox replied.

I traded glances with Lady Barq.

"Basil, Shira, Gia we need to find out why they are rampaging." The caracal replied.

"Or put a stop to it if we can." Lady Barq chimed in. "Otherwise the carnage will continue."

"Our resources in medical are spread thin as it is." I added. "We don't need another influx of patients."

"What is the status of our resources?" Basil asked.

"Improved with the sand folk being here." The rhino warrior replied to the cave bear.

"Duchess Jua's warriors have been able to fill gaps in our defenses around the city." Lady Ursa replied. "They are most welcomed."

"It sound like that is a request to stay here permanently." Mattimeo teased.

"More importantly Duchess what are we doing to seek justice for those who lost their lives because of the stone folk?" Mathias asked.

"We have their leader. It is only matter of time." The dragoness said addressing her subordinate.

"But the question is how many assets do we allow for seek and capture and how many do we leave here to defend the colony?" Gia said thinking out-loud.

"Our top priority is defending the colony." Shira replied. "This is our home. Our everything."

"I agree." The grey muzzled bear replied. "We can send out one maybe two away teams. But our top priority is making sure we are all here when they return."

"Very well. Lady Barq, Lady Ursa, Commander Rhinox, Commander Sanda put together an away team to check up on that lead." Shira ordered.

"Also I would suggest increasing security around the city." Gia replied. "It would seem reasonable that the stone folk and their allies would want revenge for their defeat."

"Yes ma'am." The four leaders of the knight core said in unison.

"One more thing council members, your majesty. I want to go."

"Mathias?" Duchess Jua said questioning the short dragon.

"I want to be present when our allies bring justice to the destroyers." The yellow dragon hissed.

"Very well." The white dragon said concluding the emergency meeting.

As we departed the council room I caught up with the warrior.

"Hey Mathias!"

"What is it medic?"

"What you said in there... are you sure it is justice you seek or is it revenge?" I asked.

03:01 PM Vast desert wasteland being traversed by a blue coupe and black utility vehicle...

"The prototype is not accustomed to this type of terrain." The senior knight in the driver's seat said to me.

"True, but if we were to come in hot we could give away our position Sanda. Same thing with our support." I said to gesturing to the maned wolf and short yellow dragon who were following in Attack Beast.

"We will hold our position here and let our technology do the rest." The caracal announced signaling to Naka and Mathias.

We were a small away team just two knights, a dragon warrior and a medic. But we were in two of the most powerful vehicles the knight core had in their possession.

With that I pressed the third toggle switch on the weapons console. The copilot monitor and keyboard popped out from the glovebox. I immediately started typing.

*Surveillance probe engaged.*

"1000 feet should do it." I announced.

"Switch to infrared." The caracal ordered.

_*_That may work for a flesh and blood creature but our target's physiology is a bit different Commander Sanda.* Overwatch announced.

"That point is true, our target's last known location was here, but where in this wasteland?" I said bewildered.

"Alex, try all known colors of the spectrum." _ _

"Nothing but sand for miles in all directions." I replied looking at my screen. "Regular sensors are having a hard time scanning through the sand as well."

The senior knight placed his head on the steering wheel and thought for a minute.

"Echo location." Sanda replied. "Overwatch can we use the PA system to broadcast sound in all directions?"

*That is brilliant Commander. The soundwaves would be absorbed by the sand except for when they bounce off of a solid object.*

"Alex set scanner to maximum. Overwatch begin broadcasting." The tail-less caracal ordered.

For the next thirty minutes the blue prototype sent out a low pitched soundwave in all directions and I monitored the probe for some type or return. Naka and Mathias huddled around the coupe waiting for something- anything.

"Your weapons are amazing." Mathias said staring at the copilot monitor and keyboard.

"This is just a smidgen of the technological prowess that made up our world." The wolf said to the dragon. "But it couldn't prevent the destruction of our planet."

"Enough chit-chat you two. Alex anything?" Sanda asked.

I looked at the returns. "Nothing but sand and dunes for miles and miles." I replied.

"How long do we wait?" Naka asked.

"As long as it takes." The yellow dragon replied.

\ **Sirs I believe the probe has found something. It is faint.**

"Where?" Mathias asked.

"It looks like a few miles away very close to the edge of our sensors." I replied.

"Alright everyone let's go." Sanda ordered.

"And if we find what's left of the stone folk?" Mathias asked.

"Capture and contain." Naka said walking back to Attack Beast.

" There are many unanswered questions that need to be answered." Sanda replied.

And so we made our way eastward towards the sensor blips several sand dunes away.

"Anything on that blip?" The watch commander asked.

"Make that blips." I replied.

*They will be within visual range any moment.*

"Whoa."

It was three of the large bird creatures with the ten foot wingspans I had seen while visiting the Chado last fall.

Sanda and Naka brought our vehicles to a complete stop to admire the three creatures which seemed to be circling over a fixed point in front of us.

I took some close up views of the creatures before recalling the probe. Meanwhile Mathias got out to investigate.

"They look like feathered pterodactyls, any idea why they were circling?" Naka asked the short dragon.

"They were fixated on something."

*The source of the sensor returns is right in front of us.* The automated assistant announced.

I locked eyes with the dragon. He nodded at me. I got out of the copilot seat of the blue coupe. We walked in front both vehicles and started digging in the hot sand.

"Feleen weapons on the standby." The wolf ordered.

*Affirmative.*

"Overwatch continuous scans." The caracal ordered.

"I have something!" The yellow dragon announced as he started digging frantically.

Within the sand we found three remains of three of the mer folk- an adult male and two adult females. I ran back to the trunk of the coupe to get my medkit and weapon. I hoped that it wasn't too late.

I carefully ran my triangular scanner over the three of them. It was.

I shook my head at my companions.

"The stone folk!!" Mathias grumbled.

"Mathias do we know that for a fact?" The maned wolf asked. "Alex how long have they been deceased?"

*Alert!! We have incoming!!*

*SCREECH*

Out of the corner of my eye I saw something dive from the sky and grab the yellow sand dragon.

"Mathias!!"

I had just enough time to fire my grappling hook piercing its foot as it took off. I was left dangling next to the short dragon who the bird had grabbed.

*THOKK*

*SCREECH*

"Don't worry Sanda and Naka will get us down."

"I don't think so Alex! Look!"

I looked down at the black utility vehicle and the blue coupe. We watched as the remaining pterodactyls landed in front of Sanda and Naka before shifting into these white weird looking creatures with no arms, a small head and long legs. They reminded me of walking compasses you would use on a paper map. It was a coordinated attack.

Sanda launched a net from one of the side-pods which was melted on impact. He then launched a static pulse hoping to stun the attackers. Meanwhile Naka was firing lasers from the front and rear turret of Attack Beast which also had no effect on the creatures.

"Crap!" I shouted. "We are on our own."

"We better do something quick before we are carried away." The short dragon warrior shouted.

I watched as the bird flew us to the south away from the knights who were under attack.

(Not good!)

"I think I can get us down." The sand dragon announced- smoke was coming out of his nostrils.

"That will get a us a one way ticket right down and if we survive- a long hike back to our friends."

"You have any better ideas?" Mathias countered.

"Maybe." I retracted my grappling hook to where I was able to pull myself up to the bird's right foot. Sitting on it, I then punched the animal as hard as I could in its belly.

*AWWKK!!!*

That caused the creature to look down at Mathias and myself.

"Um, hi!"

As it stared at what it was carrying, I noticed that its eyes had a glassy glazed over look; an icy stare for all accounts.

"I will take it from here!!" Mathias took a deep breathe and exhaled- hard.

I was expecting him to breathe fire like Sorren did when we were attacked by rebels while investigating Mike Anger all those years ago. I couldn't have been more wrong. I watched as sand left his maw hitting our abductor right in the face, the impact was enough to knock the creature out!! Down, down, down we went landing on the hot sand bellow.

*PISH*

"Alex? Alex? Are you ok?" Mathias said staring down at me.

"I think so. What happened to our friend?"

"It it recovered and flew off. I guess it lost interest in us. It probably didn't like the fact that its meal fought back."

"Perhaps." I said reaching for my medkit.

I took out the triangular scanner and ran it over myself and the sand dragon.

"Nothing broken but your heart rate is elevated and cerebral activity is off the charts." I announced to my companion. "Mathias? Mathias?"

That was then that I noticed his eyes had the same glassy glazed over look as the avian that had attacked us. He gave me the same cold icy stare as well.

I waved my hand in front of his face before placing both my hands on his shoulders shaking him. He snapped out of it whatever it was. I then rescanned his vitals they were back to normal.

"You say something Alex?"

"Mathias, you seemed like you were far away for a moment."

"I did?"

"Yeah, you had that same dazed look as our attacker."

"I did?"

"Yeah, which way back to our friends?" I asked him.

"Fifteen sand dunes this way." He said pointing.

"FIFTEEN?!" I gasped.

And so we started making our way back toward Sanda and Naka. Fortunately the knights met us half way.

"Thank goodness!!" I shouted as the blue coupe and black utility vehicle approached.

"The vehicles look like they had been the personal targets for cave needles." The sand dragon observed.

Attack beast had significant damage across its armor like it had taken a literal pounding on its hood, doors and bumper.

The blue prototype started to look like the red one when we found it on that mountain back on Counter Earth; the dome had numerous cracks in it.

"Are you two alright?" The maned wolf asked rolling down his window.

"Alex and I had to convince our attacker to move on to easier prey. Please tell me you found Umbeo's clan."

*Negative* The automated assistants announced in unison.

"What about those things?" I asked.

"None of our weaponry non-lethal..." Sanda started to say.

"Or lethal had any effect on them." Naka said completing Sanda's sentence.

"What about that force shield these vehicles have?" Mathias asked alarmed.

*Effective until they started attacking the vehicle that were encasing them.* Feleen added.

"We had no way to capture or contain them." The watch commander announced.

"So you tuck your tails between your legs and fled!" Mathis said.

The knights nodded. We hadn't found our target- but instead became something else's target.

It took some doing, but we did manage to collect the bodies of the fallen and return to the city with footage of the battle.

11:02 PM Infirmary...

"Planning an all nighter little man? You know that you relieve me in the morning." Nezera announced.

"I guess I lost track of time making my report to the council, Duchess Jua and knight command." I said to the vampire bat.

"And you have been here looking at Mathias' medical scans all evening."

"I also managed to scan the bird that attacked us. I wasn't able to obtain a regular scan but here look at this. Notice anything?"

"Both Mathias and that bird's blood rate and cerebral activity were heightened." The lady bat said looking at the scans.

"That was when their eyes had this glassy glazed over look and that icy stare. Hmm.... there is something here that I just can't put my finger on."

"Boy it is late. Go home and get some rest." Nezera said scolding me.

I hugged the she bat and left the central tower stopping by the hanger to review the footage Overwatch had recorded of their encounter with the compass creatures. I found the four meerkats working feverishly on the blue coup and black utility vehicle. I watched the footage for forty five minutes before heading home.

11:47 PM A tired medic arrives at the home he shares with three bears and a lioness...

"Welcome home Mr. Winter." My lioness said greeting me.

"We were wondering when you would get back pet. You seemed quite preoccupied after your debriefing." My bear added.

I hugged my lovers in silence as I entered our town-home.

As we settled down to bed, I told my lioness and bear of my activities and observations that evening.

"That is quite the string of coincidences pet." My warrior bear said wrapping her arm around me cupping my bottom with her paw and pulling me toward her.

"I will go over your findings in the morning little cutie but from what you are saying the stone folk that attacked the sand folk, that bird and even Mathias seemed to be in a trance like state- like Nezera or Ms. Una had whammied them." Shakara said huddling in close to Lady Ursa on her opposite side.

"Yeah, I can't be sure- quite possibly the compass creatures that Sanda and Naka fought against too. But they didn't have eyes on their faces." I replied snuggling my bear.

"Oh crap!!!" I whisper-shouted. "Why did I not realize this sooner?!"

"Alex?" My females said in unison.

"We have seen this before where creatures willingly or unwillingly were under the influence of something or someONE...." I gasped.

"Could the entity have found us after all this time?" The red eyed lioness said stone faced.

"If ONE is indeed here on Chaundoon, then this world... our new home is lost." Lady Ursa replied as her blood turned cold.

To Be Continued.....

[MEANWHILE]

March 19th YOE 35

11:11 PM (Counter Earth)

Within her chambers a fierce ursine warrior comforts her despondent pet...

"You are still awake?" The brown bear asked- her tone was more of a declaration rather than a question.

"Yes mistress." I said within the darkness of her chambers.

"You haven't been sleeping at all these last three days." The declaration continued.

"Yes mistress."

My fierce ursine warrior stood up grabbing me in the process maneuvering me to sit on her lap.

"You are still devastated over Dawn and Corbin."

"Even more than that mistress. You remember when we were looking after Corbin before Dawn adopted him? He was like the son you never had or the brother I never had and he even saved your life once."

"Yes pet their losses diminishes us all." Lady Ursa said sympathetically.

"Professor Stern was the spitting image of my sister. I am not going to be ok for a very, very long time if ever." I said to the ursine warrior who had placed me on her lap and was cradling me as if I were a youngling.

"No you won't. But that doesn't mean you shut down and stop living. Dawn and Corbin would not want that. Nor would I pet." She said snuggling me with those strong arms of hers.

She hadn't touched me like that in a long time; her fur felt so soft and warm as her breasts were mashing against my back.

"Mistress do you know what happened? Why did they go to that remote area of the planet?"

"Alex, it is classified."

"Mistress please I have to know! How did they die?"

Silence filled the room as my bear considered my request.

"Theresa Branch and Oliver Justice had completed a recent field study. With the completion of their project and no more on the horizon their overseer was about to assign them housing in the slums. Not wanting to live in the basement, the two proposed a new field study in an area off limits to the populace. They convinced Dawn and Corbin to tag along. That is all I can share with you pet." My overseer said.

I recognized that tone in her voice. It meant stop prying Alex.

"What they found killed all of them." I said trying to find the words.

"Yes. Their journey on the great path has ended, the best we can do to honor their memory is to keep living if not for ourselves but for them."

"Yes mistress."

"Sir Ram has informed me that you have made great strides in your sessions with him." The female warrior said trying to change the topic."

"Yes, I am making great strides toward becoming a unchallenging, unquestionably submissive, and very obedient; the perfect beta male."

"Then as your overseer I order you to cheer up... no more being sad."

Before I knew it, those paws of hers had picked and spun me around to face her.

"Otherwise I will have to force you to forget your sadness and depression." She said to me as she started running her paws of my pecs.

"With everything that has happened, how are you going to do that?" I gasped as soon as the words left my mouth.

"Is that a question little human?" The she beast grumbled.

"Um... no... hey, that feels nice." I sighed as the ursine warrior started nibbling on my shoulders while massaging my back.

*nom* *nom* *non* *nom*

After the nibbling, then came the licking- my neck, chin and cheek. All the while those paws of hers moved strategically into position and then...

*push*

I was lying on my back looking up at her.

"Your master orders you to splay your legs." She said as she started fondling my scrotum.

(Wow, this is getting really hot.)

"Ahh... unn..." I moaned

"Forgetting your troubles already I see." She replied nurturing my growing erection.

"More like pushing them off to the side mistress."

"Speaking of pushing..." She then impaled herself on to my shaft.

Waves of pleasure overwhelmed me as my length disappeared inside her. It had been too long!

It was like I had rediscovered a missing plane of existence as my warrior bear screwed me stupid.

A familiar sensation soon found me- that sex tickle. It started at my neither regions, moving upward to my testicles, shaft and then the head of my penis.

"Uh mistress!!" I tried to warn her.

"I order you to stop!"

(WHAT?!)

"I can't do that mistress."

"Why is that pet?" She said teasing me.

"You feel too good and it has been too too long!" I whimpered clenching my teeth, squinting my eyes and feeling my testicles start to contract.

"Then cum!" She ordered me.

"NGHFF!" I shouted and you know what came next... I did.

*splurt* *splurt* *splurt* *splurt* *splurt* *splurt*

All rational thought disappeared as I filled my warrior bear like she was some sort of pastry.

"THAT'S RIGHT!!" She growled in triumph.

Several minutes passed before my sanity returned. The next thing I remember I was stretched out on the bed my hands above my head. She was sitting on my groin looking down at me her foot-paws at the pit of my arms.

She then stretched out laying right down on top of me.

"I have been observing some of your sessions with Sir Ram."

"You have?"

"Yes. My little beta male. You have become docile, submissive and very obedient without question."

"Does that mean I have reached the end of my reprogramming?" I asked hopefully.

"Only if it sticks." The bear woman said staring down at me.

"What if I never argue or question my superiors ever again?"

"Overseers." Lady Ursa said correcting me.

"Yes my overseer."

"We will see. Now turn your head."

I complied as she lifted off of my penis, repositioned herself and laid her head down onto my chest.

"Now your overseer commands you to sleep. No snoring."

"Yes my master."

In response I rubbed the head of the powerful female who for all intents and purposes seemed to have forgiven me of my transgressions. Did that mean things will go back to normal? Not quite.

March 20th YOE 35

5:15 AM (Counter Earth)

Despite having a female brown bear snoozing on me, I still had a hard time sleeping. I kept thinking about Dawn and Corbin and what I had seen in the mission journal entries of the black PDA. Was what Sir Ram documented all true? Why would he have a reason to lie? I needed to know more. If I asked him would he tell me? I kept thinking about the people in that picture especially that red eyed lioness she looked familiar... Wait, I did know her! She was the madam's assistant- whom I met in that hidden lab in the World One History Museum- she seduced me!! How could I ever forget that?!

My thoughts then trickled back to that day at the bazaar Madam Olga and that weird message that I received in the prototype:

You are seeking answers to dark questions you have only just begun to ask; the psychic didn't tell you, but the relief you seek is much closer than you would believe....

Was the composer of that message talking about Sir Ram?

Eventually morning came. A little after 6 AM my mistress' communicator sounded off. Like many times before she answered it. It was Lord Tiger there was some type of disruption in the empire.

"I see, uh huh. Understood sir." My she beast replied ending the connection.

"Something wrong mistress?" I asked.

She moved along side me and brought the communicator around so that I could see the display.

"We have reports coming in this morning that the central system that provides functionality for the tracker/tracers for the human population has been compromised. No -destroyed." A otter from the hub news service reported. "With its destruction goes the empire's ability to monitor its second class citizens and control their actives."

"Oh my. That is the first time that has ever happened." I quipped.

"Lord Tiger reported that there are celebrations in the human encampments of all five cities. There is an all hands on deck meeting in ten minutes." My fierce ursine warrior announced rising.

To Be Continued....