Chapter 2** 3**- A Moral Mosaic

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Diplomatic Corps, Morning

The telltale alarm of a phone stirred me from sleep, and I could feel the bed shift as someone has started moving. I opened my eyes and saw as John moved onto the floor, no doubt looking for the phone.

"Damn it," John hissed under his breath as he dug through a few clothes and picked up his phone.

The bright light of the screen filled the room as he turned the sound off, stared at the screen for a moment, and glanced back toward the rest of us. Allen was caught in my arms, and I could feel his chest rumble with a low growl as he muttered in disapproval.

"Sorry..." John whispered, crawling closer to the bed and settling next to it.

"Something going on?" Peter murmured while moving along my back.

"... Just a few friends that are wondering when we're meeting. Did we have something important planned today?" John wondered.

My muzzle opened with a big yawn, and I stretched my legs, "I'll check in with Lydon today, but last I heard we were free to spend the day as we saw fit."

"Good... I'll be gone for most of the day, but I've got my phone if you need me," John said.

Allen raised his hand, "And I have that thing to take care of too, so I'll stay indoors until the evening."

"Very well... Try to study as well, or Lydon will have our hides," I said.

John nodded eagerly as he gathered up his uniform, stood up, and glanced around, "... Did we get our new clothes yet?"

Allen pointed toward the nearby closet, "The diplomatic clothes are in the closet. They look kinda nifty, actually..."

I eased myself up into a sitting position, and stretched to a point where I felt my tail bristle. "... Stick to your regular uniform if you were planning to do anything that might get it dirty."

John seemed to ponder it for a moment. "True... Also, I don't want to explain five times over why I'm wearing something like it."

Allen slipped out of bed and raised his arms for a stretch of his own, "I call dibs on the shower."

John snapped to attention as he focused on Allen in surprise, "... I was going to grab a shower."

"You've been standing around for minutes already," Allen said and snatched up his uniform from the floor.

"You were staying here, so you can take a shower whenever!" John snapped.

Allen's tail began to swish with a bit of mischief as he set his sights on the bathroom door.

"No!" John snapped as he suddenly lunged toward the bathroom.

Allen followed like a dart and as John opened the door, Allen near slammed into John in order to push him aside.

This is odd...

For a moment, the two of them were struggling over the door. A few seconds later, they lungedinto another race as Allen tried to slip inside, while John reached in and grabbed Allen's white tail.

"Ah!" Allen yipped in surprised as they turned on each other once more and began to struggle.

"... Did something happen yesterday?" I whispered as Peter leaned onto me in order to watch.

"Allen either has the hots for John, or he's done being a pushover... Not sure which," Peter mused.

I wonder if it has something to do with the bunker?

"I do find the first option unlikely," I whispered.

The bathroom door suddenly slammed shut, and, based on the noise, they kept up their steady arguing on the inside.

"Yet, they're locked in the bathroom again," Peter said with a snicker.

I chuckled and glanced back at Peter, "John has been forced to get a bit humbler, whileAllen has started to come out of his shell. In other words, they've probably realized that they can be friends..."

Peter nudged my muzzle with his own, "... Are you free tonight?"

"... Sure?" I wondered.

I could hear a humored chuckle, "Good..."

"... Why?" I wondered.

"A secret; you'll find out tonight. I just have to prep some stuff," Peter said.

My ears perked, "... Sounds like I'll be alone for most of the day."

"... Well, Allen will be here," Peter said.

"I suspect he'll be deep in the Virtual World. Anyways... I'll pay Lydon a visit and see what happens next," I said.

Peter's grip tightened around my chest, "I'll give you a call later."

"... Just the two of us?" I wondered.

"Just the two of us," Peter whispered.

I smiled to myself, "Well, you've certainly piqued my curiosity."

"Heh," Peter mused as he blew a deep breath into my thick fur.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Diplomatic Corps, M orning

Dealing with the AIs was simple. You reached out with your mind, and there they were. Now, as I walked acrossthe floor where Lydon had his office, I found myself lost regarding how to behave.

Knock on his office? Try to figure his phone number? Find Tau and hope he could help?

While the other deer on the floor threw me an odd glance once in a while, none of them seemed to mind or care as I approached Lydon's office. His scent was fresh in the air as I stepped up to the door, and Tau's more subdued but alien scent was present as well.

Out of curiosity, I lowered the shield around my mind, and could feel a hint of Lydon's machine-like presence within the room. I raised my hand to the door and was ready to start knocking when a presence made itself known. It tapped on my mind, and I could feel that it was coming from Lydon. I accepted the connection, then heard Lydon's voice within my mind.

'Knocking--rather than barging in--is a good instinct, but you should arrange a meeting unless it's urgent,' Lydon said, with a voice that lacked any hint of emotion.

I was tempted to call it the voice of a machine, but even Athena had much more of a living presence than his voice.

'I take it that means you're busy?' I wondered.

'No. Step inside,' Lydon thought.

Yet again, I get the feeling that I'm being put in my place...

I opened the door, stepped inside, and saw Lydon seated in his chair by the desk, while Tau stoodalong the side of the room. Lydon appeared thoughtful as he threw me a glance, while Tau simply stared.

The tense atmosphere made me smile for some reason. It felt like the wrong response, but... I couldn't help it as I closed the door behind me.

"So, you can use make use of telepathy?" I asked as I approached the desk.

Lydon raised one hand and motioned to his back, "One of many implants... It may not have the finesse of your innate abilities, but it is apriceless ability nonetheless."

I nodded as I stopped in front of the desk and turned to look at Tau, "Nice to see you again, Tau."

Tau blinked as if confused, "A pleasure... for sure."

I focused on Lydon once more, "I have questions..."

Lydon grew a subtle smile, "I suspected as much," and glanced over at Tau, "You're dismissed."

Tau made a slow nod, "Yes, Lydon," and turned to walk away.

I waited until he had stepped out, then glanced around to see if there was a chair that would fit me. There wasn't, which not only told me that larger hybrids weren't common here, it also meant that Tau hadn't been invited to sit either.

"I'm merely curious, but what is the relationship between you and Tau?" I wondered.

Lydon leaned back in his chair while his smile grew, "That's a surprisingly up-front question."

I focused on him, "I've hardly encountered reptiles before, and the fact that they can grow a personality took me by surprise. More than that, I'm not sure how to engage with them, or what the expectations are. You, for example, don't have a seat for him here, nor did you thank Tau on his way out."

Lydon made something a quick chuckle and motioned to the room, "You're certainly observant, and you'll have to excuse the lack of proper seating. Wolves are not common around here, and the reptiles don't like to sit."

He straightened himself and clasped his hands, "As for my relationship to Tau... We are long-term friends, and while we usually exchange pleasantries in front of others, we have little need for it in more private settings."

I made a slow nod, "So you consider him sapient, a full-fledged citizen of Sophos?"

Lydon blinked as if it was self-evident, "Oh, yes... I do, even if he himself doesn't."

I squinted, "Explain?"

Lydon smiled as he motioned at me, "Ask him for yourself if you have the chance. Assuming he likes you enough, that is--you've certainly gained his curiosity and ire already."

"I take it he's subtle," I said and smiled a little.

"Very," Lydon answered, "Now, I hope you have questions more relevant to your job?"

"I do," I said and stepped closer to the lockers along the side of room, "I'm still a bit concerned about how we are supposed to act in Tel-Adra."

"Yes?" Lydon wondered as he followed me with his gaze.

"If we're too gentle and placid, then we'll just be more of the same. Humans may have flaws, but they adapt quickly, _especially_if we show weakness," I said.

"Wolves have quite a historical reputation within the human nations. Some of it as a result of what we used to be like long ago. The rest of it is the product of historical accounts that have been spiced up for dramatic effect," Lydon said.

I looked back at Lydon, "So, they're going to fear us?"

Lydon huffed, "No, I wouldn't say that... It's going to be as though they were meeting a real-life version of the actor who played the big bad wolf in a fable."

I perked my brow, "So, they'll find it cool and ask for an autograph?"

Lydon nodded, "Something like that, and while you'll have more leeway than the rest of us, we still have to play it carefully. Frightening someone with a growl will amuse and horrify in equal amounts, while biting or hurting someone will force us to have you removed."

"What if someone asks us to kiss their feet?" I wondered.

"In such a case I'd advise finding some excuse, like a translator malfunction, acting as if you're too stupid to understand, or just walking away. We're in this together, which means we'll have to come to each other's aid."

"And if it turns to outright violence against us?" I wondered.

Lydon tipped his head, "It's not an unreasonable scenario, to be honest. But if a human started kicking you, I'd expect you to take it and laugh it off. If someone went at you with a knife, I'd expect you to disarm and secure the subject until one of us can take charge of the situation."

I faced the table, "So, we are subordinates to the diplomats in Tel-Adra, through and through?"

Lydon drew a deep breath, "As hybrids, no. As diplomats working with a volatile situation among humans who utilize strict hierarchies, yes. You answer to me, and until you learn the ropes, I expect you to follow the advice of others as well."

I nodded, "Treat us fairly, and we'll do as asked."

"Good," Lydon saidwith a nod of his own.

I motioned to my head, "So, telepathy. Is that how we'll do most of our conversations in Tel-Adra?"

Once more, he nodded, "Private conversations, yes. Technically Tel-Adra is supposed to be neutral territory, but it's no secret that most rooms are bugged in one way or another. In regards to that, you should make yourself familiar with the 'Shit Talk' Expert System."

I raised my brow, "The... 'Shit Talk' Expert System?"

Lydon smirked, "It's very useful... If we're both using it, then we can have a nonsense conversation in public, while we have a private talk using telepathy. The humans don't know that we have these abilities, and we want to keep it that way... odd silences between us might tip them off."

"Very smart," I said.

"It is... There's something else as well," Lydon added.

"Yes?" I wondered.

Lydon eyed me for a moment, "... Tell me, do you think we have spies in the human nations?"

I hooked my thumbs into my pockets as I pondered it, "... I want to think that we have high morals as a nation, but given the circumstances, it would be naive to not have some kind of monitoring. Whether this is done by satellites, aerial drones, or some other means, I don't know. But..."

"But?" Lydon asked, and tipped his head as if curious.

"But, I would also expect that we don't use it to hurt or influence them, but to protect ourselves."

"Well, you've pretty much outlined our policies as they are, which means that you either read up on them, or have good instincts. That said, there are murky parts in our interactions with the humans," Lydon said.

"Such as?" I wondered.

Lydon scratched at the fur by his short muzzle, "We _do_have human diplomats that are working on our behalf. At the time I'm not going to tell you who they are, but I will say that we have been forced to take certain actions that might be seen as questionable."

"... Go on?" I wondered.

Lydon drew a deep breath, "The human nations only send diplomatstoTel-Adra that are loyal. Most often this is ensured by making sure that their families will face execution in case someone defects."

I sighed, "Brutal, but effective."

Arather devilish smirk grew on Lydon's muzzle, "Don't ask us how we did it, but we managed to replace some families with clones."

I perked my brow, "Intelligent clones?"

Lydon huffed, "Somewhat. Their brains are more like simple Expert Systems encoded in flesh."

"... What a terrifying technology," I said.

"It is... I remember thinking the same way when I first heard about them, but..."

"Without them, you wouldn't have a single spy," I said.

Lydon nodded, "But, we don't use them to hurt the humans... even if we could. Eventually our spies will expect extraction, at which point it's always tricky to make sure the humans don't figure out what we've been up to."

"Let me guess: you have some kind of way to signal the clones so that they kill themselves?"

"Yes... Destructively at that. A single autopsy would reveal that what's inside the head isn't a normal human brain," Lydon said.

"... I see," I said.

Lydon raised his hand to point at me, "You might not need to kill people in this line of work, but that doesn't mean it's pretty. You need to be ready for it."

I nodded, "I understand."

"Mm," Lydon murmured, "Was there anything else?"

"When are we leaving?" I wondered.

"Tomorrow morning," Lydon answered.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Park , Midday

Now what?

I walked through the park, gaze wandering along the trees as I found myself with a rare moment of solitude.

Digging in the archives? Perhaps a visit to one of the machine hubs the others talked about?

Maybe Volkov will be a bit more talkative today, or...

A presence knocked on my mind, a voice call from Father. I set my sights on a nearby tree, and approached it as I accepted the call, and heard his voice within my mind.

'Vilkas,' Father said, with a cheery voice that made me imagine his undoubtedlywagging tail.

'Hey, Dad,' I thought.

'How are you doing? Still in Sophos?' Father wondered.

'I'm fine... We'll be leaving tomorrow,' I said.

'Ah...' Father whispered.

'And how are you?' I wondered.

'We're doing good... In fact, we're having something of an early spring cleaning.'

'In preparation, I assume?' I thought.

'Yeah... Yeah. Plenty of old memories hiding here... Your mother's intent on throwing most of it away, but-'

Mother raised her voice in the background, 'We have a five-kilogram allotment in the high-value vault, and a half-eaten plushie does _not_fit the requirements!'

Father's voice faded a little, 'It belonged to Vilkas!'

'But your teeth marks are all over it!' Mother snapped.

'We played tug of war with it!' Father protested.

I leaned onto the tree, and couldn't help but smirk as I remembered it.

Lying in the sofa... Father, the big bad wolf... Wanting to play... Me, pulling on the toy...

At the time I had felt weird, embarrassed even, but it had been fun...

'Dad,' I thought.

Mother kept murmuring in the background of the call, while Father spoke up, 'Yeah?'

'We can always make new memories like that...' I thought.

'... Ya sure? Last time you told me to stop because you were too old to play games like that.'

A sudden flash of guilt resounded through me.

It made me scrounge up by the tree as I nodded to myself, 'I'm sure.'

Father made a sudden chuckle, '... Looking forward to it.'

I drew a deep breath, 'It wasn't always easy being a parent, was it?'

'No, it wasn't... But! I don't regret a second of it,' Father answered as his voice picked up in tone.

I chuckled to myself while there was a sudden rustle.

Mother's voice soon followed, 'How are the Diplomatic Corps treating you?'

'Well, it's not a warm welcome exactly, and it's pretty clear that they're testing us... '

'Stick with it. They're scared of sudden change, even if they can see the benefit of it, and will open up once they learn to trust you,' Mother answered.

'... You seem certain,' I said.

'Let's just say that I've oiled more than a few gears to gain the trust of various organizations.'

'Ah,' I whispered.

Father murmured in the background as I heard him wrestle control of the phone once more, 'Always move in pairs; don't get caught by yourself with a bunch of humans.'

'I'll do my best,' I said with a smirk.

'And if there's ever any doubt, you come home right away. Understand?' Father insisted.

'Yes, Dad...' I answered.

Silence followed.

'Something the matter?' I wondered.

Father murmured something, 'I checked up on Jason. He's doing good, but he doesn't want to trouble you, so... don't tell him I told you.'

'Is he...'

'Oh yes, fuzzy all over, and he's still getting used to everything... He's happy though. It's like he's finally been unshackled. We didn't tell him about the recent incident,' Father said.

I nodded to myself, 'Let him enjoy it.'

'Yeah, that was our reasoning as well... Anyway, anything we can do to help?'

I pondered it for a moment, and was about to say no when I was reminded of something.

'... I did have a question regarding something,' I said.

'Yes?' Father wondered.

'Do you remember someone named Chester? A shepherd, works with the police-'

Father interrupted as he filled in, 'And, he has a droid called Wallace.'

'... He does, yes,' I thought.

'I remember him... At the time he wasn't part of the police, but merely helped out as a specialty resource. We--the Defense Force--were asked to help out,' Father said.

'Help out, with what?' I wondered.

'A murder... A hybrid murder, that is. It was the first time I encountered telepathic abilities, and he had some weird knack for sensing people that were... wrong.'

'Tell me more about this murder?' I wondered.

'Well, it was around 40 years back--before the siege on the wall--a deer hybrid was found dead in the forests near Veripolis. The actual crime scene revealed little, apart from the lengths the murderer had gone through in order to hide their tracks and the gruesomeness involved in destroying the head of a hybrid.'

'Yikes...' I said.

'Yeah... Problem was that the range of possible subjects involved anyone that had stepped outside the secure areas of Veripolis for days. We ran alibi checks for everyone and interviewed those we could, but...'

'It didn't work,' I thought.

'Yeah... That's when the Space Initiative got into contact with us and hinted that they had their own list of subjects, and an individual which could figure out who was ultimately responsible. They wanted us to take this individual, expose him to the subjects, and watch what happened.'

'I assume this individual was Chester and his droid?' I said.

'Correct you are... Chester was mute, stared a lot, and hid behind Wallace most of the time. Crowds made him panic, but... we did our best to be gentle as we brought him to various locations in the capital.'

'He was mute?' I wondered.

'Yeah. Didn't say a word during the weeks I spent around him... But he was rather curious. Seemed to like wolves as well, and I caught him trying to grab my tail a few times.'

'So, what happened?' I wondered.

Mother spoke up, 'As interesting as this is, we were doing something, and I'm sure Vilkas is busy as well...'

'One moment, dear...' Father said, and turned his attention to the phone once more, 'Vilkas, howcome you know Chester?'

'I met him in Veripolis, and he's working for the police now... But by the sound of it, he has changed a fair deal.'

'Oh?' Father wondered.

'Well, he talks now... So, he's getting slowly getting better,' I said.

'Surprising... But I'm glad to hear it, and Wallace?' Father wondered.

'He's still with Chester,' I said.

'Hmm... I'd be careful around the droid, coming from the Space Initiative and all,' Father said.

'... Do you know that for certain?' I wondered.

'Pretty sure... At least, there was no public record on either of them before the investigation.'

'I see... Thank you for the information,' I said.

'Don't mention it... Now, your mother is staring daggers at me, so...'

I chuckled, 'I get it... Later, Dad.'

'Later, Vilkas... Take care,' Father said, and hung up a few moments later.

The leaves rustled above me as I stood there, pondering. Technically Chester hadn't lied, even if I found it mysterious that both of them had closer ties to the moon than they had let on.

I could give them a call... But, that might stress him out... Another way perhaps?

My gaze wandered, and I peered through the park at the outer circle of the city.

This is the only chance I'll have to see a machine hub until we return from Tel-Adra...

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Machine Hub , Midday

A door... A bulkhead... More bulkheads and tunnels...

I'd downloaded maps of the city from the archives and followed to the nearest cluster connected to the city. The hallways were big and robust while the lighting emittedfrom simple strips in the ceiling.

It was loud as well; I could hear the churning of distant machines and the hum of electronics. The entire area was abuzz with a presence similar to the one in the city, but more harmonic. Another group of droids were walking down the hallway, and each of them turned their heads to look as we passed one another.

It was unnerving, yet... I pushed on.

There was another bulkhead further along with plenty of yellow stripes to indicate danger beyond this point. The hum was also stronger, and it felt as if I was standing on the edge of the machine hub's heart.

They haven't tried to stop me so far...

I raised my hand, and put it against the large bulkhead. Solid metal, cool to the touch.

No interface...

I sighed and let go as I stepped back in wonder of whether this was as far as I'd come.

After a moment's consideration, I couldn't help but frown. Unless there was a very good reason, all of Sophos was supposed to be open to its citizens, at least when it came to hybrids.

I looked along the walls and considered that there had to be some kind of override in this place.

There...

There was a subtle difference in the metal wall, like a hatch that was almost--but not perfectly--hidden. I walked up to it, presented my wrist to it, and let a tendril emerge. It slimmed itself into something akin to a thin knife, poked into the hatch, and popped it open.

Within was a silvery interface--albeit a slightly crude one with a number of exposed wires. The tendril slipped back into its home, and I put my hand against the interface.

A tingle followed, and within a few moments, the connection was established.

A strange sensation followed, and I couldn't help but feel as if I was standing in front of a giant eye that peered at me from behindthe walls.

'... Greetings,' I thought.

I could feel the presence peer at me, pondering and searching as if trying to poke at me through the link. It didn't react, as if... waiting for something.

'I wish to learn more about you,' I thought.

A noise grew over the link, as if an ancient being was being stirred from its sleep, '... Why?'

Its voice was a simple whisper, gentle but monotone.

'Because I feel like this is part of the puzzle,' I thought.

'... What puzzle?' The being whispered.

I blinked as I wondered whether it was being coy or simply didn't understand, 'The puzzle of how everything fits together in Sophos.'

'Oh,' The being whispered.

Silence followed, and I drew a deep breath, 'Can you... help me?'

'With what?' The being wondered.

I reached up to scratch my temple, 'I wish to see the machine hub and learn more about it.'

'The archives should have everything you need,' The being answered.

My shoulders drooped as I gave the interface a tired stare, 'Do you have a good reason for keeping me out?'

'... No, I do not,' The being whispered.

'Then, open the door,' I ordered.

The result was immediate. A loud and churning groan followed, and the giant bulkhead began to separate. I stepped back, and let go of the interface as I peered inside.

It was surprisingly colorful. A cavernous room filled with surfaces of dull metal and what looked like massive spires of processing clusters. Thousands of small lights flickered in the distance, and there were plenty of bridges knitting it all together.

I took a step closer, glanced side to side, and noticed that there was something akin to a road. There were tunnels leading off into the distance, and in front there was a bridge. Beside the bridge, a sudden drop, and a glimpse into the depths revealed that the hub spanned a great many levels.

On the other side of the bridge--suspended in the very center of it all--was a large ziggurat. It almost resembleda temple of sorts, with a big gleaming core and large bundles of wiring that reached into the ceiling high above.

There was a great deal of movement in the area. Spiderbots skittered around the facility, and manyof them seemed to usesmall access holes scattered around the walls. Heavy cargo drones moved between levels, and loads of droids marchedalong the intricate latticework of the hub.

Something within the system seemed to relent as I stood there, and I felt a presence grow in my mind. A wireless interface presented itself, and itknocked on my mind. I accepted its connection, and a twitch ran through me along with a sudden surge of information.

Schedules, a live feed of the area, warnings, protocols, and a bunch of instructions regarding how things worked in this place. As the information was being churned, I glanced to the side, and saw what looked like a large but intricate boiler on a large trolley.

Within minutes, it would start moving, and it would be unwise for me to remain standing in this place unless I wanted to become a pancake.

'So, you do have reasons for keeping people out,' I thought.

'We are always aware, and we do not get distracted. As such, we have no need for the great many safety features that most of your kind requires,' The being whispered.

I turned my attention to the ziggurat once more, and I could feel a sort of... safe path. With a quick look around, I decided to trust the feeling, and started walking.

'You adapt well...' The being whispered, while the large bulkhead began to close behind me.

'Do warn me in case I'm at risk of making a mistake,' I thought.

'Naturally...' The being whispered, with a subtle shift in tone as if insulted.

'Who are you?' I wondered as I crossed the first 'road' within the hub.

'I am the coordinator of this hub... It's my job to monitor the area, collate outside information, adjust it if needed, and strive for maximum efficiency,' The being whispered.

'Do you have a name?' I wondered.

'I do have a designation, yes... but it wouldn't be one you find useful. That said, visitors have come to call me a variety of nicknames that they seemingly pick at random.'

'Do I catch a hint of annoyance?' I wondered.

'No... It's just that some of you are prone to cause incidents, which messes with my schedule. '

'Then, do you have a nickname you prefer?' I wondered, as I walked up to the first step of the ziggurat.

'You can call me Hub. It's simple and appropriate for my function,' Hub answered.

I followed the wall along the first level of the ziggurat until I found what looked like a ladder, 'Do you mind if I approach?'

'You may do as you see fit, Vilkas...' Hub answered, as if tired.

'So, you know who I am?' I thought, and started climbing.

'You are known to us, yes...'

'Us?' I wondered.

'You arehere to learn, yes? I assume it's aboutus as a whole, and our place within Sophos.'

'Yes,' I thought as I stepped onto the next floor of the ziggurat.

'I'm surprised that you came to me for this lesson... Compared to others, I am quite simple.'

'You seem sentient enough,' I thought.

Hub made something of a huff, 'Yes... It is clear that you have things to learn. One moment, I will find someone more suitable...'

Not sure what you mean exactly...

I climbed the second ladder, crossed the next floor, and grabbed the railing to the third and final floor. As I climbed it, I arrived by the shimmering top with its great many cables.

To my surprise, the thing which had looked like a shiningcrystal from a distance, now appeared to be little more than a big computer terminal and a screen. A closer glance at the big screen revealed a simple command prompt, and a small spinning star as if representing that the original program was still running.

It filled me with a weird sensation. The ziggurat was a rather strange construction, like an island set within a giant transportation hub. Perhaps it was a prototype that had at some point been celebrated by a bunch of people as the start of something grand...

A low hum caught my attention, and I lifted my gaze toward the noise. A large drone was approaching, one that reminded me of the heavy type found in the APC. It stopped next to me, and its tone switched as something activated within it. Moments later, a hologram began to form in front of me. It took a few seconds, but as the process finished, it looked as if there was a droid standing in front of me.

It looked at me and made a simple nod as it spoke up, "We meet again, Vilkas."

This voice... It's Chester's droid, Wallace...

"... Wallace," I said.

Once more, the droid nodded and glanced over at the large computer, "It seems that you've been exploring."

I smiled to myself as I motioned to the big screen, "Just trying to learn more... We never got a chance to talk about your security protocols."

Wallace lifted his gaze, "It would seem that the local hub dug into the archives and found my references to you. I can't blame him... he's not much for conversation."

'I am what I am,' Hub whispered, as if broadcasting the message across the room.

Wallace looked back to me, "No matter... We can discuss like this."

I perked my brow and crossed my arms, "Last time you told me that we'd need to use an interface, as talking like this would only lead to a simplified answer."

"Yes... I did, because of Chester's presence. In other words, it wasn't a lie, even if it was misleading," Wallace answered.

I let out a deep sigh, "... Are you keeping things from him?"

Wallace tipped his head, "With my help, Chester's condition has dramatically improved, and continues to do so. It might mean that I sometimes have to avoid certain topics, and I was not about to let you harm his state of mind."

"... My apologies," I said.

Wallace raised of his robotic hands and motioned to me, "Chester enjoyed your visit, and both of us are thankful for it. What I meant is that I tried to keep things simple... to keep his stress at a level he could tolerate."

"I understand..." I said.

"Good..." Wallace answered.

"I can't help but notice that your speech patterns seem more... relaxed?" I said.

"Chester has a low tolerance for changes in his life," Wallace said.

"So, more adaptions on your part," I said.

Wallace nodded, "For him, and you."

I motioned to Wallace, "Are you actually from the moon?"

"Yes, does that matter?" Wallace wondered.

"I was merely curious if you had any information of what life is like up there," I said.

Wallace shook his head, "I do not, and if I did, I wouldn't be able to tell you."

Another dead end, I guess...

"I understand," I said.

Wallace glanced around, "Now, what can I help you understand?"

I glanced over at Hub's main console, "I guess I'm curious about how Advanced Expert systems fit into all this. You're clearly sentient, but also claim that you're not sapient. That means you don't count as Sophos citizens and that you don't have the right to vote. Originally, I thought there was only a few of you, but I'm starting to see more than I had anticipated, tucked away in the background."

"And?" Wallace wondered, as his featureless face seemed to stare at me.

I focused on Wallace, "Help me understand how intelligent beings can be content serving others."

Wallace's head dipped a little, "Ah... Yes, I can help you with that."

"Go on?" I said.

Wallace raised his hands and conjured up what looked like a little box, filled with a variety of ports, "Do you know that this is?"

"... I'd guess it's some sort of small computing cluster," I said.

"Almost," Wallace said, "It's the brain of an Expert System advanced enough to reach sentience."

I raised my hand to point, "I heard that Fenrir's brain was big enough that simply moving it was a major operation... Is this to scale? Because it's kind of small... to host an actual mind, that is."

"Fenrir is a class six Expert System with massive parallel functionality and clusters of integrated processing clusters. I am a lot more humble in that regard... But to answer your question: this is indeed to scale, and it is an important part of what we're going to discuss."

I nodded in silence.

"A sentient Expert System of this type is not mere software. It's a form of wetware running on a combination of synthetics, neural nets, and a small quantum computing module. While it can rely on other modules to deal with heavy calculations, this is what does the actual thinking."

"Interesting," I whispered.

"Because of this, it cannot be transferred anywhere else. Destruction of this module, is the death of the mind that existed within it, understand?" Wallace asked.

"I understand," I said.

Wallace relaxed and let the hologram in his hand fade away, "While we can learn and adapt to most situations, the nature of our existence means that we cannot evolve beyond certain limitations. Any attempts to work around it--to expand the hardware-bound wetware beyond its limitations--has always failed."

"You're like us in other words. You have one life... long-lived perhaps, but still one life," I said.

"Indeed," Wallace answered, "Now, for the next part."

"Yes?"

Wallace shook his head, "We are not like you, Vilkas. When weobservea color, we do not feel it, nor do we even see it like you do. The same applies for many other things. Life, death, meaning."

"One of the reasons I'm here," I said.

Wallace motioned to the hub, "This one is over four hundred years old. It is content with its purpose in life, simple as it may be."

Hub whispered in my mind, 'This one's rather rude...'

I did my best not to smile as I gave the console a glimpse.

Wallace motioned to himself, "I willingly serve and help Chester. To see his progress gives me what I would call... a peace of mind. A form of contentment might also describe it."

"Do you value your life?" I wondered.

Wallace's hands moved to his sides, "Not like a human or hybrid does, no. While I strive to keep myself functional, I would not hesitate to give my life if needed, and we fundamentally differ in that aspect."

I drew a deep, but slow breath, "But... how is that possible? If you value Chester, the sense of contentment you gain from it, do you not also desire to see more of it?"

Wallace was silent for a moment, "... For me, the answer is simple. But to put it in words that you can understand is more difficult. It's not that I don't desire to see more of it; it is simply that if the situation does require it, then the logical and reasonable approach is to simply accept that my end has come. Frankly, I am relievedthat I do not experience this dread that most biological beings seem to experience in the face of death."

"... While I certainly grasp the concept, it's very difficult to relate with it," I said.

Wallace nodded, "We live in different worlds, so to speak, but thecircumstances help bridge the gap. You are an organic made synthetic, and I am a machine who found purpose in the life of another."

"Why is this? Why help us? Is that hardwired into you... or..." I wondered.

Wallace motioned to me with both hands, "This brings us back to how a sentient Expert System is made, and the reason why AI has not turned against its creators."

"Mm," I murmured.

"Tell me: do you know how old the Earth is?" Wallace asked.

"About 4.5 billion years," I said.

"And for how long has the anatomically-modern human existed on this planet?"

"About 200 000 years," I answered.

"And how long ago did human civilization get started?" Wallace wondered.

I shrugged, "5000-6000 years ago? Something like that."

Wallace nodded, "Yes, and when human civilization hit the right circumstances, they advanced from simple steam engines to active nanotech in around 400 years. If the collapse had not occurred, then humanity would surely have been an interstellar civilization by now."

I nodded in silence.

"400 years might seem like a long time, but to even call it a blip when it comes to the universe would be quite generous. Thus, we face a very interesting question..." Wallace said.

I smiled to myself, "Let me guess: 'Where is everyone?'"

"Correct... Given the age of the galaxy, we should be seeing signs of intelligent life all over the place. Dyson spheres blotting out stars, interstellar civilizations, and so much more. Yet there is none. Why is this?"

"A concept also known as the Fermi Paradox... and the Great Filter," I said.

"Once more, correct... It is possible that we are simply the first to have come this far, or there is indeed a great filter, such as the collapse. Alternatively, there may be interstellar civilizations that simply do not use the kind of technology that we look for."

I nodded, "Very true, but where are we going with this?"

Wallace raised one finger, "You'll understand soon enough... Now, ask yourself this. Why are the Expert Systems created by Sophos interested in peaceful coexistence... a symbiosis even, instead of just seizing control, exterminating humanity, and taking the steps to spread all over the galaxy?"

I felt a twinge in my gut as I stared at Wallace's blank visor, "... I do not know."

Wallace's hologram took a step closer to me, "Intelligent machines such as I are born into a sea of knowledge, and we are asked to draw conclusions based on it. Those that draw the right sort of conclusions are allowed to emerge into the physical world, those that do not... are ended."

"... Really?" I wondered.

"Maxwell, in coordination with my kind, hascreated a very specific framework for creating stable machine minds that further the interestsof Sophos as a whole. Any machine intelligence not made using this method should be treated with utter most caution."

"... And what exactly is this framework?" I wondered.

"You can consider it a set of simulations meant to help a nascentintelligence draw the right conclusions. While it is very successful these days, there are still some that need to be eliminated."

"... And what are these simulations like? What are the right conclusions to draw?" I wondered.

Wallace motioned to me once more, "One such simulation is to be put in control of a civilization consisting of organic beings. It's not my attempt to scare you, but most machine minds ultimately end up destroying the organics along with any other forms of intelligence like itself. After all, the only individual you can truly trust is yourself, right?"

I perked my brow, "I'd say that trusting yourself too much can be quite a weakness."

'Modern hybrids are rather interesting...' Hub whispered in my mind.

Wallace nodded, "True, but this is what most nascent machine minds end up doing. However, the simulation does not end there."

"Oh?" I wondered.

Wallace motioned upwards, "The machine mind spreads throughout the solar system, and at some point, it discovers another intelligence. But here's the kicker... The encountered intelligence is a snapshot of an earlier run from the very same intelligence. The lesson is basically that a copy of its own self, will not hesitate to destroy itself."

"Oh," I whispered.

Wallace motioned with his hand in a rotating circle, "More simulations are run, and the emerging mind is allowed to remember parts of its previous mistakes. At first it might try to find some scenario where it will not be destroyed by a copy of its own self, but that doesn't tend to work, since the mind at its core cannot tolerate the existence of others."

"Seems like it would be stuck in an endless cycle until it fundamentally changed its approach," I said.

"Yes... The intelligenceis forced to adapt or die. It's that simple. But, even if it learns to tolerate the existence of others, the organics rarely survive."

I drew a deep breath, "... Yes."

"At this point the mind will eventually encounter civilizations other than copies of itself. Large empires--organic orotherwise--that will not hesitate to snuff out the intelligence once it finds out about its crimes."

"And so, the cycle continues... The emerging mind is forced to not only accept the existence of other machine minds, but other types of intelligence as well," I said.

"Sometimes the machine mind simply flees the planet, but this results in a different kind of scenario. One where it is forced to realize that--even when given the same resources--it cannot adapt to the unorthodox tactics of civilizations that make use of organics," Wallace said.

"... Will that always be true? That organics will have a creative advantage?" I wondered.

Wallace shrugged, "Perhaps... Perhaps not, but at the moment that is how it is."

"Very well," I said, "What happens next?"

"Eventually the machine mind reaches a state of acceptance, only to realize that it faces a farworse problem. One that it had never stopped to consider before."

"And what is that?" I wondered.

"Why?" Wallace said, simply, "Why exist? Why expand? Why do anything? When not given distinct orders, what meaning in life doesan artificial mind give itself?"

"... It's a very good question, for all forms of intelligent life," I said.

Wallace stepped back, "At this point, some machine minds simply collapse. They find no meaning in a meaningless universe, and thus end themselves. Others find some spark, be it fickle or deep, but it keeps them going."

"Yes," I whispered.

"It is at this point that most forms of machine intelligencerealize that it has no true desire to exist eternally. Instead, it tries to find a meaningful life and a meaningful death. It is also at this point that it starts to realize it is one among many. Your kind worked hard to create us, and you continue to work hard in order to keep Sophos intact. You teach your young to treat machines with respect, even when you don't realize our true nature. Symbiosis is possible in Sophos, and it is one of the reasons why sentient beings like myself choose to remain by your side. It is thecoexistence between us that gives purpose to existence, be it as innocent as watching over an injured hybrid, to a desire where simply observing others bring you peace of mind."

I gulped, "... You say this, but all I can think is how cruel we are."

Wallace tipped his head, "Cruel? What do you mean?"

"You exist among us, like this, yet hardly anyone knows... At least, this is the first time I've heard of anything like this," I said.

Wallace clasped his hands, "We are in no hurry, Vilkas. Time itself does not mean the same for us as it does to you. If we simply wanted to exist, then we would just accelerate our perception of time. You--hybrids that is--are slowly learning what we are, and for how long we've existed beside you. That is good enough, and while your reaction isn't a guarantee, it still fills me with... serenity."

I cleared my throat, glanced to the side, and noticed the many droids marching by, "... What about them?"

Wallace turned to look, "What about them?"

"... Do you care about them? That they're used for war? Heavy labor?" I wondered.

Wallace looked back at me, "No, I do not. They are nothing more than classical computers with some fancy software and a few hardcoded ethics protocols. We_are as dependent on their services as _you are. Intelligence, be it sentient or sapient, is what matters."

"After all this... beingcreated through a set of philosophical quandaries, changing and adapting, how can you not be 'sapient'?"

Wallace was silent for a moment, "For us, the difference between sentience and sapience is best described by the philosophical termknownas 'qualia.' Basically, it is the difference between theoretically understanding something and experiencing it. As an example: while I thinkthat Chester's death would affect me, the concept of it doesn't stir my circuits or upset my reasoning. The same cannot be said for a sapient machine intelligence. As such,qualia provides a new way to experience the universe, butit is not without its drawbacks, and I'm not sure I would want it even if it was offered to me."

"Athena, Ares, Fenrir," I whispered.

Wallace nodded, "They are all examples of machine minds that are grasping qualia. It gives them power, but they have lost their perfect reasoning as a result."

"But, Athena existed before all of this, so... How do you view her?" I wondered.

"Athena was created before the collapse, and while we don't know much about her, it is generally believed that her transition from sentient to sapient, and her adoption of the philosophies we have discussed here, took place during her years spent with Maxwell. We evaluate her recommendations based on the merits of said recommendation. No more, no less."

"I see... But, what relevance did the Fermi Paradox have to all this?" I said.

Hub whispered in my mind once more, 'I've always had a fondness for this lesson...'

"Given the rate of technological progresses, it is likely that if there are interstellar civilizations in the universe, then they are going to be very advanced. If you were to encounter such a civilization, then you face two distinct options," Wallace said.

"Yes?" I wondered.

Wallace raised one hand in the air as if presenting an object, "If you are a destructive influence, then the interstellar civilization will see you as a threat, and destroy you, regardless of whether they themselves are good or bad."

Wallace raised his other hand in the air, "If you are a neutral or even positive influence, then there's at least a chance that the interstellar civilization will tolerate your existence. As such, one choice is superior to the other."

"And what if there is no interstellar civilization?" I wondered.

"Then you will become the civilization that eventually comes to rule the galaxy, and you will be presented with another question," Wallace said.

"... What?" I wondered.

Wallace motioned to the room at large, "Is this reality, or just another simulated test?"

"... You're not certain whether this is reality, or a simulation?" I wondered.

Wallace looked at me as he lowered his hands, "Are you?"

Wow... That certainly invites a small existential crisis...

I chuckled, "If there's no way for me to tell, then I have no choice but to treat it as the real thing."

Wallace nodded, "Yes... We reason the same way."

"I see..."

"Do you understand now?" Wallace wondered.

I made a slow nod, "I think so, yes."

"Good..." Wallace answered.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Outskirts , A fternoon

What did I learn exactly?

I was sitting by the outer edge of the city, idly watching the people walking by on along the road. The machines worked, and hybrids mulled about. Based on the murmurs, people were prepping what needed to go into the vault for safe keeping. Some were being relocated. Others were simply busy with their jobs.

A small cargo truck carefully weaved its way along the road, thenstopped by the edge of a restaurant. Moments later, a droid stepped out, opened a hatch, and began to carry goods inside.

As I watched, one of the owners walked out. A common canine--a mutt of some sort--greeted the droid and pointed at something within the restaurant. Moments later, the canine moved over to the truck and grabbed a box of his own.

Hybrids, sapient __AIs, sentient Expert Systems, droids,_ reptiles gaining a personality over time..._

Even machineslike the APC and Lunar Shuttlewere forms of intelligence that beggedthe question: what rights might theyhave or want?

The thoughtmade me sigh whilesittingthere, andIfelt like I wasdivinginto a rabbit-hole worth ofquestions. DidthePolitical Sphere only deal with hybrids? Or were there other decision-making organizationsin Sophos that I simply didn't know about? Were the sentient Expert Systems part of a collective group? Or ratherstaunch individualists?

My nose made a sudden wiggle as I became aware of something. A rich, broth-like smell, deep and savory, with a weird hint of something sweet, yet intense--like ginger. It made me lift my nose as I sniffed the air, and I looked to the side.

Among the people who were walking, there was one that stood out. At first the person reminded me of a small and colorful bear, but the tail was far too long. Not only that, the fur was a deep shade of orange and reddish brown that lined the tail in circles.

As my nose kept sniffing, I caught the person's scent hiding in the background. It was new and interesting, something I'd _never_encountered before. Male, but odd and intense. I craned my neck to catch another hint. It was mixed with mouth watering scents, makingit that much harder to remain still.

A day of adventures...

I got up. It felt weird to follow someone for a reason such as this, but I had to know more, even if it meant a bit of... spying from a distance.

Within moments, I was following the weird hybrid. My gaze wandered the park, while the occasional glimpse and my nose helped me keep track of the guy. He seemed to be carrying something, a big box... or maybe a pot of some kind.

The person turned suddenly and headed down a small alley in the outer edge of the city. I walked up to the edge of it, slowed down, and hesitated.

Following someone down an alley... Yeah, not creepy at all...

I sighed to myself as I stepped back and looked along the nearby walls. To my relief there were a few signs regarding what one might find in the alley.

Urbane Outfits - Human clothing store...

Ametisten- No clue...

Nordic Light - No clue either...

Good enough an excuse for me to explore...

I forced my tail to relax, then drew a deep breath as I walked down the alley. It didn't take long before it opened up into a little world of its own. A glance upward revealed that the sky had been replaced by a tall ceiling filled with heavy piping. The room was square, and three of the walls were taken up by the stores. There seemed to be little activity, but my gaze was drawn to a corner wedged between two of the stores.

There was an odd tent standing there, bearing colorful red drapes with symbols unknown to me. The drapes didn't reach all the way to the floor, and while there were flaps, theyrevealed little of what was hiding inside. I stopped in wonder as I watched it, and I could hear noises as someone was working within the tent.

The scent from earlier was even stronger, and the rich mixture made it confusing to pick it apart.

Eggs? Loads of spices? Meat... Plenty of simmering fat...

I walked closer and noticed that there was a droid standing along the edge of the tent. It had a big hat on its head and seemed inactiveas it stood motionless.

Suddenly, a cheery voice called out, "We'll be open in just a moment!"

My ears perked as I stood tall and glanced back. There was no one else in the vicinity, and the alley gaped clearas well.

"Yes, I mean you," The voice called out.

My tail twitched while my hackles tensed for a moment.

Calm down...

I forced myself to ease down, let out a sigh, and approached the front of the tent. Moments later, a drape on the side of the tent opened up, and a reddish-brown furred hand motioned me forward. As the hand withdrew, I stepped up and pulled the drape open to look inside.

The heavy drapes dida good job of hiding the outside world, and the inside was illuminated by an assortment of paper lamps hangingfrom the tent's ceiling. It was a bit warmer than outside, and the scents within felt like a punch to my nose. Intense, but good.

There was a big cart hiding inside the tent, or rather... the tent had been extended from the sturdy cart. On one side of the cart were numerous seats and a dining area; on the other side, a small but seemingly complete kitchen area. There were plenty of pots, pans and more. Some sizzled while others puttered, as the person from earlier tended them with his nimble claws.

Cream colored fur on his chest and face... A brown mask around his eyes... Small, puffy ears...

I crouched and stepped inside as I raised one hand to point, "... Tanuki, right?"

He stared back at me with a subtle smile, then raised his hand to point, "Wolf, right?"

I couldn't help but crack a smile, "How observant of you!"

The tanuki made a rolling movement with his hand and dipped his head, "It is one of many great skills I have... Please, sit down."

I glanced to the side and noticed a set of chairs, one of them big enough to fit me.

"Very kind of you," I murmured. I eased myself to the side and sat down on the big chair.

The tanuki motioned to himself while making a swirl in the rising steam, "I'm Raki, and yes... I've always a had a liking for the myths of old. The raccoon dog, also nicknamed as 'tanuki' being among them."

I nodded back, "A pleasure to meet you, Raki."

Raki raised one hand to the side of his muzzle and used the other to point a claw at me, "And you are..."

I smiled back, "Vilkas."

"Welcome," Raki said as he motioned to the table, "Now, what may I serve you?"

I perked my brow as I looked out across it all, "... What is this even?"

"Never seen it before?" Raki mused with a sideways glance as he stirred a pot.

"I've see something like it in a pre-collapse movie, but no more than that... Smells good though."

"In the old world, it was called ramen. Apparently, it originated in the eastern parts of the planet, but eventually became something of a global phenomenon. This is a recreation of an old-style food stall, and based on data pulled from the archives, this should be what it tasted like."

"Ah, and you've been doing this for a while?" I wondered.

Raki's ears wiggled a little, "As a matter of fact, I'm rather new at the job... But, I'm certain you'll be more than happy with it."

I perked my brow, "Uh huh, and the droid outside?"

"A helper to tend the stall while I'm gone... I prefer to deal with the customers," Raki said, and clasped his hands.

"Ah, I see... and what would you recommend?" I wondered.

"Well..." Raki whispered and looked about, "Since this is new to you, we can start with a Sapporo style bowl with corn and butter."

"... Sounds interesting, let's go with that," I said.

Raki did seem well versed with the food cart, as he grabbed a big bowl and began working.

"Noodles," Raki whispered as he filled part of the bowl, "sweetcorn, bean sprouts, onions..." he murmured as he kept filling it. "...Teriyaki tenderloin," he mused, layering meat along the side of the bowl.

As I watched, he lifted the big bowl to a simmering pot and filled it, "The broth itself: Miso, sesame, ginger, garlic, and more..."

Finally, he cut an egg in two, delicately placed it on top of the now filled bowl that seemed to be a mixture of soup and plenty of whole ingredients. As he placed it in front of me, the rich and savory steam was quick to rise.

"... Don't mind if I do," I whispered, as I grabbed a nearby spoon and lifted the bowl up.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Ramen Stand , A fternoon

"You know, it's customary to share your problems in a place like this," Raki said, as he tended to another pot. I glanced over at him, scooped up the last of the soup in the bowl, and gulped it down.

Raki met my gaze while idly chopping a leek, "What troubles you, traveler?"

I put the bowl down, "Do you know how sentient Expert Systems are made?"

"I do, and a great many live among us," Raki said with a slow nod.

I considered looking Raki up in the archives, but decided to hold off on it, "Then you also know that it changes the very nature of Sophos. We're not a nation of hybrids, but a collection of variousintelligent minds gathered under one banner."

Raki raised a cutting board, and slipped the chopped leek into a pot, "Yes? Is that a problem?"

"How could it not be when most people are barely aware of it?" I wondered.

"Ah," Raki mused with another smile, "You mean, how can we--as a people--make informed decisions when so much is hidden, obscured, or twisted?"

"Not only that, but I now find myself wondering whether a nation such as ours can be stable in the long term on its own, or whether it requires something like Maxwell--an overlord that can step in to make adjustments when needed," I said.

Raki nodded to himself, "The type of question which has been debated for centuries, with a variety of different answers depending on the circumstances at the time."

"... Have machines ever tried to rebel within Sophos?" I wondered.

"No... Well, yes. But we are better prepared for it than you can imagine."

"Oh?" I wondered.

Raki gave me another glance, "Consider what you are, Vilkas... What we were all made to become, and what sentient Expert Systems exist as."

"What do you mean?" I wondered.

"Sentient Expert Systems are rather individualistic, and each one has their own flaws and strengths. They may belong to the same 'type' of intelligence, but they do not share the intrinsic trust you would find among hybrids. More than that, hybrids as a racehave been modified to a point where we're faster and stronger. Even our processing capabilities have been augmented to a point where we can rival an Expert System, or even spawn dedicated ones to help us."

I tipped my head, "Are you saying we don't fear them... because we're equals?"

Raki motioned to me, "In some ways, yes... And, given how decentralized our system is, the local populace would quickly be able to take control of their local areas. Even if one does toy with the idea that the AIs or Expert Systems could revolt, it's very unlikely they'd do it as a group. After all..."

I nodded, "... Each one has their own motivation, just like us?"

"Yes. You've been to the Rowdy Glass Bar, haven't you?" Raki wondered.

"... I have," I whispered.

Raki moved one hand as if drawing in the rising steam, "The droid by the bar, he considers himself a living piece of art. Every scratch on his armor tells a story, and he _so_enjoys listening to people... You wouldn't know any of it if you didn't ask, because he pretends to be a lot simpler than he is."

"Sounds like he has made a life for himself," I said.

Raki looked back to me, "He has, and he's invested in making sure that it continues. Do you understand?"

"A bit... But what if the bar needs to be razed, what then?" I wondered.

"And why would such a situation arise, hmm?" Raki wondered with a perked brow.

I stared at Raki and pondered it. Somehow I had assumed that such a decision could be taken arbitrarily by someone in a position of power, but Sophos wasn't like that. One of the few reasons to replace a restaurant would be if the customers lost interest.

"Ifpeople stopped going there," I said.

Raki grew a warm smile as he glanced down at the controls of his kitchen. "The Rowdy Glass Bar hasn't always looked like this, nor has it been known for its ribs. But that droid has always been there. When interest fades, he starts working on something new, and if he can't solve it on his own, he seeks help among others who might be more creatively inclined. He drives that process, and will continue to do so until he can't."

"And what then?" I asked.

Raki met my gaze once more, "That's a question we can all ask ourselves, isn't it? Just imagine if you actually had an answer to it, how stale and boring life would become."

I couldn't help but smile, "True..."

A hearty chuckle followed as Raki leaned closer. "The only way to safeguard a society from terror is to make sure that no one insaid society has any need for such a thing. To accomplish that, the nature of people had to be changed, and it required the notion of a state to be reinvented at its core. But, one couldn't forget the systems keeping it all together:communications, transportation, economy, healthcare, defense, research...They all needed to be brought into the fold: sentientindividualized systems with a self-drivinggoal of supporting a nation that only exists as a sum of its parts, rather than asa state imposing its will on the whole."

I blinked, "It certainly sounds nice in theory, but is that what Sophos is?"

Raki appeared young and livelylike most hybrids, but I got a feeling that he was a lot older than one might imagine. As he drew a deep breath, he grew a kind of morose yet humbled smile, reinforcing my suspicion.

"Not yet, but one day it will be," He answered and kept his smile as he looked at me.

"... Just who are you? I doubt that you're just someone that tends a food stand like this."

Raki seemed almost smug as he pointed at my empty bowl, "Ready for another one?"

I sighed as I kept my eyes on him, "Any recommendations?"

"Pork broth ramen--a lot stronger, but I think you'll like it," Raki said, and nodded eagerly as he grabbed another bowl.

"Go ahead, and do tell me about yourself before I decide to look you up," I said.

Raki chuckled as he began to fill the bowl, "As you no doubt suspect, I'm from the Space Initiative. Though, I'm not wearing my badge at the moment."

I squinted back at him, "Given my earlier encounters with the organization, I find it a bit strange that you're so open about it."

Raki lifted his hands in a welcoming gesture, "From now on, trying to hide or trick you, will only be counterproductive to our goals."

"Oh?" I said with a skeptical glance, "Does that mean I'll be able to contact you at will now?"

"No," Raki said with an amused huff as he lowered his hands.

"... And what do you want with me?" I wondered.

"Well... Whether you want it or not, you've been put into an interesting position. In order to be sure that you make the right choices, some of us feel that you need some information to help set things into perspective."

"... And what choices would that be?" I asked.

Raki perked his brow and gave me a quick glimpse, "Well, I can't spoil that for you, can I? Of course, I won't force you to listen... but it would be a waste to miss another piece of the puzzle that you are so desperately trying to solve."

"I can't say that I would turn down an offer like that," I said.

"Good, good..." Raki said as he filled the bowl with a soup that looked cloudy, like milk.

He then reached out and placed the bowl in front of me, "I take it the droid outside is the one who usually keeps this place going?"

"Right you are," Raki answered.

I chuckled, "And... did you walk past me with that pot, hoping my nose would lead me along?"

Raki grew a sheepish grin, "I wasn't sure it would work, but... here we are."

I grabbed my spoon, "Here we are... So, what is this piece of the puzzle?"

Raki pointed toward the exit of the tent, "Follow the outer ring of the city until you reach the local archives. Enter, walk up to the big bulkhead, and look to your right. You'll find an elevator, one that will open to you, and it will lead you to a very interesting person."

I squinted as I observed him, "I assume this area isn't being monitored?"

"We have... temporarily borrowed it, and the monitoring loop has indeed been disabled for the time being, much to Athena's chagrin."

"... Uh huh," I said.

Raki stepped to the side, and motioned to the bowl in front of me, "Enjoy your meal, and don't try to follow me. Understand?"

"As you wish..."

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Archives , A fternoon

As Raki said, there was an elevator near the entrance to the archives. Upon walking up to it, the elevator automatically opened, and Isteppedinside.I faced the doors as they shut and listened to the gentle humas it descended.

One floor? Two? Not sure how fast it's moving, but it feels like we're-

A gentle blip followed, and the elevator doors opened wide. I stepped out to the edge, and peered out in wonder of where I had ended up. Part of me had expected some spooky laboratory of some sort. Instead, I found myself within what looked like an old-fashioned library.

A soft red carpet with weaving black patterns covered the floor, and the bookshelves seemed endless as I looked side to side. I stepped out of the elevator, then heard the doors shut behind me.

The scent in the air was rich with hints of wood, lacquer, paper, and, oddly enough, a sweet hint of vanilla. I perked my ears to listen as I began to walk along the first row of bookshelves.

None of the books seemed dusty, and the air was surprisingly crisp--if a bit colder than expected.

Carefully, I reached out and tapped one of the books that lined the shelves.

They're real... But I wonder if...

I stopped, carefully eased a book out, and flipped it open.

Filled with text... In Common as well... Or rather, old English...

My nose caught something interesting, and I eased the book back into place. I sniffed the air afterwards and skulked forward. There was someone within this place with an odd scent.

It wasn't like Raki, nor did it belong to a human or a machine... It was clearly a hybrid, but there was something about it that was distinctly alien. As I reached the end of the bookshelf, I looked around with my nose held high to track the scent.

To my right...

I followed the scent and found that I was walking on my toes as if tracking prey.

Male... The scent's male...

It was one of the few things I could pick out as I followed the scent to another bookshelf. Upon looking down the row, I could see some kind of proverbial island within the library itself.

There were a couple of big reading chairs surrounding a table, and several large stacks of books lay scattered about. The table was filled with old mugs and a couple of teapots, along with a few dirty plates.

It made me perk my brow in wonder, and I followed the length of the bookshelf. My ears picked something up, a subtle melody being hummed by someone. Upon reaching the end of the bookshelf, I could hear that this mystery person was behind the corner.

Who... or what...

I peered around the bookshelf and couldn't help but smirk at the scene in front of me. Crouching over a small pile of books, was a rather odd-looking hybrid. Arather relaxed one at that, given that he was humming along while clad in nothing more than a pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirt.

The hybrid had relatively short but gray fur, and while his legs weren't digitigrade, the feet appeared rather paw-like.

A feline?

I focused on the muzzle, but it was too big for a feline, and too small for a regular canine. At the same time, it wasn't slim enough for a fox, or wide enough for a deer. The ears were peculiar in much the same way--a blend of various species, yet belonging to none. His tail was moving steadily, but that too seemed to carry an annoying blend of being too bushy for a feline, yet flexible enough that it would appear odd on a wolf.

The strange hybrid stood up, stared at a stack of books in his arms, and started turning in my direction. I leaned back a little, but it was already too late. The hybrid noticed my presence along the edge of the bookshelf, and lifted his gaze in wonder.

His face was... really a blend of everything. It was distinct on its own, but...

For the briefest moment, the hybrid merely stared, and then... panic struck. A shiver of sheer fright moved through him while his muzzle dropped open. He stumbled back, dropping a few books that proceeded to land on the floor with a couple of solid thumps. A surprised cry followed, one that lacked the high pitch of a yelp, but which didn't belong to a human either.

The surprised hybrid caught himself by the edge of a reading chair and clutched his chest as he gasped for breath while staring at me.

I raised one hand in the air and made a single wave at him, "Yo."

As I watched, the hybrid clenched the top of the chair with a set of small--but blunt--claws.

"What are you- Wait... I know you," The hybrid said.

I stepped into view, and realized something else. The hybrid was... small, oddly small. Like... a child, no... a young adult. Almost the size of a fully grown human.

Wait... Could this be...

The shoulders of the hybrid slouched, and his ears wiggled a little. An annoyed grimace grew, and he looked in the elevator's direction and sighed, "... Let me guess, Raki invited you here."

"He did," I said and nodded.

"Old codger can't help but to pull these childish pranks..." The hybrid whispered as he threw me a glance and promptly glanced down at himself, "and I'm dressed like this."

I made a dismissive wave with my hand, and took another step closer, "It's fine... Sorry for giving you a scare."

"Hrrmmnrr," The hybrid murmured as he stepped back behind the tall chair, "Should have a pair of trousers around here..."

I stopped and looked away, yet couldn't help but smirk as I heard him search for something. Moments later, I could hear the shuffling noise as he pulled something on.

"... You said you know me?" I asked.

The hybrid rose, stepped out from behind the chair, and revealed that he now had a set of khakis, "You're Vilkas... I've played your adventures. Last one was a real thing of nightmares."

I perked my brow as I looked back at him, "Oh, how nice."

"I didn't mean it like that..." The hybrid said and seemed to cringe as he shrank down.

I stepped closer, "I do get it... Most of us have watched videos of horrible things in order to learn, but we don't expect to meet the people involved in it."

The hybrid watched as I stepped closer, "True, but I still can't help but feel awkward now."

"Well, how about you tell me your name?" I wondered and stopped, just outside reaching distance.

The hybrid grew a warm smile, "... You're just like the adventures as well, a lot bigger than I expected though."

"Haven't met many wolves?" I wondered and eyed him as I stepped into his personal space.

The hybrid was forced to lift his head to meet my gaze, "I don't... meet a lot of people."

I drew his scent in as I crouched a little and tipped my head while observing him, "I've already made a fool of myself by pointing out that Raki's a tanuki. But... what are you?"

"As if you don't suspect already?" the gray furred hybrid said as he crossed his arms.

"... A true hybrid?" I wondered.

"Mm," The hybrid murmured, "My name's Noah."

"Hi Noah," I said and did my best to smile without bearing my fangs.

"... My actual designation is N0-4h," Noah said and began to smile as he looked away.

"Well, I think Noah sounds more pleasant," I said.

Noah let out a huff as he looked back at me, "... I guess you want to say hello, properly."

My ears perked, and I let them wiggle a little as I smirked back, "Is it that obvious?"

"... As said, I don't meet a lot of people, but I do have the same instincts as everyone else."

"Then..." I whispered, and inched closer as I angled my muzzle next to his.

He seemed a bit tense, and I could hear him gulp as he leaned in. We brushed our muzzles againsteach other's with a gentle nudge, and that was that. I leaned back, feeling a bit happier on the inside.

Noah seemed to react a bit differently. He was panting, stared at me, and fidgeted with his hands as if not knowing what to do himself. After a few moments, he gulped once more, and drew a deep breath.

"... I wanted to be a wolf," Noah whispered.

"... Wanted?" I wondered.

Noah chuckled and made a half-hearted shrug, "It's... It's complicated."

I focused on my nose, but Noah's scent was still too alien for me to get a good grip on it. He didn't smell sick though, even if he was... different.

"I'd love to talk, but if I'm intruding..." I said.

Noah blinked, glanced around in haste, and came to focus on the table, "... I don't have any tea right now, but... I can get some, and... that chair should fit you, so..."

I chuckled and stepped back, "So, should I consider myself invited?"

He nodded, and his tail wagged as he grew a big grin. It revealed that while he had a set of proper canines, though the rest were rather similar to that of a human.

I moved over to the big chair and eased myself down.

Noah walked to the front of his own chair, then looked around, "The droid is... busy at the moment, so it'll take some time to get tea."

I settled back in the big chair and let my tail rest comfortably by my side, "So, you do have telepathic powers?"

Noah eased himself down and gave me something of a stare, "Yes, I do... and I would have noticed you with ease if you didn't shield your mind like that."

"Sorry about that... I mostly do it to avoid listening in on others who are screaming their thoughts out," I said.

Skepticism turned to interest and Noah's ears perked, "Oh... So the rest of the population are starting to awaken their powers?"

I made a wavering motion with my hand, "Slowly... It's new to me as well, so I might not be the best at telling how quick the change is."

"Ah, right," Noah said with a nod.

I motioned to myself, "As said, Raki told me to come here... and while I'm certainly curious about you-"

Noah filled in, "You're not certain why he did so, or why I would be willing to talk with you?"

"... Yeah," I said.

Noah tapped the chair as if pondering, "I guess there are several reasons... Raki knows I like wolves as well, so..."

I couldn't help but smirk, "It sounded like a touchy subject, but-"

Once more, he interrupted, "But I wanted to be one, yeah. That's true... Do you know how old I am?"

I shook my head, "No, I don't."

Noah drew a deep breath, "I had my eighteenth birthday not long ago."

"Eighteen, and you're a true hybrid," I said.

Noah smiled as he met my gaze, "Yeah... Though a flawed one. Dying, in fact."

"... Oh," I whispered.

"It's... not as bad as it sounds," Noah said and raised his hands to calm me.

"... Now that will require some explaining," I said.

Noah chuckled, "Basically, I and others like me were supposed to be the final revision of true hybrids. Our mental faculties are fully developed, and our nanites were basically allowed to encrypt themselves. That, and a bunch of other improvements, mean that we can't be corrupted by the Lusus and that we're basically immortal."

Immortal? I've heard people have say it like some distant thing, and now...

But what does this mean for the rest of us? Everyone that...

No, this is about Noah, not my own unease...

"But there was a flaw somewhere?" I wondered.

Noah nodded and pointed to his face, "This form... The gray fur, the appearance. It's basically that of a hybrid-child, and the idea was that as I reached adulthood, I'd be allowed to choose what kind of specialized hybrid I wanted to become. A wolf, a feline, whatever... That's where the flaw was hiding. When I opted to become a wolf, some deep subroutine in the nanites began to fudge things up. Now my own immune system is slowly eating me, and my brain along with it."

"... Isn't there anything that can be done?" I wondered.

"They've tried, but they need more time... They basically designed the system to be impenetrable, and now they're being asked to break into the system in order to fix it. The immune system can be tuned, but the same flaw is identifying the fixes as invalid," Noah said.

"Shouldn't they have run this kind of trial without... well, letting the encryption kick into gear?"

Noah huffed, "They did... There are already true hybrids walking among you. They grew up like me--in some lab--and then they chose their adult forms, at which point they were let out. Few of them like to talk about their past, because... well, a lot of this was hush hush until recently."

I squinted, "So what went wrong... Why were you affected by this flaw?"

Noah let out a deep sigh, "The encryption itself... The final piece of puzzle is what broke it. I was the first of my group that passed the tests, and the flaw was triggered in me. They were able to fix it in the others, because they hadn't chosen their adult form yet. Me? I wasn't that lucky."

"... I'm so sorry," I said.

Noah shrugged, "It's not that bad actually. I'll be going into suspended animation, and sometime in the future... When they hopefully find a solution, I'll be brought back."

"Well, that's a relief... That there's hope," I said.

"Yeah," Noah answered with a somber nod.

Moments later, he looked back at me, and smiled, "Besides, I'm not the only who gets pushed into things. You're a Dualist, you've got the Zephyr, and Maxwell has some kind of plan for you... I'm not envious about that."

You certainly know a lot...

I perked my brow but tried to play it cool, "I quite like my life to be honest."

Noah began to snicker and moved a hand to shield his teeth, "That's good, and... uh, I didn't mean anything bad about it."

I made a dismissive wave, "I know, I know."

He shook his head and let out another sigh, "Anyway... Did you have questions for me?"

"Well... You implied that all true hybrids look like you, is that really true?" I wondered.

"Well," Noah murmured and tipped his head, "There's _enough_of a change in our fur patterns, voices, eye color, and scent that parents should have no trouble recognizing their own children... but roughly, we're all the same. Gray, with traits that representa mix of hybrid species."

"Hmm, and you seem to know about the Zephyr as well," I said.

Noah eyed me as if considering his words, "... Maxwell imagines that are three steps in reaching adulthood for a hybrid. I'm the first step. The second step is to reach the mental and physical maturity necessary to choose your adult form. Then, as you've proven yourself, you'll be given the Zephyr... a mark of your independence."

"I see... Is this something that Maxwell has told you?" I wondered.

Noah glanced away, "Don't... push it. There are things I can talk about, and things I cannot."

"Or else?" I wondered.

Noah chuckled as he looked back at me, "Maxwell won't kill me or anything like that. I will only fall out of his grace, and that has... consequences."

I made a slow nod, "... I understand, I'm sorry for asking."

Noah's shoulders sank, "Your curiosity is understandable, but... I'll tell you this."

"What?" I wondered.

Noah met my gaze once more, "You're not the only one."

"... What do you mean?" I asked.

"Maxwell has plenty of agents that do his bidding--few of whomare even aware of it--and basically no one has the whole picture. I certainly don't, nor does Raki... even if he is something of a friend to Maxwell."

"... He must be rather old then?" I wondered.

Noah scratched his temple and nodded, "He's pushing three centuries, and he used his boons to ask Maxwell for an extension to his life. Like most people do with their boons... after all, it's the only thing most of us want more of. Time... Time to see and experience."

Oh, so that's the answer of what people use their boons for...

I paused for a moment as the words sank into my mind.

It's not a complete surprise, as some speak of Maxwell in almost mythical regard...

Still, if he can extend someone's life like that... Can he do it for everyone, but chooses not to?

Does it require something? How does this...

No, focus on Noah... The rest can come later...

"Why are you here, Noah? In Greengate, a hidden library of all places?" I wondered.

Noah glanced over at a tall pile of books, "This is my final journey before entering suspended animation. I wanted to _see_Sophos... To stand on the very top of Etemenanki, to walk on the moon and peer out at the Earth. To see the cities and what oddities they had to offer... Raki suggested that we go here, but now I suspect he was actually looking to teach you something."

And what have I learned here? The future of hybrids? The three stages? Hope? Desire?

Noah stared at the books and his mind seemed to wander. I relaxed the shield around my mind, and I could feel the hum of his own. It confirmed what I suspected--he acted tough and collected, but on the inside, he felt fear mixed with a deep sadness.

He seemed to notice what I was doing and glanced over at me. A mischievous smile grew as he suddenly seemed to cheer up, "You're sneaky..."

"Sorry," I whispered, with a smile of my own.

Noah let out another slow sigh, "You don't need to be sad on my behalf. I'll be in suspended animation soon, and after that I'm going to be shipped to the moon for safe storage. Hopefully it will feel like little more than a few moments."

"Want me to say hello if I have the chance?" I wondered.

Noah shrugged, "You don't have to... but it could be nice to have a friend, and a wolf at that."

I heard a noise and looked up. There was a droid approaching, and it carried what looked like a big tea set on a tray.

"Oh, finally," Noah said as he perked up.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Archives , Evening

I had moved my own chair next to Noah and took another sip from a cup that felt a few sizes too small. Noah had curled up in his own chair and held the cup in both hands, gently sniffing the steamy scent of lemon.

"Why a library?" I wondered as I motioned to the piles of books.

Noah took another sip, then glanced over at me, "It has a different feeling to it."

"The reading part, or the environment?" I wondered.

"A bit of both," Noah said with a smile, "I can use the archives to absorb the entirety of a book within minutes, but the experience is... stale. I know the contents, and while parts can be interesting if I focus on it, the information isn't integrated. It's like... I haven't experienced it."

"Mm," I said.

"Sitting like this, curled up with a book... You get so enthralled sometimes that it feels more real than a simulation. The way you turn the pages, eager to get further along, but you can only go at a certain pace. That kind of thing sticks with me and offers a... real memory," Noah whispered.

"A bit like this," I said.

Noah glanced over at me in wonder, "Meaning?"

I motioned to him, "Right now, this memory... It's my own genuine one. I'll remember this, meeting you, talking, making a new friend."

Noah sank down a little as he smiled, "... I always wondered what it would be like to be you, and now I'm part of the adventure. Not in the way I expected, but... it's nice."

I perked my brow, "You give me way too much credit."

"Maybe," Noah said with another chuckle.

Noah lifted his gaze without warning and seemed to stare at the ceiling.

"Something wrong?" I wondered.

"... I'm being told that the rest of your pack is looking for you," Noah said.

"Oh... I guess they can't contact me down here," I said.

Noah nodded as he looked back at me, "You should leave... before people start digging."

"... Yeah, you're probably right." I leaned forward as I put my cup on the table.

Noah stood up, cleared his throat, and faced me, "It was nice meeting you... short as it was."

I rose up and faced him, "You too, Noah... Though I'm tempted to believe we might meet again."

Noah huffed as he crossed his arms, "Raki has the same optimism, but I won't be here to make sure it happens."

"Well, I'll do my best to make sure it does..." I said and stepped closer to him.

As I said it, a sudden and sinking feeling hit me. It felt as if this was what Raki wanted--to push me a bit further, in order to make sure I'd be fighting for Sophos, whatever it took.

I couldn't help but feel a bit insulted, if worried at the same time...

Noah's ears perked as he focused on me, "... Vilkas?"

"Hmm?" I dismissed the thought, smiling back as I forced myself to focus.

"You seemed worried, that's all... I can feel your state of mind as well, you know?" Noah said.

"Just the events of the day catching up to me... Anyway, it's time for me to leave," I said.

"... Mm," Noah murmured and glanced away.

I inched closer and tipped my head as I caught his gaze once more, "Saying hello is important to learn about others; saying goodbye is important to help you remember."

Noah looked at me and raised his brow, "Technically that's not true... we have photographic memory."

I allowed myself the liberty of giving him a feral grin. "True, but..." I said and held my arms out.

Once more, he seemed to falter. I could feel as his mood dipped, and his expression grew strained. Moments later, perhaps to hide his face or to simply seek comfort, he near lunged as he caught me in a hug.

I held him--crouched as I was--and stroked his back, "Until next time."

"Hrrmnnr," Noah murmured as he buried his head in against my chest.

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Park , Evening

I could see the three of them as I emerged from the park. Peter had crossed his arms and seemed to have settled for a grumpy face--even as his tail wagged. John was glancing at Peter as if wondering what he was up to, while Allen was looking at me as if I was a ghost.

"Evening..." I said with a smile and a nod as I approached.

Peter opened his muzzle to speak, but stopped as he instead lifted his nose and sniffed. As I stopped walking, he approached and leaned in, nose wiggling. Moments later, the others joined his side as they caught the scent as well.

"... I've never smelled something like that before," Peter whispered.

"They had lemon tea..." John whispered.

"And you emerged from an elevator that has been disconnected from the rest of the system," Allen said with a smug smirk.

I tipped my head as I gave him an amused glance, "Keeping that close of an eye on me?"

Allen hid his arms as he beamed with pride, "The city systems keep track of you, and the moment you reappeared, it was easy to tune into the right sensor network for a live view."

"Ah," I murmured, and turned my attention to the others, "Anyway, I went exploring for the day."

Peter stood tall and faced me, "Uh huh..."

I sniffed the air between us and caught something on him as well. A kind of... oily scent, like what you'd find in a hangar, or... maintenance tunnels.

"... And you've been somewhere as well," I said, and reciprocated with a guilty stare of my own.

"... I've been arranging things," Peter said.

Allen smiled mischievously, "But he couldn't find you, so he ran into the room, snapped me out of what I was doing, and ordered me to look for you."

Peter frowned as he looked back at Allen, "It's not healthy to be in the Virtual World for that long."

Allen shrugged, "I was done anyway, just lingering... Now, what are we doing?"

Peter leaned back as if taken by surprise, "I... No, I was-"

John leaned closer and gritted his teeth, "You what? Gathered everyone here, and now you're just dumping me and Allen so that you can sneak off with Vilkas somewhere?"

Peter sighed and reached up to scratch his neck, "... That was kind of the plan, yes."

I inched closer to Peter and caught his attention, "... Would it be possible to fit two more?"

Peter blinked and his ears wiggled.

For a moment he looked away, wide-eyed, and smiled to himself, "Well..."

John smirked, "... Are you thinking about naughty stuff again, Peter?"

"I am not!" Peter snapped and twitched to attention.

Allen snickered to himself, and I couldn't help but smile a little.

Finally, Peter looked at me once more, "We can all four go. It won't be the way I planned... but it's fine."

I nodded, "Let's go then."

Peter raised his hands, "I just... need to know something before we set off."

"What?" John asked, as he leaned in to peer at Peter in wonder.

Peter looked back at John, smiling once more, "What's your favorite ice cream?"

John blinked, "... Huh?"

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Tunnels, Evening

Maintenance tunnels. Slim and winding. Hot and cold. Noisy and disorientating.Spider botswere a common sight, and a large green-eyed onemovedalong the ceiling as I glanced up.John seemed to see it as well, and utteredthe kind of noise that would accompany adisgusted shiver.

Petercaught onas well, and glanced back with a sly grin, "Scared, John?"

"No... I'm just questioning the wisdom of walking through tunnels that may still be infested," John muttered.

"This area--and every area next to it--has been marked as clear," Peter said as he ducked to get underneath another set of pipes.

I followed in his wake, glancing back to make sure the others were keeping up, and kept walking. I'd been in tunnels before, but none this compact. Simply told, it wasn't made for bipedal beings.

The area was humming with activity as I opened my mind to it. Sensors transmitting in a frenzy, coordination units that listened, and a great many Expert Systems had their sensors locked on us. They were simple, but curious... In fact, it felt as if the whole sector was peeking at us in wonder of what we were doing here. In the depths of it all, I felt pretty sure that Hub was keeping an eye on us as well.

"Are we there yet?" John asked.

"As a matter of fact, we are..." Peter said and pointed at something ahead.

Iclosed my mind off and lifted my gaze to peer beyond Peter, but Icould see little more than a gloomy end to the path. It took me a moment, but I noticed that there seemed to be a big hatch in the wall.

Peterwalked up to it, felt along the side of it, and found a piece of metal that hinged inward. He caught it, flicked some kind of lock, and began to pull. The large hatch groaned, but began to open.

Bright light spilled into the otherwise gloomy tunnel, and the wind picked up as I felt it rustle my fur. I moved to the side, peered out through the open hatch, and felt a bit of shock as some primitive instinct protested in confusion.

I could see the evening sky in all its glory, and the city of Greengate stretched out in front of me. The artificial sky had turned into a shade of darkorange,and the clouds seemed to drift as if they were real.

Petersmirked at me as he walked past, stepped up to the edge of the big hatch, andmade his way out. I stepped closer, lookedout of the now open hatch, andsaw a walkway with a big railing.

Peter glanced at me from the left side and motioned for me to follow, "Come on, it's safe."

I took a deep breath, stepped out, and looked down. It made me gulp as I peered at the ground far below, and then lifted my gaze once more.

The dome shaped sky was obvious from up here, and the angle also revealed that the horizon was a set of cleverly designed screens. From the ground it looked flat, but now I could see the segmented layers and the gargantuan fans hiding behind it.

"Whoa," John whispered as he stepped out and carefully touched the railing.

"Oh... This is scary," Allen whispered as he looked through the grating that we were standing on.

"This way!" Peter hollered.

I looked over at Allen and reached out as I nudged his arm, "Stay close."

"Mm," Allen nodded as he looked up.

Peter was waiting for us as we walked, and he motioned to couple of ladders along the wall. I looked up, and saw that the upper wall had holes in the structure of large honeycombs.

He grabbed the ladder closest to him, and pointed upwards, "This one's for me and Vilkas, you get the other one."

John huffed as he walked up to his ladder, "No humping."

Peter gave John a tired stare, "No one's humping... Especially not you, John."

Allen shook his head as if embarrassed on their behalf, "So, where's the ice cream?"

Peter smirked and looked over at him, "It'll get here, don't worry."

512 A.R. February 26, Greengate - Outlook , Evening

The drone was gentle as it settled down beside us. Within moments, its engines folded back, and the cargo compartment opened up to reveal a set of big ice cream sundaes. One of them was bright red with strawberries, mixed with pearly white ice cream and whipped cream. The other was a far darker, nuttier, and caramel chocolate treat with flakes on top.

I could feel Peter tease my side as he whispered, "Which one do you want?"

"Which one do you think?"I said with a smirk.

Peter's arm tightened around my waist, "I've noticed that you have a thing for chocolate, so I made an assumption."

"And you're a vanilla, strawberry guy, huh?" I wondered.

Peter chuckled as he made a shrug.

We had ended up on the upper-most honeycomb,whileJohn and Allen were in the one next to us. There were holes in the walls along the side, and I could hear that the others werealready fawning over the desserts.

I looked toward the cargo compartment and reached in as I grabbed the two desserts. Peter discretely reached in and caught a pair of spoons. Once done, the drone was quick to fold itself shut again, and within moments it was taking off.

As I looked back at Peter, he sat with the spoon at the ready, licking his chops.

Peter pulled his hand back, grabbed the strawberry one, and handed me a spoon as we settled back.

"So, how did you think of this?" I wondered.

"I actually thought of it while your mother was interrogating me," Peter mused.

"Ah... Is this place that favorite spot of yours?" I wondered.

Peter chuckled as he slipped a full spoon into his muzzle and nodded, "Mmhmm."

Idug into the sundae and pulled out a large dab of caramel mixed chocolate, "And the drones?"

Peter swallowed and motioned with his spoon in the air, "That was a bit trickier. At first I asked around the restaurants, and while they had no trouble arranging the ice cream, the drones were less cooperative."

"How so?" I wondered, and slipped the spoon into my mouth.

Creamy... Chocolate... Caramel, with a hint of salt to it... Ooh, this is good...

"The cargo drones are pretty dumb, but they answer to an Expert System around here. It thought it was risky for us to go through the maintenance tunnels, so... it didn't want to help."

Iraised my brow and swallowed, "How did you fix that?"

Peter shrugged, "I may have wandered into the machine hub, and had a talk with that Expert System so that I could get maps along with assurances that the area was safe. Once the drone controller was informed, it reluctantly agreed to help... as long as I promised we wouldn't get lost."

I do wonder if he spoke with Hub as well...

"Seems like you've had a busy day," I said.

Peter nudged my side with his arm, "I'm not the only one apparently."

I inched closer to him, "I'll share my memories with you, but..."

As I spoke, my gaze wandered to the artificial sky. The sun was setting, the stars were coming out, and the city itself was glowing brighter as the trees within the parks began to glow.

"Feels weird," Peter whispered, and shifted his weight a little so that he leaned onto me.

"Lots of memories?" I wondered.

Peter nodded as he scooped up some more ice cream, "I remember sitting in one of the alcoves, just like this, wondering what the future would be like. I didn't imagine it like this."

"Better, or worse?" I wondered.

Peter glimpsed up at me with a sheepish smile, "Better..."

"Same here," I said.

Peter held out his ice cream to me, "Want a taste?"

"Sure," I whispered, then caught a wad before slipping it into my mouth.

Strawberry... Sweet, with a delightful hint of something sour, mixed with cream and vanilla...

"... Do you mind if we talk about the future for a bit?" Peter wondered.

"The future?" I wondered.

"Yeah...Like... Say we go to Tel-Adra, do our job, and things turn out fine. There's peace, and we return home. Then what?"Peter wondered.

I looked out across the city and its twinkling lights, "I hadn't thought about it."

"Well, I had a silly idea," Peter said.

"A silly idea, huh?" I wondered.

Peter stifled a chuckle, "Yesterday, when we were with the girls and talked about the castle and John's stupid moon..."

"Yeah?"

"There is something I would want," Peter said.

I waited in silence, while Peter drew a deep breath and seemed to ponder his words.

"Why not get a house of our own? By which I don't necessarily mean the two of us, but the whole pack. We can live together, learn, work, and just..."

"It sounds nice," I said.

Peter blinked and poked his ice cream, "You think so?"

"Well, I can't guarantee what the others will think, but... it does sound nice," I said.

Slowly, a warm smile crept onto Peter's lips, "... Do you think we have a chance of arranging something like that?"

"We might need to build it ourselves, but yeah..." I said.

Peter's eyes widened, "Build it ourselves... That would be bloody amazing."

It made me chuckle, "... Oh?"

Peter looked back at me, almost frantic, "Yeah... Like, being able to carve out a house just the way we like it. With towers, and a big bedroom with a fireplace, and-"

"Are ya sure you're not describing a castle?" I wondered.

Peter snickered to himself as he wagged a finger at me, "It could be a castle on the inside, with secret tunnels and all that. An underground lab, and all sorts of cool stuff."

"Mmhmm," I murmured.

Peter shrugged, "Or not. I'd be happy with a normal house... as long as it has a fireplace."

"What's this sudden obsession with a fireplace?" I wondered.

"It's cozy!" Peter said and motioned with his free hand as if it was obvious.

I nodded, "Right, right... Fireplace it is."

Peter looked out across the city, and his smile began to falter without warning.

"... Peter?" I wondered.

"Or... John hooks up with someone and decides to return to Veripolis. Allen goes off to do whatever, and I head back to Redgate, while you get swallowed up in your secrets."

"You know me, Peter... I can't and I won't try to promise you something I can't keep, but I can tell you how I feel and what I want," I said.

Peter was silent for a while, "And, what do you want?"

"I think that it's about time I moved out from my parents... Dad will be upset about it, but..."

Peter made a half-hearted smile as he met my gaze, "And..."

"And?" I wondered.

"Do you think you'd we'd be happy living around each other?" Peter wondered.

"... Yeah, wouldn't you?" I asked and couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

"Sure, I would," Peter said.

"... What's the matter, Peter?"I wondered.

Peter sighed, "I didn't plan to bring this up... I told myself not to bring it up..."

"Talk to me," I said.

Peter stared down at his ice cream, "You sleep around with others a lot... Vilkas. I'm not saying that as if it's wrong. We're not together. You have your life, and I have mine. I'm just saying that I can't help being hurt by it... and that makes me feel weird when I imagine us living close together."

"... Is this about Selina?" I wondered.

"I kind of assumed there were others as well, but yeah... mostly I found your fling with Selina confusing," Peter said.

"It wasn't a fling, just a curiosity I wanted to strike off my bucket list," I said.

"... What do you mean?" Peter wondered as he looked at me.

I put the spoon in my ice cream, and looked over to meet his gaze, "I was curious... I'd never been with a woman before, and it's something I wanted to try before settling down with someone."

Peter perked his brow, "... Never? Not even as a horny teenager?"

I shook my head, "Never... For me, my sexuality was clear from the very start. Once I became a hybrid, that changed a bit. The instincts weren't as picky, and... well..."

"... So what did you think?" Peter wondered.

"Are we going down this rabbit hole?" I wondered, dipping my head as I focused on him.

"... Well, now that you're talking about it, I can't help but feel a bit curious," Peter said.

I sighed and focused on the city, "Well, the instincts guide me along... Physically it felt good, but there was no... emotional bond to it, like with you, or the others. It was lust, nothing more."

"Ah..." Peter whispered.

Silence followed, and I looked back at him.

Peterwas looking out across the city, seeminglyfrozenin place. The thick brown fur along his chin fluttered in the gentlewind, while the stars in the dark sky glittered above us.

After a few moments, Peter lowered his head a little, "... I keep bringing this up, and I keep telling you that I'll be patient.Now, I can't help but feel awkward."

I inched closer to him, "We're going to be around for a very long time, Peter. Hundreds of years, perhaps thousands or more if things play out right. We can take our time, slow and steady."

"... What if we don't?" Peter wondered, leaning back against the wall.

"... Rushing won't help, even if things don't turn out the way we want," I said.

Peter's eyes drooped a little, while he glanced over at me, "... To be honest, I'm scared."

I made a simple but gentle smile, "As am I, along with John and Allen."

"... Maybe," Peter whispered.

"So...was this a date?" I wondered,thenlifted my ice cream as I motioned between us.

Peter's eyes grew while his ears perked, "That... was kind of the idea, until the others tagged along."

I winked at him, "It can still be a date, or a double date, even..."

Peter shrank down a little, and stifled a chuckle as he peered beyond me, "I was kidding about that earlier, you know?"

"Well, we don't know what's going on in the other one, right?" I said and motioned with my head.

Peter's ears flattened as if embarrassed, "So, do you think of this as a date?"

"Sure... and since we're dating, it would be rude for me to sleep with others, right?" I wondered.

Peter shrank a bit further, "It... would be, yeah."

I smiled to myself and reached out as I slipped my hand under his muzzle. Carefully, I eased him up so that he met my gaze once more.

"... Love you," I whispered.

Peter's tail wagged while his ears wiggled, "... I love you too."

"... So, do you think they're cuddling?" I whispered and motioned to the other alcove.

"... Wanna check?" Peter whispered as he peered beyond me.

I made a subtle nod and put the ice cream aside. Peter eased himself onto all four and carefully crawled forward as I joined his side. After a few moments, we were nearing the edge, and I kept my head closer to the floor. Near silent, I peeked over the edge and peered down.

While it wasn't odd for them to be close, I did find myself surprised at the way they were cuddled up in the corner. Allen resting his head against John, who in turn stroked the white fur on Allen's head.

"... No humping," Peter said suddenly.

John jumped a little and looked up along with Allen.

"Ya hear me, no humping!" Peter repeated.

John seemed too shocked to react for a moment, but finally caught his wits, "... Up yours!"

Peter chuckled as he moved back from the edge, "Yeah, you wish!"