2113, The Iron Dragon Chapters 1-3

Story by dieselmutt on SoFurry

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#1 of Iron Dragon

This is a story I have been working on for a very long time. Actually I never intended it to be as long as it has grown into. There are several main characters and the story changes who is in the spot light. This post is the first three chapters. I am working on editing the entire thing, so you may get to a chapter I have not yet gotten back to, to edit it.

I hope you enjoy it.


August 22 1702 they chained him in a hidden dungeon and left him. Those that created him had long since died and his current keepers were equally scared of his power as their enemies had been. The magic and alchemy that had brought him to life had been forgotten on another world. He was born for a single purpose, to wage war.

A menagerie of creatures bonded to a single being. An incredibly rare born iron dragon, combined with a vampire and elf. It gave him an anthro appearance, while mostly dragon he stood up right and walked like a man. Cursed with the immortal life of all three. With the regenerative abilities of the vampire combined with his metal build made him a formidable weapon. A finely crafted weapon, now with no purpose. The castle had grown quiet and to conserve the little sanity he had left; he sat down to meditate and enter a hibernation never to be called upon again.

Now, March 13, 2113, Alice and Kathrin were in trouble. They and their team of archaeologists and supportive staff had been ambushed. Either by grave robbers or a competitive company, they didn't know which. They had only found the hidden entrance when the attack had came. Alice was grazed by a bullet in her right arm, and had lost her glasses when they stumbled into the hidden tunnel.

"We need a place to hide Alice, I doubt this leads to any escape." Kathrin led a partly blind Alice down the stairs and halls of the hidden dungeon.

"Slow down, I can't see very well." Alice spoke quietly, she thought she could hear their pursuers.

Kathrin shined her dimming flashlight in search of anything that could be useful. Eventually they hit the bottom floor, all of the doors in the wide hallway stood open but one. Thankfully this area had been so well sealed off they left no foot prints to follow. Her and Alice entered the room and she closed the door carefully so not to make any noise.

"Stupid flashlight is about ready to die." Kathrin spun around quickly as Alice let out a squeal as she tripped over something.

Alice had caught her fall with the hand she was using to contain some of the bleeding. With the dim light and no glasses she could not fully make out what she had put her hand on. It was a statue of some form with wings. "What is it? It feels metallic."

Kathrin walked over and shinned her light on a metallic statue. Alice had smeared blood on the dragon's short snout. "It looks like a dragon statue. We really need to tie something to cover that wound."

The strong smell of blood slowly brought him around. Oh' it's sweet smell, along with the smell of sweat. As his mind began to drift awake from hibernation, he took a long and slow breath in. It was blood, sweat, and the unmistakable pheromones of a woman. He began to hear two people behind him, they spoke softly with odd accents and strange words. He licked his lips and was rewarded with blood not much but enough it quickened his awakening.

Alice and Kathrin hid behind the statue and the stone it sat on. Kathrin tore part of her shirt to make a bandage to tie around the wound in Alice's arm. She had just finished when three men burst into the room. The lights they had lit up most of the room, there was no escape from them. They had no choice but to stand up when one of the men spoke out.

Kathrin could see they were all carrying silenced pistols. Not a typical weapon a grave robber would have. She and Alice both still stood behind the statue and slowly raised their hands into the air. It did them little good as two of the men raised their weapons to fire.

He didn't know what was going on, but instantly before the men standing in the door fired he quickly spread his wings. The strange weapons stung, but that was all, the two women behind him were sparred and he slowly stood up. He heard the panic in all of their voices and the men in front of him opened fire again as he walked over to them. The chain that bound him to the back wall snapped easily it was so corroded.

Kathrin pulled Alice to the ground as the bullets bounced off the moving statue. She closed her eyes as one of the men screamed out in pain. Only when there was silence did she dare peek over the large stone the statue had been sitting on. The metallic dragon held the arm of a man above his head. The dragon was drinking the blood and ate the flesh from the bone. The grizzly scene instantly made her sick, the two of them sat huddled and terrified as the heavy steps of the moving statue walked over to them.

He walked over to them, he did not know why they were here or why those men had tried to harm them. The spoke an odd form of English, so he chose his words carefully. "You need not fear me, I will not harm you, unless you give me a reason too. My name is Nodrog the Iron Dragon. Stand up and tell me your names, so I may thank you for bringing me out of hibernation."

Both woman did as he said, he was surprised to see one was an anthro like himself. That one was petite and had noticeable mouse features, her curly brown hair a mess. She had pretty blue eyes and cute nervous smile. The other woman was fully human, she was a bit taller than her compatriot. A little fuller figure with raven black hair. She spoke first.

"I am Kathrin, this is Alice. Thank you for protecting us from those men." Kathrin was quite afraid of the creature that stood before them.

"First let me take care of your arm Alice, then you can explain to me what you are doing here." Nodrog's accent was thick old English and held up Alice's arm and removed the bandage.

Alice trembled in fear as the talking statue examined her arm. She felt a pleasant warmth slowly spread from the metal hand that covered the gun shot. The pain quickly went away and after a moment he let go of her arm. She couldn't see what he had done, but she could not feel any form of scar on her arm. It was if she had never gotten the injury. "How did you do that?"

"Magic. How else would you heal a wound so quickly?" Nodrog examined the two women carefully, from their dress and the weapons the men had it was clear a great deal of time had passed. He waited patiently as Kathrin and Alice explained what they were doing here. He had heard of archaeology before, that only left why they had been attacked for doing in his mind such a dull and tedious task. Their English was rather different than what he was used too, the structure rather lax and informal.

"Now how did you get here and chained to the wall? This castle has be deserted for several hundred years." Kathrin was not sure how he could have been chained down here for so long. The chain running from his back had broken easily once he stood up and moved.

Nodrog knew it was going to be difficult to explain, it was clear they did not believe in magic. "They imprisoned me here the 22nd of August, 1702. The only reason for my survival was entering a deep hibernation. Which I have the two of you to thank for waking me from. I can see you do not believe me, but that is the truth. It is up to you to believe it."

"With no evidence to disprove your story, we will have to believe you for now. I don't know how you fixed her arm, but we need to get out of here. The others are in the same kind of trouble." Kathrin took hold of Alice's hand.

They followed Nodrog up and out of the hidden and not hidden dungeons. Kathrin and Nodrog had picked up a pistol. Now in the daylight she could get a better look at the metal dragon. He was a dark blue and black in color, and the clothing he had been wearing, had disintegrated. The way the light reflected off of him there was no doubt he was living metal. He had dark cobalt blue eyes, and was at least six foot and a few inches tall. She had caught a quick glimpse of their camp, a few guards held the still living captured outside.

Nodrog easily dealt with the opposition they met. He had used guns before, but the one he held now was lighter and more accurate than any he had used. He stood outside and stretched his arms and wings. The sunlight felt wonderful after so much time in the dark. As did the fresh air and the feel of earth underfoot again. "It feels good to be free."

They had not found Alice's glasses, thankfully she had a spare pair in her belongings. Nodrog had effortlessly dealt with the rest of the group that had ambushed them. Most of their staff had survived, and were all terrified of the blood covered metallic dragon. It was not an unexpected reaction, so to Nodrog he simply ignored it.

The group that Kathrin and Alice traveled with were mostly female with an even split of human and human animal hybrid. He was lucky that the one male anthro was a reptile and had at least pants that fit him. Nodrog could feel their eyes and sense their fear. While none of their group was out of shape, he was certainly the most fit of the group.

While Kathrin had gotten everyone settled back down and made a report back to headquarters, Alice had gotten her other pair of glasses. She wanted to at least see the man that had saved her and healed her arm. She changed shirts and examined her arm again under good light. There was no sign of the gun shot at all, no pain, no scar; it was if it had never happened. She only caught a glimpse of Nodrog, all he had on was a pair of pants.

"You're staring, Alice." Jenny teased as she put a hand on the mouse's shoulder. "Can't say as I blame you, your hero has a damn good looking ass."

Alice blushed deeply as Jenny laughed. She was right which made it more embarrassing. "I thought you only liked my ass? What are they doing?" Alice looked up at the little, green eyed, blond. Jenny was one of the few that was more human then animal. Except for the gray cat ears and tail, she was human, the two of them had been dating for over a year now.

"They are going to cut the chain off of his back. You see the large ring on his back." Jenny pointed over to the pair.

Alice did look and between his wings there was a large metal ring. "Oh my god, is it welded to his back?"

"I got a good look at it, he had asked me if I could remove it. He did not know the term, but yes they had welded the ring to his back. Jim is going to fire up the plasma cutter and cut it off." Jenny looked back down at Alice. The cute little mouse still was embarrassed.

"I am sure that hurt like hell when they put it on you, so I imagine this is going to hurt just as bad." Jim spoke rather nonchalantly as he attached the cutter's ground clamp firmly to the ring. While surgery on metal was his area of expertise, it did not usually talk back to him. Still the dragon had asked politely and Jim was not one to ask questions. In this case he was certain he didn't want to know the answers anyways.

"Yes it did hurt, and it doesn't matter." Nodrog waited for Jim to put his gloves and dark tinted glasses on. He was one of the few men in the camp, and was chiefly tasked with equipment up keep. An older gentleman with graying hair and beard, with a speech pattern easier to mimic.

Jim gave Nodrog a final warning as he placed the plasma tip against the base of the ring. The dragon nodded once then turned his head as Jim pulled the trigger and sent super heated gas through the base of the ring. Nodrog roared out in pain as the tool cut through the ring that was part of his flesh. Jim managed to not flinch and kept the steady pace and speed needed to make a clean, quick cut. The ring was almost at the machine's maximum cutting thickness, he just finished the cut as the machine shut down to keep from overheating and build air pressure.The short length of chain and ring fell with a heavy 'clunk'. It was not nearly as painful getting it cut off then it had been to get. Several people had gathered around to see what had caused the commotion.

Kathrin had made her way through the group. They watched in amazement as the still cooling wound begin to slowly change shape and form. Where had once been a metal ring slowly formed back to its original form, leaving no trace of the ring or the plasma cutter's jagged cut. If she had not seen it with her own eyes she never would have believed the ring was ever there. It took a little effort but she managed to get everyone back to their jobs.

Nodrog got up and shook hands with Jim. "I cannot express my gratitude for cutting that thing off."

"Not a problem. Good thing you heal quick." Jim began to rewind the cable and hose. He wondered if he were dreaming, or his blood pressure meds were leading to odd side effects.

"It has come in handy a few times." Nodrog turned and looked ad Kathrin. "Maybe now you will believe in magic."

Kathrin eyed him carefully, it was clear he was very different than anyone else. His cobalt eyes matched her gaze. "We have been told to pick up camp and return to head quarters. You are expected to come with us." She spoke firmly and he laughed.

"Very well, I see no reason to argue." Nodrog smiled.

"This turned out to be a short trip. I could use a hand getting some things loaded. Here put a shirt on before you keep anymore of the ladies from getting their work done." Jim handed Nodrog a large work shirt.

Nodrog looked around and many of the woman were still staring. They quickly looked away as he caught their eye. "humph. I see what you mean." He chuckled as he made two cuts on the back of the shirt for his wings. "Hope you don't mind the holes, these wings are a pain some days."

"Don't worry about it, I got more and I will just take it out of her budget anyways." Jim started to pick up some of his tools.

Kathrin had picked up the chain before she had walked away. She headed over to the tractor trailer they had most of the equipment for analyzing artifacts. Jenny and Alice were both inside prepping the equipment for transport.

"Hey boss, we are almost ready to go here." Jenny had turned to look at who had entered the trailer.

"That's good, can you run a quick check on this for me?" Kathrin held the chain and ring out.

Alice took the chain from her. "What do you want us to check?"

"Carbon date it." Kathrin replied before leaving the trailer.

"Why would she want us to date it? Couldn't she just ask him?" Jenny asked as she took the chain and examined it.

"She wants us to date it because she does not believe him." Alice got out of her chair to turn the equipment back on. She believed him, even if Kathrin did not.

Jenny placed the chain into the scanner and turned the machine on. "Okay everything on this end should be ready." Jenny stood behind Alice as she typed away instructing the program what the base substance was and what scans to do.

They waited for the machine to perform the requested scans. It took several minutes, but they both jumped as the machine beeped signaling it had finished. Jenny leaned over Alice's shoulder to read the screen print out. "I know you have a thing for older guys, but that can't be right." Jenny' comment caused Alice to blush in embarrassment again.

"That isn't funny damn it, and it was only one date... There is no doubt, Nodrog was chained down there for over 400 years." Alice stared at the screen.

"Didn't you say he was in hibernation? He is to my knowledge the only dragon I know of. Plus you're so cute when you are embarrassed. I can't help it, I could just eat you up." Jenny put her arms around the little mouse and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She then hit the print button, before powering down the equipment again.

"Thanks. Let's hope this will make Kathrin happy." Alice sighed as she pulled the report out of the printer.

With everything packed up they all climbed into the trucks, RV's and headed down the road back to the airport. Nodrog had elected to ride with Jim and Kenny in the larger heavy equipment truck. Mainly because he figured they would ask less questions then the women would, plus the world he was used too, told him the men should be in charge.

Alice and Jenny sat at the table in the largest of the three RV's with Kathrin. Jenny and some of the other ladies were a little disappointed the dragon had not ridden with them.

"Are you sure this report it correct?" Kathrin asked as she read it over a second time.

"Yes, why is it so hard to believe? The chain and ring are that old." Jenny knew Kathrin could be stubborn, but this was silly.

"If you wanted to know how old he was you should have brought us a skin sample." Alice watched as her friend reread the report.

"You had a part of him, that ring was part of his back. You both saw it, the damn thing was welded to his very flesh." Kathrin had raised her voice and slammed the page down on the table. Causing everyone to grow silent.

"Kathrin as far as we know he is the only anthro dragon, hell the only god damn dragon alive. I mean for Christ's sake he is made out of fucking metal what is there to still question?" Katie shouted from the couch across from them.

"Katie is right, with all of the research and resources we have expended, both on earth and beyond. Nodrog is the only dragon we have ever found." Mary added, upset that Kathrin was mad.

"So where is he going to stay? You better not be thinking of keeping him to yourself Kathrin." Katie said teasingly.

"Course who could blame you. Those well muscled arms, his blue eyes and my god that firm perfect ass. I generally don't go for anthros, but for him I would gladly make an exception." Mary said, she fanned herself with a magazine for a little extra emphasis.

"I know what you mean Mary, I could even go straight for him." Jenny eyed Kathrin as she joined in the teasing.

"If you would give up pussy for that; then that is saying something. I won't lie, if I wasn't married..." Katie stole the magazine from Mary to fan herself.

"All right, all right, he is sexy the three of you can drop it. The bosses will probably make him stay in the penthouse in our company housing." Kathrin said. Embarrassed now that the situation was getting out of hand.

"Its not funny." Alice said teary eyed and fled to her bunk at the back of the RV.

The other women sat a little stunned, they turned and looked at Jenny. "I was just trying to tease Kathrin with you two. I will go talk with her." Jenny quickly chased after Alice. She didn't mean to hurt her feelings, she forgot that Alice didn't take being teased as well as she could.

Jenny found Alice under the covers of their bed in the little bunk room they shared. She could hear the quiet sniffles and crying Alice made. She felt really bad, and should have known better. Jenny closed the door and left the room lights dim. "Hey don't cry I was just trying to tease Kathrin with Katie and Mary."

Alice felt Jenny sit on the edge of her bed. She knew she had over reacted, but the girl could be a little mean when it came to teasing. After years of them being friends she should be used to it, but this was different because he had saved her life. She felt Jenny crawl into bed with her. Jenny's arms quickly around her.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything. I always say stupid things at the wrong time." Jenny whispered in Alice's ear. She pulled herself closer and kissed the back of Alice's neck.

"I know, I'm sorry I over reacted. Its just, I don't know..." Alice shivered as Jenny lightly nibbled on her ear.

Jenny continued to nibble and kiss the mouse while she slowly ran her hand up Alice's abdomen cupping one of her small B cup breasts. As good looking as the dragon was, she couldn't give up Alice. She loved the way Alice moaned when she took her time.

Alice did moan softly as Jenny worked her other hand down her stomach and slowly into her panties. The girl's fingers reaching down to her private areas. Alice had been with a few men before Jenny had confessed her true feelings. The cat girl could please her in ways no man ever had. She moaned louder as a finger slid into her and another teased her now erect nipple. They had sex rather often and it still amazed her how Jenny could make her feel before she removed any clothes.

Jenny giggle quietly as she teased Alice more. She ran her tongue gently along the outside edge of her friend's ear, and slowly worked her finger deeper inside. While she slowly teased Alice with her finger she started unbuttoning her friend's blouse. With expert ease she released the snaps on Alice's bra. With a little reluctance she also pulled her hand from her pants. She got up and pulled her own shirt an bra off before pulling Alice's off.

Alice laid on her back while Jenny got on top of her. Jenny leaned forward her own small breasts rubbing Alice's. She loved the light tan color the mouse's soft fur had. Again she nibbled on Alice's ear, slowly nibbling her neck and then lightly kissing her cheek until their lips met. Jenny loved the way Alice kissed, it was still awkwardly cute. Jenny smiled and lightly kissed her friend's lips and back down her cheeks and neck.

Alice always felt hopeless bliss when Jenny tortured her like this. Jenny never asked for anything in return, never forced her. Unlike the few other people in her life. She moaned as Jenny kissed her way to one of her breasts. She drew in a sharp breath as Jenny lightly nibble on her erect nipple. She could feel the girl's tongue ever so lightly rubbing the tip. The blissful torture ended as Jenny slowly pulled her pants off now kissing her way down her belly.

Jenny smiled as she pulled Alice's pants off and found her teasing had all ready effected her lower areas. She ran her hands gently up Alice's sides as she kissed and nibble everywhere but where she knew Alice wanted. There was a very sensitive spot on the upper and inner part of her friend's thigh. There was also a spot on the side of her breast that tickled just right would always give Alice pleasure. Something about the two just drove Alice crazy, which was another thing she loved about the mouse.

When Jenny nibbled lightly on the skin just covering her clit Alice covered her mouth as she moaned in pleasure. Jenny kissed and nibbled more as she slowly slipped two fingers into her. Alice arched her back as Jenny teased her clit and that one spot inside her. Now she just barely rubbed the area around her nipple with a single finger. It made her shudder again and moan. She thought Jenny got pleasure in keeping her just on the very edge, it was a cruel and blissful thing.

She giggled as she held Alice so close. The little moans and squeals Alice made were so cute, it turned her on like nothing else had. As she used one hand and her mouth to tease Alice she had to us her other hand on her now wet bits. She moaned as she went down on Alice running her tongue inside. She could hear Alice's breathing speed up as the mouse squirmed and squeaked under her unrelenting teasing. Her own orgasm growing quickly as she pushed her fingers deeper.

Both women's moans were muffled as they came at the same time. Alice again arching her back now that Jenny finally let her cum. She could feel Jenny's moans as she came adding more teasing and heightening her orgasm. She was tired after being held at the edge for so long. Jenny laid down at her feet panting lightly. Alice sat up and noticed that Jenny had pulled down her own pants and panties.

Jenny watched as Alice got up and leaned over her. A wicked little smile on Alice's lips. "You're going to pay for that." Alice said and before Jenny could react Alice had pounced on her. She felt Alice's little tongue begin to tease her. The little mouse had learned some tricks of her own.

Chapter.

"Think everything is all right between them?" Kathrin asked as Mary returned to her seat.

"Oh there is little doubt they have made up all ready." Mary made a derogative gesture for the two grinding away at each other.

"Enough teasing, that's what started it. The plane has landed and they are refueling. We can load the trucks up and take off with no wait." Kathrin picked up her coffee cup.They were all a little jealous of Jenny and Alice, as they could not always bring their love interest with them.

"It was kind of Nodrog to offer to retrieve the bodies of Danny and Ellie. While it feels hollow, I am sure their family's will be glad to be able to hold a proper burial for them. I did tell you we should have brought security with us." Katie poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Trust me I feel bad enough about it without you reminding me." Kathrin said coldly and ran a hand through her hair.

"We should be thankful we only lost two. As it is we are going home empty handed." Mary thumbed through a magazine she had read a dozen times.

"Not entirely empty handed, we do have the iron dragon in tow. If he is really as old as he claims, then the information he could tell us would be valuable. We lost a great deal of history during the change and the war." Katie sat down at the table to read over the report. Most of it meaningless to her, chemicals and compounds she cared little for. It was the people, their lives, that was what she loved and sought out.

"True, at least we have something to show for our very short expedition. I am sure with full lab equipment the little mouse and kitten can find out for certain how old he is. Along with how he can be living metal, you know our weapons and armor division will have a field day with that." Mary hated that department, but it was the money they made that allowed them such freedom to do their work. And provided them with such top of the line equipment. The transport trucks, RV's, aircraft, even the lab equipment was all military grade hardware.

"The only problem is this body is a living person, not some long mummified dead body. I very much doubt he will want to be a lab rat." Katie waited for the rocking to stop before sipping her coffee.

"That only depends on if they give him a choice. We might have only dug him out of one prison to be put in another." Kathrin hadn't given it any thought until now.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Kathrin. How were you supposed to know he was even there in the first place? You and Alice only found him on accident. If we had not been attacked you two might not have even found the entrance." Mary said as the RV lurched onto the paved highway.

"I guess we will find out once we report in. From the sounds of it we might only be there long enough to drop Alice, Jenny and Nodrog off before we turn an burn to South America to help Frank's team in what was the jungles of the Amazon." Kathrin said.

"God I hope not, those bone dry jungles give me the creeps. There's no color, it's all gray and creepy." Katie shivered at the thought of what is now called the Bone Jungle.

"Seems odd, Frank has a good team with him, unless they found something big and need more personnel." Mary stretched out on the sofa.

"There is that possibility. We do have the heavier equipment for larger recovery efforts. Unless he needs more dive experts." Kathrin said.

"Crap that means I will have to go to support you two and Jim. Shit. Shit. Shit." Katie pouted.

"If that is the case your husband would have to come with us. I wouldn't worry about it now, if it is just equipment I will take a skeleton crew with me." Kathrin winched at her poor choice of words.

Nodrog was glad he had chosen to ride with the guys, they didn't bother him with endless questions about his past. They did give him a short history explanation of why there were now so many anthros and that the world had undergone a very drastic and violent change. Which was part of the reason, there were fewer males. The world had gone mad, millions of people could not deal with the changes and committed suicide. The females simply had adapted quicker to the changing world then males. In two or three months the population dropped from a staggering nine billion people down to, two and a half billion people. That was after a world war had taken almost a billion lives.

However the sudden drop in population greatly curbed global warming. With so many less to support the world's climate eventually stabilized. In some areas it was all ready to late. It had taken years to shutdown the no longer needed infrastructures. It was only the last fifty years that things began to improve.

"Maybe it was a good thing I had been sleeping those last 400 years." Nodrog said as they crested a hill and he saw the lights of a small city. The surroundings had dramatically changed, he did not recognize anything.

"In that respect maybe you are lucky, but you have outlived everyone you knew." Jim piloted the large truck down to the town.

"You cut the last of my bonds off, do you think any of those people matter. The only person I ever cared about had passed on years before that. I look forward to starting anew." Nodrog said.

"That is a good way to look at it. Unfortunately you will not be free until they have run some tests on you. I can picture Alice and Jenny trying to wrap their little brains around how you can be made of metal and be alive." Kenny said as they reached the edge of town.

"I think I can put up with a few tests. Especially if those two dolls are doing them." The three laughed.

Jim picked up one of two radio mics. "Lead truck to company aircraft 899, who do we have flying us home?"

"This if company flight 899, you're stuck with me Jim. I even remembered the 24 pack I owe you." A rowdy and sexy sounding voice replied.

"Tina, I hope it's cold after the day I had today. Lead vehicle out." Jim said over the radio.

"Of course it is. Company flight 899 out." Tina replied.

"I had forgotten she owed you beer. Hope you are gona share." Kenny said.

"Of course Kenny, after all you had a hard day too. Not sure what they had back then for beer, but you are welcome to a can or two my heavy metal friend." Jim chuckled as he turned off the main road and into the small airfield. Jim stopped the truck several feet off the rear ramp of the plane.

"That thing can fly?" Nodrog asked as they climbed out of the truck. He was grateful he learned languages so quickly. They used a great deal of slang, that was hard to pick up some times.

"That is one of ten remaining C-5 Galaxies. It is the largest flying cargo plane in existence. And she is our fabulous pilot Tina. Tina allow me to introduce you to Nodrog." Jim said as a tall and curvy woman approached them.

"Jim, you never said you were bringing along a real man. Nice to meet you Nodrog." Tina said.

"That was cold. So I am guessing we have special load orders." Jim grumbled and held out his hand for the clipboard in her hand.

"Good to see you again Tina, at least with you flying we will have a nice trip home." Kathrin said as walked up to the pilot.

"Some of you are going home. We are dropping most of you off at home. The tool and fabrication truck; heavy crane and winch truck along with its crew are heading out to join up with Frank's team. Sorry Jim and Kenny but you guys will have to drink the beer on the plane." Tina said while some of them grumbled about the reassignment.

"So the science team and the archaeologists are staying at head quarters?" Kathrin asked as Jim handed her the flight orders.

"Pretty much, the option is open if anyone wants to help Frank's team. Your little scientists and the metal guy are the only ones who have to get off the plane." Tina said.

"All right lets get loaded up and head out of here. You are in command Tina." Kathrin said and got those not helping with the loading up into the crew area of the plane and out of the way. Nodrog followed Alice, Jenny and the other none essentials up to the crew compartment.

Tina and Kathrin watched him leave. "For being a few hundred years old, he has a damn nice ass. The luck you have with men is unbelievable." Tina said.

"You never seem to have any bad luck as I recall." Kathrin stood by to make sure her equipment was loaded and secured correctly. It did not take long since the ex military equipment was all ready prepped for being shipped by air.

Since they flew with fewer personnel then the aircraft was initially designed for, it had almost a quarter of its passenger seats removed. Allowing a fair amount of room for the people who did fly. He was glad for the little more room then the truck had. He had no bags to store so he just sat down in a row of seats.

Kenny and Jim were the last of the equipment crew to come up. Kenny sat down across for Nodrog as Jim walked up to the fridge to retrieve three beers. He gave one to Kenny and one to Nodrog before he sat down in the seat next to the window. "Been in the fridge the whole 12 hour trip over here. Tina's crew is making their final checks before we take off." Jim popped open his beer.

Nodrog followed the older man's lead and managed to get the can open. The first sip was much better than he had expected, though it was greatly lacking in alcohol. "I am glad to see the brewing processes has improved in the time I spent sleeping."

Jim and Kenny both laughed and the three raised their cans in a toast to better beer. With everyone in a chair and belted in the flight crew started the massive engines and finished the flight check list. The plane taxied to the runway, the very end of the runway.

"This is a damn short air strip, tighten your belts and hold on to your drinks we are gona have to fire the JATO system." Tina said over the intercom.

"It's the Jet Assisted Take Off system. A plane this big needs a long runway, or a swift kick in the ass. It's a good time." Jim said over the increasing howl of the plane's engines.

"It is not fun Jim, it sucks." Mary yelled just before the jet system kicked in, violently shoving the massive plane down the runway.

The plane pulled up sharply with the JATO systems help. It also dropped a bit in altitude as the jets quickly burn out. Nodrog glanced around, seems it was a mixed review of the take off. He again raised the beer Jim had given him. "You were right my good man, that was fun." They laughed as the plane continued to climb.

It had grown late in the evening and everyone had fallen asleep. Nodrog unbuckled and got up to walk around. He had slept enough that he was not the slightest bit tired. Jenny and Alice were leaning against each other and holding hands out cold. He walked past them to the fridge Jim had gotten their drinks from earlier. Tina had come out of the bathroom.

"I didn't think any of you would still be awake." Tina said as he closed the fridge door.

"I have spent enough time sleeping. I have to admit the take off was fun." Nodrog opened the beer, a couple cases might get him feeling something.

"I thought I had heard more than Jim and Kenny cheering. So are those wings for show or can you fly?" Tina asked.

"They are more for show. I am too heavy to fly, but they work well enough to slow any long falls I might encounter." Nodrog could see why Jim liked her.

"Well we are still five hours out. If you need anything to eat we have some hot food." Tina said.

"Thank you, but I have a rather different diet then most." Nodrog said and took a drink from the can.

"You don't look like one of them plant eaters, I would think anything meat would be good." Tina crossed her arms.

Nodrog finished the beer and ate the can. He laughed at her expression. "Metal and blood are all I eat or drink."

"Blood what are you part vampire?" Tina guess from his expression that was indeed the case.

"Yes I am. I am also part elf along with being an iron dragon." Nodrog turned to head back to his seat.

"You look like you have seen a ghost Tina. Are you all right?" Her copilot asked as she strapped back in.

"I might have." Tina said.

Nodrog sat back down and glanced out the window. The sky had begun to glow orange. As the plane banked to the right, he could just make out city lights along the shore line. He didn't know which ocean they had crossed but the speed at which this plane covered miles in was impressive. He had read several magazines during the trip so far. The technology advancement was astounding as well as medical care. What was a new world when he had been imprisoned was now a major country. Political power had dramatically shifted as well. Former enemies had become staunch allies, some countries and civilizations had been wiped off the map.

The world had changed quickly in the last two hundred years he had been sleeping. The population growing at an alarming rate, then declined even faster. Which was not a bad thing if you were male. Almost four females to male ratio was staggering. He had found a small pamphlet on the company that they worked for. Evo Incorporated had three major divisions; exploration and archaeology; defensive industries; medical research and health care. It was rather clear the war and medical divisions provided the third division with the majority of its funding.

He spent little thought on what was going to happen to him next. With his rather unbelievable age and being living metal, they were going to want to cut into him and find out how he works. A grizzly yet not unexpected turn of events. As the sun light chased after them, a few of the others began to stir from their own sleep.

Kathrin got up and headed to the bathroom. She couldn't wait for the joy of her own shower. She loved working in the field, but was always glad to head home and take a long hot shower or bath. Really she wanted to scrub away the blood and gore she had seen. She noticed Nodrog was all ready up and alert. As she walked over to him she noticed a thick stack of magazines in the seat next to him. "Good morning, did you sleep at all or did you read most of the flight?"

"Good morning, I think I have slept long enough. I did do a fair amount of reading, it seems I have missed a great number of things." Nodrog said as Kathrin sat in the empty chair across from him.

"I guess that only makes sense... I feel I need to apologize in advance, I might have dug you out of one prison only for you to be put in another. When I made my report I had not thought about what would happen to you. I am sorry." Kathrin looked out the small window.

"No need for apologies, I had expected as much. While being an anthro does not seem to be anything of consequence; being a dragon and a metal one at that. It is understandable. I will cooperate until I deem it no longer in my own interest to do so." Nodrog said.

"You will be given a place to stay, along with any amenities you will need or want." Kathrin thought it felt like another hollow gesture. She would need to send something to the families for her condolences. She had lost people to illness and injury, but this was the first time she had failed to provide protection.

"I am sure they will be considerably nicer than those my last hosts had provided." Nodrog laughed. The rest of her crew had woken up and prepared for landing. Jim gave him brief overview of the facility. All labs, offices, and housing were confined to the large air field. This was the main facility, that contained medical and archaeology departments. The defensive industry had a small presence for security, transportation and medical research.

Once on the ground Kathrin took the personnel that had to or had elected to stay behind. They had gotten their personal equipment and all boarded a moderately sized transit bus. Tina and Jim took care of unloading the not needed equipment before they prepared to get underway once more.

Chapter.

The bus quickly made its way from the plane to the largest building on the grounds he could see. He had seen some large structures before, but they didn't hold a candle to this building. This time Jenny cheerfully chatted away explaining things. The building before them was 80 stories high and close to the same in width and length. Making a giant cube, atop the giant cube sat a seven floor cube which was housing only. Most of that was housing for field teams, a few were for security.

Jenny took Alice's things and headed up to their apartment on the 82nd floor. Mary offered to take Kathrin's things to her apartment since she was to take Alice and Nodrog to speak with their department head. Kathrin and Alice led Nodrog through the building to the office elevators. They went to the 75th floor and headed over to the east corner of the building.

A slightly overweight woman sitting behind a desk greeted them. She paged the department head and let them into the office. A spacious office, with numerous artifacts and classic paintings decorating it. A girl stood when they entered the office, she was a tiny thing. She held a computer note pad and greeted them as they walked in.

"Sorry about breaking up your team. Frankie's team stumbled upon a large cash of artifacts dating back to the early 18thcentury. He needed the extra muscle." A tall woman said. Her back was too them, she had dark red hair and was in heals as tall as Nodrog. Her tail was fluffy and darker orange.

"Not a problem ma'am." Kathrin said nervously. She always felt under dressed and nervous around the department head.

The red head turned from the window as the large plane lifted off once more. A fox of a woman in her late thirties. She wore thin dark rimmed glasses on the tip of her nose. "So this is the gentleman I must thank for helping you out of a tight spot. I thought your report a bit far fetched... but now I see it doesn't do him justice." She walked over to Nodrog and held out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you at last Nodrog, my name is Jade Wolfstone."

Nodrog shook her hand, she had a firm grip. "As is a pleasure to meet you." She must have gotten the name from her dark green eyes he thought. The suit she wore was professional but still accented her full figure.It was unusual to see so few men, he was used to men filling more rolls than women. Though elves were rather even when it came to equally spreading the work between men and women.

"Alice, I would like you to run a full check up on our guest. The usual blood work and anything else you think might be use full. Also do some preliminary tests I am sure the other departments will want to have. Kathrin I would like a more detailed report on the group that had ambushed your team." Jade put her hand on Kathrin's shoulder. "I am deeply sorry for their loss. I know you have taken it hard, Danny and Ellie will be missed greatly."

"Thank you ma'am. I will get a better report to you shortly and I will start looking to fill the gaps their loss has left." Kathrin said.

"You do not need to rush with that, until the rest of your crew returns, your team will be working here for a while." Jade said kindly.

"I have a question ma'am." Alice said quietly.

"Of course Alice, you need not be so formal." Jade said.

"Were is he going to stay?" Alice blushed as she asked.

"I was going to let him stay in the penthouse, but have changed my mind. He will be staying with you and Jenny. Since the two of you will be working with him, it only made sense." Jade smiled a bit devilishly as Alice clearly became embarrassed.

Kathrin was a bit shocked, but not nearly as badly as Alice. The little mouse blushed even redder. She stumbled over parts of words before she fainted. "She is so cute when she is embarrassed." Jade chuckled. Nodrog bent down and picked Alice up.

"Kathrin show him to their apartment. Sorry big guy, but could you be a dear and carry her up?" Jade said as Kathrin turned to leave.

"Of course, by your leave." Nodrog bowed his head and followed Kathrin out of the office. They walked past the office elevators and to a set near the center of the large building. Alice didn't make a peep as he carried her, she was rather light. He did manage to resist the urge to give her small butt a squeeze.

As the elevator doors closed Kathrin spoke again. "That was rather unexpected, I hope you don't mind. You will have to forgive Alice, she can get over excited easily."

"I have no problem with it, I only hope her and Jenny will not mind." Nodrog said as the elevator came to a halt with a chime.

"I don't think Jenny will mind, you're not her type anyways. After we get Alice inside I will take you down to security. We need to issue you a key card and identification. We should probably stop and get you some clothes from the uniform store here in the building." Kathrin stopped in front of a door. She rang the bell and they waited for Jenny to open the door.

"Oh hi there, um, what happened to Alice?" Jenny asked as she opened the door letting them in.

"She just fainted, nothing serious. You can lay her down on the sofa over there." Kathrin pointed over to a large sofa.

"You and him weren't mean to her?" Jenny asked and crossed her arms scowling at them. Her ears partly laid back in anger.

"You will have to blame Ms. Wolfstone for this. I hope you don't mind having another roommate." Kathrin said.

"You mean he's staying with us." Now it was Jenny's turn to be embarrassed.

"Director's orders I am afraid. We need to get him checked in with security, and get him something to wear. Want to come with us?" Kathrin said as Nodrog walked over to them.

"Why not, I need to pick up a few things myself." Jenny said and quickly checked on Alice before they left. They rode the elevator down to the 42 floor, the main security office was in the center of the building.

He was glad to see some other men working in the building. One of the officers they talked to was an older anthro wolf. The woman that worked with him was an ox, she towered over Nodrog and had larger arms then he had. They took his picture and printed out his identity card that doubled as his key. It also worked as a purchase card, which Kathrin tied into her expense account. Allowing him to buy anything he might need on company property.

Kathrin and Jenny talked while one of the uniform staff measured him. The only complication being his wings. He was led to a room where he could change. "So how did we end up getting him? I would have figured you or someone else would have fought to have him." Jenny said while they waited.

"Because for the next few weeks you and Alice will have to run tests on him. Aside from that I am just as shocked as you are." Kathrin handed her a printed copy of the orders.

Jenny quickly glance over the highlighted parts. Jenny leaned close to Kathrin and lowered her voice. "That won't be very hard. But how do I act around him? I never had a male roommate before."

"You don't need to change how you or Alice act. Okay you might have to adjust a little, like not wandering around your apartment naked, or have sex in the kitchen." Kathrin blushed as she spoke.

"Good point, he might get the wrong idea." Jenny blushed, as her and Alice did have sex in every room and on nearly every piece of furniture.

Nodrog and the man helping him decided shoes were pointless even if they could find or make some that would fit. The man did figure out how to adjust some shirts so they would be easier to put on. He made one and told him the rest would be done in the morning. Nodrog thanked him and walked back out front with several pants and shorts.

Kathrin showed him how to use his card, and they walked across the wide hall to the small convenience store. Jenny picked up a few items and on the way back they stopped in the hardware and hobby store. "What do you need from here?" Kathrin asked.

"Something to eat, my diet is considerable different from yours." Nodrog turned down an isle marked 'metal'.

The two women followed him and he picked up a solid bar of aluminum. He examined it carefully and they about fainted as he took a bite out of the square rod. "Now that is good." Nodrog smiled and took a handful of the square rod.

Kathrin and Jenny looked at each other, they had a hard time believing what they had just seen. "You only eat metal?" Jenny asked, her scientific curiosity getting the better of her all ready.

"If you are going to ask about the other thing, don't. It will be hard to get any of that right now." Kathrin said as he looked around.

"I know, it doesn't have to come from one source. Surly you have a butcher we could ask." Nodrog the four foot long bars on the counter. The store clerk a little startled about the bite mark in the shorter bar.

"What are you two talking about, I know Alice doesn't eat meat but I do." Jenny said as they walked back to the elevators.

"It's not the meat he was going to ask about. Ask Alice if you don't believe me, but he was going to ask about blood." Kathrin said as a shiver went down her spine.

"So he eats metal and drinks blood, odd. The last part might not sit well with Alice." Jenny said.

"I think she all ready knows." Nodrog sighed as they got on the elevator to head back up. He had made a fair amount of a mess and noise drinking after they had woke him up.

Alice had gotten up and was standing in the kitchen when the three of them came into the apartment.