FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

They hopped on the shuttle bus that ran to and from the facility to a public transportation hub. Alice had a little red two door turbo charged sport coup. Which only had room for two because of the six point roll cage. She had a heavy right foot and a bad need for speed. All wheel drive, combined with light weight and an engine that was more aftermarket performance then factory; the little car could haul ass.

Alice had gotten both of her parent's passions, her mother's love of all things ancient and her dad's love of racing. Thankfully the one made enough money she could do the other. She had sweet talked Jim and Kenny into building the custom alloy cage. Her first, first place road course trophy was on display in their shop. Which was another reason they had to take the bus; the car was in the shop waiting on a new exhaust and strut tower braces. In preparation for a rally race this season.

"Think we should ask Jim if he would teach Nodrog to drive truck?" Jenny asked as they rode into town.

"I don't see why he wouldn't. Why do you ask?" Alice watched the scenery pass by.

"It would give him some other job skills besides look good and kicking ass. He did save our butts, so Kathrin might want to offer him work as field security." Jenny did not think he would have a free ride forever.

Actually Jenny did have a point, Nodrog knew at some point he would have to start earning his keep. Being a soldier from a long gone era, left him few skills. Granted he was well versed in the art of killing people, this world did not need much of that. You didn't need much proof of that beyond looking at the people around them. In the city even with his wings he blended in a little better. Most people paid little attention to him and the two girls holding hands as they walked down the side walk.

The weather man was right, something he was not used too. With the slight breeze it was nice out. There were a large amount of people out, and a very mixed population. It seemed a fairly even split of humans and anthros. The number of women to men was still noticeable, except in young children it seemed to have begun to even out. The girls mostly window shopped, they stopped at a small cart selling food.

"You sure you don't want something?" Alice asked as she tried to decide between a plain soft pretzel or a cheesy stuffed one. Jenny had all ready ordered a foot long hot dog with onions, mustard and nacho cheese.

"Not hungry, but I would take a dew." Nodrog smiled when Alice handed him a bottle of the green soda. She eventually made up her mind and they walked over to a fountain to sit down and eat. All they needed to find was a bed and sofa that would hold his weight and buy more groceries. It felt strange to be out in the open like this at the same time it was... nice.

They only made him wait in one store for them to try on a few clothes. Considering one of the items were swimsuits he really didn't mind. It also didn't take long to find and arrange for the delivery of the bed. With the number of larger sized anthros, it was pretty common to need stouter furnishings. The couch they had was rated for two of him.

Alice froze when she heard the voice that called her name, of all the people they met, he had to be one of them. Jenny and Nodrog both turned to see who was calling her. It was too late to try and run, her ex Dave and his big stupid ox buddy Jones had caught up with them. Jenny pulled Alice closer to her, she knew Dave was a few screws short.

As he started his ranting once again causing a scene Jenny reached for the can of mace she carried. Apparently he never got the 'no' part or restraining order figured out. She had just found it when Dave was suddenly caught off mid sentence.

"I believe you seem to have miss understood what the word 'no' means. So you and your buddy can quietly leave." Nodrog had stepped between the two girls and the two men. Dave had made a effort to grab Alice, but he grabbed the guy's neck.

Jenny pulled Alice back away from them. She knew Dave and Jones had a thing for getting violent when confronted. Jim and Kenny had kicked their asses once, but both got hurt in the process. Jones took a swing at Nodrog who didn't even dodge the slow punch. It didn't faze him in the least, Jones' actually let out a cry of pain.

Nodrog let go of Dave so the man might actually let it go. The crowd quickly fled as Dave pulled a gun. Sirens signaling someone had called the police. "Put it away, and leave." He once again stood between a gun and Alice.

Dave kept pulling the trigger until Nodrog grabbed the gun and his hand crushing both of them. With little effort he dropped Dave to his knees whimpering like a little girl. He caught Jones' punch, put his other hand under the man's armpit and easily tossed Jones into a wall knocking him out cold.

Jenny explained what had happened as Alice sat in silence. Since he had fired the gun and was violating a restraining order, she found a small amount of comfort that he would be in prison for a long time. Of course having his hand crushed by someone he had shot three times would probably have a longer lasting impression. The paramedics checked Alice to make sure she was all right. Nodrog picked her up and carried her the whole way back to the shuttle bus. She had fallen asleep part of the way.

"You know that's twice you have saved us. Lets not make it a habit." Jenny glanced up at him as they walked.

"So what was that guys problem?" Nodrog smiled as Alice lightly snored on his shoulder.

Jenny gave him the short version of the story. No need to go into too many details, he was just a prick. She had hoped that they would never see him again after the incident with Jim and Kenny.

"That explains a great deal. She is lucky to have someone special like you." Nodrog looked down at Jenny. He could tell she was still nervous.

"Thanks, she means everything to me. Are you sure you're not hurt?" Jenny asked as they waited to cross a street.

"Perfectly fine, they only sting for a minute." Nodrog spoke as they crossed the street.

"So how does the world feel through metal skin?" Jenny asked as she sat down on a bench to wait for the buss. "You don't have to hold her the whole time."

"I sense a hint of jealousy. I have a free arm." Nodrog chuckled when she turned away. "What do you mean, how does it feel?"

"I guess that is a stupid question. I just thought maybe it felt different, since you're..." Jenny ended her thought, what was she trying to ask?

"Solid metal... The world feels soft..." Nodrog turned to look at the shuttle as it pulled up to a stop. After getting on, he set Alice down in a chair next to Jenny.

"I didn't mean to offend you." Jenny never would have thought the world was soft. But maybe that was because she herself was soft and weak. That was the second time she couldn't protect Alice. It made her sick to her stomach that she couldn't protect the one person she loved. Maybe she was jealous, not because he carried her, but because he was strong enough he could.

His comment drove a hard point, she always hated it when a guy got a hold of Alice's heart. Because no matter how hard she tried she never could get her to see her anything more than a friend. Even after Dave, Alice was still just out of her reach and that hurt. It had taken every ounce of her courage to pin Alice down and force her to see her as more than a friend. If she had done that sooner maybe Alice wouldn't have even gone with Dave in the first place.

Jenny and Alice went upstairs ahead of him since he needed to pick up the rest of his shirts and get the one he was wearing mended. A phone message let them know the analysis they had sent off was all ready done, so a copy was waiting for them in their office. Jenny headed down to get it as she still stewed over things. Being mad at him for being made of metal was silly and she knew that.

The other comment had caught her off guard. He had said 'someone special like you' which hinted at his jealousy of her and Alice's relationship. Maybe he had never had someone special in his life before. They knew almost nothing about his past, he might never have known love. If that was the case she really hated herself for being jealous of him. Maybe he felt the way she had felt before Alice accepted her love. He never got the chance if there was someone he wanted, and now he never would, having out lived everyone he ever knew.

She sat down on the edge of her desk and picked up the report. Most of it she had all ready expected, what was unexpected, the things that were missing. Jenny took the report up to the apartment, it couldn't be right. She had Alice come into their room and closed the door. "Read this."

"We had all ready suspected this much." Alice thumbed through it a second time.

"That's not it, there are some important components missing." Jenny waited while Alice read it again.

"That is strange, and hard to believe. But does it matter since he is sitting out on our couch?" Alice asked.

"No I guess not, he is alive." Jenny flopped down on the bed.

"Somehow I don't think he cares about details like that... Something else on your mind?" Alice asked as she laid down and pulled Jenny close.

"No, just glad you are all right." Jenny said.

"I am always all right in your arms." Alice kissed Jenny.

Jenny almost cried at those words. They meant a lot to her. Alice kissed her again and slowly got up. "Guess I had better make a call and order our favorite 'we forgot dinner' dinner."

"Extra cheese with half anchovy pizza, it's a good night for it." Jenny needed a little to wash up and Alice left to go order the pizza.

One of the many perks of living on the grounds was the availability of a fully equipped and always staffed kitchen. Because this was a major hub, they kept facilities open all hours to take care of staff in transit. Or in cases like this were plans changed last minute.

Furthering the bad habit, all three ate in the living room. With the mega TV tuned to two separate channels. The lousy afternoon washed away with beer, pizza and aluminum. It hadn't taken long for light weight Alice to be out cold, Jenny only made it another hour. He turned off the TV, picked Jenny up and took her to bed. He repeated the process with Alice. He turned off their light and went back out to the living room.

He picked up an encyclopedia and opened it up to his book mark. He really wasn't reading every page, just any that sounded interesting or he didn't want to ask about. While somewhat boring, it was a quick way to learn about the world he lived in. If he got tired of that, he glanced through the dictionary. Boring as paint drying, but saved some embarrassment from having to ask for so many explanations.

The sky began to glow orange, he had given up on the books and turned the TV back on. He was a bit surprised Jenny was up so early, she sat down at the end of the couch. She had removed her pants at some point because he had put them to bed clothed. It was just easier that way, she sat with her chin on her knees.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, I guess I was jealous, but not because you were carrying Alice." Jenny said quietly. She had woke up shortly after he had put them to bed, she finished getting her and Alice to bed. Only to wake up a few hours later.

"You don't need to apologize. So what are you jealous over?" Nodrog turned the TV off.

"I am jealous because with such little effort you did something I failed at, twice now." Jenny said.

"So its about that... I think you are being a little too hard on yourself. Trust me, to have what you have, I would do anything..." Nodrog said as she stared at him.

"Then there was someone special in your life..." Jenny felt the tears well up in her eyes.

"Yes there was, it never was to be... that was 600 years ago." Nodrog said.

"Did she ever know?" Jenny was afraid to ask.

"No." Nodrog said flatly.

"I'm sorry..." Jenny barely made it to the bathroom before she got sick. She sat on the floor crying, she was mad at herself for being mad at someone who had lost everything. All of those years... not just years or decades... but hundreds of years.

Alice had woken up after the toilet had been flushed. Jenny was sitting on the floor sobbing. "What's wrong?"

"There was someone in his life... I feel... I feel truly sorry for the soul trapped in the iron dragon." Jenny continued to cry.

Chapter

They ate a rather quiet breakfast before leaving the apartment to meet with several department heads. Alice wasn't sure what they had talked about, but figured it probably should wait until after work to ask either of them. She really hated being ten minutes early for meetings and still being the last one in the door.

Kathrin and Jade sat on one side of the large conference table. The VP and medical department head sat at the end. Across from Jade sat The General and his second in command. Behind them standing at ease was Lieutenant Sherman Moore, a dark gray wolf, the other test subject for today's activities. They had met the super soldier before, despite his abilities and accomplishments, he was a soft spoken person. Alice thought he was good looking, he was certainly in very good shape.

Jenny hated meetings of any sort, but when you were stuck with the VP and The General in the same room, it was almost unbearable. She, Alice and Beth were going to be doing the examinations, which included a 'friendly' sparing match between them. Alice was right, this was going to be a bad day. That was at 8 am.

Now at 4 pm, Jenny could not find Beth; and Alice was still probably making the two boys run laps around the perimeter of the facility. So she was stuck facing three department heads alone. She really needed a drink as she walked back into the conference room, by herself.

"Were is everyone else Jenny?" Jade asked coldly.

"I can't find Beth; Alice lost her temper and I think she is making the dragon and the wolf run laps around the perimeter until they collapse or hell freezes over. Ma'am." Jenny sheepishly smiled as they all stared at her.

"So do you have the results?" Scary VP asked.

"Yes Sir." Jenny said.

"What are they?" The General asked.

Jenny held up a small flash drive. She plugged it into the computer and turned on the monitors mounted in the table at each chair.

"This is their strength and endurance performance. The max weight is a guess, because nothing in the weight room was heavy enough." Jenny said.

"So the heaviest thing in the weight room I am guessing is the weight rack. Both of them picked a full weight holding rack up?" Scary VP asked.

"Yes Sir, it has 1500 pounds of free weights on it, I guessed at the weight of the actual rack." Jenny said.

"It seems you estimated their endurance as well, why?" The General asked.

"We got bored waiting for them to get tired. So we ended the test after they had been running for an hour straight." Jenny clicked to the next page.

"This page shows their best lap time on the track and in the pool." Jenny wished this was over.

"Seems our dragon is not a very fast swimmer." Jade again remarking coldly.

"That's because he can't swim, ma'am. That is the time it took him to walk the length of the pool underwater. He did do a lap in one breath." Jenny said a little cheerfully. Which didn't go over very well.

"How do these times actually rate, compared to a single event trained athlete?" Scary VP asked.

"They place in the top 10 or 5 of every category except strength were they are tied at the number 1 spot. The only exception being the swimming part. While not as fast as some of the athletes, they have easily triple the endurance." Jenny said.

"Very impressive then, so why are they still running and what of the last event?" The General asked.

"They are connected, along with why I can't find Beth." Jenny really wasn't looking forward to explaining this part.

"So please tell us how they did." The General said impatiently.

"I don't know, the three of us took cover shortly after it started. I did manage to pull some still pictures from the security system before it failed." Jenny really wanted to run away at this point.

"So the security alarm was caused by?" Scary VP asked.

"One of them getting thrown through a wall." Jenny opened the first picture. "This is a good shot of the Lieut. smashing a vending machine down on Nodrog's face. Which was answered by him flinging the Lieut. into and through a concrete pillar." Jenny clicked to the next picture. "Also a good one, Nodrog hurling another vending machine at Sherman." Jenny clicked to the next picture. "And here they are trying to impale each other with chunks of rebar."

"Didn't any of you think of stopping that before it got out of hand?" Jade asked coldly.

"We were too busy fleeing in terror, ma'am." Jenny was once again terrified.

"So what ended it?" The General asked.

"Well apparently when one of them went through the wall, it triggered the alarm system, which got an immediate response. Also, they ended up in the women's shower; where they both were assaulted with anything and everything the women in the shower could throw at them." Jenny said.

"So how much damage did they do?" Scary VP asked.

"Initial estimates put it over a million in structural damage alone. That is not counting system repair or equipment repair or replacement. The building maintenance Director is expecting all three departments to pay the full sum. And suggests the next time anyone wants those two to have a 'friendly' fight, they soak their head." Jenny now more than ever wanted to be someplace different.

"Very well, you are free to go." Scary VP said and keyed the intercom to the girl sitting at the reception desk.

Jenny quickly made her escape. That might have been the scariest thing she had to endure. Even more so than the short hostage situation or the out of control fight between an immortal and a super soldier. She was never happier to be back inside her apartment. She needed a shower and beer, maybe not in that order. Hell why not both at the same damn time?

Both Nodrog and Sherman were glad someone called Alice over the radio and told her to take them both back. They sat on the back of the diesel powered cart as she drove them from the far end of the grounds. They were greeted by The General and Jade, both of whom did not look very pleased. They excused Alice and had a lengthy and stern lecture with Nodrog and Sherman.

The tone changed after Jade left the three men standing outside. The General wanted to know who was winning and was a little disappointed they claimed it a draw. He also assured them, that really they were not in trouble with him. Nodrog shook hands with Sherman, the only person he didn't have to hold back when fighting. Jenny was right, he had made a new friend today.

He locked the door behind him and went straight to his room. The bed had been delivered and there was a small fridge with a note on it. He ignored them both and took a shower first. After drying off and putting on shorts he sat on the edge of the bed and opened the note. It was from Kathrin, she had found a source for his other delicacy. It was beef blood, which was fine, even better they had put it in small bottles. He quickly downed one, which made him feel much better.

The light was still on in their room, he didn't hear anything. It had been a long time since he had that much of a work out and was for a change not restless. Still not tired, but he didn't feel antsy. He sat down at one end of the couch and picked up a magazine.

Alice had joined Jenny in the shower. They were both a little tense after most of today's events. Between the hot water, soap and roaming hands it didn't take long to get some relief. Which continued after they had dried off, neither one cared if he overheard them. At this very moment, nothing outside of the room mattered. The only thing that mattered right now, was each other. They each knew what the other one needed without speaking a word. It was slow, sensual and passionate.

Nodrog was... envious of them. He glanced out the large window, a thunderstorm had moved in. The rain was one of her favorite things. She always teased him about being afraid of rusting. He smiled as he remembered the sound of her laughter. 'I'm no longer afraid of rusting.' He said to the girl who now only lived in his memories.

He got up and walked over to the large window. While the surroundings changed, how many times has he stood behind glass watching? Spending countless hours wondering what could have been. Time does not always heal all wounds, no matter what anyone says. While it did not make it any easier, she was not an immortal and would have still passed away. It might have been harder to deal with the loss, then it is dealing with never having the chance.

Jenny lay awake, a sleeping Alice still in her arms, enjoying the lingering effects of their love making. The early morning conversation present in the back of her mind. She couldn't imagine living like that. She didn't know what to think about him. They had seen a different side of him today; a violent one. He was usually quiet and reserved; he was polite... he saved her love... He was full of contradictions... a monster; a tragic soul; a protector without equal. Really they had done nothing to warrant that action. They had teased him; they made him bleed; they cut him; today they had him do tricks; and for what? Because they were told too, and they had all ways done what they were told. All they had done really was hurt him and he still stood between them and harm. When she thought of it that way, they were the monsters. She didn't want to be a monster...

Alice grumbled as she reached for the alarm. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, Jenny wasn't in bed. Alice stood up and stretched before going into the bathroom to wash her face. She got around slowly, it was Friday and they really didn't have any work to do. No meetings so no reason to hurry, it took several minuets just to pull on a pair of faded jeans. She pulled a plain blue t-shirt on with no bra as she walked out into the kitchen. Jenny wasn't in the apartment at all, neither was Nodrog. That was strange, she scratched the underside of her breast as she opened the fridge. They had still not gone to the store, so she settled for a bagel and closed the fridge. The note stuck to it finally catching her attention.

Alice sat on the arm of the couch; glanced at the very short and rather uninformative note. 'We went out. Luvs. Jenny' okay, that sort of answered the question. Alice looked back at the counter, Jenny had left her phone behind. Stranger still, but she had been acting a little strange lately. Alice didn't know what had caused her to get sick and sob like she had. She really had no idea why Jenny 'felt sorry for the soul trapped in the iron dragon' it was a mystery. She completed her 'the hell with dressing nice' look with a worn out pair of sneakers and a messy pony tail.

She walked down to their lab, the light still on. They both forgot to turn the lights off yesterday and Jenny had forgotten to turn her computer off. She wiggled the mouse to turn the screen saver off, no sense leaving it on all weekend. Jenny's curiosity always got the better of her, Alice usually refrained from it. An untitled document on the desktop for some reason got the better of her. 'Hell with it' she said to herself and clicked it open. It was the report they had been working on, except where there should have been facts and figures there was only one line repeated page after page. 'he is alive' That single phrase was any place there could be text.

Alice had to click through it a few times, Jenny had gone in and put that single line everywhere. The last part was used for other notes, and it was two full pages of Jenny arguing with herself. Things like 'science doesn't lie'; 'he isn't real'; 'I don't care he's alive damn it'. She was considerably worried at this point, the document was created this morning at 4am. She quickly turned the monitor off as Kathrin knocked on the door and came in.

"Sorry I scared you. I don't suppose you and Jenny have finished your report. Jade was hoping to have it today." For having mouse ears, it was rather easy to scare Alice, Kathrin thought as she looked at Alice.

"It is almost finished, I just need to double check a few things on it." Alice had moved to turn on her own computer.

"That's good, you can take it up to her at any time. We will be in meetings most of the day, nothing serious so you can come in." Kathrin eyed Alice carefully.

"So what do you think is going to happen to him now that we have finished?" Alice asked, trying to not give anything away.

"I don't know. The General had expressed interest in trying to recruit him into the super soldier program. The medical director had expressed interest in him because of his health after such a long hibernation... Why do you ask?" Kathrin asked.

"Just curious, Jenny and I had thought maybe you might offer him a job with your team. Jim and Kenny are getting older, we could always use someone with a good back." Alice brought up her copy of the report, thankfully still the way she had left it.

"I had mentioned it, really depends on your report." Kathrin said.

"Does he get a say in any of it?" Alice asked.

"I don't know, Alice. For someone who wasn't thrilled with the idea in the first place, you sure have changed your mind quickly. Living with a man get you thinking about cock again?" Kathrin said coldly. She was unprepared for the slap Alice gave her, it actually stung. Alice never slapped people, she always cried and ran away.

"That was uncalled for. You have no right. I am sick and tired of people being mad at me for being happy." Alice said, surprised at her own action. Standing up for herself, felt good.

Kathrin was totally shocked, she never would have expected Alice to react like that. They were friends, and she just ruined it. "You are right, I'm sorry Alice. That was uncalled for. I shouldn't take my frustrations out on you." Kathrin ran away before she started crying.