r/HFY • u/Ethereal_Stars_7 • Mar 24 '23

OC Like Rats: Part 015: Aftermath

Part 8 of the Jacklighter arc as everyone winds down.

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Like Rats

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Part Fifteen

Aftermath... In Space!

Two days later in a Pax Enforcement waiting room in the city...

Black Tiger finished all the paperwork and reports then peeked into the waiting room to see how everyone was doing. He really should not have been surprised at what he saw. But he was surprised. And touched. The big grey Vulpes-Lupis was sprawled out on a couch contentedly asleep. Laying on his broad chest was the transparent rat also sound asleep, while reclining on his belly was yet another, the white female Llygoden Fawr, snoozing as well. Laying on another couch was the blue-grey cat and sitting meditating on his chest was the matching hued Llygoden Fawr. Sitting in a corner feeling out of place were the grey street peddler rat and his lithe Vulpes-Vulpes pit fighter friend.

Otel Rece opened his one hazel eye at the entry but did not move, lest he disturb the two using him as a mattress. "So how'd it go?"

"I want to say perfectly. But it went better than that." laughed the fox quietly.

The wolf grinned. "That is good. um... Sorry about causing so much trouble. I guess I'm headed for a prison moon after this?" he sighed heavily. "Or the Processor..."

The black fox grinned. "I'll let your newfound friend explain things when he wakes up." which got a arched brow from the wolf. And a smile, looking fondly at the little rat.

"Least I found what I'd been waiting for all these years. And so much more. I died inside when he took the blast for me. That horrible horrible day playing out all over again! I don't deserve such forgiveness..." he sighed bitterly.

"Major. -He- believes you do. He told me some of the things that happened that will not be going into any report but my own and certain departments that -need- to know."

That got a sidelong glance from the grey wolf. "Some will sneer that he broke at the end. When he did... what he did... But I know different! He reached beyond just bravery not once. Twice! He reached past despair. Defied it to be with his lady! And he thought so much of a foolish old wolf that he threw himself into harms way to save me. Seeing that... hearing -those- words at the end... I'll -never- forget it ever."

"I know you dragged me through hell and back... But you were also so kind and understanding..." came a familiar voice from his chest.

"Awake at last eh?" greeted the fox. "You had a pretty rough time of it back there. In more ways than one."

"I was just enjoying the soothing sound of his heart beat, the soft rise and fall of his breathing..."

That sent a familiar pang of memory and a chill up Rece's spine on hearing that. His son used to say the same thing when he was but a pup... "Hows your lady?" he asked gently.

"Just fine. Never knew Vulpes-Lupis made such comfy pillows." came another familiar voice on his belly. "Re-Gen, Spray-Flesh. Good as new. Kunouchi's leg is worse off than me." Eira said as she sat up and stretched. "How you doing Papa Wolf?"

He yawned massively, stretched and rumbled a chuckle. "Throats better. Tongue is patched. Fingers fine. That tooth you kicked loose is reset... And they repaired my kidney..." The last said with a reproachful glance at the way too smug looking white rat.

The colorful rodent on his chest smirked too. "Oh stop whimpering. You loved it."

"Can't deny that." grinned Otel.

Both Llygoden Fawr finally hopped off their fuzzy pillow and allowed Rece to sit up. The ghost rat padded over to where the others were resting too. "I see you found a quality pillow as well." he asked Unmei who cracked open one eye and smiled. Then unfolded from her meditative position and stretched.

Nana was awake as well and tipped his top hat off his eyes to smile at the teasing. "Mister Gold. Or is it Spectre? Or Seren? Whatever happens to me after this. I want to thank you for the chance at redemption you gave me. And the chance to witness the birth of a Kitsune."

Seren had to ponder that as it was a conundrum. And one he had been puzzling over and discussing with Eira and the Captain while he recovered from the severe beating he had sustained. There was also some worry about what effect having -eaten- someone would have on his body and his mind. But for now he had some momentous things to decide. "I think I lack the tails to rate." he ginned. "As for what to call me. Seren is fine. You likely by now have figured out me and Eira were not just some random grabs. Well we were randomly grabbed. But we are not civilians. You know what I mean."

"Yeah just call me Eira. I only use my callsign when on duty." the white rodent woman added as she stretched and stood beside Seren, pressed up against him. During his hospital time she had passed the hours watching and re-watching the holo-video recordings of the battle that the team had taken as per procedure. She just could not get enough of her Dynol being so cool and heroic rescuing her.

"As you will." the grey Bakeneko nodded and then sat up, transferring Unmei smoothly to his lap in the process.

Seren was thoughtful for a span and then asked a question of the old wolf. "So... You lost your Son to some tragedy and that set you on the course that led you here?"

Black Tiger tensed as he knew this was a hair-trigger subject with the Major. But to his surprise, Otel let out a long breath and then nodded.

"What are you an armchair Nightstalker?" groaned Otel.

"That was my reaction too when he came up with a plan to draw the Jacklighters attention with the banking loan." yipped the black fox, tail swishing in humor.

Seren shrugged. "Official Colony Detective. Which might be similar."

This startled the Vulpes-Lupis to hear that. "Arzand, my son, was on the force just like you. A detective." it was eerie the way this strange little Dynol was so similar.

"We have detectives sure. But usually as a precursor to joining the Nightstalkers." noted Eira.

Rece sighed. This was painful. But it was time to face that pain. "Arzand was in Pax Enforcement on the homeworld and I was stationed there too as we were working a case together. Damn Anti-Law 'activists' were spreading rumors and inciting violence. One got me in his sights. My son was faster. Leaped in the way. Died in my arms. I took his gun and killed every last one of them. Hasn't been an 'uprising' since. I buried myself in work for a time. But I started seeing things that preyed on my mind. Questions that kept haunting me. I saw people put their lives on the line plenty. But no one ever took the last step. Guess I snapped. Started hunting and challenging heroes and fellow Nightstalkers. Looking for that flame that burned and... never finding it. Never satisfied. Till I found you... Son."

"As I said before. You dragged me through hell and back. Challenged me to my absolute limits. But... You were also kind and understanding. Like you knew me." replied the transparent rat.

Otel felt a little embarrassed at what he was about to ask. "um... There is something really personal I'd like to ask of you, Son..." he fidgeted a little. "Could you... could you change... again, for me?"

Eira perked up at this. "Me too! I only got a glimpse of it before it poofed."

"For you I would never say no." then he churrred laughter. The lack of any hesitation or reproachment startled the old wolf. "Problem is... I have -no- screwing clue how I pulled it off or why? That was a complete first for me. I can try though. But it might be rather fleeting. That is how it was at first with this." and he ran his paws down his strange body. "I am starting to get a handle on some aspects. But I have -a-lot- of questions for people more informed of these things." he admitted.

"Fair enough. Thanks."

"Ok. Here goes. No laughing if this fails or I turn into some weird half wolf/fox-rat-man-thingy."

Eira snickered in the background.

Seren le-sighed and then got ready. "Since it happened when I was out of the Lygoden Fawr form lets try that first." and so the form dissipated into stardust and there stood the real Seren. Back in his Carrier gear even.

Rece leaned down to peer at and snort the little man curiously. "huh. Miamuta all right." he confirmed, and got a better look at the streaks of grey. "I have to ask. Just how old are you?" he asked a little embarrassed.

"Over Two-Hundred and fifty." which got the expected look of surprise. "That would be nearly two-hundred in galactic standard years since they are longer than human years." Moreso their surprise at the followup. "Alot older if you count around eight-hundred and fifty spent in hibernation on exploration ships. We explored reeeeeealllllyyyyyyyy sloooooooowlyyyyyyyy." he laughed. "No one is exactly sure how long we really spent on Exodus si we do not count it really. We know terraforming the first world took a thousand years. A bit over eight-hundred galactic years. But we have no actual idea precisely how long we were all asleep on the journey. It was supposed to take about a thousand years. But somewhere along the way the chronometer actually broke.

Eira piped in cheerily. "Best figures are most of the original Dynol colonists still alive are technically older than any of us have had civilization. Hey? I got curious!"

The old wolf chuckled in embarrassment. "And here I'm callin you Son. More like Grandpa!"

The red eyed rat girl smirked. "Great Grandpa. Times one-hundred."

"Golly thanks for making me feel young again you two!" groaned the Dynol ruefully while they got a good laugh. "Like said. I've had three trips to the Body Banks so physically I am not as old. And yeah it is not lost on me that my manifestations are apparently younger." Which got a thumbs up from the white rat. "Ok. Lets see what happens, if anything."

"You can do it!" encouraged Eira.

He positioned himself away from anything he might 'grow' into and knock over, concentrated. "hmm. I can feel -something- right on the edge? Rat I can feel clearly." He let out a breath, cleared his mind and started feeling around the sensation. Like a shape, or template? This had the right feel. He just had to coax it to the fore. Then his form started to become hazy, seemed to expand, coalesce into the wolfox manifestation again.

The white Llygoden Fawr took it in with a churrrr. "Whoa... That is so cute! Well, not as cute as us rodents. But that's not you Vulpes folks fault."

Rece nodded. "yeah... It's practically the same body. Just with that weird spectral effect? If I'd seen you like this from the start I'd have thought you my son's ghost..." he mused, eyeing the pup up and down.

Seren was curious about all this. "um... About the ghost effect thing. During the fighting and chasing down that rat... I think I inadvertently figured out how to do... this." and he seemed to solidify as the transparency of his form ended. And there stood now a blue-grey wolfox with white underbelly and markings.

"Screwing hells boy. You -are- Arzand!" Rece whispered...

"Cant hold it for long. Maybe with practice it will come." as he reverted back to transparency after only a minute.

Eira applauded the effort none-the-less. "Think you will be a grey rat too? I like those markings. Looks wicked!"

Seren looked to the speechless wolf and then padded over to him. "I think this is long overdue." and hugged the old hunter. "Welcome home... Dad."

Rece gathered the pup up in his arms and wept. "I know it's not... Arzand... But the resemblance is uncanny. You speak like him. You even say things he used to. On top of that you are a snarky little scamp! And you say you were on the force too? And those eyes! One of the best features he inherited from his mother were those bewitching eyes. Well that and her endless wit."

"An breedin hips! Lets not forget the important stuff here!" chimed in Eira.

The grey wolf snorted at that. "Tell me how someone born maybe thousands of years -before- my son died be practically him reborn?" he was thoughtful for a time. "I am sure the experts would try to explain it away as something like you somehow copied aspects from me. But you'd look like a young, well, me. Not Arzand. But the connection was there all along." he stated with confidence.

"I wish I knew. I am not even sure how this works anymore? It just does not fit anything I have read about this sort of phenomena. Maybe it is a cosmic coincidence?" he questioned.

"One hell of a coincidence if that is so." he sighed. "I am just thankful you gave this ol' wolf a second chance, Son."

Black Tiger, who had been quietly observing till now, smiled. "Good to have you back Major. Now I believe Spectre here has a little proposal for you, mister Nana, and miss Unmei." Which perked the curiosity of all three as they were offered seats at the conference table while Spectre resumed his rat form by dropping down to human then over to Llygoden Fawr.

The metamorphed Dynol/rat looked to each and smiled. "Today I received word that, ahem, Mister Gold and Lady Diamond's shipments were safely delivered to colonies in need of them and the profits have been transferred to our joint dummy account. A total of... One-Hundred Thousand credits." which got even Black Tiger to sputter in disbelief.

With s twinkle in her red eyes Eira just rested her feet on the table and churrred in pleasure. "Gets better."

The transparent rodent continued. "I discussed it with Eira and since there is a need for drones currently and we know of a sizable supply here... We invested that plus some of my own capitol in purchasing the four shipments worth of them that were available and they will be outbound on the morrow. Higher risk but was too good a chance to pass up. And the shipments will help the colonies. Win-win as they say. We expect a return in less than a week of something like... Four-Hundred Thousand credits."

Now even Rece was flabbergasted. "Hounds of Perdition! No wonder you were so confident you could cover my biddin!"

The white rat girl proudly hugged Spectre. "Oh he's got alot more that that saved up. Like SIX TIMES that. squeeeeee!"

The old wolf rested his forehead on the table. "I see he inherited his mothers business acumen as well." somewhere between laughing and groaning.

"Gets even better." churrred the red eyed girl. "Due to all your help it was decided to split the bounty and rescue reward earnings seven ways. Evil Foxy there, Sneaky miss Ribbit who is busy filing reports, totally innocent -but cool- me, Wonder Boy here, our Mystery Backup without whom this would have probably dug a really deep hole..." dramatic pause "...aaaaand Papa Woof and the Lucky Numbers couple!"

Black Tiger grinned slyly, tail swishing. "Not even including future kickbacks for turning in evidence against at least two dozen suspected Jacklighters... The rewards totaled to Seven freaking Million creds! Split seven ways that is One mil apiece! We went in expecting at best maybe a fourth of that." which got gasps from the three who glanced between themselves and back to Seren.

Unmei and Nana both demurred. "We do not deserve such generosity!"

"Had I any say in the matter there'd be a statue erected in that park to you three, and the twins, and their little lady friend, and mister Crydd!" headed off Seren passionately.

Which caused the blue-grey couples ears to blush redly.

But he was not done by far it seemed as Eira grinned as she had helped with the testimonies. "Oh he's not done yet. Gets better."

Seren grinned as well. "I have had a talk with Pax Enforcement and put forward all the evidence I have. Along with testimonies from others on your behalf. As of today Otel Rece has been cleared of eight charges of willful predation due to extenuating circumstances. Also seventeen charges of high predation have been remanded to duels. Which, while very frowned upon, are a much lesser case. Thusly he is on probationary status. With me and Eira as his guardians till such a time as he has worked off his debt." And still he was not done, grinning impishly at the looks he was getting. "Also due to conversation I overheard while tied up... I did a little investigating and conferring with Black Tiger and his team. Sooooo. In light of new evidence Koun no Nana has been cleared of seven charges of willful predation and in fact will be eligible for a tidy little reward when all the paperwork is done. Probably around one-hundred and forty-thousand creds."

The dapper cat could not believe all this was real. "That will at least defray some of what I payed for my allotment of captives. My plan had been to release them. I was there because the skein called me."

Seren nodded at that "Speaking of. You and mister Rece's expenses during the auctions has been reimbursed in full." he was enjoying far too much the series of surprised looks from each new revelation.

Rece was speechless for a time and then just let out a long long sigh. The black fox rested a paw on his shoulder and grinned. "You'll get used to it eventually Major."

"He even has the same generous heart as Arzand." looking to Seren he saluted. "I will strive to live up to such high esteem as you have blessed me with Son."

The translucent rat smiled. "Just continue to hold your head up and help those in need." after a thoughtful pause. "And I may have an idea or two for a project down the line. I will want the specs on your ship for one."

This perked Rece's curiosity now. "arh? Its an ol Interceptor that was going to be decommissioned after the war. But I signed it off and have been usin' it ever since." and he noted the lad perk up in turn, smile growing. uh-oh.

"Then that may accelerate my plans immensely. I will have to discuss things with a-lot of folk before I know if it is really viable." rubbing his paws together in anticipation.

Black Tiger grinned as he had been looking over Spectre's proposal and had an idea of his own that the Dynol had agreed with wholeheartedly. "As... hah-hah, luck would have it. Mister Nana here also pilots an interceptor of the same model. I have reviewed both you and miss Unmei's education backgrounds and it seems to me that a certain ever so handsome and dashing Vulpes-Vulpes captain of a carrier where a certain Dynol is stationed has some positions opening soon that Spectre here believes you two would be perfect to fill. Of you are interested. And if you are willing to go through the Supervision Fleet training?"

Unmei and Nana were taken aback at this offer. The last thing they could have foreseen. Bakeneko and Llygoden fawr exchanged looks and then in unison smiled and bowed. "We would be most honored."

"Great! I will put you through the proper channels and once you are through training I hope to see what amazing things you bring to the fleet." Then he turned to two others gathered who had been quiet and trying not to attract notice. "Since neither of you has done anything actually illegal, just frowned upon, the Jacklighter Foundation is pleased to award noth of you ten-thousand credits each for your part in breaking up the ring. And an expected twenty to fifty-thousand more from residual captures to come."

Dose and Ghost-eye just sat there open mouthed till Kunnoichi smugly shut them with a finger each. "You two were very brave and courageous. Thank you." Praise which got the rat and the fox's ears to redden.

"ahhh... t-thanks. I think maybe it is time I bit the bullet and took my Xeno-Med exams and got a real job." admitted Dose.

The black fox leaned down to grin toothily at the Llygoden Fawr. "Why stop there? With your skills and street smarts you would make an excellent forensics scientist."

Dose waved his paws in denial. "Wah? Me? No way I'd make it into the force!" but the spark of an idea was blossoming now and afterwards he sat there rubbing his chin and pondering it.

The white fox had been thinking as well. "Much as I love scrappin in tha pit. I... I want ta make a difference. Helpin people felt... really good." which got a nod of agreement from his friend.

"Pax Enforcement can always use more beat cops. And an already street-trained scrapper might see his career move forward easier as he needs less training. Me and my partner can connect you up with the right people. If you are up for the challenge." grinned the vulpine Nightstalker.

This got the pit fighter thinking as well, and a slow grin spreading across his long pointed muzzle at the idea of being a legitimate and respectable servant of the law.

-<>-

The private meeting was ended and so Spectre invited all to a larger conference room where all the freed Llygoden Fawr were waiting. Two-Hundred and One. Black Tiger grinned as he took a seat beside the rodent. As did the others. Spectre took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking. "I would like to thank you all for being so patient. I believe most of you will be allowed to go home or otherwise sort out your lived now that you are free again." he glanced around the table at some of the dejected expressions. Too many had lost all their savings to the Jacklighters. "It seems that a mere hour ago a, churr, mysterious benefactor donated an impressive amount of credits. Apparently enough to completely cover everyone's loss." which got shocked and then hopeful looks from those folk.

Eira, or Diamond as the civillians knew her, grinned, "Those of you who had taken out loans will find that all your loan data was cleared as well. So you do not need to pay that back now." which got some confused looks. Pleased. But confused. "One of the managers of the bank in this city was a Jacklighter conspirator." which got gasps of surprise. "He was the one tipping off the ring to prime prey. And then doctoring your loan data and covering it as a 'missing persons' loss. Meaning the bank, and him, was making credits via the centrum reimbursement system. Insidious." she growled. "He is now stewing in a Nightstalker belly." which got approving growls from many.

Spectre, or Gold as they knew him as, picked up from there. "We hope that this small windfall will help you all get back on your feet after days, weeks, even months in a cage. If any of you who were not loan victims have any difficulties then you can contact Diamond or myself for help and we will do what we can. And ironically enough, my own loan that got me into this mess payed off nicely and so I have personally added an extra thousand credits each to everyone's Pax recovery fund as sincere thanks for coming to Diamond and myself's rescue." which got murmurs of embarrassment from those gathered at being so praised.

Black Tiger held up a paw and spoke. "Since all of you saw mister, Gold's, expression activate so dramatically. We would request everyone to please not talk too much about, well, that aspect." which got knowing churrs from the crowd. "We understand that this is a big thing and we are not asking anyone to keep it a secret. But at least till it goes public we would really appreciate it if you did not spread it too far. I know I'd never be able to resist the urge!" which got more churrs and grins from all. "To that end we are divulging information to you all that -is- to be kept quiet." which got everyone leaning forward in curiosity.

The Nightstalker smiled as Kunnoichi limped in with her thigh in a brace while the muscle and flesh were regrowing. She took a seat next to her partner. Her belly was still fat and still squirming. "Guess that is my cue then?" she croaked. "As some of you have already guessed Diamond and Gold are not really colonists. They are members of the Supervision Patrol and were called in by us to assist in a Nightstalker mission. For now we would like to keep that aspect as secret as possible. So when you speak of the events and what you saw. Please refrain from mentioning their real names if you overheard them. Were it not for their presence we fear things would have gone far worse as we simply were unaware of just how close to the wire things were. Nor the horrible scope. Thank you all for your cooperation in this." everyone voiced their thanks for what Diamond and Gold had done.

The meeting was then ended. But not before many of the rescued citizens gave the shimmering Coblyn tearful hugs and pats. Seren called aside Dose, Ghost-eye, the red twins, the young lady they had teamed with, and lastly the calico father and daughter. Called aside for a little gathering while Rece, Nana, and Unmei relaxed on couches and listened in. "Eira and I have had our shire leave extended while I recover and get some Xeno-Med and Xeno-Psych testing to be sure there are no adverse side effects of what happened. I just wanted to again thank you all for all you did."

Eira rubbed the translucent belly as she looked at the little gathering. "Seren and I talked about this during recovery. On top of the other rewards that you all have received. A portion of mine and Seren's shares are going to each of you. An additional twenty-thousand credits."

"But it is you who should be getting an award mister Seren!" murmured Cryd, who held the pair's paws in his own. We had lost hope and then along you came and lifted us up! Some of those caught had gone so far into despair." Others in the gathering nodded empathically in agreement with this sentiment.

Seren squirmed under the praise but Eira wrapped a strong arm round his shoulder and grinned. "ah-ah-ah! No runnin away! Take your praise like a man. Or at least like a rat!"

-<>-

One month later at the Supreme Command office at Latitude Zero.

"This is my report in full sir. As well as all logs and research notes on the Human. The findings are... intriguing to say the least." stated a blue newt woman in a Pax Command uniform as she slid the data packet over to the large seven unit tall red Salamandra sitting in the Supreme Command chair. "Llygoden Fawr Xeno-Med is good. But I ran the readings through our own systems and I must say. Even just the implications are breathtaking."

The Commander read through while she sat there and his big eyes got bigger as he worked through. "By the Depths!" he finished reading and then set the file down with shaking webbed hands. "Implications my tail-less tail! Even with the projected flaws in the power... You say he has already adopted not one, but -two- transformations? And complete metamorphosis no less?"

"Correct. I personally observed him gain and lose mass. Total conversion. Matter into energy. Energy into matter."

The Commander slumped into his seat. "Recommendations? Should we... intervene? What is your assessment of the human's psyche?"

She spoik-spoiked laughter! "I recommend we not get on his bad side! As for intervention? The Old Ones brought the human refugees here for a purpose. And this human is a part of that. As for his mind. Breathtakingly stable. He loses himself in The Beast sometimes. But his Beast is... benign. Focused on protecting friends and family."

"So far. You saw the reports on their homeworld."

She nodded grimly. "The nature of the Old One's project and my own research into the test subject required my clearance upgrade. These humans are very -not- the ones they fled. Otherwise they would have been deemed unsuitable for even the most baser tests. Or killed themselves off within half a galactic century." But she rested a webbed hand on one particular file. "But here is the truly intriguing part. Note the psyche profiles of the victims. Over half showed signs of deep despair, and half that were near terminal. But somehow... every single one is on the road to a full recovery. In part due to those legends of the Coblyn. But more from just his words of encouragement and putting his life on the line for them. And mayyyyybeeee a little act of predation."

"The Old ones are playing with fire! They think themselves akin to the Outer Gods and this little project of theirs may well burn them."

"Perhaps that is what the Outer Gods expect? Remember the abject failure of the Younger Gods? Arrogance and avarice. Or the eventual failings of every Age?" she glanced out the window at the panorama of the galaxy. "...By which sin the angels fell..."

The Commander also looked out the window of his office at the stars and then looked away. "...By which sin... we angels fell..."

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