35 The Citadel..again.. (1/2)

The ship docked into the Citadel. Various crew members left as soon as we docked. Leaving ahead of time instead of waiting for dismissal procedures. I thought this was rude but not Maldova, she understood the hurry. They each left messages saying they would come back for the goodbyes. Some were regretful some were not. They were just happy to be debt-free again.

Before Maldova went to make her report to the Citadel, I talked to her again. I did my best to get her to listen to me. With a lot of persuasion and coercion, we went to an apartment Galtea had rented for me. Entering inside I realized it was pretty spacious, very luxurious and then some. What shocked me the most, was that Galtea was here. In her physical form no less. So were Alistair and Alma. Jaina stood at the bar drinking something. Whatever it was, it was full of magic that's for sure.

I felt my pulse quick when I saw them all. I was happy and something else that I couldn't quite make out. I felt the Soul aspect of my power shift about. It gave me new insight on how everyone was doing. More of how they were doing spiritually than psychically or emotionally like my biotic strands did. Shaking it off, I listened to Galtea talk to the crew. It went on for a few hours or so. I piped in when I didn't like what she said.

”I rather not do that.” Looking at Maldova and the crew wide-eyed in the apartment. These were the ones she trusted.

”It will make it easier to convince them,” Galtea said. ”Just do it! Multiple ones at that.”

”Fine.” I accessed my inventory and tripped out at the items inside. 'Man I have not used my stuff in a while it feels like.'

System: Racial pull... found a valid target... Laguz blood.. on hold. Magical pull... matches found. Dark Fire.. incompatible... Dark Water used instead.. on hold.Primarch genetic information found... adapting... on hold. User has Overlord abilities adapting... upgrading mana storage...

”This will only hurt for a moment,” Galtea said smiling. ”Release all holds.” She waved her hand in the air and the room shifted a little.

System: Initiating. Laguz mutated due to the presence of Operator XXXX... changed to Demonic Cerebus... Dark Water.. cannibalized into Rune Magic.. Intelligence increased.. by 2 physical attributes increase by 1

”Aaahhh!” My skin started to burn off as a large amount of magic erupted from within me. My bones broke under the pressure while my muscles tore. ”Ahhh!” I could only scream in pain. As I felt myself burning away I reformed into a large wolf. I could feel my massive body still aching. But that was not the biggest problem. The smell was. A sensory overload had me seeing spots.

System: Dexterity Check Successful 23

My paws scraped the floor as I tried standing up straight. ”Groo roo ra.” My voice came out in barks. I was trying to say this is hard. With luck on my side, I stood up on all fours. ” Grr ro.” I did it.

”Clap, clap. Good job” Galtea said. ”How do you feel? Does it still hurt?” She looked me up and down before reaching for my nose.

”Chop,” I snapped at her fingers and glared at her.

”Easy. Can you not speak with words. No matter.” With a glowing finger, she pointed at me. Warm energy invaded my body.

My throat parted and new tissue started to grow. I felt like throwing up. In a matter of moments, the pain vanished. I was left with a searing headache.

”You are starting to get on my nerves,” I told her. My voice sounds rough and slightly off.”My voice has changed .. why?”

”New vocal cords. They will always adapt when you take different forms. I remember how you hate not having the ability to communicate.” Galtea then looked toward Maldova and her crew. ”So do you believe us now?”

”After that.. yes. I know I speak for myself when I say I will come with. As long as you allow me to help with our world as well.” Looking at the people with her she saw the look of wonder. ”You have us at your employee.”

”That is good. I think it best if everyone takes this time to do a little shopping for personal effects and the like before we depart.” Galtea said addressing them each.

”How are we going to depart. I am losing my ship.”

”That will be taken care of by us. Dont worry...” Galtea looked at me still in my wolf form. ”You stay wolf boy. We need to discuss a few things.”

”Grr fine!” I was not happy. Watching the others leave I sat my butt on the floor. ”What is it?”

”You need to know something. Your death will only keep you from that world. Unless their is a method for the resurrection that defines the world itself. You will drop in power as well as stats.” Galtea said walking over to me. ”I am making it hard for you on purpose. Someone is still watching us. I have to do what I can to make you stronger. I know that is what you want. Strength to live. So I will keep it up. I am ok with you getting mad every now and then. I know deep down it is due to what is happening.” She released her own power washing it over me.

I felt she enjoyed tormenting me. She did not hide it in the least. I was able to pick up something else behind that though. Everything she was doing to me helped her grow stronger than me somehow. She questions what was happening. Wanting to find faster results.. she pushed it further and faster. But she knew it made me stronger. I could not wrap my head around this at all really. I felt like a glorified putz.

”You take the trouble to get the points. I will use the points correctly. I have not wasted any.” Galtea smiled playfully. ”I will make sure your people and the places you go to will be ready. Be careful though, the System will calculate accordingly and send more missions.”

She brushed her hand through my fur. I wanted to growl but stopped when I saw the look in her eye.

”Makes sense,” I said not really caring for some reason. ”Wait... what about the others who are with me during that time? What happens to them? You know when I die and all.”

”If they are key to the world.. they will be sent back fully integrated if you die.” Galtea stared at me. ”They can become recruited again but it will cost much more unless other measures are taken. I am working on making them stronger so dont worry about that. Just get stronger, I can feel your worry. Your Empath powers are stronger than your body can handle. You are an open book at times.”

I couldn't help it. I rubbed my head against her face. My Soul Power started to climb upward. Moving a paw out I pulled her closer to me. I kept her despite her few struggles. I felt my body enlarge again, stronger but settling quickly. Laying my head down, I was surprised when Jaina walked over slightly drunk. Well, mana drunk anyway. She leaned against my stomach and took a nap.

”Nice and comfy. Reminds me of a dire wolf I met.” Her voice slurred.

Galtea smiled and leaned into me and slept when she realized I was not letting her go. Alma and Alistair smiled before leaving. Sophia came from out of the kitchen and climbed on top me taking a nap as well. Apparently, I was the new sofa I guess. I finally saw my engineer again. We barely spoke much on the ship.

He moved to my back paw and leaned against it. One of the male members from Galtea crew curled up with him.

I didn't my biotic strands to tell me what was going with them two. Sending him a message, I wished him good luck. He turned and smiled at me before looking at the man in his embrace. They snuggled tighter as he smiled.

'Well glad someone found themselves, someone.' ”Ah,” I yawned softly before resting. I looked in on the others resting in my Netherealm. Well some of them anyway. A few of the others took Mileena and the rest to the medical facilities here. I was not looking forward to that bill. Before I fully relaxed I saw Alita digitized across from me. ”What is it?”

'Speak to me in your mind.” Alita sent to me. 'It is time for me to pull my weight. I have recovered enough. At least I think so anyway.'

'Sure you have. But...' I ran my power over her slowly. 'No. Continue to rest more. However..' I felt something happening in the Citadel as I looked that way. ”Hmmm, I have something for you to do. Head to the medical area. Check on our people for me. Someone thought it was a good idea to put tabs on them... in an informal way.”

'Very well.' Alita thought to me softly. She was a little bothered I didnt continue the conversation telepathically.

'I dont know why you wanted to do it that way.. but the reason I spoke out loud was for her.' I nudged my head to the side. 'It was for her over there hiding all the time.'

With a flicker, Kasumi appeared. She nodded to me and then looked at Alita in her wolf form. In a split second, Alita turned into magical energy and wrapped around Kasumi.

”Ohh, that is defintely nice,” Kasumi said touching her Omni-tool. She reactivates her cloaking and left.

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'Alita keep her safe. Stay in touch as well.' I finally went to sleep after that. I felt Galtea shift near me. She turned to me sleeping heavily almost defenseless. Her few loose strands let me know she was scared of something.

'Ahh so many problems. I need to discuss this with myself.'

(Half a day later back at the hanger.)

Galtea stood in front of her other crew members who were leaving. She gave them a hard look from behind her visor. I still have not seen what she looks like other it. It was infuriating not knowing.

”Attention Crew. I will miss all of you. best of luck to you and everything you do in the future. Just always remember you were once A member of Maldova Mercenaries. Keep your head held hide.”

With that, the crew members left the hanger. The next moment Citadel officials came up to the ship and started to take it apart.

”It will be ok. Come on I have a surprise for you.” Gesturing for her from getting too emotional I tried to get her away from all of this.

”Ugh, what is it Sunstrider? Look at the remainder of my crew. I still need to get work for them. I won't let them down.” Remembering something she turned to me. ”I know you will provide opportunities in the future. but the here and now needed to be addressed.”

”Just follow me… Captain.” Walking off I turned towards the small shuttle. ”They will be paid coming with us. In various ways.”

”A Captain without a ship.”

In a few minutes, everyone loaded in with there supplies and gear. In the other shuttle, the rest loaded up. Leaving the Citadel I explain to her what was gonna happen next. She was still skeptical about the rifting apart.

'Galtea are we ready?' I asked through the System link. I rather not alert anybody via omni-tool.

Galtea: Yes. Activating cloaking ring now.

The ships disappeared from sensor view.