Title: Alpha Tactics

Author/pseudonym: Creed Cascade

Fandom: The Sentinel/Andromeda

Pairing: And I don't watch everything, so first and/or last name please.

Rating: Status: eg- new/repost, complete etc.

Archive: If you want it, go ahead…just let me know.

Feedback: Creed_Cascade@hotmail.com

Series/Sequel: no

Other websites: n/a

Disclaimers: They don't belong to me. Never did, never will. But just try and find me…cue evil cackle!

Notes: This is an alternate universe set in the Andromeda universe. I fell in love with the Nietzschean society. In short, they are a society where genetic excellence is strived for and social Darwinism. I made this characters a little more "touchie-feelie" than the cold bastards found on the Andromeda series, but that's my prerogative. And I have made some of the stuff up because the series hasn't been on that long. For more information on the Andromeda universe and the Nietzscheans, check out: http://www.allsystems.org/

All you need to remember is a Nietzschean will do anything to win and pass on there genetics to another generation. Note, Caiman means alligator. A double helix is an arm band signifying a man is a husband and father.

Summary: Blair is captured by his enemies and taken possession by Jim.

Warnings: first time, alternate universe

His breath wanted to explode from his chest in heavy gasps, but Blair focused on controlling his body. With every echoing footstep along the medal corridor, his enemies stocked closer. He crouched behind the bulkhead waiting for the just the right moment to enact his plan. As the leather boots became properly aligned, he pulled on the tripwire. A split second later he exploded onto the fallen body. Finding an opening, the spikes on his fore arm tore at the exposed flesh. Hearing the approaching reinforcements, Blair grabbed the stunned man’s weapon and opened fire. If he was going to die, he had every intention of eliminating as many of the bastards from the gene pool as possible. To his gratification he saw two additional figures fall before his world went dark.

<><><><><><>

The assembly gathered around the great open room glared at the stranger. Blair ignored them and searched the enemy stronghold for any evidence of escape. His survival instincts and intelligence would never give up until he was utterly dead. The hushed tones around him stopped when drummers began to beat out a steady rhythm. A beast of man gradually strode onto the podium. This man was a superb physical specimen; even by high Nietzschean standards. The pulsating of the drums stopped when the great man raised his hand.

"What happened out there, Menault?" his voice boomed over the gathered crowd.

The guard standing next to Blair nervously shifted from foot to foot, keeping his eyes on the ground. He was the leader of the scout party that accosted Blair.

"There was a minor problem, sir," he answered.

"I don’t call getting my oldest son nearly killed a minor problem!"

"Of course, sir."

"Tell me now how a simple salvage mission turned dire."

"Like I said, sir, there was a minor problem."

The great man looked at the guard with indignation. He then turned and made eye contact with Blair. "This --", he waved his hand at Blair, "I assume, was the minor problem?"

"It was merely a cowardly trick --"

"As I understand the situation," the enemy leader hissed, "--this weakling Nietzschean took down three of my warriors."

Looking up defiantly, Blair interjected, "I am no weakling Nietzschean. I outwitted and outmanoeuvred three of your warriors -- unarmed."

He was backhanded across the face by the guard. Blair merely licked his bleeding lip and smiled.

"Menault! Step away!" the larger man moved forward, "You are the coward here. Hitting a bound man nearly half your size in conjunction with your incompetence today makes your worth highly suspect. At this rate you will never attract a wife."

The enemy leader eyed Blair with distain. Blair was familiar with the look from Nietzscheans who considered him inferior because of his small stature. He looked Blair directly in the eye again.

"I am Simon Banks, alpha male of the Caiman Pride. I have every reason to kill you."

"I die with honour," Blair retorted.

Simon rumbled with laughter at Blair’s comment.

"Such bravado from such a diminutive man. I see you do not wear a double helix. Perhaps by killing you, we will free the world of inferior genes." Dismissing Blair’s importance, the leader turned to address his pride, "According to tradition, I ask will any pride member speak for you?"

This tradition was merely a formality before the execution. From the platform, an impressive man stepped forward and looked at Simon for recognition. Blair looked at the man he assumed would be his executioner.

He was surprised when the man spoke, "It would not be wise to execute this man, Simon."

"Jim, do you speak for this stranger?" Simon questioned in an icy tone.

"Hear me out. Didn’t it make you wonder how someone managed to conceal themselves on a supposedly abandoned Than fighter? I checked the logs on board and confirmed the fighter was stolen from a Than hive. It also happened to be laden with some particularly spectacular stolen cargo in the hold. It appears to me that this man managed to sneak into an active Than hive and escape with a fighter full of booty. Doesn’t that scenario sound familiar, Simon? I believe he is of the Timber Wolf Pride."

Simon hissed in recognition. "Is this true?"

Blair stated with satisfaction, "Yes -- I am Blair Sandburg of the Timber Wolf Pride."

The Timber Wolfe Pride was known throughout Nietzschean society for their high intelligence. While their members where considered short changed in the muscle department, they made up for it by producing a great number of geniuses. This particular pride often pulled off brilliant, undetectable missions with accomplished criminals and assassins among its ranks.

"Simon, I speak for Blair Sandburg of the Timber Wolf Pride. We cannot afford a dispute with his pride. He proved his worthiness in a battle of three against one, but no one was killed. We should consider this a learning experience. The pride does not have to claim vengeance. If he is willing to submit, I will claim him in an allegiance bond."

Blair looked at the man who was willing to claim a stranger. He had the impressive physique typical of the Caiman Pride. His chiselled features spoke of first-rate genes, but the man’s blue eyes drew Blair. These blue eyes shimmered with a sharp intelligence. Either this man was foolishly brave or had a plan. Blair was inclined to believe the latter.

Under the terms of an allegiance bond, Blair would become Jim’s possession. An allegiance bond was a tradition rarely evoked because the new "possession" had the tendency to kill his bond mate and escape. Loyalty only exists for a Nietzschean if it served his individual purposes. In this case, the alternative for Blair was death. The survival instincts screamed within Blair.

"I submit," he said.

Simon’s gaze shifted between Jim and Blair. His lips were drawn thin and his brow crinkled with concentration. The leader of the Caiman Pride was considering the implications of this new development.

"Jim Ellison of the Caiman Pride, you have claimed Blair Sandburg of the Timber Wolf Pride in an allegiance bond. I do not approve of this, but I do not have the right to dispute tradition. Step forward," Simon spoke in a powerful monotone.

Jim stepped off the platform towards his pride leader. Simon grabbed the captive by the shoulders and shoved him harshly at Jim. Blair was unable to get his balance with his hands tied behind his back and landed against a solid chest. As his world spun momentarily off axis, he felt an arm move across his body to steady him. Blair closed his eyes and pressed his head against the bare chest.

"He is your worry now, Jim. You know the rules. As a member of the Caiman Pride you are responsible for his behaviour while this stranger remains in our territory. If you truly do this for the welfare of the pride to avoid warfare with his pride, I suggest you get rid of this outsider as soon as possible. Now get him out of my sight before I forfeit tradition."

Blair felt himself turned and Jim’s hand moved to his neck to direct his movement. They took a few steps forward, but Blair stopped when Jim’s hand tightened on his neck. Jim turned when he heard his leader call his name, almost as an afterthought.

"-- oh, Jim --"

"Yes, sir."

"Don’t forget that man almost killed my Daryl. Keep your possession away from my wives and children. It would be regrettable if something bad *accidentally* happened to him."

"Of course, sir. Don’t worry. I will keep him under control," he answered calmly.

Blair was in a haze as he felt the hand on his neck tighten and his body propelled forward. He had been in some messes during his life, but this was truly the worst. As long as he stayed in Caiman territory, he belonged to this man who was ushering him down numerous corridors. Blair’s mind struggled trying to think of a solution, but he could not think of a solution until he knew the motivation behind this man’s action. He was shocked out his temporary stupor when they turned abruptly, doors opened and they moved into a smaller room away from the main corridor.

Blair barely had a time look around before he was pushed face down onto the sleeping platform. He quickly turned his body so he could see the man standing, staring at him. He eyed his opponent more closely. This man was tall, well built and could easily physically dominate Blair. He wore common Nietzschean attire and weaponry. Jim’s chest and arms were bare, his torso covered partially by a sleeveless, floor-length leather coat and he wore leather pants with a knife strapped to his upper thigh. Dressed completely in black, he was every inch a prime example of an alpha Nietzschean male. This particular male was eyeing him like a Nietzschean child given a new weapon to play with. He had a slight smile plastered on his face. Blair met the dancing azure eyes with a look of contempt. Jim’s smile only deepened in response.

"You think too much, Timber Wolf."

"At least I have a brain to think with," Blair retorted.

"Put that brain of yours to rest for now. You will not escape, little man. You are in the depths of the Caiman stronghold and of course, I will not let you escape."

"You. Won’t. Let. Me. Escape. Easy words to say to a man with his arms tied behind his back," Blair spat.

Jim smiled again. Blair was really beginning to hate that smile. Jim paced over to the sleeping platform, in the middle of the sparse room and loomed over Blair. He quickly removed the knife strapped to his thigh and held it against Blair’s throat.

"You have such a big mouth. Maybe I should slice your throat to shut you up?"

Blair narrowed is eyes in defiance, but didn’t dare respond this time. The bite of the knife at his tender throat reminded him how much he wanted to survive.

"Good, I see you can learn. Remember who’s in charge around here -- me. I could very easily disembowel you and send the Timber Wolf Pride your intestines to spite them."

The knife moved away from his throat and began to move through Blair’s shoulder length auburn curls. Its path then moved down his shoulder, chest and lurked just above his nipple ring.

"You really are quite pretty. More attractive than some women I know."

"What do you want from me?" Blair whispered.

Before the last syllable was spoken, Jim swiftly propelled Blair face down onto the bed. As he straddled his thighs, Blair felt the knife slowly move up his lower back.

"Good question, little man."

The blade of the knife slipped into the bonds restraining Blair’s wrists. The cords fell loose, but before he could stretch his tense muscles, he felt his wrist clasped in a sharp grip. Jim threw the dagger and it landed solidly in a nearby wall. Blair started to struggle in vain. His body’s momentum was used against him as Jim flipped the smaller man onto his back. Blair’s legs were pinned between Jim’s stronger thighs and his arms pulled over his head. He looked up to see Jim’s feral grin and blazing eyes. His brain flashed a warning that he was now the plaything of this surreal man.

Jim reached over with his free hand and collected the scattered binding rope. His movements were agile as he retied Blair’s outstretched hands to a corner bedpost. After testing the binding’s security with a quick tug, he hovered over the prone body. He looked directly into Blair’s eyes, as if searching for something. Blair tried to meet his gaze openly, but gave into his embarrassment, turning his head to the side with closed eyes. He felt Jim’s palm brush against the side of his cheek moving to play with some stray strands of hair.

His certainty was shattered when he felt hot breath on his neck, followed by a soft nuzzle. Blair’s common sense screamed that this should not be happening. His captor was giving all the signals of someone wanting mate. His brain denied everything, grasping at the fact that the Nietzscheans had supposedly breed out the gene for homosexuality generations ago. However, the fact could not be denied that there was a very active alpha male plastered to his body at this exact moment. The adept lips drew him back to reality as they trailed down his neck, stopping only to nip and suck at the hollow of his shoulder blade.

"No," Blair panted in denial.

The lips moved away from his shoulder. He felt fingertips caressing and soothing the residual bite mark. His eyes remained shut, shielding him from the truth. A moment later, he felt a tongue trailing over his lips. A large hand travelled up and down his chest enraging his sensitive nerve cells. When a thumb grazed his nipple, Blair involuntarily gasped. Immediately, his mouth was covered and the able tongue worked its way home. It was a gentle, sensuously slow kiss. As his mouth was leisurely ravaged, Jim’s hands roved all over his body. When a hand rubbed against his hard bulge, Blair froze in distress.

"No."

He began to writhe beneath the heavier body. He was fighting the bonds that held him and also the allure of forbidden pleasure. Jim merely gripped him harder, massaging through his leather pants. A delicious moan escaped Blair’s swollen lips. The fingers moved up and down, making the smaller man delirious. The sensations were so intense they drove his body and mind to new levels of ecstasy. Soft groans testified to the deep desire surfacing from this delightful assault. The heat and strength of the body pressed against him was oddly satisfying. His hips undulated slowly, with intensity, against the compelling power of the man above him. Moments before he reached the brink of satisfaction, the warmth moved away from his groin.

"No," he whimpered in disbelief.

Blair’s eyes flew open to look at the man who now sat on his heels, staring down at his plundered body. Both men were breathing hard, fighting the flow of interrupted lust.

"What do you want?" Jim whispered sensually.

"You. I want you," he gasped.

Jim grinned in satisfaction and extended the triple claws on his right forearm. A moment of fear flashed across Blair’s face. Jim leaned over, and slashed the bindings restraining his arms. The larger man licked the mistreated flesh of each wrist. Fluidly, he moved with determination and Blair could only anticipate the fast coming delight. Blair gazed at his seducer as he undid his pants, shivering when large hands moved over his hips to slide the material off. He watched as Jim, in turn, revealed his own throbbing cock. In one swift move, the bodies were again joined groin to groin. Blair ran his hands down the exotic, muscled back of the larger man and threw back his head in ecstasy. Jim slowly began to move against Blair. Their fluids combined and the sweet friction was driving both men beyond agony.

Jim leaned over and growled, "Mine. You are mine, aren’t you, beta?" He emphasised each syllable with a hard thrust.

"Yes," Blair groaned in response as he reached completion.

Jim’s nostrils flared, taking in the scent. He growled with pleasure and collapsed, depleted onto his new mate. Jim rolled over and pulled the satiated body beneath him to his chest. Blair sighed and moved closer to the unfamiliar, yet welcoming presence. He drifted off encased in this strong embrace.

Blair stirred out of the post-coital bliss when he felt Jim licking the evidence of their passion off of his stomach. On intuition, he reached down and caressed the spiky head of his seducer. He was rewarded when the larger man looked up at him and smiled. Blair decided that maybe that smile wasn’t so bad after all.

"Close your eyes," Jim asked sweetly.

Blair wondered why, but he closed his eyes against his better judgment. Jim clasped Blair’s hips, holding him still. Blair shuddered just imaging the possibilities this superb man brought to his mind. His eyes snapped open when he felt a sharp pain emanate from his lower stomach. He looked down to see Jim lapping at a small trickle of blood where his claws had punctured the skin.

"What the fuck?!" Blair yelped as he leapt away.

Jim sat up and licked the blood off his lips. The infamous grin was plastered on his face.

"What did you do that for?" Blair demanded.

"Because I needed to."

"What kind of weird ass answer is that? You cut me?!"

"It was only a small cut. And like I said, it was necessary --" Jim stopped momentarily to lick the blood off his claws, "--it was necessary to complete the bonding."

Blair skittered farther away from Jim and looked around nervously. Blair extended the claws embedded in his own forearms, in a natural Nietzschean response to a threat.

"What bonding? You already claimed me. Why did you claim me in the first place?" Blair anxiously fired questions.

"I wanted you, so I took you. It is as simple as that," Jim responded calmly.

Blair looked around the room and his eyes paused at the door. He bolted off the bed, only to be caught and propelled onto his back. Jim loomed over him with a scowl on his face.

"That was very stupid, beta. You cannot escape. Now that the bonding is complete, I can track you anywhere. I have imprinted myself on you. I know your smell and taste. I can even hear your heart pounding against your ribcage."

Blair looked up at Jim in shock. Jim reached over and brushed the back of his knuckles against Blair’s cheek in a comforting caress.

"Don’t worry, I will take care of you from now on. We will do great things together, my beta."

<><><><><><>

Blair winced as his knee scrapped painfully on a sharp corner, as he squeezed further into the tight space. He had been crawling around in the dark vents for hours now. Blair was sure his luck was holding because he still managed to escape detection. As soon as his captor left him alone, he managed to slip out his restraints and pick the locks to the supposedly secure air ventilation system. He was particularly proud of himself considering it was twelve feet off the floor. Slowly he crept towards the humming noise further up the airshaft, approaching his target. He planned to drop quietly into an automated control room and make his way to the ship hanger. Blair carefully leaned over the opening and peered into the space below. Holding his breath, he listened for anything alarming. After determining the room was deserted, he lifted the edge of the grate and flipped head first into the unknown. With a graceful spin, he landed on his feet, only slight winded.

"Hello, Blair."

Blair snapped around to face the hidden figure. Out of the shadows stepped the man he had been trying to escape.

"Shit --" he whispered.

Blair had the immediate impression that he was a dead man. The larger Nietzschean stood with his arms crossed over his chest and feet planted firmly. He exuded an air of authority and confidence that Blair wanted to hate.

"I’m very pleased with you," Jim stated. He appeared to be amused and that annoying grin lit up his face. Blair looked at him funny and stepped closer to the door.

"I wouldn’t even think about it, beta. I let you get this far. I have a weakness for beautiful things and I’m not going to let you simply walk away from me," Jim stated calmly, "Stay put."

Blair merely nodded in response. Jim stalked over to the frozen smaller man. He pressed Blair’s body again the wall, trapping him between his outstretched arms and moved his head next to his prey’s ear.

"I saved your life again. In that corridor is a squadron who would have killed you the minute you tried to get any further. I am pleased with your performance because you did what I expected you to do. I left you alone on purpose to test your skills. If you had not escaped, you would be dead right now. I would have sliced your throat myself. You have fulfilled my expectations, pretty beta."

Jim inhaled Blair’s scent deeply. This was the scent he had tracked as his escapee transversed the complicated ventilation system. Indulging his need to taste his new acquisition, he leisurely began to kiss Blair. He growled with approval when the smaller man’s lips parted for his exploration. Jim’s tongue sought out its mate and begin a slithering dance. Eventually, the kiss was broken when both men were heaving from lack of breath and lust. Jim moved away from the tempting figure, but slipped his arm around the tapered waist to maintain body contact.

"Let’s get out here. I have plans for you."

Pressing his hand against Blair’s lower back, Jim directed his beta out of the control room and down the corridor. Blair moved closer to Jim when they approached a group of milling Caiman Pride males. He could almost feel the animosity vibrating off of them and their hateful glances added to the tension. Blair unconsciously flinched when he heard the distinct click of a weapon loading. As they passed the group, he felt Jim tighten his grip on his waist and his hand moved in reassuring patterns.

"Hey, Ellison! What are you going to do with that Timber Wolf bitch?" one of the group members shouted. The man in question stopped laughing when Jim stopped dead and turned his icy blues on him.

"Very. Stupid. Move. Zaczek, I’ll remember you said that the next time we’re alone. Stay away from what’s mine if you want to keep your balls attached to your body," Jim said in cold, clear voice.

Without waiting for a further response, they continued to move back to Jim’s quarters. The trip was a blur for Blair since he was lost in thought. He was thinking about the nature of this man who had claimed him. It was disturbing in a way to be claimed by another so fiercely, but somehow it was also tempting. A piece of Blair’s consciousness was satisfied that another soul was concerned with his survival. The other part of his consciousness was severely alarmed that a Nietzschean male was acting so possessive.

The hum of the door closing jarred Blair back into reality. He was back in the room he had just escaped. Blair sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the inevitable. He was expecting punishment of some sort, no matter what this alpha male said about his satisfaction.

"I have something for you. Close your eyes."

When Blair didn’t comply immediately, Jim simply ran his fingertips over the eyelids. Blair kept his eyes shut, expecting a sharp blow or the bite of a binding rope. There was a short rustling noise and he felt a hand graze his cheek.

"You can open them now. This is for you --"

The first thing he fixed his eyes on was a stunning piece of piece of jewellery. Jim simply handed it to him and smiled cautiously. Blair stroked the jewellery and turned it gently for further examination. His thumbs ran over the rounded edges of an intricate, platinum torc. The elegant piece of neck jewellery almost resembled a collar, except it was open on one end. The c-shaped design was simple, ordained at the ends with what appeared to be cat’s paws. Blair looked up to meet a matching pair of blue eyes looking for his approval. Without thinking of the consequences, Blair simply nodded. Jim reached over and took the torc from Blair’s grasp. Carefully pulling the medal, he enlarged the opening and slipped it around his beta’s neck. His large hands closed the torc so it melded around the flesh. The torc was strong enough to stay in place, but light enough to remain comfortable.

"This means everyone will know you belong to me. It is a symbol of our union. As Nietzschean men wear the double helix in honour of their status as husband and father, so you shall wear my jaguar’s torc in honour of your status as my beta."

An odd silence filled the room.

"Why?" Blair finally asked.

"Because I need you," was his simple reply.

"But I have no need for you -- " he added stubbornly.

Jim pulled Blair into a standing position and wrapped him in a strong embrace. Placing a hand on the back of the curly head, he guided their mouths together for an overwhelming kiss. Blair wrapped his arms around Jim’s neck to pull the well-built man closer. Jim’s hands roamed his back and came to rest on his rounded ass cheeks, kneading them passionately.

Jim was kissing and sucking behind Blair’s right ear when he whispered, "Your body betrays you, beta. You need me and I know you want to please me."

Pushing slightly on his companion’s shoulders, Jim was satisfied when Blair slid gradually to his knees. Blair’s head was bent and nestled again his seducer’s strong thigh. He hid under the envelop of auburn curls and watched as Jim released his hard cock from its constricting prison.

"Come on, baby."

His mind was screaming at him to stop, but his own pulsating beat of desire drew him to this act. Truthfully, he wanted to cause this man mind-breaking pleasure. Blair moved hesitantly at first, licking the leaking tip. Jim groaned in ecstasy and this encouraged Blair’s explorations. He moved his tongue along the underside to the base, inhaling this new masculine scent. Giving into desire he opened his mouth and Jim guide his cock home. Jim wrapped a handful of curls and guided the motion up and down his length, setting a steady rhythm. The harder Blair sucked and licked, the louder Jim moaned.

"You are so good -- mmmmm -- just like that --"

Blair felt the muscles in Jim’s thigh begin to twitch. With a final, deep thrust Jim came hard. The bitter taste was a shock and Blair almost gagged, but finally managed to swallow deeply. The still firm cock slipped from his mouth and a tiny trail of cum spilt down his chin. Jim’s knees buckled and he came to rest beside Blair. He leaned over and licked Blair’s face clean, ending in an intense kiss. Blair rested his head on his lover’s shoulder and took comfort when he felt his hair petted.

"You were wonderful, baby. But I want to know one thing. Have you ever done this before?"

Blair was silent for a moment, trying to think if this would reveal any weakness. "No," escaped his swollen lips.

Jim nuzzled into Blair curls and smiled with approval.

"There are so many things I’m going to show you. Now let’s take care of what you need."

Blair shivered with the impact of that statement. What he needed was to get as far away as possible from this man and the Caiman stronghold. However, his body was demanding that it had far more insistent needs to be taken of. At this exact moment, Blair was having problems concentrating with his erection sending disturbing messages to his brain to shut up and go with the flow. The flow currently dictated that he follow Jim to his feet as they moved the short distance to the bed.

Blair was almost amused by the determined look Jim maintained as he proceeded to arrange both bodies until he was satisfied. Jim lowered himself onto Blair and continued to mount war on the other man’s sanity. With his first strike he nipped, licked and sucked poor Blair into a quivering mass. The sensual assault continued down his torso and lingered at his nipples. Jim was fascinated with Blair’s nipple ring and the responses he could elicit from the squirming man with just the right tug.

Later in the barrage, Jim stopped sucking near Blair’s navel when he reached the leather barrier of his pants. With a determined and disdainful grunt, he hastily shed his own leather gear and attempted to uncover his objective. A sweaty, fidgeting partner did not help the process, but eventually Blair was naked and subject to a hungry blue gaze. Blair didn’t even care that his pants would never be the same again. Jim was looking at him possessively and Blair almost hated the truth that he found this satisfying.

"You are very beautiful," was all Jim said before he took Blair’s cock deep in his mouth.

Blair managed something akin to a squeak in response. He was unprepared for the swiftness of the move, but reveled in the new sensations. He had attempted to give this pleasure to Jim beforehand, but being on the receiving end was staggering. Jim was not subtle and knew exactly how to bring Blair to the very edge of passion, only to back off. From base to tip, Jim sucked Blair’s cock deep into his mouth and the sensitive tip rubbed against his ribbed upper palate. Jim knowingly denied Blair the exact rhythm that would bring him completion.

"Please -- oh gods -- you’re killing me -- just finish it, man -- please --" were some of the words Jim was able to make out from babble emerging from his partner.

Jim was pleased that the true vocal nature of his mate was finally surfacing. When Blair was close to completion, Jim pulled away, licking the lips of his feral grin. Blair made a small, disbelieving keening noise at the loss. Jim moved so he was face to face with Blair.

"I’m going to give you what you need. What we both need," he whispered hoarsely.

He could read his beta’s increased heart rate and shallow breathing. He moved his hands to the smooth hips and swiftly flipped the body beneath him over. Blair found himself on his stomach with Jim straddling his legs. He briefly thought it was strange that he didn’t tense up at this realization, but he was too on edge to care. Jim’s hands returned to his body and ghosted over his back aided by warm, sweetly scented oil. Blair didn’t know where the oil came from and he didn’t care. He drifted into a haze between pleasure and need. He twitched when he felt hands glide over his ass cheeks, but they continued onto his thighs and he returned to nirvana. Reality smacked him upside the head when he felt those wicked hands massaging his ass again. Jim slowly ran his oiled thumb down the crevice.

"What are you doing?!" Blair accused as he twisted slightly away.

"Shhhhh --" Jim whispered as he gently pushed Blair flat on the bed " --trust me. Hasn’t everything we have done until now been pleasurable?"

"Oh god, yes."

"Then trust me."

Jim continued to rubdown the superb ass in front of him with intent. Blair felt a slight pressure at his opening and tried not to fight it. All of his mental and physical barriers seemed to melt to the will of this man. Jim was sliding one oiled finger cautiously in and out. After stretching the muscles sufficiently, he slide two fingers into the loosening passage. The sensation of stretching and being filled was strange for Blair. The little lightening bolts of pain slowly began to merge into a completely new feeling of fulfillment. He moaned when he felt three fingers glide and scissor in his passage. It was almost too much, but not nearly enough. Sensing the changes in Blair’s body, Jim removed his fingers leisurely. Blair was shocked out his daze from the loss.

"What the fuck --" he turned to look at Jim in accusation.

He stammered when he saw Jim oiling his thick, painful looking cock. Their eyes met and mutual lust flashed in a whirling dance. Jim drifted over the prone body and his lips brushed against the platinum torc surrounding his beta’s neck. That action touched Blair and he arced upwards to maintain maximum body contact. Jim grunted with satisfaction as his cock slide between oiled ass cheeks when their bodies converged fully. He bit and sucked the back his beta’s neck, as their bodies moved together.

Separating faintly, Jim positioned at the right angle and tenderly pushed inwards. Hearing a sharp intake of breath, Jim paused his invasion momentarily. When he felt Blair relax, he moved his arm underneath Blair’s waist and pulled his lover onto his knees. During the process, his cock slipped deeper into the hot, tight passage. Both men let out a series of deep moans from bliss and need. Jim began to thrust home in a steady rhythm, climbing closer to the peak of ecstasy. He reached around and pumped Blair’s weeping cock in time with his deep thrusts. The dual stimulation was too much for Blair and he let go with a sub-vocal cry. Jim was hauled into his own orgasm by the pulsating passageway and excitement of his beta. Both men collapsed onto the bed from post-fuck exhaustion.

The experience had been so intense neither man reacted right away. Jim heaved his bulk off, only to collapse partly on his ravaged partner. He drew Blair into his arms and began to nuzzle his neck, kissing the torc layered under curls. The two lovers lay entangled, caressing each other in the aftermath. The silence was comfortable, but unanswered questions hovered just beneath the surface. The relationship was merely hours old, which was not unusual. It was common for Nietzschean heterosexual couples to have met, mated and committed within hours. It would take time for each to test mutual boundaries, strengths and weaknesses. A Nietzchean relationship was like a battlefield.

Jim was the first to break the silence when he causally remarked, "You were a virgin."

It was a statement, not a question. Blair squeezed his eyes shut. Nietzscheans never were known for tact, but Jim was especially indiscreet. Blair would not back down from this man and he was not afraid of this particular truth.

"Yes."

"I want to ask you something and I want a truthful answer."

"What?"

"How much do you hate the Caiman Pride?"

"I’m not stupid enough to answer that question," Blair deadpanned.

Jim laughed at his boldness. "Always thinking. That is a helpful and attractive characteristic. But you have to learn that I demand the truth."

Blair looked into the eyes of the man who could easily kill in a variety of painful and bizarre ways. He wondered if Jim was trying to fuck him to death, but there were worse ways to go. He was willing to survive at almost any odds, but he would not debase himself with a lie.

"Fine. You want the truth. I think the Caiman Pride is full of genetic rejects who aren’t worthy to lick the boots of the Timber Wolf Pride," he spat.

"Such passion, my beta," Jim smiled and leaned over to kiss a shocked Blair. "I have been looking for someone like you. Finding you has been the catalyst to all my plans. Together we will make the Caiman and Timber Wolf Prides look pathetic."

In response to this new revelation, Blair moved abruptly to straddle his bed partner. This move was not perceived as an attack because Blair simply did not make a very menacing opponent with a sly smile plastered on his face.

"Are you planning what I think you are planning?" the smaller man questioned from his perch.

"As a matter a fact I am," Jim gave a little indulgent smile in return and stroked his hands over Blair’s thighs. "I’ll let that reality rattle around your head while I’m gone."

"Where are you going?" he frowned a bit. He pushed his full weight down to stop any further movement. "We have plans to make."

"As far as planning is concerned, don’t worry about that right now. I have everything under control. Our game of cat and mouse has been fun, but real life interjects itself into my strategy occasionally. I have to go on patrols for a few hours. The time I allotted for your little escape is up and I don’t want to arouse suspicions."

Blair snorted, "And don’t you think they will find it anymore suspicious than you liberating an outsider?"

"Let’s just say they will add it on to my already considerable tab."

Jim’s hand moved to Blair’s hips and in one swift movement he was laying on top of his ruffled partner. He proceeded to end the discussion with a breath-stealing kiss. Leaving a dazed looking Blair, he moved away from the sleeping platform and proceeded to dress.

"You’re cute when you’re speechless --"

"A Nietzchean is not cute," Blair huffed. Unless that is if you counted the fact that he looked superbly well fucked and happy to be so cute, then maybe he was cute.

"Its all in the eye of the beholder, beta. I’ll be gone for several hours. There are some fresh clothes I thought would suit you in the storage locker. Keep out of trouble and stay put. This time I won’t be able to save your ass from my eager pride brethren."

With that last warning, Jim left the room and the sharp click of the door locking from the outside reverberated. Right now this barbarian was the only thing stopping an entire pride from using Blair as a chew toy. Blair smiled as he thought of Jim’s unspecified plans. He could use this situation to his benefit, but first he had to do some research. Blair looked over at the locked computer terminal with delight.

<><><><><><>

Jim strode into the seemingly empty room. He looked around, scanning for any visual sign of his beta and was very pleased to see that there was none.

"It’s only me, you can come out now, oh master of stealth."

There were muffled noises and a few creative curses as Blair emerged from his hiding spot in the ventilation shaft. Hiding in these sparsely furnished quarters took creativity and Blair’s slighter stature did have its advantages.

"My compliments on your choice of coverage. You would have been able to take the enemy by surprise from that vantage point."

"Thanks, man. One can never be too careful."

Jim watched as Blair settled his clothing back into place. The tight, black leather pants were standard issue, but they none-the-less complimented his physique. Blair was shorter than the average Nietzchean male, but his beta had well-developed muscles and a powerful, sturdy frame. The net shirt Jim had picked out for him accentuated his auburn curls. The light shimmered off the netting, shifting from dark burgundy to glossy ebony.

"I can see I was right about your size and the colour is satisfactory." There was no need in Jim’s mind for his beta to get an inflated ego about how striking he looked in the outfit.

"It’s a little flashy, but I guess it will do," Blair smirked.

"Oh please, any man who wears his hair like that --" Jim reached out and played with a few stray curls, "--likes a little flash. Don’t forget that I am beginning to know yourself better than your own mother."

Blair twitched slightly at the mention of his mother and Jim filed that reaction away for future reference.

"How was your patrol?"

"Uneventful."

"Uneventful -- well, I can’t say that my time was uneventful. I spent some quality time with you’re the Caiman Pride database."

"A database that was blocked by the finest Nietzchean technology." Jim had his arms crossed in an outwardly perturbed stance. Inwardly, he was interested to see what the skills of his beta had uncovered.

"What can I say? Hacking is a favourite pastime of mine. If you didn’t have planned what I know you have planned, then as a faithful member of the Caiman pride you might be concerned at the lack of effective security measures around here."

"Nothing is effective against Timber Wolf persistence, I bet? What did you find in your excursion?"

"Well, I didn’t have time to get into anything too damning yet --" Blair moved closer to Jim and ran his hands over the larger man pecks. "-- but I did find out some interesting background information about you."

Blair stepped away, but stayed in Jim’s personal space. He looked him straight in the eyes and idly fondled the platinum torc around his neck.

"James Ellison out of Grace, by William, has quite an remarkable history. You are descended from a long line of alphas that have ruled the Caiman pride for generations --until recently. I was fascinated to learn that your family’s control was only usurped when its exalted heir, being you of course, was believed lost. It took a lot of digging to find out that you were thought dead for over eighteen months and during that time your family lost power. How unfortunate for our enemies that you survived that shuttle crash and endured eighteen months alone on an isolated jungle planet. What I couldn’t uncover was why you didn’t seize power when you returned?"

Jim did not look too surprised at this discovery of his past. It saved him the trouble of telling Blair and it proved how resourceful he was. Jim cleared his throat and met a challenging pair of blue eyes unswervingly before he answered.

"By the time I got back, the power dynamics in the pride had changed. I knew my ship had been sabotaged, but I didn’t know exactly by whom. The rest of the crew was dead and many among the pride were suspicious why I was the sole survivor. During my time on the jungle planet, I became the lucky inheritor of my family’s dirty past. How do you think we maintained power for so long?"

"Genetic superiority? Luck? I don’t know, man -- or was that a rhetorical question?" Blair teased.

"My ancestors tampered with their genes and were able to enhance one or two senses beyond normal Nietzchean standards. When I was marooned all five of my senses came to life. You have seen what they can do, but there are side effects. The Ellison line is prone to sensory overload. It was a well-held family secret until our enemies stumbled upon my brother’s inferiority. My family became too complacent over the years. They become weak and unprepared for confrontation. My father was killed during an induced blackout. He did not realize that to survive our type need assistance. You, my beta, are what I need to survive. You are what grounds me from a falling into a sensory overload. I am stronger than my father and will crush our enemies."

Such talk of power and control was sensual and erotic for both men. Blair was just beginning to accept that aligning himself with this man was a gamble that might pay off more than he ever dreamed.

Only one thing nagged at him and he had to ask, "Why don’t you want to take back the Caiman pride?"

"The Caiman pride is old and stale. My father lost his power due to weakness. I do not want power over an inferior pride when I can have the best. Together, we will start a new pride. Our Jaguar Pride will be superior in all things."

"You are so sure of yourself, James Ellison. What makes you think I would want to be part of your Jaguar Pride?"

He stepped forward until the men were chest to chest. Jim eyes narrowed in response to the challenge and he swiftly reached to grab a handful of curls. Blair’s head was bent back from the force as Jim leaned over and growled, "Hunger!"

Their lips were so close, it was nothing for Jim to lean in and emphasis his point with a ravenous kiss. Blair had this insistent need to challenge Jim. Jim had no patience for this posturing, but craved the chance to establish his dominance none the less. The two Nietzchean men radiated sexual tension in this power play both seemed delighted to play.

As their lips separated, Jim hissed, "Hunger for power --"

Jim nipped at Blair’s lower lip and sucked on it. The sensual assault moved forward as Jim nuzzled at the existing passionate marks on Blair’s neck. Blair moaned and exposed his neck more fully to the alpha male. Jim rumbled with approval and left another dark mark to proclaim his ownership. The onslaught continued as Jim nibbled on an ear and his tongue darted into the shell.

"Hunger for the unknown --"

Jim’s free arm wrapped around Blair’s waist and pressed the bodies even closer together. With the closer contact, the evidence of Blair’s arousal pushed against his thigh.

"Hunger for me, beta --"

The last word was a whispered hiss as Jim bent forward to mouth Blair’s nipple ring through the net shirt. His hand was still wrapped in Blair’s hair and he massaged his scalp methodically. Blair was gasping in short, jagged breaths. With a final gentle bite and tug of the nipple ring, Jim shifted away.

"We are going to stop playing games, beta. You know about my history, now you’re going to tell me about yours."

"You crazy bastard."

Jim made a deep tsking sound and shoved Blair against the nearest wall. "So we’re going to play this the hard way. It is rather cliché, but it will be fun --"

Jim’s flared his arm spikes and promptly began to slash Blair’s shirt from his frame.

"It a shame about the shirt. I think it looks good on you, but I can always get you another one," Jim said conversationally.

Once the chest was uncovered, Jim lightly ran his spikes over the skin, making sure not to break skin. He was demonstrating he could hurt, but chose not to. He then began to manipulate the exposed nipple that was still hard from his previous attention.

"What is your name and genealogy?"

Blair huffed his chest up and remained silent. Jim simply smiled and rolled the nipple between his fingers smoothly. He continued the pleasurable torture for what seemed to be an eternity to Blair.

"Give in -- it’s just your name and I already know that. You just have to say it, beta."

Jim was punctuating each word as each he rubbed his salty palm against the over stimulated nipple.

Between gritted teeth he answered, "Blair Sandburg, out of Naomi."

Jim noticed that Blair left out his paternal sire, but he sensed this was part of a darker secret. It was a battle that would have to be fought at another time because he had other information to gather from his writhing partner. He had won the first struggle in this encounter and he rewarded his beta with a quick kiss.

"Now Blair, I want you to tell me what you were doing on that raid."

"What do you think, caveman? Raiding --"

Jim released the abused curls and smoothed them lightly. One arm wrapped around Blair’s waist and the other began to manipulate his erection through a layer of leather. His fingers traced patterns over the member and leisurely moved inside its leather confinement. Jim grasped his target and began to slowly pump. When he felt Blair shake and his cock twitch, he removed his hand. It snaked up to Blair’s lower stomach and lazily caressed amongst the chest hair.

Blair shuddered, "ahhhhh -- you bastard --"

"Tell me and we can continue. I know how much you want this."

"Weapons."

Jim’s hands were everywhere, but where Blair wanted them to be. The over stimulation of his skin was infuriating. The next thing he knew he was engulfed in the warm heat of his partner’s hand again. Blair almost laughed in relief, but it came out a moan as Jim set a maddening pace. He was almost there when it stopped.

"Jim -- please --" escaped his lips.

"I’m sorry, beta, but this is necessary. Tell me why you were really on that raid."

His brain was having trouble possessing, but he managed to croak, "-- weapons -- I said weapons."

He could only groan when Jim squeezed his enraged cock.

"That’s not it. You wouldn’t have gone on a solo mission that dangerous for mere weapons. It’s something bigger, Blair. Something you were willing to risk your life for. My guess is that is was something that would have given you respect in your pride, maybe even a wife. But you are here now and you need to tell me."

During this dialogue, Jim’s hand would move bit by bit, but never enough. His system was overloaded and he was willing to give up anything to get release. He had no wife, no status and that meant up until now, no sex. His system had been bombarded in the last day or so with stupefying sex and it had no intention of returning to the pre-Jim way of things.

"Information --"

His mind screamed that this was such as bad idea, but his cock was blissful when Jim’s stokes sped up.

"What kind of information?"

"Data…"

"Blair, quit stalling. What kind of data?"

The friction on his leaking cock felt so good and Jim was massaging his ass now, too. What was one more concession when he had already fallen so far and the reward was so great?

"Passwords -- coordinates -- shipping histories --"

Jim beamed at his squirming mate and gave into his own desire to finish this torment. His fingers knowingly moved in a pattern to quickly bring him off and it was satisfying to feel the surge of warm liquid flow over his fingers. Blair went limp and rested his head on Jim’s shoulder. Jim laced his fingers with Blair’s lax hand and pulled their mutual grasp to clutch his bulging groan

"That will take the edge off for now. But I think there is so much more we can learn from each other and parts of me are still so eager --"

Blair’s replying moan was muffled under his curls that provided very little protection. He could already feel his satiated cock twitch with interest. In his mind, it was time that he returned the teasing from this maddening man.

"Eager is an understatement," Blair squeezed Jim’s leather encased package. "Is this all for me?"

Jim grunted in response, "You really are turning into a little slut."

"I learned from the best, man."

"For that comment, I should fuck you into submission."

"Promises -- promises, big man."

During the dialogue both men kept working at Jim’s needy cock. Jim moved his free hand that was covered in cum to Blair’s mouth.

"Lick," he commanded.

Blair easily slipped the digits into his mouth and began to suck. He traced the calloused, salty palm with his tongue. Blair nibbled and sucked continuously with his mouth while at the same time increasing his manipulation of his prize. A shiver danced up Jim’s spine and he pulled his fingers from the enticing mouth. Blair licked his lips, grinned and compressed his palm fully against the constricted cock.

"I will not cum in pants when I can put such a talented pretty mouth to better use," Jim said as he dragged his thumb across Blair’s lips. "And after that I have plans for your sweet ass, too."

Air swept quickly into Blair’s lungs with his intake of surprise. This man was so filled with relentless passion it was staggering. This alliance was definitely moving down a path suitable to his libido.

"Let me help take the edge off for you, Alpha," he countered.

The last word was said with a sarcastic bite, but Jim would let it slide this time. That acknowledgement from his beta, no matter the connotation, made his cock jump in with the thrill of conquest. Blair’s clever fingers danced over Jim’s cock and loosened it from its confinement. Blues eyes locked together as Blair glided to his knees in front of the larger man. His beta looked absolutely debauched kneeling before him like that. His half-hard crotch was still uncovered and the tattered net shirt hung from his shoulders. Blair’s entire being radiated lust and that was the way it should be in both hazed minds.

There was very little hesitation as Blair dragged his tongue across the tip of Jim’s leaking cock. One of Jim’s hands crept to his beta’s head and the other lay on his shoulder. Blair felt the hand belonged nestled in his curls, but this time he wanted to direct the action. His mind flashed him a warning that he should want control, but his subconscious countered with a need to give pleasure. He gave into his most intense desire and took the cock deep into his mouth. This time Blair set the rhythm, as he pleasured his Alpha.

Both men were captives of their mutual obsession. Jim’s alertness was peaked when he heard the drone of the door alarm. Neither man cared and continued with fervour until they heard the buzzing warning of someone entering an override code. Jim was so near the edge, that there was no denying his release. His agitation from the impending interruption caused him to hold the back of Blair’s head and with a deep thrust he released. His orgasm rocketed though his entire body, but his muscled tensed with the reality of an imminent confrontation. At that moment, the doors slide open to reveal their unwelcome company.

Jim straightened his posture and crossed his arms. Blair turned his head and sat back on his heels as he glared at their visitor. He noticed that his position really seemed to piss off the woman standing in the doorway. Licking his lips slowing, he smiled to indicate his true feelings about his situation. Blair’s subconscious screamed that this woman was somehow a threat.

"Hello, James." The woman had cold voiced.

Jim barely acknowledged her presence with a brief grunt and nod of his head.

"I can see your genetic material is so defective that no woman will have you anymore. I’m surprised that you were finally reduced to using a sterile whore."

Blair snapped at the insult and launched himself at her with a roar of rage. His progress was stopped when a pair of strong arms immediately restrained him.

"You bitch!" he screamed as he struggled to free himself from Jim’s grasp.

Jim’s embrace tightened and he laughed with delight. "Isn’t he fiery?"

The remains of his net shirt had slipped off and he could feel Jim’s hand run calming circles over his torso. One hand ducked down, slipped his cock back inside his pants and did up the fastening as much as possible.

"Such passion is hard to find," Jim continued as that same hand snaked up his stomach and came to rest on his pierced nipple.

"You’re disgusting!" she hissed.

This was the first time she had shown emotion. Blair tensed at her statement, but could only groan when Jim began to manipulate his nipple. He sighed and rested his head against the strong chest. Jim’s cock was still uncovered and was pressed against his ass cheeks. The intimate physical contact was comforting for both men.

"I’ve come to make sure you and your whore die."

"Who is she that she thinks she can challenge you, Jim?"

"Blair Sandburg of the Timber Wolf Pride, this is Carolyn Plummer of the Caiman Pride -- my ex-wife."

"Please don’t remind me, James. I prefer not to be reminded of my past mistakes."

"It was your mistake to give him up. What was she barren, Jim?" Blair laughed.

"Shut up, your not even a man!"

"Well, you must not be much of a woman if he ended up with me --"

Blair had every intention of telling this woman exactly how much he despised her. She was really no direct threat to his new relationship and yet felt the need to defend what was his.

"Really, Carolyn he is much better than you ever were. He sucks cock like a dream -- as you saw," he directed his next comment at his beta, "But you don’t have to worry about her, baby. We were only together maybe six months before I got marooned. I can tell you I am glad now to have spent eighteen months alone on a jungle planet rather than in the bed of a cold, unresponsive female. She’s didn’t even get pregnant."

Too call any Nietzschean infertile was the greatest insult you can give. Blair beamed at Jim’s rejection of his ex-wife.

"That’s enough! I’m not here to debate with you two freaks of nature. I’m here to deliver you two into the grasp of death. It will be my pleasure to see you both die."

"Jim, I’m a little disappointed in you," Blair sneered, "How could you have married such a stupid woman?"

Jim was clearly amused. "I must have been suffering from temporary blindness and dementia at the time."

Carolyn said nothing to interrupt their banter, but rather gestured sharply with her right hand. Two familiar looking goons stepped into sight behind her.

"James, I would like you to meet my new husband Zaczek Iain and I believe your toy is familiar with his brother, Menault."

Menault was the goon responsible for Blair’s torturous capture, or rather he was the one who was lucky enough to lead the raiding party that won by shear numbers. He remembered Zaczek from their confrontation with a cluster of armed Caiman males beforehand. Things were not looking good. Both men were armed to the teeth and here they were literally caught with their pants down.

"Now we are going to take you two perverts before the grand assembly to face charges."

The end of her sentence was reinforced by the sharp click of weaponry.

"What are the charges?" Blair demanded.

"Murder," Carolyn countered. She was enjoying this far too much for Blair’s taste.

"Murder?! Does Simon know about this?" Jim ordered. If Simon was going to accost him or if he had discovered their plans, he would not have sent this motley crew. He respected Simon as an intelligent adversary and this was definitely not his style.

"We have plans for the Banks line that involve you. It’s too bad for them that the Caiman Pride will never be the same again. It is however in our benefit."

The Iain brothers pointed their weapons at the pair and waited for Carolyn’s command, "Move!"

Jim sneered at the trio, "Just a minute, Carolyn, I have to put my cock back in place. I wouldn’t want your husband to get jealous after all."

Jim pulled slightly away from his beta and closed his straining leather pants. Zaczek lurched and slammed the cold barrel of his laser gun against Jim’s back. Jim didn’t flinch, he simply looked at his enemy with a feral grin.

"You *are* going to regret this, Zaczek. Marrying my cast off was your first mistake. Trusting her and messing with us was your second."

The butt of the metal pressed deeper into his skin. "You heard her. Move!"

Jim sighed and began to move forward pressing his body against Blair. The pressure of Jim’s hand resting on his shoulder was enough to signal him that they would strike when the time was right. Blair looked forward to making this group pay for their actions and he had no intentions of holding Jim back either.

The dark corridors were unusually empty for this time of the day and that disturbed both partners. Something big was going down. Jim could almost smell it in the air and Blair could feel it in the pit of his stomach. Every so often they would pass a guard who by the family resemblance was of the Iain line. Finally they reached the deep bowels of the Caiman stronghold in a seldom-used section. When they finally reached their destination, the party moved past Iain guards posted at the door, into a seemingly secure room.

Blair and Jim froze on the spot when they saw horrifying picture before them. A body was suspended from the ceiling and blood was puddled beneath it on the floor. The young dark man was plastered with deep wounds and his head was collapsed to the side.

Carolyn did a dramatic spin and gestured at the body. "This gentlemen, is Daryl Banks, eldest son of our esteemed alpha male. Simon Banks is going to be very appreciative when we deliver him the murderers of his son."

Jim’s arms tightened around his beta’s torso in comfort and restraint. The young man strung out before them was barely older than a child and such brutality was utterly appalling.

"You – You aren’t worthy to be a Nietzschean!" Blair stuttered in shock.

"Oh, but I am!" she ranted, "I have planned for years to be in control. I was once the first wife to the next alpha male of our pride, but James had to go and ruin everything. He was better off dead to me, but he managed to survive. I plan to remedy that. It has taken me uncountable scheming and bribery, but finally I will have the position of power I deserve. My descendants will sing out my praises!"

Insanity sparkled in her eyes and the Iain brothers eyed her appreciatively. They evidently thought she was the key to their future success. Zaczek chose that exact moment to compliment his wife’s tirade verbally.

Jim leaned over and whispered in Blair ear, "The boy is alive, but barely. I have a plan. No matter what, trust me."

Jim picked up enough of the conversation to hear the words, "You are magnificent!"

"Enough!" he bellowed, "These men all disgust me, such blathering idiots. I never knew you had it in you Carolyn. If I had, I never would have let you get away."

Blair turned to look at Jim with wide eyes. Their eyes locked, just as Jim shoved him harshly away and he fell hard onto the ground.

"He disgusts me especially! He was a good little whore, but I won’t risk my life for him," Jim continued, "What would make you think I would take this set up quietly?"

The Iain brothers moved towards him with their weapons raised. They stopped when Carolyn barked at them, "Wait! I want to see what he has to say. It should be amusing."

Jim grinned back at Carolyn. "I though you would see it my way. I have the means to bargain for my life. Why do you think I rescued this whore? I took him because he managed to steal something very valuable from that Than hive. By possessing him, I now possess the key to those riches."

"Jim, what are you doing?" Blair demanded.

He started to stand, but was knocked back down when Jim back handed him across the face. Blood oozed from his mouth and nose to mingle with stinging tears.

"Shut the fuck up, bitch!" Jim roared, "I’m sorry, Carolyn. I really thought I had already beaten him into submission. As I was saying, I have access to some interesting booty that would benefit your cause. It should be enough to buy me safe passage out of pride territory."

"There was nothing in that fighter other than him," Menault interrupted, "I was there."

"You really are stupid, Menault. I hope for Carolyn’s sake this isn’t a family trait. Anything of worth was well hidden. He may be a whore, but he is from the Timberwolf Pride. They are devious little bastards."

"What exactly are you offering us?" she questioned.

"I’m offering you powerful weaponry. There’s a secret compartment in the aft of the fighter that can only be accessed by a secret binary code. I am the only one who knows it. After my bitch gave the information up, I changed the access codes. So even if you plan on torturing him, it would be useless. I suggest you let me go free, do what you want with this," Jim nudged Blair with his boot, "--and everything will work out for the best."

The leather toed tip prodded his lower leg, just above the ankle. Blair continued to look down at the floor, but he briefly nodded his head in recognition of the blatant message.

Carolyn thought for a moment, "Agreed."

"Carolyn," the Iain brothers protested.

"Shut up," she snapped, "We need all the weapons we can get. We don’t need James. We only need that filth of his to distract Simon long enough while my plans are set into motion."

"Fine. Tell us the code, Ellison," Zaczek demanded.

"I need a data porthole, you idiot. I said it was binary code."

"Over there," the other man motioned with his gun.

Jim grunted in acknowledgement and looked down on his beta. "It’s a shame your guts are going to be decorating our fortress from *left* to *right* soon. *Stay put* and maybe they won’t kill you before Simon does."

Jim stepped over his prone beta and moved towards the computer terminal on the nearest wall. He proceeded to type in a series of commands and the machine beeped back.

"You’d better not try anything funny, James. There are enough Iain brethren around here to stop your escape."

"I would never try anything as stupid as that," Jim grinned in return.

Jim stopped just in front of his beta, who was still lying on the floor. Blair noticed that Jim was tapping out a steady rhythm with his boot. When he counted the ninetieth consecutive tap, he felt Jim dive onto his own body. Jim protected Blair from the deafening explosion emanating from the terminal. Debris, sparks and ashes flew around the small room.

In a split second, Blair recovered the throwing stars strapped to his ankle and threw them at the man to the left. His aim was true and the man fell to the floor as each direct hit struck him the neck. He knew that Jim had taken out the man to their right with a weapon hidden somewhere on his own body. As the smoke dissipated, they could see the two fallen warriors and Carolyn crumbled in a corner howling. The plan had worked perfectly.

"Jim--," Blair shouted over the clamour, "--the doors?"

"Taken care of. They are locked and can only be accessed from the inside."

Jim shifted and looked over Blair’s frame for any sign of injury. Seeing that his beta was unharmed, he stood smoothly and pulled Blair to stand beside him.

"We’ve got to get that kid down," Jim gestured at the near lifeless form in front of them.

Jim took one look at the cord holding the body upright and walked over to bloody form of Zaczek on the right, placed his boot on the corpse's chest and pulled his knife free. He wiped the excess blood on the dead man’s clothes.

"Blair, hold the boy upright while I cut him down."

Blair moved in front of Daryl and heaved the form against his shoulder until the binding rope was slack.

"Ya know," Blair grunted, "You could have gotten all of us killed with that explosion."

"It was an acceptable risk I was willing to take. The boy was as good as dead and at least this way he had a chance."

Jim sawed through the rope and helped Blair handle the dead weight when his task was complete. They laid the younger man flat on the floor and checked his life signs.

"He should live," Jim announced.

Once they had assured the immediate survival of their rival’s son, their attention shifted to Carolyn. Her howling had died down a bit and now she alternated between pitiful moans and whimpers. She was curled into the fetal position in a pool of her own blood. A large piece of metal debris was jammed into her upper thigh making escape impossible and consciousness ever more fleeting.

"What about the bitch?" Blair questioned. His eyes narrowed as he spoke and he considered the numerous painful ways he desired to kill her. On second thought, Blair decided Jim might have something more fitting planned for his ex-wife.

"Breathing erratic. Heartbeat slow. She is of no threat," Jim diagnosed concisely.

Blair moved over to the body of Menault and wrenched his throwing stars from the neck of his victim. He also stripped the corpse of all other weaponry as Jim did the same to the man’s brother. They were now both well armed for the impending confrontation.

"You realize we are mostly likely going to die," Blair commented as he straightened the ammo belt over his bare chest.

"Maybe," Jim replied as he eyed his beta with lustful approval. He adjusted his own weaponry and looked over at the door. "It all depends on who comes through those doors. But if we do die, at least it will be together."

From the muffled sounds that reverberated from the doors, it was apparent that someone was trying to get in. It would take hours to cut through the thick metal and the intruders could not trigger a breach without the correct access codes.

"How did you initiate that explosion and override the terminal’s commands?"

An evil grin passed over Jim’s lips and he laughed, "The Ellison line built the Caiman stronghold. We know more about this place than anyone ever will."

"Really, that’s great. But right now, I’m more concerned about the rabid mob outside."

Jim smiled again and shook his head. He palmed his gun in one hand and pulled Blair to his chest with the other. Hardware and ammo belts clicked together in sync with the blending of anticipation for battle and lust.

"I would love to fuck you like there’s no tomorrow," Jim growled.

Blair’s eyes smoldered in response. "There might not be a tomorrow--"

"Good point, but still--" Jim’s hand skittered over Blair’s ass and stole a quick squeeze.

"But still we have a battle to win and a future to secure. After our enemies are defeated we can play all we want."

"Here and now I’ll settle for a kiss," Jim’s head descended and he ravaged Blair’s willing mouth, "Later I will lick the blood of our enemies from your body."

Blair moaned and roughly pulled away from Jim’s embrace. "Enough," he was breathing hard, "You’ll be the end of us both if you keep thinking with your cock. Right now we have some enemies to slaughter."

Jim cocked his head to the side, "Like I said, it all depends on who is behind those doors. If my plan worked we may get out of here with all of our limbs still attached."

"Explain yourself, Ellison. What did you do now?"

"When I was entertaining Carolyn with that farce, I managed to send an encrypted message to Simon by rerouting through secondary systems. He knows that his son is down here and alive. That’s it."

"So he could easily think we did that--," Blair motioned to Daryl, " --to him."

"Not if the boy lives to corroborate our story and in the mean time he’s a bargaining tool."

"Let’s get this over with," Blair readied his firearm impatiently.

"Beautiful and deadly. I picked well." Jim exchanged a heated glance with Blair. "The door is set to open on my verbal command."

They moved in unison to stand between the injured young man and what would be the line of fire. Weapons ready, they stood side by side to face the unknown.

"Ready?" Jim questioned.

Blair simply nodded and smiled in return.

"Door release!" Jim’s voiced boom through the room.

The entrance shuddered and the metal doors slid open to reveal a mass of angry faces and armaments pointed directly at them. In the middle of the sizeable cluster, towered the imposing figure of Simon Banks, alpha male of the Caiman Pride.

"Hold your fire!" Simon yelled as he recognized his son on the floor. There was an eerie moment when fingers tensed over triggers and eyes flashed with hatred. "My son?"

Jim’s eyes locked with his opponent’s and never wavered. "He lives."

"Release him, Ellison or I will strangle you with your own entrails!"

Jim laughed at his opponent’s bravado. "We never held him in the first place."

"You lie. I’ve already killed your Iain allies. Whatever scheme you cooked up with your ex-wife and new plaything, it failed!"

"Don’t be stupid, Caiman," Blair hissed, "We saved your brat from sure death."

"It speaks," Simon’s gun aimed directly at Blair, "The question is whether or not it speaks the truth."

Jim moved considerably in front of Blair and focused his gun at the man threatening his beta.

"The truth needs to be heard, but we have certain demands," Jim stipulated.

"You have no rights," was Simon’s quick reply.

"That may be the case, but it would be in your own best interest to concede. I know we’re outnumbered and I don’t have a death wish. Just remember if we wanted to kill your whelp, we would have done it already. All will be revealed."

"What are your conditions?" Simon demanded.

"I am willing to release the boy if he’s treated immediately and testifies at a pride gathering. I want to address the pride and reveal what has happened here. He will support our version of events. In addition, my beta will remain with me at all times."

"You always were strange, Ellison," Simon snarled. "Surrender your weapons and it is agreed."

"Do you agree to abide by the outcome of the gathering on the honour of your progeny?"

"Yes. Just remember, if you so much as blink funny you will die!"

Jim looked at Blair and in silent agreement they lowered their weapons. Jim moved completely in front of Blair as Simon’s forces surged forward.

"I hope your boy overcomes this, Simon. They were brutal."

Simon grunted in acknowledgement and turned his attention to his first-born who was just beginning to moan lightly. Simon’s forces surround Blair and Jim, seizing their guns.

"What do we do with them, sir?" questioned one of Simon’s men.

"Put them in a cell on the maximum security level. Don’t separate them, but keep them heavily guarded until I call for you."

"Understood, sir."

Simon went back to attending his sons injuries, only to be distracted by Carolyn’s whimpers from the corner. "Take her with you. Patch her up to face the gathering with the others."

Jim slipped his arm around Blair’s waist as they were lead from the room. He pulled the smaller man close and whispered, "It’s all set in motion, my beta."

"Shut up!" one of their captors shouted as he shoved Blair hard.

The same man yelped in pain when Jim captured his hand and snapped the aggressor’s fingers in one quick motion. The other guards hastily raised their weapons only to stop when Simon barked out, "Don’t touch them, you idiots! Justice will only be served at my hands and that will be soon enough if I deem it necessary."

"But, sir!" the injured man whined, "The bastard broke my hand!"

"You shouldn’t have touched the man’s beta." Simon was unsympathetic and then addressed his remaining guards. "Let that serve as a lesson for the rest of you. If they are harmed in anyway, I will snap your necks myself. If they try to escape, injure them only. I’ll be the one to kill them if it turns out to be necessary. Now *go*!"

<><><><><><>

The cell door slammed shut and one of the guards snapped open the observation window.

"Strip, slowly," instructed the same guard through the portal.

"You want a show?" mocked Blair with a sly leer.

"Shut up. Just move slowly, no fast moves. Hand us your clothes and boots through the window."

Jim growled when he saw the guard’s eyes drift over Blair’s body appraisingly. Blair laughed and slipped the snug leather pants past his hips. Jim gathered his own clothes off the floor and grabbed Blair’s boots, all while eying the man on the other side of the door. Blair just smiled as he handed his pants to his lover and slipped something behind his back.

"Take it easy, big buy. I think they are too attached to their limbs to try anything."

Jim grunted in acknowledgement and shoved the bundle through the portal.

The guard narrowed his eyes, "Hand us whatever is behind his back."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," snarled Jim.

"The weapons your beta managed to sneak past the other guards. Hand them over."

Blair sighed and produced a small knife from behind his back. "Oh well, it was worth a try," he said and passed the weapon to the guard.

"Now take off that thing around your neck," commanded the guard.

Blair fingered the platinum torc around his neck. "No."

"Don’t make me come in there and take it off of your unconscious body."

"What did you not understand about NO!" barked Blair.

The guard slammed the observation window shut with a disgusted snort. The larger door opened with a creak and the guard stood in the doorway with his gun pointed at Blair.

"I said hand it over!"

This time Jim moved directly beside Blair and caressed the torc himself. "He doesn’t take this off for anyone. You want it, you have to come through me first."

The guard stepped forward and cocked his weapon only to be stopped by another guard. Jim looked questionably at the younger man that he vaguely recognized.

The young man said, "Leave it be. I saw these guys in action and we don’t want any trouble from them. If he wants to keep his jewellery, let him. Anyways, it’s sort of like a double helix and I know I would never take mine off if I got one." He sort of smiled at Jim and tugged on the other guard to leave.

"Fine, Rafe. But if he kills someone with it, it’s on your shoulders."

Both men moved out of the cell and left their prisoners naked in the barren, windowless room. Blair smiled and opened his palm to reveal a concealed throwing star. It appeared his beta was also a master smuggler and this was quite to Jim’s liking. Jim was smart enough to realize the room was bugged, but he acknowledged the cunning move with a striking grin in return.

Jim’s gaze moved from his hand to Blair’s and he noticed the nasty bruise beginning to form. He could also smell and see the smattering of blood across his beta’s upper torso. Jim frowned and moved closer and began to run his hands over Blair’s body, checking for injuries. When no injuries other than a few bruises and cuts manifested, the hands turned to caresses.

"Jim…" Blair moaned quietly and the throwing star dropped from his hand unnoticed.

Jim kicked the weapon into the corner where it would remain inconspicuous and continued to simply run his hands over his beta. Jim’s hands now cradled the back of Blair’s head and Jim snaked his tongue along the jaw line. He gently traced the outline of the forming bruise, which looked even worse to his sentinel eyes.

"I will never hurt you again, Chief," Jim promised between tender kisses.

"I believe you," was the whispered reply.

With that Jim backed Blair against the nearest wall and the kisses became more frantic.

"I’ve noticed you have a thing for walls," gasped Blair.

"Well, when there’s no furniture around, you have to improvise."

"You called me Chief--"

"Yeah, I did." Jim clarified and began to kiss Blair’s neck.

"Right," Blair made an exasperated noise, "Why?"

"Because I felt like it and it fits you."

"That’s not very clear."

Jim rested his forehead against Blair’s shoulder and closed his eyes. "When I was looking at your face and I realized that bruise on your face was my doing. I promised myself I would never let anyone harm you, even me. You are too important to lose and I realized that even more so now. You are surprisingly good in battle, intelligent, cunning, beautiful and a good lay," he smiled against the flesh, "We belong together."

"What can I attribute this gush of emotion to?" chuckled Blair. His fingers brushed over Jim’s muscled shoulders and neck.

"Battle lust."

"Battle lust is good, I can work with that," muttered Blair.

Blair’s hand slid down between the two bodies and rubbed their erections together. Jim moaned and pressed closer against the smaller man, sliding their cocks side by side. Blair was only slightly surprised when he felt Jim lift him and press his back against the wall. Blair realized what his lover was trying to accomplish and wrapped his legs around Jim’s waist. With one arm Jim supported their mutual weight, and the other hand soon joined Blair’s hand wrapped around their cocks.

Hips pistoned and sweaty bodies rocked together in a motion that made sure it was over sooner rather than later. Their mutual shouts were muffled by a forceful kiss as fluid gushed between their joined hands. Jim adjusted his weight and pressed even closer to Blair, instead of collapsing to the floor.

"That took the edge off for now," Jim emitted the familiar line, "But I believe we have a lot of time to kill."

<><><><><><>

"How long have they been in there?" questioned the newest arrival outside of the holding cell.

"It’s been about five hours. Is it time?" countered the young guard.

"Yes, Banks sent me down here to notify the men and collect the prisoners. His son is now conscious and he has called a gathering. Are they ready to go?"

"That depends," leered Rafe.

"What are talking about?"

"Well, the woman will have to be carried, but we made sure she is pumped with enough narcotics to keep her awake, regardless of pain. As for Ellison and his beta, well--"

"Well, what?"

"They have been keeping each other amused. They might not be quite ready, but I haven’t checked in a while."

"Are you, brain dead? They could have escaped!"

"Really, sir. We know they’re still in there -- as the sensors clearly indicate and the noises coming from that cell made it quite clear they were going nowhere."

The newest arrival shoved Rafe aside and thrust the observation window open. He noted that both men were seemingly sleeping on the floor. Both were naked and Blair was collapsed on top of Jim.

"They seemed quiet enough. You are lucky they are still here."

"Sure they’re quiet *now* -- after they have worn each other out. Listen, I wasn’t about to do checks anymore after the licking started."

"Licking?!"

"You really don’t want to know, sir."

"Whatever, it’s all perversions."

"At least someone was having fun," mumbled Rafe under his breath.

"What was that?!"

"I was just saying at least I have this gun, sir." Rafe grinned and patted his gun.

The other man huffed at Rafe and turned his attention back to the prisoners. "Ellison, get your ass up! It’s time to face the music."

Jim briefly opened one eye to contemplate the disembodied head poking through the observation window. He snorted and his eye snapped shut. He nuzzled softly into Blair’s hair and his arms tightened possessively around the smaller man’s waist.

"You heard me, Ellison! Get up!"

"Not likely," was Jim’s simple monotone reply.

"What?!" The man was beginning to turn red and his cheeks were puffing up. "You are to face charges for attempted murder and mutiny in a Pride Gathering."

Jim opened his eyes again and glared distastefully at Simon’s red-faced lackey. "Not as of yet."

"You’re the crazy son of a bitch who demanded the Gathering in the first place and now that it is time you’ve chickened out," his opponent scoffed.

Blair stirred off of Jim’s chest. "We have every intention of facing the Gathering, you shit-faced moron, but it’s pretty hard to do when we’re naked."

Rafe’s voice drifted through the door in reply. "They do have a point, sir. We stripped them as per your orders and searched the clothing for evidence. Unfortunately, it’s all unwearable now."

The ugly red face disappeared from the observation window. "Fine, get them something to wear so we can get this over with. Call me when the prisoners are ready for transport and I’ll lead the procession to the Gathering."

"Of course, sir," was the immediate reply, followed by a muffled, "Idiot."

Rafe’s head popped cautiously back through the observation window. "So where can I find some threads for you two? Any ideas?"

Jim rested his hands behind his head and smiled. "I have something especially prepared for just this occasion. Send someone to my quarters and you’ll find a box packed with the appropriate clothing in a storage locker. Feel free to search it if you want, but you’ll find no weapons."

Rafe grunted and nodded his head before closing the observation window. Jim estimated that considering the urgency of the situation, the box would appear in no time flat.

"You knew *this* was going to happen," Blair accused.

"On the contrary, beta. I never knew exactly what was going to happen. I never would have allowed that boy to be tortured if I did. However, the Pride Gathering was in my plans from the very beginning."

Blair could tell by the determined expression on Jim’s face that this particular conversation was ending here and now. The cell was being monitored and neither man wanted to give anything away to their enemies.

"Later, Jim." Blair had every intention of following threw on his threat. "Later, we have a *lot* to talk about, man."

"Whatever," was his blasé reply.

Blair’s curt comeback was cut short when the observation window opened and medium sized silver box was pushed through.

"That was pretty quick," Blair commented instead.

"When you’re balls are on the line, you deliver fast," answered Rafe, "Now would you two hurry up and get dressed!"

Rafe was smart enough to give the men the limited privacy the cell provided. Blair proceeded to open the box and pull out the items within. He wasn’t surprised to find that the clothing was exact replicas of the clothing they had been wearing earlier. The Nietzschean wardrobe was very limited in the first place and most individuals tended to stick with the clothing that best displayed their bodies.

Blair pulled out the smaller pair of leather pants and pulled them on without too many comments about how tight they were. He fingered the mesh shirt meant for him and watched it shift from a dark burgundy to sleek shades of midnight. At closer inspection, he saw the mesh was actually a very fine chain mail made from a very expensive and rare metal. This metal could be spun to the consistency of thread and yet offered the wearer freedom of movement and protection from weaponry were other armour would fail to do so. He quietly slipped the shirt over his head and settled it in place. His last thought was a vain one when he realized Jim had picked a colour that highlighted his hair.

"You didn’t have to spend so much on me."

Jim eyed the silver nipple ring that peeked through the mesh shirt. Combined with the platinum torc that hugged his throat and the loose curls that framed Blair’s face, he made a truly dazzling companion. Those who attended the Pride Gathering would be jealous.

"You’re worth it."

Blair didn’t bother to answer that response, but instead watched as Jim reached into the box he assumed was empty. He watched with curious eyes as Jim pulled out a circular object and turned to look at Blair expectantly.

"What is it, Jim?"

"An armband."

Blair wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but then something about the armband struck him. The armband was a smaller version of the Jaguar torc he wore around his own neck. Blair’s eyes searched Jim’s for the significance. All he saw shining back at him was a fierce possessive gaze full of love.

"It’s beautiful. Of course I’ll wear it."

Jim smiled and shook his head. "This one isn’t for you, it’s for me. I want everyone at the Pride Gathering to know that I belong to you as much as you belong to be me."

Blair’s only response for one moment was sharp intake of breath. Slowly he moved towards Jim and then reached for the platinum armband marked with the jaguar paws. In a few graceful moves made with slightly shaky hands, the armband sat were once a double-helix had rested. A double-helix arm band might mean a man was a husband and father, but to Blair, this meant so much more. Once the armband was secure, Jim reached into the box and pulled a slightly smaller identical version for Blair. Without comment he secured it on Blair’s arm and the two would be visually bonded before all.

Their moment was interrupted when someone pounded on the door and then proceeded to fling it open. Jim glared at Rafe and Blair had to admit that he looked menacing in head to toe black leather. His chest was bare and his ankle length, sleeveless leather vest just added to his height. Jim looked every inch a superior genetic specimen and Blair was content that he finally had a visual claim over him in public.

"Move," the red-faced man barked.

Jim and Blair moved together and were quickly surrounded by an over excessive armed guard. Both noticed that Carolyn was bound and being carried by a man near the back of the parade. Taking in the scratch marks on his face and chest would easily account for the reason that a wounded woman was securely tided.

As they moved down the shadowed corridors, each of the captives knew that their lives would be forever changed by the proceedings about to take place. If Jim and Blair had their way, the entire dynamics of the Nietzschean Pride system would change forever.

<><><><><><>

The Caiman Pride was assembled to every last woman, child and warrior. The strong crowd of thousands covered every surface of the Great Hall, their somber faces awaiting the Gathering. The very air thrummed with bloodlust. Everyone knew someone had wronged their pride and that someone would pay dearly.

Standing in the very centre of the multi-tiered room were two figures. They did not shiver as the multitude of hateful eyes bored into them or flinch when the hundreds around them caressed their weapons. Instead their gaze held steady and their mutual silence spoke of shared courage, rather than fear. They stood side-by-side, bodies pressed lightly together. To their right a smaller figure huddled on the cold ground and her stare was the vilest of all.

The unnatural silence was interrupted by the intense beating of drums that played off the emotional upheaval in the room, building it into a grand crescendo. All eyes turned to the grand entrance as the beat reached a fevered pitch. Simon Banks, alpha male of the Caiman Pride, entered the Great Hall to face his opponents for a second time. He raised his arm and the drumbeats stopped.

"Now is a time of revenge!" he shouted into the echoing silence.

His followers roared their appreciation.

"We stand in judgement of those before us. Our Pride has been challenged and we shall find the truth. Someone has challenged my position of power. They tried to get at me through my offspring in an act of cowardice. We are here to witness the accusations from the one they tried in vain to kill."

All eyes froze on the grand entrance as the boy in question entered leaning heavily on his mother. The Banks lineage was showing its strength and unity in this single act. The two figures standing in the middle of the room looked directly at the boy without flinching, the third figure on the floor looked away. The miracles of modern technology had done wonders, but Daryl still looked haggard.

His father continued, "The evidence I have uncovered indicates the Iain lineage in a mutinous plot to overthrow me. They are all dead now, except one. Carolyn Iain as the last living adult member will face charges of insubordination and attempted murder. James Ellison and Blair Sandburg of the Timber Wolf Pride somehow fit into this ordeal and we are here to find out the truth. We shall let the accused speak after my son has testified."

Daryl’s voice was shaky but determined, "Those Iain cowards tried to kill me and set up Ellison and Sandburg to take the blame."

"Liar!" shrieked Carolyn, "They were both in on it from the very beginning!"

"It wasn’t Ellison’s hand that held the whip used to beat me when I was bound," the reply was cool. He was very much his father’s son.

"What the fuck would you remember, you were unconscious?!" Carolyn was fighting a loosing battle and wanted to bring down anyone she could with her.

"Looks can be deceiving to those too stupid to notice. I will never forget what you did to me or what you planned to do to my father."

The young man straightened his back as much as he could and pushed away from his mother to stand on his own two feet in front of Carolyn. This time he addressed the crowd in the same tone used by his father.

"I heard Carolyn Iain and her accomplices talking when they thought I was unconscious. They planned to murder me and present Ellison and Sandburg as the murderers to my father. Once they had his trust and believed he would be grief stricken by my death, they planned to take over our Pride by force. I wear my scars with pride knowing that I was too strong for her to kill me."

Carolyn chose that moment to make her move. She sprung up on her one good leg and dove at Daryl. Before any one of the men could stop her, Joan Banks kicked Carolyn across the mid section. Carolyn hit the floor hard and met the full fury of a protective mother. The men surrounding the two fighting women looked at the violent display and Simon could only smile. When it became apparent that Joan wasn’t going to stop the beating before she killed her opponent, he pulled his snarling wife off.

"Let me kill her!"

Simon wrapped his arms around her waist and Jim couldn’t help but remember the number of times he had done the same thing to Blair. Apparently he and Simon both shared a taste in fiery partners.

"She does not deserve death," Jim called out evenly.

Both his bloody ex-wife and beta met his statement with surprised glances. Hope sparkled in Carolyn’s bloodshot and swollen eyes as she clung to the last chance of survival. Blair’s eyes flashed with rage.

"She deserves a much worse fate," Jim smiled maliciously. "She should live the rest of her life knowing she will never pass on her genes. She should be shunned by all Nietzscheans, finding refuge nowhere. I call for the banishment of Carolyn Iain."

Banishment meant the exiled Nietzschean would be sterilized and their genes eliminated from the breeding pool forever. It was the greatest punishment of all for a Nietzschean, knowing that they lived and could not obtain immortality through their offspring.

"No!" Carolyn cried out in anguish.

"It is fitting," Simon concluded. "She tried to take our child and now we will take away her chance of ever having children."

Blair and Jim exchanged nasty smiles. Joan fumed, but looked satisfied at the devastated look on Carolyn’s face. She pushed out of her husband’s grasp and spit in Carolyn’s face.

"Just remember my decedents will rule this Pride long after you rot in your grave unmourned with no progeny," she hissed.

She walked back to her son and slipped her arm around his waist for support. Simon waved his hand and two guards came to restrain the bloody Carolyn as he pronounced his verdict to the crowd.

"The matter of Carolyn Iain has been settled. From this day forth she is cast out of the Caiman Pride. Her name will be struck from our records and memory. She will be sterilized and branded with the mark of banishment. She is dead to all Nietzscheans!"

The matter of the assault on Simon’s son had been satisfied, but there was still tension hanging in the air. He had to deal with Jim and Blair, which was going to be difficult. They had rescued his son for whom he was grateful, but they were still an obvious threat to his power.

"Let’s finish this, Banks," Jim challenged.

Simon’s voice rose powerfully again so everyone in the Great Hall could hear. "My own son has testified that James Ellison and Blair Sandburg were not involved in his torture. Since the other evidence I found does not indicate either in the Iain plot, I must find them innocent of the charges. However, this does not mean they are not guilty of other crimes," he turned to confront Jim and Blair personally. "It would be unwise if I trusted either of you. It is rather evident that you want power, Ellison. Even if you weren’t involved in this, I *know* you are involved in something else. Tell me what it is and I *might* let you stay in the Pride."

"That’s assuming he would want to stay in this pride," Blair alleged.

"And why not?" Simon’s voice got louder. "This is a proud Pride. Just like our namesake, we are strong and dedicated to survival!"

Simon’s statement was met with cheers and the sound of weapons thumping against metal beams in agreement.

Jim’s eyes rose and he looked around the room. He could play this game too. "I should know since it was my family who founded this Pride. The namesake of this pride may be powerful, but it is also a slow, obsolete reptile. There’s always something out there simply quicker and more resilient."

"You should not let your family’s misfortunate shadow fall over this Pride."

"My misfortune affects this entire pride. Many of you hate me because I came back alive from the crash, while your family members perished under my command. I was not responsible for the crash that killed them. It was a cowardly attack of sabotage. My family may have lost power, but your families lost sons, brothers and fathers for no necessary reason," Jim’s voice rose in accusation and stopped briefly for full impact. "Many warriors of this Pride died in a crash that was supposed to end my life. If I had not lived, you would not know to this very day that your family members died due to the sabotage of the Iain lineage!"

"So what if we did it?" Carolyn croaked. "You’ve all condemned me. I’m glad those men are dead! Too bad you didn’t die with the rest of them, James. They died because I wanted you dead. You are just as guilty as I am."

The crowd was getting restless and the entire confrontation was stirring up bad blood.

"You want my punishment?" Jim called out clearly. "Very well. I submit that I and my descendants hereby revoke any rights to the Caiman Pride and its protection."

Silence filled the room again from the utter shock of such a statement. Jim had essentially voluntarily accepted banishment. For generations his family had controlled this Pride, watched it thrive under their careful guidance and overseen the building of this very stronghold. He was forsaking his heritage for the possibilities that awaited him in the future. It was a brave, if not foolish gamble.

"If anyone wants to come with me, that is their own choice," he called out. "I am forming a new pride to be filled with only the best of the best. If you come with me, you are not guaranteed acceptance or protection. You will have to prove yourself the same as everyone else. But if you choose to come with me, you will witness the birth of the Jaguar Pride and you may earn your place in it."

Jim had made his move against Simon. He was forming a new pride and he offered a new start to members of the Caiman Pride. It was Simon’s turn to counter strike.

"Ellison has denied himself any claim to his birth Pride and he now asks you to do the same. He cannot offer you the safety and tradition of the proud Caiman Pride. We have survived for so long and we will always do so. If you leave, remember you will not be welcomed back."

Accusations hung in the air. Both men had spoken their piece and it was up to the Pride members to decide the conclusion of this gathering. From the right of the podium, a man stepped out from the lines of the high-ranking members of the Pride. It was Joel Taggart.

"I will follow Jim Ellison, if he will accept me and my family."

Jim smiled when he saw this man who had long followed the Ellison’s proudly, surrounded by his three wives and many children. They would make fine additions to his new Pride. Even the use of Jim’s informal name showed the long familiarity he held with this family. Henry Brown, a low ranking male and his young pregnant wife, descended the stairs from the second level and stood beside the Taggart family. From the ranks of the guards, stepped the recognizable figure of Rafe. He was an unattached male who hoped his luck would improve in new circumstances. Blair was not too happy about the appreciative glance the other man sent Jim. In the end, the numbers of the Caiman Pride willing to leave the shelter of their home came to several dozen.

Simon was scowling heavily and eyed the deserters warily. "You have cast your lot with Ellison and because I owe him for the life of my son, I will let you leave in peace. Once you leave Caiman space, you will be treated as strangers, if not enemies. You have fifteen minutes to get out of here before we get rid of you by force."

The small group of Caiman deserters managed to evacuate the stronghold with amazing spend and thoroughness. All belongings in the stronghold were the communal property of the Pride, but in the confusion of the mass departure, they were able to grab supplies and raid the stockpile of weapons.

Simon did put his foot down when it came to transportation though. He permitted the group to board the oldest transport vessel in the fleet with only the fuel left in its tank. Quarters would be cramped, but at least they also managed to seize the Than fighter Blair had been captured in, for defence. The escape of the new Jaguar Pride was far from spectacular in their convoy of two battered, old ships.

Jim put Joel Taggart in command of the converted cargo vessel, while he and Blair manned the Than fighter. He trusted Taggart to use his experience to keep his own family and the others in line. The added bonus was Jim could protect his new Pride in the fighter, keeping an eye on the perimeter and still get Blair alone.

When he first boarded the vessel, he had eyed the bucket seat with a leer wondering to himself if it could two people. Little had he known that he would end up where he was now -- trapped in a metal prison with his beta giving him a lecture.

"You know, Jim we should mark this historical occasion properly."

"What are you talking about?" Jim muttered.

"The establishment of the Jaguar Pride should be commemorated."

"You're not making sense, Chief."

"Well…" Blair looked out the view screen at the beat up old cargo vessel ahead of them. "Maybe if these ships had some fierce sounding names, we could convince our descendants we blasted out of the Caiman stronghold with a full-powered destroyer instead of one scrap metal reject and substandard alien fighter."

"They work, what more could we want?"

"Trustworthy Nietzschean equipment," Blair quipped, "and decent names."

Jim rolled his eyes and sighed. "Then what would you name these grand ships, oh wise beta."

"Vryheid and Vrees."

"What?!" Jim looked at Blair questionably.

"Vryheid for the transport and Vrees for this bucket of bolts."

"Is the torc around your neck too tight?"

"No," Blair laughed, "They mean freedom and fear, appropriate don't ya think?"

"Maybe…" Jim's voice was sceptical, "…but why not just call them that?"

"Because I'm bored and what's the point of knowing numerous languages if you don't get to use them."

"What language is it?" Jim asked warily.

"A dialect of Afrikaans spoken by a remote tribal based society in the outer-rim."

"Exactly how many languages do you know?" Jim's voice was very suspicious.

"Enough," Blair smirked in reply.

"Blair…" Jim's voice held a tone of warning. He wanted to know *everything* about his beta.

"Let's just say I can speak every dialect of Nietzschean and I doubt there is anyone or anything else I will meet in this sector that I can't hold a conversation with."

"And you learned this when?"

"As a child, it was a rather useful skill."

"You're full of surprises and *useful* skills," Jim managed to leer at Blair and still monitor the progress of both ships. He was getting used to multitasking with his beta around.

Blair looked at him and huffed a bit, muttering under his breath, "Insatiable Neanderthal."

"It's not my fault that we're going to be spending a lot of time in such cramped quarters and that your scent alone makes me hard."

"Oh, fuck…" Blair gasped, then exhaled deeply, "We don't have time for this. We have to keep on alert."

"I know," Jim smiled. "But it doesn't hurt to torment you a little for my amusement."

"Bastard…" Blair hissed. He then turned and walked over to a nearby console. "You know I was thinking about our problem…"

"Oh yeah, which one? There's so many."

"About where we are headed."

"There's really no need to discuss this. We have to stop at the nearest spaceport to refuel and buy, barter or steal supplies."

"But what about after that?"

"That we need to discuss. My only concrete long term plan is to establish our success as a Pride."

"Of course…" Blair tuned in several star charts onto the monitor. "After we refuel and get the supplies we need, I was thinking we could visit the Timber Wolf Pride."

"Why?"

"I have some favours to call in and goodbyes to make."

"You don't think we'll get blown to bits when we enter their space?"

"Not likely," Blair muttered.

"Care to explain that?"

"Nothing, just that the Timber Wolf Pride is expecting me."

Jim could tell by Blair's rapidly increasing heartbeat that the younger man was hiding something. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that."

"What?" Blair asked tensely.

"You never told me why you raided that Than Hive."

"Yes, I did. I told you I went after information," Blair defended himself.

"Ahhh, but that's so elusive. That's what you got, but you've never said the motive behind that suicide run."

"It wasn't a suicide run," Blair defended, "I knew exactly what I was doing."

"Death does not become you, Blair," Jim looked at his beta seriously, "I prefer you alive."

"I have every intention of staying alive. That mission wasn't a suicide run, it was a calculated risk that turned out best in the end."

"You got captured," Jim pointed out.

"Thanks, *I* remember."

"Just thought I was being helpful," Jim's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"Oh yeah, if you were really helpful you would come over here and…"

"Do *not* finish that thought," Jim growled in warning.

"Why?"

"I can smell your pheromones from here and we do not have the time…" Jim looked around the cramped fighter's interior. "…or the space to do what I am sorely tempted to do if you continue to tease me."

"You're no fun." Blair grinned, his fingers dipping into his own waistband.

"Stop that," Jim's breath hitched a little, his eyes focusing on the distinctly growing bulge in Blair pants. He needed to change the subject and he needed to do it now. "I know what I'm going to do with that information you so kindly gathered."

Blair's fingers stopped their seductive dance and he glared at Jim. "What?"

"First of all, you tell me what you were planning to do with it."

Blair saw no point in lying to Jim. His old life was dead and his existence now rested with this man. "I wanted to give it the alpha male of the Timber Wolf Pride."

"Why?"

"Doesn't matter now." Blair was fidgeting nervously.

"Blair…"

"Fine, you want to know?" Blair snapped. "I'll tell you. I wanted to win the trust of my own birth Pride. I wanted to prove that I was worthy, maybe earn a wife or two in the process. It was sort of a rite of passage."

Jim could tell that Blair was telling the truth. It was interesting news to learn that his beta had been an outcast within in his own Pride. "It was their loss and my gain, Chief."

"Thanks, man."

"As I was saying before, I've decided what to do with that information. I reviewed the data and it seems that you managed to steal the most recent and update database in the sector, complete with transportation routes, passwords, destination coordinates and shipping histories. You were planning to use this information to plan the largest unsuspected pillage in sector history, I bet."

"Yeah, that was pretty much the plan."

"But just imagine what we could do with this information in the long term, Blair. Not waste it on one large attack, but more stealth attacks drawn out and well planned. Imagine what we could do if we used their own information and equipment against them. Stealing into their own home bases and escaping unarmed and unnoticed. They would

never notice small shipments missing here and there, or new information leaks. It would be enough for say, a new Pride to build their future on."

Blair had listened to Jim speak, his eyes began to sparkle as he moved to stand beside him. "Yeah, that would be a good use for it," he agreed. "Say if someone took a Than Fighter and snuck back into a Than Hive and watched the bastards *give* us their supplies, with the proper forged documents of course. This would be a plan worthy of the Timber Wolf Pride…"

"No, Chief…" Jim smiled, wrapping one arm around Blair's waist, drawing the smaller man into his lap. "It's a plan for survival, worthy of the Jaguar Pride."

Series To Be Continued...