Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 67: Less Than Even (Home Part VI)

Day 174 (9:13 AM)

“Hey where is that feline with the big tatas?"A mountain reedbuck said walking into the infirmary. 

He was dressed similarly to the Heman character in the Master's of the universe comics I read as kid on Gaia. You know, bare chested except for the strap covering his nipples and the barbarian underwear or were they shorts? Anyway, they were black with a gold colored belt holding them in place.

“She is on assignment. But you are in good hands I work here with her." I said staring at his black eyes and sharp horns. 

“Say, aren't you that character who became an Other?" He said sizing me up and then sniffing my hair.

(Awkward.)

“Yes. There was a meeting about it."

“And now you have returned. You know I lost family and friends to the walkers."

“It was most likely before I became one of them." I said looking him over as well. His gaze was intense.

“How did you….?" He asked.

“I got over it." I said changing the very uncomfortable topic." Now how may I serve you today um?"

“The name is T'hoka."

“Yes, you are one of the new warriors." I said extending my hand.

“Are you a healer?" He asked denying my handshake.

I noticed that he was holding his right shoulder with his left paw.

“No I am medic." I replied simply.

“Well I want a healer!" 

“Well, I am what you have at the moment. Now please have a seat and let me look at that."

Five hours earlier….

**SNORE**  **SNORE**  **SNORE**  **SNORE**  **SNORE**  **SNORE**  

“UGH!!!"

(How does Corbin put up with him?! I didn't know rhinos could be so loud!!)

I decided to quiet the very relaxed rhino that was lying next to me in the adjacent sleeping bundle.

“Commander...." I said gently rocking the snoring warrior. “Commander? Rombolt!"

*ZGT?!* “Alex? What's wrong? Is the city being invaded? Are we being over run?" He said awaking with a start.

“Yes, we are being overrun by the snores. Well it is only me... by you. It is so loud I can't hear myself think! Sir." I said to him very respectfully.

“Corbin never said anything about it. Or Russell. But Corbin was still upset over Dawn and Russell spent most of his time be terrified… of everything. I am sorry son. It has been quite rough holding back the darkness. I guess it has been equally as tough for you."

“Yes sir, I am still working through the sleeping thing. Perhaps I should just go for a walk." I said to him stretching. 

“Negative. We aren't sure that you won't convert back to that whom you were." The rhino warrior said stretching. You are not to be alone at all you know that." The groggy he beast said.

“So that is why Lady Ursa made me stay with you? Let me pose this question then. What if the real me is gone and it is just the entity using my shell mimicking me then what would you do sir?"

I received my answer in kind.

*GRAB*

“Hurk!"

*SQUEEZE*

“With respect sir, this bear hug would not do any good. ONE would then transfer to you and then to another and to another."

“I suppose not, I would hope that someone else would detect the change and then put me down and the rest of the possessed for the sake of the colony."

“Yes I remember you ordered that every resident have a weapon on them and to carry it with them at all times." I said within the embrace of the jolly rhino.

“Yes, but in your case- I am going to delay that. Hmm…"

“Commander?"

“I know you miss Ursa and Shakara but we all have to make sacrifices for the greater good." The rhino warrior said nuzzling me.

“Sir do treat all of you guests this way?" I said as the he beast laid me down next to him.

“No, but you do kind of remind me of Russell. He had trouble sleeping at night and on occasion would share my sleeping bundle. Well, most occasions."

“Really?" I said growing rather nervous.

“Not in that way Alex. Now close your eyes and try to rest. I think at some point your biological needs will resurface and you will start sleeping again."

So I was snuggled by the rhino warrior until daybreak. I realized that despite being an enforcer of the dictator the Commander was indeed a good person.

Day 174 (6:20 AM)

“Good morning Alex the singular." The commander said stretching 

The Strategic Operations Commander of the lost city found me on my back in his sleeping bundle looking at the ceiling of the room.

“Have you been lying there like that the most of the night?"

“I was thinking about the new present sir. How many out there do you think survived the fall?"

“Only fragments. Us here, those who were in the Grand Kingdom, the nomadic colony, and what is left in World Two." The rhino said stretching.

“I wonder if there are anymore?"

“Barq, Ursa, Shakara, Corbin and myself have been wondering the same. While you were away, we decided that it would be in our best interest to seek out survivors and try to help them in any way we could."

“I see, your way of trying to fight back against the darkness." I said to him.

“Yes son. We should start our day." 

I watched as the commander stretched again. He exited the bedroom fetched some items and beckoned me to follow him to the central building.

“It was decided that after your absence more should be done." The rhino warrior said as I followed him on the stone street. “Sir Ram and Mara's contributions made that possible for us to stop struggling. We soon realized that the only way we could think of to fight against the entity was to warn survivors and try prevent ONE from obtaining new vessels."

“That was the reason Lady Barq and Corbin helped that colony in World Three." I said as we made our way to the second floor and the soaking pool and showers.

We went inside and I watched the rhino warrior disrobe. Underneath his sleeping clothing was a fundoshi. He looked at where I was staring. 

“Oh this? Some supplies are becoming hard to come by, including clothing."

“Yeah, I had a hard time myself replacing what I had been wearing for the last few months. Lady Ursa even suggested I go back to wearing a loincloth."

“I heard Shakara liked that idea." The rhino smirked.

“Boy did she ever. It took some convincing, well begging and pleading that perhaps I should actually wear a little more now since I wasn't confined to living quarters."

“Undergarments are in very short supply, that is why I wear this." 

 I unclothed as well and soon followed a very nude rhino into the shower stall. That hadn't changed in the least.

“I see the showers still don't have running water." I said as the grey rhino turned his back to me and I started applying soap foam to him.

“No. Did you have them where you were?"

“In certain areas but not everywhere sir."

“Alex, my significant other and I used to take frequent baths together. I found them quite de-stressing and relaxing." He said murring at the shoulder and back massage I was giving him.

(And with a body like that, I could see why.)

The rhino warrior had a broad back, stocky shoulders, big pecs, legs and a very muscular butt as was fitting the strongest knight in the former empire and I got to lather and soap up all of it.

The commander then reciprocated.

“Um sir?"

“Something wrong Alex?"

“You seem to be fixated on my genitals." I said as my penis, testicles and groin received a through scrubbing.

“Yes, it was personal request from Sharkara while you are in my care." He smirked. 

“Something about how she likes her possessions well cared for."

“Shakara!" I pouted. My lioness in some ways reminded me of Sorren.

“You know she and Ursa love you very much."

“And I them Commander….AH!!!!" I screamed as he doused me with water from the collection tub above. 

“Sorry, I should have warned you I like cold showers- I find them quite invigorating in the morning. Don't you?"

“Ah, no."

As we were drying off the night shift was starting to trickle in. I watched Rumble and Ananias enter the soaking tub to wind down after their watch. 

“Good morning boys how goes it?" The rhino warrior asked.

“...boring…" Rumble grumbled.

“You would have preferred us to face a dangerous, inhospitable, unconquerable adversary?" The gorilla warrior asked the werecreature. 

“...would be like old times…"

“I would too mutt." Ananias grumbled.

“...monkey..." Rumble shot back.

“Excellent. Carry on you two." Rombolt said.   

I reclothed and followed the Commander into his office. On his desk was the communication device Lady Ursa, Dawn and I had obtained from Feleen's outpost.

“Morning Feleen." The rhino warrior said reclothing as a holo image of the female fennec extended from his communicator.

“Good morning Commander." The fennec sentinel said as the rhino warrior put on a black shirt, black shoulder pads, black codplate, black armpads and shinpads and small red cape.

“Anything to report?"

“Quite a lot Commander." The fennec said beginning.

“Uh oh." I said.

“In World Five, it looks like the synoptic's forces survived the recent extraterrestrial incursion."

“Explain." He said looking at me.

“Of the two skyships that attacked that city, it appears that one of them is actively being used to repair what was damaged."

“Did the aliens have a change of mind?" I asked the holographic fennec.

“I don't think so. I have also observed a second skyship it is the same configuration and design in World One. It appears to be in use there as well."

I looked at the holographic fennec.

“Commander Rhinox, Alex Winter- I am sorry to say it appears the entity survived and has resurged."

(SHIT!!)

“It appears that its minions were able to seize control of those skyships and their personnel increasing the entity's powerbase." The he beast concluded.

(Well screw me sideways!!)

“And the world just became even more dangerous." I added.

“I will alert Lady Barq and Lady Ursa." Feleen said.

“Yes Commander." My beautiful brown bear said appearing on the communicator screen with Shakara off to her side.

“I am here Rombolt." The badger warrior said appearing on the screen with Corbin in the background.

“Mistress, Shakara I miss you!!" I shouted.

“Pet it has only been a couple hours." My warrior bear said.

“Any amount of time away from you and Shakara is too long." I said blushing.

“AW!" Corbin said.

“Sorry Alex- but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." My mistress' rival replied.

“I know you four have just started the search, but did you find anything?" Rhinox asked.

“There has been no sign of Naka or his colony at all." My lioness said.

“We thought that we might be able to predict where they had traveled to." Lady Barq said. “But that has proven difficult too."

“The entity has increased in power be careful." The rhino warrior said.

“Yes Feleen warned us sir." Corbin said.

“We will keep you updated with our progress Commander." My she beast said ending the connection. The badger did the same as well. 

“Let Naka, Kiwi and Song be alright." I said pleading.

“Ursa and Barq are doing their best son. They will find him." Rhinox said comforting me.

“I know Commander. It is just that ONE wanted very badly to add that colony to its collection. I fear it has already done so."

“Feleen add the recent activity to our enemy charts. I will look at them later. For now Alex let's get breakfast."

“Yes Commander." The fennec replied.

I followed the he beast to the eating place where I met Little Corey and Mia.

“Good morning you two." The jolly rhino greeted Dianna's adopted children. “What do you have on the menu this morning?"

“We have a bountiful house salad." Mia said cheerfully.

“Well actually that is all we have, that soup and rations." Little Corey said.

“Ok one salad for me and a bowl of tomato soup for Alex." The rhino warrior said beckoning me to join him in the corner by a table.

And so after the startling news that morning. I sat with the rhino warrior who seemed to very composed.

“You seem to be taking this all in stride sir." I said slurping my soup."

“Just an update on our enemies list." He said nonchalantly. “The Grand Kingdom has been eliminated but ONE has expanded in its place, there are still night creatures roaming about and some have started appearing during the day, there is the KLIS and then Claudius is still out there as well. He very much would like to capture and dissect Rumble."

“That is certainly a lot to worry about sir."

“That is nothing, then there are the internal problems." The rhino warrior said.

“Internal problems?"

“Yes here in the city."

“For instance?" I asked.

“For now, we have what we need to survive- clean water, breathable air and stable infrastructure. Corey Collins is helping with that. Then there is making sure there is adequate food for all of us. Dianna, Little Corey, Mia and Lolly are looking into that. 

They suggest we start growing our food as soon as possible which means more time above ground in the outside world and all of its dangers."

“They will need protection." I said.

“Speaking of defenders there is also keeping the peace within the city." He said to me.

“I see sir, we are really making up this as we go along."

“Just what are the rules of living here? There aren't any laws or prisons. How do we handle disputes? Some of the populace is really resentful that knights of the former regime are in control. Another group is frustrated that their freedoms are very limited because of security restrictions. Some have expressed concern about letting a former Other re-enter the community. All of this really needs to be ironed out as well." The rhinos said eating.

“I guess that now is a bad time to ask for additional staffing." I said smiling.

“Why son?"

“Shakara thinks that the infirmary could use an additional medic to cover in case she and I are unavailable."

“Yes she mentioned that she was barely getting by and the increase in population didn't help."

I would learn how relevant that concern would be as the day progressed.

“Anyway, I am going to start working on these problems and you need to get your day started as well." The he beast said as he finished eating.

“You aren't going to accompany me?" I asked finishing my soup.

“No." 

“But I thought I needed to be guarded?"

“You do; your guard is here." The jolly rhino said.

“I don't see anyone commander." I said looking around the vacant room.

*POOF*

“Arugula."

“Here Commander."

I looked up my guard for the day- she appeared to be a brown-tan squirrel with a long black tail and medium sized ears and black beady eyes and long feet. It was the spring hare I had seen the at the meeting.

“Whoa! You practice ninjutsu?!" I stammered.

“Yes." She said simply.

“She is another of the new warriors here Alex." The commander said.

“She is small, quiet and very stealthy."

(A ninja!)

“The perfect scout or spy." The rhino warrior said. “I need to start my day. You do too."

“Right. Let's go Arugula. Wait, where did she go?"

Now….

“Well T'hoka it appears you just strained your muscle. What were you doing?"

“Sparing. It is a great way to stay in shape. Ursa wants us training despite her absence." The deer said to me.

“Well warrior it looks like you took a bow staff to the shoulder. Apply a drop of this ointment on the affected area. Rub it down, you should be fine in couple of hours." I said to him.

“Alright- I still prefer the feline with the big tatas- they are nice to look at." He said standing. “Later."

“He is always over exerting himself." I heard a disembodied female voice say.

“Arugula?!" I said looking around. I did not see her anywhere in the infirmary.

“Present." She said.

“You have that stealth thing mastered." I said to her.

“Yes."

(Not a big talker either.)

“Shakara!" A red hooded naga shouted as she slithered inside the small room. “This place isn't really accommodating- this must have been a storage closet at one time.... um where is Shakara?"

“Unavailable." I replied. 

“I need to speak with her about one of my students."

“Say you are that school teacher." I said.

“Yes. I am Una. You are the Other." She said drawing back.

“Former Other." I said to her. 

The red hood on the back of her neck indicated to me that she was a cobra. She had a pleasant enough face for a snake but the pupils on her eyes were not dots but slits. A telltale sign that she was....

“Ms. Una you are venomous aren't you?" I said uneasily.

“Yes."

“Wow, how may I serve you today?" I asked. 

“I am in need of a counselor."

“I am sorry Ms. Una, but last time I checked the lost city did not have one."

“Well we need one badly."

“Why?"

“I am concerned about Yogi he is quite despondent and lately has become inconsolable. It started a week ago and has become progressively worse."

“Given the climate that we are in and the state of Counter Earth right now, I am surprised that there aren't more in need." I said.

“There are probably more- who just aren't admitting it. Yogi, could you please come here?"

Stepping out from behind Una's coils was the Yeti I had seen in one of her classes.

“Good morning Yogi what seems to be the problem today?" I asked smiling.

He didn't respond to my greeting.

“I had to place him under." The snake lady said to me.

“That bad huh? Wait you can hypnotize people? There is your solution right there!" I shouted.

“No. It is just disguising the problem, covering it up. Now please avert your gaze for a moment." The cobra said.

I covered my eyes as she turned to the yeti boy and turned off her hypnotic suggestion.

“WAAAHHH!!! I am monster!!!" He bleated.

“Um, how do you know that?" I asked.

“Zhade said so!" The yeti said to Una and myself.

(Zhade again.)

“Just because someone says something like that, doesn't make it so." The female cobra said trying to console him.

“Look at me! I mean really look at me! I have huge hands and huge feet, I am entirely made of fur and have black beady eyes and jagged teeth!" Yogi said crying.

“That doesn't necessary mean that you are a monster Yogi." Una said trying to cheer the despondent boy. “Everyone here is unique."

“Una here is a venomous snake whose poison could probably drop me in minutes." I said trying to cheer him up.

“And Alex here used to work for an enemy of the colony." Una shot back.

“And there is that hypnosis thing you do." I said looking at her weirdly. “If you wanted could your order some person to walk around naked or even leap off a building?!"

“Focus Mr. Winter." The red naga said evading the question. 

“Yogi you aren't a manufactured creature." I said to the yeti.

“Then how do you explain that I don't have a mommy or daddy?" The yeti said. “Or anyone else for that matter?"

I looked at the naga and she at me.

“What was the first thing you remember seeing in this life?" 

“A beastial with a mask, gloved paws, tail and lab coat. He plucked me from a large glass circle. I was placed in a container and sent to a distribution center."

“Distribution center?" I asked.

“I was sent there to wait until I was purchased."

“Yogi what would happen after you were purchased?" Una asked the yeti. 

“I guess I would be sent to a new home. It didn't happen though the next morning the center shook violently and I tumbled out as the container was smashed."

“Yogi, how long ago did this happen?" Una asked him.

“Seven months ago."

“Damn the youngin's are getting quite big these days." I blurted out. Yogi was by all means a child, but a big one standing slightly taller than me. 

The yeti studied Una and my reactions.

“It is true! I am a manufactured monster!!!"

“So is Rumble the werewolf." The snake lady said trying to comfort the boy. “He was created in a lab as well."

“Yogi listen. No one, I mean no one has control over their creation or how they entered this life, just our actions afterwards. Regardless of who you are we are glad you are here." I said holding his huge hand.

“Really?" The yeti boy asked. 

“Yes. You see the lost city- this colony is comprised of many beings, humans, beastials, former lab experiments, manufactured monsters and those in between as such we are greater than the sum of our parts because of it." I said to him. 

“That is what also allows us to thrive- everyone striving for a common goal." Una said to him.

“Our survival?" Yogi said.

“Yes. Now dry your eyes. So you are manufactured so what? Live your life Yogi, be the best you- you can possibly be." I said comforting him.

“Okay." He sniffled.

“Now run along- you have some assignments due tomorrow right?"

“Yes miss Una!" 

The naga and I watched him leave the infirmary. It was hard to believe that large white ball of fluff was youngling.

“You handled that quite well Mr. Winter." The naga said to me.

“This time. But I understand your concerns." I said to the female cobra.

“Yes Mr. Winter we will have to look into this further. Good day." She said departing.

“Good day Ms. Una." I said as she slithered away. “So a venomous hypnotic creature is teaching our children?! Interesting."

“Yes. She is a effective communicator." Came a voice from behind me. “You are too."

“You flatter me Arugula. I think it is time for some more communication." I said heading for the door.

“Where are you going?"

I found my target outside the central building watching Corey Collins conduct a site survey.

“It is small, but there may be just enough space." Mr. Collins said to the human/bestial hybrid.

“For what?" He asked.

“A performance stage for events." The black haired teen said.

“Zhade! A word!" I said approaching him.

That evening....

“What is the evening special Mia?" The rhino warrior asked Dianna's daughter.

“Greens- in particular salad."

“Yes, let me have another of those." The jolly warrior said. “Ah Alex, how was your day?"

“Interesting enough. I had to console a despondent yeti who was being teased."

“By who?"

“Zhade. He said that he was created in a lab as some sort of designer monster. So I went and confronted him about it."

“He is a handful." Rhinox said eating.

“Zhade claimed that he was only being truthful."

“He is. The yeti boy was the creation of the Designer Products Company that was producing a distinct product line for the well to do."

I looked at the rhino warrior. 

“Manufactured monsters that could be kept as pets. As I understand it, Yogi was going to be the first production of these designer pets."

“So what went wrong?" I asked.

“The empire ended." The commander said to me.

“That would put a damper on the production line." I said sarcastically.

“Excuse me medic I need to speak with you." A brown pinyon jay said coming up to our table.

“What is wrong son?" Rhinox asked.

“Well you see I have this rash." The avian said. “It itches."

Rhinox accompanied me to the infirmary where I had the my patient drop his undergarments. On his right thigh were large red raised blisters.

“How long have you had this son?" The Commander asked.

“It developed within the last day or so. It itches... a lot." 

“I think I can help with that." I said as I started rummaging through our supplies. “This concoction ointment should do it, apply it three times a day. It should stop the itching and eliminate the rash." I said presenting him with a dropper.

“Thanks. What they say about you isn't true in the slightest." He said smiling.

“What is that?" I asked hesitantly.

“That the feline lady with the big knockers is better looking." He grinned.

“Did he just make a pass at me?!" I asked the Commander as I received another visitor.

“Yogi. What can I do for you?"

“Ms. Una is requesting your attendance in one of her classes. Come, come!"

Yogi took my hand and led me downstairs to Una's classroom. The Commander followed. As we entered, the naga was at front of the room addressing a semi circle of six. With Yogi and me the attendance size grew to eight.

“Welcome Mr. Winter." The female cobra said as I entered. “Please take a seat."

“Ms. Una what is this?" I asked curiously. 

“Our attempt to address a vacancy we have in the colony."

“The need for a counselor." I said looking at those present.

“This is a talking session for all who need it." A penguin said.

“For those who have suffered greatly before, during and after the fall and perhaps still are." A familiar mountain reedbuck said.

“Alex, this would be good for you, especially after your unique experience." Rhinox said pointing to those assembled. “And for them."

“And for you too Commander." The naga said. “Yogi would you like to go first?" 

“Yes, hi I am Yogi I am a manufactured monster. I was created as a designer pet for the rich...."

“Actually. If you don't mind Yogi can I go first?" I said butting in.

The yeti nodded.

“Good evening my name is Alex Winter. I am one of the first members of this community and I used to be an Other....

Alex Winter June 30, YOE 34