WOLVES OF ARCANUS

(Arc Two: New Beginnings)

CHAPTER 3: Jake: Transitions, Homesickness, & Training

Genus stepped into the quarters he shared with Jake. He had hoped it would be empty but there was the red tom at the computer console going through a lesson he'd been given during orientation.

Jake had heard him enter and halted the problem he was working on to look up and smile at his mate. He'd stopped thinking of Genus as just a lover when they'd done the tour of Aristal. It was obvious to all they would always be together so denying they were mates made no sense.

Hi, how was the debriefing? He asked, casually.

Genus winced inside...and he's given me an opening too...he thought unhappily. Rubbing his neck and feeling distinctly uncomfortable, he stared into his mate's brown eyes a moment before saying, rather bluntly, It went well but new information came out about you and Ulysses. I'm sorry, Jake but your tests have stated you two have a magical core and...

What? Jake lunged from his seat to stand in front of Genus, paws curled into fists. What did you say?

Huffing out a breath of air, Genus calmly repeated what he'd said. You possess a magical core that leans toward that of a techno-mage. As a matter of fact, Star says you already use some magic though you have no control over it.

Jake could only gape at the burly wolf then, trembling with shock, he turned and sat back down again, staring at his paws.

So what happens now? He asked in a small, tight voice.

Genus felt a little sick inside at the way Jake seemed to pull into himself and cut everyone off. That wall effect had only happened once since they'd been together and he'd not liked it at all. When he asked Jake's partner about the behavior, he was told...

All I can tell you is let him ride it out. Nothing you say or do will make him open back up until he's good and ready, Chance had said. He gave Genus a clap to the back in commiseration. I know it sucks but that's just the way he is and I learned to respect it. He comes around fairly quickly but he apparently just needs this method of isolation from everything to get back his equilibrium is all.

Thanks, Genus said, rather sourly.

Sure, no problem, Chance said, smiling sadly before leaving the wolf to ruminate over this quirk of his mate.

And just as Chance had predicted, Jake was fine about twenty-four hours later. But it wasn't pleasant for Genus to put up with. He had great respect for the tabby doing so all those years they were together.

Bringing his mind back to the moment at paw, he sighed and said, Star will be scheduling you immediately for magical training. The other news is much better...you're to be assigned under Chief Taglar full time. He feels you shouldn't be required to sit through orientation since you are so quick to learn. Instead, he will assign a crew man to take you around personally to get the orientation done at your accelerated pace, then the Chief will test you and send the results to the captain. The rest you have to know you're already acquiring on the computer so the rest of your time will be spent working in engineer. Isn't that great?

Jake gave him a wane smile. Yeah, that part sounds fantastic, but... his expression tightened into one of anger. I don't want to use magic Why can't I chose not to? He demanded.

Because the energies the Sept use will cause your untrained magic to react and not necessarily in a benign way. The danger you and Ulysses present in your untrained state is incalculable to both the ship and crew. It is by the captain's direct order that you two undergo magical training. I'm truly sorry but there is no choice.

Hissing in anger, Jake turned away and stalked out of their quarters, the door barely opening in time before he would have run into it.

Genus stood stunned. Should he go after his mate or let him burn off steam? Maybe he's gone to see his partner? That didn't upset the wolf as it would have someone else. He well understood the bond the two shared and wasn't threatened by its existence.

Sighing, he decided to leave Jake be for now and let him return on his own when the tom was ready.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Some time later, Jake returned but said very little to Genus, just nodding his head to acknowledge him but moving past and through to his work room and shutting the door.

This private space had been provided by the captain just for Jake. This was to allow the Kat the ability to put down his ideas the moment they struck him. They didn't want to inhibit his creativity in any way.

However, right now all his brilliance had deserted him. His eyes didn't even see the diagram, he'd pinned to the bulletin board before him. He had gone to see his partner just as Genus had guessed. Chance was just as shocked and upset as Jake was but understood there was no choice and tried to make a small joke about how much Feral would hate this too.

He had too agree Feral would be showing more temper than Jake on this subject. But that hardly matter to the cinnamon tom right now. He wasn't that adverse to using magic, he just didn't' like the idea he had no choice on whether to use it or not. And it was the fact that this was added on top of everything else he needed to learn as well.

Yes, he was quick at learning but that didn't mean he liked being overloaded with studies. Shaking his head, he rubbed his temples. Only on board less than forty-eight hours and already he felt overwhelmed. So not fair, he sighed, deeply.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The next day he was eyeing the device held by the Chief of Medical Officer, rather warily. So that goes into my brain?

Tennar took the question seriously and didn't downplay the Kat's understandable fear. This was an extremely intelligent being and having something inserted into the most important part of his body should cause some concern and reluctance.

The other two Kat's were looking very freaked out about this but if he could convince Jake that it was safe, he felt Ulysses and Chance would fall in line...he hoped. But, this wasn't his first case of dealing with this particular fear. Many years of coaxing newcomers to accepting the device had taught him patience and a few tricks of the trade for getting cooperation. So with practiced ease, he took a lecturing stance and explained the device to the three.

Sort of. This... In his fingers was a pair of tweezers and held within them was an extremely tiny device that looked like a computer chip to Jakes' eyes. ...is inserted into the Broca's area of the brain that controls speech. That is in the small section located at the bottom of the left frontal lobe. The procedure is painless and quick. When this is anchored firmly in place, it will not wander. Once placed properly it will serve as an instantaneous translator for nearly any organic language spoken in the Alliance. This will allow you to understand and speak the language being spoken to you. This has been used in the Alliance for more than a century so it has been well tested and I assure you is completely safe.

Jake still wasn't that enamored about having an alien device put into his brain. What about my... he grimaced, showing clear distaste, "...magical abilities? Won't that cause some problems with anything electronic?

An understandable concern coming from your level of technology, Jake, but, you see, this isn't made of metal and wires and circuitry with a power source. It is totally organic inside and out so it is not affected by any kind of energy and is 'invisible' to magic. Since its only purpose is to translate language, it doesn't set off any alarms outside or inside the body. And that too has been tested. Star and his Sept all wear one of these without any ill effects.

Jake's eyebrows raised at the mention of organic. Really? An organic computer, eh? What's the power source?"

Tennar hid a smile. The Kat had caught on instantly that this was a tiny computer not a data chip of some kind that required an additional device to make it work. That is correct and it is totally self contained and is powered by your own body's natural energy."

The red tom's eyes widened at that. "Really? Now that's cool."

I don't think so. It sounds creepy to me to have a computer in my head. And I still do not like the idea of having one in my head at all, Chance interjected suddenly, growling with uneasiness.

Feral was equally uneasy and unhappy. He scowled at the thing and said flatly, I don't care how safe it is, I don't like the idea of someone mucking around in my brain so they can put something like that in there.

Easy, love. Don't take on so about it. After all, I wear one and so does everyone aboard, Kam soothed. His decision to be present for this important first step for the three Kats becoming crew members had been a good one. He wasn't surprised his mate would object. But he also knew,
Ulysses wouldn't disobey a direct order from the captain. He just hoped he could coax the big tom to accept without having to get the captain involved.

I still don't like it but know it's required, Feral grunted, still scowling and looking very unhappy.

I'm with you on that Feral, Chance found himself agreeing.

Just because I think it is cool doesn't mean I like it anymore than any of you, however, it is required of every crew member and that's now us, so stop complaining and let us get this
done, Jake said bluntly.

Feral and Chance scowled in unison, but knew he was right so submitted to the procedure without further objections. The procedure was easy and painless, and none of them noticed anything different about each other afterwards, so relaxed and forgot about it.

One more hurtle achieved for the newcomers, Tennar thought. Though I don't envy the pair with magic. That training is quite grueling.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Jake and Feral learned quickly just how much they hated the magical part of their training after only the first day. The procedure to turn on their magical cores had been far more benign and easy compared to what they were being put through now.

Like Callie before them, they had to endure multiple tests even before training could begin then underwent individual sessions with Star with Jake being first. Despite being aboard ship some two days now, this was actually the first time Jake had ever met the Chief Wizard.

Star surprised him. Leaner and much shorter than Tennar, the wolf possessed an eerie calm that didn't quite match the faintly dreamy expression in his startling pale blue eyes. Adding to his mystique were the odd symbols tattooed on each cheek and forehead. His clothing only enhanced that ethereal quality he had about him.

Unlike the rest of the crew, the wizards wore a different type of uniform, if one could call it that. Jake's uniform was silver with blue banding along legs and arms with his rank on each shoulder, very similar to the Enforcer's style of wear.

But the wizard's attire comprised of a shirt made of some kind of silky, shiny material with many symbols stitched in silver on it, the sleeves were bell-like, apparently to allow his arms and paws more freedom of movement. The pants were the same but plain in appearance. His feet were shod in soft leather coverings. Around his waist a silver sash wound around it then was tied in some stylized knot and placed over his left hip. The sash also had symbols stitched in it.

Hello, Jake...I'm Star. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the wizard said in a mild, pleasant voice.

I hope you understand that I don't feel exactly the same, Jake said, rather uncomfortably. He wasn't used to be rude but this whole business felt off to him. His body was warmer than usual and he felt all this energy crawling along his skin under his fur. It wasn't pleasant.

Of course. Feeling uncomfortable, correct?

Yeah, just a bit hot and a kind of creepy sensation under my fur," Jake admitted.

That is your magical energy trying to decide where to go and that's what we're going to do right now...teach you how to get control of it and force it to obey your commands. This room we're in will contain any accidental spillage so no one will be harmed," Star assured him.

Except for you... Jake muttered. He had already surmised the room had been heavily fortified to contain the energy that anyone training in here used. Though it did not appear to be anything special about the room really until he felt pressure against his eardrums when the door was sealed behind him and Star. It also wasn't empty. A large table holding a lot of odd mental junk, or so it appeared to him, sat in the center of the floor.

Star smiled gently. I assure you, Jake, I am quite able to defend myself. Shall we get started?

Jake shrugged. You're the teacher...

An hour later Jake's head felt like it would explode. Star had him use magic to repair the stuff that had been laid out on the table. It turned out to be all kinds of electronic devices used aboard the ship but none of it was anything he'd ever seen before. However, the moment he began studying them to fix them, he had been amazed at how quickly he could figure out how to put them together again, and even knew what they were used for simply by feeling their textures with his magic. It just boggled his mind. He was quick and smart, that was a given but this was like he had a helping hand right beside him advising him on what to do. It was weird and exhilarating but headache producing too.

Here Jake, drink this...it will ease the reaction headache from doing so much magic at one sitting, Star said, handing the Kat a mug of some hot liquid, his expression concerned.

He watched the Kat drink the liquid and make a disgusted face but not argue or complain as he drained it dry. Star was very worried. He had not intended for the tom to work quite so hard or long but there was no way to halt the magic once it started pushing at the tom. He was stunned when Jake had completed all the repairs in record time.

Aristal seemed to produce some very incredibly talented individuals. He was almost afraid to see what Ulysses would be capable of during his session. He had a suspicion he'd need to put some really strong shields around himself when he dealt with that Kat's fire magic.

Once you rest for a little then we'll go through the steps necessary to teach you control and grounding, he told the tom when Jake set the cup down and began to look less pained.

Jake sighed and rolled his eyes but listened patiently as Star explained what he had to do.

When the session was over, he was ordered to go back to his quarters and take an hour nap before reporting to engineering. For once, Jake didn't disobey. Their quarters were quiet as Genus was on duty. Jake staggered to their bed and collapsed on it. Only seconds later he was out cold.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The magical sessions were grueling on top of all the other things he had to learn. None of them had even started the myriad of course work they had to complete to be considered full fledged crew members. Orientation covered everything that had to do with functioning aboard a star ship and though Jake had breezed through the manuals and guidebooks, he still had to do the physical things yet.

Like emergency response behavior, medical training, basic knowledge of every section of the ship from the bridge to the engine room. During most of this, Chance and Ulysses attended with him including defense training which was more intense than anything they done on their own. While he was getting used to the grueling schedule, a new problem cropped up only a couple of weeks later.

It was Genus who first noticed the problem. Peering into Jake's work space in the room attached to their quarters, he noted his mate was still was using an old fashioned method (in contrast to the high tech and easier to use computer system) of putting his ideas down on real paper. Diagrams of his most recent ideas were pinned to the wall above the work bench.

Frowning, Genus realized his mate was possibly suffering symptoms of homesickness. And when he brought the observation up to his mate, Jake vociferously denied it.

Homesickness? Are you kidding? I've been way too busy trying to learn everything I'm supposed to know and magical training on top of that to be missing home. How could I be suffering homesickness? I don't' feel sad or unhappy, Jake objected.

It shows in your clear desire to cling to the familiar, my love. Doing your diagraming the old fashioned way helps you keep hold of what you were used to back home. It's a way for your subconscious to deal with being away from your home and coping with all the new challenges you've been thrown.

All newcomers suffer from it to one degree or another. No one, no matter how strong willed, is immune to its affects. It's worse for those who have never been away from solid ground and a sky over their head. Some never adjust but that won't be true of you. I know with a little help, you'll adjust fairly quickly but you won't on your own, Genus warned, gently.

Jake could only frown and shake his head. Genus' experience and knowledge in this couldn't be questioned but the red tom still had trouble believing he was suffering from homesickness. But since he couldn't refute it, he had to accept it and seek help. He knew the options. The three of them had been thoroughly briefed on what to do when this occurred.

Grimacing in annoyance, he said, Fine, I'll go see Tennar.

Relieved, Jake wasn't going to put up a fight about this, Genus still felt compelled to add, Do it soon, love.

I will, promise, his mate agreed. And he had and that's when he learned his partner was having difficulties too. He didn't know how Feral was faring as the tom didn't cross their paths much except during orientation. He did learn the big tom had been pulled from duty until he finished orientation, magical training, and his course studies.

That must have pissed him off royally, Jake mused, not envying Kam the hassle of dealing with such a temper prone mate all the time. He assumed from what little gossip he'd heard in his short time here, that Kam was keeping his mate in line with superior sex. Though he did hear Feral gave as good as he got. Now that made him snort in amusement. It still surprised him to learn the big tom was dual sex...never would have guessed that in a million years!

As for himself, he was amused and surprised to learn he and Chance were seeing the same counselor. He wasn't any happier than his partner to need this kind of help. But he was forced to admit, he did like the odd creature and received enough comfort from his first few sessions with Ssslan that he was sleeping better and beginning to let go of his old habits a little at a time.

However, he did not think they would get him to stop drawing his designs on actual paper any time soon. It comforted him to do something the old fashioned way and Genus wisely left him alone on the subject.