A/N Again bolded speech is Xapferey in his true form.

Feb 8th: My tooth broke; hopefully I can get a dentist appointment quick to solve the issue and fix it… I really REALLY don't need this crap.

Feb 9th, got it fixed, needs a crown… and to make matters worse my plan doesn't cover it *wince* that's 1134$+ out of pocket… yeek and my jaw hurts after the temporary crown. I'm NOT looking forwards to getting the real thing… Well that's next week on Thursday.

Feb 13: Oooh my tooth hurts and I have to be careful as I eat… take this as a sign to take care of your teeth, it hurts and is worrisome as a temporary crown is a fragile cap and can shatter easily enough.

Personally I hate to reuse names for countries in other stories, but if it's my idea and a Dragon that rules it, then it's my right to do so.

There are no Super Repeaters (HMG analogues in the army yet, they are expensive to produce at the moment)

Chapter 13: Treaties and troubles

8 months after chapter 12

Xapferey's land had grown strong rapidly over the course of several months. Their armed forces were now over 9,500 in number with the Linebreakers having doubled their force in the interim. The repeating crossbows of various sorts were making their way to the training yards as the regular army began using them.

Army squads consisted of 12 men, 2 were using the new Longshot crossbow, two were using the Assault Repeater (LMG) crossbow and the rest were using the standard repeating crossbow. All were trained to rely on their weapon first, although, the army were provided with blades and trained. They were being taught to rely on their crossbows before resorting to melee combat and to work with their squads on communication.

The communication circlets originally designed by Xapferey and Slain were upgraded and beginning to be interlinked in a HUD system for the armed forces of Draconia. The new systems included connections with their weapons so that the troops could see how much ammunition remained in the current drum or magazine depending on what type of role they had within the squad.

Unlike the regular army, the Linebreakers were mainly assigned the SMG crossbow and/or the Shortshot sidearm. The Linebreakers still relied primarily on teamwork, and only resorted to their ranged weapons during a long charge.

Xapferey looked out at the training with pride, his army was small but very well equipped. Xapferey stepped next to Jebra and they watched for a time.

"What do you think Jebra?"

"They are impressive milord, at times I am a little frightened at their efficiency at dealing death."

"We cannot afford to be lax or stick to traditional ways of combat. Marmo to the south and Allania to the north, with refugees and others streaming into our country slowly...Allania may declare war on us due to their citizens abandoning them for us."

"I know, but it should not be a crime to move for a better life as you are making for us here sire."

"I agree, but there will always be those motivated by jealously, misplaced pride and what have you. We must be ready for them and if we have to break the standard conventions then so be it."

"Wise words Xapferey," Pirotess said from behind him. Jebra gave a short bow of respect to the Dark Elf. "You yourself have said similar when you defended me when I decided to finally shed my disguise those months ago."

"Excuse us Jebra," Xapferey said gently.

"Of course milord, milady," he saluted and departed to oversee some details in person.

"You are family Pirotess, even before I became a Dragon, I would fight for you. Do I need to repeat section 15 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms for you again?"

"Not at all brother dear, I've heard it often enough."

"What do you need Pirotess?" He asked seeing her unusually hesitant.

"What was my fate?"

"Excuse me?" Xapferey was slightly flabbergasted at the question.

"Nethalus told me the story as much as he could remember, but he was confused as to my fate. He told me you knew as well, so tell me what was my fate?" She pressed.

"Your fate in the… shall we say the non-manipulated timeline was mutable depending on the canonicity of either the… original sequence or the rewrite if you will. The original sequence you fell in love with Ashram and died saving him from Shooting Star's flame breath despite your magic. As for the rewrite, you sailed to another land where Ashram was taken over by a demon… I think, I didn't pay much attention to that post Lodoss sequence, honestly I could feel my brains melting not long into it."

"Fair enough, not like I would even touch Ashram now. What about Deedlit?"

"She and Parn would be together I suppose, in the original she was almost sacrificed to Kardis. As for the rewrite, she was with Parn at the end… but those timelines are obviously defunct."

"Will she be… I suppose not, rituals are to be timed and tricky thing, after what I heard Abathur did to Wagnard, well he'll be healing for a long while."

"Indeed he will, tell me how often did Neth drive you mad?"

"Frequently, he was very impulsive, easily distracted among other things."

"I know, that will not be something he'll grow out of… some issues are permanent."

"Yes indeed, he explained it to me as best he could."

"What else is it Pirotess?"

"Our scouts have caught word of Allania mobilizing a massive force on their southern borders."

"I'm guessing we're likely to be the target."

"A messenger is riding hard for our lands, and it may include a formal declaration of war."

"How many?"

"At least 35,000."

"35 against 9.5… I intend to meet them on the field of battle. The fury of the Linebreakers is already known, but not the fury of our armed forces."

"We have over a month before they reach us and become a problem… are we ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be, if we fight them here and they manage to win the day, our people will be at risk and everything I worked for will be ruined. I'm going to leave the Linebreakers as a garrison, you and Nethalus are in charge of the council when I leave with Deedlit and Jebra.

"Well then we need to keep training and preparing."

"And we will. Please excuse me, I have some personal projects to oversee."

Pirotess nodded as she went to her husband while Xapferey went from the royal chambers, down to the runecrafting room.

"So is it doable?" Xapferey asked.

"All simulations pan out to a successful project milord, but as you can see this is a project for the longer term. You would need more experience with the right runes and power flows for this one."

"Yes I am aware, never mind the complex formations and connecting runes. This is going to take a decade at best of research before we even get to building the damn thing… Anyways, seal the project and open project MPAA."

A knock on the door caught his and Malika's attention.

"Enter," Xapferey called as Slayn walked in.

"Milord Xapferey."

"Yes Slayn?" Xapferey asked with a mental sigh at his friend.

"Just coming to see if there were any projects you needed assistance with."

"Yes, this one project I could use your help with, and I think we can dispense with the formalities don't you old friend?"

"What ever you prefer… milord," Slayn said with a teasing glint in his eye causing Xapferey to groan in response and aim a playful swat at his friend. "What are we working on here?" Slayn asked as he looked over the strange suit of armor built for a Dragon.

"This is my answer to the larger evil dragons. A suit that combines machinery and runecrafting to be the first suit of powered armor."

"So if Shooting Star or Narse were to attack, you would rely on this suit to aid in driving them off due to the size and power difference?" Slayn asked.

"Correct, the weapon systems I am planning may be a bit beyond your comprehension at times."

"That's fair Xapferey considering what little I've seen of your weapons."

The two worked on the suit and the runes and machines needed to make it run; all the while exploring and discussing weapon options and possible settings of various defensive systems. Hours later the two walked away from a series of prototypes runic plates and mechanical parts.

Another meeting of the royal council saw the arrival of the messenger from Allania delivering a rather condescending, threatening and just plain insulting letter.

"What does it say?" Nethalus asked.

"Oh the usual, blah blah blah, not a king, swear to me or die, questioning my intelligence, my bloodline...oh they did not…" Xapferey's eyes flashed at the insults directed towards his wife. The Dragon ignited the letter with a flare of magic and turned his angry gaze onto the fearful messenger. "I don't believe in killing the messenger. But take these words back to your king. For your insults against my wife you shall suffer pain unending. For your insults against my people and I, penalties will be paid. Throw your pitiful army at me and I will drown you in their blood."

The messenger nodded fearfully at the large Dragon snarling in his face before he all but fled for his horse. Xapferey turned to his council "I will not repeat the insults he directed towards each of you, and especially to either of you Deedlit and Pirotess, but I want you all aware of that old saying. 'Do not anger Dragons for thou go squish when stepped on.'"

The council nodded a bit hesitantly, not used to the viciousness Xapferey was displaying. Although it could have been the fact he was in his true form as well that scared them somewhat.

"Jebra, ready the army for full mobilization, get our people behind the walls and have the Linebreakers in the garrison."

"Yes milord," the General left to oversee preparations. Xapferey went to suit up himself as he intended to make Kadimonos pay for his insults. Deedlit joined Xapferey not long after the meeting ended to join him on the battlefield as befitted the warrior queen she was.

Having been called to full strength for a now aborted war game, the army was already mobilized and ready for battle. So the gates were flung open wide and several thousand troops all well equipped could be seen marching away towards the north. The people behind them were waving in farewell, none were cheering though as they expected that many of their king's army would not be coming home.

For two weeks they marched until they halted at a great plain, ironically on the same field that Xapferey himself arrived on Lodoss. That said Xapferey transformed and signaled his army that he was going to give a speech.

"My soldiers, my people hear me. Today is the ultimate test of your training, some of you have thought my ideas strange, or wondering how these weapons are honorable or will bring glory. The fact of the matter is there is no honor in warfare. War is an ugly thing, but you fight not for personal glory, but for your homes, your families and your rights. The army coming against us would seek to destroy all that I have built for us. Today we fight for all we hold dear, our homes, our families and our loved ones. Remember your training, trust your friends and fellow soldiers and together we may come home victorious. FOR DRACONIA!"

"FOR DRACONIA!" The army shouted in response and began chanting "MANAWEAVER! MANAWEAVER! MANAWEAVER!" Before they cheered and began assembling into their formation as the enemy army could be seen in the distance. Heralds were sent to offer Xapferey one more chance to surrender but the Dragon just raised his paw and gave the enemy the finger. Not that they recognized exactly what it meant but the enemy general got the gist of it and began arranging his forces to attack the Dragon

Xapferey stared out at the sizable enemy army and decided to mix things up a little. His forces were built to be more fluid than other medieval armies. He split his army into the various companies of 1000 men under officers of varying ranks as his officer corps was still quite thin.

His forces then began organizing a overlapping defense in depth. The hope was that the enemy could be outflanked by his crossbows as they were hit from multiple directs. Yes it would cut down the amount of focused fire his forces put out, but it meant that they could maneuver and support each other much easier.

Xapferey took to the sky and watched as his forces arranged and set themselves into place, their crossbows armed and ready. At the same time, the Allanians began to move, a regiment of horsemen were galloping around to the side of the battle to begin a heavy flanking assault on his side companies. With that in mind, Xapferey had three companies facing forward against the enemy infantry and two others moving to cover their flank from a possible sweep from the left while he kept his eyes on the cavalry coming from the right.

~~I'll handle the right, lure in their horsemen on the left,~~

~~Yes milord,~~ The Lt. Colonel in charge of company A replied as he arranged his troops in formation and sent the orders to the other companies. With that being handled as the moment, Xapferey tucked in his wings and dove, flames gathering in his jaws. The troops screamed in fear at the sight of the large Dragon barreling down on them before he unleashed a stream of fire.

Straight from the medieval tales of old, his flame breath cooked many of the knights in their armor as he raked many others with his claws, snatching a few to drop them from a lethal height.

On the left flank, the horsemen galloped around Company B trying to encircle them as company B seemed to ignore them for the moment. Considering the Major of company B was being kept appraised of the situation by companies C and D, he was not worried at the moment as his attention was on the two infantry regiments charging at his lines.

With the Horsemen splitting to attack his rear and company D, The Major of Company B relayed the information and both C and D opened fire on full automatic while he had his forces hose down the charging infantry. The horsemen behind were caught in a murderous crossfire on two sides as the riders and mounts fell from multiple bolts. Several hundred fell in that moment as the rush stalled while snipers picked off officers and other distinguished commanders by their more elaborate armor or barding of their mounts. The breakdown of command and the deadly gauntlet caused the horsemen to break off and flee and many were caught in the confusion.

Company B in the meantime was unleashing their crossbows into the charging infantry with a similar result to the earlier cavalry assault. The Allanians halted their charges and fell back, withdrawing the as of yet still intact 3 infantry regiments heading for the left.

The Allanian general was not happy at the moment considering he had lost more than a 10th of his army without dealing a single casualty to the Manaweaver army. He grudgingly admitted to himself that those strange crossbows were terrifying when they started firing.

Calling his forces to order, the general glared up at the gold Dragon flying over his army before he decided to try a massive charge on multiple fronts. 6 cavalry and 9 infantry regiments were arranged and committed; the infantry began a charge, their lines splitting to attack 6 of Xapferey's companies simultaneously.

Xapferey shifted his lines quickly until his forces were in a horseshoe formation, letting the infantry charge into the horseshoe and the withering fire within. What the Allanian general had lost track of was that in the shifting lines, Xapferey had only committed 5 companies, not 8. The other 3 had activated stealth runes and their armor and equipment blurred into near invisibility.

Xapferey then began channeling a powerful illusion spell, which 'tripled' his standing forces. With illusion mixing with reality, the Allanians were confused but continued to charge, Xapferey had his forces begin firing in single or 3-shot bursts to occupy the enemy. The infantry slowed so they could huddle under their shields; thankfully these bolts were not as powerful as a standard crossbow, so the chance of the bolts going through was less than normal.

The cavalry was now catching up with their infantry regiments and beginning to suffer casualties as they were striking out at the illusory Manaweaver troops, the horsemen wanted to be sure that they were illusions as it would be folly to ignore enemies and to be taken by surprise from all sides.

~~What are you waiting for?~~ Deedlit asked while holding onto to her husband's back and aided by sticking runes

~~You're not wearing a helmet my love, so you cannot see them. Companies G to H are sneaking forward to assault the Allanian officer corps and center line. Hopefully this should break them when our decoy forces disappear and they are caught off balance by having the real troops where they are not expecting, then hitting them in one solid blow.~~

~~Art of war?~~ Deedlit asked faintly, thinking about earlier conversations she had with Xapferey and Malika.

~~Yes, but truthfully there is no art in war,~~ Xapferey replied over their private link through the circlets. ~~War is an ugly thing.~~ Xapferey turned his attention to his illusion spell and dropped the spell. For the Allanians, before enemies on all sides surrounded them and now, there were no enemies in melee range and they were now being exposed to the combined force of 5000 crossbows of varying types firing as fast as they could on the beleaguered enemy force.

At that same moment, the other 3 companies opened up on the enemy forces at almost point blank range. Their crossbows sprayed bolts left and right, cutting down many like stalks of grain in a very gruesome harvest. That was it for the Allanians, as their forces broke and ran in confused directions despite the shouts of some officers and the screams of the general.

Xapferey let the Allanians flee, though his forces had managed to capture the Allanian general and a few high officers before they withdrew back to their lines. Without leadership, and their morale shattered, the Allanian army retreated from the battlefield leaving almost a third of their troops dead and the victorious Manaweaver army.

Xapferey nodded in satisfaction as he landed on the ground

"Gods," A nearby trooper muttered as he oversaw the devastation his weapon had caused.

"It would be much much worse with firearms private," Xapferey said to him. "There's a reason why I limited those weapons."

"I'm glad such weapons are only in the hands of your family milord. If it is not out of line sire?"

"What's on your mind?" Xapferey asked gently.

"Milord I was with the swordsman groups under the then Colonel Jebra… I saw the wounds your weapon caused… And well…"

"I understand private. Believe me I do, now let's secure the survivors and begin heading home after we take what we can find here. All this equipment is expensive and our enemies were so kind to… furnish it for us."

"Yes milord," The private he was speaking to said with a small grin before he went to help the reclamation teams.

"Your move Allania," Xapferey muttered under his breath. The Dragon King then watched his forces peruse the battlefield and take prisoners of any survivors. There was no resistance and Deedlit stood by her husband the whole time, now equipped with a new sidearm and SMG crossbow.

"We just altered the balance of power in Lodoss," Deedlit commented, having heard Xapferey mention similar things throughout their relationship and especially after their marriage and reign.

"Hopefully for the better my dear."

The army came about and headed south back to their lands and forming capitol city. Upon their return to the capitol city New Vancouver, once the news had spread, the people were obviously overjoyed at the major victory over Allania.

As a celebration, Xapferey hosted a feast for his people and gave a speech to them in his true form so they could hear him.

"People of Draconia, I stand before you a proud and awed Dragon. I came from far distant lands bringing ideas very foreign in all aspects of life. Yet I am awed at how quickly you accepted my teachings and you have made me proud. I may be your king, but a king needs his people as his people need him. I came before you with promises of freedom and protection for you all. I set rules so all would be dealt with as fairly as possible. But today, today is where you my wonderful people have proven that we fight for our right to be. Today is for us all, all of us who make this realm possible. Today we celebrate our FORMATION DAY."

The crowd went wild with cheering and applause, it was true, in several months under Xapferey's reign, the people were already becoming better off than years if not decades in their former lives from wherever they had come from. Literacy was rising; the quality of life for the average peasant was now double what it had been before. Children were being taught the basics of all professions and basic education required for a household; future centralized and healthcare similar to Canada would be offered after enough healers were available.

All of these plans were to be subsidized through their taxes; and while said taxes were high, they were nowhere near what they had to pay in their old lands. Combined with the magically binding oaths of office, the people knew the money was being put to its proper use and not to line the pockets of government officials.

Xapferey watched the celebration and joined in for a time feasting with the higher officers of the army. He informed them that once they were large enough, they would become the 1st army.

Two weeks later

After the overwhelming victory, Xapferey had received a letter from Fahn requesting that he attend a peace conference in Roid. Xapferey sighed to himself, he understood what Fahn and the others were thinking and he was very sure that Kadimonos had requested that Valis sanction him in some way for so thoroughly kicking Allania's ass militarily.

Xapferey sighed as he took his true form for the meeting as he decided to skip the finery and come himself and keep it simple. He was going to present himself a practical and humble to a point as such he flew to Valis on his own for the meeting of the kings of Allania, Flaim and Valis.

As much as Xapferey wanted to avoid dealing with Allania directly, he had several avenues for getting what he wanted when it came to diplomacy. After he landed near the city, the Dragon transformed to his humanoid form and entered the city. Once it was know that he had arrived, Xapferey was shown to the meeting room with Fahn, Kashue and Kadimonos waiting for him.

"Welcome to Valis my friend."

"Thank you my friend. I wish I could have come under better circumstances," the Dragon replied to Fahn. Xapferey then sat at the table with the other kings. Kadimonos glared at him for a quick moment before beginning his spiel. It was nothing more than Xapferey had expected, citing the weapons as unnatural, overpowered and dishonorable and 'requesting' (read demanding) that Xapferey remove such weapons from his army.

"My fellow kings of Lodoss, gentlemen, I understand your concerns. Believe me I do, but my response believe it or not was moderated. Allow me to explain," he laid a unloadednon-runecrafted crossbow on the table and pulled out his obviously unloaded and unchambered Glock 17 beside it. "Put simply, this," Xapferey pointed at the crossbow "fires a crossbow bolt at 225 feet per second," Xapferey pointed at the Glock. "This fires one of these," Xpaferey put a bullet by the gun "at 1530 feet per second. "A crossbow bolt you have a chance to block or dodge. This…well, you can't possibly, no human ever could."

"Yes, I have seen the…effectiveness of your usual weapons and your reasons for them." Kashue said, having spoken to Xapferey after the events of the ball a little over a year ago and before the battle against Beld's army. "I am certain that things would have been far different if you had given those…guns to your people."

"Indeed, Lodoss is not ready for such weapons," Fahn said as he stared at the Glock on the table.

"Put simply Lord Kadimonos, I have to have such weapons because my army is small, and with Beld to my south I cannot afford to stick to conventional means to safeguard my lands."

"Then I want these weapons, to provide a balance among our nations," he said staring somewhat greedily at the weapons on the table.

"No, I will provide neither the crossbows, nor the firearms technology to you. I made sure to guard my secrets on production. Any with the knowledge of building these weapons have to sign a magically binding contract. Their signature ties them into the contract and only a mandated order signed by me, my wife and my council can override the clauses within. The clauses cannot be overridden if any are pressured by threats, magic or what have you." Kadmionos gave a grudging nod at that; even he could see the value in that.

"Perhaps, but your weapons put all our realms in danger," he retorted.

"Not really, I don't trust Beld, and I do not wish for war."

"Yet your forces marched despite your claim for wanting peace," he replied.

"True, but I responded to an assault on my lands. After the battle was won, we allowed your forces to retreat and we buried the dead after rites were undertaken. We gave the casualties full honors, consider as well that my army marched home immediately after; nor we have not assaulted any of your lands." Kadimonos had to concede that point.

"Regardless, the chance that you could launch an assault on my people is one I cannot allow."

"Likewise, my army is still small and my lands in development, I have enough matters of state to handle without a war added to my problems. I do have a proposal for you, I want an end of hostilities."

"Indeed?"

"Yes," Xapferey unfurled a map of Lodoss he had brought with clearly marked zones. "These are our borders as the current situation holds. The river here provides an excellent degree of separation. The red zones as you can see are to be a buffer zone between our lands. Within these lands our armies will not be allowed to be present. I have nothing against the presence of town militias, but they must be reasonably sized for the towns they are based in."

"Very well, but I want your weapon designs in exchange."

"No, I will not give you our modern crossbow designs, instead I will give you this," Xapferey pulled out a scroll with designs of a modified crossbow. "This is the Tri-shot crossbow. The designs and modifications are easy to make on any regular crossbow and I'm offering the designs to Valis and Flaim as well." Xapferey had already been planning on handing over the designs to his allies; this would just make it more legitimate an offering in the Dragon's eyes.

"I think these designs are a fair compromise considering the discrepancies in army sizes," Kashue offered to the others kings.

"Very well," Kadimonos said as he picked up the designs "my lords," he said nodding at them before he left.

Xapferey sighed quietly as he looked at Kashue and Fahn, Kashue had a slight smile as the terms of the meeting shifted to less formal standards.

"You handled that well," Kashue said with a smile.

"I suppose, that took less time than I expected."

"Not all negotiations are so difficult and even ones involving such… difficult circumstances."

"Mm," Xapferey said quietly. "My friends please excuse me, as I have to get back to my wife."

"How is she faring?"

"Well enough, all things considering… the situation proved her worth as my queen."

"Be safe Xapferey, and be advised; Beld may try to seize any information about your weapons." Xapferey sighed again and nodded before he looked at Fahn and Kashue before he pulled out designs to something he was working on.

"My friends these designs are something I developed in answer to the Great Dragons like Shooting Star, Narse, Abram. The… nastier ones if you will," Fahn and Kashue nodded as they began looking over the blueprints of the MPAA (minus several important things like the more powerful runes). "The suit is my answer to the Dragons who let's face it, their heads are bigger than my body in my true form. The fact of the matter is, even with my help without this suit, and engaging with conventional armies… well I don't want to think about the casualties." Both kings winced in agreement with the Dragon's thoughts.

"Yes, this might be an answer, could you make more of them?"

"Not for humans, it was designed for my true form because my body is stronger."

"Please keep it that way, I want your word that you will only use this if the outlined situation require it," Fahn requested sternly.

"You have it my friend, I will only use the MPAA in response to the appropriate situation." Xapferey took back the blueprints and left before flying home.

As he flew over the ground, the Dragon mused about the meeting, he supposed having the two other kings of Lodoss there helped expedite the negotiations; and both of them were not very happy with Allania for backing out of their allied commitment against Marmo.

Xapferey flew in and landed on the balcony still pondering the situation and he retook human form. After changing, he climbed into bed beside his wife and fell asleep still thinking about the letters and what sort of issues he would have to deal with next.

The next morning Xapferey woke to find Deedlit gone and a warm spot where she had been before. His ears picked up retching noises from the bathroom as he rushed to join her there. Considering Elves did not catch colds or any forms of viruses, Xapferey quickly guessed that Deedlit and him would be parents in a year's time.

"I have a feeling this is very good news for us," Xapferey said with a grin as he helped his wife to her feet after her bout of illness. Her wide smile and happy nod confirmed his guess.

"We're having a baby," Deedlit laughed joyously as Xapferey twirled her around in the air laughing as well.

"So in a year, we'll have our little hybrid."

"A year?" Deedlit asked puzzled. "Oh… half-Dragon children have a longer pregnancy period?"

"Yes, would you want to be checked over just to be certain?"

"Just to be sure," Deedlit agreed.

"Activate the EMH," Xapferey called out and a moment later the Emergency Medical Hologram in the portrayal of Robert Picardo appeared in the royal chambers. Deedlit had known about the program from Malika and it was her first time seeing him.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"My wife is pregnant and wants to make sure everything is fine."

"Of course," The Doctor picked up a hidden medical tricorder and began scanning her; Deedlit did flinch slightly at the noise of the device as it was slightly irritating to her enhanced hearing. "Please relax," he requested of Deedlit.

"Doctor, may I inquire as to your medical programming?"

"Yes, I have been upgraded and programmed with 7 million possible treatments from 3000 medical journals and the experience of 82 doctors specializing in human, Draconic, Elven and hybrid physiologies. Your wife and daughter are fine your highness, if that is all?"

"Daughter?" Deedlit gasped, "you can tell so soon?"

"You are three weeks pregnant my lady and this scanner is very advanced and precise," He replied to Deedlit before looking at Xapferey.

"That will be all thank you Dr…?"

"I was programmed with the name Robert Picardo."

"Of course, doctor. If it would not be an imposition on your program, your medical aid would be of great use to our healing facilities."

"It's not an imposition, it is my job. I will transfer myself there now to see if I am needed."

"Thank you doctor." The hologram winked out and Xapferey could not stop the facepalm or snickering any longer. "Sheesh, he's older than me by galactic orders of magnatudes and he still has almost the same sense of humor as me."

"…?" Deedlit made a questioning noise as her husband's antics.

"Simple enough, everything from the Lodoss Flyer and technologies similar to it were based on a… play portrayal... Robert Picardo was the name of the actor who portrayed the actor who played the Emergency Medical Hologram or EMH," Xapferey explained to Deedlit and she giggled at Xapferey now that she had a grasp of the situation.

Little did the two know the situation that would be coming soon or the wide impacts it would have on them and their future.

A/N – Sorry, would have had this done sooner, but it's hard to write with a sore and broken tooth distracting you. That and my beta made an excellent suggestion to redo this chapter which I did… enjoy.