***
McClellan Air Force Base
Sacramento, CA
Day Nineteen
Hour 1330The room was large, but not so large that it dwarfed the four cylinders that stood floor to ceiling in the center of the room. Inside the glass tubes were young men, covered in twitching gossamer tubes that sent out thousands of electrical impulses every minute, moving constantly over flawless skin.
"How are they progressing," Spender queried, fingering the unlit cigarette in his hand. He could see the obvious; the clones were growing at the accelerated rate nicely, but he had no idea or experience with this type of development of clones. Always before, clones were conceived, duplicated in tubes and gestated until infancy and then taken out to progress normally. The clones of Mulder had never been removed from the accelerators and even the scientists in the room experienced with cloning had little idea of what to expect.
The aliens had assured them all that the process was not harmful. They had produced millions of clones in this way when invasions had demanded quick access to a supply of soldiers.
However, they had never seen the physiology that these clones exhibited. They were neither human nor alien...a hybrid of some sort, but what type they were uncertain. There were extra base pairs in the DNA structure that had never been seen in nature, celestial or otherwise.
One of the scientists stroked the glass of the tube closest to him, "They are certainly beautiful," he sighed.
Spender shook his head. Useless human weakness. The medical staff had, from the first, been untowardly attached to the clones. They had shown a bit too much enthusiasm in watching the clones develop. Bill Mulder had yet to visit the clones, choosing instead to prepare the way to the meeting with Murdoch.
"I am not interested in their physical appearance as much as their physical soundness," Spender rasped. "Will they function outside the incubators?"
"They should do fine, if the data we have been given is to be believed," the doctor mused, still reluctant to move away from the glass tube. The electrical impulses within the bluish liquid illuminated the clone in a wash of azure light, making an eerie glow on the white skin of the clone.
Spender turned and left without another word, making his way down a darkened corridor, taking lefts and rights without pause until he came to a doorway that, unlike the doorway to the main medical lab, was unguarded. He punched in a five-digit code into the doorlock and while the light turned green on the lock he wondered what his assassin was doing at that moment. When he entered the room to find the solitary cylinder in the room, and the softly swaying clone inside it, he wondered too if this was not the key to his assassin's heart.
He ignored the two scientists in the room and walked to the cylinder and stared at the clone, the likeness to Fox Mulder astounding him though he had seen thousands of clones before. The clone was young...perhaps not yet eighteen physical years, but the progress, like its brothers in the medical lab, was amazing. In another few hours they would be birthed, utterly without experience of any kind...lambs to the slaughter, without language or sensory development. The four in the lab...the only clones as far as Bill Mulder and the majority of the team in Sacramento knew, would be sent to Murdoch, this one...this one was Spender's alone. His secret.
The two scientists who worked on its progress were completely loyal to Spender alone, they would never betray him to anyone. Bill would never know of this lone clone...and once it had been birthed and judged physically sound, well then the scientists, those loyal fools, would have to be silenced in the most efficient way.
There was only one way to bait a rat trap after all. And Spender couldn't afford any loose ends. Bill might be utterly preoccupied at the moment, but it wouldn't do for him to ever know of this little theft. As Spender watched the clone and the life giving electrical tubes caressing its long body, it opened its eyes. The hazel glow alien in the blue liquid.
***
Salmon Falls, CA
West of Santa Rosa
Day Nineteen
Hour 1500Skinner approached Baku with forced calm. The last time he had seen this man, he had been upsetting his family...upsetting Skinner himself so that he had lost Fox to that damnable vampire.
The old man stood straight with his hands clasped lightly behind his back. His eyes bored into Walter's and again Walter felt as if he should know this man. There was something about the way the man stared at him, as if he was at once impatient and proud; it was a look that was nearly paternal.
"You do try my patience, old man," he said in a low voice.
"Your patience is not as wide as it was a month ago, Skinner," Baku said lightly, tapping his foot in the soft dirt of the camp. "You should make Fox and Alex wear the medallions. The vampire would not have sensed anything out of the ordinary with either of them...and there would be no reason to risk your wrath on a mere human."
Skinner raised one brow. In truth he had once again forgotten about the medallions. They were packed away with the rest of Fox's things, but he said nothing of this to Baku. Instead he lowered his chin and stared intently into the brown eyes before him, "You came here to tell me that?"
"No, I came to try to convince you of the necessity of allying with The Garren. And the sooner the better." Baku nodded his head at Antonio who came to stand beside Skinner.
"Why would he want to do that?" Antonio questioned. He was still upset that Garren had so easily usurped his place when Skinner had gone after the sweet little fox.
"Because while you two take a little vacation, enjoying the coastal beauty of California, the rest of the world is at war." He shook his head as Antonio made to speak. "Don't deny that you know the plight of some of your brothers. One in Africa is nearly defeated by Murdoch's forces."
Skinner felt the truth of Baku's words and he spared a glance at Antonio whose lips had gone straight in a grim line.
"Do you think you will have a leisurely life once you reach your southern destination?" Baku asked of Antonio. "So you think that Murdoch will be content to rule only part of the world? He has planned for thousands of years to take over the entire world and you think he will not move forward with his plans? Don't think that because you travel with Skinner that you are as big a threat to Murdoch as is Skinner. When you leave the nest, you will be as vulnerable as your brothers across the seas." He turned to Skinner. "Let your thoughts go out to your brother...know that he is almost sacrificed to your pride and disdain."
Skinner tensed with anger as Baku turned his words on him. But, still there was some truth to them. They, the ascendants who had chosen not to align with Murdoch had a responsibility to one another...it was understood, but he had been so focused on Fox and Alex and Fort Bragg and the people there, that he had forgotten to look at the big picture. He could feel his brother's struggle, the fear and the exhaustion. But what could he have done?
"What do you want? You think that if I align with Garren then my brothers around the world will benefit? What do I need with a pack of wolves that I can easily destroy?"
Baku looked startled for a moment, before he began to cackle. "Confidence is not your weak point, is it, boy? For as long as the Dorl have watched the Mediggo, the pack has been by the Ascendant's side."
"Yes, yes, you told me all this before...so what?" Skinner was getting impatient.
"In that time we have had the opportunity to study them. They are not so easily destroyed...the young ones yes, as you have seen, an ascendant can bring them down. The older wolves are more difficult to destroy. More difficult than you can imagine. You have felt the force of Garren...you must sense it on a level only those of the Opening can know. He, you could not destroy...at least not without a lot more force than you can muster. Hurt him, yes, but he can hurt you as well."
Antonio shifted on his feet and yet kept his expression schooled, mimicking Skinner's.
"The older the wolf, the stronger the wolf," Baku explained. "Those of the blood, what we might refer to as a royal family, are naturally stronger, more able to control the change, but all wolves grow stronger as they age. There are wolves that roam that make Garren seem like a weak infant...hard though that is to believe. He is young for a wolf, their lives are so long as to seem to be immortal. These old wolves, Skinner, could tear Garren into pieces."
"Then why not align with one of the older, stronger wolves," Antonio queried. "If we want to align with a wolf at all...though I see no benefit in it."
"Because Garren is the leader. Uncontested. Absolute. Absolute in a way a human leader has never achieved. There is no wolf that will stand against him, weak or strong young or old. Even the oldest would tear out their own beating heart if he but commanded it. You must understand the pack if you are to benefit from it. Wolves are loyal to three things only. First to the Garren, then to their mate, then to the pack. Only the Garren can put the mate before all other things. But, you must understand that wolves think the pack is made stronger when there is one leader and when mates are taken for life." Baku reached out a hand and tapped Skinner's muscular forearm. "With Garren at your side, the whole pack worldwide will do your bidding, fight your battles...protect your allies. But, you need Garren."
Skinner frowned. He could feel the truth and he knew that Antonio could as well. An alliance with Garren would be beneficial. But at what cost?
"Too, though most wolves are without rational thought in the change, when they are in wolf form, they are as clever as any human when in human form. They can plot and scheme like any other. Too, the bloodline of Garren is not the only line that can maintain rational thought when changed, it is the minority to be sure, this thinking population, but it is deadly." Baku paused and waited for the weight of what he'd said to sink in. "You know too, Skinner, that there are ancient, powerful wolves making their way here, don't you?"
Skinner nodded, he had felt the approach of several such creatures, but had not wanted to admit to himself that they might pose a threat. In truth he had known them to be wolves and had assumed that Garren would keep them in line. One was coming across ice and snow to the north, travelling without sleep or rest, with a stamina that seemed unending. Another, oddly to him, was coming via a sailing vessel. It shouldn't be odd, he supposed, these creatures were alive before the invention of the first ocean going vessels, surely they would have the skill to navigate and to sail one.
There was one more, but he could not get enough of an image of this one to determine where it was coming from or how near it was. That in itself disturbed him greatly.
"They are coming for one reason only, Skinner. To protect the Garren's mate."
Antonio choked and Skinner closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Protect him?" His voice was tired.
Baku took a steadying breath, he could sense that Skinner was coming to his side, but it was a delicate shift. "Yes, protect him from any manner of things; from the cold, from attack, from hunger or boredom or any displeasure...it is a great honor. One that has fallen to very young pack members since Garren has taken him. But, that was necessity. The old ones have earned the honor and they will take it very seriously. You will do well to take them seriously too, Skinner. They will take your best shot, smile and come for your throat. Do not toy with them."
"He keeps Garren in line," Antonio said sullenly. He didn't like the tenor of the conversation. They were ascendants. They should fear nothing.
"Because Garren's mate would be displeased were Skinner to be harmed...more than that...and actually more interestingly, because Fox Mulder would be hurt by it. You see how delicate it is?" Baku smiled. "The Garren has taken a mate and the mate already has a lover...the lover is not expendable as he is far too beautiful and highly changed besides so Garren must accept him. In fact he would most likely claim him were it not for his mate's wishes to the contrary."
"You better speak plainly, old man. What does Fox have to do with this?" Skinner barked. He could scent even now the musk of Alex and Fox's passion. They were so involved with each other that Skinner knew they were unaware of anything but the slide of skin and the heat of their kisses. It was a condition that was not entirely brought on by their change. The two would have tuned out anyone even before the change had rendered them helpless to their sexual needs. Still, the allure of the two made him glower at Baku for his unwelcome message and the reality of it.
"Fox is the key to Alex, Alex is the key to Garren. Garren is your key to the safety of the world and Murdoch's destruction," Baku said in a steady voice despite his growing excitement at Skinner's growing acceptance.
Skinner looked at Antonio and saw the recognition of the veracity of the old man's words. He also saw the same resentment in those black eyes that he felt. But still. An alliance with Garren would serve he and his well. Very well. He knew it was something he would have to face, but to give up his claim to Alex was something he was not eager to do. Even though, in the beginning he had resented the green-eyed beauty, he now reveled in his ownership of him.
"Garren will not turn against Murdoch," Skinner said, more in an attempt to deny the inevitable.
"He will to protect his mate." Baku looked sly, younger than his years as he felt the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together. "Simply suggest to Garren that for the protection of his mate, he should ally with you. Remind him of Murdoch's gentle care of Alex the last time Garren brought his mate before his old master. But don't delay Skinner, I fear one of your brothers is already lost. Don't wait. He will be here by nightfall."
Both Skinner and Antonio knew he referred to Garren.
At Skinner's reluctant nod and Antonio's grim face, Baku sighed in relief. "He will be angered that you took his mate without permission..."
Skinner began to redden in anger and Baku lifted a placating hand.
"He's already allowed you liberties with him, Skinner. You *must* accept that Alex is his now. You *must* or the alliance is gone and Murdoch takes everything in the end. Especially Fox."
Skinner stilled himself with an effort and Antonio shook his head. "You ask that Skinner just hand over a changed male so easily?"
"A changed male for the security of millions? I think it a fair trade" Baku growled, his own ire showing for the first time. "There are hundreds of changed humans, only a handful of decent ascendants."
"I will not allow Garren to take Alex from Fox. I can give him up...for the right reason, but I will not take him from Fox...not for anything in the world." Skinner's face was filled with a mixture of loss and sorrow and defiant anger.
Baku nodded. "You give up a lot. Perhaps Garren will share his mate." He didn't elaborate. He knew that eventually Garren would take Fox, for what wolf could resist him? He would perhaps let Skinner use Alex for the use of Fox. More likely he would want to take Fox and Alex together. Perhaps Skinner would enjoy watching it...perhaps even participating. "Alex will go willingly to Garren, Skinner. He will be growing restless for him even now."
Skinner could sense Alex's full attention devoted to pleasing Fox, but he didn't bother to inform Baku of that fact. He could well-imagine how attentive the assassin would be. Gently hovering above Fox's body. Fox with his legs spread, his lips panting, swollen flesh touched with strong fingers. Alex's lips bowed in avid worship. He could hear them now, Fox begging to be taken, Alex refusing to do more than kiss him, worried that he might disturb Fox's stitches.
Antonio was distracted too by the scent of the two. Baku sighed. He had done enough for now. He would leave before any of the old wolves or the Garren himself arrived in the small camp. Wolves were decidedly less forgiving of slight than these two human ascendant.
***
"Ple-please, Alex...I want it...it won't hurt. I can sit on you," Fox begged once more, as Alex trailed fire up and down his torso, wet lips sucking Fox's flesh. He was lying nude on the sleeping bag. Alex had taken off the jeans, frowning at the ripped crotch, but saying nothing.
"No," Alex replied, again.
"Please?"
"No, baby, not until your stitches heal a bit."
"Ohhh...but..."
"But nothing, baby." Alex looked up into Fox's frantic eyes. They were both nearly mindless with the heat of passion, every slide of skin so enticing, every taste of flesh an erotic fantasy. He wanted to slam inside Fox. Push those long legs up high and tight and pound in hot and hard, remind Fox of who he really belonged to, remind him of how good it was between them this way. But instead he slid his mouth down to Fox's weeping cock and licked at the tip.
"Can I just eat you, baby," Alex moaned, his husky excitement making Fox whimper.
"Al-alex," Fox moaned. He watched the pink lips part, jade staring up at him beneath a curtain of soot. He couldn't help but move his hips a bit at the sexy sight of his cock sliding into that pretty mouth. Loved that Alex was watching him. "Oh, God, that's...mmmm."
Alex loved the taste, the silky slide of skin. Fox's legs were already far apart, in typical wanton fashion making Alex moan around the thick flesh. Fox was such a wanton slut, it made him want to pound into him even more, make his baby cry and beg. When Fox lifted his knees, placing the soles of his feet on the sleeping bag, Alex moaned again, the vibration making Fox cry out with pleasure.
He wet his fingers and caressed the flesh of Fox's perineum, moving lower, grinning as Fox lifted his hips eagerly. He slid off Fox's cock, "You want me to finger fuck you, baby?"
Fox's only response was an eager gasp.
"No? Oh and you are so hot and ready, baby," Alex teased. He pushed hard into Fox's prostate gland and Fox cried out.
"Alex! Don't tease me," he begged.
"So you *want* me to finger you?"
Fox nodded frantically, humping his hips up and down in desperate invitation. "Mmm."
"I can't hear you, baby," Alex growled, lapping at Fox's swollen penis.
"Yes, yes, please finger fuck me...please finger me...finger fuck me, Alex. Pl-please," Fox begged obediently.
It inflamed Alex more than he could have imagined. Fox was too beautiful, too hotly needy. He lapped a course with his tongue, swabbing the tight pucker with lascivious, growling with desperation himself. Fox's whimpers of appreciation, his scissoring legs and the taste of him all served to make Alex want to scream in frustration. While he knew Fox would welcome him inside of him, he himself did not want to risk hurting Fox in his passion.
He nipped at the tight flesh, growling as Fox's hips bucked in response. He wrapped a fist about Fox's cock and while he nibbled and licked as the tight opening he moved his hand in a rhythmic motion in time to Fox's thrusting hips. When the puckered flesh of Fox's anus relaxed under his ministrations he slid a finger inside, thrilling to Fox's gasp.
He slid the digit in and out and circled a bit, still licking and nibbling the relaxed muscle. He thumbed the satiny head of Fox's cock and had to chuckle at Fox's strangled scream.
"You're such a slut, baby," he whispered, caught by the flushed beauty of Fox's face.
"Please do me, Alex," Fox panted. "I'll be good...you don't have to worry...it won't hurt."
"No!" Alex gritted his teeth. "God, no!"
"Why?" Fox whined.
Alex groaned. "Baby, you know why..."
"Please. I need you...I haven't had you...not since before...before Mikhail...only Walter."
Alex narrowed his eyes at that. It was true. Where Skinner had reclaimed Mulder's body after he had been returned, Alex had not...not in the way Fox was begging him to do. But, he didn't want to reclaim him at the cost of hurting him. Fox was staring up at him with eyes that were full of clouded entreaty. How could he resist him? When all he wanted to do was please him?
"When you are healed, Fox...please...when you're healed." He voice was desperate now. He knew what was best, but he couldn't tell Fox no for long...not when all he wanted to do was say yes.
Fox shifted under him, spreading his legs further and pouting. "But I need you, Alex," he whined. Tears of frustration started to make the moss colored eyes gleam and Alex was lost.
"On your back and no wild stuff," he growled as Fox suddenly beamed and nodded his head eagerly. Alex half expected him to say, 'goody!' but all he did was place one leg up on Alex's shoulder.
"Yes, Alex...no rough stuff and spread out on my back like this," Fox purred, nearly content.
Alex groaned. Fox looked so beautiful, his head to the side, his lips moist, his eyes shining.
"You can do it now," Fox said when Alex still hesitated.
"Give me a second, baby, or there really will be rough stuff," Alex panted, trying to control the sudden urge to slam into Fox and pound him through the fabric of the tent.
Fox simply licked his lips and moaned. When Alex finally began to penetrate him, both men were breathing harshly and staring into each other's eyes. Afraid to put pressure on Fox's chest, Alex lifted Fox a bit, taking his weight on his shoulders. He pushed all the way into Fox's tight warmth and began to thrust, slow and steady.
Fox stared at his beautiful lover, loving that Alex hadn't even bothered to undress. He loved being nude while Alex remained clothed. Though Alex's body was indeed fantastic there was something extra sensual in the disparity in clothing. Something lustful. Alex was trying to be so gentle, but Fox could see the passion building, knew that Alex would begin to thrust hard and deep soon enough. They were both trying to contain the sounds of their lust, ever fearful that Scully might charge in with murder in her eyes.
But when Alex lost control and began to pound hard into Fox's writhing body, neither man could contain their cries of pleasure. Throughout, Alex refrained from leaning into Fox, and so kept pressure off the wounded nipples, but later he would recall the few instances of Mulder wincing in pain and berate himself harshly. But, in the midst of their coupling neither could have stopped.
"Play with yourself, baby," Alex commanded hoarsely, using both hands to hold Mulder's hips lifted off the ground.
Fox took his swollen penis in his hands and began to caress his own flesh while Alex stared down at the sight. The slippery head, wet with precum, slid through Fox's fingers and Alex wanted nothing more than to bend to taste it. He groaned in frustration that he dared not. When Fox began to buck wildly, sliding his fist over his cock faster and faster Alex knew Fox was about to come.
"Al-Alex...oh...yeah...there...there...that's...that's..."
The spasming muscles of Fox's rectum heralded the orgasm milliseconds before Fox's cock exploded, sending spurts of come over Alex's chest and his own, taut belly.
The clenching muscles were so tight, Alex could barely move and he cried out with Fox as he came. He thrust several more times reflexively, only slowly letting Fox's hips down as he calmed. He smiled softly, looking down at Fox. Seeing the eyes dazed, the long lashes slowly moving up and down. He had to slide out of Fox to lay at his side and Fox never even registered that Alex had moved. Alex kissed the mole that drove him crazy, pulling it into his mouth and sucking on it. He felt a bit like a lecher, enjoying Fox when Fox was unaware. But, it was hot too. He licked at the plump lips, parted them with his tongue and bit at the generous flesh.
"God, I love you, Fox," he hissed. "I love you so much."
Fox didn't respond and he moaned with the pleasure of knowing he had fucked his lover senseless. "You're fucking great for my ego, baby." He kissed Fox once more then curled contentedly at his side to wait for Fox to come back from his zone. Fox's slurred words made him smile.
"I love you too, angel."
***
Monte Rio, CA
Day Nineteen
Hour 1600Garren stopped to drink from a small pond. He had been running all night and he wasn't in a pleasant mood. He had returned from his hunt to find what he already knew, the ascendant had taken his mate and gone south. It was unforgivable nearly. In any other situation this outrage would be resolved in only one way, the one who had taken his mate would die. But, things were strange for the pack and its leader, too. What was to be a time of freedom from the shadows, a time of standing at Murdoch's side as he ruled the world, was now a time completely different. He splashed water on his chest, ignoring the chill that pebbled his nipples instantly.
He was completely taken with his mate...stupid with the desire to please him, which drastically altered his actions...not killing the old man and not making Skinner pay for his theft were just some of the more egregious examples of his softness. He was, for the first time since taking the leadership of the pack from his aging father, not at Murdoch's side, was in fact unconcerned with Murdoch's safety. He could take care of himself now that he had become.
He shook the excess water from his face with a disgruntled shake and stood. There were members of the pack nearby, but sensing his ire they were staying away from him lest he turn that ire on them. For two nights he had been away from his mate. The ascendant wasn't too far away now, Garren would reach him by nightfall, but it angered him nonetheless. His cat would be needing him soon, the spore would see to that. Eventually Alex would accept his place and then Garren's life would return to normal. Better than normal for he would have a beautiful cat to warm his bed.
When he reached him that is. He growled softly aching to change, to race non-stop to Alex's side and confront the larcenous ascendant. But, he splashed more water on his face and forced the change away. A rustling in the low brush brought his head up. He narrowed his eyes into slits as he saw the group of tottering, shuffling dead things that made their way toward him. Their eyes were drooling some foul, black liquid and their faces were blank, displaying no sign of the hunger that made their movements quicken as they caught his scent.
Five of them. Four males and a female. There was still the dirt of the grave on them, covering their bodies and caking in the fingernails extended toward him. He could hear more rustling and excited moaning coming from the direction the first five had come and with his hearing focused he could make out the tread of perhaps fifteen more of the dead things. He looked up across the pond he had stopped beside and saw the southern tip of a small cemetery. The first five were closing in on him just as the brush parted to reveal their hungry reinforcements.
He grinned. And let them come. The first grabbed at him and he tore its head off with a human-shaped hand. Changing would make no sport of this, would in fact end it too quickly. He drove a fist into the chest of the next and lifted it off its feet while his hand was covered in its cold insides. He heard the restless howls of the nearest pack members gathering the pack. But he ignored them. They wouldn't dare spoil his fun, but they would come anyway, to make sure it remained fun.
He fell into the slaughter with something akin to pure joy. He ripped into the throat of one of the newcomers with his teeth and quickly pushed it away spitting and choking at the vile taste. What had once been succulent human flesh was now putrid and fit only for worms. Because the taste had so offended him he let his hand become a claw and he tore the offender in two with a snarl, still spitting out the taste. He paused long enough to rinse out his mouth before he began to hunt the rest of his would-be attackers.
When they all lay dead...again, Garren cleaned himself of their blackish blood. These zombies would only rise from the recently dead, or those that had kept enough flesh to fuel the hunger. If humans but burned their dead as civilized creatures did, the zombies would cease to exist. The deterioration would continue even on the reanimated and soon they would fall down where they stood and twitch and moan until there was nothing left of them.
The killing had made him feel a bit better and once he was clean he changed and began the last of this run to his mate. He couldn't help the twinge of worry for him. The thought of him cold or hungry or mistreated by Skinner in some way lent speed to his run. He knew the worries were groundless, Skinner wouldn't hurt him, but he was helpless to prevent the worry. He would only really be comfortable with Alex's safety when he himself was there to assure it.
***
Washington D.C.
Penthouse
Day Nineteen
Hour 1730Murdoch received his prize with a cold smile. He twisted his fingers into its hair and tilted it so he could stare into the deep brown eyes. Awareness sparked in those honey depths and Murdoch spit in their drying recesses. It was time to make a public appearance of triumph.
He freed his fingers from the soft curls and gestured for the gathered first bloods to come near.
"I want as many of the citizens of my city brought to The Mall. I will make an appearance at the foot of the statue of Lincoln. When I finish my speech the statue is to be torn down, and construction of a new one to begin. I think you can assume safely of whom."
The man who had once been the Director of the FBI, Babcock was the first to leave to go attend his master' bidding. The new world was one in which he had all his dreams answered; plenty of males to own...especially those young college types, the ones that were always tuning up their pretty noses at him in the former world. He grinned. Now the very same lovelies were struggling to find favor with him. Little whores, all of them. Willing to suck cock, spread their legs, open their asses...anything, any perverse pleasure they would attend as long as they could be made safe from Murdoch's hunters.
A little obedience to the Ascendant was more than worth the bounty of being a first blood in this world.
***
He moved toward the camp, feeling the prickling unease at the presence of such a powerful ascendant. Surely almost as strong as the old master would have become. That one would be a worthy opponent event to one such as himself. There was another ascendant, not deadly to him, but to the majority of the pack. He could scent the many different changed humans, one more changed then the others, intoxicatingly changed, and in a highly sexually aroused state. It made him growl just a bit. But, he was not here to dally with fine flesh. He was here to protect the mate. A human mate, a changed human mate at that. He grinned. The young Garren was indeed trying to make things difficult for himself. Those of the blood had to reproduce so he would have to take a female wolf at some point, but would the mate allow it?
The pack would demand it.
But would the mate allow it?
That was the question.
He grinned again, already eager to watch his young Garren fall over himself to please the mate. It was his first. The young Garren was fierce, fiercer still than even his own father, who spent years weighing the consequences of outcomes and who until his dying day had tried to force his heir to think things through. The old Garren had died not displeased with his young son though, he knew. The young Garren was what the pack needed in this time of change.
Brutal and fierce, but brilliant as well.
He was still a bit stunned that the pack served Murdoch no longer. He had lived nearly longer than Murdoch and the pack had always served him. The Garrens were always at his side. But no longer.
He shrugged. It wasn't for him to say, certainly not for him to question the Garren's decision. If the Garren wanted to explain he would, if not, then not.
A lock of silvery black hair fell into his face and he brushed it away with a large hand. His amber eyes glowed a bit in the shadows of the sparse trees as he realized just who the young changed male was in rut with. The mate.
He shook his head, trying not to chuckle. He knew already of the quandary his Garren was in with the mate having his own mate already. Again. It was not his to say. He would simply protect. Just as he had protected the young Garren when he was but a pup. It was enough.
He walked in to camp and smiled at the look on the faces of the people there. He looked into the most powerful ascendant's eyes and said, "I am here to protect the mate. Do you stand between me and he then we will battle. Do you stand aside and allow me to stand vigil then we wait for the Garren in peace."
He was impressed that the human ascendants, both of them seem unperturbed by his presence when he knew they could sense his strength. He nodded back as the larger ascendant nodded in acquiescence. He paused beside him and because the man seemed to be a fighter, he elaborated, something he would never have deigned to do for a mere human. "It is an honor to guard him. I will not interfere in your camp."
Skinner, who had been taken utterly aback by the presence of the huge man in the center of his camp, a man who was Garren's size, maybe a bit smaller, but who radiated a power that Skinner could not fathom. He seemed tired though, to Skinner. Not physically tired really, but tired in another way. The amber eyes were not unkind, and they held a wisdom that none of the other wolves, with the exception of Garren, had portrayed, even in human form.
But he knew the wolf would not be a grandfatherly sort. He was true to his word however and simply walked to the tent in which Alex and Fox were quieting, circled it once and then sat to the east side of it. Skinner lifted his face to the dusky twilight and wanted to scream. But the now deafening silence of his brother in Africa stilled him.
How many more sacrifices would he have to make? How many times would he be forced to retreat? He steeled himself then. He would speak with Garren of an alliance. If Garren was willing then they would become allies.
It was only a few hours later that Garren entered the camp.
***
McClellan Air Force Base
Sacramento, CA
Day Twenty
Hour 0330Spender rapped on Bill Mulder's bedroom door, waking the other man.
When Bill answered the door he was still tying a silk robe about his waist. "This had better be good."
Spender smiled, patted the pack of cigarettes in his pocket as if to assure himself of their presence. "The clones are being birthed."
Bill didn't show his surprise. "Already?" he asked turning back into his bedroom.
Spender followed unbidden and made his way to the large window, which overlooked the entire base, lit by the greenish, alien light. "They are fully formed and aged to approximately their twenty-third year."
"Still so young," Bill mused unhappily.
Spender sighed. "Would another year or three really make them better prepared to be concubines?"
Bill turned a glare on his old friend. "Don't think I am happy to send parts of my son to him...but I will. I would even send my son as well. I would do it in a heartbeat to save all that we have worked for." He moved toward his temporary wardrobe to find the appropriate garb in which to meet his son's clones. "In fact, it is my sacrifice that will save us, Spender. Murdoch will be thrilled to be gifted such bounty...especially when it comes from me, the father. He will know the sacrifice I make."
Spender nodded, not watching as the older man dressed.
"How many are there?"
Spender barely held a gasp in at the question. "What do you mean? There are four, Bill, you know that."
"All four are birthing now?" Bill's voice showed no surprise, just interest. It showed no suspicion either.
"Yes, yes all four are birthing. In fact we are missing the first one I should think."
Bill made a sound of discontent and then with one last adjustment he walked, dressed toward the door. "Then let us get there."
They made their way to the medical lab where the first of the clones was already standing aided by the medical staff in the center of the room. He was staring blankly, but curiously at the hands that rubbed soft clothes over his slick body, cleaning him.
Bill nodded in approval as the clone looked exactly as his own son had in his mid twenties. Old enough to be used, he rationalized. He ignored the fact that the brain inside the pretty skull, while capable of being quite brilliant was now, infantile, completely without experience or the ability to understand sensation.
And it smelled so good.
As the next clone was being birthed the first was led tenderly away by smitten doctors who cooed to and petted the soft-skinned male every step of the way.
Spender didn't get to sneak away to attend his own clone's birth, but when he was able to make it to the secret room, the clone was already sitting on its small bed, blinking incomprehensibly at the two doctors who were attempting to communicate with the beautiful creature.
The aliens had insisted that language could be taught in vitro, but that it would be crude. Spender had yet to hear one of the clones speak, but this one, upon seeing him, said, "Thirsty."
Spender beamed and one of the two doctors leapt up to get the clone a glass of water.
Spender sat beside the trembling clone, noting its nudity in the chilly room. "Let's get him clothed shall we?"
The doctors looked disappointed and when the clone grabbed Spender's hand to place it on his semi-erect cock, Spender turned an accusing eye toward the two doctors, who had the grace to flush.
"Nice body," the clone whispered, rubbing Spender's hand up and down on his own hardening penis. "Pretty."
"Yes, you are very pretty, little clone, but daddy Spender just wants to be your friend." He grinned into the wide, innocent eyes, eyes that had never seen hardship or known loss. He didn't remove his hand but squeezed the flesh a bit first. "You will be such a good friend, little Fox."
The clone tilted its head, its eyes searching for something in Spender's face. When his cock was completely hard he whispered, "Good boy." Obviously repeating that which he had heard from the doctors in the very same circumstances.
Spender could well see the scene. The foolish scientists playing with the lovely, utterly malleable clone. Touching his naked flesh, stroking him into erection. Why else would the clone take Spender's hand to himself and when he was hard call himself a good boy? He knew nothing of sex, maybe simply that the hands felt good there. Certainly he knew nothing of seduction. It was a miracle that the language stimulation that the aliens had promised seemed to have worked. But, the clone would not really understand what he was saying until he experienced things. Once experienced, like thirst, he could come up with the necessary word. He could recite, or so the aliens promised, every word in the English language, but saying banana and knowing it was a fruit, and knowing it tasted sweet did not actually inform one of what sweet was, or what eating felt like.
He was a blank slate with only a rudimentary grasp of communication skills.
Had he not planned on killing the men, he would be inclined to do so now. This was not a sex object like its brothers, it was for his sweet assassin, his lure to bring Krycek to him.
He smiled into the moss green eyes. "Good boy," he whispered, agreeing, and smiled.
The clone mimicked him, its full lips sliding into a smile, awkward, but lovely. It blinked its eyes slowly and when the doctor who had been sitting to his right handed him a glass of water he smiled at him, too.
The three men watched as most of the water went down the clone's chest and they chuckled as he looked confused by the cold sensation on his belly. He looked content with the water though, swallowing reflexively.
"Good." He frowned then. "Bad?" He shook his head. "Good."
"Yes, good," Spender choked out. "Water is good."
The clone took another sip this time ignoring the cold water that trailed down his chest. Spender noted that the two doctors were fairly drooling to lap up the trails of water. The clone saw nothing wrong, felt none of the tension, simply drank and tried to mimic Spender's motions. Spender couldn't help but chuckle.
It was perfect. Fox Mulder, only so innocent his little assassin would have to feel some protectiveness. Oh yes indeed. Alex would come. And stay, do anything, endure anything to save this sweet innocent from harm.
He had only to lure him away. And he already knew how to do that...and make sure that Murdoch got the real Mulder as a treat.
It was a perfect plan really.
One that even Bill Mulder would approve of.
"Eye," the clone said suddenly, pointing to Spender's left eye.
"Yes, Fox, this is an eye," he agreed. The two doctors were flushing now and clearing their throats. It made Spender wonder just what else the clone would point to next. The two men had been quite busy with the clone he could tell.
"Mouth...kiss with," the clone said proudly, touching Spender's tight lips. He tilted his head and touched his own lips. "Soft," he proclaimed. He touched Spender's again, "Hard."
Spender just had to chuckle again. There was something to be said for the power of innocence. It made him, just for the briefest moments of course, want to be the first one to show this clone what real pain and fear were. It would be so interesting really. It would have no way of coping with such things, it trusted him implicitly simply because it knew nothing else. Betrayal, pain and fear were just words to it...to him.
So too were words like sodomy and fellatio. He began to get hard then, staring into those lovely eyes. He traced a finger over the pretty, distracting mole, wondering what the clone would think if he suddenly pushed its...his head into his lap.
"Face," the clone supplied helpfully as Spender continued to stroke his cheek.
"Face," Spender agreed in a choked voice.
***
Salmon Falls, CA
West of Santa Rosa
Day Nineteen
Hour 2300Scully was standing beside her mother, speaking quietly and getting food together for the rest of the group and the Gunmen were playing a game of poker with Antonio when he came. He spared them no glance and went straight to the tent in which both Alex and Fox still slept.
The other wolf, the one who had sat quietly for hours beside the tent rose to meet Garren and a small smile of welcome graced Garren's face before he unzipped the flap to the tent.
"They're sleeping, Garren."
Garren turned to the sound of Skinner's voice and he glared at him. "I can smell that, ascendant. I do only check to see that he is well."
The older wolf cleared his throat loudly and Garren turned to look at him with a raised brow, before he nodded. "I am sure you are doing a fine job, Akyel. But, forgive me, I need to check for myself." So saying he pulled the flap of the tent back and leaned his head and shoulders in, frowning as his head brushed against the top. He hated confined quarters.
The sight of his mate sleeping peacefully calmed him. He smiled a bit at the sight. The little cat was curled up next to Fox and his mouth was pursed in a little, pink pout, his finely made brows drawn slightly together. "Even in sleep he is contrary," Garren chuckled quietly, his body reacting to the scent of his mate. The prince was sound asleep beside Alex, smelling lovely and...like blood. There were bandages on the lovely, smooth chest and the smell of pain as well as lust inside the nylon confines of the tent. He frowned then and retreated from the tent. He turned on Skinner. "Can you not keep your Fox from harm, ascendant?" He shook his head. "He is *too* valuable. You shouldn't let him come to harm."
Skinner glowered. "You need to tell that to your master! He is the one intent on hurting him."
Garren frowned, his eyes narrowed, the ice blue barely visible between dark lashes. But, he remained silent.
"Do you need to show respect for the Garren, human," Akyel warned in a voice that was descending into a growl as he stood.
Skinner looked at the older wolf, unafraid. "You have no part in this."
Garren held his hand up to Akyel. "Leave it."
Akyel immediately returned to his former, watchful position at the edge of the tent.
"You and I need to talk, Garren. I have a proposition for you," Skinner rasped, his eyes burned red and Garren nodded.
"We do need to talk." He intended on making sure that Skinner never again took his mate from him. It wasn't something he would tolerate another time. But he was intrigued by the big ascendant's scent. It was angry and fearful at the same time. The fear was not due to his presence or that of Akyel, but something else. Perhaps fear for the little fox.
"Good. Walk with me," Skinner commanded and Akyel narrowed his eyes at the tone, but said nothing.
Garren raised one tawny brow but followed Skinner to the edge of the camp and beyond, to the scattered trees and brush.
Antonio watched the two disappear into the night and he wondered what would be the outcome. Would they emerge as allies or would they be enemies? Either way he would stand by Skinner. For though they did not agree on how to treat humans, changed or no, for the most part they were in accord in their distaste for Murdoch and his hunters. He wished Dana weren't staring at him for he might sneak into the tent, in which the two lovely males slept and taste them.
Skinner would be furious...the wolf would be too, but it would be worth it. Fox was a pain but he smelled so divine...and Alex...well Alex just wanted it. He was a born slut. Before the change he had sold it...maybe not for money but he *had* sold it.
But Dana was staring at him. He went to her side and tried to explain to her what was going on. Of course her first concern was how this alignment, this giving of Alex to Garren would affect Fox. He sighed.
Couldn't she see that he seemed to be the only one who thought Alex and Fox should be separated? Even the damn wolf wasn't eager to do it. Of course they were so lovely when they were fucking. He wanted to see Fox fuck Alex again, like he had the last several times...since he had returned from his vampire adventure actually.
Fox made Alex scream so wonderfully.
There were benefits to keeping the two together, Antonio mused as he bent to smell the lovely scent of Dana's hair.
Perhaps with an alliance, Alex would be easier to have...without Skinner hovering over him all the time. Perhaps the wolf could be tempted to lend out the beauty.
He hid a smile as Byers skirted about him in order to get a bottle of water from the table behind Antonio. Byers would be skittish...after what Antonio and he had done earlier. Poor little, sweet man.
He searched out Skinner with his mind to feel if the man needed aide. What he felt from Skinner's thoughts made him look to his feet to consider the possibilities. How would it go from here on out, now that the decision was all but made? He would wait for Skinner and Garren to return, then they would all talk.
***
End of Allies
Coming Soon: The Clones