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Alden snapped awake, sitting up with a strangled cry. After a moment, the fact struck him that he had no idea who or where he was. He knew his name was Alden and that he was a badger, yet he couldn’t seem to remember anything else. There was just a sort of strange empty void in his head where his personal memories should be. Doing his best to remain calm, he surveyed his surroundings. A mostly empty room of white metal walls and a single sealed door. The glowing panel set into the door frame displayed the fact that it was locked. He noticed a slight anti-septic scent in the air. The only furnishings in this room were the bunk he was laying on, complete with holographic display monitoring his vital signs, and a comfortable looking upholstered chair that seemed oddly a little too large for him... Probably designed for an Apex, some part of his subconscious helpfully supplied. Huh? Where had that come from? What the hell was an Apex? Alden felt like he should know, but no further information came to mind. Overall, his surroundings made him think of a hospital room. He quickly looked down, checking himself over, running his paws over his lean muscles, through his grey and white fur. But there didn’t seem to be anything physically wrong, no sign of injury, just an athletic badger wearing only some loose blue shorts. Given his lack of memory, perhaps it was a psychiatric hospital? Maybe he… Alden stopped that line of thought and let out a sigh. He really had no idea and random guessing wasn’t going to get him anywhere… The door panel suddenly beeped and the display flashed to ‘unlocked’ before sliding open with a slight hiss a moment later. Someone entered through the opening, someone tall and muscular and... Well, stunningly handsome, Alden had to admit. It was a tiger, dressed in an expensive looking black suit with gold decorative edging that seemed to have been custom tailored to perfectly fit the muscular physique that obviously bulged and rippled beneath the fabric. And yet, despite his massive size, much larger that Alden, he carried himself with a kind of elegant grace, radiating an air of confidence and authority as he walked. Apex. Alden’s subconscious once again offered, but it didn’t really help. He still didn’t know what it meant. The tiger looked at him with an expression of warmth and curiosity as he made his way to the chair, long tail swishing lazily behind him. The door slid closed and locked again. “Greetings, Alden.” The tiger said, his voice a deep soothing rumble. “My apologies, I had intended to be here for you when you awoke, but you recovered from the procedure and regained consciousness quicker than expected.” He settled into the chair, keeping his eyes on the confused badger at all times. Alden narrowed his eyes at the tiger. “Recovered? Procedure?” His suspicions about this being a hospital room were seemingly confirmed. “Is there something wrong with me? Are you a doctor?” “No! Not at all, you are in very good health.” The tiger was quick to reassure him, a gentleness to his tone. “You merely underwent a memory wipe. It’s standard procedure when one such as you becomes a pet...” That word, ‘pet’, hit him like a ton of bricks, triggering a cascade of confused feelings to wash over him. However, at the forefront of it all was a kind on instinctual certainty that yes, a ‘pet’ was exactly what he was… “Pet?” Alden said, perhaps a little more harshly than he intended. “What do you mean? What is going on here?” The tiger raised a conciliatory paw. “Do try and remain calm, Alden. A fair amount of confusion and disorientation is normal following the memory wipe. But I assure you, everything will become clear in time and you are in no danger. In fact, this is the beginning of a whole new life for you, and it is my hope that I can make it a very good one for you.” “Who are you anyway?” Alden wanted to know. The tiger’s whiskers twitched and a slight smile crossed his features. “Ah, I thought that was obvious. I am your owner. My name is Kairos.” “My owner?” The badger suddenly looked at him in a new light. If he was indeed some manner of pet, and this tiger his owner, then it would seem he was going to be an important part of his future. “Indeed.” Kairos nodded. “I have just recently bought you, after selecting you from numerous candidates. I wanted to be the first to greet you when you awoke after the memory wipe. Studies have shown that it can help create a stronger bond between owner and pet.” He smiled slightly, looking at Alden with warm eyes. “And I wanted to be the one to help you through the initial disorientation, answer any questions you might have…” “Why?” Alden couldn’t stop himself demanding immediately. “Why wipe my memory?” Kairos seemed a little taken aback by the forceful tone, his expression becoming stern, his gaze more piercing. “I am an understanding owner, Alden, so will put that outburst down to your post-procedure confusion. But do remember that as a pet, and my pet, you will be expected to be polite and respectful. Anything else will be unacceptable.” “I…” Alden said, feeling a flush of shame under Kairos’ disapproving glare. “I… I’m sorry.” The warmth returned to the tiger’s expression. “It is fine, you are forgiven. As I said, post-procedure confusion. But do try to remember yourself in future. As to your question, a memory wipe is standard protocol when one of your kind becomes a pet to the Apex, so that you are unburdened by the details of your past life and can focus fully on your new one.” There was that word again. Apex. Alden had to know what it meant. It seemed important. “Might I ask… What do you mean when you say ‘Apex’?” Kairos’ eyes widened in genuine surprise at the question, and then he sighed. “The med-techs warned me this can sometimes happen. The memory wipe can sometimes inadvertently cause the suppression of some aspects of your non-personal knowledge. It will pass in time, these things will gradually come back to you. But for now, it seems I must help you understand.” He took a deep breath before explaining. “You and I are both anthros, which is short for anthropomorphic animals. However, there are two types of anthros in the world, and have been since the Schism following the Liberation War…” The Schism. The Liberation War. They sounded familiar to Alden, like things that he knew about, but couldn’t quite recall at the moment. “There are the Apex, like myself.” Kairos continued to explain. “We are genetically superior, the product of the choice our ancestors made during the Schism. And there are those like you. The Runts.” “Runts?” Said Alden. He wasn’t sure he liked being described as a ‘runt’. “It’s not the best of terms, I grant you.” Kairos admitted with a shrug. “It can come off as somewhat derogatory. But unfortunately, it is the term that has stuck and become the common descriptive word for non-enhanced anthros such as yourself.” Non-enhanced. And the Apex were genetically enhanced. Alden turned the concepts over in his mind. He had to admit, Kairos was definitely bigger and more physically impressive than him. “So, the ‘Schism’…?” “The Schism was when anthro-kind split.” Kairos explained, a little wearily, the tiger obviously not having been expecting to give a history lesson. “Things were somewhat chaotic during those times, by all accounts. We had just overthrown our human overlords during the War, and we were trying to figure out what to do with our newfound freedom, trying to build our own society. And some hit upon the idea of using the genetic engineering technology taken from the humans, which they had used to create all of us in the first place, and enhance ourselves further. Make ourselves bigger, stronger, smarter, more physically resilient and so forth. To ensure that humanity never stood a chance of controlling us ever again…” He paused a second before adding. “Of course, this was all long before the Night of Genocide, when the last of humanity who had survived the War were wiped out by zealots…” He shook his head, sadly. “But that’s a whole other story. Let’s stick to the Schism for now.” Everything Kairos was explaining sounded right and familiar to Alden, like he was being told things he already knew on some level, and it was helping his mind feel clearer. Kairos continued with his explanations. “As I was saying. There were those who wanted to enhance themselves. But there were just as many who were opposed, who held to the belief that we anthros were fine just the way we were and further genetic tampering was unnecessary. That it would just cause problems.” He let out a mirthless chuckle. “On that last point they were at least correct. It led to the Schism, the divergence of anthro-kind, as those in favour went ahead with their enhancement plans, developing into what would become known as the Apex. There were some… well, let’s just say, difficulties between the enhanced and non-enhanced. Tension and disagreements, some of which led to the unfortunate loss of the genetic engineering tech, as both sides adjusted to the reality of there being those who were genetically superior and those who were not. But our society adjusted and adapted and evolved over time and things eventually settled down.” Kairos smiled and spread his arms wide. “So here we are now, many, many generations later, a world of Apex and Runts, with we Apex naturally assuming our rightful place on top, since we are superior…” Alden couldn’t help but bristle slightly at the implication that he was inferior. Well, being a pet, he supposed he technically was, even before taking into account how the Apex were enhanced, but still… The tiger seemed to notice. “Please, Alden, do understand that what I say is not out of arrogance, or intended to put down you or your fellow Runts. It is a simple statement of fact. And we take good care of our Runt cousins, ensure they are healthy and fed and have jobs, a purpose…” “As second-class citizens?” It slipped out before Alden could stop himself. It felt like some repressed opinion that had bubbled to the surface. He remembered he was supposed to be polite and respectful and bowed his head. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from…” Kairos simply raised a disapproving eyebrow as he responded. “That is how some choose to look at it. However, I see it as simply the way things are, the natural shape our world and society have evolved into.” A moment passed in awkward silence. “I will admit our society is not perfect. Far from it.” Kairos said. “But I do my best to improve it as much as I can… Something I am capable of doing more than most.” He offered Alden a slight smile. “It is a little refreshing to be… challenged like that. But I would ask you not to do it too often, and only in private. And definitely do not do it with other Apex. It would be bad form and reflect poorly on me.” Alden nodded. He found himself wanting to stay on this tiger’s good side. “Very well… er… Sir?” He paused a moment, thoughtful. “I’m sorry… I’m not sure of the appropriate way a pet is supposed to address their owner…” Kairos’ eyes gleamed with approval at the deference and attempt to be proper and respectful. “Well, ’Master’ is the usual term for private and informal situations. On more formal occasions, using my full title and name is the protocol. Lord Kairos.” The tiger was a little amused by Alden’s shocked reaction to the ‘Lord’ part. Before he could elaborate for him, the door beeped and opened. Alden watched as a fox stepped into the room. By his size and impressive musculature, he was obviously another Apex, wearing white work clothes and carrying a palm top computer, it’s glowing holographic display hovering just above it. “Apologies, my Lord.” The fox said, ignoring Alden completely. “I’m sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to check in, make sure things are well. All your pet’s scans have been processed and approved, there seems to be no health problems.” “Thank you, doctor.” Kairos gave him a curt nod. “Everything is fine here. Alden seems to have suffered some minor knowledge suppression from the memory wipe…” The fox doctor glanced at Alden with concern. “Oh, I’m dreadfully sorry, my Lord. That shouldn’t last too long… “ “I know.” Kairos raised a paw to silence him. “You did fully explain what could happen. It’s quite alright. Could you have an attendant come by with some clothing for my pet? And prepare any necessary exit paperwork? I should like to take him home shortly.” “Of course, Lord Kairos.” The doctor bowed his head. “I shall see to it at once!” And with that, the fox departed, the door hissing closed behind him. In the few moments of silence that followed, Alden decided to ask something that had been lurking at the back of his mind, a paranoid suspicion. “Master… About me being a pet. Did I… Did I choose this?” The tiger laughed. “Of course you did! It is a terrible crime to force someone to become a pet against their will and the whole process is strictly regulated. But I can understand how you might wonder about that.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out his own palm computer, activating it. “In fact, all potential pets are required to make a recording for themselves to help on just such a point.” He enlarged his computer’s holo-display and ran a video file for Alden to see. He himself appeared, sitting and facing the camera, wearing somewhat shabby, run-down clothing. The file started playing and the Alden on the display started talking. “Right. My name is Alden, and I’m making this because I’m told I have to if I want to be a pet, for the sake of me… that is the future me, who might end up needing to see and hear this after they’ve finished scrubbing the memories from my head.” He laughed before continuing. “Damn this is weird, imagining myself at some point watching this, not remembering I made it… But hey, future me, if you are watching this, let me assure you. You chose to become a pet, it’s what you, or I, or we, whatever word applies here… It’s what we wanted. I can’t say why, because I’m not supposed to give any details about my life… or from your perspective, your old life. You’ve got to leave all that behind, hence the memory wipe... But yeah, it was a decision made of our own free will. So go on and enjoy our new life and don’t worry about the past!” He laughed again. “I look forward to being you!” And with that, the recording ended, leaving Alden thoughtful. The idea that what he’d just watched could be an elaborate forgery crossed his mind, but he quickly rejected it, his every sub-conscious instinct telling him that was really him and he had been speaking truthfully. Which meant that this new life, being a pet to an Apex… He was here because he wanted this. And he supposed he should probably trust himself. As he was thinking, an attendant dropped by, another Apex, a wolf this time, and handed Kairos some clothes for Alden, before quickly departing again. The tiger handed the bundle to him and the badger started to get dressed, pulling on the simple blue overalls, absent-mindedly mulling over another question he felt he needed to know the answer to… “Master, what exactly will be required of me as your pet? What is it that pets do?” Kairos considered this for a moment. “The specifics can vary from owner to owner, but the main duty of any pet is to provide their owner with companionship. To offer comfort and emotional support. To be well-behaved in public and therefore reflect well on their owner.” He chuckled and added. “A good pet Runt is something of a status symbol in Apex society these days…” “And…” Alden asked, cautiously. “What about me specifically, Master? What will you require of me? Will it involve… intimacy? Of a sexual nature?” The tiger looked shocked at the very suggestion, but quickly regained his composure, becoming stern and serious. “I can understand how such a thing might seem a possibility. But I assure you, Alden, no one will be taking sexual advantage of you. If anything that intimate develops between us over time, I would not object, but only if you are willing and comfortable with it. Anything else is not only wrong, but strictly illegal. The laws surrounding per ownership are very clear. Anyone abusing, neglecting, or taking sexual advantage of a pet faces severe punishment. In fact, an Apex needs to undergo rigorous screening and acquire a licence before they can even own a pet Runt in the first place. So please, do not worry yourself over being forced into anything sexual or overly intimate.” He sighed deeply, relaxing a little. “Your duties as my pet will involve providing me with companionship, spending time with me in relaxing activities at the end of a long day and so forth. You will accompany me to various social and political events. Some of these events will be organised by me and might take place in my home.” As the smaller badger finished getting dressed, Kairos seemed to pick up on the nervousness he was feeling. “Don’t worry if that sounds a little daunting.” The tiger said. “The necessary protocols and etiquettes and details will be given to you in the fullness of time. And you will also have plenty of time to yourself in your new life, to develop your own hobbies and interests. I’ve always thought that a contented pet reflects well on their owner. And after all, that is what a Runt gets out of choosing to become a pet. A new life, lived in comfort and luxury, here among the Apex.” Alden sat on his bed, processing this silently. It was all a little intimidating, he had to admit. But he had agreed to this, had apparently wanted this. And so he was filled with determination to try and embrace it. Besides, Kairos was really rather good looking and friendly enough. It surely wouldn’t be too bad to be his pet, his companion… “I’ll do my best to be a good pet to you, Master.” Alden said, with what he hoped was confidence. Kairos nodded his approval, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I am certain you will, Alden.” He stood up. “Come along now, my new pet. Let’s get you home and started in your new life.” “Yes, Master.” Alden said, each use of the word ‘master’ feeling more right and proper than the last. He got to his feet and followed the tiger to the door, anticipation and anxiousness driving him onward to his new life… To Be Continued... |
Raging Tiger/Kuman the Barbarian/Mitchell and Michael/Going Under/Beware the Transformer/That Day/Working Bears/Heart of a Hero/Apex