"Listen, whelp—"

  Troy dug down and tapped the power pool.

  "Do You Understand?" he asked again, putting a little lion power into it.

  He had the satisfaction of seeing the captain's eyes go wide.

  "Well? I'm waiting!"

  "Yes, yessir! I understand, it won't happen again, sir."

  "Better," Troy said with a nod. "I'm sorry I had to do that, but you earned that one, captain. Now, please, get one of the birds spun up, so I can brief the colonel like I promised him."

  "Yessirimmediatelysir!"

  'I'd complain that you enjoyed that too much, but I did as well,' his beast told him.

  "You know, I could get used to this," Healy said, and they left base ops as the captain called the alert crew and told them they had a passenger to deliver.

  "Yeah, that's what worries me," Troy confided as they walked over to the Blackhawk that was already spinning up.

  "What, afraid you might get in trouble?"

  He snorted. "I know I'll get in trouble. The problem is, I don't want to turn into any kind of an asshole."

  "I'll be sure to tell you if you start behaving that way."

  "I think maybe I need to go pay Chloë a visit."

  "Who's Chloë?"

  "A human girl I'm very much interested in."

  "What, already looking for another one?" she growled at him.

  "I've been told that three is an unlucky number, and I'm not getting rid of any of you to make it two."

  "Umm…so, why Chloë?"

  "Her father is a very famous jazz and blues musician. She's not impressed or bedazzled by who I am or my father is, at all."

  "Oh?"

  "And she's apparently quite used to cutting entitled people down to size."

  Healy gave him a look. "Let me guess…"

  "Yup, she definitely kept my ego in check. That's why I like her."

  "Yeah, but does she like you?"

  "That's a question I think I need an answer to. I mean, we had fun and all that, but she wanted to go back to school."

  "And you let her?"

  Troy snorted. "Not like I had a choice. Then again, all I was looking for back then was a good time."

  "And how long ago was 'back then'?" Healy asked, having to raise her voice as they ducked to approach under the blades of the Blackhawk, which were picking up speed.

  "Umm, last week?" Troy said with a shocked look on his face.

  "Last week?" She laughed as the crewman by the door helped them up into the back.

  "You know, my brother told me that it comes at you quick. I just had no idea."

  "What's this 'it'?"

  "Adulthood," Troy said, giving her a panicked look. "I wonder if it's too late to—"

  Troy flinched as she grabbed his arm and sank her claws in.

  "Too late now, I've got my claws in you!" she said, and then laughed at the look on his face.

  "I think I can hear my mother laughing at me," was all he could say in reply.

  "Go get cleaned up, I need to go see the colonel," Troy told her when they were dropped off back at 105.

  "Where are we going next?"

  "Probably back to 88," Troy said with a shrug. "More reasons to talk to the colonel."

  "Okay, I'll get us all packed."

  Troy just gave her a wave and headed off to the colonel's office.

  "Are you sure you want to see him, looking like that?" Doris asked as he walked in.

  "I didn't think making him wait would be smart."

  "Nope, probably not. Go on in."

  "Troy!" Colonel Heller said, standing up and coming over to shake his hand as he came in. "Thanks for finally finding the time to tell me what's been going on in my command."

  Troy couldn't miss the annoyed tone in the colonel's voice.

  "Sorry, Colonel, I know I've been stepping on your toes here."

  "Yes, you got one of my helicopters shot down, one of my pilots almost killed, and then ran what was apparently a major operation that had your brother cutting orders over my head." Colonel Heller sighed. "I'm supposed to know what's going on in my command, and having a young kid—even if he is our supreme commander's son—running rampant and doing who-knows-what doesn't sit all that well with me, Scout Valens.

  "In fact, I think I might have an ulcer I'm going to name after you."

  Troy didn't miss that he wasn't on a first name basis anymore.

  "I found a tunnel the djevels were using to smuggle contraband into the DEZ, and djevels out of it."

  "What!"

  "And I'm fairly certain there's another one, as well, which I'm going after once I'm done here."

  "Why didn't you tell me?" Colonel Heller said, giving him a very unfriendly look.

  "Sit down, and I'll explain all of it," Troy said with a sigh, pacing back and forth. "First off, this had nothing to do with you personally. The decision was made by my father and SJ that we wouldn't be telling anyone about these tunnels."

  "Why?"

  "Because they're using lava tubes. Our concern is, if we make it public knowledge, all the djevels will search for more lava tubes that might fit their needs."

  "So make it secret."

  "Yes, well, we've had our secrecy penetrated before, by djevel plants or traitors in the government. This is a major issue, Colonel. SJ's been tearing his mane out over this for weeks now, since we realized it really was happening.

  "Then there's the fact that this has been going on for a while—years at least, probably decades—and we've all been missing it. Obviously the djevels have been doing a lot to keep it hidden, and know all about our capabilities. Which was another reason for the high level of secrecy. If we started looking for it obviously, they'd go to ground, and then who knows how long it would have been until we found it? Bad enough that I got sent out here to find something that's been hidden from our best scouts, our satellites, everything! So the last thing I want to do is make my job even harder."

  "So you were given an impossible job."

  "No job is impossible," Troy said with a shake of his head. "Difficult? Yeah. But I'm sure you felt the same way about your job when they put you here."

  Colonel Heller gave a slight nod, acknowledging the point.

  "Well, I got lucky. I've never patrolled down here before, so anything that was different than what I was used to stood out. I did some work, played on my gut feelings, and got an idea, but I still wasn't sure, and I wasn't telling anybody until I'd verified it."

  "Nobody?"

  "I didn't even tell my brother or my father. It was a long shot, but it paid off; we found the tunnel, and it's being dealt with."

  "And you said there's a second one?"

  "Yeah, I'm positive, but they have to realize we'll be looking for it. So I don't know how easy this one will be to find, even if I have a good idea where it is."

  "Where's that?"

  "Over by Fort 90. My brother has the entire intel division pouring over satellite pictures for the last twenty years to see if they can find any kind of hint."

  "I'd think a couple low level thermal surveys of the area, one during the daytime when the ground's hot, and another at night when it's cool, should help you track down that kind of anomaly."

  Troy stopped pacing and looked at him. "You really think so?"

  "A lot of that area out there is flatland, at least on the inside of the border. On the outside, you've got what, Laird and Lady Laird?"

  "I think it's by Laird, probably on the north side."

  "Ah, damn," the colonel said with a grimace.

  "What?"

  "That's one of the areas the 'Rainbow Family' has moved into.

  "What the hell is the Rainbow Family?"

  "What they used to call hippies. Mostly a bunch of bums and counter-culture types. They spend anywhere from half the year to the whole year there. I can't recall the number of times we've had to airlift in supplies for them in the winter because they got snowed in."

  "Well, I guess I know where the exit is," Troy said, shaking his head and sighing.

  "I'd suggest you make sure before doing anything. We've tried to get them to move before, but it seems someone with money and power always comes to their defense."

  Troy just nodded and sighed. "Well, I guess I should find some infrared gear and see about doing a survey. You wouldn't have a helicopter I could borrow, would you?"

  "Now that I know what you're doing, I'll make sure you get one. Any idea who you want for a crew?"

  "I'll let my wife fly it."

  "So the rumor's true?"

  "So it would seem. Thanks, Colonel. Again, I'm sorry I had to keep you in the dark, and umm, I'd suggest clearing it with my father or SJ before talking to anyone who isn't a lion about this."

  "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Thank you for coming and telling me, Troy; I appreciate it."

  "Have a good day, sir."

  Leaving the colonel's office, he stopped and looked at Doris.

  "Do you really have a shotgun under your desk?"

  "Me? Nope, that's a story he likes to tell people so they'll leave me alone."

  "Oh."

  "I have a carbine, just like everyone else," she said and grinned at him.

  "Well, that at least makes sense. I think I'll go put on some clean clothes and find the wives."

  Walking out the door, he pulled out his cellphone and dialed SJ.

  "What's up, Troy? Found it?"

  "I think so, and if I have, it's not good."

  "Why's that?"

  "Apparently there's a hippie commune of some sort right where I think the exit is."

  "Hippies still exist? I thought that was a story Grandpa Sampson made up!" SJ said, laughing.

  "Yeah, well, I have a feeling we can't just go in there, throw everyone out, and burn the place down."

  "Why not? I'm pretty sure it's in the no-go zone."

  "I don't think Dad would appreciate the bad press right now."

  "I don't see why he…Oh. Shit. The election is in two months."

  "Right, and if we do anything that hurts Steve, Dad'll be pissed. He won't say anything, but…"

  "Yeah, I hear ya. Well, go find an excuse to check the place out and see what your devious little mind can come up with."

  "Yeah. Maybe I'll come back for the weekend and let you all meet the girls."

  "You know what? That sounds like a good idea. I'd think Basun would want to lay low after losing that one tunnel. I'm sure the heat's gotta be off. It's, what, two o'clock, let me call Mom Dae and see if she might want to fly out and meet her new daughter-in-laws."

  "Why'd she want to do that?"

  "To find out what color to paint Healy's Osprey, no doubt!"

  "So you told her?"

  "Yup, and she's spending Dad's money like it's on fire. I think they're bringing one up next week for her to strip and rebuild."

  "Damn, she moves fast."

  "I think the new turboprops she's going to put in it got here this morning."

  "Is Dad going to strangle me when I get home?" Troy asked, only half joking.

  "Nope, he knows I'm the one who dropped the hint. Did it over dinner, all nice and innocent like, that you wanted to sign your new wife up for transition training, and of course Mom Daelyn wouldn't hear of it, said she'd train Healy herself, then she got this gleam in her eye, and Dad just sighed and handed her his wallet, while everyone else laughed."

  "Well, that's good to know. Ping me if someone's coming, and I'll be sure to get us packed."

  "Will do! See you for dinner!"

  Hanging up, Troy went back to their room. It would be nice to sleep in his own bed for a few days. Stopping suddenly, he swore. Getting his phone back out, he sent a text to his mom to see about getting something bigger in there before he got home. It was comfy with Nadi in it. With Mira and Healy in it, there wouldn't be any room for him, that was for sure.

  Stepping into the room, he was immediately swarmed by Nadinc and Mira, who both hugged him.

  "So, now what?" Nadinc asked him.

  "Let me get changed, then let's get our stuff packed."

  "Are we going back to Fort 88?" Healy asked.

  "Nope, we're taking a few days off."

  "Huh?"

  "Time to meet the family," he said with a smile.

  "What!" both Mira and Healy went off together. "But I haven't a thing to wear! They can't meet me like this! What'll I do! How could you not warn us!"

  Looking around confused at the two of them, Troy wondered what kind of trouble he was in now.

  "Oh, don't worry," Nadinc whispered in his ear. "They'll calm down. Eventually."

  The 'Rents

  At 4:59, Troy watched as Mom Daelyn's personal, custom painted, highly modified Osprey came in and landed. The lion's head logo on the nose made it clear that it was one of the many Valens or Lycan Army aircraft. The dark reddish-orange color, the flat black racing stripes, and the dwarven hammer logo painted on the sides made it clear that this one belonged to Daelyn Valens. It positively screamed magic, and the missile racks on the sides, up by the nose where they wouldn't get in the way of the rotors, and the chain gun under the nose made it clear that this wasn't an aircraft you wanted to mess with.

  "That's your mom's?" Healy said with obvious jealousy.

  "Mom Daelyn," Troy corrected her, "and a word of warning."

  "What?" Healy asked, unable to take her eyes off of it, as Daelyn expertly spun it around to land with the rear ramp, which was already coming down, facing them.

  "Start thinking about what you want the paint job on yours to look like."

  "What!" Healy turned and gave him a bug-eyed, shocked look.

  "What, did you think you were going to get a regular Osprey?" Troy snorted. "Mom Daelyn is gonna personally build it for you. She's a dwarf, which means she's a complete gearhead. She built that one. She didn't supervise it. She built it."

  "Damn!"

  "Yeah, I'm gonna ask her to teach you to fly them, too. Now come on, let's see who's onboard, and I'll introduce everyone."

  Picking up their bags, Troy herded them up the ramp and onto the Osprey.

  Nadinc immediately went to Roxy and hugged her.

  After making sure the ramp was up, Troy took Mira and Healy over to her and introduced them.

  "Mom, this is Mira, and this is Healy. My new wives."

  He didn't miss how his mother's face lit up at that.

  "Mira, Healy, this is my mother, Roxy. As I mentioned before, all the mothers in the pride are 'Mom' to me, but Mom here had to put up with me for nine months longer than the rest!" Troy finished with a smile as he watched each of them hug Roxy in turn, then he hugged her himself.

  "If you'll excuse me a moment, I'm gonna drag Healy up front to meet Mom Daelyn so they can talk pilot stuff."

  "She'll be thrilled, I'm sure!"

  Taking Healy's hand, he led her up front to the small cockpit where Daelyn was flying.

  "Mom, this is Healy. She's the helicopter pilot."

  Daelyn looked up at them and smiled. "Excuse me if I don't hug, but I'm a tad bit busy at the moment."

  "I understand, trust me!" Healy replied.

  "How long have ya been flying helicopters?"

  "Since I was twelve."

  Daelyn glanced up at her, then pointed to the copilot's seat. "Sit! Troy, ya can go."

  "I think I've been dismissed!" Troy laughed.

  "Damn right ya have!" Daelyn laughed. "Sit, Healy! With that much time in, yer gonna find this easy."

  "Are you sure about that?" Healy asked as she climbed into the other seat, being careful not to knock into the collective or the cyclic while Daelyn flew.

  "Oh, yeah! Most of the controls are fly-by-wire. It's really not all that different from flying a helicopter when ya got the blades pointin' up. Instead of a tail rotor, ya spin clockwise or counter-clockwise, based on the rotation speeds of the motors. But the computers handle all that for ya; you just work the pedals as ya always would. When you push the blades down into cruise mode, it just flies like a regular airplane.

  "It only ever becomes a problem if you lose a rotor."

  "What about losing an engine?"

  "They're gear linked. Losing one engine just causes the other one to pick up the slack, though it does complicate things. But worse comes ta worst, just fly it off like a regular plane, anna land on a runway."

  "How well does it autorotate?"

  "Like shit!" Daelyn admitted with a laugh. "The rotors are too light, not enough mass. If yer at cruise, anna you lose all power, you do a dead stick landing. If yer hovering, put it down then and there. But the only way yer ever gonna lose both engines is due to battle damage. As we've got those heavily armored with magical shields, I don't think you'll have to worry about it much."

  "Oh? Who maintains the shields?"

  "They're built into the hardware. Your father-in-law is an enchanter as well as a lion, and a hell of a good one at that."

  "He is?"

  "Sure is. So's Troy. Don't let that sneaky-speedy fool ya! He's a lot smarter and more skilled than he lets on. He just acts dumb."

  "I'm not so sure it's an act!" Healy laughed and Daelyn joined her.

  "Ya, I wonder sometimes meself as well! Now, grab the controls, and let me show ya how she flies. Trust me, yer gonna love it!"

  Troy walked back to where his mom was sitting with Nadinc and Mira. Nadinc knew his mother well enough now that she wasn't really nervous. Mira, however, was, so he sat down next to her and hooked his leg around hers to help calm her down with his presence.

  "What happened to Healy?" Roxy asked.

  "I think Daelyn's decided to start teaching her on the flight back. Apparently hearing that Healy's been flying helos since she was twelve had an effect."

  "That long?" Rosy asked, looking impressed.

  "Her father was a pilot in Dad's army, ao he taught his kids young. I got the impression he wanted them all to have a worthwhile skill when they joined up, as their mother was pushing them to do so as soon as they were old enough."

  "Well, good for them." Roxy looked thoughtful for a moment. "I wonder if we know him?"