“Computer, set up a secure area the farthest away from the current settlement on Continent Asgard. Ensure the area is set to stasis. I will be collecting the expelled lifeforms for transfer to that area.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

“There will also have to be an area for me to process the Soul of Black that has been captured.”

“Understood, master.”

Now then, the next step is to retrieve Ástríðr.

I make my way to where I had left her but her and her auxiliary transport vessel are not there.

“Computer, locate the auxiliary transport vessel and send the location to my visor.”

“Auxiliary transport vessel located, master. Location has been provided to your display visor.”

The location is close.

Looking down at the ground I see a set of footsteps that are larger than Ástríðr’s and two sets of tracks belonging to the smaller beasts.

The distance between each footfall suggests a chase at high speeds.

I review the tracks’ trajectory with the location of the auxiliary transport vessel.

The two appear to align.

I offload the exosuit from my body and convert it back into repair assistance vehicle mode and head to the location on my visor.

After a short trip I arrive at what appears to be a collapsed cave entrance.

The tracks end at the entrance as well.

I begin to move the rubble from the entrance and come across the remains of one of the smaller beasts.

That accounts for one of them.

I surmise I will find the other inside.

The remaining rubble is cleared away and I enter the cave.

“I knew you’d find me Mr. Ninety.”

“Indeed, I did. I see you had trouble but were able to take care of the situation.”

“Y…yeah. I was watching you with Fenrir and then the A.T.V. started to change and then it turned into some sort of skin suit.”

“That is most curious. It seems that your auxiliary transport vessel has formed a bond with you somehow.”

“Is that really possible?”

“It could be that since you are a prototypical version of the Vitan that it responded as if you were one of us.”

“That sounds cool but, I don’t want to accidentally cause a problem.”

“If it is contained to your auxiliary transport vessel then I see no issue. Nonetheless I will investigate that abnormality once we return.”

“Oh, so were heading back now?”

“We will return once I have contained the masses that were expelled from Fenrir.”

“Yeah, that was crazy to watch. What were those things?”

“They were the spectral forms that were coexisting within Fenrir and once I was able to extract them, they oddly took a part of his body with it.”

“That’s weird. Did you expect that to happen?”

“No. This was the first time encountering this phenomenon.”

“Well, I guess there’s no point waiting here talking about it when you still have stuff to do, right?”

“True. Now that I have found you, we can return and contain the masses as well as the sedated smaller beasts.”

“Oh, and you caught Fenrir too. Although he’s no bigger than the other wolves.”

“Master, I am sorry to intrude but the secure area you requested is complete.”

“Understood. Prepare a containment transport and place it near the already contained black beast.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

“What’s up?”

“Let us be off. I have computer sending the containment vessel to transfer everything to a segregated area of Continent Asgard so computer can continue the terraforming of Continent Midheim.”

“Yeah, let’s go already. We can’t keep computer waiting.”

I attach the auxiliary transport vessel to my repair assistance vehicle and we return toward the battle site.

“Master, the containment vessel has arrived at the location you commanded.”

“Understood. We are currently proceeding to that location. I will notify you when we are finished loading the mases for suspension.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

Once we arrive at the battle site, the expelled masses have already begun to take the shape of a large variety of fauna to include those of the natives in this area.

“Look Mr. Ninety! It’s a 人狼! I mean a wolf-person.”

The “wolf-person”, as Ástríðr called the lifeform, is similar in appearance to most bipedal humanoids but have ears on the top of their heads and the hair that is on their head extends to their backs with large amounts of hair on the hands and feet.

While the basic form has been developed the features are still not finalized.

“That is most curious.”

“Could they be from another world? Did you meet any other wolf-people on one of the planets you visited?”

“I have not. There are accounts of two planets that have such lifeforms.”

“So maybe they are from there?”

“There is not enough data to confirm your theory. I will perform a scan on a sample later but for now we will need to gather all the masses into the containment vessel.”

“Got it Mr. Ninety.”

We both utilize our exosuit modes and begin loading the lifeforms into the containment vessel.

As we do so, I take account of the number of “wolf-people”, as Ástríðr called them, that have formed from the masses.

By current count there have been seventeen that we have loaded.

As time passes, we continue loading the masses and I load the six sedated smaller beasts along with the contained Fenrir who will be disposed of once we return.

“That should be all of them, right?”

“It would appear so. I will have computer scan the area in case there is an errant mass that we missed.”

“Yeah, we don’t wanna miss anyone.”

“Computer scan the area for any unaccounted-for lifeforms.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

I prepare to close the containment vessel when computer responds.

“Master, there is a lifeform close to your location. I have the location sent to your visor.”

“Understood. Proceeding to the location now.”

I start to walk in the direction that computer sent to my visor.

“Was there one we missed?”

“It would appear so.”

I draw my main weapon and set it to sedative mode.

Ástríðr follows behind me as arrive at the location.

“OH! It’s a little wolf-girl.”

Indeed, it is a child of a wolf-person although the child’s appearance is complete, unlike the wolf-people we loaded into the containment vessel.

She is peering from behind a boulder with a sense of fright.

“She’s scared. She can’t be more than twelve years old. I think you can put the gun away.”

I agree with Ástríðr’s assessment and holster my main weapon.

“It’s okay, we won’t hurt you.”

The wolf-girl remains apprehensive toward us.

Ástríðr turns to me and says, “Can you let me handle this for you?”

“I feel that may be the right course of action. I will stay back and observe in the event of unexpected issues.”

“Thanks, I won’t let you down.”

I retreat a fair distance and observe the situation prepared to assist Ástríðr if she needs it.

Ástríðr crouches down near the boulder.

“There, there little one. You’re safe. We only want to help you.”

The wolf-girl appears to have released some of her apprehension.

“Are you able to speak? Do you have a name?”

“Ahhh ooh ehbu.”

The girl tries to mimic Ástríðr’s question.

“It’s okay you don’t have to answer me if you can’t.”

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The wolf-girl’s head tilts as she tries to think of a reply.

“I know. Are you hungry? Let’s get you something to eat, okay?”

The ears on the wolf-girl’s head stand up straight at the mention of food.

“Oh! Looks like you are hungry. Come on let’s get you something to eat.”

The wolf-girl comes from behind the boulder slowly and cautiously walking towards Ástríðr.

“Ka-l-t.” The wolf-girl slowly says as she brings her arms together to embrace her chest and shivers.

“Oh! Are you cold? I mean of course you are, you’re naked. Here you wear this. It’s a little bit too big for you but it should keep you warm for the time being.”

Ástríðr takes her black animal hide jacket off and places it over the wolf-girl’s shoulders.

The jacket is indeed oversized for the wolf-girl’s body as the bottom extends to her knees and the sleeves are almost dragging on the ground.

“Mr. Ninety can you get some food for her?”

I walk back to my repair assistance vehicle, place it into encampment mode and have the matter converter produce a bowl of white stew with various meats and vegetables.

The duo arrives at the encampment mode as I slowly turn around and crouch down.

I offer the stew to the wolf-girl while holding the bowl in my right hand.

The wolf-girl’s face lights up.

“Ma-t!”

I place the spoon in the bowl and set it on the ground in front of her.

Quickly she grabs the bowl and begins eating it furiously.

“She really was hungry. Haha.”

“Indeed. I will finish up out preparations.”

“You’re not gonna put her in with the others, are you?”

“The thought had entered my mind but she is small enough to join you in your auxiliary transport vessel.”

“Really?! That’s great! I’ll need to get her some real clothes. So, I’ll need the matter converter for a little while.”

“Understood. Do what you must.”

I return to the containment vessel and secure the opening.

“Computer, the containment vessel is set for departure to the secure area.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

The containment vessel departs and I turn to return to the encampment mode.

“We are ready to go Mr. Ninety.”

Ástríðr and the wolf-girl await my return.

The wolf-girl is now fully clothed.

She is wearing a pullover blouse top with a buttoned sweater on top of it.

On her lower half is a pleated skirt with her legs covered with leggings and a pair of shoes on her feet.

“It seems you were able to find suitable clothing for her.”

“Yeah, it’s so cute, isn’t it? It was something from Michiru’s memory.”

“It looks sufficient to provide modesty and warmth.”

“But it’s cute, right?”

“S-æ-tt.”

“Yes, you’re very cute.”

“If you deem it so. We should be off.”

“I think you’re cute. Come on let’s go little one.”

I change the encampment mode back into repair assistance vehicle mode.

Ástríðr boards the auxiliary transport vessel.

The wolf-girl looks at Ástríðr quizzically as she tilts her head.

“It’s ok little one. This is safe. We’re gonna go on a trip, okay?”

The wolf-girl starts to peer into the auxiliary transport vessel still unfamiliar with what is going on.

Ástríðr reaches out to pick her up and bring her inside setting her on her lap.

With the wolf-girl secured inside I set our course back to the settlement.

The wolf-girl is entranced at the scenery as we make our way toward the multicolored bridge.

“Fal-leg!”

The wolf-girl slowly exclaims.

“Yes, the rainbow bridge is pretty, isn’t it?”

“Computer, once we cross the multicolored bridge, disable it and continue conversion of Continent Midheim.”

“Command confirmed, master.”

We cross the bridge and drive past the settlement.

“Where are we going?”

“Our destination is the secure area where the containment vessel is moored.”

“But I thought they’re already contained. What else is there to do?”

“While the lifeforms are in stasis and will be in the secure area, they will need to be allowed to continue what ever formation the lifeforms are becoming before their repatriation to Continent Midheim.”

“I see. So, you’re gonna see what they become?”

“While the majority of the smaller lifeforms have already manifested their final form, the larger ones have yet to and will need to be observed to determine where they will need to be placed.”

“Where they will be placed?”

“Each lifeform will need to be placed in their proper habitat according to their species. As such I will need to readjust the plans I had made in regards to the placement of assets on Continent Midheim.”

“Oh! I just had a thought if it’s not too much of a problem.”

“What is your request?”

“Well, I thought if you’re looking to make an area for the wolf-people could you rebuild Yggdrasill?”

“Yggdrasill? Oh, you mean the massive ash tree.”

“Yeah, I remember seeing the remnants of it in Michiru’s memories when she met you.”

“I see, but why would you want that for the wolf-people?”

“Well, I figured the area around Yggdrasill would also be a forested area and they can be free to do what they want there.”

“That is an intriguing idea. I will take your input under advisement.”

“Well, that’s the best I can hope for, I guess. Right, Fenris?”

The wolf-girl looks up at Ástríðr confused.

“I see you have determined a name for this child.”

“Yeah, I figured since she was sorta Fenrir’s child a female version of Fenrir is Fenris.”

“I will defer to your naming convention as long as the wolf-child is satisfied with the name.”

“You like your name, Fenris?”

“Me…Fenris?”

“If you like it yes you can be Fenris.”

“Me Fenris!”

“Yes, you are!”

“It appears she agrees with your name for her. It also appears her speech is starting to normalize as well.”

She points to Ástríðr and states, “Ástríðr!”

“Yes, that’s me.”

Fenris then points to me and says, “Leader!”

We arrive at our destination but, the conversation continues.

“No, that’s Mr. Ninety.”

“Leader!”

“I think I understand what she is determining. Since I was the one to defeat Fenrir who would be the leader of her pack, I would be by default her new leader.”

“But you’re Mr. Ninety.”

“That is but a name you call me and Leader is what she has decided to call me.”

“I guess if you’re ok with it.”

“Again, it is not an issue for me what I am called. I have missions to complete. Now, I will need to see to the lifeforms in the secure area. Will you be able to keep Fenris occupied while I am busy?”

“You can count on me Mr. Ninety.”

I detach the auxiliary transport vessel and convert the repair assistance vehicle into exosuit mode and enter the secure area to begin unloading the containment vessel.

As I unload each occupant from the containment vessel I place them on containment bedding.

Each one is designed to keep each occupant sedated and monitor their manifestation.

The beasts that have completed manifestation I have placed in a stasis container pending their repatriation on Continent Midheim.

“Computer, relocate the containment to this location outside of the secure area so that I can dispose of the Soul of Black and continue monitoring the status of those that have not fully formed.”

“Command confirmed, master.”