Sharp Shooter

Twenty Questions

Present Day

When the 260 landed at 51, Raji and I were greeted by the rest of Task force Stalker and the SW's. They looked just as shocked at my new wings as they did seeing Raji.

"I thought he was dead?", Helios said pointing at Raji.

"I thought I was dead too", Raji laughed, "but no, I'm very much alive."

"But Ren buried you", Talon said, "we saw the box go in the ground, you were inside."

"Again", Raji smiled, "you didn't bury me, you buried a cheap hologram projector that Dr. Natz bought at Radio Shack."

"I love Radio Shack", Kachira laughed, "I used to buy all kinds of weird stuff there."

"Weird how?", I asked.

Kachira shrugged, "anything and everything for an Iphone Ren."

I snickered.

"The new wings are looking sharp Ren", Sorra said walking up to me.

I grinned.

"How do they feel?", Kachira asked.

I flared them out, "like a million bucks. The doctors said I would have to wait a few days while the new nerves sync in with the natural ones, but other than that I'm good to go."

"Well holy shit", Dars said walking up, he had sunglasses and a baseball cap on, which was backwards, "how the fuck are you still kicking around."

"I'm sorry what?", Raji asked as he and Dars hugged, "I didn't catch that because I'm too busy laughing at how stupid you look."

"Nice to see you too", Dars laughed, "I see you've met the Winterheart."

"I have", Raji answered, "and it's a good thing I'm here right now, with my new heart."

He tapped the circle of glass and metal, "so anyway, who are you guys?"

"I'm Val", Val answered, "that's Helios, Kachira, Talon, Charlie, Fable and Sorra, Ren's mate."

Raji bowed slightly to Sorra, "mam."

Sorra smiled, "nice to meet you Raji, Ren's said some good things about you."

Raji's ears went back slightly with embarrassment, "has he now? What you tell her little brother?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

"How on Earth?", Dars asked, "you told me about Ren in training, but I didn't think he was Fireblood, nor did I...what?"

"I view him as a little brother", Raji explained.

"Okay", Kachira said laughing a little, "that makes a lot more sense."

"I got shit to do", Val said, "I'll meet you guys at dinner."

"Same here", Kachira said.

"Yeah see ya", Dars said.

One by one, the others dispersed, leaving just me, Raji and Vortex.

"Hey Raji", Vortex said, "could you do me a favor?"

"Sure", Raji answered, "what is it?"

"Find out how the other Drakehounds feel about me", Vortex said, "I'll be leading the charge in Saudi and I can't have their predisposition affect their ability to follow orders."

"Yeah", Raji said, "right away, I'll talk to you before curfew, basking rocks?"

Vortex nodded as Raji and I started walking towards the barracks where the Rebel hounds stayed. Most of the dragons around base had deemed it the Dog House, and the reason why was pretty obvious. Some of the younger looking hounds were running around with each other like domesticated Shepard's might, while a few of the older ones were watching.