"Status update courtesy of Widhbo. I have navigated successfully, and we are on the BakoNaat battleship, Adder. The BakoNaat have created a temporary diversion for the demon and the Adder is running scared."

The light came back on in the chamber. Yoeke collected himself and smoothed down his fur. Nova seemed perfectly happy to stay sprawled across Tajlon's lap, the lower half of his body spilling to the floor.

"Where are you, Widhbo?" Tajlon asked.

"I'm here," Wodhbo answered.

"Where's here?"

"Everywhere. I own this place. It's fantastic!"

"Why can't we see you?" Yoeke asked.

"You're in my guest room, I suppose. I'm too busy to join you right now."

"Find a power node and toss us out," Yoeke said.

"Not a good idea," Widhbo replied. "We may have to teleport again and you're all better off in here with me."

"Let me out, Widhbo," Yoeke pleaded circling the chamber looking for a door. "I don't belong in here. It's not part of the plan."

"We didn't plan on the demon outrunning us either. I think Widhbo is right. We need to be cautious." Tajlon nudged Nova to get off him. "You're too heavy Nova. My legs are going to sleep."

"The furnishings are a little sparse," Yoeke said. "I want a soft bed."

"So do I if we're going to be here a while," Nova said as he started pacing with Yoeke. He was careful to stay on the opposite side of the chamber.

"I'll see what I can do between demon sightings, teleporting, and developing a new strategy to keep us alive," Widhbo answered. "Give me a moment. There are so many choices. Do you want a jungle theme or ocean front?"

"Never mind the theme. We need a larger apartment with all the amenities, and I want my own room," Yoeke demanded.

"How's the claustrophobia coming along, Widhbo?" Tajlon asked, rubbing the feeling back into his legs. The simulation was accurate to the smallest detail.

"I love it in here. It's even better than I could have imagined. And Cratus was right," Widhbo said. "This small magtion body is a lot like a race car. Very maneuverable."

They palpably accelerated, the magition body whizzed about making dips and swinging around invisible curves.

"You're making me dizzy. Stop it," Yoeke complained.

"You boys can have a little vacation and I'll take care of business," Widhbo said bringing the magiton back to a resting position.

The light in the chamber flashed and went off. When it came back on, they were on a tropical beach with ocean waves rolling in. Hammocks were strung between coconut palms and music could be heard coming out of a hut behind them.

"You've got to kidding," Yoeke grumbled.

"I like it. Just like back home," Tajlon said getting up to explore the area.

"It should," Widhbo said. "I got it from your files."

Nova tried to leap into a hammock. It flipped with him. He found himself caught in the netting upside down.

They could hear Widhbo cackling in the background.

"That wasn't very nice, Widhbo." Tajlon said, laughing as he went to Nova's aid and untangled him. "You know Nova can't manage a hammock."

"I know. But he can never resist trying. It's hilarious," Widhbo replied.

"I thought leopards were supposed to graceful if nothing else." Yoeke said.

"Show me how well you can manage a hammock, garwolven," Nova taunted.

"No need, I'm claiming the hut," Yoeke said loping over to check it out.

"At least I'm not civilized beyond all usefulness," Nova growled.

"Come on, Nova, let's go swimming,"Tajlon said. "We may as well have a little fun while we can." He stripped off his clothing and ran toward the water. It felt cool and inviting as he dove into a wave.

"No garwolvens allowed," Nova taunted before he sprinted across the beach to join Tajlon.

* * *

"Time to get out. It would be a shame to drown in your own fun after escaping the demon," Widhbo spoke to them out of nowhere.

"What are you doing? Watching us?" Nova asked.

"I'm being your lifeguard among other things." Widhbo said and yawned. "Not a lot for me to do right now. The BakoNaat are using pods for decoys and luring the demon along the planned route. You can find me relaxing over there with Yoeke."

"It was nice to forget about our troubles for a while at least," Tajlon found a towel lying in a hammock when he got back to their beach.

"Thoughtful. Thanks, Widhbo." He dried off and put on his pants

"No towel for me?" Nova asked.

"I'm not wasting a towel on you," Widhbo said.

Tajlon and Nova headed for the small island bungalow which looked a lot larger close up. A breeze rustled the trees which were shading it and laughter could be heard over music. They walked in and saw two garwolvens sitting at a low bar lapping drinks in front of them.

"You're getting water all over the place, stupid cat," Yoeke said.

"Nothing says stupid like a drunken garwolven. Do you even know who that is?" Nova asked.

Yoeke looked up with a grin lingering on his face. "We were just talking about you."

"That would be the only intelligent part of your conversation." Nova said. "Who's your new friend?"

"Uh, my new friend. He... He lives here. Why do you care?"

Tajlon laughed and poured himself a drink. "Apparently, you've lost your sense of smell, Yoeke. That's not a garwolven."

"What do mean?"

"Have another drink, Yoeke. Pay no attention to them," Widhbo said licking the froth from his own.

Yoeke stood back from the bar and eyed the garwolven sitting next to him. "That's a low trick!"

"I told you that the next time you saw me, I'd be a garwolven."

"I'm calling you outside. No mercy."

"A fight to the death so soon?" Nova asked. "Let me help you cool down." He shook his body violently, slinging water all over both garwolvens.

"Of course not," Widhbo said, ignoring the water droplets pelting them. "I'll win and even permit Yoeke to live."

"I don't need your permission to kick your ass, much less live."

"My wager's on Yoeke for this one," Tajlon said. "Unless of course, there's cheating involved, then it's Widhbo. No contest."

"I'm still busy running things, multitasking. Only a small part of me will be fighting here," Widhbo complained. "It gives Yoeke the clear advantage."

"Let the whole crew wager why don't you? A little contest would be good for morale," Yoeke said. "I'd even fight the two of you at once, but I'm too drunk."

"It wouldn't be a fair fight," Widhbo said.

"Who said anything about fair?"

"Now we're talking," Widhbo bounded for the door. "Let me just start the betting first. I can broadcast this live on The Adder."

"What's to stop them from relaying it across the entire fleet?" Tajlon asked.

"Nothing. I hope they do," Yoeke said.

A score board with wagers and odds popped up on the outside wall of the hut facing the beach. The bets started to come in immediately, but not only from their own ship. Word spread fast and several other ships' crews wanted in on the fun. A large split screen went up showing each ship and its onlookers.

"I'm a natural born garwolven," Yoeke boasted. "This imposter doesn't have a chance. I'll be picking my teeth with his pulley bone."

"No you won't," Widhbo sneered. "I'll have a serving of garwolven stew."

"Standard garwolven rules," Yoeke explained. "Mark a big circle. You must always stay inside the circle. You lose a point for each paw that touches the ground outside the circle and your opponent gains the same number. We both start with thirteen points. If you get into negative points you lose. If you have zero points you can either give up and admit defeat or double down on the odds. Betting rounds after the third score and the fifth score. You won’t make it past that."

"I'll keep score," Nova offered.

A circle was marked off and they stood facing one another on the perimeter. Widhbo concentrated on watching Yoeke, who started circling the edge, changing directions frequently. Widhbo did likewise, imitating Yoeke's moves.

"Stop mocking me!"

"Am I making you nervous?" Widhbo asked. "Good."

"I don't think you even know how to fight," Yoeke taunted.

"I learn quickly," Widhbo said. The next move Yoeke made, Widhbo feinted that he was going to imitate him again and then rushed Yoeke instead, pushing his hind quarters out of the ring.

Yoeke made a fast recovery, but not before both hind legs went outside the circle.

"Two paws, eleven Yoeke, fifteen Widhbo," Nova announced.

Yoeke rushed straight across the ring toward Widhbo. He anticipated Widhbo's evasive move, caught him in the left side and propelled him across the ring. Widhbo managed to wriggle free of him, but not before three paws left the ring, he managed to keep one off the ground and quickly spun out of Yoeke's reach to leap back in.

"Three paws. Fourteen Yoeke, twelve Widhbo," Yoeke said. A cheer went up from the deck of the Moz Lidule where a pack of Garwolvens had gathered.

"It's on now!" Widhbo yelled. He made a dash toward Yoeke, then went into a low crouch and came up underneath the garwolven. The move tossed Yoeke in the air and he landed all four feet outside the circle.

"Four paws! Ten Yoeke, sixteen Widhbo."

"This could go on for a while," Tajlon said.

"Time for another round of betting," Nova said. The wagers came pouring in. The odds were clearly in favor of Yoeke.

"Resume the contest," Nova said.

"Yoeke surprised Widhbo and caught a foreleg in his teeth, flipped him to the ground, then pushed him outside the ring.

"Four paws. Yoeke fourteen, Widhbo twelve."

Widhbo winced as he stepped on his sore leg and Yoeke was quick to take advantage. He slashed at Widhbo's underbelly with his sharp incisors slashing at the tender flesh, Widhbo jumped straight up to avoid the bite and came down hard on Yoeke's head, stunning him temporarily. Widhbo grabbed Yoeke by the nape of his neck and attempted to fling him out of the ring but lost his grip and dropped the heavier garwolven. Yoeke was up and running. He made a move for the throat. Widhbo side stepped but went a little too far and Yoeke managed to get him completely outside the ring again.

"Four paws. Yoeke eighteen, Widhbo eight." Nova called out. "Pause for another betting round."

"It's a shame Lord Anakron isn't here to save you," Yoeke prodded.

"Actually, he's watching. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some money on you," Widhbo said.

"I'm betting on you, Widhbo," Nova said. "Your odds are getting more attractive. They're over a hundred to one now. Resume the fight."

Yoeke was waiting for those words and caught Widhbo off guard. leaving a gash in his left shoulder. Gaining the advantage, he tossed Widhbo back out of the ring.

"Four paws. Yoeke twenty-two, Widhbo four."

"Widhbo was limping badly and losing blood.

"It's almost over for you, imposter," Yoeke snarled.

"Does it matter what I am?" Widhbo asked.

"No, but it's clear you aren't a garwolven. I was right, you're no good in a fight." He lunged at Widhbo, knocked him forward, then stopped suddenly letting momentum carry his opponent forward. Widhbo flew out of the ring yet again.

"Yoeke twenty-six, Widhbo zero."

A moan went up from a few onlookers, but the majority were jubilant.

"I've defeated you," Yoeke gloated.

"Double down," Widhbo responded.

"More punishment? I have plenty more where that came from."

Widhbo shed his garwolven body and transformed into his bird form. He flew straight up and dove back down on top of Yoeke, picking him up in his strong talons. He flew around the outside of the fight ring touching Yoeke's flailing feet to the ground and picking back him up, then dropping him, only to pick him back up and drop him to the ground again outside the circle. Yoeke squirmed and tried to reach around to bite his attacker without success.

When Yoeke's feet had touched down outside the ring seven times, Widhbo came back to the center of the ring.

"I claim victory!"

"That's cheating!" Yoeke sputtered. One leg bent at a strange angle and appeared to be broken. His back was bleeding from the puncture wounds left by Widhbo’s talons.

"You said it wasn’t a fair fight and it didn't matter what I was," Widhbo reminded him. "Sorry about the leg."

"Yoeke minus two, Widhbo twenty-eight," Nova said. "The winner is Widhbo!"

The crowd of remote onlookers hissed and booed through the speakers. Shouts of disgruntled losers could be heard.

"Is this how you treat all your guests?" Yoeke asked hobbling on his three good legs.

"Only the rude ones. I suppose I could fix your leg though," Widhbo said. "It would be rude not to."

"Buy everyone a drink, Nova," Tajlon said. "You can well afford it."