Now that I seem to have your undivided attention, and you're chomping at the bit to know what's next, let's take a few moments away from the drama of what my life used to be, and take a little trip to Chakona. Specifically to the Skunktaur Archipelago. I know, I'm a stinker...

In the town of Curtisport, a rather unusual skunktaur is packing hys bags. Now what exactly makes this skunktaur unusual you might ask? Well, it is no big secret that when a chakat and a skunktaur mate, the offspring can be any mix of the two but this also depends on who's the sire and who's the mother. For the skunktaur Swytch, well, hy definitely lives up to hys name. Swytch is your fairly typical skunktaur I guess you can say. Same build, same fluffy tail, same stripes and patterning. In Swytch's case though, everything is reversed. Swytch's fur is the most pristine of whites, like the first snowfall of the year. Hys stripes, well as you may have guessed, they are completely black. Swytch has a double row of deep black stripes running from hys black head hair all the way down to the tip of hys tail. Hys socks on all four feet of hys lower taur body are also the blackest of blacks. The only splash of color being the red paw print nestled snugly on the right of hys chest signifying his clan as well as the gifts hy was born with. You may wonder why Swytch is so different from his kin. Well, if your sire was Chakat Riot, then you'd feel lucky that a swapped fur pattern was all you had been born with. In fact, Swytch felt hymself very lucky that hy didn't end up being more like hys sire. Don't mistake hym, hy loved his father, but, if you've met Riot, you'd understand. One didn't have a name like Riot without either causing large amounts of mischief, or, blinding people when in direct sunlight. Swytch picked up a holophoto from hys desk and grinned at the picture of hys father and mother as they smiled back at hym. Smiling up from the photo was hys mother Jynxy of Clan Redpaw and hys father Chakat Riot child of Starburst and Whiteout. Even in the holophoto, hys father's white fur and neon colored tiger pattern would catch your eyes and make you squint slightly. But when you added in hir highlighter pink head hair, you started to look around for sunglasses. Yes, hy was lucky that a reversed fur pattern was all hy got. It really could have been much worse. Now, if hys coloration wasn't enough, Swytch also had another peculiarity that stands hym apart from hys skunktaur kin. Swytch actively wanted to get away from the linked minds of his species. While every skunktaur is normally linked to every other in a certain radius and that feeling of inclusion was something every skunktaur cherished, Swytch wanted peace and quiet.

There was a bit of a bounce in Swytch's step today. Today was the day that hy found out that the job that hy had applied for had accepted hym, and hy was required to report for duty the next day. Other than being at Dewclaw University for hys schooling, Swytch had never really been away from home before, and hy was actually looking forward to it. Finally, a little peace and quiet for the telepathically introverted skunktaur.

Swytch had never really known what it was like to NOT hear everyone in hys head until, during hys telepathy training, hy was required to put on a headband for the first time. The sudden and complete lack of noise in hys mind was a balm to the skunktaur's soul and ever since, he would use one when alone for the privacy hy desired. Unfortunately, being of Clan Redpaw and being rated as a T4, he was constantly approached by various groups and agencies because hys abilities were always in high demand in any field. So, the only thing Swytch could really do to escape everyone for a while, was to apply for a one year stint at an ARC (Advanced Relay and Communications) station in the arctic of Chakona. ARC stations were two man outposts that were responsible for the long-distance communications relays as well as backup depots for data collection from the research stations on the planet. Each two-person team consisted of a mechanical engineer to keep the site and hardware running smoothly and a computer/security specialist to keep the data and communications encrypted and secure.

Swytch put hys long black head hair into a ponytail as hy dug in various drawers finding everything hy would need for a one year stint in the arctic.

Utility vest? Check.

Waist pouches? Check.

Fur brushes? Check.

Cold weather gear? Check

"Not that I'll really need it," hy murmured with a grinned. "Once I get there, I'll adapt and cold weather gear will only be needed in extreme emergencies."

Pictures of family? Check.

Basic toiletries? Check.

'Well, that should be everything,' hy thought to himself.

Swytch sat down on hys bed as hy surveyed the room and the collected memories of twenty-two years with a smile. Hy would miss hys family of course, but this was a new adventure! A chance to be on hys own for once and a chance to see what it would be like to NOT have the thoughts of hundreds of others rattling around in hys skull. Hy wondered briefly to hymself who hys one year work mate would be. A chakat? A skunktaur? Another morph type?

Hopefully whomever it was would be friendly at least. A year alone is one thing; a year alone with someone hy couldn't get along with would be a completely different matter. 'Not to worry! I can make friends with anyone! Just wait until they taste my cooking!' Hy made a face for a minute, 'Just please, don't be another telepath,' hy sent upwards towards the stars in a silent prayer. Hy sighed in thought. 'Yeah... I know I'm different, but just look at my dad.' Hy grinned at the thought.

'Shi managed to convince mom to be hir lifemate, and mom is as different from dad as I am from the rest of the skunktaurs around here. If dad could talk mom into putting up with hir more flamboyant ways, I'm sure I can make friends with whomever beams onto that transporter pad.' With that in mind and a smile on hys face, hy closed the last bag.

After securing the final lift bag, Swytch engaged the antigrav system and moved everything out into the main living area of the house. Hy took a seat on a taur pad and looked around the house fondly. This had been hys home since hy was born. There were so many fond memories here and other than school, this would be the first time hy left home for any real length of time. This would be a make or break for hym. This was a personal test to see how hy would cope with being away from home, AND away from others in general for a long time. If this went well, Swytch had decided hy would join the Star Corps and see the vastness of space as well as other worlds. The thought made hys tail fluff in excitement. "I can do this!" hy told hymself.

"You know, talking to yourself is the first sign that you're going to be as crazy as me, right?" said a voice from behind hym with a chuckle.

Swytch let out a snort as hy was jarred out of hys revelry. "You ought to know, dad! You should hear yourself muttering the entire time you're tinkering in your workshop." Hy grinned as hys sire glared good humoredly at hym. "I knew I forgot something!" hy exclaimed scampering back to hys room and came back out wearing a pair of dark sunglasses. "Much better! Now I don't have to worry about going blind if I give you a hug," hy smirked.

Chakat Riot glared as shi sauntered over to hir offspring and lightly thwapped hym on the head with hir tail. "Cheeky cub. You better hope whomever ends up as your workmate has a sense of humor, or you might end up with a shaved tail!" Shi grinned fondly at hir cub giving hym a lick kiss and a tight hug. "We are going to miss you while you're gone. Don't use up all of your transporter credits in the first month there! We expect to see you back for your birthday as well as the Freedom Celebration. Be sure to bring your workmate if he... she..." Shi made a face, "Have you even found out who or what you're working with hon?"

Swytch shook hys head returning hys sire's hug. "Nope. All I know is whomever it is, is supposed to be some kind of security wizard. You kind of have to be at these sites. They don't let just anyone work there," Swytch said as hy tapped hys nose thoughtfully. "The only thing I know is that they are on a transport heading for Chakona now and won't be in for another week. So, I'll be there solo long enough to claim the best bunk!"

Riot's tail twitched in amusement. "Well, you just be careful... Be sure to take the time to feel out your new workmate before you start in on the practical jokes. Remember, professionalism first!" shi said with a nod. "Also, why did you swap to male phase? Your rut isn't for another couple of weeks."

"Well I didn't want to throw off my new workmate if one day he... she... Whatever... Meets me in female phase and the very next morning I'm in male phase. I figured I'd spare the poor tech the shock. At least this way I can warn'em before I walk out as something different," Swytch said with a grin. "Besides, I want to make friends, not scare them off as soon as they show up."

Riot nodded, "That was very thoughtful and very professional. Excellent idea!"

Swytch grinned and looked around the room once more. "When is mom supposed to be home?"

"Don't worry, hy'll be here shortly. Hy went to get your going away present. You know how your mom is. I don't think hy's gonna sleep a wink tonight worrying about you leaving in the morning. Thank the Makers that there is a transporter pad there that you can use in case of emergencies. That will at least keep hym from worrying the fur off my tail!" Riot said with a roll of hir eyes and a mocking growl.

"I promise to visit as often as they let me," Swytch said giving hy's sire a nuzzle and another hug. "We are allowed a week's leave every four months as long as the backup crews can make it to babysit everything while we are gone. Heck if it weren't for the fact that they want someone there 20 hours a day, eight days a week, 48 weeks a year, I'd be coming home every night just like a normal job." Swytch shrugged. "It shouldn't be any different from being at school, just less people to crowd the mind!" hy said fervently and with enthusiasm.

Riot gave hir cub a compassionate look and said understandingly, "I know it's been difficult for you, hon. You were always the odd taur out just because of your coloring. As you grew older you also found out you were the odd taur out mentally as well. You do what makes YOU happy and don't worry about what others say. Your mother and I will always support you no matter what you choose to do with your life."

Swytch could feel the compassion and love through the empathic bond hy shared with hys sire and smiled happily at hir. "I know you and mom have always supported me and it means everything to me. Now have a seat in the den and I'll start dinner, maybe I can get things done just before mom gets home and we can have a nice family dinner together before I leave."

And with that, Swytch headed into the kitchen.

Swytch had just finished up dinner when hys mom returned home. The female phase skunktaur hung hys belt pouches on a hook by the door and came in carrying several packages which hy placed on the coffee table in the den.

"Welcome home, mom! Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes if you want to freshen up a bit first," Swytch said as hy worked over the stove.

"I'll do that then, be right back," Hy said as hy gave hys mate a nuzzle and went to the restroom to clean up. When hy finished up hy came back to the dining room to see a large meal on the table and hys mate and cub waiting patiently for hym. Hy took hys spot at the table and Riot said grace over the meal. The small family ate in comfortable silence for a while then Jynxy looked at hys cub fondly and asked. "Do you have everything packed? Not forgetting anything are you?" hys tone was slightly worried.

"Moooooooom..." Swytch whined, "I've been through my room three times already to be sure I got everything!"

Jynxy gave hys cub one of those looks only a mother can give, "Don't moooooom me. Remember your first day of school? When you had to call home, and asked me to send your favorite fur brush?" hy smirked.

Swytch wrinkled hys nose and stuck hys tongue out at hys mom at which point Riot smacked hys butt with hir tail. "Be nice cub," shi murmured to hym.

Swytch managed to look contrite, "Sorry mom. But, you really do worry too much sometimes. I'm only gonna be gone for a year AND there is a transporter pad there in case of emergencies. If anything happens, I'll beam straight home, I promise!"

Jynxy looked slightly mollified and continued to eat the meal hys cub had prepared. "Well, if you cook like this up there, you're going to make whoever your workmate is fat," hy said with a laugh. "Have you found out who it is yet?"

Swytch shook hys head, "No, not yet. From what I've been able to find out, he's a last-minute substitute. The tech he's replacing took a last-minute assignment with the Corps to check out a new planet."

Riot looked up from hir food with a raised eyebrow, "You found out it's a he?" shi asked curiously.

Swytch just nodded as hy had just placed a large forkful in hys muzzle. Hy quickly chewed and swallowed and said, "Still have no idea WHAT he is, but I was able to find out at least that it's a male." Swytch shrugged. "So, if we follow that logically, we can deduce it's neither a chakat nor a skunktaur since the few references mention a him or he."

Jynxy looked at hys cub, a grin trying to emerge from hys muzzle, "Have you been reading crime mysteries again? Deduce? Really??"

Riot managed to not spit hir beverage everywhere as shi held in a laugh at hir cub's expression.

"Can't I at least attempt to use big words without getting the third degree?" hy groused, but there was amusement in hys eyes.

"Of course, you can dear," said hys mom. "I can also call you out on it and poke a little fun at you because of it. That's what parents do!"

Swytch tried very hard to keep in a snicker as hy said, "Well I guess it could be worse, kind of like that time dad came to show and tell and stripped in front of the class because one of the cubs wanted to see all of hir colors."

Riot gave everyone a very unconvincing innocent look, "What?? Its an adult's responsibility to educate cubs." Shi then grinned mischievously. "Of course it didn't hurt that your teacher asked me out after class either," shi said with a self satisfied smirk.

Swytch groaned, "You didn't! Now I understand why shi always ruffled my hair when shi walked by after that day." Swytch just put hys muzzle in hys hands and sighed. "That explains oh so very much..."

Jynxy just concentrated on hys food; it wouldn't do to have Swytch think that hy was being tag teamed. After all, hys teacher had been quite enthusiastic when the three of them had gone out to dinner that night.

Once dinner had been finished everyone moved into the den and made themselves comfortable with their favorite hot beverage. Jynxy picked up a couple of packages and slid them across the coffee table to hys cub. "These are for your going away and to celebrate your first real job. It's not much, but it should help if you get homesick."

Swytch picked up the smaller of the two packages and removed the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside were two data chips. Hy looked up curiously at hys mom.

Jynxy grinned, "They are holosuite programs. I heard that the ARC sites have a small holosuite for recreational use. The first data chip is this house and your dad and I. It's not very interactive, but if you need to talk or just need a hug, we will both be there for you. The second is South-side Beach by the breakers. I know that is one of your favorite spots to relax and swim so I had the shop make it with and without a crowd of people."

Swytch was touched and really didn't know what to say, so hy packed the chips carefully back into their snug, secure container and set them to the side. Hy then slid the larger of the packages over. Hy removed the wrapping and then opened the box. Pushing the packaging paper away hy blinked and looked up at hys mom. Hys mom was giving hym a slightly put out look.

"If I had known you were going to change phases last night I would have gotten something a little different," hy said with a sigh.

Swytch gently picked up a bundle of leather and unfolded it. The leather halter top was velvety soft to the touch and laced in the front. It was also a bright sky blue, the same color as hys eyes. "It's... it's beautiful..." hy whispered.

Hys mom looked thoughtful and grinned. "It was a bit difficult to get a leather smith to be able to match the color of your eyes, but I think hy did a wonderful job, don't you? I guess I'll have to wait until you visit and change phases again to see you in it though," hy said with a giggle. "Although I bet your new workmate will see it before we do," hy teased.

Swytch's ears pinked slightly in a blush, "You're assuming he will even be interested in me or that he isn't already mated and not looking." Eying the blue leather halter hy grinned. "Although if I wear this around him, he may at least be enticed into a little mutual stress relief," hy said with a chuckle.

Riot looked up from hir cup of tea and said, "Far be it for me to nay say mutual stress relief, but remember the job comes first!" If you hadn't guessed, Riot was a firm believer in work is work and play is play.

Hys mom looked at Riot with a smile and then said to hys cub, "Also, by the time your tour is up, you might have a sibling."

Swytch blinked in shock. "Are you serious?!? That's great!" hy exclaimed. "I was beginning to worry I was going to be an only child forever!" hy said laughing.

Riot grinned impishly. "I had to finish up a big project at work and now that it's over, it's time for your mom to knock me up!" shi said with a leer at hir mate.

Jynxy just rolled hys eyes at Riot. "Your dad's heat and my rut have been in sync for so long we had to be more careful to NOT have a child until we were ready. Now, we are going to let loose and I can finally tease your dad about waddling around the house instead of the other way around," hy said with a smirk.

Riot just stuck hir tongue out at hir mate and then leaned over to give hym a lick kiss and a nuzzle as hir tail twined around hir mate's affectionately.

Swytch tenderly packed the halter back in the box and placed both gifts into hys travel bags. "Thank you, both of you. I love you both so very much and don't worry I'll be back visiting before you know it. Let me know when the birthing ceremony is! I will be here even if I have to leave my workmate to keep things running solo!" Swytch checked hys chrono, "I think I should get some sleep... I have to be at the transporter pad at 0500." Swytch looked around wistfully, "Would it be OK if we all shared the communal bed tonight? I could really use the bolster since I'll be sleeping alone for the next year," hy opined.

All three headed off to the communal sleep area and after a generous amount of snuggling and play, all three fell into a comfortable sleep; their love for each other a continual flow through their empathic bonds.