Kaleb was used to being six feet tall. Which in the real world meant that he was rarely towered over. Sure, there was a chance that he'd run into some really tall person. But the regularity with which he was the smallest person in the room while in-game was alarming. Currently, he was surrounded by a bunch of approbatory lizards that all made him look like an infant. Not only were they taller, but their muscle mass was alarming. Almost to the point that he was worried about them.

Rhot's clan seemed to all be built like their elder. Massive muscles, towering height, and excitable personality. Not for the first time, Kaleb wondered if he should look into what the scientist caste of Basilinoids did to the Brutes. Cause the way Rhot's clan acted was eerie. Like they were pre-programmed to be half-children. But then the questions they were asking him were ones of intelligent, if excitable, adults. The fifteen Brute lizards surrounding him all seemed highly interested in changes to Rhot's axe. They asked probing questions and seemed to sop up his answers like sponges.

Beyond the kitchen counter, Kaleb could see the other Elders along with Claire and Two Gun. They were watching the gathering with both mild interest and boredom. When he explained about the repulsor coils placed at key points in the axe, Claire and Gor'kinak wandered off. Claire to explore and Gor'kinak to go take out his obvious anger on someone, Kaleb supposed. The rest stayed in the doorway, watching Rhot's friends question Kaleb into oblivion.

Thankfully, Roy was there to take some of the heat off. But the boy spent most of the time answering questions about his mask and weapons. Kaleb looked down at his own body as the excitable lizards inspected Roy's work. He was also cloaked in a variety of gadgets and interesting tech. Yet no one was asking him any probing questions about his gear. Not even about his large cybernetic arm! He was thinking about making more obvious gadgets when Rhot asked another question.

"So it's like a Heat Axe?"

Kaleb shook his thoughts away as he answered. "Kind of? I mean, the sustained vibrations can cause some notable heat. But it shouldn't be vibrating for that long. Especially in Overdrive Mode. It has a safety feature that will turn the mode off if it goes on too long."

"Won't that be hell on the internals?" Another lizard rasped.

"If you push it too much, sure. So Rhot needs to be careful with that mode. Although looking at the size of him, I'm sure he won't need it that often."

Rhot grinned happily as the others of his clan cheered. Kaleb found that they all enjoyed being reminded of their size. Something he was happy to do if it stopped them from batting his shoulder like it was a training dummy. He was still shoved a bit as the big lizards moved closer to inspect Rhot's axe more. The lack of space finally got to Kaleb enough that he advised that they all go out and let Rhot test his axe. That elicited another round of cheers and Kaleb was half-carried/half-shoved out of the kitchen.

Roy and the others were carried along with the mass of bodies as well, and they all ended up outside. They exited through a side-door and back out to the grassy lawn. Brute clan lizards were milling about the place, tending to their normal daily duties. But there was a section toward the northern wall of the underground cave that was for training. Multiple enormous lizards were wrestling, fighting, and working out on the ground. Kaleb noted that this section of the lawn was left without grass. Either that or the constant training churned up the ground.

"Hey what's that? Is that where you're building out?" Roy asked, drawing Kaleb's eye toward a section of wall that had been dug into.

A large tunnel was dug out of the wall and several lizards were moving in and out of it. Rhot and the other lizards smiled at the question, but it was Wulkun who answered.

"Yes, and no. Although that section is designated as a living area, it was given to Rhot's clan for their own use. They have used it to engage in a special project."

Kaleb's interest was piqued as all the other Elders looked hesitant to elaborate. He doubted it was anything sinister with Rhot's clan involved. But he almost wanted to rush into the space to see what it was being used for. Instead, his gaze was captured by a large green woman tossing lizards around in the training pit. Claire was standing tall amongst the lizards as she punched, kicked, and tossed the bigger Brutes off her. Judging by her and the lizards' smiles, Kaleb guessed it was some kind of sparring. But really, it looked like the older woman was just beating the lizards senseless.

Kaleb noted that Two Gun tensed up at the sight, but the old cowboy quickly reined himself in. The fight wasn't anything serious. That is until Rhot jumped in with his clan. The big lizard used the hammer end of his axe, but barely seemed to hold back. The general scrum around Claire quickly became a massive brawl that crept across the yard. All around, the air thrummed with something as the Brute Clan lizards fell into a haze of some kind. It didn't feel dangerous to Kaleb, but the training had definitely taken on a different tone.

Claire must have felt it too, because the tall woman jumped free of the scrum and landed on its edge. She was still attacked occasionally, but the focal point of the fighting was Rhot. He and his clan were happily clawing and kicking their way to the center of the mass. More Brute clan lizards came rushing in as the training seemed to kick into another gear. Kaleb smelled something on the air and his heart rate went through the roof. He felt his fingers flex and his muscles tense.

Unknown memories of Basilinoid culture flashed through Kaleb's mind again, and he got another tidbit of their history. Rhot's clan were designed to release pheromones while fighting. Something designed to increase their adrenaline while deadening their pain receptors. The history of what was down to Brute Clans resurfaced in Kaleb's mind, and that stalled him from leaping into the fight as well. Looking around, he found that the Elders and his friends were also immune to the scent.

"It only works on Brute Clan lizards." Kaleb's memories supplied.

His face pinched up in disgust as the idea of it hit him in full. They were designed to like it. The Brute Clan had no choice. Their very skin secreted a scent that made them stronger, faster, and dulled their sense of pain. All so they could throw themselves at the Basilinoid council's enemies. The whooping and hollering from the clan lizards did little to temper the disgust he was feeling.

"It's okay, Professor. We've learned to live with it." Wulkun said, suddenly at Kaleb's shoulder.

"But you shouldn't have to."

"Shouldn't?" Wulkun laughed. "Technically, we shouldn't exist, hatchling. We were designed in a lab and then tossed out of the cities. We were designed to blunt the harshness of our home planet and keep it from spilling over. If we have to accept a little bloodlust for our existence. I think it's a fair trade."

"But you don't have to live like that anymore." Kaleb tried to argue as the fighting slowed down.

The old, hunched lizard sighed and gave a quick nod. "We know, Professor. But change is slow. We were bred for war and now we live in relative peace. It will take time to acclimate to such things. But now that we have a home, maybe we can do that."

"Peace?" Roy asked from Kaleb's other side. "Wulkun, you live in Under-Town. This place is far from peaceful."

"And thus it suits us just fine. We can work on who we want to be while living in another hostile environment."

"This time without the high council on your asses."

Wulkun gave a half-nod before something seemed to occur to him. He opened his mouth to say something. But Aqwen interrupted.

"The melee is dying down."

Kaleb nearly jumped out of his skin at the lizard woman's words. She appeared out of nowhere behind Wulkun and seemed to scare the Elder lizard as well. Looking at the scrum that was still going on, Kaleb found Aqwen was right. The sparring was dying down as more and more lizards bowed out. Rhot's clan of muscle-bound lizards weren't dominating as much as Kaleb would've thought. Their reliance on their sheer bulk made them slow targets most of the time. Of course, the fact that they seemed to emit twice the amount of pheromones was a plus in their favor.

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Most of the lizards that exited the sparring ring hurried over to a nearby table. Kaleb saw huge circular coolers set up on the table and lizards were grabbing huge tankards of water. Some lizards even fell to the dirt floor and started burying themselves to cool off. His eyes were peeled away from the behavior as the whirring sound of Rhot's axe picked up. Half-worried/half-curious, Kaleb turned to see Rhot raising the axe high before he slammed it into the ground. The force of the blow combined with the ax's vibrations shook the ground noticeably and a circle of lizards around Rhot went down.

Rhot threw his head back and released a guttural cry that seemed to announce his victory. Even Kaleb's implanted cultural memories didn't know what that was about. But Rhot's clan seemed to cry back before the sparring session broke up completely. Kaleb spotting Claire, sweaty but smiling as she walked her way toward Two Gun. He hurried over to hear her thoughts, meeting both of his friends halfway along with Wulkun and the others. Meanwhile, Aqwen shouted out across the sparring pit.

"Rhot! Make sure those you injured go to the healers! Now!"

Kaleb thought the elder would balk at being told what to do. But the excitable lizard simply bounded away, picking up some of the more injured lizards as he went. Rhot's clan followed in his footsteps, bounding away. Claire was laughing at their exit as Two Gun checked his wife over.

"You all good?"

"Yes, love. That was fantastic. The system treated the whole thing as one long training session. We simply must do this above ground."

"We'll have to clear space for it." Kaleb nodded.

"And see if any of the lizards are interested." Roy added.

Aqwen scoffed. "If they are from our clans, they will be."

"Another way for you to help our people from afar, Professor." Wulkun intoned. "Along with the other ways, you have kept us safe."

Kaleb was curious about Wulkun's tone, but then he spotted V'alla and Jerald were still with them. The two Elders seemed to take in Wulkun's words with a grain of salt. V'alla had seemed interested in Rhot's axe but said nothing. Choosing instead to be surly with Gor'kinak. But Jerald had been studying Kaleb for a while now. Even when he was talking with Rhot's clan. The skinny Elder seemed to be twisting a thought over in his mind. Judging by the lizard's face, Kaleb wasn't sure he was going to like what Jerald wanted.

"Yes, the armor and weapons have been beneficial. But they take so long to arrive, and some of our more recent shipments have been hit." Jerald said, still eyeing Kaleb.

"You've lost shipments?" Kaleb asked, worried.

"No, but they were attacked rather viciously. We've managed to keep them safe. But I wonder if it's a danger that we need at all."

"Jerald…" Wulkun said warningly.

"Oh hush, Wulkun. We need the Professor here. Where he can actually do some good. I agree with the spirit of Gor'kinak's words, if not his plan. Things in Under-Town are explosive and we need a source of equipment closer to home."

"Rhot's clan can…" Aqwen stated, but she was cut off, this time by a snort from V'alla.

"Rhot's clan are children. Their brains have been so addled by the council that they hardly know anything beyond fighting."

"That is not true, V'alla. You saw them with the Professor in the kitchen! They were asking questions and seemed interested in learning more."

"We don't have time for them to learn more! We need better weapons now. The incidents at the gates are getting more frequent. The unaffiliated gangs are pushing closer to our territory! We need to do something."

Kaleb watched the three elders argue as Aqwen hung by Wulkun's shoulder. The slim lizard woman would add a word in here and there. But mostly, she seemed more focused on keeping the old lizard safe. He understood their dilemma, but he would not let himself be tied up down here. There was more game to play above. Although, helping the lizards seemed like a Super Hero thing to do. Especially if those pushing in were other Players. That meant the fight would be long and possibly never-ending. However, Jerald's words brought up something Kaleb couldn't let pass.

"What did you mean about Gor'kinak?" Kaleb asked as Claire and Two Gun pulled in closer to listen.

Jerald met Kaleb's eyes for a few seconds before looking away. Wulkun sputtered to explain, but it was V'alla that put it plainly.

"He suggested to we chain you up in Rhot's lab and make you our slave."

Multiple words in that sentence made Kaleb confused, but he focused on what he considered important.

"Rhot… has a lab?"

Kaleb thought he heard Two Gun snort. But he ignored it as Wulkun nodded eagerly while shooting V'alla a withering look. The only female Elder on the council let the look bounce off her and she pointed to the cave beyond the sparring ring.

"Rhot and the rest of his fool clan have dreams of being… scientists." She said the word with derision. "They've built themselves a little cave full of toys that they think will help them."

Kaleb almost turned to dash off, but the thudding footsteps of Rhot's clan signaled their return. The massively muscled lizards all crowded into the huddle. They looked like a bunch of excitable puppies as they looked at everyone's face. Sensing the tone of the conversation, Rhot hefted his axe onto his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" The big Elder asked.

Kaleb coughed into his hand. "Ahem, well, I was just told of Elder Gor'kinak's plans."

Rhot's eyes grew large as he hissed. "What? To make you a worker slave? Ha! We wouldn't allow that! Even with the current vote at a tie."

A general roar of agreement came from Rhot's clan mates as V'alla rolled her eyes. Looking at the three other Elders, Kaleb felt he knew how that vote had gone. Wulkun and Rhot were on Kaleb's side. Even if the big lizard had never met him. V'alla and Gor'kinak were probably the yes vote. Which meant the swing vote stood with Jerald. Kaleb eyed the skinny brute lizard with curiosity until Jerald took a step back.

"Don't blame me! Gor'kinak was highly persuasive."

Kaleb blinked as he looked at V'alla. The lizard gave him a predatory grin as she nodded.

"Yes, Professor. Your freedom depends on me," V'alla said with delight.

But it was immediately undercut by Claire, Two Gun, and Roy stepping forward. Two Gun held his hands ready over his guns as Aqwen moved Wulkun slightly out of the way.

"No, ma'am. I assure you it doesn't." Two Gun said, fingers twitching.

V'alla glared at Kaleb's friends before scoffing and taking a step back. "He has to prove that he can teach those Neolithic primitives something, at the very least. We can't remain so defenseless. Gor'kinak's way may not be palatable. But it saves our people."

The tense stand off cooled slightly as the sounds of the surrounding lizards seemed to flare up at the Elder's words. The grounds of the mansion were teeming with life. Life that some Players would stomp out on the way to their in-game rewards. Kaleb grimaced at the thought and was ready to try, at least. But Rhot was literally bouncing with excitement, shaking the ground.

"And, and, and he can start right now!" The big lizard nodded rapidly.

Kaleb raised an eyebrow, sensing danger. "Why the rush?"

"Cause there's an enormous group of people rushing the main gate!" Rhot said excitedly. "That's what we ran back to tell you!"

"Son of a…" Aqwen practically shouted as she rushed off toward the gate. Wulkun, V'alla, and Jerald were close behind. Kaleb and his friends shared a look, although Claire was in her menus for some reason. But Two Gun and Roy seemed to agree. So the four of them sped off toward the gate as well, Rhot and his clan joining in.

"Well, when it rains, it pours." Claire said, snapping out of her menus while running.

"What?" Two Gun asked for all of them.

"Shaggy's guild, The Legion, just posted that the Cog Raid is going down. Soon."

Kaleb swore out loud as they skidded to a stop. The front gate of the mansion had a whole slew of Brute clan lizards milling about in front of it. The sea of green bodies was so dense that Kaleb couldn't see beyond. But the few flyers hovering above the road in front of the gate told Kaleb all he needed to know. Players were coming to the mansion and, by the sounds of things, it was a whole lot of them.

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