Arcane closes his eyes as he tries to concentrate on his magic. His horn glows as he sits in the cargo bay, trying to focus and study as best he can. The gentle hum of the engine somehow is soothing while keeping the room warm and moist. He doesn’t know how a hot engine spits out moisture, but he is not complaining. He then feels a tap on his side and slowly ends his magic to open his eyes and see who is bothering him.

Arcane slowly turns his head and looks to see Ashley sitting there, smiling up at him. He smiles back, reaching out and gently petting her head to earn some happy chitters. He then looks at her flat stomach and tilts his head at the sight of the non-pregnant changeling. Ashley notices the questioning thought through the hive mind and smiles happily at her prince.

The changeling then points over to a stack of crates in a corner of the room with an obvious green glow coming through a gap. The two changelings have taken to making a small little alcove for themselves to nest in besides just hanging from the ceiling. Ashley buzzes with happiness at the idea of seeing her new changeling spawn hatch from Kondo’s seed. It would be interesting to see how zebras who mate with changelings would come out as.

“How many eggs?” Arcane asks, looking back at the happy changeling with a smile.

Ashley giggles, buzzing with excitement. “Five good ones. Leon is going to help keep an eye on them when I am not around.”

Arcane chuckles. “Good. So how is Kondo taking it?”

Ashley rolls her eyes and looks slyly up at her prince. “Does wanting to fuck them to ‘feed them’ sound like him?”

Arcane sighs, looking away and muttering, “Of course, that would be him.”

“More so than you think.”

The surprised pony and changeling blink before looking at each other. Then they turn to look behind them and see Masika smiling and looking at the alcove, not even noticing the shocked expressions on the two. “He might take the chance to sneak in and jerk off on them,” she explains before glancing at Arcane and giving him a loving smile and not a lusty one.

‘I didn’t even sense her get close,’ Ashley thinks toward Arcane, shocked that a zebra, let alone an adult mother, got this close to them. No sound, no sense of magic, not even the air changing around or her breathing.

Arcane sighs before turning around and leaning his head close. He then stops short and looks past her head. His eyes are drawn to her flank as he sees how skintight her suit is. To the point that he can see the outline of her underwear. But it looks to be not a normal set. More like…string on the sides and an obvious protrusion running between her ass giving no mystery as to what she is wearing underneath.

Masika notices the stare and smirks, giving her tail a little swish and a shake of her flank to see her stud’s eyes following every movement. “I was right to wear this suit. Got it from my homeland as another variation,” she giggles before leaning up and putting her mouth close to his ear. “Don’t worry. Still regulation. So you can enjoy the sights while I am safe. And Monifa too,” she whispers, hotly breathing out onto his ear.

Arcane slowly blushes bright red and slowly leans his head back. Ashley then leans over, jabbing a knee into his side and making him snap out of the trance the MILF placed him in. Arcane looks at the mischievous changeling who giggles at his expression while Masika gives a tinkling chuckle at how her stud is acting.

“Right…um…” Arcane clears his throat, hitting his hoof against his chest. “Okay, you ready?” he asks, rather quickly to get this awkwardness out of the way.

Masika rolls her eyes around, enjoying the torment of her mate. “Of course, my big young stud. My armor is on, I have an emergency weapon and my lips are puckered up,” she pops, puckering her lips.

Arcane pokes her chest, making her squeak cutely like her daughter. “No sucking off the krogan,” he warns.

Masika looks disappointed, rolling her head around and sighing. “Oh, fine.”

Arcane sighs, looking towards the drive core as it keeps spinning and spitting out energy that flakes into the air that dissipates easily. “Okay, land on the planet, meet Uncle Wrex, and pick up whatever jobs are there.”

Masika raises an eyebrow amused. “Uncle Wrex? The leader of the krogans?”

Arcane smiles proudly. “Yep. That uncle. He sent me and my siblings a gift last time…that dad took away immediately,” he mumbles, now disappointed.

Masika gives some comforting pats to his side before Ashley leans over and clears her throat. “He sent the Cain nuke launcher that can devastate an entire area if not careful,” she whispers into the zebra’s ear.

“Oh…” Masika realizes and eyes Arcane who is still looking disappointed like a foal that got his favorite toy taken away. “Well, who wants off the ship?” she asks, trying to smile and hoping to distract them from all this.

“Ten minutes till out of hyperspeed. Five till landing,” Arcane seems to recite before he claps his hooves a few times.

“Suit up everyone. We are ten minutes out from getting to Tuchanka,” Mevea calls over the speakers.

Ruby clears her throat, also getting on the intercom. “Would the captain please come onto the bridge? We would need clearance soon…if you are not busy?” she asks, almost teasingly as she sounds like she figured out what he is doing in the meantime.

Arcane grins. “Sorry Ruby, not this time,” he answers to himself as he walks off to get to the bridge.

Both Ashley and Masika watch their captain and stud leave. Though, Masika pays special attention to the large toned flank as it moves and flexes away into an elevator. Ashley bumps a leg against her side, making the zebra look at the changeling questioningly before they both giggle together at their predicament.

---

“Ah, Tuchanka. The former planet of dusty air, debris everywhere, ruins all around, and a healthy dose of thresher maws,” Arcane jokes as he introduces the sight and planet to everyone with him on the elevator. Only Nesa and Ruby are staying on the ship to handle the foals with a request to bring back anything medicinal if it can be grown like a plant.

Though, everyone looks around and is still awed at the sight of such a planet. They have seen videos and pictures of the planet before the genophage cure and afterward. Because krogan was no longer held down by such a massive genetic disease and they had a wise and not conquering focused leadership, they can now prosper and the planet even followed. The dusty air Arcane joked about is now much cleaner and easier to breathe. The debris that would normally be littered around and old buildings falling apart is no longer as bad as before. The areas where the krogan live are now rebuilt to their former glory along with cleaning up the surrounding areas. To even grass and greenery growing everywhere.

However, they still have a thresher maw problem. Something that doesn’t bother this warrior race. They consider them good sports to try and hunt. Except for Kalros. The mother of all thresher maws is considered the guard dog of the planet considering what she did to a reaper during the war. So that’s fun.

Even their little landing zone is a proper ‘parking space’ if you can call multiple slabs of metal and a tower covering the area. Krogans are tricky and messy to figure out, but dang, they could make something sturdy.

Arcane chuckles, giving a little hop to his step. “Come on. I want you guys to meet Uncle Wrex,” he says, stepping off the platform and walking down the paths nestled between all the landing areas. The others follow as they take in the many myriad sights around them. From those of the buildings around them to the further ones in the distance where it greatly contrasts with an almost flat desert. To the Equestrians, this feels like Saddle Arabia. To others, it almost feels like a strange planet where the forest and desert are fighting each other to take control.

Arcane hums a jaunty tune that the others find weird about him. In a way, this is still a dangerous planet with very dangerous pests that can crawl into a settlement at any time but it’s nothing a hunting party can’t fix with a drive out past the walls. He then ducks past some low-hanging loose wire as some krogan fixes up a sparking metal gate that separates the landing area main corridor that leads to the atrium. He then smiles as he opens the door to it and looks around at the bright and colorful sight of a krogan walking around with their young and even the many plants, trees, and some small harmless wildlife among the plants.

Arcane blinks as he stops and everyone behind him wonders what happened. But when they step around, they all stare at the sight of a bird standing on his muzzle as it looks at the large alicorn. Arcane chuckles, smiling the whole time. “Hello, little one. Nice to meet you,” he greets, looking like a lunatic talking to the animal.

The bird chirps at him before flapping its wings and flying off. “Have fun with the missus,” Arcane calls over to the flying animal before continuing to walk on down to a few desks blocking the way with checkpoints between the line of desks.

“What the fu…?” Mevea mutters in disbelief at the little random event as they approach the desk.

The krogan manning the desk looks up and notices the armed group and hums in a gravely tone. “Pas…” he starts but is interrupted when they all hold up their omnitools all at once with their ID on it and faces. “Right…” he drones on as he takes the scan off of them. “Reason?”

Arcane smiles, leaning his head down a little to make his face level with the krogan. “Arcane Read. Here to see Urdnot Wrex. My crew will follow. After, mercenary missions,” he explains simply.

The krogan deeply growls in a sort of humming tone as he stares at everyone. Then he activates the tall and wide fare gate that Arcane can see that has a scanner on it. “One by one. Your weapons will be registered with your identity,” the krogan states as he keeps an eye on them.

Arcane smiles as he steps on through. The krogan is annoyed when the scanner stretches his image a little as he is much longer than normal. He adjusts the settings to be more for beasts as it is the closest preset he can do. This fixes the image and scanner as it checks everything on him and captures all the weapons and even some armor as well. The rest can walk through the scanner in a normal setting, even the equestrians can walk through in that setting because of their smaller size compared to the much larger alicorn.

“Urdnot Wrex is busy. Doubt he would meet a random group like you,” the krogan warns them all as he starts to finalize the paperwork on his screen.

Arcane chuckles, looking back at the krogan with a grin. “Not as random as you think we are,” he replies before walking off and leading the party. “Ignore him. Uncle will listen and allow us through once he hears of me.”

The krogan takes a few seconds to register what the alicorn just said as he stops typing. He then turns and looks at the group as they walk along the stone pathway with grass, trees, and flowers along the side and middle of it. “Uncle? Oh…shit…”

---

The long walk out of the entrance terminal building lets everyone take in the sight of what lies before them. It’s one thing to hear, read, and see pictures of such a revival of a planet. It’s another to witness all of it for yourself. And the truth of that lies in the architecture as the many former crumbling ruins and buildings of old are now either torn down and rebuilt or just repaired if it’s not bad at all.

Old bridges are repaired, no longer needing inhabitants to walk across the sand and grass on the ground between them or go underground. Outcroppings are restored, allowing many to take in the vast sights and not worry about the ground crumbling beneath them. Even spires are built up, showing the might and strength of the foundations of krogan hands. And their destination leads to a large building. One so wide and tall, it is no doubt the central hub of the planet and capital.

Arcane happily trots along the path as the others follow along, taking in every sight before them. They eye the buildings and greenery on vast parts of the ground, land, and areas of the buildings. The distant ruins of old off in the desert. And the many krogan walking around freely with no sign or hint of caution or anger. Even krogan children are running around, playing freely. One even hits a ball and sends it flying towards Arcane. The alicorn reflexively catches it in his magic without looking or breaking his stride as he sends it flying and bouncing back toward the group playing in a small park area. The kids all gasp and chat amongst themselves at the sight. The strange group of mercenaries and weird animals that they only see on the extranet and other various stories.

The walk seems almost long, but it is mostly taken up by everyone looking at all the sights. Arcane though has his eyes locked on the building ahead of them. A large hub-like one that has quite many open floored levels where they see many krogan and other various species milling about and talking to one another. Ships also travel forward and back through the entire area. Most of them are cargo ships of varying sizes or even specialization. Arcane even spots a small ship marked with the galaxy symbol for anything regarding the medical field. He does smile at the fact that it is one of the few classes of ships that no one can attack or get in the way of for their work. Though, that also means you can’t impersonate them either.

Everyone looks up at the large building as they walk into the large gap in the middle. A large open atrium greets them with a fairly large grassy park area in the middle that leads up to an opened-up ceiling. A few trees sit here and there along with a couple of krogan sitting on the sturdy benches to relax. All around, various races mingle around and talk about various things. The other levels above them have others walking around or walking and talking at the same time. In front of them is a large reception desk with a couple of krogan behind it doing paperwork.

“Business?” the one krogan asks as he doesn’t look up from his terminal.

Arcane smiles, leaning his head down a little. “Arcane Read and group. Here to see Urdnot Wrex.”

The krogan stops for a moment and then looks up, his full attention now on them as Arcane notices the other two krogan, a male and a female, also looking him and the others over. “Read? As in the Blitzkrieg Read?”

Arcane nods. “The very same. I am his son.”

The krogan slowly nods before going back to the terminal and typing something into it. “Twentieth floor. His office is at the end of the hall.”

Arcane hums happily. “Thank you,” he acknowledges before walking around the desk with the others following. They are all wondering how far this relationship goes between him and his family with Wrex. A rough and tough warrior who has been through the Reaper wars is not something to sniff at. Nor is it that easy to be on familiar terms with another great warrior such as Blitz. Of course, they are jerked out of their ideas and thoughts when the elevator they ride in shudders and takes them to the topmost floor.

The elevator softly beeps and lets the group off to a more sparse and slimmer administrative area. Arcane hums as he looks up and down the hall to figure out which way to go before smiling and walking down a certain way. The others follow as they barely see anyone on this floor. Not even those walking around. If they could see anyone, it is in various offices lining the halls and some open doors to them just working away and either looking bored or sleeping on what they assume is their break or lunch. However, that doesn’t seem to matter as they approach a large double ornate door with small thresher maw heads on them that have large door knockers hanging from the jaws.

Arcane gives a stare at the door knockers for a moment before snarking and a small giggle escapes from him. Of course, Uncle Wrex would be the type to have these things on his front door. The alicorn uses his magic and is about to use the knockers before smirking and turning around, giving confusion to everyone.

---

Wrex groans, leaning back in his admittedly comfy leather seat while two krogans from the administrative council are arguing about what to do first. Shore up more defenses before rebuilding their old homes or kill everything in sight first and then build. He could just clobber these two if he wanted before, but he now wants to just throw them out the window.

BANG

‘Speaking of boredom,’ Wrex thinks happily as the doors are smashed open from a powerful kick-off of somepony’s hindlegs. He smirks even more as he spies the famous single male alicorn in existence and knows who this can be. ‘Blitz, you just sent your son at the right time,’ he chuckles as he gets up and walks around his large desk.

Arcane smiles, turning back around as his wives can only stare at his powerful muscled hindlegs in some awe. “Dayum. He bucks just as strong outside the bedroom,” Masika says with a wolfish grin, making both Monifa and Arcane blush. The impish mare barely holds back her hoof from smacking that ass. Even one of the krogans that is arguing blinks in pure shock at what they see.

Arcane then sighs, giving a wave of his foreleg. “Hiya, Uncle Wrex,” he greets like a little kid. A glance around the room gives Arcane quite a sight. From the rounded corner office to the expansive curved window that shows a breathtaking view of a healing planet. Even just a desk sitting in the middle of all this and a large comfy looking leather chair that no doubt can take all the weight of a krogan. And two other dignified dressed krogans standing there looking very annoyed at who just intruded on whatever important conversation they were having.

Wrex laughs as he walks up to the alicorn with heavy steps. “If it isn’t Blitz’s spawn. What brings you and your…group to my home?” he asks, firmly ignoring the two now very ticked off krogan behind him.

Arcane smiles, tilting his head. “What? A family member can’t see their favorite uncle?” he asks jokingly as both Monifa and Masika peek around Arcane at the large and imposing krogan.

Monifa stares in awe at him, before blushing, remembering very well how there were krogan too that had used her at the gloryhole. Instantly, her eyes zoom into his crotch, while her mother is much more controlled, giving a pleasant smile.

Wrex laughs before frowning and looking at the two behind him with interest. “This matter will be discussed later,” he says firmly with none of the previous joyful tones when he is talking with the pony.

“Bah,” one of the krogan mutters as they begin to walk away. “You can bet your tail on that.”

Arcane then smirks, looking at Wrex. “Oh, ignore them, uncle. No way they have bright ideas if they spent it all arguing,” he jokes as Mevea suddenly steps back away from the two.

The other krogan growls and gives a harsh scowl to the pony for offending the thought of their deliberation. Even getting up close to the group as Arcane keeps smirking at the offended party. “Watch your tone. You should at least show respect.”

Arcane rolls his eyes before swinging his head back and slamming it forward to meet the krogan’s with a clunking thud. The krogan cries out as he holds his head as Arcane rubs his forehead under his horn with a hoof. “But I am. Anypony who wastes my uncle’s time is not krogan material.”

Wrex bellows in laughter as now the offended party looks pissed off. “And I consider this pony my favorite honorary krogan. He is after all the son of my good friend, Blitzkrieg. You got a problem with him, you tell it to my and Blitz’s face,” he declares, staring at the two down.

Arcane keeps smiling as the two leave and shut the partially broken doors with a slam. He then turns back to Wrex and sees him still smirking up a storm. “You’re welcome by the way.”

Wrex chuckles as he pats a hand against his back, giving him some hard pets. “I’ll take getting out of council issues any day of the week over listening to another one drab on. So…what are you here for? I doubt it was to save my tail.”

Arcane gives a soft wave of his hoof. ”Jobs. I am a mercenary now. I figure you would have good ideas on where to start looking. Even if it’s just a job board. Also…for you to meet my wives.” Wrex raises a scaly eyebrow as the large alicorn steps aside and shows the two zebras that were right behind him. “Meet Monifa and Masika. Say hi to my uncle, Wrex,” Arcane introduces each one as he holds a hoof up to them, smiling at the two as they take in the imposing sight before them.

Monifa is taken out of her staring stupor at that, shyly raising a hoof and avoiding eye contact. “M-Monifa is my name. Nice to meet you and…stuff.”

The zebra MILF meanwhile giggles, smiling up at the imposing krogan. “I am Monifa’s mother, Masika. Though it is news to me that he wants to marry me as well. Not that I mind~”

Wrex chuckles, crossing his arms over his armored chest. “Well, you are much bolder than your father. He took too long to marry and date his wives. You did it almost within a month of meeting yours if Blitz is to be believed,” he says, almost proud of that fact. “It is unique too that you go for a mother and daughter all in one. An interesting choice to be sure.”

Arcane chuckles nervously with an insane blush across his face. Monifa just squeaks and hides her face behind her leg as Masika quietly giggles at her daughter’s and mate’s embarrassment. “Well…it certainly isn’t easy, I will say. But they are wonderful,” Arcane praises, making the older mare blush very cutely as she rubs a hoof on her red cheeks. Monifa though suffers from bigger embarrassment and lays her front end down, covering her face with both hooves now as they can all see the red blush grow across her stripes.

Wrex laughs at the situation before turning to Arcane and smirking. “Give the word and I can provide some good defenses for your new home with them,” he whispers.

Arcane chuckles nervously. “Please, no. Dad already took away the Cain launcher when you sent it in.”

Wrex huffs. “Bah. Your father is a spoilsport,” he grumbles before smiling again. “Speak to the armor master. He would have a job board waiting for you guys. You can find some decent ones. And killing missions too. We do have a few hunting parties for thresher maws. If you kill one, you can get decent recognition,” he offers.

Arcane smiles softly. “Thanks, uncle. I’ll be sure to invite you, auntie, and cousin Mordin next time if I bring my family out to dinner.”

Wrex chuckles deeply, smirking the whole time. “I might eat you out of house and home with that.”

Arcane shrugs. “Hey, get in line. Momma Pinkie has a bigger stomach than you.”

Wrex bellows with laughter again as some of Arcane’s members start to leave. “Good luck, kid. And don’t try to clear the board. Some of us need the jobs,” he warns before pushing the alicorn around and leading him out. “And thanks again for saving my tail on a boring meeting.”

Arcane nods. “No problem. Next time you need a meeting to stop, call me and I will use C4 on a window to bust in.”

Wrex laughs again before stopping at his office door and waving him off. “See ya, kid. And makes names,” he calls before trying to shut his busted doors.

“Quite the nice uncle you have,” Masika compliments, making Arcane hum in agreement.

“…he probably is packing a lot too,” Monifa murmurs to herself, albeit it is something the others did hear.

The alicorn chokes a bit at that, while the zebra mother grins, hip-bumping her daughter. “Oh, for sure. But you missed one thing. The way he was moving around as if he was in pain or uncomfortable. As if he had too much sex. To me, it looks like he is getting jumped by girls all the time and would not want any advances.”

“…That is a bit too much information,” Arcane says, shaking his head to free it from these depraved thoughts his soon-to-be-wives are planting inside of him.

“Don’t be like that. You watched the recording of Monifa getting fucked in the glory hole by a krogan very happily.”

“How did-?”

“Ashley told me about it~” Masika teases, causing him to groan.

“Should have known…”

“Ah…Well…if he ever decides otherwise, I wouldn’t mind a threesome,” Monifa offers, before hastily adding, “O-Only if you even want it! Could g-go have something with other krogans if you want to try it. I want you to be happy!” she affirms, hoping she isn’t going overboard with her sexual tendencies again.

Arcane cannot help but smile down at her at that, wing wrapping around her as well as Masika, pulling both into his sides. “Maybe. It is something to think about, but for now, let’s see about finding us some jobs first.”

---

The search for good jobs did pan out well. The armorsmith gave them the list of missions they could do around the area and a little beyond. As Wrex said, it ranges from hunting to delivery and even simple searches for various things or recovering cargo. It also became obvious who to send on what.

Jaix, Trond, and Ashley become part of the thresher maw hunting party that is about to head out. They can also keep any trophies they get from such a creature as long as the head is at least given to the hunting party leader. Course, Arcane did warn Trond to get a ranged weapon. Something big and heavy that takes down even one of those worms. And they would get a ride out to the supposed area in a given party’s ride. They would get some support from the vehicle when they arrive, but most of the time, they are on their own.

Mevea and Dedea would be going to find and pick up any supplies that were lost out there. Some of these packages have trackers and it would be easy to find the rest. The issue would be any wandering animals and creatures. Or worse, a thresher maw might be roaming around that took out whatever was carrying all the packages. This one, Arcane allows them to take the ship so they can get it done relatively quickly. Some of these are simple packages of medical, ammo, or food supplies. But some could be special items…which they do not know as it is unmarked and the armor master just shrugs at them for that. Yeah. Their ship might be needed if it’s huge or numerous.

Kondo and Desta have the job of handling any little jobs here and there around the city. From simple delivery of items quickly or even helping out hard-to-do jobs that krogan usually can’t fit into due to small spaces. Desta did ask the obvious question now. ‘Why did krogan build small spaces if they can’t fit into them?’ Everyone stops and thinks about that before they glance over to the armor master again. He just gives a mild shrug as he even looks unsure.

Sanson, Faras, and Mimar get the healthy job of both guard duty and some bounty contracts. Once they are done hunting their fair share, they can go report for guard duty at their designated areas. A simple, easy one. One that Arcane feels is a good way to introduce these three to life in the stars and how to go about it. They might even learn some new tricks. However, Arcane did help pay for their supplies for wrangling their bounties and warning them to try and capture them alive. Even if they are marked for death. This…confuses the armor master as he does explain there won’t be any difference in payout if they do. But Arcane mentions there would be more to this if they do besides a payday immediately. The armor master remains silent as he is unsure what this squishy pony is thinking. But decides not to question it and let them do what they want. Makes no difference to him as long as the job is done either way.

“So…what do we do?” Monifa asks, sticking right by the alicorn’s side as Masika flanks his other side. They are all looking at the board for their job. Wrex did warn them to not clear the board as there are young mercenaries who need these jobs to gain recognition and pay. However, one catches Arcane’s eye. One with a simple date.

“Hey…?” Arcane speaks up, pointing at the job posting on the electronic board. “Why is this one listed like ten years ago?” he asks, letting the two mares peek closer to look at the job, as he looks at the krogan. A simple looting mission of an old spaceship floating dead in the outer layers of the planet.

The armor master glances over before bringing up the job posting on his terminal. “Job posted by…an old shipping company we had on the planet. They have since gone bankrupt and none of it exists anymore. But one of their ships was hit by a stray asteroid and they needed their supplies and cargo recovered. It was one of the two only ships they had at the time. After that, they started losing money fast and couldn’t keep up. We can still honor the pay if you want,” he informs, turning an eye to them without moving his head.

Arcane hums before looking back at the job. “We’ll take it. Just need a ship,” he says, smiling down at the two mares.

The krogan types away at his computer as he enters their information for the job. “We do have rental ships for you to use for a short time. Got one for a small amount of cargo which almost matches the class number of this old one. You find them at the spaceport,” he informs, going through the rest of the confirmed jobs taken by this team to make sure all information is correct.

Arcane smiles at that fact as the two mares look excited for a simple job. “Thanks. We will be back with the cargo,” he says before turning and walking away.

“Just be careful of those asteroids,” the krogan warns as he still types away.

Next Chapter: Chapter 42: Dark Tides Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes