Wain
Beaman
Abandoned Maloner
Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Threading its way through the churning
maelstrom that was the L3-4W2 asteroid field, the stolen Tashan class assault
shuttle moved amongst the chunks of frozen ice, rock and precious metals. Some
asteroids were only millimetres in diameter, but thousands more were bigger
than a Schinicin Starcrusher was…. With a light paw controlling the stick, the
elder Vulpine plotted his course for the abandoned Maloner outpost, on the inner
edge of one of the largest asteroids. His skills were sorely tested, but he
did not let this challenge bother him. With the softest of bumps, the shuttle
touched down in the environment sealed shuttle bay hangar. He shut down the
shuttle engines and turned the chair to look back at Corporal Inari, who stared
out the shuttle cockpit window…as a dozen jackal headed armed troopers moved
in to position, to flank the shuttle.
Opening the hatch of the shuttle,
he gestured with his blaster for Corporal Inari to disembark. Inari did so,
but with obvious reluctance and trepidation. Immediately, four of these Jackal
headed troopers sounded her, as another one, dressed in a form of ornate black
robes approached and stared at Inari, then barked a question to her captor.
Listening intently, the elder vulpine growled and shook his head.
“No – she is not to be mistreated. I have orders specifically,
that she is to be held in comfortable and spacious quarters, but under no circumstances,
is she to be allowed to leave her quarters! Admiral – ” He caught himself just
in time. “A servant of my mistress – will be arriving shortly to collect her.”
Inari glanced between the Jackal and the Vulpine.
“You – ” Corporal Inari began her voice whispery quiet.
“Yes – I understand them…” Snarled the Vulpine. “Disgusting
creatures they are…not even civilised enough to be able to speak the common
language.”
“I do not consider – ” Corporal Inari whispered.
“I really don’t care what you consider….” Shrieked
the angry Vulpine, as he turned towards the black robed anthro Jackal. “Take
her away!”
Marched at blaster point, Corporal
Inari was led from the hangar, her mind analysing and absorbing everything that
she saw and heard. If, on the off chance – she could manage to escape…. Disgusted,
the elder Vulpine sealed the hatch of the shuttle and stalked off, the black
robed Jackal trailing along respectfully behind him. After a few steps, the
black robed Jackal, a male, growled and barked something to him.
“Of course it’s dangerous – holding her. Still, that young
Vixen is sorely wanted by my mistress…and I know why.”
He barked and whimpered, then shook his head.
“Look – ” Snarled the elder Vulpine. “I don’t care either
way…I was ordered to get her, and I done it. Besides, there is no chance…of
them finding out where I took her.”
A disparaging whimper came from the Jackal.
“Stop your complaining – or I’ll hand out some summary justice
of my own…right here and now.” Grunted the Vulpine, his hand sliding to the
hilt of his deactivated laser sword.
With a whine, the Jackal stepped backwards and waved his paws in a placatory
gesture.
“Good – just remember your place and we’ll get along
fine….” Snickered the Vulpine, as he entered in to a turbolift. “You know what
to do….”
As the turbolift doors hissed closed, the Jackal turned away, then looked back
at the turbolift and back again, then whined sadly and shook his head, placing
a paw against his cheek….
***
Bridge, Flagship
of the Dark Talon Fleet, Altreides System
Admiral Uzuri strode on to the bridge,
then surveyed the droids’, who all turned and glanced at her, then turned back
to their assigned work.
“Commander – have my shuttle prepared. I will be leaving
the fleet for a time. I estimate that I shall be gone for a week, possibly two.
Hold your position here, and await my return. Remain cloaked as much as possible,
and have the Stargate mined with torpedo, laser and proximity mines…. ” Admiral
Uzuri handed him a small datapad. “All our fleet vessels are to be given these
security codes. These will be programmed in to the space mines, and if another
vessel does not transmit the requisite codes the second it emerges….”
Gravely, the black armoured droid Commander accepted the pad, and instantly
absorbed the code in microseconds. Nodding, Admiral Uzuri turned and strode
from the bridge of her flagship, then rode the nearest turbolift down to the
shuttle bay. To her dissapointment, she indeed found her heavily armed and armoured
shuttle to be fuelled and waiting for her. A squad of a dozen droid troopers
stood resolutely beside it.
“I will not be needing your assistance – ” Admiral Uzuri
growled.
As one, then turned 90o and marched away. Admiral Uzuri growled in
annoyance and walked up the ramp of her shuttle, feeling and hearing its large
ion-drives warming, preparing for take off. A silvery coloured droid pilot turned
its chair and looked questioningly at Admiral Uzuri.
“Set course for L3-9W2 – maximum speed.” Admiral Uzuri snapped
sharply.
There was the briefest of pauses, as the droid accessed its in-built star charts
and within a second, had over sixty different vectors laid to the system in
question. It turned the chair back around and manoeuvred the shuttle in to the
take off position. As Admiral Uzuri strapped herself in, she saw the confirmation
come from the control centre…and the shuttle leapt out in to the inky blackness
of space….
***
Med-Bay, Maloner
Base, Pearldinea, Maloner.
Dr. Kaldorianas tried everything she
could to force Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea to stay in bed, short of sedating her – but
it was ineffectual.
“Doctor – I know you mean well, but I must lead my forces….”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea gurgled weakly.
“I agree – but what good is a commanding officer…if they’re
dead?” Dr. Kaldorianas whimpered.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea sighed, then was lowered in to a suspensor chair. It settled
down on its cushion of air, then Cmdr. Deerinea whimpered again.
“Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea – please listen to reason….” Dr. Kaldorianas
wept. “I spent hours trying to save your life…and I do not want you risking
it! It is too dangerous, as you’ve not had enough time to properly recover!”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea knew this was true, but she only nodded sadly, her muzzle
beginning to show the obvious effort she was exerting.
“I…just need a minute.” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea gurgled. “I want
– ”
“To check on the others…this way.” Dr. Kaldorianas sighed.
Pushing the suspensor chair, Dr. Kaldorianas led Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea through
the Med-Bay, and Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea saw the sick, the dying and the wounded.
For each, she felt grief and offered words of sympathy and compassion, before
moving on. They paused outside a sealed door, and Dr. Kaldorianas shuddered
and walked around before Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea.
“Beyond here – ” Began the Doe.
“I know – who is beyond this doorway.” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea
whispered.
Dr. Kaldorianas shuddered. “His –
”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea nodded and waved a paw. Touching the sensor pad, the shivering
Doe opened the door and they entered. Lying sitting up partially, was
Corporal Glider. He was unconscious, pipes and other life support equipment
lay upon and within him, but what hurt Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea the worst, was that
he was barely recognisable as having…been…human. Where his charred hand
had been; a blackened twisted stump, a medical droid was working on the new
attachment – a replacement – that was a cacophony of wires, metal rods and plates….
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea looked at it, and then her eyes widened and she turned away
in horror.
“It looks bad – ” Dr. Kaldorianas admitted. “However – we’ve
grown a skin culture, that will be overlaid, once the remaining polymer dermal
plating is installed….”
“How – long will it….” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea gurgled.
Dr. Kaldorianas sighed. “Sadly, it will be at least another
week of intense medical attentions, before he is fit to be moved from intensive
care.”
“Why – could you not use the – ” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea asked.
Dr. Kaldorianas growled and turned away. “We can’t use the
Turnari healing fluid…as we don’t have any!”
“We – ” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea’s eyes widened in horror.
“We ran out of it six weeks ago. A
shipment was due to come from Adromedia…but as you well know…not one
of the freighters destined for Meldaron, or Schinicin, have arrived….” Dr. Kaldorianas
moaned. “Without these supplies – our people are dying! We need food,
equipment, medical supplies…all manner of things…but we can not get them, as
our freighters are being systematically destroyed!”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea nodded sadly in agreement, then gestured to Corporal Glider.
“Will he – ”
“He will hopefully survive…he’s strong. I remember his late
wife, and if he has any semblance of that brave Meldaron’s spirit…he will make
it.” Dr. Kaldorianas nodded sadly. “Come on, I’ve got to get you back to bed….”
***
A Week Later…
***
Abandoned Maloner
Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
A guttural bark alerted the elder
vulpine. As he approached, he looked down at the communications screen, upon
which blazed past an encrypted security code. As fast as it was, the Vulpine
read it deciphered it and his eyes widened.
“I want all troopers down in the shuttle bay – now!”
He shrieked. “Parade formation.”
Whines of confusion come from the young anthro Jackal, as he looked quizzically
at the older, and quite worried, fox.
“Just do it!” He snarled, as he fled the chambers.
Shrugging its shoulders, the Jackal issued the order and shook his head…not
making any sense out of anything.
***
Aboard Admiral
Uzuri’s Shuttle – Approach to L3-4W2
“Admiral – control clearance is green
– ” Spoke the metallic voice of the droid pilot.
“Proceed with caution. This asteroid field is inherently
unstable. I would not wish to become a permanent addition to the field….” Admiral
Uzuri growled softly, as she stared out through the shuttle’s cockpit window.
“By your command Admiral – ” Answered the droid.
***
Abandoned Maloner
Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Admiral Uzuri’s shuttle slowed as
it approached then landed softly on the deckplates of the shuttle bay. As the
hatchway hissed open, Admiral Uzuri strode purposefully down it – amidst the
swirling gasses and steam. Ten feet away, the vulpine knelt on one knee as Uzuri
approached.
“Admiral Uzuri – ” He began.
Without missing a step, Admiral Uzuri burst in to violent action, and backhanded
him across the side of his triangular snout. There was his high pitched squeal
of agony as he fell like his legs had been cut from under him, and a distinctive
snapping of bone.
“Idiot!” Admiral Uzuri shrieked. “Do you have
any idea of what you have done?”
Weakly, his broken cheekbone bleeding profusely, the vulpine stared at Admiral
Uzuri, then dropped his gaze to the decking.
“Do you!” Screamed Uzuri, her voice chilling everyone
within the shuttle bay.
“I obeyed – ” Gurgled the vulpine.
“Shut up Galen….” Come the menacing growl. “You have single-pawed,
brought potential ruin down on us!”
Galen, the vulpine, stared up uncomprehendingly
at Admiral Uzuri. Just for good measure, Admiral Uzuri lashed out and struck
him again…breaking his upper arm in two places. With an anguished shriek, Galen
fell to the decking.
“Did you or did you not run a medi-scanner over that
Corporal? Did you not know of the tracking device implanted in all
Meldaron’s…at birth?”
Galen, clutching his broken arm, stared up at the black armoured Admiral, his
eyes widening. Turning away, Admiral Uzuri gestured to two of the Jackal troopers.
“Take this thing away….”
Obediently, they seized Galen and dragged him away. Admiral Uzuri growled venomously
and strode from the shuttle bay….
***
Jail Cell, abandoned
Maloner Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Sitting on the hard bunk, Corporal
Inari clutched her knees to her chest and wept bitterly. She could see, all
to well, the slicer field that lay at the entrance of her cell and Corporal
Inari also knew – what would happen, if she tried to pass through that
field…. Distantly, Corporal Inari heard the soft barking from some of these
strange Jackal anthro’s, then one of them emitted a blood-chilling whine of
agony, followed by a sickening thud. Heavy metallic footsteps approached then
paused at the entrance to her cell. With a soft buzz, the field was dropped
and in strode two Jackal troopers…and a black armoured droid vixen. Corporal
Inari felt her blood turn to ice, as this black armoured figure turned its head
and stared at her…the feral red eyes glowing in intensity.
“Corporal Inari – ” Spoke this droid. “How nice – to make
your acquaintance….”
Speechless, Inari could only stare, her throat locked with horror and something
…elusive…that that rippled at the back of her mind.
“Do not try your powers on me Corporal – ” Admiral
Uzuri mocked her.
“How – ” Gasped Corporal Inari.
With a soft-barking laugh, Admiral Uzuri glared at her, then glanced down at
a small datapad that one of the Jackals passed to her.
“Inari Vanstar, Corporal in the Meldaron armed forces, natural
parents – Silverfox…” Admiral Uzuri began, then blinked and resumed. “Relahstar,
and Glider Vanstar – born fifteen years ago, on the 28th of Maran,
3099. Your identity number is I-384-SG2, your age is 45 years old, you have
never taken a man or Meldaron as your lover, and you were studying for Priesthood,
in the Temple of the Eye of Infinity. You have a well-documented natural psychic
talent, that you have only now, come to begin to understand and work towards
controlling…. Did I forget anything?”
Shaking, with tears streaking down
her muzzle, Corporal Inari slapped her paws to her eyes and wept.
“Oh – one more thing.” Admiral Uzuri continued. “You are
wanted by the Meldaron armed forces, for a list of serious crimes, committed
by you. First, is assault, death of a Meldaron trooper, orchestrating the assassination
of the Schinicin Ambassador on Meldaron…”
This listing went on for quite some time, as Corporal Inari cried helplessly.
“Now – my favourite part…. Due to ineptitude on behalf of
one of my servants you did not have your tracking chip removed….” Admiral
Uzuri smiled cruelly, as she stepped closer. “I would prefer to do this under
medical conditions – but….”
Corporal Inari emitted a whispery scream as two of the Jackal troopers grabbed
her, then violently held her flat on her stomach on the floor. Admiral Uzuri
smiled, then clenched her left paw – and four 5″ long razor like blades merged
from just above her armoured knuckles. As Admiral Uzuri bent down, Corporal
Inari bit her forearm…awaiting the pain she knew was coming.
Admiral Uzuri cut effortlessly in
to the flesh at the back of Inari’s neck, as the younger Corporal Inari bucked
savagely and emitted blood-curdled shrieks. Blood ran freely, as Admiral Uzuri
probed deeper, and without regard for the agony that she was causing.
“Oh – they’ve spliced them in to the spinal column now?”
Admiral Uzuri growled. “How interesting – ”
Corporal Inari had never known such unending agony could exist, as she
shrieked and struggled wildly, trying to escape this unendurable torment. With
a soft grunt, Admiral Uzuri tore the small blood lathered silicon chip free
of the surrounding flesh and bone…and felt Corporal Inari convulse once more
in unexplainable paroxysm of unbelievable pain…before she went limp. Admiral
Uzuri stared down at the squirming small silicon chip in her hand, its micro-fine
claws clenching and unclenching. With a disinterested grunt, she clenched her
paw…and there was a crackle/snap as Admiral Uzuri crushed it and let
is shattered pieces fall to the cell floor.
“Take her to the Infirmary – and have that wound healed.
I will be most displeased, should my mistress’s new pet be permanently…damaged.”
***
Bridge, aboard
the Flagship, Dark Talon Fleet
A droid sensor operator approached
the black armoured droid, who sat in Admiral Uzuri’s chair.
“What is it?” Spoke the droid quietly.
“Sensors have detected a Vulpine class two organic
shuttle has just emerged from the Stargate.”
“Is it transmitting the security codes?” Asked the black
droid, its voice flat and emotionless.
“Negative – ” Replied the other droid.
“Pay it no mind – let the mines deal with it.” Answered the
black commander droid.
“By your command.” Answered the droid, as it turned and returned
to its station.
***
Aboard the Vulpine
Class Shuttle
Cmdr. Whitetail shrieked in terror,
as the second his shuttle emerged from the Stargate, his threat display boards
lit like a Meldaron Kulnar tree. Pulling his shuttle in to a savage dive, he
just avoided the two torpedos that sizzled past his ship. Snapping the toggle
for the shuttle shielding and its meagre guns, Cmdr. Whitetail weaved and dodged
the eruption of lasers and torpedoes that screamed towards him. Allowing his
training and inner senses to guide his paw, Cmdr. Whitetail systematically began
destroying the thousands of mines that littered the space around him….
***
Bridge, aboard
the Flagship, Dark Talon Fleet
“Commander – ” Spoke another droid.
“The organic piloting the shuttle appears to be destroying the mines.”
Without any trace of emotion, as it was incapable of showing such, the droid
Commander watched the gleaming spots on the sensor board flare and vanish. If
it had been capable, it surely would have been impressed with the remarkable
gunnery and piloting skills displayed by Cmdr. Whitetail….
“Dispatch two squadrons of fighters.” Spoke the Commander
calmly.
“By your command.” Replied the droid, then issued the order.
From the starboard side of the flagship’s foremost hangar, twelve droid piloted
fighters leapt in to the vacuum of space, streaked away and twisted down underneath
the belly of the massive flagship, then set their course for Cmdr. Whitetail’s
shuttle.
***
Aboard the Vulpine
Class Shuttle
Cmdr. Whitetail opened his eyes calmly,
to see a swarm of twelve green dots sizzling towards his shuttle. Almost as
if in slow motion, or so it felt, he destroyed another six mines, then snapped
the shuttle in to a series of intricate – and to the sounds of the shuttle –
unexpected movements. All around him, the tortured shuttle creaked and squealed,
forced to do manoeuvres its makers had never anticipated. Never once, did Cmdr.
Whitetail’s calm break, as he reached out with his mind, sweeping the ship for
Corporal Inari’s presence. He did not find it, but when a torpedo exploded near
his shuttle and a horrendous squeal of vaporising metal and strident alarms
of warning alerted him to the hull breech – he had new problems….
Instantly, everything not secured
within the shuttle streamed past and was sucked out the gaping hole in the fuselage
of the shuttlecraft. Cmdr. Whitetail knew he only had seconds to do what he
must, and he slapped the emergency hatch closed, temporarily sealing off the
cockpit. As laser blasts began tearing in to the shuttle, he struggled in to
a vacuum suit and affixed a small oxygen tank to the belt. Securing the straps,
he swore fluently and thrust the throttle levers fully forwards, charging towards
the largest of the Starcrushers….
***
Bridge, Aboard
the Flagship, Dark Talon Fleet
Dispassionately, the black droid watched
the shuttle come streaking towards the flagship…as if it were intending to ram
it.
“Shields up – activate forward ensnarement beam.” It spoke
calmly.
An emerald green beam shot out from just under the nose of the flagship, then
encapsulated the shuttle and gripped it in a magnetic field.
“Sensors indicate the shuttle’s drives have burned out Commander.”
Come a flat voice.
“Bring it in to hangar bay two. Have twelve trooper droids
await it in the bay.” Replied the Commander.
Without warning, the shuttle leaped forwards and at that microsecond change
of speed, the ensnarement beam was broken… Two bluish-green torpedoes streaked
from the shuttle and two seconds later, the ensnarement beam generator erupted
in a millisecond of flame – as the two torpedoes sizzled through the minuscule
gap that the beam had punched through the shields of the Starcrusher.
“Damage report.” Inflected the Commander without emotion.
“Forward ensnarement beam is totally destroyed.” Answered
a droid, in the same flat, emotionless voice. “Hull breech deck 12, 13, 14,
15 and 16. Two forward turbolaser batteries extensively damaged and inoperable.”
“Droid repair crews to undertake immediate repairs.” Calmly
spoke the Commander. “What status on the – ”
A violent tremor ran through the bridge
of the flagship, and nearby consoles exploded in flames.
“Report!” Spoke the Commander.
“Report – lost defensive shield generator to bridge.” Come
the reply.
“Track that Vulpine class shuttle, it might try another attack.”
Growled the Commander.
As they sent out sensor sweeps, the returning screen showed negative. Blinking
its electronic eyes, the Commander stared out at the empty wastes of space,
then back at the sensor screen….
***
Aboard the Vulpine
Class Shuttle
Like a leech, the wounded shuttle
clung to the side of the massive Starcrusher. Cmdr. Whitetail smiled grimly,
knowing all too well, the blind spot bubble that existed this close to one of
these ships. Cmdr. Whitetail shuddered and rechecked the seals on his suit.
Satisfied, he broke the doorway his magnetic boots went thunk as they
gripped the deck. It was the last sound that was heard, as the ships’ atmosphere
sizzled out in to space. Carefully, he made his way down the shuttle hall and
opened the emergency hatch. He took a glance at the wall of the Starcrusher
– twenty feet away. Gauging the distance, he returned to the shuttles cockpit
and worked furiously at the autopilot…then tapped the execute button. A small
countdown began, and he smiles grimly once again, then made his way back to
the open hatchway, then affixed the safety line to the small hook inside the
hatch. He bent his knees slightly, then slapped disengage for the magnetic
couplers. With as gentle leap, he sailed across the distance and smashed heavily
against the side of the Starcrusher. There was a frightening crack – both from
him and his suit faceplate, and he bit back a cry of pain. Pain tore its spectral
claws through him, as he groggily reached down and reapplied the magnetic couplers
on his boots. As he disengaged his harness, that held him tethered to the shuttle,
there was another crack from his faceplate, as a hair-fine split began working
its way down the protective plate. Knowing he had only minutes between life
– and a quick and painful death, Cmdr. Whitetail glued his eyes to the hull
of the Starcrusher and hurried as quickly as he could. Reaching a small magnetically
sealed maintenance hatchway, he removed a magnetic scrambler from his suit belt
and within moments – the red hatchway light turned green.
Tearing it open, he crawled inside
and was immediately flattened by the gravity onboard the Starcrusher. Only slightly
above the standard he was used too on Meldaron – after his brief spacewalking,
it was more than enough. Summoning his strength, he rose and turned about and
pulled the door shut behind him. Gasping, he crawled through in to the maintenance
airlock, whence he shed his cumbersome suit and tenderly placed a paw against
an obviously broken rib or two. Waiting for the airlock to cycle, he reached
out with his mind once more – and found no answering presence of Corporal Inari….
***
Bridge, Aboard
the Flagship, Dark Talon Fleet
A chirp alerted the droid Commander.
“Yes?” It asked.
“Maintenance hatch D4-K72 has opened by itself.” Come a metallic
voice from the comlink.
“Send six droid troopers to investigate.” Replied the black
droid. “Have repair droids inspect the hatch.”
“By your command.” Come the flat, expressionless voice.
As the droid commander turned away, he saw the holopad shimmer in to life…and
a 3’ high hologram of Admiral Uzuri materialised.
“Commander.” Admiral Uzuri spoke.
“Admiral Uzuri.” Replied the droid flatly.
“What news Commander?” Admiral Uzuri spoke, as she rested
her black metallic paws on her hips.
“Admiral – we come under fire from a Vulpine class
light shuttle, some damage was recorded and is being repaired, even as we speak.”
Answered the Commander. “Sensors lost track of the shuttle and – ”
Admiral Uzuri cut him short. “How did it pass through
the mine field Commander?”
“Admiral – the pilot of the shuttle displayed un-organic
like reflexes, but last sensor contact showed the shuttle had been hit with
a laser torpedo. It was extensively damaged, and its hull would have been breeched.”
Answered the Commander.
Admiral Uzuri’s eyes narrowed in anger. “How did
you permit this to happen Commander? I had entrusted you, to ensure that nothing
could get through the Stargate….”
A red blot suddenly appeared on the
tracking sensors, as it streaked away from the Starcrusher.
“Admiral – shuttle on sensors. Your orders?” Spoke the Commander
dryly.
“Destroy it!” Admiral Uzuri shrieked in rage.
Turning away, the droid Commander issued the order…and a millisecond later –
a brilliant emerald turbolaser beam streaked out…and the shuttle exploded in
to millions of shards.
“Shuttle destroyed Admiral.” Answered the droid emotionlessly.
“By your command.”
“I have my suspicions Commander…take the fleet to yellow
alert. I do not think this was an accidental encounter.” Admiral Uzuri
growled dangerously. “I do not like this at all…. Admiral Uzuri out.”
As Admiral Uzuri’s hologram broke apart, the droid Commander turned and issued
the yellow alert order. It felt no semblance of emotion at all, be it fear,
apathy or compassion…but it knew its job – and did it exceptionally well….
***
Admiral Uzuri’s
Quarters, abandoned Maloner Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Admiral Uzuri sat, her thoughts turning
over quickly in her head, as she stared down at the data that scrolled swiftly
over the small computer monitor. It listed everything that the Meldaron’s had
on Corporal Inari – and Admiral Uzuri found it to be quite interesting. A soft
chirp from the door alerted her to company.
“Come – ” Admiral Uzuri growled, as she closed the computer’s
display.
A young female Jackal headed creature entered, then bowed respectfully and barked
a short series of words. Admiral Uzuri listened, then nodded once in understanding.
Bowing again, the young Jackal quickly made her way back out. Quietly,
Admiral Uzuri rose and activated the holopad, then knelt respectfully upon it.
After a few moments, the hologram of her mistress wavered in to view.
“Speak – my servant.” Growled the Dragon.
“My liege – the first objective has been met. I have Corporal
Inari Vanstar in custody, and await your orders.” Admiral Uzuri spoke reverently.
“Excellent Admiral… I commend you.” Nodded the reptile. “I
assume that there was no difficulties in obtaining her?”
Admiral Uzuri looked down, and then she snapped her gaze up and smiled cruelly
beneath her polymer mask.
“Mistress – Galen, your servant who
brought her here – did not run a check for a tracking device…consequently, I
have a feeling – that someone is trying to hunt her down…and potentially stage
a rescue mission.” Admiral Uzuri spoke quickly. “Shall I – ”
“No – have him brought to you… Call me when you have him
before you, so I may witness his punishment.” Whispered the Dragon. “You have
done well Admiral – I am most pleased.”
Before Admiral Uzuri could offer her thanks, the hololink was broken. Chuckling
evilly, Admiral Uzuri put a comlink message for Galen to meet with her in the
main operations room. His voice displayed no semblance of fear – just a mocking
indifference towards her, as he felt, that he was better that the Admiral. This
was not lost on Admiral Uzuri, who only nodded and broke the comlink message.
***
Aboard the Flagship,
Dark Talon Fleet
Cmdr. Whitetail had only just shed
his heavy suit, and opened the inner hatch to step through, when a dozen droid
troopers appeared at the end of the maintenance catwalk.
“Halt!” Come ones flat metallic voice.
Calmly, Cmdr. Whitetail walked down the catwalk, until he faced them.
“Where – are you going? You are not authorised to be in this
area!” It droned.
“I’m going to Alterion II.” Cmdr. Whitetail spoke calmly.
“Alterion – ” Began the droid.
Like a furred cyclone, Cmdr. Whitetail
unsheathed his laser sword, activated it and tore in to the momentarily confused
droids. As they scrambled for cover, he laid in to them, cutting many in half,
beheading others and crippling still more. Within six seconds, their laser bolts
were being ricocheted away by Cmdr. Whitetail’s sword, as he wreaked carnage
amongst them. Within twelve seconds – he had deactivated and sheathed his laser
sword and smiled grimly.
“Just some light practice – ” He grunted, as he began trotting
down the catwalk.
***
Main Operations,
Abandoned Maloner Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Admiral Uzuri stood patiently, the
hologram of her mistress watching on, as Galen was led in to the chambers. As
he smugly approached, then saw the expression on the holograms face, his smugness
evaporated and his eyes widened in fear.
“You have displeased me – ” Began the hologram. “For the
last time…Galen.”
“I – my liege – I can explain….” Galen stammered.
“No more excuses Galen. You have fulfilled your assigned
purpose, and now, your usefulness to me is at an end!” Growled the hologram
dangerously.
Without warning, Galen snapped his hand out and Admiral Uzuri was knocked flat
to the ground, as were the four troopers. He turned tail and fled back through
the doorway, just as Admiral Uzuri crawled back to her feet, and let out an
angry snarl of rage.
“Security – stop him!” Admiral Uzuri shrieked in to
her comlink.
Immediately, red alert alarms began their strident shrieking, the crimson lights
blazing. Disinterestedly, the dragon hologram looked on, then spoke.
“Admiral Uzuri – you have free reign. Do what-ever it takes….”
With that, it broke apart and dissipated.
***
Star fighter Bay,
Abandoned Maloner Class Outpost, Asteroid belt, L3-9W2.
Galen skidded as he rounded the corner
of the metal lined hallway, and it was only this freak slip, that saved him.
Six Jackal troopers spotted him and lay down a withering hail of laser fire.
He shrieked and rolled, then unsheathed a green laser sword and charged them.
Their muzzles betrayed their alarm – and their pain, as he tore through them
with joyous abandon. With only seconds to spare, he fled through the closing
blast door and run across the permacrete deck, to the waiting star fighter.
Scrambling up in to the cockpit, he sharply slapped the controls and activated
the engines. Just as they were cycling up and the shields were shimmering in
to existence, two large laser cannons swivelled out and down, and pointed directly
at the star fighter.
“Nooooooooooo!!!” Galen began to scream….
These two laser cannons fired – and the star fighter exploded in to flaming
wreckage…instantly killing the vulpine in the cockpit.
Back in Main Operations, Admiral Uzuri
removed her black gloved paw from the switch…and smiled cruelly. Turning away,
Admiral Uzuri issued orders to the waiting Jackal troopers, who bowed, barked
in understanding and fled the room. With a sigh of apathy, Admiral Uzuri left
Main Operations and returned to the shuttle bay, where her shuttle had been
prepped for her departure.As Admiral Uzuri watched, the drugged and unconscious
Corporal Inari was loaded in to the waiting shuttle. Nodding her head, Admiral
Uzuri strode purposefully up the ramp and in to the cockpit.
“Set course for the fleet – maximum speed.” Admiral Uzuri
barked sharply to the droid.
Quickly, the shuttlecraft leapt back out in to the deadly asteroid field…and
as it streaked away; Admiral Uzuri smiled cruelly and touched a small green
button. A sickening shockwave bucked the fleeing shuttle and the droid piloting
it stared at the sensors…which show the crater where the starbase had been….
***
Med-Bay, Maloner
Base, Maloner, Pearldinea.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea walked weakly in
to the room, in which Corporal Glider sat propped up in bed, his pallid face
looking at her, eyes haunted.
“Ma’am – ” Corporal Glider croaked.
“At ease Corporal…you’ve gone to hell and back….” Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea spoke, as she patted his shoulder. “We all have….”
“I – why did she….” Corporal Glider gurgled. “Inari – ”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea nodded and sighed. “It was not her Corporal.
It was a rare species of creature – called a Xenomorph. Sadly, Pt. Trolganza,
who, even still, the Med-Techs’ are battling to save his life, killed it.”
Corporal Glider’s eyes widened incredulously.
“Yes – it was a Xenomorph. From what pieces we’ve been able
to uncover, of this puzzle, there was a plan to instigate the war between Meldaron
and Schinicin once again – but when the Xenomorph failed in this, it decided
to destroy the Meldaron High Command. This too – met with failure. I know –
as it nearly killed me in the process and yourself…but you are not a member
of the High Command. It would appear – that you were an unfortunate victim –
who stood in its way.” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea whispered.
“How – ” Corporal Glider gasped. “Have they found – ”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea gave the human
a drink of water then set the glass down, her paw trembling.
“For reasons unknown – Corporal Inari – has vanished. We
can only pray, that she was kidnapped, as the bodies of the High Command, and
others, have been found.” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea sighed.
“They want – her for her ‘talents’.” Corporal Glider moaned
sadly. “I knew this would…lead to trouble….”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea blinked. “You think that they would try
– ”
Corporal Glider swallowed. “I…don’t think. I know.”
“Then may Millar protect that poor Vixen’s soul….” Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea wept.
***
Aboard the Flagship,
Dark Talon Fleet.
Cmdr. Whitetail used every trick he
knew, having honed his commando training to a razors edge, to avoid the patrolling
droids. He found it dangerous, as their reflexes were well above any normal
human or non-human that he had ever encountered. Finding a disused storage chamber,
he hid himself away and let himself fall in to a deep, healing trance. Every
nerve was singing a song of fear, but quelling the riot within him, he let his
powers be turned partially back in on themselves, as he began his rapid healing….
***
Some Days Later…
***
Smuggler Starbase,
Altreides System
Instead of returning to the orbiting
Starcrushers, Admiral Uzuri instructed the droid pilot to land on the smuggler’s
starbase. As the shuttle touched down and Admiral Uzuri made her way down the
hatchway, she spotted the waiting droid troopers.
“You there!” Admiral Uzuri snapped. “Take the prisoner and
have it confined in secure quarters.”
“By your command Admiral.” Answered a droid, as they stepped
forwards and walked up in to the shuttle.
Admiral Uzuri stared around her, displeased with the slow repairs to the new
base, for the Dark Talon Fleet. As she walked across the permacrete flooring,
a sharp agonising pain drove her to her knees, and forced a shriek of heart-wrenching
torment from her throat. It was as if someone had just driven a white hot spike
deep in to her chest, and as the pain slowly faded away, Admiral Uzuri became
aware of two droid troopers helping her.
“Get away from me!” Admiral Uzuri gurgled, her voice
choked with pain.
Obediently, the two droids stepped backwards, and watched as Admiral Uzuri staggered
from the shuttle bay. Her pulse raced within her crushed body, and each
step, even assisted with the aid of the powered armour, felt like it weighed
a thousand tonnes. Leaning heavily against the wall every-so-often, Admiral
Uzuri staggered down to the Med-Bay. Here, she collapsed in the doorway, and
with supreme effort, crawled back to her feet and promptly collapsed again.
Bone cracking convulsions tore in to her, and her throat locked tightly, barely
open enough to allow her tortured form to breathe.
***
Med-Bay, Smugglers
Starbase, Altreides System
“Help…me.” Admiral Uzuri gurgled,
as she slithered to the cold decking.
Swiftly, the Medi-droid approached and crouched, then as if her body weighed
no more than a piece of paper, it picked her up and laid her on a diagnostic
bed. A tube snapped out and a soft blue light emerged, then ran its way down
her body, then back up again. When it had completed its preliminary scan, it
folded itself away again and the droid reached up for the catches to Admiral
Uzuri’s mask. Admiral Uzuri choked and writhed in torture, then she felt the
droid unclasp the air hoses. They hissed softly, then fell silent. There was
another hiss – as the seals were disengaged and the droid carefully lifted away
the polymer helm – to reveal the face of Uzuri….
***
Once – Uzuri had been a beautiful,
raven haired vixen, her glossy fur a beautiful shade of russet, the triangular
ears tipped with midnight black fur, the creamy white underside of her muzzle
and throat gleamed like the stars at night….
That was over fourteen years ago.
Now, her once beautiful features were
pallid, the little fur that remained was matted and rotting, as was the white,
dough like flesh on her muzzle’s cheeks, the bridge of her nose and her head.
Having been encased in the polymer armour for so long; her physical body had
begun to slowly decay. Even at the slight touch of the Medi-droid, more
fur and hair sluiced away, as did a large section of the rotting skin. It retrieved
a small sonic manipulator, and set to work. Under the droids ministrations,
Uzuri lay as still as she could, as she felt the rotting flesh being lifted
from her face and head, the burning tenderness of the new flesh being revealed
to the harsh light. As the droid worked without saying a word, it slowly released
the clamps on her outer body armour and lifted it away…with the sickening sound
of tearing dead fur and skin. Uzuri tried not to scream, as the droid worked…but
her anguished wails rang out, as it shed more and more of her rotted and pallid
fur and skin. Beneath the black polymer body armour, Admiral Uzuri’s crushed
form became obviously apparent. Deep, angry red scars matted her once attractive
body – results of where the Medi-droids had worked – repairing her body as best
they could. Indeed – it had been a miracle that Uzuri had even survived…being
crushed as badly as she was. They replaced her ruptured internal organs
with cybernetic replacements, replaced and reinforced her entire spinal column
– using an especially hardened form of nearly indestructible but highly flexible
metal. A mixture of microscopic fibre-optics, which was reinforced with a molecular
sheathing, and intensely intricate miniaturised chips were implanted, and grafted
in to her reconstructed central nervous system. What proved to be the greatest
challenge, was to reconstruct a completely new skeletal system, from the middle
of her neck down.
This metal skeleton was light as a
feather, but intensely strong. It was designed to support weight in excess of
one thousand kilograms, per three centimetres of length,
an its width was about as thick as a piece of paper. Inside the hollow bones,
lay nerve conductive electronic musculature and a myriad of miniaturised electronic
impulse conductors, which gave Uzuri a remarkable sense of touch – and a phenomenal
strength. What took the longest time, was the flesh that was laid over this
entire form – had to be specially grown from her own skin cells – then the nerves,
blood vessels and other vital life sustaining organic systems had to be spliced
in to the cybernetic systems….
Admiral Uzuri woke some time later,
to feel the pressure of the medical bed beneath her. Her body still burned like
fire, but as she weakly raised her head, she saw the long familiar black polymer
armour covering her form once more. Groggily Admiral Uzuri croaked in pain and
the Medi-droid rolled over and looked down at her.
“Report – ” Admiral Uzuri croaked.
“Admiral – you had experienced substantial damage to some
of your central nervous system components, and there is significant degradation
of the left hemisphere of the brain, some haemorrhaging of the cerebral cortex
and major damage to the lymph glands.” It spoke dryly.
“Continue – ” Admiral Uzuri growled, as she squeezed her
eyes closed.
“Major damage to the aorta, some scarring evident of the
heart and dysfunctional cybernetic control systems.” It rattled on. “I have
repaired the systems and done what I could to repair the other damage – but
it is only – ”
“Only what?” Admiral Uzuri growled, her eyes cracking
open.
“Admiral – it is only transient. Your organic systems, as
a result of being encased within the armour – are severely degrading. You have
an irreversible form of necrosis of the epidermal layer, and an inoperable brain
tumour….”
Admiral Uzuri’s eyes snapped open
in alarm.
“A – what?” She shrieked, then began choking.
“An inoperable brain tumour Admiral. It has been present
for some time, and is in an impossible place for surgery. To attempt surgery,
would surely kill you.” It spoke calmly.
“With all the modern medical facilities at your command –
” Admiral Uzuri growled.
“Admiral – you misunderstand. I can not operate – as to do
such would kill you. Further, any other attempts at alternative repairs would
irrevocably damage your delicate cybernetic systems – which would – likewise
kill you.” It droned. “There is nothing that I could do.”
“So – I’m going to die?” Admiral Uzuri gurgled weakly, shock
gripping her.
“Yes Admiral – you are going to die…all organic life forms
die sooner or later. In your case – at the present rate of decay – you will
have, at best computations – less than a year to live.” It replied calmly.
Slowly, Admiral Uzuri slipped her
polymer helm back on, then resealed it. Climbing from the bed, she glared at
the Medi-droid and left the chambers. Admiral Uzuri glared at the droid as she
departed, but bit back the words of rage that filled her. Striding throughout
the base, like a veritable black killing machine, Admiral Uzuri’s rage grew
and grew, as she marched in to main operations, then slammed her paw down on
the holopad transmitter…and waited. Moments later, the holographic form of her
mistress wavered in to view. Admiral Uzuri wasted no time….
“You cold hearted reptilian bitch!” Admiral Uzuri
shrieked, her paws clenched in rage.
Staring back at her, the holographic dragon blinked, then
smiled slowly. “So – my pup has finally gotten some fangs!”
“How could you do this to me!” Screamed Admiral Uzuri,
shaking in anger.
“How?” Come the sibilant hiss. “I told you Admiral
. I made you – and I can break you just as easily. Yes, you are nothing to me
Uzuri…nothing. You are merely a tool, that I created, to achieve my
goals.”
“What – perchance – is that?” Growled Admiral Uzuri, as she
looked away.
“I sought a way, to avenge the death of my father…and when
I saw you, it was the best way I could strike back at those who had hurt me….
You were that means of my revenge Uzuri…. I used you to achieve my revenge
– and it would appear, that you have failed me.” Sighed the Dragon. “I had hopes
for you Uzuri…I really did.”
Admiral Uzuri stared at the Dragon, then her eyes narrowed.
“So little do you really know about me….”
Before the Dragon could reply, Admiral Uzuri shut down the holonet transmitter.
“Commander – ” Admiral Uzuri shrieked in to her comlink.
“Prepare the fleet for imminent departure…for the Schinicin starship yards…maximum
speed!”
“By your command – Admiral.” Come the response.
Making her way back to the hangar
bay, Admiral Uzuri rounded a corner and saw something that brought her to a
dead stop… Cmdr. Whitetail stood resolutely before her – his laser sword
held ready at his side.
“You!” Admiral Uzuri shrieked, as she snatched her
own sword from her belt and ignited it.
“Its been – a long time…Uzuri.” Cmdr. Whitetail growled.
“I told you – that I would hunt you down….”
Admiral Uzuri shrieked in rage, and charged him, but Cmdr. Whitetail blocked
her savage and uncontrolled slashes, but it drove him backwards – in to the
shuttle bay. Again and again, Admiral Uzuri slashed, thrust and feinted, steadily
driving the startled Pearldinean backwards. Feinting, Cmdr. Whitetail slashed
to the right, and Admiral Uzuri’s laser sword flicked down and blocked it with
such force, that Cmdr. Whitetail nearly lost his grip on his own weapon.
“You’re getting old – Whitetail.” Admiral Uzuri taunted
him. “Why don’t I just do Meldaron a favour – and cut you down now?”
Cmdr. Whitetail choked and parried a sizzling slash, their combined laser swords
sparking sharply with incandescent flames.
“I may be old – but I am still your better Uzuri.”
Cmdr. Whitetail gasped, as he went on the offensive, making Admiral Uzuri step
back hurriedly.
A squad of a dozen droids clattered in to the shuttle bay, and took of offensive
positions. Cmdr. Whitetail flicked a glance at them, then narrowed his gaze
and turned his attentions back to Admiral Uzuri.
“Can not fight a fair battle Uzuri?” Cmdr. Whitetail panted,
as they spun apart and stood staring at each other.
“I do not need my troopers – to give an upstart fawn a hiding.”
Admiral Uzuri growled, her eyes narrowing.
A soft hiss of an igniting laser sword
made Admiral Uzuri spin around sharply, and Corporal Inari let forth a whispering
squeal, as Admiral Uzuri’s laser sword singed the fur on her chest, as she leapt
up and over the black armoured Admiral Uzuri.
“Corporal Inari – run!” Cmdr. Whitetail screamed at
her, as he pressed the attack on Admiral Uzuri.
Just as the droid troopers opened fire, Corporal Inari deflected their laser
shots and laid in to them with reckless abandon, as she fought her way towards
one of the star fighters. Her muzzle wrinkled in anger and more than some fear,
Corporal Inari laid waste to the droids, as Cmdr. Whitetail continued pushing
Admiral Uzuri backwards, forcing her to the edge of a deep lift shaft. With
a snarl of anger, Admiral Uzuri fought back and began making Cmdr. Whitetail
struggle to repel her attacks. Dispatching the last of the droids, Corporal
Inari scrambled up the side of the fighter and leapt in to the cockpit. Watching
helplessly, Corporal Inari slammed the canopy closed and began cycling up the
starfighter’s shields and other systems. Twenty droid troopers boiled in to
the hangar and immediately, they snapped up their lasers and began firing at
the starfighter. Corporal Inari squealed and flattened the firing stud on the
fighter’s control stick, as she swung it around.
Droids scattered and disintegrated,
as the firepower of the starfighter tore them apart. Glancing once more at Cmdr.
Whitetail, who had begun pressing Admiral Uzuri back – Corporal Inari wept and
thrust the levers fully forwards…and leapt out in to the darkness of space.
Flicking a glance at the fleeing starfighter, Admiral Uzuri snarled in rage
– and Cmdr. Whitetail seized his chance…. With a savage lunge, he snapped out
his paw and using his powers, violently shoved Admiral Uzuri in to the elevator
shaft…he heard her anguished screams, as she plummeted downwards, but he spared
her not the slightest sympathy. He ran across the permacrete decking – and leapt
in to the cockpit of another fighter. Even as another wave of droids clattered
in to the hangar, Cmdr. Whitetail growled and slammed the starfighter’s engines
to full throttle and scorched across the decking – then out in to the blissful
silence of space….
Five minutes after he and Corporal
Inari had fled – the elevator rose…and the limp form of Admiral Uzuri appeared
once more…. Her armour was scuffed and dented and she appeared to be dead. Staring
down at her, the droids looked on, seeing the former menacing form of their
Admiral – lying sprawled and broken on the lift platform. Admiral Uzuri’s
crimson eyes, in her mask, were black and dead – and there was not the slightest
hint of life. However, after a few moments, one of the black metallic paws quivered,
and slowly clenched as the blood red eyes glimmered, this light glowing brighter
and brighter, as they blazed with an unimagined anger….
***
Altreides System,
Approaching the Stargate.
“Commander – ” Corporal Inari gasped,
breathing heavily, as she whispered in to the ship to ship comlink. “How did
you know – ”
Cmdr. Whitetail, in his own stolen fighter, glared down at the instrument panel,
then sighed and depressed the comlink switch.
“Corporal – I used my powers to help me track you – along
with your tracking chip. I am just glad – that I did manage to find you….”
“Sir – there is something that you do not know – ” Corporal
Inari whispered, then her voice broke in to sobbing. “Admiral Uzuri is – ”
Without warning, their threat displays blazed in to life like Meldaron Kulnar
trees.
“Save it Corporal – there will be time enough to tell me…when…we
make it back to Maloner base. Set your coordinates Corporal Inari – I’ll be
right behind you….”
“Sir – I can not leave you – ” Corporal Inari wept.
“That is an order Corporal…now!” Cmdr. Whitetail snarled,
as he spun the fighter down and away.
Cmdr. Whitetail flicked a glance down at the ship to ship navigation systems,
just as Corporal Inari laid in the coordinates…and his eyes widened in horror.
“Corporal – no!” Cmdr. Whitetail screamed.
With a sizzle, the navi-comp on his fighter shorted out, as a laser blast rocked
his fighter. Cmdr. Whitetail swore and threw himself against the twenty droid
fighters that swarmed towards him….
***
Med-Bay, Maloner
Base, Pearldinea, Maloner.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea came back in to
see Corporal Glider, who was recovering well. Her own extensive wounds still
pained her, but Dr. Kaldorianas had administered powerful painkillers, which
took the worst of the pain away.
“Hi Glider – ” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea spoke. “How are you feeling?”
Corporal Glider stared down at the artificial hand and sighed, then flexed it
experimentally, feeling the tingle in his wrist.
“Well – as you can imagine…I’ve felt better.” Corporal Glider
sighed.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea nodded weakly, then pulled up a chair and sat beside his
bed.
“I know – and I wish that it did not have to turn out like
this.” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea spoke quietly. “We were fortunate – ”
“Fortunate?” Corporal Glider suddenly snapped in rage. “Fortunate?”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea stared at him,
then swallowed and bit back her own anger.
“Yes – Glider!” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea whispered, staring
at him intently, making his tremble. “We were some of the lucky ones.
We survived. Many did not.”
Corporal Glider swallowed, then shivered. “I – I’m sorry
I snapped your head off like that. I’m just worried sick – about my daughter.”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea sighed and gave Corporal Glider a gentle
hug. “I know – we all are. Now, not only has Corporal Inari vanished, presumed
to have been kidnapped, but Cmdr. Whitetail has likewise vanished….”
They both looked up, as King Reyard strode in to the chambers.
“Cmdr. Whitetail – is undertaking a mission – with my full
consent.” Spoke the King softly.
Both Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea and Corporal Glider struggled to rise, but King Reyard
waved a hand.
“My liege – I heard that he….” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea began.
“How could – ”
“Regardless of what you heard Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea – he is
undertaking a very important mission that will prove to be quite dangerous.
Only those who strictly had to know…did know, and know where he has gone.”
“Sire – I am, as you know – the Commander in charge – of
the entire Meldaron armed forces….” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea began.
“I know Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea – and I wish I could have
told you in time, but it was a mission that could not wait. I am sorry, but
until we can find the rest of the traitors amongst us, we can not divulge such
information.”
“My lord – with all due respect, I
must be given all relevant information, if I am to pursue my orders.” Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea growled quietly.
“I know – but this is not a secured area Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea. I will not discuss such things, here, nor now. When you have been
given clearance to return to your duties, come to Crown Palace – and you shall
be fully briefed.” King Reyard replied quietly. “I can not tell you any more
information.”
Dr. Kaldorianas entered quietly, then nodded to the gathered anthro’s. Without
wasting a second, Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea collared the young doe.
“Doctor – am I, or am I not, fit to return to active duties?”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea asked pointedly.
“Well – ” Dr. Kaldorianas admitted. “Whilst there is still
a lot of work remaining to repair the damage done – I honestly can not see holding
either of you here any longer. However – I want you both to only undertake
light duties….”
Corporal Glider and Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea nodded quickly.
“Then you’re free to go – but I want you both back
in here, at least once a day, so I can check on you both.”
Corporal Glider glanced at Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea, who nodded and spoke.
“We will, Doctor – we promise.”
Satisfied, Dr. Kaldorianas nodded and added something in to a datapad held in
her paw, then walked off.
“Shall we your highness?” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea asked.
“My shuttle is outside – gather your things, and follow me.”
Spoke the King dryly.
“Corporal – you wish to join me?” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea asked.
“No thank you Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea – I just want to do some
research, and see if there is anything Inari may have left – that may alert
us as to why she was, we pray, kidnapped.”
Both King Reyard and Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea looked at Corporal Glider, who shuddered
and walked off, his head bowed in grief.
“He’s taking this hard – ” Began the King.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea watched Glider go, feeling a tear well
in her eyes. “Yes sire – all of us, who knew and loved Corporal Inari – are
feeling this loss….”
***
Alpha Barracks,
Maloner Base, Pearldinea, Maloner.
Corporal Glider slumped down on to
Corporal Inari’s immaculately folded sheets covering her bunk, then dragged
the footlocker over before him. With a sigh, he fumbled it open and stared down
at the contents of the locker. Everything was in perfect order, uniform pressed
and folded, ordinary clothing likewise folded, her treasured possessions laid
neatly…but what froze Corporal Glider’s heard – was the picture of Silverfox….
Corporal Glider felt the burning tears rise, and he clutched the picture tightly
to his chest, as he wept heartbrokenly, not only for his dearly beloved lover
and wife – but also for all the friends and family, that he had lost,
to this senseless war. As he wept bitterly, something caught his eye,
tucked in to a hidden panel in Corporal Inari’s footlocker. Easing open the
catch, he pulled out a small datapad and activated it…then his mind fell away,
written on this datapad, was the following –
“17th of Kulnak, 3114 –How
I wish I could stop these dreams – that have been haunting me for all my life.
No one knows of them, not even my father. I wish I could explain them to others
– but they would not understand them. The evil has not been destroyed,
as I can feel its presence calling me…mocking me in my sleep. It lies curled
and waiting, calling out to me. My mother had the conviction and force to face
it, and it cost her more that I can ever know…. This evil must be destroyed
– as much depends on it. I have tried to make my peace with Millar’s – and even
she does not answer my prayers. I know what I must do – but Millar’s forgive
me – I am so frightened…. I have yet to come in to my powers – and if I do not
leave now, then I surely will drag those I love down in to this dark chasm –
in to which I must go. I pray – that with Millar’s strength assisting
me, that I may do what I must – and stop this evil before it is too late. More
dreams have been revealed to me – that my mother had a sister. I must try to
find my Aunt – as I pray – she can help me in that which I must do. If I fail
– then it is my most desperate plea, that the Meldaron forces use what information
I have hidden in this datapad, to plan their attacks. I know the attack
of the Schinicin starship yards is coming – I am sure of it. What I do not know,
is when….”
Corporal Glider wept, as he laid down
the datapad, then reached for the comlink at his belt. He knew instantly, that
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea would need to see this information…and the sooner
the better….
***
Shuttle Bay, Aboard
Smuggler Starbase, Altreides System.
Progressively, Admiral Uzuri regained
her footing, then flexed her hands experimentally. With a shudder and a muttered
curse, she trembled again. As two droid troopers approached her to assist, she
backswept her laser sword and decapitated them both.
“He will – ” Come Admiral Uzuri’s choking voice. “Pay dearly
for this insult against me!”
Limping, Admiral Uzuri walked up the ramp of her shuttle and snapped her orders
at the droid pilot. Quickly, he transferred her across to the waiting Starcrusher
flagship.
***
Aboard the Flagship,
Dark Talon Fleet, Altreides System.
Admiral Uzuri wasted no time, in marching
up on to the bridge of her flagship, and resuming her command.
“Commander!” Admiral Uzuri snapped. “I want every
available ship in the fleet to converge outside the Schinicin system….”
Turning to look at Admiral Uzuri, the black armoured Commander turned back and
issued the orders.
“Time to the Schinicin system Commander?” Admiral Uzuri growled.
“Two days at flank speed Admiral.” It replied calmly.
“How many vessels will we have for the assault?” Admiral
Uzuri scathed.
“Ten Starcrushers – ” Began the droid, and continued for
some time.
It was an impressive amount of Admiral Uzuri’s fleet.
“What information do we have – that the Meldaron’s and Schinicin
have not been alerted to our approach?” Admiral Uzuri replied, as she rested
a metallic paw on her snout.
“Admiral – strongly suggested that we launch a diversionary
strike against another system at the same time…to draw off forces from the Starship
yards. Current scout information reports there is only three Maloner class cruisers
– ” Spoke the Commander. “Only one of which is operational and manned, holding
guarding position over the Starship yards.”
Admiral Uzuri was quiet for a time,
then she nodded.
“Launch the strike at your discretion Commander. Maximum
damage – but carry out a strike and fade. Our most important quest lies in the
capture or destruction of the Meldaron / Schinicin reserve naval fleet at Schinicin.
Have all commands alerted, and ensure the droid troopers are prepared to swarm
the ships and take them – destroy them if they can not be successfully captured.”
Admiral Uzuri spoke calmly, her voice almost as emotionless as the droid.
“By your command Admiral.” Replied the Commander.
Carefully, Admiral Uzuri rose – then as she took a step; she clutched at her
head and shrieked, driven to the ground by a sharp stabbing pain that tore in
to her mind. Shrieking and convulsing on the deck, Admiral Uzuri writhed under
the merciless agony, as the droids watched impassively. Tearing off her
polymer helm Admiral Uzuri slapped her black gloved paws to her snout…then when
she looked at them she was shocked to see the red gleam of fresh blood staining
them both. Choking and gasping, Admiral Uzuri barely called out to a droid for
assistance, before a sickening blackness crashed down upon her….
***
Stargate, Sirius
System
As Corporal Inari’s starfighter leapt
from the Stargate – Corporal Inari let out a strangled choking gurgle and slapped
her paw to her muzzle. When she looked down at her gloved paw, she saw a thin
rivulet of blood had come from her nose. Sniffling, Corporal Inari wiped her
nose with her sleeve and drew great gulping breaths. She had always hated
the Stargate’s – and what they done to organic creatures…but Corporal Inari
knew, there was no other choice…. Before her, lay the Sirius system, and already,
Corporal Inari could feel the palpable evil that emanated from the nearby source.
Swallowing, Corporal Inari dove away from the Stargate, and headed towards a
distant planet…and she hoped…it was uninhabited. Corporal Inari needed time
to compose herself – before she sought out this evil presence…and did battle.
***
Crown Palace,
Maloner, Pearldinea.
“He did what?” Shrieked Lt.
Cmdr. Deerinea in sudden rage.
“Lieutenant Commander – I would strongly suggest
you not raise your voice at me!” Growled the King warningly, his mane bristling.
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea stared down at her clenched paws, then slowly opened them
and shuddered violently.
“My lord – forgive me…. I have not been…myself of late.”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea trembled.
“I quite understand Lieutenant Commander…trust me. We’ve
all been badly shaken, by this surprising attack against us.” Answered the King.
“Sire – I must accept full responsibility – for what befell
our people. I should have been more vigilant in my surveillance.” Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea spoke, as she hung her head.
“Nonsense Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea – there was no way…you
or your highly trained forces, could have detected the Xenomorph…. It was impossible.”
Rebuked King Reyard. “Do not blame yourself – for what has happened. It was
tragic, yes, but our forces need you to be strong…and too lead them.”
Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea looked down at the floor, then glanced shyly up at the King.
“You’re right Sire….” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea spoke, as she drew
herself up proudly. “I was made Commander in charge of the Meldaron armed forces,
and if I can not show leadership…then I should retire my commission.”
Nodding, King Reyard fixed Lt. Cmdr.
Deerinea with a steely eye.
“You should – ” He began.
“However – I won’t….” Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea growled, her conviction
becoming like tempered steel. My lord – forgive me, but our people…my…people,
need me.”
Without waiting to be dismissed, Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea spun around and marched
snappily from the chambers. King Reyard watched her, then smiled grimly and
nodded in total agreement.
“Aye Lieutenant Commander – they do.” King Reyard
whispered softly, as he watched Lt. Cmdr. Deerinea leave. “They do….”
***
Starfighter Battle,
Altreides System.
Dodging a hail of laser fire, Cmdr.
Whitetail’s fighter blew apart two of the droid piloted fighters, but another
twenty were even now, launching from the Starcrushers.
“Well – ” Cmdr. Whitetail gasped, as a near miss sizzled
past his cockpit and left a carbon burn across the fighter. “Deerinea – you
always said you wanted to be there…when I made a mistake…this could be
it….”
He swung the snub nosed fighter around, then slammed the throttle full open
and charged back towards the waiting Starcrushers….
***
Bridge, Flagship
of the Dark Talon Fleet
“Commander – ” Spoke a droid. “Incoming
Starfighter.”
Turning his gaze to the starfighter that streaked towards them, the metallic
Commander blinked his electric eyes and waved a hand.
“Shields up – fire starboard side turbolaser batteries.”
It spoke bluntly.
As the command went out, the starboard turbolasers began blasting, their intensely
deadly beams sizzling through space and the tracking computers trying to follow
the swift starfighter. Again and again they fired, as the fleet starfighter
scorched down along the Starcrushers side and slipped down underneath.
“Commander – it is too fast for turbolaser batteries to track
– there is no way that these turbolaser will shoot it.” Answered another droid.
“Cease fire – scramble four flight squadrons to intercept
and destroy starfighter.” Spoke the Commander calmly.
“Hold – ” Come a choking gurgle. “That order.”
Incredulously, the black Commander droid turned to see Admiral Uzuri dragging
herself back to her feet, blood soaking her nose and muzzle. With a growl, she
spat bloodied phlegm on to the deck.
“Leave it be!” Admiral Uzuri gasped, struggling to breathe.
“I know where he is going – and I will deal with him myself.”
Blinking, the Commander bowed. “By
your command, Admiral.”
Admiral Uzuri stared out at the starfighter, as it spun away and tore off for
the Stargate.
“Yes – Whitetail…I know where you are running too – but I
also know – that you’ll not like the consequences….” Admiral Uzuri growled weakly.
“Commander, set course for the Schinicin starship yards – maximum speed.”
“By your command Admiral.” Answered the droid.
***
Two Days Later…
***
Schinicin Starship
Yards, Schinicin System
Crews, droids and others swarmed in,
along and over the massed ships at the Schinicin Starship yards. There was over
a thousand vessels held here, but only a hundred of which, were of significant
value as battle-craft. Hanging in a nearby orbit, the Maloner Class warship
hung, watching over the starship yards with organic and electronic eyes. Indeed,
they were blissfully unaware of what was – even now – slipping in to attack
positions all around them…or so it appeared.
***
Bridge, Flagship
of the Dark Talon Fleet, Schinicin System
Admiral Uzuri smiled evilly, as she
looked down at the fleet-wide status board, which showed green across the board.
“Fleet – this is Admiral Uzuri – commence capture operations
in three… two…one…now!”
As one, her fleet consisting on five Starcrushers, fifteen destroyers and thousands
of star fighters uncloaked and swarmed the Starship yards….
***
Schinicin Starship
Yards, Schinicin System
Shrieked alarm klaxons wailed, and
red warning lights burst in to life, as the starship yards come under assault.
Having been previously warned of an attack, the Schinicin and Meldaron forces
were caught off-guard, but they rallied and instantly, the supposedly disabled
vessels – began laying down a withering hail of turbolaser fire and laser
torpedoes…. Even as the attacking fleet began mercilessly pounding the assembled
vessels, from around the dark side of the planet – come another sixty warships….
***
Bridge, Flagship
of the Dark Talon Fleet, Schinicin System
Admiral Uzuri stared in horror, as
the Starcrusher Zurnaran exploded, under the immense firepower of the retaliating
warships. Admiral Uzuri’s own vessel was getting a hiding, and already, the
shields were reduced to sixteen percent.
“How – how could this happen!” Admiral Uzuri wailed,
wringing her paws in grief. “They were defenceless – easy for us to launch a
sneak attack….”
Shocked in to disbelief, Admiral Uzuri watched her impressive fleet get blasted
in to scrap all around her…and within moments, only three Starcrushers remained
capable of fighting.
“Call them back – ” Came Admiral Uzuri’s stunned gasp. “We’ll
flee – now!”
As the order rang out across the fleet – Admiral Uzuri stared at the damage
reports that was overwhelming the onboard computer ability to display.
Her own flagship wilted under the merciless bombardment, but it turned itself
and with the barest of hull plating left – cloaked and streaked away, another
Starcrusher labouring to follow…but it was caught by a dozen Maloner warships
– who systematically blasted it in to scrap….
***
Schinicin Starship
Yards, Schinicin System
A resounding cheer erupted from the
Schinicin and Meldaron forces, as they resounding beat back Admiral Uzuri’s
fleet…. They assessed their damage and loss of life, which was quite substantial,
but an overwhelming sense of achievement still filled them. They had done what
many thought would be impossible – and beaten the Dark Talon Fleet.
As word went out that the threat from the Dark Talon Fleet was, at the least,
severely limited millions across the galaxy celebrated joyously….
***
Somewhere in the
darkness of space…
Having fled blindly through the Stargate,
his navi-comp destroyed, Cmdr. Whitetail had jumped to a previously unknown
Stargate…that had never been plotted. As his fighter came to a rest, he stared
around him at the empty blackness and shuddered – then unbuckled the safety
harnesses and reached for the toolkit. If he could not repair the navi-comp…then
more than likely, he would remain out here…until he died….
Little did he know, but less than
sixty thousand parsecs away, on a small, insignificant icebound planet – his
ship had been detected by an ancient tracking station. Its computerised systems,
shrouded with hundreds of years of dust and neglect, blinked and come back in
to life, slowly cycling itself back up. When it had come back to full operational
status, it began flashing a message for the organic creature – that should have
been watching for things like this…. Sadly, the organic that should have
been watching – was now a dust coated skeleton, the grinning skull with a round
hole through the centre of its forehead, in its right hand, was clutched a rusted
pistol….
Attention, alien
vessel detected – attention, alien vessel detected….
***
Maloner, Pearldinea
As word of the near annihilation of
the Dark Talon Fleet spread, the soldiers, civilians and others across Meldaron,
hugged each other and began victorious celebrations. Such was the extent – that
King Reyard officially declared a day of national celebration, and the party
that ensured, was almost as boisterous as that, which had celebrated the end
of the second great war…fifteen years ago….
***
Bridge, Aboard
the Flagship, Dark Talon Fleet
Admiral Uzuri sat, her head clutched
in her black armoured paws, as she tried to encompass the hiding that had just
been handed out to her…. Never had her fleet suffered such a catastrophic
defeat…and of the five Starcrushers and fifteen Destroyers that had taken the
field, only this one – the flagship – had managed to limp away. A soft chirp
from the holonet transceiver alerted her to what she dreaded – and as Admiral
Uzuri composed herself and glanced at the origin of the transmission, her fears
were well grounded….
“Commander – inform my mistress – of my failure, and also
tell her, that I shall be reporting in person….” Admiral Uzuri spoke quietly,
her voice broken and lacking the sharp defining edge of her previous smugness.
“Have my shuttle prepared for an immediate departure.”
“By your command – Admiral.” Nodded the droid.
With a last longing look at the bridge of her flagship, Admiral Uzuri turned
and made her way to the turbolift, her head bowed….
***
Planet of Nar’sha,
Sirius System.
Corporal Inari climbed down from her
stricken fighter, to see the angry muzzles of the waiting Jackal troopers. Without
even bothering for their angry growls for her surrender, she slowly raised her
hands and surrendered calmly. Two of them advanced and relieved her of her laser
sword, which was belted at her waist, then bound her paws tightly with binders…then
led her away. Corporal Inari went placidly, offering no resistance to them at
all.
***
Two Days Later,
City of N’Chath, Planet Sirius, Sirius System.
An armed and armoured shuttle touched
down gently on the pad, and four droid troopers led a white furred figure and
hustled it in to a waiting turbolift
Corporal Inari was led from the turbolift, by four, armed droid troopers. Her
head was downcast, paws manacled before her. As they stepped forwards, Corporal
Inari glanced up to see the imposing figure of Admiral Uzuri standing at the
far end. Corporal Inari’s eyes widened in horror, as she realised, just who
this black armoured vixen figure was….
“Guards – ” Admiral Uzuri’s soft menacing growl emerged.
“Leave us – ”
Obediently, the droid troopers released Corporal Inari, stepped backwards, done
an 1800 turn and marched back in to the waiting turbolift,
whose doors
closed and whisked them downwards. Admiral Uzuri came forwards, but Corporal
Inari swallowed and banished her fear, staring back at the imposing black armoured
figure.
“Corporal Inari – ” Admiral Uzuri breathed. “My mistress
is quite – anxious – to make your acquaintance.”
Inari swallowed convulsively. “I know – Aunty.”
Admiral Uzuri looked sternly at Corporal
Inari, the red eyes gleaming from the helm. “So – you’ve finally come to admit
the truth?”
Corporal Inari stared at Admiral Uzuri, then walked over and rested her paws
on the railing, then sighed tiredly. Uzuri stepped closer, her metallic feet
ringing on the steel deck.
“No – I have come to admit – that you were once Uzuri Vanstar,
my late mothers sister….” Corporal Inari began, her back to Admiral Uzuri,
as her whispery voice spoke. “Captain of the Meldaron armed forces, during the
– ”
Admiral Uzuri growled dangerously, silencing Inari.
“That name – and rank, no longer holds any meaning for me!”
Admiral Uzuri snarled in rage.
Corporal Inari shed a single tear, then turned to face the black armoured vixen
behind her.
“No!” Corporal Inari whispered. “It is still relevant. You’ve
only suppressed it deep down within you! Please, come back with me…I can have
you forgiven for your crimes….”
Admiral Uzuri turned away, then spoke – her face hidden away behind its black
polymer helm, her voice was genuinely touched with remorse.
“No – it has gone too far, my niece. You can never know,
of the crimes that I have committed…. I can never be forgiven, despite your
good intentions. Not only that, but my mistress holds too much over me. Indeed
– others thought as you did – but they were all killed, by my paw.” Admiral
Uzuri spoke quietly, and then gestured and the turbolift door at the far end
hissed open, and out stepped four new droid troopers, who approached. “Now –
my dark mistress will complete your training….”
“Aunty – Uzuri – ” Corporal
Inari pleaded. “Please, I can heal you of that which is destroying you…please
let me help you!”
“It is – too late Inari. My crimes can not be forgiven, nor
can this sickness which plagues me be cured. No. My mistress is your new mentor
now. She will consummate your training….” Admiral Uzuri spoke quietly, as
she then gestured to the droids. “Take her away!”
Inari stared at Uzuri, then bowed her head. “So – my aunt
– is truly dead…” Corporal Inari wept, as the droids led her back towards
the distant lift.
“Hold!” Commanded Admiral Uzuri.
Obediently, the droids stopped.
“Inari – ” Admiral Uzuri spoke, as she turned to look at
the sobbing vixen, who gazed back compassionately. “You are powerful – even
I acknowledge that. Please – do not make the same mistake that I made…as we
can see the repercussions of my crimes….”
Corporal Inari made a move to speak, but she only turned her back and was led
away by the droid troopers. Uzuri watched them go, then turned away, and stared
down at her black metallic paws…that shook with her sobbing…
***
Somewhere in the
darkness of space…
Tearing at his hair, Cmdr. Whitetail
swore and re-adjusted another set of contacts inside the navi-comp computer.
There was a sickening jolt of electricity and his strangled shriek as he was
smashed back in to the chair.
“Wrong – wire….” He gasped, then tentatively made another
connection.
To his surprise, the entire shipboard systems flickered, then went black… As
his gaze snapped upwards, the massive shape of a Schinicin Starcrusher, which
had just emerged from the Stargate…and now hovered dangerously overhead, darkened
the cockpit. A emerald green ensnarement beam lashed out and gripped his stricken
fighter in a magnetic grasp, then inexorably drew it up and in to the bottom
hangar bay….
Cmdr. Whitetail slumped back in his
chair, fearing that this would be the end of him…. There was the clank of magnetic
constrictors locking, and then his cockpit hatch was released. As he stared
up resignedly, prepared to meet his demise, he saw the grinning snout of a hulking
male Tashan wolf, that locked its powerful paws about his throat and dragged
him from the ship, as easily as if he were a fawn. Cmdr. Whitetail kicked and
clawed at the vice like grasp, but he was too weak to make any serious attempts
to break it. Dragged out and down, Cmdr. Whitetail gurgled and felt his
eyesight blurring, as the Tashan squeezed tighter and tighter. Before Cmdr.
Whitetail blacked out, he saw the human figure approach, then his face betray
his displeasure…. It was a person, which Cmdr. Whitetail had sworn – would die
for his traitorous action, the person, was Captain Fitzgerald….
“Drakmariakas – don’t kill him yet.” Cpt. Fitzgerald growled,
as he watched Cmdr. Whitetail slither to the deck. “I want to have some fun
with him first….”
Drakmariakas grunted, then a cruel smirk spread across his
scarred snout. “I never knew you liked males?”
Cpt. Fitzgerald glared at the Tashan, who howled in laughter.
“I did not mean it that way!” Cpt. Fitzgerald snarled.
“Take him to cell bay 2.”
Drakmariakas giggled, then grabbed
the unconscious Pearldinean and dragged him away. Snorting in contempt, Cpt.
Fitzgerald turned and stared at two droid troopers.
“Keep an eye on him…I do not trust that Pearldinean.” He
snapped.
“Sir.” Answered the droids, as they clattered off across
the deck.
Satisfied, Cpt. Fitzgerald walked up on to the bridge, then ensconced himself
in the command chair.
“Report.” He snapped sharply.
“Sir – all systems nominal, awaiting destination coordinates.”
Answered a droid.
“What system is this?” Cpt. Fitzgerald growled, as he looked
up, where the overhead star chart flickered in to view.
“Sir – this is the system known as Terra – ” Began a droid
calmly.
“Terra?” Cpt. Fitzgerald yelped, as his eyes snapped
down to the droid.
“Yes sir.” Answered the droid bluntly.
“Oh – sweet Millar…it does exist!” Cpt. Fitzgerald
gasped. “Those legends were true…. Launch a shielded and cloaked reconnaissance
drone, to sweep through the system and report its findings.”
“Yes sir.” Replied the droid. “Done – reconnaissance droid
has been launched.”
Captain Fitzgerald stared back up at the star charts, feeling the blood drain
from his face.
“If Terra really does exist…then what was Commander
Whitetail searching for here?” Captain Fitzgerald gasped softly.
“Sir?” Asked the droid.
“Nothing – ” Cpt. Fitzgerald muttered. “I was just thinking
aloud…carry out your orders.”
“Yes sir.” Nodded the droid.
***
Cell Bay 2, Blacktalon,
Schinicin Starcrusher, Sol System,
Drakmariakas dragged the unconscious
Pearldinean down to the cell bay 2, then roughly slammed him in to a wall, dragging
the unconscious Cmdr. Whitetail back in to consciousness.
“Well – wake up!” Drakmariakas snickered.
Cmdr. Whitetail gurgled weakly, his knees feeling like they had turned to butter.
Roughly, the large Tashan backhanded Cmdr. Whitetail, and there was a wet snap
from Cmdr. Whitetail’s muzzle and his anguished choking cry.
“I have not even started on you yet….” Drakmariakas
smirked. “You won’t die…but you sure will wish that you had!”
Sliding to his knees, Cmdr. Whitetail stared up at the massive wolf, which smirked
and struck him again…slamming him back against the cell wall. Cmdr. Whitetail
gurgled and crumpled like a sack of bones…and Drakmariakas bent down…intending
to grab him again…but Cmdr. Whitetail had led the Tashan in to a deadly mistake….
Rolling and snapping his leg out sharply,
Cmdr. Whitetail’s hoof connected solidly with the lower right leg of the Wolf.
There was a grisly wet snap, and the Tashan howled in mindless rage as he fell,
his leg shattered. Cmdr. Whitetail scrambled away and rose – then with another
well placed kick, he broke four of Drakmariakas’ ribs…then seized the Tashan
by his head.
“Give my regards – ” Cmdr. Whitetail snarled in rage. “To
the gatekeeper of hell!”
Just as Drakmariakas began to howl – Cmdr. Whitetail flexed his muscles and
twisted…then broke the Tashan’s neck. As the great body bucked and writhed,
Cmdr. Whitetail retrieved a pistol and a set of electronic security keys. Grimly,
he made his way from the cell bay, after checking the remaining cells…and finding
them empty – he made his way cautiously, every sense alert to the danger of
being discovered….
***
Bridge, Blacktalon,
Schinicin Starcrusher, Sol System.
“Where is that idiot wolf?” Cpt. Fitzgerald
growled, as he began pacing the bridge of the Starcrusher. “He should have been
back by this!”
After another five minutes, Cpt. Fitzgerald snarled and summoned a droid.
“Go to cell bay two, and find out what is keeping Drakmariakas….”
Cpt. Fitzgerald demanded.
“Yes sir.” Spoke the droid, then turned and left the bridge.
A hint of uncertainty rippled through Cpt. Fitzgerald’s head, as he considered
that maybe something had happened…but dispelling these thoughts as ludicrous,
having seen Drakmariakas in action…he knew that Cmdr. Whitetail wouldn’t pose
any threat to him….
Ten minutes later, there was a beep
from the comlink and Cpt. Fitzgerald snapped it open.
“Drakmariakas – you better have a real good – ” Cpt.
Fitzgerald snarled.
“Captain Fitzgerald – if you’re a religious man…then you
had better start praying….” Come Cmdr. Whitetail’s angry growl in response.
“I killed your little pet – and what remains of that tin can…you’ll find on
deck twenty four. You had better learn to run Captain…because I’m going to kill
you….”
Cpt. Fitzgerald’s eyes widened in terror, and he punched the red alert alarm.
Instantly, the warning klaxons shrieked and the crimson lights blazed.
“You – ” Captain Fitzgerald gasped.
“I killed him Captain…quickly and painlessly. You on
the other paw – after I saw what you’ve done to that Gazelle trooper….” Cmdr.
Whitetail seethed.
“I didn’t – it was….” Cpt. Fitzgerald gasped.
“I know your stench Captain – and its all over her….
I’m coming for you Captain…and all your little droid friends can’t help you,
as I’ll take them apart one by one if I must, to get to you!” Cmdr. Whitetail
promised solemnly. “So you have a choice – either surrender now, and take your
own life…or what until I catch up with you….”
The comlink went quiet.
“Attention all droids!” Cpt. Fitzgerald
screamed. “This is a code red warning! An armed and extremely dangerous Pearldinean
male is loose on this vessel, and he will not hesitate to shoot to destroy.
I want him found – and captured alive. Close all the blast doors…and
begin draining the oxygen from the decks!”
Cpt. Fitzgerald watched the massive steel blast door slam closed, sealing the
bridge, and as he glanced at the security monitors, all through the ship, other
blast doors were clanging closed…but to his horror, one by one, the decks were
vanishing from the monitors.
“Report!” Cpt. Fitzgerald screamed.
“Sir!” Answered a droid. “We’re loosing the primary data
cores…something is eating them away!”
“Switch cores…and seal them off!” Cpt. Fitzgerald screamed.
Hurriedly, the droid typed furiously at the data terminal, its metallic fingers
blurring, but even as they struggled to swap over the cores – they found the
same ferocious damage was annihilating these as well.
“Damn you Whitetail!” Cpt. Fitzgerald shrieked. “What
have you done?”
There was silence, and then Cmdr.
Whitetail’s soft menacing laugh. “You like it Captain? They’re nano-drones…a
few thousand started – now there must be hundreds of thousands, soon, millions,
hundreds of millions….”
“Answer me!” Cpt. Fitzgerald wailed.
“What they’re doing Captain – ” Cmdr. Whitetail’s
mocking laugh come again. “Is eating away at your central data cores…. Voracious
little things…aren’t they? When the data cores are attacked, they’re turned
in to what looks remarkably like finely chopped fluff…. A shame, as the data
cores controls the Starcrushers systems…don’t they? I must admit, these nano-drones
aren’t too bad, for a bunch of microscopic little engineers…are they?
“What do you want?” Cpt. Fitzgerald wept. “Please…stop them….”
“What do I want?” Cmdr. Whitetail whispered. “You’ll see
soon enough – Captain.”
Captain Fitzgerald stared around him in horror – searching for a way to escape.
Only by controlling his fears, and knowing that Cmdr. Whitetail couldn’t
get through the blast doors….
A soft glow began to form in the centre
of the blast door to the bridge, and an acrid smoke began emanating from the
door. Captain Fitzgerald stood in stunned horror, as the droids suddenly began
convulsion, then toppled over and lay motionless on the deck. Still, the blast
door lock continued melting, then with a squeal of tortured reinforced steel
– they ground open and the bloodied form of Cmdr. Whitetail strode purposefully
on to the bridge of the Starcrusher…his laser sword gleaming wickedly.
“What do I want?” Cmdr. Whitetail snarled. “Lets see – how
about…revenge!”
As Captain Fitzgerald snatched his gun from its holster, Cmdr. Whitetail leapt…and
there was a sharp hiss and a clatter of steel. Captain Fitzgerald shrieked as
he stared down at his severed forearm, and the hand still gripping the pistol…lying
on the decking.
“You…can’t kill me!” Cpt. Fitzgerald wept. “I’m a Meldaron
officer…I demand the right too be….”
Cmdr. Whitetail stared at Captain Fitzgerald, then stepped backwards and nodded,
then deactivated his laser sword.
“Yes – that is true…I can not kill you….” Cmdr. Whitetail
whispered; his muzzle curled in anger.
Captain Fitzgerald began to smile smugly, but his face paled as he seen the
weakened Angelica appear in the doorway. Her muzzle was wrinkled in agony and
hatred, as she slowly stepped closer.
“Commander Whitetail – I hereby wish to resign my commission
in the Meldaron armed forces….” Angelica spoke, then tore the rank insignia
from her uniform and cast it down, as she unholstered a pistol.
“As you can see Captain…” Cmdr.
Whitetail spoke calmly, as he stepped away. “I can not kill you – but
one who is not a member of the armed forces…can.”
Captain Fitzgerald fell to his knees, then burst in to tears. Unmoved by his
emotions, Angelica brought the pistol up…then emptied the entire clip in to
him…at close range. Even after the gun clicked empty, and the smoking, charred
corpse lay on the deck; Angelica’s paw still squeezed the trigger on the pistol.
Cmdr. Whitetail had to forcibly remove her hand from it, then sharply slap the
Gazelle across her muzzle to get her to come to her senses. When she did, Angelica
seized Cmdr. Whitetail tightly, then buried her muzzle against his chest and
wept in horror….
***
Palace, City of
N’Chath, Planet Sirius, Sirius System
With a hiss, the turbolift come to
a halt and opened, permitting Uzuri to lead the sobbing Inari out in to the
massive throne room. At the far end of the throne room, sat a young human woman,
whose evil presence chilled everything within the chamber. Uzuri marched Inari
forwards, then stopped, thirty feet from the seated woman.
“Corporal Inari Relahstar….” Growled the woman, as she rose,
the robes falling gracefully from her form. “How nice – to meet you…my new student.”
Inari fell to her knees, overcome by the sickening evil that swarmed her. Bursting
in to tears, Inari felt weak…drained of her will to fight.
“Yes – bow at the feet of your new mistress. I have
watched you – my young Vixen…most intently…since the moment of your birth. Yes
Inari – I know a lot about you…and you are the sole reason…for
why I embarked upon this quest to destroy the Meldaron and Schinicin….”
Inari glanced up, her sky blue eyes wide in horror.
“I see the recognition in your eyes Inari…you know that
I speak the truth, don’t you?” Sneered the woman, as she stepped closer. “Yes…I
can feel your fear…give in to your animal nature Inari…give in to your
anger! Let it consume you, as with its power…you can stand beside your Aunt…as
her equal!”
Weakly, Inari rose, then with a supreme
effort, she drove out the anger…the fear…that was trying to claim her spirit.
“No – ” Inari gasped. “I will not be corrupted – as you did
my aunt. I will not follow the evil such as you. I shall be destroyed – before
I submit to your callous cruelties!”
Uzuri leaned down, then gazed at Inari. “You still do not
understand – my niece. You do not have a choice….”
Scornfully, the robed woman laughed then ran a hand along Inari’s muzzle, tenderly
stroking. Inari wept, feeling the flesh of her muzzle…being frozen by that touch.
“Millar protects me!” Inari whimpered. “You may do to me
as you will – but you will not break my spirit!”
With an angry snarl, then woman spun around and savagely backhanded Inari across
the snout, driving the young vixen to the floor.
“Do not ever mention that name in my presence!” Shrieked
the woman, her eyes blazing with a silver fire.
Inari crawled back to her knees, then clutched at her fractured muzzle and wept
bitterly, but still, crushed her anger and fear deep within her.
“Inari – ” Uzuri growled softly. “Please – stop resisting
her…. You will not win – ”
Suddenly, the doors of the turbolift
exploded, and their combined gaze was drawn to the explosion, as Whitetail strode
in to the palace chambers, his laser sword gleaming. With a shriek of command,
he snapped out his paw and pointed at the robed woman, then screamed a series
of ancient words. With a shriek of agony, the robed woman staggered backwards,
her body convulsing and rippling…. With a hideous ripping sound, the human
form tore apart, as a draconic figure tore its way free, then began growing
in size…its shrieks of reptilian rage deafening in their intensity and pure
evil. Uzuri, momentarily caught unawares, snapped her gaze around – and Inari
seized the opportunity to snatch up her laser sword and leapt up over Uzuri’s
head, kicking her sharply in the back of the head and driving her to the ground….
“Inari – run!” Whitetail screamed, as he ran to her.
“Run!!!”
Inari needed no further encouragement, and she vanished down a dark staircase.
Uzuri leapt back to her feet, then unsheathed her own laser sword and faced
Whitetail.
“So – the fawn has returned…for another hiding?” Uzuri gurgled,
as her feral red gaze narrowed and glared at him.
“You are mistaken Uzuri – if you think that you will defeat
me!” Whitetail shot back, as he lunged and drove her back under a hail of strokes.
Neither of them saw the Dragon, as
it narrowed its silvery gaze and vanished down a wide passageway, which sealed
behind it. Taking the offensive, Uzuri began retaliating, driving Whitetail
back further and further…towards the edge of a dark pit. Whitetail parried her
lightning like thrusts and strokes, but his strength sluiced from him rapidly.
With a powerful slash, she got him off balance and her armoured foot slammed
in to his chest…and he vanished in to the dark pit….
“You were a fool Whitetail…and you’ve paid the ultimate price
for your stupidity….” Uzuri chuckled, as she slowly walked down the stairs,
her heightened senses alerted to the slightest noise or movement.
It was just as well, as when Uzuri reached the bottom of the staircase, Inari’s
emerald green laser sword burst out of the shadows – and it was by the barest
of margins, that Uzuri managed to parry the surprising lunge. With a snarl of
rage, Uzuri retaliated, driving Inari out…and on to the maze of catwalks, which
lay beneath the Palace….
They battled for many minutes; Inari
steadily being forced back, as Uzuri continued her merciless barrage. It wasn’t
until Whitetail leapt down behind her and slashed across the polymer armour,
which Uzuri really got warmed up. His laser sword – either by the angle or just
pure luck on Uzuri’s part – did not slice in to the polymer armour, but only
scored a deep scar over it. Swinging around, Uzuri thrust and Whitetail, then
he leapt up and over her, kicking her in the back and driving her to the deck…six
feet away. Uzuri staggered back to her feet, then tore off her protective polymer
helm, to reveal her rotting muzzle, and the blood that flecked her snout and
mouth. Uzuri glared at the two Anthro’s who opposed her. Her muzzle betraying
the rage and hate that consumed her, Uzuri glared at them with loathing. Swapping
the sizzling red laser sword from one metallic paw to the other, Uzuri coughed
and spat a bloody froth on to the decking. Both Inari and Whitetail stared back,
each armed with a laser sword as well. Inari’s shone green and Whitetail’s was
blue. Inari flicked a glance at Whitetail, who did not – even for a second –
take his eyes from Uzuri. With phenomenal speed, Uzuri burst in to violent attack,
leaping the ten feet between them and her metallic feet slamming in to the unprepared
Inari’s chest.
With a choking gurgle, Inari was thrown
from the gangway and crashed heavily on her back, twenty feet below. A whispery
scream of agony was torn from her, which distracted Whitetail. Seizing the opportunity,
Uzuri began her ferocious assault, steadily driving the weakening Pearldinean
backwards. Whitetail squealed, as he parried dozens of thrusts and slashes,
the two laser swords crashing and sparking against each other with incandescent
spark flying. Sweat stung his eyes, as he slicked his ears back and done a back
flip up on to a higher vantagepoint. Pacing angrily, Uzuri glared up at
him.
“You’re only delaying the inevitable – ” Uzuri growled, her
muzzle wrinkled in loathing and an indescribable look of pure insanity possessed
her eyes.
“I don’t want to kill you – I never did!” Whitetail gasped,
as he stared down.
Uzuri’s laser sword wavered and dropped an inch, as a hint of uncertainty crept
through her mind. Whitetail watched as Inari crawled back to her knees, one
arm obviously broken and hanging uselessly. Whitetail dropped back on to the
decking, his boots clanging on the steel gangway.
“Uzuri – I knew your sister…a beautiful, kind and loving
person. You too – are like her. You’ve allowed your anger to control you….”
He spoke, maintaining his cautious stance.
Uzuri swallowed and her laser sword dropped an inch lower,
as tears glimmered in her eyes. “My – sister….”
“Yes Uzuri – your younger sister. Silverfox Relahstar. I
know what happened to you – and I can forgive you, for what you have done. Please,
let me help you – I can cure the disease that is eating you….”
Uzuri stepped backwards then turned
her head away, as the tears sprang from her eyes – then she disabled her laser
sword.
“Uzuri – please…. Let me help you!” Whitetail began – as
he approached.
At the far end, Inari staggered in to view – and she stood shaking and clutching
her broken arm, tears of agony streaking down her snout. Whitetail cautiously
approached, then laid a sweaty paw on her black armoured shoulder.
“Uzuri – let it out…. Drive out the anger, the hurt…it
has poisoned you for far too long….” Whitetail whispered consolingly.
Uzuri kept her back turned to him, the sobbing tearing her apart, and her breathing
becoming ragged and torn. As Inari came closer, Uzuri suddenly exploded in to
pure rage driven madness. Snapping down and away from Whitetail, Uzuri
unsheathed two laser swords – and activated them. Caught momentarily off guard
by this turn of events – Whitetail was a microsecond too slow…to raise and
arm his own sword…. Uzuri slashed out and there was a sizzling sound, then
the unmistakable stench of cauterised flesh and seared bones…. Uzuri squealed
with laughter, as her left pawed sword sheared straight through Whitetail’s
neck…decapitating him. Kicking the corpse over the edge of the gangway, Uzuri
watched it vanish down in to the heart of the fusion reactor, hundreds of feet
down. Chuckling, Uzuri turned to face the wide-eyed Inari….
“He was – ” Uzuri growled, then chuckled and choked. “Good
– but a fool. He should never have allowed himself to get that…close.”
With a shriek of mindless rage, Inari erupted in to a white furred tornado.
Admiral Uzuri gurgled and staggered backwards, under a hail of Inari’s vicious
sword strokes. Steadily and unequivocally, Inari, fuelled by her hate – drove
Uzuri backwards. Their laser swords clanged and sparked, as Uzuri edged backwards
further and further, becoming increasingly alarmed at the incredible skill and
rage that drove this younger and more fragile young vixen. For fifteen minutes,
Inari slashed, thrust and battered at Uzuri’s defences, then with a despairing
scream of pure and utter despondency – she brought her sword straight down in
a savage overhead slash.
Uzuri flicked a blade up to intercept
it – but there was a sickening crack – and Uzuri’s eyes widened in alarm….
A split second later, the unimaginable pain tore in to her very soul, as she
felt the mortal wound that Inari had driven down though her shoulder. Snapping
her sword around, Inari twisted away and glared at Uzuri…who put a gloved
paw to the smoking slice through her right shoulder pauldron. As Uzuri brought
her paw before her – she saw it was slick with her blood….
“How – ” Uzuri gurgled, feeling her cybernetic systems beginning
to malfunction…. “Please – just kill me!”
Inari glared at Uzuri, who dropped to her knees and choked up bloody phlegm
from deep within her chest.
“No – Aunty – ” Inari growled. “I will not kill you…. I
would not be so cruel – let me heal you….”
“Please!” Uzuri gurgled.
Inari’s eyes widened in morbid terror,
as she looked at something behind Uzuri. Her muzzle fell open and the laser
sword clattered to the deck, falling from her limp furry fingers. There was
a soft sibilant hiss of something scraping across the steel gangway, and its
ominous creak, as something massive crept across it. Uzuri just managed to turn
her head – to see the gaping maw of the Dark Star Dragon descending, its 4′
long canines gleaming…. As Uzuri tried to scream – the Dragon snapped its
jaws about her chest…and bit down…. Inari watched in stunned horror
– her soul chilled by the very evil that permeated this monstrous creature.
As Uzuri’s polymer armour coated body bucked and convulsed within the jaws of
the dragon, it bit down again…and Uzuri’s lower half crashed down to the decking.
As the Dragon swallowed convulsively, it turned its silvery eyes towards the
horrified Inari – who felt her very soul being sucked from her body.
“My dear Inari….” Snarled the Dragon, as it unfurled
its wings and glared down at her in unimaginable hate. “Now – I shall have my
revenge! Your mother killed my father…and now… shall I kill you!”
As it leapt, Inari threw back her head and shrieked in abject terror….
***