Ambassador Ak’tar’s Residence, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    Ambassador Ak’tar growled, as the airlock cycled, then permit entry to a young and quite shy Tashan Vixen.
    "Ambassador Ak’tar – " Spoke the Vixen Courtier, her voice muffled by her protective oxygen mask.
Ambassador Ak’tar snapped his book closed in irritation, then stared at the nervous courtier.
    "What is it now?" He hissed in agitation.
    "Sir – " Stammered the Courtier.
    "Out with it!" Snarled the Ambassador.
    "Sir, King Reyard – wishes to speak with you. Important information has just come too…."

    With an angry hiss, the Schinicin Ambassador leapt to his feet and began pacing the chamber.
    "What does he want with me now? He has already laid down his thoughts regarding our two species relations – "
    "Ambassador – please. Come to Crown Castle, and allow King Reyard to tell you personally, the new information."
Turning away, the Ambassador allowed his flaring cobra like hood to slowly settle back down against his scaled neck. With a sibilant sigh, he nodded.
    "Very well – as I do hope, to avoid any conflict. I for one do not want a return to what we had. Mindless anger, bloodshed – death. Those decades of mutual anger and distrust between our two species…." Sighed the Ambassador. "I will come with you. Guards!"

    Immediately, a large pair of male Anthro’s appeared. One was a Tashan wolf, the other and Alchemian equine. Both wore protective bodysuits and masks, to protect themselves from the billowing – and lethal – chlorine gas. Belted at their waists, were large holstered pistols.
    "Sir – " Grated the Alchemian bodyguard.
    "We are going to Crown Palace – immediately." Replied the Ambassador tersely.
    "By your order sir." Replied the equine, as he bowed respectfully.
Nervously, the Tashan vixen took a step backwards, watching the two bodyguards. Favouring her with an upraised eyebrow, the wolf Tashan gave her only a cursory glance, before looking away again.
    "Sir – if you’ll no longer be needing me – " Whispered the vixen.
    "Thank you – that will be all. Dismissed." Spoke the Ambassador, as he waved his scaled hand negligently.

    With a quick half bow, the courtier left the chambers. Ambassador Ak’tar sighed, then with the assistance of his two guards, he struggled in to his own environmental suit. Silently, he affixed the protective mask, and then triple checked his suit. This was done without conscious thought, as it had long since become a habit. Once he was satisfied that it was secured, he followed the two guards in to the inner airlock. Listening to the airlock cycle from the green tinged chlorine, to the clear oxygen of Meldaron’s natural atmosphere, still terrified the reptilian Ak’tar. When it had completed, the green light came on and the Tashan touched the sensor-plate, allowing the outer airlock door to hiss open. Once they had exited, the two anthro’s shed their suits and then the airlock hissed closed again.

    None of them bothered to even glance at the vixen, as they walked past her and entered the waiting hover-limousine. Insidiously, the vixen raised a comlink to her lips, then breathed a short sentence in to it.
    "They’re on their way…."

    Crown Palace, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    Corporal Inari, Corporal Glider, Lieutenant Mack Shazri and Lieutenant Commander Deerinea stared at King Reyard, who sat slumped in his large throne, his paws shaking.
    "Corporal Inari – you alone – have stopped me, from plunging our world, back in to war with Schinicin. If it had not been for your sharp eyes, then I have but no doubts, that it would have started a new war…." King Reyard began.
A soft chirp interrupted King Reyard. He reached out and touched the comlink, that was integrated in to his throne.
    "What is it?" He growled.
    "Sire – " Came a voice. "Ambassador Ak’tar has just left his residence, and will arrive at Crown Palace, in about fifteen minutes."
    "Have the Ambassador brought to my throne room," Snapped the King. "The instant he arrives."
    "Yes sir." Replied the voice.
With a grunt, King Reyard stood, then ran his quivering paws down his ornate robes, before he settled himself once more and sighed quietly.
    "What news, can you four offer me?" King Reyard asked quietly, his eyes sunken and haunted.

    "Sire – " Lieutenant Commander Deerinea began. "We have told you, of all that we know. What we know, is someone has found some of the derelict Star-Crusher warships. Further, they have been bringing these derelict vessels back in to operational status and also, they have been equipped with advanced phase-shifting cloaking fields. This fleet, and its exact number of warships and classes, is still unknown, is called the Dark Talon Fleet. It is rumoured – that the flagship of the fleet is commanded by an enigmatic figure, known only as an Admiral. Of course, as we disseminate and collate more information – we shall keep you appraised."
    "Do what-ever you must Lieutenant Commander Deerinea – " Sighed the King. "I want these predations on our vessels stopped. We all know, just how desperate our own people are – for these sorely needed supplies. Dismissed…."

    Bowing, the four friends left the throne room. Each of them realised in their own way, just how dangerously close they had come – to a new war with the Schinicin people. This would have been a war, which neither the Meldaron – nor Schinicin people could have afforded…or indeed…survived.

    Approaching Crown Palace, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    Driving through the streets of Maloner, the black hover-limousine cruised calmly and untroubled. Indeed, Ambassador Ak’tar was relaxed and comfortable, as his hover-limousine was heavily armoured, both within and without. Still, his two bodyguards were tense and alert, prepared to react within a heartbeat – their senses honed to a laser sharp edge. As the hover-limousine turned a corner, they spotted a Meldaron Military checkpoint.

    To one side of the checkpoint, sat a heavily armed and armoured Tashan assault shuttle, its four Tashan soldiers manning the checkpoint. With a gesture, the lead Tashan, a male vulpine, waved the hover-limousine to approach for inspection.
    "Keep going – " Growled the Tashan bodyguard seated beside the weasel driver.
    "Sir – by law…we must stop." Stammered the frightened young weasel.
    "I said – " Snarled the wolf.
    "Stand down – " Come the Ambassador’s command. "We must obey the laws…."

    As if thinking the hover-limousine was not going to stop, the four Tashan soldiers stepped out and levelled their powerful laser rifles at it. Intimidated, the weasel driver slowly approached and then stopped at the checkpoint. Three of the soldiers kept their weapons trained, as the vulpine Captain approached and sharply rapped on the transpari-steel window of the hover-limousine. Quickly, the weasel lowered the window.
    "Identification – now!" Snarled the vulpine Captain.
Hurriedly, the weasel produced the Ambassador’s credentials and handed them over to the waiting Captain.
    "Do you have any idea, of who I am?" Hissed the angered Schinicin.
    "As a matter of fact – sir – " Came the vulpines' low growl. "I do…."

    Instantly, the wolf in the front seat snatched up his blaster pistol, but even as he cleared it from his holster…only the weasel had time to scream, as a live thermite grenade was thrown in to the hover-limousine. Without warning, the four Tashan soldiers leapt for cover, as the thermite grenade exploded, ripping apart the innards of the hover-limousine – and her passengers, then vaporising its four occupants…all within a split second. Swiftly, the four Tashan’s boiled in to the assault shuttle, which blasted off in to the evening sky, leaving only the mangled and burning wreckage of the former hover-limousine, and a sickening pall of smoke….

    Crown Palace, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    "WHAT?" Exploded King Reyard, as he received news of Ambassador Ak’tar’s assassination.
    "Sire – Ambassador Ak’tar, his driver and two bodyguards…have been killed, and we believe sire, that the Ambassador’s hover-limousine may have been intentionally sabotaged. A routine checkpoint stopped them…and as the Captain checked their credentials, the hover-limousine exploded!" Came the voice from the comlink.
    "How? How did this happen?" Snarled the King in rage. "Get me answers, and also…have that patrol found and held for questioning, regarding this incident!"
    "Sire – a witness reported…that these soldiers were not wearing the proper Military Police issued uniforms…. Another…." There was a brief pause. "Sire – that shuttle, scheduled for maintenance, has been stolen from the repair bays!"
    "How? How did all this happen?" Shrieked the King. "What…of civilian casualties, when the hover-limousine exploded?"
    "None sire – " Came the timid voice. "That explosion, was confined within the hover-limousine."
    "Get a scanner team to locate and track that stolen shuttle. I want its crew and soldiers caught and held! Have an investigation team go over the wreck of the hover-limousine. I want answers Lieutenant… not excuses…."
    "It shall be done immediately sire."
    "Keep me informed…and when you find that shuttle crew and the soldiers… arrest them on sight."
    "Yes sire – immediately."

    Angrily, King Reyard snapped the comlink closed, then he glared about the throne room. Smacking the comlink switch, he roared in to it.
    "Lieutenant!"
    "Yes sire?" Came the terrified voice.
    "Get me the Schinicin President…now!"
Within moments, the holographic image of the Schinicin President wavered in to view.
    "Mr. President – " Began King Reyard.
    "Make this short you Majesty…." Hissed the tired looking President.
    "Mr. President – I have – "
    "I already know…. Ambassador Ak’tar has been assassinated." Sighed the President.
    "With all due respect Mr. President – how could you…."

    With a disdainful snort, the Schinicin President spoke.
    "Your majesty…I do have my own information sources. I am most displeased by this turn of events…however…I expect that you are doing all that you can, to ensure that those responsible for this – are found and imprisoned?"
    "That is correct Mr. President. I am sparing nothing, in seeking those responsible – and having them arrested."

    There was a brief break-up of the holographic image of the Schinicin President, which drowned out his response.
    "Refine and strengthen the holographic field strength Lieutenant!" Snarled the King.
After a few anxious seconds, the wavering form coalesced once more.
    "My apologies Mr. President – there was some unforeseen interference to the field strength generators. As I was saying, I am all that I can...however, I must admit, that it appears to have been a carefully planned and orchestrated attack. It shall be a while, before we can ascertain who was responsible for this…."
    "Do whatever you must your majesty – but I want them captured alive."
    "Mr. President, I assure you…I and my people, are working as fast as they can on this case. However, I wish to bring to your attentions – more disturbing news."

    King Reyard gave the order to the waiting Lieutenant, who encoded and transmitted the doomed Alchemian Captains’ last hyperwave transmission. After a moment, the Schinicin President exhaled in a loud hiss and his flared hood settled slowly back down against his neck.
    "By my ancestors scales!" He breathed. "How – "
    "One of my young Corporal’s picked it out." Began King Reyard. "If she had not had such sharp eyes…Millar’s only knows, what would have happened. We would have surely gone to war – and by doing such – we would have annihilated each other…for no reason!"
    "Why? What does this…person…and I use that word lightly, seek to gain, by re-instigating the war between our two species?" Whispered the stunned Schinicin President.

    "I do not understand it myself – " King Reyard admitted. "This – admiral – has been discovering and somehow – reactivating – the Star-Crushers…. Then this person - has been using them against us both…. Our main concern, is what do we do…to stop it?"
In silence, the Schinicin President’s holographic form wavered, then solidified again.
    "Lieutenant!" Barked the King in rage.
    "I’m sorry sire – I can’t filter it out any more!" Come the lieutenant’s reply.
    "This heralds a new threat – to us both." Hissed the President. "What information can you share with me…and do you know…who this Admiral may be?"
    "Sir – I assure you, that all available personnel have been ordered to find out all that they can…. However, information is sketchy at best – and can not be accurately verified officially, as of yet."
    "So – you do not have any hard data?" Replied the irritated reptile.
    "Mr. President – I assure you, that you will know all that we know, within a standard stellar hour. Our main question, is what can we do – to stop this…admiral?"
    With a soft hiss of annoyance, the Schinicin spoke quietly, his eyes narrowing in to slits. "Nothing – as it appears – to be out of our hands…."

    With that, the holographic image burst in to millions of shimmering sparkles, which dissipated, leaving the leonine King deep in thought.  King Reyard depressed the comlink button on his throne again, then breathed out quietly.
    "Lieutenant – I want Lieutenant Commander Deerinea and Lieutenant Mack Shazri – to report to my chambers, as soon as possible."
    "Yes sire – " Spoke the Lieutenant.
    "Make it a priority lieutenant. I have urgent need of them." Sighed the King, as he snapped closed the comlink again.

    Within twenty minutes, lieutenant Mack Shazri and Lieutenant Commander Deerinea made their way before the King then knelt before his throne.
    "My loyal servants – " Began the tired monarch. "I ask you both – for your assistance once more. This is a matter of dire importance. It concerns not only Meldaron, but Schinicin as well. I hereby issue you with a royal order – to do whatever it takes…to find out who is behind this threat. I want this person captured…or destroyed."
    "My liege – " Lieutenant Mack Began.
    "I said – " Snarled the King. "To do whatever it takes…now…get out of here!"
Lieutenant Mack Shazri and Lieutenant Commander Deerinea fled the castle, leaving the King pacing the chamber angrily, his paws clenching and unclenching in rage and frustration.

    Barracks, Maloner Base, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    "Officer approaching!" Lieutenant Mack barked, as he preceded Lieutenant Commander Deerinea in to the barracks, of the Maloner military base.
Instantly, the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted sharply. Lieutenant Commander Deerinea smiled weakly, then returned their salute.
    "His excellency, King Reyard Russet – has hereby given the order, for all available troopers, to commence investigations in to the attacks on our ships, stations and peoples. I want you all to spread out across Meldaron and surrounding systems, stations and ships, to seek out and gather information in regards to the attacks. Remember at all times, to keep your eyes and ears open, but be wary. We need live troopers – not dead heroes. Squad – dismissed. Corporal’s Glider and Inari – a moment please."

    Hurriedly, the other troopers left the barracks, heading for the dispatchers office, for their deployment orders. Corporal Glider and Corporal Inari waited patiently, until the troopers had left. Corporal Glider reached over, and gave his worried looking daughter a tight and compassionate hug, before they approached Lieutenant Commander Deerinea and Lieutenant Mack Shazri.
    "Corporal’s – " Lieutenant Commander Deerinea began. "As you both know, our own vessels, and those of our allies, have been coming under attack, and are being destroyed. What scant information we have is providing us with but precious few leads. Please – I beg of you both, to do all that you can, to try and help us. We need to find out who is behind this…and to put a stop to it."

    "Sir – " Corporal Inari whispered. "Permission to speak?"
    "Granted Corporal." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea replied wearily.
    "Sir – with all due respect, I strongly feel that we should not be using the military forces, to try and ascertain, who is behind these attacks. Our troopers have an unwilling tendency to intimidate people. Thus, people will be afraid to speak. I know that the troopers don’t mean to frighten people, but there is a strong psychological grounding, for mistrust and apprehension. Perchance, we may find – alternative – methods of conducting our investigations, with much better results?" Corporal Inari breathed her voice barely above a faint whisper.
    "You may have a point there Corporal…." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea pondered, as she idly tapped her paw against her furred cheek.

    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea turned to Lieutenant Mack Shazri.
    "Your thoughts Lieutenant?"
    Lieutenant Mack glanced thoughtfully at the floor, then he sighed softly. "I must agree with Corporal Inari sir. I for one, before I joined the military, was quite intimidated by the armed soldiers. Perhaps, we can use less obtrusive methods, to make our enquires?"
    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea was quiet for a while, then she nodded slowly. "Do what you must…as we need all the information we can get. If there is no other questions?"

    No one spoke.
    "All right…dismissed." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea spoke quietly.
Corporal Inari and Corporal Glider left the barracks.
    "Go my friends…and I pray, that you can find some answers – " Lieutenant Commander Deerinea spoke softly. "May Millar be with you…."

    Captain Fitzgerald’s Office, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    Private Nael paused outside the door or Captain Fitzgerald’s office. It was located deep within a soaring building, in the heart of the sprawling Maloner base. Many of the hallways were almost dark, as it was late at night and the many civilians and military personnel had gone home for the evening. Private Nael paused again, then knocked softly on the captain’s door.
    "Captain Fitzgerald?" Private Nael whispered.
There was no answer.
    "Sir – " Private Nael asked again.
A soft clack from down the hallway made the young private jump and squeal in alarm, but it was only one of the cleaning droid’s emptying the garbage receptacles.  Private Nael reached out and touched the door sensor. To her surprise, it hissed open. Glancing inside, Private Nael saw a dim office, with a large folder strewn desk, a small lamp casting its soft glow over the table and folders.
    "Captain?" Private Nael breathed.

    Private Nael made her way in to the room, then yelped again, as the door hissed closed behind her. As she looked around, her eyes widened, as they adjusted to the gloomy office. Her sensitive nose twitched, as her deep brown eyes widened further as she stepped cautiously across the dark floor, approaching the desk.
    "Captain – are you in here?" Private Nael asked hesitantly.
Only the oppressive silence greeted her questions.

    Private Nael made her way to the barely illuminated desk, where she began hunting for a recorder log, so she could leave Captain Fitzgerald a message. Her seeking paw brushed upon a secreted button and a previously concealed panel sprang open. Seconds later, a holographic image flickered in to view, standing on the holonet transceiver pad in the corner.
Private Nael was speechless, as the holographic image turned, to stare at the terrified Private Nael. Within moments, Private Nael come to realise that this holographic image…was the real threat behind the attacks on her people’s vessels and star-bases. Shocked, Private Nael stumbled backwards, her shaking paws spilling the folders to the floor, where her gaze was torn to its contents. These folders contained highly sensitive documents on the fleet dispersals, security codes transponder codes and other documents…that Captain Fitzgerald had been encoding and transmitting.
    "You are not Captain Fitzgerald…." Growled the holographic female vixen Droid.

    Just as Private Nael moved to flee, there was a menacing – click – right behind her head, and she felt the cold muzzle of a blaster pistol, as it was pressed against the back of her head.
    "I do not recall – inviting – you Private…." Come a menacing growl. "I also see, that you’ve discovered what I’ve been up too…. I am quite displeased…with your lack of faith in me Private. You should not have stuck your muzzle…in to my affairs."
Nodding vigorously, the holographic vixen Droid watched.
    "You once showed promise…." Breathed Private Nael’s captor, as he stroked her shaking ears. "However – I do promise you, you will regret ever trying my patience. Your career – is now – over!"
Private Nael tried to scream, but her throat locked tight, mili-seconds after her body began wildly convulsing, gripped in the agonising electrical field that seared through every nerve ending in her body. Again and again, it ravaged her body, and Private Nael crumpled like a broken rag doll. Her captor smiled then roughly threw her down over the desk. Only a low, menacing growl from the holographic Droid stopped his next planned move.

    "That is one reason – " Snarled the vixen Droid. "Of why, I detest you organic, carbon based, bi-pedal, humanoid, hairless apes! You are obsessed with the pleasures of the flesh…. You truly disgust me!"
Captain Fitzgerald stepped in to the light cast by the overturned desk lamp and he grunted, as he bound Private Nael’s paws tightly behind her back, using electronic cuffs. Once done, he stared at the holographic Admiral Uzuri.
    "Why do you care…what I do?" Captain Fitzgerald grunted.
    "I care – as this is neither the time…nor the place…for you to indulge your twisted perversions Captain ." Admiral Uzuri shot back scathingly.

    Disgusted, Captain Fitzgerald touched a button on his desk and within moments, gleaming electronic eyes approached, then the Droid bowed to Captain Fitzgerald.
    "Take her to my shuttle…." Captain Fitzgerald growled. I’ll personally deal with this meddling rodent myself."
    "Yes sir – " Spoke the Droid.
Captain Fitzgerald softly patted Private Nael’s neck, then ran his hands down her long ears.
    "Yes – my young Hare…." He breathed, then grinned wolfishly. "You should not ever…have crossed my path. You have no idea, of what you have brought down upon yourself…. Take her away!"
Captain Fitzgerald smiled cruelly, as the Droid carried away the unconscious Private Nael.
    "Admiral – this was unforseen…and unexpected." Captain Fitzgerald admitted.
Admiral Uzuri was unperturbed by this turn of events.
    "It concerns me – " Admiral Uzuri breathed. "Not at all Captain."
    "Sir – if that Private had managed too…." Captain Fitzgerald moaned.
    "Spare me the useless rhetoric Captain…." Admiral Uzuri growled. Private Nael’s appearance should not concern you. If it had of been intentional – to trap you…."

    Captain Fitzgerald paled, then slumped down on to his chair. He had forgotten to search Private Nael.
    "Should it have been their intentions to trap you – Captain – " Admiral Uzuri repeated. "Then you and I – would not be having this conversation…would we?"
Captain Fitzgerald shuddered and wilted visibly.
    "You must learn to be more alert Captain…as I would be most displeased, should something – unforeseen – befall you…." Admiral Uzuri chuckled sarcastically.

    With that, Admiral Uzuri’s holographic image vanished, leaving a very scared and troubled Captain Fitzgerald in its wake.

    Barracks, Maloner Base, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    Private Trolganza burst in to the barracks, startling Private Kyle and Corporal Inari, who dropped her pistol and uttered a whispery scream.
    "Has anyone – " Private Trolganza gasped, trying to catch his breath. "Seen Private Nael? Her and I are scheduled to depart for Starbase 3…."
Corporal Inari retrieved her fallen pistol, then with shaking paws, resumed cleaning it.
    "No – " Private Kyle admitted.
    "Sir – " Private Trolganza asked Corporal Inari.
    "I am sorry Private – " Corporal Inari whispered. "I have not seen Private Nael, since we received our deployment orders, yesterday afternoon."
Private Kyle glanced towards Corporal Inari, who holstered her pistol and her side.
    "Sir – permission to go look for Private Nael?" Private Trolganza asked.

    Corporal Inari pondered, then nodded softly. "Permission granted Private, however, I want you both to carry trackers and comlink’s, in case we need to find you quickly."
    "Yes sir – " Both Privates replied, then ran from the barracks.
Corporal Inari sat on her bunk, her furred legs crossed, as she closed her eyes.  Within moments, Corporal Inari had slipped in to a deep meditative state, seeking to calm and centre herself. Corporal Inari remained this way for the next hour, until her inner senses alerted her to her father’s approach.
    "Yes father?" Corporal Inari whispered faintly, then opened one eye.
Corporal Glider paused, then shook his head in bewilderment.
    "Corporal…Inari…there are times, when your natural empathic talents frighten me." Corporal Glider confessed.
Corporal Inari opened both eyes, then unfolded her legs and hugged her knees to her chest, as she idly ran her paws down her bushy tail.

    "You have our deployment orders?" Corporal Inari sighed softly
Corporal Glider nodded, believing that Corporal Inari could really read his mind. Corporal Inari’s dewlaps curled upwards in a shy smile, before she spoke again.
    "No father – my powers do not allow me to read your mind. My talents do not lay in that regard…." Corporal Inari uttered a whispery laugh.
Corporal Glider turned crimson, making Corporal Inari raise an eyebrow inquisitively, then turn away and cough in embarrassment.
    "Inari – I thought you said that – " Corporal Glider began.
    "Father – I can not read your mind…but your scent…tells me all that I needed to know…."
Corporal Glider blushed worse and Corporal Inari laughed delicately, covering her muzzle with her paws.
    "Your thoughts are your own father," Corporal Inari replied shyly. "As I strongly believe…that I should not use my talents, to invade someone else’s privacy. Now, what is our assignment?"
    "We have been assigned – " Corporal Glider began.
    "To me – " Lieutenant Commander Deerinea replied, as she and Lieutenant Mack entered the barracks.

    Immediately, both Corporal’s snapped to attention and saluted. Lieutenant Mack and Lieutenant Commander Deerinea returned their salute.
    "You both – have been assigned to me." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea smiled. "We’ve got a shuttle fuelled and prepared for departure. We are going to the Pyrenes system. Apparently, this Admiral’s starships have hit the Pyrenes system hard, and there is massive casualties and devastation. Several construction freighters are already en-route to the Pyrenes system…and they will be arriving shortly before we do."
    "Lieutenant Commander – " Corporal Glider asked. "Is there any information – as to why the Admiral and her vessels attacked the Pyrenes system?"
    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea sighed sadly. "I wish there was Corporal, but the Pyrenes system is not on any major routes, but it does have manufacturing facilities…."
    "Perhaps – " Corporal Inari whispered. "It is an deliberate hit and fade attack, to draw off our resources, in preparation for the real assault?"

    Both Lieutenant Commander Deerinea and Lieutenant Mack were silent, as they contemplated Corporal Inari’s words.
    "If that is indeed the case – " Lieutenant Mack whispered thoughtfully.
    "Then what…or more importantly…who is the primary target?" Lieutenant Commander Deerinea finished. "Already, much of our forces are scattered throughout the galaxy – "
    "What of our reserve naval fleet?" Corporal Glider spoke up.
    "A good idea Corporal – " Lieutenant Mack sighed. "Sadly, we do not have the forces necessary, to crew the reserve fleet, nor the troopers…."
Corporal Inari was silent, pondering the possible targets, which the Admiral may be thinking of striking.
    "The Schinicin starship yards!" Corporal Inari squealed breathlessly. "Our reserve fleet is based there…and it is only lightly defended! If the Admiral strikes there, then it may heavily deplete our reserves, allowing the Admiral to launch a major offensive against us!"
    "Dispatch!" Lieutenant Commander Deerinea snarled in to her comlink.
    "Dispatch here, Lieutenant Commander Deerinea – " Come the voice.
    "How many warships, do we have within two days journey of the Schinicin starship yards?

    After a few seconds, the dispatchers' voice was bleak.
    "Sir – we only have four Maloner class warships within that range…."
    "Dispatch – issue a priority red signal be sent to those warships. Have them break patrolling duties and head immediately to the Schinicin starship yards, at maximum speed. Also, alert the Schinicin controllers on Schinicin, and the starship yards, to recall any and all available fighters, destroyers, cruisers and battleships that they can. Let them know as well, of our own warships' arrival…. Send everything we can spare, to help defend the starship yards, as we’re expecting a major attack any day. Lieutenant Commander Deerinea – out."
    "I just pray to Millar – " Lieutenant Mack moaned, as he looked at Corporal Inari. "That you’re mistaken Corporal…."
    "So do I sir – " Corporal Inari replied, then looked away sadly. "So do I…."

    Vallin’s Military Jail, Vallin’s

    "Prison shuttle L9-427 – " Come the voice over the secure comlink. "Prepare for prisoner loading."
Captain Fitzgerald activated the external hatch, then stared out through the shuttlecrafts view ports. As he watched, the heavily armed and armoured red tunic prison guards approached, escorting the latest shipment of the black suited prisoners. Each of the prisoners was cuffed with electronic binders and shackles, and the guards gave their prisoners complete and utter attention. One by one, they were loaded in to the secure cages aboard the prison shuttle. Captain Fitzgerald glanced behind him, were the unconscious Private Nael lay slumped in the other passenger seat, shackled and her paws cuffed.
    "Move along you!" Snarled one of the guards, as he struck a massive Tashan wolf prisoner with an electric whip.

    There was a loud sizzling sound, then the stench of burned fur and flesh. Without warning, the Tashan exploded in to violent rage, and tore out the guard’s throat, his powerful jaws crushing the guard’s neck, like a man crushes an eggshell in his hand. Other guards leapt to restrain the enraged Tashan prisoner, but he swept them aside as if they were toys. As they fought to restrain him, he slaughtered another five guards, in extremely gruesome and efficient ways. As the other guards raised their weapons, preparing to shoot dead the irrational and psychotic Tashan wolf, Captain Fitzgerald leapt from the shuttle cockpit.
Throwing his head back, he uttered an ear-piercing howl, then an equally loud series of growls, sharp barks and grunts. Immediately, the Tashan ceased his murderous rampage and the guards swiftly restrained him again, then loaded him aboard the shuttle. Captain Fitzgerald grunted, and climbed back inside the shuttle then turned his chair around, to stare in to the deep black, soul-less eyes of the blood lathered Tashan wolf.

    "I may have need of you – " Captain Fitzgerald growled, in fluent Tashan. "I like your style, my large, aggressive friend."
    "I ain’t your friend – " Grated the deep bass voice of the Tashan. "I’ll rip your heart out – and show it to you!"
Captain Fitzgerald was not even remotely intimidated, as the Tashan wolf grinned; displaying his blood lathered fangs.
    "Yes – you’ll do perfectly…my large friend." Captain Fitzgerald smiled, as he turned his chair back around. "You and I – will make a good team…I am assured of that."
    "Shuttle L9-427 – " Spoke a voice over the comlink. "Prisoners loaded and secure. Prepare for departure vector – "

    Nodding, the pilot and co-pilot engaged the pre-flight checklist and when they received the orders, they engaged the shuttles drives, and lifted off, rising swiftly through the dark, overcast cloud cover, which hung oppressively over the prison complex and surrounding country….

    Aboard Black Talon, Flagship of the Dark Talon Fleet

    Admiral Uzuri stood on the bridge of her flagship, the Black Talon. Idly, Admiral Uzuri watched the raging spaceship battle, which was occurring nearby. Small star fighters were everywhere, but Admiral Uzuri paid them little mind, as she fixated her thoughts and eyes on the Maloner Class battleship, the Hind. Turbolasers crossed and crisscrossed, as three of her stolen warships traded blows with the out-gunned Maloner battleship.
    "Admiral – the Destroyer Kaldorian reports heavy damage to bow and starboard." Spoke the Droid Commander, his voice devoid of any emotion.
    "Order the Bloodfang and Kishnath, to assist Kaldorian. Kaldorian is to immediately retreat at maximum speed, once clear of battle. Order a full spread of ion torpedoes – target the Hind’s main conning tower." Admiral Uzuri commented dryly.

    Quickly, the orders were encoded and sent, then Admiral Uzuri watched as the two Schinicin Star Crushers moved to draw fire from the smaller destroyer.
    "Torpedoes away Admiral – " Replied the Droid.
Admiral Uzuri watched as twenty-four of the gleaming torpedoes ripped through the weakening shielding of the Hind, and struck dead centre of the conning tower. Immediately, the Hind ceased return fire and appeared to have been mortally wounded in the battle, as she began listing to port. In reality, the ion torpedoes had overloaded her entire shipboard systems.
    "Admiral – the Hind’s Captain wishes to announce his surrender." Called a Droid sensor operator.
Admiral Uzuri turned away from the panoramic view of the stricken vessel and sighed softly.
    "Commander – how long did the battle go for?" Admiral Uzuri asked.
    "Forty-seven minutes, sixteen seconds, twelve point – " Replied the Commander.
    "Get me a species scan of the Captain of the Hind." Admiral Uzuri barked sharply.

    Immediately, the Droid Commander produced a small datapad, and handed it to Admiral Uzuri.
    "I see – male, Pearldinean, about…eighteen years old?" Admiral Uzuri breathed. "Commander, is this scan accurate?"
    "Yes sir – "
Admiral Uzuri stared out at the stricken and listing Hind, then back at the datapad.
    "Commander – tell the Captain I accept his surrender. Have him transfer himself to my ship, via shuttle."
    "Yes Admiral – by your command." Replied the Commander, as he bowed and issued the order.
    "Oh – Commander?"
    "Sir?"

    "Have a boarding crew depart immediately. I want that ship’s crew executed – by whatever means necessary, but I want that ship taken. Inform the boarding crew, not to allow the Meldaron’s to arm the destruct sequence on board the vessel. That is a priority Commander."
    "By your command Admiral." Spoke the Droid Commander simply.
As the orders were relayed, the sensors detected the launch of a small Tashan class shuttle. It made its way slowly and carefully, towards the flagship upon which Admiral Uzuri stood. Their own boarding shuttle departed, then like a limpet, attached itself to the side of the stricken battleships bridge. Within seconds, powerful lasers had cut their way through and the droid’s boiled in to the stricken warship.

    Admiral Uzuri turned away, then sat her metallic body down in her throne. Idly, she ran her black armoured paws over the horsehair throne covering, and she smiled beneath her mask, as she ran the horsetail whip through her paws, awaiting her latest prisoner.
    "Admiral – "  Spoke the Droid Commander.  "Docking shuttle reports objective has been compromised. No resistance has been met – the bridge is secure."
Admiral Uzuri’s head snapped up, every nerve ending in her body twitching spasmodically, as she sensed danger. What it was, she did not know – but it was making her very uneasy.
    "Admiral – " Spoke the Commander.
    "What is it?" Admiral Uzuri growled dangerously.
    "Sir – the main foredecks of the ship appear to be deserted sir, only a computer voice is responding to the boarding party."
    "Put it through audio – now!" Admiral Uzuri screamed, as she leapt from her throne.

    Working, the Droid manning the boarding parties sensors, did as it was instructed, then the whoop of red alert klaxons were heard, along with a faint computer voice….

    Five…four…three…

    Admiral Uzuri howled in helpless rage and defiance.

    Two…one….

    There was a blinding explosion and the flagships photo-imaging systems exploded in flames and sparks, as they struggled to avert the blinding glare. Even Admiral Uzuri turned her head away, as the six massive star-drives aboard the Maloner battleship went critical…and vaporised her eleven hundred crew and twenty-five thousand troopers, and other personnel aboard, as the Hind burst in to millions of pieces. When Admiral Uzuri regained her eyesight, she was just in time, to see a chunk of the exploded Hind go streaking outwards from the blast – then tear through the bridge of the nearby Star Crusher – the Kishnath. Instantly, the Kishnath’s own three star-drives went critical, as the explosions ripped through her, then exploded the Kishnath from within. Such was the proximity of the blast to both the Black Talon and the Bloodfang, that the flagship Black Talon was moderately damaged from the blast, and the closer Bloodfang bore the worst of the exploding Kishnath, getting heavily damaged.

    Alarm klaxons tore though the bridge of Admiral Uzuri’s flagship, and those of the Bloodfang, as repair Droid’s scrambled, trying to stem the raging fires and patch the hull breaches in both warships. Admiral Uzuri stared out through the view-port aboard her flagship, then without a word, turned and marched from the bridge….

    Approaching Prison Cruiser, Talax IV System

    "Attention approaching shuttle – we have you on our sensors. Please identify." Come the controllers’ voice.
    "Command – this is prison shuttle L9-427, en-route from Meldaron. We request docking permission." Replied the shuttle pilot, as his ship streaked towards the massive prison ship, which hung in orbit high above the hostile world of Talax IV.
    "Shuttle L9-427, you are cleared to land. Hangar bay four, port side." Come the reply.
    "Affirmative control…beginning approach." Sighed the Captain, as he shut off the communication comlink, then turned to his co-pilot. "Damn, I really hate these – "
He never finished what he was about to say, as suddenly, his head exploded and his blood and skull fragments exploded over the console and view-port of the shuttle cockpit. Instantly, the shuttle began to plummet down towards the hostile planet below, but the on-board computer system took control, as the shocked co-pilot snapped his head around, to see Captain Fitzgerald’s smoking blaster muzzle pointed straight at his head.

    "Millar’s name!" Wailed the horrified co-pilot. "What was – "
    "Unless – " Captain Fitzgerald growled. "You want to join him, then you will land us on Talax IV – now!"
    "Shuttle L9-427 – come in! What’s wrong?" Asked the worried controller, monitoring the shuttles deviation, aboard the prison ship.
    "Tell them – " Captain Fitzgerald growled, as he rapped softly on the back of the co-pilots helmet with his blaster barrel. "That we’ve got a drive problem…but should you try to warn them…then your flying days are over – understand?"

    Swallowing, the terrified co-pilot nodded, then opened communications with the prison ship.
    "Ah…command – " He stammered. "We’ve got a major drive problem here, and also we’re losing cockpit pressure…. I’ve lost the pilot, and we’ve got to make a forced landing on Talax IV…."
Before the co-pilot could continue, Captain Fitzgerald shot the comlink and it erupted in to a brilliant burst of sparks and flames.
    "Bah – boring conversation anyway…." Captain Fitzgerald snarled. "All right pilot…I want you to land on the dark side of Talax IV…."
    "Captain – Talax IV is a – " Moaned the co-pilot.
    "You need not bother yourself with trivialities like that Corporal…." Captain Fitzgerald whispered, then gestured downwards. "Just do your duty…."

    Terrified, the co-pilot laid in the course then guided the shuttle down in to the swirling, noxious atmosphere of Talax IV. Concerned, the Commander aboard the prison ship ordered his crew to try and raise the shuttle on the comlink.
    "Shuttle L9-427 – do you copy?" He asked.
Static crackled back.
    "Shuttle L9-427 – do you read me?"
Still, only static and hissing atmospheric interference oozed from the speakers.
    "Commander – we can’t raise them!" Replied the sensor operator.

    Silently, the weasel commander paced the bridge, then he spoke. "Corporal, order an emergency shuttle departure. Track the shuttles last known trajectory and have a search and rescue party gathered. I want a thorough check for any survivors, but I’m afraid – there will not be any…."
    "Commander – "
    "Just do it Lieutenant. I also want an emergency priority blue hyperwave signal sent to Meldaron, informing them of the shuttle disappearance. I do not think that this was any normal accident…I strongly feel – it was deliberate hijacking, possibly by one or more of the prisoners. Order the search crews, to be kitted out with blaster rifles, and environmental suits…just in case. Their orders, are to shoot any and all prisoners – without hesitation."
    "Aye sir – preparations are being made – the crew will be ready shortly."

    Maloner Base, Maloner, Pearldinea.

    "Lieutenant Commander Deerinea – " Spoke a Tashan vulpine. "Sir – we’ve just received a priority blue signal from the Prison ship at Talax IV…. Sir – the commander reported that the shuttle…was approaching the prison ship, then it suddenly went out of control, and was last seen streaking down towards the dark side of Talax IV…. Sir, the Commander strongly believes, that this was no accident, but the shuttle may have been deliberately hijacked or sabotaged."
    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea turned, then approached the sensor operator.  "What do you mean Corporal?"
    "Sir – they have been unable to raise the shuttle on the comlink system – and as we all know, the emergency comlink system is impervious – to almost anything."
    "Lieutenant Commander Deerinea!" Squealed another technician, this time, a startled equine "Sir!"
    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea snapped about, then stared at the terrified equine lieutenant.  "What is it Lieutenant?"
    "Sir – we just lost contact with the Maloner Battleship – the Hind, which was out on patrolling duties in the outer sectors. Sir, the Hind was captained by – "

    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea turned away. "I know, who was captain of that ship Lieutenant."
    "Where was the last reported sensor contact from the Hind?" Lieutenant Mack growled.
Quickly, the desk was cleared and a star-chart was displayed, listing the locations of any and all Meldaron and Schinicin ships on patrolling duties. A gleaming red light indicated the last reported location of the destroyed battleship, the Hind. Lieutenant Commander Deerinea studied the stellar co-ordinates, then her eyebrows raised inquisitively.
    "Computer – display information on the Altair II system." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea barked sharply.

    Working

    System : Altair II
    System Composition : White dwarf, two remaining planets in system
    System Lifeforms Present : None
    System Information : Last scouted and logged – 1,749 P.G.W.

    "P.G.W.?" Lieutenant Mack asked.
    "Pre-great war." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea admitted.
    Lieutenant Mack’s eyes widened. "How long ago?"
    "Nearly two thousand years ago – " Lieutenant Commander Deerinea replied, as she glanced down at the star-charts. "This system, lies out in the furthermost regions of the outer rim territories. Beyond the outer rim, lie the ‘great uncharted wastes’. No one knows what lies beyond, as any unmanned probes we’ve sent out there – have been destroyed within moments, by massive great ion storms and radiation belts. It is too hostile, and the Altair II system has nothing of interest, either geologically or scientifically."
    "Then why was the Hind patrolling that sector?" Asked Lieutenant Mack.
    "That Maloner class warship, was returning from a three year patrol of the outer rim sector." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea spoke. "We have a smattering of scientific and geological outposts out there, on outer rim systems and assorted Starbase’s. The Hind was to return to Meldaron, for her crew to be relieved, and the Hind to be resupplied, pending her next mission."
    "Now – " Lieutenant Mack began.

    Lieutenant Commander Deerinea turned to look back at the communications sensor operator, who shook his head sadly, his long tubular ears folded back against his neck.
    "I’m sorry sir – there is no signals from any lifeboats." Whiffled the Alchemian sadly.
    "Sargent, I want an immediate investigation launched, in to the disappearance and possible hijacking of the prison shuttle, but most importantly, I want any available vessels to proceed at maximum speed, to the last reported location of the Hind." Lieutenant Mack barked.

    Quickly, the orders were encoded and transmitted via hyperwave signal to the closest warships in that sector.
    "Lieutenant Commander Deerinea – " Stammered the equine Sargent. "Sir – the probes will take three days to reach the last reported location, and ships will take about four days, to arrive, to begin their sweeps of the area."
Lieutenant Commander Deerinea nodded sadly and Lieutenant Mack gave her a comforting squeeze on the shoulder.
    "Lieutenant Commander – " Lieutenant Mack began.
Without warning, Lieutenant Commander Deerinea snapped off Lieutenant Mack’s paw, then she fled the chambers in tears. Her heartbreaking sobbing made the gathered troopers and operator’s exchange worried glances with each other. Lieutenant Mack glanced around himself, then awkwardly excused himself and ran from the control chambers.

    Lieutenant Mack finally tracked her down, to the large balcony at the top of the main Meldaron base tower. Lieutenant Commander Deerinea sat huddled, her muzzle buried in her quaking paws, the sobbing tearing her apart. A freezing wind swept across the high balcony, whipping Lieutenant Mack’s hair in to his eyes and fluttering out his heavy cloak.
    "Lieutenant Commander – " Lieutenant Mack began.
    "Leave me alone!" Lieutenant Commander Deerinea wailed.
    "Deerinea – please…." Lieutenant Mack asked, as he hesitantly stepped closer.
His sensitive ears pricked, as he heard the muffled click…of a blaster pistols safety catch being disabled.
    "Lieutenant – go away…." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea wept, her head bowed.
    "No – I can not do that…sir." Lieutenant Mack replied softly, taking another cautious step closer.
    "Lieutenant Shazri – that is an order!" Lieutenant Commander Deerinea snarled.
    "With all due respect sir – I can not allow you to do this." Lieutenant Mack growled. "Sir – please. Give me your sidearm. I am hereby, relieving you of your command."

    "Take it off me – if you can." Lieutenant Commander Deerinea growled dangerously.
    "Sir – " Lieutenant Mack spoke quietly. "I am quite within my rights, if I feel that a superior officer is incapable of his or her duties, to relieve them of their command. Sir – I ask you – not as a fellow officer, but I ask you – as a friend, to please give me your sidearm. I need not remind you sir, that you have been relieved of your command, of the Meldaron armed forces…."
Lieutenant Commander Deerinea’s paw snapped around, as she fired – but her blaster shot only vaporised the railing where Lieutenant Mack had been standing, barely seconds ago.  As she rolled to her feet and tracked him, Lieutenant Mack fired his own pistol and a brilliant emerald green bolt slammed home deep in to Lieutenant Commander Deerinea’s spine…and she crumpled unconscious to the balcony floor. Lieutenant Mack’s dewlaps were curled downwards in an unhappy smile, as he slowly holstered his pistol.

    Within moments, a squad of four armed military police arrived, their weapons drawn threateningly.
    "Place the Lieutenant Commander under arrest – and have her placed in a secure, but comfortable quarters. Also, have a double guard posted outside her quarters." Lieutenant Mack told the Sargent.
    "Sir?" Asked the incredulous Sargent.
    "Just do it Sargent!" Snarled Lieutenant Mack.
    "Yes sir – " Replied the Sargent, then he and his men carried the unconscious Lieutenant Commander away.
Lieutenant Mack sniffled and whimpered, then knelt and retrieved Lieutenant Commander Deerinea’s pistol, before he made his way down from the windy balcony.

    Prison Shuttle L9-427 Crash Site, Talax IV.

    Captain Fitzgerald glanced out through the view port of the shuttle, at the swirling gasses and dust that lay outside the safety of the shuttle’s confines. He smiled cruelly, then pulled down and affixed his breath mask over his face. Once done, he pressed the barrel of his blaster pistol against the side of the co-pilots head.
    "Get out – " Captain Fitzgerald growled dangerously.
Swiftly, the co-pilot scrambled from the cockpit, followed by Captain Fitzgerald.
    "Captain – please!" Wept the co-pilot. "I beg of you!"
Captain Fitzgerald grunted then gestured with the pistol, towards the shuttle’s hatchway controls. On shaking legs, his nose and eyes burning from the poisonous atmosphere. Coughing, the co-pilot reached out, and opened the dust-encrusted panel and pressed the hatch release. There was a loud clank of unlocking magnetic constrictors, then the hatch grated open. A large bilious cloud of escaping gasses concealed the opening hatch, swiftly torn to ribbons by the rising wind. As the hatch thudded down in to the dirt, the first of the guards stepped in to view. He was a young Tashan vulpine, and as he appeared, his grey muzzle dropped open in alarm and dread. Even as he made a desperate grab for his sidearm, Captain Fitzgerald smiled…then fired.

    Without a single whimper, the Tashan guard was blasted across the shuttle, where he slammed against the far side with a sickening snap of bones, as his lifeless corpse slithered to the decking. From his armoured chest, come the sickening stench of burned fur, flesh and polymer armour….
    "One down – " Captain Fitzgerald smiled cruelly. "All right! I know you are in there – so throw down your sidearm…and come out, nice and slowly – with your paws or hands on your head."
After a few moments, there was the soft clatter of the troopers’ pistol, as it was thrown from the back of the shuttle, and landed on the upper ramp.
    "Go retrieve the pistol…." Captain Fitzgerald growled to the co-pilot. "Also, do not try anything…as I’m watching you."

    Sobbing in terror, the choking co-pilot scrambled on his hands and knees up the ramp, then just as his fingers touched the pistol, a blaster bolt struck the deck, millimetres from his hand. He shrieked in agony, as the blaster bolt badly burned his hand and carbonised the decking. Swiftly, the co-pilot raked the pistol downwards, so that it landed near Captain Fitzgerald’s feet. He smiled, then without taking his eyes from the dark hatchway; he crouched and retrieved the fallen pistol.
    "All right!" He barked. "Both of you, come on out…nice and slowly, with your paws or hands on your heads. Do not do anything foolish…and I’ll let you both live."
Cradling his badly burned hand, the co-pilot emerged first, then to Captain Fitzgerald’s surprise, a tall, six feet five inches tall furred form followed. Its protective polymer helmet concealed its head and upper muzzle, the eyes covered by a black, mirrored eye-shield. Its sex was indeterminate, and its paws were firmly interlaced behind its neck.

    "You!" Captain Fitzgerald growled. "Nice and slowly – remove your helmet!"
Delicately, the trooper unlocked her furred fingers, then unbuckled the chinstrap. Slowly, it slid the heavy helmet free….
    "Sweet Millar!" Captain Fitzgerald panted in awe.
Standing before him, was the proud and noble form of a female Gazelle anthro. Her bright brown eyes gleamed, then began to water, due to the poisonous nature of this hostile world’s atmosphere. Her bright eyes were offset by her light brown cheek stripes. Her black horns were short and delicately curved backwards, from her backswept ears.
    "My now – " Captain Fitzgerald breathed, as he approached and lightly ran his gloved paw over her snout.

    Swallowing, the Doe Gazelle kept her gaze laser straight, barely twitching as she endured the touch of Captain Fitzgerald. Slowly, her muzzles dewlaps wrinkled in disgust, as her sensitive nose, watering and burning, brought her the sickening stench of Captain Fitzgerald’s rising passions. Such was the extent; his sweat scent was nearly making her retch in abject nausea, which curled threateningly in her stomach. Without warning, Captain Fitzgerald seized the helpless Gazelle’s ear, and he sharply twisted it and yanked. Without the slightest twitch or cry of pain, the Gazelle trooper dropped to her knees, as Captain Fitzgerald tightened his already excruciating grasp on her now bleeding ear.
    "Ah – " Captain Fitzgerald breathed softly, as he quivered in lust. "A Hind – in her rightful place. At the feet of a dominant male…."
    "You are far – " Choked the Gazelle bravely. "From a dominant Buck."
Captain Fitzgerald snarled, then savagely struck her across the muzzle, driving her to the dusty ground. Coughing and choking, the Doe wretched, the poisonous atmosphere and dust beginning to poison her.
    "I like you – " Smiled the Captain. "You have spirit…and you are not as weak minded…as some others…are inclined to be. I may have a place for you – if you are interested?"

    Choking and spitting blood and dust from her mouth, the Gazelle glared up at him, and he noticed the thin rivulet of blood that ran from her black nose.
    "I’ll die – before I join the likes of you." Gasped the Gazelle trooper defiantly, then spat her bloodied phlegm on his boots.
Captain Fitzgerald looked down at her. "Oh – my deer Gazelle…. I am quite sure, that I can persuade you…with the proper inducements?"
Defiantly, the Gazelle rose, then smoothed down her rumpled uniform and straightened her armoured vest.
    "I am a member of the Haktor noble family – a powerful and respected family on Meldaron. You – on the other paw – are nothing more, than a simple commoner, you are nothing…you are less than nothing. I could have you executed – for your contemptible treatment of me. However, I will forgive you – for your traitorous words, and the shame you have brought to my family, and me. Surrender, and I will ensure, that you are allowed to escape – with no recriminations from myself, or my powerful family."

    Captain Fitzgerald laughed, then lashed out and there was a sickening snap of the young Gazelle’s muzzle cheekbones. Without a single whimper, the trooper was knocked to her back, blood lathering her muzzle. Captain Fitzgerald began mercilessly kicking her with his armoured boots and to her credit, the Gazelle took his relentless beatings, without whimpering or crying out. This only served to fuel Captain Fitzgerald’s anger more.
    "You do not know – that which you deny yourself!" He raged, as he slammed his boot in to her furred belly.
    "My loyalty – " Gasped the Gazelle. "Lies to my liege, my noble family and peers and my people."
    "Your loyalty is quite touching – " Captain Fitzgerald admitted. "However, it is also misplaced. Join yourself with me – and you will be respected, powerful – more powerful than you could ever have dreamed! We will crush the Meldaron monarch and forge a new beginning together! You will be at my side, and our dark reign of oppression and terror shall make our enemies cower before us! Together, we will crush the opposition and rule the system!"

    Staggering back to her hooved feet, the Gazelle wiped her paw across her fractured muzzle; the she stared incredulously at the blood on her paw.
    "I’m not afraid of you…." Gasped the wounded trooper.
    "You should be – " Captain Fitzgerald whispered menacingly. "You should be…."

    Admiral Uzuri’s Quarters, Aboard the Flagship of the Dark Talon Fleet.

    His paws bound before him with electronic cuffs, the Pearldinean Captain was escorted in to Admiral Uzuri’s quarters. It was dim within the large chamber and all that the feeble illumination lit, was the back of Admiral Uzuri’s throne. It was turned, so that the occupant of the throne sat with their back to the door…as they gazed out at the panoramic view of the stars that lie outside the massive Star-Crusher warship. This entire chamber was designed to intimidate those brought before the Admiral, and it served this purpose admirably….
    "Guards – " Came Admiral Uzuri’s soft growl. "Leave us."
Immediately, the two Droid’s released the Pearldinean Captain, then they bowed and left the chambers. Trying to restrain his fear, Captain Greytail, Captain of the destroyed battleship - the Hind, swallowed.
    "Welcome Captain – " Admiral Uzuri whispered, her menacing voice undulating throughout the chambers amplified by hidden speakers.
Turning her mechanised throne, from the panoramic view of the stars outside the transparisteel window, Admiral Uzuri gestured with one paw.
    "You no longer need…those."

    To the startled Captain’s surprise, the two electronic cuffs unlocked and clattered to the decking.
    "I have been – expecting you Captain Greytail…." Admiral Uzuri growled, as she stared at the Captain.
Again, Captain Greytail swallowed, then rubbed his stinging paws, trying to get some circulation back in to them.
    "You – seem to have the better of me," Stammered the young Captain. "You seem to know a lot about me…."
Admiral Uzuri nodded her metallic head once, then to the Captain’s alarm, Admiral Uzuri directed his attention to the nearby computer screen. It flickered in to life and proceeded to rattle off the entire military career of the young Pearldinean Captain. It was an impressive and faultless record…until now.
    "I am quite impressed Captain…." Admiral Uzuri acknowledged, with a bow of her head. "Quite…impressed ."
He shuddered visibly, as Admiral Uzuri’s blood red eyes seemed to burn deep in to his very soul.
    "You’ve done well Captain Greytail – you’ve controlled your fear of me. I am quite surprised Captain…." Admiral Uzuri’s soft chuckle came forth then turned in to a low, menacing growl. "However – there is no escape Captain. Even if you escaped my sealed chambers, I assure you…that my loyal troopers…would…and could capture you, within moments. Still, that is irrelevant Captain Greytail – what displeases me the most…is that you did not…play by the rules of starship combat."

    "Rules?" Captain Greytail snarled in sudden rage. "It was you who appeared out of no-where, then began attacking my vessel! Why? Why have you done this to me? Why did you not just destroy me…as you destroyed my crew?"
His rage washed over Admiral Uzuri, who negligently waved a metallic paw in irritation, as if swatting away a pesky insect. This gesture had a remarkably chilling effect on the Captain.
    "Captain – it was not I who destroyed your vessel. If you had simply of surrendered, as the rules dictate, then I would have spared your pitiful crew and the ten thousand troopers. No. You set the destruct sequence, as only you have the ability and the command code keys, to do such. Now Captain, I assure you, the Meldaron High Command will learn of what you’ve done here. I shall delight in your downfall Captain. Of course, once they find out – and they will find out, they will want you alive." Admiral Uzuri gleefully laughed. "So, you see Captain that you are worth a lot to me…alive. I will use you…like anyone else who crosses me, to satisfy my own goals. Once you are of no further use to me…then I shall either have you killed…or I shall abandon you in a short range fighter…and set an transponder frequency to the emergency band. You will be rescued Captain…but you will not like what will happen to you."

    Admiral Uzuri touched a button on her throne, then nodded softly to the Pearldinean Captain.
    "Of course Captain – there may be other ways out of this…for you, should you take my meaning?" Admiral Uzuri murred, her voice soft and sulky.
Sickened, the Captain made no effort to resist, as the two guard Droid’s entered and locked their metallic paws about his upper arms, in a crushing grasp. Without another word, he was led from Admiral Uzuri’s chambers. Admiral Uzuri watched the Droid’s dragged the Pearldinean away, before she turned her throne back around and resumed staring out at the blazing stars….

    Admiral Uzuri was silent, the only illumination – come from her gleaming, feral red eyes. After two hours, her paw snaked out sinuously and pressed a button on her throne control panel.
    "By your command Admiral." Came the Commander’s metallic voice.
    "Fleet status Commander?" Admiral Uzuri asked.
    "Fleet reports readiness Admiral – what course shall we set?"
    Admiral Uzuri was silent for many minutes, before she spoke.  "Set course for the Altair II system – maximum speed."
    "Course laid in Admiral…fleet reports ready."
    "Take us home Commander – " Admiral Uzuri whispered.
    "At once Admiral – by your command."

    Slowly at first, then gaining in momentum, Admiral Uzuri’s strike fleet engaged its massive star-drives. Quickly, the damaged Bloodfang moved on to the port wing and the smaller and extensively damaged Kaldorian – moved on to the starboard wing. Engaging their massive ion star-drives fully, the three warships streaked outwards, then entered the Stargate…and vanished.
Only the stars remained, gleaming like precious diamonds, scattered across the inky black velvet of space. It was a distance so great – that it was impossible to perceive, with either organic – or electronic brains….