Note From the Author:

Boy, boredom can really pull a number on ya!

This little idea plopped right into my head and refuses to go away. So I
figured I'd put it down on file and share it with the world. I do plan on
expanding this, however, I don't quite know where this is going at the
moment. Hopefully I can find someone who can help me develope this further,
MAYBE make it a cooperative piece. If anyone's interested, please drop me a
line.

L.W

*****************************************************************************

Star Runner:
   Started by Lone Wolf

One:

	The ancient machinery stirred to life. Even though it wore the scars
of time, it was able to function with little resistance. The lights aboard
the ancient ship lit up, flooding the dark corridors with a stale, white
light. Systems that hadn't functioned in ages stirred to life. Computer
diagnostic programs started and did what they had to do. "Computer AI online
and functioning at 95% efficiency," the computers stale voice stated, even
though nobody would hear it. It was the default voice, the one that was from
the computer itself, not the AI.

	Deep within the bowls of the ship, the reactor came back online. It
was one of the old neutrino reactors from 300 years back. How it was still
functioning was a mystery. "Power restored," the AI said in a soft voice. 
Again, nobody was there to hear it. "Beginning scan of ship." The internal
sensors came online and started to examine every floor of the large ship.
"3 life signs detected," the AI reported to itself. "Identified: one raccoon 
humanoid, one otter humanoid, one skunk humanoid." It fell silent. "Odd...I 
could have sworn on my motherboard there were a few lupines alive somewhere. 
Oh well."

	In a large chamber sat many, many rows of large capsules. Most of
them were empty, already opened and their contents spent. But there were
three of them that contained something. The lights flooded this room and a
whole other set of machinery started. The three remaining capsules opened
their glass shells. Three massive machine arms took the large gel bubbles
that were inside and brought them to the center of the room. The bubbles were
dropped into a warm water solution. It took, at best, ten minutes for the gel
to melt away. And it took 5 minutes for those trapped inside the bubbles to
come back to life. First to surface was an humanoid otter. He splashed around
before settling on the surface and clearing his air ways with a few coughs.
He quickly swam to the side of the basin and climbed out. "What the hell is
going on?" he muttered. He looked back to the warm water bath and saw two 
others, a skunk humanoid and a raccoon humanoid splashing about wildly. He
chuckled. "Come on you two! Remember your training!"
	The skunk looked at him, floating in the water. "How did you get out
before us?" he asked.
	The raccoon took off at full speed for the side of the basin. "I don't
care," she said. "Why were we brought out of stasis?"
	The otter stretched. "I dunno. Let's go check in with the commander
and see why."

	The three of them started down the corridors in search of their
commanding officer. Not wearing anything, they tried their best to hide what
they didn't want seen. However, the lack of commanding officers, even grunts,
gave them the sense that it really didn't matter. They turned a corner and
found the doors to the command bridge. They looked at each other. "Well, what
else do we do?" the otter asked. He knocked on the door. No answer. He
knocked again. Still no answer. "Computer," he said aloud. "Open doors." The
doors slid open. Nobody was in there. Cautiously, they entered, expecting
some sort of alien to jump out and bite their necks or something. Nothing
happened. "Where's the crew?" the raccoon asked.
	"The crew is not aboard the ship," the computer replied.
	"Well, where are they?" the skunk asked.
	"The entire crew, except for you three, are dead."
	"WHAT?!"
	"You three are the only remaining crew members of this ship."
	"What happened to the crew?" the otter demanded.
	"They were attacked."
	"Yes, I remember that before I went into stasis. Explain to me what
happened after that."
	"The ship was boarded and the entire crew was killed."
	"But wait," the raccoon said. "I thought there were others put into
stasis. At least a couple of Lupines."
	"That is what I thought, Miss. But I was too busy sending out
distress signals that I failed to notice they got into the stasis chambers."
	"But why kill just the lupines? Why not us?" the skunk queried.
	"Don't forget," the otter responded. "Lupines can do far more damage
unarmed than we can."
	"Very true."
	"So what happened after that, Computer?"
	"I spent a good month and a half sending out distress signals. After
a while, I quit and shut down all but minimal power to the stasis chambers,
long range sensors, and myself. I've been dormant for some time."
	"What's the estimated year?"
	The computer buzzed. "Last date of activity was 7.25.2378. Estimated
date now is 7.3.2776."
	"WHAT?! How long have we been asleep?"
	"About 500 years."
	"Well," the raccoon joked. "At least the system works. But what I 
find confusing is why we were awoken now and not before you went dormant."
	"I didn't know know you were aboard. I thought I was the only one
left."
	"Okay. You're forgiven Computer. But why not let us sleep 
indefinately?"
	"The sensors picked up an unknown energy burst from a nearby planet.
It awoke me and I found you."
	"All right. I can see where this is going," the otter said. "Can we
get something to eat and shower before we go off and play space adventurer?"
	"It would be wise. However, I do not know who you are anymore. Could
you please refresh my memory banks?"
	The otter smirked. "Major Benjamin DuComp."
	The skunk shook his head. "Sergent Jacob Lindsdale."
	The raccoon, probably the most professional of the three at the 
moment, stood up straight. "Sergent Ashley Williams."
	"Names and ranks acquired," the AI reported. "Please go to your
quarters and wait for food, clothes, and further instructions."