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A Tale of Brothers

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A Tale of Brothers

by Jeff Karamales

A Tale of Brothers

©2014 Jeff Karamales

A follow-up tale to

Born of Heroes

©2012 Jeff Karamales

Inspired by

Sunset of Furmankind

©2012 Ted R. Blasingame

all rights reserved

1

The single ice cube clicked against the heavy glass tumbler as Alistair Gordon set it on the plastic laminated bar top and motioned the bartender over for a refill, so distracted that he didn’t care that the scotch that was poured was a lower end blended brand and not his normal quality, single malt. As soon as the bottle was pulled away the human lifted the glass, draining it in a single swallow, the burn of the alcohol helping to hold the lump that wanted to form in his throat at bay.

“You might want to slow down a little,” the bartender commented in a friendly tone, actually getting the man to look up for a moment before she pulled back at the raw, unhindered turmoil that smoldered in his eyes before the human pointed at his tumbler.

“Not bloody likely,” Alistair mumbled. “Jus’ keep ‘em comin’ ‘til I hit the floor.” He watched as the bottle was tipped once more and nodded. “Thanks, lass.” Just like the four drinks before, the amber liquid was consumed in a single gulp. “Mebbe ye should jus’ leave the bottle.”

“I would, but I have this strange little quirk that makes me feel responsible for my customers.”

Alistair nodded as he looked into the deep, chocolate brown eyes of the canine fur that regarded him and nodded. “I kin understand that. Ye think ye could keep them comin’, though? It’s been a wee bit of a difficult day, don’t ye know.”

The Samoyed smiled. “Tell you what. My shift ends in a little less than half an hour. Why don’t you switch to something a little less potent and I promise that when I clock out I’ll come over and help keep an eye on you. Then you can also tell me why you’re wearing a skirt!” she added with a wink, trying to cheer the obviously distressed human a little.

“It’s a kilt, dearie. Tha’ there’s the Tartan of me Clan. Gordon and proud, I tell ye.”

The Samoyed smiled toothily and put a paw on the man’s arm even as she added a little more to his glass. “I know. I spent a little time on Earth. I couldn’t resist teasing you. Sorry.”

Alistair shook his head and rubbed at his face with the hand that wasn’t gripping the glass so tight that his knuckles were mottled. “Nae. Don’ mind me, lass. It truly has been a difficult day.” As he lowered his hand, he regarded his drink, looking at the way the subdue lighting from the bar sparkled in the dark amber liquid and the rapidly diminishing chunk of ice. As his mind wandered he became less aware of the passage of time and looked up only when the stool next to him was moved closer and the Samoyed gracefully took a seat.

“So, a bad day, huh? You know, us bartenders are pretty good at listening if you’d like to vent a little,” the female said softly, a glass of wine in her paw. “Even if you don’t, the least I can do is make sure you get to where you need to go instead of the police picking you up so you can dry out. They aren’t too bad here in Grandstorm. The cops will even take you to your motel if you have one that you’re checked in to.”

Alistair opened his mouth to politely decline her offer before pausing, realizing that he really didn’t want to be alone at the moment. “Tha’s a fair offer ye be makin’, tha’ is. Truth be tol’ I’m a’waitin’ on me friends.”

Smiling broadly, the Samoyed slipped her arm through the human’s and tilted her head to a booth. “C’mon. A booth will be a bit more comfortable and a whole lot safer. I don’t think I’ve ever had a customer that fell out of a booth! You can wait for your friends there.”

“Yer idea has merit, lass,” the man agreed, letting himself be guided and sighing when the female slipped in across from him. “Och, this truly is better. An’ the guidin’ hand was appreciated. I’m Cap’n Gordon, though ye kin call me Alistair. It’s what me friends be addressin’ me as, an’ to be helping an old drunk, yer bein’ a friend.”

“Captain, huh? Well Captain, I’m Nadia. And you might be drunk, but you aren’t that old!” the Samoyed said with a short laugh that was high and clear. Her mirth cleared after a moment and she regarded the man carefully. “So what’s happened that has you so down, Alistair? Was today really so bad that you have to try and embalming yourself?”

The human nodded. “T’was. Brought me ship half way ‘cross Known Space fer today. I…I came to bury the bes’ friend I ever had. Him and his wife both…”

Nadia put her paw to her muzzle as her eyes widened. “By the Maker!” she whispered. “Alistair…I…I’m so sorry. If I’d known I wouldn’t have teased you!”

“Nae. Ye couldnae ha’ known, dearie. As I said, it’s been a rough day.”

Both sat silent for several long, uncomfortable moments before the Samoyed spoke. “I…I don’t have a lot of friends, and my family’s all back on Kantus. I don’t think I have any friends that would travel to the next city if something like that happened to me.” Nadia snorted derisively. “I don’t think many of my family members would, either.”

The man nodded. “Tha’s the way of it, sometimes. Every so often ye meet a person that…well, they jus’ make all the difference in the universe, ye know? My friend was like tha’. Special. Upstandin’ fox, he was. An’ righ’ honorable. A real hero, too. Kind of fella tha’ made you try to be better’n ye was.” Alistair sighed and seemed to deflate a little as he stared at the table with reddened eyes. “His wife…she was bein’ the same. The lass could make any one o’ us feel like we were bein’ like family. T’was a talent she had in spades.”

As he thought of the two friends he’d said good-bye to, a single tear rolled unabashedly down the man’s cheek while he began smiling warmly. It was enough to pique Nadia’s curiosity. “Sounds like you cared deeply for them.”

“Elias was like me brother. Granted, he was a might furrier than I am, and I think everyone that met her was half in love wi’ his mate, meself included, but they were bein’ some o’ the best folk I e’er met.” Alistair smiled again and idly played with the almost nonexistent ice cube in his drink. “How long ye been on Dennier, lass?”

The Samoyed shrugged. “A while. I took this job when my contract for the cruise line I worked for ran out. I guess two years now, or close to it.”

“Och, then ye wouldnae be remembering the day tha’ a ship called the Scimitar went down in the sea, would ye?” He watched as the female shook her head while sipping from her glass, her pink tongue flicking out to wick away the red liquid from her thin, black lips. “Well, surely ye know of the big fight in the Van Connor an’ the smashin’ o’ Ganlin’s Legion?”

“Who doesn’t! That happened my last year of school before I turned eighteen and left home. It was all over the Net and different news programs. I know a lot of us felt a lot safer after that.”

“Ain’ tha’ the truth of it. Well, my friend was the one tha’ led the fight. As brave a soul as you can imagine, e’en went in with th’ troops to rescue wha’ civvies they could.” Alistair smiled sadly and hefted his tumbler. “To Elias Tivnan and his wife Cerise,” he said and drained the tumbler, setting it down on the table with a dull thunk. “Awrigh’…mebbe ye should motion tae yer frien’ behind th’ bar tha’ I need some coffee. ‘Bout had me fill o’ hard drink and spirits fer th’ moment…”

Nadia grinned and slipped from the bench. “I’ll get it. Then when I come back you can tell me all about your friend.”

“Ye know, I think I’d like tha’.” Alistair watched the dog saunter back over to the bar, reaching over the surface to hook a mug with her short, white furred finger then snag an urn full of steaming, black brew. The view was rather enticing, but the normally affectionate man didn’t feel the urge to act in his normal carefree, or occasionally brazen, manner that he exhibited with most females, regardless of their species. If anything, Alistair was simply glad for the company while he ached in his heart and grieved for his friends.

“Here you go,” Nadia said gently as she placed the mug before the man, resuming her seat, though she leaned forward with her elbows on the table, obviously interested in the tale that she’d been promised.

A splash of milk was all the doctoring that Alistair wanted and took an appreciative sip, smiling as the souring taste of blended scotch was washed from his tongue. “Tha’s better. Now, ‘fore I get in tae me story, ye should know it’s a right long tellin’. We may be here for a wee bit.”

“That’s okay,” Nadia said with a friendly smile as her claw tips brushed the man’s arm through the jacket he wore. “I like long stories and have all the time you need. Besides, I think I really want to hear this.” She didn’t seem put out when the human pulled away and leaned back, looking into his mug.

“Fair ‘nough, lass, though ye been warned.”

2

Alistair Gordon wasn’t sure what he expected as he stepped off the tram that brought him and others from the docking bay to the Grand Chamber. Joplin hadn’t looked like much as the transport he’d arrived on dropped to the surface of the desolate looking planetoid, and so far the corridors, chambers and interior spaces had been just as sparse and colorless as the outside. Maybe volunteering for the Spatial Police Force hadn’t been the wisest decision, but the only other option of learning to take over his family’s holdings back in Scotland were even less appealing when what he really wanted was to do something with his life that had meaning and value.

Granted, the video he’d seen had made the SPF rather attractive, and the thought of traveling the different worlds of the Planetary Alignment, fighting off pirates, exotic ports on far flung worlds and ladies of every possible description had made life in the interstellar law enforcement group look most attractive. He adjusted the strap of his carry bag and looked at the other individuals that had ridden the tram over, the closest being a white furred fox that kept his eyes forward and his muzzle shut as he stood at rigid attention.

“This ain’ like the vids at all,” Alistair moaned. “This place is righ’ nary a bloody jail! Wha’ d’ye think we do next?” he asked the fox.

“Shut your mouth before you get us in trouble,” the fox replied in a harsh whisper then swore as a senior sergeant pushed other recruits out of the way to get to the human and fur. “Thanks, jerk.”

“You two think you’re special or something?” the raccoon that had six stripes on her shoulders beneath the SPF Sword, Star and Shield patch yelled as she looked up at the two recruits. “Are we interrupting social time? Maybe keeping you from something more important?”

“Jus’ wonderin’ what all this is ‘bout, lass,” Alistair replied cheekily with a wink. Grinning he turned to look at the fox, wondering why the fellow’s ears were suddenly plastered to his head while his tail pressed into the backs of his legs.

Before Alistair knew what was going on, the raccoon had him face down on the hard, rock flooring of the chamber, his arm pulled back and up with her booted foot planted squarely in the middle of his back. “The first and last words out of your filthy muzzles, mouths and face-holes will be ‘SIR’! Do you understand me?”

Alistair struggled not to cry out in pain as his arm was twisted when the noncommissioned officer added a little more pressure, obviously displeased by his failure to answer quickly enough. “Sir! Yes, Sir!”

“On your feet!”

The raccoon waited to see if the human would retaliate, more than happy to turn a possible incident into a block of instruction. “Talk again without permission and you’ll seriously regret it!” The sergeant stepped back out to the front of the group of new meat and with the help of other training NCOs got the rabble into something resembling a proper formation after half an hour of conflicting orders that had most of the recruits mentally off balance. “So, you all want to be heroes, huh? Saw a vid, read an article and think you got the brass to be an SPF officer? Think a uniform will get you a date? Think some cute bit of fluff will be happy to lift her tail for you, or some muscle-head will pamper you while you soak up sun and fun on Sillon or Pomen?

“You are nothing but meat! Dead meat at that if you don’t listen and learn! Space is a cold hearted, vindictive witch, and she’s got more ways to kill you than your tiny, hormone sotted, malformed brains can imagine! When nature isn’t trying to thin your respective gene pools, there are pirates, brigands and criminals that will gladly assist in your demise for no other reason than the uniform you all think you want to put on so badly makes you a target!

“Look at the wall behind me! LOOK AT IT! Those are the heroes! Those are the ones that saw what we’re trying to do here, what we do out there as something greater than themselves and put their lives on the line for a goal, something worthy! Death and danger lurks in the dark, and it is SPF that stands vigil, shines as a light to guide and protects every single member of the PA regardless of species, religion, gender, culture, status or world of birth!

“Stop looking at that wall! You aren’t worthy! Not yet!” The sergeant then regarded each and every individual with an almost malicious, malignant light sparkling in her dark eyes. “You have three options as of this moment. One, you can resign, right here, right now, and go back to your soft civilian life and know that you didn’t have what it takes to wear the grey and crimson. Two, you can try to skate on, being an individual and wind up killing yourself in some brilliantly stupid manner. Or three, you can listen, become part of a team where you know that every other person…fur, human or otherwise…that wears the same uniform will put themselves on the sharp end for you because they know you’ll do the same for them. Take the third and you can be assured of a term of service that is dirty, foul, vile with moments of extreme tedium interspersed with moments of sheer terror. The thing is, you’ll be making a difference, and that’s what really matters. What’s it going to be?”

The raccoon looked at all of the new recruits, smiling viciously, though there was something about her demeanor that changed slightly when no one moved.

“Fine. We’ll see if you’ve got it in you to stay.” As the sergeant crossed her arms, the smile faded. “Now to be completely honest with you,” the raccoon yelled a little more softly as she started to move among the recruits. “My name is Instructor Halley. You will learn to hate me in the coming months. You will hate the other instructors. Our job is to push you, to scare you, to tear you down and rebuild you into someone…something that we can count on. And in the end you will either succeed, or you will die. This is for real, children. It’s not a game, movie or vid. It’s not a space opera. It’s real. Bloody, violently, gut wrenchingly real. And the other Instructors and myself are very good at our jobs.

“Now then! Let’s work on our first heart attacks, shall we?”

***

“Och! I think I’m dead!” Alistair complained tiredly as he stepped under the hot blast of the shower in the open bay with the other male recruits. “I don’ think Senior Instructor Halley likes me all tha’ much!”

“Maybe if you’d shut your mouth and just did what you were told she’d let up,” the white fox that had seemed completely nonplussed at the yelling and physical conditioning the others were struggling with said.

“I think yer right,” Alistair said as he let his head fall forward under the spray. “Yer name’s Elias, right?” he asked the fox.

“Yeah.”

“How come ye ain’ bothered by all the yellin’ and push-ups? Ye act like this mess is old hat fer ye or somethin’.”

Some of the other recruits nodded and ears swiveled in the direction of the conversation or leaned that way for the other two humans in the male portion of the group of recruits

“I’ve already spent time in the Alexandrian Navy. I guess that this is old hat for me.” The fox hit the lever on a wall mounted dispenser and dropped a blob of odd, green colored gel soap into his paws and began to work it into his fur before eyeing the human and then the others. “Look, all the yelling and stuff? It’s a mind game. They yell at you, but it’s so everyone can hear what the mistake was and not repeat it.”

“What about the push-ups and running?” a lanky weasel asked in irritation.

Elias chuckled. “Physical conditioning. They have to push us, build up stamina. We need to learn our limits so we can improve them.”

“An’ the thrashin’ I keep gettin’?” Alistair asked with a plaintive expression.

The white fox laughed in earnest. “You? It’s because you’re a joker. You act like nothing is serious.” His expression hardened as he regarded the human and shook his head slowly. “You’re the kind of guy that gets others killed.”

“It’s because he’s a rich kid,” a leopard said, moving away from the shower that he’d occupied and stepped up to Alistair with a sneer, his posture showing he was looking for a fight. “Spoiled, soft rich kid.” The leopard cracked his knuckles. “And it’s because of you we were late for equipment issue and had to run around that damn hangar.”

“No,” Elias said. “They were going to do that anyway. Alistair was just the one they used for a scapegoat.” He casually worked the soap further into his coat, though kept an eye on the situation.

“I still say it was the rich kid’s fault,” the cat persisted. “Maybe the instructors aren’t the only ones that need to thump on you,” he said as he flexed his fingers and extended his claws. “Why’re you here, rich kid? Mommy and daddy cut off your allowance? Maybe they got tired of you being a useless waste of meat lying around? Typical behavior from a monkey if you ask me.”

Elias let his ears press back and fought the urge to let his teeth show. “Leave it be, Timmons. It wasn’t his fault.”

“Go lick yourself, fox!” the leopard snarled without looking away from Alistair. “This ain’t your concern!”

Alistair jumped back when the feline made a feinting swipe towards the young human’s crotch, as if he were going to castrate him, his fists coming up to protect himself. Then, in a blur of white that sent droplets of water flying, Elias had the cat’s wrist and pulled up and back, yanking the leopard backwards to the tiled floor of the shower. Following the takedown with a kind of spin, Elias had the leopard’s arm around his own throat as the spotted cat was suddenly on his belly and completely immobilized.

“Tell me to lick myself again, and you’ll be drinking your meals through a straw the rest of the time we’re here,” Elias warned, the insult considered extremely foul among the different furs of the PA. “The same goes for calling humans monkeys. Now leave off. Alistair didn’t get us in trouble. It’s just part of the training. Got it?”

The leopard nodded silently and slinked back to his own shower terminal after being let up. Elias resumed his own washing, though accepted the nod of thanks from the human. “I don’ think ye made a friend there,” Alistair commented.

“Maybe, but you have even less friends here than me at the moment. Look, do us all a favor and mellow out on the jokes and comments, alright? At least when the instructors are around.”

Alistair nodded. “I can do tha’.” He glanced back at the leopard who was pointedly ignoring everyone else. “And…well, thanks. I’m jus’ a little attached to me bits, don’t ye know?”

Elias chuckled and began rinsing the suds from his fur.

3

A knock on Elias door caused the fox to look up from where he was reading one of the historical articles that had been assigned by their Instructor in Cultural Ethics, one of the last classes while the group of cadets neared the end of their four month Basic Training period. A grinning Alistair stood in the doorway, the expression slightly infectious and Elias couldn’t help the way his mouth twitched in response. He might have caused his share of trouble, but Alistair wasn’t a bad sort and often helped the others in their group cope with the stress of training.

“You look far too smug,” he told the human that had become a good friend in the past month and found that he liked the other cadet’s burgeoning competitive nature. Once one got past the human’s joking, something that the fox had learned was a defensive reaction when Alistair was nervous or frightened, he was actually a rather bright individual.

“They jus’ posted the scores fer pilot training,” Alistair informed the white fox.

“And?”

“We both made top scores! Well, yer a few points ahead o’ me…” Alistair took the chair at the small desk that was part of the room’s furnishings. “I s’pose tha’ means we’ll both be goin’ ta flight school.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Aye. It is. But…Elias, I couldn’nae done it without yer help. Math’s never been me strong suit, ye know?” He fidgeted slightly. “I jus’ wanted ta say, er, thanks an’ all.”

“You’d have made it without my help. You’re a natural, Alistair. A little work in the numbers department didn’t hurt, but you passed the tests all on your own.” Elias tried to return to the article but his friend wouldn’t let him.

“Mebbe. All I know is I’m feelin’ I owe ye one, ‘Lias. So, as a way of showin’ me appreciation and undyin’ gratitude, I brought ye a few gifts!” The gift wrapped package was relatively thin and the man must have had the package stuffed up the back of his uniform tunic to keep it out of sight. “Ye enjoy them, Toddy-boy!”

Alistair tossed the package so that it landed on the fox’s stomach and departed with a last grin thrown at his friend. Elias couldn’t imagine what the human could have gotten that he would feel was an appropriate gift that wouldn’t be considered contraband, and thus trouble. With a frown he tore the paper off before looking at the thin book with solid purple cover, not realizing that it was one of those magazines until it fell open along with a thin, flat, foil packet of whiskey that was popular on some of the less expensive cruise liners. Granted, the Pomeranian lass that graced the centerfold pages of the ‘Galaxy Girls’ quarterly with all of her feminine glory exposed for the world to see was rather cute, and Elias looked at her appreciatively until someone chuckled deep in their throat from his doorway.

With the insides of his ears growing hot in embarrassment, Elias lowered the magazine as the Senior Instructor leered at him with malevolent glee. “Well, Cadet Tivnan, having a little party?” the raccoon asked in a patently false sultry tone, Sergeant Halley far too thrilled at having caught him with contraband. “I suppose this is a bad time for a surprise inspection?”

***

Elias finished scrubbing the last of the latrine floor with the small brush that was meant for cleaning nails and claws, his knees and back protesting at the work that had taken hours. The fact that Alistair wasn’t in much better shape and perspiring heavily mollified him somewhat, though he was still a bit miffed that the so called ‘gifts’ had landed him in trouble.

“Do me a favor and don’t give me anymore gifts, alright?” the fox grumbled as he sat up, wincing when his spine and the muscles around it protested painfully.

“I swear, Elias, I didnae know tha’ ol’ Halley was gonna be doin’ an inspection! ‘Course it didnae help she found even more reason tae bust me on demerits…” He sighed and looked at his shriveled finger tips. “Tha’ raccoon just hates me.”

“You are her favorite to pick on,” the fox conceded with a wince as he sat up straight. “I had a drill instructor when I joined the Alexandrian Navy that did that to the recruits he saw with the most promise, but I think that Halley really might not like you.” Elias snorted in dark humor. “Of course, being your friend means that she probably doesn’t like me either.”

***

The weeks passed fairly quickly for the recruits as they were sped through Basic Training and a small graduation ceremony saw the entire cadet cycle being allowed to the commercial section of Joplin for a full eight hours before returning to their barracks. The next day was a mad dash of packing and relocation to different sectors of the base for the training in the cadets’ different fields. Most went on to either mechanical training, spaceborne operations, a few to the immersion courses on field investigation work. Alistair, Elias and a few more were part of a far more exclusive group and reported to a small subsection that pilot trainees were stationed to almost a hundred miles from the main section of SPF Headquarters.

Unlike their previous instructors, the veteran pilots that ran the Spatial Police Force’s flight program were more interested in ensuring that the cadet’s knew every possible aspect of space and atmospheric flight that was possible. The months blurred as each pilot candidate was drilled in navigation, mathematics and tactics that had been developed from every space going culture in the Planetary Alignment. Only when the Instructors were satisfied that all of the cadets had mastered the basics was the announcement made that solo flights would commence.

***

Elias rolled his shoulders to better settle the environmental suit before Alistair and another of their flight class lowered his helmet and began to engage the seals. The human gave him a grin and thumbs-up before stepping back while the other cadet smiled warmly. “You got this, Elias,” Ilsa Pritchard said just loud enough for the helmet’s external microphones to pick up before placing her thin, foxen lips on the reflective faceplate in a good luck kiss. She stepped back not seeing the smile on the white male’s muzzle.

“Alright, Cadet Tivnan,” the Senior Flight Instructor, a graying human with bright hazel eyes, said. “Time starts once you enter the airlock. Good luck.”

Elias moved to the airlock, stepping in and waiting for the opposite hatch to open before exiting into the hard vacuum of the hangar. The purpose of the exercise was to treat the fox’s solo flight as a hot launch in less than ideal conditions. He would board the craft, an older StarShark gunboat, fly ten minutes to the course that would test his reflexes and understanding of Three-Dimensional Spatial maneuvering, then to the range that had a series of space and ground-borne targets before returning.

Bringing up the engines even as he strapped in, Elias realized that having the highest marks so far was a bit of a detriment as he had to cold-start the reactors that powered both the propulsion systems and the various subsystems of the small ship. Going further down the twelve person line-up would have allowed him to enter a properly warmed up ship. As it was, the fox thoroughly expected the ship to act sluggishly and protest to some of the more strenuous portions of the course. It would make achieving a good enough time that he would be able to claim the reward of going into the commercial sector of the SPF facility much more of a challenge.

Because this was the solo test for all Spatial Police Force pilots, the course was set on the far western portion of the barren planet, well away from the higher traffic areas of the main port, though not so far away that help was unavailable should something go wrong. “Training flight 0115, ready for launch,” Elias said into the helmet’s communication system, linked to the gunboat’s by the oxygen and power umbilical on the chest of the suit.

“Affirmative O115. You are clear for launch,” the flight control officer on the other end said, most likely Ilsa as all of the pilot candidates would also function as flight control for each other and she was the only female in their group that had such a soft, wonderful sounding voice.

“Copy. Launching,” Elias said as he added small increments of power to the thrusters that controlled pitch, yaw and roll and fine maneuvering.

With deft touches to the controls he aligned the gunboat with the hangar’s opening before pushing the mains to a quarter of their power, then shoving the throttle controls all the way to their gates once clear of the cavity that had been cut from solid rock. The coordinates were set and the fox took that moment to suck in a deep breath, hold it, then let it out in a slow, measured manner that dissipated some of the tension in his gut. It hardly seemed like enough time had passed before the heads-up-display was illuminated with the wireframe mock-up of the course he was supposed to fly.

There were well over two hundred courses that the computer on the gunboat would cycle through for the pilot cadets so none of them knew what kind of course they would be flying and reminded Elias of some ancient video games that he had seen as a kit back on Alexandrius. It was a little disorienting to see the planet and stars past the HUD, but it was something all of them had had to acclimate to. The frame began to blink and turned from green to blue, informing the fox that the course had started in earnest. The computer onboard the gunboat would be in constant communications with the flight instructor’s terminal, and Elias’ progress would be displayed for the rest of his class to see, but all of that was moot as the fox focused on the instruments.

***

Alistair and Ilsa watched as their friend entered the first section of the course, a series of turns that a professional skier would have had trouble with, and both held their breath as the white fox slewed the heavy, less than agile ship through the linked banks and turns, kicking the aft of the gunboat out on the slalom in a slide to maximize the use of his engines.

“He..he cut the power tae his mains!” the human gasped as his best mate barreled to a point of the course where he would have to pull up sharply and change course by a precise 105 degrees.

Ilsa swore heatedly, her claws digging into the armrests of the chair she sat in. Both watched as Elias almost casually flipped the ship so that the nose was pointed in the direction of the course change while still traveling in the same direction. Just as he neared the point where he’d need the power from his primary engines, the white fox triggered the maneuvering thrusters to full while his engines flared to life. He made the change with meters to spare but didn’t cross the invisible boundary of the course.

The copper colored vixen and human looked to their Senior Instructor, Chief Warrant Officer One Danes only nodding in approval with a slight smile on his face. Unlike their Basic Training Instructor, Sergeant Halley, Danes wanted his pupils to succeed and was almost fatherly to the young individuals that he taught. “C’mon, Elias,” the man muttered, his eyes riveted to the display, “you can do this.”

The rest of the squadron cheered when Elias exited the end of the course, his flying of the computer generated maze almost flawless and Instructor Danes signaled to Ilsa to send the white fox on to the next part of the solo test. The vixen nodded and toggled her comm set. “Flight 0115, you are clear to head to the range. Coordinates are being sent now. Well done and good luck.”

“Copy, control. I have the coordinates and am proceeding,” Elias’ voice came back, despite the flat tone from the signal, Ilsa could tell the other fox was grinning widely. “0115 out.”

***

Elias ran through the targets of the range with blinding, vicious speed. Most gunboats that patrolled the different worlds of the PA carried weapons that ranged from pulse cannon and lasers to missiles and railguns. The training gunboat was only equipped with lasers, however, though the different systems were meant to simulate other armaments. Despite Joplin being a lifeless rock, there was more than enough spatial traffic that having the debris in the form of shrapnel, missile hulls and the tungsten and steel rounds from railgun units would pose too great a threat to incoming and outgoing vessels. Likewise, there was a finite number of hulks and objects that could be set up for range targets, and were often reused for other training missions.

Sensors on the hulls or other target masses registered the hits and from what simulated weapon, the information again being relayed to the Senior Instructor’s console. Chief Danes watched as the white fox avoided the ‘return fire’ from some of the targets, the manner in which Elias used what others would see as shortcomings from his craft to his advantage and couldn’t help but grin. Elias was, by far, one of the most promising pilots he’d had the pleasure of teaching, and the man was sure that the young fox would go far.

When Elias landed, the docking of the gunboat just as precise and efficient as the fox’s departure and course run had been, Danes nodded to his cadet in approval as the trainee was helped out of his environment suit and given a drink of an electrolyte infused solution. “Well done, Tivnan. Take a seat in the debriefing room.” The man then looked at Alistair. “Gordon. You’re up. Let’s see how you do.”

With a nod following a hard swallow, Alistair stepped over to the wall of lockers and began to put on the different parts of his own suit, taking comfort in the grin and thumbs-up gesture that he got from his friend as the white fox began to remove portions of his vac-suit.

***

All fourteen flight cadets sat in the padded chairs that were designed to comfortably accommodate all member species of the Planetary Alignment and watched avidly as Chief Warrant Officer Danes went over each of their performances. While three of the class had slightly lower than average marks, no one had failed, something that had never happened with a group that the man had taught. The veteran Warrant Officer had saved the top four scoring runs for last, though.

“Cadet Nardal, overall score was 381 points with a time of 42 minutes, 18 seconds. Not bad, son. That last gun emplacement in crater 453 is a tricky one. Cadet Pritchard, overall score was 394 with a course time of 39 minutes, 3 seconds. That’s a very good showing, Ilsa. Now then, for our top two pilot trainees. As these are the best scores that we’ve seen in some time, with one of them actually being a few points shy of the Academy record, the one with top marks will be granted an additional twenty six hours of recreational time. The second best was 401 points over all, with a run time of 37 minutes, 2 seconds. The top score, though, was a total score of 411 points, just six shy of the record, and a run time of 29 minutes, 33 seconds. The Academy record held by Rovi Tambor was 28 minutes, 9 seconds.”

Chief Danes looked at Elias and Alistair, both sitting with mouths agape at the phenomenal times as the mean average for the obstacle course and range run was 48 minutes. One of them had almost cut the average time by half. The man stepped up to where the pair sat, Ilsa on the other side of Elias, and extended his hand to the white fox.

“Congratulations, Cadet Tivnan. Enjoy your downtime. I’d like to see you in my office after debriefing.” The man returned to his podium and tapped out the command that put all of the scores in descending order on the large screen behind him. “As for the rest of you, I want your papers on the basic physics of super-luminal travel on my desk by 0900 tomorrow morning before you enjoy your passes. And remember, not everything we do in the SPF is a combat mission. Our primary role is law enforcement and rescue. As such next week will see you beginning your training phase in docking and boarding operations, field triage in Z-G, and you’ll be spending time in the docks to assist with ship maintenance and repair. Dismissed.”

The cadets leapt to their feet and snapped off salutes, Elias only basking in the congratulations of his fellow cadets for a moment before hustling himself to the Chief’s office. “You wanted to see me, Sir?”

The man looked up for a moment as he loosened the collar of his duty uniform tunic. “I did, Elias. I spoke with your commanding officer from the Alexandrian Navy. Why didn’t you mention that you already had some flight experience prior to submitting your papers to the SPF?”

The white fox gulped audibly. “Ah…Sir, I…I didn’t think it was appropriate. The, um, incident you are referring to was an unauthorized action where I took control of a small ship-to-ship transport when an accident rendered the pilot and copilot unconscious, Sir.”

Chief Danes gave the fox a hard look before waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Drop the cadet garbage, Elias. You have what the SPF is looking for, or you wouldn’t have made it this far. As it is, I’d like you to forego the paper that’s due tomorrow morning and give me two pages describing the incident, what happened, and how you think you did. No filling it with scat, either. I want the truth of it and your honest assessment of your performance.”

Elias nodded and sketched a quick salute before turning for the door before he was stopped.

“Oh, and inform Cadet Pritchard that she has my permission to accompany you on your pass into the commercial section,” Chief Danes commented without looking up to see the startled look on his student’s face. “Carry on, Elias.”

“Sir, yes, Sir!” the fox replied, unable to keep his tail from wagging happily as he spun and headed back to the debriefing room.

***

“Yer one lucky fox, tha’s fer sure, Toddy-boy,” Alistair said with a grin as he watched his friend put the final touches on his cadet’s dress uniform. “Then again, I’m surprised I did as well as I did on the course!” He saw his friend’s smug expression in the mirror and grinned. “I’ll be beatin’ ye one o’ these days, ya smarmy fox! Not tae mention ye also get a few days wi’ the lovely Miss Pritchard!”

“You’re just jealous that Ilsa hasn’t fallen for you like every other female you’ve taken a fancy to,” Elias quipped. “Just because I don’t leave a string of females in my wake…”

“Feh! Ye be full of yerself, tha’s fer sure. An’ jus’ ‘cause I don’ fall in line with all yer romantic foolery ye wanna go an’ take the mickey outta me.” Alistair threw a pillow at the fox from where he lounged on his bunk, chuckling when the fox easily dodged the impromptu projectile.

Elias finished up and nodded at his reflection. Then his look fell slightly and he turned and stepped to the chair nearest the bunk the young human reclined on. “Alistair? Do you…do you think you could give me some advice?”

“What abou’? You ha’ nae been needin’ my advice on anything, so o’ course ya have my curiosity up!” When the man noticed his friend’s pinched expression he dropped the banter. “Hey now, Elias. It cannae be tha’ serious, now, can it?”

The fox nodded. “It is. I…I think I’m really falling for Ilsa.”

Alistair grinned widely. “Ya know, it’s nae as bad as yer thinkin’ it be. Love is bein’ a grand thing an’ I fall in it ‘bout nine times a day!”

The white fox sighed and hung his head, his ears folding back. “I’ve never felt like this, Alistair. It…it’s incredible and scary all at the same time! I mean, there were girls in school that I liked, and a couple that I served with in the Navy that were okay to hang out with, but not like this. I feel like I do when I’m flying one moment, then I get nervous and want to throw up the next and when she smiles at me it’s like standing in the sun on a summer morning…I’m not going crazy am I?”

Alistair sat up, his earlier mirth vanishing, and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Nae crazier than any other person tha’s fallen in love the firs’ time o’ their life.” The human chuckled without humor. “I been there a time or two meself,” the human admitted with a melancholy sigh. “Believe it or nae, yer not the first, an’ ye sure not to be the last, Toddy-boy. Jus’ remember tae go slow with Ilsa. Ya know she weren’ havin’ the best of things back home. Jus’ go slow.”

Elias nodded but the despondent look didn’t live his face. “I think…I think she has plans as well.”

“Whaddya mean? Wha’ kinda plans?”

“Um…something, well…er, romantic.”

Alistair’s grin reappeared. “So? Enjoy the lass’s affections, laddy-o! I know there’s bein’ no few o’ us tha’ wisht she’d be lookin’ at us the way she does ye!”

The fox swallowed hard. “Yeah, but…by the Maker this is embarrassing…I’ve never, well, um…done it. You know?”

“Yer a virgin?” the human asked straight faced watching as Elias eventually nodded. “So? It’s nae a big thing. It’s jus’ the way things are. If tha’s the direction she wishes tae take with ye, then go with it. Jus’ do wha’ feels natural and be happy, bu’ be honest wi’ her. She’ll understand.” Alistair clapped his friend on the back and pushed him off his bunk into a standing position. “Jus’ don’ be tryin’ none o’ tha’ stuff ye seen in them naughty movies I know ye been watchin’! Tha’s all fer show an’ nae how you woo a woman!”

Alistair resumed his reclining position on the bunk as he returned to the paper that he was supposed to be writing.

“Now, get on wi’ ye. It don’ do to keep a lady-fair awaitin’ on ye!”

4

Alistair waited to the side with his parents for the rest of their group, Laird Aiden and Lady Evelyn Gordon actually proud of their son for his accomplishments, the pair beaming when he was presented with his flight wings and given his commission as a Warrant Officer Fourth Class. When the younger human saw his friend emerge from the small auditorium with a stricken look where he’d been talking to the vixen he’ been dating for the better part of half a year, Alistair knew that things hadn’t gone as planned and his heart went out to his friend.

“I’ll be back in a sec,” the newly instated SPF officer told his parents. He stepped up to the fox, guiding his friend to an alcove for a modicum of privacy. “Elias? Ye alrigh’, mate?”

The white colored fox shook his head before looking up, his blue eyes full of hurt and confusion as his tail did its best to drag on the floor. “Ilsa…Ilsa said no,” Elias told his friend as he looked at the velvet colored box with the matching earrings in it. “In fact, she got pretty angry. Told me I was acting just like her parents, wanting to tie her down and keep her at home and knocked up…”

“Och, Elias, ye know she ain’ meanin’ tha! She…well, she’s on her own fer the firs’ time o’ her life. Ye jus’ wait! I bet as soon as we’re all done with our firs’ official duty cruise, she’ll be seein’ the right o’ things!”

“Maybe…” the fox replied softly before spying a waste bin and pegging the small jewelry box into the opening with a perfect throw. “Now all I have to do is figure out what to do with myself until we have to report to the Vanguard.” The fox tried to smile but there was no heart in the expression. “It seems like you and I will be posted together again.”

“Well o’ course! Ye cannae break up the bes’ flight team in the whole SPF now can ye?” Alistair tried to lighten his friend’s mood but found it a futile gesture. “Look, we got what? Five weeks ‘fore the Vanguard gets back ta Joplin, righ’? Why don’ ya come home with meself an’ me parents? It’ll beat ye mopin’ ‘round here fer a month an’ a half!”

“I don’t know…I don’t think I’d be very good company.”

“I think Alistair’s idea has merit,” Lady Evelyn said as she and her husband stepped up to the newly commissioned officers. “With everything that Alistair has told us of you, you’re already as close as kin, Elias.”

“Too righ’,” Laird Aiden agreed, his deeper voice carrying as thick a brogue as his son’s. “Ya cannae let yerself be getting’ down, lad. ‘Sides, I’ll be needin’ a pair o’ fine pilots fer tha’ monstrosity sittin’ down in the docks, righ’?”

Alistair’s eyes grew wide. “Ye’d be lettin’ us take the helm o’ yer yacht?” he asked his father in stunned amazement.

“O’ course I would, ye daft boy. Who was it sayin’ he an’ his mate were bein’ the best flight team in the whole SPF?” Laird Aiden asked with a grin then pointed a thick finger at his son. “Unless ye were fibbin’ tae me, boy…”

Elias began to feel some of the pain at the rejection of his marriage proposal to Ilsa lessen at the exuberance of his friend and the older humans. “If it’s no trouble.”

“Of course it isn’t!” Evelyn told the fox with feeling. “You two go get what things you need after informing your superiors of your plans and assure them we’ll have you back in time for your departure. If they balk, tell them that Laird Aiden Gordon and his wife insist.”

***

Earth was one planet that Elias had always wanted to visit, and the swirls of blue, green, brown and white looked similar enough to his home world of Alexandrius that it might lessen the slight pangs of homesickness that he’d been feeling. The fox sat in the copilot’s position and fed his friend data from the Geneva Air Traffic Control net, their final destination actually being the family’s estate and castle.

Laird and Lady Gordon relaxed in the main salon, more than comfortable with their son and his friend at the controls, Aiden complimenting the pair several times already on their handling of the rather extravagant yacht. As the three engine craft slipped into the atmosphere, the reentry shields easily dissipating the heat from the friction of the steadily thickening air, Alistair grinned at his friend.

“The bes’ part is yer visitin’ at the righ’ time o’ the year, Toddy-boy! The Highlands are awash in greens an’ bloomin’ heather, the fishin’ is spot on, an’ th’ lasses will be sheddin’ their winter wrappin’s fer skirts an’ shorts!” Alistair sighed happily. “I tell ya true, ain’ nothin’ better’n Scotland in the spring time!”

The week long trip had helped the fox get over most of the hurt and disappointment from his failed marriage proposal, though there was still a lingering ache, but it was hard to really acknowledge that in light of his best friend’s exuberance. “Is that all you think about?” Elias asked with a short laugh as he adjusted the trim to the airfoils the hull tapered into. “There’s more to life than just girls, you know.”

“Are ya daft? The female form is truly one o’ the greates’ creations of the All Mighty! Ye tell me wha’ else there is bein’ that compares tae a fine lass in a smart skirt? Nothin’ I tell ye! An’ especially when ye be dancin’ with some of the most beautiful ladies in th’ world at a spring party! Ye’ll have near every bird from Dumfries to the Orkney Islands fawnin’ on ye, Elias! Nae many o’ ‘em ha’ seen a fur, much less one in uniform!”

“Birds?” Elias asked in confusion.

“Girls, ye dense fox! Girls! Ye’ll ha’ ‘em fightin’ tae be dancin’ wi’ ye!” Alistair enthused as he dropped the throttles to further slow their descent. “We’ll be needin’ tae get ye to the tailor, tho’. A uniform is all fine an’ good, but ye’re kin so far as I be concerned. Tha’ means proper kilt an’ all!”

“You want me to wear a skirt?”

“Kilt, Toddy-boy! Kilt! Ain’ no skirt, ya barmy dog!”

***

The castle that Laird and Lady Gordon called home was an imposing structure of grey-brown stone that sat amongst a sea of green. Manicured lawns and gardens surrounded the once fortified structure with small outbuildings nestled amongst small groves, and past that were deep woods, blue lakes and the glittering ribbons of streams and creeks. “This is home?” the fox asked, his eyes wide as his ears folded back or flicked erect in amazement.

“Aye. It gets tae be a bit depressin’ in the winter,” Alistair informed his friend. “I be hatin’ winter. No color ‘cept grays and whites…tha’ an’ I never been too fond o’ bein’ cold.”

“Cold isn’t so bad,” Elias said as his friend dropped the yacht onto the clearly marked and illuminated pad a few miles from the castle.

“Tha’s ‘cause ye got a bloody fur coat!” Alistair teased. “Us monkeys don’ ha’ that wee advantage, ye know.”

The fox gave his friend a pained look. “Alistair, you know I hate that term. Please don’t use it.”

“Don’ know why it bothers ye so much. It don’ me. ‘S just a word, afterall.”

“You haven’t been around some of the bigots I have,” the fox said.

“Feh! Are ye kiddin’ me? Ain’ no bigger bigots than humans! Most of my race don’ even like others o’ our kind tha’ be differen’ skin color.” The human shook his head and powered down the yacht’s engines as it settled on its almost dainty looking landing jacks. “I tell ye true, Elias, there are times I be righ’ ashamed of bein’ human.”

It was a little more insight into the person that had become one of the staunchest friends the fox had ever known and his eyebrows raised. “Is that why you date more furs than other humans?”

Alistair shrugged. “Mebbe. Or mebbe it’s ‘cause there’s naught finer a feelin’ than snugglin’ up to a lass wha’ is soft an’ warm to soothe yer soul when ye be outta sorts.” He turned and looked at the fox with a leering smile. “Then again, mebbe I jus’ likes ladies no matter if’n they be wearin’ skin or fur!”

“You’re hopeless,” Elias snorted and took care of closing off the circuits for all but the vital aspects of the small ship, effectively putting it into sleep mode.

“Completely irredeemable according to our vicar!” the human agreed with a deep laugh.

***

“I don’t know about this,” Elias called from the other room where one of the house staff was assisting him.

Alistair had been taking the fox around to the different sites of Scotland, including a two day foray into London, and giving his friend the history of his land and people, the battles that had been fought, their contributions to Great Britain, roles in the global wars that had been fought, and a crash course immersion into the proud culture Alistair was a part of. Of course a great deal of that seemed to be what the young human called ‘Pub Crawling’.

“Are ye kiddin’? The Faire of Clans has become one o’ the biggest events in all o’ Scotland an’ ye’ll be needin’ tae wear proper clothin’, Toddy-boy! We ain’ been doin’ it fer tha’ long, but ‘tis a grand celebration o’ our land an’ people! ‘Sides, ye’ll like Edinburgh. A more historical yet modern city ye never seen! Tha’ an’ yer part o’ the Clan, now. Me Da says so, an’ as Clan Chief, his word’s bein’ law, don’ ye know?”

“I…it feels a little…breezy,” Elias said as he stepped out from the other room and held his arms out slightly for his friend’s inspection.

“By th’ Saints,” Alistair said as he stood. “Ma’s gonna have a complete fit when she sees ye!” the human told the fox.

“That bad?” Elias asked with a wince.

“Nae…Tha’ good! Th’ other Clan’s ‘ll be chewin’ their livers o’er this!” the young man enthused.

The kilt, modified for Elias’ tail, was made from the blue, green and gold Tartan of the Clan Gordon. A white formal shirt, tie and dress jacket with the Clan’s crest on the left pocket gave the fox a dash of casual formality while the sporran was fixed with a pewter rendition of the Seal of Alexandrius. Soft, black leather boots had a proper skean dubh tucked into them. The Glengarry hat sat well between the fox’s ears, the brim edged with the Gordon colors, and a small pin like Alistair’s with the SPF insignia was attached to his left jacket lapel.

“It still feels breezy,” Elias said as his friend moved around him.

“Tha’s part o’ the charm o’ wearin’ a kilt,” Alistair said with a grin. “ O’ course, tha’s why ye have a sporran. Keeps ye from flashin’ the ladies an’ getting’ ‘em too excited like when ye sit down! An’ believe me they’ll be a-lookin’, too!”

“You aren’t helping me feel any better about this,” the fox said between gritted teeth.

A polite knock on the door was answered by the house staffer that had assisted Elias and he stepped out of the way as Alistair’s parents entered, both dressed in semiformal attire that matched the same pattern as Elias’ and their son’s outfits.

“Oh, my!” Evelyn enthused happily. “Elias, you look positively dashing!” If the woman noticed the fox’s ears turning pink she didn’t comment on it. “You are going to be the talk of this year’s gathering, of that you can be positive!”

Elias inclined his head. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“An’ tha’ will be enough o’ tha’!” Aiden said as he stood straighter to look at Elias down the length of his nose. “Ye been adopted in tae the Clan, lad. Ye bein’ family now. Tha’ said, ye do look all a-proper.” The man pulled a gold watch on a chain from a small pocket of his jacket and clicked the cover open. “An’ wi’ tha’ we best be getting’ along. It’s bein’ a good thirty minute flight to Edinburgh from here, an’ Lord knows we’re wantin’ plenty o’ time tae be showin’ ye lads off!”

***

The Faire of Clans was only on its fifty third year, but was a way for the different familial groups to gather, gossip, and brag about their accomplishments, the status of their children, and generally vie for position on the social ladder of a fairly exclusive group. Elias was astonished at the almost insular behavior that the members of the different Clans he’d met exhibited, some of them quite snobbish. As it was, he found that the Gordons, being one of the larger of the strange groups, had a great deal of sway with the others, but what astounded him the most was how nearly all of them could run through the history of their respective family groups, going back centuries.

As the fox listened to one older woman who had a sash about her ample waist of a red patterned Tartan go on about long dead ancestors, he felt his attention beginning to fail and had to stifle a yawn as yet another server filled his glass with some kind of dry white wine that Elias really didn’t care for. It was with some relief that he saw Alistair making his way through the crowd to him.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Lady Catherine,” Alistair said with a slight bow to the matronly figure, “but me father was wantin’ a word wi’ us, if ye don’ mind.”

The woman seemed a little miffed at the interruption of her telling a newcomer the importance of her family but recovered quickly. “Why o’ course, Alistair. I do hope ye’ll be bringin’ yer charmin’ friend back by before ye depart from our midst.”

Without missing a beat, Alistair took the woman’s hand and pressed her knuckles to his lips. “O’ course I will. An’ you don’ mind my sayin’ I was mos’ disappointed yer daughter was unable tae be here. I haven’t seen Katie in a fair long time.”

“I’ll let her know you missed her,” the woman said brightly as the fox was led away.

“I hope not,” Alistair said quietly with a repressed shudder. “Lady Catherine’s daughter is bein’ the source o’ many a good gossip tell,” he told his friend. “If she were here ye’d be seein’ her tryin’ tae get any unmarried male in tae the sack wi’ her, ye included, Elias!”

“That bad?”

“Worse!” Alistair laughed. “She’s havin’ all the restraint o’ me Da’s hounds in breedin’ season! Ne’er mind she’d be crushin’ the both o’ us to death at the same time. Poor lass is roun’ as the moon an’ proud o’ it!”

The man steered both of them to the bar that had been set up for the event, though he surprised Elias by ordering two coffees. It was a strange concoction called espresso, both strong and bitter, but the fox found it to be oddly refreshing. “This is good!” Elias told his companion as he carefully sipped the drink from the almost dainty cup.

“Well, I figured tha’ somethin’ tha’ might help yer fortitude was in order. We still have hours tae go, don’t ye know.”

Alistair turned the fox around and began to point out other people that he knew, warning Elias about certain ones that had less than stellar reputations or were the fodder for different, salubrious, tales. His imparting of information was stopped when a young woman in a dark green dress with long auburn hair that fell in soft curls that framed a triangular face and deep, brown eyes and a sash of green, blue and purple Tartan. Her expression was open and friendly, almost warm, but what was most astonishing was the effect it had on Alistair.

“This cannae be little Annie before me!” the man exclaimed as he took the girl’s hands, a grin on his face. By th’ Saints! Ye went and got all grown up!”

“Nice of you tae notice, Alistair,” the girl giggled in a high, pleasant soprano.

The human shook his head. “Where’re me manners? Elias, this is Anna Larissa Campbell, though she’s preferrin’ Annie. Annie, this is my best mate, Elias Tivnan.”

The girl retrieved her hands and extended one to the fox. “A pleasure, Elias,” she said with a curtsey and inclination of her head.

“The pleasure is mine,” the fox replied and gave her a bow, lifting her hand as if to kiss the knuckles but stopped short, still unsure as to how his interactions with some of the people gathered would be received, particularly after hearing some of the off-color comments of him being a non-human from some of the others at the Faire.

“Aren’t ye most charming, Mister Tivnan!” the girl said with a fetching blush that traveled down her cheeks to her modest cleavage held up to the most advantageous position by her dress. “I was looking fer a dance partner that I actually like, and was a-spyin’ the two o’ ye here and simply couldnae resist the opportunity.” Annie looked directly into Elias’ eyes and smiled. “Would ye mind takin’ a turn about the dance floor, Mister Tivnan?”

Surprised and caught off guard, Elias glanced at his friend, the man raising his eyebrows and nodding emphatically, adding to his encouragement with a shooing gesture. “I think tha’s a wonderful idea,” Alistair agreed aloud. “Jus’ be savin’ a dance or two fer me,” he told the girl.

“Nae t’night, Alistair,” the girl laughed. “I think someone already has claim tae yer card fer the evenin’!” she informed the man and pointed casually to another young lady that had slipped up unnoticed to Alistair’s side. “I think Belinda is havin’ a few ideas of her own!”

Elias was able to see the nervous expression on his friend’s face as a fetching blond moved in to ensure Alistair wasn’t left alone as the fox was led to the dance floor.

“I hope ye’ll be forgivin’ me my forward nature, Mister Tivnan, but me sister was wishin’ to welcome Alistair home from the Academy in her own, special way,” Annie said as she took the fur’s paw in her hand, and rather adamantly putting his other on her hip. “Belinda was bein’ a wee bit miffed that the scalawag didnae say a proper good-bye a’for his departure.”

The fox swallowed hard. “Not at all. And please, just call me Elias.”

“Hmmm,” the girl intoned. “Elias. A good, strong name. It fits ye,” Annie said with another warm smile before moving closer. “An’ yer a right fine dancer as well, Elias.”

The fox couldn’t help but smile back as the pair spun slowly, the girl light on her feet. The dance that the couples around them followed was rather simple and easy to follow, being fairly tame compared to some of the dances that had been all the rage during the fox’s teenage years on Alexandrius, but he had to admit that it was rather enjoyable. They continued to dance for a few more sets until the music changed to something a little more energetic and Annie slipped her arm through his. “Would ye be fancyin’ a cool drink?” the girl inquired.

“I bow to your wishes,” Elias replied, smiling at the effect his response had on the girl.

“Then perhaps a drink an’ a walk in th’ cool spring air outside,” she suggested with another blush and smile. Annie ordered a soda with ice while Elias went for chilled tonic water and twist of lime, letting the girl lead them into the lantern festooned park-like gardens the gathering was being held at. “This is quite nice.”

“It is,” Elias agreed.

The young woman moved a little closer to the fox, all but resting her head on his arm as they strolled through the well pruned trees and flower beds. “So, I hear tell that ye an’ Alistair are both bein’ pilots? And With the Spatial Police Force? Isn’ tha’…well, dangerous?”

Elias nodded. “It can be. Sure, we try to stop criminals and the like, but mostly we protect others, maybe rescue ships and crews that have had problems or mechanical failures. I don’t think that Alistair and I will be seeing a lot of dangerous encounters, though.”

Annie smiled and rubbed her cheek against the fabric covering the fox’s shoulder. “Well, I fer one think it’s bein’ very brave o’ th’ two o’ ye.”

Elias swallowed hard, and tried to keep from shaking. Because of Alistair and the man’s penchant for reading material that was geared more towards erotic imagery, the fox had discovered that humans, despite their lack of fur and weak senses, were rather attractive in some cases, Annie certainly falling into that category, though it was her personality that was the most charming. While more than appreciative of the attentions of the young woman, he was unsure as to the local customs regarding amorous liaisons. Not to mention there was the additional problem of him being a fur.

What was even more daunting was, if the Gordon domicile was any indication, these people were as fond of their archaic but no less lethal weaponry as any Dennieran. Elias would really rather forego being turned into either a wall hanging or throw rug. He took a deep breath and tried to focus his attention on the grounds they strolled through.

Never mind that the scent he was picking up from Annie indicated what she thought of the situation, something else that he found distracting enough that when trouble approached he was completely off guard.

“An’ what, praytell, are ye doin’ with this…animal, cousin?” a voice inquired from behind Annie and Elias.

The young woman whipped her head around, a scowl immediately manifesting on her face. “I was enjoying a nice stroll a’fore ye showed up, James. And I would most appreciative if’n ye let us be so it might resume.”

The young human that approached with two friends wore a kilt similar in color and pattern to the sash that Annie sported, though his cronies were dressed in slacks and jackets. “Do ye know how disheartnin’ it is to not only fin’ yer cousin walkin’ abou’ wi’ a dog, but one tha’s wearin’ Gordon colors? Or is it tha’ the Gordon’s be crossbreedin’ wi’ their hounds?”

“That’s enough, James!” Annie retorted hotly. “You’ll nae be startin’ trouble at the Faire!”

The male assumed a look of deepest sympathy as he placed his hand over his heart. “Why cousin, I ne’er would dream o’ startin’ a fight here! The very thought is repugnant!” The false expression melted away to be replaced by a sneer of contempt. “But,” he began in a deeper tone full of animosity as he glared menacingly at Elias, “tae protect one o’ me own from a stray animal…well, I’d almost be beholden to involve meself in a situation like tha’, don’ ye think? Cannae have me beloved cousin assaulted when this…dog tries tae drag ye into the shrubbery to hump ye, can I?”

“I’m a warnin’ ye, James,” Annie told her cousin ominously, blanching at what the young man had suggested before turning an almost dangerous shade of red.

“I really hope this isn’t how you treat all representatives of the Planetary Alignment governing council,” Elias said quickly, wanting to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. “Normally assault on a PA representative is an automatic five year sentence on a penal colony.”

“Representative? Wha’? Whaddya mean?” one of the other young men asked, coming up short with his eyes widening as he released his clenched fists.

“Oh, yes,” Elias said with a nod. “Assaulting any member of an agency under direct PA authority is an automatic term on a prison planet. I really wouldn’t want to see Annie distressed over a situation like that.” He pointed to the pin on his lapel. “As it is, I am clearly marked as a said representative by this.” The fox then let his blue eyes harden as his lips lifted from glistening fangs in a gesture that was far from a smile. “Of course, I am with the Spatial Police Force and could simply shoot all of you. I think this would be considered an acceptable situation for the use of deadly force…” he said as his paw slipped into the folds of his jacket.

The trio of would-be toughs almost tripped on each other trying to flee, not even slowing as Alistair and Annie’s sister, Belinda, came towards the fox and girl at a rather undignified trot. “They didnae cause any trouble, did they, Toddy-boy?” Alistair asked with a scowl at the retreating young men.

“Nothin’ tha’ Elias couldnae handle!” Annie said, her eyes sparkling and bright as she held on to the fox’s arm a little tighter with both hands. “Ye don’ truly have a gun, though, do ye?”

“Sorry. Just a pen and my DataCom,” Elias told the girl with a grin.

“An’ now we know why foxes are always such wiley creatures in the stories!” Belinda said in glee.

“Maybe we should head back into the pavilion,” Elias suggested. “There are less chances to be accosted there with so many witnesses.”

“Oh, no! I’ll be finishin’ my stroll, thank ye very much!” Annie said as she steered the fox to one of the paths that had far more in the way of shadows, Alistair and Belinda waving to the pair until they were out of sight. “Besides,” Annie continued as she pulled Elias into a secluded nook of evergreens, “I should be thankin’ ye fer protectin’ my honor so gallantly…”

Elias only had a moment to wonder if Annie were put off kissing someone of a different species with a mouth shape far different from her own, then he stopped worrying as her arms slipped around his shoulders and waist. What was just as surprising was when he realized he was holding her right back.

***

The air car that returned the group to the castle after the Faire ended a little before sunrise was of Alexandrian manufacture, Laird Aiden Gordon guiding the luxury vehicle to its garage with unerring precision. Lady Evelyn dozed in the passenger seat leaving Alistair and Elias in the back.

“It certainly seemed as if Annie was mos’ taken with ye, ‘Lias,” the young human said as he let his head loll back and eyes closed.

“She’s a rather remarkable young woman,” the fox agreed as he looked out the window at the lights of villages, towns and small cities beneath them, the lights looking like yellow gems on dark velvet.

Alistair lifted his head, a sly smile on his face as he regarded his friend. “An’ what was tha’ I was hearin’ ‘bout goin’ out with her in a few days?”

“I didn’t think it would be polite to turn her down.”

The human chuckled noiselessly. “Then I should warn ye tha’ they only live abou’ three miles from home, righ’?”

“W-what?”

“Aye,” Alistair said as he settled back, cracking one eye to look at the fox. “They live a few miles down th’ road at their aunt’s house. Done grown up with those two lasses. Been friends wi’ ‘em near long as I can remember.”

“Interesting,” the fox said, his tail trying to wag despite being pressed against the seat.

5

Elias found his way to the small dining area where Laird Aiden and his wife normally took breakfast, the Clan patriarch having had to go out of town for a few days on business. The fox had learned that the aged Scot was an extremely talented pilot due to his past in the Terran Navy, and the family had majority holdings in a large aerospace firm that produced navigational and life support equipment. As it was, Lady Evelyn was enjoying a cup of tea while basking in the sun that streamed through the bay window that overlooked the gardens.

“Good morning, Elias,” the woman said cheerfully. “How did you sleep?”

“Not to put too fine a point on it,” the fox grinned, “but like the dead.”

“Well, you did have a busy night at the Faire, I hear,” she said with a knowing smile.

Elias couldn’t keep his ears from folding back or lowering his head a little. “Ahhh…you might say that,” he answered quietly. “I’m really quite astounded by the amount of history here,” the fox said trying to tactfully change subjects.

Evelyn laughed delicately. “Too much, sometimes! There are some that have nothing better to do than research the past. That’s one of the reasons I love my Aiden. While he appreciates his heritage, it doesn’t consume him. He’s firmly planted in the here-and-now but with an eye on the future. For some of the families and Clans what-has-been is all they talk about and family and Clan is all that matters.”

“I can see that,” Elias agreed. “Like the history here, it’s a little intimidating. As far as I know I’m the last of my family. I suppose if something happens to me my family name will just disappear.” The fox had just started to get into the tale of losing both parents and being an only child when Alistair made his way down, yawning a little but looking as if he’d gotten more than just a few hours of sleep. “I guess I never really thought that something like that was, well, important, before.”

Evelyn looked at her son’s best friend. “Don’t you want children of your own someday?”

Alistair raised his eyebrows in interest as he poured a cup of coffee instead of tea, for once keeping his mouth shut and his comments to himself. Whether it was from a sense of tact or still being partially asleep was moot, Elias was simply glad of his friend’s silence.

“I don’t know,” the fox finally answered with a slight shrug. “I mean, I’ll be on long tours with whatever ships they need me on. That sort of precludes me settling down. What kind of life would it be for a mate to always be alone, then maybe get a couple of days and nights of normalcy before I had to leave again? Never mind that any children would only have half a family most of the time. I don’t know if I could do that to those I’m supposed to love. It just doesn’t seem right. Well, unless I find a mate within the SPF. Then we could get joint posting, but that would mean no children for a while.”

“At least it shows that you’re thinking of more than just yourself,” Evelyn answered sagely and with a no of approval. “That’s actually a very mature perspective.”

Elias chuckled and helped himself to another cup of coffee and a pastry called a scone that was rather appealing in that it wasn’t overly sweet. “I don’t know about mature, but I don’t think I would feel right. Then I’d have to worry all the time about any possible infidelity. I wouldn’t really be able fault a potential mate for that, either. Everyone has needs for love and affection and if I’m not there to help with that, my partner would have to find it somewhere else, right?”

Alistair shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Don’ ye think yer a wee bit premature on talkin’ o’ marriage an’ such? There’s time Toddy-boy.”

Elias smiled at is friend. “Young or not, it’s food for thought. You’re right, though. Let’s see how things go after our tour on the Vanguard, first.”

***

Alistair insisted on ensuring that Elias was far from bored, and engaged the fox in different activities during the day and then took his friend to different attractions and venues at night. Elias was still surprised that Scotland, while part of a much larger province, could be so modern and yet have so many reminders of its rich history. That was when he wasn’t so intoxicated from Alistair’s normal nocturnal haunts of different pubs or other relaxation establishments.

When the third day since the Faire of Clans dawned, the human oddly had nothing planned, which was somewhat surprising until one of the house servants politely knocked on the door to the fox’s room to announce that Elias had a visitor. “I do?” he asked in confusion.

“Aye, Sir. I’ve also taken the liberty of laying out proper attire for you,” the man said before departing.

Scratching an ear in puzzlement, Elias headed downstairs to the entry foyer to find Annie waiting for him. The girl turned around as soon as she heard the fox treading down the stairway, looking up and smiling beatifically. Unlike the night of the Clan Faire, Annie had let her straight, auburn hair fall to her shoulders, her bangs hanging in a perfect line just above her brows with small gold colored clips to keep her silken tresses out of her face. She was dressed in a white shirt with a ruffled neck and tight, cropped jacket of dark green. Her breeches were tan and so tight and form fitting that they seemed to be painted on to the fox’s way of thinking, and her legs sported high, black boots. In her hands she had some sort of abbreviated hat and a single rose of deep red.

“This is a surprise, Annie,” Elias said with a smile as he took the last step and stood at the bottom of the staircase, admiring the young woman.

“It shouldnae be,” the girl replied with a smile and blush to her cheeks as she twirled the rose between a dainty thumb and forefinger. “If ye remember correctly, ye’re tae be havin’ an outin’ wi’ me today.”

“I’m sorry,” the fox said, the servant’s comment about proper attire finally making sense. “You said something about showing me around the area, right?”

“Somethin’ like that,” Annie answered. “Actually, seein’s how it’s such a fine day, I was thinkin’ about a nice long ride an’ picnic out by the loch.”

“Ride?” Elias inquired. “What kind of ride?”

“Well, horseback, o’ course!” Her smile faltered and she touched the rose to her lips. “Och! I didnae e’en think to ask if’n ye could ride!” Annie exclaimed in chagrin. “I’m so very sorry, Elias!”

The fox smiled warmly and touched the back of her hand. “To be honest the only horse I know was the one I went through the Academy with. I’ve never even seen a mundane one.” Elias tilted his head to the side. “I think I’d like it if you taught me, though.” The relief in the girl’s eyes at a possible solution brightened considerably. “Can you give me a few minutes to change? I think the butler knew what you had planned and put out something for me to wear.”

“O’ course I’ll wait for ye!” Annie replied a little huskily, leaning forward a little. She watched as the white furred fox smiled and trotted back up the stairs while twirling the rose under her chin before sniffing at it. “Ye are definitely worth waiting for…” she whispered to herself, finally able to take a much needed breath.

***

Once ensuring the fox had the basics down, meaning that there was little chance that he’d fall from the saddle, the pair departed, Annie having selected one of the more tame quarter horse geldings that resided in the Gordon stable that went by the name of Bentley. Annie was more than happy to put the fox on one of the more docile mounts, meaning that she wouldn’t have to worry overly much and could concentrate on enjoying Elias’ company. At the moment, the fox was in front of her as she nominally observed to ensure that the fur was comfortable in the saddle, though most of her attention was riveted to the manner in which Elias filled out the modified riding breeches, his tail only serving to ensure the girl’s attention was drawn to that point.

It was several moments before Annie realized that the fox was speaking to her and she jerked upright in her saddle, her own mare reacting to the sudden movement and whickering in admonishment. “I’m sorry, Elias,” the girl said with a blush coloring her pale cheeks. “I didnae quite catch that.”

“I asked where we were going. The Maker knows where we’ll wind up with me leading,” the fox said as he turned around to look at his companion with a smile.

“Oh. Right!” Annie brought her mind back from the rather interesting tangents it had been working on and nudged her mare up so that she was beside Elias. “There be several ridin’ trails, though this is th’ one we be wantin’. It meanders through th’ woods fer a bit before letting out on some fields near the loch. I thought tha’ would be a good place fer our picnic. It’s bein’ quite serene and appropriately private.”

There had been an old riding helmet that one of the stable hands had quickly modified for the fox, cutting out large portions so that Elias’ ears could fit through it and adding extra padding. Annie thought that it made him look rather handsome, though a little like one of the cartoon characters she’d enjoyed as a little girl.

“Private?” Elias asked with a hint of trepidation.

“Mm-hmm. Very private,” Annie said with a warm smile. The smile faded slightly after a minute and the girl looked at her horse’s ears for a bit before speaking again. “I wanted tae thank ye again for defending me at the party. An’ I wanted to apologize fer my cousin. He…he’s a brash brute, always fightin’ and carryin’ on like thug. I’m afraid ye were jus’ a target of opportunity fer him tae be lookin’ good in front o’ his friends.”

Elias chuckled and graced the girl with a smile. “Don’t worry. It’s not often I get to play hero for a pretty lady.”

“Ye…ye think I’m pretty?” Annie asked with pleasant surprise in her brown eyes.

“It’s the truth.”

“E’en though I…I’m not, well, a fox like you? I didnae think…”

Elias let go of the reigns with one paw and touched the back of her hand. “I’ve been around other humans, Annie. And just because you have skin instead of fur doesn’t mean that I can’t recognize beauty when I see it.”

The girl blushed and blinked when she realized that she’d taken the fox’s paw. “I…I heard that some o’ ye furs were like a lot o’ the humans I know. That they’re prejudiced against us humans the way some humans think that most of ye are just…well, animals.” She sighed heavily and frowned. “D’ye think there’ll e’er be a day when all o’ that is gone an’ we can all jus’ be folk?”

“Someday,” Elias answered seriously. “In the meantime it’s going to be up to people like us to help others realize that we aren’t really different at all. I mean Alistair is my best friend, after all.”

That soothed the young woman and her smile returned. “I think that I’m glad about tha’. If ye two were nae friends, ye an’ I woulda ne’er ha’ met.”

***

Elias had shucked his riding jacket and gone so far as to pull of the boots he’d been given. Fortunately the shirt was loose and comfortable, but the breeches pulled on his fur something terrible. The picnic had been quite enjoyable, and Annie’s selection of settings was remarkable, having chosen a place that was right on the edge of the loch but still within the woods so that both were saved from the heat of the sun overhead.

Annie lay on her back, also having taken off her riding jacket and boots along with the stockings that she’d had on to let her feet dry from where she’d dipped her toes in the water, looking up at Elias. Even in the shade the fox’s fur seemed to glow, turning from snowy white to a silvery grey on his forearms and ears. “So, did I choose somthin’ ye found a bit o’ enjoyment from?” the girl asked solicitously.

“You did,” Elias replied with a firm nod before turning to look at the human. He was brought up short at the intense gaze from Annie, and his sensitive nose was tickled by the same scent from her he’d picked up a few nights previously, causing him to swallow hard. It was all he could do not to jump up and flee when she rolled to her side, her head propped up on one hand while the other came to rest on his leg just above his knee.

“Ye know, it’s only proper tha’ a lady reward the knight tha’ rescues her from the depredations o’ less than civilized men,” she told her companion archly. “At least tha’s what all th’ stories I e’er read say.”

“You don’t have to,” Elias whispered as the girl rolled to a sitting position, her hand still on his leg, her eyes warm and sparkling.

“I know I don’ have tae, Elias. But I want tae…”

6

Alistair tossed his bag onto the left hand rack of the cabin while Elias did the same to the right side bunk and both headed back to the cockpit of the Bonnie Eve as Aiden finished stowing some of the provisions in the yacht for the run back to Joplin to deliver his son and friend for their first assignment.

“I think tha’ Annie’s a bit saddened by yer departure, Toddy-boy,” the human said as he began a series of checks on the yacht’s internal systems, both he and the fox having completed their walk around inspection of the small ship.

“Yeah,” Elias answered softly. “She’s not the only one.” The fox heaved a sigh and went over the instrument panel of his console. “We both know it wouldn’t work, though. I’ll be gone for long periods of time. Not to mention she’s a human and I’m a fox. We’re friends, but it…I think this is for the best.”

“Ye say so,” Alistair replied with a shake of his head, wondering who his friend was trying to convince.

Elias ran through the warm-up procedure for the triple engines and spoke without looking at his companion. “And what about you?”

“Whaddya mean?”

The fox smiled while still focused on the instrument panel. “How did Belinda take your leaving?”

“I don’ know wha’ yer talkin’ ‘bout,” Alistair replied with feigned haughtiness.

“Right,” Elias said sarcastically. “You know these ears are pretty sensitive. Never mind that I can smell her perfume on you a mile away…”

Alistair chuckled. “Well, if’n ye put it tha’ way, a little more composed than her sister, but then she also knows tha’ I cannae stay.” The human tested the pressure seals to the hatch before setting their departure course into the navigation computer. When he looked at his friend he could tell the fox was also a little saddened by their leaving. “Don’ fret none, Elias. Annie an’ ye are a lot alike. Ye both have big hearts, an’ the things ye shared twixt ye were bein’ special. Treasure it for wha’ it was. ‘Sides, knowin’ ye, one day ye’ll be findin’ some lass that’ll be th’ sun o’ yer own private paradise!”

The fox paused and turned his head to regard the human next to him. “And you accuse me of being too romantic?”

“I have an excuse! I’m a Scot through-an’-through, an’ we ha’ a long tradition o’ being a right passionate people wi’ fancy notions. True warrior-poets!”

“You’re a lecherous nut case,” Elias said with a laugh. “But, you’re also the best friend I’ve ever had. Thanks for a memorable leave, Alistair,” the fox said as he extended his paw.

“Yer bein’ very welcome, Elias,” the man said as he took the paw in his hand and shook it, a wide smile on his face.

***

The SPF Vanguard was a frigate of Tanthean manufacture, its lines sleek, clean and aggressive looking. Four engine nacelles extended from the aft third of the hull like a modified ‘H’ placed on its side. The fore hull was a gently tapering flattened cone with a curious, streamlined, fin-like protrusion dropping from the prow and running along the underbelly in a gentle taper that housed several packages of sensitive sensors and communications gear. The aft taper contained the advanced LC drive for Faster-Than-Light travel and the primary launch bays for the six auxiliary craft onboard. The appearance, when coupled with the surface blisters on the hull that contained a surprising array of weapons, gave the entire ship a lean, agile appearance.

“Now that’s some ship,” Elias said with a grin as he and Alistair looked at their new posting from the observation deck of the orbital docking facilities the Vanguard was berthed at.

The human nodded appreciatively. “Tha’ she is,” Alistair almost whispered, a grin on his face that bespoke volumes of his desire to put the vessel through its paces.

A voice behind the pair caused the two friends to turn around before snapping to attention as a tigress with commander’s rank insignia on her collar tabs stood straight, arms behind her back. The senior officer had clear, pale amber eyes, almost like the color of flame, and her black stripes contrasted starkly with her fiery orange and white fur.

“You must be my two new pilots. I’m Commander Valencia Palmers, the Captain of the Vanguard. May I have your orders please?” the tigress asked in a deep contralto, but still imminently feminine voice. She waited for both human and fox to pull their papers from their tunic pockets and looked them over briefly before slipping them into her own tunic.

Alistair and Elias both maintained rigid attention as their new Captain scrutinized them carefully, each one trying not to squirm after several long minutes. Eventually Captain Palmers satisfied herself for whatever it was she was looking for and actually relaxed without moving a millimeter.

“Stand easy,” the tigress instructed, her precise and urbane accent identifying her as being from Kantus. “There are a few things I expect while you serve under me, and while you will be with the rest of the crew when I give my standard pre-cruise speech, I make it a habit of meeting with everyone in my command, I also make it a point of talking to every individual that comes aboard personally.

“While both of you have high marks from your flight instructors, you are here to be more than just the guiding paws, or hands, of my ship. You are SPF officers, and as such I expect you to conduct yourselves as such both on and off duty. I do not tolerate the use of alcohol, intoxicants or other such debilitating substances on my vessel at any time. Failure to follow this rule will get you slapped into the brig at best, or I will shoot you in accordance with maritime regulations if the infraction costs a single person on this ship his or her life, health or wellbeing.

“As SPF officers, you are expected to perform more than just your jobs as pilots. This vessel has seen everything from rescue operations to combat with pirates. If you are needed for any job that you may be of assistance, you will do it. I expect my orders to be followed to the letter. At the same time I expect you to question any orders you are given if you truly feel it puts this ship, her crew, or members of the Planetary Alignment in danger or at risk, or flies in the face of PA laws. We are here to protect all members of the Alignment, not just the ones we like, but the ones that we don’t like as well.

“Case in point was one such incident that involved the return of…’property’ to an individual on the world of Quet. As you well know, slavery is still legal on that world, no matter how much you, or I, may despise the practice. I had to, by law, return the property to said owner, despite my personal feelings, and I would expect the same of you. We are not here to dispute the PA law, but to uphold it and respect the sovereignty of each and every world. Even the aspects of sovereignty we may find repugnant.

“I know that there is a chance that the two of you may be approached for varying degrees of, ahem, companionship while onboard. This is a personal matter, and one that I and the other command officers will not interfere with, so long as you neither take this to the extreme and harass another crewmember, or unless it interferes with the function of my vessel. We are all adults, and we all know that on any extended run that it will happen. Do not let it affect your jobs or the jobs of the others and we should all be fine. I cannot deny anyone under my command certain levels of comfort. All I ask is that you respect potential companions, their privacy and grant them the same decency that you should expect in reciprocity.

“Finally, I have a tradition that I learned from my own first posting, and that is prior to every mission launch, I gather the crew together for one last meal in port. I find that it’s a good informal setting to get to know one another,” the Captain looked at her watch, a rather expensive chronometer in reddish gold that had been hidden by her tunic sleeve. “Supper begins in two hours, fifteen minutes ship’s time. I trust that is enough advance notice for the two of you to get your personal gear stowed and return to the station’s starboard promenade?”

“Yes, Captain,” both fox and human said in unison.

“Good. I for one don’t like to be kept waiting for my supper,” the tigress said with a relaxed and friendly smile. “Dismissed, gentles,” Captain Palmer said with a nod, slipping to attention and returning the salutes that Elias and Alistair gave.

Shouldering their bags, both presented their Identicards to the Spatial Police Officer at the hatch, the puma wearing combat armor with an autorifle on a tactical sling. The SPO nodded his helmeted and visored head at the portable terminal that was also present, nodding again when the reader cleared both with a green LED indicator and three tone chime. “Welcome aboard the SPF Vanguard, Sirs,” the cat said before resuming a ready stance.

Alistair was fairly quiet as they found the cabins that they’d been assigned to, each cubicle barely large enough to contain a bunk, bulkhead mounted desk and chair that had magnetic feet that held it to the thin, no-skid plastic sheathed deck. Elias set about putting his uniforms away in the small wardrobe his cabin came with before logging in on the terminal at his desk. He tapped in his information and pass code so that he could receive any electronic mail and messages, his left ear twitching when the terminal chimed with an awaiting packet. Alistair had done the same, and while the fox’s terminal indicated that there was only one waiting missive, Alistair’s went on for several moments.

Sitting in the chair, Elias turned to the computer, not bothering to shut the hatch to his cabin and brought up the waiting message, surprised to find a letter and attached image file addressed to him. He brought up the message first, surprised that it was from Annie.

:My Dear Elias,

By now you should be back at Joplin and I just want you to know that I’m having a hard time getting you out of my thoughts. We didn’t have a lot of time together, but what we did have and what we shared is something that I will treasure and carry with me for the rest of my life.

I never imagined that I would meet someone like you. Even now I think of feeling your soft fur brushing against every inch of my skin and can’t help but smile. I think of having your arms around me, the warmth of your breath on my neck as you hold me tight, of lying in the grass with the sun falling on us by the loch, of making love… I don’t think that I will ever meet another that can make me feel as you have, Elias. Perhaps if you were human or I a vixen, then the things that I really want to say could be shared, that what I really want could be spoken , but it isn’t meant to be…or cannot be. I’m not the one that is meant for you. Whoever the lucky woman is, be she fox, human, or other, is out there waiting for you. And I think that I’m already jealous of her. Silly of me, isn’t it? I had to send these words to you, though, to tell you what was in my heart, to tell you that there is one person that will always be thinking of you, no matter what happens. I want you to know that even in your darkest moments, when you face down the danger that is part f the life you have chosen, there is one out there on a little world around a distant star that loves you, and part of me always will. Please, my beautiful fox, be safe. Do what you must, but please stay safe. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle the news that something has happened to you. And even though we’ll most likely never see each other again, know that what you gave me, the moments we shared, all of the wonderful memories will be treasured until the day I die, that you will ever be in my thoughts, my heart, and my prayers.

With all of my love and affection,

Your Annie:

The picture that was included was a picture of the young human taken in the spot by the loch where the two had shared their picnic and so much more, the sun lighting the girl’s hair with hints of fire in her auburn cascade. The only clothing she had on being frilly bits of pastel silk lingerie that barely concealed her womanly attributes and a white silk shirt that fell half way down her arms and back as she looked at the camera coyly, a smile on her lips that held unbridled happiness and a touch of regret and longing as well.

The fox was still staring at the image when Alistair came in to the cabin.

“What does she mean that she’ll never see me again?” Elias asked. “Earth isn’t that far away. It’s one of the higher traffic worlds with plenty of transports headed to it, and-”

Alistair put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “She’ll nae be there, Toddy-boy,” the man said softly with a shake of his head. “I jus’ got a message from Belinda and me Ma. Annie’s forwarded her application tae the Alignment colonial scout service tae be a surveyor.” He looked at the fox who blinked silently. “She’s already left Earth.”

“Oh.”

“Ye made a serious impression on th’ lass, though. Nae a single boy e’er got Annie’s attention th’ way ye did, Toddy-boy.”

“I…I didn’t mean to hurt her,” the fox said as his ears folded back in chagrin.

“Ye didnae hurt her, Elias! Ye touched her heart in a way nae other person ever has, an’ it was special to Annie. Don’t be sad ‘bout tha’. She’ll be findin’ another to love someday, but like all th’ rest o’ us, she’ll nae be fergettin’ the first that captured her heart. Jus’ like ye won’t.” Alistair simply nodded when the fox looked up. “Tha’s righ’. Jus’ like ye’ll always be rememberin’ Ilsa, Annie’ll be rememberin’ ye. It ain’ bad. It’s…well, it’s part o’ growin’, ye know?”

Elias continued to look at the screen, his thoughts flitting back and forth between memories of the human, the delicate sadness that pulled at his emotions, and the words of his friend. Eventually he pushed all of that aside as he and Alistair made their way to the station’s promenade deck to meet the rest of the crew they’d be serving with.

7

Third watch was the least desirable shift for most SPF personnel, though the awkward duty cycle seemed less onerous onboard a ship as the concepts of night and day were moot with access to artificial lighting that could be set to simulate a number of different types of suns depending on where a particular individual was raised. For Elias it was a quiet period with only a fourth of the ship’s crew moving about in their various functions, and he liked to turn down the bridge illumination and look at the stars. If anything it was the fox’s preferred shift as it gave him time to think, and there was something about having the bridge of a starship all to himself that he found extremely appealing. Or mostly as there were two other individuals that were on watch as well.

Lex Marsten was the ensign assigned to the weapons station, though the koala fought his boredom by listening to language lessons while playing a puzzle game that seemed to be all the rage at the moment. As far as Elias was concerned it seemed that the diminutive SPO would have been more at home in a lecture hall or classroom. It was always amusing to see the scholarly Lex on the practice mats or the range, the koala surprising most with his ability at weapons handling or hand-to-hand combat.

The only other individual on the bridge was SPO Vanna Perrins, recent Academy graduate on her apprentice cruise, which meant she automatically drew the short straw for all of the least dignified duties that could be found for her. Despite her quiet, unassuming nature, the mouse did everything she was asked or told without complaint, and like Lex seemed the least likely candidate for Spatial Police Force. Vanna was, in Elias’ mind, far too gentle and, though he hated to use the term, soft.

Elias smiled at his first encounter with the lithe rodent, her fur the exact same shade of grey as the SPF uniform, so that if it weren’t for the crimson piping and boots, he’d have thought she were nude. Apparently she’d heard this from others as well and had been tending her fur with a shampoo that was designed to lighten coloration. Lighten it the soap had, though it had had the unexpected side effect of turning her normally chestnut hair an odd shade of grey-brown with a very distinct green tinge. While the SPF had regulations on artificial coloring of hair and fur, it wasn’t unheard of for some individuals to adopt interesting and unique shades, within limits. Vanna, however, had been mortified and came extremely close to shaving herself completely bald before being talked out of it by Alistair of all people.

“Chief? Would you like a cup of coffee?” Vanna inquired in her high, soft voice, her question almost lost amongst the background noise of the bridge.

“Hmm?” Elias intoned, his ears perking up as he turned to see the mouse holding out a mug, another in her other paw for herself. “Maker, yes. That’s just what’s called for. Thank you.” Vanna smiled shyly as she passed the cup to the fox, waiting to see if he approved. “Wow. Right amount of everything. Thanks, Vanna.”

“You’re welcome, Chief,” she replied and began to turn away.

“You know, if you want you can take the nav seat. We can switch comm to that console. It’s better than sitting at the back of the bridge all by your lonesome.”

The brightening of Vanna’s dark, almost completely black eyes was immediately noticeable and her long, pink tail lashed happily. “Y-you don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” Elias told her with a grin as he switched functions on the navigation board. “That’s the thing about all SPF ships. You can bring up any station to any other console, even flight controls, though it’s a little awkward. That’s what makes our ships so tough, but more likely to make it back to a port if something happens.” He watched as the mouse slipped into the seat and looked out of the forward viewports. “Spectacular, isn’t it?”

“It sure is, Chief! I’ve always wanted to travel the PA, to see as many of the other worlds as I could!” Vanna sighed almost dreamily. “It’s so lovely.”

“Well, we do have another six and a half hours on this shift, so having a nice view helps.” The fox hid his grin by taking a sip of his drink as the mouse nodded vigorously in agreement.

They sat for several moments in silence, the only other sound besides the normal noise from the frigate being the occasional clicking that Lex made when the game he played frustrated him. Elias had spent the first portion of the eight hour shift wondering what Ilsa and Annie were doing at that moment, neither female having sent a reply to his latest messages and it made the fox rather desirous of non-duty related interaction to stave off the slight depression he was feeling.

“Vanna? Do you mind a little conversation?”

The mouse whipped her head around to look at the young Warrant Officer next to her, her eyes a little too wide as if she’d been caught doing something. “S-sure, Chief. If…if you want to…”

“You know, when there’s no one else around, you can call me Elias. I promise it’s alright.”

“I don’t know…” Vanna said with a slight frown and shake of her head. “I mean, you’re an officer and I’m just…well, until this is over I’m still technically a cadet. I don’t know if that would be right!”

“It is if I say so.” He gave the mouse a smile and wink, the gesture causing some of the tension in the female’s shoulders to loosen. “I notice you’ve been hanging out with Alistair a lot lately,” he began, trying to get some kind of talking going.

Vanna nodded a little too enthusiastically. “Alistair’s a great person, though it’s a little hard to understand him sometimes. His accent’s pretty thick.”

Elias chortled and leaned back in his chair. “And it’s not nearly as bad as some of the other people from where he comes from, I promise you that!”

“You’ve been to Earth?” she asked excitedly.

“Yup. Alistair and his family let me stay in their castle in Scotland. It was fun, though I think Alistair likes a lot of the pubs and bars there a little too much.”

“Is it really like Tanthe? I’ve heard others say that it was,” the mouse told him, turning as much as the seat would allow so she could face the fox.

Elias shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t been to Tanthe yet. I think Scotland has worse weather, though. To hear Alistair tell it, winters are really cold with lots of ice and snow or rain.”

The mouse stuck out her tongue. “Yuk! I hate the cold! I just don’t have the fur for it, and it seems that no matter what I wear it just isn’t ever enough.”

Elias again stuck his muzzle into the mug to hide a smile, having seen the grey furred rodent in the ship’s gymnasium, which was little more than a series of exercise machines, wearing a dark purple leotard and body conforming shorts. Needless to say it had been a rather interesting sight and Vanna had a little more in the way of gentle and very feminine curves than her uniform normally conveyed. “I don’t think it’s any worse than where I grew up on Alexandrius, I guess, but then I’ve never really had an issue with cold weather.”

“If I had your fur, I wouldn’t either,” the female responded before her ears turned pink and drooped a little in what she felt might have been too personal an admission.

They fell silent again and it was almost ten minutes later when the mouse looked pointedly at Elias, her bottom lip between her teeth. “Chief? I…I mean Elias? Can…c-can I ask you a personal question?”

The scent and body language that came from Vanna changed enough to pique the fox’s curiosity. “I suppose so. I mean, if it’s too personal I won’t answer, but sure. Go ahead.”

Vanna swallowed hard and regarded her own mug for several seconds before speaking and when she did was unable to meet Elias’ eyes. “Um, Alistair said that you…well, you asked another…um, that you proposed to one of your classmates, but she turned you down…”

Elias felt a flash of irritation wash through him at his friend’s divulgence of something the fox felt was personal and no one else’s concern. “I really don’t think tha-”

“When she said no,” the mouse continued on, showing enough temerity to cut the fox off, “well, does…does it ever stop hurting?” Vanna looked up with a tormented expression. “When the one you thought you loved just takes your feelings and stomps on them, does it ever stop being painful?”

Elias watched as a single tear filled one dark eye before rolling down the sleek fur of her cheek to land on her tunic, turning the spot a darker grey. “In time,” the fox whispered. “I guess it really doesn’t go away, but it kind of loses its intensity.”

“Ho-how long?”

Suddenly Elias’ anger was back, flaring with an urge to do more than a little hurting to someone else of the physical kind. “Did Alistair hurt you?” he asked hotly.

“What? Oh, no! Not Alistair! He…he was the one that s-said you knew just what I was feeling and that you had been through it too and I should talk to you!” Vanna responded quickly and recoiled a little in the navigator’s seat. “I…it was my boyfriend where I grew up on Crescentis. He…I got to go home for a little bit before getting posted here, and I…I caught him with…well, with my sister.”

The tears from the mouse began to fall at a more steady pace and Vanna turned, huddling into herself as she faced the viewports. Elias nodded silently, knowing that what the quiet rodent had experienced was far more painful than what he’d endured. He also felt a pang of guilt at thinking that perhaps his friend had done something to the female. “Hey, Lex? You feel like getting us all some snacks from the galley? I can watch your board as well if you need to take a breather.”

The koala looked up. “You sure, Elias?”

The fox pinged the area around the ship with a high gain active sweep of the sensors. “Yeah. There’s nothing around us for as far as we can sweep. I got the con.”

“Sweet. There were some things I wanted to get from my cabin anyway,” the koala said as he stood, stretching a little. “Anything in particular you want from the galley?”

“Some sandwiches and maybe soup,” the fox replied with a nod. As soon as the weapons officer departed and the bridge hatch slid closed, Elias turned back to the silently weeping mouse. “That gives us a few minutes, and if you want we can talk after our shift is over, but if you want to talk about it, I promise I’ll help as much as I can,” he told Vanna softly.

Instead of speaking, which was what the fox had been expecting, the mouse launched herself out of the seat and into Elias’ arms, resting her face in the juncture of his neck and shoulder before weeping with all of the pain she felt. It took a few moments for the fox to return the gesture, his arms slipping tentatively around the mouse as she vented her anguish, hoping that none of the other officers came onto the bridge to find the two of them in such an unprofessional and compromising position.

Once the initial storm had passed, Vann pulled away and resumed her seat, tucking one foot under her leg as her tail wrapped around her waist. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “That…that wasn’t right of me.”

“Hey, it’s alright,” Elias said and reached across the short distance to give Vanna’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We are all here doing a tough job, and we have to be here for each other, right?”

“I…I guess so,” she said in a tone that lacked conviction. “It’s just…why does it hurt so much and why won’t it go away?”

Elias shook his head slowly. “It will after a little time has passed. It hurts because I’m going to hazard a guess that you really loved this guy. And if you don’t mind me being a little blunt, he’s an idiot.”

“Huh?”

“Vanna, you’re one of the hardest working individuals I’ve seen on this ship. No matter what it is I’ve seen you doing, you give it your all. I’m going to guess that it’s the same way you deal with others. You give them your all. If this boyfriend of yours couldn’t see that, then he’s an absolute idiot.”

The mouse blinked. “Alistair said the same thing. He…he also told me that I was…”

Elias smiled. “Go on. He said you were what?”

Vanna smiled as her ears again turned a deep pink, then giggled a little. “He said I was ‘a righ’ bonnie wee lass wha’ needs a good male tae show me how astonishin’ly beautiful ’ I am an’ tae romance me all proper like’,” she said with a fair imitation of Alistair’s Scottish accent, though much higher and squeakier in tone.

“That’s Alistair’s answer to a great many problems!” Elias replied with a laugh. “He is right, though. You are beautiful.”

Vanna ducked her head and her ears blushed harder. “No I’m not.”

“Yeah,” the fox said, his voice dropping in depth as he tilted his head slightly. “You are.”

“Now you’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“It’s the truth.” At some point Elias had taken the grey mouse’s paw and he was surprised to find that he was stroking the fur of her knuckles. “When you want to know the truth of something, ask your friends. They won’t steer you wrong.”

“Friends? Are…are we friends, Elias?”

“Yeah. I think we are.”

Some of the pain fled Vanna’s eyes as she looked down to where the fox held her paw and fingers. “I think…I think I’d like that. Being friends, that is.”

Before the fox could reply, the navigation console that had been slaved to the communications system began to chime with an incoming signal. Slipping back into her quiet but competent demeanor that she normally exhibited while on duty, Vanna brought up the message. “Oh, no! It’s a distress call. It’s coming from the Al-Myr mining facility. There’s been some kind of accident and the signal’s an automatic distress call!”

“Let’s switch comm back to your console,” Elias said, transferring the reroute back to the mouse’s station before sending a recall to Lex’s DataCom to get him back to the bridge. “Send me the coordinates, Vanna,” he said over his shoulder as the mouse reclaimed her seat. Just before the koala reentered the bridge, dumping the food packets in his arms on his console, Elias toggled the intercom. “Captain, we’ve just received a distress message from Al-Myr mining and refinery station RS-32. Automated call.”

“I’m on my way, Chief,” Captain Palmers said with only a hint of drowsiness in her voice. “Make for general quarters.”

“Aye, Ma’am. General quarters,” Elias said as he tripped the ship wide klaxon.

8

“This is the situation,” Captain Palmers said as screens throughout the ship flared to life with stills of the Al-Myr refinery. “We’ve received an automated distress call from the refinery and mine. Being automated, we don’t know exactly what the situation is, but we are the only vessel within range to lend assistance. At this point it’s anybody’s guess as to what’s going on. It could be some kind of equipment malfunction, raiders, or any of a hundred problems.

“What we do know is that there have been no replies from the station itself, and the status of the crew is as yet undetermined. Long range scans have shown that there’s been some sort of event, though the details aren’t clear. There is a noticeable spike in radiation, but nothing that can be considered hazardous at the moment.

“Al-Myr facility RS-32 is an older establishment with most of the operations and living quarters housed within the asteroid that it obtains the metals from for the Al-Myr corporation on Fyn. Total personnel count according to the last SPF safety inspection from seven months ago was ninety three. The actual refinery and processing station is on the surface, with a myriad of shafts sunk into the body of the asteroid and accessible by a central transit hub.

“If it’s raiders or claim jumpers, I want combat teams standing by at the ready until we’re close enough for a detailed sensor sweep. Should it be something along the lines of equipment malfunction or failure, we’ll need every single body available to mount a rescue operation that we’ll be running in shifts. Depending on how many casualties we may be facing, I’m going to make the request that all junior SPOs begin to double up in their cabins for necessary room for possible wounded that don’t need to be in the infirmary. Those that are mildly hurt or uninjured will be quartered within cargo bay three.

“That is all. As soon as we know more we will let you know. Captain Palmers out.”

***

“Looks like there was some sort of explosion according to this scan,” Lietenant Commander Lans Ranson commented as the Vanguard’s First Officer looked at both telescopic images and the readings from the latest sensor sweep. The tan colored cairn terrier shook his head while he pulled at his muzzle fur that was styled longer than the rest of his sandy brown coat. “What would do that?”

Beggin’ the Commander’s pardon,” Alistair said from the copilot’s position. “If’n they were minin’ heavy metals such as platinum an’ such, some of the residue is bein’ rather dangerous. I been seein’ this once a’fore on Earth. A tungsten refinery wasn’ ventin’ the gasses proper like an’ a faulty conveyor motor caused a spark tha’ blew the whole thing in tae a million bits. Thank God t’was an automated facility…”

“The trailings can explode with that much force?” Valencia Palmers asked with wide eyes.

“Aye, Ma’am,” the Scot said. “With residues tha’ volatile, a nearly pure oxygen atmosphere, all ye’d need is a small spark tae ignite the whole mess. Tae be honest there bein’ improvised bombs tha’ are safer tae fiddle with.”

Valencia nodded at the assessment. “It looks like the refinery is gone,” she said with a claw tip pointing to a crater that was peppered with conduits and the remains of equipment. “Took out the freighter that was there at the dock as well.”

“Prarie Dog class,” Ranson said. “The airlock at the dock is out. The whole tube is gone. The best we could manage would be an expedient. Cut away as much of the debris as possible and fix a flexible sleeve to the Vanguard. It would put us closer to the habitat sections.”

Valencia looked at the picture and frowned. “Mister Tivnan. Can you get us close enough to that to establish a temporary berthing?”

“I could, Ma’am,” Elias answered as he brought up readings from the sensor sweep. “If I may, however, the transit hub airlock looks to be intact. We could establish a hard dock there and access most of the facility with the exception of the refinery. It would also be a prime location to sweep the tunnels for workers.”

“It’ll be a pain to move possible wounded from the habitation subsections that far,” Lans interjected.

“According to the data from our sweep, the refinery also took out their primary reactor, the fox pointed out. “If the survivors are on back up, they’ll be shunting power to life support, not artificial gravity. We can get the wounded back fairly easy without having the AG grid up. That and to be truthful, the debris around the dock and primary airlock poses an extreme hazard to the ship and crew.” Elias turned to look at the tigress. “I’ll get the ship there if you tell me to, but the transit hub’s a smarter choice from my perspective. The Vanguard’s only a frigate, but that’s still a lot of ship to wedge in to that tight space.”

Valencia thought about it and finally nodded. “Get us to the transit hub, Mister Tivnan. Mister Ranson, get with engineering and begin to establish sweep and rescue teams. We’ll run on six hour shifts and rotate the crew through one shift in the facility, one off to assist casualties, one sleep. We’ll repeat this until we account for every individual on the station.”

***

Elias double checked the seal of the vac-suit’s gauntlets and was just about to settle his helmet on when the hatch from the airlock attached to the mining and refinery’s transit hub cycled open and the team of eight SPOs came through, other crew members moving to help their comrades de-suit. The fox was part of the third shift to go in, and he looked at the figure of Alistair Gordon as a ringtail SPO helped the human get his helmet off.

“Tough goin,” the man said with a tired shake of his head. “Th’ blast peppered th’ bleedin’ transit tubes wi’ enough shrapnel tae build another ship wi’. Had tae stop near e’ery three meters an’ patch the holes so we can be keepin’ at least a wee bit o’ air in it.”

“How far did you get?” Elias asked as his pack with oxygen and other consumable stores was double checked by a senior technical officer.

“We made it to th’ end o’ tube, but only had ‘bout five minutes o’ our outtin’ left,” the Scot answered tiredly, and rightly so as the information imparted meant that Alistair and his team had just patched almost three hundred yards of the transit tube.

“Any survivors yet?” the fox asked.

No sooner had Alistair let his head fall forward in exhaustion and disappointment than the rest of his team brought in two dark green body bags.

“Oh,” Elias added. “Hey, it’s not your fault, Alistair. With the destruction we’re seeing, we knew that it might be bad.”

“Mebbe,” the man all but whispered. “Don’ mind me, Elias. I’m just bein a wee bit tired an’ frustrated. Do me a favor, though, Toddy-boy. Fin’ someone to save an’ bring ‘em back, ye know?”

“Sure thing,” the white fox replied with a weak smile and gauntleted paw on his friend’s shoulder.

“Are you about ready, Mister Tivnan?” Valencia asked from behind the young Warrant Officer, automatically inspecting the fox’s suit as soon as he turned around.

“Raring to go, Ma’am,”

The tigress nodded as she examined the seals and began speaking in a low volume that wouldn’t carry past the pair. “No heroics, Mister Tivnan. Get in, get the job done. Help’s on the way, but it still four days out. We need to find any survivors as quickly as possible, but not so that any lives are put in any more danger than what they are.”

Before he could reply, Elias was spun around and Valencia continued her inspection, working from the connectors for his air, water and nutrient lines at the neck juncture and worked down, pausing to make sure that the seal for the bag-like attachment that held the fox’s tail was set. His ears grew hot as her almost dainty paws were placed momentarily on his rump, though there was nothing lewd or inappropriate in the handling of his tail and backside. She then inspected the knee couplings. Unlike many civilian environment suits, the ones normally employed by the SPF had rigid forearms and lower legs with the elbows and knees using armorplast covers where tears and punctures were the most likely to occur. The armored suits were even more thoroughly protected.

“You’ll be the highest ranking officer on your team, but you have some non-coms that are veterans at this sort of thing. Use them, their knowledge. Asking for help or an opinion doesn’t make you a bad officer. It makes you a smart one,” Valencia continued. “A bad officer is the one that thinks he or she knows everything and believes rank is the deciding factor of intelligence. That’s the kind that gets teammates killed. You’re smarter than that, and I’m expecting you to prove me right.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Elias said with a nod.

“Good. I knew I could count on you. I know this was technically your ‘prentice cruise, but you’ve already shown me you got the brass for this. As far as I’m concerned, you’re in. Don’t make me regret that choice, okay?” She smiled when the fox nodded again. “Good. And just so you know, we get in and get the survivors out, we’ll be getting a break as I’ll be authorizing two weeks on Fyn when we get the rescues home. I want to see you back safe so you can enjoy that leave.”

“Roger that, Ma’am.”

Valencia nodded and gave the fox a small smile before moving to the rest of the team that would be going in to the refinery, inspecting their suits as well. The tech helped Elias get his helmet on, the fox forcing a yawn to clear his ears as the pressure changed and increased with the inflow of his own contained atmosphere. He looked at the others on the team as they also had their helmets on, all of them lit from within by the integral Heads-Up-Display.

“Team Blue, radio checks,” Elias instructed, getting varying replies from the group while their suits showed up as green icons along the bottom of his faceplate. With a quick tap of his chin, Elias could bring up the vitals of each member, their telemetry transmited to the radio network from the sensors in the form hugging body-gloves they all wore underneath that would also help regulate temperature. “I have good reception. Begin cycling into the transit tube.”

The different members of the rescue party moved to the airlock, and the fox turned one last time to look at Alistair who gave him a thumbs-up and smile as he was helped out of the rest of his suit. As the first four SPOs waited for pressure to equalize, the tunnel filled with some atmosphere from the frigate’s stores, Elias toggled the comm unit of his suit to a private channel.

“Hey, Vanna. You’re with me, okay? Stick close.” Elias watched as the mouse turned slightly and gave the fox a grateful smile, the order causing some of the pinched nervousness around her eyes to vanish.

“Thanks, Chief,” her soft words came back, the relief evident despite the flat tones of the radio.

***

The transit tunnel from the central hub had sparkled with the strangely colored plastic that had been used to seal the punctures to the tube, the purple with a scintillating sheen showing in stark contrast to the dull grey of the construction panels that comprised the cylindrical construct. On the other side of each patch stars were clearly visible in the black of space. The primary module on the other end of the tube was a little worse for wear, but it was built into the rock of the asteroid and the only thing that Elias could see that caused any concern was a slight build up of fine dirt in the corners.

“This isn’t looking too bad,” the fox commented more to himself than anyone else. “SPO Perrins, connect to the terminal there and see if you can get anything out of it. I’d really like a layout. That’ll make a sweep for survivors a lot easier.”

The mouse nodded curtly inside her helmet. “I’m on it, Sir,” she responded crisply, slipping into the same efficient mode that she always showed while on duty. The young mouse might be having personal issues, but that didn’t stop her from doing her job as best she could.

Elias looked around and waited for something while two other team members began to test the power leads to the pressure hatch that led further into the main habitation section while the senior sergeant for the team, Sergeant First Class Tanaric ‘Tan’ Strader swept the wand for a portable multi-scan that included chemical analyzer and Geiger counter around as he slowly walked the chamber.

“We’re nominal on rads, Chief,” the liger said in his deep, rumbling voice. “Sensors also indicate breathable atmosphere, though it might not be recommended as there’s some really fine particulate matter in the air. ‘Puter says it’s a mix of tungsten and platinum. Might do some pretty bad things without respirators and goggles, but teams can work without full E-suits.”

“Good to know, Sergeant,” Elias said. “We’ll pass that on for the other shifts, but until we’re totally positive that we aren’t going to accidentally open a chamber that’s been exposed to hard vacuum we’ll keep our suits sealed.”

The liger nodded. “I’d have to agree, Chief. It’s a bit cold, though. Unless the others coming across have some thick fur it might be advised to use insulated uniforms as well.”

“Send that recommendation along as well,” the fox directed as he stepped up to the terminal that Vanna was working on that had a cracked screen but still functioned. Elias swore under his breath as the mouse pointed out the data that she could access.

“There’s no connection from this terminal to any others in the station, but I can get a layout of sorts.” Vanna tapped furiously at the keys in an attempt to glean as much information as possible. “Well, it’s not much, but I can do…this,” she said with a final typed out command.

A blank wall fared to life, revealing itself to be a simple display screen normally used for keeping track of what workers were headed to where in the mine and a time table. Vanna was able to bring up a simple wire frame map of the facility and colored the chamber the team was in with a dull green shade. Some of the other SPOs smiled in appreciation of having a point of reference and the mouse’s ingenuity.

“Not bad, Vanna,” Elias said with a wide grin.

“I can also set up a remote link with the core on the Vanguard so we can make sure other teams aren’t hitting the same areas,” she said with a frown of concentration as she typed in more commands. “It looks like the two levels beneath us were used for mining equipment storage and maintenance. This section here was where the raw ore was sent by conveyor to the refinery section.

“That crater outside dock perimeter was definitely the automated refinery. Looks like there were some really volatile materials stored near it as well. Anyway, after the lower two levels there’s stores for consumables, refrigeration and the water supply. The four levels after that are operations offices and living quarters with a really big recreation chamber.”

“Makes sense,” Strader commented. “I don’t know about Al-Myr, but a lot of these asteroid mining operations have a year-long contract tour. That’s why the miners can bring their families if they have ‘em. Cuts down on fighting and the like. The really serious groups will even have pleasure houses as part of the contracted staff.”

Vanna looked up with a stunned expression. “They…they have br-brothels?!? That’s disgusting.”

Tanaric shrugged. “The folk out this far can get pretty worked up, Perrins. They need the things that they can get on the civilized worlds, including companionship, otherwise there’s a better than even chance they’ll go a little crazy and do some bad things. Look at what happened here. Accidents are bad enough, but you get some miner or something that’s starting to get a little stir crazy he, or she, can kill everyone real quick.”

“Yeah…but…” the mouse started, her voice trailing off. “I…I guess you’re right, Sergeant. Sorry for my outburst.”

The liger smiled with a snort of amusement. “It’s no big, Perrins. Just remember, we don’t make the rules, but we have to uphold and respect them. Besides, my sister’s a miner. Rock-jock out in the Mainor-Dennier belt and she says that the males and females in the pleasure houses make as much as she does in a year, which means about three times what my yearly pay rate equals.”

“Oh.”

Elias shook his head. “We can discuss the morality of mining and professional entertainers later. Vanna? What’s the status of the elevators?”

“Um…I can’t tell from this unit. It’s been disconnected from the rest of the station’s network. Sorry, Sir.” The mouse shrugged down a little, an impressive thing with her being in an environment suit.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. You’ve already done wonders,” Elias told the female, a little nervous at the way she perked and brightened at the praise he gave and the way she looked at him with her dark eyes. “Alright, Sergeant. Let’s make our way down to the next level. If we move quick we can get maintenance out of the way and the next team can get to the habitat area.” The fox adjusted the hand lamp he carried and made sure the basic tool kit that could be used to open hatches was strapped to his left thigh. “Sergeant, break the team up into pairs. Vanna, you’re with me.”

The mouse nodded and transferred a simple map to the rest of the team before following Elias.

9

Automated hatches had closed off the stairwell a landing at a time, the sensors that had been incorporated in the facility’s construction having been programmed to react automatically to several different circumstances such as loss of air pressure, extreme thermal changes and seismic events. It was slow going as the team had to verify that there was atmosphere on the other side of every hatch, though they finally made it to the first level of maintenance.

“How do you read us, Van Zant?” Elias asked the chihuahua at the top of the transit hub that was monitoring the rest of the team.

“I’ve got you five-by, Chief. There’s a little scratchiness to the signal, but nothing to really worry about. The particulate matter up here’s messing with things a little, but nothing I can’t compensate for,” the small canine replied.

“Copy. We’ll make reports every fifteen minutes,” Elias told the nervous seeming tech. “Just in case we get preoccupied broadcast a recall signal twenty minutes before our shift is up. Tivnan out.” The fox turned to Sergeant Strader. “Okay, this level seems to follow the same pattern as the rest of the sublevels and is divided into three primary chambers. Three individuals per section. Sergeant, I’ve got the third. You take the first, and Giselle you take the second. No fiddling around. In, look for survivors, and out. Understood?”

“Sounds like a plan, Chief,” Zoe Giselle, a four year veteran agreed. The Akita motioned the two SPOs that were on her search team along, her pink tongue hanging out as she tried to cool off, the suit’s system not able to compensate for the junior sergeant’s thick fur.

Elias shook his head at the discomfort that the female was suffering due to being a little too vain to trim her fur shorter and activated the controls to the large hatch that was painted with a bright red 3. The fox turned on his lamp as the lights were out, the assessment that what power was available having been shunted to life support.

“Someone forgot to pay their electric bill,” SPO Davies said.

“Cut the chatter,” Elias responded, the otter flinching at being called down. Elias cast a look at the young SPO, Davies having been in for a little over a year and therefore should have known better. “Make sure your external pick-ups are turned up. We need to hear if anyone’s calling for help.”

They made their way further in, Vanna making sweeps with her multi-scan, following the path of the sensor wand with her own light. She paused and looked at the readout screen for a moment before proceeding along with the other two.

“Something wrong?” Elias asked.

The mouse shook her head. “I don’t know. I keep on getting an intermittent reading that the scanner can’t make out.”

Elias frowned. “Keep an eye on it and let me know if it happens again.” The fox sighed. This part of the chamber looks clear. Just heavy mining equipment. Let’s see if we can find in the next one.”

Vanna nodded while Davies lagged behind a bit, looking at a large tracked excavator before shrugging and following the others. “That blast was something else,” the otter commented. It shook things up enough to move even the heaviest equipment a little. That digger’s tracks gouged the flooring.”

“Yeah. It was powerful alright,” Elias said as his own light played over the scratches another mining vehicle had made as the trio progressed further into the section. The fox recoiled slightly when the next set of doors opened of their own accord into another dark section that had been cut from the rock of the asteroid before deck plating had been installed and the walls sprayed down with a plastic sealant. “Huh. There’s still some power getting here somehow. Those doors wouldn’t have opened of their own if they were getting juice.”

“Hold on, Chief!” Davies called out, the otter seeing something on the floor of the previous section.

Elias and Vanna paused on the other side of the huge automatic hatch and the fox only had enough time to ask “What?” before the curious SPO picked up the lead of a plasma torch.

Normally used to liquefy metals for easier harvest, the end flared to life with a purple-white light bright enough to cause the faceplates of the three suited individuals to darken automatically. From that point of ignition a fireball that looked to Elias as if someone had just dropped a star in their midst erupted. The fox was blown well into the next chamber, his head impacting hard enough so that he saw a brilliant light exploded behind his eyes. He was barely able to register the automatic closing of the doors, though it was what happened a split second afterwards that truly frightened him as a large section of the ceiling came down, his light illumination the several hundred tons of rock that piled against the door.

Elias wasn’t sure if the moan he heard was actually coming from him or Vanna as he slumped to the decking, the world blotting out as he slipped into unconsciousness.

***

“What the hell was that?” Valencia asked as the alarms onboard the Vanguard began to wail a second after a shudder rippled through the docked frigate.

“Captain! We’ve had an explosion down here!” Sergeant Strader said over the communications console as others on the bridge turned to their own instruments, each calling to the other stations to make sure there wasn’t a threat to the wellbeing of the vessel.

“Belay that noise!” the tigress roared to her subordinates before darting to the comm. “An explosion? What’s happened?”

There was a slight burst of static before the liger responded. “It came from the section that Chief Tivnan was investigating. I’m not getting any sort of telemetry from his group’s suits. Unfortunately whatever’s happened has sealed some of the doors that were still functioning. It’s going to take us a bit to get to his location to assess the situation.”

“Understood, Sergeant. Proceed with all due caution. We don’t know what triggered that blast. I don’t want anybody taking any chances they don’t have to. You understand me?” Valencia all but snarled, her stomach knotting with the thought of losing any of her crew, particularly one that she admired.

“Understood, Ma’am. Will send updates ASAP. Strader out.”

Valencia looked up, her face slipping into an expression of calm and control, more for her crew than an indication of what was churning inside of her. “Back to work, people,” the tigress said with a soft firmness. She made sure to meet the eyes of each of her bridge crew, but when she looked at the pilot’s seat it was conspicuously empty. “Where’s Chief Gordon?”

***

“Hey, Vanna? You okay?” Elias asked as he tapped the faceplate to the mouse’s helmet. He felt the lump of cold fear and nausea start to ease from his gut when the rodent opened her eyes, her lids flickering up and down as she came to, her visage almost ghostly in the illuminatin from his hand lamp.

“Wh…what happened, Chief?” Vanna asked in a whispery voice.

“Davies…” Elias managed to get out. “I think that the readings you were getting was more of the residue that did in the refinery portion of the station. It’s not really made to take readings on that stuff.” He sat back though his eyes didn’t leave the mouse’s. “I don’t know how long we’ve been in here. I took a pretty hard hit that knocked me out and scrambled my HUD.”

Vanna shifted slightly. “L-looks like an hour or so,” she said after consulting her own Heads-Up-Display. “Hey, you’re bleeding.”

“Huh?”

“I think you’re head’s bleeding. The fur under your right eye is red.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me. I hit my head pretty hard and I feel groggy. Probably have a concussion.”

“Let’s see what I can see,” Vanna told the fox. She started to get up before screaming and falling back to the deck, her paws going to her left leg.

The sudden cry of agony was enough to get Elias moving, perhaps faster than he should have and fought off a wave of dizziness as he focused on where it seemed that the mouse was hurt. “Vanna, I need you to move your paws,” the fox husked and swallowed hard at the return of nausea in his stomach. It took some work to get the rodent to lay back so he could inspect the problem.

Sticking out of the mouse’s left thigh was a metal rod. The angle indicated that there was a good chance that it had missed the femur, and there wasn’t much blood as Vanna’s furred flesh formed a seal around the object. As he continued to scrutinize the injury Elias found that the metal went all the way through. It had to have struck with tremendous force as the padded shell of the environment suit was some of the toughest material that the fox had ever seen. Then again, the explosion that had almost claimed both of their lives had been powerful.

“Vanna, I have to pull it out so I can get some biogel into the wound,” the fox told her. “I wish I didn’t, but with the gunk that’s floating around here we can take the chance of infection setting in.”

The mouse’s lower jaw trembled slightly and she sniffed delicately. “Are…are you sure? The others will be looking for us and then I can get to the infirmary and-”

Elias shook his head. “There’s tons of rock blocking the door. It’s going to be a while. C’mon. You can do this.” He smiled reassuringly though the look he got back indicated the mouse wasn’t buying into his false confidence.

“I don’t want to do this, Elias,” the mouse whispered with a fearful expression.

“I know,” the fox replied softly. When he put a gauntleted paw on her leg, Vanna stiffened, her eyes squeezing closed as a whimper escaped her mouth. “It’s okay. I haven’t done anything yet,” Elias told her with a small chuckle. “Hold on a sec.”

When his paw was removed from her leg, Vanna opened her eyes to find Elias working the seal of his helmet. As it came off he discovered that it wasn’t really doing him any good anyway as there was a large crack in the shell that he could see the ambient light from his lamp through.

“Wow. If I hadn’t been wearing this I’d be dead,” Elias commented drily as he turned the ruined helmet over in his paws.

Vanna looked at the fox. “I don’t think the cut on your head’s as bad as it could have been, but a little biogel would be good for you, too.”

“First things first,” he replied, setting the helmet off to the side. He shifted position to get more leverage to remove the rod and put his paw back on the female’s thigh. “I’ll count to three and then pull it out, alright?”

“On three, or after three?”

“On three.”

Vanna nodded and swallowed again, her eyes closing. “Okay,” she whispered tremulously.

“Okay. One…”

The fox didn’t even get to two as he felt Vanna relax under his hand in preparation for tensing when he actually hit three and pulled the rod out, trying not to let the façade that held his fear at bay show as the mouse screamed for a moment before passing out. He dropped the rod with a clang and disengaged the locking clip on the canister of biogel. His efforts were in vain as he couldn’t get a good lineup on the wound with the suit in the way and set the can down before reaching for the locking seals of Vanna’s suit.

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” he mumbled as he struggled to get the mouse out of the environmental suit. “I swear to you I’m sorry. I have to get to the injury, though.” His paws trembled with adrenaline as his vision swam, Elias snarling in frustration when the fastener that would allow him to get to the wound proved difficult. With a slew of swear words, the fox finally got the fastener uncoupled and slid the suit down. Fortunately like the others Vanna was wearing a body glove and had at least her dignity intact, though was unaware of the fact.

As soon as he could get to the perforation, Elias filled the oozing wound with the dark blue-green gel that carried all manner of anesthetics and antiseptics. It would also absorb particulate matter so that when the Vanguard’s surgeon removed the semi-solid plug there would be a clean wound to treat. He didn’t stop until half the canister was expended and sat back hard, letting his breath out in a strangled sob before sucking in a lungful of cold, burnt smelling air. It felt as if his whole body were vibrating and Elias held up one gauntleted paw, seeing that not only were his fingers shaking, but so was his whole arm.

The fox only allowed himself a moment of respite before he pulled his emergency pack from the belt of his suit. Though a little bulky there was a reason for every item. The first item he needed was an inflatable sleeve that would help keep Vanna’s leg as immobile as possible. Once that was in place and inflated, Elias pulled out a thermal blanket and wrapped the still unconscious mouse in the heat reflecting, silvery Mylar sheet.

Once he was sure that she was as comfortable and safe as he could make her the fox lay back, his breath passing in and out in ragged inhalations as he acknowledged the fear inside him and fought it back. Closing his eyes for a moment he worked to calm himself, and it only felt as if a moment passed before Vanna was shaking him almost violently and screaming his name.

“Wha…?”

“You can’t sleep, Elias! You have to stay awake!” the mouse was shouting. “You have a concussion and if you go to sleep you might not wake up! C’mon,” Vanna said with more force than the fox had ever heard from her before. “Sit up!”

“Okay…I’m…I’m up…”

“I really need you to stay awake, Elias,” she said and slithered closer to him, her arms wrapping around his still suited chest. “I’m too scared for you to die and leave me alone!”

“I’m not going anywhere,” the fox replied groggily as he blinked his blue eyes several times to clear them. “We got this,” Elias said with more alertness. “We’ll be okay.”

10

Alistair finished sealing the helmet on his suit and clomped to the control for the airlock, mashing the actuator button and swearing vehemently when it didn’t open. He jabbed the activation button again, then three more times before a voice from behind brought the man up short. As he spun around the man assumed a defiant stance, ready to face any repercussions for his actions.

“Just what do you think you’re doing, Mister Gordon?” Valencia asked, two other SPOs armed with stunner carbines flanking her.

Flipping the faceplate of his helmet up with a Clack!, the man stared hard at the tigress, her suddenly predatory expression causing a moment of concern that was rapidly quashed by the fear for Elias’ life. “I’m goin’ tae save me friend. He’s nae dead, Cap’n! I know it!”

Valencia waved the two guards back and stepped forward. “We never assume one of ours is dead, Alistair. You know this. Until I see a body I consider all of my crew still among the living. What you’re doing is reckless, though, and I can’t allow you to jeopardize yourself or another from the ship.”

“I’m nae gonna leave him!” the man persisted, his eyes stinging with unshed tears of frustration as his mouth tightened in an effort not to let his emotions break him down completely.

“We aren’t leaving anyone,” the tigress declared firmly. “We’re working on the problem even as you and I stand here. But we have to be careful. We know there’s been a cave in from the explosion, but caution is called for. If the wrong thing is moved or we go in half cocked, the situation could become far worse.”

Alistair watched as Captain Palmers came closer and placed a large paw on the human’s shoulder, the look of resolve in her topaz colored eyes telling him that she felt the same, even if it were for different reasons.

“We will get him and SPO Perrins back. You have my promise on this,” Valencia told the man solemnly.

No longer able to hold back the fear for his friends’ lives, having become fond of the small mouse that he’d met, Alistair stopped holding back and let a tear roll from each eye. “He’s bein’ like me brother, Ma’am,” the human admitted. “I’d be dyin’ fer the barmy fox if’n it were needed!”

“I know.” Valencia looked at the environmental suit her number two pilot wore and nodded slightly. “Well, seeing you’re ready to go, I might as well suit up and head over with you to see the progress that’s been made myself. Give me five minutes to suit up.”

Alistair could only nod mutely, still fighting the torment inside him, though he was still a little surprised when Captain Palmers shucked her uniform in front of him, not at all bothered by her momentary nudity as she snagged a body glove from a locker with her name on it. Alistair was so distraught that he couldn’t even be bothered with looking at the show from his captain and shifted from foot to foot in anticipation.

Once her suit was inspected by the two SPOs that had accompanied her, Valencia led the way into the airlock and waited for it to cycle, pausing as the chamber was equalized with the lower pressure in the transit hub, turning to look at the man beside her.

“Would you have made me shoot you to stop you?” the tigress asked with a slight grin.

“Aye, Ma’am. Ye woulda.”

“Thought so,” she said with an amused chuff. “The scuttlebutt on the ship is that you and Elias could have come from the same litter the way you act towards each other.” Alistair shrugged in embarrassment until the Captain again put a paw on the man’s shoulder. “No. Don’t be embarrassed. You and Elias have a friendship that most individuals will never have, nor understand. Treasure that friendship, Alistair.”

“Aye, Ma’am. I do.”

“Good,” the tigress said with a genuine smile. “Now, let’s go get our people,” she said as the hatch to the hub finally cycled open.

***

Vanna was having a hard time staying awake and had done her best to work with Elias to get her suit back on, the thermal sheet not keeping her warm enough with the blood loss she’d suffered. She had to stay alert, though, to keep the fox from falling asleep and decided that talking was the best thing for both of them. They knew that help was on the way as the sound of metal-on-rock had been heard several times from the blocked doorway. Now it was a waiting game.

“Wh-who w-was she?” the mouse asked with slightly chattering teeth as she shivered in the circle of the fox’s arms. “The o-one that Alis-stair said hurt you?”

Elias wasn’t as bothered by the cold and he’d had Vanna sit in front of him so that he could hold her and protect her as much as possible with his own body while keeping the thermal sheet over her smaller form. “Her name was Ilsa.”

Vanna turned her head so that she could look at the fox and smiled. “I knew her! Sh-she was an upper c-c-classfur when I got t-to the Academy.” Despite the cold and throbbing pain from her leg, the mouse’s eyes sparkled merrily. “So you’re the snowy white fox that she was talking about!”

“She talked about me?”

“Oh, yeah!” Vanna replied with a vigorous nod before snuggling back against Elias’ chest, her arms laying over his as another shiver ran through her. “She thought you were the dreamiest dog fox she’d ever seen.” The mouse sighed softly before talking again. “You know sh-she really was fond of y-y-you. B-but the whole reason that she c-c-came to the Academy was to escape an arranged marriage her fa-father was t-trying to force her into.”

“Maybe,” the fox said, trying not to think of the vixen that still affected him. “I just wish she’d been a little more forthcoming before I made a fool out of myself and proposed to her.”

Vanna shook her head emphatically. “No. Don’t think that, Elias!” The mouse turned so that she was curled up in a way that let her keep her injured leg straight while her tiny paws rested on the fox’s chest and she could look up into his deep blue eyes. “Saying no was the hardest thing ever for her. I found her in the showers just after your class graduated, completely miserable and crying. It really tore her up to say no when she really wanted to say yes.

“Ilsa really was in love with you, but she wanted…needed to be free, to do what she wanted. I guess it was the first time ever that she got to make a choice about something she wanted to instead of having to do what her family wanted. I didn’t know that you were the one that she was talking about, though.”

Elias sat quietly and digested what Vanna had said. Perhaps he should have kept is relationship with the vixen where it was. Warm, friendly, simply two individuals that found enrichment in their time together. He’d been the one to change the dynamics when he’d proposed. “Maybe,” he said quietly. He looked down at the mouse and pushed her almost black hair back from her eyes. “What about you? You seemed pretty down when we were talking before all of this started.”

“I…I don’t know if I really want to think about Jan right now…”

“I promised we’d talk later, and now’s as good a time as any,” Elias prompted. “It’s not like we’re going anywhere at the moment.”

Vanna shivered again, closing her eyes as the fox pulled her closer and gave her a squeeze, rubbing her upper arms to impart as much warmth as he could. “I guess…” She rubbed at an eye with her tiny fist before snuggling back down into the folds of the thermal sheet. “I grew up with Jan. Well, me and my four sisters. We started hanging out in school and not long after began dating.

“I think…I think the whole reason that he was interested in me was because my dad had six fishing boats. Boats on Crescentis means that you’re sorta wealthy. The more boats, the more fishing you can do, the more money you get. I hate fishing, and wanted to travel, that’s why I joined the SPF. Of course that I was hooked on that space opera Star Rangers might have had something to do with it!” the mouse exclaimed with a rueful smile. “They made it look so glamorous, different worlds that were exotic, adventures…I was so stupid to think that that’s what the SPF would be like!

“Me and Jan were kinda serious at that point, and I thought that if I was with the SPF I would make enough money for us to move to another world that had a little more in the way of land. I swear if I never see another ocean it’ll be too soon!

“Jan wasn’t really interested in that, but I didn’t find out until I went home on leave. Mom and dad were out on the boats because they didn’t know I was going to visit after graduation. What I did find was Jan and my sister rolling around in the bed of my old room like they were in a naughty video! When I got angry he said that the only reason he dated me was because I could pay for things, but that I was a l-lousy girlfriend because…bec-cause I didn’t….di-didn’t let him go all the way…”

Vanna sobbed bitterly and batted at her eyes while the muscles of her jaw clearly clenched and relaxed under her sleek fur as tears coursed freely from her dark eyes.

“I…I always thought th-that the f-f-first time should be…special!” the mouse continued. “I couldn’t believe it. And my own sister, laying there for all the world to see just gave me the most smug grin, like I didn’t matter…” she sniffed loudly. “My own sister!

“I wanted to hurt them both….I wanted to throw up because of what Jan said, the way both of them acted like I was…was just trash! I-I-I sp-spent the rest of m-my leave at the SPF barracks on Windward Island until the next shuttle heading back for Joplin lifted.”

Vanna gave in to sobs that Elias tried his best to sooth, letting the rodent get the hurt out of her heart, simply supporting her in quiet commiseration.

“I…I think what really d-drove the point home is that just before we got the distress signal from here I got a wedding invite from my mom.” Vanna sniffed once more and lifted her head petulantly. “I want to try and get over this, but part of me hopes that they’re miserable, and that isn’t very nice, is it?”

“Maybe not, but you know what kind of people Jan and your sister are, now. Do you really think that their marriage will last?” Elias inquired.

The mouse shook her head. “N-n-no. He…he’s scum. He’ll jump on anything in a heartbeat. And I know what my sister is, and it’s not much better. She…well, she was really popular in school, but that’s only because she sees more traffic than a spaceport!”

The fox couldn’t help but chuckle at that analogy and impulsively hugged the mouse a little tighter. “I for one think you deserve better, Vanna. And I have to agree with your assessment that the first time should be special with someone that knows and will treat you with the respect and affection you deserve.”

The mouse nestled closer and tucked her paws under her chin. “Maybe. I…I’m not much of a catch, am I?”

“Are you kidding?” Elias exclaimed. “Vanna, believe me when I say that you’re completely lovely and any male would be very, very lucky to be with you. You’re honest, hard working, dependable, and far too sweet to settle for anything less than someone that will treasure you.”

The mouse looked up, her eyes warming considerably. “And…and what about you?” she whispered.

Elias’ mouth fell open and he worked it up and down silently for several moments in an attempt to respond.

“I…I’m not asking for commitment, Elias,” she said, still speaking softly, her words only marginally louder than her breathing. “I…I just want to feel pretty…that someone might actually want me. I want to be with someone that will do what you said…that will make it feel special…because you’re special, too. I heard Ilsa say that you were. Special, that is.”

When the fox seemed to take too long to what the mouse was offering, Vanna assumed it was rejection and felt her heart plummet. When she tried to pull away, not really caring if she got cold, Elias gently restrained her, knowing he had to say something or destroy yet more of the fragile female’s ego.

“I really don’t know what to say, Vanna,” Elias began. “I’ll be honest and tell you I want to say yes, and if we weren’t in this predicament, I’d show you. I really would. But I don’t know if I can give you what you’re looking for-”

“I’m just looking for someone that can show me that I matter as a person! I want someone that can make me feel special, even if it’s just for a little while!” Vanna’s face contorted with all of the self doubt that she carried, of the words that had been spoken to her by the ones she thought would never betray her. “Just a little affection…”

There was only a moment of resistance when Elias put his finger under the mouse’s chin to lift her head and placed his mouth tentatively against hers in a chaste kiss that held the promise of more. Both were slightly dazed when they parted, Elias with the feeling of rightness to the contact, Vanna with the hint of what she longed for, and sat blinking at each other before both grinned.

“You know, when we get out of here, the Captain’s authorizing a week’s worth of shore leave,” the fox said softly, noticing that his finger pads were smoothing the fur along Vanna’s jaw line in a very tender manner and it wasn’t something that he’d planned to do, it just happened. “How about we find a place to stay that has room service and I show you that you are very, very special.”

“You…you mean it?”

Elias nodded. “I mean it.”

Vanna looked up at the fox, a smile forming as her imagination came up with so many different things that it was enough to make her lightheaded as the medications the biogel was seeping into her. “By the Maker, Ilsa was an idiot…” she murmured before snuggling up closer and only wincing slightly at the twinge from her injured leg. “And it’s not like you don’t have practice getting me out of my clothes now,” the mouse whispered archly as she indicated her vac-suit.

“I don’t think I should respond to that,” the fox replied with a grin as he helped the mouse get situated more comfortably on his lap.

Vanna’s arms slipped around his neck. “Then do you mind if I ask for another kiss? I’d like to get in a bit of practice before we go on leave…”

Both were enjoying the contact so much that they were still pressed together when the ruble was shifted enough for Alistair and Captain Palmers to enter the chamber. “See?” the tigress said in an amuse tone. “I told you they’d be fine.”

11

Elias and Vanna were both taken to the infirmary aboard the Vanguard, the doctor confirming that the fox was suffering from a severe concussion and decided to keep him under observation for two full ship’s cycles before letting Elias return to light duty. Vanna’s leg required minor surgery to repair damage to the soft tissue and she was ordered on bed rest until the ship made planetfall on Fyn, commenting that the injury could have been far worse were it not for the fox’s immediate and copious use of biogel. There had indeed been particulate matter that could have posed a substantial threat to the mouse, though the wound was treated in a manner so that even the scarring would be minimal and virtually unnoticeable within a few months.

For Elias, light duty meant assisting all of the different departments with their reports of the incident, not to mention the manner in which Holloran Davies died. By far, that particular report was the one that the fox was having the most trouble with as it was also partly his responsibility to send a letter along with Captain Palmers’ to tell Davies’ family of the manner in which the otter had been killed.

He was on his fifth draft of the necessary letter when Alistair entered Elias’ cabin. “Havin’ issues, Toddy-boy?”

Elias slumped in the chair and rubbed at the point just behind the cut on his head, wincing when he got too close to the wound. “Writing a letter to Davies’ family,” he muttered before tapping out an analgesic capsule given to him by the ship’s doctor and swallowing it down with a swig of water. “How do I tell his parents that their son died because of a moment of stupidity?”

“You don’t,” another voice said from behind the human.

Alistair moved to the side to let Valencia enter the open cabin, going to attention with Elias trying to stand before the tigress waved down both of them to relax. “Ma’am? I…I don’t know what to tell them, but I have to say something as I was the officer in charge on that team. How? How do I tell them I wasn’t a good enough leader? That their son died because he did something incredibly foolish?”

“You never tell a family that, Elias,” Valencia informed her subordinates in a tired sounding voice as she took a seat on the fox’s bunk. “You tell them that he died doing his duty while trying to effect the rescue of the eighty seven miners and family members that we got out safely. You tell them that he gave his life for the ideals of the Spatial Police Force and the welfare of the commonwealth of the Planetary Alignment.”

Elias and Alistair both blinked at their Captain.

“You lie and you make them think that their son was a real, honest to the Maker hero.” Valencia ran her paw through her hair and sighed. “It’s going to be bad enough that they’ve lost their son, the grief that will come with knowing they’ll never see him again. You will try and alleviate that by telling them that he was what the SPF is all about, and that many others are alive because of his sacrifice.

“The people of the PA trust us because of what we stand for. They know that we’ll put our lives on the line, walk the sharp end and live on the raggedy edge because that’s what we do. We’re seen as the ones that face down danger and will die to place the welfare of every citizen in the Planetary Alignment above our own. And when we have to write letters like this, we maintain that illusion because those very same people need to know that we’re out here for them.”

The Captain sighed.

“It’s that illusion that gets us the support we need, that helps the people that live on all those safe, hppy planets to back us when things get ugly. Someday when both of you are running your own ships, when lives are dependant upon your orders, you’ll understand that. We must never let the families of those that die under our command think that their sons or daughters, brothers or sisters, fathers and mothers are anything less than legendary souls and heroes.”

Elias considered her words for several moments. “I guess I can see your point.”

“It’s more than a point, Elias,” the tigress said. “Space is the ultimate embodiment of Nature. Here we are on her terms, and nature doesn’t abide stupidity. She’ll end you right quick in any one of a million ways if you fail to maintain constant vigilance. We lost a valuable SPO because he forgot that, and almost lost two more as a result. Always alert, always aware. That’s what you need to be out here. But that’s not why I’ve come here.”

“Oh? Um, I thought you needed the letter…” Elias began before closing his muzzle.

“I do, but we have time. We’re still a few days from Fyn. No, what I wanted to tell you is that I’ve forwarded several reports to command on Joplin regarding those of you that have been aboard for your ‘prentice cruise.” Valencia looked at the two individuals with an intense gaze. “I thought that you might want to know that both of you have met with my approval and that your assessment, as far as I’m concerned, is that both of you have my support to full commission to the ranks of the Spatial Police Force as qualified pilots and valuable crew members.”

“We passed? Alistair asked with glee.

“I’d have to say so,” Valencia replied before grinning. “Though I did opt to omit a certain instance of insubordination from one, and catching another in a, ahem, rather compromising position with another cadet under evaluation on what was technically a duty cycle.”

The pair knew that their Captain was referring to the deep kiss that Elias and Vanna had been engaged in, though the fox looked up at his best friend with an expression of shock. “Insubordination?”

“Mister Gordon was most adamant about coming to your aid after the explosion,” the tigress informed Elias. “I thought that I was going to have to have security shoot him with stunners and put him in the brig. As it was, the incident was a trying time for many of us and I decided to overlook Mister Gordon’s reckless behavior, all things considered.”

Valencia stood and smiled at both.

“Congratulations are in order, I suppose. Once we return to Joplin at the end of our run you’ll both be assigned to your permanent ships as Warrant Officers Class Four and fully instated pilots with ship ratings of Class One.” The tigress paused at the hatchway. “Does this mean that I can dismiss the letter of resignation that you left for me, Mister Tivnan?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” the fox replied softly, unable to meet the look of shock from his human friend. “As you said, it was a trying time for all of us.”

“Very good. Carry on,” the Captain said and departed.

As soon as the tigress was gone, Alistair spun on his friend. “Wha’ letter o’ resignation? Ye didnae say nothin’ tae me!”

Elias resumed his slump in the chair, wincing at the accusatory glare from the human. “I…I wasn’t sure I…” He swallowed and shook his head. “Davies was my responsibility. I let him down. That’s one of the reasons that I was having trouble with this damn letter. I should have been paying better attention. Knowing that if I’d been a little more attentive…aware, that I could have kept him alive, that Vanna wouldn’t have gotten hurt because of me, it made me question whether I’m really cut out for this.”

“Elias,” the man began before taking the spot on the cabin’s bunk that the Captain had just vacated, putting him closer to the fox, “ye did yer best. Ye learn from this jus’ like the rest o’ us an’ use it tae make a difference. ‘Sides,” Alistair continued, “if’n it hadn’ been ye with ‘em, there’s no tellin’ tha’ Vanna wouldae made it back! She alive ‘cause o’ ye.”

The fox sat silently while his friend wrung his hands in agitation.

“Ye got wha’ it takes tae be out here. Ye got it in spades! Ye make others try harder tae be better.” He looked at Elias with his eyes full of unspoken emotion for the fox. “Ye make me wanna be better. Tha’s wha’ makes ye th’ perfect one for this job!”

“I guess,” Elias conceded before falling silent. When he did look up it was with a mischievous twinkle to his blue eyes. “The Captain was really going to have you shot? You really were going to come and help against orders?”

“Aye,” Alistair retorted hotly. “Yer like me brother an’ I’ll be hanged if’n I’m gonna let ye die withou’ a fight!” The man deflated and shook his head. “Ye e’er tell another soul wha’ I’m ‘bout tae say an’ I’ll be callin’ ye a liar, you stupid fox, but I love ye like family, an’ I’d be dyin’ tae save yer flea bitten hide if’n it were called fer.” The man then frowned. “Bollocks! I’d be a killin’ tae keep ye ‘round fer a while longer.”

Elias was stunned at the admission, but also realized that it was something that he’d felt for a long while as well. They weren’t even the same species, but the kinship between Alistair and himself was a bright point to the fox’s personal universe and something that he’d come to depend on greatly. Unable to speak past the lump in his throat, Elias simply took the man’s hand in his paw and gave it a momentary squeeze.

“I feel the same, brother,” Elias finally managed to croak out around the tightness he felt.

***

Elias had found a resort not too far from the starport the SPF Vanguard was berthed at that was situated in the dense, lush forests that the planet Fyn was noted for. It was as far from the ocean that the fox could find, and Vanna was thrilled to say the least. Alistair had tagged along as well, finding a companion in the form of a young Persian feline that had been among the personnel rescued from the Al-Myr facility, the glossy black cat enjoying the flattery and attention from the outrageous human.

Being SPF got the impromptu quartet a substantial discount, and Vanna was thrilled with the accommodations and took advantage of the Jacuzzi the rooms were furnished with every possible chance, sometimes with Alistair and his companion joining them, though more often than not with just her and Elias. The mouse was able to get around with a crutch fairly well, and didn’t complain in the slightest at the way the fox waited on her without complaint.

It was their third night on an eight day shore leave and Alistair had decided to retire to his suite with Piper, the cat that had worked at the mine as a lower echelon operations staffer, leaving the fox and mouse to their own devices.

“What was that we had for dinner?” Vanna asked as she sat with her leg up on a pile of cushions. “That was incredible!”

“Something Alistair said was called haggis, or something,” Elias said as he finished loading up the room service cart with the used plates before pushing it out into the hallway for the staff to retrieve. “He introduced me to it when we visited his home, but told me never to ask what was in it.”

“I’m surprised they serve it here,” the mouse said with a happy sigh.

“Well, Fyn’s got a reputation for culinary arts, and you can get stuff from all over the PA here. It’s a point of pride, I think.” He made his way to the low sofa the mouse reclined on and brushed her hair back from her eyes, smiling when her pink tail lashed against his leg playfully. “So, want me to get the hot tub ready for a good soak?”

“Hmmm, tempting,” Vanna cooed happily. “But what I’d really like is for you to go downstairs and get us a nice bottle of wine from the bar.

Elias looked at the female quizzically, pleased that she seemed less timid than when they first began their friendship and was now far more confident in her behavior, he and Alistair both confirming that Vanna was an individual that was worth knowing and the positive reinforcement working wonders for the rodent.

“Why do that when I can call room service?”

“Because, pretty fox, it gives me a chance to get a surprise ready for you,” Vanna said with a warm smile. “Something that I’ve wanted to do for a while now, to be honest.”

“Oh,” Elias said with an answering smile. “So how long should I give you?”

“Fifteen minutes? Maybe twenty? I want it to be perfect.”

“I think I can arrange that.” Elias stood and kissed the mouse’s nose before stepping to the door of the suite. “Any preference on the wine?”

“Sweet and not too potent. I don’t really drink much and I don’t want to fall asleep!”

Elias was smiling as he made his way down the hallway to the bank of elevators that would deposit him in the lobby near the restaurant and bar, wondering just what particulars Vanna’s surprise held in store for him but not wanting to ruin the preparations she was making. He had to ask about the different bottles that were available, the mackerel striped tabby that helped him doing her best but not really knowing what would fit the fox’s criteria the best and wound up calling the sommelier to assist. By the time they were done, Elias had two bottles and a pair of glasses that he returned to the suite with.

“Knock-knock,” the fox said as he opened the door partially, frowning when there was no answer from Vanna.

Stepping inside, Elias found that all of the lights had been extinguished and that there were lit candles in strategic points of the room, all of them set so that the closer he got to the bedroom, the more there were. The fox moved slowly, a flutter of anticipation running through him that made his fur stand on end like it would prior to a good thunderstorm. When he pushed the bedroom door open he felt the breath in his lungs seize as his jaw dropped open.

Lying in the middle of the bed was Vanna, but in a way that he’d never anticipated seeing the mouse. She wore frilly bits of lingerie that completely added to her form, the black shimmersilk contrasting fetchingly wither fur while her normally pinned up hair was allowed to fall just past her shoulders and fan out on the pillow. She lay on her side, one arm draped over her flank that looked far more curvaceous than normal, the other propping the mouse’s head up.

“So?” she asked softly. “Like what you see?”

“I truly do…” Elias answered when he found his voice, the tone deep in anticipation.

Vanna giggled as the fox continued to stare, not moving at all. “Why don’t you open the bottle and join me,” she suggested.

“Yeah…I can do that…” Elias mumbled, still unable to look away.

He was used to seeing Vanna in uniform, something functional, utilitarian and fairly drab. This, however, was something astonishing and the transformation was incredible. There was no doubting that Vanna was female, and far more beautiful than he’d realized. Somehow he was able to uncork the wine and pour two glasses without botching the procedure and joined the mouse.

“I’ll admit I had to have help with some of this. I…I’m not good at picking out girlie things to wear…”

“Vanna,” Elias breathed huskily. “You’re completely gorgeous!”

The effect the simple, honest admission had on the mouse was like watching the sun rise after a gloomy night. “I am?”

“You are. I…I can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful you are.” He handed one of the glasses to Vanna and reached out to touch her, his paw stopping halfway, as if to touch would spoil the enchantment he felt. “Who helped you with this?”

“Believe it or not, Alistair. I think that if he ever leaves the SPF he could make a fortune running a specialty boutique.” She jerked her eyes up. “That…that doesn’t upset you, does it? That he helped me with all of this?”

“Not at all. He’s talented when it comes to helping beautiful females.”

“Or plain ones feel beautiful,” Vanna replied softly.

“No. You aren’t plain. You never have been,” the fox said, unable to keep his eyes from roving over the mouse. “Um…so what do we drink to?”

Vanna smiled. “I don’t know about you, but I’ll toast just being here at this moment with you. It…it’s enough for me at the moment.” They clinked glasses and sipped, the wine completely perfect and just what she’d wanted. “There is one little problem, though,” Vanna said with a coy drop of her head.

“Tell me what it is and I’ll fix it,” Elias declared.

“Well, you happen to be a little overdressed, then you need to open your present. I heard about the review the Captain gave you, so a reward is definitely in order.”

Elias shook his head. “You didn’t have to get me a present, Vanna.”

She looked up at the fox through her lashes, a smile tugging at her delicate mouth. “Even if that present is me?”

12

“We’re docked, Captain,” Elias said as he began to set the controls on his console to stand-by mode. “Awaiting your order to open the hatches.”

Captain Palmers looked at her own status board incorporated into her seat and felt her eyebrows raise. She hadn’t even felt the normal shudder that most pilots were unable to avoid berthing a ship as large as the Vanguard. “Well done, Mister Tivnan. Give my permission for opening the hatches. Mister Gordon, signal all-clear for the rest of the crew to disembark. Command staff debrief in one hour my ready room. I would also ask that the two of you join us.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” the human answered before doing as instructed. “Tha’ was a perfect dockin’, Elias. An’ ye were goin’ tae bleedin’ resign,” Alistair said with a chortle and shake of his head. “Bein’ a natural pilot an’ all.”

“Hey, I changed my mind, didn’t I?” the fox asked with a lopsided grin. As the two bantered back and forth Elias and Alistair gathered their flight kits that contained datapak slateboards for navigational computations and served as logbooks along with old-style notebooks, a variety of stylus and small personal mementos that they had acquired and carried as good luck charms, one of the fox’s being a leg garter that Vanna had given him after a most enjoyable time on shore leave.

“An’ it’s a good thin’ ye did,” the human mumbled.

Joking back and forth, Elias and Alistair made their way to their cabins to stow their kit bags and gather belongings until the required meeting in the Captain’s ready room. The corridors that had been jammed with various crew members rushing to and fro to secure the ship for servicing were gone by the time each reemerged, fresh duty uniforms on and boots properly polished.

“Ye’d think we didnae just get back tae Joplin,” Alistair observed as they walked the corridors that were devoid of everything save armed and armored SPOs that guarded sensitive sections of the frigate. “It’s bein’ a might depressin’.”

“Yeah. It is,” the fox agreed, a little chagrined that he hadn’t seen Vanna at all since the previous ship’s cycle. “I hope debrief isn’t too long.”

“Feh. Ye jus’ wanna be hookin’ up with the lovely Vanna as quick as ye can,” Alistair commented with a laugh. “Tha’ or ha’ ye got another lass what’s got yer attention? Tha’ coyote…Deanna was it?...I know she’s been makin’ the eyes at ye and getting’ all moon-eyed whene’er she’s been a’seein’ ye.”

“Er…” Elias grumbled. “Don’t remind me. I’ve got no problem spending a little playtime with others, but I draw the line at mated females.”

“She’s mated?” the man asked with a surprised expression. “Truly?”

The fox nodded. “You’ve seen her with her collar on, right?” Elias asked as he glanced at his friend. “The pendant on it matches the one her mate wears. It’s the custom from the part of Hestra that she comes from. Though they have something similar on a lot of the other worlds, too.”

“I’m glad ye tol’ me tha’. I thought it was jus’ bein’ somethin’ like jewelry.”

Elias shrugged. “Sometimes the collars are just that. But when there’s a pendant like the one Deanna has it’s a marriage symbol.” The fox quirked a grin at his companion. “Maybe you should brush up on some of the customs of other worlds a little better. I’d hate to hear that you got shot in the back jumping out of some female’s window because you were fleeing from her jealous mate.”

“Mebbe,” Alistair said with a smarmy grin. “But wha’ a way tae go!”

The banter stopped when the two entered the Captain’s ready room, Valencia Palmers foremost in the group with the rest of her command staff spread out to the left and right of the tigress. The stern looks were rather daunting, and the fox snapped to attention, Alistair following suit half a second behind his friend.

“Ma’am! Warrant Officers Tivnan and Gordon reporting as ordered!” Elias barked out crisply.

“Step forward, gentles,” Valencia ordered the two.

Taking three steps each, Alistair’s last a little longer than the white fox’s to bring them shoulder to shoulder, the pair waited, eyes forward in perfect parade ground attention and snapped salutes in unison. The salute was returned by Captain Palmers who then moved so that she was standing before the fox.

“For the past year you have been tested and evaluated for your fitness as pilots in the Spatial Police Force. At this time it is my pleasure and honor to inform you that you have not only met the requirements that the SPF expects, but you have also exceeded them.” Valencia accepted a wooden box from her First Officer, the cairn terrier nodding in approval at the two young officers. “As such, it is my privilege to bestow upon you the insignia that you have earned to let all that see you know that you are fully qualified pilots within the ranks of our agency.”

The tigress pulled out a small badge that was comprised of the SPF insignia backed by a pair of stylized outstretched wings. She placed the pin on the left breast of Elias’ uniform.

“These have been earned by determination, perseverance, dedication and blood. Wear them proudly, Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Class Tivnan.” As she said the last, the tigress pounded the wings so that the two pins were driven into the fox’s uniform, past the fur and into the flesh beneath, the impact eliciting a grunt from Elias.

As the Captain repeated the same with Alistair, Lans Ranson stepped up to Elias and also pounded the wings, driving the pins in a little further. The rest of the command staff, all six of them, followed suit, and apart from the holes poked into him, Elias knew there was going to be a rather spectacular bruise under his fur before the day was over.

“Now that you’ve earned your blood wings, we have another tradition with every ship I’ve ever served on,” Valencia said, her tone a little more warm and friendly. “Stand easy,” she instructed the now fully commissioned pair. The tigress turned halfway and accepted another wooden container from Ranson and opened the lid, the contents this time being a bottle that was dark and dust caked, the label faded and peeling and looking positively ancient. “When I earned my wings, and after my own first Captain pounded them so far into my chest I thought I’d need a pry bar to get them off, he shared a drink with me. I’d like to do the same now with the two of you.”

Elias and Alistair accepted cut crystal tumblers from Doctor Lasko, the hedgehog smiling widely at the entire episode as he gave the other officers their glasses, then waited as Valencia poured just a swallow into each before corking the bottle and returning it to its box.

“This particular bottle has seen the toasting of twelve other officers after they earned their wings. Some are still serving,” the tigress said as her eyes developed a far-away look, “others are now names on the Wall of the Fallen. All of them, however, have distinguished themselves, and it was my honor to be officer that validated their flight status.

“If what I have seen on this cruise is any indication, then the two of you are destined for greatness. It has been my honor and pleasure serving with both of you, and more so to acknowledge you as brothers-in-uniform.” Valencia looked at the other officers gathered about and lifted her glass. “To Alistair Gordon and Elias Tivnan. I wish them long lives and clear skies!”

The others seconded the sentiment and drank, Elias nearly choking on the fiery liquid while Alistair smacked his lips appreciatively.

***

Other drinks had followed after the initial toast, but those had been less refined beverages. Elias and Alistair discovered that the bottle used for their induction toast was three hundred year old Silloni brandy and the human was of the mind he’d have to recommend it to his father. Both were more than thankful that their transit quarters were next to each other as they made their way through the tunnels and chambers carved out of the very rock of Joplin. Both leaned heavily on each other, Alistair perhaps the more stable one from long practice of pub crawling.

At one point they got turned around and were helped by a slightly older sergeant, the raccoon taking pity on the thoroughly hazed young officers. It wasn’t until they got to their rooms that Alistair realized the non-com helping them was their first instructor when they’d arrived as fresh faced cadets, Sergeant Halley.

“Don’t worry, Sirs,” the raccoon said with a warm laugh. “You aren’t the first officers I’ve had to help from their wing-blooding!” Halley looked at Elias then Alistair. “And I must say that you do this old sergeant proud. I knew we could make some good SPOs out of you!”

Alistair looked blearily at the raccoon, wavering a little as he cocked his head to the side. “Sergeant, did ye know ye were th’ reason o’ a great many nigh’mares I been a havin’?”

“Sir, if I weren’t, then I wasn’t doing my job properly,” Halley replied with a wide, toothy grin. She got both settled into the joined quarters, making sure that the fox and human had glasses of water to drink so as to lessen the effects the following morning.

“But…ye mean ye didnae be hatin’ me?” Alistair inquired with surprise.

Halley shook her head and made the human tip the glass up and drink before speaking. “Sir, I’ve never hated anyone that’s come here.” She looked around in an exaggerated conspiratorial manner. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. If anything, I love the young males and females that come here, Sir. It means they see the value of something more than just themselves and are willing to defend that. It means they’ve decided the light of civilization we have fought so hard to build is worth protecting. Eventually they become individuals that I’d be willing to face anything with and know that there is a trust between us that civilians will never understand because we wear the same uniform.”

“I thought ye hated me…”

Halley chuckled. “No, Sir. I was hard on you because I needed you to be sure this was what you wanted, and to get you to realize your own value. I had to get rid of all the muck you brought with you so you could grow into a fine adult and officer.” She took the empty glass from the human and set it on the small kitchenette counter the room came with and guided the man back on his bunk and covered him with a blanket.

“Well now, don’ tha’ just beat all…” Alistair said before drifting off with a smile.

“Now, let’s get you into your bunk, Sir,” Halley said as the raccoon stepped over to Elias.

“Ya know, he really did have nightmares ‘bout you,” the fox slurred with a grin.

“Most cadets do,” the Sergeant replied as she all but carried the fox to his bunk and got him situated. “If you ever meet him, there’s one wolf that will swear I’m the Dark One and evil incarnate. Poor Mercks, chunky little scrapper that he is. I bet he’s still having bad dreams about me, but that’s a story for another time, Sir. You get some sleep.”

Elias nodded and relaxed, vaguely aware of the Sergeant pausing at the door to his room and turning off the lights.

“And welcome home, Sir.”

***

Two day cycles later, Alistair received orders to report to the light cruiser SPF Solar Zephyr as the primary relief pilot while Elias was informed he would be returning to the Academy flight school. Alistair scratched his head at the directive as he looked over the hardcopy. “Back tae flight school? But…well, ye’re a qualified pilot, now. I cannae reason it ou’!”

The fox shrugged, just as perplexed by the orders as the human was. “I thought it was a little weird as well and when I asked the placement officer, I was told I needed a short course on some new kind of ship that we’re supposed to be getting. She said it was classified as a sloop, whatever that is.”

Alistair looked up and regarded his friend. “I wonder…” he mused. “Back on Earth, durin’ th’ days o’ sailin’ vessels an’ th’ like, a sloop was bein’ a smallish combat vessel. Fast, not too heavy on the guns, bu’ righ’ handy. There were a couple o’ stories o’ squadrons o’ them kinds o’ ships takin’ on larger warships an’ trouncin’ ‘em but good.” The man began to grin. “I wonder if’n this ain’ gonna be like one o’ them?”

“I guess I’ll find out,” Elias commented. “What about you, though? A light cruiser? That’s going to be something! More crew means more potential ladies for you to sweep off their feet!”

“Aye,” the man agreed. “I do be likin’ me ladies tae be plentiful! Plus our cruise is s’posed ta be somewhere near high pirate activity. I woldnae min’ seein’ some action ‘gainst them.”

Before Elias could respond, the chime to his door sounded a moment before it opened, a pleased and far more confident looking Vanna standing before the two Warrant Officers. Elias had just opened his mouth to say her name when the mouse launched herself at the fox, her arms slipping about his neck as her short muzzle pressed against his in a deep kiss.

“Look!” Vanna said when she and the fox parted, two fingers indicating the dual stripes on her sleeve beneath the SPF patch. “I got booted up to corporal because of the Al-Myr rescue!”

“That’s great!” Elias enthused, Alistair joining the couple and getting a hug from the rodent. “Have you gotten your orders yet?”

“Yeah! I’m getting sent to staff the SPF Barracks on Tanthe! I’ve always wanted to go there! It’s going to be great!” Vanna gushed. “I…I don’t think I could have gotten this far without you,” she told the fox with a warm expression. “Both of you,” the mouse added as she took one paw to pull Alistair closer and hugged both males. “I wasn’t too sure I’d made the right choice when they assigned me to the Vanguard for my apprentice cruise. I was even thinking about quitting, but I learned that I can do this! I feel so much more…well, I guess you could say I’ve found my confidence. But then I had some really good teachers to show me how.” The affectionate look she gave was divided between the fox and human. “I don’t know if I can ever really thank you for that.”

“Don’t thank us,” Elias said with a smile. “You had it in you the whole time, you just needed to learn that it was there.”

Vanna nodded then swung her full attention back to the fox. “You know, I have a few hours before I have to report to the Odin’s Spear,” she said demurely. “Wanna give me a proper good-bye?”

“An’ this is where I be takin’ me leave o’ ye two,” Alistair said as he planted a kiss on the mouse’s cheek. “Ye take care o’ yerself, Vanna.”

“I will, Alistair. See you out there!”

The man turned and left after throwing a wink at the fox, a wide grin on his face as he exited.

“You know, I wish we were going to be on the same ship again,” the mouse told Elias as she pressed closer to the fox. “You…you really are something else, Elias.”

“So are you, lover,” he replied as Vanna steered the two of them towards his bunk. “So are you.”

13

“Elias and I both ha’ more adventures, o’ tha’ ye can be sure, but t’was tha’ firs’ mission, th’ rescuin’ o’ th’ miners tha’ made the two of us realize wha’ th’ SPF was ‘bout. We later came tae learn tha’ nearly all th’ cadets ha’ tha’ moment o’ questionin’ their decision o’ joinin’ up, of perhaps havin’ made a mistake. Cap’n Palmers knew o’ this, though, an’ it were her guidin’ paws tha’ brought the two o’ us ‘bout, knowin’ things tha’ we couldnae, or didnae, ourselves…”

Nadia looked at the human, wanting more of the story, to hear more of these adventures this human and his friend had shared. Instead the man ran a finger around the rim of his empty coffee mug, the light in his eyes indicating that he was lost in his own memories for the moment. Attempting to be polite and patient, Nadia waited, almost squirming on the seat as she fought not to ask the questions that burned in her.

“What about Vanna Perrins?” the canine finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity. “Or that girl from Earth? Annie?”

Alistair shook his head sadly. “Elias an’ Vanna eventually got posted t’gether again on th’ Scimitar. She didnae make it…killed in action ‘gainst th’ pirates what did th’ ship in an’ near killed Elias an’ th’ others.

“As fer Annie, well, she ne’er got o’er her firs’ love, e’en though t’was a fox wha’ caught her heart. Las’ I heard tell o’ it, she’s still kickin’ ‘bout with th’ scout service. I sent her a message ‘bout wha’ happened, but haven’ heard nothin’ from her.”

The Samoyed looked sad and sighed until Alistair reached out and lifted her head by the simple expedient of placing a finger under her chin and making her look up to meet his eyes.

“Don’ ye be getting’ all weepy ‘bout tha’, now. All o’ us, we done lived life to its fullest, an’ the time all of us were sharin’ wi’ each other was well worth it! Nae one o’ us had regrets ‘bout showin’ those tha’ were bein’ ‘round us tha’ we loved ‘em, an’ tha’ was all the difference, lass,” Alistair told the canine with a sad smile. “I miss my frien’ an’ his mate, but I know tha’ if there truly is bein’ a God, or Maker, or Creator, an’ I do believe mind ye, then all o’ us will be seein’ Elias an’ Cerise an’ Vanna an’ all t’others again.”

“So…it was all worth it?” Nadia asked softly.

“Aye. It surely was.”

The canine nodded slowly. “So, what about you? Did you ever find someone?

Alistair smiled, again pulling back as he recognized the interest in the Samoyed’s eyes. “Tha’ I did, an’ fought th’ feelin’s tha’ were boilin’ up in me e’ery step o’ th’ way! Funny thin’, though. Bein’ devoted tae just one lass that means everythin’ tae ye ain’ bad a’tall. I s’pose I jus’ needed tae finish growin’ up.” Alistair flicked his left ear that was adorned with three golden earrings. “Tha’s wha’ these be showin’.”

When a large wolf stepped up to the table, Alistair smiled and patted Nadia’s paw. “Now, m’ dear lassie, if’n ye’ll pardon me, it’s bein’ time fer me an some others tae be sayin’ our good-byes tae me fuzzy family members.”

Nadia nodded mutely as the human got up from the booth bench and embraced the wolf, both shedding silent tears. “How have you been?” the large lupine fur asked.

“I could ha’ been better withou’ th’ news ye sent me, Randy,” the man said with a slight cracking of his voice. “How’re poor Renee an’ Van holdin’ up?”

“It’s been…difficult. They’ll pull through, but it’s going to take time,” Randal Mercks informed the Scot. “Lena, Sabine and I have the arrangements all made though, and everyone’s waiting for us.”

“Then let’s be off,” Alistair said as he stood a little straighter and smoothed his jacket and adjusted the formal kilt he wore. “I’m also feelin’ a powerful need tae be havin’ me mate’s arms ‘bout me neck righ’ now.”

Randy only nodded, understanding the need himself all too well.

***

Alistair had only been to the Tambor cabin twice before and found that the setting was the most peaceful and serene place that he’d ever been and thought it fitting that Elias’ and Cerise’s ashes would be put to rest there. Randal piloted the lifter the pair used to make the run, the wolf finally having gotten his pilot’s rating, and Alistair saw the others gathered and waiting to greet him.

The human only paused for a moment to get a large, odd shaped case from the back of the ducted fan aircraft before turning to the small crowd. He smiled when a pair of white and black trimmed kits detached from the small gathering and bolted to him.

“Uncle Alistair!” both said as they wrapped their furry arms around the man.

“Och! Look at ye! Saints above the two o’ ye are growin’ like weeds!” Alistair exclaimed as he knelt and pulled the kits in close and held them tight, his eyes stinging and raw feeling. He could feel both trembling with the pain of loss and looked up to the pristine blue sky and casting a prayer to whatever divine agency was listening that the two young foxes would be watched over.

“We didn’t think you could come,” Van said as he all but tucked his head under the man’s jaw, his sister doing the same.

“Uncle Sandy said you were all the way out in the Anya system near Kantus,” Renee added.

“My sweet foxes,” Alistair murmured as his breath caught in his throat, “ye know tha’ nothin’ would be stoppin’ me from bein’ here tae say good-bye. Yer Da an’ Ma were bein’ like me own brother an’ sister, don’t ye know?”

Once the kits were placated, Alistair greeted the others. Rovi and Sharan were quiet in their grief, Lena and Sabine wept openly, as did Pala, Sonja and Odette. Olin and Baxter were both subdued, supporting their mates and being supported in return. Sander Brees looked old and tired, his mate Meri a vision of calm as she stood in her robes as a Priestess of the Unified Light, though there was pain in her yellow eyes at the reason for the gathering. Keena and Lemuel stood near the vixen’s parents, somber and silent.

Another of the small, elite group of Spatial Police Force pirate hunters stood off to the side and Alistair greeted Chuck Palance with a handshake that turned into an embrace before turning to the one whose arms he craved the most.

“Are ye holdin’ up alrigh’, Love?” Alistair asked quietly after a tender kiss.

Galina Carver nodded before resting her forehead against the human’s. “I suppose. It’s never easy to say good-bye to one of our own, is it?”

“It ne’er is, me sweet, golden wolf. It ne’er is. Jus’ remember, he an’ Cerise, God bless ‘em both, departed doin’ wha’ they knew t’was bein’ righ’. It’s bein’ up tae us tae carry on fer them, though.”

Galina nodded and steered her husband to the stone that waited near the rusted wreckage of an armored lifter that vines and flowers had claimed and were turning into a part of the landscape.

The words that Meri Brees said during the funeral ceremony seemed to only cover a portion of what Elias and Cerise were, of what they had done, extolling the virtues that the pair demonstrated to everyone they met. Alistair only partly listened to the eulogy, thinking back instead on younger days when he and Elias seemed so young, so brash and eager. And thinking back to days long gone, the man couldn’t help but smile, even as his eyes found his best friend’s children, each one looking so much like their mother and father that it was almost frightening.

When it was done and each of the attendees had honored their own personal beliefs and said good-bye in their own way, Alistair gathered his case and walked to the hilltop that looked down upon the cabin, the white memorial stone glowing in the setting sun of Dennier and lit the pile of logs that had been prepared by Randy. As the flames grew and climbed higher, the man opened the case and removed the bagpipes that had come from Alistair’s great grandfather.

As he filled the bag with his breath, Alistair thought of the fox that he’d met so long ago, how he and Elias had become friends and so much more. He remembered how Elias and eventually Cerise had touched so many lives, of the wayward fox from Alexandrius that would be adopted into the human’s family and Clan and felt the tears stream down his cheeks as he began the first of many tunes that seemed fitting tribute in ancient Highland custom and tradition.

Alistair wasn’t aware of the passage of time, and when he finally lowered the mouthpiece for his bagpipes from his lips, the man was astonished to see that the logs had burned down into a bed of coals. Nor was he aware of the eyes that reflected the fitful light of the glowing embers until images and events from the past cleared and his eyes filled with the here-and-now.

“That was beautiful,” Randy all but whispered as he stood with Lena and Sabine, the rabbit doe and squirrel each under one of the wolf’s arms.

“It was,” Keena said as she batted her eyes, the vixen taking comfort and smiling as her tiger held her tight.

The others also stood around, silent, moved by the man’s personal tribute to his friends, the haunting sound of the bagpipes still seeming to roll through the valley. There wasn’t a single dry eye among the group, though Alistair saw that it was the children of Elias and Cerise that seemed the most affected.

Van and Renee both stared at the man with mouths agape and their ears flattened. Alistair set the pipes down and found Galina’s paw in his hand, giving her fingers a squeeze in gratitude of her silent support as he sat down in the grass, unmindful of the stains his kilt might get. He chuckled and motioned to the kits to join him, helping the two young foxes get settled on his lap.

“So, would ye like tae hear the tellin’ of how yer father was becomin’ me brother?” Alistair asked with a grin despite the tears that glistened on his cheeks as he held the kits tight. “I’ll be warnin’ ye, though, it’s a wee bit of a long story…”