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Into the Stars

Chapter Eight

By Roofles

The sirens blared in the city as the sun set over the horizon. The shield batteries activated; a dorm forming over the city itself obscuring the view of the stars above as the two's night was ruined.

“The hell's going on?" Typhon demanded to know, still frustrated by it all as he pulled on his ears.

Isaac could only shrug as he pulled out his tablet. “Apparently it's some sort of… deterrent? Deterrent for what?" He asked aloud looking over the live feed he was getting.

The two Tigeron newscasters on the live feed were talking about heading inside or to the closest shelter in a safe, orderly manner and to let the city guard handle what was going on.

“Deterrent for my sex life." Typhon slumped over onto the ground in defeat, face planting the stone pathway they'd been walking on. The saberwolf just continued to grumble to himself.

“What?" Isaac could only ask loudly as the sirens continued to wail around them. “I can't hear you." Isaac wasn't talking to Typhon, he had one hand pressed to the earpiece he had in and the other over the other ear as he tried to get a hold of the others. “Samson! Where are you at?"

The Ursa Major said something on the other line but Isaac couldn't make it out. “…Look…. Above…"

“What?" Isaac wished it was voice to text so he could just read it on his tablet.

“I'm going to die a virgin. I'll be the only Saber with a non-physical relationship with their companion… I'm a failure as a man…" Typhon just went on, seeming to forget everything else in the world. Even with the cities auto-defensives activating and the sirens wailing. The saberwolf could only weep for his blue balls; literally, blue fur balls.

“Samson? Samson are you there? Damnit, I can't hear him." Isaac couldn't make out what the Ursa said on the other end as the sirens continued around them.

Everyone else was heading indoors without a fret in their step as if this happened every other day. Locking the doors, shutting the blinds and securing the perimeter as metal shutters came down around each and every one of the houses. Leaving the two standing there confused.

Isaac pulled out his tablet as the sirens continued to blare around them. Pulling up a hologram of the city he pinpointed several red dots on it; each one was of the earpieces he'd given out to the others. The trackers would allow him to meet up with them just in case. Isaac had neglected to mention the tracker part in the ear pieces he'd handed out and hope they wouldn't be too upset about it.

Then there were numerous other dots appearing all over the map he'd been linked into. The security network showcasing several intruders. One of which was directly next to them. Isaac quickly looked around in confusion.

Then the world shook.

Isaac felt his feet leave the ground several times as the ground quaked beneath them as he stumbled backwards against the saberwolf still slumped against the ground.

“The hell was that?" Typhon perked up looking around quickly. Even the saberwolf had bounced off the ground for a second there before catching Isaac, stabilizing the human and holding him securely as the world settled down.

“An earthquake?" Isaac just asked without much concern as he double checked the tablet. A red warning had popped up on it, telling everyone to evacuate to one of the bunkers located within the city. It even gave him directions to the closest one.

Isaac already knew that and thus wasn't helpful in the manner as he closed the prompt. The Tigeron were either withholding information or the security breach had unknown intruders. No information of value had been given, just to head indoors and lock their windows.

“We going?" Typhon asked peering over the Terran's shoulder at the notice. Isaac slid it aside with his finger.

“We'll be fine… the city shields aren't just there for outside threats." Isaac chuckled lightly as he looked up at the blue dome. The shield wouldn't just be above them. It would circle the city fully in a bubble protecting both the surface and subterranean levels as well.

Most shield batteries had been constructed for natural disasters instead of outside threats. They still worked very well for such a thing though.

And then Isaac's face faltered at what he saw. He understood now why the map had been reading that something was currently in the same spot they were. It wasn't inside the city. It was above it!

Around the city was a massive jungle that spread out like a sea of trees. A blue dome had formed around the city; once the alarm had been activated so too had the shield been deployed. At first Isaac thought the city shield battery had activated to protect against an earthquake; instead, the shields had been deployed against the thing trying burrow through it from above.

“The fuuuu…" Isaac craned his neck up, taking a step back as he touched the right side of his head. Using his artificial eye to zoom in on the spindly black coiled serpent like creature trying to dig its way through the blue dome around the city.

With black coils and gears, the serpent continued to cram its flat head against the shield. Rows of razor sharp teeth spun in its gaping maw, acidic drool slathering over the surface. Its shimmering scales reflected the setting sunlight as its body whipped around, smacking its bulk against the barrier as its teeth punctured the shield; clinging onto it.

“We should really get inside! Somewhere. Anywhere!" Typhon came over to get the Terrin. Isaac just gave him a look.

“As long as the shield holds, we're not in any real danger." Isaac pulled his tablet out, sliding another warning away with a finger before pulling up the native life on the planet. “Nothing seems to be coming up on it…" His right eye was still looking up even as Isaac stared down at the tablet.

Isaac was trying to get a good lock on the creature so he could scan it fully into the tablet and figure out just exactly what it was. He wasn't able to identify it in the Tigeron data banks he was linked too. Unless they had more information, there wasn't a logical course of action to take. Just like piloting, one needed a route and directions to take rather than just fly all “willy-nilly," something Isaac's instructor had taught them.

Acting recklessly put lives in danger.

The ground shook once more. The planet's crust breaking apart as large single barrel cannons lifted up from underneath the forest. The planetary defenses finally coming online. Each cannon swiveled towards one of the black serpents latched onto the barrier. The blue dome flickered and for a second, Isaac thought the glow of it dimmed if only for a moment.

Energy gathered at the tip of each of the cannons; a bright orange light before firing. The laser cut through the first serpent, its severed body rolling down the domes barrier. Its mouth still attached to the surface. Then another was cut down and another.

And still there was more.

And each time the body was cut, black slithering masses within the creature poured out like blood. Each one moving, making Isaac shudder. Babies within the creature pouring out like water from a squeezed sponge. Each and every one of them biting at the barriers surface as they slid down the outside wall.

The dome flickered for a moment and several of the things fell inside. Even if the larger creature couldn't.

Typhon jumped as a loud thunk sounded close by and the blue fur saberwolf looked over to see a coiled mass of rotating scales sit up. Its flat face turning around as if searching for something. Then there was another thunk and a third as the sky began to rain with much smaller eel like serpent bodies. From each of the suction cup mouths of their parents, the babies were vomited out through the small hole they formed. Raining down on the city and its inhabitants alone.

“Well, that's not good…" Isaac just stated dumbly taking a step back from the closest one as his eye scanned over it quickly going from its flat face, long spindly gear like body and to its pointed tip of a tail.

“I thought you said as long as the shields held!" Typhon backed up to Isaac who in turned followed suit. The terran pulled out his side arm, keeping his eye trained on the closest one. Scanning it over and recording the data into the tablet he was still holding.

Looking over the data for a weak spot in its armor.

“They shouldn't be able to pass through." Isaac just gave a half-laugh as the spindly coil mass slowly unwound and sat up. With a cup like face, each leech drooled facing towards them. “I'll find the nearest shelter just… just hold them off!"

Isaac was already pulling up the city map as the closest leech lunged forward with a shrill hiss of grinding gears.

“Step. OFF!" Typhon barked with a judo chop, knocking it down to the ground. With a swift kick he sent the thing flying over the ledge. The saberwolf bounced on his other foot, pumping a fist as it easily cleared the safety rails and plummeted towards the jungle below. “Quickly find us a place or I'm kidnapping you again!"

“Frankly, that might be preferable at this point." Isaac judged the location they were at to the nearest marker that lit up from the search. Only to have a leech snag the back of the tablet with its mouth. The tablet screen flickered, sputtering as if about to lose power. “No, no, no! Not the tablet!" Isaac smacked the creature several times with the butt of his gun. “Get off you slimy bastard!"

Holding onto the front of the tablet with both hands, Typhon grabbed the thing around the midsection and pulled it off. With a pop, the leech came off; swinging it overhead several times, Typhon launched it into the jungle below with the other.

Grabbing two more, Typhon repeated the processes after bashing their heads into the ground for good measure. And still there were a dozen more slithering towards them like snakes.

“Be free little ones!" Typhon tossed them away. “They grow up so fast…" He watched as they plummeted towards the jungle below.

“Thank you." Isaac quickly hugged the tablet close, seeing several other serpents eying it hungrily. “I could kiss you, Typhon."

“If you insist." The canine wagged only for the Terran to run past, deflating the saberwolf's hopes of at least getting to first base.“You raised my hopes and dashed them quite expertly sir, bravo." Typhon just slumped over, kicking at one of the leeches that wiggled its way over.

They all ignored the saberwolf, hunting after the tablet Isaac was carrying with hungry red beady eyes.

“No time!" Isaac ran by, tapping on the tablet several times until it opened back up with the map. The power had been drained more than twenty five percent. “I forgot to charge it this morning too." Isaac could only curse at his own luck. “The one freaking night I don't charge it…"

The two quickly ran past the squirming masses.

Several of the alien creatures had latched themselves onto the nearby lamp posts, cars and even several generators. Their bodies shimmered and glow as they absorbed the energy from the appliances and, to both their dismay, grew in size. Their long spindly, winding, coiled bodies growing larger as they engorged themselves with energy from the city.

There was a loud crash to their side as one the size of a small car broke free of the house it had managed to get inside. It spun its flat head around before centering in on them making the two jump.

“Worry about tablet later, survival first." Typhon said lifting the Terran up over one shoulder and running for it. He jumped over the first eel that seemed more interested in one of the glow lamps and the second he gave a swift kick to the side of its head. “Wolf fang, kick!" Typhon growled as he jumped up, spinning around and kicking another in the face that had leapt at them.

“That was…" Isaac face just fell.

“Awesome, right?" Typhon grinned.

“The dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life…" Isaac cringed as he tapped on the screen. “Take the next left."

Typhon just pouted as he ran down the empty street, past the market the two had shopped at and jogged down the adjacent block. Several Tigeron guards were out. The four armed tigers handling any of the leeches that had found their way further into the city.

Armed with laser rifles, sleek laser edged phaser swords and shock cannons the Tigeron guards moved forward; ignoring the two as they secured the perimeter. Each tiger armed with two separate weapons. Utilizing their unique biology, the four arm tigers managed to be worth two soldiers in one. Some were armed with a sword and riot shield, while also able to provide covering fire with hand guns or a rifle. Every soldier could do multiple tasks as they backed each other up. Every one of them was heavily armed from their paws all the way up to their round ears.

White metallic suits that formed around their bodies, hugging their form while still providing full mobility. The helmets they wore were specially made to accommodate their snouts and a dark tinted visor used to quickly scan and detect friend and foe alike; much like the one Juke used. Though everything the Tigeron guards possessed were far newer than anything the washed up ex-marshal had.

“I want one…" Typhon just said coming to a stop as the two watched the tiger guard push forward.

Shock cannons fired, disabling any eel in the cannons path. An electric shockwave that seared the leech like parasites from the inside out. Swords and guns finished the job quickly after that. Cutting them down without remorse. And for every one they killed, three more seemed to pop up.

One of the mechanized walkers the two saw earlier came stomping down the walkway. It was covered in slithering bodies. Numerous eels had latched onto it, draining the power from the mech until it eventually just came to a standstill forcing the tiger guard out to blast the “damned things!"

“Should we… help?" Typhon asked though it was clear the Saber could care less. His only concern was getting the two out of here.

“They seem to have it handled." Isaac said far more convincing than he felt. “Let's just get to the shelter. Hopefully that's not also… energized…" Isaac stopped as he thought that over.

The Tigeron prided themselves on their technology. Even if they modeled their cities after the olden days of mud and brick and stone, painting the buildings to look like the jungle around them. The inside was modern. New and high tech with all the latest gadgets to show off to the other nations that passed through their controlled space.

In other words…

“A perfect feeding ground." Isaac put the two together quickly. He frowned thinking that over as Typhon tried to pick up one of the trash bins to use as an improvised weapon. It was chained to the ground and the saberwolf ended up taking a single step before being pulled backwards.

With a startled yelp Typhon fell backwards.

“If someone released these into the city, then the whole guard would be occupied trying to control the outbreak…" Isaac mused that over, ignoring his companion who was now fighting with the chained down trashcan.

Typhon grunted, growling as he bit at the chain holding it down trying to gnaw it free. Catching a sabertooth fang into the link, Typhon managed to snap it free.

“What would they be after though wanting to hold up the entire city guard? Or…" Isaac pulled up the map. The nearest leech hungrily stared at the tablet, slithering forward only to have a trashcan take it out.

“Score!" Typhon said chasing after his makeshift weapon. Using the blunt object to promptly squish the parasitic leech before chasing after another one, laughing the entire time.

“Or did they want to gather all the people in the same area…?" Isaac thought that over looking at the map. There were numerous different shelters and the newscasters had said it was ok to head into your homes if available. Isaac thought that was stupid but figured then, this wasn't the case.

The local populist would retreat to something familiar, such as their home. Not everyone would have such a luxury but enough to not be worth the effort if the people were the target.

Several leeches slithered by, hissing in fear as they were chased down by the saberwolf using the trashcan like an oversized hammer.

“What, of value, is there in this city…" Isaac thought that over just staring at the map. Looking over each of the districts and figuring out where the most guards would be positioned. Even if the citizens needed aide, he knew the city would send the tiger guard to the most valuable areas.

Such as the market they were in, the museum showcasing the Tigeron history, the upper reaches of the richer districts of course… That only left one area in the otherwise limited trading post they had landed in. A place with the most Tigeron technology and a place that ships had to return too…

“Typhon, stop playing around. I need a lift." Isaac said running over to the unmanned walker. He was already pulling up a schematic on the thing as Typhon ran past being chased by a rather large leech.

It hissed, drooling as it hunted down the saberwolf hungrily. There was a rather large bruise on its forehead where Typhon had chucked the trashcan at it in fearful desperation.

Isaac just rolled his eyes, turning the tablet off as he called up to the Tigeron still in the walker.

“Citizen, please go back inside!" The tiger guard just said down to him without giving Isaac two seconds of his time. Still trying to radio for backup.

“Look! The freaking alien worms are just a distraction-," Isaac tried to warn. Though he had no proof or real credentials to back it up, the Terran still tried to help.

As a member of the Galactic Front and the Terran Fleet, who were allies with Tigeron, Isaac had wanted to do his duty to help out with this infestation. As well as do his part to try and figure things out. It would also be adventitious to assist the Tigeron in order to get his name known. Right now he was a nameless Terran out of hundreds of millions on the planet.

One single person in the grand scheme of things. The cogs wouldn't stop just because Isaac asked them too.

It would take weeks or months to get anything processed through the bureaucratic democracy of the Tigeron nation. Money made the world move and Isaac had spent most of the funds they had gotten already on repairing the ship they didn't own and the suits they were now wearing. It would take the rest of those funds and his entire life savings and still, even then, he probably would have to wait weeks to get heard from any official.

Or, Isaac could do something about that.

It was risky, reckless and… fun. Something his old flight instructor wasn't. The Terran whistled for Typhon as he ran past him and towards the barricade being set up.

“I need a lift." Isaac said as Typhon ran over on all fours. Without missing a beat, the saberwolf ran closer and Isaac snagging the canine's coat and hoisted himself up onto his back like a makeshift horse.

Typhon pace quickened the second Isaac was secured, holding onto his mane with one hand as the saberwolf took off.

The Tigeron guard barely saw them coming as the blue fur space wolf leapt over the barricade, landing on all fours heavily before taking off again. Claws ripping up the ground as Typhon panted open maw as they charged back up the hillside towards the landing pad they came from.

“Are we leaving?" Typhon asked glancing back at the Terran riding his back. On one hand, Typhon was glad to be included. On the other hand he really hoped no one back on Saber saw him right now. They'd string him up by his tail if they found out he let a Terran ride him like this.

Typhon rather be the one riding Isaac…

“Not if our ride is stolen!" Isaac just said as the wolf skidded to the side before turning down another road heading.

“What?" Typhon just panted back as he ran.

“It's just a theory…" Isaac couldn't help the smile on his face. This was the second time now he was ever able to actually practice the things he'd been taught in the academy. “I think these things aren't native to the planet. They're serving as a distraction."

“For?"

Isaac wasn't sure how to answer that. “Well, we're about to find out." He just offered back telling him to head back towards their ship.

Typhon didn't even slow down as several Tigeron guards shouted for him to stop outside the entrance. The saberwolf barreled passed them, leaping over the barricade they had erected and began quickly crawling his way up the stairs the best he could. Through the covered stairwell leading up to the landing pad.

Isaac pulled on Typhon's hide as if it were a collar, slowing the wolf down so he could dismount. Placing a finger to his lips, the Terran snuck up the rest of the steps to peek out over the platform. Peering over the metal hexagon, Isaac began looking around with his artificial eye. Scanning for signs of life and for any movement.

His voice caught in his throat as he glanced back down at the guards near the stairs. They should've known what happened up here… right?

There were several dead leeches scattered about, some still smoking from the blaster rounds they took. It looked perfectly secured until Isaac detected the lifeless bodies stacked nearby. The automated turrets had been disabled and several Tigeron guards had been caught in the crossfire. Nothing was moving. There was no sign of life detected as Isaac scanned over the area.

Isaac switched over to the thermal setting to detect for any heat source and finally one more to detect for any electromagnetic disturbances. It was only on the third search he found something.

“They have cloaking devices on their personnel…" Isaac noted them out for Typhon. “That form of cloaking devices aren't used for combat. They're used by smugglers and the like…"

“Would be rather handy then to have some." Typhon grinned. “You think you can guide me?" He asked before proceeding forward. Isaac gave him a nod.

“Just listen," Isaac tapped at his own ear piece. “And follow my commands and you'll do fine…"

And Typhon did.

The saberwolf trusted Isaac enough to put both his hands and life in Isaac's care as Typhon belly crawled his way across the platform behind a stack of loading crates and the crane used to move them. Using them as cover as Isaac voice buzzed in his ear.

“Multiple targets. Each are using low-grade cloaking tech. A good blaster or hit will disrupt it." Isaac was already marking each target for his memory banks; highlighting each with a target overhead to keep a closer eye on them. “All you got to do is break their cloak tech. They should run for it after they've been discovered..."

Isaac hoped.

“Who are they?" Typhon kept his head down, eyes closed as he listened to Isaac. Taking in all the information he needed as the Terran began to feed him the data. How far away they were, what they were armed with and even what alien race they belonged too.

“Insect Morphs with the white bloom emblem can only be part of the Noxious Cartel." Isaac was already recording each into his tablet, planning to give it to the authorities here after. Whatever he could do to get his name known among the Tigeron.

“Uh…" Typhon could only frown in return.

“Space pirates." Isaac just said bluntly, reducing the whole entire cartel down to those two words.

“OH, ok. So, bad guys. Got it." Typhon just nodded making Isaac regret his choices of partners.

It was clear Typhon had far more combat experience than Isaac did, it was also very evident the Saber had never left his planet until now seemingly. Knowing so little about how things worked and who the major factions were. Isaac had nearly two dozen years of academic training in the academy to back him up in the field. Typhon just had his natural instinct and some combat under his belt.

The others hadn't gotten back to him and that left Isaac little choice in who he could pair up with. Just like back at the academy… paired off into groups of two. Isaac would normally get a choice between Kaira or Tai back then. If it was unisex that was. Otherwise he was forced to tag up with the foreign exchange student, the Tigeron Tai.

Ba'Tai wasn't a bad roomie, if a little on the strange side. Isaac was just glad the rumors behind Tigeron were exaggerated, at least when it came in regards to Tai. Though a white tiger, unlike many of the others; he was a welcome change of pace from the other eggheads and jocks in his class.

“Isaac…"

Isaac wasn't sure why Tai came to mind looking over the bodies before him. The guards were usually orange tigers, not white tigers. There was a ranking amongst the different colors and families of Tigeron. Isaac had been lucky Tai wasn't one of the royal pains in the asses he had heard about. White tigers had an ego to match their status… these guards weren't that.

“Isaac."

Still, their tech was far more advanced than a group of smugglers would be. To have been taken out without setting off the alarm was unsettling in and of itself. With the infestation going on in the city, most the guard would be occupied trying to contain the threat. Still, there should at least be-

“ISAAC!" Typhon practically howled his name now snapping the Terran back to the dilemma the two were in. “Everything ok?"

“Yeah. Yes. Everything fine," Isaac stammered a bit as he cleared his throat. “Just neutralize the smugglers cloaking devices and we can get out of here when the city guard shows up." If they show up… that thought concerned Isaac along with the others.

There was clearly more going on here than he was aware of. Isaac didn't like to act without the full report to go off of.

Coming to Tigeron wasn't exactly their choice, still it was supposed to be in the Terran's favor. Whatever was going on here however was anything but. And here Isaac was trying to get involved in foreign affairs. All in hopes of being noticed.

“Put the visor on." Isaac told him over the radio as Typhon dropped back down onto his belly and army crawled his way over to the next pair of crates. The boxes had been dropped during the chaos that had broken out in the city.

Several of the metal crates had popped open spilling out several clear crystals onto the platform. Each of the transparent crystals seemed to be reflecting a dark shadow on the inside. They twisted and moved as if trapped inside them as if it were a prison.

“This thing?" Typhon pulled the clear glasses out from his front pocket. He hadn't even looked to check out what Isaac had bought for him having been distracted by the company. The Terran picking out his outfit among other things.

“Put them on. Then I can see what you see." Isaac explained.

“What?" Typhon was confused as he popped the glasses open and slipped them on. The Tigeron clear glass slipped perfectly onto his large head, fitting even with his muzzle having been built for tigers. The heads-up display activated as they secured around his triangular ears and soon enough his vision shifted slightly as the computer turned on.

“It's like I'll be riding on your shoulder, looking over and seeing everything you do." Isaac had secured himself in a small opening near the stairs. Hiding away from view as he pulled up his tablet. Connecting it to his eye he saw half his own vision and half Typhon's, looking through the glasses with the saberwolf.

“Will this help me see them?" Typhon only asked, pulling out the foldable rifle from his back. The laptop like gun popped open, clicking together perfectly with the swinging motion of it.

“I'll let you see what I see. And I'll see what you see." Isaac confirmed pushing a single button.

Typhon's vision shifted once more as if an overlay was put over the glasses. The filter allowed a double lapping visual of everything in front of the canine. As he looked around the crate he was able to make out the forms of the smugglers as Isaac had.

The five of them were busy trying to break into The Stellar Drift. Using crowbars, a laser torch and even a Hydraulic rescue tool used to pry open ship doors; the group of insects bickers amongst themselves in hissing breaths trying to figure out which to use. The Stellar Drift still remained secure. The loading bay not even scratched.

It was a fine damn ship and Isaac took it as a personal offense, having been trapped inside the damned thing for weeks.

“That's my ship!" Isaac wanted to shout but bit his hand instead, growling now as he glared at the screen in front of him. “If they hurt her, I swear I will burn this whole city down."

“Easy there, pyro." Typhon just smirked, setting up the kickstand for the gun and placing it on the crate. “All I got to do is reveal them, right?"

“I've already alerted the authorities." Isaac confirmed as the two of them set up the ambush. It was strange. Even after reporting the smugglers, Isaac hadn't even got a confirmation his report had been received.

Typhon adjusted the guns scope, taking into account the high wind on the platform as well as the distance between himself and the targets. A single shot would be all it took to break their cloaking device, as well as put them down. If he got lucky.

“Your very familiar with that tech." Isaac noted, frowning slightly as he watched the wolf tinker with the weapon in front of him through Typhon's visor camera.

“Sabers need to know how to fight. That's what we do best." Typhon just smiled though, unable to help the wag in his tail as Isaac watched him work. Admiring his skill and precision on the matter as the saberwolf positioned himself for the shot.

The burst rifle would be able to hit several targets at once. The spread shot would be far too risky to use and the single shot wouldn't be quick enough; one or two of the smugglers would be able to get away in the ensuring chaos. The first shot had to be perfect.

Typhon exhaled.

This was what his training had been for. If Isaac wanted to boast about his skills as a pilot then Typhon could about his combat experience. Trained with Saber tech, Tigeron tech, Terran tech and several other branches the space wolf had never divulged to Isaac; he would be able to do this.

“I can do this…"

There was plenty of things he hadn't told Isaac after all. Knowing just as well that the Terran was keeping things from him. He was a member of Saber. One of the pack. The heralds and the last line of defense. A bunch of insects wasn't even worth marking down…

“I can do this." Typhon growled low as he closed one eye, tensing his shoulders and holding his breath as he lined up the shot.

“I believe in you…" Isaac found himself saying holding his breath along with the saberwolf.

It was all the encouragement Typhon needed as all hell broke loose.

The single shot turned into a burst of three as the saberwolf pulled the trigger. A single pull was all it took for three blasts to shoot across the platform.

The cockroach morph didn't even know what hit him. His back shell broke as the blast connected between its wings. The cricket next to him got a hit to its side, causing him to fall to the ground hard. The last, a rather large pincer ant, felt the blast against its leg.

Three shots.

Three cloaking devices failing as the system overloaded from the impact, unable to keep up the field with the atomized shots reduced all to cinders as they hit.

Typhon was already opening fire as they collected themselves from the surprise attack.

Shots fired back. Blindly as the fourth member pulled out not one, not two, but four different pistols and opened fire roughly on where Typhon was holed up. Using all four of its thin, long multi jointed arms, the beetle fired at his location without regards to anything else. Even hitting one of his own as the beetle let loose.

The shots broke the beetles cloaking device, frying the small box at his side as he let loose the full battery of the blasters he carried. Shots fired randomly out. Scorching the platform. Hitting other ships. Breaking some of the crates and singing the very tip of one of Typhon's ears as the saberwolf quickly retreated back.

The last member was already making a break for it as the other four shouted in a language the two couldn't understand. Its wings spread, buzzing together as the lady bug took off. The insect didn't even get fifteen feet in the air before it was taken out.

Typhon rolled over onto his back; firing several shots up at the insect taking it out before it broke free of the platform. It fell, hard, to the ground. Its carapace breaking from the impact, rolling over the edge and off the platform never to be seen again.

“Over there!" A voice shouted out.

For a second Isaac thought it was a Tigeron security officer. Instead the voice growled, making Isaac jump out of where he was hiding from.

“Kill the damned dog and get these crates loaded!" They continued to bark orders at the others.

“Cover me." Isaac said as he pulled out his blaster, running up the stairs and diving to the side. Several shots fired at him, leaving the beetle open for Typhon's counter attack.

The insect barely managed to get to cover as the saberwolf open fired.

The Terran skidded to a halt, using both his own view as well as Typhon's to pinpoint the ringleader of this group. The white blossom had plenty of members to send out without a real group leader tagging along. They used hit and run tactics, using their overwhelming numbers to take down the opposition. The insectoids didn't work well with the other species for more than one reason be it their hive mind or different biology.

To find someone else out here ordering them around was something worth reporting…

Isaac held the side arm with his left hand, keeping his right up use the shield battery inside the band to protect himself as he ran towards the other side; distancing himself from Typhon and the others. A few shots fired and missed him as he returned a few of his own, missing as well. Just keeping up the pressure as he tried to get a good read on whoever else was up here with him.

“Kill the Terran! Leave no witnesses!" They shouted as Isaac ducked behind a private cruiser. Running along it, he turned the corner sharply.

His right eye scanned out. Sweeping over the field quickly before he felt it. A sharp pain that stabbed behind his right eye. Isaac cried out, moving back behind cover as he held his artificial eye. The biofeedback shock made his whole body hurt. He coughed several times and could barely stay standing as the jolt ran through him.

“Isaac!" Typhon shouted, opening fire on the whole group without caring about collateral damage at this point.

“I'm fine!" Isaac just said back, wincing now as he blinked several times. His right eye was still fuzzy and he couldn't see out of it. “Some sort of jamming device, fuck that smart…"

The Terran heard it before he saw it. A large body moving around the corner on lumbering footsteps, guns drawn. Isaac turned around, band up in front of him as he held the gun at the white fur, black stripes four armed Tigeron looking at him.

With piercing blue eyes and small tuft of black fur on his chin, Isaac instantly recognized the man before him. Though he couldn't believe it, like seeing a ghost.

“Ba'Tai?" Isaac stammered out before he felt it. The shield battery snapped to life as the Tigeron opened fire on him.

Four blasters, one in each hand, as he aimed at the smaller Terran in front of him. The shield core burned hotly on his wrist as Isaac retreated, holding his arm behind him as the blue sphere began to falter. Being overloaded from usage.

Isaac fired several shots blindly behind him as he ran towards the cover he'd come from. Typhon met him there, pulling the Terran to safety under one arm as the saberwolf used one arm to hold and fire the rifle at the Tigeron.

The white tiger fell back as the shots rang out. The heavy duty assault laser rifle shook above Isaac who cowered against Typhon, his ears ringing as Typhon didn't let go of the trigger. A normal man wrist would've snapped from the recoil of the rifle but Typhon held strong until he was sure the others had retreated as well.

Clipping the rifle back together into one piece, Typhon slung it over his shoulder hunkering down with Isaac to check on him.

“I'm fine." Isaac breathed out, able to feel the sweat running down his forehead. “Just, I… that was the first firefight I've ever been in… I got cocky…" He looked down at the band on his wrist. The third opal was still humming softly.

If it hadn't been for this band, once more, he'd be dead…

“It's exhilarating isn't it?" Typhon chuckled, breathing heavily himself as he kept an eye out, both ears up for anyone else. Isaac could hear his heavy breaths; feel the saberwolf's chest expanding against his face before exhaling out hotly. The soft fur brushing his face. Drool ran down Typhon's chin as the grinning wolf pulled Isaac closer.

Isaac could feel his body heat. Smell the ozone from his fur and the musk underneath it. Pressing a hand to Typhon's chest, Isaac could feel the strong heart underneath thundering loudly against his palm. The sweat made him blush as he looked up at the saberwolf, still holding him.

“I think they retreated, for now." Typhon snorted out, shaking his head before looking back down at Isaac. “You sure you're alright?"

“Yeah. Just… I knew that Tigeron…" Isaac bit his lip though, unsure what else to say. If he should tell Typhon the truth. Tell him what it meant seeing him here now.

“What? That white tiger? He your ex or something?" Typhon smirked, teasing the Terran who ended up laughing in his arms.

“Oh, hell no. Nothing like that…" Isaac did appreciate Typhon's levity on the matter seeing as how the two of them could've died.

The two took a good couple minutes to calm down. Making sure the coast was clear before retreating from the platform. Or as far as they could.

The heavy clunking steps told the two one of the security officers had finally arrived. They wore a white body suit with black markings underneath the arms and between the legs. It had a generous cod piece on the front with, Isaac would swear, nipples on its chest. Looking like a naked metallic tiger than a combat suit.

“There you are!" The soldier said coming over. Making a quick sweep with its tinted helmet to make sure the coast was clear, they moved over to join them. “Dumbasses, the hell do you two think you're doing? We just landed on this planet today!"

“Uh…" They said in unison, looking at each other asking the same question in their head before Isaac vocalized it. “Do we know you?"

The cheeky reply made Isaac frown. “Oh, you know me very well."

Typhon pulled his gun out making the soldier lift all four armed arms up.

“Easy, easy." They laughed before, using one arm, lifted the front of the visor up. Revealing the empty helmet they were wearing. It was empty inside. A hollow suit talking to them.

“Uh…" The two just said again.

“A robot?" Isaac offered, unsure.

“Can I shoot him now?" Typhon growled.

“Please don't. It took forever to install him into the suit." Samson voice piped up over the earpiece.

“Samson? The hell are you?" Isaac just asked touching one finger to the earpiece.

“Somewhere safe. Sphinx will escort you both back before security show up. Sphinx was able to redirect them so you two could get out of there." The Ursa just growled on the other side. “Leave you boys alone for ten minutes and you shoot up the whole thing! What? Breaking my landing pad wasn't enough for you?"

“They were trying to steal the ship! I think…" Isaac frowned. “Wait, what do you mean Sphinx?" The Terran asked looking over at the empty body suit.

It flexed before them making Typhon pull the trigger. The single shot bounced off the front making Sphinx curse loudly.

“The fuck dude! I just got this thing!" Sphinx growled, his artificial voice crackling a bit unevenly as all four arms gestured down at the scorch mark on its chest now.

“My finger slipped." Typhon just gave a nasty toothy grin back.

“Yeah… no one is going to buy this. We're going to get caught with an AI and we're all going to be killed to make an example of." Isaac got up, shoulders slouching as he already thought of the execution as he rubbed his neck hoping it would at least be quick.

Isaac foot bumped into one of the scattered crystals from the broken crate. Picking up one of the translucent crystals and inspects it with his eye. It refracted the light with a sliver of darkness within. It squirmed and moved like a worm.

“It looks like…" Isaac scanned over it.

“It's a energy leech." Sphinx looked them over.

“Stored in compress space… bio organic matter shouldn't be able to be stored in it…" Isaac looked inside one of them, turning it one way then the other. “Or to have compressed space be this… portable, ironically."

“They're inorganic." Sphinx just crouched down, the massive seven foot suit still towering over Isaac as he stood up. “Just machines trapped inside." Sphinx voice was artificial. There was a bit of static to it and it was hard to tell exactly what tone he had been trying to use.

Isaac was sure this bothered the AI though. Trapped in the cube as he was, this situation was far too close to home. No matter how much Sphinx may try to dismiss such a thing. It was like looking into a mirror, seeing the same situation he himself was trapped in.

“Machines stored in compress space. I. I don't even know where to begin with that." Isaac gently set the crystal back down. “How is that even possible…"

“Tigeron tech." Sphinx just stood back up and left it at that. Isaac would have to ask later seeing as how the robot didn't seem interested in continuing this conversation. Looking around, Isaac could see why. They had caused even further damage and the smoking platform would be noticeable by the eye.

Even with the automated turrets offline, and he assumed the cameras as well; someone would be coming to check on what happened up here.

“We need to get before the guards show up." Sphinx just reported, stopping for a moment as he read over the police feed he'd tapped into using one of their own suits.

“We got time…" Isaac just said with a sigh, feeling rather exhausted from this whole ordeal. The other two gave him a look. “I'll fill you in when we meet up with Samson and maybe Juke. I need a drink and I think that coyote might be of help. For a change…"

“This is about the Tigeron we met, isn't it?" Typhon picked up instantly as he followed after the two. The three of them using an emergency exit Sphinx showed them instead of the main stairwell they had come from.

Soon enough, as Sphinx jumped over the side, did the guards show up securing the perimeter and locking it down. Jets shot out of the combat suit boots, allowing Sphinx to descend ahead of the other two. Landing on the ground below, he pulled out a rifle from his back making sure the coast was clear before heading out.

Isaac and the AI combat suit were already discussing the best way to return to Samson location.

“And Juke?" Isaac asked, stopping while Sphinx used his new found look to get a few of the guards to move out of the way for the two to sneak by.

“Wasted in some pub." Sphinx just shrugged all four arms.

“That explains a lot." Isaac just laughed, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked down the fire escape. “I suppose he's sort of out of our gang, huh?"

“We didn't need him anyways." Typhon snorted carefully going down head of the others. “Not like we were a pack to begin with. It's just been Isaac and I since the beginning."

“Technically true, we still need Samson. Or an engineer. And a ship…" Isaac fumbled a bit. They had lost everything the second the ship had landed here. With little money left and with the ship returned to their rightful owner, The Stellar Drift wasn't much of a crew any longer.

“You boys don't plan to leave me here on this piss poor excuse for a trade planet, are ya'?" Samson spoke over the line.

“No, sir." The two said in unison as if apologizing to their dad.

“Good."

“Here I thought you'd be happy to check out Tigeron tech?" Isaac just asked, keeping up the conversation as they made their way through the city slowly. Maybe stealing one of the stealth devices would've been wise with all the sneaking around the two of them seemed to do these days.

“They don't like drones." Samson said flatly. In a way, it was all he needed to say to explain exactly how he felt about it.

While Tigeron boasted the highest level of tech in the known universe, the tigers had strict regulations on what they did with it. While preferring to focus on military tech for their soldiers as well as mechs to increase a single soldiers combat prowess; the Tigeron nation was strictly against the use of AI amongst several other highly ethically questionable things.

Such as cloning and even teleportation. The value of life was sacred for the Tigeron and though their callus nature may seem otherwise; such things as cloning artificial life or the act of destroying someone to teleport them elsewhere was beyond morally apprehensive to their very culture.

The Tigeron nation was one of the strongest in the known universe and had flatly stated they would only support the Galactic Front if the other members followed their strict decree on the matter. Something that could start wars, break treaties and even have those who practice such things sentenced to death. Or worse…

That was why, Isaac thought looking over at the combat suit AI next to them; why Sphinx was so questionable. Sphinx was clearly Tigeron tech. They were the only nation known to be able to create something as advanced as an AI core.

Or compressed space.

Something Isaac was sure both of which were involved in order to create something like Sphinx. Why they had created an AI however was lost on the Terran…

It was Tigeron after all that had wiped out the rogue AI that had destroyed a whole galaxy during a self duplicating virus outbreak. The Tiger fleet held no restraint in decimating the entire galaxy and everything within; destroying the galaxy star and causing a wormhole to wipe out everything inside.

Countless lives had been lost and a permanent stain had been written into the history books… As the tigers flaunted their power in front of all. To demonstrate what happened when you went against their beliefs.

And here Sphinx was, commandeering one of the Tigeron suits as his own body. Strolling through the city in broad daylight. A walking, talking war crime in the making… And Isaac was tagged up with him. As well as the blue fur spacewolf that he didn't even know where to begin with.

There were so many things Isaac needed to report when he got back home. Unsure if he could or should. What it would mean for the entire galaxy if he did…

Samson had paid for a room for them all at a local hotel. It wasn't anything fancy just enough for the travelers to get by. Getting one for himself, one for Sphinx, another for Juke and one final room for the “lovers" to share. Isaac wasn't even in the mood to deal with such a thing as he slipped away from the others and crashed for the night.

Stripping out of his new flight suit, Isaac laid there naked on the bed just looking up at the ceiling of the room. His artificial arm draped over his eyes as he let out the tension building inside with a single breath.

The door shut and Isaac didn't need to look to know Typhon had joined him after talking with the others and finishing up dinner. Something Isaac had skipped.

“Isaac." Typhon still made sure his presence was known before walking over. “Are you awake?" Typhon asked softly though his voice was loud enough to have disturbed the Terran if he had been asleep.

“I'm awake. Just. Just a lot on my mind, is all." Isaac moved his arm just enough to look at the blue and black fur canine staring at him with eyes that looked like miniature galaxies with countless stars within. The colors of his fur shifted and moved in the light, like swirls in the night sky.

The moon had come out. The only light in the room, coming through the open window as Isaac lay there in the buff.

“About?" Typhon asked undressing and placing his outfit next to Isaac's before sitting next to the bed on the floor. It was the perfect height for Isaac to scratch his head. Something the Terran ever did when he was lost in his thoughts.

“I'm not… this all…" Isaac frowned for a moment just taking a second to appreciate Typhon's company. “I'm not like you."

Typhon quirked his head at that. The canine though didn't ask directly for clarification.

“I'm a Terran. One in a countless number out there among the stars. Trillions of them… and I'm just one." Isaac brushed a hand through his red hair. “I'm part Irish. Part Chinese… different races from long ago, back home. But that's… that's common among Terran these days. All these races over the years blending together somewhat or another… there's nothing special about that. About me…"

Typhon closed his eyes as those fingers found that one spot behind his ear once more.

“I'm not like you." Isaac almost laughed at the thought. “I'm not special or unique or anything of note. I'm one random ass Terran dude in the grand scheme of things… away from home."

Typhon cracked an eye to look at Isaac still without interrupting him.

“Everything going on? Back on Xi'toss? Here now on Tigeron. With the ship, with you? With a freaking AI! It's all… it's all so much bigger than I am." Isaac bit his lip. “I'm not…" He sat up now, swinging his legs over the side. Typhon rested his head in Isaac lap as the Terran kept petting him over. “This is all way above my pay grade." Isaac just laughed.

It was a soft, weak sound without humor to it.

“My brothers should've dealt with this. Tristan would know what to do. Joey would be a better choice in a firefight… My dad…" Isaac took a second. “I need to report to the Fleet." Isaac finally just admitted.

Typhon's ears perked up, eyes opening. Still the saberwolf didn't say anything already knowing Isaac felt such way.

“But… I'm afraid too." Isaac let out his breath slowly. “This might be my one chance to do something? To be something? To make a name for myself! Instead of riding on the coattails of my family name…" He paused at that. “But I don't know if I'm able to handle all this… What it would mean for humanity! What harm would be done if I report it… what harm would be done if I don't! I just… I just don't know what to do…"

“What do you… want to do?" Typhon just asked sitting up now, placing a hand on Isaac's knee as he looked to the side. “I… I had fun today, you know." The saberwolf noted, licking over one of his long fangs nervously. “The shopping. Going to this planet. Even the firefight!" He chuckled before his smile faltered, though never fading from his face. “Seeing the sunset in the rain… with you…"

Isaac chuckled lightly at that, though he found a smile creeping onto his face.

“I'm sorry I can't be a better companion. There are plenty of other Terrans far more… more than I am." Isaac wanted to keep smiling but he couldn't find the strength too in that rare moment of weakness. “There are so many that would be better than I am, for you. To take back to Saber…"

“And if I don't want another Terran?" Typhon just asked looking back at him. The light coming from the moon outside brightened the toothy smile the canine gave him. “What if all I want is you?"

“You could do better." Isaac laughed.

“You could too." Typhon chuckled along.

“I guess we're just sort of stuck being mediocre, together, huh?" Isaac slid to the floor to sit next to Typhon. The canine's tail thumped loudly on the carpet.

“Hey, at least together… we make one semi ok person." Typhon offered as he placed a hand on top of Isaac's. He entwined their fingers together as the Terran looked down at it.

“Typhon…" Isaac started.

“I know." Typhon just smiled though. “I wish I could be more for you but… I know I'm not good enough, yet. But I will be. Someday." The saberwolf rested back against the bed. “Until then, can I… can I stay with you? Until I'm worthy to be with you?"

The Terran frowned at that, the gears slowly turning in his head until the light bulb turned on.

“Sex?" Isaac just asked bluntly making the wolf's ears splay out as he stammered a response.

“I mean, well, sort of, like that, but with, you and me in a…" Typhon was nearly hyperventilating.

“I tried to look up your biology to see if we're compatible." Isaac pulled his tablet out pulling up a diagram of the Terran biology. Showing the nervous system, veins and the like as one would see in a biology book.

“Compatible…?" Typhon was confused looking at the picture then at Isaac trying to control his breathing.

“Well, not every alien race has, well, the right genitalia." Isaac was a little warm in the face as he spoke, trying to be clinical about this. “Most can't… you know, do it. With each other. Mate. I mean, uh… sex." Isaac laughed at the end, unable to believe he was having the most basic of conversation now with the saberwolf. “I tried to look yours up. To see if we could, you know, without hurting each other…"

“I got a dick and balls!" Typhon said far louder than he needed to for the Terran, sitting directly next to him, to hear. The saberwolf ears were back and he was looking everywhere but at the smaller male. He even scooted an inch away, embarrassed with his tail tip curling.

Isaac winced at the bark but didn't mention it.

“Yeah but I just want to make sure you don't got some barbs, twin cock daggers, spiky noodle down there…" Isaac gestured with a single finger, making the wolf cross his legs. The Terran did laugh at that. Just how embarrassed the much larger male was about all this.

It was kind of adorable in fact.

“I… I don't know about any of that! Is that really a thing?" Typhon whined softly looking at the Terran with fear as if afraid Isaac would bludgeon him to death with a hammer penis or something.

“There are a LOT of aliens out there. Some are in fact dangerous to sleep with…" Isaac closed the tablet, setting it aside. He unplugged it and put the cord away behind his ear as he slide it off safely to the side. He turned to look at the saberwolf who had been watching him intently. “Typhon?"

“Y-yes…?" Typhon swallowed heavily, his throat feeling like a desert as the Terran scooted closer. Butterflies danced in his stomach as his heart pounded like thunder in his chest.

“I was wondering?" Isaac placed a hand on his chest, slowly pushing the canine back as he crawled over the larger canine to look down into his face. “Would it be too much to ask, if I could see it?" Isaac dragged his other hand, fingers open and spread to feel through Typhon's fur. All the way down to the top of his groin.

His fingers curling and swirling that colorful fur between them as the Terran smiled down at the saberwolf.

“Uh…" Typhon just said elegantly. “What?" His full face might as well have been red instead of blue in that moment as with, wide eyes, he stared at the Terran. Pleading him to explain what he meant.

“Sex." Isaac just stated with a frown. “I'm in a terrible fucking mood and I need some endorphins badly." He just laid out plain and simple. No dancing around the subject. Plainly just laying it out on the table for the alien canine. Something Isaac had been strong enough to hold back even in the past weeks.

How many late nights Isaac had ignored his boner. Unable to even fap with the snoring saberwolf next to him. Finding his only release in the shower, alone. Able to deal with that. Cope with it. Just like he'd done in the academy. Countless nights spent aching for a touch but denying himself the pleasure through sheer willpower alone.

But right now, in this moment, with fear and worry building inside… all Isaac wanted to do was get lost in the galaxy that was Typhon's body. To feel the warmth of his touch, smell that spearmint breath on his face as their sweat ran as one together as their bodies just came together under the moonlight.

“With me?" Typhon ears perked up, eyes widening.

Isaac had to roll his eyes at that, half laying on the wolf at this moment butt naked and still not getting his point across.

“Yes. With you. Will you have sex with me?" Isaac wasn't even able to finish his sentence as he was hoisted up in the saberwolf's arms and practically tossed back onto the bed. Typhon soon following after with a heavy growl.

Isaac smiled at that, laughed at that as he wrapped his arms around the saberwolf's neck and pulled him closer. Able to forget everything else in this moment.

“Let me show you how we kiss back on Terra." And Isaac did.

Pressing his wanting, aching, needy lips against the warm tender touch of Typhon as he pulled the wolf ontop of him that night. Forgetting about it all as the two lost each other in the others body's for the first time.

The rest of the world didn't matter.

The rest of the galaxy didn't exist outside this bedroom.

And the countless stars above twinkled just for them as they finally found each other under the moonlight. Under the stars. In each other's arms. To forget about everything else as they lost themselves in the other.

And all Isaac could remember was looking into those deep pools that were Typhon's eyes. Getting lost... into the stars.