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"This is unacceptable!" The Supreme Lumarian Judge cried. "Not only did you destroy every piece of evidence and usable piece of Commune technology, but you allowed your commanding general to be killed in action! Not only that, but you killed one of your own teammates in the process. You should be exiled as a traitor."

"I had a very good reason for killing that monster." Alexei replied.

"Oh? And care to explain exactly what that reason is?"

"He... he tortured me..."

"And just how did he torture you?"

"I... I don't want to-"

"Your Honour, it was his first day with the Elite Corps. The General's death couldn't be avoided."

"Was I addressing you, Captain Raiche?"

"No, sir."

"Then sit down. Well, soldier, what do you think is an appropriate punishment?"

"Beats me. I'd ask for death, but you can't give me that. Exile is out of the question. I suppose the worst you can do is keep me right here."

The judge thought about that for a long while. He smiled devilishly. "Then stay you shall do, soldier."

Alexei looked up, puzzled.

"As your punishment, I hereby grant you full charge of the entire Elite Corps. You are their new leader, Captain Alexei."

"What?" Alexei said, confused. "How can you possibly-"

"Captain Raiche," the Judge turned, "you have been demoted."

"But, sir, you can't possibly expect him to-"

"My decision is final, Lieutenant."

"This is insanity." Raiche said under his breath, frustrated.

"Excuse me, Lieutenant? I would have no problem exiling you."

Raiche sighed in frustration. "I just fail to see the logic in your decision, sir. He has no experience..."

"I didn't appoint him that role for his experience, Lieutenant." The judge slammed down his gavel. "This debate is over. You are dismissed."

A soldier approached Alexei and removed his restraints. "Congratulations, Captain."

"Yeah right," Alexei scoffed. He walked out of the large, sterile courtroom with the rest of his team. His team, he knew, resented his newly appointed position; they never liked Alexei to begin with, and now he was their leader. He knew nothing about team leadership, and cared even less.

* * *

"I don't believe this!" Raiche shouted angrily, slamming his fist into the panel. The Elite shuttle took off to their headquarters, a large space station orbiting the planet Sarbod.

"I didn't ask for this position!" Alexei shouted back.

"If you weren't such a smart-ass, this wouldn't be an issue," Jorhn cut in.

"Will you all stop this senseless bickering, children?" Graunta, the eldest of the Elites, interrupted. "He is our new leader whether you like it or not, so get used to it. In my day, boy, we did what we were told. Period."

"I don't care about what happened in 'your day'." Raiche said. 'This... this Earthling is now our leader. It's disgraceful. You'll probably end up leading us to our death."

This time, Kavhen, the youngest of the Elites, spoke up. "You don't know that, Raiche. He could end up being a great leader... perhaps even better than Garrik was."

Raiche grabbed onto Kavhen's shirt. "Hold your tongue, boy. This little shit will never be anything more than some freak."

Kavhen pushed Raiche away. "You're wrong. Alexei is not a freak and he will do fine. He'll make a better leader than you were..."

"I wasn't even Captain for a week!"

"Nevertheless, Raiche, he'll do fine."

Raiche spat and took a seat, his back turned to the lion.

Alexei sighed at sat down beside Eskelle, the chief medical officer and only female Elite, who was piloting the shuttle. He turned his head and stared into the stars. His thoughts of home, of planet Earth, were getting less and less frequent. Every day he thought less of home, and Alexei feared he would forget completely.

The shuttle finally docked and the crew got off, exiting the bay quickly. Alexei slowly dragged himself off with little enthusiasm. He traveled down the cold corridors, passing large Lumarians as he did, every one of them glaring down at him.

Alexei entered into the large hall. At the far end was a large bay window, looking down on the white planet of Sarbod. To the right was the lounge, where most Lumarians who were stationed at Sarbod went to relax and socialize. To the left was the canteen where most Lumarians went to eat, and also fraternize. Alexei slowly walked to the large bay window, staring down on the planet. He could see his team in the lounge, talking and laughing. Alexei sighed. "Well, Alexei, look what you've gotten yourself into now," he said to himself. "What a fine mess you've made..."

Alexei heard the lounge door open and he turned his head. It was Kavhen.

"Why don't you join us, Captain?"

Alexei stared back out the window. "Don't call me that."

"Then how should I address you?"

Alexei rolled his eyes. "I don't care..."

"Well, anyway, come on and join us."

"No."

"Why not?

"Why the hell should I? I don't care for any of you, and you don't care for me. Just leave me alone."

"Captain, you don't have to be alone."

"So you keep telling me."

"Then join us. Raiche was just blowing off steam on the shuttle because of his demotion."

"I don't care about Raiche. He can blow off as much steam as he wants."

Kavhen put his arm around Alexei. "We do care about you, you know."

"Yeah," Alexei laughed, pushing Kavhen away. "I can tell."

"I'm serious. The only one with a real problem is Raiche, and he's not so bad once you get to know him. We all really want to get to know you, Captain, especially now that you're our leader."

Alexei sighed. "There are some things in my life I would prefer to keep secret."

Kavhen looked down on Alexei with sympathetic eyes. "I can see a great deal of pain within you, Captain. And if history has taught us anything, it's that you can't keep that stuff bottled up..." Kavhen shrugged his shoulders and sighed, continuing back to the lounge to join his teammates.

Alexei watched as Kavhen walked away. A small part of him wanted to follow, but he forced himself not to. "I don't need them," Alexei told himself. "I don't need anyone." Alexei turned and left the hall, heading to his quarters. He continued through the halls, receiving the same disgruntled looks from the other Lumarians, until he reached his room.

Alexei's room was dark, cold, and sterile. As he walked in, he felt a sudden chill. He walked toward his bed, grabbing a small book on his way. In the corner he noticed a small spot of blood. Alexei began to feel lightheaded. He staggered forward, taking a seat on his small, hard bed, resting his head on his left paw.

Alexei felt a sudden pain in his stomach. He clenched it tightly and threw up all over the floor and his feet. "What the hell is wrong with me?" He looked over at the small spot of blood once again. It was his own blood; Alexei thought he had cleaned it all. He remembered what the blood was from. He would never forget that night; that night when the monster Lumarian, Behemoth, attacked and humiliated him. Suddenly, the spot grew larger and Alexei clambered up onto his bed, shouting. "Get away from me!" he cried. The pain was now excruciating. Alexei screamed as blood gushed out of his mouth. Alexei, barely able to open his eyes, sat up. He groaned and wiped the blood from his chin.

Suddenly, Graunta walked in. He noticed the blood and rushed over to Alexei. "What happened?"

Alexei groaned as the sharp pain pulsed. "N-nothing. I'm fine." The pain slowly subsided. Alexei was sweating profusely.

Graunta looked at the pool of vomit, then up to Alexei blood-soaked shirt. "You don't look fine. Let me take you to see-"

"No. What did you come here for?"

"Just wanted to talk to you, son."

"Don't call me 'son'. I have nothing to talk about." Alexei slumped back in his bed.

"Well, then, maybe you'll listen."

"I've had enough listening, too." Alexei covered his ears. "I want to be left alone."

"Why?"

"Huh?" Alexei lowered his paws. "What do you mean 'why'?

"Why do you always want to be alone?"

"Why the hell not?"

"You know, they say it isn't healthy to always be so detached like this. You should get out and socialize. Get to know your team."

"I don't care what they say. I like my solitude, and I thank you to leave me with it. I've been alone my entire life."

"Well, let me ask you this: how do you expect to lead a team who doesn't trust their leader?"

"I'll find a way. You'll all be fine as long as you just listen to what I say."

"And why should we listen?"

"Because I'm your captain, that's why. You wanna argue that fact, too?"

"No, I don't. We're all loyal to you, Captain, but it will be hard when there is this incredible distance between us and our leader. If you want your team to be truly loyal to you, you must show us you care. Show us that our lives are worth laying down for you. Show us that our lives really mean something to you."

Alexei sat up. "Your lives don't mean anything to me."

"Then why stay? Kill us all, then they'd throw you away. I've seen what you're capable of. You could easily escape prison and continue to live your meaningless life of transiency."

"How do you know-"

"Don't be so naive, son. The entire galaxy was hunting you, myself included. I was there on Earth when we took you. I was ordered to accompany the General to make sure everything went smoothly. Of course, once you killed him...

"Listen... the only thing keeping me here is that infinite void of space between this space station and Earth."

"Well, I am truly sorry to hear that, Captain."

Alexei stood up out of his bed and removed his blood-stained shirt. "If that's all you wanted to say, then go away. I'm tired."

"As you wish, Captain." Graunta turned his back and left Alexei's quarters.

Alexei removed his stained pants and climbed back into bed. Looking out the small window, he knew he wasn't going anywhere, as much as he wanted to. He knew Graunta was right, as much as it pained him to admit it. Alexei knew he was stuck with the Lumarian Elites and that there was little chance of him ever seeing Earth again. Alexei sighed and slowly drifted to sleep.

Alexei woke suddenly. He looked out the window and saw only half of the white planet; it was around three in the morning. Alexei, now feeling restless, climbed out of bed, stepping into the pool of vomit and blood. "Shit." Alexei wiped off his foot and continued out of his room, wearing only his shorts.

The space station was dark and mostly inactive. It wasn't quite as busy as usual.

Alexei entered into the large hall, heading toward the bay window. He stared out the large window into space and listened to the silence. Only the soothing hums and whirrs of the space station could be heard. Alexei could hear his heartbeat. He sighed loudly, then he heard the doors open behind him.

"What are you doing up?" It was Raiche.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Night shift. It's my duty to make sure everyone stays safe while you sleep."

"And your rounds just happen to include this hall?"

"My rounds include everywhere."

"Come to lecture me, too?"

"No. And while I don't agree with the judge's sentence, I am still loyal to you. I thought you should know that."

"That's all I've been hearing."

"So, why are you so hostile?"

"Hostile? Don't you lecture me about hostility."

"I am willing to open myself to you, Captain. We all are. But you... You keep it all inside. Why don't you tell us about yourself? About your past, your family, your home..."

"How dare you even mention my home. It's because of you it's all gone."

"It must be painful to loose all you've ever had, and I won't pretend to understand how you feel. But know that I am willing to listen to you. We are all willing."

"I don't give a shit about any of you."

"Tell me, where did you get that scar?" Raiche touched the large scar on Alexei's left shoulder.

Alexei turned and batted Raiche's arm away. "Don't touch me."

Raiche sighed. "Well, I tried. I have nothing left to say to you. I've got to get going on my rounds now, so I hope you'll think about what I've said, Captain." Raiche turned and left the hall.

Alexei fell to his knees and cradled himself in his arms. A tear ran down his face. Alexei collapsed to the cold metal floor and eventually he fell asleep.

* * *

"Captain? Captain!"

Alexei could hear and feel hard footsteps stomping toward him. He then felt his flaccid body being pushed and moved around. Then, a large hand on his chest and fingers on his neck.

"He's still alive. Help me get him to the infirmary!" It was Eskelle.

Suddenly, Alexei felt all sorts of hands. He opened his eyes.

"Sir, are you alright? What happened?"

"I'm fine. Get your damn paws off me."

Eskelle, Jorhn, and Kavhen let down Alexei softly.

Alexei sat up.

"Why were you sleeping out here?" Jorhn asked.

"Never mind. Now go away." Alexei stood up. He saw as Raiche and Graunta entered the hall, soon joining their team.

"What's going on here? Why is the Captain not wearing his clothes?" Graunta asked.

"We found the Captain lying out here. I guess he didn't quite make it to his quarters."

"I'm fine. Everyone just leave me alone."

"C'mon get breakfast with us." Eskelle suggested.

"I'd rather-"

"Of course you will," Jorhn laughed, putting his arm around Alexei.

Alexei grabbed Jorhn's arm. "Don't touch m- "

"We've heard it a hundred times, Captain. But you're coming whether you like it or not."

The five large Lumarians laughed and dragged the small lion into the canteen. They sat him down at a table and waited for their food. They ordered Alexei whatever it was they were having.

"This shit had better not kill me..." Alexei said.

The five Elites looked at the lion in anticipation.

Alexei looked up. "What?"

"I think you know what," Graunta replied.

Alexei sighed and lowered his head. "You know I don't like talking about my past."

"Well, at least tell us how you got all those scars. There's dozens of them; you must have some interesting stories to tell."

"How the hell do you think I got them, asshole?"

"Alright, fair enough. Just for the record, though, the only time Lumarians ever attacked Earth was when we took you."

"Puh. You're all the same to me."

"You can't hold a grudge against us, Captain," Graunta said. "You came with us willingly."

"Willingly? You threatened to kill my friend!"

"Nevertheless, you came with us, and we left your friend alive. We had no control over the previous dozen or so aliens who came after you."

"It was a lot more than a dozen. Try hundreds. For ten years I had been avoiding you monsters, and now you have me. Now I'm in charge of the lot of you... the thought sickens me... Kaelin would be ashamed."

"Who's Kaelin?" Jorhn asked.

"Fuck you. It doesn't matter now, anyway."

"You cared for him greatly, didn't you?" Kavhen cut in.

Alexei looked up at Kavhen. "Yeah, I did. I... I loved him. I still love him."

The five stared at their Captain.

Jorhn blurted out, "So, are you telling us you're g-"

"Yeah, I am. You got a problem with that?"

"N-no. I just wanted to make sure..."

Alexei glared at Jorhn. The food finally arrived, and Alexei, feeling somewhat adventurous, tried a small amount of the greenish, grub-like substance. Finding it surprisingly appetizing, Alexei quickly ate the rest.

Eskelle, only half done, turned to Alexei. "So, tell us about Kaelin? What was he like?"

"He was my best friend and soul mate." Alexei closed his eyes. "He taught me what it means to be alive again..." Tears formed in Alexei's eyes and he choked up. "I... I can't..."

"Alright, son, we won't press it." Graunta assured Alexei. "We've got to get to training, soon, anyway. C'mon."

The five stood up and walked to the door.

Alexei rose slowly and followed behind. The training room was a large bare room with various weapons along the walls, as well as different apparatuses with which to train. Most of it was stuff Alexei had never seen before. "So, what are we supposed to do?"

"What do you think?" Raiche spat.

"I don't know. How do you train?"

Raiche sighed. He said, under his breath, "If I was leader..."

"Why don't you run laps?" Alexei suggested. "That should eat up some time."

"How many?" Jorhn asked.

"Until I tell you to stop. And if you don't like it, tough shit. You'll do more."

The Elites started running laps around the large room, and quickly Alexei joined them. "Feeling tired?" He said to Raiche, panting. "I'm not. Pick up those giant feet of yours."

After about an hour, Alexei decided it was enough. The five Elites were tired and sweaty.

"Well, that was fun, wasn't it? I don't care what you do now, just do something. Show me you've got what it takes to be on my team." Alexei laughed.

The Lumarians glared at Alexei.

"How about some sparing," Raiche said quietly.

"That sounds like a good idea."

"Wha-? No, I wasn't serious. I was just-"

"You'll go first, Raiche. Attack me with whatever you've got. If you can lay a fist on me, you win." Alexei stepped forward.

"But I..." Raiche sighed and got into position as the other four backed off. He stared Alexei in the eyes.

Alexei held out his paw and gestured for Raiche to attack.

Raiche took a large step forward and punched toward Alexei.

Alexei swiftly moved Raiche's arm out of the way and countered with a punch to the Lumarian's gut. "You're gonna have to be faster than that."

Raiche looked up and quickly swung his massive arm.

Alexei bent back and dodged the attack. He bent back again to dodge another. He took a step back then twirled around, avoiding each of Raiche's attacks with ease. He spun around and elbowed Raiche in the spine, then grabbed onto the Elite's tail and swung him into the wall.

Various weapons fell off the small shelves and onto Raiche.

Raiche groaned and looked up.

Alexei was standing calmly in the centre of the sparing mat.

"You're too fast..."

"Am I? Maybe you're just too slow."

"Nobody can move that fast."

"If life has taught me anything, it's that you should expect nothing from your enemies." Alexei spun around and grabbed onto a large staff that had been thrust down on him by Jorhn. He looked Jorhn in the eyes. "Nice try." Alexei pulled the staff out of the Lumarian's hands. He threw the staff to the side and pointed, "Jorhn, Eskelle, and Kavhen. All of you attack me at once. Let's see who can hit me first."

At once, the three attacked Alexei.

Alexei blocked Eskelle's punch with his left paw, then ducked to avoid Jorhn's high-kick. He pushed Eskelle forward and swung around to block Kavhen's fists. Alexei moved his head to the left as Jorhn's massive hand flew by his head. He pushed Kavhen away and dodged to the right, Eskelle's fists slamming into the mats. Alexei stood up straight and quickly blocked Kavhen's punch to the left, then Eskelle's to the right. He grabbed onto Jorhn's kicking leg and threw him to the floor. Alexei lunged forward, knocking Eskelle over. He turned and blocked Kavhen's punch, then again, and again.

Kavhen's jabs were quick and precise, however Alexei blocked and dodged each one. He slowly backed the lion into the wall. Kavhen attacked with his knee, much to Alexei's surprise.

Alexei nimbly dodged to the left, kicking himself off the wall to avoid Jorhn's attack. He rolled and got to his feet. He turned around only to be greeted with a giant fist in his right cheek.

Alexei staggered to the left, now glaring at Kavhen. He growled and lunged forward. Alexei struck Kavhen precisely on his right cheek, then his left, then his right again. Before Kavhen could recover, Alexei slammed him into the wall with a hard elbow to the gut.

Graunta and Raiche stepped forward and held Alexei back.

"You got him!" Raiche shouted. "You can stop now."

Alexei pulled back his arms and wiped the blood off his mouth, panting heavily. "I guess I just got carried away..." Alexei held out his paw and helped the injured Lumarian to his feet. "Sorry about that... Excellent job. There aren't too many who can hit me so precisely. Are you going to be alright?"

Kavhen tried a smile. "Y-yeah. I'll be fine. You're a tough target to hit."

Alexei smiled.

Suddenly, a Lumarian rushed in holding a long piece of paper. He said, panting, "We just got word that the capitol-state of Grickon on planet Grassia-5 is under siege by Commune forces. They request immediate reinforcements ASAP. Actually... they requested you, specifically..."

"Thanks," Raiche said. He turned to Alexei. "What do you think? Sounds kinda odd, doesn't it? May be an ambush..."

Alexei scratched his chin. "I say we go. And if it's an ambush, it's an ambush. We can handle ourselves, can't we?"

"Not against an army of Commune we can't," Jorhn said, thinking for a moment. "Well, I'm sure you can..."

Alexei glared at Jorhn. "We're going whether you like it or not. If you get killed, then you don't deserve to be on my team."

The five stared at Alexei for a moment.

"Get moving!" Alexei snapped. He ran, with the Lumarians, into the next room and gathered his gear. He quickly pulled on his light armour and grabbed a long metal staff from the wall and stuck it to his back.

The Lumarians, also in their armour, gathered their ammunition and weapons. Within moments, they were armed and ready, heading for the shuttle.

Once the team had gathered inside, the shuttle took off immediately.

Raiche looked back from the co-pilot's seat. "It'll be approximately ten minutes until we reach Grassia-5's atmosphere."

"Ten minutes? In battle, ten minutes is an eternity," Alexei muttered. "They'll all be dead by the time we get there."

They all looked over at Alexei.

"Always the optimist," Jorhn remarked.

"I'm a realist."

The five Lumarians glanced at each other, then down at their guns. They shifted around nervously, listening to only the loud hum of the shuttle. As the shuttle rushed toward the planet, the tension rose. They knew what to expect, despite trying to convince themselves otherwise. They knew if a battle had actually occurred, the Commune would have been swift and unforgiving; a wave of destruction known only as the Commune will have devastated the city in one fell swoop.

Alexei sat calmly and confidently. He knew very well what to expect; fear was not an obstacle for the lion.

Suddenly, the shuttle began to shake. "We're entering Grassia's stratosphere now. We will be within the troposphere in approximately sixty seconds," Raiche reported.

Graunta looked up. "You ready, boys?"

Jorhn laughed. "Ready for what, exactly?"

"For anything, smart-ass," Eskelle smiled.

Jorhn sighed. He bounced his foot with nervousness.

Alexei turned to Jorhn. "You've got nothing to be nervous about. You're the best soldiers in the Lumarian fleet. Death is not an option."

"Speak for yourself!" Raiche blurted out from the co-pilot's seat. "You're the one with the so-called 'powers'. Why the hell do you need us?"

Alexei glared at Raiche with narrowed eyes. "'Why', indeed."

"Hey, keep your eyes on the monitor," Graunta shouted.

Raiche sighed and slumped back in his chair. "We have now entered Grassia's troposphere. We will reach the capitol-state Grickon in fifteen seconds."

The Lumarians readied their weapons.

Finally, the shuttle touched down in Grickon's centre. The six Elites emerged from the ship, looking around at the dead-quiet.

Kavhen walked forward, beside Alexei. He said, quietly, "It doesn't look like they've even been here."

The streets were quiet, and not a soul could be seen. The pale facades of the stone-like dwellings were weathered but remained unscarred.

Alexei held his nose in the air and concentrated. He couldn't sense any presence of life. "I don't get it..." he said.

"What is it?" Kavhen asked.

"I don't feel any life signs... nothing Lumarian."

"How is that possible? The buildings haven't even been touched."

"In all my years, kid, I ain't never seen anything quite this spooky. It's a bit of a ghost town..." Graunta uttered.

Raiche lowered his weapon. "This doesn't make any sense! What the hell are we doing here?" Raiche kicked a nearby trash can and garbage flew all over.

Kavhen sighed. "It's completely abandoned," he muttered to himself.

Graunta looked up. "You don't actually think..."

"It's possible," Jorhn remarked. "But then why are we just hearing about it now? Why would we just leave a perfectly good planet?"

"It could've been anything," Eskelle placed her arm around Jorhn's neck. "I've heard of a few places where viral outbreaks ravaged the entire planet, killing everything. The atmosphere stays perfectly intact while time and weather erodes everything away. Soon enough you get a desert planet. How do you think War Planet was made?"

"So, what happens to the virus?" Kavhen asked.

"With nothing to feed on, it just dies off."

"So, the virus could still be here?"

"It's just a theory, junior. Like I said, it could have been anything."

Alexei wandered off, looking around. "Where are you?" he said to himself. Alexei could feel something peculiar hanging in the air, but he couldn't figure out what. He looked up in awe at the massive facade of the City Hall. He walked up the steps slowly, still looking around. There was a large notice on the door and he rushed toward it. "Hey, get over here!" he shouted to the Lumarians.

The five rushed up the steps to join their Captain.

"Someone read this."

Graunta stepped forward and scanned the notice. "Well, Eskelle was half right. This is a Notice of Segregation. Apparently a deadly virus - the Crast Virus, named after its creator - broke out and they quarantined the entire city. I guess the rest of the planet got scared and left."

"Why would they leave the entire planet?" Kavhen asked.

"It's a small planet, Kavhen. There probably aren't too many cities outside Grickon. I would guess more than half the planet's population were killed off in this city alone."

"That's horrible..."

"Alright," Alexei cut it, "I don't care about this planet."

"You don't care about anything," Raiche muttered.

"Hey, we don't need this-"

"No, he's absolutely right, Kavhen. I don't care. And I thought we've already been through this..."

"How can you say that?" Kavhen whimpered.

"I don't care about this planet, I don't care about this fucking team, and I don't care about you. That's how I can say it."

Raiche cut it, poking Alexei in the chest. "Listen, asshole, you may hate being here with us, but you've got to start treating us with a little more respect!"

"Why the hell should I?"

Raiche sighed. "It's like talking to a fucking brick wall."

Graunta placed a hand on Raiche's shoulder. "C'mon, there's no point in arguing. Let's head back to the shuttle."

"Hold on a second," Alexei said.

Raiche turned and scowled at Alexei. "What is it now?"

"We can't go."

"Why not? There's no point in being here."

"That's just it. Why would we get a distress call from an abandoned planet?"

"I don't know. It could have been a delayed audio recording."

"No. That doesn't make any sense."

"What do you know, anyway?"

"He's right, Raiche," Eskelle said. "A viral outbreak isn't cause for an SOS. Whoever sent the signal had to have sent it within the last twenty-four hours."

"Well, then who sent it?"

"That, I don't know."

"The Commune," Alexei said.

"How the hell do you know?" Raiche demanded.

"Because... I know. I can feel them."

"Give me a break. It's probably just indigestion."

"I know the feeling!" Alexei shouted. "They're here. I know they are."

"What would they be doing all the way out here, anyway?" Kavhen asked.

"Who cares? Let's just get on the shuttle and leave them be," Jorhn suggested. "If the place was abandoned, then what does it matter who's here? I mean, if it was an ambush, then what are they waiting for?"

"Good question," Alexei said. He started down the stairs and back onto the street, followed by the Elites. "I'm here!" he shouted. "If you want me, come get me!"

The streets remained silent.

Suddenly, a booming voice shattered the silence. "So, I finally get to meet the great Warrior." An army of Commune then emerged from the dark orifices of the surrounding architecture. They had the Elites surrounded.

The five Lumarians held up their weapons. Alexei stood still.

From within the crowd of Commune, their large commander rose. The commander was very tall and very well built. There was something familiar about this Commander. "I never thought it would take this long to find you, but when I heard you had joined these repulsive beasts, I knew my time was nigh. I would get my revenge..."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Stone. We have never met before, but you have met my brother. Does the name Graves ring a bell?"

Alexei was instantly filled with rage. He could still feel the heat and the pain from that day ten years ago. "So you've come to pay me back for your brothers' defeat? I took him down, and I can do the same with you."

"Don't underestimate your enemies, lion. My brother was a paragon of strength and pride. But that day... that day you destroyed him. He came back so despondent and broken, let alone his missing appendages. He was weak and he was humiliated. He went mad after his surgery. He left the Commune shortly after and no one has seen him since, and I have you to thank for that."

"He deserves much, much worse, you vile piece of shit."

The enemy commander growled. As he stepped forward, the Elites held up their weapons. "Call off your dogs, lion. This is between you and me."

Alexei held up his paw, signaling his men to back down. He said, with hatred, "I couldn't agree with you more."

Stone galloped forward. He thrust his hard knee into Alexei's gut.

Alexei skidded back, still on his feet. He looked up and snarled. He dashed forward and leapt into the air, avoiding Stone's whip-like tail. He slammed down, Stone nimbly dodging the lion. Alexei looked up and jumped back, Stone's massive tail smashing the cobblestone beneath him. Alexei landed lightly on his feet. He looked up at Stone, panting. "You're faster than I expected."

"I'm just getting started." Stone rushed Alexei, slamming him into the ground.

Alexei looked up and shook his head. He was met with a boney knee to his face. Alexei slid back another ten feet, his nose bleeding. Alexei opened his eyes and noticed Graunta holding Kavhen back. Alexei smiled as he shakily got to his feet.

Stone walked calmly up to Alexei, grinning confidently, his razor-sharp teeth bared.

Alexei dashed forward and swung at Stone.

Stone held up his large clawed hand and grabbed a tight hold of Alexei's left paw. He swung Alexei back then slammed the lion into the ground, cracking the stone below. He held the limp lion up to his face, smiling fiercely. Stone quickly wiped his smile away as he slammed Alexei into the ground again. He then threw the lion far behind him.

Alexei bounced and rolled along the hard ground. He groaned and shakily got to his paws and knees.

"Persistent little lion, aren't you?" Stone teased. He picked up the lion by the waist. "Is that the best you've got?"

Alexei swiped his claws at Stone's face.

Stone, although incised and bleeding, didn't move. He simply smiled. He took hold of Alexei's left arm and once again, slammed the lion into the ground. Still holding onto Alexei's arm, Stone placed his heavy clawed foot on Alexei's chest. "Now I will take from you which you took from my brother." With that, Stone began to pull hard on Alexei's arm.

Alexei let out a terrifying scream. He pulled desperately to free his arm, but it was useless. He felt as every bone in his wrist shattered from Stone's powerful grip. He could hear the Commune army cheering on their commander, and his own team crying out. He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as the bones started to separate.

Stone put his foot on Alexei's shoulder, crushing it.

Alexei cried out in pain. His arm burned as he tried to pull it back, and the burning only became worse as the muscles became more and more fatigued. Alexei heard a familiar tearing sound as he felt his own warm blood pour down his arm. He then heard bones cracking and more flesh tearing. He screamed horrifically as his biceps were ripped in half and as his humerus painfully slid out. Blood sprayed out of his nub-like arm as Alexei thrashed about, clenching his massive wound. All Alexei could see was a chaotic battle above him, and Stone waving his own bloody arm about like it was a trophy. Alexei could still feel Stone's heavy foot on his chest, and he saw his troops as they became engulfed in Commune soldiers. Alexei felt very cold and numb as everything started to go black. He drifted off into darkness, feeling a strange sense of serenity and anxiousness. Alexei soon felt a great fire burning in his heart, and he knew this wasn't his time. And yet he continued to sink.

* * *

Alexei woke feeling very weak and very tired. He could feel something pinching his left arm, but he couldn't look. He opened his eyes and was met with a bright light. Alexei groaned. He then felt a warm paw on his bare chest. He looked to his right and saw Kaelin smiling down on him. Alexei lifted his right arm and caressed the roo's face.

Kaelin held Alexei's paw tight, holding it to his chest, still smiling.

"I've missed you..." Alexei said quietly.

Kaelin continued to smile.

Alexei let out a contented sigh and lay back his head, closing his eyes. When he looked up again, he looked deep into Kavhen's large, dark eyes. "Kaelin..."

"He's coming to," Kavhen said. "How are you feeling, Captain?"

"Tired... so tired... what happened?"

Suddenly, Jorhn appeared. "Oh man, it was insane!"

"Hey," Eskelle said, "give the Captain some space. He's still a big groggy."

Alexei sat up, rubbing his head with his right paw. He was in the infirmary surrounded by his worried teammates. "What... happened?"

Jorhn started, excitedly, "Well, after the Commune commander was done throwing you around like a rag-doll, you were just lying there bleeding all over. Then all his men attacked us at once and we fought them off as best we could, but we were outnumbered big time. They backed us into a corner and just when we thought we were all toast, you sprang back to life."

"Why... why don't I remember any of this?"

"Beats me," Raiche said, "But you were floating there above the crowd just staring down, blood just flowing out of you... Even I was scared for my life."

"I don't know what it was, boy, but something brought you back from the dead, and you had the devil's own eyes," Graunta said.

"So, what happened after that?"

Jorhn continued, "Well, we all sort of looked at you, most of us probably pissing ourselves. I mean, we thought you were dead. Not only that, though, but there was something flowing out of you... it's hard to explain. We could just feel this almost overwhelming sense of power... You let out this terrible scream then all hell broke loose."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you slammed down on a Commune soldier and just popped him like a zit... you stood there for a second in this bloody mush, then like lightning you struck everything around you, tearing it apart. You were jumping in the air doing back kicks, punches, everything. It was like every living soul was frozen in time and you were simply hacking them to pieces with your bare paws... it was horrifying. You eventually stopped, soaked in blood, and collapsed. The Commune didn't move, so we picked you up and dragged you to the shuttle and got the hell out of there."

"I have never seen anything quite like it," Graunta commented. "You've got a frightening power within you, Captain, and today you showed us just what you can do."

"I... I'm so sorry... I had no idea what had happened. Everything just went dark and then I was here."

"What's amazing, too, is, you did it with only one arm," Jorhn pointed out.

Everyone looked over at Jorhn.

"One... one arm?"

"What, you didn't feel it? The commander tore it right off you! I never heard anyone scream so loud."

Eskelle smacked Jorhn.

"What? I was just-"

"My arm!" Alexei cried out in horror."What the fuck is this thing?"

Eskelle cut in, "It's a prosthetic arm. It's completely mechanical and should be able to function just as well as before."

"Hey, who ever said the Commune was good for nothing?" Jorhn laughed nervously.

The others whipped their heads toward Jorhn. Eskelle barked quietly, "Are you insane? Why did you have to tell him-"

"This... this is Commune technology?"

Eskelle sighed. "I'm sorry, Captain, but we had no choice. Your real arm was so badly damaged, we could reattach it. I had no choice but to use this prosthetic limb. The technology was taken from an old Commune medical facility, but I can assure you-"

"Oh, God..." Alexei covered his mouth. "I think I'm going to be sick..." Alexei leaned over the side of the operating table and disgorged all over the floor. Alexei wiped his mouth and groaned. He shut his eyes tightly. "Get this thing off me," he said madly. Alexei grabbed onto the mechanical arm and pulled on it, trying desperately to tear it off. "Get this fucking thing off me!"

"Sir, you can't! It's integrated too deeply into your system. Removing it now would destroy half the nerves in your body."

Alexei started to cry. He held his right paw over his face and wept. Kavhen rubbed Alexei's back to comfort him. Alexei continued to weep.

Hours later, Alexei made his way back to his quarters, severely depressed. He sat on his bed in only his shorts, staring out the window. He looked down at his new arm in disgust, feeling sick once again. Alexei shut his eyes tightly. He looked down at his chest and rubbed the large scar running across his chest with his right paw. He remembered how he had gotten it... It happened when he was fifteen years old. A rather large bounty hunter had pinned Alexei against the wall, and with the hopes of weakening the lion, the bounty hunter had taken out his knife and slowly cut a large incision down from Alexei's left shoulder, across his chest, down his abdomen and ending just at his waist. Even then, Alexei hadn't given up. He never surrendered, never let himself fall.

Suddenly, Alexei's thoughts were interrupted by a loud knocking at his door.

Alexei stayed quiet as the knocking persisted.

The doors then opened and in walked Kavhen.

Alexei looked up at the Lumarian. "What do you want?"

"We're all hanging out in the lounge if you want to join us. If you want my opinion-"

"I don't."

"Well... I think you should come anyway."

"If I didn't want to join you before, why would I want to join you now? Just leave me alone."

Kavhen walked in further. "I know you've been through a lot today... Probably too much for one person to handle, but it might make you feel better to talk about it. We're all worried about you."

"Oh, I'll bet you are."

Kavhen took a seat beside Alexei. "I was really scared yesterday. I thought we had lost you for good this time."

"I told you I didn't want to talk about it."

"Then, when you came back from the dead, you weren't the same Captain. You were something much more terrifying."

"Please, leave me alone."

Kavhen turned to Alexei and grabbed his paws. He said, with a tear in his eye, "I don't want to lose you, Captain."

Alexei looked deep into Kavhen's eyes.

"Please tell me, Captain, why do you feel so much anger toward the Commune, or anyone? I have never seen anyone harbor such strong feelings toward them before. What did they do to you?"

Alexei lowered his head. "They... they destroyed my life."

"How?"

Alexei sighed. "Ten years ago, when I was just a boy, they came looking for me. They were the first ones, I suppose, who wanted to collect the bounty. They came down and tore my village apart and slaughtered my family and my friends right in front of me. I can still feel their blood on my face and the heat of the burning buildings... I will never forgive them."

"I'm so sorry." Kavhen caressed Alexei's back.

Alexei looked up and faked a smile. He placed a paw on Kavhen's thigh.

The two looked deep into their eyes as their lips inched slowly together. Their lips finally met and the two kissed passionately for a but a moment. At once, they pulled themselves apart, staring at each other.

Alexei felt a certain warmth in his heart that he hadn't felt for a long time. As when he was dying on the battlefield, Alexei felt at peace. He continued to stare into Kavhen's dark eyes. He placed both paws on Kavhen's waist and caressed him slowly, carefully beginning to remove Kavhen's dark green tank top. He looked down at the monstrosity on his left arm and cringed.

"It's alright," Kavhen reassured, placing his large arms around Alexei's shoulders. "Everything will be fine."

"I don't know if I can touch you with this thing..."

Kavhen grabbed onto Alexei's awkward mechanical wrist and placed it back on his waist. "I don't mind at all..."

Alexei wrapped his arms around the Lumarian.

Kavhen caressed the lion. After a long moment, he pulled himself away, smiling down at Alexei.

Alexei returned the favour and once again worked Kavhen's clothes. He pulled the shirt over Alexei's head and large flaccid horns. He held Kavhen's shirt in his metal claw for a moment, then threw it aside. Alexei rubbed his paw across Kavhen's smooth, muscular chest. For once in a very long time, his soul felt spry and full of life.

Kavhen's skin seemed to almost to shimmer all over, reflecting the buzzing flourescent lights and the stars and large white planet outside the window. It was beautifully eerie.

Alexei stared at Kavhen's chest, lost in the luminous glow. "You are so beautiful..." Alexei whispered, pressing himself against the Lumarian. He felt a tenderness within him that he had only ever felt once before.

Kavhen held Alexei for a moment, then stood off the bed and turned away from the bed, beginning to slowly remove his baggy pants.

Alexei stared in awe, starting to remove his own.

Kavhen, his pants in his hands, turned back to face Alexei. He said in a shy voice, "How should we do this?"

"I don't know... however you want."

Kavhen threw away pants and crawled onto Alexei's bed, positioning himself atop the lion. He looked down into Alexei's eyes and kissed him softly.

Alexei let himself go limp and submitted to the Lumarian. As he gently kissed Kavhen, he could feel himself getting hard.

Kavhen took notice and smiled, he himself becoming more firm. Kavhen leaned up, kneeling between Alexei's outspread legs. He placed his hands on Alexei's knees and lowered his head, his nostrils blowing warm air on Alexei's engorging member.

Alexei looked down and laughed.

Kavhen giggled as he teased Alexei's fuzzy balls with his short muzzle. He opened his mouth and stuck out his wet tongue, caressing Alexei's cock with it. Moments later, he slid his lips right over and got a taste of Alexei's sweet precum.

Alexei groaned at this new and strange sensation; it was warm and moist but oddly pleasant. His tingling organ was suddenly enveloped in a small yet powerful wet muscle, massaging his throbbing cock all over.

Moments later, Kavhen lifted his head, smiling.

Alexei looked up, panting. "That was incredible," he said, resting down his head. "Why'd you stop?"

Kavhen laughed. He placed his hands on Alexei's legs and lifted them over his shoulder. He was now propping the lion up with his hands under his rump and lower back. He looked down at Alexei's tailhole and stroked it with his left hand. "Hmm. Tight fit... This is probably going to hurt a bit, Captain."

Alexei looked up at Kavhen's cock with surprise. When fully erect, it was large and almost intimidating. The base was quite thick and tapered slightly toward the end. It shimmered a beautiful pinkish colour which contrasted against Kavhen's luminescent body.

Suddenly, Alexei saw flashes of the giant Lumarian, Behemoth. He shut his eyes tightly.

"Is everything alright?"

Alexei opened his eyes. "Y-yeah. Everything's fine."

"We don't have to..."

"No, I'm good. Keep going."

Kavhen positioned himself behind Alexei's tailhole, pressing his cock gently onto the orifice. "Here I go..." he said quietly. Kavhen very slowly inserted his large member into Alexei's tailhole.

Alexei groaned and started breathing heavily. He could feel Kavhen slowly moving through his body, stretching his bowels as he did. It hurt a lot, but Alexei knew he could bear it. He had before. Alexei gripped the side of the bed as Kavhen made his way up, bearing his teeth. The pain was almost unbearable, but Alexei had to remain strong. Alexei continued to writhe and groan until eventually Kavhen stopped.

"How's this?" Kavhen asked.

"Is it all the way in?" Alexei asked, nearly breathless.

Kavhen nodded.

Alexei laughed, sweating intensely.

Kavhen smiled and started to remove himself. Before he had completely removed his cock, Kavhen pulled Alexei in closer, thrusting upward.

Alexei shouted loudly as Kavhen stretched his bowels. The pain was still excruciating, and yet it had a certain pleasure to it. It was indescribable, the sensation Alexei felt, but either way he enjoyed it immensely. Alexei continued to squirm about, still clenching the side of the bed.

Kavhen was now moving much quicker, groaning himself. His entire body was dripping beads of sweat, his arms especially from holding up Alexei. His arms were tired but that only excited him.

The pain in Alexei's tailhole soon disappeared and was replaced with a bizarre sense of pleasure. He felt the large cock and he recognized the searing pain, but it felt unbelievably good. Alexei grabbed his own cock with his right paw and rubbed it slowly. Kavhen's organ seemed to intensify the pleasure with each thrust, and Alexei was in complete bliss.

The pair worked and moved their bodies as one entity, sharing their warmth and their passions. At that moment, they were one, a particular aura flowing out of them. Nothing in the galaxy could break the two apart.

Kavhen started to trust harder and harder. He shut his eyes and still continued to work Alexei's bowels. He removed his hands from under Alexei and stroked the lion's thighs, moving his right fingers over a large scar. This aroused the Lumarian greatly. He opened his eyes and stared down at Alexei's furry chest, which was covered in small scars, as well as the one large one across his chest and midriff.

Alexei stroked his cock rapidly. With Kavhen's incredible organ massaging and pounding his insides, as well as his soft hands now caressing his sensitive thighs and scars, Alexei was close to climaxing. He could feel it approaching in amongst his extreme ecstacy. Then, like an explosion, Alexei's hot seed burst out of him, his cock throbbing with a sharp pleasure. The spooge sprayed onto his chest and his chin, much to Alexei's surprise.

Kavhen laughed slightly between breaths. He, too, could sense his climax approaching.

Alexei now moved his paw slower and focused on the sensation as his seed continued to pour out. Alexei let out a long, satisfied moan as he slowly became more flaccid. He could still feel Kavhen pounding away at his tailhole, keep his cock at least somewhat alive. But suddenly, from out of nowhere, Alexei started to see more images of Behemoth. Again and again, bright flashes poured into his mind. He released his cock as he saw the giant Lumarian molest and rape his body. Alexei shut his eyes and squirmed about. "Stop it..." he whimpered. "Don't touch me!"

"Captain," Kavhen struggled. "Is something wrong?"

Alexei opened his eyes, breathing frantically.

Kavhen kept himself in the same position, not certain if he should remove himself. "What's the matter?"

Alexei's complexion was cold and pale. He looked at Kavhen with horror-stricken eyes, shivering. He tried to push himself away.

Kavhen placed his hands under Alexei's rump and removed himself gingerly, his cock still throbbing. He got up off the bed and leaned over Alexei, placing a hand on the lion's head. "Are you alright?"

"Just... just get away from me," Alexei said, quivering.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"I can't... I can't continue. I can't get him out of my head!"

"Who? Who is it?"

"B... Behemoth."

"Behemoth? Is it because you killed him?"

"No!" Alexei spat. " It's because he..." Alexei became choked up.

"What is it?" Kavhen said quietly.

"He... he raped me... Right there, on the floor."

"My God... why didn't you tell anyone? How come you didn't stop him?"

"I couldn't!" Alexei cried. "I tried but I couldn't. I just lay there and let him abuse me..." Alexei looked over at Kavhen with tears running down his face. He looked straight into Kavhen's still-hard organ and he suddenly grabbed it with his left hand.

Kavhen gasped as the frigid claw gripped his pink flesh. "W-what're you doing?"

"I'm sorry," Alexei said. "I'm sorry you couldn't finish..."

Kavhen placed his hands on the metal arm. "Don't apologize. If it's too painful, we don't have to continue..."

"But I want to..." Alexei wept. "I want to make you happy."

Kavhen slowly removed the metal paw. He sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his large arms around Alexei, holding him close.

The two embraced for what seemed like hours. Shortly after, Kavhen climbed onto the bed and lay beside his Captain, one arm across Alexei's chest. "It's okay," he said. "We don't have to rush anything. We can try again when you're ready."

Alexei smiled and nodded. He suddenly felt exhausted. He said, shutting his eyes, "Will you stay here with me? Just for tonight? I... I don't want to be alone."

Kavhen smiled warmly. "Of course I will, Captain. I'll always be here for you."

The two snuggled close together, once again sharing their warmth. Alexei lay there, deep in thought. He thought of Earth, mostly, and all he had left behind. He remembered his family and friends, and the multitude of trials and tribulations he had faced alone... always alone. But most of all, Alexei remembered Kaelin. He remembered the compassion they had shared those many, many nights ago. And yet, for some reason, lying in bed beside Kavhen, none of it even mattered anymore. They were all simply afterthoughts of a life left behind. Alexei was finally moving on.

Eventually the pair fell asleep close together. Alexei's heart had finally felt peace as he gave his body and soul to his friend Kavhen. For once, Alexei truly felt at home with the Lumarians, and he never wanted to lose that.