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Chapter 1

Present Day

"Cargo 1726, this is IGSP 14, please Identify."

"Captain, we're being hailed."

"I'm pretty tied up at the moment Higgins, handle it!"

"Cargo 1726, this is Intergalactic Space Patrol 14. You are jamming identifiers, please identify and state your intentions."

"Captain, it's IGSP."

"Fuck! I'll be right there!"

"Retrieving captain please standby, Cargo 1726."

"IGSP 14, this is Captain Lynch, go ahead 1726."

"Cargo 1726, please identify."

"Damn glad you found us! Identity is planetary imperial, declaring emergency and requesting assistance, 1726."

"What is the nature of the emergency?"

"Medical, mechanical, security and coroner. We are also running low on oxygen and power. 1726."

"Standby."

"Cargo 1726, declare souls."

"15 souls, 7 deceased, 4 need medical assistance. 1726."

"Set heading to 87.56, 45.23, 34.78 and decelerate to zero in seven units. ETA is six minutes. Change to frequency 167.34.25 for docking instructions. IGSP 14."

"Heading 87.56, 45.23, 34.78, decelerating to zero in seven units. Moving to frequency 167.34.25, Cargo 1726."

The captain switched the communication frequency to speak to the dock.

"IGSP dock, this is Cargo 1726."

"Cargo 1726, medical on standby, please prepare to dock in bay 26. Captain Lynch, you will need to debrief Colonel Gibbons at once."

"Bay 26, 1726."

* * *

"Captain Lynch?"

"Yes sir, but in occupation, not yet in rank. Colonel Gibbons I presume?"

"You presume correctly" Colonel Gibbons said condescendingly as he sat down at the table across from Captain Lynch.

'Sheesh, what an ass' thought Lynch.

"Might I ask why you were attempting to jam signals and declaring a cargo craft when you're clearly in a class 7 combat support? I assume you understand the brevity of this situation, Captain?"

'Damn, really an ass.'

"Yes sir I do. However, if you check our passengers and personnel, I'm sure you will see for yourself that we had imperials onboard. Imperials that were supposed to be en route to the Galactic Commission."

"Are you getting smart with me Lynch?"

"No sir, feel free to have a look yourself."

The colonel glanced through the list, finding the captain to be truthful. "Why are they not still heading to the Commission?"

"Well sir, as I'm sure you can tell from our casualties and mechanical condition, everything went to shit."

"I'm aware but I'm gonna need more details than that captain."

* * *

Nine Years Prior

"You're looking great tonight babe. I still don't know how I ever married such a handsome man" David said.

"You're just trying to butter me up. What are you trying to get into?" Riley asked.

"No agenda love, just that you look quite magnificent. Are you ready to go?" David was being honest. The red panda was stunning in a vest and tie. Not to mention adorable.

"I am. I just wish you would tell me where we're going. This still seems unnecessary. You know I don't like dressing up."

The lion responded "I know and I appreciate you humoring me love. I do think you'll really enjoy it though. I want to treat you to a special night and I've heard they have the best seafood in town. Am I driving or am I directing you?"

"If you are directing me, you'd have to break the secrecy." They both chuckled. "Okay, I can drive." David pulled his keys out of his pocket as they left the quaint house, locking the door behind them. He admired the results of the arduous labor they had both put into renovating their humble abode over the last several years. He was thankful once again that they were not just a husbandship, but a team. Neither was afraid of hard labor and the house they had fixed up truly felt like home.

As they walked to the vehicle Riley noticed clouds building to the west. "They were saying there would be storms tonight, something to keep an eye on. The garden could use the rain though." David opened the passenger door for Riley, closing it when his husband was seated. He walked around and entered the driver's side.

"So, anything else you want to plant in the garden this year? We should start getting ready for the things we want to grow this fall" Riley said as they started driving. "Maybe some collards?" David suggested. "Also I think we should look into more of the things we can keep through the winter. I love having preserved vegetables but it's nice to have something fresh when everything's dormant."

While it was still spring, plans needed to be made well in advance of plants going into the ground. The spring garden had already been planted but preparations for the fall harvest were underway. "Yeah, carrots and broccoli are good but there's plenty of winter squash options too. They work well in soup and save for a good while."

The garden was small the first year but had grown every year. It was now to the point they were selling at farmers markets, preserving and still had enough to give away. It was slowly becoming the life of abundance that they had dreamed of. There were now also the benefits of fresh eggs and no lack of pork or goat's milk. The transition to a homestead life however was not an easy one. Both of them still worked full time trying to pay off the property they were finally able to buy. There were gardens to tend, animals to feed and no lack of chores.

The road was a small two lane as they headed to the city. There were a lot of curves and hills. The trip was a pretty drive with trees and wildlife, especially in the vivid greens of spring. There were meadows that opened up from time to time on the way. However it was almost dark and storms were getting closer. The couple made it into town and to the restaurant just before it started raining.

It was a nice place, far nicer than any they normally would go to. It was situated on the marina of a lake surrounded by hills and foliage. Often, yachts could be seen on the lake. The lighting was dim, the wooden walls rich and it smelled fantastic. David's stomach began to growl as they were seated at the table he had reserved. It was a table for two, near a window where they would've been able to look out at the water and hills had it not been for the rain. It was almost as romantic as David had hoped it would be. His husband was looking so regal he didn't mind the lack of scenery.

Food was ordered, a ribeye and lobster for David, a king salmon filet for Riley, a glass of wine for both. Conversation continued on about the homestead they were trying to build, their garden and the implications of work. "I'll be honest, the quality of this meat is stellar but I think I could cook it better," David said with a smile. "How's the fish?"

Riley replied "It's actually quite fantastic. Probably the best I've had. The caper sauce is a perfect compliment."

"David?"

"Yes darling?"

"I really do appreciate it. We've never really been able to afford this before but it's been a wonderful time. Thank you for the night out."

David replied "Honey, between work and everything else going on, you have been working your butt off. I had the opportunity and I wanted to indulge us in it. It's my way of saying thank you for all the hard times and sacrifices you've been through for us. You're my everything and I love you."

"You know I love you too."

"No question, darling."

"So," David started, "Would you like to go anywhere while we're in town or should we head home to beat the second round of storms?"

"I think we've probably indulged enough this evening. Let's head home, get the animals fed and enjoy the evening together."

"That sounds nice," David said.

Again, David opened the door for Riley, this time kissing the red panda on the cheek before he sat down in the small vehicle. David walked around, secured himself as well and started the drive back home. Traffic wasn't bad this time of night but dinner lasted longer than expected. They ran into heavy rain halfway home. David slowed the pace a bit as they were in no hurry and he made safety a priority. The precipitation meant that no gardening would likely be done the next day. It would all be a muddy mess.

There was still never a lack of things to do. There were animals to feed, vegetables to preserve and still flooring to lay in their house.

In the heavy rain and the oncoming headlights, neither of them saw the cotton bale that had broken loose from the oncoming flatbed freighter in time. "FUCK!" David screamed, "HOLD ON!" He tried desperately to brake and swerve to avoid it but he was far too late. The bale landed on the passenger compartment of the small vehicle. David no longer had influence to control the sedan. The sound of breaking glass and crumpling metal filled David's ears as the vehicle careened into the ditch, flipping and coming to rest on it's roof.

"SHIT! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" David screamed.

It took him a few seconds to realize what had happened. As they were suspended he took a moment to evaluate the situation, breathing heavily. He was somewhat trapped but he seemed to be no worse for the wear. "Are you okay baby?" David asked. "I can't find my glasses." There was no response.

"Hey boo," David said, "are you alright?" Again, no response. He fought with his seat restraint. It seemed to be locked or jammed. "I think my restraint is broken. I can't get free. Can you? Can you hear me baby?"

"HELP!" David screamed with everything in him. He was worried it was lost in the pouring rain.

The vehicle behind theirs had seen the accident take place and had stopped. David saw a person approaching in the headlights of the vehicle that was still on the road.

"HELP!" He screamed again. The person walking to their crushed vehicle responded "the medic is on the way!"

"Riley? Are you okay boo?" David asked, beginning to lose his composure. "Riley?"

Still no response. The lion was beginning to whimper now as he tried hopelessly to reach towards his husband's hand. "Riley? Please say something." Tears filled his eyes. The shock of the accident was setting in. "RILEY!"

Nothing. David looked at his husband as best he could through the crumpled mess of metal between them. He appeared mostly normal but Riley's head was cocked slightly off in their inverted state. His unconscious expression was... different. Peaceful maybe? No, that couldn't be it. "RILEY! WAKE UP!" David screamed again. "Please baby talk to me!". David began to sob. "HELP!" He screamed again, panicking.

"Riley?" David wailed.

"Riley? Please, please, baby wake up. Say something!"

David heard the sound of sirens in the distance.

"Riley? The medic is coming, please hold on baby."

"Riley? Please baby, say something, anything." The sirens were getting closer but David's whole world was getting further away. With a hoarse whisper and flooded eyes, David begged the name of his love one last time.

"Riley?"

David's voice drifted off into the pouring rain alongside the soul of his husband.