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Nova quickly set about cleaning the room and picking up the dishes as he thought about how fun it would be to get to know the bears, he for the life of him could not remember ever going to another owners home just to socialize, it might be a fun new experience. Both the bears seamed to be very nice people, he would just have to watch out for the little ones wondering paws. He chuckled softly wile picking up the dishes, Master Toby had said he just wanted to be friends, but he got the sneaking suspicion that Master links interests where not so honorable. He made a mental note to ask his Mistress what her wishes on spending time with them would be as he started cleaning crumbs from one of the couches, the boy only finishing part way before something stuck between the cushions drew his attention. His smile faded instantly when he picked it up, it was a gray data pad with a blue strip on the side, it took him a second to place it, the boy recognizing that it was the data pad Master Ash had given to the captain.

Nova instantly dropped it back to the couch as if it was on fire, the dark wolf's words from earlier running through his mind "This is a list of all the ships new command codes as well as the tactical updates for the fleet." An icy feeling of terror started to fill nova's soul, In his former Masters home touching something like this would have gotten him killed, even looking at it would have gotten him beaten within an inch of his life. For a second he thought about putting it back and pretending as if he had never found it, but with as much like his former owner as Master Ash had been earlier he was just to scared to think straight. His hands started to shake, in fact a horrified tremble began over his whole body as he feared the wolf punishing him as the butcher would, he needed help, he needed someone to protect him and right at this instant there was only one person he could think to turn to. Nova bolted for the kitchen as fast as his legs could carry him, the boy calling for Toby at the top of his lungs "Master, Master Help, Please Help."

The bears had just been giving there goodbye kisses, Toby having curled his arms around his mate and lifted the love of his life off the ground when the boy came running in and fell to his hands and knees at there feet still trembling and whimpering softly "Master I'm so sorry, I did not mean to touch it, I'm sorry."

Wile they had expected some kind of reaction when nova found the data pad, the boy looked as if he was completely panicked, Toby having to suppress a smile, if he had any lingering doubts about the boy this just crushed them. Still with his part to play the bear looked down and ran a paw over the boys back, a forced look of concern and confusion on his face as he asked "What's wrong little one, what did you touch and why are you so upset?"

Nova's fear and trembling was eased slightly by the big bears gentle paw on his back, it helping him find the strength to speak again after a few moments. "Master I found ... the pad .... the captain's data pad, I swear ... I did not know what it was ... I never would have touched it if I had known." The boy looked up to Toby, fear and tears starting to build in his eyes as he pathetically asked " Am .... Am I going to be punished, Master?"

Toby could feel his heart braking at the sheer look of terror in nova's eyes, spy his tail, this boy was terrified of being punished just for touching the pad, the bear thinking Drake must be insane to suspect him. As far as the bear was concerned nova had just more then proven himself but there was one more part of the test he was charged with setting in motion, the big bear reaching down and helping nova to his feet, Toby curling his arms around the boy in a soft hug as he tenderly reassured "No one is going to punish you dear boy, please show me this data pad that has you so frighten."

Once the boy was calmed down enough he led both bears into the captains mess, kneeling well clear of the pad and pointing at it with a shaky hand as he whispered "There, Master on the couch. It was stuck between the cushions and I pulled it out before I knew what it was."

Toby just tenderly smiled as he picked up the pad, the bear taking notice that the lock screen was still displayed. As he was told to do Toby softly questioned the boy to make sure he understood the importance of the pad, the big bear looking down to nova with a warm smile as he asked " It's just a data pad boy, what ever gave you the idea you would be punished for touching it?"

Once again the bear felt pain in his heart as nova dropped his eyes to the floor and started to shake again, his voice coming in barely a whisper as he explained " earlier I, I saw Master Ash giving that pad to the captain, Master. I tried not to lesson, I really did, but when he was saying all those cruel things I heard him tell the captain that the pad has very important and secret information on it." In that instant nova flashed back to a time 4 years ago when he had been cleaning up his Masters office, he had tried to neatly stack some of the human style data pads the butcher had left all over his desk and when his Master found him touching them it resulted in one of the worse beatings of his life. That day his owner had quite painfully taught him the price of touching things that where none of his business, a Mistake he never made again.

Seeing the look on nova's face and the terror in his eyes link reach down to pet him in hopes of offering some comfort, the bear instantly moving his paw away when the boy flinched as if he had been struck. The little bear not understanding this reaction looked back up to his mate, Toby just softly flicking his ears a few times in response to tell his mate everything would be ok. The big bear himself felt pain in his heart at seeing nova so scared but at the same time he was fighting to keep a grin off of his muzzle, he was just so impressed that the boy he had come to care for was doing so well. Drake had been so confident that the boy would have already failed the test at this point when giving Toby his instructions, the big bear looking forward to rubbing the wolf's nose in it, after this was all over.

For now there was one last task the bear needed to complete and hopefully at the same time he could help relive some of the boys fear. Very slowly Toby reached down and used a claw tip to lift the boys head, a tender smile on his muzzle as he murred "Nova I am very proud of you for bringing this to my attention right away, let me ask the captain what she wants me to do with it." Seeing that nova had not reacted badly to his mates touch link tried to pet him again, this time the boy actually leaning into the soft paw as Toby walked across the room and touched a red button in the shape of a triangle on a panel imbedded in the wall, It making a sound very much like the boy had herd coming from the crew's com badges. Observant as ever nova made a mental note of how this panel looked and how it worked incase he was ever required to call for someone as the bear spoke "Toby to the Captain!"

It only took a few moments for the vixen to reply after the bear had moved his finger off the button, nova hearing the sound of his Mistress laughing in the back ground as Kayla responded "Yes Toby?"

The bear glanced back to the boy his mate was lovingly petting to make sure he was paying attention as Toby spoke in a loud and clear tone " Captain the grease monkey's slave found a pad you left in the mess, would you like me to hang on to it for you?"

Kayla's reply did not come right away, but when it did it was in her native language, the computers decency standards not allowing it to run the vulpine's curses through it's translation matrix, nova finding her tone very frightening. When the computer began translating again and nova could understand what was being said, the vixen sounded very agitated to him, her words coming in a half growl as she told the bear "No Toby, that pad contains the ships new command codes. I will be in shuttle bay 3 for the next half hour, I want that pad brought to me right away."

Toby nodded as if he was facing her, a smile on his muzzle " Very well captain, it will be there in two shakes of a bunnies tail."

That got a laugh from the Captain as the smiling bear touched the red button to switch off the com, Toby turning back to his love and the slave only to find nova resting his head on links knee, the little bear running his claws throw the boys hair lovingly. As sweet as that sight was the bear had one last task to perform in this test, as pointless as it was in his eyes nova had to be the one to bring the pad to the captain so he had time alone with it. Toby walked over to the pair and seamed to think for a few moments, his muzzle parting in a evil grin as he motioned for nova to come to him. "Boy the captain wants this pad right away so I am going to set your collar to allow you to move around without your leash. You are ordered to go right there and come right back unless she tells you otherwise, understand?"

Nova's eyes shot wide open as he obeyed and moved to the large males feet, that fearful tremble returning as he dropped his eyes to the floor and whispered in a small, timid tone "With all due respect, Master, wouldn't a security officer be a better choice?"

Once again Toby was impressed by the boy, for the second time he had turned down the chance to learn the secrets the pad contained. As much as the bear wished this could be enough he had been given explicit instructions, nova was to take the pad to Kayla and there was nothing he could do about it. With a sigh the bear reached down and gently pulled the boy to his feet, Toby leading him over to the same panel he had just used to contact the captain as he spoke " Yes, normally I would call a security-Fur for this but we have just entered shift change and it would take to long to get one here, the captain wants this pad right away."

When they reached the wall Toby touched a different control this time, a small blue circle as he called out "Computer, display the fastest route from my current location, to shuttle bay 3." The slave watched as the computer pulled up two diagrams of the ship, one of the deck he was on and one of deck 7, both with a blue line showing the slave the path he was to take. Much to his surprise the route took him right past the cargo bay he had first been held in, the one his Mistress had gone to that first night to find him."

Toby traced one of his large claws over the highlighted path as he spoke "Computer authorize slave collar 211 for unattended movement along this path only, protocol 7 Alpha 3." This was a special protocol programmed just this morning by Drake, its function designed to track nova's movements and to aid him in staying on the path by flashing the ships emergency lighting in a pattern that would show him exactly where to go. Kayla had insisted on this so that Drake did not instantly fail nova if the boy had simply gotten lost, the down side being it would deliver a level 4 punishment if the boy did intentionally deviate from his approved path.

Once the computer had verified Toby's voice print it responded in it's cold, mechanical voice " Unattended movement authorized," It and the slave collar both beeping 3 times as the protocol was put into effect.

Nova was just standing there bordering on shock, when he had first come on board this ship 3 days ago the guards had told him he would be killed if he left the cargo bay without a leash and shackles, then the very next day his Mistress had trusted him not to even need the shackles. Now, now Toby was trusting him to move about the ship by himself without either of them, the boy just not understanding what he had done to deserve this kind of trust. If not for the fact the bear was holding out the data pad with all that classified information on it nova would have been so happy, the thought of even touching it still invoking a deep feeling of terror in him. Nova could feel a war building in his mind, part of him feeling an almost uncontrollable need to obey the bears orders and do as he was told, the other part of him flashing back to the lessons his Master had beaten into him never to touch something this important. Not knowing what to do and almost paralyzed by the conflict he just turned his head to the bear, his eyes still on the floor as he whispered " Master, are, are you sure you want me to do this?"

Wile Toby had been proud of nova for first trying to avoid contact with the pad, now he was starting to feel a little frustration at the boys fear of it. The bear sighed softly, this was going to take him using a level of harshness he was hoping to avoid if he was going to get the slave to do as he was told. With a deep breath to commit himself to this action Toby took a ruff hold of nova's arm to get his full attention as he softly growled "Slave this is not a request, I have given you an order and you are going to obey me, weather you want to or not." Seeing he had indeed gotten the boys attention the bear tucked the pad under nova's belt, trapping it in place so the slave did not have to physically touch it as he added " you are not to let anyone see this pad and If ANYONE stops you along the way you will tell them to contact me, NOW GO."

Just as Toby expected his words had been just harsh enough to make nova comply instantly, a new level of fear showing in the boys eyes as he pitifully whimpered " Yes, Master." With one last look at the route he was to take, the slave walked very quickly out the door, his arms crossed behind his back, his eyes downcast and a tremble starting on his small body.

The door had been closed less then a second before the big bear turned and curled his arms around his mate, barely restrained tears stinging his eyes as he chocked out " Goddess what have I done, that boy will never trust me again."

Link just leaned up and kissed his mate deeply, looking into the large males eyes as he supportively murred "I am sure he will forgive you my love, that sweet slave is not the kind of boy to hold a grudge." Toby just could not stop himself from crying on his mate's shoulder as he pulled link close, all he could hope was that after this test was over and done with nova would understand the bears anger had all been an act for his benefit. As much as it hurt to see nova afraid of him Toby knew in his heart he would do it again if it meant keeping the boy here with them where they could love and protect him.

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"See I told you, That's two for him " the Captain stated as she gave Drake a slap on the back, Her muzzle parted in a wide toothy grin. They had been in the shuttle bay control room along with Dana and Sasha monitoring nova for almost 20 minutes now. For there part of the test they had been watching nova from the moment he started cleaning the captains mess and Kayla could not have been more pleased with him. "You said he was a spy and would jump at the chance to get that pad. Look at him, it took Toby giving him a flat out order, more then once in fact, for him to bring it to me."

Dana's expression was not so happy, she did not like how harsh on her boy Toby had been even if she could see the regret on his face when nova left, she knew her boy would need to be comforted and reassured he was not in trouble. With a sigh she looked up to the captain and half heartedly growled " I am going to box that mean old bears ears for treating my boy like that, it was cruel and unnecessary."

Sasha having known Toby longer then any of them knew the bear would be the one apologizing to nova when this was over, the white tiger just curling an arm around Dana's shoulder as she wiggled her eye brows and suggestively grinned "I am sure you will find a way to make it up to him tonight grease monkey, as soon as this unpleasantness is over with you can spend the rest of the day with him."

Drake, who had been watching the screen much like a predator stalking his pray growled softly at that, one of his claws touching it to change the angle as nova entered the lift. With the slave on his knees and not going anywhere for the moment he looked back up to the two, his lips pulled back to show his teeth as he almost spat " Don't you think that's a bit premature Commander, this is far from over. That thing has a good 10 minutes until it gets to us and if it tries to access that pad, even once, my staff is weighting to slap the chains on it." Then the wolfs muzzle parted in a sadistic grin as he added " Not to mention the big test is next, one way or another I will prove that human cant be trusted."

With the tiger having lifted her mood and the prospect of having the rest of the day to do with her boy as she pleased the mink just looked up at Drake and gave him a pink tongue as she teasingly taunted " I look forward to watching you eat those words, wolf."

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Nova could feel his heart pounding in his ears as he walked quickly to the lift, his hands crossed behind his back as if he had been shackled, the bindings in his mind as strong as any real ones could be. He kept his eyes to the floor when the lift opened, carefully stepping inside and kneeling with a softly whispered " shuttle bay 3, please." As the lift brought him to his destination it allowed the slave some time to think, the events of the last few minutes having just been so overwhelming. Toby had frightened him badly with the harshness of his order, but as nova thought about it, he realized it had been his own fault, he should have obeyed the bear the first time he was told, the slave knowing in his heart the only one to blame for it having to get that harsh, was himself. As the lift doors opened nova glanced up to make sure no one had been weighting for it, then quickly stepped off, the boy telling himself he would apologize to the big bear and beg for forgiveness once his task was completed. For now all he could do was deliver the pad as he had been told and prove Toby's trust in him had not been misplaced, the boy quickly making his way in the direction he had been shown by the computer, fallowing lights on the walls that seamed to be guiding him.

For almost 5 minutes the slave walked alone in silence, it eventually dawning on him that he had not passed a single crew member since exiting the lift. For someone who was always very aware of there surroundings nova found this very strange, given the fact that his fellow slaves where being held on this deck, he had expected to be stopped by at least one guard by now. He was just thinking that given how differently he had seen slaves treated here since his arrival, perhaps the Anthro's did not feel it necessary to have roaming patrols when he came to an intersection and all his thoughts where derailed, the boy stopping dead and going pale. The flashing lights that had been guiding him to this point where now directing him to the left, but what had captured his full attention was a small black box on the wall right next to a panel very much like the one Toby had used to call for the captain, or more precisely the set of energy weapons the case contained.

He took notice that Both of the matching weapons looked exactly like the one he had seen on Master Fire's belt the day before, but what had nova ready to bolt down the hall screaming for help was the fact that there was a slot for a 3rd weapon In the case and it seamed to be missing. Either one of the crew had taken the weapon and carelessly left the case open or someone had broken into the box and stolen it, either way that icy feeling of terror had returned and was forming a knot in the pit of nova's stomach. In his frantic thinking it came to him, no guards in the halls and the open weapons case, there was something very, very bad happening here and he needed to tell someone about it. First the data pad and now this weapons case, it was like the goddess was playing some kind of cruel joke on him. He was about to run to the cargo bay where he knew there would be guards when he remembered Toby telling him that he was only allowed to move along a set path, the cargo bay was along his route yes, but inside of it was not. His collar might see that as a deviation and punish him for it, that and the fact that an unattended slave running through the doors and talking about a missing weapon might very well get him beaten or even shot.

In his fear and uncertainty there was only one thing the slave could think to do, nova praying it was the right choice as he extended a shaky hand to the wall, goddess help him.

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Back in the control room Drake's muzzle broke into a smug and sadistic grin as he watched nova reaching for the weapons case, in his mind this confirming every thought and suspicion he had about the slave from the first moment the wolf saw him. All he could think was "Gotcha" as he looked over to the captain, his teeth showing as he almost growled "See I told you, that slave is a spy, it stopped for the open weapons case just like i told you it would."

Not missing a beat Drake spoke into his com badge that was already locked into conference mode with the rest of his security team before the captain could reply, his order coming in a deep, throaty growl " Drake to station 3, the second that slave picks up one of the blasters bounce it's tail to the cargo bay with the other animals where it belongs."

Dana could not believe her eyes as she watched novas hand lifting to the case, this just could not be, could she really have misjudged her slave so badly? No, she had faith in him, there had to be an explanation, maybe he was just going to close the case, maybe ............ "

Drake, who was two seconds away from ordering the security officer hiding just a few feet away from nova to strike, was dumbstruck when the boy's hand passed the case and pressed the red button on the com panel, the camera prospective having deceived them as to where he had been reaching. All 4 of them blinked and looked at each other when nova's soft voice called out " Um ......... Computer? Please contact Fire."

After a few seconds the panel emitted the computer's sharp and abrasive error tone, it replying in its cold, emotionless voice "There are currently 4 crew members with Fire in there names, please specify."

Nova opened his mouth to respond but closed it again without speaking, honestly for the life of him he could not remember Master Fire's full name, the boy only having heard it once before. He thought about canceling the request and asking the computer to contact Toby, but then it dawned on him that he did not even know the big bears last name, they had been getting along so well the slave had completely forgotten to ask what it was. Besides this was a security matter and other then fire the only other security officer he knew was Master Ash, the very last person nova would dare call for help. Resolved that Fire would be the best Anthro to help him nova looked at the panel again and started describing the vulpine, maybe that would help the computer understand who he was looking for. " Umm.. Master Fire is a very handsome male fox who works in security, he has bright red fur, pretty brown eyes and the tip of his tail is all black." As soon as the boy finished speaking he realized just how he had described the fox, a blush building on his face in embarrassment at having sounded like a school girl with a crush.

The computer made a few soft sounds as it scanned throw its personnel files, it only taking a moment to locate Fire, it helping that he was the only male fox currently stationed in security. As it made the connection the computer announced in its cold, lifeless tone " Contacting Lt. James Fire-tail, Stand-bye."

Nova was just so relieved when the fox's voice was emitted from the panel, with everything happening he was beyond grateful to hear someone he new that could help him. "Fire here!"

The boy drew a deep breath and lowered his eyes respectfully, his hands involuntarily crossing behind his back again as if the fox was standing right in front of him as he whispered "Master, this is nova, I don't know if you remember me, I'm the slave you met yesterday."

Fire had been relaxing with the inner circle of his elite tactical team in the security officers lounge, all 4 of them having just come off of a very long shift and needing some time to unwind before bed. The fox had just been enjoying the one alcoholic drink a day he allowed himself when the computer paged him, Fire having answered it fully expecting it to be his mate telling him it was time to come home. Quite taken off guard by the slaves voice coming from his com badge fire was left speechless for a moment, his 3 companions, black furred female wolves that looked as if they could be triplets all giggling at the look of surprise on there leaders face.

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The Mistresses of Mayhem, Smash, Bash and Crash in addition to being the most skilled fighters on fire's team where also the 3 best T.A.A.C (Tactical Armor and Assault Combat unit) pilots the fox had ever met. To look at them it was nearly impossible to tell witch one was witch, the lovers having permanently died there fur black to enhance there stealthy-ness except for a dark purple patch on the top, left and right of there muzzles respectively. They where true partners in every sense of the word, sharing living quarters, combat duties and even lovers, not that they needed many given how deeply in love they where with each other, just treating the seduction of new lovers as more of a team sport.

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Seeing the 3 females innocently laughing at him kicked Fires mind into gear, the fox speaking softly into his com badge, his voice very tender as he asked "Hello little one, why have you called me? And how did you get access to the com system?"

Nova swallowed hoping the fox would not be angry with him for using the com system without permission after he had gotten finished explaining what he had found. In a very meek and timid tone he almost whispered " Master I, I need help. I was on my way to bring something to the captain and I found an open box with two of the weapons like the one you had yesterday, I , I think there is a 3rd one missing and I don't know what to do."

The second the slave said the words MISSING WEAPON the whole room fell silent, Fire, The Mistresses of Mayhem and every other security officer in the room giving there full attention as the fox dropped his drink and almost growled "By the dark pit, nova what is your exact location?"

At the sound of the anger in Fires voice nova flinched and took a step back from the wall, his tremble returning as his eyes quickly darted about looking for anything that could tell him his precise location. Only seeing signs in Anthro and not being able to read there language he just softly whispered back " I, I, I don't know where I am, Master.. Somewhere on deck 7, very close to the cargo bay."

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Back in the shuttle bay control room it was taking everything Drake had not to screen, the wolfs burning anger so strong his heart was thumping in his ears and his vision was clouded over by a red haze, how, how could this have happened, how could this stupid animal have beaten him? Not 10 seconds sooner he was sure he had the slave dead to rights, why had that human called for help? In all his plans and scenarios he had thought the slave might have called one of them, the Captain, Dana or even himself, but calling some random security officer, that was something he had not anticipated. He was thinking there was still a chance, the boy had not delivered the pad yet when the thought struck him, maybe there was some way he could use this to invalidate the test, there might still be a chance to get rid of the slave. Still seething with anger the wolf turned back to the rest of the command staff, the mink rolling on the floor and howling with hysterical laughter, Sasha and the Captain doing there best to appear more professional, even though they where just as happy inside.

Dana just could not help it, she was about to cry when she saw nova reaching for the weapons case, the confirmation that her trust in him had not been misplaced just overwhelming her to the point she had to laugh or cry. In her heart she knew it was over, nova had met the challenge and beaten it, he would be hers forever. She had just gotten herself under control and was about to ask if she could go get her boy when a horrible screeching sound caused her to cover her ears, Drake deciding to get all there attentions by dragging his claws across one of the control panels like nails on a chock board as he snarled " How by the Dark pit does that slave know Fire and why of everyone on this ship would it call him for help?"

So angry was the wolf that he did not even notice nova on the screen behind him telling Fire his location, if he had been paying attention the importance of that event might have spurred him into action before it was to late. Once the sound had stopped hurting all the females ears Dana looked back to the wolf, her eyes narrowing in anger at his childish actions as she replied "Fire was the security officer I asked to take nova for his check up yesterday morning, that fox is the kind of male that....."

Dana never got to finish her thought, the second that the mink had said " Fire and Morning " it clicked in the wolfs mind, hitting him like a bolt of lightening, Fire, Fire was on the morning shift and had not been informed about the test, Drake cutting the chief off as he turned and screamed " Dear Sweet Goddess, COMPUTER!!"

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Back in the security officers lounge every eye and ear was intensely focused on Fires com badge as nova explained his location, it getting the instant reaction of having all 3 of the Mistresses of Mayhem simultaneously tap there com units in an attempt to verify if the worst was happening. > Maraina to any security officer in cargo bay 3 > Allura to Lt. Commander Ash > De'liela to the Captain

It only took a moment for the computer to reply, its cold an emotionless answer to all 3 females being "Requested com unit unavailable."

For Fire this was all the conformation he needed to act, if it had been just the guards in the cargo bay he could have taken the time to check the video surveillance, but with the Captain and Drake also unreachable the fox knew it had fallen on him to insure the safety of his ship. With the speed of a striking snake the vulpine's paw lashed out, activating Maraina's com badge as Fire yelled into it "Computer this is Lt. James Fire-tail, initiate Emergency lock down Deck 6, 7 and 8, Counterinsurgency protocols."

Once the computer responded with its compliance tones Fire jumped to his feet and silently motioned for everyone to fallow him as he returned his attention back to his own com badge and the slave still connected to it, a forced level of calmness in his tone so as not to further frighten the boy as he firmly ordered " Nova I am on my way, do not move from that spot until I arrive."

Nova only got to say " Yes, Mast... " before the com panel cut off, lethal red force fields springing into life on all 3 sides of him, they trapping him in the intersection with the weapons case that had started this.

James and the other officers where already on the run when the computer started sealing every room and intersection on the affected decks, deactivating every control panel, access terminal and wireless transmitter to protect it self from intruders attempting to hack in. With his com free James was able to call for reinforcements "Intruder Alert, All Tactical team members and security personnel report to the main armory on Deck 5 for combat armaments, possible escaped slaves with energy weapons."

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Drake in the control room never got to finish his request to the computer, the second the lock down had been called the computer screeched and every screen in the room went dark, both doors instantly covered by red force fields to seal them in. Drake screamed "Goddess be Dammed" as he throw a data pad across the room, it shattering on the force field. He was practically punching himself in the chest as he yelled into his com for " Fire, Security, bridge, Anyone." But the only reply he got was from the others security personnel he had been in conference mode with, only to find they to had become trapped in there hiding places. "What is wrong with this thrice dammed thing, why by the dark pit cant I raise my staff?"

Dana was now laughing so hard that she could barely breath, tears matting her cheek fur as she gasped " Because .... because my boy outsmarted you, you dumb mutt."

The captain who was doing her best to hold back laughter as well stepped between the mink and the wolf before his temper caused him to do something stupid, the vixen laying a single paw full of authority on his chest to focus his attention as she growled " Mr. Ash, Fire called for Counterinsurgency protocol, you know what that means, you designed them. We are locked out of the computer and without it to release our coms from conference mode we are just going to have to weight until someone finds us or releases the lock out before we can contact anyone ells." Only now did Kayla realize the gaping flaw in this plan, with all 4 of them in the " Test Zone " the only other crew member that knew what was going on was Toby and the bear was not exactly in a position of authority to countermand a tactical alert.

Kayla then turned her attention to the hysterical Dana and Sasha, a forced look of sternness on her face as she barked "ENOUGHT BOTH OF YOU, Chief, nova has more then passed the test, he is yours to keep."

Drakes paws where shaking as his temper boiled over, this slave had made a fool of him on his own ship, he would never be able to live down this humiliation. His ears folded flat to his skull as he growled savagely "Passed the test my tail, that data pad is not in my paws yet, that, that, that dammed human cheated...."

As much as Kayla was hoping Drake would do the right thing and honor his word, she now realized that he had never intended to from the beginning and most likely never would, it confirming her earlier fear that nova would never be safe around him. As the anger built up inside her the fur on the back of the vixen's neck shot up, her ears plastering flat to her skull as she snapped around locking eyes with the wolf, her lips pulled back to show her teeth as her claws extended and she viciously snarled "I have had enough, NOW SHUT YOUR DAMMED MUZZLE WOLF. You gave your word that when nova passed this ridiculous test you would drop ALL objections to him remaining on-board and I intend to see to it that you keep your promise, even if you lack the moral fiber to do it yourself, It's not OUR boys fault your incompetence allowed this to turn out so badly."

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After a quick stop off at the main armory for Fire to get his personal force field generator and for the Mistresses of Mayhem to suit up the group now stood before the bulk of the ships security force, fire looking very small with the 3 armored battle suits standing behind him. He had just taken command of the ship after not being able to get a hold of any of the command staff, the computer telling him the Captain, first officer and chief of security where all in shuttle bay 3 and there com's where unreachable. Wile not exactly procedure, the fox as 4th in command of the ship felt it best to invalidate his superiors command codes incase they had been captured so they could not be forced to compromise the lockdown. With the added inability to contact any of the security personnel stationed in the cargo bay to guard the slaves Fire felt he was left with no other choice, the fox ordering his tactical team to take the deck hard and fast from several different access points at once.

" ........EYES AND EARS LADIES........."

Team one your with Crash, come down in the Forward section and secure the hydroponics bays and research labs.

Team two, your with Me, Smash and Bash, we will come down mid ship and pacify the cargo bay.

Lt. Fang is already bringing her team up from deck 9 to secure the shuttle bay where we believe the captain and Drake are, then they will assist us with locking down the cargo bay as needed.

"Lock and load Ladies, time to earn your pay."

Fire lifted his blaster rifle and powered it up, it emitting a high pitched wine as the fox turned to leave. He had only taken one step before he stopped, his long pink vulpine tongue darting out to lick his lips as he turned back to the assembled group and spoke in a tone of voice that would broach no disobedience "One more thing. None of you need to know why, just expect to find a human in a pink leather loin cloth at one of the weapons stations closest to the cargo bay. Anyone making the life altering mistake of laying a claw on that boy will spend the rest of there career regretting it, who ever finds him is to treat that slave with kit gloves and contact me immediately, NOW GET YOUR TAILS IN GEAR, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE."

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Back on deck 7 nova had been left feeling very confused after Fire had cut him off, the boy having tried to use the com panel to contact Toby, the slave feeling it only responsible to inform the bear what had happened. For some reason now both the blue and red buttons did not work anymore, nova unsure if he had somehow broken them or if Master fire had turn them off. Not knowing what else to do nova just took stock of his new surroundings and the bright red force fields he remembered from the slave ship, the ones that had been used to contain the most dangerous slaves because they killed on contact. As he looked down the hall he had come from and the other two as well he could see the same force fields every few feet, the cumulative effect of there red translucent glow preventing him from seeing more then 30 feet in either direction. Not wanting to get to close to them or stay to close to the weapons that had started this the boy kneeled in the middle of the intersection, nova closing his eyes and breathing softly as the sensation of being trapped began to play on the deeply rooted claustrophobia that had been with him since early childhood, a result of his first owner keeping him locked in a very small cage for days at a time.

Trying to take his mind off of the feeling that the walls where closing in on him nova thought back to what Master Fire had told him and the anger In the fox's voice as he had said it, a small shiver running down the boys spine as he tried to make sense of all this. What ever was going on nova wished very much that he was not In the middle of it, if only he had just obeyed his instructions and taken the Data pad to the captain as he was told he might very well be back with the bears by now. That reminded him of the data pad hidden under his belt, his hand lifting to brush over it, if there was really something bad going on it could be in danger and The big bear had told him not to let anyone see it. He looked around him for some place to hide it incase Master Fire was not the one that found him, but with the force fields sealing him in his options where very limited. He swallowed and pulled it from under his belt, slipping it between his legs in hopes his loin cloth would hide it and no one would think to look there. With the data pad protected as best as he was able he just closed his eyes for a few minutes and breathed softly, the boy actually finding the hum of the force fields very soothing and the warmth they gave off nice on his bear skin after a wile.

He was so lost in thoughts of how to explain all this to his Mistress and how he would be punished for sure that he barely noticed the sound of force fields powering off and on getting closer to him, it taking a yell from around the corner to get his attention. He looked up in hopes of seeing Master Fire or someone he knew coming to get him, that hope quickly dashed when a female wolf wearing the black and charcoal gray uniform of security rounded the corner. She was as tall as Master Ash and even more muscled, an odd looking rifle gripped in her paws as several more similarly uniformed Anthros ran passed behind her and she started walking toward him. Nova could not help but notice that as she stalked ever closer toward him each of the force fields in her path would power off just long enough for her to step through, then they would instantly return, it having her just a step away from the final barrier in mere moments. Just as she took the last step and the force field started to disappear nova instantly dropped his eyes to the floor, the boy having to hold back a small giggle as the thought came to him that he had never been so happy to see a heavily armed woman in all his life, the slave softly whispering " Greetings..................."

And before he could finish his greeting he was send flying into the wall behind him, the wolf having brought the butt of her weapon down on top of his head then quickly added a kick to his ribs as she viciously snarled " Shut your dammed mouth slave or I will send you to the dark pit." The force of the impact had nearly knocked the boy into unconsciousness and had also dislodged both of the remaining blasters, one of them skittering to a stop at the wolfs feet as the other one collided with the force field and was instantly vaporized. Only having seen two of the three blasters the case normally contained the wolf instantly became convinced she had just caught this whimpering and cowering slave stealing them, the unknown female lifting her weapon over her head as she growled "You filthy thieving animal, give me the blaster or I'll kill you."

All nova could do was curl into a ball and fearfully whimper, the boys hands moving to protect his head as he shook and tried to explain " Mistress, please, I don't have it.." but his pleas only fell on deaf ears, or more accurately only served to further infuriate the wolf, she kicking him in the ribs once more before bringing the butt of her weapon down on him over and over again.

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By the time Fire made it to deck 7 he was extremely agitated, it having taken a lot longer then he would have liked. This was the draw back to the Counterinsurgency protocols, to keep the intruders contained the security teams had to use encoded transponders to lower each force field, then to keep the area locked down they would instantly reactivate once the user was threw. This meant most of the security teams had to come down through the ships crawl ways wile the fox opted to ride down the empty lift shaft in the arms of Bash's Taac, this only getting him there a few seconds before the rest of his team arrived.

Fire had chosen this particular exit point because he believed it would land him closest to nova, wile his priority was of course to pacify any resistance in the halls or cargo bay, he was still worried about the boy and wanted to get him out of the line of fire as soon as possible. Just a few seconds ahead of his team and with both Mistresses of Mayhem fast on his heels Fire rounded the last corner, the sight meeting his eyes one that would haunt the fox's nightmares for the rest of his life. To his horror one of Lt. fang's team was savagely beating a slave that had curled into a ball, the pink loin cloth that he had helped Dana pick out just last night confirming his worse fear as the wolf lifted her rifle to strike nova once again.

With a fury that could only be described as a father protecting his child the screaming fox tackled the female just as she landed her final blow with a sickening crunch, Fire having been just to far away to prevent it. In a move that only someone with the fox's years of marshal arts training could have pulled off Fire carried them both through the force field and at the same time wrenched the blaster from the wolfs paws, the female recovering and extending her claws to counter attack only to be sent back to the deck by a blaster coming down across her muzzle. As she got her wits about her and looked up again she found her own weapon being pressed between her eyes as the fox savagely growled " By the dark pit what do you think you are doing soldier?"

The Wolf, pinned on her back with her superior officer holding a weapon to her head did not even dare breath, the burning look in this males eyes telling her if she said the wrong thing he could very well kill her. Very slowly she lifted a paw and pointed at the slave, fear in her tone as she answered " Sir, I caught that slave braking into the weapons case."

Fire could feel an instinctual burning need to rip the wolf's throat out at hearing that, his grip tightening on the blaster as he growled "you lying mongrel, that slave is the one that called in the alert, If he dies I will skin you alive." Then taking a breath, he calmed himself, Fire regaining his composure as he released the blaster and allowed it to fall on the wolfs chest, the fox turning back to the boy, Both Taac's standing over him with the rest of his team just behind them. He did not even need to see there faces to know most of them where just as upset as him and if not for the fact there still might be slaves on the louse he might have allowed them to help. All he did was snap at them, his teeth showing as he ordered " All of you get your tails to the cargo bay, I will deal with this."

Everyone, the wolf included obeyed Fire and instantly resumed there path to the cargo bay, as the vulpine kneeled over the slave, one of his paws lightly brushing over nova's head as he almost pleaded " Nova? Nova can you hear me? Please boy, please say something."

As soon as he felt the paw touching him nova flinched and whimpered as much as he was able to, blood dripping from his ears, nose and mouth. Through an unbelievable haze of pain the slave thought he could hear Master Fire's voice, his eyes just to swollen to open as he desperately tried to hold on to the world. It hurt to move, hurt to breath, it even hurt to think, nova summoning all of his strength to lift the crushed and blood stained data pad as he coughed and weakly gasped " Give ... TO ... Captain." That was it, he had nothing left, the slave falling limp in Fire's arms as the pad slipped from his hand and dropped to the floor.

The fox could feel the tears wetting his cheek fur as the boy passed into darkness in his arms, Fire not even having the strength to growl as he hit his com badge and screamed "Medical Emergency, teleport one human at my location to Med Bay and alert a trauma team to stand by." He could barely control himself as the boy was teleported from his arms, the sight of him so badly beaten burning itself into the foxes mind.

Once the boy was gone fire looked at the blaster he had set on the deck, it's casing cracked from the force of striking the female wolf, Fire slipping it into his belt because it was no longer safe to use. He then picked up the only remaining blaster from the case that had started this, Fire switching it to stun as he took off running to catch up with his team, the fox vowing to himself he would find the one responsible for all this and make them pay dearly.

............................................................................................................................................

As this was happening, one section over the second half of team 3 being led by Lt. Fang herself had just reached the shuttle bay, the tall and toned timber wolf deciding to enter from all 4 access points at once given this was the reported location of the command staff. She had rushed the bay in expectation of a fire fight only to find it strangely empty, not a single sign that a human had ever been there. Wanting to cover all possibilities she had ordered a hard target search, sweeping the bay from end to end checking all storage areas, shuttles and even cargo containers, each one proving devoid of crew or the suspected escaped humans. She was about to order her team to move on to the cargo bay when a bunny on the second level caught her attention, the lapine's sharper hearing picking up the muffled sound of the Captain's shouting voice in the control room over the hum of the force fields. Once again Lt. Fang tried to contact the captain by her com only to be told it was still unavailable, this leaving the wolf with no other choice but to assume the worst and enter the room by force. She ordered her team to split into two groups to cover both doors before dropping the containment fields, the wolf counting it down, 3, 2, 1.....

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Just as the bunny in the shuttle bay had heard the Captains muffled screaming Fire caught up with his team, the fox's emotions still running high as he took his place in formation between both tactical armor and assault units. The fox dropped to his knees in the center of the formation as the rest of his team spread out in a wide arc around the door, this allowing them the greatest field of fire as the vulpine shouted "Report!! What's going on in there?"

Smash in the red Taac was the one to answer, her units enhanced vision modes scanning beyond the force fields and bulk heads in an attempt to assess the situation. Not having much luck with the thermal scanners do to the sheer number of people in side and the red force fields giving off even more heat all she could see was a massive red blob, the motion scanner and infrared also proving useless with the interference generated by the containment shields. Realizing it was pointless to even keep trying she switched off the scanning mode, diverting energy back to her weapons system as she said " No luck boss, to much interference, but with that much heat I think most, if not all of the slaves are in there."

Fire nodded, this situation making less and less sense as it unfolded, Why would the slaves brake free then return to the cargo bay? Why where all the guards and command staffs com units off line? And what by the goddess had started all this? Fire just shook his head and lifted his new weapon, taking aim as the blue Taac lifted it's arm's to project a unidirectional defense field that would allow them to shoot through it, wile blocking all incoming fire. With all the team in place and looking much like children hiding behind there mothers legs, Smash in the red Taac began to spin her high energy gattlon cannons up to speed in preparation to fire as the fox ordered "Weapons on stun, watch your fields of fire and try to avoid hitting any hostages if possible, we go in 3, 2, 1...."

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Back in the shuttle bay team 3 had just stormed the control room with blasters at the ready, the sight meeting there eyes enough to stop them all dead in there tracks. The command staff was not only fine, the first officer and chief engineer where relaxing on the floor, the feline braiding Dana's hair as there beloved Captain was dressing down drake in a tone very much like a mother putting her cub in his place " EVERY CONTINGENCY COVERED MY TAIL YOU, YOU, YOU....."

Lt. Fang completely confused at what she saw just slowly lowered her weapon and licked her lips as she asked just loud enough to get the vixens attention "Um... Captain? What's going on, we where told there were escaped slaves holding you hostage."

Kayla had been so angry with Drake that she did not even notice when the security team entered, the sound of Lt. fangs voice instantly redirecting her fury squarely to the female wolf. She turned, lashing drake with her tail as she stormed over to the timber wolf, the fox's claws extending to rip the com badge from her chest, taking a good chunk of her uniform with it. The infuriated vixen stabbed the com with a claw tip to activate it, her voice dripping with anger as she snarled "This is the Captain to all security officers and strike team members, you are hear by ordered to stand down, all prisoners are secured."

Then not wasting a second, she stabbed it again, almost impaling it with her claw as she added " Captain to the Computer, stand down tactical alert and deactivate the Counterinsurgency protocols, resume normal operations mode."

If the vixen had been mad when the team entered she was scent into orbit when the computer replied in it's cold, emotionless tone " Unable to comply, your security clearance has been revoked."

Kayla was now shaking with burning fury as she screamed " WHAT????? "

LT. Fang took a step back, her ears lowering and tail tucking between her legs as she fearfully explained " Captain, Fire took command of the ship when he could not contact you, we had no way of knowing if you had been compromised."

That was it, the straw that broke the camels back, Kayla just turned to drake and through the com badge at him as she entered anger overload and her voice returned to that kind of calm someone got before going completely postal " Mr. Ash, I am going to my office, I want this mess cleaned up and control of MY ship returned immediately, then we are going to have a very long talk about your future here."

As she did this Dana and Sasha had gotten to there feet, both with amused looks on there faces as they started to the door, the mink smiling as she almost purred " On that note I have a slave to track down and love on, care to join us commander?"

Sasha just nodded and winked to her mate before locking arms with the mink, her tail wagging side to side as she teasingly replied " It would be my pleasure grease monkey, who knows he might just get some loving from me as well."

Kayla could not help but smile at that, the one bright spot to come from this whole mess, there new ships slave. She just shook her head and fallowed the two out of the room, her tail still frizzed out with anger as she walked them to the lift so she could see the boy before getting back to work.

Still standing there Dumb founded and in her torn uniform Lt. Fang just looked back to Drake, the timber wolf completely confused as she asked " Mr. Ash ??"

..........................................................................................................................................

Fire was standing in the cargo bay just as confused, his team having stormed in only to find the guards engaged in a heated game of cards and all of the slaves still locked in there cages. He had just lowered his weapon and started toward the startled foxes so he could question them as to exactly what was going on when the call came in from the captain to stand down, it leaving the security team even more confused. Fire with his lips pulled back to show his teeth, threateningly touched his blaster to the top of the deck of cards as he growled " You have 10 seconds to explain what all this is about before you get a taste of just how bad a day I am having, soldier."

Both the foxes nervously swallowed as they flattened there ears, the vixens timidly replying " All we where told is there was going to be some kind of training exercise and if a slave made it in here with a weapon we where supposed to detain him, Sir."

Fire lifted the weapon and gripped it so tight it made his paw hurt, the fox's temper boiling over as he snarled " Exercise? EXERCISE??? Who by the dark pit authorized this exercise and why wasn't security informed? Do you have any idea what just happened out there? Please tell me what brainless moron ........."

It was just then that the sound of a pissed off Kayla met Fire's ears, the captain storming passed the cargo bay doors with the mink and white tiger in tow, the vixen yelling for Smash and Bash to get there tin cans out of her way. Seeing them reminded him of the data pad nova had used the last of his strength to in trust to him, Fire knowing he had to be the one to tell them about nova before someone ells did. Quickly he holstered his weapon and looked to his team, ordering them all to return to the armory and start filling out there after action reports, that is except for the female wolf with nova's blood on her uniform, Fire considering dragging her along by the scruff of her neck and making her confess what she had done to the command staff. No, that was a pleasure he would save for himself, that along with busting her down to the lowest rank possible and every other sadistic punishment he could think of. With a growl he ordered the bitch to go to his office and weight for him there, just the look on her face telling fire she knew just how much trouble she was in. With that taken care of Fire set off after the command staff, the male not knowing how he was going to explain this but knowing for sure they where not going to take it well.

If only he had started after them a few seconds sooner he might have caught up with the trio of ladies before they reached the spot nova had almost been killed in, the sight of the blood soaking into the carpet and it's thick coppery smell having caught all there attentions as soon as they entered the intersection. That is why Fire found Dana on her knees touching the stain in disbelief, the Captain and Sasha standing over her as if they to did not believe what they where seeing. Just as Kayla started to reach for her com to locate nova Fire spoke, his voice very soft as he said " Nova is alive, he...."

Kayla spun around and bared her teeth, Fire instantly becoming the target of all of the vixen's pent up rage as she struck him hard across the muzzle and snarled " You ... What have you done ... what did you do to our boy!!!!!!!!!!!"

To his credit Fire did not react to the slap, as much as he cared about the boy he could understand her reaction. If the fur on the vixens face had not already been pure white Fire was sure he would have seen her go pale as he lifted the crushed and stained data pad, her growl dieing on her lips as Fire shamefully whispered " He is in medical, one of the guards ... they thought he was .. " Fire just pointed at the weapons case not able to find the words.

As strong a leader as Kayla was, the vixen just could not find the words to speak as she took the broken pad from Fire, its screen shattered and casing bent, the vixen transfixed by the sight and scent of human blood covering it. Sasha seeing that Dana and her mate had both frozen up just lovingly ran a paw over there shoulders and looked back to fire, covering for them with a firmly ordered " We are going to Medical, I want a full report on the Captain's desk ASAP."

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Crystal had been working feverishly to save the slaves life from the moment the badly beaten boy had been teleported in, it taking the concentrated efforts of her entire staff to keep his broken body working. Not 24 hours sooner nova had been on this very bed laughing and playing with Fire and Morgan's kit but now, now he was hanging on by a thread, every time they where able to fix one problem, two more would pop up to take its place. Wile they had all been trained how to deal with trauma cases it had been a very long time since any of them had worked on someone this badly injured, in fact none of them could ever remember seeing anyone with this level of damage who had survived.

Melinda who had been frighten to even be in the same room with this slave the day before had been the one to take charge, her specialty being trauma surgery had her working the hardest in an almost vain attempt to stop his internal bleeding. At the same time he was being given 3 simultaneous blood transfusions from the supply Crystal had stock piled due to all the fighting, it being just barely enough to keep up with his blood loss. As angry as the full body scans of nova had made them all the day before, Crystal could not help but thank the goddess for them now, with her limited knowledge of humans physiology they where acting as her only guide in this frantic effort. They where almost there, they had just gotten the internal bleeding under control and stabilized his blood pressure when without warning the slave flat lined, his heart constricting and refusing to beat again.

"Dear sweet Goddess, cardiac stimulator NOW " the doctor screamed as she dropped the bone fusion unit she had just been using to repair nova's ribs, the jaguar quickly moving over to the control panel to jump start the boys heart.

Just as Crystal was about to activate the stimulators she was stoped by Melinda gripping her paw and pulling it away from the controls, the bunny shouting " Stop, it's not his heart." She touched a few controls on her own panel, it causing the 3D hologram of nova's body floating above the bed to zoom in on his head as she added "There is a bone fragment pressing on his brain that is blocking the signals from getting to his heart and lungs, we have to relive the intracranial pressure, nurse prepare 90cc's of class 3 Nanites." She knew if his body had jerked from the cardiac stimulation the bone fragment would have caused irreversible brain damage at the very least, if not killed him out right.

As dangerous as it was to use that many Nanites in someone's brain Melinda knew she had no other choice, if not precisely controlled they could cause a blood clot or hemorrhage, but with his heart stopped it was either get it beating again or the slave was finished. With the position of the fragment the bunny knew they could not risk rolling him over and cutting a hole with the surgical laser to inject the nanites and with no blood flow to carry them into his mind either, she was left in a catch 22 with lethal consequences. Franticly the bunny started thinking, there had to be a way, her eyes darting back and forth between the slave and the hologram that had served as her guide so far, how could she get the Nanites in?

Maybe it was an inspiration from the Goddess or maybe it was just insane desperation but it came to her in a bolt of lightening, his nose, the human nose. If he had been an Anthro it would not have even occurred to her, the construction of the Anthro muzzle had safe guards to prevent objects from penetrating deeply into it, but the human nose lead right up to there brain with only a thin membrane to protect it. Quickly the bunny grabbed the injector from the nurse and pulled the nanite cartridge from it, switching to an emergency manual injector with a 12 inch long needle on it.

Melinda adjusted the view of the hologram to a close up of the boys head before slowly starting to guide the needle in, it making its way through his nasal passage, passed the all important membrane and into the blood brain barrier, the bunny drawing a deep breath before carefully guiding it the last quarter of an inch to where it needed to be. Everyone in the room was dead silent as the medical student ever so gently pushed the plunger forward, simultaneously the hologram showed the nanites moving threw nova's brain with surgical precision.

No one even dared draw a breath as the little red dots on the screen attacked the bone fragment like ants swarming an insect trying to invade there colony, the modern marvels of medical science disassembling it in mere seconds. Melinda had just barely gotten the needle out of nova's nose when, as if the goddess herself had breathed life into the boy, he drew a breath and his heart started beating again.

Both doctors simultaneously released the breaths they had been holding as the rest of the staff through up a cheer, there patient was still far from being out of the woods but for the first time since his arrival there was hope, real hope.

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Less then 20 feet away in the weighting area Dana was crying her eyes out in the arms of her Captain, Kayla doing her best to comfort the traumatized mink. When they had arrived almost half an hour ago they had been prevented from entering the surgical area by a very large female bear acting on Crystal's order's, Dana almost clawing the ersins eyes out to get to her boy. It took both Kayla and Sasha to pull the mink away, the captain not having the authority to countermand the chief medical officers orders in her own med bay.

Now the fear of lousing her boy after going through all this to keep him just had the mink inconsolable, it causing her to realize just how much she had come to love him. A very long time ago her mother had told her that it only takes an hour to care about someone, a day to love them and a life time to forget them, now the mink understood, this slave had reached a place in her heart no other ever had before, she wanted him as more then just her property, she wanted him as her lover, companion and life mate, the law be dammed. Now the thought of him dieing in the next room just crushed her heart, her sobs strangled as if she was dieing with him.

Kayla and Sasha not knowing what ells to do just sat at Dana's sides and tenderly pet her, both supportively whispering that nova would be ok and that she would have a long life with him, it slowly helping the mink get herself under control. Once her sobs had died down to soft sniffles the mink looked up to both of them, her voice chocked as she whispered " I, I, love him so much, I can't louse him, not when we have our whole lives ahead of us."

Kayla moved a paw lovingly under the mink's chin and lifted her head to give her a very soft and love filled kiss, the vixen smiling as she tenderly teased " Dana he is going to be yours for many years to come, just think of the great story you will have to tell the grand cubs when they ask how you met."

Dana's mind just froze for a moment, Grand cubs? Would nova even understand when she eventually wanted to find a male to sire her cubs? Would he want an exclusive relationship and see it as cheating? She had just opened her muzzle to ask what the vixen meant when the door opened and an exhausted looking jaguar entered, all eyes turning to her hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Crystal just took one look at the group and fell back agents the wall, the feline pulling her knees up to her blood stain chest as she numbly whispered " he is stable, by the goddess I don't even know how, but he is stable." With the immediate danger over and nova passed the point his life was in danger Crystal just began to sob, her paws covering her face with all the emotions she had been forced to repress finally braking free, her strained voice cracking as she asked " How, how could this have happened?"

More to Come.......