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Truth or Dare

Chapter 10: Heart of Darkness

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The flashing red light and alarm klaxon woke Katlin from a deep sleep moments before thunderous impact knocked her from her bed alcove. Striking the floor hard Katlin let out a pained yelp as her knees let her know they did not appreciate hitting the metal deck plating of her room. Feeling the Revlon shudder as its own massive guns returned fire did not reassure her in the slightest.

They had been running hard for over a week towards the Unclaimed Zone and for the past three days they had been shadowed by an unknown vessel staying just on the outskirts of sensor range but close enough to be detected. For a single vessel to openly attack a dreadnaught meant that either they had an advantage of some sort or were stupid. The next impact that struck the ship lifted her from the floor momentarily before she hit the ground again in a terrified heap. She was no stranger to explosions and gun fire having worked for the military and having to write up various reports. This though was different, she could smell smoke, taste the ozone, hear the yelling of orders, screams of those that were injured and something else . . . gunfire?

Ears perking up she could distinctly hear the faint rattling of small arms followed by sounds of something solid striking the metal of the ship. 'Projectile weapons?' Katlin mouthed silently in confusion. Again the same rattling sound followed by the sounds of ricochet caused her to tense up as it sounded closer. The ship shuddered again as it fired its main guns again at presumably another vessel. Swallowing hard Katlin tried to think of what she could possibly do, she had no formal combat training nor was she proficient with any kind of weapon. Squeezing her eyes shut she reached out to try and figure out what was going on aboard the ship. Primarily she wanted to figure out who was on the ship shooting.

Casting her thoughts out she managed to snag the nearest Enforcers thoughts. She did not know the individual but she picked up on the fear they were feeling. She watched as the Enforcer fired off several rounds down a corridor only to have everything go white as the ship was rocked by another strong explosion. The sensation of viewing through someone's eyes right as they were killed put her on the ground in the fetal position screaming. No amount of training from Charlie could have prepared her for the experience. Crawling to her knees weakly she felt her stomach heave and the contents violently empty themselves onto her floor. Sucking in a shuddering breath through clenched teeth she spat once before opening her eyes seeing the mess she had made. She had little time to register what she had done when the sound of her door opening forced her to look towards it. The one opening the door was not an Enforcer it was some grey furred feline wearing a black tank top, black and white military style camouflage pants and traditional combat boots. A black bandoleer crossed his chest and he was holding an older variant type military riffle.

Katlin recognized the model as the RX-14, close combat riffle using solid rounds shaved from metal 'clips'. It was commonly known as a needle gun as it looked like it was shooting needles. The weapon was currently being pointed at her by some mercenary from the looks of it. Dangling from the grinning cats mouth was a half smoked cigarette. "Right where they said you would be," the cat stated gleefully.

The cat's glee was short lived as a distinct green flash filled the hall for a moment. Eyes going wide the cat dropped his gun as his mouth went slack and the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. Falling to his knees before falling forward Katlin could now see that the energy bolt had passed through just below the felines arm and out the other side. Looking up into the doorway she saw Deamos enter her doorway in full combat armor he had the face shield up on his helmet and Katlin could see that he was breathing hard and his one robotic eye had been smashed. Stepping into her room and reaching towards her the world went sideways with a roar. She felt more then heard the explosion as she was lifted from the ground and yanked backwards violently as the atmosphere was sucked from the room from the hull breech. She saw Deamos lurch forward and try to grab her missing by inches as she continued to be pulled away violently, at the same time the visor on his helmet came down sealing the suite completely.

The sudden shock of being twisted about violently was replaced as the air in her lungs was sucked from her body and cold beyond anything she had felt assaulted her body at the same time it felt like her body was boiling. The rational part of her brain died the moment she realized she was no longer inside the ship but in open space. As a silent scream left her lungs she realized that she was going to die. Flailing helplessly as she tumbled through space she watched as the Revalon grew smaller and her vision darker.

Screaming one last time Katlin sat up in her bed with her hands on her throat. Her breath coming in ragged pulls she glanced around the room in jerky motions as she fought to calm her panicked mind and racing heart. Briefly she thought she felt cold tendrils brush over her consciousness but so brief was the feeling that she was sure it had been her imagination. Getting out of her bed moved slowly to where the small bathroom that was attached to her room. Entering the small alcove an automatic light switched on caused her to squint her eyes in pain at the sudden brightness. Looking in the mirror she saw that firstly she looked like shit and lastly she had not slept well since passing into the outer territories of the Imperium.

In fact she realized that Charlie had seemed off as well since entering the Unclaimed Zone. She chalked it up at first to stress due to them running at max speed and at battle ready status. The fear that the Imperium was chasing them was strong in everyone's mind. Thinking back to earlier in the week she recalled a conversation she had had with Charlie and vaguely remembered him saying something about the influx of solar radiation being offset by local Dark Matter Stars caused a gravitational shift forcing the brain to over produce . . . blah, blah, blah, she could not remember much after that point other then it fucked with Sympathetics to some level. Feeling her stomach heave again she moved to the toilet feeling more inclined to vomit there vice the sink.

As her stomach settled she walked back to room grabbing a pair of pants that she had worn the previous day from a chair they were laid over. Completing her morning ritual of getting dressed and looking presentable she slowly made her way to the ships galley. As she walked she saw that everyone she passed was visibly tense. Individuals fidgeting with body armor they wore, checking that weapons were on safe or rechecking that the weapon was indeed loaded. There was the low nervous chatter between the ships own crew and the Enforcer on board. Hatches being closed forcing her to open and close them as she went, a safety precaution and haunting reminder that with a hull breach only a closed hatch stood between you and space. Making it to the galley she smiled as she smiled when she saw a sign that read 'Unload and clear your weapons, we promise the roaches are not armed,' shaking her head she continued into the Galley.

She was not really hungry, in fact she felt that her appetite had somehow walked off to go hide in some dark hole. Looking about she saw Diana sitting at a table with Charlie, who was hunched over blushing hard enough that it was visible through his fur, she was rubbing a single finger up and down his arm and making sweet eyes at him. Rolling her eye Katlin walked over to the table picking up on the conversation about halfway there.

". . . your stressed, I can see it. So why not come back to my room and I can help you with all that stress," Diana said in an innocent tone, "I promise you will be so relaxed after I'm done with you."

"Leave the poor guy alone Diana," Katlin said casually as she sat down, much to the relief of Charlie and the annoyed look from Diana.

"I was just offering a massage," stated Diana, giving a small pout.

"Uh huh," was all Katlin said.

"What? I was, honest, Scouts Honor," Diana said this with a raised hand as if giving an oath.

"Whatever the case ladies," Charlie interjected, the color fading somewhat from his ears, "what brings you to the mess?"

"Still having fucked up dreams," answered Katlin in a guarded voice, "it has been the same thing for four days."

"I warned you that because of the anomalies out here our dreams would be more . . . vivid."

"Like how vivid?" Diana asked with concern seeing her friend as she was, "I mean are we talking flying with a magic unicorn and shoot lightning vivid or waking up and not knowing if you are still dreaming vivid?"

"The latter," Charlie replied, "no clear cut reason as to why but those that are more . . . sensitive have problems out here."

"What we having nightmares?" asked Diana a slight grin on her face.

"No," replied Charlie with annoyance, "imagine a dream so real your body physically reacts to it."

"I don't get that," Dina scoffed slightly, "I have had my share of vivid dreams, why just last night I had one where I was with . . . someone and he was fucking me like no tomorrow and I woke up to find I was fingering myself with one hand while playing with my tits with the other. I would say I was 'physically' affected by that dream."

Charlie closed his eyes as he tried to regain his composure; the insides of his ears were glowing like lanterns. "Miss Stryker I have kindly asked that you not speak like that while a guest on this ship."

"And I have kindly asked you to go back to my room and fuck me in the ass, but I don't see you doing that," replied Diana with a sly smile.

Shocked Charlie just stared wide eyed.

"Diana," Katlin began, regaining her friend's attention and allowing Charlie time to collect himself, "what he means is physical manifestations."

"Physical what now?" Diana asked with a raised eyebrow.

Katlin sighed, "bruises, cuts, things like that."

"You're hurting yourself while you sleep?" Diana said shocked, "just get restraints and a mouth guard. Problem solved for you 'scary' dreams sweetie."

"It's more than that Diana," Katlin murmured, "these dreams affect a Sympathetic are called Flux Dreams, the body reacts to the brains impulses as if it was really happening."

"I'm still not following."

"Miss Stryker if a Sympathetic dies in a Flux Dream they die in real life," Charlie said getting to his feet, suddenly angry, "that clear enough for you to understand? God I have met some folks that are slow on the uptake but you . . . you are a freaking child at times. If I get shot in a Flux Dream and survive I wake up with an extra hole in my body that was not there when I went to sleep, you getting it! Oh, no, maybe I should put it into terms you can understand! You fuck someone in your Flux Dream and they end up choking you, beating you whatever gets your rocks off then guess what? You just died or wake up with new bruises. That clear enough for you Miss Stryker?"

Storming off Charlie left Katlin looking bug eyed from shock, Diana with her mouth open in surprise and the other occupants in the galley looking over at them. Several moments passed before the two females looked at each other and everything seemed to resume..

"Wow," began Katlin, "I know he was stressed with everything that was going on but, holy cow he has never gone off like that. He is always so clumsy and tripping over himself in that eager to please sort of way."

"I am defiantly fucking him when he gets off shift," Diana stated to a surprised Katlin.

"Come a-again?" Katlin asked, "he is not going to want you near him for a few days. Let alone consent to having sex."

"Did I say anything about what he wanted," stated Diana, a predatory look gracing her features.

"You're going to rape him? Aboard the ship? Are you stupid or plain crazy?"

"You know I get what I want Kat, and right now that little Snowball is going to be thawed out, come his next shift."

"Well I guess I will be visiting you either in the ships brig or med bay."

"Ye of little faith."

"Says the succubus to the virgin."

"Oh come now Kat, when was the last time you had anything in you that was not you that didn't run on batteries?"

Blushing hard Katlin stared at the table.

"My point exactly, so if I want to get in bed with a cute little snow fox don't judge me on how I do it. But please don't tell him either. Knowing him he would have me locked up and sedated."

"Diana I don't even know how to respond to that."

"Good," Diana said suddenly, standing up quickly, "that means you don't know what to do either which means you are going to do nothing."

Before Katlin could argue Diana quickly left the table leaving Katlin with her mouth open and finger pointing at where she had been. Letting out a frustrated groan Katlin placed her forehead on the table, at the distance she was she could make out the small scratches in the metal of the table from countless trays, cups and whatever else was moved about on the table's surface. She did not know how long she sat there trying to just let her mind go blank but no matter what she did it did not happen.

Being that she was not crew she had no place to be, no post, no real assignment other than staying out of the way. This of course led to long stretches of boredom and periods of just wondering about the ship getting a better feel for the Revalon. She did not know why it was but she found comfort staying in the galley. Charlie had said it might be the location, it being located near the center of the ship, providing some shielding from what was happening outside the ship. The sound of creaking metal made Katlin look up from her examination of the table.

Who she saw sitting across from her made her start. Lehlani was sitting across from her in full combat gear. The fact that she was sitting across from her was more than a little odd. The two had zero to talk about and Lehlani was as friendly as a bull shark whenever Katlin had come across her alone.

"I'm sorry I didn't hear you," Katlin started to say but quickly shut her mouth when she saw the look on Lehlani's face.

"You were given something and I and here to collect it," Lehlani stated in such a matter of fact way it might have been read from a cue card.

"I'm sorry I have what now?" Katlin asked blinking in surprise.

"You were contacted by one of my operatives. They gave you something. I want it."

"When did I do what now?"

"Miss Redtail," Lehlani said in a cool tone, "I don't make it a habit of repeating myself. One of my operatives gave you something. I want it."

"Okay first off, when did I meet said operative and two we have been in deep space for over a week. So unless this individual of yours can plant crap and vanish."

Lehlani scratched between her eyes in an annoyed manner. "You are being difficult Miss Redtail."

"Well you are being as clear as mud so cut the spy crap. You have others on this ship walking scared when around you but you don't scare me with the glare and rude gestures. So tell me what the hell it is I was given and by whom."

A small smile crawled across Lehlani's face. It was not a friendly smile more like a smile you would see when a rabid animal was about to take your face off. "You think I can't do a thing to you, you have no idea what I can do. So before this gets ugly I want what was given to you."

"Wow, you are used to folks jumping when you snap your fingers. And for your personal knowledge, you don't scare me and I know there is jack you can do to me. I also know that I have no fucking idea what it is that you want me to give you because I did not meet a single . . ."

Katlin blinked as she recalled the one thing that stood out from her meeting with the Queen. It had been that one Royal Guard suddenly appearing and then apparently vanishing. Looking Lehlani in the eye she realized that the Enforcer now knew that she knew what she was talking about.

"Ok, " Katlin said slowly, "h-h-how did you know about me running into that Palace Guard?"

"I make it my job to know what my operatives are doing," Lehlani replied angrily, "know that you realize who I am talking about, what where you given?"

"Nothing," Katlin stated simply. Much to her surprise Lehlani stared blankly at Katlin as if processing that simply statement like it had been a detailed report.

"What happened exactly between you two?" Lehlani asked after a long pause and leaning in slightly.

"He backed Sy . . . Sykon off and then answered a question I was about to ask. I remember going to ask how he knew but he stared at me with a look that said to remain quiet but his eyes looked like those of one playing a practical joke."

"FUCK BALLS!" Lehlani shouted so suddenly that it made Katlin jump and several others in the galley to look over at the two.

"Katlin swallowed several times trying to find her voice again, "w-w-what?"

"You where given something Miss Redtail," replied Lehlani after regaining some of her composure, "I told that fuck to not pass information like that. When I get my claws on his scaly back side I am going to rip him a brand new one!"

"What? No . . . he did not give me anything," repeated Katlin, confusion clearly in her voice, "I just said that he hadn't given me anything."

Lehlani ignored Katlin and seemed to stare off at nothing muttering to herself for several minutes before directing her attention back on Katlin, "Miss Redtail I will need you to come with me to Medical now. Please do not ask any questions just follow me."

With an agitated growl Katlin got up from the table and followed after Lehlani. Staying a few steps behind Katlin fumed silently to herself. It was not getting easier to deal with the Enforcers on the ship regardless of how much she interacted with them. The military members on the Revalon were slightly easier to deal with being they followed orders and were fairly predictable. Enforcers though had no real structure beyond who was in charge, after that they all operated on their own whims.

Entering the medical bay of the Revalon Lehlani directed Katlin to sit at the closest unoccupied bed and wait. Watching Lehlani bring up various protocols on the medical interface Katlin let out another agitated huff. The Idea of an examination was not sitting well with her and one preformed by Lehlani did not sit well by any means. When Lehlani stepped in front of Katlin with a medical scanner in hand she tensed up.

"I will need you to sit still for this," Lehlani directed holding up the scanner, "control your breathing and look directly forward this will not hurt one bit Katlin."

"What?" Katlin flinched back slightly from the sudden change in how she was addressed.

"I said this will not hurt," Lehlani repeated, her ears going flat against her head in annoyance, "now sit still."

Eyes narrowing slightly Katlin remained still as suspicion began to worm its way into her thoughts. In the back of her mind a small alarm was ringing that something was wrong and that she needed to run. As Lehlani raised the scanner to Katlin's eye the alarm grew louder to the point that Katlin again flinched away from Lehlani causing her to let out an angry growl.

"Damn it you stupid fox bitch sit still," Lehlani snarled angrily making Katlin jump back and almost fall off the medical bed.

Catching herself before she went over the side Katlin looked back at Lehlani and froze the hybrid was glaring at her. Her tail trashing wildly behind her in a clear sign of agitation but what was more alarming was the dark shadow like tendrils that were slowly weaving around and away from her. The image made every hair on Katlin's body stand on end and made her skin try to remove itself from her body. Eye growing wide Katlin did scoot back far enough to fall off the bed with a startled yelp. Staring up at the ceiling of the med bay Katlin heard Lehlani walk around from the other side of the bed. As she came into view Katlin felt her throat tighten as a scream slipped out. Sykon stared down at her with an angry glare on his features.

Still coming off his body like wisps of smoke Lehlani's form continued to melt away from Sykon's. "Did you really think you could escape me? I have not gone through the pains I have endured to just have you slip away."

"NO!" Katlin shrieked in horror, "y-y-y-you can't b-b-be here!"

"Can't I?"Sykon mocked kicking the side of Katlin's foot as she scrambled backwards on the floor, "I am here and I will get what I want."

Coming into contact with the wall behind her Katlin looked around to find some sort of escape. The medical bat was oddly empty and deserted. The doors were shut meaning none would hear her if she called out for help. Katlin's frantic looking came to a sudden halt when she felt a scaled hand close around her throat and slowly lift her to her feet.

"You have caused me much trouble fox bitch," Sykon hissed angrily, leaning in close to her ear, "and I interned to get what I am due."

Katlin dug her blunt claws into Sykon's scales with no effect but to bring a bemused look to the red dragons face. The grip on her throat was not tight enough to cut off her air but it was tight enough to keep her from wriggling free. Struggling harder Katlin tried to loosen the vice like grip on her neck, she froze when Sykon's hand tightened down hard enough to cut off her air, at the same time the red dragon pulled a small communication device from one of his pockets and put it to his ear. Looking directly at Katlin a poisonous smile crossed his lips.

"Have you ever traveled by light?" Sykon asked causing Katlin's eyes to grow wide, "I know the technology is still in its infancy but we have made great strides in the Imperium and we have successfully moved living matter. In fact we are going to go to my ship now and you will be my guest."

A bright flash followed by a deafening roar filled Katlin's senses. Briefly her vision cleared momentarily for her to watch as a dark winged entity seemed to manifest itself and grab Sykon in its massive jaws and shake the dragon in the same manner a terrier would with a rat before tossing the limp body to the side. A second bright flash made everything go dark and cold beyond anything Katlin had felt. Darkness followed close behind it.

* * *

Loud hissing met Katlin's ears as well as cold, deep bone penetrating cold. She could not move as she felt her body was restrained. More hissing and the sound of moving parts. Blinking her eyes Katlin could not see anything but bright light and dark shapes. There was the sound of a lock disengaging and the bright light grew in intensity followed by her whole body being wracked with pain. A moan escaper Katlin's lips as her body reacted. The dark shapes moved closer to her followed by voices that were unintelligible. Gloved hands grasped her elbow making her jump as well as lash out with her other hand.

Katlin was not sure but she felt contact and though she heard a pained sound from where she struck. A larger dark shape moved into view and large clawed hands grasped her and seemed to lift her from the cold. Flailing and protesting for what she was worth Katlin tried to break free. She heard one voice but could not make it out. She felt herself being held against a broad chest as she could hear the steady heart beat and the rhythmic breathing with it. Slowly the voice she was hearing began to make sense and her panicked mind began to come back into focus.

". . . Kat, calm down Kat," a familiar voice instructed, "you need to breathe deeply or you're going to pass out."

Still struggling to gain a hold of what was going around her Katlin realized that she could feel her face against hard scales. Panic instantly flooded into her mind as she thought Sykon had in fact caught her. Kicking and pounding her fist against the body that held her only caused the arms that held her to grow tighter.

"You're on the Revalon Kat," the voice continued sounding more familiar, "you just came out of Hyper Sleep."

Still struggling but not as hard as before Katlin began to hear other sounds as well as more voices. With her vision coming back into focus Katlin looked up to the expectant face of Deamos.

"Welcome back Ms Redtail," Deamos stated calmly, "this was your first trip in cryo was it not?"

"I . . .w-what?" managed Katlin blinking in confusion as the room she was in became clear and she saw other being extracted from the sleep pods.

"The first time is always the worst," Deamos stated, releasing his hold on Katlin and allowing her to stand on shaky feet.

"I . . ." Katlin began again but her mind went blank as she tried to remember what happened. Before her mind could drift to far Katlin realized she was stark naked. Tail coming around and up instinctively trying to cover her body Katlin spun around to glare at Deamos but her own words caught when she saw that Deamos was equally nude. Eyes wide she quickly looked at the ground and could feel her ears burning.

"As I was saying," began Deamos after a small cough, "the sleep is hard on the body the first time and can cause severe disorientation and nausea."

"W-w-w-where are m-m-my clothes!" Katlin demanded in a shrill voice loud enough to cause several of the crew moving around the two to stop and stare for a moment before moving on.

"Katlin! Your awake!" A familiar voice squealed causing the female fox to turn towards the voice only to be accosted by furry white breast to her face and arms around her back in a tight hug. "Oh I cove hyper sleep you have such awesome dreams. This one time me and this nice equine fellow shared a pod Oh my god when we got out I could not sit right for a week. Three days with a cock in your ass will do things to you."

With one eye twitching from the imagery just put in her mind Katlin managed to push Diana to arms length. "It is nice to see you too Diana but where are my clothes?"

"Clothes?" Diana asked blankly before looking up and down Katlin, "I thought I felt a draft. I was going to ask Charlie the same thing but damn that little snowball, I saw him naked and the thought just went out the window. I swear if he turns any redder he is going to catch on fire. But yeah where did my cloths wonder off two?"

"Me Stryker, Ms Redtail," Deamos interrupted causing Katlin to look over but quickly look at her feet the insides of her ears red. Diana looked over to Deamos just now noticing the black dragon and the smirk that had been plastered across her face fell and her eyes going wide and drifting low as well but not at the floor. "If you will follow me we can get you suited up."

Turning Deamos began to walk away but stopped when he looked over his shoulder and saw Diana had not moved. Katlin still had her tail hugged close to her body when Deamos stopped in front of Diana and snapped his fingers in front of her face making her blink and look around confused. "Eyes up here Ms Stryker," Deamos indicated with is hand, pointing to his own face. Turning back around he started to walk towards an open door and out of the Hyper Sleep chamber. Following close behind Katlin tried like mad to figure out what had happened.

* * *

Several hours later and numerous medical checks Katlin sat at the table in the Ready Room. A cup of untouched coffee was being held between her paws and a medical smock adorned her body, the other in the room were dressed the same. Diana was in the room as well, sitting close to a blushing Charlie and playing with the tufts of fur on his tail. Marcus sat with an annoyed look plastered on her face, her arms crossed over her chest and her feet propped up on the table. Deamos stood in the far corner with a blank look on his face. When Commander Ross entered wearing her Dress Uniform the Enforcer's faces all took on a somber look. Commander Ross glared at Marcus causing her to roll her eyes and remove her feet from the table.

"Ah tahek it dat chu all sleept wehl?" Ross began in a flat tone.

"Um, absolutely not at all," Marcus replied her hackles raised slightly.

"Et wahs reetorechal Cahptin," Commander Ross growled in an annoyed tone her stripped tail twitching behind her.

"Well my moment was not Ma'am," Marcus growled getting to her feet and resting her hands on the table, "I didn't magically get into a Cryo-Pod. You fucking drugged us and I don't like that one damn bit!"

"It was necessary," Deamos interrupted, stepping up to the table.

"Et Tu?" Marcus growled her eyes wide in surprise, "I have been your partner for how long and you could not trust me?"

"My thoughts exactly," Katlin said softly causing all eyes to fall on her, "you want me to trust you and you pull this stunt on the crew."

Looking surprisingly hurt Deamos went to open his mout but was cut off by a single raise of the hand from Commander Ross. "Ah know chu are vehry mahd but et wahs noht mah desichion. Et wahs Supreahm Comahnder Delinach."

"Ok," Marcus stated angrily making Deamos cringe, "who the fuck is this Supreme Commander Delinach?"

"I am," a voice as dark as obsidian and as hard as a diamond cut through the room, making everyone freeze save Deamos who had a worried expression on his face.

"Comahnder Delinach," Ross stated waving her paw, "pleahs dis es mah top Enforcers."

Stepping out of a shadow that had not been there a black dragon strode up to the table. He stood a head taller than Deamos and when he passed the smaller dragon Katlin saw a small snarl briefly form on his face then as quickly dissipate. Under the better light everyone could now see that the dragon's voice fit him perfectly. The scales that could be seen on his arms where large jagged and plate like. Edged bone growths protruded from each of his elbows and there was no mistake that they were not for show. The scales that could be seen on his neck and head were of similar large overlapping and jagged. Six horns grew from the back of his head almost looking like a crown while two large curved bones that went towards the end of his mouth grew out from just below eyes that glowed and enthrall blue. As the dragon moved his head looking at each individual wisps of light cast off from the motion. When the dragon's eyes fell on Katlin a small smile tugged at his face making Katlin fidget nervously. Seeming to read her mind, and making several gasp in surprise, what Katlin though had been a cape was in fact the dragon's wings which were now being displayed.

The wings themselves were just as impressive as the rest of his body. They did not look flimsy like a bats, nor as delicate as a birds. Thick 'finger' bones expanded the wings completely, with four in each wing. The tips of each of these bones had a cruel looking hooked talon, while the 'thumb' itself had a bone that was more of a blade and completely prehensile. All could now see that the dragon was wearing an armored breast plate that looked akin to what soldiers in ancient times wore into battle. Around his waist he wore a battle dress of sorts the cloth having metal plates sewn onto the fabric. On his hip though all could see that he wore the very much present day sidearm. The distinct metal made it recognizable as an antimatter weapon. Having made his point Commander Delinach folded his wings about himself again.

"Crew of the Revalon welcome to the Unclaimed Zone or the Old Kingdom," Commander Delinach stated in a cold tone, "you are hear as guest and are under our protection. The Imperium nor the Empire will cross our borders. But in turn you could not know how to gain entry to our territory. Know this no communications can leave our space without clearance from High Command. If you try I will personally remove your head. Obey our laws and we will get along break our laws I break bones. This is your only warning." Looking directly at Katlin Commander Delinach's expression changed slightly his eyes narrowing, 'and you, fox bitch, we have much to discuss as you are now a danger within our boarders that I will not have.' Looking away from the stunned Katlin Commander Delinach looked Commander Ross.

"Weh are guehst acht wit in Enforcer rehgulatichons," Commander Ross ordered in a hard tone, "ah whelt naht hessetat chu shoot chu mah sehlf."

---

Differing silently in space a space ship with the name March Hare stenciled in large letter across its bow drifted closer to the Uncharted Zone. Inside the bridge of the ship a Human sat in the Captain seat smoking a cigar. Around him the other crew manned their station intently watching their monitors. The tension aboard the ship was thick enough it could have been cut with a knife. On the main screen all one could see was a massive asteroid field, past that field was the quarry they hunted. Drifting closer the Human sat up in his chair and leaned forward in anticipation. Another few seconds ticked by with no one saying a word. Without warning alarms began blaring indicating that they had been locked onto.

Cursing loudly and spitting out the chewed cigar the Captain bellowed, "full power forward deflection screen! Bring the damned engines back up and pull us back!" As the captain said this there was a bright beam of light that passed the ship causing more alarms to sound as the blast grazed the ship causing it to shudder. Inside the ship the sound of metal being rent as the energy blast grazed the ship filled everyone's ears. "Damage report god damn it!"

"Outer haul breach in sections 4, 9, 12 and 22 sir!" a spotted feline responded as his hands flew over his counsel.

"Shields down 34 percent sir," a rabbit called out in alarm, "if we take a direct hit our shields will not be able to absorb it."

"Pull us back!" the Captain growled.

As the ship pulled back from the Uncharted Zone the alarms that had been going off slowly died off one by one until the all clear came across indicating they were no longer being locked onto. Swearing and spewing vulgarities that would make any military man smile with appreciation the Captain stormed off to his ready room and brought up a com link. Sykon's holigraphic face came into view and the Dragon did not look pleased.

"You had better have what I want Captain," Sykon growled though the movement of his mouth and his voice did not match up exactly.

"No I don't but that fucking tracking thing worked like a charm," the Human growled back just as angrily, "except I now have a fucking grinder of a asteroid field between me and that fox you have a hard on for."

"how pleasant," Sykon replied coolly, "and why is the asteroid field a problem? Get above it and go around. There is a reason why it is known as 'space' or are your pir- business associates that stupid?"

"Cute," the Captain spat, "one fucking little problem. There is some sort of defense platform that I can't see or pick up that has one mother of a power core. It fucking grazed my ship at took our shields down a third their strength. I can't follow your damn fox if I am going to get blown the fuck up."

"So you are not going to do the job," Sykon asked, his voice becoming deadly, "that would not be healthy."

"I didn't say that you fucking suitcase," the Captain shot back just as deadly, "you're going to have to triple my pay. So I can fix my damned ship when this is all said and done."

"Triple?" Sykon hissed, his eyes going wide, "if you think I am going to pay more than what I have already given you-"

"Hey future hand bag," the Human interrupted, "you want the fox or not?"

Growling angrily, "fine I will get your funds. You will not see them until I have what I want and that is not negotiable." With an angry hiss the communication cut out.

Sitting down on a nearby chair the Captain ran a hand over his face. This would be a tough nut to crack but he would be walking away with enough to live like a king in the fringe territories, not to mention get a better ship. Getting back to his feet he marched back out on to the bridge. Already he saw that the asteroid field had become a distant blurred line on the main screen.

"Letts see how far we need to go to get past this fucking thing!"