FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“_Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

~ Neil Gaiman, Coraline_

The facility was built back during Humanity's Colonial Segregation War and later expanded during the First Contact War. Originally designed and built to stand against air raids from the Colonial factions and pirate organizations that popped up during the seemingly short time humans have gain space flight to hopefully surviving an orbital strike from the Sovereignty. The location has seen its fair share of battles over the years and despite the beating that the facility has taken, much of the place still stood proud.

But the knowledge gave little comfort in the here and now...

The building shook at the impact of the tank shell that was fired into the reinforced walls. Many of the occupants gave a startled cry as soot and dust dislodged from the ceiling and fell on the hapless beings that had sought shelter inside it. A few started barking orders, yelling for people to get to get ready to defend themselves. Some did their best to try to steel themselves and take up defensive positions against the coming on-slot. Others moved about frantically in the chaos, moving from one place to another in complete confusion. Some where standing still, trying to figure out what they should be doing or where they should be despite being on the verge of panic. A few just... stopped, slinking down and did their best to be as small as possible no matter where they were

“Get DOWN!" Lynnette shouted as she pulled the cadet next to her down as another one of the tank shells impacted near the window where she was. Picking herself back up, she rested her rifle on the windowsill and looked down the sights of her rifle as she took aim and pulled the trigger. The bolt sailed towards its target and just missed the merc she was aiming for, hitting the concrete they were using for cover. The energy bolt kicked up dust into the mercenary's helmet, making him flinch and pull back into deeper cover.

Lynnette gave a silent curse as she pulled back from the window, letting another cadet take her place. She couldn't help but feel that the situation they were now in was because of her. From what she initially gathered, the invading mercenaries were content with leaving the cadets held up in the relatively small outer building. However with her coming and making her side an actual threat, the Mercs were now intent on either suppressing them inside the building that they took shelter in or taking everyone prisoner. Or worse.

A white furry hand clasp itself on her shoulder, drawing her out of her thoughts. She turn to regard Fenrir, who gaze down at her as he gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Don't think for a minute that this situation is entirely your fault." It was as if his striking red eyes was peering into her mind. “The blame lays with the person who orchestrated this turn of events."

Lynnette let out a long sigh and visibly slouched. “I know... But. I can't help but feel that my choices had only escalated the situation to the point of putting everyone in danger."

“Perhaps." Fenrir said. “Perhaps not. You might of accelerated things, but I had no intention of having sitting idle and allowing my fellow classmates to be held prisoner by anyone."

“Commander!"

Both Lynnette and Fenrir turn to regard the panting cadet that ran up to them. “Report." He kept his voice as calm as he could given the situation that they were in.

“The lookout just spotted 3 more drone tanks on their way here along with another wave of enemy troops."

Fenrir groan at the revelation and what it meant.

Lynnette bit her finger in thought. They needed a way to deal with the drone tanks. Trap them, disable them, outright destroy them... She cursed herself again. She had only grabbed what amounted to modern infantry rifles and only a handful of grenades. She didn't dare to go after much more than that, let alone anything heavier that could make a dent in that armor. Had she of known she would of brought an arsenal with her...

Wait...

Her mind clicked as a memory of recent events surfaced. At the time, events had moved to rapidly to really noticed but now things were quickly coming into focus in her mind. Her standing beside the open rear compartment of the ATV. Looking at the weapons cases that were stacked inside. Faelynne pushing her down as the ATV exploded. Her brief glance up and seeing the derbies and weapon cases flying through the air. The sight of one of those cases hitting the ground and cracking open like an egg, exposing an anti-armor rail rifle.

“Son of a bitch... Why didn't I see that before?"

Fenrir turned to regard the feline with a puzzled look. “Seen what before?"

Lynnette looked up at the Lycan. “The back of the ATV that I came in. It was filled with weapons cases, and some of them were Anti-armor weapons too!"

Fenrir blinked. “And you couldn't of grabbed at least one?"

“Uhh... In my defense, I was a bit busy trying to stay alive since several of those bastards were trying to kill me and Faelynne."

Fenrir stroke his chin in thought as he limped over to a mostly unused desk given the situation. He got the cadet's, who had been playing the part of his aid, attention and motion to sit the tablet down. Activating the holographic map again the three sets of eyes gaze at the map. Soon they had a plan and had gathered the cadets that could be spared from defending their location.

“Here's the deal," Fenrir said as he got their attention. “With what the enemy are bring to bare on us, we can't defend this location for long before the structure starts to fall on our ears." He glanced around at the young cadets who fidgeted and mumbled among themselves at his words. “So..." He said as he garnered their attention again. “We are abandoning this location."

The cadets started to chatter in disbelief at that revelation.

“Sir, you can't be serious."

“W-what are w-we going to do??"

“But if we go out there, we'll be killed!!!"

Fenrir gave a sharp whistle to bring order again. “Yes we will, IF we currently leave out the main exits." Every one of the gathered cadets looked at him like he was crazy.

“Then... How are we even supposed to leave?"

“Through the catacombs" Lynnette stepped up next to Fenrir and continued speaking. “Under this facility are a series of service tunnels that aren't on the standard maps that is given to us trainees. Everyone will be evacuated to the tunnels and we can easily secure a new location without fear of the tanks getting to the wounded."

“That's good and all, but what about the guys that's been captured?"

“Its never been my attention to leave our fellow trainees in the hands of the enemy." Fenrir said as he took over the briefing again. “Once everyone's been evacuated, those who are too injured ad those task with watching over them will stay behind while the rest of us will reconnoiter and move to rescuer those of us who's been captured."

“But... What about the drone tanks?"

“That's where I come in." Lynnette spoke up again. “While evacuating the building, I will be leading one of three groups of volunteers. The plan is to divide the enemy's attention and buy time for everyone to evacuate the building. While this is happening we will lead the enemy away and make our way to where my AVT landed..."

“More like crashed."

“ Aclide," Fenrir Barked as he glared at the fox like Lycan. “Thanks for volunteering to join Lynnette's team."

“But..."

Fenrir growled at him. “No buts. You've been nothing but useless since this situation started. Hell, even Rawr'Vex was more usefull than you've been. Its time to earn your keep and you will keep your mouth shut. Understood?"

“Understood..."

“What was that!"

“Understood Sir!"

“Good! Volunteers step forward now. While you're going to be a distraction to buy us time to move everyone, you're also going to be playing a vital part and getting us specialized weapons that will help us put a major dent in their fighting force."

After some quick discussions among the gathered cadets, twelve of them stepped forward.

Lynnette smiled as she walked to the one and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Thanks for stepping up, but you're going to be needed here Faelynne."

Faelynne looked up at her friend, “I know, how ever who would I be if I just abandon my patient and friend?"

“Listen..." Lynnette said as she gave the fennec hybrid shoulder's a friendly squeeze. “I am glad that you did volunteer and that you're doing your best to stick with me despite my crazy moments. Right now you're the senor medic here and I know that Justin is very much at his breaking point. Your knowledge and abilities are going to be needed here, even though I still want you with me. But, when they attempt their rescue, you know there's going to be casualties."

“True." Faelynne said after giving the snow leopard's words some thought. “However," She soon added. “You better not get yourself hurt any worse than you are out there, or else I Will make you regret it."

Lynnette gave a hard swallow. “Well, I don't plan on that so, here's hoping." The two gave each other a curt nod as Faelynne move to help oversee the movement of the injured cadets while Lynnette joined the remaining cadets. “Well... lets get this show on the road."

Soon, Lynnette formed the group into three teams of four. Each one was given different directions to the crash site in hopes that it will increase their chances of not only finding the weapons that were more than likely scattered, but also pull the Mercenaries in different directions. All three groups managed to slip away quietly as planned, making their way past the advancing mercenaries. Slowly making their way around the advancing solders, and slipping behind the advancing platoon unseen.

But that was only part of their plan.

One of each team pulled the pin to a grenade and lobed the small devices towards the advancing troops. One unlucky merc just caught movement by his feet and gave a panicked shout just before the ground below him erupted. More than half of the mercs that weren't caught by the explosion and flung through the air turned and was greeted by a wave of energy as the cadets fired their weapons at the troops. More than thirty angry mercenaries chased after them as Lynnette's team made a fighting retreat back to where the ATV was.

Lynnette risked hanging back and poked her head out and counted the number of troops that were chasing them. Counting them quickly, she ducked back as a hail of pulse blast peppered the concrete wall that she was behind before following behind the others. She came around a corner and leaned against the wall as she caught her breath.

“How many are following us?"

“Fifteen..." She panted. “Give or take."

Aclide gave a snort as he shook his head. “I guess that you are pretty popular with the stunts that you've been pulling." He pulled a canteen from a back pouch and offered it to her.

She chuckled as she took a swig and handed it back. “I seem to have that effect."

“Hey!" One of the others called out. “It looks like they're pulling back."

“What?" Lynnette went to the corner and poked her head out with the other cadet's. The Mercenaries were indeed going in the opposite direction, some were in a full sprint while others cautiously kept their weapons trained in their general direction. “Why the heck are they pulling back?"

As if to answer her question, the wall above their heads exploded and rained derbies over their heads, causing the cadets to run for better cover. Soon, two more concussions shook the trainees to their cores. They quickly made their way to a thick support structure as the air around them was filled with the thumps of anti-personnel rounds filled the air.

“Fuck! Did they bring a Damn Tank?!?"

Aclide stuck his head out and quickly dove back. “No... They didn't bring 'A' tank.."

“But..."

“They brought Two."

Everyone groaned at the news.

“Are you kidding me?"

“Want to look for your self?"

The ground rocked as another concussion hit the thick barrier.

“No thank you."

They were pinned where they were now, the next closest cover was easily some ten meters away in either direction. Lynnette keyed her com. “Team two, Team three, Status?" Static crackled in her ear before there was an answer.

“Team three." A voice answered mixed with the sound of weapons fire. “Fighting multiple contacts. Moving slower than planned. Keep getting pinned down. Need to make a break or get help."

“Team two reporting, managed to slip away from them bastards. I think we can hear the fire fight from someone else though."

Lynnette groan to herself. “If you can, recon to see who's fighting."

There was a moment of silence before the com crackled to life again. “I just caught a glimpse of one of team three. Orders?" She looked over at her fellow teammates, all three made a knowing grimace look before turning back and taking pot shots at the drones in hopes of hitting a vital. They weren't going to get help.

“Re-enforce team three and engage."

“Understood."

Lynnette slouched against the barrier with a sigh. Glancing around, she tried to think of a solution to their situation. However her thoughts turned to Reg. Somehow, thinking of him gave her a smile and made her chuckle, it was a small though one given the position they were in. Somehow, he just clicked with her and he'd would inspire her in ways that she never thought anyone would before she had met him. She really wished that he was there with her...

'Lynnette...'

She shook her head. Was she hearing voices now? Last thing she needed was to go crazy.

'Lynnette' the voice whispered again. It sounded like Reg's but, how? 'Over here...'

She poked her head around the barrier looking for the source of the voice. “Hey Aclide," The Lycan gave a grunt in acknowledgment. “What does that look like at Two o'clock."

The Lycan came around to her side a looked over to where she was looking. “That looks like... A weapons case, two of them." The group gave a short laugh at the realization that their goal was in reach. However, another concussion against the barrier that was sheltering them reminded them of what else was waiting out there for them.

“Shit..." One of the other cadets blurted out, “That's nothing but open ground. It be suicide with those two drones gunning for us."

Lynnette bit her lip. Trying to think of a solution to grab the cases and escape. In her mind, nothing short than a miracle would get them out with all their lives intact...

'I'm sorry Reg...' Lynnette thought as she scrambled for the cases.

The other cadets cried out at her as she bolted out of cover. They were easily more than thirty feet away, but she had to try and grab one of them. They needed to at least get one of the anti-armor weapons that had been in the back of the ATV. Otherwise the drone tanks would easily overpower everyone and leave them for dead. There was two of them lying out in the open, if she could grab one of them and throw it back towards her teammates, then hopefully the cadets will have a better chance at surviving this.

One of the tanks focused on her as she ran in the open and managed to dodge one of the shell explosions as she ran. She slid to a halt next to the two cases, both had scorch marks from the earlier explosion but the closest one to her had open when it came in contact with the ground. She reached out and grabbed the second one that had remained closed. Hefting the weighted case as she stood up, The feline flung it with all her might towards her waiting teammates that were doing their best to provide cover fire for her. Aclide happened to glance in her direction and immediately broke cover to recover the thrown weapon's case before making hast back.

Lynnette started to sprint back only to be knocked off her feet by the concussion of an explosion in front of her. Looking up, she seen that one of the two drones quickly marching towards her while the other one was quickly making its way for the others. Beyond them, almost completely hidden by most of the battlefield was one of the mercs with what looked like a tablet that they were imputing something into. Looking to her companions, she could see that the Lycan had made it back into cover, but the trio looked like they were getting ready to open the case.

She pieced together what was going on.

Her makeshift team were going to try and save her.

But the weapon needed time to activate and charge to fire.

The mercenary was controlling the two drones.

There was no time...

“RUN!!!"

All three cadets looked over at her confused as she picked herself off the ground.

“RUN!"She shouted again as she ran towards the drone tanks. “Go, NOW!" What she had planned wasn't much, but perhaps she could delay the two long enough for everyone else to get away.

The one targeting her tried to stop her with a foot stomp, but she just dodged it and continued with her mad gamble. She bolted strait for the second drone. Using her race's superior agility, she nimbly leaped on the second tank's hull. She barely was able to grab the small opening that was in the tough shell that housed the fragile cameras and other sensor equipment before she slid off the smooth reflective surface. She attempted to reach in and yank out the vital components, but with the way the thing moved, it was difficult to even get a firm grip on anything. A sudden impact to the drone sent her flying off of it and she came to a rolling stop several feet away. She looked up from where she had landed and glanced up at the two drones.

Her plan only half succeeded.

In her mad dash, she had hoped that the one would fire it's main turret and take out the second tank. Not the best plan, and one that she figured that seen the end of her, but they needed to get the anti-armor weapon to the rest of the cadets if their plans of rescuing the rest of the cadets were to succeed. Instead, what had happen was that the one drone had rammed the other one that she had leaped on. The two were a tangled heap for only a moment as the first one had pulled itself away and marched towards her, leaving the other one in a heap of disoriented daze like state.

She chanced a glanced over to where her team was and noticed the fox like tail vanish beyond the edge of the building. Good, at least they'll have one of the weapons.

Before she could regain enough of her senses and attempt to pick herself up, the drone was already on her. She looked up to see it's phone pole size leg arched over her and stared its mechanical descent downwards. She gave a startled cry as she tried to instinctively shield herself from her inevitable fate.

She heard and felt the ground shake around her with the impact.

But not the momentary pain of being crush underfoot that she was expecting to feel.

She slowly pried her eyes open and was shocked by what she saw.

Her field of vision was dominated by a white fluffy wolf like tail of a Lycan with a light blue tip. Looking past that tail she could see a somewhat familiar white leather trench coat adorn with its gray shoulder yokes. The white Lycan that was present for her inquiry was straddled over her and was holding the drone's leg in the air just above her body. The mechanism strained as it tried to put more force into its servos to break the grip and crash its foot into the ground. However, the Lycan, in a never before seen feat of strength by the Caushae, held the foot aloft where he had grabbed it and kept it in place.

“You know cadet," The male above her said with more agitation than strain in his voice. “If you're done pretending to be a rock in the road, getting out of the way would be a good idea."

Left dumbstruck, Lynnette took a second to realize what the wolf above her said and quickly scrambled out of the way. The Lycan then let go of the leg and let it stomp into the ground with all the force he'd been holding back. The impact not only created a small crater in the ground, but also vibrated the ground enough that it caused the fleeing feline to momentary stumble. Proving himself the greater threat, the two drones started to converge on the Lycan. She slid to a stop by the open weapon case and pulled out the oversize anti-armor rifle. Her fingers work tirelessly to start the power and arming sequence for what was basically a miniature rail gun made for infantry.

A sharp whistle drew her attention back to the Lycan.

“Cadet Wilkes," The Lycan tossed a small flash drive device at her which she just barely caught in both hands. “Take that to the control room and plug it in. I got the feeling that the command override codes stored on that drive are going to be needed."

“But, what about you?"

“Don't worry about me," He said as a drone tank charged and tried to tackle him, only for him to spin around with a round house kick sending it skidding away several feet. “I can take care of these things."

“But..."

“No buts, cadet. Move!" He watched as the Caushae nodded and bolted away as she slung the oversize rifle over her shoulder. He turned towards the two drones as he pulled his sword seemingly from thin air. “Well, I got to admit." He said as he cracked his neck from side to side. “Its been a while since I've had any real fun." His voice got louder. “So you better make sure that these drones are worth my wild or else I'm going to be taking you apart piece by piece. YOU HEAR ME, you BASTARD!"

The Lycan made a toothy grin as he heard the barley audible yip from the hidden merc and charged the two drones.

Lynnette ran for the control room. The sounds of explosions and the anti-personnel weapons went off behind her as she distanced herself from the battle. She wanted to turn back and help that white wolf, but every fiber in her body told her not to worry and to press on. As she got closer to the control room sounds of another fire fight grew louder.

She approached the location with caution and poked her head around the corner. What she found was the group of eight cadets in a pitch battle with the thirty some Mercenaries that they had pulled away from the others. She watched in horror as one of the cadets was hit and fell backwards onto the ground, no longer moving when he came to a rest. A cadet that was close by tried to reach for the body and pull it back into cover, only to have his arm turn into a splatter of gore from a lucky hit. She could see another cadet holding a wounded shoulder as a teammate try and bandage it up. It was very obvious that they were about to be overwhelmed by the shear numbers that the Mercenaries were bring in.

Lynnette bared her teeth in a growl as she brought her weapon around and shouldered it. The thing hummed ready and primed as she stepped out of the corner and pulled the trigger. She was nearly knocked off her feet by the recoil as the tungsten round was accelerated out of the split barrel of the hand-held rail gun. The solid round hit the reinforced barrier that at least two of the Mercs were hiding behind and exploded the obstacle on the other end in a shower of shrapnel and debris as the round continued on its journey behind the unlucky mercenaries that was caught by the resulting explosion.

Lynnette chambered the next round and sent it flying towards another target with an almost satisfying explosion of carnage as rubble, dirt, armor pieces, and gore rain down in the vicinity of where a large group of mercenaries had taken cover. With the realization of what was going on, the mercs began to scramble in a disorganized retreat that was followed closely by a third round that decimated two of the stragglers. The surviving group gave a woop and sent their own reminders at the fleeing troops before they turned to regard their savior.

“Thank you Commander. They just started to come out of nowhere and pinned us down heavily."

“I'm glad I was able to help." She took the rail-gun off her shoulders and handed it to the cadet. “My team is already on their way back with one, take this one back too and get your wounded treated."

“Yes sir." Then a thought hit him. “Sir, aren't you going to be returning with us?"

“I..." Lynnette blinked for a moment in thought. Yes that Lycan told her to get to the control room and she wanted to find Reg, but her duty was still to the cadets that were currently scattered around the compound. Her mind drifted to Reg again and she was suddenly filled with a dire sense of urgency. “I got to get to the facility's Operation and Control Room, something isn't sitting right and I need to find out what that is."

The cadet nodded as he took her weapon and handed her his rifle in exchange. “Its better if you're armed with something, as we don't know what is fully going on. " He said before he made his way around to where the door was and disappeared inside.

Lynnette quickly checked the charge of her rifle and found it to be half charged before she continued on. Aside from the distant sounds of battle on the other side of the facility, the area looked and felt relatively deserted. The facility felt more like an old ghost town with none around, but despite it seemingly vacant appearance, Lynnette still moved cautiously even though she wanted to hurry along. It was easily a ten minute jog around the grounds before she finally reached her destination. Preferring to error on the side of caution, she shouldered her rifle at the ready and pushed into the administration building.

The inside continued the empty facade with the scant amount of furniture and decorations that was left when the original people abandon the facility. Lynnette was tempted to turn on her rifle's spot light, but instead chose to rely on her natural night-vision eyesight. Sweeping the weapon left to right, she moved cautiously over to the joining hallway and started to traverse the red lit corridors. Everything remain eerily quiet as she traversed the corridors. She continued to aim the weapon into every doorway, half expecting something to jump out at her like some spook house or something.

As she continued on her way to Operations, more things stared to nag at her. She almost wished that she was either chasing or being pursued by the mercenaries again, anything to help shake the forlorn vibe that her surroundings were generating as she moved deeper into the building. The overwhelming sense of dread had her fur standing on end. It didn't help when her long tail that was whipping around in her anxiety and knocked a loose fixture to the ground causing her to whirl around and draw on the inanimate object. She was thankful that the closer to Operations she got the sparser the obstructions got, but the way the sequence of red lights flashing was trying to warn her to get away, making it look like that the lighting was trying to escape the building and save itself.

She rounded a corner and immediately cursed. Moving as fast as she could she barely checked her surroundings before she slid to a halt on her knees next to the body. She rolled the cadet's body onto their back, it wasn't anyone she recognized to her slight relief. She reached down and felt around the cadet's neck for a pulse.

Nothing.

She pulled her hand away and cringed. Her hand was covered in blood.

She made a silent prayer as she stood up. She looked around and moved into a more familiar setting, one that she recognize from her vision. She glanced around sweeping her rifle's spotlight around the larger hallway, worried for what she would find. Approaching the Operation Control Room she spotted two more bodies just out side. She froze when she recognized the one...

“REG!!!"