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Chapter Two: The Aggressor

Eralius placed the stricken lioness onto the stretcher and watched as they wheeled her away under armed guard to the closest medical bay. Almost as one his honour guard behind him removed their helmets, the servos holding them to there elaborate body armour giving a barely audible whiz as they unlocked. Eralius turned round when a solid paw was placed on his shoulder.

"You didn't need to explain saving that lioness, Eralius; I would have done the same if had I found her."

Rhine looked haggard; gore was slick down his armour, his paws drenched with free flowing blood and day old dirt. He was obviously succumbing to fatigue, but his face was resolute and he stood firm as always.

Eralius snorted as he looked over his guard. There were five of them, his friends, his comrades, his closest tribe's alpha males. Rhine, his personal guardian, his blood brother by right, his confidant and also his sister's mate. His arm was always steady and he didn't falter. The next was Kilam. He was older than them all and had been the personal guardian of Eralius's father. He was wise and rarely surprised. Tonba was one of Eralius's friend and he had grown up with him, and he was also one of the best archers Eralius's had ever seen, but unfortunately in this day and age, the arrow was at most a last resort. Tanube was the most level headed of them all. If a situation seemed hopeless, Tanube would see the silver lining. Optimist was a word that was too subtle to be used as a description for his character. Finally there was Tafare, Eralius had adopted him into his own personal pride and clan after Tafare had left his family and joined the clan. He was not pure blood, but as his new blood name stated in its meaning, he was to bring hope and open the genetic pool. None the less he was a powerful warrior, not yet in his prime... Things were looking good for the young lion.

"My lord" Tafare growled as he threw his helmet onto the floor, narrowly missing one the troops that had teleported in with them.

"We were outnumbered, Tafare, stand down" Rhine didn't even budge from his spot, but his personality and temper were thick in the air.

"My lord Eralius, I wish for permission to hunt down the bastard who didn't send us reinforcements. We had strived much and gained little, we could have won..."

Eralius smiled but didn't turn, simply looking out of the huge view port, down at the planet below. The explosions of the nuclear weapons on the southern hemisphere were just visible though the troposphere. This young lion was shaping up to fill some powerful roles later in his life.

"Tell me, Tafare, when we teleported out what did you see?"

Tafare looked shocked to his reply, and bowed his head down, thinking.

"I was blind to the outside, my lord, I do not know, I live only for the moment"

"That is an honest answer, Tafare, so I shall tell you what I saw. Over the horizon I saw nearly three full regiments of the enemy, complete with armour support. I think it was a wise decision to leave"

Tafare snorted.

"But my lord, it would have been a good fight and a good death"

Maximus growled low, his anger pushed.

"Are you threatening me, young one? Are you saying that I am unfit to lead? To make these decisions? I wish nothing more than to die a good death at the hands of the enemy, but I must consider our other army members who do not hold our more dedicated viewpoint. Leave me Tafare, or raise your weapon and challenge me"

Tafare was visibly shaken.

"Of course, my lord, many pardons, I do not wish to challenge you"

Tanube walked, or more like cowered off somewhere.

The other guardians looked at Eralius. Most of them were stony faced and uninterested. However, Tanube had something to say.

"Lord Eralius, I think the young one said something right there. It does seem to be a theme for the last few battles that we are being under equipped for the task at hand. Maybe an investigation is in order?"

Not today, Eralius thought. Its just gets worse. He was dirty; he was tired, though he would never admit it. He was hungry, and he was very angry. His nerves were on edge.

Damn it he hated when other people were right...

"Tanube, shut up" He said, a hint of laughter in his voice.

The other guardians laughed, except Kilam. He was looking out of the large view port at the planet below, his arms crossed classically, pondering.

"Lord Eralius?" he said, as if in a dream like state.

Eralius turned round and walked to him.

"What is it Kilam, no more bad news I hope, I don't have to shout at you too, do I?"

More laughter followed by the other guardians.

"You could try, young Eralius, but I seem to have gone deaf in my old age, probably because your father could shout a lot louder than you ever will!"

They all smiled.

"And now to the point then, before you interrupt young Eralius. We were fighting in the south half of the world, somewhere there I think. Why in sai' hallas name are the blasts now in the north?

Eralius looked out of the view port.

He was right.

Medics and other off duty personnel were now filtering in to the large hanger used as the emergency teleport room, taking up the wounded and helping others, and filtering through the dead.

Eralius slammed his large paw into one of the intercom units on the bulkhead.

"Patch me through to the Admiral, Now!"

It was only then that Eralius realised he was hearing the full red alert sirens in the background noise, over the sound of the wounded and the dying.

*****

The Colonel, as he was called by all his troops, was sitting behind his large, oak desk. I was a reminder of his home world, while he sat here, almost dreaming of retirement. He caressed its top, gently moving any object on top of it away. He was smiling to himself, content to just wait for two more years to go bye while he sat here. He was a panther, with a battered body, which had seen many fights. He was losing sight in his left eye from a old wound, and his right arm never felt as good as it used too. The medical staff had said that he would need expensive surgery to fix it and be as good as new. The colonel had laughed. What was the point, he replied, he probably would be dead by then. That was ten bloody, hellish years ago, and still, he was here. Damn them bastard medical staff now. They got the last laugh in the end.

He was called Arrow by the troops, informally. No one had ever explained why to him, but he had heard from a conversation that it was because he always flew true. He had guessed, after a while, it was because he never wavered from an order and was completely straight, totally incorruptible. Damn idiots. Three or four years ago he would have believed them. Hell, he was. But now, with retirement on its way and a comparably crap pay off following, he wasn't too sure.

But then again, he hadn't got any kids that he knew about but he sure as hell had tried, he smiled to himself, remembering the long lost nights of comfort and perfume. And sometimes, the cost. That stung.

Sitting on the desk in front of him as a small box. Well made and lacquered, it was a beautiful item. Inside the box was a small purple velvet cushion, on which sat 8 medals, for different causes. They had meant a lot to "The Arrow", but now, they were meaningless. They just were a parody of the causes he had fought for. And what were they?

Orders that was all. Never anything else.

His cause was lost, gone now or, he thought, it never existed.

What an idiot. All his life he had worked, sweated, felt pain and bled. For a measly pay off. He was half tempted to sign his will now and send all his credits to a far off place that he had never heard off.

He sighed and picked up the service pistol and levelled it to his head, just as the red alert siren squealed into life...

*****

"Munitions Officer, plot target solution, I want a full lock on the ships"

The ensign replied with a solid "Yes Captain!"

"Helmsman, bring us about, course setting oh one eight!"

Yet another "Yes Captain!"

"Ship security, wake up the military on transport in this ship, and prepare for possible boarding action!"

Salar turned away, glory in her eyes for the moment.

"Captain, we has visual lock on the enemy ships, they are fast cruisers, lightly armoured, but well armed. There on intercept course for the Carrier"

"Bastards" Salar said, as if to no one.

"Captain, new sensor spike, it's a dreadnought class battle cruiser, off planet. It was cloaked. Its on boarding actions, it's trying to get to the Carrier!"

Salar turned round, cursing.

"Alert, Captain Salar to Captain De'lar, you have dreadnought class battle cruiser attempting to board you, prepare to repel!"

There was only static on the intercom for a few moments before it chattered into life again.

"Aware of threat, Captain, thank you, suggest immediate fleet interception, we will hold of as long as we can"

"Helmsman, bring us to new heading, intercept the Dreadnought, full speed and shields"

"Yes Captain"

"Munitions Officer, target the bridge, I want thier captain dead!"

"Yes Captain"

She felt a small tap on her shoulder and she turned around sharply.

"What is it, first officer?"

"Captain, we don't stand a chance against that thing, it's nearly twenty times bigger than us, fleet protocol dictates we do not intercept"

Salar turned back sharply. Hell to that she thought.

"Prepare to intercept all hands to stations, Cloak this ship and ram that bastard!"

Nervous looks from the bridge were followed by a deathly silence as the action sunk in.

Suddenly from behind her to the left, a figure rose from its seat and pulled out a pistol.

"You heard the Captain, do it now, or face me!"

She smiled when she heard the familiar voice of her clan bodyguard, a large lion who was just past his prime behind her.

"Yes Captain, orders have been complied with"

"Well done all, now arm yourselves will you everyone" Salar replied with a smile as she ready her ceremonial clan rapier.

*****

Kilam was looking out of the view port, thinking to himself quietly as the commotion behind him took place. An exchange of words was happening between Eralius and some officer on the other end of the channel. It wasn't polite. He was tired, he was reaching a point in his life now where he should of retired ten years ago. However, he had made his oath to Eralius's father that he would watch and guide his son, as he lay dying. With his paws stained with the blood of the Lion he failed to protect, he had made a vow so strong, so emotional and intense that he would take it to the grave. He promised the his lord, his friend and his blood brother that he would look over his son and guide him, protect him and tutor him, because his father could not. With tears in his eyes he promised that he would not fail.

A tear dripped down his eye now as he thought about it.

Rhine stepped next to him.

"Do not think of old time's friend, I know you think of them now. Try not to torture yourself. You could not have protected him against the assassin, especially if it was his own kin. How were you to know that his own son would kill him?"

Kilam smiled a little.

"Thank you Rhine; you are a truly noble individual. But it is hard sometimes, very hard. I want to flay Leschvac for killing his father."

Rhine nodded.

"Don't we all, but none more so than Eralius"

"Aye, that is one thing I suppose. I think will all get our turn to hurt that He'mar"

"Traitor he was, Kilam. He was also heartless, supposedly. However, im sure Eralius will find out if he was or not when he cuts it from Leschvac's dead carcass"

It was at time that a small dark square appeared in the view port. It was easy to miss at first so they didn't take any notice. However, it kept getting closer and closer, greyer and greyer. Suddenly realisation dawned on them to what the thing was.

"Rhine?" asked Kilam.

"Yes" replied Rhine as he stared out of the view port with wide eyes, towards the enemy ship.

"I think its time to run now"

*****

"Admiral, there is a General Eralius on the com link for you"

Cresol turned around and nodded. The conversation was be relayed over the loudspeaker, so all could here.

"Eralius, how can I help you? Oh and by the way, very good job down on the planet there, I knew we could rely on you, as always"

"Cresol, where is he?" Maximus was at a low growl.

Cresol knew what was about to happen.

"General Greda is here, what would you like him for, may I ask?"

It was a well known fact that these two individuals didn't get along. Cresol and Eralius were very good friends, both coming from low stations and working up. Greda however, was one of those who were given rank because he was 'someone special to someone up high'. He was an idiot as well.

"Eralius, what is it you want?" Replied Greda sarcastically.

"You idiot, Greda, stop firing nuclear weapons into the civilians in the north!"

"Why Eralius, what ever do you mean?"

"Stop It now Greda, and you will die, im coming for you"

"Threats Maximus, Threats. I say, I wonder if your half brother Leschvac on the council would be pleased to find out that his brother is threatening one of the Empires most devoted of servants."

Cresol gritted his teeth.

"Did you order that nuclear strike?"

"No I did not admiral, the High Council did" Greda said smoothly.

"That's it Greda, That is it. Tell Leschvac when I send your head back to him that he is going to follow you very shortly" replied Eralius

Just then there was a small almost inaudible gasp on the receiver.

"I do say, Eralius, is everything alright over there?" Asked Cresol.

"You might need to break off some of the fleet, Admiral. There is a Dreadnought ship headed straight towards the carrier. It's going to board!".

*****

Flight Commander Froja was returning back to carrier from orbit on the planet. His ship was running on vapours, his fuel nearly gone. He had used almost all his ammunition, strafing numerous times the enemy position with his fighter bomber wing. He had lost Zulu two, his wing man, somewhere down below. He hoped he had made it out alive. He was only several hundred miles from the ship and he was looking forward to a decent meal and a shower. It didn't look that way though, not now. In front of him he could see a couple of light cruisers speeding towards his Carrier, swarming around a large grey dreadnought shaped battle cruiser, its mass and bulk blocking out the nearest stars light source.

"This is Commander Froja to all wing men, report ready status"

A cackle of replies off the other star fighter bomber craft confirmed his worst nightmares.

Nothing. Everyone was nearly out of everything.

"Commander Froja to Wing. Intercept nearest light cruiser. All weapons go. Good Hunting Friends"

It was futile, but they had to try.

*****

The door at the other end of the office burst open and "the Arrows" second in command nearly fell into the room.

"Sir, Were at ramming stations. Get kitted up!"

The Arrow put his pistol down sharply and released his breath sharply.

Damn woman Captain, first sign of danger and she decides to ram the bloody thing. Typical.

He grabbed his helmet of the table and went over to his clothing rack. You would normally find coats and such on these back at home. It was wooden and again oak. Very old fashioned.

On this one however was his body armour, his over coat and his weapons, hanging there idly.

"Is everyone ready, Captain?"

"Yes sir, all squads are mobilised. All Entrances sealed. Were just waiting for you and the impact now sir"

The Colonel liked this wolf. He was clever, quick on the mark and a bloody good fighter. Plus, he had a good personality. He was an ideal Second in charge.

The Colonel pulled his armour over his fatigues and hooked up his power pack to his weapon in his hands. He was just about to put his helmet on when he was thrown from his feet to the floor, smashing his face onto his oak table on the way down. The Captain landed on top of him heavily. All was still...The lights flickered then went off. A medal landed on his head.

*****

The little meteorite pushing through space happily. Nothing had ever bothered it. It just floated through space, seeing things that no one had ever seen. New worlds, stars, comets and all sorts of universal wonders. Today however, it had seen something more impressive that probably would never be seen again; or at least it would never see it.

In its course, directly ahead, lay a large ship. That large ship had somehow imbedded itself into another ship of smaller proportions, straight into its side. This was new. However, pushed into the big ship that had just embedded itself into the smaller one there was another ship. And then on that one, there was a smaller ship again sticking from it. A quad boarding action. Two ships boarding two other ships. Masterful.

The meteorite continued on happily, before I realised it was about to hit the bridge of the largest ship. If it could have squealed it would have. It didn't want to break up and die.

*****

"Damage reports!" Shouted Salar over the din of the crew getting back to there seats. Only her bodyguard was still standing, his pistol in one paw, and his sword in the other.

"Captain, emergency life support on line, direct hit, we managed to ram the ship in its weapons bays and our sensors indicate they are offline. Were being boarded by one of the small cruisers. The hit us in the engine rooms"

Salar turned round and nodded, and her bodyguard left the bridge.

"Security details to engine rooms repel boarders. Military on ship, report!"

A buzz of static from the intercom was heard.

"Report Military!"

Eventually a pained voice replied.

"This is Colonel Banks, Captain, how can we assist?"

"Board the Enemy ship Colonel, head for life support, and cut it. Kill them all."

"Yes Captain, on our way"

Salar growled.

"First officer, you have the bridge"

He saluted sharply, blood trickling from his jaw.

Ive got work to do, thought Salar.