FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Into the Stars

Chapter One

By Roofles

People were asking if I was going to do a sci-fi based story. I flipped a coin and ended up with the fantasy story first, however this is the first chapter of my sci-fi themed story. I hope you all like it.

Transmitting…

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No response detected. Resending transmission…

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No response detected. Resending…

Resending…

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Resending…

In the vastness of space the vessel sat idle as it drifted along aimlessly. The windows were frosted over as was the ship. Ice crystals having formed on the outside a long time ago. The diamond shaped vessel had only a single red blinking light lit up in the cockpit. Everything else lay as dormant and quiet as the vastness of space around it.

The dim red light continued to blink softly as the S.O.S. continued to transmit. The invisible, intangible signal rippled out like waves across the universe around the lone vessel. Sending out a soft beeping plea for help.

Resending…

Time meant nothing here. In a place such as this. There were no suns to watch setting over the horizon. There was no night or day. Just the soft sound of a red light beeping in an empty cockpit. The ship seemingly abandoned or deserted long ago. The silence of the spacecraft only matched by the emptiness around it.

Resending…

“Sir."

Resending…

“We've picked up a distress signal." Isaac Mayhew of the SS Thunderbird turned in his seat towards the captain. The pilot was dressed in the official uniform of the Terran fleet silver and blue.

Resending…

“Well, what are you waiting for? Radio them!" Captain Fairbanks said the order harshly. The communication officer was already trying to patch through to them.

“The signal isn't from Terran origin…" She said looking over the reading before reporting it in.

“Could they be from the Armada? What about the Galactic Front?" Fairbanks adjusted the cap on his head, looking more like a sailor than a space captain. He had the official silver and blue vestments of the Terran conglomerate that had long since spread out into the vastness of space, leaving their home far behind.

“It's unclear, sir. I've never seen a signal like this before…" She went on.

Downloading…

The Multinational Galactic Front, or MGF, was the spearhead of those descending from earth into the great unknown of space. Hundreds of Earth years ago, the people there looked up to the stars and believed they could be conquered too. With the limited resources and the ever growing population, it had only been a matter of time until man sought out more. Or was forced to reach for the stars above.

Translating…

Nations and countries alike ascended towards the stars, seeking out their own worlds to call home. Spreading their ideals, their beliefs and their control. Forming separate, new nations. Some old banding together while others were dissolved or destroyed.

Translation not found…

“It's not in our data banks." Kaira typed on the console in front of her, resending the data feed through the system for a third time just to make absolutely certain there wasn't an issue with the system itself. Breaking it apart into small chunks, she tried to focus on the smallest parts of the message in hopes of getting some sense what they were trying to tell them.

It could be a warning to stay away, she fear brushed her black braided hair out her eyes.

Unable to translate, rerouting and continuing download…

It could be a vessel under attack. Or maybe a random beacon malfunctioning. It was impossible to know until the crew of the SS Thunderbird got there.

Downloading coordinates…

“We'll know shortly then…" Fairbanks overgrown eyebrows scrunched over his hardened eyes. Pushing a button in front of him, he spoke through the intercoms over the entire ship. “Prepare for hyperspace. This is not a drill! Prepare for the jump!" And with that took a seat in his chair.

“Would you like me to send out a message to The Nest?" Kaira turned around to face the captain, waiting for the orders to contact the central warship the Thunderbird had come from.

Dubbed The Nest, it was more a floating mobile military base than an actual spaceship. It was where all scouts, like the SS Thundebird, reported too and checked in within this quadrant of known space. Able to regroup, refuel and have a place to call home without a planet to return too.

Earth having long since been depleted and abandoned.

“Do it." Fairbanks ordered, tapping a finger on the metal panel on his chair.

Message received.

“Coordinates received." Isaac was already in putting them in as he took hold of the controls before him. He glanced back at the captain.

“Take us in but keep our distance. We don't know what we're getting into." Fairbanks gave the order and Isaac, like the rest of the crew, followed it.

The rings surrounding the warbird scouting vessel began to spin slowly. Each ones interior beginning to glow as if capturing the light around them. Spinning faster and faster as the ship slowly lurched forward, elongating as everything began to pull and extend around them. Like a streak of lighting the SS Thunderbird slipped into Hyperspace. The whole ship shook as the engines were pushed to their limit, the rings circling the ship keeping the jump from pulling the entire vessel apart.

“Shields holding." Mathews typed away on the screen before him. Checking over each section of the ship before pulling up the whole on the screen before him. “Ninety Percent and holding…" He repeated aloud, as if only really talking to himself. Reassuring himself they wouldn't be burned alive during the jump.

“Better than last time…" Kaira winked over at Isaac. He snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. The smile still tugged up one cheek as he gripped the controls tightly. A single double bar handle pressed forward was the difference between them reaching their destination and the entire ship breaking apart.

“No pressure…" Isaac muttered under his breath as he shook in the chair he was strapped into. Long metallic cords connected his elbows and back into it. The silver and blue flight suit he wore had port opens for the connection, something that made him feel more machine than man when he hooked into the pilot seat.

He could feel the ship itself as it shook like it was his own body. His own reflexes the ships, the ships guidance system his own eyes and ears. Connected to the machine, strapped into a seat and holding the lever that could mean life or death. The thrill of it made Isaac smile as the inputs were registered on the screen before him as well as in his right eye.

He could read the numbers clearly and began reducing their speed as the information was fed in through the plug on the side of his neck. Most didn't trust machines to run everything. The logically conclusion was to turn a man into a machine; Isaac could nearly be labeled a cyborg at this point with all the modifications he had undergone during flight school at the academy.

As the ship slowly drifted out of Hyperspace, the rings around the Thunderbird continued to circle; generating the shield and soon enough the stealth system as they “popped" into empty space still several miles away from the signal. The largest of the three rings began going up and down the ship, cloaking it from both any possible scans as well as someone's view.

Before the Thunderbird, clearly visible from the cockpit, was the wreckage left from whatever had happened here. Stray bits of metal and ship debris floated around the diamond shaped ship. Several metal crates had leaked out the back of the ship; the cargo hold damaged to the point anything inside had been sucked out. Most of it still floated aimlessly by, while others drifted off towards the nothingness.

“Looks like we missed the party." Mathews didn't lower the shields as the three crew members glanced back at the captain. “Orders?" Mathews was the first to ask.

“Scans?" The captain grunted out the response, leaning forward with that scrunched up brow.

“Yes, sir." Kaira was already on it.

From the sides of the SS Thundebird, pocketed holes opened up. Rolling disc slid out and each of the drones took flight. The small little black discs all but invisible in the darkness of space. They drifted forward with small thrusters that sputtered in and out, letting the momentum carry them instead of letting their jets reveal themselves to anyone watching.

Several of the discs began circling around the foreign vessel; red lines scanning over the exterior of the ship as they drifted up towards the front, around and underneath. One disc ducked inside the large gash mark on the side of the vessel to scan within. All the reading were slowly fed back to the one controlling them.

Kaira had one hand out in front of her as she stared slightly off to the side, as if seeing something the others couldn't. Like Isaac, there were several metallic cords connecting her to the seat she sat in.

“No signs of life…" She said aloud, her voice had an almost static quality to it. She didn't blink. “No scorch marks… no infighting…"

“Where'd that damage come from then?" Captain Fairbanks practically growled the words. He didn't like this. This was supposed to be a routine scouting mission to check up on the beacons stretched out over controlled space.

Every now and then the beacons, or Lighthouses, would go out. Random bits of space debris or a malfunctioning chip could turn the whole beacon off. Without them lit up, they couldn't keep an eye on vessels coming in and out of their controlled space. Smugglers and space pirates alike had been enough troubles in the past for The Nest, the ship assigned to this quadrant of space as peacekeepers.

This vessel before them had slipped past the Lighthouses and wasn't in any of their databanks. Everything about this smelled fishy.

The captain gestured towards the security officer. “Make sure the weapons are primed… just in case…"

“We might as well turn off the cloaking then." Isaac spoke up as he began drifting the Thunderbird closer. “They'd be able to read our weapons, be pointless to stay hidden…"

“No!" The captain growled once more. “This vessel wasn't designed for open combat. We might have to do a hit and run to get out if…" He didn't go on. He didn't need too. The others understood what he was getting at.

This could be a trapped set up by any number of groups. The Armed Armada came to mind first. Any ragtag band of would pirates was a close second. It wouldn't be the first time one of their vessels had been taken by such a cheap tactic.

“Right, just saying… burn out the engines if we keep this up…" Isaac kept his voice low as he continued to mutter aloud, focusing on the task at hand. The captain always ignored his input.

Drifting the ship was easy. It was slow and tedious, the utmost amount of patience was required to hold course. Isaac relied on the computers for the finer details as he turned the vessel upwards slightly, letting the bottom guns of the ship train in on the vessel. Just in case.

“Locked on." Security officer Jefferson turned up the dial, letting the pulse cannons charge.

Isaac, Kaira and Mathews each got the notification. A red popup in the corner of their display screens warning about the excessive energy output the ship was beginning to put out. It left each of their systems slightly compromised.

“I have something." Kaira said, stopping her arm in front of her. Slowly, carefully she moved it down as if pushing one of the drones they had sent out. She winced sharply, a clear sign the drone she had been directly controlling had been damaged or destroyed. “It looked like a hibernation chamber…"

“Their napping?" Mathews almost laughed.

“With the damage to the cargo hold, they might not have a choice." Isaac reasoned out as he slowly began drifting closer. He kept glancing back at the captain but Fairbanks didn't stop him, so the pilot just kept charting the course forward. Sailing through space.

Drawing their ship ever closer before parking it above the diamond vessel.

“Prepare a boarding party!" Fairbanks was already snapping orders to the security officer. Jefferson saluted and did as he was told.

“Do you want me to dock with it…?" Isaac finally asked. The camera view popped up in front of him and he could see a perfect spot for them to latch on. Kaira feeding him the info she had scanned from the strange vessel.

Connected as they were, the two had always been close. The readings they fed back and forth to each other helped when working the systems. It was a means of connection those without ports couldn't understand.

“Secure the landing bay," Fairbanks was sending out the orders before turning back to the pilot. “I want Isaac and Mathews to go as well."

“Excuse me?" Kaira just looked back at the older man as if he were crazy. “We don't have the men to spare as it is…"

“This is a simple scouting ship. We don't have the luxury of combat drones. We do have the luxury of multiclass individuals who can assess the situation far better than a gun jockey like Jefferson." Fairbanks just smirked at the two. “You wanted the extra work, now you got it."

“I'm going to die, I just know it." Mathews sighed as he got up. The ports disconnected him from the chair as he walked over. Isaac joining him, patting him on the shoulder. The two wincing as the cables were disconnected, the slots on their arms and back closing up to prevent infection.

“At least we aren't red shirts?" Isaac offered weakly. The gesture caused the silver armband to slide down to his wrist. Three large opals were embedded into it. He readjusted the gift he had received and pushed it back up to his bicep.

“Damnit we're engineers not… not this!" Mathews continued to complain as they made their way out of the cockpit, down the single hallway and towards the docking bay.

It took them all of five minutes to slip the spacesuits on and be marshaled to the docking bay with Jefferson up front. While the two only had side arms, Jefferson was packing the heat. The heavy assault laser rifle was a sleek rectangular design that could be folded up easy. Making it both light weight and portable.

The circular hatch spun open as Jefferson cranked the lever and went down the stairs ahead of the two. The Thunderbird had docked with the top of the foreign vessel. A cylinder tube connecting the two together looking almost like a fuel line, threaded into the large gash inside the foreign ship. The only difference people were transported through instead of highly explosive liquids.

“It's stuffy. And cramped. I hate this." Mathews continued to complain over the radio as Jefferson secured the storage room they had slipped inside.

“Empty." Jefferson said over the radio they were all connected too.

“It's too quiet… This better not be a trap…" Isaac could only agree as he drew out his side arm and kept watch as the other two headed over to the only door.

“We'll need the torch to get through these…" Jefferson knocked his knuckle on the heavy duty doors. Neither of the three could hear the clang of metal in the vacuum of space.

“Let me see," Isaac walked over, holstering his gun and pulling out the tablet at his side. It might as well have been sown to his body as it never left his side.

The would be engineer turned it on, spun it around and crouched down next to the security panel next to the twin metal doors.

“Let's see if it'll be friendly or not…" Isaac typed away on the tablet quickly enough.

“Maybe we should…" Mathews began. Jefferson quickly cut him off.

“Scans showed no life. This ship is disabled and I don't want to be here anymore than you do!" The security officer jabbed a finger at Mathews before turning around to keep an eye out. Their magnetic boots kept any of the three from floating away.

A small disc drone floated by watching over them.

“You think you can crack an alien ship, Isaac?" Kaira laughed from behind him. The drone floating over his shoulder as he tried to access the system. He knew she was watching him. Isaac smirked at that.

The two had gone to the same academy together. Close friends and joining the fleet together. They had been inseparable.

“If there was power, probably." Isaac glanced back, turning slightly to look at the drone as if it were his fellow officer.

“Good luck with that." He could hear the laugh in Kaira's voice as the drone circled overhead then continued to look around. The red light scanning each and every crate, reporting the contents to everyone half assedly. Nothing of interest or worth had survived the damage.

Isaac was about to say something when the ship shook startling everybody on board. There was a faint glow to his right and he could see each of the opals on the silver bracelet glow softly before the door in front of them clicked, shook and promptly opened up.

Lights began flicking on above them and around the door itself. Giving them a view of the place they were standing in.

The storage bay wasn't anything special. There were leftover crates, turned over crates and floating crates in a small metal room. The vessel looked almost like something they would've used on a scouting mission. Just enough supplies to last the trip and the way home.

The door before them revealed a brightly lit hallway that didn't seem to match the storage room they were in as if it were part of another ship entirely. It was nothing like the storage bay. The walls were opalescent and smooth. Even the grated floor had been painted white. The brightness of it hurt Isaac eyes as he covered them slightly with his arm. Giving him a clear view of the armband he wore.

Each of the opals were as dull as they ever had been, making him wonder if it had just been the trick of the light playing with him.

Jefferson moved in first, gun at the ready. The man took a single step and stopped. He grunted over the radio and the two watched as he pushed against a seemingly invisible wall before him. Jefferson grunted and with another step was able to push through and into the hall. He looked himself over, then back at the other two.

“Seems to be some kind of shield. The readings are showing favorable conditions." Jefferson tapped his wrist showing the readings to the others. “Oxygen included." He added with a wink. “Just in case one of our helmets breaks."

“Habitable?" Isaac glanced over at Mathews who looked frozen to the spot. “The ship must've been in sleep mode..."

“Waking up to devour us at the first chance it got…" Mathews eyes widened and he eyed the ladder they had come down several times.

“You run for it I'm sure Jefferson will shoot you in the back." Isaac patted him on the shoulder once more before daring to risk taking the plunge himself.

The force before him was invisible to the naked eye. He still felt his hair stand up as he pushed against it. It formed over his outstretched hand as he pushed against the almost gel like surface. Slowly giving way enough for the man to take the three steps needed to pass through it.

It had been the hardest three steps he had ever taken in his life.

The second he had a screen popped up in the bottom left corner of his helmet. A green display showing that there was indeed oxygen here and it would be safe to remove his helmet. Isaac was not about to follow such stupid advice.

“I'm alive! See." Isaac spun around to show off his rear to Mathews. “Hurry up. I don't want to be here anymore than anyone else." He gave it a slap and a laugh before drawing his sidearm once more; using the humor to mask the fear welling up inside.

This was clearly no Terran vessel. The walls had strange architecture to them resembling almost a canvas of strange shapes and symbols all white just like the wall. The floor was bumpy and uneven. The lights had a strange glow and there was something off about just how wide the hallways were, not exactly tall but wide.

“Maybe a smuggler ship?" Isaac thought.

“What?" Jefferson asked stopping to look back at him.

“The hallways. They're very wide." Isaac gestured from one wall to the other. “This isn't Terran."

“Don't look at me." Jefferson almost laughed. “Maybe its one of those burrowing races."

“Not the worm people!" Isaac groaned. “They're all goopy and…" He shuddered. “Slimy. I can't handle that again! I had to toss out the flight suit I had worn." Isaac went on following down the looping corridor after Jefferson to where Kaira had indicated where the signal had come from. “It ruined the rinse cycle when I tried to wash it!"

“Yes. I recall. I was the one who had to unclog the damn thing!" Jefferson grumbled as he stopped in front of the circular door before them. Like the rest of the ship it had a strange white opalescent color to it as if the wall itself was emitting light.

“There's no handle…" Mathews spoke up catching up to the two.

“Great. We really do need the torch then!" Jefferson began to complain, stomping his way past the two leaving Isaac standing there.

Unsure why, maybe out of pure curiosity, Isaac took a hesitant step forward reaching his hand out for the door. He relaxed his arm, letting the bracelet armband slide back down his wrist as he stretched out his fingers forward. Without a word, the opals began to glow faintly in the light coming from the very walls around them.

There was a click and a rush of air as if the ship itself had exhaled; the circular door before them spun open leaving the three looking towards the entrance and into the room taking up most the ship.

Connected to the cockpit was a round circular living room of sorts. It dipped down before them. A round sofa had been installed, circling the middle. There were potted plants in the corners. Strange blue leaf things that seemed to move as if they were being blown in a gentle breeze; Isaac recognized them as holograms instantly. And in the middle of the room rested the large hibernation chamber Kaira had detected.

The massive pod had a sleek white surface matching the walls of the corridor they had come from. The window was frosted over as the three moved forward. Drones flew over their shoulders to scan the room they had walked into.

“Life signs detected." Kaira spoke up through the comlinks in their helmets. “It's faint. Whoever is inside is alive though… uh, as alive as you can be frozen in stasis." She almost laughed. Almost.

“Do we need a lift?" Isaac was the one to ask, touching the side of his helmet. He pressed the open radio button to talk to the captain, also hitting the front speaker. “Or…"

They didn't get a response.

“Captain?" Isaac asked once more. The clunking sound of heavy boots behind them made the three turn. “Captain!" Isaac nearly jumped as he found himself saluting out of habit.

Fairbanks was dressed in a spacesuit like the others, holding a large blunderbuss styled weapon modeled after ancient times. The piece made the three stand up a little taller as the captain walked straight past them and over to the hibernation pod.

The captain looked it over. Inspecting the alien writing on the side with one hand before turning to the others. He tapped the side of his helmet to turn his radio back on.

“We'll scout the rest of the ship before returning. We'll blow the pod and the ship apart before leaving." Fairbanks turned his radio off just as quickly and began heading over to the front of the ship to look over the logs. Isaac hesitated before following after.

“Sir?" He asked, finding his own voice shaking at this point. While the others were at a loss, Fairbanks seemed to be keeping his cool as if he knew more than he was letting on. As captain, Isaac knew it was his job to remain as such.

Still, he had been working for Fairbanks for many cycles now. This was the first time he saw the captain at a loss for words.

Jefferson and Mathews were discussing what to do as they waited for the others. They'd return to the ship, make sure everyone was nicely buckled in before watching the fireworks. Then return to The Nest. Isaac wasn't sure why he was so uneasy as he walked over to the hibernation chamber. It resembled the ones they had back on the ship, though larger in size with strange writings on the side.

He almost recognized them.

The pods were used during long space flights when they couldn't use the jump. Or when they were trying to save on their already limited supplies. Most ships couldn't afford the hibernation pods. They were a spare thing used only when absolutely necessary.

Isaac touched over the side of it, looking over the letters then back at the captain. He wanted to ask more but knew it wasn't his place too. He was just a lower officer of a scouting vessel. If his father was here maybe then…

Once more the opals on the band began to glow softly making him take a timid step back. He held out his arm towards the pod and before anyone noticed, the hibernation chamber activated before them. The opalescent metal began to glow brightly as it heated up, defrosting whoever was inside. Waking them up.

Jefferson and Fairbanks trained their weapons on it as Isaac fell back onto his ass in surprise.

Openings formed around the side and up over the top of the pod, air rushing out as the door began to creak open. The top panel lifting up before splitting down the middle. Like a pair of doors, the pod opened before them. Frosted air rushed out resembling a smoke machine as it fell to the floor like fog around them.

“What did you do?" Jefferson trained his rifle on the opening.

“I didn't do anything, I swear!" Isaac backed away still unable to find his feet as the three of them weren't alone any longer in the room.

A large hand grabbed the side of the pod making them all freeze. With clawed fingers and fur the color of the ocean, the beast pulled itself up from the chamber. It was large with sharp ears and a whiskered snout. Large fangs jutted out of the top muzzle over its lower like saberteeth. Brilliant black and blue eyes looked around the room before focusing on the others there within.

“Orders?" Jefferson asked holding up his rifle at the thing.

“Hold fire! Do not shoot!" Fairbanks ordered as he loaded his gun with a new shell. Isaac recognized it as a taser round. He was unsure however if one would be another to knock this thing out. It was massive.

Without waiting, the blue furred alien took a step out. With large clawed paws it found its footing, wobbling on uneasy legs as it stood up before them. It was tall. Taller than any human Isaac had ever seen before. And it was butt naked putting each of the other men to shame.

Isaac felt self conscious before it.

“Damnit!" Jefferson folded his rifle up as he slid two brass knuckles on. He punched his hands together activating the shocker in both. The sound hummed around them making the aliens sharp canine like ears perk up.

It eyed Jefferson, seemingly ignoring everyone else as the security officer stepped forward. Lifting both hands up he got ready. The two just stared at each other. Sweat ran down Jefferson's face as he waited for this thing to make the first move.

And it spoke. Words that no human ear could understand. Strange growling sounds with inflections a human's vocals couldn't possibly reproduce. Snarling growls filled the room as it continued to stare directly at Jefferson, most likely speaking to him.

“Uh, did anyone understand that?" Isaac asked aloud. His speaker was on, making the thing turn to look at him. Brilliant blue and black eyes stared at him looking like small galaxies in its pupils. It put the stars themselves to shame.

It wasn't so much as looking at Isaac but the bracelet around his wrist, making it hesitate.

“I'm trying to translate it." Kaira spoke up over the radio. “It isn't something I'm familiar with… or in the databanks."

“It's from the outer fringes." Fairbanks explained without offering any more information. He lifted up his gun, centering it on the things chest.

Those sharp ears twitched as he pulled the trigger, the alien moving before the gun fired. The shell shot out, opening and spreading like a threaded net that glowed with electricity. It missed as it fell to all fours dodging the net, charging forward.

It ran over Isaac, all but ignoring him as it closed in on Jefferson.

Jefferson was already jumping forward, lifting an arm up and swinging the first punch. He hit it hard on the side of its chest, the brass knuckles humming with life as the spiked tips released the shock they had been storing up within.

It reeled back in pain as its fur stood on end as electricity coursed through its entire body. The tail stood out, arms lifting up and eyes widening as it shook, unable to even howl in pain as it was frozen from the shock.

“Take that, fucker." Jefferson smirked.

However, Jefferson had miscalculated the voltage.

The shock would've been enough to put down the largest of men. This thing however wasn't any human and when the shock stopped, it moved once more. The security officer didn't even see the blow as the canine-alien brought both hands down, together, in a hammer drop on the security officer's head.

There was a sound like a glass snapping, cracking as Jefferson crumbled to the ground, unmoving. His helmet broken as the man lay there motionless before everyone else.

Mathews screamed as the canine swung its leg around, the top of its foot connecting just under his arm against his chest. He grunted, his breath literally being kicked out of him as the engineer was thrown across the room. Mathews tumbled over himself into a pile against the entryway.

Fairbanks had already reloaded, firing once more at its back.

With far more speed than any human could manage, the canine dropped down like a pile of rocks. Hitting the ground hard as the net shot over its back. Grabbing Jefferson's folded rifle, it rolled over unfolding the weapon and firing twice at Fairbanks. The weapon was too small for its hands and the angle was off.

The laser rifle missed as the captain dove to the side.

Silence fell in the room as Kaira asked “what the hell is going on!"

Isaac managed to crawl his way from the scene, off to the side to check on Mathews. The man was still breathing at least. Leaving the captain behind, he picked up his crewmate and began heading back down the corridor they had come from.

“The thing woke up! It's attacking the captain." Isaac said, barely able to speak as he pulled Mathews along with him. There were more gunshots behind him. He didn't dare look back as he reached the entrance they had come from.

He sighed in relief, able to see through the invisible force field and to the ladder they had come from.

Pushing against the barrier, Isaac found it solid however. The invisible force trapping him inside as he pushed against it.

“I can't get out!" Isaac was breathing heavily as he dared to look behind him. The gunshots had died down, leaving him in silence. The radio cracked once more but he couldn't understand whatever Kaira said.

It was as if the very walls were closing in.

Isaac set Mathews down as he drew out his sidearm. He didn't need to be an ace shoot, barely having passed the class in the academy. It was a single, if wide, corridor though. He'd just have to pull the trigger if that thing came after him. He cranked up the shot, making sure it'd back enough of a punch to at least push the thing back.

And he stood there, waiting.

“Isaac!" A voice said behind him as Kaira crawled down the ladder and ran towards him. She hit the shield between the two, punching it several times with a fist. “Damnit…" She cursed. Isaac was sure she'd been crying.

“I'm sorry." Isaac didn't lower his weapon, still breathing heavily.

“It's not-," she began but he continued.

“I was the one taking your lunch in the fridge." He half-chuckled trying to swallow his nerves away as the thing rounded the corner. Kaira gasped behind him as it stood there, taking up nearly the whole hallway as it walked on all fours.

It's ears were up, looking between the three before it before centering in on Isaac. Those black and blue eyes glaring at the man, a low deep growl filled the hallway.

“What the hell is…"

“I really enjoyed your lunches. The way you made those gram cracker things on it." Isaac just went on holding up the pistol before him. His hand was shaking. It was shaking so badly he was afraid of the gun discharging by accident, or just plain out dropping the thing.

“I… I mash them up and put it in the cake too." Kaira said just staring, wide eyed at the canine walking towards her crewmember on all four. The blue fur wolf with saberfangs.

“Get back to the ship. Let the others know…" Isaac dared to look back at her, offering her one last smile. “Can't let that recipe die with you. It was the best damn cheesecake I've ever had."

“I'll make it for you. When you get back…" Kaira didn't move, just staring at him. Then at the thing walking on all fours towards them. She touched the barrier, Isaac in turned touched it too. The bracelet on his wrist swayed with the motion.

“I'd like that…" Isaac just gave the weakest smile of his life, the both of them knowing this was the end.

It growled making Isaac quickly turn back. It tried to speak again in a strange tongue the humans couldn't understand. It stopped halfway down the hall just staring at Isaac now. It let out a low, threatening growl now as if demanding Isaac to speak.

“I can't understand you, numbnuts!" Isaac just shouted back as he held out the gun, unsure if a single shot would be able to put this thing down. He kind of worried about just pissing this thing off at this point if he did shoot it.

With one hand, Isaac continued to push against the barrier behind him. Hoping, praying that it would open up for them. The force field was unyielding, trapping him inside.

It growled once more, standing on all fours crouched down as if waiting to pounce on him. Waiting as it had done before.

“Isaac," Kaira whispered the words as she stood behind him. Her hand was typing away at her wristband, inputting the code in for the drones inside the room. “Jefferson and the captain are both alive…"

“It didn't kill them?" Isaac dared to ask, aware his speaker was still on. That growl just continued but it didn't move.

“Not yet…"

“What do you want?" Isaac knew he wouldn't be understood but still asked the question. It just growled. Daring to risk it, Isaac lowered the gun.

At that, the canine's lip lowered as it watched the gun Isaac held keenly with those black and blue eyes.

It spoke once more, words Isaac couldn't understand.

“I want the captain. And the second in command." Isaac said as he pointed down to Mathews as if to try and indicate who he was talking about.

It looked down at Mathews then back up at Isaac. Slowly it took a step back, easing its way away from the two and back into the room it had awoken from. Only moments later to come back holding both the limp body of Jefferson and the captain.

Fairbanks had blood running down his face; Isaac couldn't see what kind of condition Jefferson was in. It looked like the captain took a shot to the side and then had been knocked out.

“His helmet!" Kaira gasped from behind. Isaac understood what she meant following her eyes to Jefferson. His helmet was cracked in the front. If they moved him out into the storage room, if they could get into it that is, he'd suffocate.

The blue furred, sabertooth wolf stood at the end of the hallway. It dropped Jefferson down to the ground. then, with a clawed finger, pointed at Isaac. The two exchanged a look before Isaac nodded.

“I think… it wants me…"

“What, no you can't just!" Kaira tried to reason out. She pounded a fist against the wall once more. It hummed softly between them.

“I can't stop it." Isaac chuckled lightly; there was no amusement in his voice. “Jefferson and the captain are far better than I am... What can a dinky little thing like this do?" He tossed his pistol to the side. “I mean if a freaking laser rifle couldn't, that weak ass thing won't."

It watched the gun fall to the ground. With a snort, it picked up one of Jefferson's arms dragging the man as it slowly walked closer. Isaac took two steps, stopping there and waited for it to come the rest of the way. Unable to bring himself to meet it half way.

It spoke again, a strange growl that didn't sound as aggressive as before.

“I'll do whatever you want, just please…" Isaac couldn't help looking down at Jefferson body. His eyes must've said what he meant as the canine let Jefferson go. Then laid the captain down before him. It didn't move back, watching as Isaac slowly took of his own helmet.

Isaac hesitated before undoing the lock on it and felt the air rush out around him. The readings said the environment in here was safe and sure enough, daring to take a breath he found he didn't instantly fall over dead. That was a decent start.

The massive canine just snorted, looking down at him as Isaac slowly crouched down to remove Jefferson's helmet. Then he swapped his own with it, putting it on the unconscious security officer, locking it into place. The alien just watched him intently, without moving.

“I need to move the bodies…" Isaac said grabbing hold of Jefferson's arm. As he did, it growled at him. Isaac let go, lifting up his hands before pointing at the two then back over to where Kaira was standing. “I need. To move. Them." He said again. Even if he knew his words were lost on this thing, he was hoping pointing out what he wanted to do would translate the language barrier.

It growl though making him stop, afraid he'd made a very grave mistake.

Instead, it shoved Isaac against the wall with one hand then picked up the two bodies and carried them over towards where Mathews lay. The man groaned as he slowly woke up, shaking his head again before nearly pissing himself as the canine dropped the other two in front of him. Its lip quivered in a growl at Mathews and Kaira before turning its back on them, ignoring the two and walking back over to Isaac.

Mathews took the hint and grabbed the captain and Jefferson. To everyone's surprise, he was able to pull the two and himself out of the force field and into the storage room.

“Isaac!" Kaira said trying to move through the barrier once more and finding it impossible to do so. The two eyes met once more. “You can't just leave me… not now… I…"

The ship around them shook.

“Get them out of here, for me." Isaac could only give her a weak smile and one last final wave as the door shut between them. He wasn't even able to finish his goodbye. Leaving him alone with this alien.

It walked straight over to him, jabbing a clawed finger at the bracelet he wore then spoke once more. Growling, snapping its teeth as it asked something or other. He couldn't make it out; Isaac just closed his eyes looking away. Waiting for those large sabertooth fangs to bite into his neck.

It didn't.

Instead he felt his arm roughly picked up and more growls. Isaac dared to peek. Once more, it was trying to ask him something about the bracelet.

“It was a gift…" Isaac tried to say but it seemed to be lost on the canine that was far too close for comfort. It snorted over his face. Its breath was far cooler than he thought it'd be, blaming it on the hibernation it had woken up from. “If you want it, take it." It smelled of ozone…

And Isaac tried to remove the bracelet, even knowing he couldn't.

The bracelet stopped at his wrist and though his hand was far smaller, it didn't slide off. Just like the doorway had been, there was an invisible force that stopped the bracelet from slipping off. He tugged and pulled on it, trying to show that he couldn't just take it off and hand it over.

“If you want it, you'll have to take my arm off…" Isaac couldn't help the pain in his voice as he said it.

It just looked down at him, lip twitching. With a flash of fangs, it turned away from him and walked back into the central room it had awoken in. Isaac just slumped down against the wall, unsure what to do as he closed his eyes.

“At least everyone else got out…" He said aloud, letting his breath out and daring to take another. The air was far cleaner than the one back on the Thunderbird. Isaac just sat there, unsure what to do as he was sure the strange vessel they had stumbled on began to move…

…

Typhon wasn't sure what was going on. Waking up was one thing. Waking up to guns pointed at your head however was another. Those strange creatures weren't his people. This wasn't his ship. He wasn't sure how he had even gotten here as he moved over to the cockpit and took a seat.

The chair was roughly his size but didn't have the same grooves in it as back home. It was far sleeker, smooth to the touch than what he was familiar working with back home. Most likely a Felinadae ship; only those bastards would make something like this. Needlessly focusing on the look and feel of a ship rather than the design and function of it.

It made him growl as he fiddled with the controls. At least he had sabotaged enough of their ships over the years to know how to pilot one of them. The ship shook making him snarl as he took hold of the controls.

“Bastards. These controls are so damn touchy…" He took a second before trying again, slower this time and with far less force. The ship began to drift forward. Screens turned on in front of him; making the Saberwolf frown.

The other vessel had their guns locked on them. This ship itself was damaged and wouldn't be able to outrun them if they began to open fire. They hadn't yet though…

Glancing back, Typhon could barely see the strange furless creature still sitting in the hallway where he left him. He had kept one ear up, listening in case that foolish alien dared to try anything. Just because it had a band on didn't mean…

Typhon slammed a fist down on the armrest in an even louder growl.

“Damnit!" He cursed. “Why does it have a band?" It was breathing heavily, eyes wide as its teeth clenched painfully tight.

Being shocked awake hadn't helped his mood any. Typhon was lost, confused and his very life had been threatened in the past thirty minutes. He was just glad he hadn't murdered anyone, yet. He wanted too though, glancing back once more at the alien sitting in the hallway behind him.

It hadn't moved since he had interrogated it about the band.

It was small. Helpless and had surrendered too him easily enough. At least it had brains; Typhon snorted a laugh at that licking over one of his saber-shaped teeth, lost in thought.

Once the course was set and the coordinates locked it, Typhon got up. Stretching his arms and legs, rubbing his muscles and side where it still ached. These bastards had tried to knock him out? Clearly they weren't aware the adrenaline rush would only help a saberwolf out. If it hadn't been for that band Typhon would've ripped each of them apart…

It was only at that lingering thought the saberwolf began exploring the vessel. Looking around it, pulling out various drawers and looking in crates. He needed to familiarize himself with this place but mostly…

“Oh…" Typhon stopped looking inside the hibernation pod someone had crudely thrown into the ships living area. Inside it was several of his things. His blaster, the ornate fanged necklaces belonging to his parents as well as… “Here you are!"

The saberwolf lifted up the metallic collar. It was smooth on the inside, padded for comfort and would be able to fit perfectly around the alien's neck as he walked over to the hallway. Unsure why as smaller model was left with him. Unsure of many things after waking up.

Isaac didn't even move as the wolf lumbered over on heavy paw steps, still butt naked. It crouched down in front of him, making Isaac look up rather than at the things hanging sack between those powerful thighs.

“Don't try anything…" Typhon warned in a growl, sure he wouldn't understand him… for the time being that was.

Isaac didn't even put up a fight, just wincing as the collar clipped around his neck locking in place. Typhon fiddled with the controls on the side, using two clawed digits to get a hold of the dial and turn it to the right settings…

“Let's see here…" Typhon growled. Isaac didn't understand him. “Do you understand me?" The saberwolf asked.

Isaac just looked at him.

Turning and adjusting the dial once more, the wolf asked. “Do you understand me, now?"

Isaac winced at the static coming from the speaker on the front of the collar. Typhon just growled at that, messing with the controls for a good five minutes before finding the right setting. The saberwolf sitting in front of him at this point, cross legged as he continued to grumble and mumble to himself in growls. There were so many known languages, it took time to find the right frequency for him to use.

“Do you understand me at all?" Typhon asked once more. Isaac looked at him at that, slightly wide eyed. “Is that a… yes?" The wolf frowned, wishing this damned alien would just speak up already.

“I can…" Isaac said the words. They were lost on the wolf who had to hold up a finger for him to pause. Typhon adjusted the other side of the collar to the right frequency, far easier knowing which one the saberwolves used.

Then gave the human a single nod.

“You can understand me?" Isaac just asked, uncertain as well at this point. He thought the collar was something else entirely.

“And you can understand me?" Typhon grinned a fanged smile at that, patting himself on the back. The human looked away at that, recoiling from that smile.

The saberwolf chuckled darkly at that, able to smell the human's fear. That was one thing that seemed universal.

“Are you going to eat me?" Was the first thing Isaac asked, not even looking at the wolf.

Typhon took a moment on that. Savoring it. Licking over one of his saber-shaped teeth and then finally, with a laugh, shook his head.

“No. I thought about it. But I can't." Typhon grumbled displeased at that. Isaac didn't trust him for a second. “Relax." The wolf just laughed once more touching the band on his arm. “So long as you got this, by my honor, I won't eat you." Though it was clear the wolf wouldn't mind if the chance arose in the future.

“I can't take it off…" Isaac frowned at him, thinking the wolf was stupid at this point. He had clearly shown the beast that he couldn't physically take it off.

“Of course you can't." Typhon snorted at that, finally pulling back. He motioned with his head. “Don't make me drag you," the wolf warned with a deep growl as Isaac still sat there. “Hurts my back to stoop down to your level." The wolf chuckled at that, mocking the humans height as he pushed himself up and walked down the hall.

Isaac rolled his eyes at that, forcing himself to get up and follow after. It would be best to play along until he could find an opening to escape; or rather, until back up arrives. This canine like alien might think he's rather slick for taking out his crew. He wasn't aware at all of the tracking device on Isaac's flight suit.

“Going to serve up some tea and crumpets too?" Isaac asked as Typhon took a seat on one side of the hibernation chamber on the sofa. The wolf gave him a look and Isaac just rolled his eyes, not about to explain as he walked down the steps to somewhat join the beast.

The saberwolf was butt naked with feathered bracelets on, wolf fang necklace and little else. His fur was a dark blue that shimmered in the light as if the color itself was moving. With large clawed paws and hands, that wasn't what Isaac focused on.

It were those eyes.

Like mini galaxies they looked at him. Blue and black with a swirling glow to them like stars in the night sky.

“I told you to relax!" Typhon growled pointing at the seat across from him. “I won't hurt a banded one."

Isaac took a seat, giving him another look. “A what?"

“A," and then the speaker on the collar produced more static making him wince sharply at the noise. All he heard was a strange foreign growl from the wolf. Typhon looked at the collar. “Some things don't translate well." And the wolf pointed at the Isaac bracelet. “The band you got. That's why I didn't rip you apart; and won't. So long as you behave…" The wolf warned.

“I'm not about to tase you if that's what you're thinking." Isaac almost laughed recalling how Jefferson punched him square in the side. “What my security officer did to you…" And Isaac pointed at the wolf's side, who then growled realizing what he meant. “I'm not about to do that to you."

“Good!" Typhon snarled, rubbing the side. The saberwolf winced. “That fucking hurt…"

“I bet…" Isaac took a moment. “Thanks for not… killing them."

The wolf's ear twitched as he looked over at the human who was staring towards the front of the ship. At the space moving around them. It didn't feel like they were moving. It felt as if everything had stopped ever since those doors had closed.

“Wasn't sure if they were banded too. Is all." Typhon licked over one of his fangs. “Would've been big trouble if I up and killed someone marked like that."

“Marked? Banded? I don't understand…" Isaac was the one to frown now turning back to the saberwolf. “We don't have your… kind, in our records." The human just stated. Typhon wasn't the first alien Isaac had met. The others at least didn't threaten to eat him.

“Figures." Typhon snorted at that. “You Terrans always think you're on top of the food chain! It's a big galaxy out there. Doesn't belong to you." The look Isaac gave him made the dark blue fur wolf wave it off. “You however, do." The canine just added with a fanged smile.

“I do what…" Isaac was afraid to know.

“You. Belong. To. Us." And the wolf pointed at the band on his wrist. And with a look, Isaac heard the wolf bark another laugh. “That is why I didn't rip you apart and eat you."

“Thanks, for not eating me." Isaac rolled his eyes. “You know civilized races don't eat others, right?"

“Yeah. They get eaten by us uncivilized ones!" Typhon didn't miss a beat on that and barked another laugh with a slap of his knee. “The weak are eaten. The strong survive; nourished by the weak!"

Isaac wanted to laugh at that but chose not to. The saberwolf wasn't the first alien race he had come across with a similar mind set. The wolf might call Isaac's people cocky and full of themselves; he saw it very differently. It was races like his, this wolf, however, that Isaac saw as the prideful ones.

Humans had always stared up at the night sky, knowing they belonged with the stars. Until they learned to spread their wings and fly, they had always dreamt of it. Written of it. Wrote songs of it. Told stories and tales of it.

Until, one day, they closed their eyes and made the plunge.

Breaking out of the milky way galaxy had been a feat in itself. Making first contact was something that had been written down in every history book known to man. It was the groundbreaking moment when humans realized one of two things. They weren't alone in the galaxy and, above all else, they weren't the ones on top.

Joining the Galactic Front had been the biggest divide in mankind's history. While half were glad to be part of something bigger than themselves, just glad to be included; the other half had taken it as an insult. That humans had to be on the same level as these other alien races was unheard of.

Isaac belong to the former group who had gladly joined the Front, the exploration of alien nations underneath one banner. Hoping and striving for peace in the known universe. Nothing was perfect but it was defiantly better than the alternative.

“This band…" Isaac drew its focus back to the silver band with three large opals in it. “Is it a slave collar…?" Isaac dared to ask.

The wolf looked at him for a moment, just staring at the human with those eyes as deep as galaxies before shaking its head.

“Did they not tell you what it is?" Typhon seemed even more amused by this.

“It was a gift…" Isaac frowned, still looking down at the band. He was just glad it was water resistant. He couldn't exactly take it off when he showered.

“Well, then they screwed up. Royally." Typhon just picked a claw in his teeth. “Whatever, it saved your life. Just be thankful for that." Isaac really wasn't. If he hadn't had this band on, then the ship wouldn't have opened up to them to begin with and he would still be…

“If you aren't going to kill me or sell me off… then can I get dropped off at the first colony we come across? I really would like to go home." Isaac looked back at the saberwolf before him; just glad he was cross legged to hide his nether regions.

“I am." Typhon just smiled.

“You are… what?" Isaac asked confused.

“I'm taking you home, of course." The wolf said matter of factly as if he truly meant it. Isaac didn't let his hopes get to him. “Back to Saber, of course." The wolf barked a laugh. “After all, I got to return you to the pack! You belong to us, don't forget!"

Isaac didn't say anything to that.

“Call it a gift or whatever you like, you are still banded. You belong to us." The saberwolf just smirked, looking Isaac over. “Though I can't imagine why anyone would band something as… small and weak as you."

“Just because my kind isn't big, doesn't mean we're worthless." Isaac had to hold back the venom in his voice as he replied. It still got to him, making him ball his hand into a fist holding back saying something he'd regret.

This wasn't the first alien race to look down on them.

“Oh?" Typhon asked sitting up now, opening his legs and grinning widely at the human now.

“We've built spaceships that would put this piece of junk to shame!" Isaac almost laughed. “Who puts a freaking hibernation pod in the middle of a damn living space!" He went on looking at the thing. “That has to be the stupidest design I've ever seen!"

“I agree." The wolf just chuckled at the humor of it. He had to admit, felinadae designs were atrocious. The human gave him a look. “What? I didn't put it there!" That only seemed to confuse him further.

Typhon didn't elaborate, not wanting to show his weakness in front of this alien. Ignorance was a weakness after all. Even smaller than him, Typhon knew not to let his guard down. He'd put this smaller male in his place the second it dared step out of line. In fact, the wolf was waiting for the moment. It would make things far easier for the rest of the flight.

Unfortunately, he couldn't do that until it did step out place. You weren't allowed to punish another ones banded without their permission or unless they did something out of turn.

Typhon had collected all the weapons and stashed them away, locking them up before bringing Isaac into the room. Patting the human down roughly without shame just to double check, the wolf went back to the controls. Looking things over as he left the human sitting behind him. He'd have to lock him up just to make sure nothing happened as he returned home…

“You're doing it wrong." Isaac took the seat adjacent the wolf and turn towards the console on, already powering it up and looking over the controls. Isaac was already flipping several switched.

“What… don't touch anything!" Typhon growled a warning at him, Isaac ignored it. The saberwolf might really have to put him in his place!

“If we keep going with the course you set, we're going to end up flying into a sun." Isaac rolled his eyes looking at the wolf. “You aren't even in the right seat to drive…" The human just pointed out.

“What?" Typhon's ears splayed out.

“You're using the emergency controls to drive the ship right now…" Isaac just gave him a look. “You do know how to fly right…?"

“What would a Terran know-," Typhon growled his fur beginning to stand up.

“A lot." Isaac turned back to the controls, looking the coordinates over before frowning. “I don't know where we're going though…" He added, glancing over at the wolf watching him. “I'll drive if you put them in. That way we at least GET there in one piece. I rather not fly into a sun during this lifetime, thanks…"

Typhon took several large breaths at that, letting his anger out through his nose. His eyes kept looking down at the band on Isaac's wrist. Only then, after cooling himself off, did he begrudgingly put in the coordinates over Isaac's shoulder. Typing them in with clawed digits, having to use the tip of each to get them inputted.

“Try anything,"

“Relax." Isaac couldn't help the smile at that, using the wolf's own words against him. “This is just another thing a Terran can do better than anyone else…" And at that, Isaac really began to fly.

Fly into the stars.