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"2088466_TerraMGP_by_right_duel.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2088/2088466_TerraMGP_by_right_duel.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2088/2088466_TerraMGP_by_right_duel.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2088/2088466_TerraMGP_by_right_duel.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1505438", "submission_right_file_name": "2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc" }, { "pool_id": "64597", "name": "Great Tree Saga", "description": "An attempt at the chronological list for all great tree saga stories. Does not incldue side stories.", "count": "65", "submission_left_submission_id": "1505438", "submission_left_file_name": "2132279_TerraMGP_solstice.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "1500464", "submission_right_file_name": "2124763_TerraMGP_by_necessity_priorities_part_3.doc" } ], "description": "The aftermath of the last two By Right stories is finally here. Hoping you all enjoy. The next few stories should help make some things clear, I think. Enjoy.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "The aftermath of the last two By Right stories is finally here. Hoping you all enjoy. The next few stories should help make some things clear, I think. Enjoy.", "writing": "By Right: Wounds\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\tSirens screamed out relentlessly over the blackened fields. Floodlights kicking on in full on either side of the massive plasticrete fortress wedged into the muck and mire of the over-saturated lowlands. Tracking hounds and scrap-built scanning drones gushed from the thing like bugs from an overturned nest.\n\n\tThe pangolin panted as she clawed and fumbled her way though the open field. Her hand barely clutching a bloody bit of scrap metal that had served her in the escape. Some of that blood was her own. Marks dug in from gripping the makeshift dagger so tightly for fear of losing it. Most was not. Which was why she wasn’t surprised when the primitive black powder weapons of the perimeter guards started snapping to life behind her.\n\n\tShe scanned the war zone. A failed assault of a few ill equipped mercs on the slaver camp not long ago. It had failed, the smaller numbers and only marginally better gear of the would be liberators meaning nothing to the far more numerous defenders in their industrial fortress.\n\n\tThe girl scrambled for the trench nearest her. One of the many that dug into the landscape to slow approaching vehicles not equipped for such extreme terrain. She made it, tripping over something hard as she tumbled head first into the pit. The object landed on top of her. She looked on in shock at it, A thick, heavy hunk of metal and wood with a zipper clip of hardened steel bolts shoved just fore of the trigger. More of the same, along with a few proper magazines of similar size, sat littered around along with a man in light ceramic armor, now days dead.\n\n\tShe struggled not to gag, gasping and shivering as she pulled her legs up to her chest, feeling the muddy tartan of her schoolgirl skirt clinging to her bloodied shins.\n\n\tWithout warning a loud, hard snarl tore out from over her. One of the hounds hopped into the ditch, turning and glaring with its one cybernetic eye as the real one struggled to squint and compensate for the shoddy augment. In an instant it leapt on top of her, barking and snapping, near frothing from hunger and madness. Before she could think the girl shoved the long shank of metal deep into the beasts chest. Wincing at the pain of it digging and twisting in her hands. Feeling it sink though warm flesh and hard sternum bone pushed further by the animals thrashing.\n\n\tFinally, mercifully, the tracking animal was silenced. Its warm blood spilled on her hands and dripping on to her uniform. The girl tossed it aside and gagged. Dry-heaving down into the dirt and mire even as the shouts of approaching men filled her ears.\n\n\tShe snatched up the satchel from the dead man with as much speed as her shaky body could muster. Shoving magazines into the bag and looping it over her shoulder. With an uneasy gate, the tween pulled herself up just enough to take a few potshots. The scrap-built Gauss rifle tossing one of the metal bolts deep into the eye socket of the man holding the other tracking beasts on a leash. Another half-dozen wild shots downed or scattered those as well, and soon the poor girl got enough room to pull herself up the other side. Pawing and scrambling up as she continued to run. Slowing only long enough to snap off a few more rounds before dashing for the next trench. Grateful that the dark and the poor weapons of her pursuers bought her enough time to slip that much further away.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tThe Gibson crew was abuzz with activity. Weapons and sensors on high alert. Comms officers and navigation working to map out the proper flight path and put in he right codes. It was an unusual situation, the type that probably would have thrown a larger or less well run ship into painful disarray. Thankfully the Gibson was proving its Mettle. A good thing, Runa didn’t have time to babysit anyone right now.\n\n\tThe young wolf knew she should be worried. The SpecOps squad crewed on the Gibson was left with her own guards. Thankfully the knight hadn’t bothered slaying them. Not that they were much of a threat. She left the little mole and her new computer hub too, but the rest of her pets were on the ship. They would be joined by another ship in a few days. Not that it matter. None of it mattered. Not right now.\n\n\tTwo pods sat in the ships small medical bay. Haphazardly shoved in where the crews could fit them with rigged cargo jacks. The less essential one shoved in the corner with its restrained cargo heavily tranquilized and keeping her monitored, but not yet enacting more than triage. It wasn’t a priority after all. She’d have probably dragged the prisoner on in mere cuffs. But that would be underestimating her. It would be a huge mistake. Runa was sick and tired of making mistakes.\n\n\tThe other pod was the one that mattered right now. Wedged between the built-in medical pods and haphazardly attached to the ship power though an improvised cable connection. Normally it wouldn’t be needed. The things could run for hours or sometimes even days on internal battery alone. Just not with damage this severe.\n\n\tShe looked in on the case. Bi seemed almost peaceful. Laying still against the padded surface. The armor hugging tight around the one wearing it. The combination of triage systems from the suit and aid from the pod kept her stable. It felt selfish to think about how much it hurt, seeing her pet laid out like that. How lucky the girl was being unconscious while Runa had to watch her. Had to worry. And yet she simply couldn’t get the feeling out of her head. It had consumed her since the trip started and showed no signs of improving.\n\n\t“Mistress.” A voice called from behind her. Runa turned to see Siv approaching. The bunny had eschewed her normal clothing for a proper military jumpsuit. Something she said was to help with the morale. Runa suspected it was simply an unwillingness to remain in the same set of cloths for more than a few days without washing.\n\n\t“Yes, pet?” Runa sighed “What news?”\n\t“The ship doctors assured me Bi will remain stable until she can make it to your suites. Unfortunately the injury was severe enough that they don’t dare risk any other treatment here.”\n\n\tThe wolf nodded slowly and sighed “That’s fine. More than fine. Unless her life depends on it’d rather wait to have my personal doctors examine her anyways.” It was a lie. They both knew it. A pathetic show of faux stoicism more for her own benefit than Siv’s. “And our guest? What have you found out about her?”\n\n\t“As per treaties.” Siv continued “I sent a sample of her genetic material along with a request to establish if we had taken a VIP.” The bunny nodded.\n\n\t“And?” Runa muttered impatiently.\n\n\t“They have no records of her, Mistress.”\n\n\t“So she’s not a knight?” The wolf sighed.\n\n\t“There’s no other way she could have that kind of equipment. At least not without some serious backers. Yet she isn’t even registered as a New Avalon citizen. I’m having the ship computer run a match on our own records, but we can’t rule out the possibility that she’s not a citizen of any corp.”\n\n\tThe wolf sighed and clasped her hand into a tight fist. Chest heaving in a few trembling breaths that threatened to reopen her own wounds. “Am I to understand some random classless girl was able to not only gain skills comparable to my own, but weapons as well? More over that she was able to gain that rare old photon blade she was carrying on her back?”\n\n\tSiv flicked her finger to broadcast an image into her owners HUD, a bright full color display showing the sword clearly. “That, I was able to get a trace on.” Siv noted “It belonged to one Ser Collins. A venerable old knight who was purportedly old friends with the current CEO of Excalibur securities. He went Errant over twenty years ago after a Rejuv treatment. Leaving no direct heirs and no will.”\n\n\t“And this girl had it?” Runa muttered “Tell me, is there a match between them, genetically?”\n\n\t“Not a all, Mistress.” Siv noted “The New Avalon clerk I dealt with insisted on checking that first. She has absolutely no genetic ties to Ser Collins whatsoever. Further, in spite of tensions the NA government has decided to allow you to keep the weapon though your interrogation process. They are hopeful that you can use it to help draw out his location, or his resting place, from the girl.”\n\n\tIn spite of everything that drew a small bemused chuckle from the wolf woman as she turned her face to the tube where the Pangolin slept. “What, no demand she be turned over to stand trial for daring to touch a knightly weapon?” She laughed.\n\n\t“If I were to guess, Mistress.” Siv smirked “I think they are hoping you find her to be a mere thief of no consequence who slew a knight and took his gear. I find it unlikely. But the alternative would mean one of their noble caste, or someone somehow tied to them, decided to make an attack on the heir of their greatest rival. Nobody wishes to be the one to pull the trigger on a war, do they Mistress?”\n\n\tThe two exchanged a small chuckle before Runa moved reluctantly to the other pod. Putting her paw on it and looking at the sleeping girl inside. “You’re becoming quite a twisted little weed, my dear girl.” She sighed “One can only hope we find some way that you may atone for it all.”\n\n--------------------\n\n\tAs predicted it took days for the ship to move though the intricate network of wormhole gates. It was enough to wonder how bad it normally would be for those without her pull, or her urgency. If nothing else, it was a nice little eye opener. Hardly worth the price of admission, though. \n\n\tThe wolf stood in the airlock as it went though its initial scan procedure. Below she could hear the rustling and bustling of crewmen moving cargo from the bottom chamber of the tube resting below them. It made her shift in the newly printed dress-shoes. The already uncomfortable, impractical items reminding her once more of the tight, constricting suit she wore, which naturally lead to other, even less savory facts.\n\n\t“I really wish we didn’t have to stand on ceremony like this.” Runa muttered softly to herself. She looked at Siv. The gold furred bunny dressed sharply in the nicest royal blue suit the Gibson had in memory. The normally goofy and carefree bunny girl shifting so easily into something cold, calculating and stern. Even Runa was unsure which side of hir was the ‘real’ Siv and which was a mask for others. Regardless. It was fitting.\n\n\t“I promise you, Mistress. The pods will be ushered to your personal quarters without delay. I’ve already sent word ahead to have medical staff waiting. You simply need to focus on the diplomatic duties and we’ll get the prognosis straight away. I promise.” The bunny girl gripped hir Mistress’ hand firmly a moment. A simple squeeze that seemed to drain a healthy measure of anxiety from Runa’s face.\n\n\t“Considering I hold more pull than all of them combined, it should really be a matter of me saying and them doing.”\n\n\t“You have more stock than they do, Mistress.” she noted “It’s important to remember they still have a great deal of influence. Especially as the company is so interdependent. This isn’t an arena where they will respect your strength or honor.”\n\n\t“As you feel the need to remind me incessantly” Runa sighed. Her voice hovering at the edge of dismissive annoyance.\n\n\t“It is part of my purpose, Mistress.” Siv noted “Thankfully this shouldn’t be too painful. I doubt most of your usual foes even know we’re on station.”\n\n\tRuna shook her head a moment. It was true. They were not due back for nearly another month. Outside of the few influential individuals who had directly invested in her little side project, and the need-to-know security staff she, wasn’t exactly keen on spreading the word out any further. The longer she was kept from her personal suites, the worse it was going to be.\n\n\t“Now then Eleanor” Siv said as she leaned down and adjusted the simple moss green suit jacket the tween wore. The bunny doting over the girls hair and glasses with a mix of cool professionalism and matronly doting “I trust that you remember everything we spoke of, little one? About etiquette and decorum? And about how much worse punishment can be here on the station, with Mistress’ personal dungeons so very, very close.”\n\n\tThe badger nodded her head softly and gripped her hands tightly in front of her, he small data pad feeling like it would crack under the strain of her tensed muscles and lingering duress. She nodded softly. Her whole body feeling a bit twitchy in the fancy clothing. So much different than the simple jumpsuit she’d worn in her previous life. Different from anything she’d worn before really. “Don’t worry, Miss Siv. I remember. I promise. I would hate to be any more of an embarrassment to Mistress than I already am.”\n\n\t“Of course you would” Siv said as she kissed the girl on her forehead “You know it’s best to obey your betters. Don’t you girl?”\n\n\t“Yes Miss Siv. I love Mistress.” Eleanor said. The statement met with a firm rap on her rump. She looked up at the wolf woman who gazed down at her. The two-toned eyes glairing down at her with a cold, inescapable strength. A steel-jawed glair that she couldn’t escape from.\n\n\t“Do you really, little one?” Runa asked coldly\n\n\tEleanor nodded frantically and curled her toes “Y-yes! Of course! I know I am supposed to-” she was cut off by another hard swat, this time to her cheek. The badger cutting herself off with a squeal and returning back to a meek and docile attention stance.\n\n\tRuna sipped her finger under that chin a moment and tilted Eleanor’s face upwards. Forcing her to gaze into those eyes. Removing any chance the cub had to escape that view. “Tell me how you really feel, pet. What is truly in your heart. Be honest” she growled “I expect nothing less from one of my possessions.”\n\n\tIn spite of herself the tween girls voice cracked and broke as she tried to speak the words. Her mouth went dry, throat closing a bit. Her tongue felt like so much limp meat as it beat itself helplessly against her lower teeth in a fruitless effort to form some kind of words. It was the same ‘caught printing cookies at naptime’ dread from the orphanage, only so very much worse.\n\n\t“I… I hate you” she finally blurted out. Her voice hoarse and raspy as she barely blurted the words from her lips “I hate you, Mistress. I hate what you do to me, what you do to all of us. The way you lock me up. Make me do and say all of these horrible things. Think all of these horrible things. I’m scared and I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do. And I hate you. I hate you most because. Because” she winced and pulled her muzzle away from that grip. An action that the poor badger instantly regretted. The realization hit her of what she’d just said and she felt a painful knot growing in her stomach. “Oh gods, I…”\n\n\t“There.” Runa laughed softly “That is much better. I already knew how you felt, little one. Of course there’s a bit more to it, now isn’t there?” she asked as she licked her lips Something else that just makes the hate that much stronger?”\n\n\tEleanor blushed and looked away. An angry and defiant little grunt barely escaping her throat even as a few tears formed in her eyes.\n\n\tRuna leaned down and kissed the cub firmly. Pressing her lips against the girl as she felt he pudgy badger go limp. Propped up only as the wolf woman put her firm paw around Eleanor’s throat and gripped tightly enough to dig that collar into the fur and flesh. Making the poor girl choke just a bit on her kiss.\n\n\tJust as quickly Mistress Runa pulled back, leaving Eleanor to stumble and struggle herself back to her feet awkwardly.\n\n\t“Without a proper prototype to show, Eleanor, I will need you to help represent my work to my investors. As such I shall make this clear now. I do not need sycophants. I do not need a slave to praise me because they fear me. To coddle me like some child. There are millions of slaves and free people on this station who would gladly tell me anything I wished to hear simply because I asked. From you, I expect honesty. Am I understood?”\n\n\tThe badger nodded slowly and slumped her shoulders. She did her best to return to the same polite, professional posture that had been a small part of her year long lessons. She offered a meek little smile, hints of stiff, shiny silver braces showing out from under them as she cast her eyes back down a moment and took a deep breath.\n\n\t“You will be fine, little one.” Siv said matter-of-factly “The worst you can do is embarrass Mistress, and then you shall be punished. Just speak when spoken to and otherwise remain still like a good possession.”\n\n\tRuna looked between her beloved long-time slave and the new little toy for a moment. A stern smile crossed her muzzle as she turned herself back to the airlock door and waited for the small ring of indicator lights to finally solidify and signal that they were cleared to enter.\n\n\tWhen it finally locked, Runa watched the thing being to slide open out into a long hallway. Four elite soldiers in power armor stood flanking the hallway. Armor polished to a gloss sheen and rifles held at attention.\n\n\t“Hail, Lady Runa” The voices snapped in near unison. The crisp sharpness and deep currents of professional pride that echoed though the hallway sending a pleased shiver though the wolfs spine. Even with the sea of anxiety around her it was one of the few comforting things about her home. A breath of fresh air before the things to come.\n\n\tThere were no words spoken. None were needed. The first two guards made their way forwards a few steps before her. Falling in line to match her pace without a moments hesitation. Rifles held at the ready and march lock-stepped into perfect formation. The other two matched this only after the rest of them had gotten a few steps forwards. Making their way down the quarter-kilometer of terminal that served as one of the many clandestine docking points for the royal family. The length normally serving to permit grand shows of fanfare or provide a staging area should a ship need to be retaken from hostile boarding forces. For Runa? It was simply a nice calming walk under familiar gravity.\n\n\tThe wolf looked down at the nervous badger girl to her left. Eleanor struggling to keep in time as she half-ran her way down the hall. She watched the young slaves eyes go a bit wide at the sight of the sleek black limo resting just outside the secondary blast doors. A far more sophisticated mode of transportation than the bulky utilitarian rovers of her own backwater planet. Runa then looked back up. She stopped dead. The procession coming to a quick halt a split second afterwards.\n\n\tTwo figures stood by the vehicle. The shorter one was a few centimeters smaller than Eleanor. Features all but obscured by the presence of an appropriately sized set of ‘Nightingale’ power armor. A deep teal coloration and comms backpack designating her unit and role as logistician.\n\n\tBeside her stood a woman in grey, teal accented ‘Freya’ pattern armor. She was taller than Runa by a few centimeters and a bit lankier. While the Jack-chain stylization of the movement enhancers on Runa’s armor were set as a clear and shining silver, the ones this woman wore had the look of well used and burnished brass. Unlike the others she kept her helm under her arm. It kept the sharp young face open, leaving her wild light-brown hair free to spike and hang out behind her. Only the left side of her scalp was safe as it had been tied into a series of tight dreadlock braids that now flowed as one behind her ear and down her back.\n\n\tThe officer and her logistician both quickly took one knee and saluted. The other four joining in suit a moment later Runa approached the leader and smiled, offering a hand. The tawny-yellow furred woman looked up and smiled as she clutched it. The two looked each other a long moment before embracing each other tightly.\n\n\t“Welcome, my princess.” Taya said. The Thylacine pulling back a moment and returning to attention.\n\n\t“Raidmistress Taya” Runa said with as much formality as she could muster\n\n\t“War mistress now, my Princess.” Taya corrected her as she puffed out her chest as much as the heavy armor would allow. “After the conflict with the Centari guild several months ago it was decided I should be given command of the Theta-Seven.”\n\n\tRuna tilted her head a bit “Is that why you’ve come, then?” she asked “I mean considering what happened to my little venture.”\n\n\t“To be honest, not really.” Taya sighed “Well, I did decide to receive you personally. But to be honest it was more to ensure you were safe for myself. Comms were rather minimal coming in. Coded orders to have high end medical details and cyberneticists on staff and ready. A call to replace the Gibson with a Helblade detachment. When I couldn’t get any more, well I figured I would simply have to check in for myself.”\n\n\tThe wolf looked a her old friend a long moment and sighed, her shoulders rounding a bit as she placed her palm on the constellate. It took a few moments before Runa could bring her two-toned eyes up to meet her old sister-in-arms. “I promise I’ll share everything about it on the way. Sufficed to say you were right, and I was a fool. If I am going to attempt this endeavor then I need to let go of some idealism. It almost cost me, quiet a bit.”\n\n\t“You are all safe. That is what matters.” Taya said with a nod “I also remember something in the comms about a second detachment going with the cargo unload. I sent some of my best to handle that. Am I to presume there is a story there as well, Lady Runa?”\n\n\t“As you said we can get this all out on the way there. It all plays back on what I need to talk to you about anyways. Plus I imagine I’ll be here a short while. You’ll likely be sick of me by the time this is all over.” The wolf slipped her eyes to the armored figure standing beside her old friend. “You don’t mean to tell me she’s one of yours, do you?”\n\n\t“Muller” The Thylacine snapped. The figure quickly stepped forwards and stood at attention. Her hands moving up to press in the latches on her helm. It hissed free the hermetic seal and allowed a sandy haired and slightly sweaty Chipmunk girl to look out from under the helm as it was removed. She pulled a small hard case from her belt and quickly put on a pair of thick black rimmed field-issue glasses before giving her best bow.\n\n\t“Greetings, your Grace.” The girl, Muller, said as she bowed a bit. Hand moving to brush her hair back into something resembling the military compliant faux pixie cut she wore “My name is Junior Specialist Gretchen Muller. It is an honor to meet you.”\n\n\tRuna smirked and did her best not to bust out laughing. “My now but isn’t she little miss formal.” The wolf laughed. “I see a bit of the teaching bug rubbed off on you after all that time with the old woman.”\n\n\t“Says the woman who thinks the best slaves are home grown and personally trained.” Taya laughed “I need competent officers if I’m going to get anywhere. She’s still young, but she’s more than just a company mascot. I plucked her out of the Accel program myself. She’s not much in direct combat, but her strategic and logistical skills are remarkable. Even when we limit her wetware. I’m hoping to forge her into something useful.”\n\n\tThe younger armored figure simply blushed and did her best to remain at attention, nodding softly as she did so. “I’m simply honored to have found my place in the great tree, Ma’am. I never expected to be given an assignment like this.”\n\n\tThe wolf looked at the young aspirant and then grinned wide. She patted the girl on the head and tussed her hair a bit “I am convinced she’ll do wonders for you. I’m pleased that you’re doing so well.” she looked down a moment at the long braid of cable hanging over her neck “Your Grav’ya.”\n\n\t“Yeah.” Taya scratched the back of her head and sighed “Some of the parts are from my new flagship. Wow that still sounds weird to say” she sighed “Command thought, well, I thought, that maybe it’d help show a bit of solidarity if I added some pieces. Showed where I belong.”\n\n\tRuna’s face soured, but she said nothing. Just shaking her head, but saying nothing. She just looked down at Eleanor and forced the best smile she could “I trust you can monitor things and inform me when the packages arrive in my suites, girl?” she asked. The badger giving her a small nod and quickly casting her eyes down on the pad.\n\n\t“A new Seneschal?” Taya asked as she looked the badger over with a scrutinizing eye.\n\n\tThe wolfess gave a small affirming smirk and put a hand on her shoulder. “Just a little trinket I’m trying to figure out a place for. Her kind are often good with numbers and management, and are properly boorish. There has to be something we can do with that. Assuming she can prove herself.”\n\n--------------------\n\n\tThe anti-chamber was thankfully rather empty. More so than Runa feared, less than she liked. A half dozen men and women in suits and tasteful cocktail dresses milling around the unfamiliar banners and racks of weapons. Servants and slaves, most of whom Runa had never really met, walked around with trays of food and potent drinks. Normally there would be other party favors as well. Sensory uploads and chemical drugs to tide the people over. She didn’t like that much. One needed to be aware and alert. Even in such duplicitous company.\n\n\tSiv was doing the lions share of the lifting, leaving Eleanor hanging on the wolfs coattails. Thankfully the guest list was small. A dozen and a half, Only those who had any claim to demand such an audience on such short notice. She’d greeted hem all, gotten the painful pleasantries out of the way, and now stood as close to the back wall as she dared without looking rude or committing some horrible social faux pas. A cut crystal highball glass hanging precariously in the wolf woman’s fingertips as she scanned the room impatiently.\n\n\t“Ah My lady!” a voice came. An older woman in a dark plum suit walking up to Runa and her pet. She was flanked by a pair of boys in their late teens. Like her a pair of Cougars dressed in near identical suits. One would almost be tempted to assume they were her children or grandchildren, if not for the collars.\n\n\t“Ms. Running Brook.” Runa said with every ounce of courtesy her stern voice could muster. She cast her eyes down to Eleanor to ensure she’d gotten the name right. The girl nodding softly\n\n\t“I must say I was quite shocked to hear you had come on the station. Here I didn’t think we’d see you before the Solstice at the earliest. The message from the board was quite a shock indeed.”\n\n\t“Well I plan to inform you all of the reasons behind that shortly, Ms. Running Brook” she nodded “Suffice to say it wasn’t exactly planned. There were some complications that required me to return for a short visit.”\n\n\tThe cougar grinned wide and snatched up a long stemmed glass from one of the trays, taking a nice long sip “That much I’d heard. To be honest I was a bit worried. What with the rumors of privateers sympathetic to New Avalon milling around in our less protected expanses. It’s almost enough for me to consider selling off some of my riskier holdings. Keep things a bit closer to my chest. Tell me, my lady. What was it exactly that brought about this sudden visit again?”\n\n\tThe look on the white-haired woman’s face was enough to jolt Runa’s rage. She tensed hard but said nothing. Her breath calm and measured. Hoping to suffocate the raw fury she felt hammering at her heart. “There was an unprovoked attack, though I don‘t wish to discuss details until I have concrete proof of the motivations. The perpetrator waited until I was away, leaving my head of security and the remaining mercenary forces to defend the compound.”\n\n\t“Ah yes, I read the report your little rabbit sent. Admittedly a bit less through than we are used to from her. Apparently you personally rode out and apprehended the perpetrator?” The woman asked with a twisted note of mock concern.\n\n\t“I couldn’t‘ let an insult like that stand.” Runa replied with the most cordial tone she could manage. A tone that simply seemed to set the cougars face alight. \n\n\t“Well she only made off with one slave, dear. Nothing more than an afternoons work at most. Though really, a single combatant getting the drop on you so utterly after a whole year to prepare. Not to mention only a few months off to justify your interesting little theorem.” The woman held out her hand for one of the two boys with her o take her glass so she could Clasp Runa’s hand. Seeming to flinch a bit at the involuntary spasms in the wolfs paw, but not letting her surprise show. “Well it does smack of bad fortune. Though I feel as a loyal subject I must warn you, Lady Runa.”\n\n\t“Warn me of what.” By this point the reserves of patience and composure she struggled to hold were all but gone. Worn thin on barbed words and smacks by the proverbial velvet glove.\n\n\t“Well it’s not my place to say.” Running Brook sighed as she looked back at the crowd “But many of those here, and those who have heard about the attack second hand, are quite worried that this little incident may be an indication of your qualifications as leader. This quaint little notion of effort or craftsmanship or whatever it is has a nice little ring to it. But the output thus far is rather non-existent and even for such a strange project, it seems like you’ve met all manner of troubles.”\n\n\tRuna pulled her hand back slowly and looked the old woman square in the eye. The silver prosthetic the young woman sported starting to narrow and whir on is own. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.” she said bluntly.\n\n\t“Well, you didn’t hear it from me. But the truth is that there are stirrings that some may demand your mother choose another as successor. Someone who doesn’t have their head so far into the clouds. Their words, dear, not mine. The implication seems to be that the Great Tree would simply go up in flames if we tried to shift in such an idealistic direction.”\n\n\t“I am heir.” Runa noted “Chief shareholder upon my mothers passing, and as tradition dictates, CEO, and thus Thane.”\n\n\t“Thane, perhaps.” The cougar noted. “But appointment of CEO is still technically another matter. More to the point, you are only heir apparent. It is entirely possible that your mother could shift that status to another successor. Your sister, perhaps? Or one of the others further down the line? I felt it was only fair to warn you. After all it would be such a tragedy if you were to find out suddenly about people propping up one of your cousins for the sake of the company. Best if someone warn you, lessen the blow.”\n\n\t“Thank you, Miss Running Brook.” Runa muttered though clenched teeth. She gave the old woman a polite nod of recognition. One that was met with a haughty laugh.\n\n\t“Think nothing of it, dear. Now if you’ll excuse me. I was hoping to catch Mr. Barns for a conversation about his new little mining project. I do hope we can catch up again later.” With that she and the boys turned and walked off in to the crowd.\n\n\tRuna waited as long as she dared before turning heel and pacing her way towards the nearby restroom. Any more of this nightmare and she was going to snap.\n--------------------\n\n\tThere was almost something universally constant about medical bays. The painfully, aseptically bright walls. Smells of chemicals and metal and inert graphite-based lubrication for the myriad mechanical arms and complex specialty printers all blended into something unnaturally clean.\n\n\tThe ‘packages’ had been delivered directly to the bay even as Runa had gone about her business with the so called investors. The knight resting in one of the in-built medical pods that had been in the room already. A single physician working on her. Runa paid it no mind. She strode her way slowly towards the pod containing Bi. Her poor tigress laying almost lifeless behind the hardened transparent lid. Much of her body was bare. The armor having been carefully removed from everything but her chest. A pair of doctors standing in front of the display scanning the vitals slowly.\n\n`\t“Lady Runa.” One of the two physicians turned. A rather squat looking mole woman with thick glasses. “We were told to expect your arrival.”\n\n\t“I had hoped to be here sooner.” Runa sighed. “What’s the prognosis?”\n\n\tThe doctors fell in line around the pod as the woman stood at semi attention and fixed her glasses “We were just discussing that. One of our team is working though the captive now. While it would be possible to produce an artificial leg replacement, it was deemed better in the short term to start designing something that would be tied to your direct control. A proper upgrade that would help give you added leverage. Presuming that meets with your approval.”\n\n\tRuna shook her head and sighed “It’s not important.” She muttered “I want to know how Bi is doing.”\n\n\t“The other patient?” The doctor who had apparently been made de-facto leader of the team bit her lip and fidgeted softly from foot to foot. “Well that’s been more problematic. Because of the nature of he injury we haven’t dared to move her to one of the pods in here, nor have we tried to remove her armor. The emergency systems are the only thing really keeping her vitals going at the moment.”\n\n\tThe wolfess looked away from the doctors to her unconscious pet once more. It was easy to see how pale Bi was though her fur. The breaths and what little movement she displayed were purely mechanical in nature. Runa moved past the physicians and put a hand on the lid. She looked down at the almost fairytale image of her pet. Unable to look away no matter how she tried.\n\n\t“Uh, well, anyways, Lady Runa.” The Doctor continued “Because it took so long to get her to a proper facility, and due to the nature of her injury, it was already ruled that nanocmahines would be the option of last resort. Without sufficient material and with the way the armor works odds are good that they’d end up effecting only limited repairs to her motor function and the potential for calcification of nerve fibers in the process is rather high. Especially with photonic weapon injuries. They tend to be so small and precise that anything short of a replacement ends up… complicated.”\n\n\t“We have discussed a cloned replacement” One of the other doctors chimed up. His voice falling off sharply at the weight of the others silently judging him.\n\n\tRuna shook her head and looked to the lead doctor a moment. “Is that the best course of action? Doctor…”\n\n\t“Dee, Lady Runa. Doctor Dee.” The mole noted with an obvious pause for what one must presume to be a cringing reaction. It never came. Runa appearing too devastated to even register the comment. “Well the majority consensus is no. There really isn’t any serious benefit and frankly it would involve the most risk. At best you’d end up with something that would eventually allow her the same mobility and movement. But cloning is never an exact process. This isn’t like splicing cable. The risk of death or long term disability is unacceptably high. That’s generally why we don’t undertake that kind of replacement for spinal injuries this severe.”\n\n\tThe wolf nodded and glanced at Bi once more. She offered a sidelong eye at the pangolin who had caused the wound. It was tempting to simply say rip the needed parts out of the Avalon bitch to make it work. But then that wouldn’t work. It wouldn’t help Bi, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be a satisfying revenge.\n\n\t“So what is your recommendation, Dr. Dee?” Runa sighed.\n\n\t“Luckily the weapon used was very thin. The wound was entirely relegated to the T11. Normally with conditions like this we will work to insert artificial neurofiber replacements and an artificial housing. I’ve already begun working on a few designs that will not only give her full functionality after therapy, but which should help enhance her abilities as well.”\n\n\tThe wolf reached up a moment to touch the flesh under her artificial eye. For her it had been a matter of pride, of honor. Sure the eye was objectively better. But it would be easy to grow a new one. To have it put in any time she chose. Something more pure and natural. With Bi, with Bi she didn’t even have that choice.\n\n\t“How soon can you have the schematics ready, doctor?” she asked\n\n\t“I should have a working design ready for printing by this time next week, lady Runa.” the doctor said confidently. “With any luck we should have Ms. Bi in the cryonic theater and though the procedure directly after. Presuming you approve of the designs.”\n\n\t“Can you ensure her survival?” Runa growled. The mole took a step backwards, almost knocking over the rest of the team in the process. “Y-yes my lady” she yelped softly. The small data pad she held in hand clattering to the floor “Barring any extraordinary complications we should be able to have her safe and sound and into physical therapy before the months end. Until then we simply need to leave her here and monitor her closely.”\n\n\tThe wolf growled loudly and shook her head as she turned back to her pet and shut her eyes tight. “Leave.” she growled. “I want everyone out. I will expect the schematics left with my Seneschal by the weeks end. You have zero other priorities until this is done. Do I make myself clear?”\n\n\t“Yes, yes Lady Runa.” Doctor Dee said as she bent down and fumbled nervously with the pad. Soon it was gripped in hand once more as they started to walk hurriedly out of the room leaving the wolf alone to gaze down longingly a the tigress.\n\n\t“This is my fault. This is all my fault.” Runa sighed softly as she bit back on a sob. Tears starting to flow down her muzzle “I swear to you, Bi. I’ll make this right. I sear to Freya that I will do everything possible to make this ok again.”\n\n--------------------\n\n\tThe girl panted as she looked up from the mud and muck. The mire-dirt clinging like clay in the corner of her cheek. She pulled herself back into the trench and bit back on a sob. The readout on the old magnet gun only indicating a handful of rounds left in its magazine.\n\n\tUp above were the sound of cheap roto-drones and buggies growling on alcohol engines. She clutched the cheap scrap weapon close to her chest and looked around in a daze. Coughing and sputtering in a desperate attempt to push some of the filth from her nose and mouth. \n\n\tThe barking and buzzing began to draw close once more. The dirty Pangolin girl shivering and struggling to pop the empty magazine free of the weapon. Her shaky, untrained hands struggling to pop the cheap metal box free even as the terror in her stomach became almost too much to take.\n\n\tA heavy series of hissing, burning reports from above caused the girl to tuck in and squeal as she clutched the empty rifle tight to her chest. She waited. For fangs, for hands, for bullet strikes. Yet they never came. Slowly she opened one eye, gazing up at a figure standing over the trench. A massive man in shinning silver armor. A sword strapped to his back. A plasma pistol in hand, its barrel still glowing from the last rounds fired. He looked down at her a moment and offered one gauntleted hand. Pulling the girl up and guiding her behind his armored form. Stoically standing before the screaming sea of oncoming slavers.\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "By Right: Wounds
By TerraMGP

\tSirens screamed out relentlessly over the blackened fields. Floodlights kicking on in full on either side of the massive plasticrete fortress wedged into the muck and mire of the over-saturated lowlands. Tracking hounds and scrap-built scanning drones gushed from the thing like bugs from an overturned nest.

\tThe pangolin panted as she clawed and fumbled her way though the open field. Her hand barely clutching a bloody bit of scrap metal that had served her in the escape. Some of that blood was her own. Marks dug in from gripping the makeshift dagger so tightly for fear of losing it. Most was not. Which was why she wasn’t surprised when the primitive black powder weapons of the perimeter guards started snapping to life behind her.

\tShe scanned the war zone. A failed assault of a few ill equipped mercs on the slaver camp not long ago. It had failed, the smaller numbers and only marginally better gear of the would be liberators meaning nothing to the far more numerous defenders in their industrial fortress.

\tThe girl scrambled for the trench nearest her. One of the many that dug into the landscape to slow approaching vehicles not equipped for such extreme terrain. She made it, tripping over something hard as she tumbled head first into the pit. The object landed on top of her. She looked on in shock at it, A thick, heavy hunk of metal and wood with a zipper clip of hardened steel bolts shoved just fore of the trigger. More of the same, along with a few proper magazines of similar size, sat littered around along with a man in light ceramic armor, now days dead.

\tShe struggled not to gag, gasping and shivering as she pulled her legs up to her chest, feeling the muddy tartan of her schoolgirl skirt clinging to her bloodied shins.

\tWithout warning a loud, hard snarl tore out from over her. One of the hounds hopped into the ditch, turning and glaring with its one cybernetic eye as the real one struggled to squint and compensate for the shoddy augment. In an instant it leapt on top of her, barking and snapping, near frothing from hunger and madness. Before she could think the girl shoved the long shank of metal deep into the beasts chest. Wincing at the pain of it digging and twisting in her hands. Feeling it sink though warm flesh and hard sternum bone pushed further by the animals thrashing.

\tFinally, mercifully, the tracking animal was silenced. Its warm blood spilled on her hands and dripping on to her uniform. The girl tossed it aside and gagged. Dry-heaving down into the dirt and mire even as the shouts of approaching men filled her ears.

\tShe snatched up the satchel from the dead man with as much speed as her shaky body could muster. Shoving magazines into the bag and looping it over her shoulder. With an uneasy gate, the tween pulled herself up just enough to take a few potshots. The scrap-built Gauss rifle tossing one of the metal bolts deep into the eye socket of the man holding the other tracking beasts on a leash. Another half-dozen wild shots downed or scattered those as well, and soon the poor girl got enough room to pull herself up the other side. Pawing and scrambling up as she continued to run. Slowing only long enough to snap off a few more rounds before dashing for the next trench. Grateful that the dark and the poor weapons of her pursuers bought her enough time to slip that much further away.

--------------------

\tThe Gibson crew was abuzz with activity. Weapons and sensors on high alert. Comms officers and navigation working to map out the proper flight path and put in he right codes. It was an unusual situation, the type that probably would have thrown a larger or less well run ship into painful disarray. Thankfully the Gibson was proving its Mettle. A good thing, Runa didn’t have time to babysit anyone right now.

\tThe young wolf knew she should be worried. The SpecOps squad crewed on the Gibson was left with her own guards. Thankfully the knight hadn’t bothered slaying them. Not that they were much of a threat. She left the little mole and her new computer hub too, but the rest of her pets were on the ship. They would be joined by another ship in a few days. Not that it matter. None of it mattered. Not right now.

\tTwo pods sat in the ships small medical bay. Haphazardly shoved in where the crews could fit them with rigged cargo jacks. The less essential one shoved in the corner with its restrained cargo heavily tranquilized and keeping her monitored, but not yet enacting more than triage. It wasn’t a priority after all. She’d have probably dragged the prisoner on in mere cuffs. But that would be underestimating her. It would be a huge mistake. Runa was sick and tired of making mistakes.

\tThe other pod was the one that mattered right now. Wedged between the built-in medical pods and haphazardly attached to the ship power though an improvised cable connection. Normally it wouldn’t be needed. The things could run for hours or sometimes even days on internal battery alone. Just not with damage this severe.

\tShe looked in on the case. Bi seemed almost peaceful. Laying still against the padded surface. The armor hugging tight around the one wearing it. The combination of triage systems from the suit and aid from the pod kept her stable. It felt selfish to think about how much it hurt, seeing her pet laid out like that. How lucky the girl was being unconscious while Runa had to watch her. Had to worry. And yet she simply couldn’t get the feeling out of her head. It had consumed her since the trip started and showed no signs of improving.

\t“Mistress.” A voice called from behind her. Runa turned to see Siv approaching. The bunny had eschewed her normal clothing for a proper military jumpsuit. Something she said was to help with the morale. Runa suspected it was simply an unwillingness to remain in the same set of cloths for more than a few days without washing.

\t“Yes, pet?” Runa sighed “What news?”
\t“The ship doctors assured me Bi will remain stable until she can make it to your suites. Unfortunately the injury was severe enough that they don’t dare risk any other treatment here.”

\tThe wolf nodded slowly and sighed “That’s fine. More than fine. Unless her life depends on it’d rather wait to have my personal doctors examine her anyways.” It was a lie. They both knew it. A pathetic show of faux stoicism more for her own benefit than Siv’s. “And our guest? What have you found out about her?”

\t“As per treaties.” Siv continued “I sent a sample of her genetic material along with a request to establish if we had taken a VIP.” The bunny nodded.

\t“And?” Runa muttered impatiently.

\t“They have no records of her, Mistress.”

\t“So she’s not a knight?” The wolf sighed.

\t“There’s no other way she could have that kind of equipment. At least not without some serious backers. Yet she isn’t even registered as a New Avalon citizen. I’m having the ship computer run a match on our own records, but we can’t rule out the possibility that she’s not a citizen of any corp.”

\tThe wolf sighed and clasped her hand into a tight fist. Chest heaving in a few trembling breaths that threatened to reopen her own wounds. “Am I to understand some random classless girl was able to not only gain skills comparable to my own, but weapons as well? More over that she was able to gain that rare old photon blade she was carrying on her back?”

\tSiv flicked her finger to broadcast an image into her owners HUD, a bright full color display showing the sword clearly. “That, I was able to get a trace on.” Siv noted “It belonged to one Ser Collins. A venerable old knight who was purportedly old friends with the current CEO of Excalibur securities. He went Errant over twenty years ago after a Rejuv treatment. Leaving no direct heirs and no will.”

\t“And this girl had it?” Runa muttered “Tell me, is there a match between them, genetically?”

\t“Not a all, Mistress.” Siv noted “The New Avalon clerk I dealt with insisted on checking that first. She has absolutely no genetic ties to Ser Collins whatsoever. Further, in spite of tensions the NA government has decided to allow you to keep the weapon though your interrogation process. They are hopeful that you can use it to help draw out his location, or his resting place, from the girl.”

\tIn spite of everything that drew a small bemused chuckle from the wolf woman as she turned her face to the tube where the Pangolin slept. “What, no demand she be turned over to stand trial for daring to touch a knightly weapon?” She laughed.

\t“If I were to guess, Mistress.” Siv smirked “I think they are hoping you find her to be a mere thief of no consequence who slew a knight and took his gear. I find it unlikely. But the alternative would mean one of their noble caste, or someone somehow tied to them, decided to make an attack on the heir of their greatest rival. Nobody wishes to be the one to pull the trigger on a war, do they Mistress?”

\tThe two exchanged a small chuckle before Runa moved reluctantly to the other pod. Putting her paw on it and looking at the sleeping girl inside. “You’re becoming quite a twisted little weed, my dear girl.” She sighed “One can only hope we find some way that you may atone for it all.”

--------------------

\tAs predicted it took days for the ship to move though the intricate network of wormhole gates. It was enough to wonder how bad it normally would be for those without her pull, or her urgency. If nothing else, it was a nice little eye opener. Hardly worth the price of admission, though.

\tThe wolf stood in the airlock as it went though its initial scan procedure. Below she could hear the rustling and bustling of crewmen moving cargo from the bottom chamber of the tube resting below them. It made her shift in the newly printed dress-shoes. The already uncomfortable, impractical items reminding her once more of the tight, constricting suit she wore, which naturally lead to other, even less savory facts.

\t“I really wish we didn’t have to stand on ceremony like this.” Runa muttered softly to herself. She looked at Siv. The gold furred bunny dressed sharply in the nicest royal blue suit the Gibson had in memory. The normally goofy and carefree bunny girl shifting so easily into something cold, calculating and stern. Even Runa was unsure which side of hir was the ‘real’ Siv and which was a mask for others. Regardless. It was fitting.

\t“I promise you, Mistress. The pods will be ushered to your personal quarters without delay. I’ve already sent word ahead to have medical staff waiting. You simply need to focus on the diplomatic duties and we’ll get the prognosis straight away. I promise.” The bunny girl gripped hir Mistress’ hand firmly a moment. A simple squeeze that seemed to drain a healthy measure of anxiety from Runa’s face.

\t“Considering I hold more pull than all of them combined, it should really be a matter of me saying and them doing.”

\t“You have more stock than they do, Mistress.” she noted “It’s important to remember they still have a great deal of influence. Especially as the company is so interdependent. This isn’t an arena where they will respect your strength or honor.”

\t“As you feel the need to remind me incessantly” Runa sighed. Her voice hovering at the edge of dismissive annoyance.

\t“It is part of my purpose, Mistress.” Siv noted “Thankfully this shouldn’t be too painful. I doubt most of your usual foes even know we’re on station.”

\tRuna shook her head a moment. It was true. They were not due back for nearly another month. Outside of the few influential individuals who had directly invested in her little side project, and the need-to-know security staff she, wasn’t exactly keen on spreading the word out any further. The longer she was kept from her personal suites, the worse it was going to be.

\t“Now then Eleanor” Siv said as she leaned down and adjusted the simple moss green suit jacket the tween wore. The bunny doting over the girls hair and glasses with a mix of cool professionalism and matronly doting “I trust that you remember everything we spoke of, little one? About etiquette and decorum? And about how much worse punishment can be here on the station, with Mistress’ personal dungeons so very, very close.”

\tThe badger nodded her head softly and gripped her hands tightly in front of her, he small data pad feeling like it would crack under the strain of her tensed muscles and lingering duress. She nodded softly. Her whole body feeling a bit twitchy in the fancy clothing. So much different than the simple jumpsuit she’d worn in her previous life. Different from anything she’d worn before really. “Don’t worry, Miss Siv. I remember. I promise. I would hate to be any more of an embarrassment to Mistress than I already am.”

\t“Of course you would” Siv said as she kissed the girl on her forehead “You know it’s best to obey your betters. Don’t you girl?”

\t“Yes Miss Siv. I love Mistress.” Eleanor said. The statement met with a firm rap on her rump. She looked up at the wolf woman who gazed down at her. The two-toned eyes glairing down at her with a cold, inescapable strength. A steel-jawed glair that she couldn’t escape from.

\t“Do you really, little one?” Runa asked coldly

\tEleanor nodded frantically and curled her toes “Y-yes! Of course! I know I am supposed to-” she was cut off by another hard swat, this time to her cheek. The badger cutting herself off with a squeal and returning back to a meek and docile attention stance.

\tRuna sipped her finger under that chin a moment and tilted Eleanor’s face upwards. Forcing her to gaze into those eyes. Removing any chance the cub had to escape that view. “Tell me how you really feel, pet. What is truly in your heart. Be honest” she growled “I expect nothing less from one of my possessions.”

\tIn spite of herself the tween girls voice cracked and broke as she tried to speak the words. Her mouth went dry, throat closing a bit. Her tongue felt like so much limp meat as it beat itself helplessly against her lower teeth in a fruitless effort to form some kind of words. It was the same ‘caught printing cookies at naptime’ dread from the orphanage, only so very much worse.

\t“I… I hate you” she finally blurted out. Her voice hoarse and raspy as she barely blurted the words from her lips “I hate you, Mistress. I hate what you do to me, what you do to all of us. The way you lock me up. Make me do and say all of these horrible things. Think all of these horrible things. I’m scared and I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do. And I hate you. I hate you most because. Because” she winced and pulled her muzzle away from that grip. An action that the poor badger instantly regretted. The realization hit her of what she’d just said and she felt a painful knot growing in her stomach. “Oh gods, I…”

\t“There.” Runa laughed softly “That is much better. I already knew how you felt, little one. Of course there’s a bit more to it, now isn’t there?” she asked as she licked her lips Something else that just makes the hate that much stronger?”

\tEleanor blushed and looked away. An angry and defiant little grunt barely escaping her throat even as a few tears formed in her eyes.

\tRuna leaned down and kissed the cub firmly. Pressing her lips against the girl as she felt he pudgy badger go limp. Propped up only as the wolf woman put her firm paw around Eleanor’s throat and gripped tightly enough to dig that collar into the fur and flesh. Making the poor girl choke just a bit on her kiss.

\tJust as quickly Mistress Runa pulled back, leaving Eleanor to stumble and struggle herself back to her feet awkwardly.

\t“Without a proper prototype to show, Eleanor, I will need you to help represent my work to my investors. As such I shall make this clear now. I do not need sycophants. I do not need a slave to praise me because they fear me. To coddle me like some child. There are millions of slaves and free people on this station who would gladly tell me anything I wished to hear simply because I asked. From you, I expect honesty. Am I understood?”

\tThe badger nodded slowly and slumped her shoulders. She did her best to return to the same polite, professional posture that had been a small part of her year long lessons. She offered a meek little smile, hints of stiff, shiny silver braces showing out from under them as she cast her eyes back down a moment and took a deep breath.

\t“You will be fine, little one.” Siv said matter-of-factly “The worst you can do is embarrass Mistress, and then you shall be punished. Just speak when spoken to and otherwise remain still like a good possession.”

\tRuna looked between her beloved long-time slave and the new little toy for a moment. A stern smile crossed her muzzle as she turned herself back to the airlock door and waited for the small ring of indicator lights to finally solidify and signal that they were cleared to enter.

\tWhen it finally locked, Runa watched the thing being to slide open out into a long hallway. Four elite soldiers in power armor stood flanking the hallway. Armor polished to a gloss sheen and rifles held at attention.

\t“Hail, Lady Runa” The voices snapped in near unison. The crisp sharpness and deep currents of professional pride that echoed though the hallway sending a pleased shiver though the wolfs spine. Even with the sea of anxiety around her it was one of the few comforting things about her home. A breath of fresh air before the things to come.

\tThere were no words spoken. None were needed. The first two guards made their way forwards a few steps before her. Falling in line to match her pace without a moments hesitation. Rifles held at the ready and march lock-stepped into perfect formation. The other two matched this only after the rest of them had gotten a few steps forwards. Making their way down the quarter-kilometer of terminal that served as one of the many clandestine docking points for the royal family. The length normally serving to permit grand shows of fanfare or provide a staging area should a ship need to be retaken from hostile boarding forces. For Runa? It was simply a nice calming walk under familiar gravity.

\tThe wolf looked down at the nervous badger girl to her left. Eleanor struggling to keep in time as she half-ran her way down the hall. She watched the young slaves eyes go a bit wide at the sight of the sleek black limo resting just outside the secondary blast doors. A far more sophisticated mode of transportation than the bulky utilitarian rovers of her own backwater planet. Runa then looked back up. She stopped dead. The procession coming to a quick halt a split second afterwards.

\tTwo figures stood by the vehicle. The shorter one was a few centimeters smaller than Eleanor. Features all but obscured by the presence of an appropriately sized set of ‘Nightingale’ power armor. A deep teal coloration and comms backpack designating her unit and role as logistician.

\tBeside her stood a woman in grey, teal accented ‘Freya’ pattern armor. She was taller than Runa by a few centimeters and a bit lankier. While the Jack-chain stylization of the movement enhancers on Runa’s armor were set as a clear and shining silver, the ones this woman wore had the look of well used and burnished brass. Unlike the others she kept her helm under her arm. It kept the sharp young face open, leaving her wild light-brown hair free to spike and hang out behind her. Only the left side of her scalp was safe as it had been tied into a series of tight dreadlock braids that now flowed as one behind her ear and down her back.

\tThe officer and her logistician both quickly took one knee and saluted. The other four joining in suit a moment later Runa approached the leader and smiled, offering a hand. The tawny-yellow furred woman looked up and smiled as she clutched it. The two looked each other a long moment before embracing each other tightly.

\t“Welcome, my princess.” Taya said. The Thylacine pulling back a moment and returning to attention.

\t“Raidmistress Taya” Runa said with as much formality as she could muster

\t“War mistress now, my Princess.” Taya corrected her as she puffed out her chest as much as the heavy armor would allow. “After the conflict with the Centari guild several months ago it was decided I should be given command of the Theta-Seven.”

\tRuna tilted her head a bit “Is that why you’ve come, then?” she asked “I mean considering what happened to my little venture.”

\t“To be honest, not really.” Taya sighed “Well, I did decide to receive you personally. But to be honest it was more to ensure you were safe for myself. Comms were rather minimal coming in. Coded orders to have high end medical details and cyberneticists on staff and ready. A call to replace the Gibson with a Helblade detachment. When I couldn’t get any more, well I figured I would simply have to check in for myself.”

\tThe wolf looked a her old friend a long moment and sighed, her shoulders rounding a bit as she placed her palm on the constellate. It took a few moments before Runa could bring her two-toned eyes up to meet her old sister-in-arms. “I promise I’ll share everything about it on the way. Sufficed to say you were right, and I was a fool. If I am going to attempt this endeavor then I need to let go of some idealism. It almost cost me, quiet a bit.”

\t“You are all safe. That is what matters.” Taya said with a nod “I also remember something in the comms about a second detachment going with the cargo unload. I sent some of my best to handle that. Am I to presume there is a story there as well, Lady Runa?”

\t“As you said we can get this all out on the way there. It all plays back on what I need to talk to you about anyways. Plus I imagine I’ll be here a short while. You’ll likely be sick of me by the time this is all over.” The wolf slipped her eyes to the armored figure standing beside her old friend. “You don’t mean to tell me she’s one of yours, do you?”

\t“Muller” The Thylacine snapped. The figure quickly stepped forwards and stood at attention. Her hands moving up to press in the latches on her helm. It hissed free the hermetic seal and allowed a sandy haired and slightly sweaty Chipmunk girl to look out from under the helm as it was removed. She pulled a small hard case from her belt and quickly put on a pair of thick black rimmed field-issue glasses before giving her best bow.

\t“Greetings, your Grace.” The girl, Muller, said as she bowed a bit. Hand moving to brush her hair back into something resembling the military compliant faux pixie cut she wore “My name is Junior Specialist Gretchen Muller. It is an honor to meet you.”

\tRuna smirked and did her best not to bust out laughing. “My now but isn’t she little miss formal.” The wolf laughed. “I see a bit of the teaching bug rubbed off on you after all that time with the old woman.”

\t“Says the woman who thinks the best slaves are home grown and personally trained.” Taya laughed “I need competent officers if I’m going to get anywhere. She’s still young, but she’s more than just a company mascot. I plucked her out of the Accel program myself. She’s not much in direct combat, but her strategic and logistical skills are remarkable. Even when we limit her wetware. I’m hoping to forge her into something useful.”

\tThe younger armored figure simply blushed and did her best to remain at attention, nodding softly as she did so. “I’m simply honored to have found my place in the great tree, Ma’am. I never expected to be given an assignment like this.”

\tThe wolf looked at the young aspirant and then grinned wide. She patted the girl on the head and tussed her hair a bit “I am convinced she’ll do wonders for you. I’m pleased that you’re doing so well.” she looked down a moment at the long braid of cable hanging over her neck “Your Grav’ya.”

\t“Yeah.” Taya scratched the back of her head and sighed “Some of the parts are from my new flagship. Wow that still sounds weird to say” she sighed “Command thought, well, I thought, that maybe it’d help show a bit of solidarity if I added some pieces. Showed where I belong.”

\tRuna’s face soured, but she said nothing. Just shaking her head, but saying nothing. She just looked down at Eleanor and forced the best smile she could “I trust you can monitor things and inform me when the packages arrive in my suites, girl?” she asked. The badger giving her a small nod and quickly casting her eyes down on the pad.

\t“A new Seneschal?” Taya asked as she looked the badger over with a scrutinizing eye.

\tThe wolfess gave a small affirming smirk and put a hand on her shoulder. “Just a little trinket I’m trying to figure out a place for. Her kind are often good with numbers and management, and are properly boorish. There has to be something we can do with that. Assuming she can prove herself.”

--------------------

\tThe anti-chamber was thankfully rather empty. More so than Runa feared, less than she liked. A half dozen men and women in suits and tasteful cocktail dresses milling around the unfamiliar banners and racks of weapons. Servants and slaves, most of whom Runa had never really met, walked around with trays of food and potent drinks. Normally there would be other party favors as well. Sensory uploads and chemical drugs to tide the people over. She didn’t like that much. One needed to be aware and alert. Even in such duplicitous company.

\tSiv was doing the lions share of the lifting, leaving Eleanor hanging on the wolfs coattails. Thankfully the guest list was small. A dozen and a half, Only those who had any claim to demand such an audience on such short notice. She’d greeted hem all, gotten the painful pleasantries out of the way, and now stood as close to the back wall as she dared without looking rude or committing some horrible social faux pas. A cut crystal highball glass hanging precariously in the wolf woman’s fingertips as she scanned the room impatiently.

\t“Ah My lady!” a voice came. An older woman in a dark plum suit walking up to Runa and her pet. She was flanked by a pair of boys in their late teens. Like her a pair of Cougars dressed in near identical suits. One would almost be tempted to assume they were her children or grandchildren, if not for the collars.

\t“Ms. Running Brook.” Runa said with every ounce of courtesy her stern voice could muster. She cast her eyes down to Eleanor to ensure she’d gotten the name right. The girl nodding softly

\t“I must say I was quite shocked to hear you had come on the station. Here I didn’t think we’d see you before the Solstice at the earliest. The message from the board was quite a shock indeed.”

\t“Well I plan to inform you all of the reasons behind that shortly, Ms. Running Brook” she nodded “Suffice to say it wasn’t exactly planned. There were some complications that required me to return for a short visit.”

\tThe cougar grinned wide and snatched up a long stemmed glass from one of the trays, taking a nice long sip “That much I’d heard. To be honest I was a bit worried. What with the rumors of privateers sympathetic to New Avalon milling around in our less protected expanses. It’s almost enough for me to consider selling off some of my riskier holdings. Keep things a bit closer to my chest. Tell me, my lady. What was it exactly that brought about this sudden visit again?”

\tThe look on the white-haired woman’s face was enough to jolt Runa’s rage. She tensed hard but said nothing. Her breath calm and measured. Hoping to suffocate the raw fury she felt hammering at her heart. “There was an unprovoked attack, though I don‘t wish to discuss details until I have concrete proof of the motivations. The perpetrator waited until I was away, leaving my head of security and the remaining mercenary forces to defend the compound.”

\t“Ah yes, I read the report your little rabbit sent. Admittedly a bit less through than we are used to from her. Apparently you personally rode out and apprehended the perpetrator?” The woman asked with a twisted note of mock concern.

\t“I couldn’t‘ let an insult like that stand.” Runa replied with the most cordial tone she could manage. A tone that simply seemed to set the cougars face alight.

\t“Well she only made off with one slave, dear. Nothing more than an afternoons work at most. Though really, a single combatant getting the drop on you so utterly after a whole year to prepare. Not to mention only a few months off to justify your interesting little theorem.” The woman held out her hand for one of the two boys with her o take her glass so she could Clasp Runa’s hand. Seeming to flinch a bit at the involuntary spasms in the wolfs paw, but not letting her surprise show. “Well it does smack of bad fortune. Though I feel as a loyal subject I must warn you, Lady Runa.”

\t“Warn me of what.” By this point the reserves of patience and composure she struggled to hold were all but gone. Worn thin on barbed words and smacks by the proverbial velvet glove.

\t“Well it’s not my place to say.” Running Brook sighed as she looked back at the crowd “But many of those here, and those who have heard about the attack second hand, are quite worried that this little incident may be an indication of your qualifications as leader. This quaint little notion of effort or craftsmanship or whatever it is has a nice little ring to it. But the output thus far is rather non-existent and even for such a strange project, it seems like you’ve met all manner of troubles.”

\tRuna pulled her hand back slowly and looked the old woman square in the eye. The silver prosthetic the young woman sported starting to narrow and whir on is own. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.” she said bluntly.

\t“Well, you didn’t hear it from me. But the truth is that there are stirrings that some may demand your mother choose another as successor. Someone who doesn’t have their head so far into the clouds. Their words, dear, not mine. The implication seems to be that the Great Tree would simply go up in flames if we tried to shift in such an idealistic direction.”

\t“I am heir.” Runa noted “Chief shareholder upon my mothers passing, and as tradition dictates, CEO, and thus Thane.”

\t“Thane, perhaps.” The cougar noted. “But appointment of CEO is still technically another matter. More to the point, you are only heir apparent. It is entirely possible that your mother could shift that status to another successor. Your sister, perhaps? Or one of the others further down the line? I felt it was only fair to warn you. After all it would be such a tragedy if you were to find out suddenly about people propping up one of your cousins for the sake of the company. Best if someone warn you, lessen the blow.”

\t“Thank you, Miss Running Brook.” Runa muttered though clenched teeth. She gave the old woman a polite nod of recognition. One that was met with a haughty laugh.

\t“Think nothing of it, dear. Now if you’ll excuse me. I was hoping to catch Mr. Barns for a conversation about his new little mining project. I do hope we can catch up again later.” With that she and the boys turned and walked off in to the crowd.

\tRuna waited as long as she dared before turning heel and pacing her way towards the nearby restroom. Any more of this nightmare and she was going to snap.
--------------------

\tThere was almost something universally constant about medical bays. The painfully, aseptically bright walls. Smells of chemicals and metal and inert graphite-based lubrication for the myriad mechanical arms and complex specialty printers all blended into something unnaturally clean.

\tThe ‘packages’ had been delivered directly to the bay even as Runa had gone about her business with the so called investors. The knight resting in one of the in-built medical pods that had been in the room already. A single physician working on her. Runa paid it no mind. She strode her way slowly towards the pod containing Bi. Her poor tigress laying almost lifeless behind the hardened transparent lid. Much of her body was bare. The armor having been carefully removed from everything but her chest. A pair of doctors standing in front of the display scanning the vitals slowly.

`\t“Lady Runa.” One of the two physicians turned. A rather squat looking mole woman with thick glasses. “We were told to expect your arrival.”

\t“I had hoped to be here sooner.” Runa sighed. “What’s the prognosis?”

\tThe doctors fell in line around the pod as the woman stood at semi attention and fixed her glasses “We were just discussing that. One of our team is working though the captive now. While it would be possible to produce an artificial leg replacement, it was deemed better in the short term to start designing something that would be tied to your direct control. A proper upgrade that would help give you added leverage. Presuming that meets with your approval.”

\tRuna shook her head and sighed “It’s not important.” She muttered “I want to know how Bi is doing.”

\t“The other patient?” The doctor who had apparently been made de-facto leader of the team bit her lip and fidgeted softly from foot to foot. “Well that’s been more problematic. Because of the nature of he injury we haven’t dared to move her to one of the pods in here, nor have we tried to remove her armor. The emergency systems are the only thing really keeping her vitals going at the moment.”

\tThe wolfess looked away from the doctors to her unconscious pet once more. It was easy to see how pale Bi was though her fur. The breaths and what little movement she displayed were purely mechanical in nature. Runa moved past the physicians and put a hand on the lid. She looked down at the almost fairytale image of her pet. Unable to look away no matter how she tried.

\t“Uh, well, anyways, Lady Runa.” The Doctor continued “Because it took so long to get her to a proper facility, and due to the nature of her injury, it was already ruled that nanocmahines would be the option of last resort. Without sufficient material and with the way the armor works odds are good that they’d end up effecting only limited repairs to her motor function and the potential for calcification of nerve fibers in the process is rather high. Especially with photonic weapon injuries. They tend to be so small and precise that anything short of a replacement ends up… complicated.”

\t“We have discussed a cloned replacement” One of the other doctors chimed up. His voice falling off sharply at the weight of the others silently judging him.

\tRuna shook her head and looked to the lead doctor a moment. “Is that the best course of action? Doctor…”

\t“Dee, Lady Runa. Doctor Dee.” The mole noted with an obvious pause for what one must presume to be a cringing reaction. It never came. Runa appearing too devastated to even register the comment. “Well the majority consensus is no. There really isn’t any serious benefit and frankly it would involve the most risk. At best you’d end up with something that would eventually allow her the same mobility and movement. But cloning is never an exact process. This isn’t like splicing cable. The risk of death or long term disability is unacceptably high. That’s generally why we don’t undertake that kind of replacement for spinal injuries this severe.”

\tThe wolf nodded and glanced at Bi once more. She offered a sidelong eye at the pangolin who had caused the wound. It was tempting to simply say rip the needed parts out of the Avalon bitch to make it work. But then that wouldn’t work. It wouldn’t help Bi, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be a satisfying revenge.

\t“So what is your recommendation, Dr. Dee?” Runa sighed.

\t“Luckily the weapon used was very thin. The wound was entirely relegated to the T11. Normally with conditions like this we will work to insert artificial neurofiber replacements and an artificial housing. I’ve already begun working on a few designs that will not only give her full functionality after therapy, but which should help enhance her abilities as well.”

\tThe wolf reached up a moment to touch the flesh under her artificial eye. For her it had been a matter of pride, of honor. Sure the eye was objectively better. But it would be easy to grow a new one. To have it put in any time she chose. Something more pure and natural. With Bi, with Bi she didn’t even have that choice.

\t“How soon can you have the schematics ready, doctor?” she asked

\t“I should have a working design ready for printing by this time next week, lady Runa.” the doctor said confidently. “With any luck we should have Ms. Bi in the cryonic theater and though the procedure directly after. Presuming you approve of the designs.”

\t“Can you ensure her survival?” Runa growled. The mole took a step backwards, almost knocking over the rest of the team in the process. “Y-yes my lady” she yelped softly. The small data pad she held in hand clattering to the floor “Barring any extraordinary complications we should be able to have her safe and sound and into physical therapy before the months end. Until then we simply need to leave her here and monitor her closely.”

\tThe wolf growled loudly and shook her head as she turned back to her pet and shut her eyes tight. “Leave.” she growled. “I want everyone out. I will expect the schematics left with my Seneschal by the weeks end. You have zero other priorities until this is done. Do I make myself clear?”

\t“Yes, yes Lady Runa.” Doctor Dee said as she bent down and fumbled nervously with the pad. Soon it was gripped in hand once more as they started to walk hurriedly out of the room leaving the wolf alone to gaze down longingly a the tigress.

\t“This is my fault. This is all my fault.” Runa sighed softly as she bit back on a sob. Tears starting to flow down her muzzle “I swear to you, Bi. I’ll make this right. I sear to Freya that I will do everything possible to make this ok again.”

--------------------

\tThe girl panted as she looked up from the mud and muck. The mire-dirt clinging like clay in the corner of her cheek. She pulled herself back into the trench and bit back on a sob. The readout on the old magnet gun only indicating a handful of rounds left in its magazine.

\tUp above were the sound of cheap roto-drones and buggies growling on alcohol engines. She clutched the cheap scrap weapon close to her chest and looked around in a daze. Coughing and sputtering in a desperate attempt to push some of the filth from her nose and mouth.

\tThe barking and buzzing began to draw close once more. The dirty Pangolin girl shivering and struggling to pop the empty magazine free of the weapon. Her shaky, untrained hands struggling to pop the cheap metal box free even as the terror in her stomach became almost too much to take.

\tA heavy series of hissing, burning reports from above caused the girl to tuck in and squeal as she clutched the empty rifle tight to her chest. She waited. For fangs, for hands, for bullet strikes. Yet they never came. Slowly she opened one eye, gazing  up at a figure standing over the trench. A massive man in shinning silver armor. A sword strapped to his back. A plasma pistol in hand, its barrel still glowing from the last rounds fired. He looked down  at her a moment and offered one gauntleted hand. Pulling the girl up and guiding her behind his armored form. Stoically standing before the screaming sea of oncoming slavers.
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