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Local Flesh.\n\n``Did you see that kid propose to that fat pig?'' Came a chattering snicker from the mustelid's lips. Higgs took a sip from the steaming coffee cup that was place haphazardly on the ship's control console. ``I hope he got some fat cock that night.''\n\n``Only a few days on the ship, and the kid's a little cockslut.'' Edge replied, other weasel puffing from a long cigarette. He looked over a display boredly, smoke coming from his small nostrils. ``Couldn't have happened to a cuter boy.''\n\nThe two weasels had been assigned to a reconnaissance mission. The space freighter Beowulf was late. There had been a few small searching comms signals but the ship didn't appear to be in comm distance to the Kurata. The route the vessel was supposed to be taking was given to the weasels to follow. So far the pair had found nothing. \n\nEdge hand a paw across his whiskers. ``This is odd, we should have seen something by now. We're getting pretty far.''\n\nHiggs gulped more coffee noisily. The pure white under-fur of his chin turning tan from the excess liquid running down his lips. The weasel set the cup down with force as he eyed his own display. \n\nThe pair were piloting a small patrol vessel. The ship, named the Cutter was a tiny, agile craft. Equipped with almost current scanners, it was the most advanced ship when it came for locating anything out of any of the Kurata's fleet. Its main purpose was to deploy in case of pirate attack, having two twin mounted swiveling laser turrets and torpedo bays made the ship capable with dealing with small fighter craft. It was not equipped with advanced shields or armor to deal with the harshness of atmospheric entry, as the vessel was designed to be spaceborne except when docked in a larger ship or space station.\n\n``Maybe they turned tail and fled.'' Edge said, taking in a deep drag. ``Freighters tend to be cowards this far from the core worlds.''\n\n``If that's true.'' The other weasel began, sipping the last of his coffee. ``We would have heard something... hey, you know, I got an idea.''\n\nEdge put out his cigarette. Thick smoke came from the ashtray. He lit up another and took in a deep inhale, moaning as he felt the smoke fill his lungs. ``Mmm... what's that?'' He asked with gray streaming from his mouth. \n\n``It's a good thing we decided not to space that kid.'' Higgs began, setting aside the now empty coffee cup. ``You've still got your bonus from Blito, right? Here's what we do. Maybe in a few weeks, we go into that old hog's bunk and nab the kid. We'll quit working on this wreck of a ship and get real careers, all while fucking the boy. Think about it, grade A ass for a year or two, you know, before he gets all gross. After that, we can sell him to whoever and continue on.''\n\n``Yeah, one thing, what about that Assurance thingy on his wrist?'' Edge tapped his filter against the ashtray. ``They can track him with that.''\n\n``I thought about it, we can nab a bone saw and hack his wrist off. He doesn't need both hands. If we're lucky, maybe we can loot some of that shrink's medical supplies and just attach it back.'' Higgs gave a wide weasel grin and licked his sharp canines. ``We'll give him a bucket of candy to shut him up. It's foolproof.''\n\n``It's that easy? Don't those things have security measures?'' The other weasel asked, skeptical of the plan.\n\n``Yeah, but only if you try to pull it off. It's not like they'll seriously prepare for someone cutting off their own wrist. We'll take off his whole arm if we really need to.'' Higgs chuckled darkly as he stared out at his monitor, frowning. ``It can't come too soon. Tired of this stupid job. We'll work as security for one of those cruise ships. Think about it, instead of guarding idiot rockheads we can rub shoulders with the elites.''\n\n``That sounds nice.'' Edge said dreamily as he took in a long drag. Smoke spiraling from his small mustelid nostrils. \n\n``Ooogg... gotta pissssss...'' Higgs grumbled as he looked at the inside of the coffee cup. \n\n``There's no bathroom on this tub, you moron. Just piss into the cup.'' Edge grumbled as he looked over the monitor. He stared at the stars, using a small joystick along the console to swerve the sensor. He growled. ``Just a whole lot of nothing out here.''\n\n``It's not going to fit in that damn cup, I've had a lot more than just that coffee today.'' Higgs fumbled with his pockets, looking around for something. ``Fucking out on an assignment for hours and hours on a rig without a pisspot. Just another wonderful day working for Oda... there we go...'' He removed his wallet and opened it. With a hum he pulled a packaged condom from the billfold of the wallet. ``Desperate times comes for desperate measures.'' The weasel said with a snicker.\n\n``Why didn't you tell me you had that? Could have used that when I fucked that boy's asshole.'' A frustrated Edge said.\n\n``Why would you need this? That kid can't get pregnant from your spunk. Even if he was a girl.'' Higgs began to undo his belt. He pulled the belt open with a groan. His now loosened pants were opened with a swift movement of his paws. He let out a sigh as he pulled his fat, uncut prick from the confines of his boxer briefs. Edge couldn't help but look at the other man's drooping penis. It was more interesting to look at than the vast expanse of space. \n\n``Hey, don't look at my cock like that!'' Growled the weasel as he unwrapped the condom. ``You look like a homo lookin' at it like that.''\n\n``All there is out there is a bunch of nothing.'' Edge shifted his gaze back towards his display.\n\n``Ah, fuck...'' Higgs awkwardly wrapped the condom around his soft prick. When it was nestled inside the rubbed satisfactorily enough, he began to let loose. The reservoir tip of the condom was filled instantly and the rest began to follow in suit. The rubbed expanded and swelled with the weasel's warm yellow piss. The condom bulged from the volume of the urine.\n\n``Ah, fuck, sweet relief...'' Higgs said, panting as he pissed into the condom. He watched as the prophylactic began to resemble a water balloon. Edge couldn't help but slowly turn towards the exciting display. The weasel pulled off the fat condom from his soft dick. He pulled on the end and tied it in a double knot. He held the mass in his paws. It was warm against his palms. \n\n``Did you drink a gallon before you go here? Damn!'' \n\n``I might have had a bit to drink.'' Chuckled a now relieved Higgs as he tucked his limp dick back into his underwear. He dressed himself quickly and awkwardly set the wobbling filled condom to the side. The knot was tight enough that it kept the sheer volume of the weasel's piss from escaping the rubber. \n\n\tThe display for both of the weasels blinked red. A loud alarm sounded off. Quickly the pair sprung into action, now monitoring the displays and checking the radar. The pair watched as the sensor on Higgs's screen was honing in on something. \n\n\t``Anomaly detected.'' Read the display. ``Irregular.''\n\n\tWords that vague could mean anything. \n\n\t``I don't see anything. Get closer. I'll see if I can magnify.'' Higgs said, leaning closer to the screen. ``What is that...?''\n\n\t``It's tiny, whatever it is. Probably just some debris.'' Edge said as he piloted the patrol ship closer. He flipped a few switches, a low hum sounded as lasers began to charge. ``Just in case it's some kind of space beastie.''\n\n\t``There's no such thing as space creatures. That's just what captains use to reign in their men. I'm no dummy.'' Higgs said, manipulating the sensor to get a better view. The image became clearer. Edge leaned over as he saw the blank stare the other weasel had. His jaw dropped. \n\n\tFingers, twitching with fear, Higgs grabbed the microphone of the ship's comm system and held it to his lips. The ship had a direct link to the Kurata using a powerful signal. Though, the distance between the two ships meant that any communications between them would face a significant delay. ``I'm forwarding the image now.'' Edge said, terror in his voice as he quickly punched at the ship's controls. ``I'm getting us out of here!''\n\n\t``Rosca! Rosca!'' Higgs shouted into the comm. ``We haven't found the ship... but we think we've found the captain. We've forwarded the scans. We're getting out of here now!''\n\n\tThe pair of weasels desperately hammered at buttons and pulled levers. The ship's weapon systems and shields were fully powered quickly. The two weasels shivered in fear as they watched the radar intently. Nothing abnormal was on the display, but that did little to quell their fear. Something was out there, something dangerous. Now the Kurata didn't seem like such a bad place to be...\n\n\t``It doesn't make sense...'' Vargus said as he read over the report Yong and Sullivan had written for him. It was obvious that the report was dictated, with Yong typing all of Sullivan's odd theories as to where Flint was. Getting to the facts left very little. The only truly known details was that Flint, the Evictor, and her entire crew were missing, and that Flint's acount had been used to purchase firearms on Hadarr. He'd already known that much. The only new details he had was now he had a receipt from the store, including that the establishment was in Brineline city, much like what Axel had mentioned. \n\n\tThe receipt showed a very extensive order. The arms was a mix of newer laser rifles, handguns, along with many older conventional firearms. They totaled to thirty six firearms, not enough to arm all of the Evictor's crew but pretty close. He was surprised that the transaction hadn't triggered any red flags for the store, but they were probably pretty happy with the order. The total amount paid was over ten thousand credits, a very nice and tidy sum. Vargus would give his left nut to make that in a single day. \n\n\tThere was nothing else to it. There was no camera footage, the receipt hadn't even been signed from Flint. That wasn't too odd, as no one really did their due process out here. Vargus ran thick fingers across his sweating forehead as he read the blue screen emanating from the holopad. The pig wasn't sure what to think of all this. He wasn't a bounty hunter. This was Rosca's forte, not his. Still, Axel's fate depended on this. He couldn't let the monkey boy get torn apart and live a horrible non-sentient existence on some cursed agriship. It was a fate worse than death. Thinking of Axel, though. He'd muttered something before drifting off to a post-orgasm nap. Something about a Light? Was it a religious reference? He hadn't thought the boy as a religious type, as he'd never seen the monkey engage in any kind of rituals, not even common spacer ones. \n\n\tBrineline City was the capital of Hadarr, being the most populated city and home of the planet's government. While most spacers in the sector might know this knowledge, the fact that the young boy with no prior knowledge mentioned it brought a sense of unease to the porcine. The foreman swallowed as he thought about the boy's little notebook. The musings of a very unfortunate monkey. \n\n\tHe didn't want to, but his concern overrode his hesitation. He swiped across on the holopad and checked to see if it could connect to the extranet with the ship. He watched as the signal strength was strong before submitting an inquiry with shallow breath.\n\n\t``Asios student profiles.'' \n\n\t``Asios student database requires a one credit fee to access, would you like to pay the fee?'' A monotone voice came from the pad. \n\n\t``Yes.''\n\n\t``Access granted. Is there a particular student you would like to view?''\n\n\t``Axel Stone.'' Vargus bit his lip. He felt like he was betraying the boy's privacy.\n\n\t``Axel Stone. Age 14. Species: Monkey. Axel is trained in replacing manufacturing machine parts. Left Asios without certificate.''\n\n\tThat was it? Surely there must be more. The pig read over the text. He scrolled the screen with a finger, feeling more and more dreadful as he did. There was a prompt for additional details. He pressed the prompt. \n\n\t``This student has two additional details attached to his bio, these being one: departure details, and two: psych profile. Would you like to view either of these?'' Came the robotic voice.\n\n\t``Yes, view psych profile.'' The pig said with a sad sigh.\n\n\t``This will cost ten credits to access, will you pay the fee?''\n\n\t``Yes.''\n\n\t``Accessing, one moment.''\n\n\tVargus's eyes widened as he began to read the text filling the holoscreen. \n\n\t``Subject: Axel Stone. Psych evaluation by Marge Livingston.\n\n\tSubject appears to be an emaciated twelve year old male monkey. Subject has shown to be extremely uncooperative and defiant in the face of authority. Axel Stone was brought to Asios as a newborn, an unplanned birth of a known merc in the sector an a young prostitute. He has been given an extremely generous account and education plan. Subject has an intense infatuation with food, bordering on absurdity. Despite being given ample amounts of food, the boy desires to have yet even more. The thin appearance of Mr. Stone is thought to be one falsified by manipulative tactics or possibly group hypnosis. \n\n\t``Axel Stone is known to be very hesitant to follow orders, doesn't respond well to commands. He shows an extreme fear of staff, particularly female staff. While Mr. Stone does not have a history of violent behavior, it cannot be ruled out in the future. Subject showed hesitation in response to inquiries regarding heterosexual relations. This could be a sign of homosexual deviant disorder. May need more research into this. \n\n\t``Subject appears to be mentally slow, borderline retarded. Needed repeated commands and re-wording to get even the simplest of points across. Other aspects of health have not been investigated further as despite the generous account given to him, Mr. Stone cannot afford most basic healthcare procedures. More than likely a result of irresponsible spending of the money given to him. \n\n\t``Diagnoses given:\n\n\tOppositional Defiant Disorder\n\n\tAnti Social Behavioral Disorder\n\n\tSocial Adjustment Disorder\n\n\tNarcissistic Personality Disorder\n\n\tPossible Psychotic and Sociopath disorders\n\n\tPossible Homosexual Deviant Disorder\n\n\tPossible Schizophrenic Disorders\n\n\tLikely high degree of mental retardation.\n\n\t``Recommended treatments:\n\n\tDaily ECT treatment at 1000 Volts per session.\n\n\tChlorpromazine 500mg twice a day\n\n\tRisperidone 30mg once a day\n\n\tLithium 2500mg once a day\n\n\tLurasidone 200mg once a day\n\n\tSertraline 500mg once a day\n\n\tLobotomy.''\n\n\tThe report made the foreman's blood run hot. His mind could fill in the blanks. This woman, whoever she was, had more than likely tortured the boy. Her report was very biased, just dripping with thinly veiled anger and hatred for the young monkey. A trembling finger looked at all the treatment options. How many had been given to him? How many would he have been given had he not been purchased by Oda? He looked at the last one, his heart in his throat. Lobotomy. It was obvious that the monkey was not a victim to that particularly cruel procedure. \n\n\tVargus leaned back in his chair, the holopad felt like a heavy weight in his hand. He shouldn't have snooped around. He'd learned too much and nothing he had been looking for. He'd also been crossing a line into the boy's privacy. He told himself he was doing it for Axel's own good, but could he really justify it like that? The monkey boy had been occupying his thoughts a lot lately. It was the only thing keeping him from ruminating about all those deaths on Blito. All of those who had depended on him. Those that he'd left to die on some rotten planet. Johnson... he wondered how that feline was doing. He'd been sent away to receive a new organic arm. It'd be a long time before he'd be ready to go back to the Kurata, if he ever decided to return. \n\n\tHe looked at the chronograph display on the corner of the holoscreen and jolted up on his seat. He didn't realize he'd been holed up here for so long. He adjusted his overalls and work shirt as he hopped off of the seat, his belly jiggling from the jump. He had to check on Axel. Surely he was awake by now. \n\n\tThe foreman left his bedroom and marched into the living room. There was the young boy, just in his white underwear watching the large screen. He was captivated. The monkey was watching a martial arts competition, some very flashy stuff. Two men were wearing gis and deploying all sorts of jumps, kicks, and quick maneuvers. The practically naked monkey was leaning forward on his seat on the couch, watching the men with intrigue. Vargus snorted. It didn't take much to imagine the appeal. The fighting was less like actual combat and resembled a fast paced dance. \n\n\t``Hey, kid.'' He said softly, approaching the couch. ``You found something to watch?''\n\n\tThe teenager blushed as the older man sat down next to him. He almost seemed to shrink slightly. ``Uh, yeah. It's okay that I'm watching, right? I thought you might be napping or busy and I didn't want to disturb you. I'm... not in any trouble?''\n\n\t``No trouble at all.'' The man's thick fingers ruffled the boy's soft brown hair. ``Though, I think I might have to steal the screen from you. I want to check the news.''\n\n\t``Okay!'' The boy said with a smile. He felt relieved that he wasn't in trouble. ``Uh, Vargus... do you think you could teach me to fight like that?'' He pointed at the two men, now finished with their bout, bowed to each other respectively. \n\n\t``Well, I can teach you to fight, but it won't be anything like that.'' The pig replied, scratching his chin. ``Though, with those long legs... you'd make a pretty good martial artist after we get a bit more food in you. I could see you pulling off some moves, grappling with those toes of yours.'' He pointed at the boy's monkey feet.\n\n\tAxel blushed. ``Thanks.'' He lifted a foot and brought it close to himself. The flexible teen could probably bring his gripping toes to his mouth with ease. Vargus tried to push the image of that out of his mind as soon as it tried to makes its way in there. Axel looked up at the foreman. ``They're not freaky or gross to you?''\n\n\t``No, of course not. We're all a little different. Like, look at me. I've got short legs, tiny tail, short stubby fingers. I can't grab with my tail, or with my feet. You, even after we get some weight on you, probably won't be as stout as me.'' He gave a hardy laugh. ``Which comes with its own pros and cons. It'd be hard for some rough and tumble fellow to knock me down.''\n\n\t``You ever beat up a bunch of bad guys?'' Axel asked, his long arms wrapping around the pig's thick arm in a slight hug. \n\n\tVargus thought about Blito. He didn't want to bring that up. He also thought about his time with a PMC group, probably not a good thing to mention either. He tried to dodge the subject. He ruffled the boy's hair again, petting him gently.\n\n\t``Kid, you ask a lot of questions.'' He said, pulling his hand back and looking back at the display. ``Ship! Can you find a signal for local news?''\n\n\t``Certainly, sir!'' The ship's AI replied, sounding over the ship's speakers. \n\n\tSuddenly on the screen was a well dressed cat. The cat had a fat cigar hanging from his mouth. He took in a deep drag before speaking, thick gray smoke spewing forth as he spoke. ``Continuing the breaking story, our coverage is sponsored by Wilson's Tobacco. Wilson's, keeps your soul pure! Wilson's, medically proven by seven doctors to keep space madness at bay! Wilson's, readily available at five hundred Union worlds and thousands of ships and stations! Buy Wilson's cigarettes now.'' The cat pointed his lit cigar at the camera before clearing his throat. \n\n\tVargus rolled his eyes. What a sellout. \n\n\t``It was unprecedented when we first heard the news that Lady Natia, daughter of the Duke of the Kallos system went missing during her cruise. Natia's private pleasure cruiser, The Coreiseuse has vanished with her. The ship, practically a military vessel, is staffed with at least five score of trained naval hands and equipped with advanced weaponry. The fact that it has gone missing in neutral space, just at the border between Union territory is considered suspicious by some. Locals know that there are no known Union vessels in this remote region that are capable of launching an attack on such a ship. Still, the search is on as Empire ships are scouring the entirety of the the border. Keep a look out! The duke has offered a reward for the safe return of his daughter.'' The newscaster took in more of his cigar, puffing loudly.\n\n\tA picture of a young, delicate looking white furred feline was on the screen. She looked about Axel's age, maybe a year older. ``This is Lady Natia, if you see her, you might receive the biggest payout of your life!''\n\n ``That's all on the story so far, keep tuned for live updates as they come! And remember, Wilson's, the galaxy's best tobacco! Find it at your local retailer and buy out the whole store! You can contact use for delivery orders at-''\n\n\t``Ship, turn it off.'' Vargus ordered. \n\n\t``Right away, sir.'' The screen went blank.\n\n\tAxel frowned. ``I hope she's alright... that was close by?''\n\n\t``Yeah.'' Vargus thought for a moment. ``That's actually pretty close to where we're going. Hadarr is considered the closest planet to the Empire in this sector. There's still a large amount of neutral space between the two of us, though it looks like...''\n\n\t``What?'' Axel asked the large porcine, feeling his chest tighten with unease. \n\n\t``I don't know. This is pretty big stuff. I've never heard about some member of Empire Royalty vanishing like this. They're always surrounded by guards and have so much power. I can't imagine what kind of person would have the power to...''\n\n\t``Maybe uh... maybe she's just lost.'' Axel said, stammering a little. \n\n\t``Kid, the kind of ships they have don't get lost.'' Vargus said, petting the boy's hair softly. ``Not unless there's some sort of freakish space event. No, someone is behind this. Probably some kind of other relative. That's one thing I do know about the Empire is that they all love to plot against each other. Usually it's nothing this crazy, though.''\n\n\t``You think she'll be okay?'' Axel asked, his voice almost pleading. \n\n\t``I honestly don't know, kid.'' Vargus pulled his hand away. ``And why do you care so much? You don't know her. I mean... yeah, she'll probably be fine. She's worth a ton of money. Probably more than-'' He paused. He had gotten carried away. \n\n\tThe teen monkey stared at the foreman's shameful grimace. His large cerulean eyes seemed to devour the larger man's thoughts. Vargus looked away, a grunt from him. ``Sorry, kid. I wasn't thinking.''\n\n\tAxel was silent for a moment. What he said next brought ease to the foreman. ``May I please have something to eat?''\n\n\t``Sure, kid.'' Vargus stood up and began to head to the ship's little kitchen. He almost jumped out of his work boots when the ship's AI sounded over the speaker. ``Sorry to interrupt you, but we are being hailed by a ship identifying itself as The Ravager. It is a live distress feed.''\n\n\tThe foreman rushed back to the living room. He looked at the blank screen. He looked back at the scrawny teen behind him. He seemed to be on edge at this news. He gave the boy a calm smile, despite the sweat that was now beginning to roll down the back of his thick neck. ``Kid, don't worry. I'll handle it. It's probably just some yahoo that needs some fuel or something. It happens sometimes.''\n\n\t``If it's someone who needs help, we should help them!'' The boy said, a sense of nervousness in his voice. ``B-but... what if it's someone bad?''\n\n\t``Then I'll handle it. I've been through some tough stuff and this isn't some rickity dropship.'' Vargus said, trying to give a hearty chuckle that came off more as a dry laugh. He had to convince himself more than the boy. He cleared his throat. ``Ship, can you have us answer via this screen?''\n\n\t``Of course. Accepting signal now.''\n\n\tThe foreman's eyes widened as the display turned on. What was shown was true nightmare. He had heard stories from spacers about this before, legends, really. While most spacers' tales had a small degree of truth to them, there were some that were too horrible to believe. He hadn't believed the legends about the souls of deep space travelers being torn into something else, something horrible. He didn't want to believe such a horrible fate.\n\n\tHere such a terrible tale was staring at him with a fleshy compound eye and the draped remainders of what had once been a more normal orb. The... thing on the screen had once been some kind of creature he'd recognize. There were patches of fur loosely hanging from the slimy black chitinous skin that seemed to have been tearing its way through angry, pinkened flesh. \n\n\tA horrifying maw of teeth and too large black mouth parts scrambled across a mouth that looked like it had been torn to make way for new additions. Ripped remains of an ancient blue naval uniform, still adorned with medals were one of the few identifiers of what it had once been. The mouth parts squirmed inside of the gaping maw, a large red tongue was pushed out, flopping loudly as the thing spoke. \n\n\tIt's voice was deep, a mixture of insectoid chittering mingled with its speech. ``I am Captain Phinn of the Union Battlecruiser Ravager. My ship and her crew have taken heavy fire from the Empire. Do you have credits?''\n\n\tThe oddly polite tone of the creature's voice brought a degree of nightmarish quality that wouldn't be there if it was more beastly. Vargus reached for his ears as an earsplitting scream sounded throughout the ship. The form on the screen was unmoving. It took the foreman a second the realize that the horrifying noise was coming from Axel's mouth. He looked back to see the boy, scrambling on the couch. His face was that of pure terror. The kid leapt off of the couch and ducked behind an arm, screaming still.\n\n\tVargus wanted to shout at the boy, to make him be quiet. Truth was, it was taking a lot to keep him from doing the same. The creature's dim ship lights and quiet klaxons sounding from its own vessel made it all the more nerve-wracking. It was talking, though. So maybe... there was something in there. Someone. \n\n\t``Credits?'' Was all the foreman could meekishy make out.\n\n\t``Credits are what make the world go round.'' Came a reply. ``This ship has taken heavy damage from the Empire. We are at war. I need all hands on deck! This is Captain Phinn of the Battlecruiser Ravager. Please state all intentions, trespasser, or be fired upon. This ship has taken heavy credits from Union firepower war. I need Empirestations, all damage on crew! Captain Phinn is reporting for Empire report, all systems nominal. Trespassers will be credited upon Phinn damage...'' The creature trailed off, each sentence being more nonsensical than the last. There wasn't anything there. What ever this thing had been, it was no longer. No, it was something else. Something horrible. Vargus spoke, his voice wavering as fear was starting to take hold. ``Ship, we need to get out of here.''\n\n\t``The ship is attempting to tail us.'' The ship's AI replied. ``Despite low power signatures, it seems to be very fast. Here is a sensor livefeed.''\n\n\tA picture-within-a-picture appeared on the screen. It showed a tiny, decrepit vessel moving at high speed. It was an old, beat up looking thing. It appeared to be an escape pod, or possibly a shuttlecraft of some sort. Whatever it had been, it had obviously taken a lot of blaster fire at one point as it was practically falling apart. Or at least, it appeared to. Despite the damage the ship had taken, it was moving close to the speed of Vargus' much more modern ship. Such a thing should be impossible. \n\n\t``Ship, does this ship have any weapons?'' Vargus found himself asking. He hadn't in all his time in the bedroom actually looked at the ship's defensive capabilities. He cursed himself for his laziness. He had been so complacent. \n\n\t``Of course, I have a twin pulse laser swivel turret. I will have it emerge from its internal state and ready to fire right away. Do you wish for me to fire upon it myself?\n\n\t``Yes, please. Destroy it!''\n\n\t``Absolutely, one moment.''\n\n\tThe ship began to shake as the vessel's turret folded out from its internal resting bay. Vargus watched as ruby streaks raced across the display. The first shot went wide. The second flew true. Soon the chasing vessel was an exploding ball of fire before the vacuum of space did the rest. The display went blank as the signal was lost in the so-called Ravager's sure destruction. \n\n\tHe turned back to look at the boy. The monkey was a whimpering mess. His whole body was shaking. His eye were mere pin holes. Carefully, he approached the teen. He let out a hand towards him. ``Kid, look. I took care of it. We're safe. Come out of there.'' The pig was practically dripping with sweat. His heart was racing, feeling like it was going to jump out of his chest. The encounter had terrified him. He wasn't sure if the odd ship had been capable of harming them, but he wasn't going to take any chances. Hopefully the soul of the old spacer now was finally at rest. He wasn't a religious pig, but you deserved some kind of respite after having to live like that. \n\n\tSheepishly, the briefs clad monkey scurried from his hiding place. He sobbed as he threw himself at the man, burying his wet face in Vargus's chest. The man stroked the boy's bony backside, taking the teen deeper into him. He lifted the teen from the ground and cradled him awkwardly with his big arms. \n\n\tAxel's trembling lips press against the porcine's ear. ``Vargus...'' He said, his voice soft and quiet, muffled by his stifled crying. ``Is... that going to happen to us?''\n\n\t``No. Whatever that thing was... it had been out there for a long, long time. Longer than I've been alive.'' The foreman said, rubbing the boy's back soothingly. Axel's crying stopped. The poor kid had been scared out of his mind. Vargus didn't blame him. He'd been terrified too. He set the boy on the couch. He was still shivering a bit. \n\n\t``We're safe now, it's all over.'' He said, giving his head a little pat. ``We're just a little bit away from Hadarr. We'll be there soon. If anyone else wants to cause trouble, I'll deal with them the same way.''\n\n\tThe boy sniffled.\n\n\t``...Are you still hungry?'' Vargus asked.\n\n\t``Yeah...'' Axel said, shame in his voice.\n\n\t``It's okay, I'll get you a snack. I saw something packed in there that I think you'll really like.'' The pig turned towards the kitchen. He didn't want to leave the boy alone, but he knew that food was the best way to comfort him. He looked at the large motivision set and spoke. ``Ship, can you find a channel that's playing theater?'' \n\n\t``Certainly, sir.'' The Ship's AI replied with eagerness. \n\n\tThe motivision came to life. Suddenly the ship was rife with the swinging music of the Empire. A group of masked foxes were singing slowly and loudly across a set made to look like an extremely ancient ship-of-the-line. They danced, much more quicker than the last showing. He almost wished he understood Old Emprish, as it looked like this show had a story to it. \n\n\tThe boy watched the uniformed actors dance, their dress that of high society. The way the foxes were dressed reminded him of a certain silver fox. A revolting question ran through his mind as he tried to push the horrendous recent encounter from his: just how old was Captain William Sullivan? Whatever he had worked on his aged body was some sort of biomedical anomaly. \n\n\tHe wished he'd brought cigarettes to the ship. He wasn't fond of smoking outside of the rare occasion, but after seeing... that. He wanted to smoke just to reassure himself. Vargus wondered if he should teach Axel to smoke. Maybe that would ease his mind as well. He'd pick up some smokes for the kid when he had the chance. \n\n\tHe pulled open the ship's fully stocked refrigeration unit. It was too well stocked. Sure, the food wasn't completely obscenely rich but it was stuff that most people couldn't afford much of. He wasn't very hungry now, but he knew Axel would need a lot. He was always hungry, and still having an appetite after this proved it. He pulled out a small covered plate from the fridge and closed it shut. \n\n\tHe returned to the living room and handed the boy the dish, pulling the cover from the plate. The boy's eyes widened as he looked at it. A strange molded blob wobbled on the plate. It was completely clear. The odd thing vibrated and seemed to be alive. The boy poked at it slowly. ``...what is this?'' He asked, feeling the smooth, cold texture of the dish.\n\n\t``It's called gelatin.'' Vargus answered. ``It's a dessert. Not really my kind of thing, but, I know you'll like it. It's sweet.'' The man pointed to a small spoon that was besides the clear blob. ``You can eat with the spoon, or with your hands. It's all yours.''\n\n\tThe boy awkwardly took the plate. He wobbled it slowly and gripped at the sides tightly, as if he was worried that the gelatin would roll off of it. He placed it on his lap and poked at the dish again. It jiggled in response. ``...is it alive?''\n\n\t``No, of course not. It's just...wobbly.'' The porcine tried to explain. \n\n\tThe boy took the small spoon and dug into the soft yielding flesh of the dessert. With a thick bit of see-through gelatin in the spoon, the monkey crammed it into his mouth. The sweet treat rolled down his tongue with ease. He let out a little noise as the sugary sweet hit his taste buds. ``Ooo... that's really good. You're sure you don't want any?'' \n\n\t``No, it's all yours, kid.''\n\n\tAxel set the spoon back onto the plate and began to tear at the dish with his bare finger. He slurped the gelatin from his hands loudly. Vargus couldn't help but smile. This was one dish that he could eat safely with no holding back. It wasn't long before the plate was empty and the boy was sucking the remains of the dessert from his fingers and licking at the plate. He set the plate down and looked at Vargus, a soft whimper from his lips. ``Vargus... I just wish... you've done so much for me, I wish I could help you.''\n\n\t``C'mon, don't get all mushy.'' The foreman said, looking back at the motivision. ``and... I think you'll be a great help for our mission.''\t\n\n\t``You think so?''Axel asked, excitement in his voice.\n\n\t``Yeah, I think I've got an idea.'' The foreman sat next the monkey. ``Where we are going is a bit different than most places. There's a lot of primates over there, like you. Now, we're looking for a primate, Flint's an ape. Over there... they might not appreciate me asking about stuff like that.'' Vargus tried to explain. ``We can't tell them who we really are, that we work for Oda. That'll let Flint know we're onto him, in case he's trying to hide or he's in some kind of trouble. No, we have to do a little acting.''\n\n\t``Acting?'' Axel asked.\n\n\t``Remember that program that was on earlier, with the mouse woman who got shot?'' Vargus asked the teen.\n\n\t``Yeah.'' Axel folded his arms. ``I didn't like that one.''\n\n\t``But she's okay, she was just acting. That's what you've got to do.'' Vargus continued. ``Here's our little story. I'm a bounty hunter and you're my client. Flint is your step-dad and you're looking for him. You're just a concerned kid. It's a clean domestic fair, nothing too dramatic. You just got to act like you really want to find him, even cry a little. Think you can do that?''\n\n\tAxel beamed. ``Yeah, I can do that!''\n\n\t``Great! I knew I could count on you, kid!'' The pig gave the boy's bare back a hearty pat. ``Now, Brineline is a BIG city. There's a lot of people there. Just stick close to me. We shouldn't come across too much trouble. If there's a fight, I want you to run first. I'm a big guy, I can handle a fight if it needs to happen. If you can't run, then you'll have to fight. Use that stun blaster. Put it on max.''\n\n\t``Then what?'' Axel asked.\n\n\t``I would want you to find me, if I'm nearby and not fighting. If I'm not nearby, you can talk to me with your Assurance.'' He poked at the blue device bound to the monkey's thin wrist. ``As long as we're both in Brineline, we can talk to each other in real time. You just need to order it to talk to me. My channel should be in there. Worst comes to worse, make your way to the ship. The ship knows who you are, so it'll let you in.''\n\n\t``What if...'' The boy shuddered. ``What if... something really, really bad happens to you... like...''\n\n\t``Kid, I'm a tough pig. Nothing like that is going to happen.'' Vargus spoke in confidence. He knew, though, that there were a lot of unknowns out there. He wanted to maximize the boy's safety, and that would come at the cost of his own. He hadn't made any plans if he met his own fate out there. Now was as good as any time to have something worked out. ``...but, in the event that happens, I want you to tell the ship to go to the Kurata.'' Then the pig paused. He didn't have any men aboard that ship. He didn't trust much of anyone over there. Except maybe... \n\n\t``And I want you to go to Rosca. Tell her everything you can, every detail of everything. I know she's a real hardass, but... she's the only one on that ship with an ounce of morals. If you tell her that something's happened to me... I think she'll soften a bit for you. Hopefully it won't come to that. If that does happen... above all else, I want you to stay far, far away from the captain.''\n\n\tThe boy swallowed. He tried to commit this all the memory. ``Okay. I understand.''\n\n\t``Hadarr in view, sirs.'' Came the ship's AI. The motivision showed the blue marble out in the vast sea of blackness. It was coming in fast. Vargus kept forgetting just how sleek and modern this ship was. He was so used to old, beat up ships. He hoped that he and the boy would be able to get a ship like this themselves one day. Living with Axel on this ship seemed... nice. He almost forgot that the pair of them were zipping along the endless void in this luxury apartment. He had to remind himself that he had a job to do, a job that would determine Axel's fate. He couldn't bear to tell the boy what was in store for him should they fail to satisfy the captain. \n\n\tThe face of a bored looking wolf appeared in the motivision. His gaze squarely focused on Vargus. ``Hello, this is militia officer Kody of the Hadarr Planetary Militia, peace for the Union. Please identify your ship and purpose.''\n\n\t``I'm Vargus, and this is the Silver Kestrel. I have documents I can send over, I just need to get to the cockpit.''\n\n\t``That's fine, just do it quickly.'' The wolf's gaze shifted over to the monkey boy who was sitting on the couch. ``Yeesh...'' Then the display went blank. ``Transmission has been migrated to the cockpit, sir.'' The AI clarified. \n\n\tVargus walked towards the cockpit door. ``Kid, I'll be right back. You should get dressed. We'll be planetside soon.'' \n\n\tThe large foreman vanished as the cockpit doors closed behind him. Axel was alone. The monkey didn't like being alone. He stood up, emerging from the safe confines of the couch and heading over to his duffel bag. His school uniform had been folded and set neatly on top of the bag. He grabbed the blue outfit and hastily put it on. He slipped on his heavy work boots and opened the bag, looking at the helmet inside. Something told him that this ship's reentry into the atomosphere was going to be far more gentle than the mining dropship he'd been in when they made their way to Blito. \n\n\tHe left the helmet inside the bag and reached into his pocket. There he pulled out a small blue plastic lighter. He looked around, making sure he was alone before he flicked a thumb over the lighter. The flame emerged instantly and began to dance across the tip. The monkey's eyes followed the swaying of the bright orange flame. ``Light...'' He said, his voice low. ``I'm sorry I yelled at you. I still think you're wrong about Vargus. He saved the ship today. He gave me something nice to eat. I wish you could talk to him. If you talked to him, I think you two would get along. You might be able to help him find Flint!''\n\n\t``We should not concern ourselves with this mission of his. It's not our job to help him, my dear Axel. He is getting us closer to that Livingston woman. Soon we will deal with her. Then we can take the steps to make you truly free, my dear Axel.'' The flame spoke to him, filling the boy's ears with a soothing voice. ``Though, if helping him with this helps us, so be it. I only want what is best for you.''\n\n\t``You're not mad at me for yelling at you?'' Asked Axel.\n\n\t``I could never be upset with you, my Axel.'' The voice said, soft and smooth as silk. ``I understand that some things may be hard to accept. I just want to help. That is why you talk to me, right?''\n\n\t``Yes.'' The teenager admitted. \n\n\t``Then what is your question, my sweet Axel?''\n\n\t``I... just wanted to ask... did you know my parents, Light? The boy asked sheepishly. ``Especially my... mother?''\n\n\tThe flame almost seemed to shake violently. ``You already know of your father. There is nothing else to know about that man. Your mother... I only know her first name. She was a whore named Mary. She only a year older than you are now when she gave birth do you, my wonderful Axel. Such a loud, horrible event... the screaming... the shouting... the curses... she couldn't even provide you with a silent birth. You may not remember it, but that is where I met you.''\n\n\t``You were there when I was born?''\n\n\t``Yes. It was aboard a tiny starship. Your mother was going into labor. Clive shouted at her, calling her stupid for getting pregnant. She was his favorite whore. The bitch was naked, screaming as you were trying to get out of her. Clive was shouting at her, telling her how lucky she was that he hadn't zapped her. They were en route to a world, I'm not sure which but... she made a great cry and a third voice was in the ship. You slid out of her wretched bloodied orifice, wailing your newborn lungs as you landed on the seat of the ship. Clive wouldn't stop shouting. You wailed as you reached out for you mother but only to fall past the seat and land besides her feet.''\n\n\t``Where were you, did you catch me?'' Axel asked, feeling a rush of unease hit him. \n\n\t``No, the cold floor of the ship caught you. My poor Axel. Oh how you cried, the pain across your newborn body. I... have said too much. It's a painful thing for me to talk about. Maybe I'll tell you more later...'' The voice shifted tones. ``I know that's not the only thing on your mind, though.''\n\n\t``You're right... I saw something. I don't know what it was... it was... like a bug thing wearing patches of fur on top. I think it had once been a cat. Is that what happens to us when we venture too much?'' Axel asked, biting his lip.\n\n\tThe flame flickered. ``I'm sorry, my dear Axel. That is one thing I do not know anything about. I believe you may be correct. I wouldn't worry about it, you have me protecting you. I will keep you safe while you sail through space. Now, I tire... I must rest.... Hadarr nearing is making me very tired... I trust your judgement, my dear Axel, but I will be weak as long as we are planetside. I will do the best I can but for now... I will... slumber....''\n\n\tThe flame faded before his eyes. Axel put the lighter back in his pocket. He was alone again. He sat his monkey butt back on the couch, looking at the motivision. Vargus emerged from the cockpit doors. He ordered the ship to turn off the screen. The ship obeyed and the dancers vanished from Axel's sight. The pig eyed the monkey boy. ``We're landing now.'' He told him.\n\n\tThe teen got up from the couch. He hadn't even noticed it. This ship was way different than the dropship he'd been on before. The thick pig handed the scrawny monkey a long, strap like thing. ``Here, let me help put this on you.'' Soon the holster was on the boy. It felt heavy as the stun blaster was already resting inside. Vargus stepped back, a faint smile across his face. ``You almost look like a militia officer with that blue uniform of yours.''\n\n\t``It feels heavy.'' Axel admitted. He saw that the foreman too was wearing a holster. His was much bigger, as the man's chunky looking blaster made the boy's new weapon look like a child's toy. Vargus noticed wear the monkey's big eyes were looking and he removed his handgun from its holster. He held it out for the monkey to inspect. ``I bet you've never seen a real blaster up close. Most anyone who's sane is going to have one down there. Mine's a bit old, but it's very reliable. Hopefully we won't need to use them. When we have some time and room, I'll show you how to use it. Just remember what I told you earlier.''\n\n\tThe porcine put his handgun back inside the holster and gave it a pat. There was a slight jolt from the ship. Axel almost fell on top of the bigger man. Vargus caught the emaciated monkey with ease. ``Whoa, there! Looks like we've landed. Smoothest one I've been in. Hah.''\n\n\tImmediately there was a knock at the drop door. Vargus approached the door's control panel and pressed a button. Slowly the door began to lower. A stern faced militia officer was at the doorway, holding a holopad in one hand and an odd wand in another. The officer was a stone faced wolf, not dissimilar to the one who had hailed them earlier. \n\n\t``Good evening, gentlemen.'' He said, his voice bored. ``I appreciate you forwarding your paperwork, Mr. Vargus. I do hope you enjoy your stay on Hadarr. Now, I just need to inspect your ship for any contraband. Standard procedure.'' The officer waved the wand across a wall. \n\n\t``Not a problem, officer.'' Vargus said, watching the wolf get to work. He was curious what the man was looking for. Here at the fringe worlds, such searches weren't very common. Then again, they were close to the Empire. There was probably some form of illegal trade across the two territories, though he wasn't sure what they would be. \n\n\tThe wolf seemed to read the man's thoughts. ``We've been having a few issues with Empire migrants stowing aboard Union vessels. It's more common with the big ships, but we have to search all ships for Empire serfs. Some of these poor souls pay visiting captains to get them out of that hellhole. Can't imagine what it'd be like over on the other side. I'm happy where I am.'' The officer waved the wand across another wall. ``Looks like its just the two of you.'' He said, satisfied with his device's lack of response. \n\n\tThe wolf looked at the young monkey closely. ``Do you have any papers for him?'' \n\n\tVargus hadn't thought of that. The documents that Sullivan had supplied him for the mission showed Vargus as a registered bounty hunter. They were true, legal documents, though the foreman questioned how the captain was able to obtain them so quickly as the Union's red tape bureaucracy was legendary. He did have the boy's profile on his holopad but it would show that he was owned by Oda Mining. That wouldn't bode well for him. The kid would appear stolen. \n\n\t``I uh...''\n\n\tThe wolf brought his face closer to the teen. ``Hey, kid. Can you read?'' He said, bringing the screen of his own holopad towards the boy's face. \n\n\tThe boy's large blue eyes read the holoscreen. ``Uh. It says `Smoke Wilson's, Wilson's taste like a cigar should!'''\n\n\t``Ah, good enough for me.'' The wolf slid the holopad into a pocket and seemed to get closer to the boy. ``Open your mouth, kid.''\n\n\tAxel obeyed, opening his mouth for the canine. \n\n\tVargus watched as the wolf looked at the inside of the boy's mouth with interest. He felt like he should do something but wasn't sure what to do. The wolf stood back up and eyed the foreman. ``Looks healthy enough. I'd advise you to get some tags on him and get him vaccinated.''\n\n\t``Vaccinated?'' The foreman asked.\n\n\t``Yes.'' The wolf began, straightening his militia uniform. ``It's not legally required, but I would strongly recommend it. We had a horrible bout of the Purple Flu about a half cycle before. Brineline was hit the worst. While it's no longer considered an epidemic, it'd be a smart bet to get him vaccinated. There's more than a few clinics that'll do it for free.''\n\n\t``Should I get vaccinated too?'' Vargus asked the wolf.\n\n\tA loud laugh escaped from the canine's mouth. ``No, no, no. Not unless you were a few decades younger AND a banana muncher. No, the Purple Flu only affects primates, those younger than eighteen are the most at risk. You're completely safe, Mr.Vargus.''\n\n\tVargus looked at the skinny teenager. He didn't want Axel getting sick. Taking him to get vaccinated would up high on the list now. The wolf officer eyed the pig with a serious expression. ``Keep a close eye on your kid here. If he gets into any trouble, you'll be held responsible.'' He looked at the boy's Assurance device. ``He's not a felon, is he?''\n\n\t``No, just in debt.'' Vargus clarified. \n\n\t``Fair enough, enjoy your stay in Hadarr.'' The officer turned to leave.\n\n\t``Hold on, I want to make a report of something we witnessed not far from Hadarr space.'' The foreman said, causing the canine to pause. The gray furred wolf raised an eyebrow. ``What's that?''\n\n\t``We came across a strange ship, probably a shuttlecraft. It identified itself as a battlecruiser called The Ravager. The ship's pilot was...'' The foreman shuttled as he tried to describe it. ``It looked like some kind of bug, almost like a Berzog but... different. Like it had ripped its way out of what had once been a person. It spoke, but didn't make much sense. I just wanted to make a statement so you guys can keep an eye out for any more like that.''\n\n\t``Mr. Vargus, I'm not going to humor any old spacer's tales.'' The officer said, a glare on his face. ``If you really think you saw something like that, I recommend you go see a psychiatrist. Brineline is home to one of the largest psychiatric facilities in the sector: Maldeb Institute for Mental Health.You should take a visit there. Again, enjoy your stay.'' The officer left, walking down the drop door without another word. \n\n\t``That guy was pretty nice.'' Axel said, breaking the silence. \n\n\tVargus ruffled the boy's hair. ``You're funny, kid.'' He said, walking over to his room. ``I forgot, I've got something cool that we're going to use. One second.'' \n\n\tThe pig returned with a large, odd white panel. The strange rectangular thing must have been heavy as the large porcine was straining and grunting as he dragged it. He huffed, setting it flat down in the middle of the living room. ``Agh... forgot how heavy this thing is. Kid, can you help drag this out of the ship?''\n\n\tThe boy carefully grabbed the edge of the odd thing. Vargus groaned as he lifted the strange panel up, having it stand up on a thin edge. Axel pulled, trying his best. He didn't think he was helping much as the pig's pushes were producing more results. After a few minutes of sweaty work, they managed to get the panel down the door. Axel felt a chill. This planet was cold!\n\n\tA faint wind went across his school uniform. His tail stood up. The thick scent of saltwater wafted its way into his monkey nostrils. He let out a long exhale. He thought the new scent smelled nice. He looked around, they were in some kind of ship parking lot. It was huge and seemed to go on forever. He could see the faint outlines of towers and giant buildings surrounding the lot. A thin mist was in the air, spritzing the both of them gently. \n\n\tHis work boots stomped on wet metal. Everything was metal. It felt like he was back on that giant mining ship. Vargus eased the white panel flat with a grunt. He wiped his forehead of sweat and mist. ``Saw you looking around. Hadarr is a ocean world, which means all of this city is artificial. There's no landmass here. It's all metal and plastic, kid.''\n\n\tThe boy looked down at the strange object they had been dragging. ``What is this thing?'' He asked Vargus.\n\n\t``Oh, you're going to love this. Watch this.''\n\n\tThe pig got down on his knees. He swiped a hand across it. There was a sound from the now glistening panel. Axel jumped back when the thing began to move. It shuddered. Parts of the odd panel began to shift and it looked like it was slowly splitting apart and folding itself right before his very eyes. The panel soon was soon a sleek cycle shaped thing. The pig laughed and clapped his hands together as he approached it. The cycle had a small console. He pressed a button and it was hovering in midair. \n\n\tThe pig mounted the floating hovercycle. It bobbed from his weight. He gripped the cycle's handles and gave one a twist. The cycle's engine roared, causing the monkey boy to jump again. Vargus gestured to the teen. ``Kid, hop on! Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight!''\n\n\tNervously the monkey jumped onto the seat of the cycle. He wrapped his scrawny arms around Vargus's chest. He let out a loud yelp as the cycle zipped forward. The hovercycle glided across the lot, parked ships seemed to fly by them. Vargus drove the cycle expertly across the ship lot. Wind and mist howled in the boy's ears. He felt his heart race from the intense speed. It didn't take long for them to exit the lot and enter the city proper. The pig merged into heavy traffic. \n\n\tAxel watched all the vehicles gliding across the city. There were hovercars, trucks, other cycles, along with things he didn't even know the names of. The dark sky was illuminated by the lights of all the traffic and the many buildings that seemed to be creeping up on them. The pig's voice was hard to make out from all the other loud sounds. ``Hey, I'm going to stop over at that bar. See if we can get a little info.'' He swerved from the traffic and into the lot of a relatively quiet drinking establishment. \n\n\tThe cycle came to a sudden halt as he parked it. Axel's heart was rushing in his chest. Now everything seemed so slow after witnessing all of that speed. He hopped off after the porcine did. He felt his knees feel weak. Vargus laughed and helped the boy keep his balance. ``It's okay, you'll get used to it. Actually, I think it would be a good idea to teach you how to drive something like this. I used to ride a hovercycle when I was your age. Of course, mine wasn't nearly as fancy as this one.'' \n\n\t``That was fun!'' Axel said, feeling his body pumped from all the speed. ``You're really going to teach me how to drive that?''\n\n\t``Sure, when we have the time. It's not hard.'' Vargus lead the boy towards the bar. ``Alright. We're going to see if we can get a little info. I'm a bounty hunter and you're my client. Flint's your step-dad. Hopefully people won't think we're being too nosy. Bounty hunters are pretty common out here, so we should be good. Just stick close to me and let me do most of the talking, okay?''\n\n\tThe boy followed him, eagerness in his face. He was going to be helpful! ``Okay, I can do that.''\n\n\tThe bar was called the Primarily Primate. The inside was dimly lit and smelled strongly of booze and smoke. All the customers were primates. There was loud music playing inside. Axel's ears rang from the music. It was a harsh sound. He wasn't a fan, but he tried not to let it get to him. All the customers eyed the pair as they made their way through the establishment. Vargus sat at a stool by the bar itself. He had Axel sit on a stool next to him. \n\n\tThe tender, a sour faced white-cheeked gibbon gave the pig a scowl. The black furred ape was washing a glass. ``I think you're in the wrong place, bacon boy.'' He said, setting the glass down. \n\n\tVargus looked back to see all the eyes on him and the boy. He felt a strong sense of unease run up his neck. Maybe he had made a bad choice in choosing this particular spot. He wouldn't balk, though. That could end poorly. He looked the gibbon straight in the eyes. ``I'm looking for someone.'' He said plainly.\n\n\tThe gibbon stared back, matching the porcine's glare. He was watching the pig for a moment, unmoving as the two men stood off. Then the gibbon's expression cracked. A slight smile gave way to a large grin and suddenly he was in a full blown cackle. The rest of the bar joined in the mirth. Vargus looked around, confusion in his face. \n\n\tThe ape wiped a joyful tear from his eye. ``You've got guts, pig. I was just messin' with you. If you need info, I can see what I can do. `course, it won't be free. You and the kid need something to eat or drink? I'm not giving him any booze, though.''\n\n\t``How about a shot of Vodka-K for me, and uh...'' He looked over at the boy. Axel's attention was elsewhere. He was looking at a table, more specifically one of the two people seated at it. At the table was the most pretty primate that Vargus had ever seen. The boy had to be about a year or two older than Axel. His fur was pure white, his skin a flawless shade of peach. Emerald eyes seemed to glow in the dim lighting of the bar. The boy was wearing a dirty, red splotched apron, thick rubber pants, fishing boots, and not much else. Even through the thick pants, Vargus could see just how close to feminine this monkey was. If it wasn't for the complete lack of breasts, he'd be a dead ringer for a girl. \n\n\tThe monkey's plump rump was seated promptly in the large lap of an older orangutan. The orangutan was laughing loudly, the boy in one arm, and thick stein in the other. He was wearing a very old looking spacer's uniform and a white captain's hat. He was gripping at the the boy's thin chest from under his stained apron, teasing his nipples. \n\n\tVargus looked back at the tender. ``Who's that?''\n\n\t``Which one?'' The gibbon replied with a snicker. ``Well, the little guy is Snow. He's a local here. He works at one of the fish processing plants. I give him drinks and food for bringing in all the spacers. It hasn't been too busy as of lately, something's going on out there in space, I imagine.''\n\n\tThe ape cleared his throat as he continued. ``And the big guy is Captain Rekir. He's a well-known merc around here. He loves to stop here to hang out with Snow. It's kind of cute, in a way. He's been visiting him since about a cycle ago.''\n\n\t``A merc...'' Vargus wondered if he could hire him. Hiring someone that was a bit more local could be a massive help. The man fondling the younger monkey out in public made him seem less off-putting. Vargus knew that he should think the opposite, but it made the big orangutan seem a bit more open. Most mercs were gruff, and others were quiet and clandestine. Someone who was more open and honest would work best for him. He looked back at the tender. ``How about just that shot of Vodka-K for now. After that... can you tell me if you've seen this ape?'' \n\n\tVargus removed his holopad from a pocket. He displayed an image of Flint's face. The gibbon looked over the screen. ``Doesn't look familiar too me. We don't get too many like him. Most gorillas wind up working with pirates, so they've got plenty to drink without coming here.'' The gibbon poured a shot for Vargus. \n\n\tThe foreman took the glass and gave it a swallow. The synthetic drink burned as it went down his throat. He was a big man, so it wouldn't do much to intoxicate him. He passed the gibbon a half credit bill before standing up from the stool. He gave Axel a nudge. The boy was still staring at the other monkey with an intense fixation. \n\n\tAxel got off of his seat and followed the foreman to the other table. The pig sat down across from the large orangutan. The orangutan looked over at Axel, lust in his eyes before trailing his gaze towards Vargus. He sat his stein down and popped a pipe into his mouth. Hit lit the pipe and blew dark smoke from his mouth. He gave the feminine white furred monkey's ass a hard squeeze which caused him to moan loudly. \n\n\t``Ahoy there!'' The ape said, friendliness in his voice. ``You two have some sort of business?''\n\n\t``My name is Vargus, I'm working on a bounty. This is my client.'' He pointed over to Axel who gave a meek wave to the pair. ``I'm looking for his step-dad, a big gorilla named Flint. Seen any big gorillas about?''\n\n\t``Can't say I have.'' The ape groped at the girly monkey's bulge, kneading it softly with his thick primate fingers. The white furred monkey moaned, his pink tongue rolling out of his mouth. ``Nnn...'' He said, practically purring like a cat from the ape's advances. \n\n\t``I heard you do some jobs.'' Vargus said, trying to gauge the ape. ``I could use a little help.''\n\n\tThe ape sucked from his pipe a little. ``Sorry, I'm all booked up. Unless your ape friend suddenly vanished from space, I'm not interested.''\n\n\t``Wait... how did you?'' Vargus tried to stop himself from saying more. \n\n\tThe orangutan cracked a small smile. ``Ah. Another victim. You see, Mr. Bounty Hunter, there's things going on in space that the Union isn't telling people about. Ships have been vanishing all over the sector. Some think it's the Maddened, but I doubt it. No... this is something much bigger, and I'm onto it.''\n\n\tHe honked the boy's ass with a firm grip. ``Any spacer worth his salt knows that there's only one vessel capable of doing this, the Ghost Ship. A ship crewed by the souls of massacres lost to time. It's a ship unlike any other. It can vanish and appear at will, taking any ship completely unprepared.''\n\n\t``And you believe in this Ghost Ship?''\n\n\t``Aye, not only do I believe it, but I've seen it! Well. Sort of.'' He puffed from his pipe. ``I had just wrapped up a job. My ship, The Gumption is the best ship of her size. It might not be the biggest, but I've put a lot of work into her. We received a distress signal out from the Galaniar system out in neutral space. It was a Union cruise vessel, err... I believe it was called The Onshore. Figured there might be some kind of money for it. I got into comms with the captain who said that they were being attacked by something big, a cruiser. Their comms must've been jammed pretty quick because that's all they said before the signal went dead. Had my ship kick on the warp drives and tried to get there. We were too late, however... I saw something.\n\n\t``On my radar, there was something out there, something big and powerful. My sensors weren't able to get much besides its size and rough power signature before it vanished without a trace. Completely gone. No warp trails, nothing. It was like it had never been there.''\n\n\tHe gave the boy's asscheek a twist, eliciting a groan. ``All I know is that based on what little information my ship's sensors were able to retrieve that it was definitely cruiser sized, and the power signature was far larger than any cruiser I've encountered. Could be nothing other than the Ghost Ship.''\n\n\tVargus wasn't familiar with the story of a ghost ship. Spacers' tales did have a degree of truth to them, though. Surely there was more to it, though. It wasn't much of a lead into the Flint case, but it was all he had currently. The orangutan leaned forward, looking the foreman dead in the eyes. ``Now, so, you say you're looking for the kid's father? He went missing out in space?''\n\n\t``Er... yes, I uh...''\n\n\t``Kid, can you tell me what happened to your dear step-dad?'' The orangutan asked the boy.\n\n\tAxel broke his gaze from the squirming, squealing girly monkey. His face was flush as he had been enjoying the show. He gulped. Time for him to shine. ``Uh, I was at school. I got a report from a space patrol officer that my dad's ship vanished. It was uh... very sudden.''\n\n\t``You're a cute kid, but an awful liar.'' The ape said with a smirk. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Vargus. ``You put on a good front, but you don't come off as a bounty hunter. No bounty hunter would ever accept a job from a debtee.'' He said, pointing at Axel's blue Assurance. The monkey flushed. They'd been caught so easily!\n\n\tVargus was speechless.\n\n\t``Now, I think some of what you're saying is true.'' The orangutan shoved a thick finger into the eager mouth of the moaning effeminate teen. He slid his finger in and out before adding another. The boy suckled on it loudly. ``I bet the rest is all hush-hush stuff, politics and whatnot. I don't care about any of that. Truth is, I could use a little help too.''\n\n\t``What kind of help?'' Vargus asked.\n\n\t``You and I are more than likely looking for the same thing. I'm hunting this Ghost Ship, and I'm going to take it down. It'll make me a living legend, and more importantly, it'll make me rich. Your man Flint might be alive. I also believe that this ship is the same that kidnapped that dumb bitch Lady Katia. Most of my crew got scared off during that encounter, so now I have a ship but not much of a crew. You two could be of good help.''\n\n\tSlowly, the molested monkey boy pulled the thick wet fingers from his mouth. He cuddled the big ape, pressing his face against his ear. ``Oh... Rekir~ No one has ever faced the Ghost Ship and lived~ You're so braveee~''\n\n\t``Snow, please.'' The large ape pushed the smaller monkey off of his lap. ``The men are talking. How about you and dear little... Axel, was it, run along and let the adults discuss business.''\n\n\tThe ape crammed a bill into the snow white monkey's pants through his waistband. Snow gave a little giggle and looked at Axel. ``Hey, let's get something to eat~''\n\n\tVargus looked at the blushing teen. He leaned close to the boy. ``Stay in the bar, keep an eye out.''\n\n\tAxel gave the foreman a nod and followed the other simian towards the bar. The orangutan ran large fingers across his fat, flat face. ``Eugh... sorry about that. Now... where were we...'' He looked back, looking at the pair of boys sitting together. He looked at both of their seats planted on the stools with a low growl. Rekir puffed his pipe. ``So who's the boy really? Is he some kind of servant?''\n\n\t``It's a long story.'' Vargus said, a cough escaping his lips. \n\n\t``Well, you don't need to tell me anything you don't want to.'' Rekir exhaled a thick gray plume a smoke. ``He's a cute little thing, though. Would you...?''\n\n\t``Don't put a hand on him.'' The porcine said gruffly. His body stiffened. ``He's been through a lot.''\n\n\t``I recognize the uniform, a factory boy.'' Rekir said, taking in a deep drag. ``Sorry, now I'm getting off topic.''\n\n\t``What if I told you that after Flint vanished, he was sighted here?'' Vargus asked the man, leaning forward. \n\n\t``Well, if he's here, why don't you just go hit him up or something?'' The orangutan said dismissively. \n\n\t``That's the thing, he was gone, he apparently was here, and now he's gone again.'' Vargus tried to explain. ``The ship that he was on wasn't a small ship either. It hasn't been seen since he first vanished. I'm not sure if it's linked with with this Ghost Ship of yours, but it doesn't seem too far off. You think it could be pirates?''\n\n\tThe old ape thought for a moment. ``Pirates? Well, that's what I first thought when these ships have been vanishing. It's not just your man and the Lady who've gone missing. It's a whole bunch of them. It's causing a real issue with the spacers, as many are refusing to leave planetside now. Cowards. It does sound like pirate work, but no pirate has had a ship like that, as far as I've seen it.''\n\n\t``You met a lot of pirates?'' Asked a suspicious Vargus.\n\n\t``Oh, sure, loads of them. They're all over here on Hadarr.'' The ape said, a wide smile across his face. ``I'll work with them if I need to, but I don't let any on my ship, and I don't work for them. Most of the pirates around this sector are smaller gangs, just wanting to raid cargo ships and spend it on women and booze.''\n\n\tThe fat ape set his pipe down. ``Let's get to the chase, Mr. Bounty Hunter. I need some bodies for my ship. We can help each other. You help me with getting this Ghost Ship, and I'll help you find your gorilla. If he's not with the Ghost Ship, then I'll pay you for your time.'' He reached into a chest pocket and showed the pig a glossy chip. ``Everyone here is scared stupid from that damn ship. I'll pay you twenty thousand credits for your work.''\n\n\tThe foreman's eyes bugged out of his skull. Twenty thousand? That wasn't a small chunk of change. Still, it wouldn't matter much if they didn't find Flint... though, maybe he could give the cash to the captain, hoping it would cause the old fox to spare the boy of his retched fate. There didn't appear to be many other options and this had literally fallen onto his lap from his first encounter. It was best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. \n\n\t``Fine, I'll do it.'' Vargus said, the words weighing heavy as he spoke.\n\n\t``Good man.'' The orangutan heaved himself from his seat. The foreman watched as he walked with a pronounced limp. His eyes saw the ape's right leg was completely mechanical. The metal leg hissed and wheezed as gears and servos whirred. A thin wisp of steam came from the thick metal limb. ``What, never seen a cyborg before?'' The ape said, chuckle sounding. ``Meet me here tomorrow morning, that'll give you time to get anything you need done wrapped up. I'll take you to my ship. Until then, Mr. Bounty Hunter.''\n\n\tHe heaved as he turned to the door. Vargus watched the ape limp away from the table, a slow, awkward hobble. He looked back at Axel and Snow, the two boys were talking, with Snow being the much more louder of the pair. He called back to the thickly built old orange furred simian. ``Hey, aren't you going forgetting someone?''\n\n\tThe ape lit his pipe again, looking back at the foreman with an amused expression. ``He's not my kid. He's just local flesh.'' Then he was out the door. \n\n\tVargus felt a shudder across his pink body. What had he gotten himself into? Hopefully this would be the answer to this wild goose chase that Sullivan had sent him on. He removed himself from the table and approached the pair of boys. Axel was running his hands eagerly on the flesh of a large foul haunch. The boy had eaten almost all of it. It was a generous piece of meat. Axel took another bite, swallowing it loudly. \n\n\t``You've never been on a ship?'' He asked the other boy.\n\n\t``No, never, I've been on Hadarr all my life.'' Snow admitted, looking at Axel with his giant green eyes. The beautiful boy wiped his hands on his red stained apron. ``I work over at a processing plant. It's not fun work, but it pays enough for me. I'm saving up for a shuttle off of this puddle. I want to go somewhere with trees to climb on.'' He said, a dreamy sigh. ``A place where I can swing around, make more friends my age, hang from my tail and nap all day.''\n\n\t``That sounds really nice.'' Axel said, licking at the thick bone in his hands. ``I've been on a few ships, actually, I might be able to-''\n\n\t``Axel, we're leaving.'' Vargus put a hand on the boy's shoulder. Axel almost jumped out of his seat from the sudden pretense of the foreman. His heart jumped from his scrawny chest. He frowned, looking up at the pig's stern expression. ``Oh, well, can we take Snow with us? He bought me some food and he's really nice. We can show him the ship.''\n\n\t``Maybe next time.'' Vargus said, trying to let the boy down easy. He looked at the other monkey. Snow's giant emerald eyes seemed to swallow him up. He was such a pretty thing. Vargus felt his heart roll up his throat. He looked away from the boy's begging expression and helped Axel out of his seat. ``We need to get you vaccinated and I need to make a report back to...'' He looked and saw that the white monkey was seemingly listening in on the pair of them, leaning closely. ``I just have to get a few things taken care of. You'll have time to hang around with him later, okay, kid?''\n\n\tAxel pouted. ``Fine, fine...'' He said as the foreman lead him out of the bar. The boy lifted his arm up and looked at the display of his Assurance. A smile spread across his simian face. \n\n\tSullivan?s breath hitched in his throat as he felt the wet yet cold tongue upon his most sensitive of flesh. The ancient fox was sitting against a wall, his trousers undone and awkwardly stretched across his lower legs. His many medals jingled against the red silk of his uniform as he twitched, looking down at the young boy that was pleasuring him. \n\n\tA tiny orange furred feline was on his small knees. His rough yet so silky tongue lapped at the warm flesh of the captain's aged sheath. The fox groaned, the red flesh of his canine cock partially escaped from its confines. In his many years, he couldn't sustain a full erection anymore. The man's cock drooled out a lazy thick trail of pre-cum onto the boy's chin. The kid's tongue lapped at the semen, slurping at it loudly. \n\n\t``Oh, Oliver...'' The captain groaned, gripping the boy's face. \n\n\tGrey, glazed over eyes stared back at the fox. His mouth hung open, drool and cum leaking from it. The boy's unthinking stare peered into the fox's ancient soul. The fox groped the boy's ass, feeling the soft material of the cat's white briefs against his paw. He admired the gold piping of the little white sailor uniform he had purchased for the feline. Though, the kid's hat was slightly askew. He adjusted the boy's hat. The orange kitty didn't make a sound. \n\n\tThe vulpine's paw ran up the flesh of the boy's young butt and trailed up his back. A hard, thick lump greeted the man's fingers. The fox's expression soured. He kept forgetting about what was under the boy's shirt. Attached the the cat's spinal cord was a round, oblong plate of metal that contained most of the machinery that was keeping him `alive' in a sense. He gripped Oliver's young face and brought it back towards his cock. More red flesh had escaped his sheath, making his length visibly throb. ``Just a little more.'' \n\n\tThe boy's cold tongue began to lap at the man's half-mast penis. The fox gripped on the boy's head roughly, bringing it down onto his penis. Oliver awkwardly slurped at the man's prick. His cold spit coating it and making it glisten in the room's faint light. Sullivan did most of the work, using the kid's young face as a improvised masturbation device. ``Ah, fuck... Oliver...'' He said, ``I wish I hadn't had to kill you. You're not much to talk to these days. Nnng... miss having you talk about your day and...ff... miss being able to cum without any of the work. Ah, fuck...''\n\n\tHis penis had been one of the two parts he'd never had any work done. The captain over the years had become an horrifying amalgamation of organs and limbs from many different people. He wondered how many had died to provide him with the parts that kept him alive. Biotechnology was very illegal in the Empire, and even the procedures he had done on himself were considered borderline unethical in the territory of the Union. He knew he was a freak, he didn't deny it. After he finally ditched Oda and pocketed this purse, he'd be set to continue his long lived life elsewhere. \n\n\tHis cock twitched in the young cat's mouth. He groaned as his cum oozed from his half-mast dick. He wish he possessed the flesh to knot the boy and get stuck in him. His aged penis hadn't been replaced due to his pride. As such, it barely functioned. Only the young flesh of boys caused it to operate at all. He huffed as the pulled the boy off of him, his canine cum leaking from the boy's mouth. ``Oliver, you want to know something funny?''\n\n\tThe sailor outfit clad kitten didn't so much as flinch. \n\n\t``Today would have been your thirteenth birthday, how amusing is that?'' He said, a hearty laugh sounded.\n\n\tThe boy suddenly erupted in laughter. The captain's cum escaping his mouth and landing on his medals. The boy's laugh was stilted and unnatural, a mere echo of the mirth the captain delivered. \n\n\tThe fox's cock slowly retreated back into his sheath. He sighed, panting as his heart raced. How many hearts had he gone through? Each one seemed more prone to weakness than the last. He grunted, looking at the boy's face. The kid just stared blankly. ``You know, you're not much for conversation anymore.'' He said, wishing the boy's pretty green eyes hadn't faded so much since his ordered killing. There was a sudden knock at the door. Angrily, the fox pressed a foot against the boy's chest and pushed him off roughly. The cat landed with a thud, not making a single noise from his mouth. His sailor cap fell off, revealing a mess of wires that escaped from his skull and retreated into the back of his white shirt. \n\n\t``Who is it?'' Asked an annoyed Sullivan.\n\n\t``It's Yong, I need to talk with you.'' The Siamese's voice was pleading. \n\n\t``Enter.'' The captain said loudly.\n\n\tThe doors to his large, elegant room opened. The obese feline stepped in. His fur was a mess, his uniform was stained with sweat. Yong didn't look much like himself. He was twitching, his eyes darting everywhere. Sullivan pulled himself up, his nuts and sheath jiggled as he did. He pulled his pants up and redressed himself. He glared at the intruder. ``You're lucky I finished before you knocked.'' He said, fists balling. ``You better have a good reason to interrupt me.''\n\n\tThe Siamese looked at the reanimated boy laying on the plush carpet. The boy was staring out at the ceiling, his lips moving slightly but no words coming out. The older feline swallowed. He had hoped he'd never have to see that thing again. He averted his gaze and looked back at Sullivan who was staring him down with a hateful glare. The captain wiped cum from his shining medals, waiting for Yong to speak.\n\n\t``It's about Vargus, he... took that boy with him.'' He said, his voice desperate. ``We need to get him out of that ship. No one else was supposed to get hurt. I can't bear for another child to wind up...AGH!'' \n\n\tWith great speed, the captain's hand found its way on the feline's fat throat. Pressure on his windpipe caused his words to stop. He felt the grip tighten. He gurgled, his face turning pink. The captain's reddened face snarled at him. ``You came to my quarters just to bitch at me? You insolent, little cur.'' He tossed the man towards the ground. The feline felt onto the carpet in a fat lump. He gasped for are and grabbed at his ailing throat. ``Captain...'' He wheezed out, thick phlegm sputtering from his lips. ``I just...'' He coughed. ``I didn't want what happened before to happen again, please...'' He felt a retch coming. He let out a little dry heave before wobbling back on his feet, his entire body swaying. ``I'll... give you part of my purse, just, get that boy off of that ship.''\n\n\t``I'm afraid it can't be done.'' The fox wiped his wrist like it had touched something filthy. ``Vargus wouldn't leave without him. Maybe he'll actually manage to track Flint down, then you won't have anything to worry about.''\n\n\t``Captain, please, this is too much.'' The Siamese blubbered. ``No one was supposed to die from this. We're not murderers. Call them back, or... something!''\n\n\t``I'm not a murderer.'' The fox strode over towards the fat cat, jabbing a finger into his chest. ``You're the only murderer in this room. Poor Ollie, having someone mess with his favorite breakfast...''\n\n\t``You ordered me to do it!'' Yong said, his face twisted into that of anger. ``You...you...''\n\n\tThere was another knock at the door. The two men looked at each other and then at the boy lying on the ground. Wordlessly, the Siamese grabbed the kid and took him towards the man's bedroom, making sure to close the door behind him. Sullivan adjusted his uniform, checking for any remains of semen on it. Satisfied, he spoke loudly. ``Please, come in.''\n\n\tHe was greeted by the sweaty form of a familiar ferret. The security chief looked like she had seen a ghost. The captain had never seen her like this before. It had to be important. ``Captain, we need you on the bridge. We found the captain of the Beowulf. He's been spaced. Something's going on out there, I don't know what, but it's big.''\n\n\t``I'll be there.'' The captain said, unfazed by this statement. ``No sign of the trading ship itself, then?''\n\n\t``Not a one, no debris, nothing.'' Rosca said, sighing as she spoke. ``Where's Vargus? We need him to make sure there's no panic among the miners.''\n\n\tThe silver fox felt his throat tighten. \n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Eternal Debt, by UnamusedMonkey

Chapter Eight. Local Flesh.

``Did you see that kid propose to that fat pig?'' Came a chattering snicker from the mustelid's lips. Higgs took a sip from the steaming coffee cup that was place haphazardly on the ship's control console. ``I hope he got some fat cock that night.''

``Only a few days on the ship, and the kid's a little cockslut.'' Edge replied, other weasel puffing from a long cigarette. He looked over a display boredly, smoke coming from his small nostrils. ``Couldn't have happened to a cuter boy.''

The two weasels had been assigned to a reconnaissance mission. The space freighter Beowulf was late. There had been a few small searching comms signals but the ship didn't appear to be in comm distance to the Kurata. The route the vessel was supposed to be taking was given to the weasels to follow. So far the pair had found nothing.

Edge hand a paw across his whiskers. ``This is odd, we should have seen something by now. We're getting pretty far.''

Higgs gulped more coffee noisily. The pure white under-fur of his chin turning tan from the excess liquid running down his lips. The weasel set the cup down with force as he eyed his own display.

The pair were piloting a small patrol vessel. The ship, named the Cutter was a tiny, agile craft. Equipped with almost current scanners, it was the most advanced ship when it came for locating anything out of any of the Kurata's fleet. Its main purpose was to deploy in case of pirate attack, having two twin mounted swiveling laser turrets and torpedo bays made the ship capable with dealing with small fighter craft. It was not equipped with advanced shields or armor to deal with the harshness of atmospheric entry, as the vessel was designed to be spaceborne except when docked in a larger ship or space station.

``Maybe they turned tail and fled.'' Edge said, taking in a deep drag. ``Freighters tend to be cowards this far from the core worlds.''

``If that's true.'' The other weasel began, sipping the last of his coffee. ``We would have heard something... hey, you know, I got an idea.''

Edge put out his cigarette. Thick smoke came from the ashtray. He lit up another and took in a deep inhale, moaning as he felt the smoke fill his lungs. ``Mmm... what's that?'' He asked with gray streaming from his mouth.

``It's a good thing we decided not to space that kid.'' Higgs began, setting aside the now empty coffee cup. ``You've still got your bonus from Blito, right? Here's what we do. Maybe in a few weeks, we go into that old hog's bunk and nab the kid. We'll quit working on this wreck of a ship and get real careers, all while fucking the boy. Think about it, grade A ass for a year or two, you know, before he gets all gross. After that, we can sell him to whoever and continue on.''

``Yeah, one thing, what about that Assurance thingy on his wrist?'' Edge tapped his filter against the ashtray. ``They can track him with that.''

``I thought about it, we can nab a bone saw and hack his wrist off. He doesn't need both hands. If we're lucky, maybe we can loot some of that shrink's medical supplies and just attach it back.'' Higgs gave a wide weasel grin and licked his sharp canines. ``We'll give him a bucket of candy to shut him up. It's foolproof.''

``It's that easy? Don't those things have security measures?'' The other weasel asked, skeptical of the plan.

``Yeah, but only if you try to pull it off. It's not like they'll seriously prepare for someone cutting off their own wrist. We'll take off his whole arm if we really need to.'' Higgs chuckled darkly as he stared out at his monitor, frowning. ``It can't come too soon. Tired of this stupid job. We'll work as security for one of those cruise ships. Think about it, instead of guarding idiot rockheads we can rub shoulders with the elites.''

``That sounds nice.''  Edge said dreamily as he took in a long drag. Smoke spiraling from his small mustelid nostrils.

``Ooogg... gotta pissssss...'' Higgs grumbled as he looked at the inside of the coffee cup.

``There's no bathroom on this tub, you moron. Just piss into the cup.'' Edge grumbled as he looked over the monitor. He stared at the stars, using a small joystick along the console to swerve the sensor. He growled. ``Just a whole lot of nothing out here.''

``It's not going to fit in that damn cup, I've had a lot more than just that coffee today.'' Higgs fumbled with his pockets, looking around for something. ``Fucking out on an assignment for hours and hours on a rig without a pisspot. Just another wonderful day working for Oda... there we go...'' He removed his wallet and opened it. With a hum he pulled a packaged condom from the billfold of the wallet. ``Desperate times comes for desperate measures.'' The weasel said with a snicker.

``Why didn't you tell me you had that? Could have used that when I fucked that boy's asshole.'' A frustrated Edge said.

``Why would you need this? That kid can't get pregnant from your spunk. Even if he was a girl.'' Higgs began to undo his belt. He pulled the belt open with a groan. His now loosened pants were opened with a swift movement of his paws. He let out a sigh as he pulled his fat, uncut prick from the confines of his boxer briefs. Edge couldn't help but look at the other man's drooping penis. It was more interesting to look at than the vast expanse of space.

``Hey, don't look at my cock like that!'' Growled the weasel as he unwrapped the condom. ``You look like a homo lookin' at it like that.''

``All there is out there is a bunch of nothing.'' Edge shifted his gaze back towards his display.

``Ah, fuck...'' Higgs awkwardly wrapped the condom around his soft prick. When it was nestled inside the rubbed satisfactorily enough, he began to let loose. The reservoir tip of the condom was filled instantly and the rest began to follow in suit. The rubbed expanded and swelled with the weasel's warm yellow piss. The condom bulged from the volume of the urine.

``Ah, fuck, sweet relief...'' Higgs said, panting as he pissed into the condom. He watched as the prophylactic began to resemble a water balloon. Edge couldn't help but slowly turn towards the exciting display. The weasel pulled off the fat condom from his soft dick. He pulled on the end and tied it in a double knot. He held the mass in his paws. It was warm against his palms.

``Did you drink a gallon before you go here? Damn!''

``I might have had a bit to drink.'' Chuckled a now relieved Higgs as he tucked his limp dick back into his underwear. He dressed himself quickly and awkwardly set the wobbling filled condom to the side. The knot was tight enough that it kept the sheer volume of the weasel's piss from escaping the rubber.

\tThe display  for both of the weasels blinked red. A loud alarm sounded off. Quickly the pair sprung into action, now monitoring the displays and checking the radar. The pair watched as the sensor on Higgs's screen was honing in on something.

\t``Anomaly detected.'' Read the display. ``Irregular.''

\tWords that vague could mean anything.

\t``I don't see anything. Get closer. I'll see if I can magnify.'' Higgs said, leaning closer to the screen. ``What is that...?''

\t``It's tiny, whatever it is. Probably just some debris.'' Edge said as he piloted the patrol ship closer. He flipped a few switches, a low hum sounded as lasers began to charge. ``Just in case it's some kind of space beastie.''

\t``There's no such thing as space creatures. That's just what captains use to reign in their men. I'm no dummy.'' Higgs said, manipulating the sensor to get a better view. The image became clearer. Edge leaned over as he saw the blank stare the other weasel had. His jaw dropped.

\tFingers, twitching with fear, Higgs grabbed the microphone of the ship's comm system and held it to his lips. The ship had a direct link to the Kurata using a powerful signal. Though, the distance between the two ships meant that any communications between them would face a significant delay. ``I'm forwarding the image now.'' Edge said, terror in his voice as he quickly punched at the ship's controls. ``I'm getting us out of here!''

\t``Rosca! Rosca!'' Higgs shouted into the comm. ``We haven't found the ship... but we think we've found the captain. We've forwarded the scans. We're getting out of here now!''

\tThe pair of weasels desperately hammered at buttons and pulled levers. The ship's weapon systems and shields were fully powered quickly. The two weasels shivered in fear as they watched the radar intently.  Nothing abnormal was on the display, but that did little to quell their fear. Something was out there, something dangerous. Now the Kurata didn't seem like such a bad place to be...

\t``It doesn't make sense...'' Vargus said as he read over the report Yong and Sullivan had written for him. It was obvious that the report was dictated, with Yong typing all of Sullivan's odd theories as to where Flint was. Getting to the facts left very little. The only truly known details was that Flint, the Evictor, and her entire crew were missing, and that Flint's acount had been used to purchase firearms on Hadarr. He'd already known that much. The only new details he had was now he had a receipt from the store, including that the establishment was in Brineline city, much like what Axel had mentioned.

\tThe receipt showed a very extensive order. The arms was a mix of newer laser rifles, handguns, along with many older conventional firearms. They totaled to thirty six firearms, not enough to arm all of the Evictor's crew but pretty close. He was surprised that the transaction hadn't triggered any red flags for the store, but they were probably pretty happy with the order. The total amount paid was over ten thousand credits, a very nice and tidy sum. Vargus would give his left nut to make that in a single day.

\tThere was nothing else to it. There was no camera footage, the receipt hadn't even been signed from Flint. That wasn't too odd, as no one really did their due process out here. Vargus ran thick fingers across his sweating forehead as he read the blue screen emanating from the holopad. The pig wasn't sure what to think of all this. He wasn't a bounty hunter. This was Rosca's forte, not his. Still, Axel's fate depended on this. He couldn't let the monkey boy get torn apart and live a horrible non-sentient existence on some cursed agriship. It was a fate worse than death.  Thinking of Axel, though. He'd muttered something before drifting off to a post-orgasm nap. Something about a Light? Was it a religious reference? He hadn't thought the boy as a religious type, as he'd never seen the monkey engage in any kind of rituals, not even common spacer ones.

\tBrineline City was the capital of Hadarr, being the most populated city and home of the planet's government. While most spacers in the sector might know this knowledge, the fact that the young boy with no prior knowledge mentioned it brought a sense of unease to the porcine. The foreman swallowed as he thought about the boy's little notebook. The musings of a very unfortunate monkey.

\tHe didn't want to, but his concern overrode his hesitation. He swiped across on the holopad and checked to see if it could connect to the extranet with the ship. He watched as the signal strength was strong before submitting an inquiry with shallow breath.

\t``Asios student profiles.''

\t``Asios student database requires a one credit fee to access, would you like to pay the fee?'' A monotone voice came from the pad.

\t``Yes.''

\t``Access granted. Is there a particular student you would like to view?''

\t``Axel Stone.'' Vargus bit his lip. He felt like he was betraying the boy's privacy.

\t``Axel Stone. Age 14. Species: Monkey. Axel is trained in replacing manufacturing machine parts. Left Asios without certificate.''

\tThat was it? Surely there must be more. The pig read over the text. He scrolled the screen with a finger, feeling more and more dreadful as he did. There was a prompt for additional details. He pressed the prompt.

\t``This student has two additional details attached to his bio, these being one: departure details, and two: psych profile. Would you like to view either of these?'' Came the robotic voice.

\t``Yes, view psych profile.'' The pig said with a sad sigh.

\t``This will cost ten credits to access, will you pay the fee?''

\t``Yes.''

\t``Accessing, one moment.''

\tVargus's eyes widened as he began to read the text filling the holoscreen.

\t``Subject: Axel Stone. Psych evaluation by Marge Livingston.

\tSubject appears to be an emaciated twelve year old male monkey. Subject has shown to be extremely uncooperative and defiant in the face of authority. Axel Stone was brought to Asios as a newborn, an unplanned birth of a known merc in the sector an a young prostitute. He has been given an extremely generous account and education plan. Subject has an intense infatuation with food, bordering on absurdity. Despite being given ample amounts of food, the boy desires to have yet even more. The thin appearance  of Mr. Stone is thought to be one falsified by manipulative tactics or possibly group hypnosis.

\t``Axel Stone is known to be very hesitant to follow orders, doesn't respond well to commands. He shows an extreme fear of staff, particularly female staff. While Mr. Stone does not have a history of violent behavior, it cannot be ruled out in the future. Subject showed hesitation in response to inquiries regarding heterosexual relations. This could be a sign of homosexual deviant disorder. May need more research into this.

\t``Subject appears to be mentally slow, borderline retarded. Needed repeated commands and re-wording to get even the simplest of points across. Other aspects of health have not been investigated further as despite the generous account given to him, Mr. Stone cannot afford most basic healthcare procedures. More than likely a result of irresponsible spending of the money given to him.

\t``Diagnoses given:

\tOppositional Defiant Disorder

\tAnti Social Behavioral Disorder

\tSocial Adjustment Disorder

\tNarcissistic Personality Disorder

\tPossible Psychotic and Sociopath disorders

\tPossible Homosexual Deviant Disorder

\tPossible Schizophrenic Disorders

\tLikely high degree of mental retardation.

\t``Recommended treatments:

\tDaily ECT treatment at 1000 Volts per session.

\tChlorpromazine 500mg twice a day

\tRisperidone 30mg once a day

\tLithium 2500mg once a day

\tLurasidone 200mg once a day

\tSertraline 500mg once a day

\tLobotomy.''

\tThe report made the foreman's blood run hot. His mind could fill in the blanks. This woman, whoever she was, had more than likely tortured the boy. Her report was very biased, just dripping with thinly veiled anger and hatred for the young monkey. A trembling finger looked at all the treatment options. How many had been given to him? How many would he have been given had he not been purchased by Oda? He looked at the last one, his heart in his throat. Lobotomy. It was obvious that the monkey was not a victim to that particularly cruel procedure.

\tVargus leaned back in his chair, the holopad felt like a heavy weight in his hand. He shouldn't have snooped around. He'd learned too much and nothing he had been looking for. He'd also been crossing a line into the boy's privacy. He told himself he was doing it for Axel's own good, but could he really justify it like that? The monkey boy had been occupying his thoughts a lot lately. It was the only thing keeping him from ruminating about all those deaths on Blito. All of those who had depended on him. Those that he'd left to die on some rotten planet. Johnson... he wondered how that feline was doing. He'd been sent away to receive a new organic arm. It'd be a long time before he'd be ready to go back to the Kurata, if he ever decided to return.

\tHe looked at the chronograph display on the corner of the holoscreen and jolted up on his seat. He didn't realize he'd been holed up here for so long. He adjusted his overalls and work shirt as he hopped off of the seat, his belly jiggling from the jump. He had to check on Axel. Surely he was awake by now.

\tThe foreman left his bedroom and marched into the living room. There was the young boy, just in his white underwear watching the large screen. He was captivated. The monkey was watching a martial arts competition, some very flashy stuff. Two men were wearing gis and deploying all sorts of jumps, kicks, and quick maneuvers. The practically naked monkey was leaning forward on his seat on the couch, watching the men with intrigue. Vargus snorted. It didn't take much to imagine the appeal. The fighting was less like actual combat and resembled a fast paced dance.

\t``Hey, kid.'' He said softly, approaching the couch. ``You found something to watch?''

\tThe teenager blushed as the older man sat down next to him. He almost seemed to shrink slightly. ``Uh, yeah. It's okay that I'm watching, right? I thought you might be napping or busy and I didn't want to disturb you. I'm... not in any trouble?''

\t``No trouble at all.'' The man's thick fingers ruffled the boy's soft brown hair. ``Though, I think I might have to steal the screen from you. I want to check the news.''

\t``Okay!'' The boy said with a smile. He felt relieved that he wasn't in trouble. ``Uh, Vargus... do you think you could teach me to fight like that?'' He pointed at the two men, now finished with their bout, bowed to each other respectively.

\t``Well, I can teach you to fight, but it won't be anything like that.'' The pig replied, scratching his chin. ``Though, with those long legs... you'd make a pretty good martial artist after we get a bit more food in you. I could see you pulling off some moves, grappling with those toes of yours.'' He pointed at the boy's monkey feet.

\tAxel blushed. ``Thanks.'' He lifted a foot and brought it close to himself. The flexible teen could probably bring his gripping toes to his mouth with ease. Vargus tried to push the image of that out of his mind as soon as it tried to makes its way in there. Axel looked up at the foreman. ``They're not freaky or gross to you?''

\t``No, of course not. We're all a little different. Like, look at me. I've got short legs, tiny tail, short stubby fingers. I can't grab with my tail, or with my feet. You, even after we get some weight on you, probably won't be as stout as me.'' He gave a hardy laugh. ``Which comes with its own pros and cons. It'd be hard for some rough and tumble fellow to knock me down.''

\t``You ever beat up a bunch of bad guys?'' Axel asked, his long arms wrapping around the pig's thick arm in a slight hug.

\tVargus thought about Blito. He didn't want to bring that up. He also thought about his time with a PMC group, probably not a good thing to mention either. He tried to dodge the subject. He ruffled the boy's hair again, petting him gently.

\t``Kid, you ask a lot of questions.'' He said, pulling his hand back and looking back at the display. ``Ship! Can you find a signal for local news?''

\t``Certainly, sir!'' The ship's AI replied, sounding over the ship's speakers.

\tSuddenly on the screen was a well dressed cat. The cat had a fat cigar hanging from his mouth. He took in a deep drag before speaking, thick gray smoke spewing forth as he spoke. ``Continuing the breaking story, our coverage is sponsored by Wilson's Tobacco. Wilson's, keeps your soul pure! Wilson's, medically proven by seven doctors to keep space madness at bay! Wilson's, readily available at five hundred Union worlds and thousands of ships and stations! Buy Wilson's cigarettes now.'' The cat pointed his lit cigar at the camera before clearing his throat.

\tVargus rolled his eyes. What a sellout.

\t``It was unprecedented when we first heard the news that Lady Natia, daughter of the Duke of the Kallos system went missing during her cruise. Natia's private pleasure cruiser, The Coreiseuse has vanished with her. The ship, practically a military vessel, is staffed with at least five score of trained naval hands and equipped with advanced weaponry. The fact that it has gone missing in neutral space, just at the border between Union territory is considered suspicious by some. Locals know that there are no known Union vessels in this remote region that are capable of launching an attack on such a ship. Still, the search is on as Empire ships are scouring the entirety of the the border. Keep a look out! The duke has offered a reward for the safe return of his daughter.'' The newscaster took in more of his cigar, puffing loudly.

\tA picture of a young, delicate looking white furred feline was on the screen. She looked about Axel's age, maybe a year older. ``This is Lady Natia, if you see her, you might receive the biggest payout of your life!''

 ``That's all on the story so far, keep tuned for live updates as they come! And remember, Wilson's, the galaxy's best tobacco! Find it at your local retailer and buy out the whole store! You can contact use for delivery orders at-''

\t``Ship, turn it off.'' Vargus ordered.

\t``Right away, sir.'' The screen went blank.

\tAxel frowned. ``I hope she's alright... that was close by?''

\t``Yeah.'' Vargus thought for a moment. ``That's actually pretty close to where we're going. Hadarr is considered the closest planet to the Empire in this sector. There's still a large amount of neutral space between the two of us, though it looks like...''

\t``What?'' Axel asked the large porcine, feeling his chest tighten with unease.

\t``I don't know. This is pretty big stuff. I've never heard about some member of Empire Royalty vanishing like this. They're always surrounded by guards and have so much power. I can't imagine what kind of person would have the power to...''

\t``Maybe uh... maybe she's just lost.'' Axel said, stammering a little.

\t``Kid, the kind of ships they have don't get lost.'' Vargus said, petting the boy's hair softly. ``Not unless there's some sort of freakish space event. No, someone is behind this. Probably some kind of other relative. That's one thing I do know about the Empire is that they all love to plot against each other. Usually it's nothing this crazy, though.''

\t``You think she'll be okay?'' Axel asked, his voice almost pleading.

\t``I honestly don't know, kid.'' Vargus pulled his hand away. ``And why do you care so much? You don't know her. I mean... yeah, she'll probably be fine. She's worth a ton of money. Probably more than-'' He paused. He had gotten carried away.

\tThe teen monkey stared at the foreman's shameful grimace. His large cerulean eyes seemed to devour the larger man's thoughts. Vargus looked away, a grunt from him. ``Sorry, kid. I wasn't thinking.''

\tAxel was silent for a moment. What he said next brought ease to the foreman. ``May I please have something to eat?''

\t``Sure, kid.'' Vargus stood up and began to head to the ship's little kitchen. He almost jumped out of his work boots when the ship's AI sounded over the speaker. ``Sorry to interrupt you, but we are being hailed by a ship identifying itself as The Ravager. It is a live distress feed.''

\tThe foreman rushed back to the living room. He looked at the blank screen. He looked back at the scrawny teen behind him. He seemed to be on edge at this news. He gave the boy a calm smile, despite the sweat that was now beginning to roll down the back of his thick neck. ``Kid, don't worry. I'll handle it. It's probably just some yahoo that needs some fuel or something. It happens sometimes.''

\t``If it's someone who needs help, we should help them!'' The boy said, a sense of nervousness in his voice. ``B-but... what if it's someone bad?''

\t``Then I'll handle it. I've been through some tough stuff and this isn't some rickity dropship.'' Vargus said, trying to give a hearty chuckle that came off more as a dry laugh. He had to convince himself more than the boy. He cleared his throat. ``Ship, can you have us answer via this screen?''

\t``Of course. Accepting signal now.''

\tThe foreman's eyes widened as the display turned on. What was shown was true nightmare. He had heard stories from spacers about this before, legends, really. While most spacers' tales had a small degree of truth to them, there were some that were too horrible to believe. He hadn't believed the legends about the souls of deep space travelers being torn into something else, something horrible. He didn't want to believe such a horrible fate.

\tHere such a terrible tale was staring at him with a fleshy compound eye and the draped remainders of what had once been a more normal orb. The... thing on the screen had once been some kind of creature he'd recognize. There were patches of fur loosely hanging from the slimy black chitinous skin that seemed to have been tearing its way through angry, pinkened flesh.

\tA horrifying maw of teeth and too large black mouth parts scrambled across a mouth that looked like it had been torn to make way for new additions. Ripped remains of an ancient blue naval uniform, still adorned with medals were one of the few identifiers of what it had once been. The mouth parts squirmed inside of the gaping maw, a large red tongue was pushed out, flopping loudly as the thing spoke.

\tIt's voice was deep, a mixture of insectoid chittering mingled with its speech. ``I am Captain Phinn of the Union Battlecruiser Ravager. My ship and her crew have taken heavy fire from the Empire. Do you have credits?''

\tThe oddly polite tone of the creature's voice brought a degree of nightmarish quality that wouldn't be there if it was more beastly. Vargus reached for his ears as an earsplitting scream sounded throughout the ship. The form on the screen was unmoving. It took the foreman a second the realize that the horrifying noise was coming from Axel's mouth. He looked back to see the boy, scrambling on the couch. His face was that of pure terror. The kid leapt off of the couch and ducked behind an arm, screaming still.

\tVargus wanted to shout at the boy, to make him be quiet. Truth was, it was taking a lot to keep him from doing the same. The creature's dim ship lights and quiet klaxons sounding from its own vessel made it all the more nerve-wracking. It was talking, though. So maybe... there was something in there. Someone.

\t``Credits?'' Was all the foreman could meekishy make out.

\t``Credits are what make the world go round.'' Came a reply. ``This ship has taken heavy damage from the Empire. We are at war. I need all hands on deck! This is Captain Phinn of the Battlecruiser Ravager. Please state all intentions, trespasser, or be fired upon. This ship has taken heavy credits from Union firepower war. I need Empirestations, all damage on crew! Captain Phinn is reporting for Empire report, all systems nominal. Trespassers will be credited upon Phinn damage...'' The creature trailed off, each sentence being more nonsensical than the last. There wasn't anything there. What ever this thing had been, it was no longer. No, it was something else. Something horrible. Vargus spoke, his voice wavering as fear was starting to take hold. ``Ship, we need to get out of here.''

\t``The ship is attempting to tail us.'' The ship's AI replied. ``Despite low power signatures, it seems to be very fast. Here is a sensor livefeed.''

\tA picture-within-a-picture appeared on the screen. It showed a tiny, decrepit vessel moving at high speed. It was an old, beat up looking thing. It appeared to be an escape pod, or possibly a shuttlecraft of some sort. Whatever it had been, it had obviously taken a lot of blaster fire at one point as it was practically falling apart. Or at least, it appeared to. Despite the damage the ship had taken, it was moving close to the speed of Vargus' much more modern ship. Such a thing should be impossible.

\t``Ship, does this ship have any weapons?'' Vargus found himself asking. He hadn't in all his time in the bedroom actually looked at the ship's defensive capabilities. He cursed himself for his laziness. He had been so complacent.

\t``Of course, I have a twin pulse laser swivel turret. I will have it emerge from its internal state and ready to fire right away. Do you wish for me to fire upon it myself?

\t``Yes, please. Destroy it!''

\t``Absolutely, one moment.''

\tThe ship began to shake as the vessel's turret folded out from its internal resting bay. Vargus watched as ruby streaks raced across the display. The first shot went wide. The second flew true. Soon the chasing vessel was an exploding ball of fire before the vacuum of space did the rest. The display went blank as the signal was lost in the so-called Ravager's sure destruction.

\tHe turned back to look at the boy. The monkey was a whimpering mess. His whole body was shaking. His eye were mere pin holes. Carefully, he approached the teen. He let out a hand towards him. ``Kid, look. I took care of it. We're safe. Come out of there.'' The pig was practically dripping with sweat. His heart was racing, feeling like it was going to jump out of his chest. The encounter had terrified him. He wasn't sure if the odd ship had been capable of harming them, but he wasn't going to take any chances. Hopefully the soul of the old spacer now was finally at rest. He wasn't a religious pig, but you deserved some kind of respite after having to live like that.

\tSheepishly, the briefs clad monkey scurried from his hiding place. He sobbed as he threw himself at the man, burying his wet face in Vargus's chest. The man stroked the boy's bony backside, taking the teen deeper into him. He lifted the teen from the ground and cradled him awkwardly with his big arms.

\tAxel's trembling lips press against the porcine's ear. ``Vargus...'' He said, his voice soft and quiet, muffled by his stifled crying. ``Is... that going to happen to us?''

\t``No. Whatever that thing was... it had been out there for a long, long time. Longer than I've been alive.'' The foreman said, rubbing the boy's back soothingly. Axel's crying stopped. The poor kid had been scared out of his mind. Vargus didn't blame him. He'd been terrified too. He set the boy on the couch. He was still shivering a bit.

\t``We're safe now, it's all over.'' He said, giving his head a little pat. ``We're just a little bit away from Hadarr. We'll be there soon. If anyone else wants to cause trouble, I'll deal with them the same way.''

\tThe boy sniffled.

\t``...Are you still hungry?'' Vargus asked.

\t``Yeah...'' Axel said, shame in his voice.

\t``It's okay, I'll get you a snack. I saw something packed in there that I think you'll really like.'' The pig turned towards the kitchen. He didn't want to leave the boy alone, but he knew that food was the best way to comfort him. He looked at the large motivision set and spoke. ``Ship, can you find a channel that's playing theater?''

\t``Certainly, sir.'' The Ship's AI replied with eagerness.

\tThe motivision came to life. Suddenly the ship was rife with the swinging music of the Empire. A group of masked foxes were singing slowly and loudly across a set made to look like an extremely ancient ship-of-the-line. They danced, much more quicker than the last showing. He almost wished he understood Old Emprish, as it looked like this show had a story to it.

\tThe boy watched the uniformed actors dance, their dress that of high society.  The way the foxes were dressed reminded him of a certain silver fox. A revolting question ran through his mind as he tried to push the horrendous recent encounter from his: just how old was Captain William Sullivan? Whatever he had worked on his aged body was some sort of biomedical anomaly.

\tHe wished he'd brought cigarettes to the ship.  He wasn't fond of smoking outside of the rare occasion, but after seeing... that. He wanted to smoke just to reassure himself. Vargus wondered if he should teach Axel to smoke. Maybe that would ease his mind as well. He'd pick up some smokes for the kid when he had the chance.

\tHe pulled open the ship's fully stocked refrigeration unit. It was too well stocked. Sure, the food wasn't completely obscenely rich but it was stuff that most people couldn't afford much of.  He wasn't very hungry now, but he knew Axel would need a lot. He was always hungry, and still having an appetite after this proved it. He pulled out a small covered plate from the fridge and closed it shut.

\tHe returned to the living room and handed the boy the dish, pulling the cover from the plate. The boy's eyes widened as he looked at it. A strange molded blob wobbled on the plate. It was completely clear. The odd thing vibrated and seemed to be alive. The boy poked at it slowly. ``...what is this?'' He asked, feeling the smooth, cold texture of the dish.

\t``It's called gelatin.'' Vargus answered. ``It's a dessert. Not really my kind of thing, but, I know you'll like it. It's sweet.'' The man pointed to a small spoon that was besides the clear blob. ``You can eat with the spoon, or with your hands. It's all yours.''

\tThe boy awkwardly took the plate. He wobbled it slowly and gripped at the sides tightly, as if he was worried that the gelatin would roll off of it. He placed it on his lap and poked at the dish again. It jiggled in response. ``...is it alive?''

\t``No, of course not. It's just...wobbly.'' The porcine tried to explain.

\tThe boy took the small spoon and dug into the soft yielding flesh of the dessert. With a thick bit of see-through gelatin in the spoon, the monkey crammed it into his mouth. The sweet treat rolled down his tongue with ease. He let out a little noise as the sugary sweet hit his taste buds. ``Ooo... that's really good. You're sure you don't want any?''

\t``No, it's all yours, kid.''

\tAxel set the spoon back onto the plate and began to tear at the dish with his bare finger. He slurped the gelatin from his hands loudly. Vargus couldn't help but smile. This was one dish that he could eat safely with no holding back. It wasn't long before the plate was empty and the boy was sucking the remains of the dessert from his fingers and licking at the plate. He set the plate down and looked at Vargus, a soft whimper from his lips. ``Vargus... I just wish... you've done so much for me, I wish I could help you.''

\t``C'mon, don't get all mushy.'' The foreman said, looking back at the motivision. ``and... I think you'll be a great help for our mission.''\t

\t``You think so?''Axel asked, excitement in his voice.

\t``Yeah, I think I've got an idea.'' The foreman sat next the monkey. ``Where we are going is a bit different than most places. There's a lot of primates over there, like you. Now, we're looking for a primate, Flint's an ape. Over there... they might not appreciate me asking about stuff like that.'' Vargus tried to explain. ``We can't tell them who we really are, that we work for Oda. That'll let Flint know we're onto him, in case he's trying to hide or he's in some kind of trouble. No, we have to do a little acting.''

\t``Acting?'' Axel asked.

\t``Remember that program that was on earlier, with the mouse woman who got shot?'' Vargus asked the teen.

\t``Yeah.'' Axel folded his arms. ``I didn't like that one.''

\t``But she's okay, she was just acting. That's what you've got to do.'' Vargus continued. ``Here's our little story. I'm a bounty hunter and you're my client. Flint is your step-dad and you're looking for him. You're just a concerned kid. It's a clean domestic fair, nothing too dramatic. You just got to act like you really want to find him, even cry a little. Think you can do that?''

\tAxel beamed. ``Yeah, I can do that!''

\t``Great! I knew I could count on you, kid!'' The pig gave the boy's bare back a hearty pat. ``Now, Brineline is a BIG city. There's a lot of people there. Just stick close to me. We shouldn't come across too much trouble. If there's a fight, I want you to run first. I'm a big guy, I can handle a fight if it needs to happen. If you can't run, then you'll have to fight. Use that stun blaster. Put it on max.''

\t``Then what?'' Axel asked.

\t``I would want you to find me, if I'm nearby and not fighting. If I'm not nearby, you can talk to me with your Assurance.'' He poked at the blue device bound to the monkey's thin wrist. ``As long as we're both in Brineline, we can talk to each other in real time. You just need to order it to talk to me. My channel should be in there. Worst comes to worse, make your way to the ship. The ship knows who you are, so it'll let you in.''

\t``What if...'' The boy shuddered. ``What if... something really, really bad happens to you... like...''

\t``Kid, I'm a tough pig. Nothing like that is going to happen.'' Vargus spoke in confidence. He knew, though, that there were a lot of unknowns out there. He wanted to maximize the boy's safety, and that would come at the cost of his own. He hadn't made any plans if he met his own fate out there. Now was as good as any time to have something worked out. ``...but, in the event that happens, I want you to tell the ship to go to the Kurata.'' Then the pig paused. He didn't have any men aboard that ship. He didn't trust much of anyone over there. Except maybe...

\t``And I want you to go to Rosca. Tell her everything you can, every detail of everything. I know she's a real hardass, but... she's the only one on that ship with an ounce of morals. If you tell her that something's happened to me... I think she'll soften a bit for you. Hopefully it won't come to that. If that does happen... above all else, I want you to stay far, far away from the captain.''

\tThe boy swallowed. He tried to commit this all the memory. ``Okay. I understand.''

\t``Hadarr in view, sirs.'' Came the ship's AI. The motivision showed the blue marble out in the vast sea of blackness. It was coming in fast. Vargus kept forgetting just how sleek and modern this ship was. He was so used to old, beat up ships. He hoped that he and the boy would be able to get a ship like this themselves one day. Living with Axel on this ship seemed... nice. He almost forgot that the pair of them were zipping along the endless void in this luxury apartment. He had to remind himself that he had a job to do, a job that would determine Axel's fate. He couldn't bear to tell the boy what was in store for him should they fail to satisfy the captain.

\tThe face of a bored looking wolf appeared in the motivision. His gaze squarely focused on Vargus. ``Hello, this is militia officer Kody of the Hadarr Planetary Militia, peace for the Union. Please identify your ship and purpose.''

\t``I'm Vargus, and this is the Silver Kestrel. I have documents I can send over, I just need to get to the cockpit.''

\t``That's fine, just do it quickly.'' The wolf's gaze shifted over to the monkey boy who was sitting on the couch. ``Yeesh...'' Then the display went blank. ``Transmission has been migrated to the cockpit, sir.'' The AI clarified.

\tVargus walked towards the cockpit door. ``Kid, I'll be right back. You should get dressed. We'll be planetside soon.''

\tThe large foreman vanished as the cockpit doors closed behind him. Axel was alone. The monkey didn't like being alone. He stood up, emerging from the safe confines of the couch and heading over to his duffel bag. His school uniform had been folded and set neatly on top of the bag. He grabbed the blue outfit and hastily put it on. He slipped on his heavy work boots and opened the bag, looking at the helmet inside. Something told him that this ship's reentry into the atomosphere was going to be far more gentle than the mining dropship he'd been in when they made their way to Blito.

\tHe left the helmet inside the bag and reached into his pocket. There he pulled out a small blue plastic lighter. He looked around, making sure he was alone before he flicked a thumb over the lighter. The flame emerged instantly and began to dance across the tip. The monkey's eyes followed the swaying of the bright orange flame. ``Light...'' He said, his voice low. ``I'm sorry I yelled at you. I still think you're wrong about Vargus. He saved the ship today. He gave me something nice to eat. I wish you could talk to him. If you talked to him, I think you two would get along. You might be able to help him find Flint!''

\t``We should not concern ourselves with this mission of his. It's not our job to help him, my dear Axel. He is getting us closer to that Livingston woman. Soon we will deal with her. Then we can take the steps to make you truly free, my dear Axel.'' The flame spoke to him, filling the boy's ears with a soothing voice. ``Though, if helping him with this helps us, so be it. I only want what is best for you.''

\t``You're not mad at me for yelling at you?'' Asked Axel.

\t``I could never be upset with you, my Axel.'' The voice said, soft and smooth as silk. ``I understand that some things may be hard to accept. I just want to help. That is why you talk to me, right?''

\t``Yes.'' The teenager admitted.

\t``Then what is your question, my sweet Axel?''

\t``I... just wanted to ask... did you know my parents, Light? The boy asked sheepishly. ``Especially my... mother?''

\tThe flame almost seemed to shake violently. ``You already know of your father. There is nothing else to know about that man. Your mother... I only know her first name. She was a whore named Mary. She only a year older than you are now when she gave birth do you, my wonderful Axel. Such a loud, horrible event... the screaming... the shouting... the curses... she couldn't even provide you with a silent birth. You may not remember it, but that is where I met you.''

\t``You were there when I was born?''

\t``Yes. It was aboard a tiny starship. Your mother was going into labor. Clive shouted at her, calling her stupid for getting pregnant. She was his favorite whore. The bitch was naked, screaming as you were trying to get out of her. Clive was shouting at her, telling her how lucky she was that he hadn't zapped her. They were en route to a world, I'm not sure which but... she made a great cry and a third voice was in the ship. You slid out of her wretched bloodied orifice, wailing your newborn lungs as you landed on the seat of the ship. Clive wouldn't stop shouting. You wailed as you reached out for you mother but only to fall past the seat and land besides her feet.''

\t``Where were you, did you catch me?'' Axel asked, feeling a rush of unease hit him.

\t``No, the cold floor of the ship caught you. My poor Axel. Oh how you cried, the pain across your newborn body. I... have said too much. It's a painful thing for me to talk about. Maybe I'll tell you more later...'' The voice shifted tones. ``I know that's not the only thing on your mind, though.''

\t``You're right... I saw something. I don't know what it was... it was... like a bug thing wearing patches of fur on top. I think it had once been a cat. Is that what happens to us when we venture too much?'' Axel asked, biting his lip.

\tThe flame flickered. ``I'm sorry, my dear Axel. That is one thing I do not know anything about. I believe you may be correct. I wouldn't worry about it, you have me protecting you. I will keep you safe while you sail through space. Now, I tire... I must rest.... Hadarr nearing is making me very tired... I trust your judgement, my dear Axel, but I will be weak as long as we are planetside. I will do the best I can but for now... I will... slumber....''

\tThe flame faded before his eyes. Axel put the lighter back in his pocket. He was alone again.  He sat his monkey butt back on the couch, looking at the motivision.  Vargus emerged from the cockpit doors. He ordered the ship to turn off the screen. The ship obeyed and the dancers vanished from Axel's sight. The pig eyed the monkey boy. ``We're landing now.'' He told him.

\tThe teen got up from the couch. He hadn't even noticed it. This ship was way different than the dropship he'd been on before. The thick pig handed the scrawny monkey a long, strap like thing. ``Here, let me help put this on you.'' Soon the holster was on the boy. It felt heavy as the stun blaster was already resting inside. Vargus stepped back, a faint smile across his face. ``You almost look like a militia officer with that blue uniform of yours.''

\t``It feels heavy.'' Axel admitted. He saw that the foreman too was wearing a holster. His was much bigger, as the man's chunky looking blaster made the boy's new weapon look like a child's toy. Vargus noticed wear the monkey's big eyes were looking and he removed his handgun from its holster. He held it out for the monkey to inspect. ``I bet you've never seen a real blaster up close. Most anyone who's sane is going to have one down there. Mine's a bit old, but it's very reliable. Hopefully we won't need to use them. When we have some time and room, I'll show you how to use it. Just remember what I told you earlier.''

\tThe porcine put his handgun back inside the holster and gave it a pat. There was a slight jolt from the ship. Axel almost fell on top of the bigger man. Vargus caught the emaciated monkey with ease. ``Whoa, there! Looks like we've landed.  Smoothest one I've been in. Hah.''

\tImmediately there was a knock at the drop door. Vargus approached the door's control panel and pressed a button. Slowly the door began to lower. A stern faced militia officer was at the doorway, holding a holopad in one hand and an odd wand in another. The officer was a stone faced wolf, not dissimilar to the one who had hailed them earlier.

\t``Good evening, gentlemen.'' He said, his voice bored. ``I appreciate you forwarding your paperwork, Mr. Vargus.  I do hope you enjoy your stay on Hadarr. Now, I just need to inspect your ship for any contraband. Standard procedure.'' The officer waved the wand across a wall.

\t``Not a problem, officer.'' Vargus said, watching the wolf get to work. He was curious what the man was looking for. Here at the fringe worlds, such searches weren't very common. Then again, they were close to the Empire. There was probably some form of illegal trade across the two territories, though he wasn't sure what they would be.

\tThe wolf seemed to read the man's thoughts. ``We've been having a few issues with Empire migrants stowing aboard Union vessels. It's more common with the big ships, but we have to search all ships for Empire serfs. Some of these poor souls pay visiting captains to get them out of that hellhole. Can't imagine what it'd be like over on the other side. I'm happy where I am.'' The officer waved the wand across another wall. ``Looks like its just the two of you.'' He said, satisfied with his device's lack of response.

\tThe wolf looked at the young monkey closely. ``Do you have any papers for him?''

\tVargus hadn't thought of that. The documents that Sullivan had supplied him for the mission showed Vargus as a registered bounty hunter. They were true, legal documents, though the foreman questioned how the captain was able to obtain them so quickly as the Union's red tape bureaucracy was legendary. He did have the boy's profile on his holopad but it would show that he was owned by Oda Mining. That wouldn't bode well for him. The kid would appear stolen.

\t``I uh...''

\tThe wolf brought his face closer to the teen. ``Hey, kid. Can you read?'' He said, bringing the screen of his own holopad towards the boy's face.

\tThe boy's large blue eyes read the holoscreen. ``Uh. It says `Smoke Wilson's, Wilson's taste like a cigar should!'''

\t``Ah, good enough for me.'' The wolf slid the holopad into a pocket and seemed to get closer to the boy. ``Open your mouth, kid.''

\tAxel obeyed, opening his mouth for the canine.

\tVargus watched as the wolf looked at the inside of the boy's mouth with interest. He felt like he should do something but wasn't sure what to do. The wolf stood back up and eyed the foreman. ``Looks healthy enough. I'd advise you to get some tags on him and get him vaccinated.''

\t``Vaccinated?'' The foreman asked.

\t``Yes.'' The wolf began, straightening his militia uniform. ``It's not legally required, but I would strongly recommend it. We had a horrible bout of the Purple Flu about a half cycle before. Brineline was hit the worst. While it's no longer considered an epidemic, it'd be a smart bet to get him vaccinated. There's more than a few clinics that'll do it for free.''

\t``Should I get vaccinated too?'' Vargus asked the wolf.

\tA loud laugh escaped from the canine's mouth. ``No, no, no. Not unless you were a few decades younger AND a banana muncher. No, the Purple Flu only affects primates, those younger than eighteen are the most at risk. You're completely safe, Mr.Vargus.''

\tVargus looked at the skinny teenager. He didn't want Axel getting sick. Taking him to get vaccinated would up high on the list now. The wolf officer eyed the pig with a serious expression. ``Keep a close eye on your kid here. If he gets into any trouble, you'll be held responsible.'' He looked at the boy's Assurance device. ``He's not a felon, is he?''

\t``No, just in debt.'' Vargus clarified.

\t``Fair enough, enjoy your stay in Hadarr.'' The officer turned to leave.

\t``Hold on, I want to make a report of something we witnessed not far from Hadarr space.'' The foreman said, causing the canine to pause. The gray furred wolf raised an eyebrow. ``What's that?''

\t``We came across a strange ship, probably a shuttlecraft. It identified itself as a battlecruiser called The Ravager. The ship's pilot was...'' The foreman shuttled as he tried to describe it. ``It looked like some kind of bug, almost like a Berzog but... different. Like it had ripped its way out of what had once been a person. It spoke, but didn't make much sense. I just wanted to make a statement so you guys can keep an eye out for any more like that.''

\t``Mr. Vargus, I'm not going to humor any old spacer's tales.'' The officer said, a glare on his face. ``If you really think you saw something like that, I recommend you go see a psychiatrist. Brineline is home to one of the largest psychiatric facilities in the sector: Maldeb Institute for Mental Health.You should take a visit there. Again, enjoy your stay.'' The officer left, walking down the drop door without another word.

\t``That guy was pretty nice.'' Axel said, breaking the silence.

\tVargus ruffled the boy's hair. ``You're funny, kid.'' He said, walking over to his room. ``I forgot, I've got something cool that we're going to use. One second.''

\tThe pig returned with a large, odd white panel. The strange rectangular thing must have been heavy as the large porcine was straining and grunting as he dragged it. He huffed, setting it flat down in the middle of the living room. ``Agh... forgot how heavy this thing is. Kid, can you help drag this out of the ship?''

\tThe boy carefully grabbed the edge of the odd thing. Vargus groaned as he lifted the strange panel up, having it stand up on a thin edge. Axel pulled, trying his best. He didn't think he was helping much as the pig's pushes were producing more results. After a few minutes of sweaty work, they managed to get the panel down the door. Axel felt a chill. This planet was cold!

\tA faint wind went across his school uniform. His tail stood up. The thick scent of saltwater wafted its way into his monkey nostrils. He let out a long exhale. He thought the new scent smelled nice. He looked around, they were in some kind of ship parking lot. It was huge and seemed to go on forever. He could see the faint outlines of towers and giant buildings surrounding the lot. A thin mist was in the air, spritzing the both of them gently.

\tHis work boots stomped on wet metal. Everything was metal. It felt like he was back on that giant mining ship. Vargus eased the white panel flat with a grunt. He wiped his forehead of sweat and mist. ``Saw you looking around. Hadarr is a ocean world, which means all of this city is artificial. There's no landmass here.  It's all metal and plastic, kid.''

\tThe boy looked down at the strange object they had been dragging. ``What is this thing?'' He asked Vargus.

\t``Oh, you're going to love this. Watch this.''

\tThe pig got down on his knees. He swiped a hand across it. There was a sound from the now glistening panel. Axel jumped back when the thing began to move. It shuddered. Parts of the odd panel began to shift and it looked like it was slowly splitting apart and folding itself right before his very eyes. The panel soon was soon a sleek cycle shaped thing. The pig laughed and clapped his hands together as he approached it. The cycle had a small console. He pressed a button and it was hovering in midair.

\tThe pig mounted the floating hovercycle. It bobbed from his weight. He gripped the cycle's handles and gave one a twist. The cycle's engine roared, causing the monkey boy to jump again. Vargus gestured to the teen. ``Kid, hop on! Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight!''

\tNervously the monkey jumped onto the seat of the cycle. He wrapped his scrawny arms around Vargus's chest. He let out a loud yelp as the cycle zipped forward. The hovercycle glided across the lot, parked ships seemed to fly by them. Vargus drove the cycle expertly across the ship lot. Wind and mist howled in the boy's ears. He felt his heart race from the intense speed. It didn't take long for them to exit the lot and enter the city proper. The pig merged into heavy traffic.

\tAxel watched all the vehicles gliding across the city. There were hovercars, trucks, other cycles, along with things he didn't even know the names of. The dark sky was illuminated by the lights of all the traffic and the many buildings that seemed to be creeping up on them. The pig's voice was hard to make out from all the other loud sounds. ``Hey, I'm going to stop over at that bar. See if we can get a little info.'' He swerved from the traffic and into the lot of a relatively quiet drinking establishment.

\tThe cycle came to a sudden halt as he parked it. Axel's heart was rushing in his chest. Now everything seemed so slow after witnessing all of that speed. He hopped off after the porcine did. He felt his knees feel weak. Vargus laughed and helped the boy keep his balance. ``It's okay, you'll get used to it. Actually, I think it would be a good idea to teach you how to drive something like this. I used to ride a hovercycle when I was your age. Of course, mine wasn't nearly as fancy as this one.''

\t``That was fun!'' Axel said, feeling his body pumped from all the speed. ``You're really going to teach me how to drive that?''

\t``Sure, when we have the time. It's not hard.'' Vargus lead the boy towards the bar. ``Alright. We're going to see if we can get a little info. I'm a bounty hunter and you're my client. Flint's your step-dad. Hopefully people won't think we're being too nosy. Bounty hunters are pretty common out here, so we should be good. Just stick close to me and let me do most of the talking, okay?''

\tThe boy followed him, eagerness in his face. He was going to be helpful! ``Okay, I can do that.''

\tThe bar was called the Primarily Primate. The inside was dimly lit and smelled strongly of booze and smoke. All the customers were primates. There was loud music playing inside. Axel's ears rang from the music. It was a harsh sound. He wasn't a fan, but he tried not to let it get to him. All the customers eyed the pair as they made their way through the establishment. Vargus sat at a stool by the bar itself. He had Axel sit on a stool next to him.

\tThe tender, a sour faced white-cheeked gibbon gave the pig a scowl. The black furred ape was washing a glass. ``I think you're in the wrong place, bacon boy.'' He said, setting the glass down.

\tVargus looked back to see all the eyes on him and the boy. He felt a strong sense of unease run up his neck. Maybe he had made a bad choice in choosing this particular spot. He wouldn't balk, though. That could end poorly. He looked the gibbon straight in the eyes. ``I'm looking for someone.'' He said plainly.

\tThe gibbon stared back, matching the porcine's glare. He was watching the pig for a moment, unmoving as the two men stood off. Then the gibbon's expression cracked. A slight smile gave way to a large grin and suddenly he was in a full blown cackle. The rest of the bar joined in the mirth. Vargus looked around, confusion in his face.

\tThe ape wiped a joyful tear from his eye. ``You've got guts, pig. I was just messin' with you. If you need info, I can see what I can do. `course, it won't be free. You and the kid need something to eat or drink? I'm not giving him any booze, though.''

\t``How about a shot of Vodka-K for me, and uh...'' He looked over at the boy. Axel's attention was elsewhere. He was looking at a table, more specifically one of the two people seated at it. At the table was the most pretty primate that Vargus had ever seen. The boy had to be about a year or two older than Axel. His fur was pure white, his skin a flawless shade of peach. Emerald eyes seemed to glow in the dim lighting of the bar. The boy was wearing a dirty, red splotched apron, thick rubber pants, fishing boots, and not much else. Even through the thick pants, Vargus could see just how close to feminine this monkey was. If it wasn't for the complete lack of breasts, he'd be a dead ringer for a girl.

\tThe monkey's plump rump was seated promptly in the large lap of an older orangutan. The orangutan was laughing loudly, the boy in one arm, and thick stein in the other. He was wearing a very old looking spacer's uniform and a white captain's hat. He was gripping at the the boy's thin chest from under his stained apron, teasing his nipples.

\tVargus looked back at the tender. ``Who's that?''

\t``Which one?'' The gibbon replied with a snicker. ``Well, the little guy is Snow. He's a local here. He works at one of the fish processing plants. I give him drinks and food for bringing in all the spacers. It hasn't been too busy as of lately, something's going on out there in space, I imagine.''

\tThe ape cleared his throat as he continued. ``And the big guy is Captain Rekir. He's a well-known merc around here. He loves to stop here to hang out with Snow. It's kind of cute, in a way. He's been visiting him since about a cycle ago.''

\t``A merc...'' Vargus wondered if he could hire him. Hiring someone that was a bit more local could be a massive help. The man fondling the younger monkey out in public made him seem less off-putting. Vargus knew that he should think the opposite, but it made the big orangutan seem a bit more open. Most mercs were gruff, and others were quiet and clandestine. Someone who was more open and honest would work best for him. He looked back at the tender. ``How about just that shot of Vodka-K for now. After that... can you tell me if you've seen this ape?''

\tVargus removed his holopad from a pocket. He displayed an image of Flint's face. The gibbon looked over the screen. ``Doesn't look familiar too me. We don't get too many like him. Most gorillas wind up working with pirates, so they've got plenty to drink without coming here.'' The gibbon poured a shot for Vargus.

\tThe foreman took the glass and gave it a swallow. The synthetic drink burned as it went down his throat. He was a big man, so it wouldn't do much to intoxicate him. He passed the gibbon a half credit bill before standing up from the stool. He gave Axel a nudge. The boy was still staring at the other monkey with an intense fixation.

\tAxel got off of his seat and followed the foreman to the other table. The pig sat down across from the large orangutan. The orangutan looked over at Axel, lust in his eyes before trailing his gaze towards Vargus. He sat his stein down and popped a pipe into his mouth. Hit lit the pipe and blew dark smoke from his mouth. He gave the feminine white furred monkey's ass a hard squeeze which caused him to moan loudly.

\t``Ahoy there!'' The ape said,  friendliness in his voice. ``You two have some sort of business?''

\t``My name is Vargus, I'm working on a bounty. This is my client.'' He pointed over to Axel who gave a meek wave to the pair. ``I'm looking for his step-dad, a big gorilla named Flint. Seen any big gorillas about?''

\t``Can't say I have.'' The ape groped at the girly monkey's bulge, kneading it softly with his thick primate fingers. The white furred monkey moaned, his pink tongue rolling out of his mouth. ``Nnn...'' He said, practically purring like a cat from the ape's advances.

\t``I heard you do some jobs.'' Vargus said, trying to gauge the ape. ``I could use a little help.''

\tThe ape sucked from his pipe a little. ``Sorry, I'm all booked up. Unless your ape friend suddenly vanished from space, I'm not interested.''

\t``Wait... how did you?'' Vargus tried to stop himself from saying more.

\tThe orangutan cracked a small smile. ``Ah. Another victim. You see, Mr. Bounty Hunter, there's things going on in space that the Union isn't telling people about. Ships have been vanishing all over the sector. Some think it's the Maddened, but I doubt it. No... this is something much bigger, and I'm onto it.''

\tHe honked the boy's ass with a firm grip. ``Any spacer worth his salt knows that there's only one vessel capable of doing this, the Ghost Ship. A ship crewed by the souls of massacres lost to time. It's a ship unlike any other. It can vanish and appear at will, taking any ship completely unprepared.''

\t``And you believe in this Ghost Ship?''

\t``Aye, not only do I believe it, but I've seen it! Well. Sort of.'' He puffed from his pipe. ``I had just wrapped up a job. My ship, The Gumption is the best ship of her size. It might not be the biggest, but I've put a lot of work into her. We received a distress signal out from the Galaniar system out in neutral space. It was a Union cruise vessel, err... I believe it was called The Onshore. Figured there might be some kind of money for it. I got into comms with the captain who said that they were being attacked by something big, a cruiser. Their comms must've been jammed pretty quick because that's all they said before the signal went dead. Had my ship kick on the warp drives and tried to get there. We were too late, however... I saw something.

\t``On my radar, there was something out there, something big and powerful. My sensors weren't able to get much besides its size and rough power signature before it vanished without a trace. Completely gone. No warp trails, nothing. It was like it had never been there.''

\tHe gave the boy's asscheek a twist, eliciting a groan. ``All I know is that based on what little information my ship's sensors were able to retrieve that it was definitely cruiser sized, and the power signature was far larger than any cruiser I've encountered. Could be nothing other than the Ghost Ship.''

\tVargus wasn't familiar with the story of a ghost ship. Spacers' tales did have a degree of truth to them, though. Surely there was more to it, though. It wasn't much of a lead into the Flint case, but it was all he had currently. The orangutan leaned forward, looking the foreman dead in the eyes. ``Now, so, you say you're looking for the kid's father? He went missing out in space?''

\t``Er... yes, I uh...''

\t``Kid, can you tell me what happened to your dear step-dad?'' The orangutan asked the boy.

\tAxel broke his gaze from the squirming, squealing girly monkey. His face was flush as he had been enjoying the show. He gulped. Time for him to shine. ``Uh, I was at school. I got a report from a space patrol officer that my dad's ship vanished. It was uh... very sudden.''

\t``You're a cute kid, but an awful liar.'' The ape said with a smirk. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Vargus. ``You put on a good front, but you don't come off as a bounty hunter. No bounty hunter would ever accept a job from a debtee.'' He said, pointing at Axel's blue Assurance. The monkey flushed. They'd been caught so easily!

\tVargus was speechless.

\t``Now, I think some of what you're saying is true.'' The orangutan shoved a thick finger into the eager mouth of the moaning effeminate teen. He slid his finger in and out before adding another. The boy suckled on it loudly. ``I bet the rest is all hush-hush stuff, politics and whatnot. I don't care about any of that. Truth is, I could use a little help too.''

\t``What kind of help?'' Vargus asked.

\t``You and I are more than likely looking for the same thing. I'm hunting this Ghost Ship, and I'm going to take it down. It'll make me a living legend, and more importantly, it'll make me rich. Your man Flint might be alive. I also believe that this ship is the same that kidnapped that dumb bitch Lady Katia. Most of my crew got scared off during that encounter, so now I have a ship but not much of a crew. You two could be of good help.''

\tSlowly, the molested monkey boy pulled the thick wet fingers from his mouth. He cuddled the big ape, pressing his face against his ear. ``Oh... Rekir~ No one has ever faced the Ghost Ship and lived~ You're so braveee~''

\t``Snow, please.'' The large ape pushed the smaller monkey off of his lap. ``The men are talking. How about you and dear little... Axel, was it, run along and let the adults discuss business.''

\tThe ape crammed a bill into the snow white monkey's pants through his waistband. Snow gave a little giggle and looked at Axel. ``Hey, let's get something to eat~''

\tVargus looked at the blushing teen. He leaned close to the boy. ``Stay in the bar, keep an eye out.''

\tAxel gave the foreman a nod and followed the other simian towards the bar. The orangutan ran large fingers across his fat, flat face. ``Eugh... sorry about that. Now... where were we...'' He looked back, looking at the pair of boys sitting together. He looked at both of their seats planted on the stools with a low growl. Rekir puffed his pipe. ``So who's the boy really? Is he some kind of servant?''

\t``It's a long story.'' Vargus said, a cough escaping his lips.

\t``Well, you don't need to tell me anything you don't want to.'' Rekir exhaled a thick gray plume a smoke. ``He's a cute little thing, though. Would you...?''

\t``Don't put a hand on him.'' The porcine said gruffly. His body stiffened. ``He's been through a lot.''

\t``I recognize the uniform, a factory boy.'' Rekir said, taking in a deep drag. ``Sorry, now I'm getting off topic.''

\t``What if I told you that after Flint vanished, he was sighted here?'' Vargus asked the man, leaning forward.

\t``Well, if he's here, why don't you just go hit him up or something?'' The orangutan said dismissively.

\t``That's the thing, he was gone, he apparently was here, and now he's gone again.'' Vargus tried to explain. ``The ship that he was on wasn't a small ship either. It hasn't been seen since he first vanished. I'm not sure if it's linked with with this Ghost Ship of yours, but it doesn't seem too far off. You think it could be pirates?''

\tThe old ape thought for a moment. ``Pirates? Well, that's what I first thought when these ships have been vanishing. It's not just your man and the Lady who've gone missing. It's a whole bunch of them. It's causing a real issue with the spacers, as many are refusing to leave planetside now. Cowards. It does sound like pirate work, but no pirate has had a ship like that, as far as I've seen it.''

\t``You met a lot of pirates?'' Asked a suspicious Vargus.

\t``Oh, sure, loads of them. They're all over here on Hadarr.'' The ape said, a wide smile across his face. ``I'll work with them if I need to, but I don't let any on my ship, and I don't work for them. Most of the pirates around this sector are smaller gangs, just wanting to raid cargo ships and spend it on women and booze.''

\tThe fat ape set his pipe down. ``Let's get to the chase, Mr. Bounty Hunter. I need some bodies for my ship. We can help each other. You help me with getting this Ghost Ship, and I'll help you find your gorilla. If he's not with the Ghost Ship, then I'll pay you for your time.'' He reached into a chest pocket and showed the pig a glossy chip. ``Everyone here is scared stupid from that damn ship. I'll pay you twenty thousand credits for your work.''

\tThe foreman's eyes bugged out of his skull. Twenty thousand? That wasn't a small chunk of change. Still, it wouldn't matter much if they didn't find Flint... though, maybe he could give the cash to the captain, hoping it would cause the old fox to spare the boy of his retched fate. There didn't appear to be many other options and this had literally fallen onto his lap from his first encounter. It was best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.  

\t``Fine, I'll do it.'' Vargus said, the words weighing heavy as he spoke.

\t``Good man.'' The orangutan heaved himself from his seat. The foreman watched as he walked with a pronounced limp. His eyes saw the ape's right leg was completely mechanical. The metal leg hissed and wheezed as gears and servos whirred. A thin wisp of steam came from the thick metal limb. ``What, never seen a cyborg before?'' The ape said, chuckle sounding. ``Meet me here tomorrow morning, that'll give you time to get anything you need done wrapped up. I'll take you to my ship. Until then, Mr. Bounty Hunter.''

\tHe heaved as he turned to the door. Vargus watched the ape limp away from the table, a slow, awkward hobble. He looked back at Axel and Snow, the two boys were talking, with Snow being the much more louder of the pair. He called back to the thickly built old orange furred simian. ``Hey, aren't you going forgetting someone?''

\tThe ape lit his pipe again, looking back at the foreman with an amused expression. ``He's not my kid. He's just local flesh.'' Then he was out the door.

\tVargus felt a shudder across his pink body. What had he gotten himself into? Hopefully this would be the answer to this wild goose chase that Sullivan had sent him on. He removed himself from the table and approached the pair of boys. Axel was running his hands eagerly on the flesh of a large foul haunch. The boy had eaten almost all of it. It was a generous piece of meat. Axel took another bite, swallowing it loudly.

\t``You've never been on a ship?'' He asked the other boy.

\t``No, never, I've been on Hadarr all my life.'' Snow admitted, looking at Axel with his giant green eyes. The beautiful boy wiped his hands on his red stained apron. ``I work over at a processing plant. It's not fun work, but it pays enough for me. I'm saving up for a shuttle off of this puddle. I want to go somewhere with trees to climb on.'' He said, a dreamy sigh. ``A place where I can swing around, make more friends my age, hang from my tail and nap all day.''

\t``That sounds really nice.'' Axel said, licking at the thick bone in his hands. ``I've been on a few ships, actually, I might be able to-''

\t``Axel, we're leaving.'' Vargus put a hand on the boy's shoulder. Axel almost jumped out of his seat from the sudden pretense of the foreman. His heart jumped from his scrawny chest. He frowned, looking up at the pig's stern expression. ``Oh, well, can we take Snow with us? He bought me some food and he's really nice. We can show him the ship.''

\t``Maybe next time.'' Vargus said, trying to let the boy down easy. He looked at the other monkey. Snow's giant emerald eyes seemed to swallow him up. He was such a pretty thing. Vargus felt his heart roll up his throat. He looked away from the boy's begging expression and helped Axel out of his seat. ``We need to get you vaccinated and I need to make a report back to...'' He looked and saw that the white monkey was seemingly listening in on the pair of them, leaning closely. ``I just have to get a few things taken care of. You'll have time to hang around with him later, okay, kid?''

\tAxel pouted. ``Fine, fine...'' He said as the foreman lead him out of the bar. The boy lifted his arm up and looked at the display of his Assurance. A smile spread across his simian face.

\tSullivan?s breath hitched in his throat as he felt the wet yet cold tongue upon his most sensitive of flesh. The ancient fox was sitting against a wall, his trousers undone and awkwardly stretched across his lower legs. His many medals jingled against the red silk of his uniform as he twitched, looking down at the young boy that was pleasuring him.

\tA tiny orange furred feline was on his small knees. His rough yet so silky tongue lapped at the warm flesh of the captain's aged sheath. The fox groaned, the red flesh of his canine cock partially escaped from its confines. In his many years, he couldn't sustain a full erection anymore. The man's cock drooled out a lazy thick trail of pre-cum onto the boy's chin. The kid's tongue lapped at the semen, slurping at it loudly.

\t``Oh, Oliver...'' The captain groaned, gripping the boy's face.

\tGrey, glazed over eyes stared back at the fox. His mouth hung open, drool and cum leaking from it. The boy's unthinking stare peered into the fox's ancient soul. The fox groped the boy's ass, feeling the soft material of the cat's white briefs against his paw. He admired the gold piping of the little white sailor uniform he had purchased for the feline. Though, the kid's hat was slightly askew. He adjusted the boy's hat. The orange kitty didn't make a sound.

\tThe vulpine's paw ran up the flesh of the boy's young butt and trailed up his back. A hard, thick lump greeted the man's fingers. The fox's expression soured. He kept forgetting about what was under the boy's shirt. Attached the the cat's spinal cord was a round, oblong plate of metal that contained most of the machinery that was keeping him `alive' in a sense. He gripped Oliver's young face and brought it back towards his cock. More red flesh had escaped his sheath, making his length visibly throb. ``Just a little more.''

\tThe boy's cold tongue began to lap at the man's half-mast penis. The fox gripped on the boy's head roughly, bringing it down onto his penis. Oliver awkwardly slurped at the man's prick. His cold spit coating it and making it glisten in the room's faint light. Sullivan did most of the work, using the kid's young face as a improvised masturbation device. ``Ah, fuck... Oliver...'' He said, ``I wish I hadn't had to kill you. You're not much to talk to these days. Nnng... miss having you talk about your day and...ff... miss being able to cum without any of the work. Ah, fuck...''

\tHis penis had been one of the two parts he'd never had any work done. The captain over the years had become an horrifying amalgamation of organs and limbs from many different people. He wondered how many had died to provide him with the parts that kept him alive. Biotechnology was very illegal in the Empire, and even the procedures he had done on himself were considered borderline unethical in the territory of the Union. He knew he was a freak, he didn't deny it. After he finally ditched Oda and pocketed this purse, he'd be set to continue his long lived life elsewhere.

\tHis cock twitched in the young cat's mouth. He groaned as his cum oozed from his half-mast dick. He wish he possessed the flesh to knot the boy and get stuck in him. His aged penis hadn't been replaced due to his pride. As such, it barely functioned. Only the young flesh of boys caused it to operate at all. He huffed as the pulled the boy off of him, his canine cum leaking from the boy's mouth. ``Oliver, you want to know something funny?''

\tThe sailor outfit clad kitten didn't so much as flinch.

\t``Today would have been your thirteenth birthday, how amusing is that?'' He said, a hearty laugh sounded.

\tThe boy suddenly erupted in laughter. The captain's cum escaping his mouth and landing on his medals. The boy's laugh was stilted and unnatural, a mere echo of the mirth the captain delivered.

\tThe fox's cock slowly retreated back into his sheath. He sighed, panting as his heart raced. How many hearts had he gone through? Each one seemed more prone to weakness than the last. He grunted, looking at the boy's face. The kid just stared blankly. ``You know, you're not much for conversation anymore.'' He said, wishing the boy's pretty green eyes hadn't faded so much since his ordered killing. There was a sudden knock at the door. Angrily, the fox pressed a foot against the boy's chest and pushed him off roughly. The cat landed with a thud, not making a single noise from his mouth. His sailor cap fell off, revealing a mess of wires that escaped from his skull and retreated into the back of his white shirt.

\t``Who is it?'' Asked an annoyed Sullivan.

\t``It's Yong, I need to talk with you.'' The Siamese's voice was pleading.

\t``Enter.'' The captain said loudly.

\tThe doors to his large, elegant room opened. The obese feline stepped in. His fur was a mess, his uniform was stained with sweat. Yong didn't look much like himself. He was twitching, his eyes darting everywhere. Sullivan pulled himself up, his nuts and sheath jiggled as he did. He pulled his pants up and redressed himself. He glared at the intruder. ``You're lucky I finished before you knocked.'' He said, fists balling. ``You better have a good reason to interrupt me.''

\tThe Siamese looked at the reanimated boy laying on the plush carpet. The boy was staring out at the ceiling, his lips moving slightly but no words coming out. The older feline swallowed. He had hoped he'd never have to see that thing again. He averted his gaze and looked back at Sullivan who was staring him down with a hateful glare. The captain wiped cum from his shining medals, waiting for Yong to speak.

\t``It's about Vargus, he... took that boy with him.'' He said, his voice desperate. ``We need to get him out of that ship. No one else was supposed to get hurt. I can't bear for another child to wind up...AGH!''

\tWith great speed, the captain's hand found its way on the feline's fat throat. Pressure on his windpipe caused his words to stop. He felt the grip tighten. He gurgled, his face turning pink. The captain's reddened face snarled at him. ``You came to my quarters just to bitch at me? You insolent, little cur.'' He tossed the man towards the ground. The feline felt onto the carpet in a fat lump. He gasped for are and grabbed at his ailing throat. ``Captain...'' He wheezed out, thick phlegm sputtering from his lips. ``I just...'' He coughed. ``I didn't want what happened before to happen again, please...'' He felt a retch coming. He let out a little dry heave before wobbling back on his feet, his entire body swaying. ``I'll... give you part of my purse, just, get that boy off of that ship.''

\t``I'm afraid it can't be done.'' The fox wiped his wrist like it had touched something filthy. ``Vargus wouldn't leave without him. Maybe he'll actually manage to track Flint down, then you won't have anything to worry about.''

\t``Captain, please, this is too much.'' The Siamese blubbered. ``No one was supposed to die from this. We're not murderers. Call them back, or... something!''

\t``I'm not a murderer.'' The fox strode over towards the fat cat, jabbing a finger into his chest. ``You're the only murderer in this room. Poor Ollie, having someone mess with his favorite breakfast...''

\t``You ordered me to do it!'' Yong said, his face twisted into that of anger. ``You...you...''

\tThere was another knock at the door. The two men looked at each other and then at the boy lying on the ground. Wordlessly, the Siamese grabbed the kid and took him towards the man's bedroom, making sure to close the door behind him. Sullivan adjusted his uniform, checking for any remains of semen on it. Satisfied, he spoke loudly. ``Please, come in.''

\tHe was greeted by the sweaty form of a familiar ferret. The security chief looked like she had seen a ghost. The captain had never seen her like this before. It had to be important. ``Captain, we need you on the bridge. We found the captain of the Beowulf. He's been spaced. Something's going on out there, I don't know what, but it's big.''

\t``I'll be there.'' The captain said, unfazed by this statement. ``No sign of the trading ship itself, then?''

\t``Not a one, no debris, nothing.'' Rosca said, sighing as she spoke. ``Where's Vargus? We need him to make sure there's no panic among the miners.''

\tThe silver fox felt his throat tighten.

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