The Starfox Adventures

[Marcus McCloud]

In 2557, Earth standard date, humans met the Cornerians. The Cornerians had been rescuing Marcus McCloud from an attack from a group of pirates that had been presumed destroyed before the death of James McCloud. After a recruitment of a Spartan, Marcus set out to find and eliminate the pirates. The first engagement brought down a pirate cruiser. The pirates tried revenge by using contacts in the Lylatian Central Intelligence to recruit that Spartan for an assassination of Sabrina McCloud. Sabrina is Marcus' wife, and is a soon-to-be mother whose children, in the mythology of the pirates, will mark the end of the pirates forever if they are born. The assassination was a failure. It ended with the death of the contact. The pirates made a retreat and regroup after those events. The base at which they hid was found and Marcus was ordered to destroy the base by any means necessary. He was wounded and put into suspended animation for repairs.

After the destruction of the base, the reconnaissance party for the pirates started recruiting from the gangs in Corneria City, there was hope of restoring the pirates to their former glory. A reynard named Ricardo Herrera got too close to finding the answer, so the leader of the pirates, Lunera Lupus, knifed him and left him to die. After he was revived, the LCI claimed he had died. He was renamed Vexus and formed a team that would lure the pirates to them, and they killed the pirate group that met them. 200 pirate recruits offered to become part of Vexus' team. When he refused, they opened fire. The eventual death of the pirates that attacked them nearly resulted in the loss of the entire team.

During all of this, Sabrina McCloud realized that there was too great a chance for her to be killed, so she made an escape plan to leave to Earth. The plan worked and they set up home in a contact's house. Soon after, Col. Robert Floyd met up with the contact and the McCloud family by accident and told them about the pirate representative coming to Earth. Kevin O'Donnel, wolf's son, was found bleeding from a fight. They brought him in and he agreed to keep quiet. They planned the representative's assassination, and it was successful. However, Fox was wounded, and Col. Floyd was killed. Marcus woke up after they came back. The story continues...

[Poplatino44]

We received the order to fall back. We retreated back to the LCI with the few surviving members. Including my love, Monica. Ever since I almost lost her, she has never left my side again.

[Marcus McCloud]

I woke to a soft, shifting light. My eyes protested to their use, and failed to focus on what I thought was a ceiling. They focused, and the ceiling formed into a flat, and solid surface. I looked to my side. Sabrina was under a paper banner. Fox and Krystal were on both sides. The banner said "Welcome back, Marcus". Sabrina stepped up to me. "You gave us a scare, Marcus. I hope you won't do that again." I smiled and got up off the couch. My legs burned, but I stood straight. "I won't, Sabrina. You can count on that." I kissed her. Fox smiled, and Kevin walked up to me. "My name is Kevin O'Donnell. It's an honor to meet you." I shook his hand. "The pleasure is all mine. So, what has been happening since I was put into suspended animation?" Sabrina giggled. "A fair amount, but we've baked a cake and I starving."

[Poplatino44]

At the LCI, we where debriefed and let go. "So, Vexus, u have a choice, you stay as is or you can revert back to your original color." On of the LCI employees stated. I decided to revert back to my original color. With Monica in the room I stepped into the auto doc. After a few minute, I step out, brown fur and black fur back in place. Monica looked at me and said, "and I though you where cute before." I asked the worker about information about the McClouds, "I haven't heard anything yet."

[Marcus McCloud]

After the long story, and the cake, we decided to send a message to the LCI building on Corneria. We sent it as an anonymous E-mail. It read:

"Dear Ricardo,

We know you're alive. Colonel Floyd told us so don't try to hide the fact. We've been hiding here for three weeks now and would like to be free of this imprisonment if the pirates are dead. Our address is enclosed in the attached file. We hope to see you soon.

Your friends,
The McClouds

Afterward, Sabrina snacked on a bit more than she usually did. She had a chicken breast (which are not found on Corneria), two slices of cake, and an omelet she prepared. We knew the mother munchies had finally arrived.

{As a LCI operative} I looked over Vexus' report. I was amazed he had survived. His love for Monica was not surprising, but Monica's love for him was unusual. She was never quick to become a girlfriend unless she had a good gut feeling. The report from the forensics department arrived. What I saw gave me pause. I stood up and walked to Ricardo. "Ricardo, how many pirates were you attacked by?"

[Fuzz]

Fuzz again began to shake the new friend he had made in his hospital bed. "Come on man, wake up, they need this room for other injured people, get your ass in gear!" Before this, the person in this hospital bed, had saved his life, if not his leg, by lifting a support beam off of him, they had recovered for a few hours then suffered an attack which had ended in an explosion, then they were rushed off to the hospital. "Come on can you hear me?"

[Poplatino44]

"A good 200 sir. Most of them where low ranking, unarmed and untrained. The good majority where armed, we only just survived." I told the operative. I started to count in my head, then I grin. "Yea, just a little 200."

[Poplatino44]

Another operative walked into the room, he walked up to me. "Ricardo, right?" I nod. "We just received an email from the sol sector for you. Here you go." He hands me the tablet, I read it and smiled. "Its good to know the McClouds are fine. Hey, Moni, how does a small trip sound?" "Good to me, I need to relax a little." "Ok," I look at the operative, "do me a favor, book 2 trips to Earth in the Sol sector." The operative nods, grabs the tablet and taps it a few time. "Done, you leave today at night." "Thanks, let's get ready." Before anything happens, a meeting was called. We all showed up. All went quiet when the president walked in. "Good morning gentlemen, and women. I would like to congratulate you all. You saved Corneria and the lylat system. You are now declared heroes and will receive a medal of honor. Your fallen comrades have not been forgotten, their bodies where recovered and a proper funeral has been announced." The president gave the group their medals, he walked up to me. "Hello again. Its good to know you survived the cyanide and the ambush. It is my honor to award you this medal, but also to ask such a capable soldier as yourself to join ELA (elite lylat alliance) as a ambassador of Corneria." I looked around, and responded. "Sorry Mr. President. But I will have to decline. I have people I need to catch up with." "Very well. The offer still stands, if you are ever interested." I nod and shake his hand. Signal to Monica that we must get going.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Lylatian Operative} He smiled. "Well, I'll miss you. Your real name is Ricardo, right?" He blinked as Monica came to him. "M-Monica? Wow, I thought you would never fall for anyone..." This guy must be something... She swore never to be a girlfriend. I believed it myself. "Good luck. And say hi to the McClouds for me." He extended his hand for a shake.

[Poplatino44]

Monica looked at the operative. "Yea, I know, but he is different." She looked at me. "He risked his life to save the lives of people he bearly even know. He has risked he life for me. He is brave and well, he knows how to treat a girl." She walked up to me and gave me a hug. "Well, your ship is about to leave. Come, ill walk you to the taxi." The operative stated in a formal manner. I nodded and we started to walk.

[Poplatino44]

We arrived at the taxi. We loaded our things in to the taxi and Monica said her goodbyes. We got in the taxi, "The Cornerian Spaceport please." Ewe started to move. A few minutes later, we arrived at the port, we unloaded our things and walked to the waiting area. "Flight number 411 now boarding." We went over to the loading gate and boarded the shuttle. "Good evening, welcome to flight 411 of the Cornerian Airlines." The pilot goes through the security procedures. We take off, once we reach a safe distance, we jump into hyper drive. Monica and I take one of the rooms to rest during the jump. 3 days pass quickly, we arrive at the LAX spaceport. We grab a taxi and give the drive the directions. We arrive at the house, I take a deep breath and knock.

[Marcus McCloud]

I kiss Sabrina and a knock is heard at the door. I walk up and open it. "Ricardo... you had us going for a bit." I noticed his friend. "Ah. Come in. We are already crowded, what's two more?" Sabrina, Fox, Krystal, Panther, Leon, and Fara were waiting at the door. However, Kevin and Wolf were catching up on each others life. Wolf had not even known he had a son, and Kevin would have never left the pirates and told the LCI his codes to get in the base without knowing about Wolf in the news. I smiled at them, then turned back to Ricardo. "So, what has been happening?"

[Poplatino44]

"Marcus, glad your up. Well, quite a crowd. Ohh... This is Monica, my girl." Monica looks at Marcus and shakes his hand. Monica then states, "I'm his girlfriend." I cut her off. "How's everyone? May we come in?"

[Marcus McCloud]

I smile. "Sure." Sabrina frowns. "Monica... your lucky I don't blast you to-" I cut her off. "Whoa, hold on. You know her?" Sabrina stepped up to her. "Yeah, I know her. I knew her in highschool." The fire in her eyes was putting everyone in the room on the defensive.

[Poplatino44]

"Wow, hold on a second." I pull Monica back, holding her by the neck. "Can you please explain what's going on here." I look at Sabrina.

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina looked at Monica and smiled. "Damn, I can never keep a straight face." I blinked. "So, she's a friend I take it?" Sabrina giggled. "The best. We went our separate ways years ago. Monica, can I have a hug?" Her fire died.

[Poplatino44]

I just look as they both hugged, "Women are strange." In the corner we hear a sarcastic "Amen." coming from Falco. "So what has been going on?" I look at Sabrina. "So how about a hug? After all, I did kill the person that was trying to destroy you."

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina slapped him. "That's for playing dead!"

[Poplatino44]

"Hey!! My playing dead saved all of your families lives." I call out immediately. Everyone turns.

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina gave a kiss that got Monica and I a little jealous. She made it last. She pulled away, with a quick lick to Ricardo's upper lip. "That is for coming back." Monica and I blinked.

[Oreos627]

As soon as that was said, another knock was heard at the door

[Poplatino44]

I stood there dumbstruck. "Umm... What just happened?" I blinked, everyone in the room was looking now. It was a really awkward moment.

[Oreos627]

*In a gruff familiar voice that Ricardo know's and dreads* Final chance, open up orthe door comes down.

[Poplatino44]

"Aww hell no." I slowly opened the door.

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina smiles at me, and I blink. "What just happened?" She giggled. "That is something you will never ever know." I sighed relief. "Good. Women weirdness is not for men." Falco called out. "Seconded!" Monica crossed her arms. "Ric? What the hell was that?"

[Oreos627]

Hello Lieutenant Ricardo. Remember me? I'll give you a hint, I was your captain.

[Fuzz]

Fuzz loses his patience with the man laying in the hospital bed, and punches him hard on the shoulder. "Fred! Wake your ass up and get moving! We got other people who need medical attention from the attack." (Okay so I don't know if it was Fred or not >> Sue me)

[Poplatino44]

"Captain. Good to see you." I shake your hand. i turn to Monica and grab her hand before she slaps me. "Hey, i dont know either, that came out of nowhere."

[Oreos627]

Good to see you again.

[Poplatino44]

"Marcus, meet Captain Hauser, my former captain." I present him to Marcus and he shook his hand.

[Oreos627]

Hi there, sorry to drop in like this. However, it wasn't my choice. Command sent me to go with you guys.

[Marcus McCloud]

Fuzz loses his patience with the man laying in the hospital bed, and punches him hard on the shoulder. "Fred! Wake your ass up and get moving! We got other people who need medical attention from the attack." (Okay so I don't know if it was Fred or not >> Sue me)

{As Fred} He blots up. He raises two fingers. "That's strike two. What the fuck do you want?"

[Marcus McCloud]

I chuckled. "Sorry, but the war is over. That is unless some pirates survived the attack." I looked at Ricardo. "They're dead, right? All of them?"

[Poplatino44]

I nod. "Yes, all of them. Right after the day we killed Lunera, the LCI mounted a assult on the pirate base." I grinned, "The bombed it."

[Fuzz]

"Strike two my ass man! We need to get out of here, now! We got brought to the hospital and treated, now there kicking us out on our asses so they can get other victims of the attack in here." Fuzz replied, clearly agitated. "Come on, I'll buy breakfast but we need to get out of here."

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} He got up. "Fine! Fine! Jeez, your like my mother. 'Fred, have you called Rosaline? Mom, Rosaline left me 5 years ago!' See how alike you two are?" His ears perked. "Breakfast?"

[Fuzz]

Fuzz frowned. "Fine next time I'll let them dump you in the street themselves. Yea, there's this place down the street where I used too eat at all the time, good portions of good food and a good price, it's called Ramsey's." He started heading toward the exit of the room, then turned left to walk down the hallway.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} He stood straighter. "I know that place! I love it!" He grabbed his stuff. "The place next to it sells good seafood too. I'm hungry. Well, tension does that to you." He slung his coat over his shoulder.

[Fuzz]

(No joke, there's this place by my house that goes by the same name, awesome breakfast spot)

Fuzz shrugged walking down the hall. "I've never been huge on seafood, but I feel like I could eat a deluxe burger meal, and still have room for the breakfast special. Two eggs any way you want um, half a plate of hash browns, four pieces of sausage or bacon, and toast of your choice, all only $3.71." He spoke smuggly, as if ordering this particular dish enough times to memorize everything was an accomplishment.

(Can't even tell me that's not a good deal.)

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} He rubbed his lower lip with his hand to keep a bead of drool form falling on the ground. "That sounds good. I'm in! So, Ramsey's... I'll remember that.

(I'm going to find that place on google earth.)

[Oreos627]

Fuck that place. I prefer ihop ( no offence, I just wanted to speak again). Their new 2, 4, 6, 8 meal deal is faaaaaaaaantastic!

[Fuzz]

(I'll help. It's in southgate Michigan on Dix. Ramsey's Coney Island. Little ways down from where I live on mulberry street in the same city (for anyone who thinks this is a bad idea, forget about it I sleep with a gun, i won't get raped.))

Fuzz smirked and started running once they got out in the parking lot. "Come on I'll race you, it's just across the street and down a little ways."

EDIT: (Man Ihop can suck my nuts! Better quality food here. If I want biscuits and gravy I'll go to Bob Evan's.)

[Oreos627]

( Good point, I do love their hash brown and sausages though).

[Poplatino44]

"Hey Marcus. Wheres Fox and Krysta? I wanna say hi." i look around and cant seem to see them.

[Marcus McCloud]

(I'll help. It's in southgate Michigan on Dix. Ramsey's Coney Island. Little ways down from where I live on mulberry street in the same city (for anyone who thinks this is a bad idea, forget about it I sleep with a gun, i won't get raped.))

Fuzz smirked and started running once they got out in the parking lot. "Come on I'll rave you, it's just across the street and down a little ways."

EDIT: (Man Ihop can suck my nuts! Better quality food here. If I want biscuits and gravy I'll go to Bob Evan's.)

(Ugh, you have to think about getting raped?)

[Marcus McCloud]

I stepped back and Krystal hugged Ricardo. Fox was close behind her and shook Ricardo's hand. "Thanks for the help."

[Fuzz]

(Not when I have a gun. No.)

[Marcus McCloud]

...(Touche')

[Oreos627]

Hi there Mr. Fox and Mrs. Krystal.

[Marcus McCloud]

Fox shook the captain's hand. "Sir." Krystal curtsied. "Captain." Marcus saluted. "Sir."

[Oreos627]

I shake Fox's hand, bow to Krystal, and salute Marcus. "So, are we going to eat"?

[Poplatino44]

"No need for thanks, Mr. and Mrs. McCloud. I was just completing a promice i made to you all. Guarding your family." Monica walked off and saw Slippy in the background. She walked up to him.

as Monica: "Why does everyone wanna kiss and hug Ricardo?" She looked at me while i talked to Fox. "I just dont get it."

as Slippy: "He is the reason Marcus and Sabrina are alive. He was the only one to volunteer willingly to rescue them both at that pirate outpost." Slippy served himself some soda.

as Monica: "I see now." ^Risking his own life, to save the lives of people he just met. He sure is commited.^ "Thanks Toad." She walked back to me and gave me a long deep kiss infront of everyone. "Now i know why they like you so much, you are the reason those two are alive." She pointed at Sabrina and Marcus.

as Me: "I was just fullfilling a promise i made."

[Oreos627]

( OK seriously, is Slippy the worst charector is star fox or what)

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina frowned. "No you didn't. You risked your own arse before you made the deal. Not only did you keep your promise, we owe you." I stepped up. "We all do." Krystal joined. "If there is anything we can do for you..." Fox finished. "... We'd be glad to do it." Falco smirked. "I still think he's as lost as my car keys and-" Everyone turned on him at once. "Falco, shut up!"

[Oreos627]

" Wow. Now that's unity."

[Poplatino44]

"I have one question. Can you connect me with Zullivan Jacoban via video?"

[Oreos627]

( Who? Me?)

[Poplatino44]

(No, them)

[Oreos627]

( Thank you)

[Marcus McCloud]

A voice projected from behind him that shook the house. "They did better than that." Large panther arms grasped Ricardo in a death grip.

[Poplatino44]

"Zuly... Ugg... Sorry for the fright i might of given you... Samantha, you came as well." I freed myself of Zuly's death grip and go to Samantha. "Hello. Sorry for anything."

as Monica (to Sabrina): "Umm... who is that?" She asked in utter confusion.

[Marcus McCloud]

Samantha slapped Ricardo. "That's for playing dead!" She grabbed Monica and thrust her into Ricardo so that they kissed. "That's for coming back."

[Poplatino44]

I grab Monica and hold her up. "Monica, this is Samantha, my sister. And this, this is Zullivan. My childhood friend."

[Marcus McCloud]

Samantha curtsied. "Monica." Monica curtsied back. "Samantha." Zullivan bowed. "Monica." Falco stretched. "Not that I love 14 people in one living room, but can't we talk in a place a little more open?"

[Oreos627]

Seriously! When are we going to eat?

[Poplatino44]

"There is some finger food next to Slippy. Enjoy." i look at falco. "Your the only one complaining. Just shut it if you can"

[Marcus McCloud]

Falco cringed. "Closing my mouth? You must be joking. I'm adorable." He fluttered his eyes which made me want to explode with laughter. Krystal held it down. "No, Falco. He's serious. I know it's a tough job, but to shut up means you have more to think about. Plus we don't get the urge to smack you in the jaw." He shut his mouth. "Hummms phiss?" Krystal patted him on the shoulder. "Better."

[Poplatino44]

I held back any laughter and looked around. Monica walked to the middle of the room and called for everyones attention. "Umm... excuse me. Can i have a second?" I look at her and said, "What the hell are you doing." She replied, "You will see. I propose a toast. A toast for the Starfox team for keeping our galaxy safe for years. To Fox and Krystal, for letting us into their hearts. To Marcus and Sabrina, may you two live happily as long as you live. To Falco, for whose big mouth kept us lauging at rough times. To everyone present for caring. Last but not least, to Ricardo, for whose bravery showed that anything can be accomplised. Also, i have one more thing to say, Ricardo, i... am... pregnant." My jaw dropped in awe, i looked around. "WHAT!!!!!!???"

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina smiled, Krystal coughed, Fox fell, Slippy slipped, Falco finished eating, Samantha sighed, Zullivan couldn't stop staring, Fara fainted, Panther picked Fara up, Leon yawned, and my hand patted Ricardo's shoulder. "Congratulations, Ricardo." I raised a glass.

"From the sands of Titania, to the waters of Zoness;
From the ice of Fichina, to the heat of our sun;
From the closest bit of home, to the farthest reaches of the sky;
May your child's course be true, and your lives sowed with happiness.
Make it so..."

Everyone clinked their glasses. "To Ricardo!" Even Falco clapped for him.

[Poplatino44]

I stood there, dumbfounded. Not a single word came out of my mouth. "Bu... Wh... How..." Monica walked up to me, "Our first night, remember?" "Yea... but... why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked Monica. "I was afraid that your where gonna overreact at the operation. Its been over two month now, almost three months. I was amazed you havent noticed." I grabed her and gave her a hug and i started to talk. "Well this seams as a better time than ever." I get on my knees and pull out a small black box. "Monica, will you marry me?" Monica began to tear, "Yes, i do." she responded, we kissed.

[Marcus McCloud]

We clapped. We were all so teary eyed we didn't say anything. So we just clapped. We hugged them and Zullivan tried to stop sniffling. He hugged Ricardo the hardest. "Try to find time to come over OK?" I hugged Monica. "Be careful." Falco shook Ricardo's hand. "All insults aside, your a nice guy."

[Poplatino44]

"Thanks. Look like we need to start planning a wedding, dont we?" Monica nodded and smiled, "And we need to find some good names. Sabrina, when are your due?"

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina blushed. "Four months." I smiled. "Is having a wedding day on the day your friend has children good luck?"

[Poplatino44]

Monica looked confused. "What do you mean?"

[Oreos627]

Hey. You know that I could wed you on a ship, in the ocean.

[Marcus McCloud]

Slippy's eyes glazed over with astonishment. "The ocean, really! Oh, I haven't had a good salt-water swim in years!" Sabrina thought. "I married Marcus in space, but the ocean could work." I chuckled nervously. "If we do wed Ricardo and Monica on the ocean, I'll need stomach relaxants. I get seasick." Krystal blushed. "You got that from my side of the family."

[Poplatino44]

"The ocean huh... Monica, what do you think?" I look at her and smile. She responds and grins, "Sure, that would be lovely." I nodded, "Then on a ship it is."

[Marcus McCloud]

Sabrina clapped her hands. "Good! Shall we wed them at sunset?" I hesitated, thinking about the ocean... going up, going down, going forward, going back, side to side... I ran to the bathroom. Sabrina blinked. "Marcy? You OK?" A loud gurgling sound was the response. Falco rolled his eyes. "Dear me, he'll need the strong stuff..." Krystal cleared her throat. "Thank you all for coming, but we need to get some sleep now. We'll be taking Earth Starcraft Skylines flight number 2-0-1 at 12:00 tomorrow. Good night."

[Poplatino44]

"Heading back to Corneria? If so, can you book 2 flights?" I asked Krystal.

[Oreos627]

"Ya. I could wed ya. Before I signed up, I was the captain of my own ship."( The reason I say the ocean is the fact that captains can we'd people at sea and only there)

[Marcus McCloud]

Krystal nodded. "Sure, but we're staying one more night. However, I think we can settle for a little lo-" The clock chimed three times. "I guess not." Sabrina shook Oreo's hand. "Alright, where shall we wed them? Earth or- Ricardo? Where do you want to be wed? Earth? Or Corneria?" I came out of the bathroom.

[Oreos627]

This is the least I can do for an old freind and former squad member.

[Poplatino44]

"Mmmm... How about Sauria?" The room went quiet. "Its an idea."

[Marcus McCloud]

Fox smiled and Krystal's face lit up. "Perfect! Tricky has been wanting to have another honeymoon there, but we could have Ricardo's wedding there." I thought. "The Krazoa Palace is only open to marriages and funerals. I pray to god we don't have to use it for both purposes. We will be welcomed there-" Sabrina interrupted. "Just don't touch anything." Even Falco was overtaken by the subtle power in her voice. I continued. "It would be sacrilege. Also, it might be dangerous if you activate something."

[Oreos627]

Let's not go to the planet where if we touch something it's consdered scailage or activate something that'll kill us or turn us sterill or something.

[Marcus McCloud]

I nodded. "Out at sea it's fine there. But in the Palace it's overprotected."

[Oreos627]

So... when are we leaving. I'll book us a flight with an old freind is now in the flight biz. We'll probably get a huge discount.

[Marcus McCloud]

She sighed. "It's 3:30. We need to get some sleep. Right, Marcus?" She looked behind her. "Marcus?" A soft snoring was heard and the couch was occupied by Marcus' sleeping form.

[Poplatino44]

"Silly man he is. Very well, The Saurian ocean it is." I look at the time, "Good lord, I need sleep."

[Marcus McCloud]

Krystal smiled. "Well, sleep is going to be in short supply when the babies arrive, so we should get as much as we can. Good night, Ricardo." Sabina stretched, and hugged Ricardo. "Good night." She broke off the hug, then went to her bed. Krystal hugged Monica. "Good night." She walked to her room. Monica looked at Ricardo. "So, we have one room left..." She smiled gently, not trying to suggest anything but not doing a good job of that.

[Poplatino44]

I smiled. "You are very bad at covering up thing you know." We follow and walk into the empty room. Monica walks in first and gets undressed, I noticed her belly and grinned. "So that's what you have been hiding." She responded, "Yea, but now I don't have to cover it up. You all know." I sat next to her and grinned. "I still can't belive you kept it from me for so long." She just smiled, jumped on me and kissed me. "We have the room to our selfs, what should we do." I smiled, "take a guess."

[Marcus McCloud]

Krystal smiled as Fox crept up behind her. "I'm a telepath, remember?" He hugged her from behind anyway. "Oh well. At least I tried." He looked at the door to Ricardo's room. "Do you think that they'll do it?" Krystal nodded. "They can still have sex when she's pregnant." He smiled. "I meant, will they be able to raise the baby right?" Krystal nodded. "Ricardo's a good man. I know he'll make a good father." They both yawned and agreed to go to bed.

[Oreos627]

" I guess I'll bunk on the floor!" I yell to Fox.

[Poplatino44]

She took off her under garments and layed over me. We kissed, she smiled and started to take off my clothes. "Lets call this, your "Batchelor's Goodbye." You heard low moans during the night. (and like last time, skip sex scene unless it is requested, then I will just edit)

[Marcus McCloud]

Fox grabbed a sleeping bag that was clean. "Yes you will get the sleeping bag, Mr. um"

[Oreos627]

Hauser. And thanks? So there are no more rooms in here? ( Hauser is not my last name, old alias)

[Marcus McCloud]

Fox nodded. "I'm afraid so." Krystal grabbed a large sleeping bag for her and Fox. "Good night, Hauser." They snuggled into the sleeping bag and went to sleep.

[Oreos627]

I hug myself and fall to sleep, dreaming of battles won. They were good dreams.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

((Mind if I join in?))

[Marcus McCloud]

((Not at all MGL,. In fact, I'm opening up to anyone who wants to add a twist to the story.))

[Fuzz]

(Responded to the parenthesis's, but never to the body text >>)

Fuzz looked back at Fred in mid jog. "What's up man? You can't run yet? Are you still hurt?" Fuzz looked somewhat worried but stayed where he was, not wanting to offend him by offering help.

[x adams]

((hey can I join too?, It won't be adam though))

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I sat down. "No, just catching my breath." I was still badly bruised, and running scraped my cut and tore at the scab. "Just a minute or two."

((Sure))

[Fuzz]

Fuzz reached down and dragged him up, pulling him across the sidewalk. "You can sit when we get inside dammit! I'm hungry as hell!" He pulled him through the door and waited to find a seat.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I stiffened, then followed him in. "You said something about a great breakfast here?"

[Fuzz]

"Yea, fills me up every time and it's under four dollars, how's that sound?" Fuzz asked, grinning at him.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} My stomach growls loudly. "My stomach speaks for me." I rub my chin. "Sounds like a big meal for four bucks..." I lick my lips in anticipation.

[Fuzz]

"Like I said, four pieces of bacon or sausage, or two of each, hash browns, two eggs, and toast." He grins and finds a booth to sit down at.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} Sits down on the other side. "Four sausages, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and toast... oh. I'm going to like this place." He leaned back.

[Fuzz]

Fuzz made his order and sat at the booth across waiting for there order. "Good, good, so how have you been?"

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I opened an eye. "Great. But that may change soon." He shifted, feeling pain from the scraped scab.

[Poplatino44]

(lets make it morning since you two are at breakfast.) The sun shone, i nocked in the door to Marcus and Sabrina, and also the door to Fox and Krystal. I yelled, "Rise and shine, we have a ship to catch!!!!"

[Marcus McCloud]

I moaned. "I don't want to catch a ship... salmon are better..." He rolled over as Sabrina blinked and she was awake. Fox rubbed his eyes as Krystal got in the shower. "Marcus... the women are up." I flashed awake. "Not again!" I ran to the shower before Sabrina and laughed. "Ha! Beat you!" She splashed water in my face.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I got up. "Fuzz, I need a visit to the restrooms." I looked around, then trotted down the corridor and smacked into someone holding an orange juice and it spilled on a human with a cypernetic arm and right eye. "Oh, sorry!"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Ah! Dammit. It's alright this shirt cleans easily. I'm actually kinda new here. I need to speak with the a uhh." I pull out a piece of paper and unfold it. "Fox McCloud it says."

[Fuzz]

Fuzz cocked an eye at the spectacle and walked over too see if any trouble was gonna start. "Is everything alright here?"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Yeah everythings fine. My name is Hizoku."

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} "Hi... Hizo...Hizoku. Whew, uh. Hello, Hizoku, I'm Fred Thompson. This is Fuzz." I gestured to Fuzz. "We were just about to have breakfast, want to join us?"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

My stomach gives an automatic rumble at the sound of breakfast. "Ah why the fuck not."

[Fuzz]

Fuzz just shrugged and patted the seat beside him after sitting back down.

(I have a new character to introduce, now I just gotta wait for a good moment.)

[MonsterGirlLuver]

I take a seat next to Fuzz. "So how does this work. Do we grab our own food or is it some kinda automatic system. I saw something like that on another ship it was cool. Very hightech. Scanned your tastebuds and BAM! Instant meal."

[Fuzz]

Fuzz facepalmed and raised a hand. "Yo waitress, we got a spacey guy here who seems to have forgotten about good old human interaction, why don't you get his order?"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

I just glared at Fuzz and said "Hey. I've had plenty of human interaction. It's just some people tend to avoid me." I lift my cybernetic arm.

[Fuzz]

"Ha!" He pointed to the top of his head. "Call me when you're part of some sort of gene altering experiment for, and I quote "Finding the ideal super soldier". Most parents tell there kids to stay away from the monster, and, I'll tell ya, I don't feel very super."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Most kids just point and say 'Mommy what's wrong with that man?' And the mom just pulls them away and says not to point. I think they see me as handicapped but truthfully I've never felt better. Sometimes I'll end up in a place where there's a kid screaming about how he wants some ice cream or candy. I like to scare the little turds by lifting them up with this arm and warn the that my arm is a demon and will eat him if he doesn't show some restraint. It seems to work out. But as I walk away I always end up smelling a faint odor of shit."

[Fuzz]

"Yea well, that's not to say I really mind. Even if it's not natural, it's still who I am....I just wonder what happened too her...Well never mind that now, I think our food is coming." He pointed over too the cooking room and several plates were being brought out.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Nummy. Wait. I forgot to order anything."

[Fuzz]

"We ordered before you got here, just take some of our food, where in a hurry."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Okay." As soon as the trays are set down I take half of each of the their food.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I looked at the two. "Uh, OK." I looked at the menu and coughed. "I didn't know we were in a hurry. *cough*"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

I munched happily on the food. "So what is the crew like?"

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I took over. "Well, I don't know. However, I have been invited to the McClouds' "Welcome Back to Corneria" celebration, so we will be able to find out." I nibbled at the food. "So? What's your story?"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Well. I am normally a hired merc here and there. But I will say I still have a bit of a moral standing. If I get involved with something I feel is wrong I quit. I don't really have a family, they were murdered by the same guy who took my arm and my eye. So I set out to find him, and when I did I ripped his arms off, beat him mercilessly with them, then I took one of his arms, ripped out the bone, snapped it, and impaled him to a tree with his balls hanging out of his mouth. Ever since then I became a merc out of sheer boredom."

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I pushed away my plate. "You have a way of removing appetite. I'm sorry about your family." I rubbed my eyes. "I still need to get back to my family."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

I slide the plate in front of me and eat the remainder. "Thank you. Hope you see your family soon."

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} "She was scared that I might not come back. I have to see her today. I'll make it up to her, I know I will."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Then go man. How far is she from here?"

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I shook my head. "I have no ide..." My eyes were locked on a female Racconese with her six year old son that looked like a younger Fred.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Tht her dude?"
((Fred is Cornerian right? Got no idea what he looks like.))

[Marcus McCloud]

(A Raccoon Cornerian, yes)

{As Fred} I nodded. "I uh, need to go." I ran over to her.

(GTG)

[MonsterGirlLuver]

I sit there and enjoy the food. "Guess I'll just wait here then."

[Fuzz]

Fuzz shrugged "I have nothing batter to do, so I'll come with you as a guest."

((We'll meet my other character there.))

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"I guess we should go then, leave him to his family. He probably deserves it." I finish off the food and follow Fuzz.

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I call to Fuzz. "Hey! This has my com number on it." I toss my com-watch to him. "I have a lot of catching up to do." I kiss my wife for the first time in a week. It was surprising how often I thought I'd never see her again...

[Fuzz]

He caught it and walked out with Zeke. Unlike Fred, he had no one to go home to, or no home to go to, for that matter. He lived for the day, and died for it too, if necessary. He walked out of the restaurant, Hizoku behind him.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"So where we headin now Fuzz?"

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Fred} I kissed my wife. "So, miss me?" She growled in fake anger. "You were always reckless and foolhardy. I was glad to get rid of you!" She kissed me deeply. I kissed back until I noticed my son looking at us. "This moment is censored for your own protection." We continued kissing.

[Poplatino44]

I yell at the top of my lungs. "People!!! Lets get a move on!!!"

[Fuzz]

"Well, since you got invited to the party, you should know where it's at." Fuzz gave Hizoku a over the shoulder glare then said "You DO know where it is, don't you?"

[Marcus McCloud]

{As Marcus} Falco rolled in his bed. "I need to order those sound canceling headphones." He got up and took a short shower. I was getting my socks on (it's hard to do that with wet fur) when Sabrina pinched me. "What was that for?" She grinned, "St. Patricks Day." I cocked my head. "What is that?" She giggled. "A day where you have to wear green or you'll get pinched." I noticed the green dress. "Alright. Lets get ready before Ricardo jumps out from behind me and scares me for not getting ready fast enough."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Eh not really." I scratch the back of my head in embarrassment.

[Fuzz]

"Dammit! I knew this would happen!" He walked around in circles raging. "I am an under cover officer of the IGSPA (Inter galactic space protection agency) and I suspect Marcus is in grave danger."

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Calm down dude. And ya just blew yer cover."

[Fuzz]

"Pff, too you? Geez I'm so worried now. What are you gonna do?" He was clearly pissed off and taking it out on you.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Jesus Christ man calm down. Now I'm pretty sure you know this place better than I do and since it's early I would suspect he's either taking a shower or going to get somehing to eat. Or still sleeping like a lazy bum. But who am I to complain I do that all the time hehe. Anyway we didn't see him coming to the food place so he's probably in his room maybe?"

[Poplatino44]

{As Marcus} Falco rolled in his bed. "I need to order those sound canceling headphones." He got up and took a short shower. I was getting my socks on (it's hard to do that with wet fur) when Sabrina pinched me. "What was that for?" She grinned, "St. Patricks Day." I cocked my head. "What is that?" She giggled. "A day where you have to wear green or you'll get pinched." I noticed the green dress. "Alright. Lets get ready before Ricardo jumps out from behind me and scares me for not getting ready fast enough."

"You still getting ready?!?!" i yell behind Marcus and giggle. I pinch Marcus, "Thanks for reminding me Sabrina." I fix my green shirt and laugh.

[Marcus McCloud]

I jumped what seemed like ten feet, and when I came down my heart was pounding. Sabrina giggled as Ricardo pinched me afterwards. I getting ready and prepare to pinch Falco as he comes out with a green towel. I turn to Ricardo. "Did everybody know about this day but me?"

[Poplatino44]

[as me] "Pretty much, yes." I giggle and look out the window. "looks like the earth weather could get bad later on. Let's get moving."

[as Monica] I walk over to Krystals room and wait for Krystal to see me.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Krystal] I finished putting on my clothes then I put on a green hairpin before Fox pinched me. I stepped out and saw Monica. The look she gave me told me she wanted to talk. "Yes, Monica? What is it?"

[As Marcus] I had a bad feeling. I didn't know what, but I just had a bad feeling. Sabrina radiated kind thoughts so I ignored my worries.

[Poplatino44]

[as Monica] "I would like to ask you if you could help me with this whole pregnancy thing and I don't want to mess anything up, so could you give me some pointers as to how to stay healthy during pregnancy." I asked her with complete and utter confusion. "Please, you have had four, and your still seem pretty young. Can you be my guideing hand in this? Please?"

[as me] "Well, Marcus, do me a favor and check on the others, the ship leave in t-minus 90 minutes, I don't wanna miss it." I pat hit back and pinch him. "Ohhh. And you might wanna wear something green, unless you want to lose all your fur from the pinches."

[Fuzz]

"Okay look, we need to find out where this person lives, as soon as possible. He may already be out on the street, but I have no idea what he looks like or who he's traveling with." He started walking forward toward a larger looking house, sticking too the left side of the street's sidewalk.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

((I figured we were inside a base or something))

[Fuzz]

((We just left a restaurant and were walking down a street, no we aren't in a base xD It needs to be low profile, if there was a large group headed toward a group of people who are already in a war, then there would probably be a fight.))

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"So uh. Who should we ask to find him?"

[Marcus McCloud]

[as Monica] "I would like to ask you if you could help me with this whole pregnancy thing and I don't want to mess anything up, so could you give me some pointers as to how to stay healthy during pregnancy." I asked her with complete and utter confusion. "Please, you have had four, and your still seem pretty young. Can you be my guideing hand in this? Please?"

[as me] "Well, Marcus, do me a favor and check on the others, the ship leave in t-minus 90 minutes, I don't wanna miss it." I pat hit back and pinch him. "Ohhh. And you might wanna wear something green, unless you want to lose all your fur from the pinches."

[As Krystal] I smiled. "Of course. I will talk to you about it on the ship. Even the fastest ship takes three days to get to Corneria. I'm sure I can give you at least some of the hints on the trip." I called back to Fox, who was ready. "Come on."

[As Marcus] I thought. I didn't have anything green to hand. I heard a tearing noise and I saw it was Anastasia and Samantha. They had torn a green curtain. They made a thin strip and bow-tied it onto my tail. "Perfect!" They both said in unison. I flitted it angrily. "It makes me look like a dope."

[Poplatino44]

[As Monica] I jumped in joy and hugged Krystal. "Thank you." I turned around and headed out, i grabbed my stuff and went to stand next to Ric.

[As me] I giggled, "Girls, girls, i think the bow would look better on his ears, wouldent you say?" I smiled, i havent had this much of a good time.

[Fuzz]

"We need to be vigilant, it's important we find him before it's too late. Do you know what he looks like?"

[MonsterGirlLuver]

"Well I was told to report to Fox McCloud and i'm figuring that Marcus would be related to him. So i'm gonna guess that they're both Cornerians. Probably foxes."

[Fuzz]

Fuzz shook his head slowly. "Not sure that will help, look around the immediate area for a sec."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I felt like an idiot when the tied the bow around my right ear. It didn't hurt, and the sad thing was it looked great on me. Sabrina even said I was a lovely gift, which wasn't actually that bad. Anastasia wanted to put it on my neck while Samantha was thinking my ear looked just fine. They solved it by getting more and tying my tail, neck and ears. I felt like a box of chocolates being gift-wrapped for a starving man so he wouldn't eat it until Christmas. I snorted at them and walked out to the car, the green bows flicking angrily at the air. "We'll be late..." Sabrina kissed me and said I was the best present she ever got. That warm feeling in my chest died when some human girls saw my bows.

[As Krystal] I entered the room and saw Marcus leaving with green bows strapped to both ears, his neck, and tail. They looked cute, but I knew he didn't put them on. "Ricardo? What's with Marcus'... accessories?"

[Poplatino44]

[As Me] "Ask the girls." I said, and followed Marcus to the car. I loaded the small suitcase for me and Monica and i entered the car, Monica entered right behind me. I waved to Anastasia, "Thats for lending us your home."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Krystal] We all waved to Anastasia, and got in the car. I sat next to Marcus, who seemed quietly wretched with the green bows on his ears, tail and neck. "So, Samantha. What is with the bows?"

[Poplatino44]

[as Samantha] I giggled, "So he won't die from the pinches." I held on tightly to Zuly. His booming voice filled the car, "and so he can be our in flight entertainment."

[as me] I couldent help but to laugh at zuly's comment.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I felt a bit better from Zuly's powerful, commanding voice. But the bow around my neck was a bit too tight. I loosened it, then looked proud as I could with four green bows tied to me. I then realized something very important. "Where's Falco and Slippy?" I heard an argument in the trunk and quieted. Krystal smiled. "No place to put them other than the trunk."

[Poplatino44]

[as me] I had to crack up. "Now that's funny, interesting conversation they must be having."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Falco] "If I were just a few millennia farther back in evolution; I would eat you right here, right now!" Slippy gasped. "You used big words like evolu-" Falco angrily cut him off. "Oh, shut up!" The conversation continued escalating from that point.

[Poplatino44]

I hit the back of the seat, "You two. Stop it. You can argue about it during the night." I grined and looked around.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

((Dammit Marcus! Help us out here. We have no idea how to find you.))

[Marcus McCloud]

((You have a few options. You could look up the fact that the McCloud family has made a reservation to come back to Corneria, you could look on the news, you could even attempt to contact the McCloud family or their posterity for more information.))

[As Falco] I rolled my eyes. "Yes ma'am." I shifted. "This place is actually comfortable." Slippy knocked his head into the steel frame. "Ow." I stifled a chuckle.

[As Marcus] The ride to the space center went very calmly. It took longer than expected, but we brought all our stuff. The looks when a bird and a frog stepped out of the trunk were priceless.

[Poplatino44]

"Ok, the long ride put us alittle bit behind. So, lets get looking for our gate." I grabed my things and helped Monica out. I started to talk to the gate hand in hand with Monica.

[Marcus McCloud]

We all walked, proudly. We had survived the worst of war. We were happy at last...

[Poplatino44]

We arrived at the gate, borded the ship and took our seats. The girls sat in a group around a table in the first class section. The guy sat at another table. I pulled out a deck of cards and placed them on the tabled. "Gentleman, will you honor me this game?"

[Marcus McCloud]

I smiled. "You're on." Everybody but Slippy was ready for the game. Falco even began practicing poker faces.

[Fuzz]

(Are we even on the same planet right now?) "Quick, let's go to the space station and check with the references there, anyone on this planet will have had to have come through there." Fuzz began running toward what he suspected was the planets main space station.

[MonsterGirlLuver]

Hizoku quickly followed behind.

[Marcus McCloud]

(No. You guys are on Corneria. The McCloud family, Ricardo, Monica, Slippy ect. are on Earth, coming back to Corneria.)

The gate showed that we had an hour before the ship left. I stretched. "Alright, Ricardo. Deal." Falco had finished practicing and was ready.

[Fuzz]

Fuzz continued running down the street, hurrying through traffic and across busy streets to get to the station.

[Poplatino44]

I deal the cards, then look at my hand. I put one card down and pick up another one. I frown. I set my cards down. "Gentlemen, place your bets, I'll bet 1000 credits."

[Marcus McCloud]

Falco smiled through his poker face and Slippy folded on the first deal. Sabrina looked unemotionally at the cards while I ran possibilities through my head. Fara came late, but didn't join she spent time watching Sabrina with a hint of contempt. I tried to query your face for the answer. "Your 1,000 and 25." Sabrina looked at us blankly. "I'm in; 1,000." We looked at Falco. "2,050." Sabrina never changed her expression.

[Poplatino44]

(about freaken time XD) I call, and look around nervously. I mess with my cards and swallow.

As Monica: "So, Krystal, what do you recommend for me to stay fit like you?" She looks at Krystal and eyes her body curiously.

[Marcus McCloud]

Krystal sighed. "Well... if you keep yourself in military shape, you'll do well. But the most important thing is not to get too obsessed with what you eat. Have that candy bar every once in a while. I find that being stressed only hurts you in the end." She smiled at Monica. "You already are doing fine. But if you need..." A card with Krystal's number and other contact information was in her hand. "Call me if you have any more questions."

I looked around and placed a three of a kind and called Falco. He winced and dropped his 3 of hearts, 2 of spades and king of diamonds. My deck stood as a three of a kind. Three aces. I called Ricardo. "I call; you are bluffing." Sabrina waited with the perfect poker face.

[Poplatino44]

(its time to come outa hiding, dont ya think.)

(as Ricardo)I smiled and hid behind my cards. "I call." Look at Falco then at Marcus, still decorated in green bows. "I cant take this guy seriously with those dam bows.
I look up and place my cards down, "Show your hand." (and dont make it over kill either) I flip them up and reveal a pair of kings and a pair of 7's, and a ace.

[Marcus McCloud]

(Hell YES!)

The three of a kind won. I smiled and was about to take the chips... Sabrina suddenly called out. "Read it and weep!" My mouth dropped at the straight flush she set down on the table. Sabrina shrugged. "My dad was a poker player. He taught me the poker face." Her grin was a mile wide and the eyes of Fara lowered as she put down her cards. A voice came over the intercom. "All hands, we are lifting off in fifteen minutes. Fasten seat belts and listen to the instructions of the flight attendants."

[Poplatino44]

I stand and say, "Everyone in your seats, poker tables off limits until we leave the atmosphere." I look over to Monica, then to Marcus. I sit and buckle up next to Marcus.

(As Monica) I sit next to Krystal and behind Sabrina. I buckle up and place my hands between the belt and my stomach

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I sat next to Fox and Slippy, behind Falco. I noticed Fara had been moving to the other side of the ship from us until she noticed it was full. She then sat down as far away from Krystal as possible. Giving it no more attention, I strapped myself in as the flight attendants gave their routine instructions.

[As Krystal] Poor Monica strapped herself in, keeping her hands between her belly and the belt. I grabbed the harness. "Dearie, they have a setting for pregnant women." Pressing the button above Monica, the seat harness changed and formed padding her stomach. "There. Better?" Marcus still had those darned green bows on his neck, ears, and tail... "All hands, we are at liftoff code red. Thirty seconds to launch."

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I looked around, everyone was scattered, but I had a little surprise. The ship began to move then slowly inclined, picking up speed. Once out of the earths gravity, the fasten your seat belts light cut off. I stand up and announce, "Everyone traveling with the McClouds follow me."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] Suddenly there was a clamor. "The McClouds are here?!- Where?- I want their autographs!" The 2nd class compartment started to swarm with people. I closed my eyes. "Ric, is now a bad time to tell you we are credited with destroying the Pirates and have become... popular?"

[As Sabrina] I looked at Marcus. "We have to get those ribbons off him."

[Poplatino44]

"We do all the work but you get credited... Awsome, anyway hurry and head to executive cabin A." I escort everyone into the room and shut the door. "Now, as I just found out, everyone thing the McClouds killed the pirates, well bad news. So does every other mercenary and criminal. The LCI (or lic, I forgot) has told me of various organizations crowding the port area and the mansion. The reason I choose this airline is simple, rented escape ships. We won't be landing at the port, but at the outskirts of Corneria. From there, we will board military armed convoy and head to the mansion via underground tunnels. We might encounter some trouble so I need Marcus, Falco and myself on the turrets. We will board the rental ships 10 minutes before arrival." (Bringing back some life to the rp)

[Marcus McCloud]

Suddenly the pilot came in. The arms of the passengers tried to keep the door open, but he closed it. "We have a security breach and I think you guys can help me. Someone beamed an object on board from the inside. I couldn't get a reading on it, but I believe it poses a threat. If we can-" His headset beeped. "We have a cruiser on our port side. I must go." Bolting out, he even managed to close the door. I turned to Ric and brought him to a corner. "What are the chances that that cruiser is not a mercenary group trying to remove the competition? And I doubt that a silly commercial airliner can take on a fully armed starship."

[Poplatino44]

"I didn't think that it would come to this. I will drive away the ships. Get everyone to the L Z safely, I will take the higher tier ship and try to drive them away." I rush to the bay entrance, "take care of Monica." I jump into the ship and the door locks, the bay opens and I fly out, "This is suicide, but better me then the ones I care for." I close my eyes, "don't worry, I will be back." I approach the ship and fire a few rounds, I open comlink to the ship, "Alright idiots, if you want the McClouds, well then you better keep up." I turn and head the other way, into an asteroid field, "This will give them time." The ship follows and fires a couple missiles, missing completely. I swing around and shoot a missile, direct hit.... To the shields. "Fuck, shields." I keep hiding in the asteroids attacking when I can. "They should be about to break off from the flight path. Time to lose these fools." I land on an asteroid and keep quiet, I activate the jammer, hiding my location. They go deeper into the field, with the jammer still on, I start up again and run, easily getting away.

[Marcus McCloud]

I look at the ship, then run to the cockpit. I rip off the pilot's headset and yell into it. "Ric! STOP FIRING!! That's a LCI Battle Cruiser! You're shooting at the wrong guys, idiot!" A com message tells us to lower our shields an prepare for transport. "Dropping shields now." A second ship drops out of S.I. and locks on. "Crusier Kevin, hurry please." Two missiles launch from the other ship. "Now would be an excellent time to-" The teleporter field formed around us as a blinding flash encompassed us all.

I blink hard as the glowing debris from the commercial airliner expands out. The two missiles pass through the debris and explode, having lost their target. I look at the officer at the controls. His face seemed stern. After looking once through the crowd, I step up to him. "How many did we lose?" Turning to me, his eyes closed. "One. Sabrina Anna McCloud." For a moment, I couldn't quite grasp what I had just heard. I turned to the window as the Merc ship was attempting to leave; two police cruisers had intercepted it. The debris still glowed blue and red, but it seemed less beautiful. My chest ached, the floor spun, my knees turned to jelly. "No. It can't be... not after everything we..." My knees hit the ground, but my heart burned more then my mistreated joints. "... no. No, No, No, NO, NO!!" My fists slammed against the screen, my eyes burning with tears. "She can't be gone. Why? Why now? We were SO CLOSE!!" I collapsed and wept. "Today was her birthday... I was going to give her a present..." I covered my face from the others and continued to cry. Krystal came out of the crowd and held me. Suddenly I filled with rage, stood and broke from her grasp. "Whoever did this will pay." I left the room, tears still streaming. I entered the first guest room and tore it to pieces. Every fixture came apart with ease. I didn't care what I wrecked.

(Note: This is not the end.)

[Poplatino44]

As I approach Cornerian air space, ship suddenly stopped and shut down. "What the deuce!" I looked out and saw the ship that had destroyed the liner. The hatch opened, then my body went numb, "Dam, stun..." I collapse. I wake up a few minutes later, bound and immobile. "Well well, the pest woke." I look up and ask in a weak voice, "Who are you?" He grinned, "Glad you can ask. I am Altanio, Lunera's son." After those last few word, a loud bang filled the room, I collapsed, my breathing slowly stopped.

"Ricardo! Ricardo, wake up." I bolted up and looked around, vision still blurred, "Where am I?" The voice replied, "In a ship, all I know is that they were targeting the McClouds." My eyes widened and my vision cleared. "Sabrina. What are you doing here?" She frowned, "Both ships used a teleporting device at the same time, I was caught by the weaker one." I looked down and saw myself shirtless with a bandage around my chest."Don't move, he missed your heart by an inch but he did injure you." I layed down again.

(As Monica) "RICARDO!!! RICARDO!!! Where are you?" I ran to Fox, "Have you seen Ricardo?" He turned to Krystal, "you wanna tell her." She nods, "Monica, ever since we arrived here, I haven't been able to detect any sign of his. He is more then likely dead." My eyes widened, my body trembled I lost all strength. "No, your lying, he's alive, he's aline, he..." I broke into tears.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I don't know how long I waited, but Krystal opened the door. I was sitting on the ripped bed. The ship had left, with the police ships in hot pursuit, but they were too slow. Everyone knew that they left, I couldn't understand why Krystal had come. She sat down next to me. Nothing but Sabrina's death filled my mind. Krystal touched my shoulder. "Marcus... Marcus..." I blinked and looked at her. "Hm?" A sigh broke the silence that followed. "We've had no word from Ricardo." Thoughts flashed through my head. "He's dead?" Krystal's eyes watered, then she bit her lip and nodded. I put my head in my hands; not to hide my tears, but to keep myself from doing more damage to the room. "Someone on board the airliner transported a bomb onto the ship. We have to find them. They will lead us to the cruiser."

[Poplatino44]

(As Ricardo) I sit at the corner in the cold cell, shaking due to my weakened state. I close my eyes and stay quiet. I softly whimper as a slight pain fills my chest.

(As Monica) I lay down on the couch, still, speechless. I look around, everyone busy around me. I place my hands on my abdomen and start to cry.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Krystal] I left my room, and I saw all the people who had been on the airliner. Their faces told their stories as much as their minds. Suddenly, a sharp flash of thought burst from someone. I grabbed onto the thought and followed it. It seemed like relief and as if some insurmountable task had been completed. The thought disappeared and I almost lost track of it, but I saw the face and I closed in. After a few moments I was standing by the person that had set off the charges and called in the cruiser. Fara looked at me. "Krysie, is Marcus alright?" I somehow managed to make an innocent half smile as I telepathically contacted Marcus and Fox. "He will be."

[Poplatino44]

(I was hoping you would take the role of Sabrina)

[Marcus McCloud]

(Sorry)

[As Sabrina] My captors grip me tightly as I struggle and kick. I manage to kick one in the knee hard enough to do real damage, but the other tosses me into the cell with Ricardo ungracefully. I stand with dignity and spit on the door. Turning back, they sneer and regard my female characteristics with less dignity then I had given them; behind the cell door, of course. Once they had left, I sat down next to Ricardo. I feel the patch on his chest. "Does it feel infected?"

[Poplatino44]

I bite my lips and suppress a whimper. "ive never felt weaker, dizzy." I close my eyes as the room begins to blur, i hear Sabrina saying, "Ricardo, stay with me. Ricardo." I open my eyes again and look up. "Did you take out the bullet when you bandaged me?" She smiles, "Yes i did." i look at her and ask "May i see it." She pulls out a napkin with a lead bullet in it. "Ahh, lead, no wonder im so weak. Such old tech, yet very strong side effects." Right then, Altanio, Luneras sun walked in. "Well, look. He lives. You little maggot" He kicks me over and leans down to me. "Your going to pay for the death of my mother if your friends, the McClouds, disagree on my little bargin." He turns to the crew member, "Get me on a encrypted link with McCloud manor, time to have a little chat." He walks out and slams the door. "Any attempt to escape, kill them both."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I sat down with Ricardo. I leaned on him and gulped down terror. Helplessness was not something I had ever felt to the core. Holding him, I tried to comfort him as the guards held the door. "Don't worry. Marcus will help us. I know it." My voice nearly cracked. Inside, I wept. I didn't see any hope. And I knew what they wanted me for.

[As Marcus] I came up to Fara, then hugged her. Right after, I pulled her hair, drove my knee into her stomach, then threw her down. Fox grabbed her and took her to security. She kicked and pulled the pistol out of the guard's holster. Quick thinking allowed the guard to smack her in the back of the head and knock her unconscious. "Feisty gal, eh?" I looked at her. "Question her." He looked at her, cringed, then picked her up.

[Poplatino44]

(as myself) I sat up again, regaining my posture. My body ached everywhere, i began to wimper. "I... dont think... im going to make... it... If i go... tell Monica to... hide... there with the..." A loud cough follows. "McClouds." I fall sleep from fatigue. A sharp pain woke me up, i was taken from my cell and was being tortured by some of the crew. Major bruises covered my body, a couple of stab wounds in non vital area, burned fur and blood, lots of it.

(As Altanio) I head to the ships cabin, and i prepare the video comlink. "Alright, connect me."

(As Slippy) The central computer starts to ring. "Fox!!! Incoming link. Highly encrypted. Wanna patch it through?" Fox nods. The main display shows a "Connecting" then "Success."

(As Altanio) The link has completed and a room full of people appear. "Hello, McClouds. I heard you had a little run in with a merc, correct? Well, im sorry for the damage i caused." His words became sinister at the end of the sentence. "Bring him in." They bring Ricardo in after being played with. They bring him and hold him unconscious, bleeding profoundly. I walk behind him and hold a gun to his head. "Heres the deal, bring Marcus McCloud, Fox McCloud and Krystal McCloud to me. We can have a little chat. Say no, He dies." From a distance a hear a voice yelling, "Dont do it, hes going to kill you all." I shout from the top of my lungs, "Shut that annoying bitch up." A loud clap was heard followed by whimpering.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] Fox bowed his head, I glared at them. Krystal covered her mouth and a tear formed. Fox looked at his hands and I saw his face; he was going to decline. Krystal was going to accept. I thought hard. "Give us some time to decide our actions." Inside, a plan was taking shape, and I wanted to let it bloom in the time we had.

[Poplatino44]

(As Altanio) "Very well. One month. If within one month you don't decide, this worm will be behead while you all watch." I kick Ricardo's chest, knocking him to the ground. "Patch him up, keep them alive a little longer." I turn back to the camera and grin. "Ohh, by the way. My name is Altanio, son of Lunera. One month, or he dies and you will never see your vixen again." I closed the comlink, and sat down. "Get that worm outta my sight."

(As Monica) I begin to cry loudly when they bring Ricardo on screen. His body mangled and bruised. I sit down still crying, shaking rapidly. When the communication ended, I ran up to Fox, "Please, save him, please save him. Please..." I fall to my knees. My hands shaking.

(As Slippy) Fox turns to me and says, "Slippy, can you try to track it." I jump on the main controls again, and try to find them. "Sorry Fox, its too high of an encryption. I can't do much here."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I pace the floor, nipping my knuckle. Every plan, every possibility flashing through my head. Sabrina was alive. Her children, possible telekinetic children, would be the only reason they'd keep her alive. But Ricardo was alive too. One month. Time. A luxury I feel relieved to have. They have the advantage. What to do...? What to do...? I continued to pace.

Fox closed his eyes, feeling pain at these words. "We may have to consider Ricardo and Sabrina expendable." Everyone turned to him with widened eyes. Krystal walked up to him, in shock. "Fox... you are saying we should let him be murdered at the hands of the animals? And Sabrina, your daughter! Is she so worthless to your eyes?!" Fox put his hands on her shoulders. "If we agree, three McClouds die. Monica has her child to look forward to and her cousins and her aunts, uncles, siblings, nieces, and nephews. We have six members of our family. You, me, Marcus, Sabrina, Jacob, and Samantha. And they'll kill Sabrina anyway. That's four. I'm sorry. Either from a McCloud view, or a life-saving view, doing nothing works." Krystal started to cry. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. You are suggesting you wouldn't do ANYTHING to help your daughter OR your friend. What if it was me all bruised up and beaten?" Fox tried to respond. Fox tried to fight back against her words, but he couldn't. Tears formed in his eyes from the thought. "I... I wouldn't decline." Krystal hugged him. Fox pushed her away softly away after the embrace. "But what do we do?" I still nipped at my knuckle, that question still being answered.

[As Sabrina] I waited, shivering at the thought of what Ricardo could be going through. The guard liked what he saw of me and my death stare wasn't working any more. I waited, waited... and waited. Curling up in the corner, I cupped my tail over myself and sobbed quietly.

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I whimper as I am thrown back into the cell after being patched up roughly. Dried blood clotted on my fur. I lay there unconscious, motionless, and breathing very slowly.

(As monica) I thank Fox and sit back down on the couch, crying.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I crawl over to Ricardo, holding him in my arms. I try to hold back sobs, but my voice still gets shaky. "Oh my god... Ricardo... look at you..." I cry, rocking Ricardo back and forth. "I wish it was me... I wish it was me they were hurting, not you..." The guard winces, then leaves the cell block and closes the door behind him. I silently thank him for his kindness.

[As Marcus] My mind still burns, looking for the answers. Krystal sits down next to Monica. "I can't believe it. We were so happy. We were even going to watch the comet pass by Titana next week." The plan hit me like a hammer. "I'VE GOT IT!" Krystal jumped. "What?" "A plan to save them. We need to tell them we accept their offer." Fox turned to me. "Whoa, slow down. The terms of our acceptance..." I looked like I could bounce off the walls. "Tell them we'll meet at Titana, in one week." Fox waited, then shrugged. He sent a text massage out on the same encryption. Everyone then turned to me. "Ok," I said, "Here's the plan..." I laid out every detail to them.

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I slowly wake up, Sabrina sitting beside my, her hand on my shoulder. I groan softly and try to sit up. "Ouh ouch ouch, pain, pain, pain. Help me sit up." She help me up, I sit down holding the bandages. "How long was I out?" She replied, just about a day. Here, eat, its not much but you need it more than me." I look at her and smile, taking the food, I start to eat slowly. "How long do you think we will be in here, better question, how do you think they will keep me alive." I continue to eat, she says nothing but just looks at me.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] "I don't know. But at least I know how long they'll keep me. Four months." I shivered. "They want my babies. They want them so they can raise them to be like them." The thoughts going through my head made me feel sick. "They will have telepathy stronger than Krystal, and they want to use it..." I broke into tears. "How could they have known what ship we took? How could they have known you would break off?" I felt alone and helpless. I held Ricardo. I started to feel like there wasn't going to be a happy ending and that I should just give in.

[As Marcus] We opened a transmission on the same encryption as the time we were hailed by the pirate cruiser. "This is Marcus McCloud, calling Altanio. Repeat, this is Marcus McCloud calling pirate Captain Altanio." Krystal looked at me funny. "Why are we sending out a video transmission even after the text?" I looked at her. "One, they will know it's genuine; two, sending out a second transmission ensures they get the message."

[Poplatino44]

(As altanio) "Sir, we have a incoming link." I smile, "Patch it through." the link opens, "So nice of you to call. Should I bring him in and ready my pistol?"

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] I lower my head a tad in false shame. "No need. We're surrendering. We'll drop off in three Arwings over Titana and you can pick us up. However," My head rose, ensuring my voice carried. "We want Ricardo and Sabrina to be transported to our Arwings after we are taken off. And we want them to be healthy when they leave and to live normal lives. No tricks, no traps, and don't you dare make them sterile." I bit back false anger at giving in. "Titana, one week." I lowered my head again. "One last request..." I lifted my head, this time with true tears at a true pain. "I want to see my wife. I want to see her, hold her one last time, and say goodbye." Real anger burst through me. "And so help me if you so much as touched her wrong-!" Krystal grabbed my shoulder. "We'll be at Titana."

[Poplatino44]

(As Altanio) "Kind of hard to give your friend back healthy, he isn't doing very well health wise. He might not make it past this week. Last i checked he was still unconscious but, i will grant your request, but if you try anything idiotic," i pull out my knife and cut my finger, "You shall see your dear ones blood splatter in front of your eyes." I give a grin. "Well then see you in one week." I close the link, and stand up. "Where are the morons that nearly killed my ransom?" Two crew men walked in, heads down. "I swear, any little mistake, and i will decapitate you." I look at my navigator, "Take us to Aquas. There is someone on a station there that can fix up our little headache."

(As myself) Another wave of pain hits me, every injury stinging, my head pulsing. I start to shake and i vomit. The guard called in the ships medic. She walks in and inspects me. "Tell Altanio that if he wants to get the McClouds to hurry to Aquas, or he wont make it." I vomit again, shaking violently.

(As Dr. Yyvett Heriled) "That fool, using lead bullets on his prisoners, just making my life harder." "Quick, sedate him. 150 milligrams of chlordiazepoxide. Hurry or we can lose him." I lay him down, face down so he wont drown. My assistant walks in and hands the syringe to me. I inject the fox in the arm, the drug quickly sleeping him. I pull out a bottle of concentrated dimercaprol and inject him. "This will help him regain himself faster, give him plenty of sleep and he will be fine." I get up and walk out, shutting the door behind me. I rub my temples, "He just love to mess with them. I need to talk to him, but, ahhh, he wont listen."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] After walking down the corridor, I leaned back against my door. "That idiot. You never harm prisoners to a critical condition." Krystal sighed as Falco and Fox sparred, old reflexes coming back. "I wonder if they've gotten anything out of Fara yet." Slippy blindly walked, absorbed in the signal encryption on his Pad. Hearing this, he made a reflexive comment. "'Truth serum' is just used to make people chatterboxes. Even if your pumped full of it, you can still lie. You just say what's on your mind. If what's on your mind is to lie at all costs, you'll lie for hours until you forget what your lying for and spill the beans." Slippy looked up. "That reminds me: I'm hungry." Krystal and I smiled a little. "We could all use something to eat." Fox stopped sparring and yelled to us. "Did somebody mention they were hungry!?" We all thought. "I have a craving for seafood..."

[Poplatino44]

(as Monica) The words that man gave made me heavy. i couldn't stand, like if all my strength to live was drained out of me. Krystal walked in and patted my shoulder, "Relax, he will be fine. Come, lets eat. you need to take care of yourself or else you might lose your child." i looked up, tears in my eyes, "I dont know what to do, the image of him tortured and bleeding is still in my head, and the words that man said, all me hope is lost."

(As myself) I slowly awaken, feeling numb and stupid. "What happened?" I wake to find Sabrina asleep, i pat her side and let her sleep. The door slowly opens, the doctor that helped me walks in quietly. I look up at her and wait."How do you feel?" i reply quietly, "Weak but alot better." She smiles, "Good, i am in charge of keeping you healthy until we can get to a real medical facility. So please get up and follow me, you have some open wounds to stitch." i get up, shaking softly. I follow her out but i look back at Sabrina. "Dont worry, ill lock the door with my personal passkey, only i will be able to get in. Come."

(As Dr. Hariled) I walked to the medical ward and guide the prisoner to the restroom. "Get undressed and step in to the shower, ill be with you shortly." I walk out as he undresses and i grab a antibiotical shampoo and a bottle of regular shampoo. I walk back into the bathroom and he quickly turns away, hiding his parts. "No need for that, your gonna be nude for the rest of the session." He stays quiet and then says, "But it feels weird, i don't know you." I walk up to him and turn him around, "Shut up and stay still, or i will sedate you again. now stay." I walk up to the control panel and turn the water on luke warm. I let the dried up blood and dirt wash away, the i grab the regular shampoo a i start to clean his fur, taking care of his wounds. "You know, this is the first time i am this close to such a well formed man." He blushed and i grin, "Hmp, just dont get the wrong idea, i have no interest in you. I will only cure your wounds." But it has been a while since ive been with a man, no no, i cant think like that, he is a prisoner. A good looking one too." (ahhhh, temptation temptation.)

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Krystal] I held Monica and whispered into her ear. "Don't worry. I'm sure Marcus will work. Have faith that Ricardo will be alright. I'll carry him out myself if worst comes to worst." I gave her a little rub on the cheek. "But you need to keep up your strength as well. Come on, let's go eat."

[As Marcus] The table was being set up. As time went by, I kept wishing we had agreed to meet at Titana now. What is done, is done I kept telling myself. I stepped into the hall and I could almost hear Ricardo's whimper creep into my mind again. "Those bastards!" I covered my mouth only to notice no one around. "Whew."

[As Sabrina] A nightmare left me shifting on the floor of the cell, whimpering softly.

[Poplatino44]

(as Dr. Hariled) I keep washing his fur, then switch to the antibiotic. "This may sting a little." He winces as i dab his wounds. I turn off the water after finishing, showing him to a examination bed. "Lay down, ill get my equipment ready." He does, i get a bottle of anesthetic and walk back to him sitting on the stool beside the bed. "This will keep the fur from growing for a bit, it will keep the wound clean." I get to work numbing the injuries then following with stiches. I finish and hand him some clothes, letting him get dressed. "Ok, back to your cell. you need rest, ill send in some food later. Tell your friend if she wants to shower to just tell the guard to call me."

(As myself) She leads me to me cell and opens it. "Thank you, ill tell her." She walks away and i walk over to Sabrina. "Hey wake up."

(As Monica) "Yea, sounds good." I get up and follow her, joining everyone in the most silent lunch ive ever been to.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] Darkness surrounds me, a forest, a moon in the distance... the sounds of a predator's tread behind me. I flee from it, no weapon, totally exposed in a clearing, glowing red eyes around me. The darkness begins to choke me, the steps get closer, the tread sounds on metal floors... something grabs me-!

I gasp and scream, curling on myself as the shakes start to fall away. I am still trapped, still surrounded by darkness, but Ricardo is there. I grab his hand and hold it to my face to know it is real. "W-what is it?"

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I place hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, its me. Sit up." I help her sit up and I smile. "The doctor said if you want to shower, to just ask the guard to call for her. She will take you to the shower." I sit down beside her, freshly bandaged.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I sniff myself and nod. "Guard? May the doctor see me?"

[As Marcus] At the table, it is very quiet. No one wants to acknowledge the fact that two good friends were imprisoned by an enemy that was amoral. Everyone wants to speak, but the food is better than accidentally stepping on the subject. I smile and break the silence. "I remember when I first met Sabrina." Although the fish was tender, all looked to me. "I apologized to Fox for cheating off a test. Sabrina found out, but liked the bad boy look I got with my leather jacket." I chuckled softly. "I will never understand teenage girls. Anyway, she got pushed by a bully into a corner a few weeks later. I told him to back off sharply, then I noticed he was a foot taller than I was and had at least 50 pounds more muscle. After a few demeaning words, he grabbed my shoulder. Instead of putting him on the floor in a throw, I kicked him in the nuts and he dropped." Fox almost said "That's my boy!", but caught Krystal's eye and just smiled. Then, everything went silent again. She was not here. Everyone longed for someone to break the silence again.

[Poplatino44]

(as Dr. Hariled) The guard called me over, i arrive to the cell and open it. "So, you wanna shower? Follow me please." I lead her to my office, point to the bathroom, "Go ahead, ill get some paper work done. When you come out i can give you a check up if you want."

(as Zuly) I smile and try to sound as quiet as i can, "I remember the day I met Ricardo, he was so scrawny, and he was the one always picked on in class. That day he bumped into me and fell back, mind you, i was the largest in my grade. He just kept on saying sorry while he picked up his books. I then decided to help, instantly making me a target for bad humor. When the bell rang i found him walking alone to his house, i joined him, introduced myself, and kept on walking. We arrived at my house first since it was closer, my dad, rest in peace, was a drunk. My childhood was harsh, when my dad saw me, he walked out with the belt yelling that i was late. Then Ricardo did something i could never do for myself, he stood up to my dad and talked some sense into him. Back then, Ricardo may have been weak physically, but his words where the strongest fist he had. Since that day, Ricardo has always put others in front of him and still does to this date." silence came once more.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I nodded, then used the shower to escape from the world. I disrobed, then turned the water hot. I stepped into the shower and noticed my stomach. Touching it, I felt a kick. A jump was my first reaction, but I rubbed it and felt another. I remembered Marcus defending me in that school... I could never stand on my own. The water poured over me, and I felt a third kick. For a moment, I felt a tear come out before being swept away. "I can't get us out, my child. We're... a-alone..." Washing didn't take away the fear.

[As Marcus] Fox smiled, remembering a time of his childhood. "The first time I met Sabrina, Marcus had brought her home to eat dinner with us. I remember asking her after dinner why she liked Marcus. She said 'Because all the girls are straight and all the other men are gay'. She then burst out laughing and said she couldn't believe she said that with a straight face. She told me the real reason was the other guys she met never wanted to have a relationship. We kept talking, and more and more I got the feeling I was talking to Marcus. Her voice was different, memories... but she had Marcus' spark. I knew then, the first day I met her, that she would be Marcus' wife." He held out his hands, Krystal taking one and I taking another. Falco and Slippy held them with Krystal and I. We motioned others to do the same.

[Poplatino44]

(As monica) I held Slippy's and extended my other one to Zuly, he held Samantha's hand and Samantha held her arm up to whom ever was next.

(As myself) The guard told me that we have arrived at Aquas, then told me to get ready to walk. I had taken off my shirt to examine my scars, which seem to be permanent. I lay against the wall, when the door opens, two guards walk up to me, they cuff me and escort me to the exit hatch. We land on a recently built port, the hatch opens and thin hare was standing in front of me. He was already studying me, we followed him to an enclosed facility within the port. He started a droid, then made some hand signs. He was mute.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Fox] When everyone held hands, I looked everyone in the eye. "No matter what happens, no matter how bleak this world seems... we are never alone."

[As Sabrina] After I showered, I walked out and grabbed the towel. I quickly dried my fur, then got dressed. I was escorted down the halls and I looked out a window. Ricardo stood next to a mute hare. The face looked familiar. Something in the eyes I had seen before. The guard pushed me, but I managed to send a telepathic message. I had never done it before under these circumstances, but I put everything into it.

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I look around then look back at the window of the ship, the guard turns be back around. The doc does a few more hand signs and the bot speaks. "Please follow me and stay close." He walks into the building and down a couple hall ways. He reaches a door with a radioactive sign. He points me to a table, signals me to take my shirt and pants off and to lay down. I do, he does a few signs and the bot says, "You may feel a slight sting."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] After dinner, Fara revealed why the pirates fought. Fox, Krystal and I moved down to the interrogation room, the idea to speak to her directly. She stared at us with cold hatred. "You decided to see me. Touching." Krystal stared back with a hint of malevolence. When Krystal spoke, her rising tone led Fox to hold her hand and calm her down."Why? Why go to all this trouble? Why do you want my grandchildren?!" Fara sighed and rolled her head back with a smile. "That is a long story." Fox shot her with eyes of steel. "We have time. Speak." Fara smiled. "We were here since the beginning. One hundred years ago, there was a prophecy that a child of the royal family would become the seed of our downfall. As this belief grew, so did the prophecy. It became a poem that detailed the course of events that would destroy us. When the poem was complete, we acted. We executed the royal family, except for one infant. He was found by a orphanage teacher and became an orphan. His identity was never discovered, so Corneria adopted the framework of a Constitustional Republic instead of a Constitutional Monarchy so that the government could survive. This infant of royal blood was given the name James McCloud. He had already married and had a child by the time we found out who he really was. We made an "accident" happen and made sure Maria McCloud made James a bachelor again."

Fox left the room in a moment after that last sentence. The cameras still recorded. "Once we took care of James, we thought we could maneuver the Prophecy to our design. We attempted to assasinate Fox, but we waited too long. By the time we could kill him, he had killed Andross, our major source of income. Fortunately, according to The Poem, his son would marry an orphaned telepath and she would give birth to a son. After the death of my parents and the discovery of my talent, I was deemed the wife of the Prophecy. I was going to be his wife so we could halt our destruction. However, he met Krystal-"

She spat that name with anger and contempt. "... And fell in love with her. Marcus was then born. The final verses of The Poem said that he would marry a dormant telepath and have a family of gods. If we held their power, it said the universe would be ours. If we failed, we would be destroyed. We needed to wait until she had conceived. When her pregnancy test came back positive, we decided to move. We struck a planet near the shipyards just as the Great Fox finished repairs to bring Marcus there. The plan didn't work and Marcus survived. He then met a lupine working in Lylat Central Intelligence, who traced us to our base. After it's destruction, an assassination attempt was made on Sabrina, to end this Prophecy. Unfortunately, it ended with the assassin murdered by Ricardo. I made the second attempt with soup laced with cyanide that he took from Sabrina after she apparently found the soup disgusting. The McCloud family went into hiding on Earth, and I followed them there. When they got on the ship, I beamed aboard a bomb. It was to kill me and everyone aboard while Sabrina was taken to indoctrinate her children."

I broke in. "You took Ricardo as well. Why did you do that?" She smiled. "He has the psychic gene too, it is just dormant. His can be activated only with a dose of medication, but once active, is permanently active." She began her story again. "Unfortunately, LCI caught on that there was a spy in their midst. They sent a ship to protect you when the cruiser jumped in. We took Sabrina, but we didn't kill Marcus, Fox or Krystal."

Fara leaned back in her chair, weary of talking. "So? Are you going to kill me now?" Krystal's emotions brewed inside her. She grabbed her blaster. " Sure." Before she could even get it out of her holster, Marcus grabbed her arm and forced the gun back into it's sheath. "Is that all?" She smiled. "There are more minor details about Ricardo, but I'm tired of talking." Everyone except the guards left the room. Fox was found near a panel, the video of the interrogation paused at the end. He had seen and heard everything.

(I hope this will make up for my absences.)

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) After a few minutes, the machine stopped and the doctor walked out, he then spoke in a scratchy voice. "Tell Altanio to come please." The guard leaves and moments later Altanio walks in. "What is it old man." The hare looks at me then says. "Are you aware of the power this man holds? He has a rare strain of the phycics gene, one that could potentially be stronger then Krystal herself, yet not as strong as the prophecy children, but with training, he could be of great use." Altanio paused, "If we were to breed him with the bitch, we would have more psychics for our use, do what you must." I sat up, "Wait what?" But then I was held down, the doc walked up to me and injected my with a syringe, my eyes widened, my head rushed. A heavy wave of psi energy reached out, reaching Corneria and beyond.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] As I was being pushed along, my head suddenly thumped with a splitting headache. It got worse within seconds and I dropped to my knees. My nose started to bleed as this wave of psionic energy passed over me, pins and scorching pains covered me. I screamed out loud and in my mind. "RIC! IT HURTS!! STOOOOOP!!!"

[As Marcus] I fell back, the door opening behind me. I hit the floor, looking at Fara. She started screaming as she thrashed in her chair. Krystal cried, holding her hands to her head and trying to hold it back. "It's Ricardo! He's been overdosed!" I tried to tell him to stop through my mind. To calm himself down. This burst had never been felt before in history. The day a telepath was made from a dormant mind would be remembered by the other telepaths forever.

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) I flail around, a thumping headache takes me over. Another wave of energy spreads, then stops. The headache stops and i lose consciousness. The doctor walks up to me an checKs me. "It is done, did you feel a very strong psi wave? Must of been torture for other telepaths." He picks me up. "He is fully healed, just give is body time to adjust." He tosses me onto Altanio. "Take him to sleep," Altanio carries me back to the cell, he shackles me to the fence, he leaves and a while later, Sabrina is brought in.

[Poplatino44]

(As Monica) I watch the news, sitting silently. Then, the tv flashes and a "Just Now" appeared, followed by. "There is a massive panic in various parts of the galaxy as all recorded and some unidentified telepaths were rushed to hospitals with complains of a chronic headache and confusion. Some of the weaker telepaths like the one behind me, fell into a state of shock, while the younger telepaths suffered even more. In Corneria alone there are 13 children who fell into a coma after what appears a galaxy wide epidemic targeting only those with powers." Then a pause, "I'm being told that scientist Dr. Toad has more information on this. Go ahead." The camera switches and Slippy's dad comes on. "Um, yes. Several psi detectors around Corneria, rather the galaxy have detected a heavy wave of energy in around 1.6 million pmu. Pmu, of course, is Phi Micron Units, is the way we measure phi energy in living beings. Now a normal telepath emits about 2000 to 3000 pmus at all time and 5000 to 9000 when using said energy. A mere 15000 to 30000 pmu can cause dizziness, now imagine the suffering those gifted must of gone through. As a comparison, its the different between a green pepper and eating a ghost pepper without any supplement. Now, we are trying to pinpoint the location, many are panicking and talking about a weapon to turn telepaths against us, but no machine is come close to the .5 million mark, so it must be living. I must leave, but before I go, a few words. If the one that wields such large amounts of energy is against us, then the lord help us all." The camera cuts and reappears in the news studio. I sit in awe and get a strange feeling that the "thing" was Ricardo. (I hope this keeps this interesting)

[Poplatino44]

(As Monica) I got up and walked around, I found the interrogation room at saw Fara strapped to the chair, lucky for me its a one way glass. I rewinded the interrogation tape when no one was in the room, I paused when she mentioned Ricardo, the kept watching, the tape ended as she said there was more about Ricardo. I then, walked into the room, start recording on a new segment of tape and punched Fara, "Tell me everything and anything you know about Ricardo." I held up my fist again.

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Fara] I spat blood onto the floor, my eyes bloodshot. "He is the most gifted telepath. He was one of twins that the pirates had bred in case the Prophecy had to be ended. He was lost when he was being transported to my care, and never recovered. Lunera thought she found her best friend, but realized all too late that she was the twin we lost and that her friend did not survive the destruction of our base. With you, his children will be dormants like he was." I leaned back. "God, I'm thirsty..." She had more, but was too thirsty.

[As Marcus] Watching Krystal drink made his lips tremble. Water... water... water... He grabbed some water from a dispenser and drank it. "Water... water..." He pulled some more, and some fell on the floor. "Water... water..."

[Poplatino44]

(As Monica) "Do you know what they plan to do?" I held my fist up again, no reply, i punched again. "Brainwash, they are going to turn him against you. There you happy. There was also talk about breeding him with the that bitch of Sabrina." I went into a rage, pounding away at Fara, screaming.

(As myself) I slowly woke up, feeling a bit strange. "What happened?" Before i could get an answer, i was taken away again by some guards, then tied down to a chair. From above, a metal helm lowered, the inside covered in probes. "Whats this about?" Altanio then walked in, "Its your new purpose, start it up." The machine wirred and then hummed. "Good bye." An intense pain hit me, i felt like i was starting to lose conscience but i was still a wake. The machine stopped and i raised my head, a blank stare in my eye. "Welcome back, Ricardo. Me strongest weopon." I replyed in a dark tone, "Glad to be back, master."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I felt it. My mind screamed at him. Remember who you are! I clawed at the guards and managed to get free. I actually managed to get out of the ship. I closed the airlock. I screamed, running toward where Ric's mind was last. "Come back! Come back!" I screamed, I thrashed, I ran. I don't know how many I ran pass, how many needed new eyes, or how many were still chasing. I fell on my knees, realizing the pain of loss. I fought my way into Ric's mind. Ric! Please! Your wife is waiting! Monica! I cried. "No... no... no! NOOOOOOOO!!!"

[As Marcus] Every telepath felt Ricardo change. Krystal let tears fall from her eyes as she blankly stared at the wall. I desperately sent message after message to Ric, trying to pull him out. Fara smiled, even though every punch brought her closer to death. The guards grabbed Monica and pulled her away. "Whoa, calm down miss." She grinned. "That little brainwasher works well. He'll make a great slave. His new personality might even enjoy it." She laughed, coughing at the bruises and broken bones.

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) "Hold on a second, there are a few nuisances." I sent a powerful wave of energy to anyone trying to talk to me. The voices in my head stopped. "Ahhh, much better." I got up and stretched, then one technician walked up to me, I raided a hand and sent him against a wall. "This feels wonderful. Ohh, by the way, your prisoner is getting away. Mind if I?" Altanio nods, "Be right back." I step out of the room and walk over to Sabrina. "Get up."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] I screamed at the pain Ric gave me. I fell, my pups kicking at my womb. They felt it pass by. I had taken the brunt of it for their sake. When the pain went away, I fell on my side, motionless. I didn't care that blood was dripping out my nose, I didn't care that my children were in me kicking, I didn't care that a fox was approaching me. I needed rest, to sleep, to be back home where I could make waffles and strawberry jam and cook over a hot oven for hours on end if I wished. I wanted to be happy, I wanted to be in control of my life. I didn't even care my closest friend who had been washed away told me to get up. I looked at him. "Who are you to tell me what to do? Why should I listen? You're going to wash me away like him. You are going to take away my soul. I should show my hatred of you while I still have it." She rolled on her back, spotting a blaster within her reach. Getting up she looked into his eyes. "Whatever you are, whatever you have become, know that you were once Ricardo Herrera." She sent out a message, not caring who got it. Marcus... goodbye. She lunged for the blaster, hitting Ric in the groin and trying to kill herself.

[As Marcus] I recoiled in pain, clutching my head. "Ric... he... he pushed me away." I leaned back. "God I'm thirsty..." He grabbed a glass of water, then started to drink. He swallowed wrong and coughed up some water. His eyes fixed on a drop. The shape of it changed as it tumbled and spun, forming into a sphere. That sphere meant something. In the moments it took for the drop to fall, he saw it change, form into a shape he knew... a world. He ran to the intercom. "Captain, set a course for Aquas... there has been a change of plans." Krystal blinked, then terror. "Marcus! It's Sabrina!"

[Poplatino44]

(As myself) something in me stirred, me head hurts, "Marcus, Marcus" then it went away, "Sabrina, don't!!!" I ran to her and pointed the blaster away from her, but she pulled the trigger and hit me in the abdomen at point blank, I layed there, motion less. My psychic presence faded.

(As Monica) I got cold and started to cry, "Where's Ricardo, I can't sense him anymore."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Sabrina] Just a moment of shock and they already grabbed me. I tried to reach my hand for his neck to find a pulse, but they tore it away. His eyes where open, I could feel him, but his breathing was getting shallower. I grabbed for another blaster, but I felt a club hit my head.

[Poplatino44]

(As Altanio) "Quick, take him to the hospital wing. And get her on board, lock her up and teach her some manners, rape her if you must." I looked around and ran back into the ship. "Navigator, get us out of here, now." Then the look-out spoke, "Sir, I'm detecting a incoming warp field." Then in all its glory, the Great Fox appeared before us. "Navigator, what happened to my jump?!?" He looked back, "Sir, hyper drive at 69%." ( :P )

[Marcus McCloud]

As Marcus] The blue and twisting star patterns flashed into Aquas, the Pirate Cruiser, and the... Great Fox? I stepped down to the front of the bridge. "This is the Archangel calling the Great Fox, identify yourselves." A familiar face forms on the screen. "This is Dash Bowman, thought you guys could use a bit of help." I smile. "The more the merrier." Krystal smiles, her eyes closed. "I've got them. Ric is on his way to the Sick Bay and Sabrina is going to the brig." I readied myself to go in, but the security chief stopped me. "Sir, get out of my way." He patted my shoulder. "We can get them. Trust us." I pushed past him, but he picked me up. “We can do our job.” After hanging helpless for a few moments, I decided to let the away teams deal with it.

[Poplatino44]

Mean while, in the evil villains lair...

Ricardo was being operated, reconstructive surgery was being performed on his internal organs. Then another ship warped in. "This is general Briggs, Third general of the LCI, I heard a distress signal from the Archangel, I'm at your service Great Fox."

[Marcus McCloud]

[As Marcus] The fleet of three shown proudly. Marcus smiled, the tactical advantage on their side. His ears flicked, his smile turning to s soft grin. "All ships, fire at will." The Archangel launched thousands of small energy charges from the set of twenty small Gatling guns. The flagship with General Briggs on board fired larger energy charges that regenerated quickly. The Great Fox, however, fired two searing beams that dug into the shields of the enemy ship. They did not recuperate as quickly, but they made their mark.

[As Sarbina] When the ship sounded general quarters, I took the fraction of a second to induce pain in one guard and crush the balls of the other. Once I had a weapon, I stunned the guards and tried to sneak toward the sick bay. During her trip, she felt Krystal calling to her and she called back. Short messages was all they could afford.

[Poplatino44]

[as myself] I regained conscience, looking around the doctor leaning over me. "Look, im being held prisoner here, I will heal you but you must help me leave this place." I flinch and nod. "Head to bridge, ill go from there, but first finish here." I send a telepathic massage to Krystal. "Keep them busy, im gonna kill that SOB."