Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter uploaded. College has been a real pain in my butt lately. Fortunately now that I'm graduating all that crap is behind me.
Hope you enjoy the chapter
Chapter 2: Truth and Betrayal
1945, Kew Airspace, Resistance Orbital Space Station Alpha
"Kursed heads up!" Kate screams as a grenade flies through the air and lands next to Kursed. Without hesitating Kursed grabs the grenade and throws it back. The grenade explodes in midair, shockwave throwing the girls to the ground.
"That was way too close." Kursed shouts over the laser fire after rolling behind a collection of containers for cover.
Kate scrambles around for her rifle, trying to overcome the ringing in her ears. She can hardly hear a thing as she grabs her rifle, checks to make sure it still was functioning, and brings it to her shoulder. Everything to Kate seems to be running in slow motion as she places the red dot on a Resistance fighter's forehead and pulls the trigger relieving her target of his head.
"Hey Kursed, how the hell did this happen!?" Kate shouts as she regains her hearing.
"I guess they discovered Michael's body. Too bad they did so soon. All we needed was another minute and we'd be out of here."
Kate sighs a little as she fires another round at a nearby soldier. She doesn't see how they found Michael's body so quickly. They locked the door when they left the room. Their plan was to simply walk out of the station trying to avoid any unwanted attention. That ended quickly when they discovered Michael's body. Kursed and Kate were in the hangar at the time, less than fifty yards away from their ship, which was taken out by a rocket launcher before they could jump in it.
Now the two bounty hunters had to deal with the Resistance soldiers trying to keep them from escaping. They zeroed in one Kursed and Kate's location almost instantly. Within moments of their transport ship being destroyed, dozens of Resistance soldiers poured into the hangar to either capture or kill them.
The girls consider their options as they try to hold back the endless onslaught of Resistance soldiers pounding their position. At the moment, their only option is to take a Resistance ship and fly out of the hangar, which with all the incoming fire is an impossibility.
Kate switches her rifle to the automatic setting and fires at the Resistance soldiers a large burst. She's not trying to kill them all, just hold them back while they try to think of a plan. Kate looks over at Kursed and sees her firing her staff's fire blaster as rapidly as if it was a machine gun. It never ceases to amaze Kate how accurate Kursed is with her staff, since it doesn't have any sights.
"How many soldiers are out there Kursed?" Kate screams over the fire.
Kursed extends her telepathy to everyone in the hangar. "I count at least a platoon out there. Most are towards our front but a group is flanking us to our right."
Before Kate can reply, Kursed turns towards their right and opens fire on the group trying to flank them. The soldiers take cover as she opens fire on them. Most manage to make it, but the vixen guns two of them down instantly.
"Keep your attention on the group to our front." Kursed shouts to Kate. "I got these guys."
Kursed leaps over the cargo and rushes towards the group trying to flank them. The soldiers open fire but she uses her staff's shield ability to defend against their shots. Their lasers ricochet off the shield harmlessly, as she waits till she's close enough to drop shield and attack.
As soon as her shield drops Kursed swings her staff up, bringing one end into a soldier's crotch. The soldier drops to his knees holding what remains of his balls, only to have the staff slam into the top of his head. Afterwards she turns her attention on the three remaining soldiers. She spins her staff around and the end into one of the soldier's head, getting a satisfying crack as a result. The other two soldiers remain still, stunned to see their friends taken out so easily. Kursed takes advantage and spears the closest soldier, her staff penetrating all the through his stomach. She quickly yanks it out, the blade end covered in blood, and fires a blast at the last soldier.
"Kursed, you got three more heading towards you." Kate shouts.
"I see them."
Before Kursed can open fire she sees a grenade bounce on the ground right next to her. "Oh crap."
Kursed closes her eyes ready for the explosion to take her life. Instead of feeling the intense heat and shrapnel tearing her flesh, she felt something large and heavy ram into her and sent her flying backwards behind a group of cargo containers. Less than a second later, Kursed heard the grenade go off but doesn't feel the pain or intense heat of the detonation.
"What the hell just happened?" Kursed thought to herself, trying to figure out what knocked the breath out of her and saved her life.
Kursed looks up to see a large, strange yet familiar looking lizard standing over her offering his clawed hand. The lizard looked more like an earthbound dragon as he had no visible wings . He's big and muscular, even more so than a common lizard. His scales are gray and dull silver, with red eyes. The black, fur – like hair running down the back of his head. He was presently wearing beige camouflage fatigues, black combat boots, black shirt, and a tan ballistic fiber combat vest. On his left wrist was his collapsible Riot shield module. On his belt rested his folding razor short sword and a hatchet for close combat. At the moment, his Sub-Machine gun type blaster was presently his main weapon. Kursed accepted his hand as he easily lifts her up.
"Hey Kursed." The dragon spoke as he turns and fires a rapid burst towards the Resistance soldiers before he turns back to the cobalt vixen next to him. "Seriously what the hell? We break up not even a month ago and you're already in trouble again?"
Kursed shrugs at the Dragon, "What do you expect Cypher, without a little trouble life would be boring."
"Well, you got a good point there." Cypher shouts back.
Before Kursed can reply she spots three soldiers jumping out from behind a column at Cypher. She was about to warn the dragon, when he spins around and his tail smashes into one of the soldiers, sending him flying backwards into the column behind him before launching himself at the closest fighter and smashing his elbow into his face. His helmet cracks under the force of the impact and he collapses to the ground in a heap. The third fighter jumps at Cypher only to be caught in the dragon's vice-like grip by the throat, and was lifting him up like he was nothing. The soldier tried to break Cypher's grip, but it was no good as he was swung violently into a nearby column knocking him out cold.
"Damn Cypher," Kursed says impressed, "You sure know how to make an entrance."
"I aim to satisfy."
A seductive smile crosses the vixen's face. "In more ways than one."
"Ah Gross," Kate shouts. "Can you two wait till we're not about to die to make out!?"
"Oh shut up Kate, you know we separated a month ago."
"Yeah, it's been a month since the two have stopped mating." Kate thinks to herself. "This has got to be the first time that I've seen you two together and not trying to tear each other's clothes off."
Kursed's telepathy picked up on Kate's thoughts. She spun and lightly hits Kate in the back of the head with her staff.
"What the hell Kursed!" The wolf shouts annoyed.
"I'm telepath Kate. I know what you're thinking. Now is not the time for those kinds of thoughts."
Kursed turns to Cypher, "Are you here to help us or what?"
Cypher grabs Kursed's hand and holds it tight. "I'm here to help you. I'm your guardian remember."
"And my lover." Kursed thought.
Their lock eyes for a moment. The world seemed to grind to a halt as they gaze into each other's eyes. A battle is raging deep down in both of them. Kursed knows that she has feelings for Cypher, however, those feelings have died down since they broke up a month ago. But there was a larger issue at hand, the love she had for Fox, if it was still there. Love is tearing up the dragon's heart as well. Originally he was just supposed to protect Krystal. He honestly never counted on himself actually developing feelings for the vixen beyond that of possibly a brother and sister. Up to that before that fateful night, he never allowed himself to.
"Hey you two maniacs can make up and kiss later!" Kate screams as a laser comes inches from removing her head from her shoulders. "We have more important things to deal with right now, like getting out of here alive!"
Kursed turns to Cypher, "Do you still have the Ranger?"
"Of course I do." The dragon smirks as he taps a few holographic tiles on his wrist pad that rested on the underside of his left wrist on the same metal cuff that held his collapsed shield. "The Ranger is circling around just outside."
Seconds later a mid-sized gunship literally crashes through the force field into the hangar nearly shorting it out enough to decompress the entire hanger bay. Everyone except the three escaping bounty hunters ran for cover as the gunship's chain guns came to life and spew to rain explosive lead at the resistance on the walkways, who some actually ducked just in time to avoid taking casualties.
The Ranger had an angler shape, with variable geometry wings that connected to the engines that could sweep back or forward depending on the ship's atmospheric speed or its current combat mode. The tail section of the ship has two rudders, which in normal flight are angled downward and when on the ground are angled level to grant access to the rear hatch. Thick titanium armor lines the outside the ship making it impenetrable to small arms fire and most missiles. The cockpit was panoramic, in combat situations ballistic plates cover the entire glass sections of the ship and holographic screen project the images outside so the pilot can continue to fly uninhibited. On the nose and tail were RCS thrusters for general maneuvering
At first appearance, the ship had two bow lasers, one on each side of the cockpit, giving the front of the ship somewhat substantial fighting power. Two remote chain gun turrets, one under the cockpit and one on the underside of the tail, were for two gunners to operate in combat situations. Two integrated rocket pods on both sides of the ship give it excellent offensive firepower.
Judging from by the random shot patterns from the chain guns, Kursed concluded that Cypher had programmed the Ranger to fire indirect shots. The dragon has always had a rule against unnecessary killing. It's always bugged her that Cypher has always been reluctant to take a life, except when he absolutely had to. But right now she was just glad to see the gunship giving them a chance to escape, as the explosive chain gun rounds were forcing the Resistance fighters to take cover.
"I'll drive! you girls man the guns." Cypher orders.
Cypher open fired on the Resistance fighters allowing Kursed and Kate to sprint to the Ranger. Though Kursed doesn't look behind her as she can hear Cypher's SMG firing nonstop at the soldiers. Never once does she hear him let off the trigger. As the gunship was hovering a good few ten feet off the hanger deck as the girls had to jump and help each other up into the Ranger's open troop bay. As soon as both are aboard, Kursed pulled out her staff, while Kate grabs a machine gun that was on the troop bay's arms rack, and both fired on the combatants pinning Cypher down.
"Cypher, run for it!" Kursed screams. "We got you covered!"
Cypher activated his shield and moves as fast as he could towards the Ranger, firing the SMG with one hand. Laser rounds and slugs bounce off the electrified ballistic mesh construct, like a drummer beating his drums as the girls fired at everything that even remotely moved trying to give some Cypher cover. But by now it looks like they had a whole platoon shooting at them, with more pouring in.
The dragon realized that it was now or never, with a press of a button his shield collapses as he turns and bolts for the ship, he grunted when he felt a burst of white hot pain shoot up his leg. Kursed suddenly sees Cypher nearly collapse to his knees as he tries to run. She spots a small mist of blood spurting out of his right leg. She knows that he's been hit. But Cypher only stumbles and recovers just as quickly.
Realizing that he wasn't going to make the jump with his wounded leg Kursed extended her staff to it's full length as he jumps. He manages to grab a hold of the offered weapon. "I got you Cypher!"
Kursed completely forget about Cypher's weight as she tried to pull him in. Him being nearly twice her size was making it a near impossibility. Kate, seeing her friend struggling to pull up the dragon, drops the machine gun and assists her fellow bounty hunter. Together the girls barely manage to pull Cypher up. As soon as they are all aboard, Cypher hits the button closing the door.
"Cypher are you alright!?" Kursed shouts as the troop bay door closes concerned about her teammate's injury.
"I'm fine," Cypher looks down at his right leg and sees blood staining his fatigues. "It's just a flesh wound."
"Hey Cypher what's the loadout on this thing?" Kate asks taking note that the gunship taking note of the fizzing and pinging of bullets and lasers impacting the shields and hull of the ship.
"Surprisingly a lot for a Verian gunship. It's got two bow lasers, two chain guns, two integrated rocket pods with forty thirty rockets each, and it carries four Nova Bombs. This ship is slower than your dad's Wolfen but it makes up for it with armor, shield strength, and raw firepower." Cypher explained trying to get up.
"Thanks for the explanation, but do you think that you can explain and fly at the same time." Kate shouts. "We do have the entire Resistance trying to kill us now."
Kursed smirks as her telepathy picks up Cyphers quietly cursing to himself as he dragged himself to the cockpit. The dragon has never liked Kate and vice versa. Kate's sarcastic and lazy personality drives Cypher crazy as his seriousness does the same to her.
"Ladies, please make sure that you are secured into your seats and your trays are in their upright positions." Cypher calls behind him to the two women who sat in the two gunner seats that faced the troop bay.
"Oh now you choose to have a sense of humor Cypher." Kate shouts.
The next thing Kate knew she was thrown forward into her control console as the Ranger accelerates out of the hangar. The wolf momentarily loses control of her turret and fires wild shots towards the Resistance, missing her target by what feels like miles. By the time Kate regains her seat the Ranger is already out of the station and heading down to Kew. The inertial damper system came online to stabilize the interior so Cypher's crew wasn't thrown around like rag dolls as he sharply maneuvered, "Sorry about that!"
"Damn, I didn't realize this bucket of bolts could fly this fast."
"Well if you don't mind, would you to start shooting before the Resistance blows our asses out of the sky?" Cypher shouts back barrel rolling the gunship avoiding what appeared to be an outdated missile.
Kate looks up and spots six fighters heading towards them. "Cypher, I hope you got some tricks up your sleeve."
"Just let them get close and I'll do the rest. Fire on the stragglers."
"What! Are you crazy Cypher?"
"A little I think. But growing up an O'Donnell it's nothing that you shouldn't be used to."
"Shut up Cypher, you know nothing about my family."
"Will you two idiots shut up and concentrate on getting us out of here alive?" Kursed screams.
"Just trust me for once in your life Kate."
To Kate's surprise Cypher flies the Ranger straight as an arrow, using no evasive maneuvers. The Resistance star fighters zeroing in on them and firing. Fortunately the poorly trained Resistance fighters had terrible aim and miss the Ranger. But a few rounds came close and hit the Ranger's shields, shaking it violently with every hit. But their dragon of a pilot doesn't evade or even speed up.
"Are you trying to make us an easier target you damned lizard!?" Kate screams as the Ranger shakes from another shot. The gunship was larger than a fighter, it made it an already good sized target to skilled fighter pilots.
"Don't worry Kate, the Ranger's pretty well armored. It's going to take more than this to kill it." he starts easing off the throttle.
For a moment the vixen though she was seeing things, "What are you doing?! You're slowing down!"
With a focused look he softly growls, "I'm gonna bring them in closer."
"YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT!?" both girls screamed at him alarmed at the sheer insanity of the plan.
Kate looks back to her monitor and sees two fighters closing in on her turret. She watches them open fire and one hit her turret. Kate is thrown out of her chair and onto the floor from the impact. "Cypher! If you're going to do something, NOW WOULD BE NICE!"
After a few seconds, time slows as Cypher's adrenaline kicked in, he suddenly cuts the engines entirely, giving the control sticks a sharp flick causing the RCS thrusters to pitch the ship up almost perpendicular to their current flight path, then he overrides the vertical lift thrusters and slams the throttle full. Braking the Ranger so sharply that it comes to a sudden stop. The weight of the ship and the planet's gravity causes the Ranger's angle to change just enough so the Resistance Ships don't ram into him as they blast right past them. After leveling out, and throttling forward again he lines up the their would be hunters. One by one, Cypher targets them, locking onto two of the Resistance Ships and fires Nova bomb at each of them, getting a more than satisfying explosion with each hit. Then changed tactics and picked off two others off with laser fire, while Kursed used the ships forward chain gun turret to finish off the last two.
"Holy shit Cypher, that was fucking awesome!"
"It took you that long to realize it?"
Cypher flew the Ranger as fast as he can to away from the station. But with the fighters gone, they hardly had anything to worry about. Even though every few seconds a cannon shot from the Station would sail past them but none came even close to hitting them.
"Alright girls, we're in the clear." Cypher calls out as soon as they are out of range of the Orbital Station's guns. "So where are we going now?"
"Back to Kew Cypher." Kate half orders. "We have unfinished business with Tygra."
Kursed leans back in her chair and exhales for what feels like the first time since they left the hangar. She looks down at the disc in her hands finding it hard to believe that something so small could be so important.
Day 2
0338, Kew Interplanetary Airfield
Tyler stands over his father, watching the old tiger sleep. His snoring sounds like a train going through a tunnel. Tyler's had to listen to it for hours since they took off from S.S. Titanium. If he wasn't so used to it after years of training he would've gone crazy hours ago. Tyler is glad that now he's finally getting the time to stop it. Tiberius told Tyler to wake him when they arrived on Kew. Now it's time but Tyler is very cautious on waking his father as the old tiger has attacked him in the past when he's tried to wake him up.
Tyler reluctantly shakes Tiberius' shoulder. "Dad, it's time to wake up."
Tiberius springs to life quicker than Tyler could've predicted. Before Tyler can blink Tiberius grabs Tyler, flips on his back, and finds Tiberius' hidden blade less than an inch from his throat. He can feel the cold steel against his fur. Tyler doesn't even gulp as he's afraid that his throat will accidently get cut.
"Sorry son," Tiberius says as the blade retracts back into his wrist, "I was having a bad dream."
"The one about mom, Zathora, and Sapphire's murder."
Tiberius looks at his son, that telepathy comes in pretty handy. "Yes, that one still haunts me."
Tiberius' sudden smile sends a chill down Tyler's spine. He hasn't seen his father smile this big in fifteen years, when their whole family was still alive. Tiberius grasps Tyler's shoulders. "But now we are finally going to make this right."
Tyler pats Tiberius on the shoulder. "I know dad, I've been looking forward to this moment for fifteen years like you."
Tiberius and Tyler grab their gear as the cargo door opens. The stench of surges through the whole ship, flooding the clean oxygen with a disgusting garbage smell. Tiberius and Tyler both find themselves gagging. Tyler nearly vomits when the rotten smell hits his nostrils. Tiberius just smiles and ignores it.
"Holy crap, how could Kursed live in such a stink hole?" Tyler shouts, gasping for breath.
"We find Kursed and you can ask her." Tiberius laughs as he throws his hood over his head, covering all of his head except for his face. All that can be seen is Tiberius' mouth and nose. Tyler does the same with his hood. "Remember son, don't look at the cameras. The mission will be almost impossible to complete if Tygra discovers us."
"I already know that dad. You taught me pretty well."
Tiberius and Tyler exit their ship to find it completely dark outside. The skyline of Kew City can be seen in the distance. It's not a pleasing sight as crumbled buildings can be seen. From where Tiberius and Tyler are standing, Kew City looks like somebody bombed the ruins of Rome.
The airfield is almost completely empty, except for a few officials. Surprisingly to Tiberius no one comes to get their information. If two unidentified visitors, like him and Tyler, can make it through the Kew Airfield without so much as one person stopping them to get their information than the military here is even dumber and ill – trained than he thought.
"So what's first dad?" Tyler asks.
"Well first we find a hotel. You need to get some sleep. We'll start our search at noon."
"Sounds good to me dad. I could use a few hours of sleep."
As their walking off the airfield to catch a cab Tiberius spots a camera on a telephone. Tiberius turns his head just so the camera can record his face. A slight smile forms on his face as the camera records him. "Now Tygra, now you know that death is coming for you."
0645, Kew Hotel
Kursed sits in the bedroom alone starring down at the disc in her hands. She can hear Kate snoring in the bed next to hers. Apparently, the wolf felt the need to sleep heavily after every combat situation she's ever been in after her adrenaline has gone down. It was also the vixen's unfortunate discovery it's when Kate happens to snore the loudest. If Kursed wasn't so focused on the disc she'd throw a pillow at Kate to wake her up that and she hardly notices Cypher in the living room checking his weapons and equipment.
The hotel that Kursed booked their room in, the Kew Hotel, is one of the nicest on Kew. It has the best food, accommodations, rooms, and swimming and hot tub on Kew, except for Tygra's Palace obviously. And being Tygra's best and most trusted assets, Kursed and Kate get one of the few suites. Their suite has a living room, full – set kitchen, private bathrooms, and a bedroom with two queen size beds. Kursed took one bed and Kate took the other. Cypher agreed on the couch in the living room that folds out into a bed.
Kursed's mind races through the events that lead to their current situation. Everything feels like a blur to her. She barely remembers the flight to the Kew Airfield, the phone call to Tygra about their mission success, setting up a meeting that evening with Tygra to exchange the disc for their freedom, and buying the suite for the night.
As her mind races, Kursed looks down at the disc in her hands. The fact that she just risked not only her life but Kate's and Cypher's as well for something so small and insignificant looking. After risking her life for it the temptation to see what it on the disc is nerve wrecking. But the thought of Tygra telling them not to view what is on the disc is the only thing keeping Kursed from putting the disc into her computer and viewing its contents.
"So what are you gonna do with that disc?"
Kursed wakes out of her trance to find the dragon standing over her. She's forgotten how good Cypher is at sneaking around. He hardly made a sound as he approached her. But then again, she was focused on the disc. "Damn it Cypher, try making some noise when you walk. You're gonna get yourself shot one of these days."
"That already happened once. You were the one who shot me."
Kursed grins remembering the moment. Cypher walked up on her as she was cleaning her pistol. He made the mistake of not saying a word before placing his hand on her shoulder. Kursed's mercenary instincts took over and she, thinking that he was a mugger or rapist, spun around and shot him in the gut. Cypher was just lucky that she can't aim worth a damn.
"So back to my question, what are you gonna do with that disc?" Cypher asks again.
"Obviously I'm gonna give it to Tygra."
"Seriously, you're just gonna hand it over to that bastard?" Cypher sighs so he doesn't wake Kate.
"I don't have a choice Cypher. Tygra will kill me if I don't."
"Good point there. So Kursed, how much is Tygra offering you for this job?" Cypher asks, trying to change the subject and break the tension.
"He's offered us two hundred and fifty grand to bring in this thing and bury the thief."
"Whoa, that's a lot of money."
"Yeah, enough to finally leave this hell hole for good."
A laugh sigh escapes Cypher's lips. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that. What are you going to do once you leave?"
"I have no idea. I want desperately to return to Corneria but I'm afraid to go back."
Cypher takes a seat on the bed next to Kursed. "What are you afraid of?"
"The people who ridiculed me when I betrayed Fox, Star Wolf, my friends, and most importantly Fox. The way people treated me after I betrayed Star Fox was close to murder. A few people did actually try to kill me."
"I know Kursed, you've told me that before." He replies, remembering almost every detail. "But what about Fox?"
"He's the one I'm afraid of the most. If I go back I know that I'll eventually be drawn to talk to him. I don't think that I'm ready for that yet."
"I wish I could tell you what to do but I can't." Cypher wraps his arm around Kursed and draws her in close to comfort her. "All I can think to say is to follow your heart. That's never steered me wrong before."
Kursed lays her head on Cypher's shoulder. "Thank you Cypher."
Cypher looks down at her leaning on his shoulders. He can see right through her tough girl persona like it's nothing, though everyone else, including Kate, can't see it. He could see Kursed starting to break down. All he wanted to do is comfort her. But there is something deep down in Cypher that drives him to protect her, and it is more than just friendship. Cypher knows that Kursed might be having those feelings too, but she is hiding it well.
As they look into each other's eyes, the memories of their relationship flow through Kursed's mind. Though she barely remembers the first day they met, she had been on a drinking binge at the time, and the memory of Cypher protecting her from a group of rapists is clearly visible. His skills impressed her. After that she managed to convince Kate to let the Verian dragon work with them as a bounty hunter. With Cypher on their team they were unbeatable. But then there was the faithful night which once again began with the three of them drinking, which ended with the vixen and the dragon waking up nude in the same bed together. Both were ashamed and pissed off at each other at first. However, that was the start of their on and off again relationship, which continued for a year. Their relationship came to an end a month ago when Kursed, dealing with emotional stress, decided to break up with Cypher. But they still remained close friends.
Cypher looks down at Kursed and finds himself wanting desperately to kiss her. He could see that she was wanting it just as badly as he was but something holding her bad. Cypher doesn't have to be a genius to know that it's her feelings for Fox. But Cypher decides to take a leap of a faith. He starts leaning in close to Kursed to kiss her when he hears Kate grunting from the other bed.
"Well you two just screw each other and get it over with?" Kate mumbles from her bed.
"Shut up Kate." Kursed shouts. "We broke up a month ago remember. The last thing I'm gonna do right now is mount him."
"Sure, whatever you say Kursed." Kate says as sarcastic as she can. Cypher just smiles and shakes his head.
"So Kate, what are you gonna do once you leave Kew?" Cypher asks.
"Wherever Kursed goes I go. She's the only family I have left."
"What about your mother and father?" Cypher asks only to receive an angry glares from Kate. She's told him about her messed up childhood before. "Never mind then."
"That's what I thought." Kate says as she rolls out of bed, grabs the disc and loads it onto her computer.
"Kate, what are you doing?" Kursed shouts. "Tygra told us not to view the discs contents."
"Ah, what harm could it do? I've been dying to see all the fuss is about." Kate replies. "I want to what I'm risking my life for."
Within moments, the icon shows that the disc is load. Kate clicks on the icon and dozens of icons appear on screen. It takes a moment for everyone to grasp what they are looking at.
"Oh my gods, do you guys know what this is?" Kate shouts.
Cypher doesn't say a word. His mind is still trying to comprehend everything that he just saw.
"Yes, this is Tygra's entire operations playbook." Kursed scrolls down the screen. "It is everything from his monthly governor's meetings, to his sex slave operation. There's even a list of assassinations on here going back since Tygra took office."
"No wonder Tygra wanted this out of the Resistance's hands. If the Resistance managed to get this to the right people they could not only remove him from office but the death penalty would be a slam dunk." Cypher adds.
"Damn, no wonder Tygra offered us such a big reward for something so small." Kate says.
Cypher looks down at his hands. In his mind and heart the dragon knew what he was to do. He reaches into a pouch in his vest and pulls out a spare hard drive. He hooks the hard drive into the computer and starts downloading everything from the disc onto it.
"What are you doing Cypher?" Kursed asks.
"Making a copy. After we give Tygra this one I'll make sure the copy falls into the right hands."
"Cypher, that's insane." Kate shouts. "This is Tygra we're talking about here. The man doesn't leave loss ends. If he even suspects that you made a copy he'll hunt you down like a dog, catch you, and torture you to death just for the fun of it."
"I'm well aware of that." Cypher replies. "But this man needs to brought to justice. I cannot allow this man to continue on acting like he's above the law. It would go against everything I was raised to believe."
"Cypher, you can't be serious. If Tygra finds out he'll kill you." Kursed shouts, trying to hide the tear running down her cheek.
"Don't worry Kursed, I'll be fine." Cypher lightly touches Kursed's cheek and whips away the tear. "I promise you."
Kursed, overwhelmed by joy, lungs Cypher and hugs him tight.
"Don't tell me that you guys are gonna having sex right here?" Kate shouts. "It wouldn't be the first time."
Kursed glares at Kate. "Just ignore her."
"That's what I do all day." Cypher grins. "Now get some sleep. We have a little time before we leave this hell hole behind us."
"Alright, I see you in a few hours Jona." Kursed replies, winking at the dragon. Cypher glares at the vixen, not liking how she used his real name. If he wasn't tired and possibly in love with her, he'd be scolding her for using it in front of Kate.
Kursed leans in close to Cypher and kisses him on the cheek. He stands there stunned as she walks into the bathroom, gently swaying her hips at him.
Kate gags a little. "If I wake up to find them naked together I swear I'll skin them both alive."
0730, Corneria, Moe's Tavern
The normally obnoxiously loud bar was deathly quiet. Usually music, cheers, laughter, and screams of sexual pleasure can be hard at all hours of the day in this bar. Being located next to the college, the bar frequently receives customers seeking ways to quince their thirst to indulge in adrenaline or pleasure inducing activities, even during this particular time of day. But now there was an unusual sight in the bar getting everyone's attention, a beauty by the name of Tenebrae Caruso.
The young feline had eyes from all across the bar leering right at her, including a few belonging to other women. With her wonderful curves, tight body, pleasing face, and gorgeous ebony black fur, she is a sight that man can spend all day gazing at. The tight, black mini skirt leaves hardly any imagination as anyone who glances at her will get plenty of leg and want to rub their paws or claws over them. Her red blouse clings to her body making every curve more prominent. The large cut in the breasts sections of the blouse reveals ample cleavage for everyone in the bar to see. From the stares that Tenebrae was receiving from the bar's patrons they are her most pleasing feature to look at. Her hair is tied in a bun and the glasses she's wearing makes her look cute.
If it wasn't for the government – issue tablet that she had on the table in front of her, everyone would be hitting on her. Everyone in the bar could tell that she was some kind of inspector by the tablet, glasses, and the way she's dressed. The fear that she would have anyone that made a pass at her arrested or possibly shuts down the bar, keeps the perverts at a distance. But all eyes were still on her. The panther could feel their glares on her legs, wishing they could see up her skirt. The lecherous stares at her breasts are so strong that it feels as if they really were playing with her breasts. But it was nothing that she wasn't used to.
Tenebrae glances up from her tablet across the bar and spots a group of coyotes leering at her. She nearly giggles at the sight of them drooling. Their tongues are practically hanging out their mouths. "Might as well have some fun with these idiots."
Tenebrae lifts her soda -not wanting to drink on the job- to her lips and takes a quick drink. Her tongue laps a little, sending a small portion of her soda dripping from her lips and down her body. She acted like she doesn't notice as the liquid rolls down her blouse and down between her breasts. She never takes her eyes off the coyotes watching and wishing they were that bead of liquid and she watched them howl like maniacs at the idea.
"Idiotic perverts, so easy to trick."
Tenebrae shifts her gaze again when the door behind the bar opens and a large wolf walks out and up to her. "Miss Caruso, the boss will see you know."
"Thank you, tell your boss I'll be with him in a minute."
X
Tenebrae walks into a dimly room in the back of the bar. The only furniture in the room are two chairs and a desk, which has a middle aged coyote sitting behind it. Tenebrae could feel his eyes exploring her body as if they were his hands. She ignores his glares as she sits down in the chair.
"What can I do for you Miss Caruso? My name is Zane, the owner of this establishment." The coyotes asks as professionally as he can. It's been a while since he's had a beautiful woman in his office. The only difference between the past and this time is that Tenebrae still had her clothes on, at the moment.
"It's simple sir, I'm from the Cornerian Health Agency. I was here to inspect your business."
"Oh and how did you inspections go?"
"Not good at all. The bar barely meets minimum safety standards, the food is likely to get someone sick, and that's not the worst part."
"What could be the worse than that?"
"Oh I don't know." Tenebrae says sarcastically as possible. "How about the drugs you're pushing through your bar. I saw it within moments of sitting down."
"So what do I gotta do to make these violations disappear?" Zane asks. "How much is this going to cost me?"
Tenebrae looks down at Zane's pants and sees the massive bugle growing down there. She noticed it growing the moment that she stepped into the room. By the size of it she was very impressed.
"Oh I don't accept bribes in the form of money."
Zane looks at the panther strangely, somewhat confused by what she meant. In the past he's always paid off the inspectors. It's how he's been able to become to number one drug dealer in Corneria City and manage to stay out of trouble in the process. "Ok, then what do you expect?"
Tenebrae leans back in her chair like she's thinking and speaks as playfully as she can, "Oh I don't know."
What she did next caught Zane completely off guard. She uncrosses her legs, giving Zane a quick glimpse at something that makes it almost impossible for him-or any perverted male- not to drool even slightly.
"I like to get my bribes another way." Tenebrae stood up and walks right up to Zane. She unbuttons the top button of her blouse. Zane's eyes feel like they are popping out of his head as he watches her breasts slightly spill out of her shirt. Only a tiny red bra covers the seemingly massive breasts now presented before him.
"Is this a joke or a trick to be able to file a sexual harassment charge?"
"Oh no, have you ever considered that women like having sex as much as men?"
"No, I haven't thought about that." Zane replies as he reached down and starts undoing his belt.
"Whoa Zane, I don't mate without foreplay."
Tenebrae turns her back towards Zane who apparently gets the message. Zane grabbed her hips and pulls her into him. She hardly makes a sound as Zane's hands explore her waist, making note of every detail.
"So girl, do you like it rough?" Zane whispers into Tenebrae's ear as he licks her neck.
"Are you kidding? I'm a feline so you better get rough or I'll walk out the door and shut this place down."
"As you wish." Tenebrae stays quiet as Zane's hands continued to explore her body. His left hand moves south while his right moves north on her body.
Tenebrae felt Zane's left hand move down the side of her hip towards the end of her skirt. She doesn't make a sound as Zane's fingers turn to her the inner thigh and run back up her leg. A small tingling sensation runs through her as Zane finishes going up her leg only to go back down again. Zane's right hand isn't as gentle with her as it practically shoots up her body to her breasts, paying special attention to her right one. She tried not to squeal as Zane squeezes and plays with her. He does every movement in the book in a matter of seconds. To Tenebrae it felt like Zane is rushing through the movements, trying to get to the good part.
A minute later, Zane decides to get to the real action. His hands shoot down to the bottom of her blouse and started working on the buttons. He surprisingly takes his time with each button, trying to savor the moment as with each button he undoes the more of the lovely panther he gets to see. After what feels like minutes, he gets to the final button. His fingers slow down to almost a halt as he moves them slowly across her breasts. But the much to Tenebrae's surprise, Zane suddenly stops.
"What's wrong Zane?" Tenebrae asks.
"I don't know, it feels like there's something unusual in your bra."
A sadistic grin crosses Tenebrae's face. "Oh that? That's the knife that I'm gonna put through your jugular." the tone was disturbingly sweet and almost flirty.
"What?!" Zane shouts, not believing the words he just heard and before the he could comprehend Tenebrae pulls the thin blade from her bra and plunges it into Zane's jugular and ripped it out to the side severing his windpipe in the process. Blood gushes out of the gaping wound as Zane collapses on the ground grabbing his throat as he tries to scream but the gash in his throat makes any sound other than a pained gargle impossible.
The panther looks down at her work cleaning her knife with the dying coyote's shirt before She slowly buttons her shirt back up as Zane reaches out to her. When she finishes, Tenebrae bends down to Zane's face and whispers in his ear. "You really thought that I would let a man like you penetrate me? You are no better than my father and brother. The world is better off without you."
A slight smile crosses Tenebrae's muzzle as Zane draws his last breath and the glint of life fades from his eyes.
"This is Agent Caruso reporting in. Target Z is eliminated."
"Good job Agent Caruso. Your payment is being transferred as we speak."
"Glad to hear it. The mission was almost too easy. You got anything more difficult for?"
"Actually there is a mission we've had open for a year. It's a class A mission with a 27% success rate."
"Great, where am I going?"
"Kew"
0815, Tygra's Palace
Lieutenant Shawn Nelson stands at Tygra's door scared to knock. The fear that the young gecko fears shakes him so much that he can hardly move. He can hear the laughter of a middle aged Tiger and two young cheetahs inside. They have a reason to be laughing. It's the time of the day when Tygra spends having fun with Candy and Carol in the hot tub before the day begins.
Shawn can tell by the laughter that Tygra, Candy, and Carol are having the times of their lives. It doesn't surprise him, everyone knows that Candy and Carol are in heat. But everyone doubts that Tygra will actually impregnate them, being over fifty.
Shawn looks down at the envelope in his arms. He knows that what's in it is going to ruin Tygra's mood. When the boss was in a mating mood it is a very bad idea to interrupt him. The last guy that interrupted his mating sessions ended up getting one of Tygra's hidden blades introduced to his jugular vein. But what's in the envelope is very important.
Shawn lightly knocks on the door. The sound of Tygra's scream makes him jump and shake with fear. Just as he is thinking about running away, the door flies up and Shawn finds himself staring face to face with a large tiger with murderous intent in his eyes and a giant double – sided axe in his hand. Shawn is so scared that he almost doesn't notice Candy and Carol standing in the hot tub. The only thing on them is the water. He can see them in all their glory. If he wasn't so afraid of Tygra cutting him in half he'd have a huge smile on his face.
"This had better be good Lieutenant." Tygra growls.
Shawn is so scared that he can only stutter. "Sir . . . I thought that . . . you should know . . . we detection an . . . authorized access . . . to the disc."
"Which one?"
"The one that . . . the rebels took." Shawn takes a deep breath and speaks quickly. "We found that it was accessed by Kursed and Kate."
Tygra lowers the axe but still looks absolutely furious. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Those two were always troublemakers." Tygra thinks for a moment. "They broke the rules of the contract so they deserve death. Tell Kursed and Kate I want to meet them at my palace in an hour. Hide the man and don't tell them the targets until I give the orders. We don't want Kursed's telepathy picking up on what's about to happen."
"Yes sir Tygra. But there is more."
"Make it quick." Tygra looks back to Candy and Carol who are playing with each other, begging Tygra to come back to satisfy them. "I got some business I need to take care of."
Shawn hands Tygra the envelope. "Our traffic cameras at the airport took these photos. Immediately our systems showed that these two were marked by you as HVT."
Tygra opens the envelope and looks down at a picture of two cloaked males. One is wearing a black cloak, appears to be full blood Tiger, and in his fifties. The other is wearing a sleeveless, white cloak, appears to be a Tiger/Blue Fox hybrid, and in his twenties.
"I was wondering when they'd come after me. Took them over a decade but finally time has come for me to finish what I've started." Tygra smiles.
Shawn looks at Tygra confused. Why would his boss be smiling? These two men are obviously trouble. "What should I do boss?"
"Keep an eye on them. Have my best SpecOps unit close by ready to strike when these guys rest."
"Yes sir, we haven't lost them yet. Last time I checked they were staying at the Kew Hotel."
"Good, I want the Op on its way and report on my desk in an hour."
"As you wish sir."
Shawn walks away trying to figure out who these two men are. If Tygra would go through the trouble to send out a SpecOps team after them then they must be dangerous. But that is none of Shawn's concern. All that matters to him is obeying his master.
Tygra turns back to the hot tub and towards Candy and Carol. He watches the girls play with each other, trying to turn him on. They don't have to do much to succeed there. They are two of the most beautiful women he's ever had sex with, and that's a pretty long list. He finds himself being drain to them immediately.
Tygra slides into the hot hut and is almost immediately bombarded by kisses from Candy and Carol as they jump him. Their hands explore his massive chest as Tygra's hands explore every inch of their bodies. Within moments all three are purring like kittens.
"What was that about honey?" Candy asks.
"Nothing important. Just some old friends arriving that I used to know." Tygra lies and grabs Candy around the waist, pulling her in close. "Now what do you say we have some fun."
"But Tygra what about the babies?" Carol gasps as she rubs her well – toned belly.
"Oh sorry, guess I was a little distracted." Candy and Carol rubbing and kissing him, not to mention discovering that his old ally now enemy has arrived on Kew, made him forget about his offspring growing in both Candy and Carol. "I guess that I'll just have to be gentle."
Candy and Carol giggle as Tygra lifts them both and his arms and carries them to the bedroom. But throughout the long night of GENTLE love – making Tygra's thoughts are everywhere but satisfying Candy and Carol, who don't even notice. His mind is solely on Tiberius arriving. He knows that he should be focused on stopping Kursed and Kate but he can't stop thinking about Tiberius.
"Looks like the past is finally catching up with me." Tygra smiles as he watches Candy and Carol sleep. For once his thoughts are not on their beauty but the life growing in both of them. "If Tiberius thinks that he's gonna kill me without a fight he's got another thing coming."
To be continued.
Kursed, Kate, and Cypher have the disc. Tiberius and Tyler have arrived on Kew. Tygra knows that Kursed and Kate have broken their agreement. All this only points in one direction, complete chaos.
Hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review as any help to improve the story will be appreciated.
If anyone has questions please either PM me or leave a review and I will answer as best I can.
This is John Storm signing off, Stay Frosty ya'll
