Starpups
chapter ten
I own an original story. This isn't it.
Before Wolf realised what was happening, he was on his chest, with two green scaled paws around his neck. "Hey Leon." Wolf muttered, as he laid on the floor. "Can you get off my back?" "Oh, right." Leon chuckled, quickly scurrying off to the side, so Wolf could get up. "I'm so glad we're pulling out of there!" Leon smiled brightly.
James turned on the television. "As you know, the Bloodfang gang leader has escaped prison. The reward for his capture is 50.000 credits. In related news, a wave of assassinations has occurred in the aftermath of the escape. We believe the leader is trying to reclaim his place at the head of the former Bloodfangs. Authorities advise to avoid the warehouse and southeast districts at all costs. If you live in these areas, we advise you contact off-world family. Lastly. The police is looking for this bandicoot." an image appeared on the screen of a blue bandicoot, with babyblue hair on his head, hiding his eyes for the camera. "These images were taken at a fuel station close to the Demonfox residence. Whether this is part of the on-going gang wars has yet to be decided, but K. Bandicoot's involvement in the Demonfox housefire was confirmed by his accomplice who was caught at the scene. By a miracle though, the youngest members of the family escaped unharmed." as the camera shows footage of two baby foxes cuddled together on their sides, each having three tails, including one that's gray. One fox had a red eye and a tiny demon wing visible to the camera, the other a blue eye and an angel wing. That would be all for today's news. We thank you for watching and hope you join us at six for the evening news. "
"Things are really getting out of hand there, and I know they'll come for you too." James said, "but I'm sure that once we are safely on Papetoon, we'll be fine." Wolf smiled. His new dad really did care for him, tossing his entire life away just so that he would be safe. "Thank you, James." Leon hugged James. "So where are we going?"
"To our home on Papetoon." Lupus replied, smiling. "Wait, wait, wind back." Fox sputtered. "You mean the family mansion? We haven't gone there since mom died." "I know, I had to drag him back kicking and screaming the first time I was there. Anyway, who's up for a game of super Beat 'em up? I got the newest edition, fresh from the stores, still sealed and all." all three kids beamed, when a com ringed. James smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I really gotta take this." he said as he made a quick exit. "Saved by the bell. Yeah?" he answered the call, as a hologram of Beltino Toad appeared.
"Hey, James, I wanna collect that favor you owe me." the frog said. "You know that my work means I travel a lot. Your com says you're near Corneria. Can you pick up my son Slippy from the planet? I don't like the way things are going down there, and I'm sure between you and lupus there should be enough dumb luck, er, I mean talent to make something of a mercenary out of him, right?" "If he has your talent for it, I think he might be a good team mechanic. I'll go pick him up right away." "Thanks, Furball." "You're welcome, Four-eyes." James grinned as he cut the communication. "I'll be out for a tiny bit, then we'll leave the planet behind. You three enjoy yourself playing video games in the tent?"
"We'll live" Lupus and Fox replied at the same time as the wolf's tail vanished into the tent. James grinned as he walked up to his Arwing. "Dodged yet another bullet there." then he heard a frustraited howl coming from the rec room. "wonder which brother is losing."
Meanwhile, inside the tent, which now hung over the tv, the couch, and two chairs for support, Lupus was howling in fury, as he was being smashed across the screens by this two sons-in-law. "You're really bad at this, Lupus." Fox grinned. "I can play Baby Sparks and still beat you." "Heck, I can beat you with Jumper Frog or Miss Floaty!" wolf added, causing Lupus to let out a heavy sigh. "How about we play something else? I know, i'll show you the Virtual reality room."
"We have a virtual reality room?" Fox asked, looking up with a bright smile. "Yes," Lupus replied, "and right now it's hooked to the flight simulation programs. How would you like to get your first real Arwing training?" The three boys were already in the hallway before he could finish. Fox smiled sheepishly, "Which way to the VR?" "This way." the elder wolf grinned, leading the way.
James smiled as he looked at his survailance screen with a smile. "Glad my family's getting along..." he muttered as he set course for the planet. "ROB, Triangulate Slippy's com, please." he said, while he approached the surface. "The com signal is tracable to a dorm room registered to Slippy Toad. I marked the dorm on your map." "Thanks, Rob." James said, hanging up as he walked over the academy campus. As soon as he approached the campus though, he got swarmed with students asking for his autograph. James sighed and let himself be led to the cafeteria, muttering to himself. "This is gonna take a while."
-Meanwhile, science labs-
Slippy was building a mini sub based on his schematics. "So now I use these lead plates to simulate the equipment weight, and determine how much it can carry and still float." Slippy grinned as he put an empty hull in a tank of water. "That will immediately test how long the material can stay waterproof." he commented as he kept loading in weights till his boat was right at the edge of sinking. "Okay... and that proves my math. Time to go home." Slippy grinned as he walked past the cafeteria. "Good, if they're busy, I'm home free." he muttered as he ran out. "oh, right... I'm forgetting the meeting!" the frog said as he ran out, straight for Leon's dorm.