While Skye was busy pondering her own plight; Viper team Sigma-9 was occupied with their own agendas. As per Marcus's orders as leader the team split into two different units. True splitting into three would have made things easier as all three were capable of great things alone, but, due to her inability to fully control her raging Pyrokinesis, Marcus was in constant need to keep Sierra's abilities in check. Maryk however, was not too unhappy by his order to go off on his own. Marcus made no short cues about how Maryk worked, preferring to render victims unconscious rather than killing them, despite the Viper code of leaving no witnesses behind. His mission was simple enough, get into Sargasso Station and make certain that the rumors about Caruso's occupation there were just that...rumors. His method of approach was simple enough; due to his former fame as a bodybuilder, the young wolf had contacts just about everywhere. One such was Tanya Farther, a young cougar working with the ministry of defense stationed on Xenass, a space colony floating on the boarder between Lylat and Stygian.
With his ship positioned far outside the orbit of the famous Sargasso Station; Maryk punched in an all too familiar com channel into his Wolfen's com system. He exhaled lightly; Tanya could be difficult to talk to sometimes, he simply hoped that his current situation would merit a more serious conversation from her. All he needed was some fake codes, Tanya was good about hacking into just about any system she could sink her claws into. It wasn't long before a green screen washed over the window in front of him, still quite see thru. In the screen sat the image of a rather attractive lioness, her long, wavy red hair brushed over her left eye leaving only one of the bright yellow orbs visible. She leaped at the sight of Maryk's face, clapping her hands together while spouting something incoherent as he received her facial motions, but no sounds. After a moment she ceased to speak and simply waited for him to respond. Maryk simply chuckled closing his eyes sarcastically as he shook his head, before lightly tapping his finger against his left ear. The sudden shock on Tanya's face made him force back a fit of laughter as her rather soft voice finally came through...
"Oops!" She chuckled, "sorry handsome. Sort of had the mute button on, you should have heard the last few conversations I had on this thing. Anyhow, it's great to see your face again..." She sighed looking to the console in front of her, "...I was beginning to think you forgot all about me."

Maryk sighed heavily, "Oh don't give me that Red, you know how hectic the life of a Viper can get. Hell I'd call you every day if I could. You're one of my closest friends and the best damn informant I've personally ever seen. Maybe you should just find a boyfriend or something."
"Well," The cougar smiled sheepishly, "if someone would get of his dusty black ass and ask me out."

Maryk shook his head again, he really was flattered, she wasn't exactly the worst looking girl he'd ever met, "You know that wouldn't work. You're kinda clingy, and this line of work would never allow that. You're a hot little thing though, why bother with me when you could have any guy you shake your tail for?"
"What if I don't want just any guy?" She chuckled, "what if I'm into black wolves with muscles the size of mountains."

Maryk scratched his chin, "Hmmm...that is a pickle. So, I'll make a deal with you. Do me a solid right now and I'll owe you one for the next time we're in the same place. How's that sound?"
A rather devious smile stretched across the right side of her face, "You might not like the idea of that much."

Maryk laughed again, "I'll take your word on that but, fact is I really need that favor."

Her smile only grew wider to incorporate both sides of her face, "Fair enough. Whadda ya need?"
"I need a safe entry into whatever security system is around Sargasso Station," He replied, "if there is one at all. I also need to know whether or not there's a way I can get in without being spotted. The station has no long range scanners and I can't knock out short range scanners at this distance."

The speed at which Tanya's delicate fingers danced across the many keyboards in front of her made Maryk's head spin. She was the only person he knew for breaking the Hecetoncheir System without training. He'd once watched her save a corrupted system from a virus with one hand, while simultaneously sending a response virus to the source with the other. The speed at which she worked was once described by Slippy Toad as being unnatural, something she took as a rather powerful compliment. Roughly five minutes went by of studying her face as she went from semi-serious in her conversation, to fully serious in her job. It wasn't until now that Maryk even noticed the small patch of fur that formed a black spot just under the corner of her right eye. Another moment as she sighed with relief while sitting back in her seat...
"Alright I'm sending the codes to you right now," She said, "it's funny though, there was never a security network this extensive when Star Wolf ran the place. I have the station's schematics in front of me right now; they're extensive too. Look if you don't mind, I could stay in contact with you over sub-space link and guide you through it. So long as the telemetry on your communicator is active I can follow you through the station on my monitor."

Mayrk scoffed, "You can do that?"
"Well yeah," Tanya chuckled, "so long as I can keep in contact with you, I can triangulate your position in the station by using the surrounding satellites. It's pretty standard stuff really; three point triangulation system. I'm not on duty right now so this will give me something to do."

"Fine," Maryk replied, "so where's my point on insertion?"
The feline's face became suddenly replaced with an x-ray model of the station, with a small arrow pointing toward the tip of it, "Near the top there is a blind spot in their sensor grid. There's a maintenance hatch nearby that you should be able to make an emergency dock with. I went ahead and deactivated the area's security measures, you should be able to dock there without setting off any alarms."

Maryk nodded tapping the side of his head, "Alright, I've sent you the code to my covert com system. I'll be able to hear you but they won't. By the by, erase this number as soon as we're done here. Sort of military secret, if you get my drift."

As the monitor shut down, the feline's voice echoed into his head, "Sure thing handsome. Soon as you're out and safe it's history."

Maryk often considered himself lucky, Tanya was simply one of the few that made him feel that way. How many guys like him could actually say they had a military grade hacker and genius who'd do anything to get in their pants? He didn't often play into her hand so easily but, the chances of her helping him were significantly increased when she believed she was going to get something serious out of him. Then again in her line of work she really was sticking her neck out for him, and that was something he always managed to pay back in spades. As per Tanya's prediction, as rare as such a procedure was, docking with the maintenance hatch went off without any kind of problem. Having never seen the insides of such a station, Maryk shook his head at the drab, colorless steel structure. Originally meant as a communications hub, after it's initial failure, it became a munitions dump like all other failed space stations. However, it's derelict locale just inside the boarders of the Astriod Belt Meteo made it a very significant target for Star Wolf, very quickly evolving into a base of operations for the group of thugs. During years past it had been known as a central hub and sanctuary city for just about anyone with a criminal record trying to stay out of the limelight of the Enforcers and military.
The sheer size of the base alone made it difficult to get his bearings, but, any time he became lost his personal guardian angel would simply guide his feet toward the next most priority location. The base was a solid structure, with many corridors along the outer ring, while it's interior mass was mostly used as a storage area, now built more like a small city. Moving from corridor to corridor however, there seemed to be no level of security at all. Unfortunately, it was as he rounded a corner than he quickly stepped back, flattening himself against a wall only to hear something unsettling...
"Did you guys see that?"

"Fuck me," He half shouted at himself.
A light chuckle shot through his headset, "Easier said than done at this distance."
"Seriously," He responded, "there's about six guys around the way and they're closing in on me quick."

The sound of fingers on keyboards rattled through his head before finally Tanya came back, "About sixty feet behind you there's a maintenance hatch under the floor panels."

Doing as she said, Maryk quickly rushed to a set of the grated floor panels, until he noticed the slight difference in them and quickly hoisted the one in front of him over his head before dropping down below allowing the panel to fall back in place. Backing into the shadows of the very narrow walkway beneath the corridors, Maryk shook his head as an unknown pair of strangers stepped onto the panel he'd just come through. One pointing out to the other that he'd heard something in the area, before they rushed off. It wasn't a good omen, it meant they'd be on the look out now, and now that he knew there was a presence there, he'd have to be twice as careful.
"You okay?" Tanya asked.

Maryk nodded, "Yeah," He sighed, "that was close though. Makes me wonder why the rest of this place is abandoned though. Why is it secure now that I'm near the center of the Station?"

"I can't say," Tanya replied, "but if you fallow that maintenance shaft, it'll come out one of three places. One is on the other side of the main facility, one in a storage area, and the last in a security center near what used to be some sort of control room."
"I'll take that third one," He sighed, "hopefully I can figure this all out without having to get physical with too many people I'd rather this remained a stealth mission. I hate conflict."

Tanya chuckled, "Amen to that," She replied, "so at the end of that path, hang right. You'll come to an intersection, there you go left. It's a bit of a walk from where you are though."
"So long as it's a quiet one," Maryk replied as he started off.

Maryk found it to be just that, he didn't mind Tanya's talking; she simply went on about how things had changed since the last time they'd seen one another. How things had been and asked how things were with him. It was like catching up with a friend you hadn't seen in a number of months, just with the added possibility of getting killed. After a rather extensive walk he took hold of the tank top he wore pulling it over his head and balling it up before wiping down his now sweat soaked face and chest. It amazed him how long mechanics could stay down in such places without dying of dehydration. Yet a bit further along and he was halted by the lioness...
"Okay my readings say you should be right next to another access panel," She pointed out, "look for an orange maintenance hatch, it's to one of the air ducts that lead up to the security office. They're usually sealed so you'll have to find a way to get through it."

Not bothering with details Maryk sighed, "Don't worry it's done."
There was a shocked silence, "How did you?"
"It'll be easier if you don't make me explain." Maryk chuckled, "let's just get this over with."

The duct was cramped, especially for someone as wide built as him. Forced to crawl most of the way, he only got stuck once for a moment, but managed to get through by holding his breath. Finally he managed to find his way to a dead end with a small vent. However suddenly a very cold sensation traveled up is pants, along his back, and finally to his chest and face. Someone had turned on the air, and it was very much needed and welcome. He admitted that he lay there a bit longer than he probably should have but, the cold air caressing his overheated body was too much to pass up at least until a somewhat pudgy raccoon stepped near the grate for the air duct...
"Whoo...something stinks..." He shook his head before walking away, "gonna have to get those guys from maintenance to check the ducts...my god smells like someone died down there."

Maryk twisted his head a bit sniffing just below his shoulder only to have the smell burn his eyes, "Wow...I need to switch deodorants. Then again," He began to push the grate after hearing the door to the room shut, "I can't recall the last time I had a hot shower."

As he pulled himself from the air duct, and stood up Maryk stretched causing his back to pop; he then pivoted and made a sharp turn to his left where the raccoon stood with a large pistol in hand. The look in his young brown eyes was however not that of a killer, it was the look of someone that had obviously gotten himself in too deep with something he didn't understand. The large bodied wolf simply took a cautious step forward...
"You know who I am?" He asked causing the raccoon to lightly shake his head, "you know what Viper is?" This time he only gave an affirming nod only causing Maryk to hold out his hand, "you wanna give me that gun then? Or do I have to take it?"

The raccoon only hesitated for a moment before placing the weapon in Maryk's open hand, "Look, I didn't sign up for any of this...I live here...they're not giving anyone a choice."
With a sharp twist of his powerful hands, Maryk contorted the pistol into an unusable heap before setting it on a nearby crate, "The fuck are you talking about kid?" He asked before lifting a threatening finger, "quietly."

The raccoon stepped back, finding a seat before exhaling, simply happy that the wolf wasn't there to kill him, "Some lady in a weird coat showed up here about a week ago. She had Powalski and Caruso with her. First she gave everyone this retarded speech about the dregs of society and how we're being undermined and kept away from the cities by people that consider themselves higher in status than us. When people didn't listen to her..." He paused this time shaking his head as he looked to the floor, "she killed five of the strongest men here..." He said snapping his fingers, "...like they were standing still."

Maryk fanned out his shirt before putting it back on, "What else do you know kid?"
"Not much," He replied shaking his head, "Caruso and his shithead son stayed here. Powalski headed out with that psycho bitch. Caruso put me in charge here, mainly because I know the security system here better than anyone. My dad used to run security for Wolf."

"Listen close kid," Maryk sighed, "what you're gonna do right now. Is walk out that door, this conversation and meeting never happened; and all I can promise you in the meantime is that when I get my hands on Caruso...Imma break his arms, then I'm gonna drag him back to Corneria by his tail, and shove it down his throat."

As the raccoon slowly steadied his resolve and made his way out the door, Maryk stood by and waited until he was far out of sight. He then looked to a small line of monitors behind him; there wasn't a lot of cameras inside the base, there was only one outside that he could see, or at least only one that Tanya hadn't knocked out of service. Several inside, and one overlooking the station's docking bay from the outside, showing no ships coming or going. From what else he could see there were several unmarked soldiers, clearly Caruso's men standing watch near the control center that Tanya had already warned him about...
"I thought you said you hate conflict," The cougar's voice came over his communicator, "that shit you have planned with Caruso sounds pretty conflicting."

Maryk shook his head at the thought, "Let's just say he's got some shit to answer for. I may hate conflict, but, I hate people like him more than anything. Talks a big game, but in the end he's just a coward. I hate cowards," He paused for a moment closing his eyes, "sorry about this old man," He sighed, "listen, Tanya. I sent you two com channels a while back; if something should happen and we loose contact for a while. Call them both, tell them that there's a Code-4 on Sargasso Station. They'll know what you mean. Just tell them that Thunder sent you."
"Maryk I don't like the sound of that," Tanya replied, "you almost sound like you're marching off to your death."

Rather than say anything, Maryk simply cut line to his communicator. What was about to happen was not for her to hear, and he thanked god that it was something she wouldn't see. Killing was not generally his forte but, knowing when to break his own rules had kept him alive so far. If push came to shove, it was something he knew he'd have to do again. His opportunity to get to work presented itself rather standardly, a single patrol visible through the air vent in the door clearly headed in his direction. The coyote that stepped toward the door was clearly no soldier, several knife wounds had left scars on his face and arms. The removed sleeves from his jacket insisted that he had a high regard for himself, and the way he carried the rifle he had was nothing short of obnoxious, waving it about like a damned toy. Thugs were always the easiest to deal with, far too high and mighty to think they can be hurt, and no matter how much you hurt them, you never really feel too bad about it. Before the makeshift soldier could find time to respond, his lackluster grip on his gun failed as he was jerked through the doorway by an unbreakable force. With Maryk standing behind him, the wolf wrapped his large arms around the coyote's waist before swinging them both backward striking the coyote's back, shoulders, and neck against the security panel behind him. When his life had turned him toward amateur wrestling to keep him occupied, a rolling suplex had been a choice favorite. The victim wasn't dead but, unconscious, incapacitated, and would not enjoy his day when he woke up. Even from delivering a single suplex to an unsuspecting idiot, Maryk could feel his blood heating up, he'd hurt people in his amateur circuit before by letting himself get carried away but, this was a life or death matter and from this point there was very little turning back...
Looking back through the slatted vent in the door, he took notice of no others however, as he stepped out into the open he did take the moment to destroy the coyote's rifle and toss it into the room with his unconscious body. He'd watched the young raccoon from earlier make his way down the halls, and turn left. Clearly this was the direction to wherever the mother he'd mentioned was. Yet, thanks to Tanya he also knew that just a bit further along his current path would lead to the control room he saw on the monitors. The sudden static of an unorthodox communicator caused the wolf's ears to perk up. The military had disbanded use of old short wave radios, because of this most gangs and thugs used them, simply because no one ever monitored the channels anymore. After a moment his keen ears zeroed in; the source was not far, two or so corridors down. Starting in a casual but wide gain walk, Maryk made certain to keep his head on a swivel, however, as his new target came into view, he broke into a full charge. Unfortunately, too occupied with his radio and his inability to contact the coyote he'd been patrolling with, the otter noticed the thumping footsteps a moment too late. He turned only to feel the force of Maryk massive bicep collide with his chest and collarbone before the wolf's forearm hooked forward violently, sending the otter's body into a partial backflip slamming his head and neck into the metal floor panels before the full force of the collision caused him to roll off his shoulders and onto his stomach. Unfortunately, the moment he took to check the poor creature's pulse, the sound of a cocking rifle behind him caused Maryk to stand with his hands in the air. The unseen, gun for hire however, proved his inexperience with the matter. As soon as the barrel of the rifle touched his back, clearly trying to push him along the hall; Maryk shot about, his right arm batting the weapon away and into the wall before his left hand wrapped around the fox's throat lifting him high into the air. His radio clattered to the floor only to be crushed under Maryk's boot...
"Now that I have your attention," He smiled, "how many more are there? Minus you three of course?"

The fox struggled to pull himself up by a grip on Maryk's wrist, "T-twelve..."
"Well that won't do," Maryk squeezed a bit, "you see, the last one said otherwise." Clearly he was lying.

"A-alright..." The fox choked, "...th-there's twenty more..."
Maryk nodded, "Any of them not like you. You know, untrained?"
"There's five of 'em..." The fox eased up as Maryk softened his grip, "...they're not normal. They never say a word; never leave each other's sides, and they never carry a gun. At least none that I can see. You're good...but, now that they know you're coming...you're as good as dead."

Maryk smiled wide, "Do you think a Viper would ever come in here without having a few tricks up his sleeves. See, I'm FAR from normal..." He sighed, "...the others will learn. As for you, thanks and good night."

Maryk swung the fox into the wall to his left, causing his head to make a rather sickening thud before dropping him on top of the otter that lay nearby. Oddly enough, the rest of the trip along the way toward the control room was empty. He found the control room to be in a small open area in the station, with none other than his intended target standing near the door to the locked control room, his arms folded cockily across his chest. As Maryk approached the large open room, the black panther scoffed. For Maryk the situation only made things a little easier; it was clear to him that the more inexperienced individuals were called away while somewhere nearby, Caruso's so-called Elites were hiding in wait. Standing in the middle of the room Caruso lay his hands to his sides...
"I remember you," He laughed, "you're...Maryk I believe it was. You know, when I was on Zoness you broke my wrist."

Maryk nodded, "You're lucky I didn't break your neck."

"So I've heard," Caruso replied, "unfortunately you're in no place to make idle threats. You're unarmed, outnumbered, and outclassed."

Maryk slid his hands into his belt line his fists emerging with slatted metal plates over his knuckles, "You're partially right," He said, "also the cloaking masks your boys are wearing. Won't do you any good against me."

"What makes you say that?" Caruso chuckled, "what you can't see you can't fight."

Maryk simply smiled as a the lights in the room began to flicker causing a small web of electrical arcs to weave down around his body before dispersing into the floor in repeating waves. As he stood by, several more waves began to pulse faster along his body before he struck his metal lined fists together. The pulses suddenly burst out in a short orb of blue sparks around Maryk's body, causing several confused individuals to phase into sight, while standing, inspecting their bodies...
"Professor Beltino compared me to a living power plant," He replied, "I put off roughly 2.6 gigawatts of electricity at any given time. They're still trying to figure it out, but, that's not the best part. Ask yourself real quick. What if he can fully control that electricity?" He smiled taking note of a much shorter version of Panther standing nearby, "For example..." He said pointing an open palm at the young cat causing him to skid quite violently across the metal floor until his chest met the wolf's open palm, "...if I positively or negatively charge this little prick's bioelectric field with enough charge..." He then released Robbie Caruso causing him to flatten onto his back incapable of moving, "...he becomes a very stupid electromagnet."

Panther very suddenly drew a blaster, that quickly leapt from his hand and into Maryk's, "Look, this is...unfair?" Maryk chuckled, "so," He smiled bouncing in place a bit, "I'm feeling a little frisky. So, I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt. Drop all your weapons...and we can do this like uncivilized people, and I can just beat you all unconscious with my bare hands. Nobody has to die, nobody has to suffer."

Caruso chuckled, "He's out of is mind," He sighed, "but, if that's the way he'd like to do this. Go ahead and kill him," He laughed, "not TOO quickly though., I'd like to get a good look at his smug face covered in blood. You're all former soldier so, try not to embarrass yourselves."

A rather large Doberman stepped out from behind a nearby storage crate cracking his knuckles, "You guys just relax, this shouldn't take much time. No point in us all getting our hands dirty."

A couple of the other soldiers took the moment to sit back, Maryk simply sighed and rolled his eyes. It was always the larger one's that he considered giving people like himself a bad name, Just because you're large means you're a savage idiot. The Doberman didn't hesitate, unfortunately for him his form was sloppy. More a street punk brawler trained by some military, whoever trained him would have been disappointed. The punch came in hard, arching, it was a studied blow aimed high and center, clearly going for Maryk's throat. The mark met with Maryk's palm, before a bone crushing grip before a twist of his wrist caused the canine to crumple to his knees. Maryk simply sighed while shaking his head...
"Look," He sighed, "I know this is a big cock measuring contest for you guys but, I have a couple friends that might need my help and an entire Armada to get in route here to shut this operation down. So whadda you all say, just come and get this over with and I can get out of here this is getting irritating," He said looking to the Doberman, "no offense, I'm just short on time...and kinda tired."

None of the other four seemed to want to waste any real time, one from the left, two straight ahead, one from the back. Unfortunately, the charge seemed to cease for a moment as one of Maryk's rather large boots brought the one behind him to a screeching halt, fully altering his momentum as his body soared back to the steps where Caruso still stood. Though his game was not martial arts, a wild mule kick was more than enough when thrown with force capable of mashing most security doors. The knife the poor animal had been carrying clattered to the floor, causing Maryk to shake his head at the other two before swinging the Doberman by his wrist and allowing him to slide across the floor and into a far wall. The two still rushing in front of him however, as the first reached him Maryk reached into the cup of each arm, effortlessly tossing the short white wolf several feet into the air before shifting only slightly to the right. The kick thrown by the darker furred wolf caught into the crook of Maryk's arm before his attacker was swung in a vicious sweep tearing the other wolf out of his decent and sending them both careening into a nearby crate. He sighed however as he turned back to face the large Doberman who now stood by before placing a yellow tablet on his tongue and swallowing it...
RAGE; it was nearly as popular as HYPE, more for the in-scene fighting crowd than anything else. A fully synthetic metabolic steroid enhanced with nanotechnology. The veins in the canine's neck began to bulge violently, while he grimaced almost in pain as his mass began to inflate slightly. The dosage was instant, incredibly effective, and a near lethal dosage at all times. The sight caused Maryk to gently massage the crook of his elbow, an unpleasant, familiar sting caused him to grit his teeth. Self-doubt took many people to that place, he was no different.
Caruso laughed, "Lars here has been a fan or yours for as long as he can recall, "this will make him very happy."

Maryk shook his head before standing, ready for what was to come, "No, it won't," He sighed, "it just leaves you empty inside. Once you're a hollow shell...there is no happiness...just the bottom of a pit."
"Wonderful," Caruso laughed out loud, "he's a philosopher. Lars, see to it that he regrets coming here."

Maryk sighed ash he shook his head, "You best hope I don't survive this," He said rolling his neck, "cuz when I do. I'm gonna tear you in half...from the legs up," Maryk put away the metal plates on his fists before looking over his shoulder for a moment, "hope you two can hold out for me. This could take a minute."

Waiting for the charging behemoth, Maryk could only ready himself. There'd be no telling what the Doberman was capable of, not until they locked horns. He knew that Caruso was a coward, the cat wouldn't move from the spot he stood in so long as he knew that Lars stood between him and Maryk. It was a cheap ploy but, one that he was known, even in the military to play. Once he saw an opening to get away when Maryk had the upper hand, he was certain Caruso would take it. Now, with a steroid enhanced aggressor, as well as a two bit coward, there was a difficult job ahead keeping himself alive...


A/N: Hiya, Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Sorry it took so long to publish, had a few setbacks in class and even more at home. In this story Maryk found that some rather shady stuff is going down between several figures of the old Star Wolf crew and our mystery antagonist Terra. Hope you stay in touch for chapter 13: Blue Blazes.

Thanks for the support and for following me this far all

the footsteps in the darkness ~ SkullFox