Chapter 2

"Yeah, well it was fun while it lasted." Said Fuzzy groggily. He hadn't yet recovered from his blow to the head.

Perry ducked under Fuzzy's next punch and hit him squarely in the ribs. The bigger canine grunted but retaliated successfully by striking Perry in the gut.

"C'mon, Fuzzy, let's pick up the pace." Perry said. Then he began a flurry of martial arts moves, most of which Fuzzy blocked.

"Not bad, Perry. But that martial arts stuff is only good for sparring like this, or on the open battlefield." Said Fuzzy. The Husky then delivered a few combos of punches, most of which were also blocked. "Boxers always win when it's time to get up close and personal, like in corridors or cockpits, you know, real fighting."

"That's why I'm good at both." Perry replied, then he matched Fuzzy's technique, move for move.

The other Huskies in the gym watched the match with interest. Perry's speed and technique was matched against Fuzzy's strength and endurance. The two canines had been trading blows for a few minutes now, and neither had managed a win.

It was sparring Husky Squadron style- no protection, no padding on the floor, the most you would do would be to bind your paws.

Perry struck Fuzzy heavily across the face, drawing some blood from the Husky's mouth, but Fuzzy struck back with a heavy punch to the chest. Both fighters stumbled apart for a moment.

"Not bad, Perry, I almost felt that one."

"You've been getting quicker, too. Almost faster than Turtle Tom now."

It was at that point that an audible thud was heard. The Huskies turned to see Keeler lying face down on a gym mat, with a huge crow laughing over him.

"HAHA! That was too easy!!! Are all you Husky Squadron types such wimps?"

"Who's that clown?" Growled Fuzzy.

"That's Marcus Blackwing, Nightcrow Leader." Perry replied blithely.

"Nightcrow?"

"A new escort squadron for the 1st Tacbomb." Said Terry from behind them. The great eagle stepped forward. "Someone ought to teach him a lesson."

Marcus, meanwhile, hadn't stopped his arrogant tirade. "C'mon!" He yelled. "Bring it on! I'll take any of you Huskies! What's the matter you guys, scared?"

At this both Fuzzy and Terry took a step forward, rage seething on their faces. But Perry grabbed their shoulders and held them back.

"Oy, Perry, I can take him!" Both pilots said in unison.

"I know you can, but it's more interesting if…" Perry glanced of to the right, and the other two followed his gaze. Blaze had stood up, and was quickly striding to the offending crow.

The trio smiled. This would be interesting.

"Aha! A new challenger!" Marcus yelled. "Prepare to get your ass kicked!"

Marcus leapt forward and began striking Blaze with a variety of moves, starting with kicks, then working his way into punch combos. Fuzzy noted that the crow didn't have half the technique that Perry did, and it was quite evident Marcus wasn't as strong as himself or Terry. The only reason he had defeated Matt was because of the boy's lack of experience.

Meanwhile Marcus kept giving Blaze his best shots, some of which Blaze blocked, but when he lost interest, he simply dodged or stood still, letting a blow strike him, then grinning as though it was nothing.

Marcus was getting desperate. He tried shots at Blaze's gut, his knees, his neck, his head, even at the 'crown jewels'. But the great orange-furred creature never stopped smiling.

When it became evident that Marcus was getting tired, Blaze leaned forward and gave him a single swift jab to the gut, knocking the crow backwards and leaving him clutching his belly on the ground.

"You'll… PAY… for… that…" Grunted the crow.

"Pretty intimidating for someone who's just been decked by a single punch" Said Blaze sarcastically.

The other Huskies looking on laughed.

Then, around eight other pilots clad in white singlets stood and encircled the three laughing Huskies.

"You think it's funny?" One of them asked menacingly.

"Of course." Replied Perry. "Why, don't you?"

By this stage, Marcus was struggling up. "Like I said, you Huskies'll pay for that. My pilots'll show you."

"Oh, you mean these mindless goons?" Fuzzy chuckled. "I'd very much like to see that."

"Get'em!" One shouted. Then the brawl was on.

Nightcrow squadron never stood a chance. Right at the beginning, Terry bodily lifted one of them and threw him across the gym. Fuzzy decked another with a solid punch to the jaw and Perry knocked a third one out by delivering a swift chop to the base of his neck.

"That's enough!" A voice bellowed from the gym entrance.

Most of the pilots stopped and looked, the others were quickly subdued by Terry.

"What's the matter, Grey?" Sneered Marcus. "Scared that we'll pound on your boys?"

"Firstly, you look like you're the one getting your ass kicked, Blackwing, and secondly, remember who you're addressing, Captain."

"Ooh I'm sooo scared of the big bad Colonel." Marcus said sarcastically.

"If you keep this up I WILL bust you down to Flyer for insubordination and conduct unbecoming an officer." Bill said sternly. "Get out of here, and take your pilots with you."

Marcus snarled and stalked out, followed by his goons. Each one gave Bill an icy stare as they went past, but Bill met the eyes of each pilot, unflinching, and returning their stares with one of his own. When they were all gone, Bill walked out to his squadron.

"I should reprimand you too, but I heard the whole thing from outside." He said quietly.

"What's with them?" Said Terry. "Don't tell me they're gonna be posted with us."

"I'm afraid that's the case." Said Bill. "I'll be giving out our deployment orders soon, but I can tell you- we'll be seeing a lot more of them."

The other pilots groaned.

"Well, what'd you come down here for, other that to save their sorry asses?"

"Just to let Fuzzy know," He turned to the other Husky. "-I want to see you in my office now. Come with me."

"All right," Said Fuzzy. He grabbed his jacket and walked after Bill. "What's going on?"

"We need to discuss some matters."