"At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid."
Friedrich Nietzsche
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As they approached, Arthur stopped.
"I'll head to my own ship and meet you in orbit, High Guard frequency 23-alpha." With that Arthur walked away. Once on board the Maru Dylan looked at the other two,
"OK, dish. What do the pair of you know of this 'Red Wolf'?"
"Where to start." Beka said. "OK. Here's a little history lesson for you Dylan. Following the collapse of the Commonwealth and the Nietzschean Alliance, the galaxies fell into chaos. Tyrants began to appear all over, slavery appeared as well. As the galaxies collapsed into fractured groups and empires, stories began to surface of a small group of men, wearing High Guard uniforms, who fought the corrupt and the slavers. The most famous of these, and the one from which the legend was born, was on Theises V about 270 years ago." Beka looked over at Tyr, "Do you wish to tell this part?" Tyr smiled.
"Your enjoying this aren't you?" Beka just grinned. "Very well. On Theises V was a small colony of humans, farmers I believe, who were of no significance except that their planet was in Drago-Katsov space. The Drago-Katsov send two destroyers to claim the planet and in-slave the colonists. The colonists naturally refused, so a force of 150 warriors were sent against the unarmed colonists, some 500 in all. When the warriors arrived at the settlement, only one person was waiting, a human male. Of the 150 sent against the village, only one survived, the only female in the force. When she informed the ships' in space a nuclear barrage was ordered. Before that was fired a solitary slip fighter was launched. Nothing was heard of the destroyers again. About a week later, the prides Alpha received the commanders head and the two destroyers name plaques in a package with a simple note. It read, 'Attack civilians again and you will die'. The note was signed 'Red Wolf'."
Dylan stood in awe thinking this over. A single human had destroyed two Nietzschean destroyers in a single slip fighter. Now someone claiming to be the legendary Red Wolf wished to help him in his quest to rebuild the Commonwealth. There was still one thing bothering him.
"How did he get such a name?" Beka smiled and looked at Tyr who grimaced.
"I'll tell you that part Dylan. When he returned to the colonists' hiding place, he was soaked in blood from head to toe. It is said that he has a tattoo of a wolf over his heart and a double helix and sword one on his forearm." Dylan began to say something but Beka cut him off.
"How can this be the 'Red Wolf'?" Beka asked. Dylan just nodded, "He is said to be immortal. More likely he is an AI or a clone of the original." The comms light began flashing, "Why don't you ask him." Beka opened the link, "This is the Eureka Maru. Go ahead."
"This is Arthur. Would you open the doors to one of your cargo bays so I can dock. My slip drive is on the fritz."
"Sure. Bay door 4 opening now. Welcome aboard."
"Thanx. See you in a few minutes." As Arthur arrived on the Marus' bridge an explosion rocked the small ship.
"What the hell? Beka who's firing on us?" Ask Dylan. Without taking her eyes off the navigation screen Beka replied.
"Guessing by the friendly message for our guest I'd be guessing the Drago-Katsov." Dylan cursed under his breath the turned to Tyr, "Hail them."
"You want to talk to them?!" Asked Arthur. Beka smiled while Tyr smirked and answered for Dylan,
"He likes to do this. Talk first shoot later." Arthur just threw up his arms,
"High Guard Combat Protocols. Stupidest book ever written." After his little rant he turned to Dylan, "I'm going down to the engine room just in case." Dylan just nodded and opened the comms. "This Captain Dylan Hunt of the Systems Commonwealth, to whom do I have the pleasure of talking." On the screen a Nietzschean bridge appeared centred on one figure,
"Ah the great Captain Hunt. I am Captain Napoleon Kahn of the Drago-Katsov. I have no quarrel with you Captain but I insist that you hand over your guest."
"May I ask why?"
"He is wanted for questioning in relation to several terrorist attacks in Drago-Katsov space."
"And if I refuse?"
"Captain, you are in a tugboat I, on the other hand am in command of two Nietzschean destroyers."
"Good point. Give me one minute to discuss this with my crew."
"Very well captain, one minute no more." With that the screen went blank.
"OK captain what's you're plan."
"Beka set course for Sinti." Beka engaged to engines and moved the ship as the Nietzschean destroyers open fire. The internal intercom clicked,
"I guess we're running back to the Andromeda?" Came Arthur's voice.
"Yes." Replied Dylan, "She's at Sinti."
"I have another idea. Head over to Sinox XII, I have small surprise of my own waiting. I had a feeling the Nietzscheans might interfere." Tyr was intrigued,
"What kind of surprise?" At that point Arthur walked back onto the bridge.
"As you may or may not know, the wolf is a pack animal. My pack is waiting."
"And the pack contains...?" Asked Dylan. Arthur just smiled,
"Now that would spoil the surprise. As much as you doubt me, Sinox is a hellava lot closer than Sinti and I'm betting there's and ambush on the way back."
"He has a point." Remarked Tyr, "Much as I loathe to admit it, The Drago-Katsov have set ambushes before and Sinox is significantly closer."
"Sinox it is. Beka?"
"All ready on it." The Maru turned away from the Destroyers and headed for Sinox.
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