A/N – ah, the next chapter. Thank you for the wonderful reviews you all have given me. I very much appreciate it. Some notes to reviewers...

Evora- I was reading your revised story,, but the computer booted me from IE. I will read it after I post this. Btw, what I read was much better than the first, keep at it. :)

Katina Squadrons

Chapter 8 – Sibling Enmity

A young tactics officer inserted the data chip into the Beta-graphic Display Unit (Ha- a BDU, any other zoomies get that one?). His supervisor flipped through various surveillance and intelligence pictures until the written objectives appeared.

"Here Sirs, you see the advantages of taking this base. Not only is it in enemy territory, but it is along a major trade route between main sectors. By taking this base, we will disrupt both commerce and military traffic. It is a strategic point tucked just behind the front lines."

General Fitzbrider rubbed his paws together, "Good good. How well is it defended?"

"Very sparsely sir. It would take a few squadrons and ground units, but any loss would be compensated for by the value of the position."

The general was a stout beagle with twenty five years in the military. He had started as a tactics officer and had moved his way up the chain until he was in charge of planetary defense. Due to recent events, he had been moved to offensive planning.

The beagle thought over the plan and agreed, "You will use three squadrons for air support and send some hit and run missions to the other bases on the planet to distract them. Two ground units should be enough for the base penetration. I know just who to choose for the ground assault leader..."

"Hey Mya, wait up," Alex ran to catch up to his sister.

"What's up," Mya said evenly.

The two nearly identical lynxes were walking down the quarters hall on the second level, with rooms on one side and the gym on the other.

"I haven't seen you in the lounge yet, where have you been?"

Mya stopped at her door and unzipped her flight suit halfway, revealing a black t-shirt, "Oh around. In the simulators, the gym and wherever else we're authorized to be."

"You should relax more often, I miss hanging with you and Ambro together," he leaned on the wall next to her, "I talked to Marlyn yesterday. She wants to move to Tierhurst soon, so my next leave will be spent packing and moving."

Marlyn was Alex's wife, a petite lynx, who lived on Corneria. Tierhurst was the nearest town to the base and many spouses and families of the military resided there.

"I think she wants to start a family too. You know how she makes those subtle hints that I usually miss," he grinned.

"You shouldn't," Mya stated.

"Huh? Miss them? Oh come on, guys aren't subtle, we need those loud road signs-"

"Start a family," she interrupted, "You shouldn't start a family while you're in such a dangerous job. Do you know how nice it will be for her to raise a kid alone? Your kid? Your wife?"

Alex frowned, "She realizes the risks I take and that I could be killed. That's why she wants to move closer, so she can see me more often. I want her to be closer too, I miss her."

"You don't get it."

"You don't get it either," Alex retorted, "When you love someone enough to kill for them, to die for them, they understand you in every way."

"I do get it. Why do you think I want to be away from you? When I look over and see your ship blow to bits I..." Her voice faltered.

Alex didn't know what to say. All he could do was stand there and watch his sister's temper flare.

"Damn you! You'll make me weak," she lunged at him, striking his nose with her fist.

They had wrestled and fought as children, but the larger lynx certainly wasn't expecting to be attacked so abruptly. She slammed him to the floor and he lost his breath. By the time he could breathe again, someone had pulled Mya away. A paw was offered and he took it.

"Thanks," he rasped.

The reply was from the worst fur who could witness such a tussle, "You two come with me," said Commander Grey.

Mya was the first to be reprimanded, reduced rank, etc. Alex was sure it was something bad. This kind of stuff had happened before between them, and it wasn't the first time Mya had laid him flat. There were times that he had knocked her out too... but they had never been caught by their direct commander.

This could be very bad for his career.

While Alex panicked outside Bill's office, Mya maintained her strait face and bearing.

After she finished retelling the incident, Bill nodded, "I understand you are very strongly against being on the same squadron with your brother, but fighting, in a main hall, is not the way to absolve the situation. I see on your records that you have attacked your brother once before," he paused, "And were caught, so I will have to take action. I am temporarily reducing your rank to Flight Officer and removing you from flight status."

He reached his paw out for her star and wings. After pausing momentarily, she removed each insignia and placed the silver rank in his outstretched paw.

"I believe you will get these back soon, Mya, you don't seem like the type who gives up. You will attend all briefings given, but you will sit separate from the squadron. That is all, dismissed."

He returned her salute. As the door opened, he called for Alex. The lynx saluted and reported in.

"Are you sure you don't need to see a medic?"

"Yes sir, I'm fine. We... uh, I'm tough."

Bill knew what he almost said and it was good he hadn't uttered the confession.

"For the next few days or so, it would probably be best to avoid your sister. Very soon though, I will have you two sit down and talk things out like grown furs. You two need to work together, not against each other. That is all, Lt Tainer."

Bill began clicking on his data pad when he heard the soft clank of metal. The gray hound saw two 1st Lieutenant star and wings.

"I reduced your sister's rank, not yours."

"Sir, it was my fault as much as hers. We do things together," he said solidly.

Bill sighed, "That seems to be the problem. You're not always going to be on the same squadron. It wouldn't surprise me if Mya left Red Squadron as soon as she could. Now put your rank on, Lieutenant."

The severity in his voice persuaded the lynx to pin the silver pieces back on his uniform. He saluted and left.

Bill looked at Mya's rank and sighed again. It was his first reprimand given as a commander. He sincerely hoped the two would work things out. There were few things more priceless than the bond between siblings; a bond he truly missed.

The door chimed and General Fitzbrider pushed a button on his desk. The doors whisked open.

"Sir, Sergeant Major Tomatz reporting in," a tall ape called firmly.

(a/n- oh I don't know how exactly the army does their rank thing, so I'm making up my own rank ladder.)

"Oh good, you're here," the older beagle finally looked up from his desk screen, "You have read your mission agenda?"

"Yes sir," he said simply, "I understand the objective. May I make a suggestion, sir?"

Fitzbrider furrowed his brows impatiently.

"The air support may not be enough to cover the two units on the way in. The new Air Carriers may be a better choice."

"I have discussed this twice with both tactics and engineering, they are too vulnerable. They'd be more a liability than an advantage. Plus, the air mission is to draw the fighters away from the base and leave it unprotected, not to destroy the station. Is that all, Sergeant?"

The ape paused, and then nodded, "Yes sir."

"Then get out of here. Come back when you have a Cornerian base in your possession."