Review response:
Some dude: Hmmm, cool idea but I've got something else planned. Thanks for the idea though.
Black Phoenix: After rereading the story I can see that, but that's not the case.
Krystalwolf: This chapter should be longer, but I might get lazy and make it short again.
Silver Meta Dragon: Squeak.
Hunter Killer: Sorry to say but Falco will never shut up.
M: here is the update
The Silent Wanderer: Like the new name, sorry it took so long to get back to Rosy.
I am not DEAD, sorry for the late update I've been really busy and battling writers block. So sorry for taking so long here is the unknown.
Rosy griped her gun tight as she watched David and Kiba check their guns and watches. She tried to keep a mental time in her head, only ten more minutes she thought as David radio sparked to life.
"What now," David growled as he yanked the radio free and opened the channel.
"B-Basket Case, y-you're n-n-not gonna b-believe this," said a petrified voice.
"Calm down, your acting like a kit. Now what's going on out there," David said as he tired to keep his anger in check.
"That s-ship's not dropping t-t-troops," the voice managed to reply.
"Then what is it dropping," David demanded.
"Aparoids," came the breathless reply.
"Damn it your dunk again," David yelled.
"Na boss he's sober it really is dropping aparoids," came another voice over the radio.
"Shit, everyone open fire," David screamed.
Kiba flinched as he heard gun fire crackle over the radio followed by high-pitched screams. Kiba griped his gun tighter and leaned over to Rosy.
"Listen," he said softly, "when they come through that door run for the ship and stay there alright."
Rosy was paralyzed for a moment before she nodded her head. Kiba nodded in return then headed over to David.
"You have anything with more firepower than this," he asked.
"Yeah on the ship there should be a light chain gun," David muttered as he went checked his gun again.
"Right," Kiba ran to the ship and looked through a few of the crates before finding the gun. "Nice," he muttered to himself as he lifted the gun and readied it for firing.
Alex took another look out the vid-screen toward Crowe's flagship and gave a small sigh. Admiral Grey had been over there for far too long in his opinion. As he turned to walk back to his post he heard the low whispers of the crew.
"What's taking so long"?
"He should be back by now."
"Do you think something's up."
"Man what I would do for a drink right now."
"Is that all you can think about"?
Alex stopped then in a loud voice said, "listen up, Admiral Grey will be back when Admiral Crowe dismisses the meeting, until that time I expect you all to act like the soldiers you are, understood"?
The crew gave quick nods and Alex continued to his post. As he reached his area the com system flared to life and Bill's face filled the vid-screen.
"Attention Katinan fleet, we have just concluded the meeting and it has been decided that I remain with Grand Admiral Crowe for the time being, First Officer Alex is to take full command of the fleet until further notice. I trust all of you will treat him with the same respect you treat me with. Alex I will give you a briefing in 15 minutes. Grey out."
Alex stood rooted on the spot, he's leaving me with command of the fleet he thought, something must have happened. He tried to calm down as he walked toward the captain's chair as the crew looked on in part amazement and horror. Well, he thought, guess I had better do this right.
"Alright, I know you all are not happy about his and I can partly agree with you, as my first command I promote Lieutenant Jacobs to my first officer." Alex watched as Jacobs rose from his post and moved next to his chair.
Jacobs leaned over to Alex and whispered, "smart move, the crew trusts me and you hope I can keep the crew on your side."
"Hope it's not that obvious," Alex muttered as he stood up.
"The captains will know it but the majority of the crew will not get it."
"That's what I was hoping for," Alex said softly, "Ok," he said his voice growing louder, "I'm leaving the bridge to Lieutenant Jacobs while I meet with Admiral Grey. The bridge is yours."
"Thank you, Admiral," Jacobs said with a sneer.
Alex winched at the obvious insult and left the bridge. As Alex walked the corridors of the ship several of the crew paused at his approach and after a moment gave half-hearted salutes. This is not going to be easy he thought as he neared his quarters. As he reached his room a young fox ran up to him and gave a quick salute.
"Admiral, I'm ensign Pollock," the fox said eagerly.
"How can I help you ensign," Alex said as he turned to face the fox.
"I just want you to know sir that you have the support of the fighter wings," Pollock said with a nod.
Alex gave a smile and said, " Thank you ensign, dismissed."
"Yes sir," the fox said as he gave a quick salute and scurried down the corridor.
Alex watched the fox disappear down the hall before he entered his room. As he walked to the vid-screen he checked his watched, wow thirty seconds to spare not bad he thought as the screed sprang to life a Bill face filled it.
"Sorry to throw is on you Alex but it had to be done," Bill said with an apologetic smile.
"It's not your fault Admiral."
"Do you ever stop being formal," Bill asked with a smile.
"No sir," Alex replied, "So why have I been put in charge of the fleet"?
"Mostly to keep the Zoness Admiral happy and to keep the Venom fleet on our side."
"Venom I understand but Zoness"?
"They have better relations with Venom's new government than we do and they trust them more than us," Bill said bitterly.
"So what is with you staying on Admiral Crowe's ship," Alex asked.
"Grand Admiral, he wants to try to keep loyalty localized and I a hero to many of the soldier of the fleet," Bill said.
"So they follow a hero over their commander and Crowe doesn't want them to follow you over him," Alex said with a smile.
"That's not exactly…Well yes it is exactly why I'm over here," Bill said with a laugh. "But on to more serious matters, the collective admirals believe that Pepper is planning something against the system but they need proof, once someone can produce the proof we can move in and nip this in the bud."
"But they haven't been able to find anything right," said Alex as he began to pace the room.
"Right all of our spies haven't checked in and I fear they might be dead," Bill said as he hung his head.
"So we have to wait here, and on the meantime my crew is not happy with their new admiral," Alex said sarcastically.
"I know Alex but try to keep them under your control, Bill out."
The vid-screen went flat as Alex sat down and rubbed his forehead. This is just what we need he though a delay.
Katt walked up behind Fox and laid a paw on him and said, "Hey tiger how is she."
Fox sighed before he said, "No change."
"Hey she'll get better I know it," Katt said as she tried to smile.
"Zavis said she has about a week left," Fox managed to choke out.
"Hey that's all the time we'll need to take down Pepper and get her back to normal."
"Maybe but how, I mean who is going to believe that Pepper is now in control of the aparoid swarms," Fox said as he stood up?
"Someone will, Falco is getting in contact with Peppy and Slippy right now I'm sure one of them will think of something. Look you get some sleep it's been rough for you these last few days."
"But what about…"Fox began.
"I'll keep an eye on Krystal tiger so no worries. Just get some sleep before I knock you out," Katt said as she raised one paw to hit Fox.
Fox gave a weak grin as he ducked out her range and slid into an unoccupied bunk. He tried to fight the exhaustion but it was a lost cause as he finally gave up and slipped into unconsciousness.
Katt took the seat Fox had occupied and gently held Krystal's paw. Come one Krystal you can pull through this I know you can Katt thought as Zavis entered the room. Katt looked at him for a moment but turned away as his eye patch flashed in the semi-darkness.
"What," Zavis said as he moved over to Katt, "Not happy that I got cleaned up"?
"No its not that," Katt said, "You've changed from when I first meet you."
"People don't change in two days Katt, you've just gotten to know me."
"I'm sorry but I hate what has happened to you, I don't think you deserve all of this."
"Hey it's alright, things happen that we don't deserve you just got to live with em," Zavis said as he laid a hand on Katt's shoulder. "You've got to quite feeling sorry for me, I like what's happened to me it makes me who I am. Listen you worry about yourself and I'll worry about me. Besides that bird in the cockpit worries enough about you as it is."
Katt gave a small smile as she said, "Yeah I guess your right. Falco has been there for me a lot and he does worry about me more than he should."
"I think that's why he hates me. He probably thinks I' going to absorb you or something."
"Probably, Zavis are you going to help us stop Pepper," Katt said as she watched Zavis face.
We should help if only to get revenge on the murders of my queen.
"Yes human we should, what's the point of a new body if my home is destroyed. Plus that panther of your will most likely die if you don't help."
Gee two to one just my luck.
"Yeah Katt I'll help you guys," Zavis muttered as he headed towards the door.
Katt smiled as Zavis left and thought I knew you would help us you really haven't changed as much as I thought.
Zavis entered the cockpit and sat next to Falco and asked, "So where to now"?
"I contacted Peppy and he's meeting us in Sector Y, we'll figure it out from there. Stay here and don't touch anything I'm going to tell the others the plan, I've got the controls locked and were entering slip-space in a few moments," muttered Falco as he left the cockpit.
Damn he still doesn't trust me Zavis thought as he watched the space in front of the ship shimmer with a green light before they were hurled into slip-space.
Kiba ran back to the others as something began to bang against the metal door.
"Bout time you got back," David muttered as he cocked his shotgun.
"Better late than never," Kiba shot back.
"Open fire as soon as that door comes down, we've only got to hold them for four minutes alright," David said as everyone gave quick nods.
Kiba watched the door as small indents were being forced into it as he revved up the chain gun. This is going to be fun he thought.
Authors notes: I'm finally DONE! Sorry about the late update but I was gone for a week then I had to run Rec. at VBS and my Internet has been plain evil. Add to that a mild case of writer's block and well you get the picture. Also Guild Wars has consumed much of my life. Anyways I fear the end is in sight, I'm guessing 3-4 more chapters and it will be over (then again I only was planning to write 10 chapters so…). So once again sorry for the late update and absence of anything exciting in this chapter. Will update much sooner next time I promise.