Hey all! I know it's been awhile but yada yada school work and so on. So without further ado let's get started.

Chapter 10: First Blood Part 1

"I KNEW IT!" a loud familiar voice shouted from next to Reaper as he exited the classroom with Nightmare and Preacher.

"…Shit." Reaper thought with a grimace as he turned to see an irate Ashley came stalking toward him.

"Ummm we better get to the hangers and prep the ships sooo… good luck!" Nightmare said as he and Preacher sprinted down the hall abandoning Reaper to Ashley's wrath. Reaper could only brace himself for the chewing out that was about to occur.

"Why am I not going on this mission?!" Ashley shouted/questioned as she got into Reaper's Face and unconsciously pushing her C-cup breasts against Reaper's chest.

"Hmmmm, not bad … what no! STAY ON TARGET!" Reaper mentally scolded himself as he tried to ignore the gorgeous wolf's assets and answer her. "Well Ms. Vulama, I received explicit orders to not include you on this mission by general Hare who in turn was petitioned by the military's propaganda division." Reaper answered as he did his best to match the glare Ashley was sending him with her deep blue eyes.

"… (Sigh) I knew this whole thing was too good to be true." Ashley stated as she stepped back looking defeated. It saddened Reaper to see the usually determined and independent wolf now look so beaten with her head held down and her shoulders slumped. Reaper could sympathize with the young Lylatian before him. All Ashley wanted to do was have the ability to serve in the same capacities as the rest of her male peers and was being denied because she was a female and the last of her family, a family that itself was renowned for being combat pilots. In a way by denying her the option of flying in combat the Cornerian military was denying Ashley a part of her heritage.

Reaper gazed at Ashley for a couple seconds before speaking "However if by chance we were to leave the hanger unlocked after we left on the mission and a certain student decided to get some extra training in and decided to join up with us after we left orbit I would feel obligated to let them join." Reaper stated as he looked up at the ceiling like he was simply speaking out loud and not to Ashley. Ashley's head shot up and gazed at Reaper in shock and hope. "Of course where would a student get such an idea? Have a good day Ms. Vulama." Reaper finished with a wink but before he could turn around and leave Ashley snatched his lips in a soul searing kiss.

Reaper was too stunned to react at this turn of events even as he felt Ashley's tongue make its way into his mouth as she continued to pour every ounce of feeling into the kiss. Almost without thinking Reaper stuck his tongue into her mouth in return and began to explore mouth paying attention to the larger canines of the female Lylatian which elected a moan of pleasure from the wolf before they parted with a trail of saliva connecting their mouths. Collecting their breaths Ashley looked Reaper in the eye and said in a whisper that Reaper almost missed "Thank-you" before she ran down the corridor to get her flight gear ready.

Reaper stood there for a couple of minutes before he stiffly turned around and made his way to the hanger in complete silence. As he arrived at the hanger where the students where starting up their fighter craft, in front of him Nightmare and Preacher where waiting for him.

As the two other Shadow team members saw Reaper walk toward them Nightmare smiled before calling out to him "What the heck took you so long Reaper? I hope Ashley didn't rip off anything permanent." Nightmare joked before he noticed that Reaper didn't even acknowledge them as he walked between them and continued on to his parked Phantom. Nightmare looked at Preacher questioningly "What's up with him?"

Preacher shrugged before turning and making his way toward his own fighter "Don't know, let's just get to work I'll ask him later." Nightmare just nodded and headed over to his own craft both of them however would be wondering what had happened at Reaper and Ashley's confrontation for quite a while.

: Half hour later, just outside Corneria Orbit:

"Shadow 1 to Shadow Flight, change heading to 314 to the Beltino Orbital Gate and recheck all systems for space jump." Reaper announced over his Phantom's comm system, behind him and on either side where the two other members of Shadow flight Preacher and Nightmare. Preacher like Reaper was in a Phantom while Nightmare flew a Maelstrom E (basically the space version of a Typhoon FGR4) that was painted with the standard Shadow Team black along with the canopy being a black tint and with a red outline of vampire fangs on the front. Reaper knew from experience that the red paint was reflective so that when the GAT cannon mounted beneath the nose was fired the fangs appeared to flash and glow red, seemingly alive.

Glancing down beneath their formation Reaper saw the students arrayed beneath them flying in trail but with no clear formation. Deciding that he needed to organize them into a unit he opened up his communications and began speaking.

"Alright everyone I assume that most of you still have not been given call signs yet so let's get that out of the way before we get to the combat area." Reaper announced before contemplating a bit as he reviewed his students and their skill sets.

"Falco new call sign Aflack, Miyu call sign Zeke, and Jasmine call sign Sigma. The three of you are now designated Saber Flight with Falco as lead. Wolf call sign Alpha, Isme call sign Zipper, Nick call sign Cross, and Ilia call sign Wild Cat you guys are now designated as Stratus Flight with Wolf as flight lead." Reaper stated getting some grumblings from the students but acknowledgements before turning to the remaining three students, one of which had joined them shortly after they reached orbit. "Ashley call sign Amaterasu, Lucas call sign Fang, and Katt call sign Salt you are now Helios Flight with Ashley as lead. Stick together and protect each other out there we have no idea what we may face once we get there." Reaper ended with some advice.

: With Helios Flight:

(Ashley's POV)

In her Arwing Ashley was ecstatic, not only was she in her own aircraft but was now flying on what would likely be a combat mission and now in a leadership position in charge of her own flight of fighter craft. The members of said flight where no pushovers either. Fang were a veteran combat pilot and Katt was a mercenary of some renown. The only thing she was questioning was her call sign "Helios Lead to Shadow Lead what is an Amaterasu?" She asked Reaper.

"Amaterasu is a Shinto goddess of the sun and has the form of a wolf. I thought the name fit you rather well." Reaper replied making Ashley blush secretly in her aircraft at the comparison to herself and a wolf goddess.

Deciding that she had better make a good impression for the higher ups as this mission was being recorded by the aircrafts communications radar and on board forward camera recorders. "Alright this is Amaterasu to Helios Flight keep alert out there and call out threats as you see them, let's show Shadow what we can do."

"Understood"

"You got it!" Fang and Katt replied respectively causing Ashley to grin.

: With Saber Flight:

(Falco's POV)

Falco had honestly been surprised when Reaper pronounced him flight lead. Though he and Reaper had been less hostile to each other after he had apologized to his instructor for his previous behavior he still hadn't thought the human would have trusted him enough to elect him as a flight lead. He was still thrilled however at the prospect as he had never really been given the opportunity to lead others as most of the time he was flying under Fox for the majority of his life. Falco though was determined to make the best of this opportunity. Steeling himself for whatever was to come Falco switched the safeties of his weapons and was ready to go.

: With Stratus Flight:

(Wolf's POV)

"I understand putting me as flight lead but why put me in charge of rookies?" Wolf thought as he formed up with the rest of his flight. While Isme had some combat experience he could count the number of engagements she had been in on one paw. Nick on the other hand was a complete stranger to actual combat though he had shown some promise in the simulators. Wolf just hoped that skill translated to real life. Ilia he was not worried about as she was a seasoned mercenary with a decent collection of kills.

Deciding on what to do with his flight Wolf keyed his comm. "Saber lead to flight, Zipper your my wing, Wild Cat you take Cross and cover each other's six. When we get in the combat area try and stick together, and remember Cross this is real life do not freeze." Wolf instructed before giving a sigh.

"I've done all I can do now, hopefully they'll pull through." Wolf thought as the four flights arrived at the Beltino Orbital Gate.

: 30 minutes later, operational area on the outskirts of Papetoon space:

(Preacher's POV)

Preacher cruised along through space with the rest of Shadow Flight, his eyes quickly alternating between his radar and visually inspecting the view in-front of his craft. Preacher sighed as he looked down at his console at the small picture taped in the upper left corner. The picture was a snapshot of his newly restored family. His father a tan man that was a body builder's envy towered over practically everyone at 7'0 and had a scare on his forehead running from his hairline down to his left temple. He had short black hair and brown eyes that along with the smile he wore in the picture perfectly portrayed his caring and warm personality toward those he cared about. Ralph's father had his arm draped around the frame of a beautiful 6'2 panther. Her radiant purple fur complemented her striking green eyes and brown hair that went down to her mid-back. Her hour glass figure was pressed against that of his father and a loving smile graced her face. In-front of the older panther was a younger one with black fur and a playful smile that lit up her young face. She had black fur, light brown eyes that seemed to radiate happiness, and white hair that went down to her shoulders

Preacher or as his birth certificate stated Ralph Bowerstone never knew his original birth mother and although he never would admit that he wanted one he had been overjoyed when his father Rico Bowerstone had remarried to one Rena Caroso sister to the notorious Panther Caroso who was foreseeably not pleased with the marriage. The two had met just after the Aparoid Invasion and had kicked it off. Ralph had met her a good two weeks before his father proposed and while Ralph was surprised at the speed their relationship developed agreed with his father's choice as he had come to enjoyed Rena's company in the time he had met her. After the two had married they had adopted a young panther named Celia who became Ralphs younger sister and Ralph couldn't help but smile every time he saw the 9 year old bundle of fur as she would always ask him to tell her of his adventures.

"All craft adjust heading, we are heading to section E-13 the scheduled meet up point. Keep your heads on the swivel and increase thrust to combat speed." Reaper's voice commanded over the comm. E-13 was the area on the edge of Papetoon space and included a small asteroid field and one extremely large asteroid called Gliphross.

As the group approached E-13 they were greeted by the sight of the tell-tale flashes of explosions and the streaks of distant laser fire. The group also was able to make out the shapes of large ships exchanging fire.

"Shit! Okay everyone listen up! It looks like we are a little late to the party so let's make an entrance. Sigma what can you tell us about what we're about to fly into?" Reaper asked as the group increased speed and soared toward the engagement.

In her craft Jasmine was going over all the data her sensors where collecting. Her Arwing had enhanced sensors as part of an electronic warfare package that she requested for her craft. As a result though her craft was slower than the others and was lightly armed with only a single laser instead of the usual two. Thankfully however, the additional sensors where very useful in this situation "I'm detecting a mix of Cornerian Military vessels along with numerous pirate ships. The Cornerians have what looks like two light cruisers and three frigates. The Pirates have 4 frigates, 2 heavy frigates, and a destroyer. I have also detected numerous fighter craft engaging in bombing and fighter actions." Jasmine called out.

"Where are the colony ships?" Preacher asked over the comm.

"There at just outside the main engagement and heading toward Papetoon, however one is lagging behind and the enemy destroyer is closing. I've also found enemy craft on an intercept course for the colony ships, looks like fighters and bombers." Jasmine answered before pausing and then announcing "One of the light cruisers is transmitting to us putting it through." Jasmine went to work and soon a voice came across the comm.

"Cornerian reinforcements this if the Cornerian 3rd fleets Light Cruiser CMS Fox Fang come in over!" A highly stressed and somewhat panicked voice came across.

"This is Shadow Lead to Fire Fox we read you loud and clear, what is your status over." Reaper replied.

"The situation here is critical Shadow Lead! Our brother light cruiser CMS Marauder has taken severe damage and is dead in space with an enemy frigate attempting to finish it off along with multiple enemy craft. We have scrambled fighters to assist but they require assistance. We are currently engaged two enemy ships a frigate and one of the heavy frigates. Most of our fighter cover is engaged in a fur ball near Gliphross. The remaining heavy frigate has engaged two of our frigates the Rascal and Yellow Star which is hit fairly badly. Our other frigate CMS Lunar Hawk has engaged two enemy frigates and is holding." The comm officer aboard the CMS Fox Fang stated.

"Roger that CMS Fox Fang, we have detected enemy craft heading to the Colony ships. We'll support them and then head over to assist you once they are secure." Reaper stated.

"Understood Shadow Leader just hurry!" The officer stated before cutting the connection.

"Alright here is what we are going to do Saber Flight you head over and intercept those craft heading for the Colony ships. Preacher go with them!" Reaper announced

"Right-oh boss!" Preacher stated as he, Falco, Miyu, and Jasmine turned and made a bee line for the vessels.

(Reaper's POV)

As Reaper watched Preacher and Saber flight head off he quickly determined how best to task his remaining craft. "Nightmare I want you and Stratus Flight head over the Colony ship that's lagging behind and cover it understood?"

"Sure I'll babysit the wee tikes." Nightmare responded.

"Alpha understands, Stratus Flight adjusting heading and moving out." Wolf's cool acknowledgement replied.

"Helios flight your with me! We have to get that enemy frigate away from our damaged cruiser. That means we are heading right into the battle. Heads on the swivel and for god's sake do not get hit by those anti-ship batteries!" Reaper called out as he and Helios flight turned to the thick of the engagement and put their thrusters on full power.

: With the Colony Ship's:

(Preacher's POV)

Preacher and Saber Flight finally arrived at the position of the colony ships and quickly took in the scene. Around one of the ships was a flurry of small fighter craft currently dogfighting. Saber Flight could make out a small group of Arwings trying desperately to fend off 21 other craft of various types but mostly old Venom craft. As they got closer a voice suddenly came over the comm.

"This is Cornerian Colony Ship Y-114 designation Second Chance to Papetoon Defense Force, may-day, may-day we are under intense attack by enemy forces! We are currently engaged with hostile fighter craft and need support; we only have a few escorts defending us. Any Papetoon Defense craft please respond!" A clearly panicked male voice announced over the comm.

Suddenly another voice, probably from one of the escort craft and clearly female, came over the comm. "This is Blue leader to the Second Chance Papetoon Defense Forces can't hear us till we clear area E-13. Get clear as quickly as you can, we won't be able to hold these guys off much longer. Blue Leader to Blue Flight hold them off as long as you can, we have to protect that transport at all costs… I'm sorry it's been an honor flying with you all." The female voice said in a tone that Ralph recognized as resignation.

"Oh no you don't! Krystal I know that's you and don't you dare die! Falco shouted over the comm as Preacher and Saber flight finally arrived on the scene and broke off to engage enemies.

"Falco?!" Krystal's surprised yelp sounded through the comm.

"This is Preacher of Shadow Flight to all escorting fighter craft, we are here to assist hold on everyone you have almost cleared the combat zone. Saber Flight we are weapons free! Engage these SOB's and cover the colony ship!" Preacher called out as his Phantom broke formation and dove into the engagement quickly using his GA canon to reduce an enemy that had been trying to kill one of the escorting Arwings, to a bright fireball before quickly banking to go after another craft.

"This is Preacher first one down!" Ralph announced as he dove his Phantom after the enemy.

Preacher noticed an enemy craft below and to his right trying to make a strafing run on the Renewed Hope. Quickly diving onto the would-be attackers tail, Preacher switched his weapons over to missiles, a white reticle appeared around the enemy before quickly turning red indicating a lock. Preacher quickly fired the missile and watched as the warhead streaked from its place under his craft toward the unsuspecting enemies craft before impacting into the back of the craft and entering the cockpit before exploding making a fire ball that quickly dissipated.

Preacher looked up to see any enemy craft above his own perish at the hands of Falco as said individual's Arwing soared past. It was then that Preacher noticed a commotion on his right. Turning to see what caused it he quickly banked to the right to follow the enemy that was chasing Miyu and bracketing her Arwing in laser fire taking down her shields.

"This is Nova I need help!" Miyu screamed over the comm.

"This is Preacher, I got him Nova." Preacher responded as he came up on the enemy's tail and let loose with his canon, peppering the enemy's engines and causing them to overheat and explode.

"You're clear Nova." Preacher told her through the comm as his Phantom pulled up alongside her Arwing's left wing.

"Whew… thanks Preacher I owe you one." Miyu's relieved voice answered.

"Buy me a beer when this is done and we can call it even." Preacher replied.

"Ha, a beer? I'll buy you dinner!" Miyu joked.

"Are you asking me on a date Nova?" Preacher asked/joked, a grin appearing on his face.

"Ah...I-I well um…" Miyu stuttered back, much to Ralph's amusement as he could imagine her blushing in her Arwing.

"Umm don't mean to interrupt but there are still enemies here." Jasmine's voice sounded over the communication system, as she flew over the two chasing an enemy before ending him courtesy of a missile to the canopy.

Preacher, Miyu, and Jasmine quickly banked back into the fur ball as Miyu wondered how a date with Preacher would go.

: With Stratus Flight:

(Nick's POV)

Nick watched as the enemy had had been chasing was reduced to flying shrapnel as his lasers tore away at its hull. Banking away from his vanquished foe Nick took a moment to glance around at the battle. The Colony ship New Horizons was limping along as best it could with a destroyed engine that was trailing debris and was leaking plasma. The ship had already fallen significantly behind the other two colony ships and was currently besieged by enemy craft with the enemy destroyer closing into weapons range quickly.

Nick's attention was snatched away as a shrill warning noise resonated inside his cockpit indicating he had been locked on by an enemy. Craning his neck around the white wolf saw an enemy right on his tail. Nick's heart went into his throat as he saw the enemy craft launch a missile at point blank range. What happened next could only be described as a miracle of pure instinct.

As the missile streaked toward his craft Nick activated flares, hit right rudder, and started to spin his craft clockwise. The combination of flares and the rather awkward movement of its target caused the missile to streak past its targets canopy and harmlessly continue on out into space. While Nick had dodged the missile he still had a bandit on his six and didn't have time to attempt to evade. Suddenly Nick watched as the enemy behind him exploded and an Arwing flew through the explosion.

"Isn't that Ilia? Man I better thank her later she just saved my ass." Nick thought just as Nightmare's voice came over the comm.

"You guy's stay here and cover the colony ship I'm going to go show that enemy destroyer how I got my name sake." Nightmare announced as his craft shot forward and toward the direction of the destroyer while blasting an unfortunate enemy out of the way. Suddenly Nick noticed two enemies approaching Nightmare from above.

"Nightmare you have two above you diving on you!" Nick called out.

"Damn!" Nightmare called out as he attempted to gink out of the line of fire now spewing from the enemies lasers. Before the enemies could down the vulnerable human however, a pair of missiles impacted the pair of bandits reducing them to a brief but no less intense fireball.

"You would do well to watch you tail pilot." A soft and distinctly feminine voice stated over the comm as an Arwing of one of the escorts flew by.

"…Is dhat da voice of an angel I hear?" Nightmare stated with an enraptured tone.

"You can return the favor later Nightmare you have a destroyer to take care of." Wolf stated as he shot down his third opponent of the day.

"Right… I'll leave it for later." Nightmare replied before accelerating to the destroyer.

"What is he going to do to stop that thing?" Nick wondered before he returned his concentration to the enemy aircraft around the area.

: Main Battle Area:

(Normal POV)

"Ahh!"

"I can't get him off me…NOOO-!"

"Who the hell are these guys?!"

These were the panicked screams of many a Cornerian pilots of the 3rd Fleet as four aircraft systematically wiped out squadron after squadron. Inside one of these four strange looking craft a pilot smiled at the dying scrams of his enemies.

His revelry however was cut short as a voice broke over the comm "This is Shadow Leader call sign Reaper. I have arrived at the battle space and am moving to assist CMS Marauder with Helios flight. All allied craft hang in there." Inside the craft the pilots eyes widened "Shadow Team's Reaper is here!" the being thought before an insane smile spread across his face.

Turning his hyper advanced aircraft around to intercept the human the pilot activated his comm. "King Fisher to all Fisherman aircraft. It seems a rather large fish has landed in our little pond. Form up on me. Let's go catch us a big prize!" The pilot stated as three other advanced craft formed up behind him and followed as he accelerated toward Reaper's position.

"Let's see if the legends are true about you Reaper. We'll see how good of a pilot you really are by fighting! Human vs Human!"

And that is a wrap! I know cliffhanger but this is definitely a two part battle. In other news I wanted to tell all of you guys I may not be able to update once every month because of school and despite need of good grades. ALSO I NEED ALL OF THE READERS WHO SUBMITTED A HUMAN OC TO PM ME ASAP, THERE IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO DECIED ON!

Also I wanted to talk about pairings… As some(all) of you have guessed their be harems in this fic. Why you ask? Because its fanfiction and I'm writing it, that's why! Anyway these are the characters that I have down as having multiple partners and how many they will eventually have.

Reaper- 5 (I will give a shout out to whoever can guess who the four are that you've met already. Send me a PM)

Preacher- 2 possibly 3 (pending response)

Nick- 2

Rook- 2 possibly 3 (pending response)

Wolf- 2

Anyway till next time remember to stay frosty and don't forget to review!