The solid deck was a deep contrast to the void of ocean. Freddy fell upon it with a damp thump, but wanted, more than anything he'd ever desired, to stand, in spite if his now comfortable solid station. Foot fall scambled about him with harsh voices and some minor whimpers. There was one rather gruff rumble which stung the Grizzly's ears. "Grow up, you blasted bambie!" it yelled and a figure was tossed to the deck out of the corner of his eye. Some powerful grip took Freddy by his forearms and he was powerless to fight against it, but he was suddenly dropped again through the thunder of an unfamilar roar. It sounded savage, loud as a cannon. A shadow loomed over his frame, one hunched, but still powerful. It's uncannyness was stunning, however... The reason it was so strange was that it was... Gerard... The old Grizzly had, long ago, abandoned his strength and savagry with age. He wasn't a fighter by nature, anyway, but now... now he was something Freddy didn't recognize. The pirates tried to approach him again, but Gerard swiftly lashed out with ebony claws.
"Don't you DARE lay paw on him!"
"Easy now, Gramps. Wouldn't want your old bones dulling at the bottom of the ocean, now would we?" The shadows approached again and, as before, Gerard swated them away, hunching lower atop his near-unconcious son. "He's gonna be trouble then." They teetred a bit then stopped stiff. The deck had gone quiet, save for the mueling of other captaves which Freddy could veguely make out. Gerard's growling didn't halt, only growing deeper and blood-boiling still. It was something Freddy still hadn't gotten over.
"Back down, now lad... Be'fer me has'ta hurt'cha both..." A new voice had joined them. Freddy opened his eyes to find a pair of crimson paws near incehs from his muzzle. He slowly dragged his eyes up to the creature's topside features. He was mostly a dark red, but his stomach and uper muzzle were pinkish. He wore brown trousers, A dark red captain's coat with ilnumeral spangles and buckles, a holster on each hip, cradeling a flintlock pistol, and a matching hat. His opulent tail swished irritably from hip-to-hip. His amber eyes bore down on Gerard.
"Like the five hells I will..." Freddy couldn't keep his head up any longer. His chin dropped to the deck with a lesser thump, but that noise was easily forgotten to the bitter cry of a fresh pistol shot. He could feel the shadow slip out from atop him and the weight as a limp form slumped to the deck beside him. His heart sank, near blew up like a powder keg, and his claws twitched. The tips of his pads screamed for the strength to feel for his father... Feel his still working form... Feel his bristly chest yet moving with his breaths. His paw simply twitched towards the form, brushing a stick of fur. Then again, this time meeting hard rib. There was breathing and that was somewhat soothing, but where had Gerard been shot? Where was the blood? None was seeping from him towards the younger, so it was on the other side. "Get that'n upright!" Freddy was forced up and pulled to look up by the scruff atop his head. His met muzzle-to-muzzle with the same young pirate, also captain, of the ship which he'd been taken aboard. His grin was sickening and spotted with golden bits. "Welcome aboard, Laddie, Le Pirata Cala! Me ship! Now, Laddie, if ye be wantin' some care fer ye matey, thar, ye best be doin' s'me says ye be doing, lest ye both end up full'a lead. Savy?"
Freddy was too weak to respond past a snort. "What kinda' response be that, mate? Has ye water in ye ears?"
"No, but I think it might be in his lungs, Captain." The Grizzly didn't care who was speaking. He didn't care about much anything at the moment. He was tired. He was in pain. He wanted out and his relesae was the soft state of unconciosness just beyond a thin threashold. "Look at him, Foxy. Does that look like the proud Ursian's you know? The boy's sick with something nasty. Maybe Doc. Levi needs a call."
"What d'me tells ye, Mike?"
"Judging by the rest of the haul," the voice continued, "He's probably the most valuable you've brought in and you'll let him die of something simple?"
"Mr. Shmitd! Me won't be questioned by ye likes no more!"
"But must you make a bad desicion as well? Foxy, your father'd do it." The captain mumbled in defeat.
"Fine'n. Call Doc. Levi. Tell'm t'check the brig fer two strickin' Ursians. Treat'm both." There was only shadows upon the corners of his eyes and soon nothing but mumbles to his ears.
A cool wash of liquid, sweetly unsalty as Freddy's wanted for quite some time, woke him from his blissful rest which had saved him some grief. Freddy's sense of touch came first. It felt along a rugged floor, wood in most spots but slightly covered in obviosu reed. Then his ears came to. He heard murmers and some soft mumbles as well as scuffling before himself rather close. Heavy breathing was also another burn at his head. Then, finally, there came his sight. He found before him a strange bird, one he'd never seen the likes of, but he hadn't seen much of many types of people. The creature was shrouded in a white robe and was coiling up some rubber tube. Freddy's earlier attempts to speak had rendered him worhtless, but his cracks at it then brough life back to it. It seemed as though a heavy bolt had been lifted from him. "What... is that for...?"
"Mmm-m-m... You're awake. This-This is tubing. I needed it to get the salt water out-out of your lungs. You-you had much, boy. You're very strong-strong to have servived it. Your friend is-is fine as well. He's just as-as resiliant. The ball missed-missed anything vital. Hw shall recover soon. Who is he to you, cub? You look-look muc alike. Family?"
"Yes," Freddy struggled, "He's my... father... Where... where is he?"
"In the cell-cell next to yours. To the right." Freddy had regained enough of his strength to turn his head and found Gerard lain out on beside him through a wall of iron bars. His breathing was labored, but existant, which was enough to quell the younger grizzly's frailness. "You have-have gotten yourself in-into a real prediciment, Ursian. Foxy's bent-bent on things that'll ruin-ruin us all."
Freddy wasn't listening anymore. What the bird had to say peaked no interest of his. Freddy scraped along his stomach until he could press his muzzle to the bars of his cell. "Dad...?" his voice was stronger now, but yet still frail. Gerard's head rolled slightly, but his ears rotated to meet Freddy's voice. "Are you alright?" The older grizzly breathed out.
"Yes... In spite of the pain... Are you...?"
The younger forced a smile. "Yeah..." Freddy's cell door slammed shut and a heavy foot-fall drifted into nothingness. Freddy pressed his muzzle through the bars and sniffed at the other's shoulder. "I'll figure something out..."
"No... Freddy, the worst thing you can do right now is struggle... You'll killl yourself... There are more men aboard this ship than on the island of Solace... Just... please, just wait. Maybe we can work something out with the captain..."
"Are you kidding me? They sunk The Moore Runner. They killed most of the crew. They killed Oslow! What makes you think we can reason with these... butchers?"
"Frederick, no man is without reason or desire. There will be something he wants and we can make a deal. For now, just wait... please... For once, Freddy, do as I say." Freddy pulled his muzzle from the bars and bared his fangs at the older grizzly. He'd have said something, but, he couldn't... Gerard was in no shape to argue and Freddy knew he'd try. For now, he'd do as he was told: wait.
...
"What'll you do with the lessers?" Mike leaned back against the wall, arms crossed and mind buzzing with disapproving messages. Leopold would have ripped Foxy from his hide had he any clue to his son's deliberate cruelty.
"They all be worth somethin' t'slave labor."
"Really? Foxy, this isn't what your father wanted!" Foxy stepped around his desk and stood looming inches taller than the shepherd.
"Me pays n'mind t'what me father wanted! Me does what me wants t'do! Me'll make a name fer meself, greater than me father."
"And what OF your father?"
"Let'm gripe if'n he wants. Can't do nothin t'me now."
"Foxy-"
"Are ye finished, Mister Shmitd? If'n not, then thar be 'nother free cell jus' waitn' fer ye!" Mike's ears went flat. He pushed off the wall and slid from the cabin, leaving Foxy to whatever destruction he wished upon himself.