Chapter 11

When Maverick woke up, he noticed that he had eventually lowered himself to laying on the ground. To his surprise, James still had his head laying in Maverick's lap. Maverick, slowly and carefully, began trying to sit up. However, when Maverick started moving, James began to stir. "Maverick?" James questioned, groggily "What's going on? Where are we?"

"Well, you see that's a bit tricky" Maverick stated, as he sat up putting his back against the cage. James started to try sitting up, but he flinched feeling a sharp pain in his ribs "Ow, what is that!" he grunted.

This was the first time Maverick had seen James' face clearly. "Oh my God, James!" Maverick exclaimed, noticing a trail of red leading from where he was last night and a decent patch of red on his pants.

James looked up at Maverick confused, "What are you talking about?"

"How hard did those lunatics hit you?" the wolf questioned, helping the fox sit up against the cage.

"I don't even know what you're talking about, Mav" James said, trying to find a less painful way to sit.

"I believe he's talking about me" Andross said, walking into the room.

Maverick quickly rushed to the area of the cage closest to the ape. "I swear when we get out of here I'm going to kill you!" the young wolf growled.

"For what?" Andross questioned, "Injuring your little foxy boyfriend, who you let use your lap as a pillow?"

James tried to stand up to enter the conversation but collapsed to the ground in pain. "James!" Maverick exclaimed, rushing over to the fox.

"Anyway, I was just coming in here to let you know that we are approaching our destination" Andross continued, "you two should prepare for even more intense training than even the Academy provides."

"James won't be able to do anything" Maverick pointed out, "I think you guys damaged his ribs."

"Well, as long as they ain't broken, he'll be just fine" Andross stated.

"I refuse to do anything for you or your 'father' until I know he is okay" Maverick demanded.

Andross sighed, "Fine, I'll ask if we can get him x-rayed when we get there."

"Mav, why are you being so dramatic?" James asked, when Andross left "I don't think they're broken."

Maverick ignored the question, as he put his paw up James' shirt, lightly pressing on his abdomen "Does that hurt?" the wolf asked, looking into his friend's eyes.

"Eh, maybe a little" James replied, wincing.

"Okay, good" Maverick sighed, "your ribs don't seem to be broken, though they might be bruised."

"I can't believe how pathetic I am to have been captured by Andross" James said, rubbing his eyes "How did you get here?"

"I came looking for you after I got home from work" Maverick explained.

"Oh my God, Mav!" James exclaimed, "Weren't you exhausted from the constant long shifts?"

"Yeah, but that didn't matter to me" the wolf stated, "there was no way I was going to leave my best friend hurt or worse. Of course, I didn't know this would happen."

"Well, what's your plan for escaping?" James asked, moving past his friend's insanity.

"Um, the plan is currently non-existent" Maverick smiled, nervously.

James nodded, "No big deal. The two of us will figure something out."

Maverick smiled, "I'm just so glad you weren't dead."

"It takes more than this to get rid of me" James chuckled, then winced in pain again.

About an hour later, a whole group of the insect-like minions came in, surrounding the cage. "What's going on?" Maverick asked, standing up.

"We were told to get prepared to bring you both off the ship" one of the minions answered.

"We're about to dock the ship" another added.

"How nice, we get our own escorts, James" Maverick mocked.

Just then, Andross walked in carrying something in his arms. "Alright lovers, we're here" Andross said.

The minions opened the cage, securing the two captives. As they were walking through the ship, James asked, "Hey, Andross, I've got a serious question."

"Yes, McCloud, you will be getting an x-ray in a few minutes" the ape answered.

"Thanks, but that's not what I was going to ask" James said.

"What do you want, McCloud?" Andross questioned.

"What race are these minions of yours?" the vulpine asked.

Andross chuckled, "That was your big question? They're Sakaarans, you've never seen a Sakaaran before have you."

"Of course, not" James and Maverick answered, at the same time.

Andross turned his head, having heard the two canines reply simultaneously. "You two are pathetic."

"How? Is it because we have a better friendship than you do with anyone?" Maverick mocked.

"Eh, no, it's because the two of you won't admit your true feelings toward each other, even though it's so obvious" Andross smirked.

"There's nothing to admit" James spoke, as the group came to a stop.

"He's right" Maverick agreed, "we're like brothers."

"Real brothers, not your crazy father's ideas of brothers" James added.

Before Andross could answer, the door to the ship opened to reveal fields full of mysterious plants. The canines were led to a cave entrance that had some unnatural lights leading to a split path. James, using his night vision and keen sense of direction made sure he would remember there turns. They eventually came to a giant room full of various sized ships and came across a familiar large wolf. "George?" Maverick questioned, "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think I'm doing, runt?" the large wolf asked, "I became a follower of Thanos. I see they're trying to do the same thing with the two of you."

"Don't get your hopes up there, big boy" Maverick laughed, turning to Andross "the only way I'm joining is over my cold dead body."

"Good luck with that, you're better off just following Thanos" George said, walking away.

Maverick and James were brought to a room with one bed. "This is going to be where you two will be staying" Andross explained.

"There's only one bed" James pointed out.

"So, there is" Andross grinned, "whether you're 'lovers' or 'brothers' you should be fine with sharing a bed. Heck, you've literally shared a room for six months."

"When are you taking me to get x-rayed?" James asked, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, right! I knew I was forgetting something" the ape smiled, "come on, McCloud, let's go see what's wrong with you."

Maverick went to follow them but got stopped by one of the Sakaaran soldiers. "Where do you think you're going, bub?" he asked.

"With James to see his x-ray results in person" the wolf answered.

"You'll be fine waiting here" Andross declared.

Maverick looked Andross in the face saying, "Do you really think I trust you to not hurt him more?"

"Mav, I'll be fine" James said, "I'm sure if they want us to be part of the army, they won't hurt me."

"Okay, if you're sure" Maverick said, looking concerned.

What felt like an eternity later, James and Andross came back to the room. Upon entering, Maverick stood up "So?"

"Your boyfriend is fine" Andross stated, "no broken ribs, they're not even bruised."

"Oh, thank God!" Maverick sighed, "Then why is he in so much pain?"

"Probably a side effect from getting kicked in the gut a few times" Andross smirked, "and it looks like his most pressing injury, which was the big cut on his face, is healing up nicely."

"That's what caused that huge blood puddle and blood stain?" Maverick asked.

"Yeah, I guess so" Andross said looking at the wolf's pants "holy crap! That's a lot of blood there."

"Okay, well thanks for the x-ray and medical help" James stated, "what are we supposed to be looking forward to?"

"Well, um…" Andross stuttered, "I'm not really sure what the plan is. Father hasn't given any orders, yet."

"Can we go look around?" James asked, "Or at least go get in a work out."

"I would suggest no work outs for the next day or two" Maverick stated.

"Oh, Mav, don't be so dramatic" James smiled.

"Actually, I was going to suggest the same thing" Andross admitted.

Both James and Maverick looked shocked hearing Andross agree with Maverick. "Why would you say that?" James asked.

"You need to take it easy and let your body recover" Andross stated.

"Fine, can we look around?" James asked, "Like outside the cave."

"Why, so you can escape?" Andross questioned, "I don't think so, but nice try McCloud."

"If you're that worried, you should just come and show us around" James stated, "I've never been to a planet outside of the Lylat System."

"I make no promises about doing that" Andross stated, "for now, you two are going to have to get comfy in here."

When Andross left, Maverick turned to James asking, "Why are you being so nice to Andross?"

"Mav, come on, I'm just playing nice" James stated.

"Wow, you're a really good actor" Maverick smiled, "so, you've been around the secret base more than me, do you have any ideas how to escape?"

"Not just yet" the fox said, shaking his head.

"I was thinking there has to be a way to get to that room with all the ships" Maverick said, rubbing his chin.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out" James said, laying on the bed.

"Yeah and if we get extra special training that helps us escape, that'll be cool" Maverick smiled, lying next to his friend.