Friend in Danger

The Righteous Indignation flew through the asteroid field easily. Most of the flying rocks just floated in place turning and twirling around ever so slightly leaving enough room for the frigate to fly through it all. The Captain and his crew were all eager for the fight ahead. They dealt with the toad fighter squadron now they had an entire cruiser to deal with. Should the Toads gain a foothold or mine more materials for their war effort it could cause the war to turn in their favor. So many near defeats and invasions that thankfully were repelled by the efforts of, Bucky and his crew along with the other limited forces of S.P.A.C.E.

However, the victories were motivating, and morale was still quite high but to drive the Toads back to their home world and keep them from gaining ground it would require more steadfast resolve than ever. The Crew of the Righteous Indignation has to carry on their mission. If there was ever going to be a true victory they had to continue the fight.

"Approaching Target, Bucky!" Jenny informed seeing the blip on the radar come closer as, Bucky flew the ship through the asteroids and after turning around another large one they found a rather gargantuan asteroid one of the biggest in the entire field. So large it could be the size of a moon and right in the center of it was a Toad Cruiser already landed and from the looks of it, it was beginning preparations for takeoff with a squad size of toads hauling crates towards the ship.

"I see it, Jenny! Looks like the Toads already got what they were coming for!" Huffed the Green Rabbit. He hated it when they would arrive late for anything.

"We have to get down there and stop them from taking off!" Said Bucky clicking on the PA system. "Attention all Hands! We are approaching the cruiser! Stand by for ground assault!"

Deadeye snickered hearing the call. "Right, Bucky me Lad! Ol Deadeye is ready croak me some toadies!" He hopped off his gunner seat and took out his four maser pistols twirling them in all four of his hands.

"Oh, yeah! I'll rock them and stomp them!" Bruiser growled cracking his knuckles in anticipation. Willy and Blinky looked at each nodding. They were not the best of fighters of the entire team, but they were always ready to face the danger ahead. Willy would never let his friends down and, Blinky though he was programmed to serve and adhere to the orders of the Captain and those in command he had an intelligence about him to do what he must to help his fellow crew members in need.

The Frigate Landed near the Toad Cruiser and just as it did it was already fire from Storm Toads outside. The Shields held up easily from the small arms of the toad forces, but it was time to take the fight to them. Bruiser was the first out the hatch.

"AHHAGHHH ROWWW GAHHHH!" Bellowed Bruiser as he jumped out of the open hatch with a space suit on and the Toads immediately dropped their weapons in fear and tried to flee to flee to the ship, but they were met with a great amount of pummeling. Bruiser easily dispatched them all with strike after strike and a few slams. He never got tired of putting the toads in their places. When it came to his race there was a reason they were fears by many across the galaxy, but their fear was only warranted if they were an enemy of his people and their allies.

"Great work, Bruiser!" Praised Bucky as he ran out of the ship with, Jenny, Deadeye and Blinky all of them in their own space suits. "We'll raid the ship! You stay here and guard the Frigate."

"Aww!" Pouted the Baboon. "That's no fun, Bucky!"

"Hey! We all need ya to leave some for the rest of us, me lad!" Deadeye chortled. Jenny came next to Bruiser patting him on the shoulder.

"There could be stragglers out here. Its best we have our Space Marine guard the ship." Explained the Cat giving him a confident smile.

"She's right, Bruiser. The last thing we need is something to happen to the ship. Willy is staying behind as well. Any repairs needed he will handle. Alright let's move!" Bucky gestured to others, and they ran for the ramp of the Toad Cruiser. The Toads may have the numbers but with, Bucky and three of his best with him they had the advantage here.

Bruiser's disappointment was clear, but he understood his captains orders. Back when he was in training his instructors always made it clear to listen and obey their superiors. Bucky always made good calls and if he needed him to guard the ship then that's what he would do but unknown to, Bruiser someone was climbing up into the ship. Cloaked with a long purple snout appearing just outside of the hood of it. The Figure grinned as he was waiting for the moment to sneak aboard.

His many encounters with Bucky and his crew always made things difficult for him in his business. His partnership with the Toads always paid well. Any mission was worth the risk. Especially when it came to hounding, Bucky and his crew. One day he would return the favor for them messing up in his schemes he concocted for the Toads and any form of low life in the Aniverse. But for now, he was on another paid mission by the Toads. His order was clear. Bring the Engineer of the Righteous Indignation to the Toads.

The Peculiar Mammal that had been working with Bucky O Hare for a time now had not only become a thorn in their side but a mammal with such a brilliant mind that created devices that countered most of their technology. Ruined their plans to invade worlds and even helped reverse engineer their greatest of inventions the Climate Converter. They needed to know more about him and what better way than having a prisoner.

Bruiser returned to the ship unaware of the intruder inside it. Shutting the hatch behind him. Once Bucky was finished in the cruiser he would alert him of his return and signal for the hatch to be open. The Rader would sound if any toad forces would approached but one holo screen of Bruiser and they would flee as fast as they could back to where they could run to.

"Ah!" Grumbled Bruiser hitting the wall in frustration. "Hate missing out with, Bucky!"

Willy climbed up to the Gunner deck and smiled at him adjusting his glasses. "Ah! Bruiser don't worry, Bucky and the others can handle themselves. If anything, it would be good to have you with them but glad you're here. No one would think of coming up here with you around."

Bruiser grinned. "You got that right, Willy!" However, another person was grinning from the Cockpit. He overheard what they were saying. "I beg to differ." He snarled in a cold tone keeping it quiet so the others would not hear him from above. He was under the controls of the ship and pulled out some wires and stuck to one of them a small device that flickered to light when it come upon the tiny colored wires. "Ha ha! This will keep you from going no where for a while, O'Hare. Now to get what I came for."

He stood up from under the controls after putting back the wires. He could not allow the crew to know too soon that their ship was going to have a problem they would not be able see so easily. He looked below through the opening and saw that, Bruiser and the odd mammal were not there. They had to be below deck in the engineering. It was perfect! Only one way out from there. His Target was cornered. All he needed was to get rid of the Baboon. Unlike Toads he and his kind did not fear so easily at the mere mention of the accursed monkeys.

Willy was adjusting some of the piping that came loose during the space battle. Always every time the Righteous Indignation took a hit even with the shields holding they frigate would get rocked and that usually caused some interior damage that needed to be looked over and resolved. The Slightest issue could turn into a problem that may result in the ship shutting down or worst blowing up in the middle of a battle or simple patrols. As the Engineer Willy had a high responsibility. He was named the Engineer by Bucky for a reason, and he would not let him or his friends down.

"Thanks for lifting the pipe back in place and holding it for me." Thanked Willy as he got off a stand to reach the pipe. Bruiser let go of it wiping away his hands. As much as he would like being out in the fight with the Captain and the crew he was always glad to assist, Willy. The Boy had done so many things for him including saving his home world and his people from a Toad Invasion. His Inventions had deterred the Toads advance and helped his people fight back against their captors. And not to mention the many times, Willy has gotten him and the crew out of one bad situation after another. Without Willy they would have been lost a long time ago.

"Not a problem little, Buddy!" Smiled Bruiser petting the boys' head rather hard but, Willy didn't mind it. He did like the praise every so often but ultimately he was happy to help out with anything.

"Well, that should be the last of it. But the ships giving off some strange readings." Willy said looking at a device plugged into the ships mainframe.

"What do you mean?" Asked Bruiser looking over Willy's shoulder. He was much on tech unlike his brother that sorely missed every day. While most of his brethren were made to be the most fierce of all warriors across the Aniverse. Bruisers brother, Bruce, had a talent for anything technical. He was one of a kind of his people and that talent brought him onto the Righteous Indiganation when it was first commissioned and drafted for use.

"Its reading that the systems are down. But I had all the wires replaced and they were working! The Pipes are aligned, and everything is tied down in them. But the readings here indicate a full system shut down. But that's impossible!" Willy was baffled. He was not one to mess up when it came to anything technical. He was accurate when it came to details and adjusting. But the readings he saw were accurate. The System was reading a complete shutdown. The Righteous Indignation would not fly until the issue is resolved. But the readings showed throughout the ship there was nothing that needed to be looked at. Everything was optimal but the mainframe read the systems were down. Something was not right at all.

"How can that be?" Asked Bruiser scratching his head.

"Not sure, Bruiser. But my guess its has to be coming from the Bridge. We should go up and check it out. If anything, we have to make sure the Frigate can fly us out when, Bucky and the others finish in the Toad Cruiser." Suggested Willy.

Bruiser nodded in agreement. He may not have the mind of Willy's or his brother, but he was willing to help anyway he could. But just as they turned towards the ladder there was a clocked figure standing in front of it.

"Afraid you're going nowhere but with me, boy!" Snarled the cloaked figure.

"What the?! How did you get in here?!" Boomed Bruiser striking his fists together intimidatingly. But the figure stood his ground and threw off the clock and to both, Willy's and Bruisers surprise it was non other than, Al Negator the Sleazasaur.

"Greetings!" Al Negator chuckled darkly. "Been awhile."

Willy gasped and Bruiser growled. "You tampered with the ship didn't you?!"

Al Negator shrugged playfully. "Maybe I did or maybe I didn't? So sad O'Hare isn't here but that makes this job all the more easier. If you kindly come me, four eyes it will be easy for the both of us." He pointed to Willy and, Bruiser stood in front of him protectively.

"You ain't getting my pal. Either get out or I'll send you using your tail as a sling!" Warned Bruiser snarling showing his teeth.

"Like to see you try!" Al Negator drew out a rifle but, Bruiser leapt towards him shattering the rifle with his hands gripping it tightly until it snapped into pieces. He then reached to grab the Sleazasaur but, Negator grabbed both his hands interlocking with them.

"Get out of here, Willy!" Shouted the Baboon trying to force the mercenary back but to his surprise, Negator was holding his own. But that couldn't be! Berserker Baboons were some of the strongest creatures in the Aniverse. There has hardly been any other creature that could match even the weakest of his people other than mutants or enhancements. Something the mercenary had concocted no doubt or a black arms dealer that gave him some tech that could match his strength. Either way the Baboon would not allow the toads favorite mercenary to once again cause him and his friends trouble.

Willy ran around the two to get to the bridge. If anything, Al Negator had to have sabotaged the ship from the main controls. He couldn't use the radio to contact, Bucky of the intruder he had to fix the problem first but just as he got behind, Al Negator his swiped his tail under, Willy's feet tripping him.

"Not so fast!" Al Negator looked behind him for a quick second before turning back to, Bruiser.

"You're going to regret that!" Growled Bruiser squeezing his fists tightly trying to break the hands of the mercenary but, Al Negator tightened his own grip. He was not in any pain. The Serum he took courtesy of the toads had done the trick. They were getting more crafty after their numerous defeats. They may just conquer the Aniverse yet with these achievements but however the strength would only last so long. It was still in partial development and once the serum wains away undoubtably the Baboon would best him in hand-to-hand combat.

Willy got to his feet and turned back around. He couldn't leave Bruiser to face the mercenary alone. Though it was peculiar how he still was able to stand his ground against one of the best fighters he's ever come to know.

"Hold on, Bruiser!" Willy snatched a wrench lying on the floor and tried to attack from behind but, Al Negator whipped his tail at, Willy and he deflected hitting back but the tail came again from his side faster and, Willy couldn't parry in time striking him so hard he was sent into the wall so hard that he collided his head against it, and he was knocked out falling to the floor unconscious.

"Willy!" Cried Bruiser seeing his friend hurt. Now he was very angry so made that his teeth grinded and, Al Negator could feel the serums effects leaving him now. He was starting to be forced back. He had to think of something quick. Once a Baboon goes berserk one can only hope it will be quick but, Bruiser as his name stood would leave nothing left of anyone who dared cause his friends any harm.

Al Negator used his tail to reach to the back of his belt. He had a gadget for this. He cursed himself silently for not using it the first, but he had to see if the serum actually worked and as it stands it did. He managed to hold back a Berserker Baboon for a short time. Pulling out a tiny round device from the back of his belt he threw it under, Bruiser. It beeped for a moment but right when, Bruiser looked down the device cackled, and sparks of electricity shot out.

Bruiser cried out from the sharp pain of a thousand streaks of electricity surging all over his body. He let go of the mercenary and tried to stomp on the gadget, but he was wailing about as his fur sparked from all the electricity cackling over him to the point where the Baboon lost his balance and fell over and his body shut down from the overwhelming electrical surges knocking him out.

Al Negator laughed in triumph. He bested Bucky O'Hare's Space Marine. That will be a story worthy to gloat about later but right now he had a job to do.

He walked over to Willy who laid unconscious on the floor. Al Negator wanted nothing more than to have his own revenge on the boy for tricking him in the past. He never forgot the first time they met and tricked him with fake money that made him look like a fool in front of so many fellow mercenaries at one of their underground spots.

"Your lucky I been paid to bring in unscathed!" He pointed to Willy as if he could hear him speak to him coldly. Al Negator looked to find something that the boy needed. A Helmet that would provide him air to, Space outside the ship. He found a red helmet in the shape of a Baboon's head lying on the floor close by. It fit with the battle suit, Willy already was wearing. He slipped the helmet over the boy's head and proceeded to drag him away.

"This is so easy!" Snickered Al Negator reaching the hatch on the gunners deck and lowered the ramp dragging, Willy out by his leg. "Not sure what they want from you. But it's a win for me. I get paid to bring you in and now I can watch later to see what they do with you." Once Al Negator left the Righteous Indignation with the ramp automatically closing behind it disappointed him that the Baboon couldn't have gotten sucked out into space, but safety measures were installed on frigate with shields providing a cover when anything is open on a vessel that leads out of it.

"That would have been too easy." Sighed the Mercenary in disappointment continuing to drag, Willy away towards his own smaller vessel hidden inside a small crater nearby on the asteroid. It was time for him to fulfil his contract and get his prize to the Toads on the planet nearby. Whatever they had in store for him he could not wait to find out.