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Option A heat to Qeith's turret and help fight 41

Holy crap 41 votes, that is seriously awesome thanks guys.

Zack turned and ran, he figured that Kelo and Reese were both competent engineers they could probably handle the engine room without him. One gun down could be a major problem, even without a proper combat graft or training an inexperienced gunner was better than no gunner. He reached the wolf's turret at a dead run and leapt into the seat.

As he powered up the gun and swung the turret free he heard the gears grinding, a shrill squeal into his sensitive rabbit ears. He understood why the lupine had been so desperate to get it fixed. However, he didn't have time to muse on that as he turned on the comms and powered up the guns.

"They're launching fighters," Deju's voice shouted, "all gunners prepare to engage, engine room I need more speed. We have five minutes to jump, we need to keep that destroyer out of weapons range for five minutes."

Suppressing a whimper Zack checked his targeting computer and confirmed there was an Earth Navy Destroyer just beyond weapons range and closing. His computer showed twenty smaller targets approaching fast. He gripped the turret control tightly and turned his gun to face the oncoming targets. Gulping he felt his heart begin to race as the fighters drew closer, their speed far superior to the Harrier's, yet one good hit from any gun turret would be all it took to take one of them out.

Each fighter had a pilot, some navy officer with a home a family, friends. Sweat began to soak Zack's fur as he realised he was about to have to try and kill someone, he knew as a pirate he might have to do it, but he didn't expect it so soon. They had been hiding in deep space, there was no way the destroyer just happened to jump out so close by accident.

His eyes stared at the targeting screen as the fighters drew closer, they were in tight formation and getting closer. The rabbit slid his finger onto the trigger and paused, could he do it, take a life? It had seemed such an easy choice when he joined up, Qerry was sexy and he wanted to follow him, he believed in trying to feed the hungry. However, to kill? Then as he sat lost in thought the Harrier's other guns opened up.

"Qeith! Why aren't you firing?" Deju yelled over the comms and Zack whimpered, his paw trembling as he knew he had no choice. With a gasp he pulled the trigger and his gun leapt to life, white blasts lighting up his gunnery turret. His first volley went well wide, the other's fared better getting two clean kills as the fighter's broke formation and began to strafe.

Zack saw the Harrier's hull flashing and felt the judder as the fighters scored some light hit's. The ship's armour holding, for the moment at least. Steadying his resolve he continued to return fire, focusing on the incoming fighters. "Just three minutes," Deju announced over the comm. "Protect the engines at all costs."

There was too many targets to focus on, the rabbit spun his turret around, trying to chase a fighter and then he whimpered as he scored a hit. The fighter spinning off into the void.. The rabbit tired not to think that he had just taken a life, he needed to protect himself and his friends. This was war, or near enough anyway. With a spin he brought his gun to bear on two fighter's flying in formation, aiming for the lead ship he scored another hit. This time he didn't pause he turned his gun looking for another target.

"They are pulling back!" Deju shouted triumphantly. "The destroyer is out of range looks like we are..." As the fox crowed another ship suddenly blurred into reality just a short distance from the Harrier. Zack tried to scream, but his lungs were frozen, as he looked out at an Earth destroyer, the spear shaped vessel twenty times the size of the Harrrier and armed to the teeth. "Incoming!!!! Abandon ship all hands abandon ship!!!" Deju screamed into his ear as the rabbit sat frozen as the destroyer's huge guns turned and opened fire. The ship had dropped in at point blank range and there was nothing the crew could do, they were outmatched and out gunned, at this distance they couldn't hope to out run. Deju had made the only call he could.

The first blast sent Zack sprawling from his seat and he looked up too see a gaping hole in Harrier, fiery debris spinning into space and going dark as the oxygen burned up. Psirens screamed in his ear as he trembled. A heartbeat later another blast shook the ship and then another. Instinct was all that saved the rabbit, his paw acting without his brain hitting the emergency release. The gunnery turret acting as an escape pod and being sent sprawling away from the dying ship. He stood still his eyes fixed on the Harrier, she was burning and with another huge flash a third hit cut her in half.

The bridge half spun away into space as the engines spun away out of control and then with a huge flash it detonated. Zack felt tears on his cheek as he watched, the faces of Kelo and Reese coming to his mind. Then other's Qerry and his brother, Reggie, Deju, the pack, Kaz, Shep Daisy... the others. How many of them made it to the escape pods? How many were not so lucky?

Then he felt the tug as his pod was caught in a tractor beam, he blinked back his tears knowing his pirate life was over. Next stop prison, if he was lucky and they didn't push for the death penalty.

To quote the knight from the Last Crusade, you chose poorly.... the end

Yeah right, like I'd end this there....

A few minutes later the rabbit was dragged out of the turret by armed troopers. They didn't say anything to him, just pointed guns at him and marched him away. They led him from the landing bay and too a small empty cargo bay. Empty that is except for a couple of dozen of his shipmates and several armed guards. As the guards marched him inside he heard a familiar voice shout, "ZACK!" A flash of red fur caught his eye and Qerry charged towards him through the crowd.

The panda didn't get far as one of the rabbit's escorts swung the but of his rifle smashing the panda in the face and sending him sprawling to the floor. Zack heard someone curse and his eyes spotted Qeith, the black wolf was being held back by Reggie and Roy.

The rabbit was shoved into the crowd and he looked around, he spotted Kelo standing besides Reese. Daisy was treating Byron to one side, the naga looked like he was in a bad way, Daisy was struggling to stop blood flowing for a serious gash on his chest. The rabbit didn't get to say anything before a naval officer appeared, flanked by two soldiers, his insignia showed his rank as captain.

"Ah... I see my guests are getting settled," he observed the smugness in his voice made the bile rise into Zack's mouth.

Deju stepped forward and snarled, "We were an innocent trader vessel you have no ri..."

"You are pirates and raiders! We have all the evidence we need to have each and every one of you shot, keep your foul mouth shut or we won't bother waiting for a trial," the officer cut him off, the authority of a larger ship and a lot more armed men putting the outraged fox in his place.

Deflating a little the fox glanced at Daisy and muttered, "some of my crew are hurt, they need medical treatment... please." The last word was said a little too quietly, the fox was still resisting, but he would not let his pride take a life. He would beg with everything he had if need be.

Before the captain could speak Digsy stood forward. Deju looked at him confused as did the human captain, before he could open his mouth the wolf saluted and said, "Agent Carstairs security code alpha seven nine nine two delta oscar..." The wolf didn't get to finish as the fox yelled in pure animal rage his composure disappearing in a heartbeat as he threw himself on the traitorous wolf. He clawed and bit for the two second it took for the soldiers to shoot him with a stunner, with a gurgle the fox passed out and the wolf was helped up.

The wolf was pulled clear of the rest of the group as the captain gave him a once over, his distaste for the morph obvious, "I must say you have really went to the extreme for your people agent and you will be rewarded. Escort him to guest quarters and have his security code verified."

The captain turned to leave, his gloating no longer rewarding with the pirate captain knocked out. As he did so Karlos stepped forward, "wait, Agent Barry Limous, code delta three four two nine romeo. You can check that code, deep cover too," the badger jumped clear of his former comrades as he gave the wolf a nod, "I didn't realise there was two of us on the ship."

"Karlos...what's going on?" The question came from behind Zack and he turned to see Paul, the cheetah had a clear wound on his shoulder, blood was drying on his golden spotted fur. however, the hurt look in his eyes showed the greater wound was to his heart, he had given up his elitist life to join the harrier, all for love of the badger. "I... thought you... and I... we."

The badger turned and snarled at him, "you are a bastard traitor to Earth, I got you released early to get you back to your rightful family and you spat in their face. If you are lucky your father will forgive you and use his influence to stop you getting the death penalty." The badger spat the words with pure venom and before Paul could reply he and Digsy were escorted away.

Options for this week same as always vote by clicking thumbs up on the comment below

A) Chase the captain and beg for medical treatment for the wounded.

B) start looking for a way to escape.

C) comfort Paul, find Qerry and make sure he is ok.

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