FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Well I saw Avatar and decided that the ending was wrong, fact. So I was inspired to start my own story series based roughly off Avatars plot and here it is. Let me give a big shout of thanks to all my freinds who let me use their fursona's in this and especially to Anthala Snowpaw who so meticulously proof reads my stories.

---

Prologue

Twenty five years. Twenty five years the Nidian Empire had been on Tarturus. What had started initially as a stepping stone for colonisation had become an occupation of a powder keg waiting to explode. It was a shame as Tarturus could be a world of such beauty, its sprawling rain forests, wide open plains, awe inspiring mountains and breathtaking subterranean caverns. If only they weren't all swarming with hostile life forms, plants that wanted to kill you and a volatile and unpredictable atmosphere that could be breathable at one point then saturated with ammonia in just a few hours.

However all of this paled in comparison to the lethality of Tarturus native species the Vandoon. They were a race of tall sentient insectoids with bi-pedal legs, a set of arms and a set of scythes attached onto a second set of arms. Fast and lethal, they utilised a range of weapons from swords to primitive flintlock firearms to attack and harass the forces deployed to Tarturus. The Vandoon seemed to number in legion, living in sprawling hives dug into mountains or in small villages on the plains there seemed to be an endless supply of them.

Tarturus had first been discovered as part of the fourth ring of expansion by the Nidian Empire lead by the mega-corporation Howling Wolf. The initial exploratory team had landed in 2202 escorted by some private security. The report from the initial base camp reported that "Tarturus was a perfect stepping stone for exploration further into the star cluster however it was a potentially hostile world with a very suspicious native population." Three weeks later communication was lost with the camp an hour after its emergency beacon was activated.

With the loss of the exploratory team Howling Wolf abandoned its efforts into that area of the galaxy. It wasn't until 2212 and the outbreak of the Nidian-Terran conflict that Tarturus became relevant again. With the Nidian Empire on the back foot after a surprise attack by the Terran Republic on their core worlds they needed to open up a new front to draw away the invading humans. Tarturus would be the staging ground for that assault and so in 2213, the ships of the Nidian Central Armed Fleet pulled into orbit around Tarturus to establish an orbital supply zone. The planet itself was left alone for two years as war raged around it between the two forces.

In 2215 a tentative truce was signed between the two galactic powers, allowing both of them to withdraw and lick their wounds. It was during this time of peace that the first patrol was sent down to the surface of Tarturus. The patrol discovered the old Howling Wolf base camp in ruins and almost completely overgrown, although perhaps the most disturbing discovery was the crumbling skeletons of the camp personnel nailed to the original tree line.

Once the news reached the heartland of the Nidian Empire, Howling Wolf began to bay for blood. Gathering its private military forces it headed out for Tarturus with murderous intentions. The outnumbered NCAF ships fell back as they watched the mercenaries warships glass a Vandoon hive from orbit. Following up behind the bombardment were thousands upon thousands of personnel, materials and equipment, who set up their main base on the remains of the glassed hive.

Needless to say the Vandoon didn't take to kindly to this new foe on their world but Howling Wolf was in no mood for negotiation, bringing the full might of their military to bear on the nearby villages and hives, they destroyed all in their wake. As images of the ongoing operations filtered back to the general populous there was outrage and calls for the military to step in, however the minor garrison force of frigates and a cruiser the NCAF maintained there was in no position to stop them.

However after pressure from multiple senior figures and the general populous the Empire decreed that Howling Wolf would cease and desist as well as withdraw and leave the instillations to imperial forces. To enforce its decision deployed two whole fleets. With the arrival of the Imperial ships in 2219, Howling Wolf had already established a sprawling military base and adjoining colony along with several forward outposts, these complexes having completely destroyed the surrounding vegetation and habitats.

The arriving imperial troops immediately instigated a planet wide hearts and minds policy in an effort to cease attacks against troops and colonists as well as to keep the rest of the neutral Vandoon from joining the every growing insurgency. These efforts appeared successful in achieving a truce. However the Nidians made the mistake of believing the Vandoon to be less intelligent and capable then them and whilst the Vandoon may not possess the weapons and technology they held the home field advantage and a strong sense of justice and the fire of revenge burned in most of their hearts, none of them forgetting the arbitrary manner in which Howling Wolf had treated them.

The year was 2244 and the majority of the Vandoon were merely waiting the chance to strike but for some the war had just begun.

-from the diaries of 2nd Lieutenant Huttser Ishelwood, 4th Mech Bde on the situation on Tarturus, circa 2244

Reunion

The forest was alive with movement, braches swaying left and right seemingly for no reason, twigs cracking randomly, birds abandoning their trees and all the while the every present feeling someone or something was watching you but for some that didn't matter. Cutting its way through the thick tree line was a wide tarmac road, the bleak black asphalt contrasting with the pure natural beauty of its surroundings. Either side of the road were ditches, which at a quick glance just looked like drainage channels, were in fact something a lot more sinister.

The ground shook as a Nidian convoy approached, the large armoured 'Hellhammer' 4x4s they operated roaring like lions as the drivers gunned their engines. Helmeted and masked furs manned the top guns, sweeping their heavy machine guns and grenade launchers left and right, searching for any sign of movement. They made an imposing sight all tooled up in body armour, goggles and pieces of cloth covering their faces, the only way to distinguish between race and species being the exposed ears poking through helmets and caps. The men and women of 3rd Platoon, D Company, 1st Battalion, 405th Mechanised Brigade felt ready for anything.

The ground shook for another reason too. Some of the blocky armoured vehicles had been retrofitted by the furs to carry large speakers on their sloped backs. Out of these speakers the soldiers blasted the otherwise tranquil setting with a mixture of death metal and rave music, alternating between the two depending on which fur managed to grab the music player. This little added extra raised troop morale as it let them bring just a little bit of home to this hellish world.

The convoy consisted of sixteen vehicles, six of the "Hellhammer" armoured transports mounted with a mix of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, a six-wheeler anti-air truck which mounted a quad repeater/missile launcher on its flat bed to protect the convoy from the hostile flying animals of Tarturus, nine trucks carrying vital supplies to their destination and a command vehicle, identifiable by its lack of top mount, large antenna whips and field satellite uplink.

In the passenger seat of the command vehicle sat 2nd Lieutenant Huttser Ishelwood, 3rd platoon's commanding officer. A rather well built red and black fox, not that many could tell with almost his entire body bar his forearms covered in the tiger stripe jungle camouflage uniform and body armour. On his head was a black baseball cap with the 4th Mechanised Division logo emblazoned on it. Like most junior officers he wore tinted tactical shades and a balaclava across the rest of his face to protect his nostrils. Clamped firmly in his paws was a hefty looking black assault rifle. Next to him in the driver's seat sat Master Sergeant Vaughan "Bazza" Gray, 3rd platoons second in command and his close friend. A dingo from one of the outer colonies he spoke with a bit of an accent but any teasing was meant in good humour. Vaughan was one of the few furs to operate on convoys without his face and eyes covered, whilst he wore the same uniform and armour as most of the other furs he left his goggles on top of his combat helmet with his balaclava forming a kind of scarf, as it dangled around his neck.

Rather comically Huttser had fallen asleep leaning on Vaughan's shoulder, the platoon just returning from a one week patrol so they were all beyond tired. Vaughan had been unlucky enough to have drawn the short straw and along with the other drivers and gunners had to stay alert as they returned to Hades, the main Nidian base in the sector. That wasn't to say he didn't mind Huttser falling asleep on his shoulder. Ten year minimum tours could get rather lonely and with very few willing females on the planet, he was glad for any contact.

Seeing the first of Hades' guard towers appear over a hill he shook his shoulder gently. "Come on sleepy head, get your arse up, last thing you need is for the Captain to see you or even worse....Thor" Thor was the name given to the large polar bear in command of the 405th Mechanised Brigade, the invocation of his name brought Huttser around sharply, wild eyes one paw half raised in salute.

"Thor! Where?!"

"Calm down sir, we 'aint' there yet" Chuckling slightly at his superior officers wild eyes he knew what was coming next as Huttser's paw gave him another bruise on his arm.

"That was NOT funny sergeant!" Hunching up in his seat as he for a few seconds refused to believe it was time to wake up. The convoy trundled on, the music ceasing as they came within sight of Hades' main gate. "Time to wake these sleeping beauties" Huttser grinned as he keyed a button on the radio set in the middle of the dashboard, holding the handset up towards his lips, transmitting his voice at full volume into the cabs of all the other vehicles.

"Attention. All Striker 3 Victors this is Striker 3-1, rise and shine. Welcome to Hades."

Camp Hades was a concrete jungle. Built on top of a large plateau it had a domineering view of the jungle that surrounded it. On its perimeter was a twenty foot concrete and electric fence, on top of which was a walkway which soldiers patrolled along 24/7. At regular intervals were tall steel and concrete guard towers, sentry guns ever vigilant as they scanned the air and ground. Inside the perimeter was more concrete and steel where the landscape had been paved to make the foundations of multiple concrete bunkers, barracks, garages, command centres and many other military buildings. Buildings such as the camps hospital, air traffic control tower and command centre rose above the rest of the camp, casting their shadow over the dreary camp.

The convoy rolled through the heavily defended frontal gate passing by several bunkers fully manned by soldiers and auto-turrets. The Nidians were not messing around with the defences of their base as was made evident with the two tanks emplaced either side of the road which lead through the second main gate. Once inside they passed into a large flat paved space that was used as dispersal area for troop vehicles before they headed off to the garage. As the supply convoy pulled up to stop a rather harassed fox in a blue jumpsuit and high-visibility vest with a clip board clasped in one paw, ran up to the command vehicle, waving his free paw to grab Huttser's attention. "Are you the Striker 3 supply convoy?" He yelled over the sound of several gunships flying low overhead.

"Yeah, Striker 3, transporting supplies from Forward Logistics Base Malamute to Camp Hades. Why do ya' ask?" Huttser replied not bothering to point out that the fox had forgotten to salute, lowering his voice back down to a normal level as the gunships faded into the distance.

"You need to drive your supplies to supply depot Charlie on the other side of the base. Follow the signs. Here's a pass that will give your convoy access to the depot." Passing Huttser an orange slip of paper he had just torn from his clip board.

"Got it, depot char.....What the fuck was that!?" As he accepted the piece of paper, what sounded like thunder erupting just above them shattered the sky. A series of loud bangs and thuds made furs all around duck instinctively while the regulars of Hades simply ignored them though, getting on with their business. "What in the name of Fenrir?" Huttser cursed again as the bangs didn't cease, ithe thuds growing in number.

The vehicle marshal in the meantime turned around to look across the base to where long blue sparks seemed to be erupting from the ground. Glancing back over his shoulder he offered the explanation the convoy wanted. "205mm rail assisted howitzers. Some poor bastard is in trouble..." As if to reinforce the fox's explanation, another flight of gunships flew over, this one loaded for bear with troops hanging from its open doors, all of them looking like they were tooled up for a fight. When Huttser turned his head back down the marshal had disappeared. Shrugging to himself, he picked up the radio's transceiver. "All Striker 3 Victors, we are to head for supply depot Charlie. Striker 3-5 follow the signs, try not to get us lost. Out"

"Striker 3-5 to Striker 3-1, solid copy, we are oscar-mike, first is a left turn onto main boulevard. Out" The convoy began to roll out slowly. They picked up speed as they turned onto what appeared to be one of the bases main roads, one that transverse from one side of the base to another. It took several minutes of driving but eventually the large convoy pulled off the main road and onto several smaller ones, eventually arriving outside the fortified gates of Supply Depot Charlie. Once more a fur in a blue jumpsuit walked up alongside the command vehicle, this time a ferret, and without even acknowledging Huttser or Vaughan. Collecting the orange pass off the dashboard he waved back towards the gate and held a thumb up in the air before wandering off. With a low rumble the heavy gate barring entry to the supply depot began to slide to the side, allowing the convoy passage.

The supply depot was basically a large expanse of flat ground that shipping containers and supply crates were deposited until needed. Awaiting the convoy was a crowd of yellow and orange jumpsuited furs, the odd blue mixed in with them. All of them watched the convoy pull to a halt before descending on the supply trucks with their gloved paws and checklists. It was almost like a swarm of locusts descending on a corn field, within a space of several minutes the crates had been offloaded and were on their way to various storage spaces across the depot.

"Striker 3-4. Well that was quick..."

"3-7, 3-4. No shit."

"3-2, 3-1. So now what? I thought we'd be stuck here for the next few hours"

Huttser picked up the radio transceiver, holding down the transmit button he paused and then released, turning to face Vaughan.

"Bazza, remember earlier you said you heard that 2nd and 4th platoon were in Hades? Shall we go find them?"

Vaughan frowned slightly as he scanned his memory, trying to remember exactly what he had heard. "Yeah, I heard that Ferron and his men were manning some bunkers on the east wall...Oh and Ryan and 4th platoon are supporting them."

"Awesome, well since high command hasn't issued us any more orders..." Grinning slightly as he pressed the send button again.

"All Striker 3 victors listen up. We are going to join up with Striker 2 and 4 over on the east wall bunkers. Striker one will take the lead." As he released the send button and placed the transceiver back on its hook, Vaughan put the vehicle into gear and drove off, overtaking the front vehicles as they fell in behind.

10 Minutes later...

The convoy minus the trucks wound its way through the many paved streets of Hades. Hades was built like a small town, well a town that had guard towers, perimeter fences and was built out of pre-fabricated military huts. The entirety of Hades was permeated by the smell of oil in its many forms, be it the diesel used to fuel the vehicles or the heavy sludge used in paving of roads. Needles to say it was obvious the Nidians were still dependant on this fossil fuel but unlike the Terrans of the 21st Centaury their supplies were still incredibly high.

As they approached the fortifications that made up the east wall the concentration of buildings began to thin out, apparently the only buildings built near the walls were either defence stations, barracks or command centres, sound logic Huttser thought as he watched them flash by. "How much longer to the East Wall you reckon? Command said the platoons were stationed between bunkers twenty-two to forty-five." Huttser queered as he leaned out of the side of the vehicle, the quick flow of air pushing the fur on his face flat.

"Well we're approaching bunker fifteen so I reckon another minute or two until we reach their nearest position."

"Sounds good. Ryan or Ferron first?"

"Well Ferron technically is the superior officer, him being a fist lieutenant" Huttser looked slightly downcast but he would never let that look stay on his face for long, especially around his men. "Why don't you just say it?" Vaughan rolling his eyes as he spoke.

"Say what?"

"That you want to see Ryan first"

"Because I know you two don't get along well"

"Whatever gave you that impression sir?"

"I know about the fight two years ago, during the Nexus offensive"

Vaughan went quiet, keeping his eyes firmly on the road. "He shouldn't have ordered the air strike..." His voice a low growl full of anger.

"For fucks sake Sergeant Gray, it is not your job to question your officer's orders, Lieutenant Hawkins did what he thought was best at the time. Hind sight is a wonderful fucking thing except we can't judge our fellow soldiers by it. Fenrirs bones, we all have a hard enough job as it is without being criticised at every fucking turn" Huttser snapped back, his red eyes flashing a deeper red for a moment. Vaughan just grimaced and continued to drive, his eyes betraying the hurt he was feeling from Huttser's outburst. "Now Sergeant Gray can I trust you to keep your personal feelings in check around 2nd Lieutenant Hawkins?"

"Yes sir..." Vaughan responded begrudgingly, brining the vehicle to stop as he did. "Bunker 22 sir."

"Thank you Sergeant. Hold the men here whist I find if there is somewhere where we can park our vehicles."

With a brief exchange of salutes Huttser walked off in the direction of the trench entrance that had a sign above it labelled Bunker Line Echo 4. This would take him under the main concrete and wire fence to the trenches on the other side. Slinging his rifle as he walked down, he took in the extensive trench works. They were dug eight foot down, constructed out of titanium alloy armoured plating and concrete with an armoured roof, firing steps to the front and the main wall to the back. The trenches were dry and well maintained which must have made a welcome change from the standard trench works some of the troops would be used to.

Every twenty or thirty metres was a concrete bunker, bristling with fire ports. As he strolled along the deep trench Huttser bumped into furs he knew from both second and forth platoon, all of them seeming happy to see him as they saluted him. Huttser eventually bumped into fourth platoons 2iC a tall English fox who went by the name Alversia. He saluted prompt as ever then proceeded to embrace Huttser in a tight hug, clasping his arms around him.

"Good to have you here sir." Huttser was pleasantly surprised by the warm greeting, he had to admit that like Vaughan earlier, any form of contact even in a friendly way was welcome.

"Good to be here Al. No perhaps you could point me in Ryan's direction. I kind of need to report in somewhere."

Chuckling slightly as he released his fellow fox. "Are you never given orders? Or do you make up your own?"

"You know me Al, High Command is to slow for me."

"Hah, very well 'Speedy Gonzales' Ryan is over there in Bunker twenty five. I know High Command to slow for you but am I?"

"You're challenging me to a race Sergeant?"

"Oh come on loosen up. How long we spent on this fucking world?"

"Too fucking long...but I am not in a mood for a race. Legs are fuckin' killin' me" The two foxes chuckled gently as they moved on.

The two of them walked slowly around the twists and turns of the trench line, Alversia giving Huttser a small tour of the facilities. As they progressed through the line they bumped into several members of 3rd platoon. Apparently soon after Huttser had left some Major had come along and basically ordered them into the trench line. Moving on a bit faster they broke into a quick jog, rounding the final corner to bump straight into Ryan who was having a smoke outside the bunker entrance.

"Fenrir be damned, Huttser? What the hell you doin' here?" Ryan Hawkins was a tall husky, slightly on the thin side with his shirt and combats hiding his well muscled body. He had one of his ears cocked at an angle, his voice tinged with a slight tone of disbelief.

"What don't you want me here?" Grinning at Ryan as he held his paws up in the air in mock surrender.

"Oh god no. I'm glad you're here, we can do with the extra men but I just didn't even know you were operating in this sector of Tatrurus. After they split the company two years back I didn't think I'd see you again." Huttser grinned slightly and then suddenly pulled Ryan into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around the soldier. "H-Huttser, wha...?" His face erupting into a blush as he placed his own arms around the fox.

"I haven't seen you in two years, gimmie a break." Releasing Ryan, a slight blush forming on his cheeks as he scratched his neck shyly.

"Well I suppose I can concede the one hug then. Now come on lets get you and your men sorted. Follow me." Ryan beckoned for Huttser to follow as he walked off into the concrete confines of the bunker.

The inside of the bunker was a cold dark place. Its concrete corridors lit poorly by florescent strip lights and in some places patches of damp could be seen on the concrete. To Huttser's surprise a lot bigger then it looked on the outside, the corridors sprawling out underneath the ground linking it to the other command bunkers and several other important sections of the trench line. Huttser jogged to catch up with Ryan as he turned corner which lead to a slowly inclining ramp upwards. "This place is fackin huge, we still at bunker twenty five?" Ryan looked over his shoulder and then pointed to a large painted number thirty on the wall.

"Bunker 30 the central command hub for the whole east wall. This is where me and Ferron, and now probably you are stationed."

"Ahh okay. Ferron there now?"

"He should be. Then again knowing Ferron..." Ryan let the sentence trail off both of them knowing what was implied, a grin plastered across both their faces.

It was another minute of walking before the ramp led them into the back of a packed command centre. A large round room with computer consoles, holographic map tables and wall displays, all the equipment lighting the room with a low blue hue. Uniformed furs either sat or dashed between consoles in the room alive with a mix of voices. Ryan and Huttser seemed to be invisible to the soldiers as the carried on with their business.

It didn't take them long to spot the tall red dragon standing to the side of the room, engaged in what looked like deep conversation with another fox and a hyena. Ferron Arrumeken was a true specimen of a dragon. He was tall with brilliantly red scales, his muscles bulged through his uniform and his wings which he kept folded most of the time, could when extended be an awe inspiring sight.

Ryan and Huttser wound their way around the edge of the room to just off the dragons left shoulder, waiting patiently for him to finish his conversation. As he dismissed the two other furs he briefly looked over his shoulder, jumping slightly at the sight of Ryan and Huttser. "Fenrir be damned, Huttser? What you doin here?"

Huttser couldn't help but chuckle at the amount of times this had been asked now. "I am here because HQ wants me as far away from potentially very dangerous high explosive arms depots."

"...So they sent you to Hades?" Ferrons voice incredulous

"I never said High Command had any sense... cause I like, so wanna play with those rail assisted howitzers...there like soo amazingly destructive" Huttser voice had taken on an almost childlike quality, bouncing up and down slightly on the balls of his footpaws.

Both Ryan and Ferron fell about laughing at this child like display. "Did you ever grow up mate?" Ryan asked amongst his chuckles.

"When it comes to high explosives? Fuck no!"

As the sun set over the sprawling base, life continued. This planet didn't stop for day or night. The Nidian war machine rumbled on as off in the distance the bass-throb of artillery could be heard.

---

Well there you have it. Please comment and rate, as any advice is welcome.