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The Essex building was roaring with activity today, for it was not everyday that the world's ruler came to visit. The giant six tailed wolf walked the halls of the facility with his daughter, making sure to lecture her all the while.

"Do you know why the Kydon empire reigns supreme?" Kira rolled her eyes replying. "I don't know father. Why do we reign supreme?"

"Because we are willing to make sacrifices! I know of your battles with this human and I must commend you on not faltering."

"Hue-mane? Is that what that creature is called? How do you know this father?"

"I have had many encounters with humans before, and believe it or not . . , I have fought that human's ancestor before." Kira's eyes widened at the revelation leaving her to jump in front of her father saying. "You have fought his ancestors!? What were they like?! Were they furless too? Did they have powerful weapons like us!? Were they as agile as the kitsune fox!?"

Kyoto Kydon chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm and replied. "Those are questions for another time my daughter. But now, just as I have praised you, I must also condemn and punish you for your recent actions."

Kira leapt back in surprise and yelled. "Punish!? Whatever for!?"

"For not disposing of the human like I told you to. You disobeyed a direct order form the highest authority in the land, which under normal circumstances . . . Would be punishable by death."

"Death!? Have you gone mad Father!? I killed the patriarch like you asked!"

"No you poisoned him, in hopes his rabbit companion will find a cure."

"Wha!? How!?"

"You forget daughter . . . The Dreamscape is my second home. I see all and hear all that goes on within it. I saw your little display with the patriarch and it was most repulsive."

"Y-You S-Saw That!?" Kira quickly collected herself then replied. "No matter Father, he will die within the hour and my mission will be complete."

"Your mouth says one thing, but your heart says another. You do not want him to die, on the contrary actually . . . You want him to fight alongside us."

"STOP DOING THAT! My thoughts and desires are not for you to trifle through!"

Kyoto looked impassively at his daughter and replied. "It's a hopeful thought isn't it? To have a powerful warrior fighting alongside us in our conquest for total world stability." Kira tilted her head in confusion and asked. "Total world stability? I thought that was achieved decades ago?"

"Hmm. No I have yet to fully control Alteria. There has always been resistance, animals fighting against the promise that is peace. It's a shame really . . . Fools so caught up in the past and what Alteria once was, praying for the return of the patriarchs."

"Ah I've read up on them. History says they once ruled Alteria, but after a millennia of tyrannical control, you armed with the people's support, overthrew them. Very . . . vague story."

"It was no story daughter . . . That is history. The patriarchs forgot their role as protectors, and it was up to the people to remind them who they were . . . I almost became a patriarch. Thank the maker that it wasn't meant to be. I found the truth and quickly spread it to the masses."

"I suppose so, but you can not punish me for anything! I did what had to be done. My poison will bring upon a most timely and miserable death and there is not cure for a hundred miles!"

"Hmm. You have a strong attraction to this creature . . . Just like her."

"Just like who?"

"Another tale for another time. Though you fail to realize the chain of events you have set into motion. The rabbit will try to save the human, she will travel here and attempt to procure the antidote."

"What does it matter if she tries to get a cure? We will be here to stop her and even if she could get past us, she would never get the materials back to her meager vessel in time." Kyoto nodded his head slowly then without warning, swung one of his tails at Kira. The giant appendage connected with Kira's face and sent the warrior flying across the room. Kira rolled along the ground, cutting and scraping herself as she skidded to a painful stop. Once she stopped rolling, the disoriented wolfess looked up only to see the fangs of her father and his snarling maw pointed at her. She cowered and closed her eyes, praying that her death would be quick, but alas . . . It never came.

"And that is your major flaw. You always underestimate your opponents. I should have killed you, but I had mercy. Your next adversary will not."

The shaken warrior stood to her feet and replied. "Oh I'm sorry Father. Were you trying to teach me some kind of lesson!? So I underestimated my own ally and that is why I was struck?! You are the most powerful being on Alteria! How was I supposed to gauge your attack!?"

"You still fail to see the point. You should not have let your guard fall because the next time we do this little exercise . . . I will not show mercy."

"Is that supposed to frighten me? I suppose I won't hold back either. Queen of Alteria . . . A very fitting title for me don't you think?"

"Yes. You'd make a much better monarch than your mother would." Kira chuckled at the joke then stopped at an elevator.

"Where are you going father? The meeting is this way."

"You will go to the trade conference in my stead. I must attend to some business in the Eastern hemisphere."

"Why must I get stuck with all the political details, why you and sister go off prancing about and fighting rebels!"

"Know your place daughter. You will be ruler one day and you will know your way around the political landscape. Though if it's excitement you seek . . . I sense a battle drawing nigh."

Kira huffed at her father's mystical ways, and watched as he walked down the corridor out of sight. She pressed the button on the elevator and stepped inside. She tapped on her weapon and let her thoughts roam to Shirlene. "Will this really be much of a battle? How dangerous can one rabbit be when faced with true power? Will I really fall to a mere commoner?" Kira laughed at her ridiculous thoughts and rode the elevator to the top smiling.

"Look out rabbit. I will teach you your place."

Shirlene stopped sipping on her drink then lifted her head upwards. Don came up behind her and tapped her shoulder asking. "Hey is everything alright? You haven't said a word since we got here."

" . . . I don't know. I just felt a chill run down my spine, as if something's wrong."

"You think it's like a warning for a trial ahead?"

"Nah. Probably just left the oven on or something. Now where are we again?"

The three teens exchanged smug looks, then Lila stepped out the way revealing a metal access door.

"You kids brought me to a service room? What are we gonna do? Fix Ferren's plumbing!?" Virgil the wolf looked offended, replying angrily. "No you ingrate! This is our secret base! Take a look for yourself!" He opened the door revealing a very modest sized room, complete with junk everywhere. Shirlene walked in the damp and musty room, gawking at all the trash and rubbish around. This room definitively was a teenager's.

"Some base."

"Thanks." Don replied while flopping down on the couch. The coyote grabbed a very familiar looking soda bottle, then flashed it Shirlene asking. "Wanna sip?"

"Wait a second! You sneaky little bastard! That's my cargo you're wrapping your fat lip around!"

"Was. It was your cargo, then you know . . . We took a little for ourselves." Shirlene's face turned red in anger, then turned confused. "Wait so let me get this straight. You three wanted my cargo right?"

"Yep."

"So you robbed me when I pulled into port then huh?"

"Right again."

" Then you blew it up?"

"Now you're getting it!"

"So why not just take ALL the cargo when I wasn't looking?"

Don spat out his drink and began stuttering. "I-I . . U-Uh!? Wha!?"

"Okay got it. You three are stupid, way to keep drilling that in for me." The trio flashed Shirlene angry looks, leaving the rabbit to shrug her shoulders.

"Well this has been fun, but I gotta bounce. The Essex building's not gonna rob itself." Virgil jumped form his seat and latched onto the rabbit saying. "T-The Essex building? How are you gonna get in!?"

"You don't get to be my age in my line of work, and not learn a few survival skills." Virgil turned around and gave his friends hopeful glances. Don immediately began shaking his head saying. "Don't even think about it Virgil."

"She can help us! You saw how she held off the Ferren convoy! We could use her!" Lila scratched her chin, deep in thought then replied. "You know Don, he might be on to something."

"You too Lila!?"

"She's a better shot than all of us. She fires and doesn't miss, we could use accuracy like that!" Shirlene sighed saying. "Why are you kids talking about me like I'm not even here?"

Lila smiled brightly replying. "We need your help Shirlene. We have to get to the Essex building too."

"How come?"

"We need to contact our unit and request a pick up. We've been trapped in Ferren for days now, and our unit doesn't know where we are!"

"Hmm . . . This could actually work." Don looked at the rabbit curiously and asked. "What can work?"

"I could use some extra paws on this operation, but it ain't gonna be easy."

"We know that! But can you really get us into Essex!?"

"Only if you follow my directions to a T!" Virgil and Lila exchanged excited glances and began jumping up and down excitedly.

"Oh thank you so much Shirlene! How can we ever repay you!?"

"Nah don't sweat it girly. Just try not to get killed." Don walked over to Shirlene shaking his head and said. "I hate to be the party pooper here, but how are we gonna break into the Essex building? It's probably the most secured place on Alteria!"

"You'd actually be surprised when it comes to corporate security. You guys got a small access node I can use?" Don pointed to the room's far corner where a small computer looking device sat. The pilot pulled up a ratty chair and sat down in front of the device, beckoning for Don to follow her.

Shirlene reached into her inside vest pocket and pulled out a flat rectangular computer chip. She slid the chip inside the aged computer and tapped her paw impatiently as the device loaded the software. The computer made a few beeping noises then came to life saying. " . . . C WING A.I. LOADED IN UNKNOWN HARDRIVE! COMMENCING SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE IN FIVE MINUTES!"

"DAMN IT COMPUTER IT'S ME!"

"VOICE RECOGNITION DETECTED! GREETING CAPTAIN YARA! IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME SONCE YOU HAVE UTILIZED MY BACKUP DRIVE."

"Yea tell me about it. I know this access node is pretty ancient, but I need you to render a schematic of the Essex Complex in the Ferren Kingdom."

"IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOUR CURRENT LOCATION IS BLOCKING ALL TRANSMISSIONS. I DO HAVE A SCHEMATIC ON MY DRIVE, BUT IT IS AN OLDER VERSION CAPTAIN."

"It'll have to do computer. Pull it up for me."

"SEARCHING FOR . . . 'ESSEX SCHEMATICS' . . . SEARCHING . . . SEARCHING . . ."

The trio waited in bated breath as Shirlene's A.I. worked it's magic. Don casually filed his claws, then asked. "So Yara . . . Where'd you get a fancy A.I. like that? She seemed really sharp and dare I say . . . Customized?" Shirlene smirked replying.

"Okay let's get something straight junior . . . You will address me as Shirlene, we aren't buddy buddy so don't go callin' me Yara. And second, you and I both know that customized A.I. are strictly against Alterian code. I would say my A.I.'s . . . Very personalized."

Don chuckled halfheartedly then quickly grew somber asking. "What's it like Shirlene? You know being a rebel and stuff?"

"Why you asking me kid? You guys are the ones risking your tail, fighting Ferren. I'm just a pilot who happens to find trouble everywhere I go."

"Well the truth is . . . We're not actually soldiers with the Animal's republic of Alteria."

"Hmph. Coulda fooled me! You certainly fight like soldiers."

"Well we're not! We wanted to join the resistance and signed ourselves up. But when it was time to meet at the rendezvous point they . . . Never came." Don looked over at Lila and Virgil laughing the sighed as e continued. "It broke their hearts, but more importantly . . . Their spirits."

Shirlene swiveled around in the chair and watched the duo as well. She sighed and turned back around saying. "It was for the best."

"What?! How could you say that!?"

"Because it's true. Kids shouldn't be mixed up in wars."

"We are not kids."

"Yes you are. Trust me on this one."

"Why? Do you have kids?!" Shirlene pulled out the photo of her and Jeeve, then sighed.

"You could say that kid. I got one your age and he'd say the same thing if he was here. That's the problem with you guys today . . . Everything is black and white. You treat problems as if they're one dimensional. It's good or bad with you guys and sorry to break it ya, but real life's not like that." The rabbit absentmindedly checked her watch replying.

"Time's your greatest ally and also your worst enemy. Life and death lies within the span of a second. Keep wasting time like you are now and I promise you you'll die young and miserable."

"You sound like someone who's had a near death experience."

"Yep every other day it seems I gotta fight to survive . . ."

"We all do Shirlene." The coyote leaned against the wall, keen on not showing his face to the rabbit. Shirlene sighed and turned her focus back to the computer and just in time too.

"CAPTAIN! I HAVE FOUND THE SCHEMATICS! DISPLAYING FOR YOU NOW!" Shirlene quickly called Virgil and Lila over as the image presented itself onscreen. Shirlene pointed to an area on the holographic map and said. "Look here kiddies. This spot right here is what's called a 'blind spot.' It's a small flaw in the architecture that degenerates like us can exploit and exploit we will." Shirlene pressed a few buttons and watched as the image enlarged itself on the blind spot.

"This right here is a class four exhaust port. Now a meters away is the meter box, if we can shut it off, then we can crawl up the exhaust vent and make our way from there." Virgil got real close the the projection and asked. "Well that's cool and all but where's the communication's room? We can't shoot a signal if we can't find that room!"

"Oh don't worry about the communication's room. We don't need it."

"What!? Why!?"

"Because we're gonna blow the top off that complex!" The teens stared at the rabbit in disbelief, then exchanged looks of pure puzzlement. Lila tapped the rabbit's shoulder and asked. "Shirlene? How can we blow up an entire building?"

"Okay we won't blow up the entire building, but we'll sure do a hell of a lot of damage to the interior! These schematics maybe dated, but they've given me an idea. There's a structural weakness located in the building's renegade reactor. A couple of charged explosives will cripple the building and all its functions."

"You really think we can do this?"

"Trust me kid. I've done more with less . . . This'll be a cinch!" The teens still shared apprehensive views but ultimately got caught up in Shirlene's infectious enthusiasm. The rabbit sprang up from the chair and said. "Follow me guys. We don't got much time!"

"What's the rush?" Don asked while running next to the rabbit.

"I'm on a strict time schedule and I gotta get back home before the end of this day."

"Well let's get rolling!"

"Rolling? You talking about a vehicle?" The trio just smiled widely in response, leaving the rabbit to worry a bit.

DEEP SEWERS: VIRGIL'S MOTORPOOL

"WHAT IS THIS MONSTROSITY?!" Virgil jumped back in offense saying. "This beauty right here is the ultimate combat vehicle! I call her . . . THE FANGED AVENGER!" Shirlene looked at the unholy amalgamation of wires, tubing, and scrap parts and sighed. "Who taught you how to reverse engineer kid? No offense but this looks like a load of ass! Can this thing even run!?"

"RUN!? Oh it can do much more than that! Why don't we hop in and take her out for a spin?" Don and Lila hopped in unquestioningly, leaving Shirlene to begrudgingly board the makeshift four wheeler. Virgil started the vehicle causing a huge cloud of smoke to flood the inside. The group coughed and gagged as the black poison passed. "Wow! Bravo kid! You built a death trap!"

"Aw shut your yap lady! Be thankful we don't gotta walk!" Virgil tried once more and to everyone's surprise . . . Actually started the thing! The vehicle sped forward with great ferocity, tearing through the innards of the Ferren sewer. The group raced through the seemingly endless maze of pipes and foul water before Virgil pressed a button, revealing a secret passage. He expertly navigated through the narrow corridor before rolling up on a steep hill and bursting through the ground.

The four wheeler jolted through the streets before stabilizing and running smoothly. Virgil casually looked back and said "Not bad for it's maiden voyage huh?"

"Maiden voyage!? You mean to tell me this is the first time you've tested this scrap heap!?"

"Well yea! We've only been on Ferren for a couple days now, so I had to improvise." Shirlene shook her head disapprovingly replying. "You must have a death wish kid! This behemoth of a vehicle is gonna attract unwanted attention!"

"Nah quit your worrying! We're like two block from the Essex building." Virgil looked back smugly at the rabbit then quickly flashed a panicked face. Taking the hint the other too turned around and saw the reason for his worry. A Ferren convoy was fast approaching behind them already opting to use ballistic force against them.

"Oh look there kid! Your stupid go kart's about to get us killed! Those aren't just any ordinary hover tanks! Those are the new class three's! They'll be on us in like a minute!"

"Don't worry! I can out run em!" Don cocked his gun and replied. "Well lose them quick Virgil! I don't think this thing can take too many hits." Virgil nodded and immediately made a sharp right turn, taking the Fanged Avenger barreling down a narrow alley. Virgil turned around and sighed in relief noticed the Ferren tanks struggling to get through the confined space. The four wheeler smoothly swerved out the alleyway and returned on its course toward the Essex complex.

Shirlene smiled while shaking her head saying. "It's no Fur Fucker, but this vehicle's not half bad."

"Thanks Shirlene! I worked real hard on it too! Tell her Don!"

"Hate to break up the moment but there's one tank still following us and it looks pretty big!" Shirlene turned around and examined the tank more closely. She squinted her eyes and took note of the lead tank's barrel, it's long shape and narrow passage caused the pilot to shriek.

"EVERYONE OUT NOW!"

Don continued firing while asking. "What's wrong?"

"That tank's equipped with diesel destroyer! It's missiles are heat sensitive and this hunk of junk is the hottest thing here! Well except for me of course." Virgil looked panicked and replied. "What?! You want us to abandon our only mode of transportation!? No way! I'll take my chances with the missile."

"Don't be stupid kid! It's not just your chances your taking with that weapon! It's all of our lives! I'm telling the truth here, that missile will destroy this vehicle once it launches!" Lila looked back in fright saying. "Virgil . . . I think we should listen to Shirlene on this one. She knows much more about these kind of things than we do."

"No way! We'll die if we bail now!" Shirlene looked back and saw the tank taking aim at them. The rabbit fired a few shots at the tank, but it's armor was to dense.

"Look kid. We don't got the artillery to take that monster down! We have to bail now!"

Virgil looked back in desperation and said. "We're almost there! Just look!" The building was a few hundred feet away and Virgil was sure he could make it. The diesel destroyer began emitting a sharp buzzing noise causing the group to cringe and cover their ears.

"We're outta time! That noise means their firing in five seconds!"

"WE ARE NOT LEAVING!" Shirlene looked at Virgil then back at the tank and said "Godspeed kid." She then extended both her arms and pushed Don and Lila out the back seat, before she herself bailed from the vehicle. The three rolled roughly along the side of the road, while Virgil and the tank continued facing forward. Lila shakily stood up and said. "We have to do something!"

"Look away kids. Just look away." Lila and Don looked at each other, then reluctantly turned away. A second went by before the loud explosion and searing heat could be felt. The trio turned around and looked at the carnage with a pained expression. Lila covered her mouth while Don closed his eyes, but Shirlene remained looking at the fiery heap of scrap metal and wolven remains.

The rabbit sighed then looked to Don saying. "Kid's shouldn't be mixed up in wars. We have to move now or that tank will find us too." Lila looked torn then replied. "But! We can't just leave!"

"You can mourn later. We gotta move, unless you want to stay here and become the next victim?" The coyote and fox exchanged knowing looks and quickly followed after Shirlene. The rabbit led them down another narrow alleyway and brought them to a smaller building. She then broke off the lock and motioned for them to follow her. Once inside she said "This little shack right here is the Essex building's auxiliary pipe flow. Water and air currents run from here to the main building and we can use them to get inside!"

"Sounds to good to be true. What's the catch?"

"Well I'm glad you asked kid. We obviously can't take the water pipes, so that leaves us with the air flow."

The coyote scratched his chin asking. "Well what's wrong with that?"

"The air current is extremely strong. Once slip up and you'll be sent flying off to your death. Gotta have that upper body strength if you're gonna survive the trek through the pipes. But don't get your skivvies in a twist, I can shut off the air timer, so we'll be good."

"Well that alleviates some of my worries." Lila looked at the duct then back at Shirlene and cried. "I CAN'T DO THIS!"

"Kid what're you talking about?"

"I-I just can't go on! We just lost our childhood friend! I felt the flames and saw the wreckage! This isn't right! We shouldn't be here right now! I-I Shouldn't have left home!" Don nodded in understanding and replied "We've come to far Lila! Look at where we are! We are literally a few paces from the Essex building. We can finish what we started!"

"NO DON! I'm not just going to stand here and pretend everything is okay! I just know we'll die if we go in that building! I can't do it!"

"Yes you can! You've been on missions before! What's wrong now!?"

"Missions?! We have never been on any missions! You mean all those times we snuck around and stole things from people!? The only time we ever did anything remotely mission like was today when we almost killed Shirlene!" Don opened his mouth in surprise then quickly closed it. He was way out of his element here and Shirlene could tell. The rabbit looked at the hurting fox and said.

"Hey uh . . . listen Lila. I'm not exactly a model citizen or anything. Hell! I'm pretty far from being considered 'A decent animal.' But trust me when I say I know what it's like to lose and I'm not just talking about losing someone I love. I'm talking about losing to the government. I know what it's like to have your ass handed to you every single day by life and unfair circumstances. Look I say this to say that you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened back there. That was no one's fault but the Ferren Army and we're about to make them pay. So I guess I'm trying to tell you to keep ya head up . . . Thing's will get better."

Lila looked at Shirlene with large hopefully eyes and embraced the rabbit in a warm hug. The fox buried her face in Shirlene's neck and sobbed. The rabbit awkwardly rubbed the crying vixen's back and uttered soothing words. Don looked at the affectionate scene and chuckled, causing Shirlene to say. "What? You find my inability to comfort humorous?"

"Nah it's not that . . . Well kinda. You made quite the impression of being some kind of hard ass and to see you being so soft and feminine . . . It's a little comforting."

"Heh. You want a hug too big guy?"

"Nah. Hugging's more of a celebratory thing you know? And I'm not going to celebrate til I've completed this mission."

"I gotcha kid, you fired up and ready to roll. So let's get a move on then shall we? You okay coming along or do you want to wait it out here Lila?"

The orange fox looked around skittishly then replied "I want to com along. Virgil would've wanted me to see this through and I won't let him down."

"That's the spirit! Come on!"

Shirlene excitedly led them to the far corner of the room. She removed the air duct's grate and began crawling inside. The coyote and fox quickly crawled after her, scratching and scuttling all the way. Shirlene confidently led them around a few corners and through some tight areas before she said

"We've made it kids! We're officially inside the Essex building!" Lila smiled in relief while Don asked "Where exactly are we inside the building?"

"Uh somewhere below the shipping and receiving room. We'll need to crawl down this shaft some more and then climb up a few floors and then we'll be directly over the communication's room!"

Lila still smiled, but it was obvious the vixen had reservations. "I don't know about this Shirlene. I'm getting a bad vibe about this place."

The rabbit continued crawling while replying "Well I'd have a bad feeling too if I were you too. This building has shipped it's fair share of W.M.D's."

"What does that stand for?"

"Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Essex building supplies every Alterian Army with them. Small world huh?" The uneasy fox said nothing and continued crawling as well. The trio crawled through the wide horizontal pipe until a small gust of wind lightly pull on them. Shirlene looked back in fright then said. "Oh shit! We gotta hit the duct break now!" The rabbit scurried down the shaft leaving the larger canines to awkwardly crawl after her.

"Whoa! Slow down Shirlene! What's going on?!"

"What'd ya think girly? Someone's reactivated the Air flow! We gotta hit the Duct break before the winds pick up!"

"Wait won't winds pushing against us help us?"

"Concentrate a little harder. These winds are pushing against us . . . They're pulling us. It's lights out once the fans start blowing at full power, so we gotta move!"

"How long do we have?"

"A minute maybe? Don't worry though, we're pretty close to the duct break." The trio crawled frantically as the winds picked up, making it harder for them to move forward. They finally reached what was seemingly a wall, but Shirlene stood up revealing a vertical duct. The rabbit extended both her paws and legs horizontally, allowing her to shimmy up the air duct. Don and Lila followed her lead and they too were shimmying rapidly up the duct.

The wind speeds picked up considerably causing Shirlene to curse and shout. The rabbit looked down watching the teens struggle against the gale and said "Don't give up guys! Just a couple more feet and we'll be there!" Don gritted his teeth and nodded in response, leaving Lila to weakly whimper at Shirlene.

The rabbit looked down at the struggling vixen and cursed herself. Lila's smooth paw pads coupled with the brutal force of the sucking winds made it nearly impossible to climb, causing her to fall behind. The vixen's cries and whimpers became clearly audible, making both Don and Shirlene look down in fright.

"I'm slipping!"

"Hey don't panic kid! You're gonna be just fine. The ass holes trying to suck us down can't run the air forever. The air runs on a timed cycle and this one's almost up! Just hold on!" Don looked at his slipping friend and began crawling downward toward her. Shirlene yelled after him, but he ignored her and instead continued for her.

"Here Lila! Wrap yourself around my waist! I'll pull you up."

"Are you sure Don? I don't want to burden you!"

"I'll be fine! Just do it!" The vixen sighed and leapt for Don's waist. The momentum of her upward leap drug them both downward at an alarming pace, but Don powered through and stopped the sliding. Grunting and groaning, the coyote continued climbing even through the raging winds. Don's arms began trembling, causing his whole body to shake violently. He tried to calm himself but to no avail and Lila could instantly pick up on his stress and strain.

"Give it up Don! You've done enough, I'm just holding you back!"

"NEVER!"

"I have to let go, or we'll both die!"

"NO ONE'S DYING! I'll carry you and Shirlene all the way to the top if I have to! I won't lose you too!"

"I have to let go and you know it." Don's lip began quivering in fear. He wasn't ready for Virgil's loss and he wasn't ready for Lila's. The coyote looked up at Shirlene for help, but he even could see her straining to hold her place. The coyote sighed and said "Please . . I-I can't l-lose you too." Hot tears began streaming from the fox's face as she said "I really love you Don. You and Virgil were like the brothers I never had. You both took care of me and made sacrifices for my well being and now it's time I did that for you."

"Don't you let go!"

Lila mouthed an 'I'm sorry' and let go of Don's waist, causing both him and Shirlene to gasp in shock. The coyote felt a great weight lifted from him and another put back in it's place as she fell. Her shrieks and screams could be heard as she tumbled and rocked through the tight air duct. Don remained motionless, only staring down the dark chasm she fell down. Shirlene watched with her own pained expression, then said "Come on kid . . . Don't look down there."

Don looked back up at her teary eyed and nodded solemnly, finally climbing upwards. Shirlene led him up to a ledge and helped pull him over. The duo sat in silence, focused more on regaining their strength after the climb. Shirlene looked over and saw the coyote again looking down the shaft.

"You alright kid?"

"I've been better . . . Why'd she let go?"

"You know why kid." The grief stricken coyote latched on to Shirlene asking

"But why?! Why would she just choose to die!?"

"Because she knew what would happen if she didn't. She would drag both of you down. It was for the best kid."

"Did it hurt?"

"You mean her . . . Uh I don't know." Don shot Shirlene a fierce look causing her to sigh saying "The fall down probably banged her up, but the fan is what did her in."

"What do you mean?" Shirlene looked uncomfortable, but continued anyway replying "Look I won't sugar coat it for you. The fan most likely chopped her up kid, no doubt about it. I mean that current was the deliberately made to be much stronger than normal." Don brought his paws to his face and began weeping uncontrollably, making Shirlene feel bad for telling him.

"But there's also a chance she survived." The crying coyote looked up wide eyed and hopeful replying "Y-You m-mean it?"

"It's a little unlikely given the current, but it's possible she hit a duct break which would save her from the fan. From there she probably could've crawled out any vent and set up camp somewhere in the building."

"So she could be alive?"

"It's possible. Highly unlikely, but still possible." Don smiled while wiping his eyes and said "Thank you Shirlene. I think I'm ready to move forward."

"Take your time kid. You don't have to go on if you don't want to. We're really close to an exit and you can bail from here if you're not comfortable."

"No. I won't quit, they didn't quit and neither will I!" Shirlene smiled and put her paw on Don's shoulder saying "You're a bold kid Don. Well we're really close to the comm. Room. It's just out this grate and a short walk down the generator room. Come on lets go!" Shirlene kicked the grate cover open and hopped out the air duct, the rabbit landed smoothly on her feet and motioned for Don to do the same. Once both animals were out the air, Shirlene looked down at her wrist communicator and said "Like I said, just a short walk across . . . A catwalk."

The rabbit pilot cursed as she looked at the path ahead of her. A long narrow walkway laid before her, hundreds of feet above the main ground. The rabbit looked back at Don and said "If there's one thing this rabbit hates . . . It's catwalks."

"How come? Seems like a pretty odd fear."

"I'm telling you kid bad things happen to animals on catwalks. I mean these things are just spawning grounds for trouble! They're high off the ground and surrounded by nothing! One false move and you're dead!" Don rolled his eyes while shaking his head then looked past Shirlene saying "Uh Shirlene?"

"What's wrong kid?"

"I think I'm starting to get what you mean by 'Spawning ground for trouble. Just look behind you.'" The rabbit curiously turned around to see what was wrong then immediately drew her weapons.

"Ah Captain Yara! I take it your little romp through the Ferren Kingdom has gone well?" Shirlene ignored Kira and turned quickly to Don saying "Listen up and listen good kid. You and I both know how this is gonna end, so I need you to finish the mission. Take my bag and place the charges all around the comm. room. Once you're done get outta here and blow the room up."

"I am not leaving you to fight her! She'll kill you without my help!"

"That's the point kid! I gotta buy you some time to complete this mission. Hurry and get outta here!" Don looked at Shirlene then back at the waiting Kira and said "Thank you Shirlene . . . For everything." The coyote hugged the rabbit warmly then grabbed her bag sadly saying "Are you sure you don't need me?"

"I'm positive kid. Now take those steps over there and get to that room!" Don nodded and left without another word. Kira watched in amusement as the coyote scrambled out the room. The white wolfess turned back to Shirlene and said "Oh how I've longed for this moment. I take it you're ready to die now?"

Shirlene smirked and replied "I'm ready when you are." The rabbit drew her weapons and pointed them at the wolfess. Kira drew her spear and took on a fighting stance.

"Make a move kid. I'm not getting any younger here." Shirlene cracked a wicked smile and dashed for the rabbit. Shirlene jumped back in shock as Kira slashed at her. The wolfess was moving much faster than the rabbit could anticipate and this was proving to be a problem. Kira performed a fancy mid air flip and came down kicking Shirlene in her chest. The rabbit flew back and smacked against the wall causing a loud clang to reverberate through the hollow room. The rabbit fell to her face in pain eliciting a chuckle from the wolfess.

"What's the matter rabbit? Have you lost that fire in your soul already? I was prepared to do so much more to break your spirit." Shirlene continued lying face down groaned weakly in response while Kira walked over and bent down. The wolfess poked at the still rabbit and groaned in pain as Shirlene attacked. The rabbit flipped up and expertly kicked Kira in her face, causing the wolfess to reel back in shock and pain. Kira stumbled about dazed and Shirlene quickly took advantage by firing her blasters at her.

Kira quickly recovered and dodged everyone sent her way. The wolfess grabbed her spear and dashed back for the rabbit, causing Shirlene to grin. Kira swiped furiously at her, only for the rabbit to roll under her and kick her behind her knee cap.

"AAHHH! YOU VILE CREATURE!"

"OOH! That looks like it hurt!"

"I'm going to skin you alive rabbit!" Kira swiped at her again, but this time she caught Shirlene in the shoulder. The rabbit hissed in pain the quickly rolled out the way of another slash. Kira went to thrust her spear at Shirlene, but the she hopped to the side and countered with a punch to Kira's face. The wolfess staggered back and took on another fighting stance, giving Shirlene a little breathing room.

"My father was right. You have proven to be quite the adversary and I never could have imagined a rabbit could last this long against me in battle."

"Can we wrap this little pow wow up? I got thing's I gotta take care of."

"When will you learn rabbit? He's as good as dead! He will die in the coming hour, can't you feel it?! His fading willpower and resolve permeates through the ether like a foul stench."

Shirlene fired several shots at Kira, forcing the wolfess to dodge them and retaliate back. Kira dashed from side to side then rushed Shirlene and toppled her. The rabbit and wolfess tumbled on the ground madly before Kira overpowered her and held her spear to her neck.

"Any last words before I spill your blood?!"

"Yea I got a few . . . Jeeve? I don't know if you can hear me, but I just wanted to tell you that I love you . . . There I said it, you can kill me now."

"I'm going to enjoy this . . ." Kira smiled darkly and took her spear, plunging it in Shirlene's side. The rabbit spouted foul curses and spasmed violently as Kira pulled it out. Shirlene weakly looked up and went wide eyed at the sight before her.

"Don't do it kid." Shirlene mouthed while Don quietly stalked toward Kira. The wolfess continued her taunting Shirlene, seemingly oblivious to Don's prowling. "I expected more from you Yara, especially after evading me on Angorri. How would Jeeve feel if he could see you now, all broken and defeated?"

Shirlene strained to sit up and reply, but Kira pushed her back down. "Well I suppose it doesn't matter now, though I must say . . . It must

be hard having to live with the death's of four animals in one day."

Shirlene looked past Kira and saw Don taking aim with his blaster then replied "Well it is hard dealing with it, but you know what's even harder?"

"What's harder rabbit?"

"This ass whooping you're about to get . . . Hit it kid!" Don smirked then quickly fired his blaster, sending five rounds flying toward the distracted wolfess. Kira expertly leapt backwards over the oncoming projectiles and landed perfectly behind the coyote.

The down rabbit screamed as Kira raised her weapon. Shirlene saw it coming from a mile away and there was no way to stop it from happening. Everything began moving in slow motion for the pilot, forcing her to witness Don being attacked. Shirlene fumbled for her blaster as Kira slowly brought her spear down on him. She quickly grabbed hold of her weapon and fired one well placed shot, but it was too late. Shirlene watched in despair as both Don and Kira fell to the floor, causing her to painfully get up and run over.

Shirlene dashed over to Don and knelt down by him, gingerly cradling his head in her lap. The rabbit wiped a stray tear from her eye and said "Oh God! I-I'm sorry kid! I should've gotten to you quicker!" Don weakly reached for Shirlene and rubbed his paw across her face.

"I know kid . . . I know. I'm real sorry about this, I never should have gotten you kids involved." Don smiled weakly and shook his head. The coyote opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Don began panicking silent, drawing in large breaths as he struggled to talk and breath, but it just accelerated his demise. The coyote coughed violently then fell back limply as his blood finally leaked out. Shirlene closed Don's eyes and laid him on the ground respectfully.

"Real sorry kid. Shouldn't have ended up like this . . . Wait what the?" Shirlene bent down and picked up a device hanging out of Don's pocket. The rabbit eye's went wide in surprise as she dropped the device. Don had set the explosives and had already begun the countdown sequence, leaving Shirlene with only a few precious minutes to make an escape.

"Nice going kid! Wish you left me more time to get out though." The rabbit ripped off a piece of her shirt then wrapped it around her side tightly. She then made her way out the generator room and raced for the exit. Shirlene casually walked through the crowded halls, doing her absolute best not to draw attention. Everything seemed to be going fine until the building began shaking violently causing debris and rubble to fall from the ceiling.

Shirlene covered her head as ceiling tiles fell atop her and buried her, rendering her immobile. The rabbit watched as workers and soldier alike, fled and scampered chaotically through the complex. Shirlene craned her head to the side and saw the rising flames burn through the wall, filling the room with smoke. The pilot coughed and hacked, while struggling and fighting to get free. Not one soul stopped to assist her, for everyone was too busy on escaping themselves.

Shirlene sighed and bowed her head as the room grew weaker and weaker.

"Well this is a new low for you Shirlene. Death by building collapse . . . You're better than this."

"Oh my God! Shirlene! Are you alright?!"

"Lila!? Is that you!?" Shirlene awkwardly turned around and indeed saw the orange colored vixen standing there anxiously. Shirlene smiled brightly and said "Well I'll be! Get your furry ass over here and get this junk off of me!" Lila nodded vigorously and dashed over, making quick work of the rubble and debris. Once freed, Shirlene patted her on the shoulder and said "Come on kid we gotta bail!"

"But which way's the exit!? This whole building is a huge maze to me!" Shirlene quickly scanned the room then pointed saying "This way kid! Let's book it!" The duo sprinted for the exit, dodging and vaulting over flaming rubble and building fragments. The building began making a high pitched creaking noise, making Lila very nervous. "Uh Shirlene?"

"What's hangin kid?"

"Why's the building making noises?"

"That wold be the support beams giving out under the intense heat. I'd say this building's coming down any second now." Lila gulped nervously and continued running through the flaming complex with Shirlene. A large cement block suddenly fell from the roof, completely sealing off the duo's exit.

"Dammit!"

"Can't we just move the block ourselves?"

"HA! A 40,000 pound block just ain't gonna move with us rubbing our paw pads against it. Doesn't matter anyway, we're too many floors up. We'd be better off jumping out the window than actually making to ground level . . . Hmm. That might work!"

"What might work?"

"Well The buildings pretty much bit the dust by now. I should be able to get a call through. Just stand back and wait for a miracle kid." Shirlene looked for a signal on her communicator and rejoiced when she found one. "Alright C Wing, don't fail me now . . . Computer! You still operational?"

"YES CAPTAIN I AM HERE! I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU IN DAYS!"

"It's been like two days You old emotional piece of junk! Anyways I need a pickup in like the next 30 seconds!"

"IT WOULD TAKE ME ATLEAST FIVE MINUTES TO RETRIEVE YOU FROM YOUR CURRENT LOCATION CAPTAIN!"

"Fine . . Make it a minute! Throw on the afterburners if you have to, just get here before this building squashes me!"

"I AM ALREADY MAKING MY ASCENT CAPTAIN! ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IS APPROXIMATELY . . . FORTY FIVE SECONDS."

"Now that's efficiency! Just hurry though, I think we've got even less time than that." Shirlene ended the transmission and sat next to a panic stricken Lila.

"Well kid, wanna tell me how you survived a hundred foot drop and didn't end up sliced and diced?" Lila pulled her arms around her legs and said "It was nothing really. I was falling when my arm caught this ledge right above the fan. It was real scary seeing death that close, I almost passed out! Luckily I had just enough strength to pull myself up and crawl to safety. I crawled out the vent and I fell in this huge storage room where I laid low until the huge explosion. Oh I almost forgot! These are for you!" Lila handed a small bag to Shirlene, making the rabbit tear up at the sight of it.

"Y-You couldn't have known! HOW!?"

"I found your list when we were in the sewers. I meant to ask you about it, but after the tanks and Virgil . . . I just kinda forgot."

"You don't understand how important this medicine is to me. I-I r-really thought I'd lose him." Shirlene wiped a few tears away then pulled Lila in for a hug.

"I don't think I've ever hugged this much in my entire life."

"Why not?"

"Hugging's pretty bad for my health, but . . . I think I'm starting to build immunity to it." The duo continued the embrace, until the building began leaning, causing the heroes to slide around the room. Shirlene got up and quickly ran to the window. Looking out she could see the building leaning and crumbling at the bottom. Shirlene took her blaster and fired at the large window, causing glass shards to scatter everywhere. She then hoisted herself outside and began climbing up the crumbling tower. Lila quickly followed suit asking "What are we doing!? What if we fall or something!?"

"Nah. Trust me kid, we're more in danger in there than out here. Least I can see if help's coming or not . . . And it looks like it's coming after all!" Shirlene waved her arm excitedly at the fast approaching ship and said "Get ready kid! The cavalry has arrived!"

The C Wing hovered next to the duo, extending it's walkway for them to climb. Shirlene motioned for Lila to go first, making sure the fox's grip was tight this time. Once Lila made it across, Shirlene hopped gracefully aboard saying "Get us outta here computer!"

"OF COURSE CAPTAIN! INITIATING ESCAPE SEQUENCE." The ship took a sharp nose dive, then rolled back upwards in a fancy loop. Shirlene watched tiredly as the Essex building finally gave out and came crashing to the ground. Dust and smoke clouded the city's skyline, blocking any and all view of the situation. Shirlene's Adrenalin began to finally wane, causing the rabbit to stumble back and fall. Lila quickly rushed to her side, shaking her and calling her name, but alas . . . Shirlene was already gone.