FSE

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First Impressions

by Jack Frostpaws

Edited by Ditsiline McCloud

"Well, there she is, right where they said she would be," said Ashdon, almost boastful that he'd been able to use another crew members' sources to find this powerful warship. The young blue and white husky beamed from his seat at the helm of the small vessel that this motley crew were taking to reach the salvage of a lifetime. The weapons and systems aboard such a vessel would put him in good stead with the Canis Confederacy, an elite militia of canines, or Canis, scattered across a plethora of home worlds in a galaxy known to most as the Canis cluster.

Ashdon stopped the vessels advance towards their goal and the small group on board looked out of the main view port and stared up in awe at their prize, L.S.V. Hazel's Spear. A Laponian Carrier, Dreadnaught. Laponians were a race of Rabbits, though not warriors by nature - in fact they preferred peace over conflict - if they had to fight, they fought to win, which made them very formidable in battle. Their skills with technology and engineering were almost unmatched throughout the known galaxies and this always gave them an advantage in battle. They built ships like this one to ensure a swift end to any conflict, a ship that could fight a war on its own and win. However as time went on peace became more common place than conflict and ships like Hazel's Spear were mothballed and less powerful ships replaced them. Sadly this proved to be a mistake a war that would rage across the galaxies, meant that the vast majority of Laponians were lost to myth and legend. Their home-world of Lapon was obliterated along with much of their Colonies and space force. That is until now; this small crew of five were now staring into the depths of a legend.

Blue, a young, white and blue coloured fox, or Vulpin, as they were known, had heard rumours about this ship from travellers and space pirates alike who claimed they had seen her. Rumour has it that some had attempted to board her, but were somehow fended off by an unknown adversary. Others reported entire ships being completely destroyed by the ship itself in a form of self-defence, but how a ship so old and so damaged could defend itself remained a mystery.

"So are we going to set foot on this relic or do you want to just sit here and stare at it?" Ashdon asked the rest of the crew.

"Well there are a lot of things an engineer could learn from a Laponian ship," replied a ginger cat, or Feloine, known to the crew as Link. Trained in his home-world of Nip, he was excellent with mechanics, and to be able to see the inner workings of such legendary Laponian craftsmanship was a privilege. Being a Feloine, he was extraordinarily laid back in nature and had an affinity for music and athletics, such as many of his species did throughout their history. He swung his long legs off of the bunk he'd been resting upon and jumped down to stand with the others near the view port.

"Also I'd really like to see if I can learn anything about these A.I, I keep hearing rumours about."

"But don't we have A.I now?" Ashdon asked. Seemed to him like their current one worked perfectly fine.

"Yeah but the ones we have are not anywhere near as advanced as theirs were and these guys had them long before any of us," replied Spring, a rather small, white-tailed buck, or Cervin. He had come from the vast forest cities of Lumbas, and was both a quick thinker and physically quick, as were most Cervins. These qualities made them some of the best engineers in the Quadrant, almost on par with the Laponians. Cervins were also generally known for their regal behaviour, due to their long reigning monarchs.

"Ok then, let's go." Ashdon turned back eagerly as he took the controls of the small vessel once again.

As the ship began to move off, the larger vessel also moved, one of her main guns, a quad barrelled, Heavy, Ion turret, turned to aim in the direction of the small vessel.

"Uh guys, the Dreadnaught is powering up a weapon," Spring called out as he watched the sensors read out. Were the rumours of ships being obliterated by this majestic vessel true?

"That's impossible," Link replied, in a tone that suggested he was trying more to convince himself than his crew member.

"Has she locked onto us?" Chris, the Vulpin leading the salvage expedition, was starting to regret embarking on this journey. If those weapons hit, they'd all be dead. And if the legends of the Laponian warships had any truth to them, they were most certainly going to hit.

"No but she is aiming directly towards us... She's going to fire," Link uttered as he watched the readout from the sensors. He had always wanted to see the way these systems worked, but not from this end of the weaponry.

"Can we survive the hit?" Chris asked, his voice laced with panic.

"I don't know, no one has used Ion weapons for hundreds of years," Spring replied.

The Dreadnaught fired a single barrel; the beam of blue light shot out from the barrel at high speed, passed just under the small vessel and struck something directly behind them. There was a sudden explosion and the small ship spun out of control for a few moments before Ashdon was able to regain control.

"Were we hit?" Chris called

"No but she did hit something," Spring replied.

"Damage?" Chris asked

"No structural damage, shields down to sixty percent and we've lost two power conduits," reported Link.

"What did it hit?" Ashdon quizzed.

"Sensors suggest it was a vessel, smaller than ours. It must have been cloaked." Link looked over the readout, picking up only debris behind them now.

"The Dreadnaught detected a cloaked ship when we couldn't?" Ashdon asked

"Must have been a raider."

A male jackal, or Jaxal, as they were known, stood in one of the corners of the vessel with his arms folded across his armoured chest and one foot against the wall.

"Does this mean raiders have control of the Dreadnaught, you know like some rivalry thing?" Chris asked.

"No, she's too big, raiders operate in small groups, there wouldn't be enough of them to handle a ship of her size, the raider must have been after us," The Jaxal replied.

"So the Dreadnaught saved us?" Asked Ashdon

"Well that's one way of looking at it," replied Spring.

Aboard the Dreadnaught, monitoring the small vessel was the Dreadnaught's A.I. It had the form of a holographic, brown furred, Laponian clad in the armour of a Roman Legionnaire holding a Spear in its right hand.

"Damn, I missed and that was the last of the reserve power, I can't keep them out now since the shields will drop," The A.I cursed.

Ashdon manoeuvred their ship towards one of the Dreadnaught's hangers.

"Ashdon, the hanger has a shield. We will be smashed to bits if we try and break through," Link reported.

"So how do we get in exactly?" Ashdon asked as he brought the ship to a stop once again.

"Hang on, the shield has dropped," said Link as the sensor readout changed.

"Ok, that's kinda creepy," Ashdon said as his tail bristled.

"It could be the A.I; I'm not reading any visible life signs on board," Spring said as he checked his own station's sensors.

"Does everyone still want to board her?" Ashdon asked. Everyone affirmed that they did with hesitant nods. It was too late to go back now. He resumed course and landed the small ship inside the hanger bay.

Everyone stared in awe as they looked through the main view port at the other vessels that were held in the same hanger. Ashdon in particular wasted no time in landing the small vessel and getting off of the ship to look around, "Link, you have to see these things they are amazing! Multirole fighters, light and heavy drop ships, orbital drop pods... They may not have been natural fighters, but damn could they build weaponry." Ashdon bounced around from craft to craft, investigating everything he could possibly explore.

Spring, in the meantime, had found one of the ship's main interface panels; he hooked up a device of his own design to the interface and began some exploring of his own.

"Well now, let us see what secrets we can unlock."

Last to leave the ship was Chris, along with the two mercenaries; there was a half-Vulpin, half-Wolf, or Lupon, and the Jaxal. Lupons they are a warrior race, with deep rooted traditions, obsessed with victory, honour and the glory of dying in battle, short tempered and very formidable in battle too. Jaxals belonged originally to Jaxsis but now were more like nomads; their race wandering the known galaxies never really settling down anywhere. Other than being wanderers, they were also well known for their love of music, both listening to, and creating it. These attributes of their lifestyle made some of them perfect for mercenary work.

The Jaxal carried a powerful looking sniper rifle, whereas the Lupon seemed to have much smaller ranged weapons, apparently preferring close quarters combat.

Chris, being the only actual person with any rank and command training, looked over the hanger bay, surveying the team as they each took in the sights in their own unique way.

The ship's A.I continued to monitor the group now that they were on board before it descended down into the stasis deck, appearing on a pedestal that sat in front of one of the chambers. It was without commands, and could only think to report to the highest authority on board. Quickly tapping into the controls, the A.I set about starting the waking up sequence of the only stasis pod aboard with an occupant. There were intruders aboard and it needed some help.

The waking up sequence only took about ten minutes in all, but because the A.I had not been focusing on other tasks, it had not noticed Spring's infiltration into the ship's sub systems.

The rabbit within the chamber soon woke and looked about before sitting up,

"Oh good. You're awake," the A.I said, excitedly.

"Hazel, what day is it?" the rabbit asked in response.

"Tuesday."

"Yeah, you know fine that's not what I meant, how long have I been asleep?"

"Unknown. I've had to shut off many of my subroutines to conserve power. One of those was my chronometer," Hazel replied as it sat cross legged.

The Rabbit lifted himself from the stasis chamber and walked around a little bit to get the feeling back into his legs.

"So why the wakeup call?" He asked as he punched at the air a few times.

"We have been boarded by intruders, two Vulpins, a Lupon (I think), a Jaxal, a Feloine, a Cervin and a Canis."

The Rabbit simply shrugged his shoulders, "So, they're all members of the alliance, what's your point?"

"Well, just that, I don't think there is an alliance anymore," Hazel protested as it stood up.

"How can you say that, when you just claimed you don't know how much time has passed us by?"

"I may not be aware of how much time but since I have been online I have seen many ships pass us by and many try and board us. None of them have ever had the alliance's symbols displayed anywhere on their ships."

"Not even the one that came aboard?" the Rabbit asked, looking back at the A.I over his shoulder as he stretched his arms above his head.

"No."

"Suppose I should go and see what they want then." He yawned and cracked his neck left and right.

"Wait... Someone has accessed my systems."

"Guys you have got to come and see this. I've never seen a system so complex: so many subroutines; so many algorithms; so much data... It's amazing that this thing doesn't crash," Spring bleated excitedly.

Link joined Spring at the interface and both of them began looking over what Spring had found.

"Is there anything you can find to tell us more about this ship? Like where the heck the crew is, how long she's been adrift...?" Chris asked as he tried to look over the shoulders of the two taller individuals.

"Hold on, don't rush me, I only just got in, this thing has some serious security, let's see, ah here we go, ship's schematics," Spring bleated, he then brought up a file onto the screen of the interface.

"Laponian Star Vessel, Hazel's Spear. Dreadnaught class. Battle carrier, quad hulled... No set mission parameters. 24 quad-barrelled Heavy Ion turrets; 24 double-barrelled Light Ion turrets; 8 phaser banks; 32 quad-barrelled 55mm rail machine guns; 2 250mm Gatling rail guns; 18 35cm rocket launchers; 16 torpedo ports; 2 36-hatch vertical launching missile silos; 20 Dirk class multirole fighters; 10 Thistle class bombers; 5 light and 5 heavy transport craft; 32 orbital drop pods; attack and defence drones; and 24 Titan class heavy weapon support units. Altogether, the whole package a Warship needs to end a war."

"Or start one," The Jaxal retorted.

"Can you bring up her engines?" Link asked as he looked over Spring's shoulder.

"Uh yeah sure, let's see, she's got sub light engines, thrusters and a hyper drive."

"If anyone needs me, I'll be down in the engine room," Link said picking up his bag of tools.

"You think you can get her up and running?" Ashdon asked

"If not, there's more than enough quality engine to salvage."

Chris was also looking at the readouts and looked over to Ashdon.

"It's a little odd isn't it?"

"How do you mean?" Ashdon asked as he tilted his head slightly.

"A ship of this size and class suggests she was a flag ship or even just a capital ship," Chris stated.

"Yeah, so?"

"Well... According to Spring, she had no set mission. So what is she doing here? Why is she battle damaged? And where is the crew?"

"Well... she's been here a long time."

"True but surely there should be bodies..."

Link, meantime, had made his way to engineering and had found the engine room. In it sat a warp core hooked up to two main propulsion systems, two impulse engines and pride of place sat the Hyper Drive.

"Wow... Not much wonder no one uses this kind of engine - it's so complex." Opening up his personal computer he hooked up to the engine's diagnostic port. "You're still operational... But how?"

Placing his computer down upon the floor he looked around the engine room and quickly found the power plant.

"It's only running at twenty percent power, but this is odd. You seem to divide up your power to multiple sub systems... Or do you?"

Link continued to study the inner workings of the ship but the more he thought he came to understand her the more complex she became.

In the armoury the Rabbit pulled himself into a combat suit and began arming himself up with whatever weapons that were left. "So I take it we've been raided a few times then?" He asked Hazel as it appeared on another pedestal nearby.

"I cannot be sure, so much has happened and being at such low power, many of my memory chips are not operating at maximum efficiency."

"Hmm, perhaps we should wake up someone who can fix that?"

"There is no one else aboard."

"...really?" he quipped. Of course, this would be the cherry on the cake in this series of events, wouldn't it?

"I told the Captain to abandon ship that I would take control: Fend off the enemy and ensure that some of our species survived."

"And?"

"I do not know the outcome."

"So what about me?"

"I was unaware at the time that you were going through your stasis training prior to our engagement with the enemy."

"Yeah, well if you weren't aware of me, then chances are you weren't aware of Arctic either."

"Arctic Frostpaws; Midshipman; eighteen cycles of age; engineering technician; section C, pod twelve."

"Oh, great, so you knew about him... I swear you A.I-"

"Pod twelve is missing."

"What?"

"Pod twelve in Section C, is missing."

"Hazel, find him!"

"Affirmative, Arctic is not on board."

"That's impossible... there's been no one else aboard in that section right?"

"Actually... Now that I am putting additional power to my memory chips, I remember. We were boarded about six years ago by a small ship of Draconians. From my sensor logs, they found Arctic's chamber, and must have taken him."

"But what about your defences? Why didn't you do anything to stop them?"

"I cannot say. My memory does not allow me to access that information."

"Perhaps they used a system to immobilise you... In either case, Arctic is gone... My little brother... Lost..."

Suddenly the ship shuddered and the rumble of an explosion rolled across the hull.

"Hazel, what the heck was that?" the rabbit asked.

"Raiders - six vessels in all: two bombers; two fighters; and two Frigates," Hazel announced.

"Weapons?"

"Offline. I used most of my reserve power already trying to destroy the ship that was trying to board us."

"We need to get you fired up!"

The Rabbit made his way down the long corridors, heading for engineering. Meantime Spring, Chris, Ashdon, Blue and the two mercenaries had made their way up to the Bridge.

"What was that?" Chris called

"We were hit with a weapon of some kind," Spring replied.

"Spring, I need a visual!" Chris called out.

"I'm trying but there's so little power, come on you hunk of junk, give me something!"

"Wait, I have tactical, I think." Ashdon called as he stood in a circle that was surrounded by glass panels, which lit up as he stood inside. Each panel showed, the positions of the raider's vessels, the weapons available, as well as, readouts of the enemy ships specifications.

"Ok, what does tactical tell us?" Chris asked as he turned around and looked at Ashdon.

"Five... No... Six ships... There's so much information here, I can't read it all... All weapons are offline!"

"Spring, can you bring them online again?"

"It's not a computer problem, chances are it's the ship's power plant."

"Link, can you hear me, are you anywhere near the power plant, Link?"

Link didn't respond, more so that he couldn't respond, as a certain armour clad rabbit had a pistol pointed at him.

"Don't answer him, answer me: Who are you, and what are you doing on my ship?" the Rabbit asked.

"I'm just a technician... I came on board with the others because we were curious... We were told this ship was derelict."

"Well clearly she isn't. However, this isn't the time for that. Have you done anything? Changed anything in here?"

"N-no... Why?"

"Good. Hazel, what and where?"

Hazel appeared on a small stand atop of one of the engine room control panels.

"Head to the station marked power control unit. Enter the code: Alpha, one, one, Zulu, one, eight, Echo, two, Charlie, Niner, Golf. Then hit enter, this should allow you access."

The rabbit entered the code and was given access to the power plant controls .

"Ok, what now?"

"Activate the main hub, then activate the solar panels - this will charge up the rods for the atomic reactor - then activate the reactor."

"Can't we just draw power from the engines?" Link asked, not entirely sure who he was talking to.

"Do I look like I came from Star Trek?" Hazel grumbled as he appeared before Link in his tallest, holographic form. Clad in the same Roman Legionnaire's armour but now standing an impressive six feet tall.

"No, we can't just draw power from the engines, didn't you learn anything from all your tinkering about in here?"

Link looked at the A I, slightly surprised.

"Oh yes, I was watching you the whole time, but no, I don't work like that. My engines, weapons and internal systems all run on their own personal power supplies and backups. They just need the main reactor to kick start them if they've powered down. If you want to cripple me, you had better obliterate me."

"You keep talking as though you're the ship," Link replied.

"I am the ship. I am Hazel's spear," Hazel snapped, with annoyance in its tone.

The rabbit nodded in the affirmative, "He's right, each ship had an A.I constructed to be its computer and ship master should the fleshy ones die off before the ship did."

"Is... Is that what happened here? The crew all died, except for him?" Link asks as he pointed towards the living rabbit.

"No, not in this instance. I advised the Captain to abandon ship to save his life and the lives of his crew, whilst I took on the enemy. I am a ship of war - my survival is not important."

"Ok, I have the reactor online, now what?" the rabbit snapped. They had better things to do right now than give engineering and strategy lessons to strangers.

"Charge the distribution nodes and then distribute the charge to activate the other power plants."

Another explosion rocked the ship.

"Ashdon, what's happening out there?" Chris asked as he looked continuously between Ashdon and the main view screen.

"Two of the ships keep strafing us. The others are holding back... I don't know... Maybe they're testing to see if we'll fight back?"

"But no one knows we're here, right?" Spring enquired.

Another explosion made the ship tremble once more.

"Ok, that's it. Power is coming back online!"

Sure enough the sounds of power flowing throughout the ship could be heard as all of the consoles activated all over the ship. Sensors came back online as did all the warning bells. The bridge crew were steadily being deafened by the constant sounds of alarms.

"Time to go to work." Hazel said and vanished from the engine room only to reappear upon the bridge.

"Who are you?" Chris exclaimed as the two mercs pointed their weapons at the hologram.

"Oh please!" Hazel scoffed and focused most of his attention onto the enemy vessels.

"We have weapons!" Ashdon called out in excited panic.

"Yeah, but I control them, Curly Tail. Sub-Ion Cannons locked onto frigates, Rail machine guns, 12 through 20 locked into fighters and bombers, engaging targets."

The ships guns swivelled and angled themselves before firing upon their targets. The two Frigates were cut in half by the beams of blue light that shot from the smaller turrets. The Fighters and Bombers exploded like fireworks as they flew through constant streams of bullets.

"Targets destroyed," Hazel said triumphantly.

"Now then, now that they are out of the way, who are you and why are you here?" Hazel asked as his eyes narrowed.

"We're here to claim and salvage this vessel in the name of the Vulpin Republic," Chris replied. He was nothing if not a stickler for rules, especially within his own species' government.

"Like heck we are! My ship got us here! We're salvaging this ship for the Canis Confederacy!" Ashdon barked. This was his only chance to return to his people with any hope of a life of freedom.

"You think the Lupon Empire would allow such meek creatures to possess a ship of war like this? I think not," The Vulpin/Lupon hybrid snarled. Though he was of two different species, the Lupons had raised and trained him, so he knew how hard they'd fight for tech like this, which made it all the more valuable.

Hazel shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

"You're all so foolish, since I am online, I, am master of this vessel, in the name of the Laponian Commonwealth."

Everyone turned to look at Hazel as they fell silent from their bickering only to roar with laughter.

"The Laponians..." The Lupon bellowed.

"The Laponian Commonwealth has been dead for over two hundred years," chortled Chris, as he wiped a tear from his eye and held onto his stomach.

"That, that cannot be..." Hazel said, and quickly hacked the ship that the group had arrived upon. Having checked the entire contents of the ships computer systems, it did indeed confirm that no Laponians had been seen for almost three hundred years since their last engagement with the Draconians.

Hazel's eyes turned red as he burned with rage, gathering energy and sending out a pulse he knocked everyone upon the bridge to the floor. The laughter quickly stopped and suddenly everyone was aware of the danger they were now in, this was no ordinary A.I.

Feeling the pulse shake the ship from the engine room, the sole living Laponian grabbed Link by the collar of his top and took him to the bridge.

When he arrived, everyone had backed away from Hazel and was watching him cautiously. As the turbo lift door opened, the Jaxal and Vulpin/Lupon hybrid pointed their weapons towards it. The armour clad Laponian held Link out at arm's length and called out, "If you expect your friend here to live, I'd lower those weapons."

"Who put him in charge?" Chris grumbled, wondering who this stranger was, and what he was doing dishing out orders.

The pair of mercenaries were not so inclined to obey, but if their clients died, they wouldn't be getting paid. The Lupon and the Jaxal lowered their weapons and the Laponian stepped out of the lift, all six foot of him. He was a rather largely built individual despite the power suit.

"Oh great, another hologram..." Chris grumbled.

"I don't think this one is a hologram," replied Spring.

"You are correct. The lieutenant there is as much flesh and blood as any of you," Hazel announced proudly.

"A... A genuine Laponian?" Ashdon quizzed with his head tilted to one side.

Hazel nodded.

"Indeed, making him the sole owner of this vessel," Hazel stated proudly.

"So what happens if we kill him?" The hybrid asked with a snarl.

"Then, I self-destruct - killing everyone on board." Hazel replied flatly.

"But... You've kept yourself online this long, why would you suddenly do that?" Blue asked as a shiver ran down his spine and bristled his tail.

Hazel turned his head to look at the white and blue Vulpin.

"Simple, once I discovered that the lieutenant here was aboard and alive I concluded that it is possible that other members of his race also survived the war. Thus I have remained online and intact knowing that someday I may once again be called to battle. However, should the lieutenant fall then my theory goes with him and there is little point in my existence."

Having been released from the Laponian's grip Link joined the others on the opposite side of the bridge.

"S-so what now?" Blue asked, now realising that they were at the mercy of a rabbit who wasn't supposed to exist till just now, and a sociopathic AI who would blow itself and them to stardust should it want to.

"Now, I take my ship; look for my brother and you, all leave," the Laponian stated as he sat himself down in the Captain's chair.

"I do not wish to go against your decision, Lieutenant, but we need them," Hazel informed.

"Yeah you need us- Wait what?" Blue replied before looking confused.

"I may be one of the largest and likely one of the most powerful ships in the known galaxy, but I am three hundred years behind the times. These people know the era we are now in: locations of space stations; planets; and most likely Draconian installations."

"Uhm... Do we get a say in this?" Link asked. It seemed to appear like they were being carted off, like slaves.

"Hazel may be correct that he needs your assistance, but frankly I'd far rather see the back of the lot of you," the Laponian replied.

"So... Do we stay, or do we go?" Chris asked the group. Now that they knew they had a choice, it became a decision of whether or not to take this opportunity to learn what they could about the lost Laponians of three hundred years ago, or to go back empty handed. Their choice was clear.

"I'm staying," Blue chirped.

"There's so much I could learn from this A.I. He's maybe three hundred years old, but he functions like he just came online. I'm staying," Spring bleated.

"Well despite having a gun to my head, I was captivated by those engines... And I'm sure that they could use someone like me around, so I'm staying too," said Link.

"How about you Ashdon?" Chris asked.

Ashdon looked around the bridge, towards the stern looking Laponian sat in the captain's chair then towards Hazel and then out at the stars upon the view screen. At this point, to leave was not an option, regardless of what the crew felt. Canis Central Command wouldn't let this go if he went back.

"I'm staying. If I'm going to be imprisoned, I may as well be in good company. Canid prisoners don't make good company."

"Why prison? I thought you said you got permission to take the ship." Chris gasped.

"Well, you are the one who said you needed a ship quickly, so I got us one quickly."

"Ok, ok, settle down. I guess that means I'm staying too then." Chris sighed and rubbed his temples.

Hazel looked over at the two mercenaries as they had not yet voiced their opinions yet.

"What about the two of you?"

The Jaxal looked around at the group then towards the Laponian before looking towards the Lupon.

"I see no profit in it for us," The hybrid replied, and shouldered its weapon.

"Oh, but surely the thrill of the unknown, the stories you could tell, the battles you may end up in... Surely that is profit enough for such a grand warrior?" Hazel asked.

"Do not assume you will win my favour by attempting to entice me with the traditions of my ancestors," the hybrid grumbled.

"One hundred percent," the Laponian stated.

"Huh?"

"Any battle we end up in, any enemies you slay. You may take one hundred percent of any items, treasures, profits that you find," the Laponian said, as he looked over at the two mercenaries.

The pair looked at one another before they nodded in agreement.

"We want one condition, should we tire of this little trip we may leave at any time," the Jaxal stated.

"That's fine with me," the Laponian replied.

"Hazel, show our new guests to their quarters, then I want everyone assembled in the officer's briefing room in one hour to discuss what we're doing next," the Laponian commanded, as he rose from the chair and made his way to the Captain's ready room.

Everyone sat around the large table in the briefing room all looking towards the top chair where the Laponian now dressed in a long, black, coat, with belt straps around the wrists and across the chest and adorned with bright silver buckles and a black, Officer's cap with the Laponian Commonwealth, Naval insignia upon it sat. Hazel meantime had made himself much smaller and walked up and down the length of the table.

"Ok, Hazel: Status report."

"My repairs are fifty six percent complete using repair droids alone; hull integrity is at eighty nine percent; we have shields and sensors; our kinetic weapons supply is a little low. I have fifteen million rail rounds; twenty photon torpedoes; ten quantum torpedoes; and six trans-phasic torpedoes; ten cruise missiles; and forty rockets. My compliment of Nova weapons is still at full capacity."

"Hold on, this ship is carrying Nova bombs?!" Chris blurted.

"Nova _missiles_to be more accurate," Hazel replied.

"So that's why you two came along: you knew they were on board somehow?" Chris gasped and pointed at the two mercenaries.

"We did not: we heard rumours, nothing more," the hybrid grunted.

"Enough! It doesn't matter. The point is, they are still aboard and still secure," the Laponian barked at the pair.

"Maybe so, but why did Laponians need Nova weapons in the first place?" Link asked.

"Worst case scenario weapons. If one of my class came up against an opponent that it could not defeat, thus putting lives to risk, the Nova weapons would be deployed," Hazel replied.

"And there was everyone thinking that the peace loving bunny wabbits could do no wrong. Who knew that secretly, under it all, they were no better than those they fought," quipped the Jaxal.

"In our entire history, the Laponians have only ever deployed the Nova weapons once. It is not a decision we take lightly: several requirements have to be reached before the deployment of Nova weapons," Hazel replied.

"That's beside the point. You could have chosen to not use them. Yes, all would have been lost, but at least the innocent would have lived," the Jaxal spat.

"For how long?" Hazel asked coldly.

"Hazel. Square it away. And you, settle down. I have no intentions on releasing the Nova weapons. Ever. Is that clear?" The Laponian declared. His tone settled once more. "Now, back to the matter at hand. Where are we?"

"I have been unable to determine our exact location. Due to the three hundred years that have passed, many of my stellar charts are out of date," Hazel replied.

"You're in the tenth quadrant of the Canis system," Ashdon replied swiftly.

"What are the chances of the Confederacy coming out here since we've powered up?" the Laponian asked.

"Not very high. Due to the Draconian demands for resources, the Confederacy only uses space travel when absolutely paramount," said Ashdon .

"Then there's not much point in asking them for help either," Hazel stated.

"No, but we should visit one of their planets, or stations at some point," the Laponian said, as he stroked one of his long ears.

"What about our own resources: food, water, fuel?" The hybrid asked.

"I have enough fuel supply to last the next three years. As for food and water, the ship is equipped throughout with replicators, and we also have a hydroponics lab aboard with plenty fresh fruits and vegetables from over thirty worlds. Also, the gardens created within the hydroponics lab allow us to create oxygen and refresh water without using the scrubbers," Hazel boasted. "However, our stored water supply is considerably low, I estimate we have about four weeks supply."

"I guess all that's left now then is to assign rank and positions, and choose where to go?" the Laponian said.

"Wait, wait... Rank? Positions?" quizzed Blue.

"Indeed, a ship cannot fully operate without the assistance of a crew, which is why I have carefully considered your positions based on your talents that I have observed. Spring, I assign you to Operations with the rank of ensign. Link, Engineering as Chief Engineer, Ashdon, helmsman as ensign, Lupon, no one has ever called you by name."

"It would be impossible for you to speak my true name in my own tongue, so let us go with... Alex." the hybrid said with a toothy grin.

"Very well, Alex. I assign you to tactical with the rank of ensign. Jaxal, your name has also never been mentioned."

"Lethaen."

"Lethaen, I assign you to Ground Operations with the rank of Petty Officer."

"Uhm... What about me?" Blue asked Hazel, with his little paw raised.

"I have not observed a skill from you yet that I could assign you a position," Hazel replied.

"Well... I can cook," Blue said with a slight blush tinting on his cheeks.

"Very well, I assign you as mess officer with the rank of Leading rate."

"Chris, being that you are the only other notable officer on board, I'm naming you my first officer with the rank of Lieutenant," the Laponian stated. Chris nodded in acknowledgment as the Laponian handed out pips for everyone to wear upon their outfit's identifying them in their rank and position.

"Just a moment, you know all of us but we don't know anything about you. Like, what do we even call you?" Lethaen pointed out.

The Laponian nodded and sat back in the chair. "My name is Jack. Jack Frostpaws. You can call me Captain."