FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The rain tapped incessantly upon the windshield as Rai drove the jeep to an unknown area, somewhere in the surrounding mountains of the Den. Jillian remained silent in the backseat and tried to keep herself entertained. "Are we there yet?" she asked in a childish tone. Stone smiled ever so briefly, annoyed by Jillian, shaking his head as he glanced to Rai. "You can wreck us if you want, I'd understand." he said. "What?" came Rai's reply as Jillian laughed in the back seat.

The jeep rounded the next corner and stopped when it arrived at a checkpoint a some hundred yards away. The two guards, alerted by the jeeps sudden presence, began walking towards the jeep with rifles drawn. "What is it with you and your welcome home parties?" asked Jillian. "It's like you're a bad news magnet or something. Are there any ever happy 'good to see you' moments?" "You sound surprised." said Stone. "Well..." Jillian stammered. "-yeah".

Rai rolled down her window and began talking to the guard, on her side, informing them of their quarry. "I see" said the guard. "I'll need to run this before I can let you pass." "We'll wait."

Jillian watched the guard speak into his walkie and glanced over his uniform. It bore the colors of the old guard but now was in digital camo, bearing silver, black, and white, oddly enough the colors of the wolf. She also noticed his badge, two swords crossed behind a wolfs skull, the insignia from an old regime. "How many of the old guard are left?" she asks. "All the original soldiers are gone." replied Rai. "But their bloodline still serve father." "It must be nice to still be loved by your soldiers." Jillian said. Stone nodded, unsure if that was good or bad. "Loyalty above all." he said. "Is what they were trained to follow." "And if they don't?" asked Jillian. "What then?" Rai interrupted. "So far that hasn't happened yet. Everyone here does what they're told, even me." "But who's been running things since Stone has been gone?" "I've been running this outfit since father has been gone" said Rai. "-and I've done a good job at keeping our presence unknown from prying eyes." "So...what happens now?" said Jillian. "Are you just going to give up command and let your father take control?" "I know my place. Do you know yours?"

The guard tapped on the jeep hood and signaled for Rai to pull forward. Slowly the jeep passed the checkpoint and came to a stop a few yards from the two hangars. "My place?" Jillian began as Stone lead them towards Hangar 15. "What do you mean my place?" Rai brushed off her question and stopped just in front of the hangar. "Ugh sir?" she beckoned. "Hmm?" replied Stone. "We're actually headed to Hangar 13." "Don't mind me." said Stone, following Rai's lead. "With old age comes a failing mind." "Just like a gray maw." laughed Jillian. "Good thing you let Rai drive. I'd hate to think of where we'd have ended up otherwise."

Once inside the hangar Jillian looks around at its emptyness. "So what are we looking for exactly?" she asked noticing the hangar was somewhat dust free and devoid of any sign that it had been recently used. Rai stepped past Jillian and stood in the center of the room, the floor lighting up an outline of the hidden elevator. "Satisfied?" she asked. "Somewhat" replied Jillian as she and Stone stepped onto the elevator. "Next stop, guns, ammo, secret military base and gift shop."

The ride came to an abrupt stop that almost made Jillian lose her footing, causing her to bump off of Rai's chest. "Sorry, didn't mean to get fresh." joked Jillian. Rai shook her head as she walked over to a panel by the wall. "Allow me to open the door." she said as she began to have her retina's scanned. "How futuristic" Jillian said, walking up to the large, metallic door and knocking on it. "Any more surprises?"

The two large silver doors opened revealing a long fluorescent lit hallway. There were rows of doors, each leading to who knows where. "So where do we go from here?" asked Jillian, stepping into the hallway to lead the way. "Wait." came Rai's voice, stopping Jillian in her tracks. "You can't just go walking wherever you want around here." "Why not? You have guys have something to hide?" "Nothing" came Rai's reply. "It's just that you aren't from one of the bloodline and your presence could be viewed as spying." "I see. I guess in that case could you lead us to wherever we are headed?" "Follow me." urged Rai, leading the way deeper into the facility.

Soon the three came upon another door that lead down into a large room. It was dimly lit but there were many other wolves in the room also. The once silent room was filled with boots clapping the moment Stone entered the room. Seeing such respect made Stone smile as he descended the stairs. Many of these wolves would remain nameless but their presence, honor bound as it was, stood as an example to the world that once was. As soon as they hit bottom Rai led Jillian to a spot where she could see everything clearly and not be in the way. Once settled they watched as Stone made his way to the front, his boots making the only noise in the room.

Stone cleared his throat before speaking. "It has been a long time." he began. "Since I stood before an army of my fellow soldiers. It makes me proud to stand before you once more. But it pains me even more to tell you that an enemy we once fought...... has returned." A soldier raised his paw, "What enemy is that, sir? The foxes?" "The days of fox and wolf hatred has come and gone. While the Den wolves made friends with the foxes, we remained distant from both sides. I asked the elder council if they were going to help the foxes but they were too busy with themselves. Now it's up to us to go and help out the foxes." "Why should we risk our lives for them?" came a wolfess' voice. "We've been taught to hate them and all they stand for, since birth." "Listen up! All of you!" yelled Stone, his voice nearing desperation yet still prideful. "Your forebears believed in me, and now I ask you to do the same! They did not die just so you could become arrogant and forget their promise. Their responsibility is now yours, to pass on to future generations should we exist that long. You remember that." The room grew silent as Stone continued talking. "I have promised the foxes that I would bring back help and that is exactly what I plan to do. As per the promise of your forebears, any wolf who dares question my authority shall be branded a traitor and sentenced to death as an example to others who might also want to think freely. I've lived a long time and have seen the world change, some of it for the better and some of it for the worse. Still...I think of it worth saving." Jillian nudged Rai. "You think he's talking about Tiffani?" Rai nodded her head, knowing that their conversation might be heard by unauthorized ears. "I'm pretty sure." she said. "I want all of you armed and ready to move at 0600. Anyone not present better be dead or they will be once I return. Am I making myself clear?" commanded Stone. The crowd remained silent until Rai yelled, "For the honor and glory of the pack. We shall prevail! Oooh rah!" "Dismissed" finished Stone, unknowing of the future that would be tomorrow.