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Darkness had the room shrouded in a heavy veil. There was only the rapid breathing of a red wolf coming from the darkness. In the darkness the red wolf suddenly bolted up from his bed, with his breathing labored.

Calvin looked around the room and remembered where he was but he covered his eyes with his paws while he tried to forget the nightmare of his memories when his little sister was killed. This time it had only gotten worse, as he now dreamed of the Creepers. Nightmares had plagued him ever since he was discharged. How could he just go back to Canidera? He had to fight the Creepers. He discovered that they were not truly fighting and warned the fleets and they punish him by discharging him?

Redding lied down and calmed his breathing but his heart still raced. He was frustrated that others were out there fighting in a battle that he should be there for. Calvin lied there for several more minutes, trying to push those thoughts out of his head but he could no let his mind rest long enough to fall back asleep.

Frustrated, Calvin threw off his sheets and stood up. He threw on a light robe and headed for the exit of the doorway. Entering the barren metallic corridor of the station P.A.W., Redding headed toward the observation deck. Maybe the view of their beloved home, Canidera, would help calm the red wolf.

There was no one else up on the station at this hour. This station was a trade station, shipyard, and defensive platform for all the surviving Caniderans and their allies. The station was not meant to house anyone, but their were living quarters for those who worked there, and while Calvin was discharged, he now had spent his time helping by writing reports and training programs for new cadets.

After a few minutes, Redding was stepping off the elevator and onto one of the observation platforms in this section of the station. He was surprised when he found that he was not alone.

"Calvin Redding," her soft voice said. Tang, the pine marten who was overseeing all civilian projects, was on the observation deck as well. She was standing next to the large windows, but was not gazing at the red wolf as he walked in.

Calvin stared at her for a moment before smiling and nodding a greeting to her. He walked over to the window and stood next to the pine marten.

Calvin had admired how the pine marten took over after the invasion, and how she had tended to the gunshot wound that had left a scar around his eye. Tang was a leader who really cared for the well-being of everyone.

"We've sacrificed so much but our planet lives," Tang said, staring back over the planet. "The Creepers have threatened us all like no other. Could you not sleep?"

Answering with a shake of his head, Calvin looked at the distant blue and white planet. He then turned his gaze toward the stars where the others were out fighting somewhere. Tang noticed this.

"I know you want to go fight too," she said. "There is nothing that we can do though."

Disliking that answer, Calvin just turned his gaze back to the planet. Fellorian was there too, purified of the Creeper infection that had tried to take root. Calvin never wanted to fight in a war, he had enough of that when he fought in unofficial missions against the Velmarian pirates that still lingered in-system.

Doing military work for the weapon specialists was the most peace Redding had ever found. He had hoped that his work there would keep his planets safe without him having to take place in a battle himself. Now that he saw how desperate the situation was, and how much every available fighter is needed, he could not contain the fact that he was not allowed to do anything to help win the largest war to have ever happened.

Now the worlds that he loved were scarred, and he could not find anymore peace with the threat of the Creepers. Calvin turned to leave.

"Calvin," said Tang, surprised that he was leaving. Redding stopped and turned back. "I know it's hard to accept but there is nothing else we can do. You sacrificed so much for us already, and your body cannot take anymore abuse."

Calvin's ears fell back. He knew it was true, that with the injuries he's sustain, his bones ache and he sometimes has difficulties breathing.

Tang walked up to the wolf and gave him a gently hug. "Trust in those that we love. Jun is out there fighting for us with Yukiomaru. The fleets have engaged the Creeper main forces so it won't be long before we win this war. We will defeat them."

Calvin's ears perked up a bit and he dared to smile at Tang.

"Yukiomaru has saved Canidera and I know he will do it again," Tang continued. "He is the strongest warrior out there and even the Creepers fear him now. I have seen him do amazing things ever since he was found on Velmaria. You have seen what he is capable of too."

Her words had truth in them. Redding had no argument that they did have a lot of strong soldiers out there fight. Still doesn't mean he wished he could be there, but he knew he could trust the others to promise their home worlds peace, at last.

Tang returned to the window and sat down on a sofa that was brought in for civilian visitors to enjoy the view. Calvin walked over and joined her by sitting next to her. Canidera was peaceful now with most of the storms having broken up since the generators were turned off.

The Velmarians had a few warships patrolling the planets since their ships were not capable of joining the fight. For now, at this moment, their home was safe and Redding could take a moment to relax.

Staring at the stars and their homes, Calvin was growing tired so he died down, resting his head against Tang. She lied down with him, and gently caressed the wolf while they both slowly drifted back to sleep.

This time when Calvin fell asleep, no nightmares plagued his mind.

A red wolf and pine marten slept peacefully under the glare of their own home planet. They knew that there would soon be no more threat to them.