FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 19

A few days later...

"Ok Mickey, now the first thing you have to remember when you fight like I do is that you got to keep your arms up to defend yourself and your legs apart so you don't trip over'um." Barnabus explained to his "eager" student.

Standing across the cargo bay, Miktes bit his lower lip in concentration and hesitantly tried to do as he had been told, the young warrior lifting both his arms up into the air and squatting down with his legs apart like a frog. "Like this?" He asked looking over hopefully to his submissive.

Barnabus rubbed his forehead and tried his hardest not to laugh at the silly pose the other man had taken. He looked like some sort of green painted sumo wrestler who was constipated. "Naw, not like that chowder head." The Jack said in an affectionate tone. "Here... let me show you how kid."

Walking across the large padded mat which he had put out for their little training session, the older man got behind the Verdomian and took him under the arms, pulling him up and forcing him to stand properly. "You're trying to kick ass not play leapfrog." Barnabus chuckled. Continuing to help the he then positioned Miktes' arms into a more suitable position to fight in similar to a boxers.

"See this way no one punches you in the face." He explained patting Miktes' shoulder. Next kicking the alien's legs apart Barnabus placed his hands firmly on his charge's hips. "Now I'll say it again, keep these legs apart! Also move your hips as you step from side to side. Helps speed up your movements a little."

Grinning, Miktes did what the older man had suggested, moving his hips in such a way that his backside ground against the human's crouch. "Like this?" He asked again with a mischievous and lustful sounding growl.

Barnabus could feel his cheeks heating up at the lewd gesture. He really didn't understand why this horny alien in front of him was able to illicit such a response from him. It wasn't he hadn't flirted with hundreds of guys before in much more obscene ways.

Knowing that he shouldn't let his mind wander at the moment, Barnabus carefully backed away and gave the Verdomian a hard slap on his ass. "Knock it off kiddo; I thought you wanted me to teach you how to fight." He smirked. "You know, so that you could "Show all those idiots who's the big man back home" and everything."

Miktes gave a huff and turned around to face his instructor. "You're the one starting it." He accused sourly. "Coming up behind me and grabbing my hips like that!"

"I was just trying to show you the proper way to do things." Barnabus insisted his blush only growing worst. "I wasn't trying to get into your loincloth again. Trust me I've had enough for today."

"We've only done it five times today!"

Barnabus gave a snort at the use of the word only. "It's only eleven in the morning and we work up at eight." He informed the Verdomian. "I swear you're trying to kill me with that thing you got swinging down there."

"Most would consider it a good way to go." Miktes remarked devilishly.

Barnabus rolled his eyes and opened his mouth about to continue their little back and forth. However, before he could the sound of someone clearing their throat loudly rang out across the cargo bay. Startled out of their conversation both Miktes and Barnabus glanced over to the source and found an amused Rana leaning against the doorway he twinkling eyes focused right on them. "Am I interrupting anything boys?" She asked.

His face coloring again at being caught flirting like some wet behind the ears kid with his hands in the cookie jar, Barnabus instantly stepped away from the other man and stood up as straight as he could with his hands behind his back. "N-No I was just teaching Mickey here how to fight like we do." He explained hastily. "He wants to fight like a Jack."

"Oh, is that what it was?" Grinning, the dark haired woman pushed herself off of the doorframe and walked over to the pair. "I wish I had an instructor back during my basic training who trained people like that."

"Rana..." Barnabus warned a grin of his own tugging at the corner of his lips.

Ignoring her captain completely Rana continued to tease him. "Then again my instructor was some barely out of collage hunk instead of a guy who has..." She tapped Barnabus' stomach with the back of her hand. "...a "ton" of experience like you Comet."

Barnabus scowled and stuck his tongue out at his best friend finding her light insult to his weight in good sport. Miktes though seemed to not be as amused but the perceived slight on his "friend's" and bedmates form and growled at her. "At least he's not some skinny stick like you woman." He remarked haughtily.

"Miktes she was only teasing." Barnabus started in with a sigh. Why couldn't he understand that they all liked teasing each other on his ship? Sure most saw it as them bickering like a pack of hungry dogs but to them it was a sign of how close they were.

Despite what his mate had just said Miktes continued to glare at the female Jack. "I don't care!" He said with an air of superiority. "I ain't just going to stand here and let her make fun of my sub... f-friend, my friend."

Smothering her laughter at the haughtily attitude the Verdomian had on display, Rana raised bother her hands in surrender. "Ok, ok I'll stop making fun of the doughboy here." She joked. "Besides I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings so badly that he'd refuse to take his shift on the bridge."

"Crap, I didn't realize that it was that time already." Barnabus said making a loud and whiny sounding groan. Glancing over to the digital clock which was on the com panel in the room he saw that his second was indeed right it was his turn to sit on his ass for five hours straight as the ship traveled to the world they were heading to. "Looks like we're going to postpone our little lesson Mick."

"But we just got started!" Miktes himself whined. "We barely did anything fun."

Rana snorted as she noticed how the two men seemed to have similar reactions to her interrupting their little playtime. They really were right for each other despite what they did or did not believe. Barnabus though didn't exactly like the way his second in command was looking at them. She was really starting to annoy him with all the teasing she had been doing since they returned to the ship on Loma Prime. All because she believed that he had taken her advice and was trying to start a relationship with their stowaway. Maybe... it was time for a little revenge on the smart mouthed pilot.

"You know what Rana? How about you stay here and pick up where I left off." Barnabus suggested slyly. "You have as much combat training as I do, even more actually thanks to your old man."

When Rana choked on her own breath Barnabus knew he got her. "Yes, now that I really think it over it would be a wonderful idea." He continued to prod. "Mickey could get his lesson and you..." The middle aged man gave Rana the biggest smart assed grin he could muster. "...could get to know Mickey a little better. You two really haven't been bonding like the rest of the crew has."

"I don't want to be pals with her!" Miktes instantly countered with a dismissive snort. "She's bossy, she's always making fun of me, and frankly she smells funny. Like flowers and junk."

"At least it's better than smelling of sweat and sex." Rana quipped back.

Miktes huffed at the insult hurled his way. Any really man should smell like sweat and sex he believed it showed just how good they were at the activity. Continuing to prove his case against the female human Miktes next said. "See there she goes again! Only friend I need is you!" Realizing what he had just said the warrior quickly floundered and hastily added. "I-I mean all I need is you, that hairy guy, and that thin blond boy. That's three friends, three count them!"

Rana raised an eyebrow at the small slip the green skinned man had just made. It seemed that even he was starting to see the light. "See." She said to Barnabus with a shake of her head. "He doesn't want me to train him and I sure as hell don't want to, so I'm just going to go back to my room and wait for my next shift."

Waving the two off Rana went to turn and leave the room but before she even took her first step the Middle Eastern woman found herself coming to a sudden stop when Miktes gave a snort and mumbled. "Not like some woman knows how to fight good anyway. Only strong men like me can be warriors."

"What did you just say?" Rana asked in a dangerous tone. Glaring at the green alien, the older woman slid out of her jacket and tossed it over to Barnabus, who had to reach to catch it before it fell to the ground. "Cause if you said what I just think you said I'm going to have show you how much this woman knows about fighting."

Miktes folded his arms over his chest and stared Rana down. "I ain't fighting a girl." He said patronizingly. "I'd kick your ass."

"Yeah, sure you would big guy." Barnabus chuckled. "Just like the first time you and her met."

Eyeing his mate, Miktes scratched the top of his head in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked. "The first time I met her was in that torture room downstairs."

"No... the first time you met me was back at the temple." Rana informed him happily. "You know when I kicked you right in your thick skulled head. Oh, and if I remember right you went down like a sack of rocks afterwards. Didn't you?"

Cracking his jaw at the memory Miktes let out a growl. So it had been her who had hit him that day. His poor face had been sore for hours after that. "You just caught me by surprise back there." He defended. "I'd win if it were a fair fight."

"Then bring it jolly green." Rana got in the middle of the large mat that the two men had been using and went into a combat pose. "If you beat me in a sparring match I'll give in and teach you how to use the food dispenser."

The promise of being able to feed himself whenever he wanted was all it took for Miktes to decide to humor the bossy woman and join her on the mat. "I'm going to really enjoy this." He grinned evilly.

Rana grinned back her evil smile somehow topping her opponents. "And I'm going to enjoy seeing how you handle a little Krav Maga." She said back.

Knowing exactly what was about to happen between the two younger people, Barnabus quietly backed out of the room and started down the stairs. The Jack captain only stopping for a moment as he gave a sympathetic wince when Miktes' very surprised and high pitched yelp echoed through the ship behind him. He supposed he should have warned the younger man about his second's unique fighting style she had learned from her father, but what was the fun in that? Maybe a few lumps and bruises on that snake in his shorts would damper the constant sex drive he had had to endure the last couple of days.

[Barnabus: It's been a quiet four days since we left the sunny beaches and tropical fauna of Loma Prime, the Wild Comet slowly trekking its way to the planet where we're going to find the last artifact, Unutulmus. It'll still be a week or so before we even get close to the system we want because we can't use the official tunnels but I don't mind much. Usually I'd be climbing the walls with it taking this long, my desire to go out to a bar and or finding myself some fun rattling around in my brain. But this time... it's different. Maybe it's because after all the running, fighting, and hiding I'm actually enjoying this little downtime with my crew. If I admit that however then I'd also have to admit that Miktes was playing a part in that too. True to his word that grumpy pain in the butt has been attempting to me more friendly around everyone. Well... except for Rana that is. He's been eating with us, talking with Alfred, and even spending time down in Moah's workshop pestering the Girunjh much to the hairy guy's enjoyment. But the most amazing thing however was when I left the bridge after my shift and found my crew and Mickey all sitting on the couch watching that silly Kung-Fu movie that the guys found in that outpost.

Seeing all of them interacting like that... well it makes me start to wish that Miktes could stay with us after all this is over. Don't want to say it but it looks like he'd make a good fit. I also wish he could stay because I've never been so satisfied in the boudoir too although that's not the biggest thing. It's just that I've never had a sex buddy who's so eager to do stuff with me. He's insatiable! Every time I walk into my bedroom it's a coin flip whether or not I'm going to get jumped and striped by a horny Verdomian who won't take "I'm tired" for an answer. Not that I have a problem with that now mind you.

There is one thing though that I don't like as much. Whenever I ask if he wants to top for a change he always says, "No, you go an do it again. I wanna get as much of being rutted as I can cause once I go home there's no way in hell I'm gonna let anyone else do it." It's ok with me I guess but it's sort of leaving me wondering how it would feel to be on the receiving end of that barely controlled libido.]

Entering the common room Barnabus found himself in the presence of a very excited looking Alfred who had just stepped out of the sick bay to greet him. "Captain! Captain!!" He called out enthusiastically to the older man. "Can you please come into the sick bay for a moment? I got wonderful news for you!" Not waiting for Barnabus to respond to his question the blond raced back into his workspace with a definite bounce in his step.

The first thing to come to Barnabus' mind as he watched his ship's doctor act so hyperactive was that the boy really needed to lay off the coffee. Being that exited really couldn't be good for everyone else's moods. The second was that whatever got him in such a state must have been big and way more interesting than starting his watch so he padded his way over to the small sterile room and stepped inside.

"So, what's up?" Barnabus asked once he was in the room. "You want to show me another fungus mold you've been working on?"

"This is even better!" Quickly going over to his desk, Alfred sorted through a mass of disorganized papers until he found what he was looking for and presented it proudly to his captain. "Just take a look at this sir!"

Taking the sheet, Barnabus let his eyes travel over what was written on it and was instantly sorry he did. The whole thing was written in such medical-nese that it made his head hurt trying to understand it. Nothing but a mass of numbers and long words in Latin which he highly doubted most were actual words

"You're going to have to give me a little hint here Doc." Barnabus said with a raised eyebrow. "You're the smart guy here not me."

Alfred blinked and gave a shy sounding laugh. "Sorry forgot." He apologized. "I-I mean the you not understanding my research part n-not the you not being smart part." Taking the paper back the younger man straightened it and then cleared his throat before he began explaining what it was. "You know how I said I would keep looking for a way to break the biological bond that causes those chest pains that you and Mr. Miktes have every time you're too far apart?"

"Yeah I don't think I'd forget that hurt." Subconsciously the older man rubbed his chest remembering the day they had fled from Verdomo. It seemed that no matter how much times passed that ach was still there in his chest. "What about it anyway?"

"Well, I've been staying up late every night and I'm really, really close to a way to free both you and Mister Miktes!" Alfred said cheerfully. Grinning the doctor began picking up more papers and showing them to the still confused Barnabus.

"It was simple once I got those notes Moah brought back from that research woman's house." He continued. "It seems that her and her colleges managed to do full blood work on the Verdomians at some point! With it I've been able to make leaps and bounds in understanding how their bodies work and the processes that handle the mating bonds on a physical level. Given a little more time I could develop an antidote to purge the chemical you both drank back at the temple! Thus rendering you both free as birds!"

For several moments Barnabus stood there trying to process what the other man had said. Alfred always spoke to fast and used too many words for him to follow the conversation in real time. But, when the full meaning finally did break through Barnabus' dense skull he let out a loud whoop and swept the doctor into a hard hug which lifted the smaller man off of his feet.

"I knew you could do it!" Barnabus cheered as he spun them. "Now we can break this dammed curse I got on me and after we handle this stuff with the artifact we can go back to Verdomo and Miktes can... go... back... home."

Suddenly the joyous mood that Barnabus had been feeling only moments ago dissolved like sugar in water. His happiness at the news replaced by a cold empty feeling spreading through his chest and to every part of his body as he released the other man from his grasp. 'Miktes... can go home.' He repeated in his mind. 'We can break the mating bond, eventually take him back to his planet, and then we won't ever have to see each other again.'

Noticing the sudden one-eighty his captain had taken in such a small amount of time Alfred looked up to the bearded man with concern in his blue eyes. "...Captain?" He said carefully from Barnabus' right. "Are you alright? Did something just happen?"

Barnabus had to shake his head to gather his thoughts. He really didn't understand why he had zoned out just them. "Huh... oh yeah, Alfred I'm ok." He said with a weak sounding chuckle. "Just a little shocked that this is all almost over I guess."

Alfred didn't seem to buy that the older man was alright at first but eventually he shrugged and decided to move back on subject. "Well, I suppose I would be shocked too after everything you've been through because of the bond." He said turning back to his disorganized desk. "From what I read in the notes I received some Verdomians believe that those that are bounded share feelings and memories at time. It must be a very strong physical connection for them to think that."

It was then the Alfred got a thoughtful look and peered over his shoulder to his captain. "Um, speaking of Verdomians, when should I tell Mr. Miktes about all this?" He asked. "I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that he can go home eventually."

Barnabus could feel himself frowning at the idea and stared down at his feet. Why was he suddenly unhappy to hear about his soon to be freedom? Sensing that Alfred was expecting him to answer his question, Barnabus slowly raised his gaze to meet the other man's. "Heya, you said you're still working on the antidote right?"

"Yes Captain." Alfred said absently as he began stacking research notes. "My first full attempt at a serum is right on my work station over there." Stretching out his hand the younger man pointed over to a vial of dull blue liquid which was bubbling over a low flame coming from a Bunsen burner. "It didn't exactly work but it's a good start. I believe that by the end of this month I'll have a working version of it."

Barnabus felt a rush of relief course through his body at hearing that. He still had a month before Miktes had to go. That was good. "Ok then if that's the case how about... how about we wait until you finish to tell him then?" Barnabus said with an uneasy smile. "Mickey is having so much fun let's not ruin it by bring up all this antidote stuff."

Alfred gave the older man a queer look as if he were trying to comprehend something then nodded. "If you say so Captain." He said casually. "Just give me the word when and I'll happily explain everything to our Verdomian friend."

Barnabus gave the younger man a thankful nod. "Thanks Al." Suddenly remembering the reason why he had left the cargo bay in the first place, the older man gave his friend a quick pat on his shoulder and began walking towards the door which led to the bridge. But, just before he reached it he gave into a creeping urge and peered back to the vial Alfred had just shown him.

Staring at the bubbling concoction for a few moments he wondered briefly if he should reconsider having Alfred finish it. The Verdomian was getting along with everybody on the ship now, for the most part and for once Barnabus didn't feel the desire to go out drinking or to a strip joint.

But just as that thought came to his mind he instantly shoved it as far down as he could. Miktes had to leave and no matter how much a part of him was starting to want to keep their new "pet" there was no changing what had to be done. It was in the kid's best interest and in his as well. They were friends now but he couldn't allow things to develop deeper than that.

With these strange and conflicting thoughts running rampant in his mind the bearded man finally turned back around and continued out of the door and onto the bridge. 'Maybe spending a little time alone will help me figure out why I feel so weird.' He reasoned to himself as he padded up the short flight of stairs to the raised cockpit. 'Then again... I got the feeling that being alone right now is only going to make things a little worst.'

***************

"Master Ragno!" A muffled voice called out from behind the bed chamber door. "Master Ragno I'm sorry to be bothering you sir but your presence is needed on the bridge sire!"

Growling in frustration as he sat up from the bed a very angry and very nude Ragno WargC-34 pushed one of his bedmates, an amply bosomed female Warg, off of him and slid from the comfort of his mattress. "This had better be good." He groused to himself as he stomped his way over to his door and opened it.

Standing on the other side was one of the elite warriors they had brought with them on their secret mission. A heavily armed and muscled Warg male who stood at attention as soon as his superior came into view. "I am sorry to disturb you but lord Ragno, but as I said master Bekno requests that you come to the bridge right away."

"And he decided to disturb me at this hour?" Ragno asked with a savage growl. "Does he not remember that I am recovering from the ordeal we went through with those blasted I.U.G. soldiers?" Huffing, the large and imposing man rubbed his arm which was bandaged and a little red from blood seeping from his skin.

The younger Warg standing in front of the commander let his eyes travel past him to the three females which were in his master's bed. It looked to him like the last thing Ragno was doing was relaxing after their ordeal. It was still a sore spot for him and the other elites to have been cheated out of their promised reward for betraying the council the way they had. The general had taken the three lovely vixens right into his room the moment he had set his fiery eyes on them.

A nasty sounding growl drew the lecherous Warg out of his thoughts and back to his mission. "Again I'm sorry I have awakened you master but lord Bekno is in need of you sire." He repeated firmly for the third time. "He said that it was very important."

"Fine! Allow me to get dressed and I shall come with you whelp!" Giving a frustrated growl, Ragno shut his bedroom door in the other man's face and proceeded to gather his clothing and armor so that he could make himself decent. Halfway through his retrieval a chorus of three disappointed sighs reached his ears, looking up to its source he spied his small harem giving him woeful looks as he readied himself to depart their company.

Smirking at how eager they were to please such a glorious male like him, Ragno made a deep grunting sound from that back of his throat which they happily responded back to with similar sounds. It was the Warg equivalent of a mating call, Ragno giving them fair warning that after he finished this bit of business that he fully intended to return to bed and continue what they had been doing before they he had fallen asleep.

Finishing his dressing quickly, Ragno left the comforts of his room and followed the elite warrior to the bridge of his battle cruiser, his mood not a good one as he stepped out onto the high-tech and foreboding command room. "I'm here!" He announced to the small grouping of Wargs assembled. "And this had better be quick! I have females to satisfy."

Leaving the security console he had been working at, Bekno strode over to his old time friend and gave him a smirk. "Did I disturb something sire?" He joked lightly.

Ragno huffed angrily at the inquiry. Bekno was lucky that they had been friends growing up because if anyone else game him that look he would have disemboweled them on the spot and feasted on their remains. "You know you did bastard." He answered the other man. "Now I ask again, and for the final time I might add, what was so important that I had to leave my company?"

"We've received a transmission request from Clayworth." Stepping aside Bekno motioned over to the communications screen. "It seems that the old bastard wishes to bark some more in your general direction master. It also seems that he does not care whether you are busy rutting with our females or not."

"I'd be surprised if a creature as ancient as that human even remembers what it feels like to breed with a female." Ragno remarked as he went over to the communication console and pressed the connect button. "Ragno here! Report what you got Clayworth!"

With a flickering flash the communication device's screen came to life, Laird's wrinkled face appearing with its trade marked scowl gracing it. "Finally!" Was the first thing to come out of the older man's mouth, the word followed by a glare which could melt steel. "I was wondering how long you intended to keep me waiting."

"You must forgive me human, but you do realize that I have better things to do." Ragno said back, a mocking imitation of what Laird had snarked back at him during their last call. "It takes me time to care enough about you calling me."

Standing in front of his office closet, Laird Clayworth scowled down at the image of his Warg ally on the screen. Oh, how he hated the other man in front of him! Always eager to insult him and act as if he were better than him. He was a Clayworth and above all else that demanded respect. The CEO just supposed that he'd have to have a talk with the general's superiors later.

After making sure to file away that idea for later Laird got to the reason he had called the infuriation Warg and held up a small silvery disk for him to see. "Now, if we are quite done with the niceties Ragno how about we get down to business?" He said flatly. "After searching through Tworow's research my assistants were able to discover that the final artifact that we seek is located on some backwater world that goes by the name of Unutulmus. I've recorded the coordinates of both this world and where we believe the artifact may be found on this data disk."

Ragno scratched his chin thinking. He had heard that name of that world somewhere before but couldn't place it. In the end though the name of where they were going didn't matter. All that did was that now he was one more step closer to getting what he wanted. Control over his clutches council of elders and the I.U.G. government.

"Very good Clayworth." The savage alien said with a sinister grin. "Send the data to me and I'll go and retrieve the relic post haste."

"If you insist." Taking the small disk Laird placed it into a slot on his vid-phone. After a few beeps and whirling sounds the data that had been recorded on the disk traveled through the vast distance of space and appeared on a computer screen on Ragno's Warg starship.

"There you go." Laird said once the transfer was complete. "Every bit of information regarding what my interns collected. Please tell Lord Jugulo that I hope he is pleased with all the work I have done for him and the empire and that I humbly await his next command."

Now that he had what he wanted Ragno glanced over his shoulder and nodded to his second in command to begin what they had planned. Turning back to Laird the armored man gave a quick guffaw and placed his talons behind his back. "I'm sorry to inform you Clayworth but I won't be informing the council about anything that has gone one between us here." He began smugly. "You see the elders have no idea that there is a final artifact."

"What!?" Laird gave the other man a shocked expression over the vid-phone. "What are you talking about? That mission statement you sent me had the seal of the Warg council of elders!"

"It was a fake you idiotic human." Ragno gleefully informed. "A cleaver forgery that was designed to fool the simplest of minds." Turning his back on the screen the Warg general began to walk away. "However I shall give you my thanks. You were such a lovely willing participant in my little mutiny scheme Clayworth."

Laird was livid as he was told what he had been tricked into doing. To think that this young upstart believed that he was some rub to be used and manipulated in such a way. "Do you honestly think I'm just going to allow you to make a fool of me like this!?" Laird shouted after the other man. "As soon as this call is over I'm going to alert the council to what you have done and-"

Laird had to stop his threat mid-sentence as his Vid-phone began to hiss and bellow smoke, the shoddy looking piece of equipment giving a loud bang as sparks shot from the back and caught fire on the clothing in the closet where it was being kept. Seeing that his office was about to burn down Laird rushed over to his desk and took hold of a pitcher of water he had been drinking from earlier, poring the clear liquid over the communication device as the smell of smoke was replaced by the scent of burning wiring and circuitry.

The threat of his building going up in flames now passed, Laird gave a disgruntled huff and glared down at the ruined remains of his office closet and the communication device the Warg Empire had given to his family long ago. Without it there was no way of contacting the Warg Empire or Ragno's superiors without the I.U.G authorities getting wind of it. That purple scaly bastard, Ragno had apparently planed out this betrayal to the last step. But even so there was no way in hell Laird was going to allow him to win the war!

He had to retrieve that damned artifact first. Yes, that was it! Then he would present it to the Warg elders and expose Ragno for the impudent dog that he was. But in order to do any of that he had to make sure that the Jack he had hired did his job.

Striding over to his official Vid-phone Laird quickly dialed a number and within moments he was connected with a ship that was traveling through a hyperspace tunnel in deep space a blue scale covered face coming into view as the static receded.

"Ekkar I need a report!" Laird demanded as soon as the other man appeared. "And it better be a good one."

Seated in his captain's chair on his luxury ship the Flaring Surge, Ekkar leaned back in his seat and raised an eyebrow at the order which had just been barked in his direction. Laird certainly wasn't one for manners when he wanted something bad enough. Similar to that grandson of his that the Fidraon had "met" one afternoon while delivering a package to the older man. Responding to his boss Ekkar gave a coy smile. "And just what do you want me to report Mr. Clayworth?" He asked in a sugary tone.

"I want you to tell me if you've finished the task I gave you yet or not!" Laird snapped as if it should have been obvious. Growing restless the elderly man began pacing back and forth in front of the screen, searching his papers frantically for anything he could use to make Ragno's life a living hell. "You need to finish your job Anguis! The artifact needs to be in my hands as soon as possible!"

"Fine then I'll give you my report: No we don't have it yet we were waiting for the right moment." His face turning red Laird went to open his mouth to shout again, but before he could Ekkar raised one of his manicured hands and hushed him. "Now, before you go snarking at me about slacking off I want you to see something." Smirking, the younger man tapped a few buttons on the side of his chair causing a small window to pop on Laird's vid-phone screen.

Leaning closer to his screen Liard saw the image of a beat up old F-class star cruiser with a sloppy image of a fiery ball of dirt on its hull. "Is this supposed to mean something to me?" He asked sarcastically.

"It should." Ekkar responded. "That particular ship, which I might add we are about to attack, is none other than the Wild Comet. A little junk heap where I'm sure we'll not only find Barnabus Comet and his crew but the artifact which you want so very, very badly." Ekkar hummed amused to himself as Laird's eyes grew wide. "I was just about to give the command to engage them in combat when you so rudely interrupted me."

"Well then do it now!" Laird said with a squawk.

Ekkar had to suppress an annoyed huff. He truly was getting sick of this gray haired human's shouting and haughty attitude. If it wasn't for the money the dragon would have told him to go fuck himself with his own cane. Gathering himself to try and be civil Ekkar gave a nod to the man employing him. "Yes sir I'll get right on it." He said with a bow. "Call back in about an hour's time."

"Don't worry I will." With that said Laird hit the end button on his vid-phone making the one on the Flaring Surge go dark.

Free from bothersome distraction of an elderly CEO screaming at him, Ekkar stood from his seat and stepped out into the center of his large and high-tech bridge. Looking over his bridge crew, all handsome men and beautiful women who were the best of their fields, he struck a dashing pose and pointed at the image of the Wild Comet on their main viewer.

"Mr. Dirksen!" He called over to a muscular redhead. "Target the ship ahead of us and prepare to fire on it. I think it's high time we say hello to our bounty over there."

"YES SIR!!" The man at weapons gave a stiff nod and started the targeting sequence. "Weapons charging Captain Anguis."

***************

Keeping watch had to be the most boring part of space travel Barnabus thought to himself as he sat in his chair. All one could do as they sat there and let the ship fly itself was lean back and silently watch as the kaleidoscope of colors within a hyperspace tunnel swirled around as they. The only worst part was that the lull gave Barnabus ample time to think over several things in his life. His career, his relationships with his crew and family, and most of all the news he had gotten just an hour ago in the sick bay.

[Barnabus: Man, am I one messed confused up sob. Every darn time mind gets to wondering it goes straight to that annoying stomach turning feelings that Alfred's little project back in the sick bay brought up earlier. Am I really that upset at the thought of finally being able to free myself from that Verdomian? Naw, that can't be it. For the last month I've done nothing but curse, fume, and fight against the fact that I have to be stuck in orbit around that big green pain in my caboose. So what's changed about that?

Maybe it's because I'm actually admitting to myself that I like him now. It doesn't make sense and I think I'm going nuts but I really am starting to enjoy spending time with Mickey and not just the sex part. Though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a big part of it, a really big part I might add. But it's something more. He's got to be the most arrogant, infuriating, and infinitely stubborn brat I've ever had the misfortune to meet in my entire life and yet... yet when that dimwitted bruiser blushes and pouts, or stomps his foot and gives me that growl when I tease him, or when he actually stops being his usual grumpy ass self and actually laughs and smiles I can't help myself. I just take a step back and feel like smiling myself. It's not just me either. Moah, Alfred, and even Rana are enjoying being around him. Like I said... he'd be a good fit with our crew if he was allowed to stay.]

"What the hell is wrong with me?" Barnabus shouted out loud as he variously wrung his fingers through his dark brown hair. He should be concentrating on their mission not this damn relationship stuff. He was a studly single man not some characters in a romance novel.

"What the hell are you shouting about submissive?" A gruff voice came from below the confused bearded man.

Face tinting a little because someone heard his little outburst, Barnabus lifted himself out of his seat to peer over the cockpit railing and found a limping Miktes slowly making his way onto the bridge. The younger man was cupping his crouch as he walked, a scowl appearing on his face which only worsened as he started to climb up the cockpit staircase towards him.

"You ok there kiddo?" Barnabus asked with a smile tugging at his lips. "You're sort of walking like a hunchback over there."

There was a small relieved growl from Miktes as he slid into the co-pilots chair. "No I ain't ok." He answered with a grunt. "That woman fights dirty! Kept aiming for my junk." Frowning, the wounded man gently and tenderly rubbed his package through his shorts. "My poor dick isn't ever going to recover."

Barnabus had to tear his eyes away from the sight of Miktes innocently rubbing himself before he was in the right mind to respond to what the younger man had just said. "I'm sure the little green giant down there is going to be just fine." He assured. "Still I hope you learned you lesson about thinking women can't be proper fighters stuff."

"Humph, fine I take it back." Miktes said with great reluctance. Suddenly giving a suspicious hum the red head raised an inquisitive eyebrow ridge at his mate. "Wait a minute... did you know that's how she fights when you told us to spar?"

Seeing that he had been found out, Barnabus pretended that he was busy flying the ship, smiling to himself and whistling nonchalantly as a growl sounded next to him. For some reason the idea of Rana one upping Miktes was the most amusing thing he had seen that day. Not to mention that it helped him suppress those stupid feelings that had been storming in his mind only moments ago.

Of course his green skinned friend didn't know any of this and when Barnabus chanced a peek over in his direction he found that Miktes had gotten out of his seat and was bent over next to him so that they were eye level. "Ok, Ok I admit I knew about her fighting style of choice." Barnabus finally admitted with a chuckle. "But, if it makes you feel better, know that the first time I sparred with her I ended up singing soprano."

Miktes squinted his eyes and inched closer until their noses touched. "What's sop-ran-o?" He asked.

"It what they call someone with a really high singing voice." Barnabus answered with a heated breath. The way Miktes was so close to his face made the Jack lick his lips subconsciously. Why did the he have to be so tactile with him? They were so close right now that it would only take an inch before they were kissing. In fact... Barnabus felt the unstoppable urge to do just that. The only thing keeping him from doing it was the terrible idea of someone coming onto the bridge and catching him necking with their stowaway.

Unfortunately for the older man's modesty Miktes was far too heated up by being so close to his mate and by the scent of Barnabus' growing arousal. Things truly were so much nicer since they had agreed to that little deal a few days ago. Now instead of refusing and insulting him his human actually grew excited by his touches and advances. For some reason that bit of knowledge was even more erotic to the warrior then the actual sex they had.

Getting no sign that he shouldn't go forward, Miktes placed his large hand on Barnabus' thigh and let it slowly slide up the human's leg, inching closer and closer towards his crouch. "I wanna fuck." Miktes bluntly announced. "Let's do it on that couch thing you have over there. That way I can look out into the stars while we rut like animals."

"W-We're still in the hyperspace tunnel Mickey." Barnabus pointed out as he took a gulp of air. He was really starting to feel himself become undone by that curious hand now cupping his privates. Oh, how he wanted to just strip down till he was bare assed naked and fool around with the young man so keen to get it on with him. Rana would be pissed that he slacked off in his watch but... what the heck, you only live once he supposed.

Matching Miktes' grin at the indecent proposal Barnabus gave a small chuckle and finally gave in. "Damn Mr. Green you aren't going to be happy till we make it a solid six are you?"

"No." Miktes said with a devilish tone. "But I wanna make it to ten."

"Ok then let's lock the bridge doors and-" Just as Barnabus was about to suggest they begin something that would undoubtedly end up in them both getting scolded the entire ship rocked forward violently, the middle aged man having to grab a hold of his seat while Miktes gave a yelp and fell backwards onto the floor.

For several moments both confused and surprised men stared at each other in shock, wondering what had just happened. Then suddenly another round of explosions rocked the ship, every console on the bridge making a racket as numerous damage reports and warnings appeared on every screen and the red alert alarm started blaring over their heads.

"What the hell is all this noise for?" Miktes demanded to know as he slapped his hands over his pointed ears. Giving a growl the Verdomian stumbled to his feet and looked down to his submissive for an answer. "It's making my heard hurt!!"

"Give me a second to find out babe!" Barnabus shouted over the alarms, not realizing what he had just called Miktes. Adjusting his now deflating erection in his seat, the older man quickly went to work and tried to steady the ship as more blasts rocked the entire vessel. "Dam it computer tell me what the hell's happening?" He asked the ships AI. "Are we under attack or is the Comet just falling apart!?"

"Negatory Cap, looks like we got ourselves some rustlers on our tail end." The computer answered in its bad Texan drawl. "They gone done got their weapons afiring away at us and damaged the hull."

"Thanks partner." Barnabus said sarcastically through his gritted teeth. This was really bad; the Wild Comet was designed to be a passenger ship originally and really didn't have the firepower to handle a dogfight in space. Their only hope was that Rana could get them away from whoever had decided to come after them. After all she was the best pilot he had ever met.

Reaching for the ship's communications panel, the Jack captain quickly went to buzz his second in command. Thankfully though, before he could ever press the connect button said woman raced onto the bridge and came to a skidding stop. "Prefect timing Rana." Barnabus said relieved. "We got ourselves some trouble here and I think you're the prefect person to handle it."

"I sensed that Comet." Rana said jogging up the stairs. Stepping into the cockpit the dark haired woman gave Miktes a quick smirk as the alien almost humbly stepped out of her way and motioned for here to take her seat. "Thanks Mickey." She said sweetly. "Now, who the heck hit us Comet?"

Handing over command of their flight controls to the other jack, Barnabus started up the Wild Comet's scanners and did a quick sweep of the area directly around them. Within a few moments a sheet of paper printed out with all the information it had gathered. "Let's see... not getting much on whoever is attacking us. The ship had some sort of stealth shielding or something." Barnabus let out a low whistle. "But man... they really got us. Round of high powered laser fire damaged our outer hull and dam this is going to be expensive, whoever hit us blew out one of our engines toboot!"

Rana rolled her eyes at the old fashioned lingo and the worry about the damage to the ship being expensive. That was the least of their troubles. Without all four engines going they couldn't keep up the speed needed to safely remain in the tunnel they were traveling in. "Barnabus forget about our money woes and work the damn slip drive will you?" She ordered "We need to get out of hyperspace and do it before we're torn in two!"

"Already on it Miss Najjar." Barnabus informed her wryly. Becoming serious the heavy set man took hold of the weapon turrets controls and after flicking a switch fired off two bright energy pulses that tore a small hole in the side of the hyperspace tunnel. "We're clear!" He shouted above the background noise of laser fire striking their ship.

"I'M ON IT!" Rana yelled back as she kicked the ship into drive and sped through the small tear Barnabus had opened up for them. As the old F-Class cruiser breached the starry blackness of regular space the Wild Comet met some turbulence from their hasty departure, Miktes and Barnabus holding on for dear life as Rana struggled to keep them from losing complete control as they spun around wildly.

Thankfully for the stomachs of everyone on board of the ship their pilot was skilled enough to eventually right them. The Wild Comet coming to a full stop before things could get any worst. Slumping in her chair in relief Rana looked over to here two companions. She found both grown men gasping for air as they tried their best to keep themselves from losing their lunches at the wild way they had escaped from the tunnel. "Sorry guys." Rana apologized with a shrug.

"I-It's fine." Barnabus managed to get out with a watery belch. "Right Mickey?"

Miktes looking even more green then usual gave an unsteady nod. "Y-Yeah."

"Well that's great that you're alright guys cause we got to figure out what we're going to do." Rana said turning her attention back to guiding the Wild Comet Rana did a few systems checks. "Whoever just attacked us is going to be back here any minute. That stunt we pulled only bought us a few minutes they'll eventually realize that we left the tunnel and double back."

"We're going to have to be ready for a tussle aren't we?" Barnabus asked fearfully. When Rana rolled her eyes at him and nodded he gave a tired sounding sigh. "Ok then lets at least get ready for it." Flipping on the com device again Barnabus tried to get in contact with the other two members of his crew. They both needed to be on the bridge if they were going to fight. It was the safest place on board. "Alfred, Moah? You boys still alive?"

Moah was the first to respond, the sounds of his heavy grunting and tools and boxes being moved around coming over the speaker before the Girunjh's cheerful voice followed. "Gosso Barnabus te nosai genfi..." There was a pause as the mechanic imitated one of the explosions. "...doggo heti nolah!"

"Yeah buddy they really were big explosions." Barnabus said getting the gist of what he had just said. "How bad is the damage down there in the engine room?"

There were a few moments of silence before Moah responded back in broken English. "We... is... screwed."

"Delightful, jus delightful" Barnabus groaned. As if his poor ship wasn't in bad enough shape already. After all this he was going to have to spend a fortune getting it back to normal. "Well, forget about fixing anything until later big guy. We got ourselves some trouble and I want you up here on the bridge."

"Yaggho!"

That handled Barnabus next went to contact their medic. "What about you Alfred?" He asked. "You doing ok in sickbay?" When only an ominous silence came back over the com device both Barnabus and Rana exchanged a worry look. Alfred wasn't exactly the kind of person who was used to dealing with combat like them and Moah. What with him being younger than them and without any sort of military training.

Becoming more worried than he had ever been before, Barnabus went to bolt out of his seat and to the sick bay to see what was wrong. However before he could he found Rana holding him down with a gentle hand on his arm. "You can't go right now." She told him firmly. "We're going to need you at the weapons!"

Barnabus peered down to the sickbay door then back to Rana with a frown. "But what if he's hurt or something?" He asked desperately. "Alfred could be out cold with a concussion in there for all we know?" Just the thought of the blond being hurt and in need of his help made the older man cringe. He was supposed to protect them all.

Rana bit her bottom lip afraid to say what she was thinking. That they didn't have the luxury to worry about the youngest member of their crew at the moment. They had to completely focus on the individuals who had just opened fire on their ship. Her internal struggle to voice the obvious was interrupted however when Miktes gave a growl trying to gain both her and Barnabus' attention and stepped in-between the two of them.

"I'll go and see if he's alright." The primitive man declared as he gave them each a quick nod. "I owe it to skinny after he took care of my hand the other day."

Stunned at Miktes actually volunteering to go and check on Alfred, Barnabus watched with his mouth hanging open slightly as the hotheaded younger man rushed past him, down to the first story of the bridge without, and out of the room without another word.

Looking over to Rana the Jack found that she too seemed to be surprised by Miktes' actions. Although instead of shocked awe she had a small smile on her face that only grew as she made eye contact with him. "Guess that grumpy jerk has a heart after all." She mused.

"Yeah he does." Barnabus said back with a fond smile. "But let's talk about that later. We' need to get ready I suppose." Looking down to the weapons controls Barnabus quickly checked to see if they had a full cache of laser canisters, which thankfully they did. Rana had certainly done her shopping back on Loma Prime so they were ok on that front. Now all they had to worry about was that everyone was safely on the bridge during this looming battle.

Thankfully the Jack Captain's prayers seemed to be answered as the large and hairy man stumbled through the common room door followed closely after by both Miktes and Alfred, the younger man cradled in the alien's arms as the stepped out onto the bridge. "You lot alright." Barnabus managed to ask after he got over the shock of seeing Miktes carrying the youngest member of his crew.

The trio was a little singed with a few scrapes and bruises but otherwise unharmed. "Goota jingo gutto saia Barnabus." Moah said with a thumbs up.

"He... He said yes he's fine." Alfred said weakly. "So am I thanks to Mister Miktes."

Miktes seemed to be embarrassed by the small bit of praise, his green face coloring a bit as he carried his charge over to the observation deck couch and gently placed him down on it. "I just pushed something off of you." He mumbled as he scratched the back of his head. It wasn't often that he got praise like that. Especially back home. "Gotta repay you for what you did for me the other day."

"Still I'm thankful." Alfred replied back with a wane grin.

Barnabus felt himself smiling at the way Verdomian was treating his friend. It was strange seeing Miktes actually act decent and concerned about others for once. Even if it was under the guise of only doing so to repay a debt.

The bearded man's focus on the actions of the youngest members of their group didn't last long though because just as things seemed to be settling down their unknown attackers made their appearance. Flying out of a large hole in space came a very large and very, very formidable looking class-A cruiser. As it came to a full stop and came into full view through their front windshield, Barnabus gave a huff. He knew who this ship belonged to the moment he laid eyes on the gaudy thing. Proudly displayed on its outer hull was a fiery sun with the words "Flaring Surge" written in bold fancy script under it.

"I should have known." Barnabus groused. The Flaring Surge was the pride and joy of Ekkar's little collection of ships. Barnabus having heard all about it one night when the dragon had cornered him in the back of a bar.

Seeing the imposing starship looming over them the rest of the crew of the Wild comet gave worried sounds. "Barnabus..." Rana began in a worried tone. "W-What should we do?"

"Y-Yeah Captain t-this doesn't l-look good." Alfred added with a stutter.

"I don't get it what's so bad about that flying house?" Miktes asked. He truly didn't get why everyone was quaking at the sight of it. "Let's just use them light shooting weapons on it."

"Everyone quiet!" Barnabus snapped. He hated yelling at everyone but he need time to think.

Staring down the star craft floating in front of them the Jack captain could feel himself begin to sweat. Class-A cruisers were the top of the line in space travel. Its size dwarfing the Wild Comet and a top speed that greatly surpassed their own by leaps and bounds. But the worst part was that every one of them were equipped with a full cache of high powered weapons and armor plating. In its current damaged state the Wild Comet really didn't stand a chance in fighting something like that.

Weighing all their options and the state they were in from just that first volley of laser fire, Barnabus supposed he had no choice but to try and talk to Ekkar. Not to surrender but to buy them some time. He was sure that eventually an opening would arise that would get them out of this mess. "Rana, hail the other ship would you?" He said giving an unsure order.

Rana didn't think that talking would do them any good at this point but did as her captain had commanded here, hitting a switch next to the flight controls which opened up the official audio channels that every ship in the I.U.G. used. 'I hope you know what you're doing Barnabus.' She thought to herself as she gave the older man the go ahead.

The line now open Barnabus cleared his throat. He knew that the upcoming conversation with his pain in the ass ex wasn't going to be a pleasant one. Especially after the beating him and Miktes had given his little gaggle of tarts. "Wild Comet hailing Flaring Surge. Please respond!" Barnabus said as firmly as he could. "Please respond Flaring Surge!"

There was a few tense few minutes before Ekkar choose to respond to their call, the dragon's chuckle coming over their speakers as he said. "Flaring Surge responding Barney. I hope you're not too banged up over there."

Barnabus had to bite his own tongue to keep himself from telling the Fidraon off then and there. The other man was using the same tone one would use when speaking to a toddler. It was something he had often done during their time together when he thought he was smarter than him. But as much as the way he was being spoken too was infuriating him, Barnabus was able to keep his cool and pretend to remain civil. At least until they found a way to escape.

After taking a deep breath Barnabus steeled himself and responded to what Ekkar had just said. "Everything is going fine over here Ekkar, despite what you did to my baby here."

"Well that's a relief! I was so worried I had broken you little dingy." Ekkar said with an air of condensation that topped that of a pompous and spoiled monarch. "I told my man at the weapons to only use a low powered laser canisters but I suppose he's just not at the top of his game today. Must be worn out from staying up all last night with me. You know how that can be."

Rana gave a snort. "Now I see why you don't like him." She whispered over to Barnabus. "Just his voice is enough to make you want to slug him."

Barnabus smirked over to his second. Even in the face of insurmountable odds she could still find the way to joke. No wonder why she was his best friend. "You should try having to meet him in person." He quipped back. Then becoming serious again he turned back to the com panel. "What do you want Ekkar? And please make it quick we have someplace to be."

On his ship, a smiling and smug looking Ekkar leaned forward in his seat and smiled down at his com. He truly wished that the junker his dear Barney was on had a visual hailing device. It would have entertained him so much more to see the scowl that was undoubtedly on the human's face. "I believe you have something that belongs to a client of mine and I've come to retrieve it. That and the bounties that your crew has on their heads."

"Oh, hate to tell you this ass breath but we're fresh outta both of those things right now. Why don't you come back when you get that stick out of your ass?" With another one of his infamous ideas forming in his head Barnabus decided the hell with waiting.

They'd come at the other ship guns ablazing like the heroes in Barnabus' favorite space hero movies. Ekkar would never expect them to actually give him a fight. Not with the smug and self-satisfied way he was preening at the moment. Taking his finger off of the com device connect button, Barnabus reached for the weapons controls and gave Rana a slightly crazed look and mouthed the words "Get ready to move" as he held his index finger over the fire button.

"Barnabus what are you nuts?" Rana said wide eyed.

Alfred popped his head over the couch. "What... what's the captain planning?" He asked fearfully.

"Sutto nolay?" Moah chimed in grinning. He had a very good idea what the human was planning and thought it was going to be a fun ride.

"You're going to fight aren't you?" Miktes said sounding proud.

"A little bit yes. " Barnabus confirmed. "Just enough to give him a shock, then we're going to run away. That is if Rana would agree to help me." Laying it on thick the older man aimed a pair of puppy dog eyes in his second in command's direction. It was a low blow but he didn't have a choice.

Of course his ploy instantly worked, Rana grumbling under her breath and readying herself to step on the accelerator the instant Barnabus implemented his harebrained scheme. 'I really don't get paid enough for this.'

Obvious to what the crew of the Wild Comet were planning, Ekkar gave a feral sounding growl through his pointed teeth as he waited for a reply. He had nearly forgotten how sharp a tongue Barnabus had when it came to insults. Imagine calling him "Ass breath". That same whit and fire was one of the things that had once attracted him to the human so long ago. Well, that and his once svelte body which was a delight to in his bed. Now though all that smart mouth and tubby frame did to him was make him angry.

Understanding that his quarry wasn't going to be answering him anytime soon Ekkar stood up from his seat and pointed over to the man in charge of their weapons. "Fire on them again!" He commanded. "But make it only a warning shot this time. Let's show Comet that we are serious."

A dark haired man with light yellow skin and antlers gave a quick "Yes sir!" and set about the task given to him. Carefully targeting the Wild Comet's hull as two low energy laser canister loaded into the barrels of their forward weapons. However, just as he was about to initiate the attack the ship he was aiming for fired on them. Two bright beams of energy launching from the small and unimpressive turrets at its sides which struck the broadside of the Flaring Surge with a flurry of sparks and twin explosions just before it kicked into gear and raced away from them at high speed.

"Captain we've been fired upon!" A member of the bridge crew announced in panic. "Ships structure is holding but we're going to have a few dents."

"Captain Anguis the bounty is getting away sir!" A third shouted. "What should we do?"

Having to suppress the urge to scream at his imbecilic subordinates, Ekkar gave a deep breath. "Go after them you imbeciles!" The frustrated man growled lowly. If it wasn't his own crew's ineptitude that was going to cause him a headache today it was Barnabus comets refusal to give up. "And target their engines once we're close enough. I want that wreck dead in the water!!"

Back on the Wild Comet a now relieved Barnabus slouched back in his seat as they sped off. "We got away!" He said happily.

"You mean we got away for now." Rana quickly said, dampening his cheer. "We're only going a seventy percent our usual speed. Sooner or later they're going to-" The ship rocked from side to side as they were once again struck by the Surging Flare's laser cannons. "-to catch up with us." The Middle Eastern woman finished with a sigh.

"Crap, we lost another engine with that one." Barnabus announced as the readings of the damage they had just endured came in. "And... man oh man, they blew a hole in cargo bay! Moah head into the common room and close off the door leading to the rest of the ship."

"Yaggho!' Moving quickly for a man of his size the Girunjh raced off of the bridge and into the other room.

Seeing his order being carried out Barnabus once more took control of their turrets and fired off a few good shops at the Flaring surge which was closing in fast behind them. "Rana, I know we're not going to be able to run, but give that bastard back there some trouble catching us. Buy us some time!"

"On it Barnabus!" Rana responded. Making the ship give a sharp turn the Middle Eastern woman tried her best to give them some distance from their pursuers. It wasn't much but maybe it would give them the edge they needed in the long run.

With all the chaos going on around him Miktes stood there on the observation deck at a lost. There was just so many sparks flying everywhere and the sounds of explosions. For some reason he actually felt like running away and hiding in Barnabus' room. But as much as he felt like doing that he realized that he was a warrior first. That and his friends needed his help whatever it was he could do.

Leaving Alfred on the couch the Verdomian bounded up the steps to his mate. "I wanna help! Tell me what to do Barnabus." He said desperately to his submissive.

Stopping for a moment in his firing at the ship chasing them, Barnabus looked over his shoulder to the younger man a bit stunned at the determination in his voice. "I... I guess you can get our laser rifles Mickey." He said quickly. "Go over to that cabinet in the common room and take everything out of it. We're going to have to put up a fight as soon as they board us."

Miktes nodded and went to go off and retrieve what he had been told to get, but before he could the ship began to rock once again. But, instead of being caused by more weapons fire this sudden jolt was accompanied by a strange light which bathed the entire bridge in an eerie blue glow.

Looking around in confusion Miktes gave a wary growl. "What's going on?" He asked. Whatever it was he really didn't like it. The light reminded him of the elder's room back at the temple.

Barnabus too didn't like what the light meant. Though his dislike of it was caused because he knew exactly what it meant. "It's a tractor beam Mickey." He told the younger man with a defeated huff. "But never mind that. Hurry up and get those weapons kiddo. We're about to have some company and I think we're going to need them."

***************

Ekkar smiled to himself as he confidently made his way down the long metal corridor which now connected his ship to Barnabus'. He was so happy that he had paid the extra ten million for the forced boarding option to be installed on his ship. It always made it easier to board an uncooperative bounties spacecraft. And given their current bounty there was no other who would be more uncooperative then Barnabus Comet.

Coming to a stop as a pair of his men used blowtorches to cut a hole in the side of the Wild Comet the Fidraon adjusted his expensive top designer clothing and waited for entry. He had to look good when confronting his wayward ex.

Within a few moments the two slicing their way through the hull of the Wild Comet had finished their job the circular piece of metal falling to the floor with a loud clang. "Good work boys." Ekkar said passing his men, making sure to pat them on the head like the good obedient boys they were.

Entering the ship the Fidraon Jack was greeted by not only his ex but the entirety of his makeshift little crew of vagabonds. Foolishly they were armed to the teeth Barnabus as well as a woman and a Girunjh pointing laser rifles at him while the Verdomian that claimed to be his Barney's husband growled and snarled in his general direction. "Now this is some welcoming party." Ekkar said grinning. "Your all decked out and everything."

"Get the hell off my ship Anguis." Barnabus said with deadly seriousness.

"My, my such fierceness and fire aimed in my direction!" Ekkar guffawed. "What happened to the good little human who loved to lick my boot straps?"

Barnabus raised his weapon and pointed it directly at Ekkar's head. He didn't like the reminder of how obedient he had been back when he was part of the other man's crew. "He decided that's its better shoving his own boots up your scaly ass."

Ekkar unfazed by the weapon aimed at his face pushed the muzzle out of the way and sneered down at the smaller man. I wouldn't do that if I were you Anderson." He warned. "I've brought along a few dear friends who would be very unhappy seeing the way your treating their beloved captain."

Raising his clawed hand the higher level jack snapped his fingers, the sounds of a mass of people coming from the tunnel behind him as soon as he did. Suddenly with a great "Yes sir!" A horde of heavily armed and thickly armored men stepped out of the passageway behind the dragon and out into the Wild Comet's common room. Each of the enforcers pointing their laser weapons at the group of copper Jacks.

[Barnabus: Seeing the group of men that bastard Ekkar had just called to his side really makes my stomach do a flip. Both in fear of what they are and what I know they can do and from the memories that blue colored armor brings up in me. I know what this unit of enforcers is. Or at least I did back in the day when I was a member of a similar one all those years ago. Before we were decimated because of our thoughtless captain's greed. This was Ekkar's alpha squad, his best and most skilled members of his crew who are trained to fight off the most violent of threats. I know that there's going to be no fighting against these bunch of brutes. We have no other option but to surrender.]

Dropping his weapon, Barnabus raised his hands. "Put down you weapons guys." He told his friends. He hated voicing those words but there was no other choice. "We're licked."

Rana, Moah and Alfred all looked at each other and then to their captain in shock. Was Barnabus really going to give in that easily?

Shifting her focus to the armored Jacks behind Ekkar, Rana could instantly see why he had decided to surrender. They looked tough. Too tough for a crew of low level Jacks like them. "You heard the captain. She said agreeing with the order they had just been given. "Moah, Alfred lay down your arms."

"Yes Ma'am." "Yaggho." Both men responded almost imminently.

It was only Miktes who was the hold out, the Verdomian giving a frustrated growl as he advanced slowly towards Ekkar with pure rage in his eyes. "There's no way in hell I'm letting this lizard just take over the flying house!" He growled. "It belongs to us!" If this creature wanted to start a fight then he was sure as hell going to give him one.

The angry warrior only backed down from his bloodlust when Barnabus quickly stepped in front of him and held him back with a simple hand against his chest, his palm landing right on the handprint tattoo the alien bore on his left pec. "MIKTES NO!" The human said firmly. "You'll get hurt."

"But..."

"I said no kiddo." Barnabus repeated. Looking into his newest friends eyes the bearded man tried his best to convey the seriousness of the situation. For a few moments it didn't seem to work but eventually the Verdomian deflated and scowled at his mate. "Fine." He grumbled. "I don't like it but I'll do what you want."

"Awe, such a touching moment." Ekkar cut in with a sneer. "But I've had quite enough of that sort of shit." Motioning to his troops the blue scaled man pointed over to their prisoners. "Take these "ex Jacks" to the brig. And... Alferson I want you and a team to rip this place apart and find that artifact."

"We'll get right on it captain." A short little creature with wild hair answered as he rushed past the taller man.

Barnabus gave a huff of disgust as him and his companions were rounded up by a quartette of enforcers and led towards the tunnel connecting their two ships. "You better not mess up my ship too badly Anguis." He said defiantly to Ekkar as they passed by the other man. "Cause once this is all over I'm sending you the bill."

"Trust me my dear, by the end of this your little wreck here will be the furthest thing from your mind." A smirk crossing his muzzled face Ekkar stopped his men for a moment and went over to his infuriating human captive. Licking his lips he went to gently caress Barnabus bearded cheek. Fortunately for the middle aged human, Miktes was there to rescue him from Ekkar's vial touch, the green alien giving a warning growl which had the Fidraon stopping dead in his tracks to eye him fearfully.

"Alright then I won't touch you." Ekkar said backing away. "But there's always later. After you've had a few unpleasant hours to stew on your new lot in life." Nodding the platinum Jack silently told his men to continue escorting their prisoners now was not the time for fun he supposed. They had a mission to finish.