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This story is (C) William Eakins/TheCookieDragon/Chakat_Brokenclaw.

Chakats are (C) Bernard/Goldfur.

Note: This story, as of October 14th, is as of yet not an 'official' Chakat story. Until such time that Bernard gives permission for it to be, consider this story non cannon, and Brokenclaw to be non cannon.

Note 2: If anyone can get me into reliable contact with Bernard/Goldfur, I would be very thankful.

Please enjoy.

Chapter one: Brokenclaw

"They call me Chaplain Brokenclaw." I stood straight while gazing across the length of the landing post, and leaned against the door to my personal quarters. Before me were the newest arrivals on our little ship, each just out of the academy and looking to be quite attentive. They were each a head shorter than I, but then again, I was surprisingly large for a chakat. "I will show each of you to your quarters."

The young human and the foxtaur followed behind me as I lead them through the rooms for the ensigns and of lower rank, many which were shared by two people as it had been for many centuries. In my hand, I held the informational packet to give to them when the room was found. I slowed my pace down and pressed my palm to the door plate beside it to unlock the room, before gesturing for them to step inside. I followed suit and waited for them to set their bags down and take a moment to feel around the room.

"Alright, Ensigns..." I paused as I looked the names over. "David Orilley, and Flametail, here are your orders and placements. Now, the proper introduction is, basically, enjoy and rest up for a blue shift, and report to your commander in the morning. If you have any questions, save them for tomorrow to speak to your officers. The informal is this: "Enjoy this place. It's a small ship, but it's a family none the less. Work hard and you'll be rewarded amply. Be lazy and lackadaisical, and you'll end up transferred."

They watched me oddly for a moment then nodded both at once, and I gave a light smile. The two saluted me and I returned the gesture before making my way towards the door, only to get a light and polite cough. I turned and gazed upon them for a moment, waiting for one to speak. A pregnant moment passed, and then the foxtaur sat and looked up into my face.

"Chaplain, isn't that an old superstitious hang over from the days before?" I felt a smile creep up and suppressed it with a disciplined tap of my claws upon the ground. The foxtaur who had asked paled slightly as I lifted my head up slightly then lowered to a proper sit upon the floor. I was still taller than him, I had to muse.

"Yes. It is an old superstition that a surprising number of people still care about, Ensign Flametail. Quite a few people are like that, and it's a sign of hope to acknowledge a greater being. But, it's also not as enforced as it was in the days of old, if it had been, neither you nor I would be here, Flametail. Now then, if you have questions of a religious nature, or even of a councilor's voice and arm, my door is never locked. I will leave the two of you to rest and relax, and remember, try to not make a mess or the captain will go ballistic."

The door shut behind me and I slid through the hall quietly. It was silent as it ever was on the late blue shifts, blue, given that the color of the halls shifted from yellow for a morning and blue for a night. It was ingenious a method that had been designed a while ago.

I did a quick calculation of the time while making my way towards the lift and decided it was time for me to end my shift after a twelfth hour going and coming. I prayed I'd have enough time to get some rest before someone knocked on my door.

The lift buzzed me up through the three levels of quarters that were occupied by the rest of the ship. I stepped out soon enough at the officer's hall, and was given a brief salute by the only other person whom was walking towards the lift and I returned it gently. My room was the central most door in the hall, a private quarters two down from the ships commander and sub commander, both of whom were mates. I glanced to the right, the medical officer's quarter's right next to my own.

"Welcome, Chakat Brokenclaw." The door chimed in a sweet voice, a friend had recorded it for me before I had been accepted in the Chaplain Chip Program. I listened for a moment after as it read the internal figures for the room, before continuing. "You have four new messages. One of them is from your sire and dame, one of them is from the Institute of Higher Medicine, Two of them are from Chakat Rakeclaw. Would you like to play them in order?"

"Please do, broadcast them into my sleeping quarters when I go into them." I murmured softly before heading into the bathing chamber to disrobe from the shirt and collar upon me. The collar was set gently upon the stand beside the shower stall, and the shirt was tossed down the chute to be washed and sent up the next morning. I sighed, slipping the shower on to release a warm stream upon my face.

Half of a terran hour later, I slid out of the bathing chamber and walked my damp self into the carpet-less sleeping quarters. The messages started to play as I dried behind my ears and laid out a long towel upon the ground so I could rest and dry near my sleeping bowl.

The music associated with the medical institute played in the back ground, and I turned my eyes to look upon the fair looking jackal morph. She smiled once to me and held a hand up in greetings, before folding her hands upon what I assumed to be her desk. She then lifted up a file and nodded once.

"Chakat Brokenclaw, it is good that you have made commission. We at the Medical Institute are proud to see that you've been successful with your condition hampering your social experience, and would like to be able to conduct an interview in an upcoming project dealing with individuals who are successful and disabled in our modern society. Would you like to contribute? If so, answer the questions in a timely manner and try to be concise and honest. They are a bit open, but each question is designed to show how you live with impairment. If you do not wish to contribute, then disregard this. We hope you are willing, Chakat Brokenclaw. Go in peace." The message, short and concise, clicked out.

"Save Message and place the packet upon my To Do list for tomorrow, please." A pleasant enough 'ding' caught my attention and I gave a nod of my head. The next message began to play itself out, leaving me to listen patiently for the next few moments of silence. Then it began to play, no music in the back ground as they usually provided.

"Brokenclaw, it's Rakeclaw, it's good to hear from you again. My sister says you have made commission and are working as a chaplain? Good to hear. Have you given further thought to my proposal to be a co-mate with Deuze? He's a really sweet guy, and has an eye for you, but I want to know if you want to or not. Oh, and, good luck on your career! Love you."

The message closed itself and I shook my head out while slowly beginning to focus myself and my thoughts before letting myself sleep. The next message played while I slowed my heart rates down and my breathing stilled to six breaths a minute.

"It's your dame and sire! We wanted to say we were sorry for not coming to the calibration, but we were stuck on Ispep when we heard the news - and you know it takes at least a month to even make the proper arrangements with the transportation and hope there's enough room. Well, enough of our complaints. How goes things, you find a mate yet to live with? Are you eating well? Have you gotten a commendation yet? What..." My eyes opened, my sire having stolen the camera away from my dame who began to beat on hir with a pillow. Shi laughed, my sire taking the camera and running out side to set up.

"Alright; Now that I have your dame ... a bit busy out here with getting the photo collection together, I can talk to you properly. We are doing fine out here and hope you are too, son. Are you dealing well with the commander? We heard a lot of good things about him - and we are proud of you for going into something you love. There's a lot of honor in being a religious member of the fleet and seeing to the old ways. Keep to it. And son - no matter what you do, you bring honor to us."

"And, no matter what, keep to what you believe in. It'll guide you home at night. We don't believe much in a higher being, but, we never have put you down for it. So you believe, and you believe hard, OK? And come visit when you have about a year off. We could use your help and would like you to see what you can do with a few of the locals. Plus, you could establish a mission here, right? We do miss you. Oh, and we have a few new dishes for you to try out. But I'm starting to ramble, and..."

There was another tussle and I had to suppress a laugh when the camera was tossed away and powered down, before seeing it start up again. They were in the bed room, sheets everywhere and my sire unconscious, looking exhausted. My dame grinned wickedly. "He was starting to ramble, hmm? Now, I'll see you when I see you, my dear son. We love you, and hope you come us some time. Now, you get yourself some rest, and you eat well. Or else." The camera clicked off again, not before there was a wicked giggle.

I laughed and shook my head after that little bit of a message, and made sure to clean and destroy it before someone used it as evidence against me during the late shift games. I idly rubbed my hands together and looked up for the final message.

"You do that whole faith thing." Rakeclaw again, he had the video on this time, and seemed to be a touch sad. I looked up at the image fully and held my breath for a second as he continued. "I ah... I found that a few of my friends have developed a few conditions. Humans, Foxtaurs, and a chakat. It looks like a disease that even we can't fight off. It's hit the village and we are being quarantined. I don't care what happens to me, but, ahm... my sister is sick. Very sick. Would you, ah, do that faith thing? I don't want to lose her. She also says she loves you and has been crying out your name for the last two hours. She just went unconscious, giving me time to send this message. Please, send something." He paused.

"And thank you. For being hope for her." There was that momentary smile, before he looked away, trying to hide a tear. I looked away as well, and put a hand to my brow. God help them, if it was that bad...

I watched the image flicker for a moment then die out, leaving my room in utter darkness. I slid into the bowl that I slept within after arranging the pillows and glanced up towards the recording station. Another sigh passed through my lips while I touched my brow, leaving me to consider. I couldn't sleep until I had passed the message on and, so, I slid out of the bowl, turned on a light and slid the chaplain's collar on my throat.

I tapped a few keys upon the board and set a soothing tone in the back ground, while the lights rose up to a dim, almost romantic level. I looked up towards the ceiling, and thought quickly for a moment, then looked upon the camera again.

"Dearest Avena, I have missed hearing from you. I have heard from your brother that you are sick, and I am very saddened for this fact. My stars would be less bright if you were not amongst them, and I will be sad if you do not pull though this. I've given further thought to your question and will hold off on answering further, but I will tell you that my heart beats with yours, and I will keep in thought about you for the longest time. I care for you as I do a sister, and were not for you, my life would be so very different and difficult. You gave me a drive, and no matter what, you will be loved by me. I will say a long prayer for you before I sleep. And, my dear Avena, do keep faith. The stars will shine upon us together again. And then I will answer you."

I thought for just a moment more, and then bowed my head. "I love you, no matter what should happen or come." I looked back up again, and smiled. The message ended automatically with a rhythmic tapping of my tail upon the ground, leaving me in the darkness of the room once again. I turned my head, looking upon the bowl for sleeping and sighed. I would sleep alone. I always slept alone.

Chapter 2: "We need your strength..."

The lights of the yellow shift caught my attention more than the ringing of the wake up bell or the knocking on my door. My hand slid up to grip the pounding edge of my skull and I slowly sat myself up and worked a kink out of my back. There, with the pressure gone, I slowly rolled up to my feet and slid out of the bowl, sounding for the door to open.

The sub-commander stepped in as I began to apply my clothing on, and she shook her head out slightly. I laughed faintly while then combing my hair down then addressing her properly. She sighed, exasperated for a moment, and then smiled a bit more. I offered coffee, she politely refused.

"Chaplain, glad to see you awake. I'll not keep you too long; we have received orders to deploy ourselves to the edge of the Senthe system and to report on the recent events having to do with piracy. I tell you, because the crew will come to you with guidance, given this is the first time anyone on this ship below four years has done anything like this. We need your strength; they are going to be worried."

I slid my haunches to the ground and nodded once more, and drew my tail up beside me for further thought. I glanced at the tail and tweaked it, before looking over upon the sub-commander who waited patiently for me to speak for more than just body language. Eventually I did so.

"If they believe we are capable of doing it, we shall do it. If they have fears, given that it is a highly difficult and dangerous mission, they will come to me for guidance. I Trust the commander, and you, sub-commander. The commander trusts us to do our duties and do them well." I considered a moment more. "So as I trust you, trust the crew. They are ready for this."

She seemed to ponder a moment and mull over my words, before that smile of hers, the infectious kind, drew up over her lips and I yawned. I was tired still, I never had the chance to get enough sleep between shifts, even with the twelve hours of sleep I had. The doctors said it was normal for those still new to being on a ship. I hoped they were right.

"I'll keep that in mind." That smile of hers drew warm to the lips while she looked up at the passing stars off the view port, and then slowly rose. I did as well while reaching to slip my uniform back onto my torso. I adjusted the tight fitting material to settle a bit more properly before walking with her after opening the door. It felt comfortable to walk with someone again. "And, I never talked to you about this, all right?" I nodded once more and enjoyed the quietness of my starting shift.

Three terras passed before we finally set out on the journey, while the ship was given a brief check over and re-armed at the base. I had no time to enjoy shore leave as I worked through and filled out paperwork and sent a last message to my family in the event I did not return due to some disaster.

There was a strict tension amongst the crew for the first few days of the journey out, and several came to me in hopes of understanding what was going on. As they had expected, I told them only that we were doing something important, and to keep faith and trust those who lead them. I knew that it was not always what they wanted to hear but, that was all I could tell them with a clear heart. It was a typical routine until the sub-commander came into my quarters.

I was busy filling out paperwork on my computer when the door opened, and I looked up in time to see the sub-commander all but limp in. I had a questioning look on my face and she only smiled, mentioning she strained herself while helping to assemble a converter after maintenance. She sat across from me in one of the human-modified chairs and waited for me to finish the last page of the file before gaining my attention.

"I'm off duty as it is, if you have any scheduled appointments..." She began and I only smiled and shook my head - I was willing to make time for someone of the crew who was so important. Plus, my schedule was pretty empty for the first few days as people grew attuned to the no-more-shore-leave. They'd have their hands full for the most part so I hadn't to worry. "Thank you, Broken Claw. I've meant to ask you a few things if you are willing to answer. Their questions I've wondered about and I'd like to know."

"Go ahead." I murmured while reaching up to get some tea from the shelf that I had at a warmed temperature. I offered some up for her, though it was not accepted. I shrugged and drank a bit of it down while she thought and then asked her question of me.

"Why do you have no breasts?" I thought for a moment and had to laugh, we Chakats were almost entirely a hermaphrodite species. I slid my paws together before me and glanced at the tips of my white painted nails. I then looked up with a full minute to compose myself, and began.

"Because I am male and only male." I felt a momentary shift upon the floor of my office and looked down upon it for a long moment. Curiously, I slid my tail down and reached a hand up to steady the desk as a wave of dizziness slid through me, making me shiver. It was never a good sign for that to happen. I felt trouble.

"The commander will need to see you soon." I murmured softly while slowly moving around my desk to stand beside her. My fingers settled upon the wood of the desk and I reached out to grasp at the small stand of pictures and held it in my hand.

She looked at me curiously but gave a nod of the head while I gestured, and walked out with her to exit the room. The door closed behind me and I felt the ship suddenly rock and lurch, and an explosion from the room behind me. The door was locked and sealed in the moment and I felt the tip of my tail get pinched but nothing more. I glanced back then at her, before we then both made our way quickly towards the lifts.

Chapter 3: "We have taken a hit..."

"Commander, we have taken another hit." The ship rocked and I steadied myself by crouching and held a hand up to prevent the sub-commander from being thrown to her belly. She thanked me and made her way towards the commander, an aged human of salt and pepper hair. He nodded once as I stood out of the way of everything to just watch. I had no other place to be given that my office had just been vaporized.

I held the small section of pictures and traced each one with a finger tip before sliding it into a pouch on my first hips, so that I could keep it safe. I walked easily towards and sat beside the captain who sat in his chair, reading tactical information and making decisions of what to do next.

"What hit us?" He looked through the information while he rocked with another hit. I watched sparks jet from a console and had to question why they did that so very often when in duress. I shrugged and looked at him while waiting for an answer. It was probably pirates.

"Unknown ship, heading five seven - six one four - eight zero - Mark four. It's preparing to fire again." I glanced over towards a panel for a second, and my right hand drew out and tugged the black feline whom had been right in front of it. She let out a supervised cry while the ship rocked, and her seat she had been in rocked forward, and slammed hard into the panel. I knew to trust my instincts when they actually worked.

"Thanks." She said to me as I nodded my head, and pulled her away from it and gestured to an empty spot. She loped quickly over and began to work in tandem with another bridge member. I regarded the scene as I watched a tactical display appear on the main view port. Holographics showed up clearly and I had to admire the simulated work.

"Fire upon them, they are refusing comm." The guns fired off quick blasts of superheated energy, and I watched the hologram. The ship dodged out of the path, which I had to find rather amazing. I knew of no ship which could respond with such ease. The guns began to exchange fire, but our small scout ship was far from a match.

"Captain, they are..." The ship rocked and power cut throughout the entirety of the ship, leaving me stunned as a tremor ran through the vessel. I gripped the ground with my claws and approached the captain slowly, feeling with my hands for the presence of others. Emergency lighting began to kick on as did the air processing. We were still flying blind, as the ship rocked again from another blast. Gravity began to flicker.

"You Chakat's are empaths, why don't you find out what's going on over there?" I glanced over at the captain and opened my mouth to say something, but shut it swiftly and looked towards the view screen. My fingers clenched in my palm and I focused my thoughts slowly and easily while letting out a long breath.

My mind reached, though I had a feeling it would not work. As unpredictable as anything, my talent had never been exceedingly advanced for a chakat, or even for a human. It had a tendency to not work when I was stressed. This wasn't helping much.

I took in another long breath and focused my thoughts down to a single point and tried to focus elsewhere, as gravity lost its full strength and I lifted from the ground. My eyes were slits as I looked to the screen and felt the tip of my tail spasm once. "I can't..."

I heard voices and a shout, the smell of burning fur and a scream following. I think it was mine...

Chapter 4: I hate Piracy

When I awoke, I lay upon a black bed, while the shadows clung tightly about the room which I lay within. My body lay still while machines counted the breaths and the beat of my heart. Both were low and steady, though it didn't count for the reason my head hurt or why I couldn't feel part of my tail.

A voice made my head slowly turn, and I glanced upon the image of the ships doctor, whom held up the burnt end of my tail. I looked over and grunted painfully as I felt my lower body shift and bones creak. I hurt. But my body slowly regained control of itself as I centered my eyes upon the far wall. This was not the ship we were on before.

"We had to take their ship. Pirates work well in surprise, but when they boarded, they had lost the moment of surprise and we fought back hard. They're dead, and our ship had a small containment leak when they fired on us one last time. We got the surviving crew out. The sub-command... the commander wishes to speak to you."

I looked up questioningly but was given no further answer. With a nod, I rose out of my position and made my way out of the room after tugging a spare shirt on - that being a black one which was often identified with pirates. It was surprisingly snug fit though it had too much room in the chest, and I felt a bit embarrassed to walk through the hall without the chaplain's collar on my throat.

Down a terminal, I was lead to the commander's quarters by one of the security officers who was busy routing and memorizing the lay of the ship. I took care to overhear the find in the cargo hold - many tons of narcotics. I went into the quarters of the captain after a second.

"We have to continue this mission; it's of vital importance that we do it. The pirates who attacked us have set us back slightly admittedly, and I would rather the commander have handled this, but it's been put on my shoulders."

The commander turned away from the six she was talking to, and nodded once to me. I let a smile drift upon my lips "Ahh, chaplain, welcome in. Have you been informed?" I shook my head lightly and looked upon the crew, before giving a brief salute.

"Alright. The commander is dead, and most of the bridge crew was killed. This leaves me in charge of the situation and I've decided we need to continue in this affair. We are on orders to not use com, and even if it would be received it leaves our position open. As we have had to transfer to this ship, I've ordered the destruction of our old ship to cover tracks."

I sat with the rest of the assembled and took count of them. "Those who are alive are on this ship, and sadly we do not have room for the bodies of the dead. This is unfortunate, but necessary." I idly toyed with my tail and tugged it up to begin grooming so I could focus my thoughts.

"Second to this, we have been offered an unprecedented opportunity to do some advanced reckon. I've done little of this in the past but will do what I can." A long sigh came from her lips as she considered her next words carefully.

"For now, we are going to pose as that of a band of mercenaries. This ship is just the right size as a mercenary transport, and we have the crew on board to pose for it." She gestured to me. "It will be difficult."

I slid my hand up and down my tail and felt for any kinks, then paused, glancing at it and furrowing my brow in confusion. Was... I was missing part of my tail. Great. I gave it a tug and winced once as I felt the broken bone that had only recently been set. This was going to be a long trip.

"I've done reading on your individual files from what we transferred over to the ship - each of you here has had some training in leadership as per your ranks. So, I trust you to keep control and command of your crew. Now then, the mission I've decided on is outlined thus."

I sat and listened for the time she spoke, and no question came to mind except for why I was even here. It wasn't until she had finished she gestured for them to leave and consult with their crew and leave me to talk with her alone.

She rubbed her hair out of her face and looked at me for a long moment, seemingly unsure of what to say. Her eyes looked to mine and she gestured for me to come closer. "Brokenclaw. I'm going to need your help. I've come to you because I trust you, all these times that the commander has had orders for the crew; I wanted to get your opinion first. I..."

She paused and I could see her cheeks turn to a shamed color, before glancing back at me and straightening her uniform up of habit.

"I would like to offer you a promotion." Her eyes looked down then back up at me for the longest moment. "To Lieutenant. It would be a field promotion, of course, but given the circumstances, I do think it's a wise choice. Your duties would be more focused on the bridge while we set out an office for you."

I had to think for a moment about that, my legs wobbling from the sudden jump and I resting on the floor. I glanced at my paws and let forth a long, slow breath, before I gave a slight nod. "What would my duties be, Commander?" She smiled.

"Advisory and Support. I know you know how to run the bridge, and that you have had officers training back when you were in the academy. So if something were to happen to me and the sub-commander, I know you could take control. As well, your empathic talents are useful in negotiations." Her voice seemed to want to continue, but I gave a slight incline and she silenced.

I could not feel her emotions; many times I had to guess their feelings instead of knowing it, as a typical chakat would have. I could tell she was happy though. And nervous. My hand lifted and touched her shoulder and she looked up in surprise.

"It will be alright. I trust you, Commander." My fingers tingled for a sharp moment and I drew the hand back after a moment of thought about it. She gave me a slight smile and glanced into my eyes for a longer moment, then gestured.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I think that's all we need. Oh!" She paused as I turned, and I looked back at her for the moment. "I need you to organize a few of the crew members into search groups. I want this place searched for anything our scans wont show, OK?" I gave a nod, and a salute. She smiled and gestured me off.

"I need my command crew to the bridge." I was in the middle of the shower when this command came, and I grumbled- she had a knack for it. I hurriedly washed the rest of the soap off of my fur and turned on the heating press to dry my body fur off. I would end up with a fluffy Mohawk again, but I had grown used to it during the daily meeting.

I toweled off and wrapped it around my head as I gathered my clothing from the hanging rack and slid my collar - with the new set of stars upon it to indicate my rank. I still wore the black which had become the unofficial uniform of the ship we had taken control of.

I made my way into the bridge and was directed to the commander's office, where I met with the four others who had been given posts. I sat beside the head of engineering, Lieutenant Oswald. He nodded to me and gestured for me to pay attention.

"We are one day out from meeting up with the station. We need to get on board, and the cargo we carry is our ticket on. While I am hesitant to let them have ten tons of narcotics, we can use it to afford ourselves repairs and information. We'll have to use this as best we can for the duration of the visit."

The image of the port, due to our long range scanners, came up onto a holographic display. I studied it for a few moments and took note of a few features that seemed unique - mostly the large cannons.

"Secondly, I will have four teams out on the platform doing reconnaissance. There will be groups of five, and I would like have a pair of you leading a group as well as you, Brokenclaw, with me. As our only empathy on the ship, I'd like you to be there during the dealings."

I nodded to her and idly rubbed my neck, feeling the tenderness from some chaffing from lack of proper drying. I ignored it after a moment and then glanced as she began to outline her plan.

"Lieutenant Oswald shall be in charge of re conning defenses and build of the vessel. I trust that you know how to get schematics, yes?" He nodded once more and turned her gaze toward the other two.

"Lieutenants Jericho and Germinal shall be in charge of getting information on the numbers that come through. The best place to check are bars, honestly, so drinking your alcohol tolerance pills so you can be level headed." Her eyes turned to the fourth person in the room, and I glanced at her. The reptile waited patiently.

"You will be in charge of the ship for the duration of our boarding - sub commander. Be sure to keep a read out on the numbers of ships that pass through and take brief scans of cargo that is being unloaded if it is safe to do so. I trust you."

I glanced at the rest of the gathered and watched her signal towards the hologram again. It projected to a new image, showing the lay of the ship. She indicated quietly and assigned new quarters to the surviving crew - the numbers apparently three fourths of what it should be - 60.

"All right, I think that's all we need for today. Assemble your teams, my good sirs and ladies, and we will be ready to engage in our mission. God speed." I watched them file out as she looked at me to keep me in the office. I waited patiently until the door closed, and looked at her questioningly. She merely smiled and settled closer to me.

"Have you ever done something like this? Infiltrating a group to learn?" She looked upon my chest then up to my eyes again, letting a smile drift over her lips. I considered momentarily and let my body relax a bit more completely so I could be at ease with her. My hand rested upon the table, beside hers.

"No, I haven't." I murmured, getting her scent upon my nose, and my eyes glanced up into her own for the length of a moment. I bit my tongue, thinking and trying to relax the tension that had built up in the base of my skull. I watched her, as she glanced down and touched her finger to mine then back again. "I know what I've seen in operations manuals, but..."

"Neither have I. But I go from what my training taught me: Strong and Quiet. Intimidation is how a pirate works, so we have to be just as intimidating. I'll admit, I'm scared." She looked up at me, wetting her lips with her tongue. I watched her lips move, into a smile and mine copied the motion.

"Well, I never thought I'd be promoted out of chaplain-ship, and yet here I am. I'm scared, I'm afraid I'll make a mistake and hurt the mission. I've never given thought to real, full authority, nor have I thought about being a friend to the commander of a vessel. I've never imagined I'd sit and talk with him or her like this. But, things happen. We each adapt to what is given to us. You are ready, and I must be, if I am given this situation. So, have faith."

My hand reached and settled upon her own, and I looked to her finger tips, as I touched palms with her in an old gesture I had seen repeated amongst the older crew members. She smiled for a moment. "We'll be OK. You are doing well as a commander."

Chapter 5: Hell hath no fury...

There before me, I looked upon the small statue of an elder deity of some old, primitive world. It was pretty, made of marble and with small beads as the eyes and looked to be extensively well cared for back when it had been on it's planet of origin. I shuddered at how many would have had to die to get this piece of art.

"That's a nice, old piece from, ah..." Beside me, one of the crew members of our ship stood, gazing over the stylized figurine. His hand lifted it and he tossed it once lightly in the air, turning it in the mean time. "We call it Sirius Three, but the people of that world call it..." He paused, giving me a moment to speak.

"How'd you manage to learn all that, Aristotle?" I had to ask this as he looked over the statue again as he continued to toss it. His mouth opened to speak once more.

"Hands off, bub." A rather ugly lizard stepped forward and caught the statue in the middle of the toss and put it down upon its stand again. "This ain't for touching' until you buy it." The sidearm at his hip made the thought of contesting it less than healthy. The bat shied back behind my bulk and I nodded once.

"Sorry, it's his first time on a platform in some time, the captain often keeps him busy down below." I tugged the bat forward while gripping the ear, and he stepped forward at risk of being de-eared. "Apologize."

The bat mumbled his apology and slid against me in fear of being struck by the larger creature. It was a good act, and I nodded to the lizard who grunted something illegible and the bat and I shied off towards another vendor to look over different items available. The bat held a small personal assistant beneath one wing and made small recordings in the meantime.

"Sorry sir, I'll not touch nothing' again, sir."

After the little incident, the bat and I circled around the rest of the small vends, seeing who had what for sale, and I taking my time to look over each item. Every item one could imagine seemed to be for sale, and most of them were in the realm of illegal as far as I could call. Many of the items, especially those of value, were stolen.

After a few hours of studying, I had a small rendezvous with the captain and her small private group. After a brief exchange, we made our way to a dinning hall and watched the many groups eat and argue loudly amongst themselves. My chiropteran companion sat beside and studied over what he had recorded. At the other side, the captain enjoyed my company after I had got her food for her. I didn't mind spoiling her.

"I've found that the merchants have quite a few items of interest, and I wish I could afford a few of the more legal items for my collections at home. These Rellien artifacts are both legal, and priceless, what I'd give for that mask." The Rellien's had been one of the first chiropteran colonies that had broken flight and taken to a small world.

Though short lived, it had lasted almost five hundred years before comets destroyed the atmosphere. Their art and creations had taken a deviation of extreme proportions as they hid from contact. Though they had drawn to a more primitive technological state, their philosophies, when uncovered, had affected the Chiropteran species in general quite highly. Or so I had been informed.

"I'm sure I could get the funds together to buy one of the masks for you. I have an account at home that I've been using to buy myself something, but, I'd not like to see something so meaningful to a friend be destroyed." I'd prefer to acquire it legally, even if it had not been in and of itself entirely legal in acquisition. The planet, though a dig sight, was also a grand tomb.

"Nonsense, Brokenclaw." My captain interrupted me and put her hand on my own. "There's no need for you to waste your money. I'll acquisition it, don't worry. As stolen goods, it's best if it is recovered into the safe hands of an archeologist." The bat shifted uneasily, and I glanced up at the captain for a moment more. I wouldn't argue, though didn't think it quite right.

After the meal, we sat and rested at the table, leaving me to enjoy the view of the exotic dancers on stage. Though I had only a passing interest, the way the felines moved at the same beat drew me to fascination. Both wore matching ensembles, in fact, they were more than likely twins. The only thing that bothered me was the collars about the throats.

"Beautiful dancers, aren't they? I could arrange a night with..." A voice behind me began as I broke my gaze from their bodies, and looked at the human who stood behind me. I smiled once to him and shook my head out. He opened his mouth again, but the captain stood, and her hand set upon my shoulder.

Backing off, he nodded and bowed his head, to go and whore the dancers off for another night, leaving me to stare at the captain with a smile. She nodded back and then rubbed me behind the ear. I turned away and blushed a bit, looking at the others who didn't seem to notice. Or care.

Once more I looked to the dancing, and my tail and head swayed to the beat of the drums. I pitied their position, but I had to admire that they did work hard. The gyrations made them twist as one, and I closed my eyes, only to open them again after a momentary clatter. One of them had stumbled out of key, throwing the other off in her performance.

The vile words that came out of one of the patrons mouths made me wince, and worse when the, I presumed, owner stormed out from off stage and grabbed one up by the neck and started to scream at her in a, thankfully, foreign tongue. I doubt I could have handled anything more. He lifted his hand and struck her hard across the cheek, making her yowl.

The next thing I knew, the owner toppled over, a black ball of furry clawing at his shoulders and neck. The bat of which whom I had walked with dug his claws deep into the thick hide of the human, who struggled to reach him in vain, they were fast beings.

Security began to approach the two as the bat was thrown and yet, like a yoyo with a rubber string, he bounced back and tackled the human, easily three times his weight, down, and clawed at his face. I roused myself from the stupor of watching the fight, as did the others of the crew, and we horridly got our way up to extract them from each other. I held the bat as the human was held back by four others. I squeezed and held him tightly.

"LetmeathimI'llriphimappartforhittingherI'llkill..." My paw slapped across the mouth of the bat to hold his muzzle still and I had to suppress a yowl as he bit my finger. I refused to let go in the meantime. The captain gave the other human a shove away and gestured for us to leave while shouting at the bat in her anger. I shook once and slid out with the rest before we were thrown out.

When safely out of ear shot of the bar and upon an entirely new level, the captain backhanded the bat and shoved him to the ground before crouching over his chest, eyes down angrily to his own. She glowered and the bat shivered, though it was plain to see he was still in his rage.

"What the fuck were you thinking?! You trying to get us killed?!" The hand of the captain reached to slam into his jaw, but my hand caught her own, making her pause in surprise. I only gave a warning glance to her and she rose off of his chest, giving him ample room to breath and cough. I helped the bat up with my other paw, as the captain pulled her arm away. I looked to him and considered my options.

"Why did you attack him?" I asked calmly. His eyes and my own touched for a moment. He shivered and swallowed once.

"On my home planet, if a man hits a woman, he is to be beaten himself. No man has right to strike a woman, but when her life is saved by it. I. I could not contain myself for the strike to her face. To compound it, I... am rather taken by them." He was honest, I could smell it upon him, and I looked up to the captain who glared at him, and I think, held anger at me for denying her.

But after a tense moment she gestured for the others to continue, and that she wished to speak to me in private and, hesitantly, I followed behind her. Through and to another, more private bar we walked, until she sat down and I across from her, only to reel back as she slapped me. No words came out; her eyes spoke volumes of her anger. And then she left, leaving me to sit alone, and think.

Chapter 6: Developments and disturbances abound...

Having survived the wrath of my captain, in two days time she was willing to have me about her and sent me to do a private investigation of the lower halls of the grand platform. It was a place of slums and the dregs of the pirate society, those who did the jobs that had to be done for the survival of the station.

I eased through small hallways and sidestepped a sleeping vagrant after a moment of hesitation. Deeper, the smell of the place only drew worse. I glanced down a hall to the left and then one to the right; both of them were not truly worth investigating at the time. I slid down another hall.

Many drew near heat sources in the cold bowels of the ship, and even I had to pause now and then to get some warmth into my chilled body. Why any would stay down here was a mystery at first, until I realized that all the garbage was sent down here for collecting and sorting, to be sold back to those who wished for raw materials. Small areas had been carved into homes through the use of un-sellable materials.

I slid from the warmth of one converter to another to get a better feel of the area, and sat down upon the icy floor. It felt so alien to be in this place, away from the comforts of a civilized world. My tail swayed slowly, the burned tip having scarred over, giving me only a short tail. I began to groom through it to feel and remove the last bit of scabbing that was on the fur, leaving me with a sore pink skin beneath.

I turned away and shuffled, nearly going muzzle to muzzle with a tall stallion that stood before me. I stepped back of habit and glanced back at him. At his side, two others stood. They looked a bit upset that I was partaking of their heating unit, and I stepped back again.

"Well, what do we have here? Some sort of freakish Chakat. You know, there's a fee to use this here heater, right?" He spoke as eloquently as I expected any down here to. One eyed my tawny pelt and I heard the faint click of a knife being extended. Switchblades.

"Ah, no, I did not know that. What's the fee?" I stepped back away from them and slid my rump out into the second walkway through. The horse stopped his approach of me, gesturing the wolf to his right, and the cheetah to his left to circle around me. I was thankful it was somewhat cramped.

"Whatever I say it is." He glanced over my torso for a moment, and then spat upon the ground beside him. I twisted my nose in disgust for a moment, then relaxed, forcing myself from the fear hormones I was exuding. "Your jacket. And your wallet. That aughta cover the down payment of you staying in this area. Maybe something else, if you don't want to lose your clothes."

I reached my hand to the black jacket I wore and stepped back again, until finding the cheetah and wolf stepped forward and held me with a hand each. I struggled for a moment, but the jab of cold steel against my rib told me to not move any further.

"Now now, don't be trying to shortchange us. That's just unhealthy." I winced after another jab to my other side, not wanting to be depleted at any time soon. The stallion approached slowly and brought his hand up to my cheek, holding it for a moment.

"Shi has quite a few male characteristics, unique for a chakat. It's no felitaur." A hand was on my flank, making the muscles tense. I gritted my teeth in disgust and tried to find a way to move without being given a new hole to breathe out of. The hand on the flank slid lower, making me twitch and...

"Wait, this aint a..." Pop! Pop! Pop!

I hit the ground by the first pop, and curled up into a protective ball as I heard the sound of a small gun being fired in my direction. I shivered and curled up against the cold metal and tried to play dead, though the scent of blood wasn't my own. Boots came closer to me, and I heard a soft muttering.

"You alright, kid?" I turned my head and glanced towards the one who held the gun. About his throat lay the collar of a priest, and his hand slid the gun back into the holster at his hip. I looked and nodded, and he slid his hand out to me. I took it and rose up slowly. The three were writhing upon the floor, twitching. I spied small latches in their pelts, pumping them full of electricity.

"Come on, we need to lay low for a while. Illegal weapons fire gets attention here." And he lead me on, I was in too much of a daze to resist. Through another corridor, he led me on towards a long building, one which was surprising for the undertakings of a grand station. But I slid into it with him, and the door was closed behind, the lights flickering on overhead. What may have been a processing plant in the past was now that of a small cathedral. I admired the handiwork in fashioning small religious symbols. The one who lead me in momentarily bowed and crossed himself.

"Welcome to the cathedral." He murmured, and walked with me towards the back of the open chamber. Through a second door we both walked, and I found myself in a great kitchen, staring out over the few that ate here. I opened my mouth to ask a question but he silenced me and gestured for them to make a seat.

"Welcome to our holy home. It is not much, but a humble home is still a home. We welcome all who come, provided they do not bring strife beneath our roof. Alex, care to serve up two plates of stew and some bread?" The head of a gray vulpine lifted, and I saw the red and blue eyes watching me. I shivered one from the intensity of their stare, at how the eyes did not seem to blink.

The white clad fox did nod his head though and walked his way into the kitchen with a graceful gait, leaving me to look back at my host. His curled white hair fell in a tumble over his shoulder as he undid the tie behind. He nodded his head, and then gestured once more. "Please, eat. What brings you to the station? You do not have the look of a pirate."

I was momentarily taken back by that, and he only smiled at me. I opened my mouth and he only shook his head again as the food was delivered promptly by Alex, the spry fox. He nodded once, though no emotion played out upon his face. I looked down the food looked more welcoming than the food I had eaten earlier.

"I'm not. I'm a chaplain." I took a mouthful of the stew with my spoon, and paused for the rich flavor that slid across my tongue. I nearly startled for the skill which it had been cooked, and I took another after dipping the bread in to get some sauce for flavoring. "Been one for a little while now, since moving out of my den."

"Oh? That is good to know. We need more religious people around places like this. Or around, period. Religion is a dying trend, or so people want to believe. There are those of us that do not let it go into dust though." He gestured to Alex, who sat cross-legged upon his seat, holding his bowl. "It helps those who need it, and those who think they don't. Alex here, it's making a change for him. I'm not going to say what he was in his past, but, he's different now."

He watched the bowl, taking another slow spoonful. His eyes watched as though seeing it for the first time. I glanced back at my host, who sighed wistfully. "But enough on the old rhetoric. I'm still a bit surprised to see a chakat so, ah, big."

I glanced down at my body - one wired with muscle and sinew. I glanced over my body, over the broad chest and the long arms and strong hands. I was an imposing sight that confused most over the small, pleasant little chakat companion. I gave a slight smile. "I'm an aberration of chakat DNA. I left home because they didn't like it. No one but my parents, who were humans."

He nodded his head slowly and put a hand up to the table, on my own in a comforting gesture. I looked down to the table, feeling a shiver pass through me. "Most don't like the fact I'm over six and a half feet tall. Or because I outweigh the typical chakat by over a hundred pounds. Or the fact that I have a masculine physique and have almost no softness to me. Or because I smell different."

"I see no difference in you." Came the reply of Alex, who lifted his muzzle from its downward slouch, "You look different, but you are not different. Your smell is muskier, but still that of a chakat."

He did have a powerful nose to tell that, but as I opened my mouth to speak, the hand of the human was on my shoulder, and he drew me to him for a hug. I shook once, having forgotten what it was to be held for a moment. I shook, and closed my eyes, willing the tears to not come and fall from my cheeks.

"Why do you care for the worries of others of your species? You are unique beneath the eyes of God. You are different, and God uses that which is different to point out the truth. So you are born different and male. So what? If your own species denies you, a pox on them! You are loved and accepted by many others." The priest nodded once more as he looked into my eyes.

"The chakat people, for all their beauty and strength, are but a child race. They are accepting of all things but themselves. So let them be that way, but if any come to you and insult you for it, show them that you aren't weak or flawed as you seem. Remember, God does not make mistakes."

I looked out to the door as I felt a familiar hum from my comm bracelet and a tingle in the back of my head. I took a last bite of the stew and glanced down. The captain was calling a personal meeting to be attended as soon as possible.

"I need to go." I said, feeling suddenly guilty for having eaten and then needing to run. But a hand was put upon my own and the priest nodded. Alex was then at my side, and the quietness of his posture was almost unnerving. I rose up from my seat and the priest gestured for us to go.

"Alex will guide you to where you need to be." And as we walked out, I heard last: "You are always welcome here."

Chapter 7: "...A woman scorned"

Back aboard the ship, I walked towards the command center and then to my personal quarters which was right next to the commanders. I waited inside and carefully began to groom out and apply new healing salve to my tail when the door opened. It closed swiftly behind, locked, and the commander stepped into my chambers.

I stood up and saluted but it was quickly waved away. She smiled light to me and gestured for me to come near, and I carefully sealed the tube of cream and walked over to her, almost hesitantly. Her eyes met mine and her hand rested upon my own after a moment of waiting. My mouth felt dry, a tingling at the back of my skull made me pause hesitantly. But I smiled and she reached up to tweak my ear.

"I forgive you, Brokenclaw. But we should talk here, in your quarters." I nodded mutely and guided her to the personal couch. She sat upon it and I in front, needing it not to stay at head level with her. Her fingers met my own tentatively, and I just looked deep into those soft eyes of hers.

"Brokenclaw. You are a man who thinks a lot, and who I trust. You've done a lot for this ship and, you've done a lot for me. But I don't think you've been told how much you are appreciated. I mean, you held a level head when I was aggressive and violent with a member of the crew."

I felt her hand lift up to my shoulder and stroked the solid muscle there. Her fingers sunk sweetly through my fur, and I felt the tense muscles start to relax under so soft and sensual a touch. Her head drew to mine, and she looked deep to my eyes, her lips parting for a moment. I could smell the sweet breath, and the faint musk of a woman.

"Would you like to share a drink?" I gave a nod of my head mutely, and almost conveniently, she held up a chalice. I looked down and sniffed it once, then took a quick swallow of it as offered. She smiled most sensually, and her hand rose up to touch my cheek.

"You have a bit on your chin." She murmured, setting her hand upon the base of my muzzle. She then smiled, and glanced up and licked upon my chin and up, her tongue dancing my lips. My eyes shut, and I felt her fingers sink into the back of my neck, her lips touching deep to my own. I took a breath in, felt her body press up to my own, and her hands run the length of my torso. She felt along the strength inborn of my genetics.

"Oh and there's a little up here..." Her voice trailed as she broke the kiss, and slowly slid her lips up to kiss just above my eyes, and then lick through the soft fur. I felt a shiver run through my body, and my hands felt her hands. She drew them to her chest and my fingers sunk in... I pushed her away. My head began to throb in warning.

She looked at me in surprise as I pushed her, shoved her violently away from me. My lips began to tingle, and my hands grabbed at the air as she pulled herself off of the wall I had shoved her into. She grunted and shook her head out, and lifted the bottle up in her hand, glancing at me. Then she swung it, and I felt a burning pain across my head. She lifted it again as I felt woozy. The bottle next hit my temple and...

Chapter 8: "Revenge."

...I woke up. It was darker than my room had been, and I could see out of only one eye, the other sore and the socket throbbing. I gingerly drew my hand up to touch the side of my face and winced, feeling the cuts of glass which had been within my face. Thankfully removed, my eye felt sore and would not open, more than likely - I hoped - matted with blood to open up.

Looking around, I felt for the door leading out of this place, but my fingers made contact with bars. I sniffed the air, the pungent aroma of sweat and bodily waste in this place made me gag after a moment. I slid my body down and felt the throbbing begin to pound in my head. I felt sore in more places than I knew I had.

"So my company is awake." The voice was familiar, though the tone distant. I reached out in the darkness and felt along the bars, to try and drag myself to the voice. There was a wall before me and I paused short of it when I felt the faint warmth of it. I was alone in the cell.

"You alright, Brokenclaw? Your cuts are nasty on your face. You were dragged down here like the rest of us. There are five of us in here, two haven't awoken but they are breathing and alive. It's me, Aristotle." I was thankful for the companionship of the bat, and my hand slid out to the bars, to reach for his. His finger tips brushed mine just barely; I knew we were far apart.

"Yes. I can't see though. Are the lights turned off?" The sound of the bat rustling around in his own cage made me wonder, as I felt along the bars for a long moment, getting a feel. They were steel, solid and built into the chamber. I shook them momentarily, trying to figure out how to break them open.

"Yes, they are. It's probably to keep us complacent until they find out what to do with us. This isn't the brig though, Brokenclaw. It doesn't have the feel or smell of one. I would know, I've been in a few. No, this is..."

"A slave pen." The voice drew my attention, and I felt the presence of another Taur. Flametail. His voice was soft as he spoke to me through the darkness. "A slave pen, they sell slaves on the station here. I've been in one before. Not pleasant. Not good. Even worse for those like you and me, Brokenclaw. We are built for heavy labor."

I looked through the shadows.

"Anyone know what happened?" I had to ask, but silence met me as I sat alone in the shadows. To think. And a flash slid before my eyes. I suddenly knew. And I felt sick to my stomach and cold as ice.

End part 1.