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Star Hunter Gunndis

Chapter 1, Book 1

It is the year 2648, and the world is a much bigger place. But no matter how big it gets, one thing never changes, criminals. And when those criminals need to be hunted down, there is an organization that brings them to justice. These men and women are known as the "Star Hunters".

"What do you mean no?!" yells the irate morphic black panther female, her white hair hanging almost to her shapely rear, her white and blue body suit hiding nothing of her Amazonian figure.

The thin morphic red fox male in an exquisitely tailored suit behind the desk looks up from his desk-full of paperwork, his grey eyes studying her face from behind his wire rimmed glasses, "I said no Gunndis. You can't have the mission to go after Thore and his band of thugs."

She bares her fangs, her voice hissing through her clenched teeth as a fist slams onto the antique hardwood desk, "Damnit Darren, why?"

He leans back in his chair and chews on the ear piece of his glasses for a moment before answering, "Gunndis, I will acknowledge that you are one of our best solo Hunters in this arm of the galaxy, maybe even in the whole galaxy, but the Thore assignment is specifically rated for a team." Pointing the earpiece of his glasses at her he taps the desk in front of him, "Not a lone Hunter, no matter how many of her tricks and toys she might have at her beck and call. No matter how good you are, I am not going to bend the rules for you. One Hunter is not a team, and that is final." He puts his glasses back on his long nose and returns to the papers piled on his desk.

With a low growl she turns, her tail whipping in irritation and knocking a pile of folders off his desk as she storms for the door.

Without looking up Darren speaks up, his voice calm and clear despite the scattered papers, "If you put together a team, feel free to ask again."

She pauses for a moment at the door, a disgusted look on her face as she looks back at the fox, "I'll keep that in mind." She slams the door as she leaves the office.

Gunndis storms down the corridor, passers-by leaping out of her way at a glance of the disgust on her face and dodging her tail as it lashes back and forth in agitation as thoughts race through her head, 'I always work solo. I don't need to take some other Hunter along to tell me how to do my job. I don't care how big this guy's gang is, or how dangerous he is, I can handle them solo with ease.'

A shadow falls over her as a hulking figure blocks her path and a deep voice speaks softly, "Hunter Gunndis?"

She snaps out of her inner thoughts as her head jerks upwards, golden eyes glaring up at the huge muscled canine male standing in front of her wearing the typical garrison utility uniform. His cream colored pelt marred only by a brown patch of fur around his left eye. Barring her fangs in a snarl she snaps, "What if I am?!"

The serious look on his face changes to one of adoration and he drops to his knees in the middle of the corridor and starts begging her, "Oh my god, I can't believe it's actually you! I've followed your career for years; I'm your biggest fan! Can I be your sidekick? I've trained my whole life just for this chance. I'll do anything you ask, cook, clean, carry. Please let me learn from you..."

As words continue to gush from his mouth she looks down at him, one ear cocked in confusion, 'Who is this guy?' She glances over his plain brown jumpsuit and notices the small emblem on his collar signifying he is a new recruit in the organization. She notices how bulked his over sized frame is with muscle despite the baggy uniform and stops his verbal diarrhea with a raised hand. His eyes catch her attention, their pale gentle blue a discrepancy from the hulking hard visage of the rest of his body. When he finally falls silent she asks firmly, "You're a recruit?"

He nods enthusiastically, "Yes ma'am, I just finished my in-processing today. But I've trained since I was ten for the chance to help you bring in the worst scum of the galaxy. I've read about your entire career since you finished your apprenticeship and how you've climbed to be one of the top ten-star ranked Hunters in the entire galaxy. How most of your targets surrender when you demand it rather than face you in a fight."

She shushes him again with a calming motion of her hand, "You're not partnered already? The administrators are supposed to issue you a mentor, not send you out to find one yourself."

He shakes his head, his floppy ears wagging with his head motion, "They tried to assign me to some nobody, but I said I wanted you." He looks down and grins sheepishly as he scratches the back of his head nervously, "They laughed and said you'd never want anything to do with me." He looks up at her with his puppy dog eyes again, "But I will do simply anything to learn from the famous Hunter Gunndis! No one else is in your league, you're the best!"

She looks him over again, her eyes catching the sizeable bulge visible in his crotch despite the loose jumpsuit he's wearing. "You'll do anything you say?" she asks quietly as some more private and dirty thoughts course through her mind.

He nods energetically, "Yes, anything, cook, clean, carry, anything at all. And I'll learn, learn everything you're willing to teach me."

She waves her hands again to cut off his verbal eruption, "Alright, I was looking for a partner to form a team anyway." She gives him a crooked smile, "Today's your lucky day kid," and turning on her heel she motions for him to follow her with a curl of her finger, "Follow me..." she glances back at him as he scampers to his feet to follow her, a silly grin on his face, "What's your name anyway?"

"Dippley ma'am, serial number G-593021, rank recruit," he answers crisply like any other fresh recruit would be expected to.

She nods and continues to lead him further down the corridor. Reaching the door to the Mission Director's office she walks right in without even the courtesy of a knock, "Darren, I've got a team now."

The fox behind the desk looks up from his paperwork with a look of surprise before his eyes takes in the hulking figure of the canine following her into the office and coming to attention at the sight of the vulpine. He raises one eyebrow in query, "Are you serious Gunndis?"

She plants her hands on his desk, leans over, and smiles down at him with a feral grin, "Yes I am. Now give me that assignment."

He sits back and takes off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose and close his eyes, "Gunndis, he's a rookie. You know what this mission entails. A ten-star rated bounty is not a mission to take a rookie on." Putting his glasses back on he looks sideways and mutters under his breath to himself, "No matter what any tests might say about his potential."

She looks over her shoulder at the hulking male and snaps, "Dippley, you said you've studied my career? Then you should know the risks of accompanying me on a mission. Do you still wish to join me on those missions, knowing the risks involved?"

"Yes ma'am," he answers crisply, his back still at rigid attention.

She turns back to the fox and smiles down at him, "I'm officially taking him as my apprentice. He's gotta learn the tricks of the trade sometime and this is as good a time as any."

Darren plugs a pair of blank data cubes into the terminal on one side of his desk, "Dippley, step up here lad." The oversized canine steps up to stand before the desk with a serious expression and his shoulders square. Nodding to him the fox looks at his terminal as his fingers dance across the keypad, "I don't usually handle teaming of Hunters with recruits, but you and Gunndis are a special circumstance that I'll make an exception for." Adjusting a small holo-camera he activates it, "This is being recorded for the files. Do you accept Gunndis as your mentor and agree to the standard four year apprenticeship under her?"

Dippley nods, "Yes sir, I do and understand the regulations."

Darren points to the black palm pad next to his terminal, "Please record your palm print for official records."

He places his hand on the plate and feels the tingle of the device reading his hand.

"Gunndis," he says looking up at her with those grey eyes that seem almost silver, "You understand that you are bound by all rules of section sixteen of the Hunter Council Codes and you accept Dippley to be your apprentice for the standard four years? His safety is your responsibility as is his training."

She nods, "Yes, I understand the regs and accept Dippley as my apprentice to be trained in the art of the Space Hunters." Leaning forward she puts her hand on the plate without being asked to and records her palm print for the record.

Darren takes the data cubes out of his terminal and hands one to Dippley, "Here's your copy of your agreement." Opening another drawer he removes a silver data cube. Holding it up to his eyes he studies it for a moment as if he can unlock the secrets of the universe just by staring at it. With a knowing glint his eyes snap from the data cube to Gunndis and he quirks a smile before holding it out to her along with her copy of the agreement, "Here you go. Just remember, you have to take him with you, not just leave him on your ship."

With a sigh she takes the cube. Studying it a grin crosses her muzzle and she nods to him, "I know." Slipping the small data cube into a pouch of her armor she looks over at her new apprentice, "Come on Dippley, let's get you kitted out and out of that bulky and useless jumpsuit. You're a hunter now, not a recruit."

Wagging his tail in excitement he follows her from the office. As the door closes behind the pair Darren shakes his head and gives a soft chuckle to himself as he turns back to his paperwork, "Finally got you to take an apprentice, about damn time. Might do you some good too Gunndis."

Gunndis and her partner stroll down the corridor, more than a few heads turning in surprise to see the bulky canine following her, his tail wagging happily with a silly smile plastered on his face.

Two techs watch them pass and one whispers, "She actually took an apprentice?"

The other nods, "So it would seem."

"Damn," the first says as they continue on their way, "I don't know whether to think the guy is lucky to work with a hot piece of tail like that, or feel sorry for him with the kinds of missions that chick runs."

"Maybe a bit of both," the second slaps his partner on the back and nods to a side corridor, "Come on, we got our own jobs to do."

From the shadows of another side corridor a shadowed figure watches the two Hunters pass. Taking a small communicator from a pouch he activates it with a touch and whispers into it.

As the pair enters the Supply Office Gunndis calls out, "Hey Jonne," to the human behind the counter that spans the entire back wall. The array of weapons and armor displayed on the wall behind him is boggling.

The man looks up, his bionic eye focusing on her as a smile crosses his scarred face, "Gunndis, here to check out the latest weapons are ya lass? I just got in a load of the latest pulse rifles from the forges of Aries." He stops fiddling with a screwdriver on his artificial arm and holds it out for her to shake.

She leans on the counter with a smile and takes his hand in a firm grip, "Not today, got an apprentice to equip Jonne?"

The shocked look on his face is priceless as he looks past her to the large canine standing behind her who gives the retired Hunter a goofy smile and wave, "Him?"

She nods, "Dippley, come here." When he does she pats him on the shoulder, "This here is Dippley, new recruit and I've agreed to be his mentor. We've got a mission so I'm going to need to get him equipped as soon as possible."

Jonne rubs his chin with his real hand and looks the hulking figure up and down, "I might have some stuff in the standard apprentice package that'll fit. But the armor plates might be a bit tight for a big guy like you."

Before Dippley can say anything Gunndis interrupts, "No standard gear Jonne, we're on a ten-star mission. I'll cover him the credits for some quality gear, Mark-five or better if you would please. And none of that junk from Thiera. I want the kid to come back with me still in one piece." She looks the big canine up and down with an appraising eye, "Maybe something from Aries, or even that new Cobalt pattern armor."

Jonne raises an eyebrow at her, "Mark-five? Isn't that a bit excessive? That stuff don't come cheap lass, you know that. Only thing better I normally carry is that Mark-six stuff a few of you ten-star ranks insist I order for you."

She smirks, "You know I got the credits for it Jonne, go ahead and give the rookie the best you've got for armor and equipment. As I said, I want him alive after this mission."

"Weapons?" he asks, the red light of his artificial eye gleaming.

She shakes her head, "I got plenty of those on the ship. I'll loan the kid a piece till he can start putting together his own arsenal."

He nods and looks Dippley over, "Alright lad, let's get you ready to hunt with Gunndis here." Turning to his terminal he brings up a list of equipment. He immediately scrolls down to the Mark-five equipment and starts looking through the list for something that might fit.

Gunndis lounges in the living area of her ship as she studies the data cube on a portable reader. "Ma'am, are you sure this is the right armor?" asks Dippley as he enters the common room with the suit of armor in his hands and not a stitch of clothing on.

Gunndis smiles with admiration, 'I think I might just enjoy having this hot piece of man meat around the ship.' Turning off the data pad she nods approvingly, "It will provide more than sufficient protection."

He looks down at the thin material of the armor, the mesh across the chest opening showing no signs of protection to such a vital area, "I always thought armor covered more."

She chuckles, "The material of Mark-five armor does little of the actual protection." She taps the emitter panels on her own armor, "The shields provide most of the protection. I've found mobility and being able to dive into solid cover more of an advantage then an inch of cera-metal plates. Let that be your first lesson." She sets the data pad on the low table in front of her and waves to her new apprentice. "Put it on. Let's see how you look in a real Hunter's armor."

"Yes ma'am," he says as he starts pulling the armor on.

Watching him pull the suit over his package she gives a sigh of regret and thinks, 'Too bad he can't keep that monster out more often. But then I can't use it if I let harm come to it.' A naughty smile crosses her features as she thinks about what she's going to do with this shy rookie later.

She clears her features to a pleasant smile as he finishes pulling on the armor and looks up at her with his silly grin. Standing she walks around him admiring the bulge in the front of his armor and the tight buns of his rear. "It looks real good on you Dippley," she says, licking her lips while behind him where he can't see. Stopping in front of him she nods her head sharply and motions him to follow her. "Come on; let's get the Star Maiden out of dock and out where we can do our work."

Walking down the main corridor to the bridge of her ship, new apprentice in tow, she continues, "Do what I tell you and you'll survive to see another day. I won't lie to you; I hunt only the worst of the scum in the galaxy. The lowest rated mission I've done in the last six years was a six-star, and that was a special favor that I owed someone."

He nods, "You average thirty missions a standard Terran year with an average rating of nine-stars. Eight or more stars indicate a bounty that has killed a Hunter. Last year you completed sixteen ten-star missions, that's the most difficult rating in the system."

She glances at him from the corner of her eye with a raised eyebrow, "You have studied me."

He nods energetically, "I've read about all your hunts and I remember all that I read. I'm your biggest fan so I have especially studied your records and learned every detail."

Her raised eyebrow arches even higher at this, "Never heard of a Hunter with fans. I did catch some tabloid scumbag trying to get holos of me nude once, don't think he counts."

"What happened to him?"

She chuckles softly, "Let's just say he won't be seen around Hunter Central again."

Entering the bridge she settles in her chair and waves a hand at the number two station as her chair turns and slides into position at the main controls. "Have a seat." As he does she starts toggling the relays to warm up the engines. "I read your test results and I'm glad you scored so high, it makes me feel better about taking you on as an apprentice. But I don't want you to get a big head because you scored high on some tests." She looks over at him with a sly glance, "We'll see just what you can do in the field soon." Tapping her identity code into the main computer she scans her boards, "While we're on the ship you'll do the menial chores. You said you can cook?"

He nods as he enters his own identity code into the console before him when prompted, "Yes ma'am."

She grins, "Good, you'll find the galley well stocked with fresh foods held in stasis. Keep it and the rest of the ship clean while you're at it."

He bows his head to her, "Yes ma'am."

She smiles slightly at his quick answer, 'Nice and obedient.' Sneaking a glance from the corner of her eye she asks, "Any questions?"

He watches her powering up the ship's systems, "Can you tell me who we're after?"

"What can you tell me about Thore's Hammers?" she asks as she taps impatiently at one of the readouts till it turns green. "Need to check the number three fusion coil next time we're in port," she mutters.

His face grows serious, "Thore's Hammers, a band of pirates and slavers who've been raiding the systems on the edges of known space. Leader, Terro Thore, age fifty-six Terran standard, male wolf terra-morph, height seven foot, weight three-hundred and fifty pounds, wanted for more than twenty counts of murder, piracy, and slavery just to list the most serious charges on record. His band of thugs is rated at a ten-star risk. Hunter Central has a personal bonus listed for anyone who brings him in alive..." He glances over at her with a hint of nervousness, "His band of pirates are believed to have killed six Hunters who've gone after him in the last two years. That is why his band has been rated for groups of Hunters only."

'The kid's a gold mine of information that's for sure.' She gives him a cheerful smile, "Sorry you signed up now?"

"No," he says with determination. "None of those hunters were you, and you are the best in the business."

She nods in agreement, "Well that's our target." Leaning back in her chair she crosses her arms over her ample chest, "And if you've truly followed my career so closely you know that I always bring my targets in alive to stand trial. I'll be issuing you weapons before we reach the area. You are only to change the settings to lethal if I order it."

"Are we taking this mission by ourselves?" he asks out of curiosity.

She nods, "So let's start by showing me how well you can pilot." She waves her hand at the controls in front of him, "Take us out of dock and plot a course for sector eighty-four. The Star Maiden is a bit over powered, so take it easy your first few times I let you pilot her."

He nods and clapping his hands together once he rubs them briefly. He lets out a quiet breath before his hands start to dance across the controls with nimble grace not suspected of such large hands. Triggering the ship's radio he speaks in a calm clear voice, "Hunter Central Control, this is the Star Maiden requesting permission to undock."

A voice comes over the cabin's speakers, "Star Maiden, this is Hunter Central Control, clearance granted, and good hunting."

With deft fingers he engages the in-system drives and eases the medium sized attack-craft back from the massive station's docking bay. As the blunt nose clears the opening of the bay he swings the ship around on its tail and eases the vessel away from the massive space station staying at the edge of the near-space speed limit. As they pass the marker-buoys of the speed zone she gasps in surprise as his hands flicker over the controls quicker than the eye can follow and she feels the ship driven into super-light by the oversized star-drives strapped onto her ship despite the inertial compensators.

With a tap he locks his controls and lets the auto-pilot take the helm, "We're in super-light with an expected arrival at sector eighty-four in six days."

She recovers her composure and nods, "Good, that will give me time to run you through a few scenarios to test your reflexes and knowledge of weapons and combat." Turning her chair from the controls she motions for him to follow, "No time like the present to start I guess." As they walk back to the common room of the ship she peeks at him from the corner of her eye, "You handled the ship like you've done it before?"

"Got my pilot's license at fourteen, never flown a ship that responds as fast as yours, thank you for the chance to handle the controls," he says without any sign of smugness.

She hums to herself as she thinks, 'So many hidden talents, I hope to learn them all soon enough.'

All characters unless otherwise stated are the property of Christopher Gilman [aka Goliath Wildcat] and Jason Williams [aka Sinuke]. Story © Copyright Christopher Gilman 2008 all rights reserved