Chapter One

"Damage report!" Captain Vorsk shouted over the chaos, as he pushed himself up from the deck.  He found Lyra laying nearby and immediately went to her side, placing a gentle hand on her back. He leaned down to check her for injuries. "Are you okay?"

Lyra looked over her shoulder at him. "Nothing serious, but ask me again in the morning," she groaned, as she pushed herself up.

Smoke filled the Ember-Howl's bridge and sparks flew from some bridge consoles.  The crew worked on righting themselves when the engineer called out, "Moderate damage to propulsion systems, shields are history.... weapons too.  Going to need some time get her space-worthy again, Captain."

"Where the Morvahl are we?" Vorsk asked aloud.

"Rennik Station, sir," the navigator answered.  "A predominately vulpine station known to give sanctuary to Stormfangs."

Vorsk frowned, he knew most Vulpines viewed all wolves the same - All Alliance and all anti-Vulpine. Stormfang pirates were viewed with a little more regard, as they helped the Vulpines and fought the Alliance whenever the opportunity presented itself. Elder Vulpines could not understand fighting within one’s own species, so their view was enemy to your own kind, no friend of mine.  The crew of the Ember-Howl would need to tread carefully among them.

"Any port in a storm, eh." Vorsk spat. "Hail them."

Grimshaw got back to his station.  "Sir, sensors are a mess, but I believe we have fighters approaching.  They're weapons are locked on us and their transponders are off."

"And it just keeps getting better, doesn't it," snarled Vorsk as he returned to his seat.  "Hail somebody, I don't care who at this point."

"Comms coming in from the fighters, sir," the communication officer announced.

"Attention unknown vessel, you are entering Rennik Station controlled space.  Identify yourself," a voice crackled through the comm speakers.

Vorsk frowned before speaking. "Attention unknown fighters.  Last I knew, Rennik Station had no fighter support, so why don’t you identify yourselves."

"I'd know that whiny, little girl voice anywhere.  That you, Kaelar?" the static laced voice came through the speakers again.

"Tazzik, is that your mangy hide? We need help.  I've got wounded and the Howl needs some serious repairs," Vorsk visibly relaxed when he recognized the voice on the other end.

"Copy that, Captain," Tazzik replied. "Got a tug coming out to pull you in.  We'll have medics standing by in the bay."

"Thanks, Taz.  I owe you one,"Vorsk answered.

As the comms switched off, Lyra turned to Kaelar with a questioning look on her face. "Who's Tazzik?  Never heard you mention that name before."

That toothy grin was back on Vorsk's face. "My younger brother. Haven’t spoken in years. Last I heard he was first-mate on the Bloodskull."

Lyra screwed up her face at him. "You have a brother?"

"We're not a particularly close pack. He always hated the Alliance. Was clear sighted enough to see them for what they were. He ran away when I enlisted... was afraid I’d try to talk him into joining up too. Pup always was too smart for his own good," Vorsk said as the Ember-Howl shuddered, the expected tug now pulling them towards the Vulpine station.

After several tense moments, the Ember-Howl was securely in one of the landing bays of the Rennik Station.  The bay was full of Vulpine medical personnel, all in their crisp, white uniforms. The crew of the Ember-Howl helped their wounded to the bay, where they were immediately treated and taken to the infirmary.  Captain Vorsk stood at the bottom of the Howl's loading ramp, Lyra by his side.  Across the bay, was a wolf, heading their direction.  He wore a flightsuit and helmet.  As he closed, he removed the helmet to reveal a rugged, handsome wolf.  He stopped just short of Vorsk and extended a gloved hand.

Vorsk paused for a moment before taking his brothers hand and pulling him against him for a hug. "It's good to see you, Taz.  You look well," Vorsk said.

Tazzik pulled back from the hug and eyed Lyra. "Not nearly as well as you, brother.  Who might this vision of loveliness be?" Tazzik gently took hold of Lyra's hand and kissed her knuckles, smiling at her.

Vorsk rolled his eyes. "This is lyra Swiftwind... Vorsk. My mate and wife."

Tazzik released her hand and stepped back, "Apologies, brother.  Just disregarding all of the social conventions, aren't we?" Tazzik looked at the floor for a second. "What would mother and father say about your union?"

"Mother and Father are dead, which you would know if you came around more often," Vorsk said, pain evident in his voice.

Tazzik again examined the station's decking. "When? How?"

Vorsk released a breath he had not realized he was holding. "You don't need details. Suffices to say the Alliance was responsible."

Tazzik threw his flight helmet across the landing bay. "Is that what pulled you back to the side of reason? Or was it the amount of blood from the females and kits you helped slaughter?" Taz snarled.

"You know better than that and I'll let that comment slide because I know you're in pain right now." Vorsk said through gritted teeth. "I'm on the right side now, never forget that."

Tazzik hung his head. "I know, I'm sorry.  It's just every time I close my eyes... I see you in that blasted uniform... and then you went to command school."

"Command school is what opened my eyes.  I saw things that the Alliance did... unspeakable things, all in the name of ‘freedom’... and the greater good," Vorsk clenched his fists at his sides. "I can't change what was, only tell you I'm making amends... righting past wrongs. I was young and stupid, but now I'm older and I'd like to think a bit wiser."

"You are a little more gray around the snout than I remember," Taz teased.

Vorsk's mouth fell open and he turned to face Lyra. "You told me I wasn’t graying."

Lyra hand went to Vorsk's cheek with a tender touch, "I said there wasn't much gray. Besides, it makes you look distinguished."

"Old," Vorsk and Tazzik said in unison, then looking at each other before laughing.

Tazzik placed an arm around them both and escorted them from the landing bay.  They laughed and caught up on old times as the traversed the corridors of the station coming to the housing section. Taz lead them to his quarters, which were more than average in Vorsk's opinion. Taz welcomed them into his home and offered them drinks before they settled in the living room to continue their talk.

"Nice digs, even for an officer.  Much more room than I would expect," Vorsk commented.

"Married officers get special consideration for housing," Taz said, sipping his wine.

Vorsk almost spit his wine out at his brother’s revelation. "Married you said?"

Taz set his glass down and sat back on the couch. "Married."

Lyra smiled, "Do we get to meet her?"

"She's in infirmary checking on your people. She's a doctor... and chief medical officer on my ship," Taz announced. "She should be home soon."

Vorsk sat his wine down.  "Your ship?"

"The Bloodskull. We lost Captain Ashpelt a few years back.  The old wolf's last act was to turn the Bloodskull over to me," Tazzik explained.

Vorsk gave a half-smile and nodded. "Sorry to hear that. Ashpelt was a good wolf and a Morvahl of a captain.  You've got big shoes to fill, Taz."

"I've been doing just fine, brother," Tazzik said as he tossed back the last of his wine, then got up and went to kitchen for a re-fill.

"That’s not how I meant it.  You’re just... you'll always be my little brother," said Vorsk as he got up to follow him.

"That's captain little brother, to you." Tazzik said over his shoulder as he entered the kitchen, grabbing the bottle of wine from the counter. "And the four other ships in my strike group are also under my command."

Vorsk stopped dead in his tracks. "Five ships?"

Tazzik took a drink of his wine, smiling over the rim of the glass at his brother.