Silver Moon's Cry

Silence

Sweat dripped from his brow, nearly out of breath as he took a few sips from his waterskin. The normally well groomed silver feathers of his upper torso were ruffled, as were the ones on his neck and head. The lower half of his body was covered by the dark blue camo pants that he wore, the bottoms tucked into his black boots.

He took in a deep breath through his beak, running a hand down his left arm to feel the twin scars that ran from his shoulder to mid forearm, grinning when he remembered how he got them. Being a gryphon gave him some tough arms and hands, but his feet were more flesh and covered in ash gray fur, just like his lower body was.

His eyes were drawn to his hands, seeing the black leather finger less gloves that he wore. More than that though, he thought about how many creatures had died by his very own hands, whether it was in hand-to-hand combat or by pulling the trigger of a rifle.

It was always a battle with him, wondering how he could do what he did. He knew what he was signing up for when he joined, but that didn't make killing any easier on him. Sometimes he wondered if his husband would recognize him anymore. He always seemed to have a vacant stare, feeling like he was someplace else. When he slept at night, he saw the faces of everyone that he had ever killed, and it made him want to scream out in utter pain. Recently, he had found that he could block them out when it came to his husband. It was the only time he ever felt at peace.

A hand went down to his right leg, feeling the durable holster that was strapped to his leg, with his trusty pistol inside. On his left leg was his combat knife, nestled on his belt. A tired sigh escaped him as he rose to walk over to his locker, opening it to look at the picture of him and his husband. It was taken at their wedding day, both wearing their dashing suits and sharing a kiss.

A sharp ringing protruded the silence, bouncing around the metallic walls of his quarters with its annoying sound. Another sigh escaped him as he walked over to his desk, pressing a green button on the holoscreen. In a matter of seconds a stallion with turquoise colored fur was staring back at him, a gentle smile gracing his features. His normally tight pony tail kept chestnut mane was let down around his shoulders. Like the gryphon, he sat at his desk bare chested.

“I was just thinking about you babe.” The gryphon couldn't hide his smile, nor his joy at seeing the stallion. He longed to reach through the screen and kiss him.

“Well, I was hoping to catch you before you had arrived.” His smile faded in favor of a grimace as he looked down at the desk, where the gryphon noticed that he was shuffling papers around. “Intel reports that the mining ship Grotel has not tried to make contact in little over a week. They're assuming that it was a band of Renegades, but I'm not so sure. The distress beacon is still transmitting, and trace puts it in the same location orbiting Velorum. Renegades usually steer clear of that area if they can help it, no ship there is worth their time.”

“You have a bad feeling about this one don't you?”

“I know that I have a bad feeling about most missions, but for some reason this one terrifies me. It's like what happened wasn't natural. The ship still in the same orbit, the distress beacon still on, no communication either the crew or the Renegades. Something isn't right about this one. I know that usually the intent is to hold fire and wait for the enemy to open first, but I'm authorizing a fire-at-will command. Unless it tries to make contact with you, kill it.”

“Yes sir.” The gryphon said, feeling goosebumps travel down his spine. The stallion had never in his life given that order, and for the first time since his first mission, the gryphon felt a sense of dread. “I love you Canvas Clawston.”

The stallion knew what he was saying, in case anything happened, he was trying to say goodbye. He could see right through it all to well. “I love you too Troius Clawston.” Canvas sighed as he switched his gaze from the papers to his husband, seeing the burning fire and the will to survive shining brightly in his eyes. “You're going to come back, all of you are, that's an order Commander.”

“Yes sir.” Troy couldn't bring himself to look away from the stallion. The sense of dread was running deep in his stomach. This mission, is going to be my last. He thought as he eyed the stallion with a burning passion. “I promise, I'll bring them all home babe.”

“I look forward to your return Commander.”

Troy was about to say more, but held his tongue as he saw the burning desire behind the stallions eyes. Like him, he too wished that there wasn't a vast distance between them. “All hands, prepare for assault. I repeat, all hands, prepare for assault.”

The gryphon was startled by the announcement over the ships PA system. Taking one last long look at his husband, he ended the call. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Goodbye Canvas.

Troy took a swig of water from his waterskin as he looked over the platoon of Marines that were standing before him. Each of them was garbed in the same uniform, a black jacket over a black t-shirt. Across their chests was a high polymer breastplate that covered the shoulders and torso. Down the shin of each leg was a similar material, and like the breastplate, it had a black camouflage pattern. Over the breastplate was a vest that carried their combat gear; ammo, canteens, grenades, glow sticks, and emergency flares.

Just like his soldiers, the gryphon had his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, seeing as how most of the time the mining ships were kept at a warmer temperature than the dropships. Motioning to the Marines, he watched as they followed his lead and placed on their wireless throat-mics, putting in the small ear-piece. Thumbs went up one by one as the soldiers turned on their coms.

The gryphon sucked in a sharp breath as he looked back out over the platoon, wondering just how many of them weren't going to be coming back. He still couldn't shake the feeling that once they stepped foot onto the Grotel, they weren't going to be coming back.

“Listen up marines!” Every soldier turned their head to watch the gryphon as he spoke in a loud and thunderous voice. “Our orders are to board the M.S. Grotel, locate and secure any survivors, download and return any data from their terminals, and demo the ship upon our disembark. Once inside, I want First Squad to take the Engine Room, Second Squad will take the Crew Quarters, and I'll take Third and Fourth Squad with me to the Bridge. I want updates every five minutes. Understood?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” They thundered back.

“Thirty seconds to umbilical attachment.” A voice echoed in the bay.

“You know what to do Marines. Lock and load!” There was a collection of charging handles being pulled back and released from the Marines as they hurried to follow their Commander's orders.

A whirring was heard from just outside the ramp, a rattling of metallic pipes as something moved. “Umbilical attachment complete in five seconds.” The voice rang out.

Troy swallowed what little saliva was in his mouth past the lump in his throat as he awaited the ramp to drop, just like the rest of his Marines. The gryphon could feel the sweat building up in the palms of his hands. The suspense was killing him, and again he couldn't help but think about their orders. Whatever had happened to this vessel, it was better that it remained a mystery.

“Umbilical attachment complete. Pressure is equalized.”

Gears could be heard grinding together as the ramp started to descent, opening up to a long narrow walkway. All around it were bright white lights, nestled into what looked like plastic shaped like a hexagon. Across the floor was a black strip that served as the actual walkway, window lining the wall. “Move out Marines!”

Steadily, the soldiers moved out by squads across the umbilical, coming to stack up against the outer hatch of the Grotel. One of the soldiers from First Squad, a dragoness, pulled out a small digital pad that she pressed against the door-lock. Faint beeping could be heard as she pressed a few of the buttons on the screen, and they waited.

This was what the gryphon always hated the most about boarding ships, the wait. With each passing second he could feel his heart beat quicken, his finger slipping closer to the trigger of his rifle.

Troy closed his eyes for a brief moment as a soldier flashed across his field of vision, merely moments before a fountain of crimson red blood flew from his throat. The burning stench of gunpowder buried itself in his nasal passage. Bone chilling screams from wounded and dying soldiers assaulted his ears, making him want to drop his rifle and roar.

It passed as her heard a hissing sound, followed by the quick whoosh of the door as it slid up. Two soldiers from First Squad raised their battle rifles, the flashlights beneath the barrels turning on as they entered through the hatch into the pitch black abyss beyond.

Several tense seconds passed before their was a sound. “All clear sir.” They spoke over the coms.

One by one the soldiers began to move into the ship, until only the gryphon was left. Troy took one last look back towards the Hellcat, then stepped on through the hatch to join his troops.

Metal grating lined the floor, beneath of which were various pipes that he knew to be the air, fuel, and life support. Past the grating on either side along the floor were more pipes and cables, the electricity, communication lines, and power. All around them was black, and two separate corridors leading away from the hatch. One was straight ahead, while the other was to the left. “Sergeant Florez, leave two ponies behind to keep the hatch secure.”

Troy nearly gagged from the repugnant stench of the ship. Sulfur was the strongest scent that he could make out, but there was also the underlying scent of blood. He felt cold with fear from the mixture.

The gryphon followed behind Second, Third, and Fourth Squads as they started down the left corridor. Little plumes of steam were wafting their way up towards the soldiers from the cables below. There was a faint dripping sound coming from all around them. With each step that he took, Troy could hear the boots pressing against the metal grating, the measured breathing of the soldiers, and the slight clutter of rifles turning a corner sharply, checking to make sure that it was clear.

Career Sergeant Adany paused when he came to the end of the corridor, first looking to his left, then to his right. His eyes searched past the muzzle of his rifle for any signs of movement, but all was still. Though he was thankful, he couldn't help but wonder where everyone was.

“Alpha-Leader to Falcon. Come in Falcon.”

“This is Falcon. Go ahead Alpha-Leader.”

“Falcon, clear down the corridor. Moving towards Engine Room now. Alpha-Leader out.”

Adany waved two soldiers ahead, turning to watch the adjacent corridor as they started to move. It was silent, save for the clattering of their boots against the metal grating. It made him nervous, but he brushed the feeling aside when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Nodding, he started down the corridor with the rest of the squad behind him.

Near the end of the corridor they came across a spiral staircase leading down into the bottom level of the ship. Adany took point as they went down the stairs, his eyes scanning both the darkness and where his light was for even the slightest hint of movement, or life. All that he could see however were pipes and grating, nothing else. There was no blood, even though he could smell heavily on the air, and there was no sound other than his squad. It was eerie, but he still held his resolve.

At the bottom of the stairs was another corridor, but when he shone the light down it he could see that it opened out into a room a few feet down. With his rifle raised, he proceeded to move forward, glancing back to make sure that his soldiers were still with him.

He lowered his stance into a crouch as he drew closer to the end of the corridor, seeing that it opened out into a massive Engine Room. Pipes were strewn about everywhere, and four massive engines were standing tall, nearly touching the ceiling. There was a staircase that led up to a second level, just above the tops of the engines.

Adany motioned for three soldiers to move up the stairs and check it out. Meanwhile, he took what was left of the squad and started to move about the room. Rifles were heard swinging around corners as they moved about, finding nothing once it was cleared. “Falcon, Alpha-Leader. Engine Room is clear. Nothing here, not even any bodies.”

“Roger that Alpha-Leader. Keep the room secure until we finish a sweep of the ship.”

“Copy. Alpha Leader out.” He looked around the room once more, seeing a few soldiers watching the corridor in case anyone came in behind them that didn't have a flashlight.

“Sergeant, you had better come take a look at this.” Adany just sighed as he made his way up the staircase to the walkway, going down to the end. A gryphon was looking back at the Sergeant as he drew near. “Sarge.” He simply said as he motioned to something that was in front of him.

Adany cast his light over to see a few bones piled atop each other, some loose strands of veins and dried blood coating them. He had to push back the bile that threatened to come up as the awful stench of rotting flesh assailed his senses. “What the buck happened here?”

Sergeant Florez made her way down the corridor to another door, her rifle at the ready as it swooshed open. Just like the last seven rooms they had checked, there was nothing inside save for a wall locker. If this is the Crew Quarters, where the hell are the crew's beds? Letting out a sigh, she moved on down to the last door, waiting for one more soldier to stack up with her.

As soon as the door was open, she was into the room with her rifle at the ready, the Private with her doing the same as they each took a separate wall and moved about the room. “Clear!”

“Clear!” The Private echoed back.

“Bravo-Two, Bravo-Leader. Mess Hall is clear.” The Sergeant walked about the room, using the flashlight on her rifle to illuminate the room as best she could. Bleach was heavy in the air, but she could not pinpoint the source, no matter where she looked. All that she could see were the tables where the crew would eat their meals, though the benches were missing, as were all of the chairs. The counter where the food was served was void of anything, save for a few specs of dried up blood. “Come on Private, let's head to the Med-Bay.”

“Yes Sergeant.”

Together, the Sergeant and the Private made their way back into the corridor. With her rifle raised, Florez moved along the side of the corridor, the Private doing the same on the adjacent side. Their flashlights cut through the dark abyss in a bright beam as they moved forward.

After a few minutes they came across an intersection, another corridor moving down the left and dead ending at a door that has a white plaque with a red cross. A spray of blood covered the front of the door, but unlike the counter in the Mess Hall, this blood was still dripping.

She gulped as she started down the corridor, each footstep heavy as she felt like it was going to be her last. There was a stale scent of blood in the air, mixing with the overpowering stench of sulfur. She had to push back the bile that threatened to leave her throat as he drew closer to the door, the sulfur giving way to the coppery scent of blood. Shining the light to the bottom of the door, she could see the drying crimson liquid as it dripped from the grated floor to the pipes beneath.

A cold shudder coursed down her spine as she stood stacked up against the wall, noticing the pale look of the Private's face as he stood at the ready across from her. Taking a steady breath to calm her shaking nerves, she nodded her head towards him.

Unlike the rest of the doors on the ship, this door was slow to move up, a pool of blood leaking out to add to what was already on the metal. Neither one had any control as they both started to release their stomach's contents in the pool of blood. Florez dry heaved a few times before her she was confident that all of the bile was up and out, leaving nothing leaving her with a hollow feeling.

There is no way that Renegades did this. Something else is at work here. She thought as she entered the room, trying to breath through her mouth so that she couldn't smell the toxic mixture anymore.

Other than the pool of blood, the room was barren, no gurneys to be found, the tables bare and clean as if they had never been used before. There was a mist that clung low to the floor, unusual for a ship, even if a pipe had burst. Shaking off the unease, she pressed on until she rounded a corner and found a barricade. So that's where everything went.
All of the gurney's, benches, beds, and chairs from the rooms and Mess Hall were piled atop in a massive wall that stretched to the ceiling. “Looks like they were trying to keep something from getting out Sarge.”

“No Private, they were trying to keep something from getting in.”

Troy was on edge with each breath that he took, feeling his heart beating rapidly in his chest. IT didn't help that every so often a Corporal stopped to look behind them, a dragon with a long scar running down his left eye, colored a pure white. He was blind in the eye, an old war injury, but Troy knew him well. For the past several minutes he had been aiming down the corridor behind them, his flashlight off. Every so often he would grunt, then turn to see where the rest of the squad was.

It was as if the drake had seen something behind them, but was trying to see what it was before he opened fire. “What do you see Kavaren?” The gryphon looked back to try and see whatever it was that the drake was looking at, but all that he could see was a black swirling abyss.

“Ever since we've reached the upper level it felt like something was following us sir.” His voice was deep and grovel, his age and experience apparent with each word he spoke. Unlike his Commander, the drake was in perfect control of his nerves, calm and collected. “We are being hunted sir.”

“What!” Troy spoke in a hushed whisper. “Are you sure?”

“Yes sir. Behind us at thirty meters. Something is lurking in the shadows sir.”

That confirms that this wasn't Renegades. We'd have been in a firefight by now. I need to warn the others. “Alright Corporal, keep an eye on it.”

“Yes sir.”

“Falcon to all units. I repeat, Falcon to all units.”

“Alpha-Leader receiving Falcon.”

“Charlie-Leader here.”

“Bravo-Leader copy.”

“Delta-Leader standing by.”

“All units, code four, I repeat, code four. If you see anything moving, kill it. There is something trailing behind us thirty meters out. Falcon out.”

Troy gulped as he started to move forward with the rest of the soldiers, the drake trailing just behind him, watching the darkness with a trained eye. His rifle was at the ready, looking to kill whatever it was that was following them.

They proceeded around a corner leading to another corridor, which ended at the Command Bridge. “Delta-Leader to Falcon. Seven meters to target.”

“Copy that Delta-Leader, use caution. Falcon out.”

The gryphon was on edge more than he had ever felt before. With each passing second that they moved on he could feel the cold chill of death beckoning to him. I'm sorry Canvas. Looks like I won't be able to keep that promise. He thought as he paused in the hallways, hearing something creaking.

A fist quickly shot up in the air, all soldiers pausing where they were to look about the corridor for the source of the sound. “Sir, let me deal with whatever is behind us.” Kavaren said from beside the gryphon.

“Negative.” He said. “Sergeant Vorel, send back four Privates to clear out the corridor behind us.”

“Yes sir.”

“Bravo-Two, Bravo-Six. This is Falcon, come back.”

“Copy Falcon. The airlock is still secure.”

“Roger that Bravo-Six. Keep your head on a swivel.”

“Yes sir. Bravo-Six...” Kavaren's eyes went wide as he too listened to them, knowing that there hesitation was clear even through the mic. His eyes scanned the darkness once more, finding that whatever had been following them was gone.

“Sir! We need to get back to them now!” Kavaren didn't even wait as he took off down the corridor, his light shining off the wall as he sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him.

“Vorel, take the rest of the troops and secure the bridge.”

“Yes sir.”

“Kavaren!” Troy took off in a mad dash to catch up with the drake, the four soldiers he had sent behind to clear the corridor moving with him as he rushed past. The clatter of their boots echoed down the dark corridor, their hearts nearly beating through their chests. “Kavaren!” The gryphon shouted again as he continued into the black abyss, checking his corners as he went with his rifle at the ready.

They had made their way back down the dark corridors to the staircase, taking the steps two at a time as they made their way down towards the outer hatch. “Bravo-Six. Come in Bravo-Six.” Troy was beyond worried when all he received was static, but it was short lived however as the sound of gunfire echoed in the dark expansion. The smell of sulfur was even more concentrated than it had ever been, and it nearly made him dizzy with its potency.

The gryphon gave no pause as he rounded the corner to see the dull sparks of bullets ricochets off of the walls, the bright flash from the muzzle of the rifle as it fired at something in the darkness. Troy raised his rifle to join the drake, his eyes taking in the sight of a shadow in the flash of light from the rifle, seeing that whatever it was could reach the ceiling of the corridor.

“Die mother bucker!” The drake screamed as he unloaded bullet after bullet into the shadowy form, not even bothering to stop when the rifle clicked. He just let it fall to his chest and pulled out his side arm, roaring loudly as he unloaded everything that he had into the vast abyss. Seconds felt like hours as they kept up their fire until the silhouette moved back down the corridor and away from the airlock door.

“Hold your fire! Hold your fire!” The muzzle flashes of the rifles stopped, the lights beneath the barrels turning on to look around in the darkness.

Troy wasted no time in rushing over to the two fallen soldiers that were lying on the floor, their backs pressed against the airlock. One of the soldiers, a pony, was missing his head, his arms torn down to the bone with loose strips of flesh and clothe hanging limply from what remained. His legs were in no better shape. Blood was in a massive pool beneath his body.

The second soldier was a changeling, her chest rising as she took in deep gasps of air. Blood was leaking from a slice along her throat, while her left leg was completely missing, the right arm torn in half with just the bone remaining of the upper forearm as it resided in a pool of blood on the metal grating below. She was going die, of that he had now doubt. There was nothing that they could do for her now. With a single tear rolling down his cheek, the drake drew his pistol and aimed it at her head, seeing the look of utter fear in her eyes as she tried not to accept her fate. I'm sorry.

Kavaren didn't even flinch as he watched her brains splatter across the back of the airlock, the chunks of brain and blood sliding down to the pipes below. The air was stale with copper, and of sulfur. “Alpha-Leader, Delta-Four. Be ready for a fight. Unknown hostile inbound to your position.”

“Copy that Delta-Four. We'll be ready for them.”

“Set up here Private, unless you see a glow stick moving down the corridor you waist anything that you see. Am I understood?”

“Yes Sarge.”

“Good.” Adany strode through the room with ease, his rifle slung across his chest as he placed the soldiers where he needed them. Two were left atop on the walkway to cover from the high ground, while four were spaced among the engines so that if anything got by the Private with the heavy weapon they could finish it off. That just left two, which he had placed along with the heavy weapon to cover the corridor.

The young Sergeant waited behind one of the engines with his soldiers, confident that if any hostiles were headed their way, they would annihilate them.

Silence fell across the Engine Room as the soldiers kept their eyes on the darkened corridor, their lights shining in the opening to the room, just waiting with their fingers brushing against the triggers of their rifles.

Adany could feel the sweat dripping down the back of his neck as he held his own rifle at the ready behind the rest of his troops. There was a warm breeze that grazed his neck where he waited, making his already warm body even hotter. His mouth felt dry and he could feel very lightheaded, the smell of sulfur strong in the humid air of the Engine Room.

“All units fall back to the airlock! All units fall back!” The gryphon's voice sounded over the coms.

A sizzling sound could be heard beside his left ear, making him glance of in the direction, only to find a Private on the ground, his eyes wide as he looked above the Sergeant. A burning sensation could be felt on his shoulder, but he brushed the pain aside as he looked up towards where the Private was looking. He gulped as a silhouette moved across the wall, before a string of liquid fell on his forehead. The burning sensation was extremely painful, burning past the scales and flesh underneath to his very bone, and even then it felt as though it kept boring through.

Every soldier turned towards where their Sergeant had been hiding upon hearing the scream of the Private as well as the scream of the Sergeant, both of which were cut short. “Open fire!”

Troy stood in the dark corridor leading to the Engine Room, Kavaren following closely behind him. After having sent out the call to the rest of the soldiers to fall back to the airlock, he had left the four Private's in charge of keeping their exit secure while he had taken the drake with him to see what happened to Alpha Squad. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that they were dead, but he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't search for any left alive.

A pocket of steam was billowing out in a thick plume of smoke from one of the pipes beneath the metal grating, blanketing the entry way into the Engine Room in shadow. Beyond the scope of their lights it was white. Sighing, the gryphon looked back to the drake. No words were spoken, but the feeling was mutual.

The drake took point as they entered the column of smoke, their vision clouded all around them. The air tasted like copper, their nose burning from the putrid stench of sulfur, a scent that had seemed to encompass the entire ship. There was a hissing sound, as though a pipe had blown, but it was slightly quieter. Something was ahead of them.

Dropping to a crouch, the duo carefully navigated their way through the smoke onto the other side. Neither was surprised at the sight of blood, between how they had seen the soldiers back at the airlock, and their time in battle, it was nothing new. The gryphon wasn't totally immune however, and he could taste bile in his throat as he saw the spray of the crimson liquid all over the floor, all over the engines.

Spent casings littered the floor, evidence of a firefight. Whatever it was that had been hunting them had managed to tear through the whole squad like they were filly scouts.

A faint dripping sound could be heard from behind them. Troy looked, but there was nothing there. He heard it again, this time managing to see a drop of blood fall from above. Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he looked up to see a pair of bodies hanging from the overhead walkway.

One had its head hanging limply from what remained of the spine, the eyeballs torn from their sockets. The leg was mutilated beyond repair, the flesh tore from the bone, leaving only a few of the veins behind. The ribs were torn open, everything inside was missing from his body. That's when the gryphon looked back down to the grating in shock, there was his heart and liver resting in a bile, slowly being eaten by something beneath them. As he looked closely, he could see a faint trail of smoke leaving the organs.

The drake eyed the other body, nothing left but a few bones and the internal organs, the rest of the flesh missing. Blood was dripping in long, thick ropes from the walkway to the engine, coating it crimson. Even for the drake, this was something that he had never seen before.

“Sir, I think we should get out of here.” Troy had never once heard fear in the drake's voice, but when he turned to look at him, he could see it in his eye as well. “Sir.”

“Let's get back to the airlock Kavaren.”

As they made their way back through the smoke they could hear a deep growl coming from behind them. Heavy footsteps echoed in the cold corridor, the air becoming more fowl than it had before. They froze, fear gripping every part of their body and refusing to yield its control over them. It was the drake who made the first move.

Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he whipped his rifle around and opened fire, roaring profanities as he started to run. Troy was not far behind, pointing his rifle out behind him as he moved with swift feet, going back up the stairs three at a time. “Vorel, are the charges set?!”

“Yes sir. Getting ready to head to the airlock now.”

“Get your tail moving Sergeant! We need to leave now!”

“We're Oscar Mike.”

“Kavaren, hurry up!” Gunfire echoed in the corridor as they made their way back towards the airlock. Two soldiers had set up down the hall, covering them as they moved as fast as their legs would carry them.

The drake moved past the pair of soldiers down a few meters before he dropped to a knee, reloading his rifle as the gryphon did the same. “Withdraw, withdraw back to the airlock!”

“Yes sir!” The pair yelled as they darted back down the corridor. Troy and Kavaren were left alone in the dark, their rifles aimed down the way they had just come.

“Vorel, you back at the airlock yet.” His voice was raspy, his throat dry, his heart beating so fast in his heart that he thought he was going to have an anxiety attack.

“Nearly there sir.”

“You have two mikes.”

“Copy that sir.”

“Alright soldier, let's start heading back.” Troy led the way as they moved back down the corridor at a brisk pace until they came to the airlock, waiting there with Second and Third Squad. “Take the ponies across Kavaren. I'll follow as soon as Fourth Squad is clear.”

“Negative sir, I stick with you, remember.” Normally the gryphon cherished the drake's friendship and valued his skill in battle, but right now he needed him more to make sure that everyone got home safely.

“Corporal, take these ponies across. I'm not going to lose anyone else on this mission. As soon as Fourth Squad is clear, I'll make my way across and blow the ship.” The drake stared defiantly at the gryphon, but nodded his head.

“Open the hatch.” A Private nodded. Within seconds the door was open, and what remained of the soldiers rushed back over to the nearby Hellcat, watching from the ramp as their Commander stood guard alone at the airlock.

“Vorel, where are you?”

“Just turned towards the airlock now sir. Be there....” Static filled his ear.

“Vorel!? Vorel!?” A blood curtailing scream cut through the still silence like a knife through bread. His body felt cold as he turned to the source of the scream, only to see the lights of rifles starting to dwindle out one by one until only two were left. Shining his own light down, he was able to see both Florez and Vorel making their way down towards him.

The ground shook beneath him with the force of something large giving chase, a loud, terror inducing roar piercing the veil of unease that he already felt. Taking aim, he waited for the two to move to the left side. Gunfire once more consumed all other sounds as he let lose a volley of rounds down the corridor, his teeth grinding tightly together. “Move it soldiers!” He shouted over the sound, his finger never leaving the trigger for more than a second.

Florez raced past him and down the umbilical, not even waiting for him until she was safely within the Hellcat. Thus only Troy and Vorel were left, with something massive heading right towards them. “Move it!” He shouted once again when his rifle was empty. Finding that he had no more ammo, he pulled out his side arm and continued to fire. “Come on mother bucker!” He roared in rage.

Troy turned tail as soon as Vorel went past, heading straight for the umbilical. He didn't even see Vorel running across, instead he paused to look back when he was standing at the ramp of the Hellcat, seeing the airlock hatch closed. Blood splattered across the window not even a moment later, starting to drip down towards the floor. “No!”

Kavaren and the rest of the soldiers pulled Troy into the Hellcat, raising the ramp once he was clear. “Vorel! No! We have to go back!”

“Sir...” Her voice could faintly be heard coming through the coms. “B-Buck this ship.” Fire erupted from the Command Bridge, explosions starting to make their way down the ship. Bit by bit the ship was engulfed in flame, parts starting to break off from the force of the explosion.

In the silence that followed, the gryphon sat with his back to the ramp, smoke drifting out from the muzzle of his rifle as he looked down to his hands, seeing them covered in blood. A single tear snaked its way down his cheek, lost in his silver feathers. “Goodbye Vorel...”