HOME | DD

Description
Ronin Down

Part one: The Trap

A throbbing pain woke the fox from his stupor.  With a groan, Chase tried to rub his aching head, but as he tried, the fox realized he couldn't move his hands.   After a few seconds, Chase realized that a small pair of force field cuffs, standard to any police force and easy to buy, bound his hands, keeping them pinned behind his back.
The sounds of a high power engine became known, the droning of the thrusters indicating that he was near the back of some sort of frigate or small transport craft.  The cold steel of the dark room slowly coming into focus as Chase's eyes adjusted to the darkness.
As he shook his head, the fox felt something drip down his muzzle.  Quickly, he licked his lips, realizing it was his own blood.
"What the hell?" Chase asked himself quietly, trying to sit up, "Think Chase, what happened?"
With a sigh, Chase thought back to the beginning of his current mission to try to remember what happened…

*           *          *
HOURS EARLIER:

With a sigh, Chase glanced out the window of the transport.  As he did, the fox's ears twitched gently, capturing the sounds of the transport around him.  But as he did, the fox was also aware of the human sitting across from him.
"You do realize I can do this on my own, right Hiigan?" Chase asked, giving the human a glare, "I don't need you to babysit me."
"I will not be joining you on this assignment, Ronin."  Hiigan nodded, "As far as anyone knows, you are on a training mission.  We will be monitoring you.  If you get onto trouble, we will call for back up, but you know how long that could take.
"Like that's not normal for me." Chase replied with a smirk, "Just tell me who my contact is and tell me what I can take to protect myself."
"Your contact is codenamed 'wise owl'.  Ironic since he is not an owl, but a hawk." Hiigan explained, "If you are attacked, you are allowed to use lethal force. But you are only allowed one clip of ammunition.  Use it wisely if you must resort to it.  After all, this is an uncover operation."
Chase nodded and picked up his handgun, loading a single magazine of armor piercing, explosive tipped 9mm rounds.  Even with one magazine, Chase was still highly dangerous.
"Understood, but how will I know the contact?" Chase asked as he pulled on a long coat, a hidden microphone in the collar of the coat.
"As clichéd as it sounds, we have resorted to using pass phrases." Hiigan replied, "He will ask the time.  In return, you will reply, 'In what colony?'  If he replies 'Iron sight', then he is your contact."
Chase sighed, "Simple enough then."
Satisfied with the pistol in his hands, Chase smirked, "Let's do this."
"I have a feeling you will need these too." Hiigan stated calmly, "Extra security cannot hurt, after all."
Chase took the blades from Hiigan.  They looked similar to the blades that had been built into his battle armor, but instead of being sharp enough to cut through the dense steel of the robotic Sev`fel units, they were dull.  Still heavy enough to bring down another furry with enough force, but Chase noted a small battery pack attached to each one.
"A advanced version of standard issue stun batons." Hiigan stated, "If they are not robotic, use these to subdue any adversary."
"No killing organics, weapons free on robots, got it." Chase replied, slipping the batons into his sleeves and noting how they seemed to stay hidden.
*           *          *
After landing, the fox found himself outside a local bar.  At first, the bar seemed like an ideal place to meet.  But soon, Chase realized that there was a huge tactical disadvantage once he was inside.  For one, there were a lot of windows, plenty of ways to get shot.  As he walked in, Chase also realized that his escape options in case things went south were limited to trying to exit out the front door or out the back door through the back of the bar.  The windows were also a possibility, but not a good idea if the place was attacked.
"Overwatch, can you read me?" Chase asked as he looked around, noting he oddly deserted street.
"Go ahead Ronin-1." Hiigan replied in his usual emotionless tone, "I read you loud and clear."
"I'm going in.  But are you sure about this guy?  This place hardly looks secure." Chase replied.
"We cannot be sure about anyone in these trying times, Ronin-1." Hiigan replied, "Just get the information and then contact us.  We will be down to get you ASAP."
"Roger that, over and out." Chase replied with groan.
With another glance around, Chase walked into the bar.
*           *          *
"Hiigan really has a way of forcing me into bad situations…" Chase thought as he took a seat next to a red tail hawk.
As he did, the hawk glanced at him, his golden eyes travelling quickly over the fox before returning to his glass.  Chase noticed this, but remained quiet, his mind working over possible escape options still.
"First time in the colony?" the hawk asked.
Chase looked to him, "Yeah, you could say that."
The hawk smiled a bit, "I did."
The fox smirked as the hawk nodded to the bartender.  The bartender slid him a glad filled with a golden liquid.  As the hawk took a drink, he glanced to the fox.
"So, you have the time by any chance?" The hawk asked.
Chase's ears perked a bit, "That depends.  What colony?"
"Iron Sight." The hawk replied.
"Sure, I'll tell you over here." Chase replied, nodding to a booth, "Wise owl."
The hawk smiled and nodded.  As the two sat down in a booth far from the rest of the bar, the hawk offered his hand.
"Good to meet you finally Ronin-1." Wise owl stated, "We've got some business to take care of."
Chase nodded, "No kidding.  You've got news for me?"
The hawk nodded and kept his voice low, "Problem is the Sev`fel knew about this meeting.  So we don't have much time."
Chase's ears lowered, "figures, what've you got?"
"The Sev`fel are looking for corporation outposts." The hawk stated, "They know that you guys are their main threat, so they're looking for the main outpost.  Some of the aparoid tech had some sort of tracking devices built in, so they hoped that would help them find it.  But so far, they haven't had any luck with that tech yet."
Chase's ears perked.  Trying to find the corporation headquarters?
"But they already attacked our main headquarter and wiped it out." Chase said, recalling the events, "In fact, now we're just scattered all over the Lylat system."
"They must not realize that then." The hawk replied, "As far as my sources can tell, they seem to believe the corporation is still in one, organized unit somewhere."
Chase nodded.  With the way the corporation had been reacting to colony attacks, it was not hard for the fox to believe that the Sev`fel would believe they still had a central unit controlling them.
"Still…something feels off." Chase thought to himself, "Even the Sev`fel realize we're scattered.  How could they think we have a central command still when they destroyed it themselves shortly after we finished the evacuation?  There's something fishy here…"
Instead of saying this, the fox looked down for a second, "Well, so far we've managed to shut them down on every front. But if they're looking for that device, why are they still attacking colonies?"
"Xalphiduim." The hawk replied, "We both know the corporation mines the largest amount of the substance compared to anyone else in the Lylat system.  Even Corneria depends on their supplies from the corporation trade routes.  With that many mining colonies and that much control over the supplies, is it any wonder they want them so badly?  You know it's the best fuel anyone can ask for, Ronin.  The more they have, the further their range."
Chase nodded, "True…but we found something else."
The hawk looked at him with a bit of surprise, "What'd you discover?"
"Iron sight, colony 341." Chase said, recalling the mission to his home colony, "The colony was still in ruins from the attack almost twenty years ago.  But, we found a production facility for the Sev`fel's units.  We managed to destroy it, but there could be more.  Many more…"
"That would explain a few things…" the hawk mumbled.
Chase's ears perked, "Did you say something?"
The hawk shook his head, "Nothing of importance."
Chase nodded, still a bit suspicious of the hawk.  He seemed off somehow to Chase.  Some of the things he said didn't seem to add up to the fox.  But for now, he would let the hawk think he didn't suspect anything unusual.
"Anything else I should know?" Chase asked.
The hawk shook his head, "Not much else.  But if we can find that tracking device before the Sev`fel can, maybe we can turn the tide of these battles and deliver some punishment of our own."
Chase smirked and held up his glass, "Sounds good to me.  I'll tell my CO to keep an ear open for anything of value relating to that."
"Best of luck in your future missions." The hawk replied, knocking his glass against Chase's.
*           *          *
Walking out of the bar, Chase opened up a communications channel with the drop ship still in orbit.  But as the fox did, he felt something was wrong.  He felt as though he were being watched.  Carefully, Chase ducked into an alleyway nearby.
"Ronin-1 calling in, Come in Overwatch." Chase said into the microphone hidden in his coat.
"Overwatch responding." Hiigan replied, "We got it all."
Chase nodded, "Still, did you sense something was off about all of this?  I mean, the Sev`fel did destroy our main HQ.  Why would they believe we've already rebuilt?"
"Indeed." Hiigan replied, "We're coming down to get you.  But I advise haste."
Chase's ears perked, "Yeah, I know.  I'm being watched and it's not by the Sev`fel."
*           *          *
In orbit, the drop ship was keeping an eye on the colony they had dropped Chase into.  One of the observers noted that several unknown signatures were converging on Chase's location.
"Hiigan, get your man out of there." The observer said, "Hostiles inbound to his location.  Advising we go to LZ Bravo."
Hiigan nodded to the pilots, "Affirmative, get us to LZ Bravo ASAP."
As the two pilots input the coordinates, Hiigan thought for a second before replying, "Ronin-1, change of plans.  Rendezvous at LZ Bravo.  You are clear to engage anything that acts hostile."
"Sounds like another day on the job." Chase replied, "I'll meet you there, over and out."
As Chase cut out, Hiigan nodded and glanced to the observer, "How far can we track Ronin-1's tracer?"
The observer smirked, "Anywhere in the Lylat system.  If he's still alive, we can find him."
"Activate the tracer." Hiigan replied.
"Do you really think we'll need to resort to that?  Ronin-1 is pretty skilled at staying alive." The observer noted.
"Staying alive is one thing." Hiigan said calmly, "Staying out of enemy hands is another.  And we both know Chase is not good at staying away from enemy hands."
*           *          *
On the ground, Chase activated a protective shield the spread across his body like a second skin.  As it did, the fox pulled his Stinger handgun out from under his coat, cocking it before walking out of the alley, hiding the weapon in his shoulder holster under the coat.
"Good thing I managed to get a hold of this new shield." Chase thought as he walked down the still empty street, "It's not as good, but it'll do."
As the fox looked up, he saw that the sun was setting over the colony.  The sky was cast into a beautiful red-orange combo, with the clouds outlined in a deep violet.  Already, the cool was creeping up on the colony below it as the light faded slowly behind the distant mountains.  Chase smiled at the sight, knowing his partner would have loved to see this.
As a light breeze blew through the colony, Chase felt it ruffle through his coat and fur.  But the breeze carried sounds as well, the fox's ears picking up the sounds of footsteps carried by the wind.
"Company." Chase thought, "Let's see who wants to kill me this time."
The fox turned to find several other furries approaching him.  All of them were wearing lightly padded body armor and helmets.  Chase almost laughed as his eyes noted they were carrying blaster based rifles.  They were police issued weaponry, but they could not kill, only cause unconsciousness.
"Well, can I help you?" Chase asked with a smile.
The lead one, an ocelot, stepped forward, holding his rifle up to his shoulder and keeping a steady aim on the fox, "Yeah, get down on the ground Ronin-1.  You're coming with us."
"Really now?" Chase smiled, "Tell me boys, why would I do that?"
"Don't play games!" The ocelot shouted, jabbing Chase in the ribs, "Get down on-!"
Before he could finish, Chase had grabbed the barrel of the weapon, wrenching it out of the ocelot's hands while shoving the furry to the ground!  The shocked ocelot could only watch as Chase turned the weapon on him, firing at point blank range.  The effect was immediate as the ocelot went limp, his mind shutting down as Chase fired several more times, leaping away as the other four opened fire!
Chase's shield flickered as the fox hit the ground, firing another couple of shots before rolling to his feet.  As he stood up, Chase smirked.  All four of the other adversaries were unconscious on the ground.
"Ronin-1 to Overwatch." Chase said, picking up another of the blasters and removing it's power cells, "Come in Overwatch."
"Overwatch responding." Hiigan replied, "What is it Ronin-1?"
"Hostiles have been engaged." Chase replied, pocketing the cells, "They are not Sev`fel.  I repeat, not Sev`fel.  They seem more like bounty hunters."
"Bounty hunters?" Hiigan replied, "Are you sure Ronin-1?"
Chase examined the black vest of one of ocelot he had first taken down, "Positive Overwatch.  I have a feeling this was all a set up."
"Roger that, Ronin-1." Hiigan replied, "Do you have a positive ID on the organization?"
Chase checked the symbol over the left side of the leaders vest, "Uh…not one I recognize.  Looks like…a flaming wing?"
There was a moment of silence before Hiigan replied, "Ronin-1, get to the LZ NINS.  Engage all hostiles, weapons free."
Chase nodded.  He knew how high the stakes were now.  Even if this new enemy was using stun weapons, he couldn't allow himself to go down without a fight.  Reloading the blaster, Chase smiled to himself.
"It's not my personal choice, but I want to save my bullets for a much better use." Chase thought, pulling the rifle to his shoulder and taking aim at a nearby light post, "Still, it's a weapon, even if all it does is knock out someone.  It'll do until I get the hell off this colony."
*           *          *
"Hiigan, we have a situation planet side." The observer noted.
The human glared at the observer, "We already know the operation has been compromised. What other situation is there?"
"A drop ship is moving towards Ronin-1's location." The observer said, "It's a small one, but it looks to be designed for speed.  This model seems to have light armaments, including a gauss cannon and standard shields.  Shall we engage?"
Hiigan shook his head, "Our primary goal is to extract Ronin-1.  Do not engage.  I shall inform him of the situation."
*           *          *
Chase dodged aside as another bolt of energy passed by his side.  The other bounty hunters had found him and had wasted little time in opening fire on the fox.  As Chase leapt behind a dumpster, the fox heard the sounds of the energy rounds slamming against the steel of his current cover.  As he peeked around the corner, Chase pulled his head back quickly, another burst of energy passing where it had been a second ago.
"Another fine mess I've gotten myself into." Chase growled, firing back blindly around the corner of the dumpster, "Why didn't I bring Krystal along?  I could use the help."
As the fox pulled the rifle back and reloaded, a soft 'ping!' sounded in his ear.
"I'm kind of busy right now Overwatch!" Chase said, opening fire again and taking two of the remaining bounty hunters down.
"You had better get moving Ronin-1.  You have more pressing matters now than infantry." Hiigan replied.
"Infantry?" Chase chuckled, firing off another burst of laser fire, "Please.  These guys are not infantry.  They're just throwing themselves into my line of fire.  Stun rounds or not, these bounty hunters are not professionals."
"They are merely a distraction." Hiigan said, watching the drop ship's progress, "You have a light drop ship headed towards your position.  Nothing you have can bring it down."
Chase nodded and peeked around the corner, firing off another burst to bring down one of the bounty hunters who had strayed into his line of sight.  With a muffled grunt, he went down.
"Understood." Chase stated as he took off at a run towards the secondary landing zone.
But as Chase ran, he heard the soft drone of engines.  Turning back for a second, Chase saw the form of a drop ship in the distance.  Instinctively, the fox took off again at a run, and just in time!  A gauss shell destroyed the spot where he had been three seconds before.
"Looks like they don't care if I'm dead or alive now!" Chase thought as he bolted towards an alleyway.
But as he turned into the alley, the fox found several more rifle barrels pointed at his chest.  With groan, Chase realized he had been out maneuvered.  He couldn't run back out or the drop ship would open fire again on him, not to mention turning his back to a team of bounty hunters was always a bad idea in his mind.
"Overwatch, get out of here." Chase said, placing the rifle on the ground, "I'm sure you know what to do now."
With that, Chase held up his hands.  But as he did, the fox felt something connect with the back of his neck.  As he fell to the ground, his vision blurred, finally fading out entirely…

CURRENT TIME

Chase shook his head, recalling all of the events up to his capture.  But now, he had only a few options.  One was, of course, to escape.  But after that, his plan was very short.  Escape, see who is in control, remove control from whoever it is, and find a way back to corporate space. But as Chase tried to get up, he realized this would be a lot harder than he thought.  His shield unit was gone, long with his handgun, baton, and the stun rifle he had picked up.  All the fox had left to fight with was his body and mind.
"Time to put my fox instincts and training to good use." Chase thought, forcing himself to get up, "If I don't there's no telling what these guys will do to me."
*           *          *
"What do you mean Chase was not on a training mission?" Krystal asked Hiigan, "He told me he was going with you to train!"
The human sighed, "You are not the only one worried right now Ronin-2.  My best mercenary is currently MIA.  And until we can get a lock on his tracer, we will have to wait before we make any move.  We are dealing with professionals."
"Professional what Hiigan?" Krystal asked, her emerald eyes filled with confusion, "What happened to my partner?"
Hiigan stood up, turning his back on the vixen.  As he looked out the window to the planet below, he sighed.
"He was captured by Phoenix Wing bounty hunters.  More than likely the Sev`fel have a bounty out for any of our corporation mercenaries." Hiigan explained, "We've had run-ins with the Phoenix Wings before now.  Once we can trace Ronin-1's whereabouts, we can send in a team to extract him before they reach Sev`fel hands."
Krystal looked down for a second, then back up at Hiigan, "Send me in too."
Hiigan looked at her, "Ronin-2, you just got over being sick.  Sending you into combat while you are still potentially ill is not an option."
But as he said this, Hiigan noticed something, a flame in the vixen's emerald eyes.  For Chase, the human was used to seeing the determined fire, but in Krystal's eyes it was an unexpected sight for him.
"You will send me in to retrieve my partner!" Krystal growled, "I am not losing him again!"
Hiigan though for a second.  Seeing the fire in the vixen's eyes, he knew there was nothing the human could do to keep Krystal away from this mission.
With a sigh, Hiigan nodded, "Fine, you're on the mission.  I was gong to send another team, but I see I cannot keep you away.  You will be working with someone new on this mission, but someone who you should still know."
Krystal's ears perked curiously at this, "Who?"
Hiigan looked at her, his face emotionless as always.  But his eyes held a ghost of a smile.
"Ronin-2, wait for your temporary partner in the night club." Hiigan said, "You will soon meet your temporary number three."
Knowing she wouldn't get anymore out of him, Krystal nodded and walked out.  But as she did, the vixen's fist clenched.  In her mind, there was only one thing she wanted now, and that was to get Chase back in one piece.  After thinking she had lost him forever on Sauria six years ago, there was no chance Krystal was going to let that happen again...

Description
Ronin Down

Part one: The Trap

A throbbing pain woke the fox from his stupor.  With a groan, Chase tried to rub his aching head, but as he tried, the fox realized he couldn't move his hands.   After a few seconds, Chase realized that a small pair of force field cuffs, standard to any police force and easy to buy, bound his hands, keeping them pinned behind his back.
The sounds of a high power engine became known, the droning of the thrusters indicating that he was near the back of some sort of frigate or small transport craft.  The cold steel of the dark room slowly coming into focus as Chase's eyes adjusted to the darkness.
As he shook his head, the fox felt something drip down his muzzle.  Quickly, he licked his lips, realizing it was his own blood.
"What the hell?" Chase asked himself quietly, trying to sit up, "Think Chase, what happened?"
With a sigh, Chase thought back to the beginning of his current mission to try to remember what happened…

*           *          *
HOURS EARLIER:

With a sigh, Chase glanced out the window of the transport.  As he did, the fox's ears twitched gently, capturing the sounds of the transport around him.  But as he did, the fox was also aware of the human sitting across from him.
"You do realize I can do this on my own, right Hiigan?" Chase asked, giving the human a glare, "I don't need you to babysit me."
"I will not be joining you on this assignment, Ronin."  Hiigan nodded, "As far as anyone knows, you are on a training mission.  We will be monitoring you.  If you get onto trouble, we will call for back up, but you know how long that could take.
"Like that's not normal for me." Chase replied with a smirk, "Just tell me who my contact is and tell me what I can take to protect myself."
"Your contact is codenamed 'wise owl'.  Ironic since he is not an owl, but a hawk." Hiigan explained, "If you are attacked, you are allowed to use lethal force. But you are only allowed one clip of ammunition.  Use it wisely if you must resort to it.  After all, this is an uncover operation."
Chase nodded and picked up his handgun, loading a single magazine of armor piercing, explosive tipped 9mm rounds.  Even with one magazine, Chase was still highly dangerous.
"Understood, but how will I know the contact?" Chase asked as he pulled on a long coat, a hidden microphone in the collar of the coat.
"As clichéd as it sounds, we have resorted to using pass phrases." Hiigan replied, "He will ask the time.  In return, you will reply, 'In what colony?'  If he replies 'Iron sight', then he is your contact."
Chase sighed, "Simple enough then."
Satisfied with the pistol in his hands, Chase smirked, "Let's do this."
"I have a feeling you will need these too." Hiigan stated calmly, "Extra security cannot hurt, after all."
Chase took the blades from Hiigan.  They looked similar to the blades that had been built into his battle armor, but instead of being sharp enough to cut through the dense steel of the robotic Sev`fel units, they were dull.  Still heavy enough to bring down another furry with enough force, but Chase noted a small battery pack attached to each one.
"A advanced version of standard issue stun batons." Hiigan stated, "If they are not robotic, use these to subdue any adversary."
"No killing organics, weapons free on robots, got it." Chase replied, slipping the batons into his sleeves and noting how they seemed to stay hidden.
*           *          *
After landing, the fox found himself outside a local bar.  At first, the bar seemed like an ideal place to meet.  But soon, Chase realized that there was a huge tactical disadvantage once he was inside.  For one, there were a lot of windows, plenty of ways to get shot.  As he walked in, Chase also realized that his escape options in case things went south were limited to trying to exit out the front door or out the back door through the back of the bar.  The windows were also a possibility, but not a good idea if the place was attacked.
"Overwatch, can you read me?" Chase asked as he looked around, noting he oddly deserted street.
"Go ahead Ronin-1." Hiigan replied in his usual emotionless tone, "I read you loud and clear."
"I'm going in.  But are you sure about this guy?  This place hardly looks secure." Chase replied.
"We cannot be sure about anyone in these trying times, Ronin-1." Hiigan replied, "Just get the information and then contact us.  We will be down to get you ASAP."
"Roger that, over and out." Chase replied with groan.
With another glance around, Chase walked into the bar.
*           *          *
"Hiigan really has a way of forcing me into bad situations…" Chase thought as he took a seat next to a red tail hawk.
As he did, the hawk glanced at him, his golden eyes travelling quickly over the fox before returning to his glass.  Chase noticed this, but remained quiet, his mind working over possible escape options still.
"First time in the colony?" the hawk asked.
Chase looked to him, "Yeah, you could say that."
The hawk smiled a bit, "I did."
The fox smirked as the hawk nodded to the bartender.  The bartender slid him a glad filled with a golden liquid.  As the hawk took a drink, he glanced to the fox.
"So, you have the time by any chance?" The hawk asked.
Chase's ears perked a bit, "That depends.  What colony?"
"Iron Sight." The hawk replied.
"Sure, I'll tell you over here." Chase replied, nodding to a booth, "Wise owl."
The hawk smiled and nodded.  As the two sat down in a booth far from the rest of the bar, the hawk offered his hand.
"Good to meet you finally Ronin-1." Wise owl stated, "We've got some business to take care of."
Chase nodded, "No kidding.  You've got news for me?"
The hawk nodded and kept his voice low, "Problem is the Sev`fel knew about this meeting.  So we don't have much time."
Chase's ears lowered, "figures, what've you got?"
"The Sev`fel are looking for corporation outposts." The hawk stated, "They know that you guys are their main threat, so they're looking for the main outpost.  Some of the aparoid tech had some sort of tracking devices built in, so they hoped that would help them find it.  But so far, they haven't had any luck with that tech yet."
Chase's ears perked.  Trying to find the corporation headquarters?
"But they already attacked our main headquarter and wiped it out." Chase said, recalling the events, "In fact, now we're just scattered all over the Lylat system."
"They must not realize that then." The hawk replied, "As far as my sources can tell, they seem to believe the corporation is still in one, organized unit somewhere."
Chase nodded.  With the way the corporation had been reacting to colony attacks, it was not hard for the fox to believe that the Sev`fel would believe they still had a central unit controlling them.
"Still…something feels off." Chase thought to himself, "Even the Sev`fel realize we're scattered.  How could they think we have a central command still when they destroyed it themselves shortly after we finished the evacuation?  There's something fishy here…"
Instead of saying this, the fox looked down for a second, "Well, so far we've managed to shut them down on every front. But if they're looking for that device, why are they still attacking colonies?"
"Xalphiduim." The hawk replied, "We both know the corporation mines the largest amount of the substance compared to anyone else in the Lylat system.  Even Corneria depends on their supplies from the corporation trade routes.  With that many mining colonies and that much control over the supplies, is it any wonder they want them so badly?  You know it's the best fuel anyone can ask for, Ronin.  The more they have, the further their range."
Chase nodded, "True…but we found something else."
The hawk looked at him with a bit of surprise, "What'd you discover?"
"Iron sight, colony 341." Chase said, recalling the mission to his home colony, "The colony was still in ruins from the attack almost twenty years ago.  But, we found a production facility for the Sev`fel's units.  We managed to destroy it, but there could be more.  Many more…"
"That would explain a few things…" the hawk mumbled.
Chase's ears perked, "Did you say something?"
The hawk shook his head, "Nothing of importance."
Chase nodded, still a bit suspicious of the hawk.  He seemed off somehow to Chase.  Some of the things he said didn't seem to add up to the fox.  But for now, he would let the hawk think he didn't suspect anything unusual.
"Anything else I should know?" Chase asked.
The hawk shook his head, "Not much else.  But if we can find that tracking device before the Sev`fel can, maybe we can turn the tide of these battles and deliver some punishment of our own."
Chase smirked and held up his glass, "Sounds good to me.  I'll tell my CO to keep an ear open for anything of value relating to that."
"Best of luck in your future missions." The hawk replied, knocking his glass against Chase's.
*           *          *
Walking out of the bar, Chase opened up a communications channel with the drop ship still in orbit.  But as the fox did, he felt something was wrong.  He felt as though he were being watched.  Carefully, Chase ducked into an alleyway nearby.
"Ronin-1 calling in, Come in Overwatch." Chase said into the microphone hidden in his coat.
"Overwatch responding." Hiigan replied, "We got it all."
Chase nodded, "Still, did you sense something was off about all of this?  I mean, the Sev`fel did destroy our main HQ.  Why would they believe we've already rebuilt?"
"Indeed." Hiigan replied, "We're coming down to get you.  But I advise haste."
Chase's ears perked, "Yeah, I know.  I'm being watched and it's not by the Sev`fel."
*           *          *
In orbit, the drop ship was keeping an eye on the colony they had dropped Chase into.  One of the observers noted that several unknown signatures were converging on Chase's location.
"Hiigan, get your man out of there." The observer said, "Hostiles inbound to his location.  Advising we go to LZ Bravo."
Hiigan nodded to the pilots, "Affirmative, get us to LZ Bravo ASAP."
As the two pilots input the coordinates, Hiigan thought for a second before replying, "Ronin-1, change of plans.  Rendezvous at LZ Bravo.  You are clear to engage anything that acts hostile."
"Sounds like another day on the job." Chase replied, "I'll meet you there, over and out."
As Chase cut out, Hiigan nodded and glanced to the observer, "How far can we track Ronin-1's tracer?"
The observer smirked, "Anywhere in the Lylat system.  If he's still alive, we can find him."
"Activate the tracer." Hiigan replied.
"Do you really think we'll need to resort to that?  Ronin-1 is pretty skilled at staying alive." The observer noted.
"Staying alive is one thing." Hiigan said calmly, "Staying out of enemy hands is another.  And we both know Chase is not good at staying away from enemy hands."
*           *          *
On the ground, Chase activated a protective shield the spread across his body like a second skin.  As it did, the fox pulled his Stinger handgun out from under his coat, cocking it before walking out of the alley, hiding the weapon in his shoulder holster under the coat.
"Good thing I managed to get a hold of this new shield." Chase thought as he walked down the still empty street, "It's not as good, but it'll do."
As the fox looked up, he saw that the sun was setting over the colony.  The sky was cast into a beautiful red-orange combo, with the clouds outlined in a deep violet.  Already, the cool was creeping up on the colony below it as the light faded slowly behind the distant mountains.  Chase smiled at the sight, knowing his partner would have loved to see this.
As a light breeze blew through the colony, Chase felt it ruffle through his coat and fur.  But the breeze carried sounds as well, the fox's ears picking up the sounds of footsteps carried by the wind.
"Company." Chase thought, "Let's see who wants to kill me this time."
The fox turned to find several other furries approaching him.  All of them were wearing lightly padded body armor and helmets.  Chase almost laughed as his eyes noted they were carrying blaster based rifles.  They were police issued weaponry, but they could not kill, only cause unconsciousness.
"Well, can I help you?" Chase asked with a smile.
The lead one, an ocelot, stepped forward, holding his rifle up to his shoulder and keeping a steady aim on the fox, "Yeah, get down on the ground Ronin-1.  You're coming with us."
"Really now?" Chase smiled, "Tell me boys, why would I do that?"
"Don't play games!" The ocelot shouted, jabbing Chase in the ribs, "Get down on-!"
Before he could finish, Chase had grabbed the barrel of the weapon, wrenching it out of the ocelot's hands while shoving the furry to the ground!  The shocked ocelot could only watch as Chase turned the weapon on him, firing at point blank range.  The effect was immediate as the ocelot went limp, his mind shutting down as Chase fired several more times, leaping away as the other four opened fire!
Chase's shield flickered as the fox hit the ground, firing another couple of shots before rolling to his feet.  As he stood up, Chase smirked.  All four of the other adversaries were unconscious on the ground.
"Ronin-1 to Overwatch." Chase said, picking up another of the blasters and removing it's power cells, "Come in Overwatch."
"Overwatch responding." Hiigan replied, "What is it Ronin-1?"
"Hostiles have been engaged." Chase replied, pocketing the cells, "They are not Sev`fel.  I repeat, not Sev`fel.  They seem more like bounty hunters."
"Bounty hunters?" Hiigan replied, "Are you sure Ronin-1?"
Chase examined the black vest of one of ocelot he had first taken down, "Positive Overwatch.  I have a feeling this was all a set up."
"Roger that, Ronin-1." Hiigan replied, "Do you have a positive ID on the organization?"
Chase checked the symbol over the left side of the leaders vest, "Uh…not one I recognize.  Looks like…a flaming wing?"
There was a moment of silence before Hiigan replied, "Ronin-1, get to the LZ NINS.  Engage all hostiles, weapons free."
Chase nodded.  He knew how high the stakes were now.  Even if this new enemy was using stun weapons, he couldn't allow himself to go down without a fight.  Reloading the blaster, Chase smiled to himself.
"It's not my personal choice, but I want to save my bullets for a much better use." Chase thought, pulling the rifle to his shoulder and taking aim at a nearby light post, "Still, it's a weapon, even if all it does is knock out someone.  It'll do until I get the hell off this colony."
*           *          *
"Hiigan, we have a situation planet side." The observer noted.
The human glared at the observer, "We already know the operation has been compromised. What other situation is there?"
"A drop ship is moving towards Ronin-1's location." The observer said, "It's a small one, but it looks to be designed for speed.  This model seems to have light armaments, including a gauss cannon and standard shields.  Shall we engage?"
Hiigan shook his head, "Our primary goal is to extract Ronin-1.  Do not engage.  I shall inform him of the situation."
*           *          *
Chase dodged aside as another bolt of energy passed by his side.  The other bounty hunters had found him and had wasted little time in opening fire on the fox.  As Chase leapt behind a dumpster, the fox heard the sounds of the energy rounds slamming against the steel of his current cover.  As he peeked around the corner, Chase pulled his head back quickly, another burst of energy passing where it had been a second ago.
"Another fine mess I've gotten myself into." Chase growled, firing back blindly around the corner of the dumpster, "Why didn't I bring Krystal along?  I could use the help."
As the fox pulled the rifle back and reloaded, a soft 'ping!' sounded in his ear.
"I'm kind of busy right now Overwatch!" Chase said, opening fire again and taking two of the remaining bounty hunters down.
"You had better get moving Ronin-1.  You have more pressing matters now than infantry." Hiigan replied.
"Infantry?" Chase chuckled, firing off another burst of laser fire, "Please.  These guys are not infantry.  They're just throwing themselves into my line of fire.  Stun rounds or not, these bounty hunters are not professionals."
"They are merely a distraction." Hiigan said, watching the drop ship's progress, "You have a light drop ship headed towards your position.  Nothing you have can bring it down."
Chase nodded and peeked around the corner, firing off another burst to bring down one of the bounty hunters who had strayed into his line of sight.  With a muffled grunt, he went down.
"Understood." Chase stated as he took off at a run towards the secondary landing zone.
But as Chase ran, he heard the soft drone of engines.  Turning back for a second, Chase saw the form of a drop ship in the distance.  Instinctively, the fox took off again at a run, and just in time!  A gauss shell destroyed the spot where he had been three seconds before.
"Looks like they don't care if I'm dead or alive now!" Chase thought as he bolted towards an alleyway.
But as he turned into the alley, the fox found several more rifle barrels pointed at his chest.  With groan, Chase realized he had been out maneuvered.  He couldn't run back out or the drop ship would open fire again on him, not to mention turning his back to a team of bounty hunters was always a bad idea in his mind.
"Overwatch, get out of here." Chase said, placing the rifle on the ground, "I'm sure you know what to do now."
With that, Chase held up his hands.  But as he did, the fox felt something connect with the back of his neck.  As he fell to the ground, his vision blurred, finally fading out entirely…

CURRENT TIME

Chase shook his head, recalling all of the events up to his capture.  But now, he had only a few options.  One was, of course, to escape.  But after that, his plan was very short.  Escape, see who is in control, remove control from whoever it is, and find a way back to corporate space. But as Chase tried to get up, he realized this would be a lot harder than he thought.  His shield unit was gone, long with his handgun, baton, and the stun rifle he had picked up.  All the fox had left to fight with was his body and mind.
"Time to put my fox instincts and training to good use." Chase thought, forcing himself to get up, "If I don't there's no telling what these guys will do to me."
*           *          *
"What do you mean Chase was not on a training mission?" Krystal asked Hiigan, "He told me he was going with you to train!"
The human sighed, "You are not the only one worried right now Ronin-2.  My best mercenary is currently MIA.  And until we can get a lock on his tracer, we will have to wait before we make any move.  We are dealing with professionals."
"Professional what Hiigan?" Krystal asked, her emerald eyes filled with confusion, "What happened to my partner?"
Hiigan stood up, turning his back on the vixen.  As he looked out the window to the planet below, he sighed.
"He was captured by Phoenix Wing bounty hunters.  More than likely the Sev`fel have a bounty out for any of our corporation mercenaries." Hiigan explained, "We've had run-ins with the Phoenix Wings before now.  Once we can trace Ronin-1's whereabouts, we can send in a team to extract him before they reach Sev`fel hands."
Krystal looked down for a second, then back up at Hiigan, "Send me in too."
Hiigan looked at her, "Ronin-2, you just got over being sick.  Sending you into combat while you are still potentially ill is not an option."
But as he said this, Hiigan noticed something, a flame in the vixen's emerald eyes.  For Chase, the human was used to seeing the determined fire, but in Krystal's eyes it was an unexpected sight for him.
"You will send me in to retrieve my partner!" Krystal growled, "I am not losing him again!"
Hiigan though for a second.  Seeing the fire in the vixen's eyes, he knew there was nothing the human could do to keep Krystal away from this mission.
With a sigh, Hiigan nodded, "Fine, you're on the mission.  I was gong to send another team, but I see I cannot keep you away.  You will be working with someone new on this mission, but someone who you should still know."
Krystal's ears perked curiously at this, "Who?"
Hiigan looked at her, his face emotionless as always.  But his eyes held a ghost of a smile.
"Ronin-2, wait for your temporary partner in the night club." Hiigan said, "You will soon meet your temporary number three."
Knowing she wouldn't get anymore out of him, Krystal nodded and walked out.  But as she did, the vixen's fist clenched.  In her mind, there was only one thing she wanted now, and that was to get Chase back in one piece.  After thinking she had lost him forever on Sauria six years ago, there was no chance Krystal was going to let that happen again...