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Days past and the crew of the Ronsar began to fall into routine. With such a large ship it was good to be ready for anything, which is why Ginsrag kept such a hefty crew. The only thing was with the ships as they were today the chance of some sort of computer or mechanical malfunction was rapidly approaching zero. So most of the actual work on a cargo ship is done on the ground. The time spent in space consists of a lot of down time, any chores usually serve the purpose of keeping everyone busy. Many say the only full time workers on ships like this are the cooks.

"I guess it's about time." Ginsrag said as he lazily sat up in his bed and made his way to the door. It was a short walk from his personal quarters to the pilots station.

Devon turned as Ginsrag entered the room. He quickly stood from the reclined position he had sat himself in at his console, turning to face the captain. "Sir." He called with a nod.

"Devon, good, you're here already." Ginsrag said before lifting his handheld computer before his muzzle, he opened up the com system, "Feras, Gerald, Please report to the pilots station."

"Can I ask what the event is?" Devon asked.

"Just a meeting." Ginsrag assured him. "What brings you here? We won't be touching down for another twenty two hours."

Devon shrugged, "I like to relax by the controls. Watch space."

Ginsrag nodded, stepping towards the human platform. His eyes stared out into the dark vastness. Their destination was just starting to become clear, a bright white dot that shone out just a bit more than the many millions that filled the expanse. "That is our system there."

"Yes sir." Devon said, "They say no matter how long you stare it will never seem to grow any larger until you are right on top of it."

Ginsrag chuckled, his eyes shifting to his right as another human came through the door on the platform.

"Sir." Gerald said as he came to Devon's side. He worked in the computer room.

"Just waiting on one." Ginsrag said, glancing towards the large door in the back of the larger room. It slid open, revealing Feras in her regular grease stained garb.

"Sir." She said, much like the others. It was a rare act of respect from Feras. She strolled over to the Pilots platform and leaned her back against it, glancing down towards the two humans before lifting her eyes back to Ginsrag.

"Okay. I am sure you all are wondering why I brought you up here." He began, "Don't worry no one is in trouble or at fault. I simply want to make sure everyone understands their responsibilities. You three are, by quite a large margin, the most experienced crew members on this ship. And likewise you three are holding very important positions on this vessel already. Feras, I think you know this already since your positions title already expresses some leadership."

"Yes, sir." She said with a nod.

"You and Gerald are both the heads of your departments. You are the first ones I will come to when I need to check a status update on our engines or computers. So I expect you to be able to do so on a moments notice. I understand that we have small teams here and even having a management job also requires to do a lot of the heavy lifting."

"It won't be a problem." Feras said with a nod, "I prefer to get my hands dirty."

"Likewise." Gerald called up. He was probably one of the older crew members. A scrawny thirty some year old human with scraggly long brown hair.

Ginsrag shifted his eyes slightly so they now sat on Devon, "That leaves us with you, Devon." He continued. "I must always place a great deal of trust and responsibility on my pilots. On a ship like this it comes with the job. You seem to handle the pressure well, so I have little hesitation in making you my second in command."

Devon breathed deeply, "Thank you, sir. I will do my best."

"I suspect you will." Ginsrag said with a nod, he glanced to Feras who seemed to be giving him a familiar impatient stare. "Now. As my second in command you are expected to make any important decisions that I would normally make if I am not available for one reason or another. If anyone has an issue that I cannot be bothered with they will be directed to you. Understood."

"Yes sir." Devon said, feeling Feras's stare from above. He met her gaze nervously knowing she probably hated this idea…for what ever reason. She smirked and rolled her eyes turning back to Ginsrag.

"Is that all captain?" She asked.

Ginsrag nodded slowly, his eyes darting between the two before speaking, "Yes. That is all. We will be landing within twenty two hours. I suggest you rest sometime between now and then. Gerald and Devon you are expected to be at your stations an hour prior to landing."

"Yes sir." Gerald said before making his way off the pilots platform, disappearing between into the human hallways.

Devon watched as Feras walked off before sitting himself back down in his pilots seat. His eyes gazing back out the window, though from the massive reflection he saw that Ginsrag had not moved. He remained still before the large Marlek leaned forward, the familiar sensation of monstrous blasts of breath ruffling his hair. He turned to face Ginsrag again.

"Sir?" He asked, doing his best to keep eye contact.

"There is no…trouble…between you and Feras is there?" Ginsrag asked slowly.

"Trouble? No sir." Devon replied.

"You know I have a knack for reading people. Even those as small as yourself." Ginsrag continued. "I could not help but notice a bit of mutual…tension."

"Erm." Devon mumbled, pulling at his collar, "There might be a little, you know, friendly competition between us. But nothing serious."

"Then let us keep it like that. You both fill very important shoes on this ship. Like it or not the rest of the crew will look up to you. I have made you my right hand man, Devon. Don't let me regret this."

"I won't let you down."

"Good." Ginsrag said as he rose to his feet, "Don't forget to sleep. I know time moves strangely out here." He added, glancing out the window once more before turning and leaving the room.

Devon sighed, watching the titanic figure exit, "Fuck this ship is going to get me killed." He mumbled to himself quietly. Moments later however the door reopened. He glanced up at the large windows to see the larger reflection of Feras entering the room. He waited until she approached the platform before turning around.

"Okay." She started, kneeling down and gripping the edge of the platform with one hand, "We need to discuss some things if this is going to go smoothly."

"Agreed." Devon said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes stared deeply into her large, dull colored eyes.

"Something about you bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it." She began bluntly.

"Likewise. But I think I can pinpoint exactly what irks me. You know, your general random distaste of me and your constant threats."

"Threats?" She repeated.

"That little gummy pilot thing?"

"That was a joke." She scoffed.

"Meant to intimidate still no less?"

"Perhaps a little." She shook her head, "I'm not going to go down this road. I came in here to tell you that you are not my superior. Not as far as I, or the rest of the crew, is concerned. Gin might put that title on you but I simply do not care."

"Alright." Devon replied.

"So don't expect me to refer to you as sir. Or anything like that. And don't you dare try to hold rank over my head, because I think we both know that on this ship we are at the very least equals."

"Maybe it's best you keep to your business and I keep to mine?" Devon said, "Though we are going to have to work together. I don't want you fucking me out of spite."

"Alright then." She said, standing back to her full height, "I'm glad we're in agreement."

Devon let out another long sigh as she walked away, "Well that wasn't so bad." He murmured.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Ronsar cut cleanly through the planets thick atmosphere. A wide, red desert landscape spread out below as the ship slowed itself down, its powerful engines roaring loudly.

"And that is how its down." Devon said with a grin, glancing over to Rachel.

"I could do that." She replied, meeting his gaze, "In a smaller ship maybe,"

Devon laughed, "In time little one."

"So when do I call in?" Rachel asked, her fingers already hovering over the radio.

"You can go ahead." Devon said with a nod.

She chewed her lower lip as she pressed her index finger into the touch pad, "Do I say something first?" She whispered.

"Yeah. Like we went over. When that red square turns green you start."

Rachel nodded, her eyes glued to the touch display. She gasped as the red square turned green, "T-This is the Ronsar requesting permission to land." She blurted a bit too quickly. There was a pause in the line.

"Ronsar you are free to land. We are sending you coordinates now."

"Check the map." Devon whispered.

Rachel nodded, bringing up the holographic display which spread across the window, a light blue triangle appeared where they were set to land. "Thank you landing bay, coordinates received." Rachel let out a sigh as the square turned red again. "I did it!" She cheered.

"Like a pro." Devon laughed.

"Better watch your job." Ginsrags voice called from behind in a deep chuckle.

"Oh I've already accepted my fate…an ugly old pilot like me stands no chance against this highly trained, highly attractive young girl like Rachel."

"Hm. Good point." Ginsrag said, panting lightly as he watched the red landscape slip rapidly beneath them.

"Oh quit it you two." Rachel said with a giggle, "You're making me blush!"

Ginsrag laughed, "Alright. Just get us on the ground so we can all earn our first paychecks." He said before lifting his computer to his muzzle, "Loading bay start prepping the platform. We will be touching down in about one minute."

~ ~ ~ ~

Ginsrag stood on the dusty landing pad with his arms folded as he watched his crew pile the many, large crates on the pad around him. Most of the heavy lifting was done with the aid of machinery. He had recently purchased a few sets of "spare arms" as they were called. Essentially they were a mechanic set of arms that the workers would strap to their shoulders and slip their arms inside the sleeves. The machine would essentially take the weight and cut it by a large margin. Anything too large to be handled like that would be taken out by small vehicles.

Ginsrag glanced at his handheld and nodded, "Good work guys." He called out.

"Ginsrag!" A voice called from behind.

"Oturos." Ginsrag replied as he turned to face his fellow Marlek. Oturous was nearly as large as Ginsrag, a white furred Fanacta with vibrant yellow eyes.

"I have been waiting on these parts for weeks it feels like!" Oturous said, taking hold of Ginsrags shoulder. He was the owner of a massive mining and smelting operation on a recently terraformed planet. He and Ginsrag had been in business for many years now.

"Well when ever they make a ship this large that can handle a jump reliably your shipments will be coming in mighty quick." Ginsrag said, his jaws parting slightly as he panted, "Hot out here."

"You get used to it. Besides, you're too used to the cold of space!" Oturous laughed, "But anyways. Down to business. I went ahead and deposited your payment directly to your account."

"Yes, yes I saw that. Everything went through fine."

"Great. And you are prepared to take on my shipment?"

"Definitely. I am very happy you chose to use my ship for this." Ginsrag said with a nod, knowing how profitable the cargo he would be carrying out of this planet would be. Raw materials, especially rare metals such as these, brought good business.

"Who else?" Oturous asked, "And what a fine ship to carry my goods."

Ginsrag turned towards his ship, "Well thank you anyway. I'm sure the crew will be happy with any extra coin we can pull out of this."

"Just keep on flying my way and I will have business for you old friend." Oturous replied.

~ ~ ~ ~

Ginsrag sighed as he sat down, panting contently as he glanced around the pilots station.

"Are we ready to depart captain?" Devon called over his shoulder.

"I would say so. Got a nice full belly, going to be a happy trip."

"I don't remember eating?" Devon said, "But I'm starving…"

"I was referring to my ship." Ginsrag said with a laugh. "A belly full of raw metal."

"Oh, of course." Devon said, his brow furrowing as his stomach grumbled. He sighed, "You ready, Rachel?"

"Yes." She replied. She cleared her throat and called the docking bay. As the light turned green she spoke, "This is the Ronsar. Preparing to take off, waiting for clearance." She fumbled with the last words.

Devon only laughed and smiled towards her, "Good enough." He whispered.

"Ronsar, the air is clear. You are free to take off."

"Thanks." Rachel said before releasing the com. She slapped her hand against her forehead, "Ugh. Thanks? Why can't my mouth work with my brain."

"Just a little less formal is all. You did fine." Devon said, trying to hide the large grin that was forming across his lips. His fingers ran over the controls quickly, "Attention crew, preparing for lift off." He said into the main com link. A few moments later he ignited the engines.

~ ~ ~ ~

Twenty hours later

"Okay." Devon continued as he paced around the main control console, "Where might you find the power transfer function?"

Rachel leaned over the console, her eyes scanning the various displays as she chewed on her lip, "On this vessel you would find the power transfer…" Her finger hovered over the controls, "Let's see, umm." Her finger pressed into the touch pad and scrolled to the right, "Here!" She said, pointing to the action on the controls.

"Good. And when would you use this feature?"

"If I need to take power from the rear engines and send it to the wing thrusters, or the other way around."

"Be specific. What is a situation that you would need this for?"

"Well um." She continued, "If you come across a large debris field and need extra maneuvering power." She said, grimacing as she awaited Devons response.

"Sure, sure. That would be a good time to use it."

Rachel sighed in relief, "Phew."

"Well, you're twenty two for twenty five questions tonight. Not bad."

"Are we done?" She asked, leaning back in the pilots seat.

"Uh, yeah I supp-" Devon was interrupted as the larger door suddenly slid open. He turned towards it, expecting to see Ginsrag but was a little confused to see one of the Neko labor hands from the loading room stepping through the door. "Can I…help you?" He called out, his hands gripping the railing.

"Actually, yes." The Neko said, an uncomfortably sharp grin spreading across his lips. His thick tail swayed side to side, he was an Alta.

Devon glanced over his shoulder to Rachel and shrugged, "Well….with what?" He persisted.

The Neko had sort of shaggy long blonde hair, his features were sharp and toned. His voice somewhat raspy as if he had spent his relatively short life consuming a lot of strong liquor and cigarettes. "I need you to go ahead and redo the coordinates for me."

"What?" Devon asked with an arched brow.

"Ginsrag told me so."

"I highly doubt that." Devon said, folding his arms across his chest. "I think I might give him a call and see." He said walking towards the console. Rachel stood and backed away towards the window, feeling an odd tension forming in the air.

"Ah, ah." The Neko said, reaching behind his back and pulling a small firearm before him, "I wouldn't want to scratch my new ship with an ugly bullet wound."

"Hit." Devon muttered.

"W-What?" Rachel nearly squeaked, "What is he talking about?"

"Pirate." Devon whispered back, "He wants us to redirect the ship to a place where I assume his team is waiting to pick apart our shipment."

"Very good." The Neko replied with a wide grin, he knelt down before them, "Now. Seeing as I could turn both of you into ash with a single shot let's not hesitate? The new coordinates are six-seven-five-"

"No." Devon replied, "You need a human to pilot this ship if you want it to land."

The Neko laughed, "Sure. I need a human." His hand suddenly shot forward, Rachel shrieked as his massive, powerful fingers gripped her hips and lifted her off the platform before his face.

"Put her down!" Devon roared. "If you are going to do anything take me instead! She can land the ship…"

"No. I think I would rather have the professional do it." The Neko replied, his bright blue eyes shifted to Rachel, "Not this unlicensed slut."

Rachel began to cry as she pushed against his fingers, "Let me go!" She cried.

"Hm. Oh she is a fine little thing aint she?" The Neko continued. "My, my I know quite a few settlements that would pay me well for a specimen like this." He lifted her close to his lips and inhaled deeply, "Fresh. clean. soft." He whispered menacingly.

"Please…" She begged.

"Stop this! I will do what you want." Devon pleaded, his stomach nearly turning on end as he watched the monstrous Neko handle the poor girl. "She is hardly over eighteen you fuck-"

"Watch your tongue." The Neko snapped, "I can see some benefit to letting this one off this ship…but in a fit of rage you never know what I might do." He laughed between clenched teeth before opening his jaw slightly. Rachel shrieked again as his tongue rolled out over her torso and face, "I hear that eating humans can be quite addicting…they are so tasty…and I hear they fight for days…"

Devon grimaced, "Just…tell me the coordinates."

"Put that girl down." A fearsome voice growled from behind them. Ginsrag entered the room, his fists clenched tightly.

"Oh, my captain. I was just telling your pilot to correct his coordinates." He lifted the firearm towards Ginsrag, "I think you agree with me?"

"Put the girl down." Ginsrag repeated. "Before I rip your throat out."

"Do you hear this guy?" The Neko laughed, "No. I think I have a different idea." He grinned as he pulled the trigger. A bright white flash illuminated the dimly lit room, accompanied by a thunderous explosion. Ginsrag roared as a cloud of ret mist burst from his chest, his giant body toppling to the floor.

"Ginsrag!" Rachel cried, "You monster!"

"Well now that the beast is out of the way." The Neko continued. "I expect some cooperation, my blood is running a little hot and all this fuss is starting to make me hungry." He eyed Rachel with a sickening grin.

"Please…no!" Rachel whimpered, "Please don't kill me…I will do anything!"

"Oh I bet you will." His gaze shifted to Devon, "Do me well right now and I will make sure you wont be joining her once we touch down, yeah?"

Devon watched as Ginsrags figure pushed himself back to his feet, silently. A primal rage clear in his eyes, his light brown shirt soaked in his own blood. "Yes, sir." He replied quietly. He stepped back to the computer console slowly, watching as Ginsrag advanced.

Ginsrag suddenly leaped forward, taking the arm with the weapon and digging his claws into it. The Neko screamed, but dropped the weapon. Ginsrag acted quickly, taking the arm with Rachel and held on tightly, there was only one clear way to keep her safe from the ensuing fight. He bent the Neko's arm back his jaw opening wide before engulfing his hand.

"What the hell are-" The Neko screamed again as the massive teeth dug into his wrist, he could not control his actions as he released Rachel, letting her fall to his tongue.

Ginsrag felt the girls squirms inside of his maw and released the Neko's hand, pinning the screaming girl to the roof of his maw, encasing her safely behind his blood drenched teeth.

"Let me-" The Neko was cut off again as Ginsrags powerful claw clenched around his throat. He choked and spat, falling to his knees as his hands desperately beat into Ginsrags arms and torso. But the Marlek was fueled by rage and adrenaline, he no longer felt pain…nor mercy. His grip tightened, his sharp claws easily ripping the Neko's flesh. Deeper and deeper his fingers sank until the Neko's eyes rolled back into his head, his mouth hanging ajar as blood flowed from the corner of his lips in a thick and bubbling river.

Rachel whimpered in the wet blackness, feeling the long, powerful muscle move beneath her, "I-Is it…" She tried to say but broke into a fresh set of tears.

Ginsrag took a step forward but faltered, falling to one knee as he felt his energy draining. He fell to his side, his jaw opening, letting Rachel roll to the floor.

"Ginsrag!" Devon yelled, his eyes trailing along the bloody display on the floor. He watched as Rachel crawled out from his maw, sprinting to his shoulder.

"Ginsrag! Captain!" She called, wiping her tears away on her arm.

"S-Sorry…I had…to…put you there…" Ginsrag whispered.

"I don't care!" She cried, "You saved me…"

Devon ran to the console, pressing his finger to the main com, "We need medical aid in the Pilots station. Hurry!"

Not a moment later Chorala, the female Fanacta that worked as one of the ships medical team came bursting through the door, "Oh my god!" She cried out, her hand clamped over her muzzle.

"Help Ginsrag!" Rachel cried up to her.

A crowd started to form at the doorway. "What happened?" Chorala asked.

"That Neko tried to pirate the ship…he has been flagging us since the beginning I imagine." Devon called down to her as he rounded the human walkway, "Ginsrag killed him, but not before he was shot."

"He is in trouble. Hurry and signal for help, if he doesn't get to a hospital within the hour…" She trailed off as she cut away his shirt and injected him with a long needle. She quickly wound medical wrapping around the wound.

Devon rushed back to the console, his mind working in a blur as he typed in the numbers to contact an aid ship.

"This is the Ronsar, we have a severe emergency. Our captain has suffered a shot to the chest, we don't have long!" He nearly cried out, his hands shaking.

"Confirmed. Sending a ship to your location now, please turn off your engines." A female voice replied, "What species are the injured."

"M-Marlek. Trugon. He has been shot in the chest."

"Thank you. You're aid vessel will be boarding your vessel in several minutes. Please get the injured as close to the doorway as you can."

"Okay." Devon said, turning back towards the Neko and Marlek that stood in the large doorway, "Get him downstairs!"

~ ~ ~ ~

Devon sat motionless, the weight of Rachel's head leaning against his shoulder, the cloth of his shirt licking his shoulder with the moisture of her tears. His knees and hands still shook slightly from all the commotion. In his short life he had never seen much violence beyond a small bar fight or two. But in a short burst of violence he had watched a friend get shot in the chest, and then another man nearly have his throat torn from his neck. Though he wished he had been able to kill that Neko with his own two hands instead…Rachel was too good of a girl to be violated like that.

"He will live…" Rachel finally whispered.

"Yeah." Devon whispered back.

She lifted her head and sat back, wiping her eyes with her palms, "I feel sick."

"If you need to I can take you to the bathroom." Devon said, he had carried her out to the mess hall…her legs had gave way from all the trauma.

Honela sat next to them quietly, "Poor thing…" She said softly, her own eyes glimmering with tears.

The entire crew sat quietly spread through the ship, a team of Nova Guards had been sent along with the aid ship because of the nature of the conflict. They were tasked with cleaning the blood, they would not want a crew to clean up the remains of their own.

They remained there for what felt like hours before Devons computer finally vibrated with the call.

"Yes?" Devon asked, rising to his feet, walking a few strides away from Rachel. Both she and Honela looked upon him anxiously as he spoke with the aid ship. Devon nodded slowly, falling back down onto the bench.

"What? What did they say?" Honela asked.

"Ginsrag…he…didn't make it…"