Hey! Just a major head's up to anyone! This is a short story that may or may not be finished. But I figured I should write it anyways to try and do some warm-ups. it did take quite sometime to see about getting everything worded properly. I asked permission first from a friend.

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The Zuria Empire are one of the very few aliens that control the galaxy with an iron fist . Some do not mind that, as it does keep them fairly safe. Few colonized planets find them as one of their saving grace, but most colonies hear about the protests against Imperial assistance. When a planet becomes almost unviable by some crisis that cannot be killed simply outright, they would send out rescue missions to save enough civilians and pull them out… Before they decide to destroy the planet when they deem it as a Class Zero: Planet worth not saving.

In one such case, Krystal Tamaro is very familiar to the Class Zero situation. After a long and storied service, she retired from the Marines as part of the Xth Fleet’s marines. Her career was almost a textbook on Class Zeroes at the end of it. Despite effectively writing the book on Class Zeroes for the Xth Fleet, her handpicked unit was dispersed and returned to normal active duty. She retired on a former planet known as Galio, which was an Earthen Mining and Recreation Planet. Whatever was dug up there did cause her to have a major memory loss and her backup memory seemed to have been effectively ‘deleted’. Yet, what she recovered on that planet was indeed making her remember a lot of stirred up mess. Even finding some sort of bio-alien that was able to penetrate Zurian amour at all and kill them outright? That is rarely heard of, even to them! This didn’t cause Zurian fear, only anger and needing to take out these creatures.

Krystal only managed to save a few humans, using that almost demolished Zurian-tech armor and enlisting herself back into the system, and her Gravity Maul: A very powerful two-handed hammer that can shatter anything underneath it, and with enough force, able to cause a shockwave to level a building in front of her with a simple press of a button. There is even an in-built EMP for the hammer based on anything that was around the height of the head of the hammer that can practically shut down a city if need be. However, what she fought was not something she can easily take care of… Nor was the Zurians. Their only choice: Save as many civilians, then blow this planet up before that creature could spread and infest other planets. It is the best case scenario at the time. However, in the end… It fell into ‘Class Zero’. Everything she worked for started to disappear.

Inside her room in one of the classified fleets, she was already out of her armor. Her long, pointed ears twitched some as she was not in any form of clothing. She had her eyes closed as she played back in her head about what happened between the time her memory was damaged and loss, up to the destruction of the planet. She seem to try to find any clues or signs of what was going on. Stretching out on her bed, she sighs. Her perfect curves and hourglass frame had some muscular structure, yet enough fat on her to give her a very alluring physique. Only a sign of her Zurian heritage was the cameras in her eyes, focusing and narrowing, staring up as she thinks. “...Vul’tans… What was he doing on an earthen planet? Calls himself Foxtrot… Cute considering he has those earthling fox ears and tail.” She sighs out and thinks, re-recording the meeting and communications with him. “Something isn’t right with him…” She said to no one in specific, except to herself. “The one called Foxtrot really seemed unphased by our appearance. And he stated he was helping out ‘cleaning’ the mess? Sure, their kin invented the warp gate systems throughout the galaxy..” Her eyes snapped open as she immediately sits up. Quickly, she went upon putting on her tight jumpsuit to help support her body, she logged onto communications to the bridge. “This is Commander Tamaro. Code Number Five, nine, six, nine. I need to communicate with the captain.” she called out.

“Aah, let me look you up… Ah, there you are. Hrm, seems like the captain requested to see you personally. Seems like a good timing to visit the bridge.” The male Zurian said on the other side of the intercom. “Best get going and meeting up with the Captain. When he’s not watching those weird old outdated shit, he’s usually barking orders.”

“Gee, thanks. You could of contacted me sooner, ya know?” she rolled her eyes. “I know I told you to not bother me, but you should know better that if it’s our Captain, we shouldn’t be bullshitting around.” Krystal ends up retorting. Before he could respond, she practically pressed the button to disconnect, slipping on some boots as she heads out to meet up with the Captain.

Their ship is less of a Zurian Transport Ship and more of a Frigate Bombardment. The one Krystal is on is called “R.A.I.N.”. Codenamed for “Recovery Action Immediately Nowhere”. Not a very creative name in Krystal’s mind, but it does what it says. The Recon troupes are ejected into drop pods like large ballistic ammunition, and the Zurians burst out of nowhere to save anyone they were ordered to, and the frigate starts bombarding the battlefield if need be, or just simply disappear until the team completes their mission.

Plus having a working bar, food station, and entertainment room is always a plus. It is just right now that Krystal apparently was given a mission by the Captain himself. Entering and giving a salute to her superior, stating, “Commander Tamaro, reporting fo-”

“Two fucking minutes late! Tamaro, thought you had a fucking record of being on time and having good shit on leadership!” The Zurian captain shouts out, turning around and crossing his arms. His eyes focused onto Krystal, standing much taller than her and having a broader shoulder than most typical Zurian types. He indeed has the ‘intimidation’ check alright, red eyes focused on her and towering at least a couple feet taller than her. His ebony skin even seem to overshadow the lighting in the room. “Well, whatever. Yah got shit to do.” He waved it off as Krystal simply just stood there with her arms crossed, not intimidated by him at all. Instead, all she did was simply smirk as she watched him. Though she spots an unfamiliar Zurian, wearing the standard bog Zurian power armor. “As you can see, we got a new face in RAIN here. He’s got some good shit about leadership, but he ain’t good with them extra-terrestrials out there like you are. Hell, you even started cooking their shit and learning their race!” He simply looked at the Zurian in question, he would nod to him. He wasn’t as much taller than Krystal, but he did look ‘bigger’ in the power armor than she did.

“Greetings, Commander Tamaro. Recruit Seanli reporting! You don’t have to give me the rundown. I’m sure you went through it as well!” He said, saluting to her, grinning behind his visor. Though Krystal giggled and patted his armored chest, which only made him confused by her response. “So ah… Why aren’t you in power armor?”

“No need to salute to me, hun. And I wasn’t aware of what kind of mission we are in. From the sounds of the captain, we are going to do some simple questions to some local planetary aliens nearby, no?” she questioned, looking at the Captain.

He simply nodded. “Good! At least you fucking know the damned drill. Either that, or you snuck into the logs and fuck around with shit about what you need to do! Well, go on and get your shit together! We’re near a Vul’tan planet. We have rumors that some fuckin’ eggheads created those damned anomaly on Planet Exodia. You were first there, and you saw that bloody Vul’tan! We made sure to put a tracker on where that fucker went. As smart as they act, he seem to not notice that kind of shit on him. Not very smart, are they, eh?” He chuckled. The Recruit chuckled as well, agreeing with that statement.

However, Krystal didn’t laugh on that matter. “Or he knew. He just didn’t care. You do remember that they have technology the size of a pin drop that can open a wormhole to a sun, right?” This did make them shut up.

The Captain did not like what she stated. “Look, if he knew or not, he is our main target. Don’t make the shit so suspicious and maybe we will get more information out of that bastard. I have ordered a capture order, but my superiors said that they don’t need to start shit on a neutral party! But do what yah can to coax out shit from him. We got permission to dock onto their planet, so keep your shit together and don’t be trigger happy fucks.”

They both salute to their captain, saying “Yes, Captain!” as they head off in preparation to board onto the Vul’tan’s territory. Krystal chose to not wear her power armor, as it is not needed for this mission. Yet the recruit insisted that she needed it just as much as he needs it. Of course, she simply shrugged it off and the Recruit didn’t like her response, but didn’t question further. Neither the Recruit nor Krystal communicated with one another for the full duration, though Krystal wasn’t much for silence. Even boarding onto the planet, they could see the beauty emanating here, almost as if there wasn’t much technology around! Trees blooming with beautiful gold and blue colors amongst the leaves as they go through their main city. Even inside their city, they had natural bloom growing around the area.

“Huh… So these Vul’tans build their city around a large burnable tree? That is pretty dumb, don’t get me wrong.” Senlai stated, looking at the base of the tree, then all the way up… which the leaves themselves blanket the entire city alone. They literally are underneath just the edge of the leaves.

“Sheesh… You don’t know much, do you?” Krystal stated, looking up at him. “Yeah, seems dangerous at first, but a simple fire isn’t going to burn that tree. You are only going to give energy to it. Let’s just say that they have a lot of bio-defenses that we can’t simply fit in our ship. An energy cannon is just like giving that tree an adrenaline shot. Once it collects enough plasma particles, it’ll fire back at the opposing attacker. Just twice as big, and more if you are a dumbass and kept unloading energy and fire into that thing. And before you say ‘Ballistics’ you did see we had to pass through an energy field that would disintegrate anything physical it touches? Hell, the reason why we made an agreement to even be able to touch ground with them is because we had to prevent trade routes from happening. Shit like that isn’t something to laugh about. And starving them out isn’t a good priority and blowing up a planet that just wants to be left alone is something Zurians aren’t willing to do, considering if we did, the entire galaxy will never forgive us.”

“So… Why are they so special?” He then questions. “We could just simply nuke them if they were to cause a huge problem with us, right?”

She sighed. “Look at it this way, they are one of the few species that have on hold one of the most advanced technology they gave us. They aren’t fighters, just defending their own lands while they do trade runs. Only reason we need them on our side is because they don’t care who they trade to, so long as they pay enough. Killing them off is like gutting out their lungs and saying ‘You don’t need this anymore.’ since they are the top trading facilities, controlling what goes in and what goes out. Blowing this planet up will cause all warp gates turning into wormholes. And each worm hole is placed close enough to each neighboring planet that will cause life we are protecting to become non-existent.” She pointed out, scanning the area, until she found a local medical clinic.

“...Can’t we just-”

“Tampering with it will just cause whoever it was plus the planet it was nearby to disappear.” She cuts him off immediately, knowing what he was bound to say next. “Trust me. It’s why we need them alive as well as keeping a close eye on them. Cause they look cute and fluffy doesn’t mean they are not defenseless. Now, the tracker is leading to a hospital here. Looks like it’s closed right now, so keep on your guard when we enter.”

Silence falls before them as they come to the front door, seeing that all the lights are out. Knocking on the door had no response. Yet the Recruit tests the door lock and it simply swung open. They both looked upon one another as he holds onto his sidearm, ready for a possible ambush.

As soon as they entered, nothing has happened yet. However, they know they are being watched, thanks to the security cameras following them. They did not even bother looking at them and more at what they may come across. Krystal kept following the target, the internal ‘ping’ emitting within her until she stopped at the door. She knocked on it, calling in. “Hey, remember me?”


Though the recruit looks at Krystal as there was no answer. He softly stated to her, “Only one person tagged… It’s alive, but not moving. No actual weapons, other than standard doctor tools and… laboratory equipments about?” he then added with a hint of confusion.

“Alright, if you won’t open the door, we will be bursting down the door. So sorry about that. We’re going on the count of three, okay?”

However, the recruit simply went, “Three!” and bursts the door down with a simple boot, causing it to fly off its hinges and crashing next to their target. Krystal simply shook her head and immediately followed in with him, already aiming his gun right at the familiar face of hers…

He kept his hands up, his eyes closed as he looked at the both of them. “Oi, easy there! Could cause a chemical reaction if yer not careful. An’ I dun wanna have da anomaly freed and wot not.”

This came to a surprise as her mind remembered back at the scene when he threw four daggers, and the fifth entered the strange monster that was going to strike him down, only for him to pull one of the daggers out as it was pulled through a pocket-sized warp gate directly into the sun and closing it back up… The dagger… “You are playing with fire, you know.” Krystal stated simply. “Look, I don’t know what you were doing there on the earthling place, but we do need answers. And sorry about the door. Kind of training a newbie here.”

“Hey! I’m very well trained for this mission!” He stated out to her under his visor. Looking back at Foxtrot, he stated, “Now, you best hand over that anomaly you have. If not, I am liable to shoot you.”

“Look, like wot I said ta the lass back on dat planet was wot I stated ta everyone. Was dere fer a vacation, den shit hits the fan. I only helped out an wanna help out further by researchin’ dem creatures DNA. Seems like even dem blood is still alive without a host… I ma-”

“Just give us the damned thing. We can’t trust you with that. My research of your people stated that you are quite skilled with a silver tongue, and can easily trick any species, even Zurians without an actual lie detector test.”

This only got Foxtrot angry. “For bloody sake, lad! M’bloody tellin’ da truth! Not all ov me kin li-”

“Fuck this garbage.” He stated as he was about to pull the trigger. A simple ear twitch from the fox Though before he could react, a sudden flick of his wrist went right in between his finger and the trigger on his gun. yet the blade of the surgical knife was able to find hold of a very slim chance of an entry, going right into his wrist! He growled out as he couldn’t pull the trigger as he goes up to him to get ready for striking him with the gun instead.

Krystal sighed out and grabbed hold of the recruit’s wrist. Before he could complain, she stated, “You did ask for it. This isn’t good for your record.”

“He struck first!”

“Nye. You started ta pull on da trigger and was ‘bout ta add some snarky remark, lad.” Foxtrot stated simply, shrugging helplessly. “I ain’t gonna be able ta take yah both down, but me do know some ov da exposed parts of yer armor is at an’ wot not.”

“Eh, true. You,” Krystal stated, looking at the recruit. “ ..were going to pull the trigger before I can reach out and grab you.” She then looked at Foxtrot. “Now, before I decide what to do with you… What do you know so far about these anomalies? And why were you really there?” She then added, glancing back at him.

This did make Foxtrot sigh out and rub his forehead. “Okay, fine… Da earthing humans found some sorta thing that they mined out on da planet. Yer people contacted us ta figure out wot them lads and lasses found in dem underground space. I was sent in as if I was on vacation, but was gonna extract da artifact they found dat seemed dormant. Before me could even reach out dere, them creatures started pourin’ out of the entrance. Dat armor you were wearin’? Me guide. Sadly, she dinna make it. Saw you too, fightin’ yer life, an’ almost gettin’ infested by the creature. I did me best with some fire and… seems like they hated dat.”

This did calm the Recruit down, but Krystal on the other hand was surprised. “...What.. happened?” she questioned, going over to him.

“Did as any doctor could’a done. Save lives. Yer anatomy is… well, let me say I wanna keep that under wraps, even ta me own people. Whatever dat creature was doin’ ta yah, it was already gettin’ into yer brain. I had ta cut a few things like it was a quickly spreadin’ cancer an’ burn dat part… Figured ya would survive, not without losin’ somethin’. Hell, wish me could spread word me saved a Zurian to me people, but dat’s gonna cause a huge problem wid me gettin’ taken by dem dogs in suits an’ try ta beat out information from me to know wot makes yer bodies tick. An’ I like livin’.”

Krystal sighed out, knowing he was telling the truth. “...Look, I hate to say this, but you need to come with us. Glad you didn’t let any secrets out, but since you do know what is maki-”

“If yer gonna take me in, least yah could let me do is borrow a better lab. I’m da best when it comes to biology and bio-engineering… But ah’m da least of yer problems… When yah blew up da planet, neighborin’ non-living planets seem to have such creatures starting to infest and corrupt wotever it gets hold of… An’ yer right. Can’t trust me people. But yah can trust me.” Foxtrot then added, looking directly at the Recruit.

Krystal sighed and nodded. “Captain isn’t going to like this, but… I will convince him for you to use the lab. And I’m afraid once you come into our ship, you aren’t going to see your people f-”

“Pft! Sweetie, I don’t bloody care anymore about me people. Me own people in this city alone is gettin’ more corrupt over time an’ I ain’t havin’ dis crap. Just take me away, lock me up, wotever yah need ta do ta me. Just wanna take care ov dem… things before me people learns of its existance an’ try to use it as a bio-weapon.”

“I thought you said your kind a-”

“It’s what we all want everyone ta think. How else do yah think I managed to hit an exposed spot wid an semi-unbalanced scalpel not meant fer throwin’ and get it inside a gap dat even bullets cannae hit? Lucky me didn’t aim it higher and lodge it in the lad’s bone instead. Worst he’s gonna get is a couple ov stitches.”

Krystal did frown and nodded. “Well, if you co-operate with us, then best be spilling out everything, else it will instead be blood. But! Hey, at least you can use a lab, right?” Krystal then added, giving a bit of a grin about that.

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SURPRISE! Krystal Tamaro is not a fox! She's a Zurian! This time not a fox! But again, yeah... I may or may not continue this story. Like I said, it was a practice, but I am not too sure if I should continue on with it or not. Otherwise, I'd may probably just send this to a scraps folder. Yet I can't help, but enjoy it at least!

Anyone who reads this, do you think I should keep going with this story, or just stop?

Characters belong to  jotie

Zurians or Zuria and the idea belongs to "Old Man Maz"