Aaaaand, after months of waiting here is the next chapter in my space foxes story. Yay!

Since I've been doing this thursday writing prompt thing anyway, I figured I would just go ahead and link the thursday writing prompt to my space foxes story. That way you would actually get an update once a month at least, right?

If I could get my lazy butt up to write that is!

As always, critiques is welcome, praises enjoyed. Thanks everyone who reads this.

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Promised Land: Chapter 5


The images flickered to life in the small counsel room. The room itself was bathed in blue. The curved table that surrounded one the opposite side of the room revealed several members. One old Hiish. A tan colored grensho with longer ears, this one a race called a kensi. A grensho missing an ear near the opposite side. None of the counsel themselves where very visible, which is the way they wanted it. Down in the center of the circle stood Darkpaws. He himself was bathed in blue.

“A number of options are available to us. One is to build our own nation. To literally build an island in one of their oceans. The problem is we do not have the resources currently. Plus the governments themselves may see this as an invasion and attack before we even have the time to finish our island.”

Darkpaws nodded his head. Scratch nodded back and used a miniature square box to advance the image to a closer one of the island. “Your second option of course would be to invade a small nation. Of course this would be folly. We may defeat the nation itself, but the bordering nations would attack, fearing a larger invasion from a force they do not understand. As the planet's inhabitants own history shows, just like us, the things they fear the most are the ones they understand the least.”

Darkpaws nodded his head a second time. The image advanced to a more technical read out of the island. Size. How many of their own people could live there. How many humans currently inhabited the island itself. “Of course there is a third option.” Darkpaws said as he turned and faced the counsel. “We could simply buy land.”

“Most of their cultures allow private citizens to own their own land, including entire islands. We are currently poised to purchase this Island here. Our own nation. Our own people could easily live here. The island itself could be expanded so that one day millions of our people would live here comfortably. The country closest to us, this “Amerika”, would allow us to purchase the island, then declare ourselves independent.”

“What about the people who currently live on that Island?” The elder Hiish asked. “Won't they have something to say about losing their homes?”

“As you can see,” Darkpaws said, pointing to a number in the upper right hand corner of the hologram projected on the far wall, “They number less than 300. We simply make an announcement of some kind. Tell them that we are willing to purchase their homes if they wish to move, otherwise they now become citizens of our government.”

“How can we afford this?” The Kensi asked. “We have none of their currency?”

Darkpaws smiled. “They use precious metals as currency. Many of the same parts in our speeders can be easily traded for such. In all reality, for the price of a small herd of speeders, we can purchase the island, and more than enough supplies to build anything we like.”

The questioning went on like this for more than an hour. The more technical questions the counsel asked, the more Darkpaws knew he had them sold. They had poured over every detail, how large the island was, how many people currently lived there, how many people would stay after purchase. How they intended to buy the island, etc...

“Your proposal is very enlightening.” The counsel replied. “We must take time to discuss this.” Darkpaws held back a grin. “We will give you an answer within the hour.”

Darkpaws gave a polite ear grin. “Of course.” He replied. “I would expect nothing less. You will search over this scent to ensure a successful kill. I feel I must tell you, we are not the only ones on this scent. If we take too long to purchase this island, we may miss this opportunity. I place the decision in your very capable hands, counsel.”

Darkpaws left the counsel room. Sunshine was waiting on the other side of the door. “I think we may have a yes.” He exclaimed as he embraced Sunshine. Neither he, nor Scratch took note of Grey who had entered the chamber as they left.


“So, Grey, the deal is exactly as you said it would be.” The counsel replied. “Why should we be weary of this?”

Grey huffed and did his best impression of someone who felt hurt and betrayed. “Because,” he said, “the deal presented is the deal that I had managed to alter it into being.”

“What was the original deal?” The elder Grensho asked, the remaining ear tipping in an inquisitive nature.

“Darkpaws and Sunshine where going to buy the island for themselves. Darkpaws had set up the transaction before even planning this counsel meeting. I found correspondence between himself and an inhabitant of the planet. I followed them, and Scratch for sometime. They where very careful to hide their scent. However, I was able to follow them. During the last military exercise we did, they themselves managed to get a meeting with a human. This person was able to take a down payment. If I had not been there, neither Darkpaws, Sunshine, or Scratch would be here now.”

The counsel themselves where taken aback. Loud whispering and some outright barking and shouting had began. Finally, the Kensi in the middle shouted. “Counsel please! We have much to discuss. In the mean time, Grey, tell Darkpaws, Sunshine, and Scratch they have a deal. We must investigate these charges further. Grey, if these charges are as you exclaim, your honesty and loyalty will be rewarded greatly. For now, let us not spook our prey.”

Grey nodded solemnly. His ears trembled as he forced himself not to smile. He felt no guilt. After all, Darkpaws let himself be caught. He let himself be fooled. As Grey left the counsel chamber, he avoided Darkpaws at first. If Darkpaws wanted to be fooled, then Grey would oblige him. If Darkpaws let himself and his wife get killed, Grey would oblige him of that too.