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How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth
How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth
Copywrite@Melina Swiftwind
SS Golden Venture
Deep Space
The bridge on the Venture was quite as the crew concentrated on various pieces of equipment and tasks. Richard considered the run was an uneventful one. He liked it that way if he was honest, shake a down cruise was just the thing for checking his new ship out. Nothing showed up and it seemed that Synar-systems had done very well with this class of ship.
“The Ralen System is now on sensors, slowing to impulse power” announced Lilly Miller from the helm console.
Lilly was around five ten a decently muscled black mare. She was also the ships medical officer as well. Unlike her brother Jayce she was more of the curious type and was probably the best one trained in the medical field. A long white make cascaded down over her shoulders she kept her hair like this most of the time.
“Keep us away from Ralen six”
“Understood, not somewhere you want to slip into really” Lilly replied.
The Ralen system contained only six planets that orbited a glass G star. Ralen one and two where uninhabitable and orbited close to the star. Only Ralen three and four contained life, both planets where M Class. Ralen five was just a lifeless rock with little to no atmosphere. Ralen six was a massive gas giant and created a sizeable gravity well. It was within the Federated Worlds it was considered that Ralen Six was a failed star, one that was not able to create enough gravity and heat to create primary ignition to become a star.
“Picking up com-chatter on various frequencies” Luia commented.
“If you’d like to send communications to our two new crewmembers on Ralen Four inform them we’ll be landing at the main space port in three standard hours, please Luia” answered Richard.
********
Three hours later the Venture had finally settled into the hanger assigned to it. Several gasses and a few stream of condensation streamed of the hull. Waiting the crew that would take away the cargo stood to one side of the hanger.
The main hatch and cargo hatch opened with a long hiss of escaping atmosphere and after a few moments a walk way slipped out and settled to the floor. Richard padded his way down to the ground and waited.
As he waited he looked over the padd he held in his right hand. He sighed softly, sometimes Rana-Tech wasn’t always on the ball. At least they paid well that was for certain, alright time keeping seemed to not be their best thing at times. Richard heard something or someone running up.
“Oooh sorry I’m sorry I’m late” panted the large foxtaur standing close to Richard.
Next to the foxtaur a large blue and white husky stood. He was wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, he had a black patch over one eye. Next to him was another foxtaur.
“Oh um Sorry I’m Starflare daughter of Riverwalker and Sandstreak, I represent Rana-Tech” the foxtaur commented.
Richard passed his padd to Starflare and was given another the both gave a thumb print and waited. A few seconds both padds were exchanged again with payment completed. With that their business was concluded. Richard watched as Starflare padded away.
“Well sorry about that it’s not always how things go on the Venture. I’m Richard James, owner of Starbright Haulage”
The blue and white huskey swallowed it was all new really if you ask him. This was his first job out of this world.
“Austin Willow, second engineer, this is Longshore daughter of Silverstrand and Ebonytail. Longshore is a cargo handler”
“Welcome aboard, I’m afraid we’re going for shore leave and then pick up our next cargo, that isn’t a problem is it?” questioned Richard.
Both the huskey and foxtaur shook their head it wasn’t a problem at all.
********
Vearn Commercial Zone
Ralen IV
Perhaps it was not unfair to say the main commerical zone about twenty minutes walk from the spaceport. Shops and taverns with market stall dotted here and there. Fabrics of bright colors and neon signs were strew around. Various people barked out what they were selling. Prices and amounts of stuff you could buy.
Eve, Sasha, Austin, Jayce and the other had met up a few moments earlier. They looked around the market stalls and such. It seemed to Sasha you could buy almost anything in the area. Ita was busy haggling for various food stuffs they might need on a longer voyage. The blue Rabbit was a natural and it was expected at the market to haggle over the prices. Only in the taverns prices where not negotiable.
The group and found a tavern they all liked and had found a table large enough to let them all sit together. The tavern was ironically named the laid back mare. At the front of the tavern hung a sign it was in basic and a few other languages it read: No Blasters Allowed
“I still think we paid to much for those supplies. I swear I could have got a better price. Two bars of latinum was to much” groused Ita.
“Ita you got her down from three bars and managed to get her to not charge for delievery just let it be” James adviced.
The rabbit just sipped at a large mug of some green liquid, Eve said it was some local brew it smelled odd to Sasha. The vixen looked back to Eve.
“So let me get this right...ten slips to the strip, ten strips to the bar…?”
“Noooo twenty slips to the strip, ten strips to the bar” replied Longshore.
“Gawd...why not just use credit chits like very body else?” questioned Austin.
“Because not everyone in the federated worlds uses credit chits as a currency”
“This is giving me a headache Longshore”
Longshore chuckled softly and sighed a little afterwards and turned to pick up the drink, That was next to Richards. The taurs normally drank a great deal more than none taurs, the mug if it could be called that was twice the size. Longshore took a long draught from the frothing green liquid. Jayce the eqiune cargo hander was sitting the closest to the main bar. The huge chestnut colored stallion sighed as he watched a large feline enter. The male feline made a track towards Richard easily, Jayce could see the feline was well drunk. Several others came in following the feline.
“Shit” Jayce said softly.
“Heya Jimmy heard ya lost ya ship and some stupid fool gave ya a new one. More fool them!” the feline announced.
“Hello Captain Gibson, I’m sure you have better things to do than this. Heard you had a cargo for Donra Six. Lots to sort for a haul that way out don’t you think?” asked Jayce.
“Nah plenty of time for that little horsie plenty of time. I heard Jimmy was here after he’d lost his ship. Poor Jimmy, so he has a new ship, is he gonna get this one wrecked by pirates or slavers, like he’s had plenty of opportunities hasn’t he, ya would think Jimmy is either a pirate or hauling their garbage!” Gibson laughed aloud.
Richard snarled softly and the wolf flew at Gibson the table went over and that was when the fight began.
********
The police station had seemed to be quite or it just seemed that way, Richard did wonder if the fight had been all that worth while. The fine for taking part in a class two riot was going to eat into ships budget at some point. At least the police force had returned part of the fine as long as the group where off planet in the next six hours. Everyone but for Jayce his sister, Austin, Longshore where all supporting some sort of bump or bruise. The group had returned to the Venture and was busy settling down. Richard was with Ita, Eve, Sasha and Austin.
“I guess we should talk about what happened at the laid back mare. What happened was inexcusable I should have been a better leader. Some of you know I have history with..pirates I won’t go into it but lets leave it at that”
“Yes well I doubt Captain Gibson will be so free with his mouth, the way Eve threw him through the air and that window like she did!”
“Ita!” exclaimed Eve as she went bright red.
“Well I thought you were going for the galactic shot put record or something the way you pin wheeled him”
“Ita stop it!” Eve exclaimed as she went as red as it was possible to go.
“Alright behave Ita and go get ready for lift off. We should be fully loaded for our long haul to the planet Khalt” commented Richard.
“Khalt?” questioned Ita.
“Khalt recently just joined the Federated Planets, it only just passed petition to the council for membership. Having a single government and faster than light travel are two of the conditions that they passed. They are now a protectorate world, anyway going to get ready for lift off see you all later”
Richard and Ita stood up the two passing close to the port that looked out on hanger. Sasha went with them as she needed to send a report back to technical services. Eve noticed something was up with Austin.
“Austin is something wrong?” she questioned.
“Yes...and no...you know I’ve been here for over four years and Longshore has been my friend for three of them but...I spotted something. You know during the fight...”
“Yes...during the fight what?”
“I spotted something I thought...well she has breasts”
Eve had to smile and then hide her laughter, she shook her head and bit her lower lip. She didnt know if she should be embarrassed for him.
“Oh you dont know?”
“Know what?” pondered Austin.
“Well….Foxtaurs are hermaphrodites Austin, they all are there’s no males or females on their home world. It’s believed they are from the Gene Wars of two centuries ago, it’s not something they are proud of. They talk very little if anything about that time”
The gene wars had left an unhealed scar across the quadrant, several planets where now lifeless and radioactive. Not one species had been left unharmed in one way or another. For a long time various planets blamed each other for the wars. One or two species had been bombed out of existance, there had been other tauriod species but only the Foxtaurs remained. With the formation of the Federated Planets they had finally put things aside.
“But..umm how?” questioned Austin.
“Your in love with hir?”
“Hir?” asked Austin.
“Yes Hir Foxtaurs don’t use male or female pronouns. They prefear shi, and hir, they introduce themseleves with their name and then their sire and then their mothers name” explained Eve.
“Oh that much I know I just did’nt...you know and yes I love hir” blushed Austin.
“Just take it slow like you would with any male or female then you should be fine” replied Eve.
Austin blushed a little as he rose from the chair he had been sitting in. The husky was a little puzzled as he slowly made his way from the mess hall towards the cargo bays.
********
Ita had finally given up, perhaps that Aby squirrel was just rude or something. She’d been up against that more than a few times. She sighed softly as she finally managed to get into the small galley. She blew air through her nose and went back to work.
The blue furred rabbit was soon deep in whisking cake mix as she tried to let off steam. It was true the crew had been better to her than most. Her past would have broken most people she knew she just could not think to much of the things done to her. The body modifications had made her scream for days afterwards, anger just rose in her mind and all of a sudden the mixing bowl was sliding down the galley wall. She felt the ship lurch as it lifted off, She suddenly sat down and openly wept, maybe Ita had not healed as much as she thought she had.
**********
Richard sighed it seem their trip to Khalt would be cancelled, it seemed there was some sort of objection to the worlds application to the Federated Planets. Richard wasn’t going to go into the political moves going on. At least the cargo they where carrying was easily enough to make a sale with. He pressed a contact patch on a communications unit and pressed another so it would be ship wide.
“Richard here due to new information we will not be going to Khalt. Instead we will be setting course for Vularn Three, I know this will excite some of you as it’s the home world of the Foxtaurs. Richard out”
********
“Really...home?” questioned Longshore.
“It seems that Longshore, guess things are not as secure for Khalt as much as they hoped it was” replied Astrid.
“Perhaps not I wonder who they upset?”
“Could be anything but most planets that get issued like they have normally tried to get hold of technology they are not ready for yet. I’m going to head for bed Astrid I’ll bid you good night”
“Goodnight Longshore sleep well”
********
Vularn Three Orbit
Local Time
0930 Hrs
Vularn unlike many of the Federated Planets was undeveloped for the most part. There where only four cities on the planet. The world of the Foxtaurs was never going to be industrialised like the core worlds. That was unthinkable for the Foxtaurs where very much linked to their world and each other they were also low level empathic as well.
The Foxtaurs who had left their world for other planets where normally always in pairs. Longshore was not your typical Foxtaur. Vularn was dotted by villages and the population kept to a back-to-nature lifestyle. Very very few villages grew into towns. From orbit the world gleamed like a emerald jewel in space. The venture was a few hours from landing at the main spaceport.
Longshore was looking at hir world from a large view port in the small observation lounge. It had bee five years since shi had been home. Silverstrand had not liked that Longshore had left to explore the stars. Most of their species stayed on their home world. Longshore sighed softly and was about to turn as shi heard someone approach. Shi looked and smiled as shi found Austin behind hir.
“Vularn looks beautiful Longshore...I ...Long I love you” Austin commented.
“I know Austin I was waiting for you to say...you talk in your sleep. I found out when you nodded off the other day. I love you to sweety”
“How long till we land?”
“About three hours, my family will be waiting or least Ebonytail. My mother works at the main space port”
“Umm I know not a lot of Foxtaurs leave for other worlds or space to often”
“That’s true but there where...reasons why I left Austin. I wanted to explore so I left to follow a career in space. I broke quite a few rules but I admit I wasn’t the first to do so. Normally Foxtaurs leave in pairs we need each other as we’re all low level empathic to each other and our world”
“It must have been difficult for you Longshore”
“It was for a bit but...I’m not normal my link to this world isn’t very strong like others”
Austin moved closer and slipped an arm around Longshore’s waist where it met hir lower body.
“What’s it like your world?”
“It’s beautiful Austin so peaceful and untouched mostly. If I have the calendar right it should be founders week. It’s a very long festival the entire planet takes part, I will say we Foxtaurs do parties like you’ve never seen”
“I just want to meet your family” answered Austin.
“Oh you will...but you remember what I said about our families?”
“Yes I know Foxtaur families are very very big. Foxtaurs dont have any junk genomes or the taboo on incest. Plus your very much uninhibited”
“Glad to see you can remember what I told you Austin”
The planet become larger and larger in the view port as the Venture headed towards it. The speaker in the observation lounge came on: All hands prepare for atmospheric reentry.
********
Very few jet black foxtaurs were not often born. Ebonytail was a rare exception to the rule. Shi watched the skies often wondering where Longshore was. Today was different shi knew hir daughter was on hir way home.
If shi had been anything but a Foxtaur shi would have been angry when Longshore left. Thankfully that never happened shi would admit shi had been disapointed. Five years had been a long time and Longshore had missed the birth of her younger sister. Silverstrand had been pregnant when Longshore had left for space.
Shortail was five and a bit years old she went everywhere with hir mother Silverstrand. Ebony smiled as shi thought of the cub and grinned as shi spotted Longshore and hir friends. Longshore padded over and hugged Ebonytail.
“Greetings my sire may I introduce my boyfriend Austin and the crew of the Golden Venture”
Ebony greeted each in turn before turning to the two large ground craft behind hir.
“Perhaps we should head home Longshore the family is gathering there and your friends are more than welcome to join us”
********
All ground craft where powered by electrical power charged from a power outlet found in most homes and some businesses. A few were powered by a form of electrical gel like substance. Pollution was unheard of on the world, the Foxtaurs kept it that way. The founders festival was only a day away already preparations were under full swing.
As the ground cars passed through the city attached to the space port, the group could see banners, and mnany decorations being hung up and set out on buildings and across the street. Most of the vehicles were specially designed to be driven by, and carry, taurform passengers. There were of course ground cars that could be driven by none taurs.
Once the two ground cars had left the city Richard had asked where they where going. Ebony had replied they were heading for hir home village. The name of the village was Emerald Glades, the houses although much larger than the ones that Richard and the other were use to. It seemed that everything was larger for taurforms. Here and there where a few paintings and images of foxtaurs and other tauroid forms which where now extinct, two images looked like otter and rabbit taur forms. All the houses where simple, natural materials were preferred, with hand-crafted fittings and furniture. Cleverly concealed or artfully blending with the decor were those contemporary items which were essential, such as modern plumbing, electrical power and a communicator station. The ground cars came to rest outside a house on the end of the road.
The group left the cars and looked around Austin looked to Longshore and quietly asked.
“What’s with the Otter and Rabbit taur murals?”
“Austin they..are to help us remember the Gene Wars, both the Otter and Rabbit taurs are well their worlds are gone. Bombed from orbit by fleets of ships, nothing grows on their worlds and many others. Founders week is so we remember how we survived and those that didn’t. Foxtaurs still carry the stigma of being...foot soldiers during the wars...most wont talk about it to outsiders, It’s best to leave it alone”
Ebony looked to Longshore and raised an eyebrow, shi shrugged and padded into the house. The others followed.
Inside the house looked like any other on any planet, except there where a lot more rugs and places to lay down. A few Foxtaurs where seated or laying down. The colors where mixed but one was a very light blonde furred part of hir fur looked like silver.
“Did I not teach my cub good manners?” the Foxtaur questioned.
“Yes my Mother I’m sorry, greetings to all who live in this house, peace and long life” replied Longshore.
“Much better now get your arse over here and give me a hug!” announced Silverstrand.
The two hugged tightly and Longshore introduced the others. Silverstrand explained there where a few guest houses nearby and the crew could use them. As they hugged and Austin was introduced to Silverstrand. Shi hugged Austin quickly and smiled as shi introduced him to the others.
As he was watching Silver and Longshore talking something flew past him and then a few seconds later he found himself on the floor. A much smaller Foxtaur was standing next to him and was titling hir head about, just next to hir was another Foxtaur, something looked odd about hir, shi looked somewhat feline as well. While it was true Foxtaurs where the most numerous there were Felinetaurs as well. They to be honest did mostly like the Foxtaurs stay on their home world. The species was not a member of the Federated Worlds.
“Hi hi, I’m Shortail!” announced the first arrival.
“I’m Firemane!” called out the other.
“Oooh your weird you only have two legs where you in an accident?” queried Shortail.
“Shortail, Firemane behave these are our guests!” called Silverstrand.
“I want to know why the doggy has only two legs...was he blowed up or something?”
“Shortail that’s very rude!” called Silverstrand.
“It’s alright, no I wasn’t in an accident I was born this way” Austin answered.
“Shortail and Firemane go wash up we’re having dinner soon” announced Silverstrand.
“Tell us more about this festival. What exactly are you celebrating?” asked Ita.
“Well we’re celebrating the founding of our world, all Foxtaurs came here just after the end of..the wars. We settled here because no other world would take us. Tomorrow is founders week. We’re in the northern hemisphere so winter will becoming soon. Foods will have been prepared and preserved and all maintenance completed before the hard winter comes. We now have the luxury of relaxing and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Family and others from other communities come over to visit their relatives and everyone indulges in a lot of socializing that they don't have time for earlier in the year." answered Ebonytail.
“Really intimate socializing”
“Darkclaw!” called out Silver.
“Half the cubs born in this village arrive about the same time, about ten months later” finished Darkclaw.
"It doesn't surprise me, it’s hardly a secret" answered Ebony.
“So much for trying to keep it nice” said Silverstreak.
********
The table had various dishes and foods on it, Ita had never seen so much food in one place. She was going to ask but guessed quickly taurs needed a large amount of food to fuel their bodies. The Rabbit was already tucking into a carrot and pea stew she murred softly loving the warm liquid as it hit the back of her throat. She had expected not as much food on the table she would admit it seemed like like a large banquet. Everyone tried foods they had not tasted before. It seemed most of the food agreed with them.
All the crew of the Venture had started eating the foxtaurs encouraged it. Both Shortail and Firemane kept looking to Austin and Jayce, it seemed that both had been adopted by the pair of foxtaur cubs.
Aby, Lilly and Astrid sat to one side of the table as the few other foxtaur cubs ate or slowly fell asleep. It was true that foxtaur families where larger than most family units. They all talked amongst themselves as they all ate. Soon the meal was over and the group started to split up. Silverstreak went to feed hir youngest cub and Ebony took over as host.
“I think we should all think about sleep now to be honest” Richard said softly.
Ebonytail nodded it was late evening and the travel time and the length of day was starting to take it total on the Venture crew. The crew left the house much to the dismay of Shortail and Firemane only a promise that they would see Austin and Jayce in the morning placated the two cubs.
The group left the house following Ebony, Ita stopped for a few moments and looked up. The stars shone brightly and far from feint like she was use to. In fact the stars where as bright as they were on New Warren her home world, or at least it felt like home. You needed somewhere to put down roots, somewhere and something worth returning to once you had the wander lust out of your system.
Ita never thought she would be tired of wandering but there was always a small part of her that tried to recall her parents. She shook her head, that part of her life was over and no amount or recalling them would make them live again. The blaster pistol of a pirate ended their lives and no matter what they would not becoming back. She still recalled their screams as they where torn into atoms by the beam of the blaster, she quickly caught up with the others.
********
The houses that Ebonytail showed the group seemed to be a slightly smaller than the house that Silverstreak owned. Perhaps it was adapted for none taurs, Richard wasn’t sure. The others had soon found rooms and had started to settle down. The Venture would be here at least two weeks before a cargo could be found to take them off planet. That was fine by Richard some R and R would do everyone some good.
Eve and Sasha had gone to bedroom together they had something to do. Richard didn’t want to know privet lives where their own affair only if it threatened the ship or their family would he interdict.
“You should all be alright here I’ll be next door, if you need anything just use com channel one zero five five it will connect to our home. I’ll let you all settle in you must all be tired, peace and long life” commented Ebony before shi left.
********
Eve had a nanite injector in her hand. She had already opened the access port under her breast. She bit her lower lip and little and looked to Sasha. The Vixen nodded and smiled, as she did so Eve slipped the tip of the injector into the port and squeezed the handle. There was a soft hiss and Sasha nodded her approval.
“See not so hard was it?” asked Sasha.
“No..it..it just still feels weird Sasha, I can feel the carrier gel entering my..body”
“Well the carrier gel is just the stuff that has the nanites within it. You’ve got a lot better Eve, we should try and get some sleep”
“Yeah it’s been a long day and I’m not sure Astrid is pleased with that little accident we had”
“It was just one container not a big one and it was kind of her fault. Maybe she’ll service the cargo bots a bit look like they could do with it” answered Sasha.
Eve had already got into bed she shook her head and lay down and yawned a little.
“Good night Sasha” she finished.
********
Longshore padded hir room, shi had not gone with the others it seemed better shi return to hir own room. Longshore was having an issue, it wasn’t something Foxtaurs would have a problem with but shi knew it could be with none taurs. Ebony was sitting with hir and watching with some amusement on hir face.
“Why now I swear any other time it would not be an issue but for goodness sake why chose now!” Longtail wailed.
“Three things first calm down, second your broadcasting to every foxtaur in range. Third your in heat it’s not the end of the world you know”
“I’m in heat Ebonytail...you know what happens with us in heat. Our pheromones send any none taur male nuts”
“Stop acting like a cub this is not your first time, you can make a choice use the herbs that surpress our heat or hump like rabbits with that blue and white husky..Austin was it?”
“EBONY!” cried out Longshore.
“Your a foxtaur adult act like one, hell your mother Silver virtually jumped on me and we went at it like you wouldn’t beleive”
“But...but…”
“But nothing you know very well your sister Sunrider’s Coming-of-Age ceremony is tomorrow. Your more than old enough, you love Austin?”
“Well...yes but….he’s only just confessed he loves me”
“By the Goddess…. I suspect you two have been on dates and such right. Then ask him or as your Sire I will do it myself. You don’t have to ask him to be life-mates or such… cubs are getting silly these days” Ebony commented as shi was walking away.
“I...I’ll ask him tomorrow”
“You better had my little firetails...or I will I promise...and do it before Sunrider’s ceremony” Ebony said over hir shoulder as shi left the room.
Longshore swallowed shi knew hir sire did not make idle threats.
********
Silverstreak tapped hir forward right foot on the ground, shi didn’t like this to much but the Coming-of-Age Ceremony had to take place. Shi just wished it had not taken place during founders week. Most of their world was untouched vast area’s of forests plains covered the entire planet.
The Forge was a different place, it was a place of rock and desert, some volcanic areas with few osasis dotted around. The More dangerous fauna of the planet lived there mostly they left Foxtaurs alone. The Kven a feline that looked like a large blue furred cat lived there it hunted alone. It had ten inch sharp sabre like teeth and claws that contained a strong venom. It was true that most poisons and alcohol didn’t effect Foxtaurs very much. However the venom of the Kven could kill if an antidote was not administered in four hours.
At least Sunrider could carry a distress beacon that was something shi supposed. The Forge was not a place to cross at a whim. Even to make it across its volcanic heart, a hellish place known as the Womb of Fire was a dangerous undertaking. Crossing the Forge was done in groups one Foxtaur ahead of the other separated by a few miles.
********
This Story Will Continue In:
Obligations
Copywrite@Melina Swiftwind
SS Golden Venture
Deep Space
The bridge on the Venture was quite as the crew concentrated on various pieces of equipment and tasks. Richard considered the run was an uneventful one. He liked it that way if he was honest, shake a down cruise was just the thing for checking his new ship out. Nothing showed up and it seemed that Synar-systems had done very well with this class of ship.
“The Ralen System is now on sensors, slowing to impulse power” announced Lilly Miller from the helm console.
Lilly was around five ten a decently muscled black mare. She was also the ships medical officer as well. Unlike her brother Jayce she was more of the curious type and was probably the best one trained in the medical field. A long white make cascaded down over her shoulders she kept her hair like this most of the time.
“Keep us away from Ralen six”
“Understood, not somewhere you want to slip into really” Lilly replied.
The Ralen system contained only six planets that orbited a glass G star. Ralen one and two where uninhabitable and orbited close to the star. Only Ralen three and four contained life, both planets where M Class. Ralen five was just a lifeless rock with little to no atmosphere. Ralen six was a massive gas giant and created a sizeable gravity well. It was within the Federated Worlds it was considered that Ralen Six was a failed star, one that was not able to create enough gravity and heat to create primary ignition to become a star.
“Picking up com-chatter on various frequencies” Luia commented.
“If you’d like to send communications to our two new crewmembers on Ralen Four inform them we’ll be landing at the main space port in three standard hours, please Luia” answered Richard.
********
Three hours later the Venture had finally settled into the hanger assigned to it. Several gasses and a few stream of condensation streamed of the hull. Waiting the crew that would take away the cargo stood to one side of the hanger.
The main hatch and cargo hatch opened with a long hiss of escaping atmosphere and after a few moments a walk way slipped out and settled to the floor. Richard padded his way down to the ground and waited.
As he waited he looked over the padd he held in his right hand. He sighed softly, sometimes Rana-Tech wasn’t always on the ball. At least they paid well that was for certain, alright time keeping seemed to not be their best thing at times. Richard heard something or someone running up.
“Oooh sorry I’m sorry I’m late” panted the large foxtaur standing close to Richard.
Next to the foxtaur a large blue and white husky stood. He was wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, he had a black patch over one eye. Next to him was another foxtaur.
“Oh um Sorry I’m Starflare daughter of Riverwalker and Sandstreak, I represent Rana-Tech” the foxtaur commented.
Richard passed his padd to Starflare and was given another the both gave a thumb print and waited. A few seconds both padds were exchanged again with payment completed. With that their business was concluded. Richard watched as Starflare padded away.
“Well sorry about that it’s not always how things go on the Venture. I’m Richard James, owner of Starbright Haulage”
The blue and white huskey swallowed it was all new really if you ask him. This was his first job out of this world.
“Austin Willow, second engineer, this is Longshore daughter of Silverstrand and Ebonytail. Longshore is a cargo handler”
“Welcome aboard, I’m afraid we’re going for shore leave and then pick up our next cargo, that isn’t a problem is it?” questioned Richard.
Both the huskey and foxtaur shook their head it wasn’t a problem at all.
********
Vearn Commercial Zone
Ralen IV
Perhaps it was not unfair to say the main commerical zone about twenty minutes walk from the spaceport. Shops and taverns with market stall dotted here and there. Fabrics of bright colors and neon signs were strew around. Various people barked out what they were selling. Prices and amounts of stuff you could buy.
Eve, Sasha, Austin, Jayce and the other had met up a few moments earlier. They looked around the market stalls and such. It seemed to Sasha you could buy almost anything in the area. Ita was busy haggling for various food stuffs they might need on a longer voyage. The blue Rabbit was a natural and it was expected at the market to haggle over the prices. Only in the taverns prices where not negotiable.
The group and found a tavern they all liked and had found a table large enough to let them all sit together. The tavern was ironically named the laid back mare. At the front of the tavern hung a sign it was in basic and a few other languages it read: No Blasters Allowed
“I still think we paid to much for those supplies. I swear I could have got a better price. Two bars of latinum was to much” groused Ita.
“Ita you got her down from three bars and managed to get her to not charge for delievery just let it be” James adviced.
The rabbit just sipped at a large mug of some green liquid, Eve said it was some local brew it smelled odd to Sasha. The vixen looked back to Eve.
“So let me get this right...ten slips to the strip, ten strips to the bar…?”
“Noooo twenty slips to the strip, ten strips to the bar” replied Longshore.
“Gawd...why not just use credit chits like very body else?” questioned Austin.
“Because not everyone in the federated worlds uses credit chits as a currency”
“This is giving me a headache Longshore”
Longshore chuckled softly and sighed a little afterwards and turned to pick up the drink, That was next to Richards. The taurs normally drank a great deal more than none taurs, the mug if it could be called that was twice the size. Longshore took a long draught from the frothing green liquid. Jayce the eqiune cargo hander was sitting the closest to the main bar. The huge chestnut colored stallion sighed as he watched a large feline enter. The male feline made a track towards Richard easily, Jayce could see the feline was well drunk. Several others came in following the feline.
“Shit” Jayce said softly.
“Heya Jimmy heard ya lost ya ship and some stupid fool gave ya a new one. More fool them!” the feline announced.
“Hello Captain Gibson, I’m sure you have better things to do than this. Heard you had a cargo for Donra Six. Lots to sort for a haul that way out don’t you think?” asked Jayce.
“Nah plenty of time for that little horsie plenty of time. I heard Jimmy was here after he’d lost his ship. Poor Jimmy, so he has a new ship, is he gonna get this one wrecked by pirates or slavers, like he’s had plenty of opportunities hasn’t he, ya would think Jimmy is either a pirate or hauling their garbage!” Gibson laughed aloud.
Richard snarled softly and the wolf flew at Gibson the table went over and that was when the fight began.
********
The police station had seemed to be quite or it just seemed that way, Richard did wonder if the fight had been all that worth while. The fine for taking part in a class two riot was going to eat into ships budget at some point. At least the police force had returned part of the fine as long as the group where off planet in the next six hours. Everyone but for Jayce his sister, Austin, Longshore where all supporting some sort of bump or bruise. The group had returned to the Venture and was busy settling down. Richard was with Ita, Eve, Sasha and Austin.
“I guess we should talk about what happened at the laid back mare. What happened was inexcusable I should have been a better leader. Some of you know I have history with..pirates I won’t go into it but lets leave it at that”
“Yes well I doubt Captain Gibson will be so free with his mouth, the way Eve threw him through the air and that window like she did!”
“Ita!” exclaimed Eve as she went bright red.
“Well I thought you were going for the galactic shot put record or something the way you pin wheeled him”
“Ita stop it!” Eve exclaimed as she went as red as it was possible to go.
“Alright behave Ita and go get ready for lift off. We should be fully loaded for our long haul to the planet Khalt” commented Richard.
“Khalt?” questioned Ita.
“Khalt recently just joined the Federated Planets, it only just passed petition to the council for membership. Having a single government and faster than light travel are two of the conditions that they passed. They are now a protectorate world, anyway going to get ready for lift off see you all later”
Richard and Ita stood up the two passing close to the port that looked out on hanger. Sasha went with them as she needed to send a report back to technical services. Eve noticed something was up with Austin.
“Austin is something wrong?” she questioned.
“Yes...and no...you know I’ve been here for over four years and Longshore has been my friend for three of them but...I spotted something. You know during the fight...”
“Yes...during the fight what?”
“I spotted something I thought...well she has breasts”
Eve had to smile and then hide her laughter, she shook her head and bit her lower lip. She didnt know if she should be embarrassed for him.
“Oh you dont know?”
“Know what?” pondered Austin.
“Well….Foxtaurs are hermaphrodites Austin, they all are there’s no males or females on their home world. It’s believed they are from the Gene Wars of two centuries ago, it’s not something they are proud of. They talk very little if anything about that time”
The gene wars had left an unhealed scar across the quadrant, several planets where now lifeless and radioactive. Not one species had been left unharmed in one way or another. For a long time various planets blamed each other for the wars. One or two species had been bombed out of existance, there had been other tauriod species but only the Foxtaurs remained. With the formation of the Federated Planets they had finally put things aside.
“But..umm how?” questioned Austin.
“Your in love with hir?”
“Hir?” asked Austin.
“Yes Hir Foxtaurs don’t use male or female pronouns. They prefear shi, and hir, they introduce themseleves with their name and then their sire and then their mothers name” explained Eve.
“Oh that much I know I just did’nt...you know and yes I love hir” blushed Austin.
“Just take it slow like you would with any male or female then you should be fine” replied Eve.
Austin blushed a little as he rose from the chair he had been sitting in. The husky was a little puzzled as he slowly made his way from the mess hall towards the cargo bays.
********
Ita had finally given up, perhaps that Aby squirrel was just rude or something. She’d been up against that more than a few times. She sighed softly as she finally managed to get into the small galley. She blew air through her nose and went back to work.
The blue furred rabbit was soon deep in whisking cake mix as she tried to let off steam. It was true the crew had been better to her than most. Her past would have broken most people she knew she just could not think to much of the things done to her. The body modifications had made her scream for days afterwards, anger just rose in her mind and all of a sudden the mixing bowl was sliding down the galley wall. She felt the ship lurch as it lifted off, She suddenly sat down and openly wept, maybe Ita had not healed as much as she thought she had.
**********
Richard sighed it seem their trip to Khalt would be cancelled, it seemed there was some sort of objection to the worlds application to the Federated Planets. Richard wasn’t going to go into the political moves going on. At least the cargo they where carrying was easily enough to make a sale with. He pressed a contact patch on a communications unit and pressed another so it would be ship wide.
“Richard here due to new information we will not be going to Khalt. Instead we will be setting course for Vularn Three, I know this will excite some of you as it’s the home world of the Foxtaurs. Richard out”
********
“Really...home?” questioned Longshore.
“It seems that Longshore, guess things are not as secure for Khalt as much as they hoped it was” replied Astrid.
“Perhaps not I wonder who they upset?”
“Could be anything but most planets that get issued like they have normally tried to get hold of technology they are not ready for yet. I’m going to head for bed Astrid I’ll bid you good night”
“Goodnight Longshore sleep well”
********
Vularn Three Orbit
Local Time
0930 Hrs
Vularn unlike many of the Federated Planets was undeveloped for the most part. There where only four cities on the planet. The world of the Foxtaurs was never going to be industrialised like the core worlds. That was unthinkable for the Foxtaurs where very much linked to their world and each other they were also low level empathic as well.
The Foxtaurs who had left their world for other planets where normally always in pairs. Longshore was not your typical Foxtaur. Vularn was dotted by villages and the population kept to a back-to-nature lifestyle. Very very few villages grew into towns. From orbit the world gleamed like a emerald jewel in space. The venture was a few hours from landing at the main spaceport.
Longshore was looking at hir world from a large view port in the small observation lounge. It had bee five years since shi had been home. Silverstrand had not liked that Longshore had left to explore the stars. Most of their species stayed on their home world. Longshore sighed softly and was about to turn as shi heard someone approach. Shi looked and smiled as shi found Austin behind hir.
“Vularn looks beautiful Longshore...I ...Long I love you” Austin commented.
“I know Austin I was waiting for you to say...you talk in your sleep. I found out when you nodded off the other day. I love you to sweety”
“How long till we land?”
“About three hours, my family will be waiting or least Ebonytail. My mother works at the main space port”
“Umm I know not a lot of Foxtaurs leave for other worlds or space to often”
“That’s true but there where...reasons why I left Austin. I wanted to explore so I left to follow a career in space. I broke quite a few rules but I admit I wasn’t the first to do so. Normally Foxtaurs leave in pairs we need each other as we’re all low level empathic to each other and our world”
“It must have been difficult for you Longshore”
“It was for a bit but...I’m not normal my link to this world isn’t very strong like others”
Austin moved closer and slipped an arm around Longshore’s waist where it met hir lower body.
“What’s it like your world?”
“It’s beautiful Austin so peaceful and untouched mostly. If I have the calendar right it should be founders week. It’s a very long festival the entire planet takes part, I will say we Foxtaurs do parties like you’ve never seen”
“I just want to meet your family” answered Austin.
“Oh you will...but you remember what I said about our families?”
“Yes I know Foxtaur families are very very big. Foxtaurs dont have any junk genomes or the taboo on incest. Plus your very much uninhibited”
“Glad to see you can remember what I told you Austin”
The planet become larger and larger in the view port as the Venture headed towards it. The speaker in the observation lounge came on: All hands prepare for atmospheric reentry.
********
Very few jet black foxtaurs were not often born. Ebonytail was a rare exception to the rule. Shi watched the skies often wondering where Longshore was. Today was different shi knew hir daughter was on hir way home.
If shi had been anything but a Foxtaur shi would have been angry when Longshore left. Thankfully that never happened shi would admit shi had been disapointed. Five years had been a long time and Longshore had missed the birth of her younger sister. Silverstrand had been pregnant when Longshore had left for space.
Shortail was five and a bit years old she went everywhere with hir mother Silverstrand. Ebony smiled as shi thought of the cub and grinned as shi spotted Longshore and hir friends. Longshore padded over and hugged Ebonytail.
“Greetings my sire may I introduce my boyfriend Austin and the crew of the Golden Venture”
Ebony greeted each in turn before turning to the two large ground craft behind hir.
“Perhaps we should head home Longshore the family is gathering there and your friends are more than welcome to join us”
********
All ground craft where powered by electrical power charged from a power outlet found in most homes and some businesses. A few were powered by a form of electrical gel like substance. Pollution was unheard of on the world, the Foxtaurs kept it that way. The founders festival was only a day away already preparations were under full swing.
As the ground cars passed through the city attached to the space port, the group could see banners, and mnany decorations being hung up and set out on buildings and across the street. Most of the vehicles were specially designed to be driven by, and carry, taurform passengers. There were of course ground cars that could be driven by none taurs.
Once the two ground cars had left the city Richard had asked where they where going. Ebony had replied they were heading for hir home village. The name of the village was Emerald Glades, the houses although much larger than the ones that Richard and the other were use to. It seemed that everything was larger for taurforms. Here and there where a few paintings and images of foxtaurs and other tauroid forms which where now extinct, two images looked like otter and rabbit taur forms. All the houses where simple, natural materials were preferred, with hand-crafted fittings and furniture. Cleverly concealed or artfully blending with the decor were those contemporary items which were essential, such as modern plumbing, electrical power and a communicator station. The ground cars came to rest outside a house on the end of the road.
The group left the cars and looked around Austin looked to Longshore and quietly asked.
“What’s with the Otter and Rabbit taur murals?”
“Austin they..are to help us remember the Gene Wars, both the Otter and Rabbit taurs are well their worlds are gone. Bombed from orbit by fleets of ships, nothing grows on their worlds and many others. Founders week is so we remember how we survived and those that didn’t. Foxtaurs still carry the stigma of being...foot soldiers during the wars...most wont talk about it to outsiders, It’s best to leave it alone”
Ebony looked to Longshore and raised an eyebrow, shi shrugged and padded into the house. The others followed.
Inside the house looked like any other on any planet, except there where a lot more rugs and places to lay down. A few Foxtaurs where seated or laying down. The colors where mixed but one was a very light blonde furred part of hir fur looked like silver.
“Did I not teach my cub good manners?” the Foxtaur questioned.
“Yes my Mother I’m sorry, greetings to all who live in this house, peace and long life” replied Longshore.
“Much better now get your arse over here and give me a hug!” announced Silverstrand.
The two hugged tightly and Longshore introduced the others. Silverstrand explained there where a few guest houses nearby and the crew could use them. As they hugged and Austin was introduced to Silverstrand. Shi hugged Austin quickly and smiled as shi introduced him to the others.
As he was watching Silver and Longshore talking something flew past him and then a few seconds later he found himself on the floor. A much smaller Foxtaur was standing next to him and was titling hir head about, just next to hir was another Foxtaur, something looked odd about hir, shi looked somewhat feline as well. While it was true Foxtaurs where the most numerous there were Felinetaurs as well. They to be honest did mostly like the Foxtaurs stay on their home world. The species was not a member of the Federated Worlds.
“Hi hi, I’m Shortail!” announced the first arrival.
“I’m Firemane!” called out the other.
“Oooh your weird you only have two legs where you in an accident?” queried Shortail.
“Shortail, Firemane behave these are our guests!” called Silverstrand.
“I want to know why the doggy has only two legs...was he blowed up or something?”
“Shortail that’s very rude!” called Silverstrand.
“It’s alright, no I wasn’t in an accident I was born this way” Austin answered.
“Shortail and Firemane go wash up we’re having dinner soon” announced Silverstrand.
“Tell us more about this festival. What exactly are you celebrating?” asked Ita.
“Well we’re celebrating the founding of our world, all Foxtaurs came here just after the end of..the wars. We settled here because no other world would take us. Tomorrow is founders week. We’re in the northern hemisphere so winter will becoming soon. Foods will have been prepared and preserved and all maintenance completed before the hard winter comes. We now have the luxury of relaxing and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Family and others from other communities come over to visit their relatives and everyone indulges in a lot of socializing that they don't have time for earlier in the year." answered Ebonytail.
“Really intimate socializing”
“Darkclaw!” called out Silver.
“Half the cubs born in this village arrive about the same time, about ten months later” finished Darkclaw.
"It doesn't surprise me, it’s hardly a secret" answered Ebony.
“So much for trying to keep it nice” said Silverstreak.
********
The table had various dishes and foods on it, Ita had never seen so much food in one place. She was going to ask but guessed quickly taurs needed a large amount of food to fuel their bodies. The Rabbit was already tucking into a carrot and pea stew she murred softly loving the warm liquid as it hit the back of her throat. She had expected not as much food on the table she would admit it seemed like like a large banquet. Everyone tried foods they had not tasted before. It seemed most of the food agreed with them.
All the crew of the Venture had started eating the foxtaurs encouraged it. Both Shortail and Firemane kept looking to Austin and Jayce, it seemed that both had been adopted by the pair of foxtaur cubs.
Aby, Lilly and Astrid sat to one side of the table as the few other foxtaur cubs ate or slowly fell asleep. It was true that foxtaur families where larger than most family units. They all talked amongst themselves as they all ate. Soon the meal was over and the group started to split up. Silverstreak went to feed hir youngest cub and Ebony took over as host.
“I think we should all think about sleep now to be honest” Richard said softly.
Ebonytail nodded it was late evening and the travel time and the length of day was starting to take it total on the Venture crew. The crew left the house much to the dismay of Shortail and Firemane only a promise that they would see Austin and Jayce in the morning placated the two cubs.
The group left the house following Ebony, Ita stopped for a few moments and looked up. The stars shone brightly and far from feint like she was use to. In fact the stars where as bright as they were on New Warren her home world, or at least it felt like home. You needed somewhere to put down roots, somewhere and something worth returning to once you had the wander lust out of your system.
Ita never thought she would be tired of wandering but there was always a small part of her that tried to recall her parents. She shook her head, that part of her life was over and no amount or recalling them would make them live again. The blaster pistol of a pirate ended their lives and no matter what they would not becoming back. She still recalled their screams as they where torn into atoms by the beam of the blaster, she quickly caught up with the others.
********
The houses that Ebonytail showed the group seemed to be a slightly smaller than the house that Silverstreak owned. Perhaps it was adapted for none taurs, Richard wasn’t sure. The others had soon found rooms and had started to settle down. The Venture would be here at least two weeks before a cargo could be found to take them off planet. That was fine by Richard some R and R would do everyone some good.
Eve and Sasha had gone to bedroom together they had something to do. Richard didn’t want to know privet lives where their own affair only if it threatened the ship or their family would he interdict.
“You should all be alright here I’ll be next door, if you need anything just use com channel one zero five five it will connect to our home. I’ll let you all settle in you must all be tired, peace and long life” commented Ebony before shi left.
********
Eve had a nanite injector in her hand. She had already opened the access port under her breast. She bit her lower lip and little and looked to Sasha. The Vixen nodded and smiled, as she did so Eve slipped the tip of the injector into the port and squeezed the handle. There was a soft hiss and Sasha nodded her approval.
“See not so hard was it?” asked Sasha.
“No..it..it just still feels weird Sasha, I can feel the carrier gel entering my..body”
“Well the carrier gel is just the stuff that has the nanites within it. You’ve got a lot better Eve, we should try and get some sleep”
“Yeah it’s been a long day and I’m not sure Astrid is pleased with that little accident we had”
“It was just one container not a big one and it was kind of her fault. Maybe she’ll service the cargo bots a bit look like they could do with it” answered Sasha.
Eve had already got into bed she shook her head and lay down and yawned a little.
“Good night Sasha” she finished.
********
Longshore padded hir room, shi had not gone with the others it seemed better shi return to hir own room. Longshore was having an issue, it wasn’t something Foxtaurs would have a problem with but shi knew it could be with none taurs. Ebony was sitting with hir and watching with some amusement on hir face.
“Why now I swear any other time it would not be an issue but for goodness sake why chose now!” Longtail wailed.
“Three things first calm down, second your broadcasting to every foxtaur in range. Third your in heat it’s not the end of the world you know”
“I’m in heat Ebonytail...you know what happens with us in heat. Our pheromones send any none taur male nuts”
“Stop acting like a cub this is not your first time, you can make a choice use the herbs that surpress our heat or hump like rabbits with that blue and white husky..Austin was it?”
“EBONY!” cried out Longshore.
“Your a foxtaur adult act like one, hell your mother Silver virtually jumped on me and we went at it like you wouldn’t beleive”
“But...but…”
“But nothing you know very well your sister Sunrider’s Coming-of-Age ceremony is tomorrow. Your more than old enough, you love Austin?”
“Well...yes but….he’s only just confessed he loves me”
“By the Goddess…. I suspect you two have been on dates and such right. Then ask him or as your Sire I will do it myself. You don’t have to ask him to be life-mates or such… cubs are getting silly these days” Ebony commented as shi was walking away.
“I...I’ll ask him tomorrow”
“You better had my little firetails...or I will I promise...and do it before Sunrider’s ceremony” Ebony said over hir shoulder as shi left the room.
Longshore swallowed shi knew hir sire did not make idle threats.
********
Silverstreak tapped hir forward right foot on the ground, shi didn’t like this to much but the Coming-of-Age Ceremony had to take place. Shi just wished it had not taken place during founders week. Most of their world was untouched vast area’s of forests plains covered the entire planet.
The Forge was a different place, it was a place of rock and desert, some volcanic areas with few osasis dotted around. The More dangerous fauna of the planet lived there mostly they left Foxtaurs alone. The Kven a feline that looked like a large blue furred cat lived there it hunted alone. It had ten inch sharp sabre like teeth and claws that contained a strong venom. It was true that most poisons and alcohol didn’t effect Foxtaurs very much. However the venom of the Kven could kill if an antidote was not administered in four hours.
At least Sunrider could carry a distress beacon that was something shi supposed. The Forge was not a place to cross at a whim. Even to make it across its volcanic heart, a hellish place known as the Womb of Fire was a dangerous undertaking. Crossing the Forge was done in groups one Foxtaur ahead of the other separated by a few miles.
********
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