I'm in the cockpit of a troop transport ship and I'm nervous because I'm at the helm but an officer is acting as my co-pilot, we're basically just bring troops from the ground to a ship in orbit so they can get to the next location. Normally I would be in training but I decided to volunteer for a more civil position to help my skill set a little, as when this war is over I think it'll go a long way.

The officer says "Air locks are secured, cycle is complete."

I say "Prepping for launch, estimated take off in twenty seconds." as I toggle some switches.

The craft rumbles forward, I activate the liner guidance system to help my draw distance, the roar of the quad engines grows as we slowly lift off the ground, after retracting our landing gear at around three hundred I set a course for the carrier in orbit.

I say into my comm "Take off is going smooth, we are green across the board. Notify the Old Nose well be touching down in the next hour." and I hear confirmation and best wishes for a safe flight.

The officer looks to me and he says "Your a natural."

I say "After watching a few classic movies you pick up the chatter." as I double check the controls and the readout and I notice something that wasn't there a second ago "Uh, was this craft serviced?"

The officer says "According to the log it was serviced yesterday." as he checks his console and he says "Why?"

I say "I'm getting an error in what looks like the intake for engine three and it looks like I'm getting the same for one of the balancers."

The officer says "Then we should turn around."

I nod as I say into my comm Tower "This is Eagle 5-4, we are experience some system malfunctions and are going to head back, please confirm.", I don't hear anything but static and I say "Repeat. Tower this is Eagle..."

Something sparks and now we're in a dive, I try to control the craft but the controls aren't responding and I say "TOWER! IF YOU CAN HERE ME WE'RE ABOUT TO..."

We crash into the nearby woods with the starboard side taking the impact and we end up upside down, I glance to the officer next to me and he's gone, I hear the radio chatter kick back in with a tone of panic but I can't make any of it out as I soon black out. I slowly regain consciousness with a groan as I feel my head, I look and I see Bucky and Jenny standing next to me.

Jenny says "Adam, are you okay?" as she holds my hand.

I say "I feel like I got hit by a truck." as I hold onto my head.

Bucky says "What happened?" as he crosses his arms.

I say "I'm not sure, everything was fine but then I noticed something was wrong with the craft, when we decided to turn around that's when it spiraled out of control. Before that there was no indication of any malfunction."

A bloodhound enters the room, wearing a captains uniform of the S.P.A.C.E., his gold hat having a pair of matching goggles.

Bucky notices him and he says "Dogstar, what are you doing here?"

Dogstar looks to me as he pulls out some handcuffs and he says "I'm sorry Bucky, but Adam here is charged with sabotage of the shuttle and of treason."

Bucky says "That's impossible!"

The bloodhound says "Orders are orders pal, they think he sabotaged the craft." with a saddesh look.

They watch him as he cuffs my left wrist to my bed and I say "You can't be serious!" in shock.

Jenny says "Dogstar, why would he betray us? We're the only friends and allies he has! What evidence could they possibly have?!" just stunned.

Dogstar looks them both in the eye and he says "It's because he's new to the Aniverse and the fact he's the only survivor of the crash and a few days ago he worked on the shuttle. He's scheduled to be transferred in a few days for his trial."

Bucky comes over to me and he says "Did you do it?"

I look him square in the eyes and I say "No, I did not. I did do some work on the shuttle but all I did was replace some armor panels, Bruiser was with me at the time."

Dogstar says "I'm sorry Bucky, but unless you have proof he's innocent he's on the chopping block."

Bucky looks to him and he says "You want proof? We'll get it!"

Jenny looks to me and she says "Don't worry we'll sort this out."

I nod and I say "I-I know you will." a little shaken but trying to keep a level head.

.........................................

Bucky and Jenny are back on the ship and they inform the crew of the situation, much to their shock and horror, Bruiser does vouch on the work Adam did but after that Adam hung out on the ship until he volunteered for the trip which was confirmed by everyone else. They know that simple word wouldn't prove anything however, they can smell that someone is setting him up. Bucky gets in contact with the base commander and is given access to security footage and logs over the past week, Bucky tasks Blinky and Willy to sort through the footage and logs while everyone else decides to roam the base and ask questions, unfortunately they are restricted from interacting with their friend as armed guards are now stationed outside his door with shotguns and assault rifles. Jenny caught a glimpse of him, he just looks so sad and so depressed, the sight alone sent a heat wave through her body, who knows how he's being treated.

Jenny catches sight of an interrogator from the S.P.A.C.E. headquarters heading towards his room and she stops him "Are you handling my friends case?" with her arms crossed.

The officer says "Yes ma'am, I'm going to go talk to him now to see what he tells me." with a snicker as he gives her quite the eye.

Jenny snickers and she says "If you or anyone else lays a hand on him, you'll need the medic, are we on the same page?" as she flexes her fingers and keeps quite a calm voice.

The officer nods as he says "Yes, ma'am." and tries to get around her.

Jenny looks to see him enter Adam's room, she stays there for a few minutes before moving on, she knows what happens to traitors, they get beaten, tortured or even worse. Adam was getting more use to war but anyone could tell he was more of a talker despite what he's done, he even admitted he keeps a chainaxe for intimidation and not just as a weapon, just the whir of that thing can cause troops to surrender. Knowing Adam has a thing for science and technology she decides to head to the science station, maybe he hung out there before he worked on the craft. Up ahead she sees a familiar face, Felicia with two royal guards, the cat gives a sigh as she approaches her.

Felicia says "Master Jenny, how's our human doing?" with a curious look.

Jenny says "Awful, he's being convicted for something he would never do and it's really getting to him. Though if you are here, I'm guessing you've been appointed to be his arbiter?"

The blue haired feline gives a solid nod and she says "As well as to keep watch, he is an Aldebaran citizen and it is standard protocol for an artificer to be present."

Irene comes around the corner and she says "Along with some of the elite." earning everyone's attention.

Jenny says "Irene? What are you doing here?" as she crosses her arms.

Irene says "My master sent me to see if I can be of assistance, she is concerned about the situation and wanted some more insight."

Felicia and Jenny share a look, neither of them were made aware of this but it wouldn't hurt to have another sister around and they decide to allow it.

Jenny says "We're currently working on finding evidence to clear his name, if any of you see anything suspicious, please let me know." earning confirming nods from the four of them.

With that Irene joins Felicia and the royal guards and begin to make their way to the humans room. Jenny resumes heading to the science station, hoping to catch a clue.

.......................................

On the ship, Willy and Blinky are checking over the footage, so far nothing is catching their attention as it all just looks run of the mill.

Blinky says "Humble android hasn't seen anything so far."

Willy adjusts his glasses and he says "We have to keep trying, Adam's life depends on us uncovering the truth."

They shuffle to the camera pointing at the shuttle which has footage from earlier in the day, it doesn't take long for them to find a gap in the footage from 2:27 hours to 5:41 hours with a shadowy figure that they can't make out moving for a fraction of a second. Blinky takes a look at the ships logs and he confirms Adam was on board during that time in his quarters, Willy informs the others, though he knows even this may not be enough to clear the second human. But now they know there is definitely someone carrying out a sabotage operation of some kind.

Willy says "Maybe we should cross reference everyone who has access to the hanger, special clearance though to shorten it."

Blinky says "That'll reduce the number of possible suspects down to 76."

The human sighs "Then we better get started."

..........................................

Deadeye and Bruiser have finished looking over the hanger itself and have come up short, nothing really out of the ordinary as soldiers and mechanics go about their duties.

Bruiser growls "All dis talking and lookin around and nothing at all."

Deadeye says "Aye, but we'z gotta keep our eyes peeled, otherwise Adam will be in a noose. But thanks ta Willy now we know ta look for someone.", he makes a fist "It must be Al Negator, that sleazasaur is the only one who can pull this trick off!"

Bruiser gives a stiff nod "We'll krump him good when we catch him!" as he smashes his fist together.

Deadeye sees some movement around the corner, he glances to Bruiser as he gives a hand signal, with his upper left arm, he counts down from three and he leads the baboon around the corner and sees an open vent, a smile forms on the ducks face and he radios that someone is in the vents.

.........................................

I'm still sitting in the room no longer handcuffed as I try to eat my lunch with the aldebaran felines stand guard, Felicia and Irene standing on either side of the bed as they gaze at the door with the occasional glance at the nearby window with their ears twitching and every so often popping a tablet of water or a nutrient bar that looks like they were from an emergency ration of some kind. The air is so tense I feel it can be cut with a knife, but I felt better with the cats more then the soldiers from the U.A.C. as they were more even tempered and they knew me better then any other organization in the Aniverse. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was just something mystical and mysterious about them however, almost like they are hiding something behind their eyes and their looks, but I always pass it off as either paranoia or I am just being curious. When the U.A.C. interrogator was in the room, he just looked nervous as the two felines stared at him with the royal guards nearby blocking his exit should he have gotten any ideas, I guess these cats have quite a reputation to where no one wants to mess around with them. But my nerves are going to where I don't have an appetite but I think it's best I eat something given I haven't really eaten anything outside of a quick breakfast.

Felicia says "So, other then being caught up in this litigation, how are you finding the Aniverse thus far?"

I say "I think it's interesting, it kind of reminds me of some science fiction stuff back home, things like Star Wars and Warhammer 40,000, though not as crazy."

Irene says "I find it interesting though, your species hasn't broken free of the restraints of it's world and it takes an accident just to leave it."

A sheepish smile crosses my features "And ending in a crash and burn for good measure." trying to joke about it, I gently take my water and begin to drink it.

The two felines snicker at me as the guards lightly shake their head, all jokes aside however, I just wonder who I could've ticked off to be in this kind of mess. I haven't really made that many powerful or personal enemies already... have I?

...................................................................

Jenny enters the science lab, she looks around and sees it's deserted of life and she says "Hello? Anyone here?" as she takes a few steps in.

A mouse comes out from the back room, handling a tray of beakers, she says "I'll be right with you." with a squeaky voice, she puts the tray on a table, she adjusts her glasses as she looks to the cat and she says "May I help you?"

Jenny says "I'm Jenny of the Righteous Indignation, I'm running an investigation on behalf of my friend who has been convicted of a crime. I was wondering if you can answer some of my questions?"

The mouse says "Of course, I'll be more then happy to." as she gets on a stool.

Jenny says "For the record, may I have your name?"

The mouse says "Dr. Mel at your service."

The cat blinks as she crosses her arms "My teammate, his name is Adam. He's been convicted of sabotage, as you know this is a serious offense that can lead to execution. We know he hung around here and I was wondering of he was acting strange or anything?"

The mouse shakes her head "Nothing that would lead me to think he was up to something, the dear helped me with inventory and even asked me if he can help me with my experiments."

Jenny says "What kind of experiments?" as she raises an eyebrow.

Dr. Mel says "Nothing hazardous, my projects focus on space and time, he wanted to see if he can assist me in collecting data or if he can fill in the blanks given he's not from the Aniverse. If I had to guess, he could have been trying to find a way home, but he wasn't interested in weapons development or anything like that. I have the time on file when he was working with me if it help clear his name, he always checks in and checks out."

Dr. Mel shows Jenny the data and after cross referencing with Willy it all checks out, the mouse did show concern for the human as she showed Jenny the information, even giving Jenny some change so that the cat can get him a soda to help cheer the human up. Jenny gave her thanks for the mouses concern, but she also wanted to take a look at the data that Adam and Mel had gathered, the data showed mixed results that didn't really lead to anywhere and so Jenny said her farewells and left the lab, leaving the mouse who returns to the back room.

There was something off about this whole thing, the cat couldn't put her claw on it but she felt she was missing something. A loud crash comes from the science lab, jenny quickly runs back into the lab, she runs to the back room, seeing the vent above her open and a cabinant having fallen over with the scientists i.d. tag on the floor with part of her lab coat.

Jenny's communicator beeps and she says "What is it?"

Deadeye's voice comes through "Keep your eyes peeled, I think Al Negator is here! He's using the vent system!"

Jenny says "Dr. Mel is gone, I think he took her!" as she quickly runs out of the lab.

Bucky says "Keep an eye on the vents everyone!" as alarms begin to blare.

.....................................

The alarm begins to sound, I quickly look around as I see the royal guards put on a more defensive stance while Irene and Felicia scan the area.

Jenny quickly runs into the room and she yells "GET AWAY FROM THE VENTS!"

Felicia grabs me and pulls me against the wall as her gaze goes to the vent above us, Irene pulling her sidearm and aiming it at the vent.

Jenny says into her comm "Adam is safe and sound, I better move him just to be safe."

Bucky's voice comes through "Bring him to the ship, he'll be safe there. Bruiser and Deadeye, split up and begin searching the complex."

We begin to head to the Righteous Indignation, the cats and guards from the U.A.C. forming a tight formation around me, an explosion happens in front of us, blocking the hallway and another explosion does the same thing, now we're trapped. From the vent a gas grenade drops and begins to deploy knockout gas, Jenny covers my mouth and nose as we back up against the wall, the vent closing before anyone has a chance at grabbing the grenade.

.....................

In the vents, a shadowy figure seals the vent, Bucky comes around the corner with his blaster ready, he yells "FREEZE!"

The figure jolts and begins to flee, Bucky fires his blaster which misses, the rabbit growls and begins to go after it, informing the others of the direction they are going in. The rabbit picks up the pace, trying to keep up with the figure as he feels his blood boil, if this is the person who set Adam up, the rabbit was ready to carry out the interrogation himself. The figure falls through a loose vent panel and lands in front of Deadeye and Bruiser were going vent-by-vent, the cloaked figure slowly gets up, the face and features completely obstructed.

Deadeye says "Nice of ya ta drop in!" as he aims his four blasters at the intruder "Party is over though."

Bucky drops down and he says "Now, take off the get up!" as he aims his blaster.

The figure gives a familiar laugh and removes his clothes, revealing a purple alligator in a yellow flight suit.

Deadeye says "Ah called it, you sleaze ball! You tried to set my matey up, now my friends are gonna beat ya up after the four in my hands blast ya!"

Al Negator says "The soft skin? Oh, I get it, you think I sabotage the shuttle to isolate him, I am flattered but I did no such thing, whoever did though did me a favor.", he pulls out an information cartridge and he says "But I know who did it, you just have to let me go first!"

Bruiser beats on his chest "Like we're goin to take yer word for it!"

Bucky says "If it's legit you go, if not it's prison for you!"

The gator gives quite a grin "Deal." as he hands Bucky the cartridge.

......................

Irene blasts the grenade to dust, the smoke going towards the other wall and away from us. The vent rumbles, earning everyone's attention, Irene puts her finger on the trigger and Dr. Mel falls through and lands on the floor.

I say "Dr. Mel?! Are you okay?"

Mel gets up "I'm fine, Al Negator is here and he pulled me into the vents."

Jenny says "Stick close, it's tight in here, but we'll protect you."

The pile of rubble in front of us begins to shift, the felines get Mel and I behind them as the soldiers from the U.A.C. aim their weapons at the debris. The rubble violently moves, revealing Bucky, Bruiser, Deadeye, Dogstar and a purple alligator, Al Negator, I read his file after joining the military, never thought I'd run into him. The soldiers lower their weapons as I give a sigh of releif, finally, the real criminal has been caught.

Bucky says "We, found the culprit who was behind this whole thing."

Jenny says "Thank goodness, Al Negator I hope you enjoy prison!" with a growl and glare so sharp that if it had the ability it could kill anyone in an instant.

Dogstar says "The criminal has indeed been caught." as he steps through the crowd towards Adam and Dr. mel and he slaps cuffs on the scientist, earning shocked looks from everyone.

Al Negator says "I was paid to captured your friend, oh well. Better luck next time!"

Bucky says "Get him out of here, your free to go... for now!" with a glare.

Two guards begin to escort the cold blood, as everyone focuses their attention on the scientist.

I say "Why? Why would you set me up?" trying to contain my rage.

Mel sighs "After interacting with you, with your mind and your willpower, maybe we could've advanced our understanding of the Aniverse and physics as a whole, I rigged the craft, I never thought anyone would get hurt in the process, I just wanted you to stay a little longer, I wanted to try to convince you to stay. That brute did pull me in the vents, but I got away."

I just stand there for a few moments as I take the words in as I feel everyone staring at me, waiting for my response, finally I say "Am I free to go?"

Dogstar says "Yes Adam, you are a free man and released.", he looks to the mouse and he says "You on the other hand are charged with sabatoge, treason and conspiracy!" as he brgins to take her away.

We eventually board the Rightous Indigation, after saying our farewells and meeting Irene we're back in space, I'm in my quarters, replaying the entire day in my mind as I stare at the ceiling.

I hear the door ring and I say "Come in." with a sigh.

The door opens, revealing Bucky and Jenny with the former holding a big carry case.

I say "Hi guys as I get up."

The two come in as Jenny says "How are doing?"

I say "I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out, it's just so strange."

Bucky says "Believe me Adam, we've seen and expirenced things more crazy then that. I know it won't help fix what happend today, but Dogstar sent this over before we left, he figured it would at least cheer you up a little." as he sets the case on the bed.

I pop it open, the case revealing it's contents, I beam in excitement as I pick the heavy weapon up "A flamethrower?! Nice!"

Jenny giggles "There's that look."

Bucky says "We've got some time until we reach our next mission point, so you can look up how to use your new weapon, but please do us a favor."

I say "Yeah sure, what is it?" as I admire the potent weapon.

Bucky crosses his arms "Don't practice using it on my ship."

To be continued...