Thannis stood near the hospital bed, sighing as she was writing down something on her clipboard. “Damnit Merrin, I told you not to poke around too hard... David is going to have my hide.” David was pissed when she called to inform him of the situation, the fact she had no answers didn't help either. He hung up on her when she said the murder happened just a few hours ago.

She looked up from her clipboard, sighing again as she looked at the lifeless body of Merrin in his hospital bed, covered by a blanket as the sight wasn't a pretty one. The killer shot Merrin at close range in the head, they had taken no chances. The laptop he worked on was smashed to pieces on the floor, the hard drive was missing but it was safe to say that was going to be destroyed too. Whomever executed this assassination didn't leave anything to chance.

Several armed military personnel were guarding the room, the military police investigating the scene as Merrin was employed by the military thus they had jurisdiction. Especially given the nature of his research. While in theory his death could have nothing to do with his search for the intelligence leak, it was highly unlikely.

“How did they get in here... there were guards 24/7 outside the door and they heard nothing. The entrances to the block are covered by security camera's but nobody entered this corridor with something big enough to conceal a weapon... Were the guards in on it? Were the-”

A bunch of shouting came from the corridor, it sounded quite hostile and weapons were being pulled out. Thannis left the room and stormed into the corridor, seeing David standing there a room away from this one with the guards holding him at gunpoint. Mostly because he looked about ready to kill someone just for the hell of it.

“David? What are you... how did you get here? And so fast?” She signaled the guards to lower their weapons,

“I borrowed a car, I want to see him Thannis. He was my friend.” He said walking towards Thannis, anger and sadness on his face and a request like that she couldn't ignore. He did spend several months working with Merrin.

“A car? Bu- ugh, fine, but I have to warn you. There's a reason the bo- Merrin is covered up, please do not touch anything as we're still investigating what has happened and we don't want to have some clue or evidence destroyed.”

David entered the room, Thannis right behind him to make sure he wouldn't tamper with anything by accident. He walked over to the bed where his friend laid, covered up by a large blue, cotton sheet with a large, dark spot at the height of his head, David didn't need to lift the sheet to visualize the sight beneath it. He was so angry, how. How could they have infiltrated the hospital, bypassed all security measures and then leave without a trace.

“A shame really, in a few days he would have recovered enough for us to move him to a more secure facility.” Thannis said sighing and shaking her head, “If only he could tell us what he knew, then this all would be over by dawn.”

David knew what Thannis meant, Merrin had discovered something, something big enough to scare whoever was responsible for this. But now there was no question about it, there was a traitor among their ranks.

“And you said you have nothing?”

“Forensics are on their way but so far we have nothing, we have been given access to the security camera data base and are analyzing the recordings, but it might take months before we find anything at all.”

The both of them heard loud footsteps in the corridor heading their way, Thannis raising her eyebrow curiously as a group of soldiers from the military base appeared in the door opening and glared at David before turning her gaze to a guilty looking David.

“So... remember that car I 'borrowed'?”

David was escorted out of the room after Thannis had no choice but to send him away, groaning over the paperwork this would put on her desk. David went to Kayla, whom was sitting in the nurse's office by herself, the soldiers staying outside the door as David entered. Kayla turned her head, smiling softly at David with her red eyes and tear stained cheeks. The sight of her bringing out his own sorrow.

“David, I didn't think they'd let you off base to visit.” Kayla said without making her voice crack, and failing at it.

“Well... they didn't... But I couldn't not come here after I heard what had happened.” David sat down next to her, Kayla turning to him and trying to keep her composure. But his own face was painted with the sorrow of losing a friend and so her own tears flowed freely again.

“I still can't believe it, I've talked to him hours before it happened and now he's gone... It's not fair.”

“I'm sorry Kayla, I should have been here. He was my friend too.”

“You couldn't have known and they wouldn't have allowed you to stay anyway. I was here, I could have...”

“Don't say that Kayla, if you were in that room at the time you would have been killed too.

“I know, I know but... It's how I feel...”

“I don't suppose you know anything more then Thannis does about what happened?”

David didn't really expect a yes to that question, but he was suspicious when he saw Kayla looking around all shifty and look at the door, leaning in closer to whisper after she wiped her tears off.

“Actually... I do.”

David blinked a few times in surprise, whispering as well, “What? Then why didn't you tell her anything?”

“Because... well see for yourself.”

She pulled out her phone and showed three pictures to David, the first was of a screen shot from the security camera in the lab they were working on the new engine designs, the second a picture of the Wolf general he met in the meeting, General Harna and a third one was just a picture of the words. 'Don't trust anyone.' Well that sure explained why she was reluctant to show this to anyone.

“That's... is he the traitor? General Harna?”

“I don't know... but he must be involved somehow, why else would Merrin send me this right before he died?”

“But... if he is the leak and Merrin has proof, why didn't he just send that? And why the picture of us in the lab? I don't think General Harna is the traitor but somehow he's linked to it.”

David thought about all of this before turning back to Kayla. “Kayla, Merrin said not to trust anyone, why did you entrust this information to me?”

“Because there is one thing I am one hundred percent sure of, and that is that you are not the enemy David. You were his friend. If I can't trust you then I don't even know if I could do this by myself.”

David nodded, thankful of the faith she had in him, “Maybe the evidence we need is in that picture. Perhaps Merrin lacked proof and this is way of telling us where to look.”

“I hope not because that hangar has been dismantled, the secret facility was moved. Whatever evidence there once was is now gone.”

“Of course, that would have been too easy.” David stared at the picture of the lab again, somewhere in this picture, was the answer. He felt it, it was staring him right in the face and he didn't see it.

“Print that picture of the lab and get it delivered to me, send me a book and hit in at page 100 or something. Just in case they will search the package.”

“... You still don't trust them do you David?”

“Until we know who killed Merrin, we shouldn't trust anybody.”

Under escort, David returned to the military base he was stationed at. Reminded that a repetition of that would meet consequences. Kayla returned to her duties in the hospital, the death of Merrin in the back of her mind, and David's words. For now she focused on helping the patients, but from that day forward she couldn't help but sleep with one eye open.

Back at the base the preparation for the assault resumed, David's squad would spend day after day in the simulators and in their new planes. Drilling them until they knew how they handled and could fly them into battle. And thanks to his guidance, they managed to get the hang of their controls.

“Exactly like that Daly, perfectly angled and pulled up at the right moment. Good maneuvering Sally, they won't know what hit them!”

David was pleased with their performances in the simulator, though he was still nervous about the upcoming battle. Especially given he was going to share a plane with Manka, and she still seemed cold towards him. He walked over to her simulator to see her progression, arriving just in time to see her demolish four virtual fighters by herself with aileron rolls and quick maneuvering. Nodding with an impressed expression on his face, Manka turning her head to him as the simulation had ended.

“So, what do you think Manka? Think these will give us an edge on the Reptors?”

She flashed a quick smirk, “I was shooting Reptors down before you came. But I have to admit that I can't wait to get to fly one out there. Those scales won't know what hit them.”

“Well something tells me we won't have to wait too long for that, plus the sooner we got everyone in the air and familiar with the real thing the better.”

“Agreed, I hope you don't get motion sickness fast. Because if so, you're NOT coming with me.”

David was about to reply, when he saw Manka quickly take out another simulated fighter. He saw the ship explode, suddenly feeling the scorching heat surrounding him when he crashed. Flash images of his ship breaking apart upon entry, the sound of metal giving way to the forces battering the damages hull. The people, his people, standing around him, flashing into focus on each one as they died. A few officers were hit by debris flying through the command center. The first explosion killing most of the others, screams, air, heat filling his senses. His breathing got more shallow and heart rate was racing. Manka calling out to him made him blink and brought him back. His breathing returning to normal, it was a slight change, but noticeable.

“Are you ok cap?”

David swallowed before he nodded, his heart still pounding in his chest. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry I was... thinking about something from before... It's nothing.”

Before Manka could press the subject, the speakers turned on and David was called to the briefing room. “Well, sounds like I have to get going. Run the simulation again Manka, we can't be too prepared.”

“Sure, I got nothing better to do cap.”

With a smile and a nod he turned away and headed to the briefing room. Still a little shaken from that vivid recollection of his crash. He took a few deep breaths and tried to take it off his mind as he made his way to the briefing room. General Harna was waiting for him there. And he didn't seem happy, then again his neutral expression wasn't that much better either so it was hard to tell.

“General! Captain David reported as ordered” David exclaimed with a salute, it felt rather natural for him to do so thanks to his military carrier.

“At ease Captain, first things first. Aside from one... incident. You've done a good job so far with retraining your squadrons. Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you General, my crew works hard, I'm proud to lead them.”

“Good, because you're going to lead them into battle first thing in the morning.”

“You mean... tomorrow morning? In less then 12 hours Sir?”

“I know Captain, it's rushed and ahead of schedule but we have no choice. Latest surveillance of Reptor activity on the surface shows they are going to launch another invasion soon, bigger then the last one we fear. If we don't hit their installation before that then our assault won't be enough to tip the scales. They might attack tomorrow or over a week but we simply do not have the luxury of time. Get your squad ready to fly at six hundred hours.”

“Yes General, I understand the situation, we will be ready to fly and hit them hard.”

“I hope so Captain, because if you fail then we won't get another shot at this.”

“With all due respect Sir, you were caught off guard the first time. Surely now you're ready for them you can hold them back?”

The general leaned forward a little, eyes boring into David's. “I'm not talk about a few dozen troop transports. Captain. I am talking about hundreds, thousands of them. We do not have a planet wide defense system yet. Sure our key points are protected but even if we scramble everything we got. It won't be enough. They will get their troops on the ground and they will kill many people before we can kill the last of them. Not just that, but we are pumping a lot of our economy into this war. Do you think our people would see that justified when they launch a successful invasion again? After all our efforts? Let alone the morale that would drop? Meanwhile they are sitting on their planet with minimal casualties. While we have to fight off wave after wave. This isn't just about destroying their facilities, our preserving lives Captain. This is us, taking the fight to them. They've had us on defense from the start and if we don't start dealing punches the punches for a change, then we're going to be too beaten up to even try.”

General Harna leaned back and stood upright again, looking and pointed his attention to the map before them, showing a few pictures of infrastructures and facilities. Pointing to several complexes first.

“We know these to be their launch point for the invasion, with some luck we will wipe out their planes and invasion troops in one fell swoop. These are you primary targets, secondary ones are these buildings.”

General Harna's paw moved to another section of the map, a large building which looked heavily reinforced standing out easily. Looking like a tower that was build to survive a battle cruiser ramming into it. And there was a lot of defenses installed around it with several platform attached to the building with anti-aircraft defenses, he couldn't help but cringe internally at the sheer thought of assaulting it.

“Our previous bombing runs on this building were unsuccessful. In fact, we couldn't even dent it. We're not sure what purpose it serves, but seeing how heavily defended it is it must be important. It'll be a good test to see if our new bombers and tactics will be able to damage it. But keep in mind, the launch facilities are your primary target. I don't care what else you destroy as long as their invasion is beaten back before it is even launched.”

“I'll make sure to keep our main objective in mind. I'm more concerned about potentially losing our men and planes to these heavy AA defenses. If they get their hands on wreckage, they can reverse engineer your new fighters and bombers.”

“Wouldn't they need you for that?”

“Well I would make things a lot easier but even without me it would just be a matter of time. But I will keep this building in mind Sir.”

“Very well Captain. Keep in mind that this operation is still top secret. This can't leave this room. Tell your team to prep but not what for. Debrief them once they left our planet and not a second sooner.”

“I haven't forgotten Sir.”

Harna nodded and headed to the door. “Good, you know what's at stake now Captain. Don't fail.” And with those words said, he was gone. Door shut behind him as his guard sided him. “Great, no pressure. Sure, I'll just decide the outcome of this war while still trying to win ours. No sweat, not like two whole civilizations' fates rest on my shoulders. Yep...”

David went back to his team, breaking up the training sessions and informing them of the departure tomorrow. Obviously some got nervous knowing they had to go into the field so soon but he assured them he would be there to lead them and bring them back home.

[Later that day]

David was flying in the new fighter with Manka in the front seat. “Watch and learn Cap.” She said to him with a confident smirk. “Ha, better keep your eyes in front of you Manka. Might hit an asteroid.” To which she chuckled, “Well if I do it's your fault really.” “Oh really?” “Yes David...” her smile fell slowly, turning into a frown as the fighter filled with smoke. “...everything is your fault.”

Suddenly the fighter exploded, Manka was caught in the blast and the last he saw of her was that piercing glare before it was swallowed by the flames. The flames engulfed him, making him scream in agony. Just like when his ship exploded moments after he was plummeting to the ocean below, that heat covering his body and burning his skin. He woke up with a scream, shooting up right from the bed. Covered in sweat and gasping for air, it was a nightmare. It was the second time today he relived that moment. The moment his ship broke apart, and everybody but him died in the following minute.

He didn't understand why now, months after it happened. He tried to ignore it, to get back to sleep. But his body was in such a panicked/alerted state it took him an hour to calm down enough to go to sleep. And he woke up again later, that night again with a startle at a vivid recollection of the crash. It was a few hours before the mission to the Reptor's planet would launch. So he got up early, very early. And got ready, trying to take his mind of things with some early workouts. He went to the gym, surprised to find Tellar there already bench-pressing.

“Tellar? You're up early.”

Tellar turned to him and smiled, putting down the weights that made the bench groan. “Friend David! You're early too.” He sat up right, tail seeming to look more lively until David got closer. “Something wrong?” Tellar might not be the brightest bulb, but he could read David's face and it was obvious he was not ok.

“Oh nothing really, just had a, really bad dream. Couldn't get back to sleep so I came here. What are you doing up this early?”

Tellar shrugged, “Woke early, always come here when that happens. It's quiet.”

Without much asking, Tellar leaned forward and began to lap at David's face. Acting on instinct to calm David. Who was unsure what was happening but allowed it, his face coated with his saliva by the time Tellar pulled back. Nodding as he seemed pleased with his work. David smiling a little as he wiped his face clean. “Thanks Tellar, I appreciate it.” Oddly enough, it did seem to have helped David to clear his mind a little. “I guess I'm just a little nervous for this mission we're going on.” Tellar looked at him confused before David realized Tellar wasn't in the loop. “Well, don't tell anyone but my squad is going to do a bombing run on the Reptor homeworld with new gear so I'm a little nervous that it might go bad.”

“You will be good, Friend David. Trust yourself. No doubting leadership.”

“How could you tell I was doubting my leadership?”

Tellar pointed at his eyes, “Good eyes see everything. Don't talk much, listen a lot. Good listener.”

David smiled again, more and more, his perception of Tellar changed from a big, macho wolf, to a big puppy. “Thanks Tellar, you helped a lot.” David said as he felt at ease with Tellar, given how Tellar has been one of the few people on this planet that didn't treat him as an alien or looked at him that judging way. Even his own squad would sometimes look at him that way, but not always thankfully. With Tellar, he felt he could be himself without having to worry too much about how he would come across.

“Happy to help, Friend David”

David looked at the clock in the gym, it was getting time to prep and leave. His squad would be up soon and he should get ready as well.

“Well, I better get going now. Thanks again Tellar.”

“Do good!” He yelled back as David left the gym, taking a deep breath as he walked to his quarters to freshen up. After all, it wouldn't look professional if he showed up to the hangar with some of Tellar's slobber still on his cheek.