Project Z
By Lykanos Wulfheart
      
       "What are we even doing here? This is unprotected space." Kaida's scales glistened from the light of the control panel as she checked their location.
      
       Standing behind the chair, her grandfather spoke in a wise, elderly tone. "I received this intel from a very reliable source." Like her, Tatsuya was a drakken. While humanoid in shape, their features were far more reptilian, more like that of a dragon. However, unlike his granddaughter who was shades of green, he had a coppery hue. Below each nostril dangled a strand of flesh that resembled a thin mustache. Stroking them gently with a steady, clawed hand, he continued. "We do need to hurry, though. While information brokers tend to be trustworthy, they will sell their secrets to anyone willing to pay."
      
       Turning her attention from the screen back to the old lizard, she looked intrigued. "How many credits did you spend on this intel, anyways?"
      
       The chuckle made his red silken robes billow as his tail swayed playfully. "You really are your father's daughter, little hatchling." Patting her shoulder, he leaned in to give a comforting answer. "Far less than what we can make, I assure you."
      
       As Kaida pretended to grumble, Tran Atler, the only human in the crew, spun in his seat. "Hey, Kay, I found it on the long range scanners. Looks like an old Terran station. We'll need to get closer for a better view, but it looks pretty damaged from here."
      
       "Terrans? Out in this sector? There's no way." Kaida tapped on her console as she spouted her commands. "Tran, go tell Misha to get ready. I think the three of us should be able to handle this."
      
       With a nod, Tran sent the coordinates to the captain's monitor and headed out the back of the disk shaped room. He was a lanky man, nerdy in appearance with his round glasses, straight blond hair, and skinny build. In his defense, he was the ship's computer expert and resident historian, but, despite looking the role, he had just enough muscle to help in the field.
      
       Stroking his mustache again, Tatsuya already knew the answer to his question. "And what would you like me to do, my dear?"
      
       Kaida's smile parted her lips and exposed her pointed teeth. "You get to fly us in and watch the ship. You do still remember how to do that, right?" More a joke than an inquiry, she relinquished her seat with a snicker.
      
       Robes flowing as he took the captain's chair, Tatsuya stretched his fingers comically. "Ah, my little hatchling, I was born to fly. Where do you think you got this ship? I've been flying it longer than you've been alive."
      
       As both drakken tried to keep their laughter at bay, Kaida rested a hand on the seat. "And gramps, don't steal my ship... again."
      
       Suddenly flustered, he whipped around and glared. "That only happened one time, and, in my defense, that mimic drone sounded exactly like you!"
      
       "Love you gramps," she said as she kissed his cheek softly. His sarcastic "humf" gave her a sense of satisfaction as she disappeared to gear up and meet with the rest of her boarding party.
      
       ***
      
       Kaida's brown leather jacket and white undershirt were covered by her grey spacesuit, gloves and helmet set on the floor as she waited by the airlock. The metal inserts that kept her claws from ripping through the boots tapped impatiently on the ground as she waited for Tran and Misha to show. They were still a few minutes from their target, but that didn't ease the growing anticipation. She wanted to be out salvaging, the call of adventure intoxicating her to no end.
      
        As the other two rounded the corner, gear in hand, they were met with an overzealous, "What took you so long?"
      
       Tran sighed as he repositioned the backpack that clung to his off white space suit. "Every time. You know, some of us have gear to pack, right?"
      
       "So much gear," squeaked Misha as she sat her bag down. The term "packrat" wasn't far off, as she was the ship's mechanic and had to prepare for any number of situations while looting old technology. She also happened to be a Mousian, a very dexterous race of humanlike mice. The shortest of the crew at four foot two, her bright blue suit complimented her soft brown fur. With coloration like that of a field mouse, her tiny pink hands slipped the nimble fingered gloves on, follows quickly by her helmet. "And ready," she said triumphantly as she pretended to brush a thumb under her twitchy pink nose. "First done."
      
       Chuckling as he moved Misha's pack closer to the door, he couldn't help but prod his riled captain. "She has a point."
      
       "What would I do without you two," she hissed as she picked up her gear.
      
       Misha replied with a wink. "You wouldn't be having this much fun, that's for sure!" Clicking on her suits communication link, she hailed the bridge. "Hi Tatsuya. How far out are we? Your girl is getting antsy again."
      
       The woman's forked tongue shot out defiantly before a reply came through. "When isn't she? Gets it from her father."
      
       Helmet on and ready to chime in, Tran shot back with, "And where did he get it from, I wonder?"
      
       Humor in his voice, the wizened dragon calmly replied, "I have no idea. Must be a Drakken thing. Hot blooded, you know."
      
       As her companions laughed, she slipped on her helmet. "Mammals," she muttered as she opened her comm. "Come on, already. My scales are starting to lose their luster!"
      
       Trying to keep a straight face, the man on the bridge stated, "Patience, little one. Docking now. And be careful out there. The Terran station is in sorry shape. Looks like most systems are non-functional. No life support, no generated gravity. There is a little power flowing, but I can't isolate it. Misha, hope you packed your batteries."
      
       "Always do!" Misha patted the smaller bag on her back as she hefted the one on the floor. "Fearless leader, mind helping a little lady out?"
      
       With a glare, Kaida crossed her arms. "Uh huh. And why should I?"
      
       Giving her cutest helpless impression, the mouse looked up. "Please? You're the biggest and strongest one here. Pretty please?"
      
       Rolling her eyes, Kaida picked up the bag. "You're lucky you're an adorable little pipsqueak." Looking around to both her teammates, she took a quick inventory and turned to the airlock. "Alright, everyone's ready. Let's get going!"
      
       As the team made their way into the ship, they could tell that the station was in disrepair. Bits of debris floated through the halls, cluttering the way as they pushed forward. Their magnetic boots were a necessity due to the heavy clutter, making movement slow. Kaida led the charge, quickly asking her grandfather, "Where did we enter at?"
      
       Several seconds passed before he responded. "It looked like it might be near the bridge. Honestly, it's so damaged that most hatches were unusable. If you need me to find something closer for loading, just let me know."
      
       Pushing on, she replied, "There's a lot of loose debris in this chamber. Slow going for now. If we find something better, I'll let you know. For now, stay where you are."
      
       "Understood. Stay safe."
      
       After a long trek of hallways, they eventually found a mounted floor map. "Oh, wow." Tran took out a scanner and made a digital copy for later use. "This is old. Like, really old. Maybe... 500 Terran years, I'd say."
      
       Kaida looked at him like he was talking a foreign language. "And what is that in cylces? A few megacycles?"
      
       The human's fingers twitched as he quickly did the math in his head. "With a cycle being roughly ten Terran minutes, almost 26.3 megacycles."
      
       Misha's impressed whistle was quickly followed by the Drakken's snide, "Why are you Terrans always so difficult? The rest of the universe uses cycles. Why do you keep using your planet's time?"
      
       Still looking over the map, he shrugged. "It's how we were raised. I know both, but I grew up with Terran time. Don't even get me started on old Terran units of measurement. Even as a planet, we couldn't agree for centuries, err megacycles."
      
       Stretching to reach, the Mousian tapped on the map. "There. That's a science bay, right? Looks too big to be medical. Either one should have valuable tech, but old science gear tends to sell better than the medical."
      
       Nodding in agreement, Kaida motioned for Tran to lead. "You've got the map."
      
       As the trio moved further into the ship, the pathways cleared. It was a welcome relief until they found the door to the science bay, locked and without power. Getting cocky, Misha rifled through the bag Kaida had been carrying. "I've got this," came a confident squeak as she started disassembling panels. "Just need to give it a little power, disable the motor, and that should do it." Pulling a small power unit from the side of her own bag, she pierced the door's power cable with the spiked clamps and activated the energy source. The control panel flickered to life as she bypassed the locks manually, forcing the door to her will. After it opened, she leaned back. "Cover your eyes," was all the warning they got as sparks leapt from the open panel, frying the inner workings of the door control. As she detached her battery, she spouted proudly, "And no more fail-to-close. Permanently open, for your convenience."
      
       "Good work," the captain's praise was genuine as she moved cautiously into the unsealed room. After her initial risk assessment, she waved the other two in. "What is all this stuff?"
      
       Tran was looking at the suspended microscopes and small equipment while Misha stared at the back of the chamber. "Ooh, is that what I think it is?" The enticed rodent quickly made her way over to the four pods. "Old Terran cryo-tech. It doesn't really matter how old this stuff is, cryo-tech always sells well."
      
       As Tran looked over to see her fuss, he pulled out a scanner. Reading the room, he called out, "Hey, Tatsuya, we found the source of your energy readings. Looks like a few of the major systems in here are tied into solar backups. Must have been some really important stuff to get that kind of attention."
      
       Kaida shook her head in confusion. "If the systems in here are on redundant power, why didn't the door work?"
      
       Misha had the answer. "Doors are not a primary system. You can easily bypass them. These systems are critical to scientific discovery. If you want usable results, you can't have any power loss. But..."
      
       As the three looked into the pods, they were filled with questions. Tran moved to the control panel at the back and started looking up useful data as Kaida stared at the creatures. She couldn't place most, but two were familiar... and only one was still possibly alive. "These aren't Terrans. Two look a bit like Lupians. The other two, I have no clue what they are."
      
       Tran spoke to the screen as he pulled up the data. "They're experiments. I'll need more time to crack the research notes, but it looks like I can get the cryo-stasis unit diagnostics. It looks like the two on the outside, 'Project W', the muscular Lupian, and 'Project X', the... horned thing, they both died from decompression. Makes sense, as they have the cracked glass." Both specimens were well preserved from the lack of atmosphere. Project W looked like a burly werewolf; large muscled with a beastly humanoid shape. Project X had the appearance of a humanoid rhinoceros, huge and unyielding, barely fitting in its confinement. "That one, 'Project Y' lost power. It was..." The tube contained an almost mummified, yet still recognizable cheetah man, the atmosphere in the chamber trapped and stagnant. "Oh, wow... Well, he lost power about halfway through. They've been in here for 513 years!"
      
       The Drakken shook her head. "So more than 26 megacycles? It's impressive that even one is still functioning in this environment." Worry suddenly filled her scaled face. "The last one, is it still functioning?"
      
       Misha peered in as she spoke. "I really hope so. He's kinda cute."
      
       Tran's worry was instantly replaced with excitement as he clapped his hands together. "Haha! Yes! Looks like 'Project Z' is still running at optimal capacity. Whatever's in there is still alive."
      
       Kaida tried to contain her excitement as she talked "Did you get all of that, gramps?"
      
       "I did," came his reply. "Should I tell Pho to get ready?"
      
       "Yes, please. And if you can find a hatch closer to my transponder, that would be great."
      
       Cutting out for a moment, Tatsuya clicked communications back on to give an update. "Pho's been told that we have a long term cryogenics patient and is setting up the infirmary. As for me... there is a closer hatch, but it'll be a tight fit. Good thing I was born to fly." The station shuddered as their salvage ship released, making its way around. "I'll ping Tran with my new location. He should be able to use that map he found to get you here."
      
       "Copy that." Kaida turned to address Misha, but the mouse was ready to go.
      
       "We can't cut power without doing damage to the subject," Misha started as she pulled out a larger battery pack and made her way to the power cable in the back of the unit, "but I can power it with this. Assuming, of course... Hey, Tran, the side panel can control the pod, right? We don't need that system you're on, do we?"
      
       A few button stokes gave him the answer. "Nope. The pods are self-sufficient. This was more for project management. Speaking of, downloading all the files. I'll crack them when we get back aboard the Kashikoi-Hebi. Who picked that name, anyways? It's so long."
      
       As Misha clamped the battery into the cable, Tatsuya responded, still getting into position. "I did. It means 'The Clever Serpent'. Thought it would be fitting for a Drakken salvage and transport vessel."
      
       "I like it," said Misha as she pulled out her plasma cutter. "Clever. By the way, love the gift you got me, Tatsuya."
      
       With a chuckle, he nodded to himself. "I knew you would. Should work better than that old beam welder you had."
      
       "Oh yea!" Her excited chirp was all the merrier as she started slicing through the line as if it were a hot knife through butter. "It's so compact. And it fits my tiny hands perfectly!" When finished, she spun the cutter as if it were a gun in the hands of a cowboy and holstered it. "We have about twenty cycles of power." Leaning around the cryo-chamber, she winked at Tran. "That's a little over three Terran hours."
      
       Ready to haul the unit, Kaida commanded, "Release the clamps."
      
       Misha tapped a few keys on the pad, leading to a loud hiss as the locks gave way, letting the pod slowly hover in the vacuum of the room. Tran pocketed the data drive and handed the digital map over to his tiny friend. "I'll take the pod if you take the map. Not saying you're short, but..."
      
       The station shook again as the ship locked in. With a beep, the data pad created a path to the new beacon. Misha waved the device at the skinny human. "I know I'm short, but on the bright side," she shot a devious smile up at him, "it keeps me from doing the heavy lifting."
      
       Ready to move, Kaida was tapping her foot. "Come on, you two. We all know there's no heavy lifting in space..." Her sinister smile mirrored the mouse's. "That's why Tran is so scrawny."
      
       He tried to look hurt, but he thought it was a pretty clever comeback. "All the women in my life... so cruel."
      
       Misha started leading the way as she shot back, "Hey, don't make me tell Pho on you."
      
       ***
      
       Tatsuya was waiting outside the airlock, lift already in the no-atmosphere chamber. As soon as the three were in and had the pod settled on the platform, he re-pressurized the area. "Pho is ready and waiting." Seeing the black furred wolfman, he had to do a double take. "Definitely not Terran. What were they doing in there?"
      
       Already taking off his gear, Tran waved the data disk. "I'll have the answers soon enough. Should know more by the time he's defrosted."
      
       As he ran off, Kaida turned to her grandfather. "I'm not sure that this is a good idea. We have no idea why the Terrans put him in cryo. For all we know he could be a mindless beast, broken by experimentation."
      
       A gentle hand rested on her shoulder as he nodded. "That is true... however, he could just as likely be an innocent creature, imprisoned by a young and curious race. Only seventeen cycles left on that power pack." With a squeeze, he turned toward the medical bay. "Beside, I'm sure the two of us can handle whatever he is."
      
       As Kaida followed behind, lift pushed before her, she scoffed. "Are you sure you can still fight, old man? Not as young as you were last time."
      
       Sweeping his mustache, he replied, "Oh, I have my ways," as he led the group to join the final member of the crew.
      
       Pho Talren, the Pantail physician, had the room ready to go. Her species looked like red pandas, if red pandas could easily walk on two legs and better use their opposable thumbs. The rings of orange in her tail wagged back and forth as she directed them to the middle of the space, pans of instruments prepped and waiting. "Tatsuya filled me in on some of the details, but anything you can give me will help. Did Tran take any scans, by chance?"
      
       Misha handed the data pad up to the doctor who dwarfed her at five foot eight. "He was doing all sorts of stuff while I tinkered in the back. Has to be something there you can use."
      
       Scrolling through the data, she chirped. "Good ol' Tran. He got some video of the other subjects, too." As she watched, screen in one paw with the other tapping her fuzzy cheek, she analyzed what she could. "The instruments in the room make me think they were looking at the genetic makeups of these species. This first one," she tapped on the screen as it showed Project W, "looks like a healthy Lupian. A shame his pod cracked. We could've used some muscle around here." Looking over to the captain, her tail bristled nervously. "I didn't mean any offense, Kay! You're definitely the strongest here, by far! I meant more muscle!"
      
       Kaida cleared her throat and fought back the grin. "What about the rest of them? I've never seen those species before."
      
       Still flustered, Pho's tail zipped back and forth. "Right. Sorry, right." With a heavy breath, she settled herself. "So, those next two pods, I have no clue. I've never seen them. The horn on that one, though... It looks like an extinct Terran animal Tran showed me once. Rhino... Rhino-saurus? I dunno, it was a while ago. If I could get some tissue samples, I could tell you exactly what they are."
      
       With a nod, Kaida agreed. "Misha and I will grab the last few pods while you and gramps wake this one. I hate to leave you alone, but he assures me he can handle it." As Tatsuya bowed, she continued. "What about the last one? Another Lupian?"
      
       After a little more scrolling, Pho set the data pad on the counter. "Project Z, huh? It's sort of hard to tell. He's a lot smaller than the other one. The body is sort of like a strong Terran, but the feet and head are canine. I'd say he's either a young Wolvar or a very weak Lupian." As she moved to the cryo chamber's controls, she flicked her ears while poking the buttons. "He's been in here for 513 Terran years, oh boy. It'll take a cycle or two to thaw him, and then I'll administer some stabilizers to prevent organ failure. In this condition for so long, there may be some side effects."
      
       Tatsuya stroked his makeshift beard. "What sort of side effects?"
      
       As she started the reanimation protocol, she peaked up to respond. "Atrophy is a big one. The more he moves, the better off he'll be. He might also have some memory loss. Usually short term memory. Since this system is so old and he was in so long, those are the big ones. Both should be cured with time." She moved to the cabinets to grab some small vials. Placing them and a syringe on the counter, she turned around. "I'll also want to give him a vitamin booster. First, I'll need to sequence his DNA, though. Hate to inject him with an allergen. If I get some blood as soon as he comes out, we should get the results by the time he wakes up. Fortunately, he's strapped in, so we shouldn't have any trouble." With a cutesy smile, she scooped up the data pad and took a seat.
      
       Moving off the back wall, Kaida was hesitant. "So, how long before he's up and moving?" She was hoping to have enough time to get the pods and be back for guard duty.
      
       With a shrug, Pho replied, "Hard to say. Anywhere from one to four Terran hours?" The captain's dirty look caused the red panda lady to rub her head in an adorably skittish fashion.
      
       With a flick of the tongue, Kaida retorted, "You spend way too much time with your mate. He's rubbing off on you."
      
       With another charming shrug, the doctor commented, "Not his fault. I was raised around Terrans. They just tend to rub off on you."
      
       As Kaida shook her head, Misha walked past, tugging her captain's leather jacket. "Come on, fearless leader. We've got anywhere from six to twenty four cycles."
      
       "See," Kaida blurted out, "this one I understand! Alright, fuzz butt, let's get to work."
      
       ***
      
       Kaida and Misha were in the process of moving the last cryo pod into the storage bay when a ship-wide call rang out. Pho's voice was excited as it blasted through the vessel. "He's waking up! I repeat, he's waking up!"
      
       The loud noise hurt the werewolf's ears as he groaned softly, eyes still closed and body stiff. He wanted to ask where he was, but all that came out was a muffled moan.
      
       The doctor's voice was a gentle comfort as she explained his situation. "Hi there. My name is Pho Talren and I'll be your doctor today. It may be a little hard to speak right away. You've been in cryogenic stasis for a long time, so some temporary atrophy is normal. The more you try, the easier it will get."
      
       The black furred man in the pod wiggled his tongue and rotated his jaw. Eyes still shut, he tried again. "Whu... Whur- Where? Uhhh, where am I?" His own voice sounded foreign to him, far gruffer than he remembered. He tried to move his body, but it was hesitant to respond. As he tried his eyes, they slowly bent to his will, letting in the blinding light. With a flinch, he closed and slowly reopened them as another voice filled his ears, this one older and closer to his own.
      
       "You're aboard the Kashikoi-Hebi, a salvage and cargo ship."
      
       Still unable to make out the shapes before him, he was confused. "Sal-salvage? What happened to the station I was on? What happened to the ISS Discovery?" Moving his head, he blinked until the shapes started slowly coming into focus.
      
       The comforting feminine voice came from his right, a hazy orangy-black. "We don't know yet, but we found you with three others in cryo. You've been asleep for 513 Terran years."
      
       "Fi... Five... hundred? Cryo?" His voice was groggy and confused. "I'm a soldier. I wasn't... was I? I can't remember. I don't think I was supposed to go into cryo sleep. It was something else." Pain filled his forehead as he struggled to pull up the thoughts, memories that were clouded with age. "Protecting science. Scientists. I was assigned to the labs! That's what it was. I wasn't supposed to be in here. Where are the others? Do they know anything?"
      
       The elderly voice on his left took on a regretful tone as the reds came into view. "I'm sorry, but you were the only survivor."
      
       The wolfman tried to move his body as the sudden shock racked his mind. Still stiff, he barely noticed that he was restrained. The sorrowful moisture that pooled at the edge of his vision helped clear up his eyes, quickly letting him see his saviors. "Oh, shit! What the hell are you?" Before they could answer, he continued, "This is a test, isn't it? Some sort of psychotropic drug? There is no way I'm talking to a panda and a velociraptor man."
      
       Trying not to look offended, Pho spoke up. "I am a Pantail, sir, and he is a Drakken. We are friends, I assure you. Now, if you don't mind my asking, what are you?"
      
       Trying to calm himself, the man tugged at his restraints, suddenly aware of them. "I'm a human. Please, let me out of here."
      
       Pho looked skeptical. "A Terran? There's no way." As she spoke, Tran ran in, data pad in hand. "Now him. He's a Terran."
      
       The mystery canine tugged harder at his restraints, trying to fight off the numbness. "I am human! Why wouldn't I be?"
      
       "He's right," said Tran as he pulled up some data to show Pho. "Cracked the files. They were working on genetic augmentation. He was human until they spliced wolf into him."
      
       "Wha..." Looking down, the werewolf saw black fur, but he couldn't get a good look. "Please, untie me. I swear I won't cause any trouble." Tears welled as he begged. "I just want to see what you're talking about. Please."
      
       Tran continued as Tatsuya cautiously worked at the bonds. "Project W was the first attempt at wolf DNA. It was too aggressive for them, likely from not being a willing subject. 'X' was combined with Rhinoceros."
      
       Pho chimed in excitedly, "That's what it was! I was close." Her smug smile to the old lizard was priceless.
      
       The Terran snickered as he kept going. "I think it was to be used as an organic war machine. "X" was a mixed with cheetah for speed, and that brings us to him." Tran dipped his head in pity. "I'm sorry, Project Z. You were considered the first triumph. They reworked the first project and made the perfect super soldier. Enhanced strength, speed, and senses. They called you... 'The first viable werewolf'." Fighting back the feelings of empathy, he pushed on. "It said in your psychological profile that, while you were an unwilling subject, you maintained your ability to reason. Far less hostile than Project W. I'm really sorry that you had to go through this."
      
       Shaking his head in disbelief, Project Z was having trouble coming to terms with this information. "I don't remember any of this. Just getting assigned to the science sector. You'd think I'd remember something that crazy."
      
       Pho put a comforting paw on his shoulder as the final bonds were removed. "Long-term cryo stasis can lead to short term memory loss. It's natural, so don't blame yourself. It will come back with time. Let's start with something easier. What's your name?"
      
       Free to move, the patient tried to wiggle his legs, though they refused to respond. Instead he tried something that did. Looking over his hands, he was equally freaked and awestruck by the thick black pads that covered his palm and finger tips. Likewise, the claws that protruded looked wickedly dangerous. As he moved the paw-like digits before his face, he tried to think. "My name... It's... I can't remember. Why? I remember my profession, my family's faces... I even remember going to school back on Earth. Names. I can't remember any of the names!" As he went to rub his forehead, the thick fingers brushed his longer-than-usual nose. Suddenly aware of the protrusion, he had to look. In his desperation, he tried to take a step forward. The leg moved, hesitantly, but only half way, spilling the beast muzzle-first onto the floor.
      
       The loud thud was followed rapidly by a regretful whine as he lifted his face off the cold metal. He couldn't see it, but the others had a clear view of his fur patterns. Not just black, he had sliver over his shoulders that trickled down his back to a point and spread again over the backside of his tail. The silver matched a small patch that they had seen, running down through his right eye as if it were a scar.
      
       Pivoting, he tried to get his canine legs to work as he pulled himself back up the side of the unit. Noticing the pan of tools, he took the reflective surface, spilling its contents across the medical bay as he slumped back into a seated position. The sudden movement put Tatsuya on guard, though Pho's hand told him to back off. Project Z gasped as he looked at the shape of his new face, powerful wolf muzzle sticking out. Pointed black ears were at the top of his head, not the sides. It was all a huge change from what he was used to. Lost in a trance, he didn't even notice as the rest of the crew walked in and stayed by the door.
      
       Kaida assessed the situation, taking a bit of comfort from Pho's thumb up gesture. It was Misha that shattered the silence. "Wow, he really is handsome, isn't he?" As everyone turned to look at her, she merely shrugged. "What? He is!"
      
       As silence fell once more, the werewolf pulled himself to his feet. Wobbly at first, he was standing on his own, testing his new posture. "I'm sorry if I've been rude. It's just that this is all so new."
      
       Pho was ready to assist his balance if needed, her words soothing the worry on his long face. "We'll help you get through this. Don't worry, we've got your back. For now, rest, food, and water."
      
       The caption stated flatly, "And some clothes."
      
       With a comical squeak, Misha protested. "Aww, but I'm enjoying the view." As everyone stared again, she offered another shrug. "I was kidding."
      
       Moving back with the other two, Tran spoke up. "I might have something that will fit him. Oh, hey, introductions are in order. How rude of me. I'm Tran Atler, computer technician. You've already met my mate, the lovely Pho Talren." As he introduced her, the doctor wiggled back and forth shyly.
      
       As Tran smiled back at her, the old dragon bowed. Ryuu Tatsuya, grandfather of the captain over there, Ryuu Kaida. Before you ask, Ryuu is what you Terrans call a surname. Tatsuya and Kaida work just fine."
      
       Kaida looked at the old Drakken suspiciously. "'You Terrans'? He's Terran?"
      
       With a downplaying wave, he reassured her. "I'll explain later. You've missed a great deal, my dear."
      
       The Mousian stepped forward and waved. "Misha Delaroe. I keep things running around here. Need anything fixed, I'm there." With a beaming smile and quick wink, she added, "If you're Terran, you're the best looking one I've ever seen."
      
       Not entirely sure how to take the compliment, the werewolf tried his best to smile, teeth showing through awkwardly. "Thank you, I think."
      
       "Not a problem," she replied, still cheery. "Oh, not sure if we missed it, but what's your name?"
      
       Shaking his head regretfully, the werewolf was still at a loss. "I don't remember. Project Z is what they called me?"
      
       Tran raised the data pad. "That's all I have. They made sure not to list your proper name. Likely due to you not being a willing candidate. Sorry."
      
       After a moment of quiet contemplation, he gently wagged his tail. "Since they decided I'd be 'Z', let's go with that. Call me Zee."
      
       The captain nodded in agreement. "Alright, Zee it is. If you'll follow Tran, he'll get you some clothes and food. Gramps, you get to fill me in."
      
       As her grandfather gave an accepting bow, Tran motioned for Zee to follow. Misha fell in line with a gleeful, "I'll help," but was quickly shot down with a dirty glare.
      
       Kaida crossed her arms as she gave the order. "You get to take care of the pods in storage. Take this one down with you and strap them in for transport."
      
       Leaving the room, Tran was stopped by Kaida. "I'll catch up," was his reply to Zee as the captain seemed pretty dead set on talking.
      
       Keeping her voice low, she seemed concerned about the newcomer. "Keep an eye on him. We don't know if we can trust him yet."
      
       "He's been through a lot, Kay. I don't think he's a threat, if that's what you mean."
      
       With a friendly pat on his shoulder, she was still not convinced. "Just be careful. We have no clue what he's capable of, victim or not. Just... keep an eye on him."
      
       With a sigh, he readjusted his glasses. "Alright, yes. I'll keep an eye on him." Seeing the confused canine at the end of the hall, he pointed left, giving Zee some direction. As Tran turned to catch up, he reassured his captain, "I'll stay safe."
      
       "You'd better," she called out before the man slipped around the corner. Turning back into the infirmary, the situation still weighed heavy on her. "What did I miss?"
      
       ***
      
       As Zee ate a very basic meal of processed meat and vegetables, he couldn't help but notice the constant gaze of the man sitting across the table. Pausing just long enough between famished bites, he said, "You're staring," then was back to what he could only assume was beef.
      
       Tran pushed up his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry. It's just not every day that you see something this..."
      
       "Strange?" ventured the canine, mouth still half full.
      
       "Impressive." The Terran tried to make it sound like a compliment, though he was sure his audience was still reeling with the changes. "It's just... I never knew that humanity ever tried something like this. I mean, don't get me wrong, the ancient old-world legends spoke of part animal creatures. Werewolves were a big one, but to see that they tried to make it a scientific reality, and succeeded. That's huge!"
      
       Zee's sigh made it very clear that he wasn't as impressed with this discovery as his new friend was. His focus was more on the food and his thoughts. Finishing the tray, he held it out. "Could I get some more of the meat?"
      
       "Oh, sure." As Tran went to get more, he kept talking. "Sorry about the food. Usually it's better, I promise. Pho and Misha are way better in here than the rest of us, but they've been pretty busy, what with..." Setting the food before the beast, he could see that Zee knew what he was going to say and was taking it personally, the drooping ears giving it away. "Sorry. I know this is all so overwhelming for you. Looks like you have a lot on your mind."
      
       The pause seemed a bit unnatural, especially with how the wolf had been tearing into the meal moments before. "I just have so many questions," he stated as he resumed his munching. "Like why I was chosen, why I was left behind... why I was forgotten for five hundred years."
      
       "I can answer the first one," ventured the man. "It was listed in your evaluation. You were physically fit, highly skilled, of sound character... and without any immediate attachments. Sorry to say it, but it made you a perfect candidate." As Zee's ears drooped yet again, Tran knew he needed some good news. "Those last two questions we can figure out." Seeing the immediate interest, Tran knew he could lift the werewolf's spirits. "The ship should have some sort of log of why it was abandoned, a black box if you will. We should be able to hit the bridge and figure out why they abandoned the station. We'll get you an answer, I guarantee it."
      
       Setting his fork down, Zee's personality went from gloomy to peppy. His tail swung as he responded with, "That would be awesome. If you could, I'd be eternally grateful."
      
       Before Tran could reply, Kaida and Tatsuya were at the door, the captain tapping on the frame. "Knock knock." With a nod to Zee, she asked, "How're you feeling?"
      
       Pushing the tray to the side, he tried to smile. "Better. Fed, clothed, and ready to get out there." Before the mess hall, Tran had taken him for some clothes. The only thing that fit was a pair of brown, high-cut pants that looked more like long shorts. Tran had said they were a gift from a friend, but they never really fit so he was glad to give them away.
      
       The blonde Terran could feel the glare at his back as Kaida spoke. "Glad to hear, but what do you mean by 'get out there'?"
      
       As she tapped her foot, Tran knew he had to take the heat off the newcomer. "I told him we could find the black box. Figure out why he was left here." Pivoting, he continued, "Come on, we owe him that much."
      
       The green lizard's tail flicked with displeasure. "Oh no. No no. We freed him, but we don't owe him a thing. In case you've forgotten, we have a job to do."
      
       Tatsuya's voice was soothing and purposeful, like a parent trying to get a child to do the right thing. "Kaida." As she crossed her arms, he continued. "Have a heart. He needs our help and we're all he has." Her subtle growl let him know he was on the right track. "I'm sure my old space suit would fit him. Plus, with Misha working on the pods, you could use the extra hand with salvaging."
      
       Zee nodded in agreement. "Yea, I'd gladly help you out. I could take you to the armory. The bridge would be on the way."
      
       The old dragon rested a hand on his granddaughter's shoulder. "Hear that? Tran could get him his answers; you get an extra hand with knowledge of the station. Everyone wins. What do you say, little one?"
      
       With a very audible growl, she threw her hands up. "Fine. We'll get you your answers, you help us out. Fair's fair... and no funny business. I'll be watching you." As she whipped back around the corner, she hissed, "You guys are so frustrating. You've got two cycles to get ready. GRAH!"
      
       Tatsuya chuckled, grin plastered on his face. "Come, I'll let you use my suit." As he started to turn, he looked back. "And don't take it personally. She may be a little hot headed, but it grows on you. Earn her trust and you'll have an ally for life."
      
       Tran got up to follow, patting Zee's shoulder. "Gets it from her father." He could hear Tatsuya's laugh as he headed for the door.
      
       Zee looked confused as he slowly rose. "What's a cycle?" Not sure what to do with the tray, he left it as he fell in line.
      
       The Terran peeked back as he rounded the corner. "I'll explain on the way."
      
       ***
      
       As the group converged at the air lock, Kaida was already waiting impatiently, metal toe inserts tapping in irritated disproval. Tatsuya tried to lower the tension by proudly showed off the werewolf in his red Drakken spacesuit. "Look, it fits!"
      
       "Mostly," said Zee as he tried to wiggle his feet. "A little tight in the toes and a bit long in the..." The concept still seemed foreign as he said it out loud, "tail."
      
       "But it fits," stated the old reptile, still cheery in his triumph.
      
       Tran scooted past, backpack ready and gloves on. "I have some of Misha's batteries and should be set."
      
       As everyone else got their helmets on, Tatsuya aided Zee with his. When the helmet met with the canine's long ears, they twitched in opposition. "Ooh, that was weird," said the black wolfman.
      
       "You're fine," said the old lizard. "Drakken heads may be larger, but there still isn't a whole lot of ear space. Let me know if it's too uncomfortable."
      
       With the helmet in place and locked in, Zee tried to reply, but nothing was heard by those around him. It was a muffled quiet inside the suit until Tatsuya clicked a button on the side. "Try that again," said the coppery Drakken. "Your comms were off."
      
       "Oh. Testing, testing?" Zee's voice was loud and clear, a bit overcompensating for so close to them.
      
       "Just talk normally," came the calming reply from Tatsuya.
      
       "Sorry. I said that it fit. Ears are a little flat, I think, but I can hear you now."
      
       "Good. Good. Comms are on the helmet, same with your tracker. I'll turn it on to keep an eye on the group. With the station as it is, I'd hate for someone to get lost or hurt." With a gentle tap on the side of the visor, Tatsuya headed for the bridge, pausing long enough to say, "Good luck."
      
       Kaida took charge as they moved into the airlock. "Stay as a group. We'll visit the bridge to get you your answers followed by the armory. If we find enough there, we return, pick up Misha, and keep going. If not, we'll cut back to the labs and take some of the easier to handle tech. Got all that?" As both men nodded, she gave a confident "good" as she prepared to depressurize the area. "Oh, and before we go," she grabbed Zee's left arm and showed him the suit controls. "This turns on your boot's magnetics. After going through the trouble of saving you, I'd hate to have you float off."
      
       After engaging his boots, the chamber hissed, expelling the air and leaving them free to go back into the decrepit station. It took several minutes to get to the bridge, but with someone familiar with the ship, the trek was far more direct. As Zee looked around, nostalgia causing his eyes to wander and mouth to gape, Tran scooted past and took out his scanner. As he walked, he muttered to himself, "Usually these things have a small, self-sufficient power source or backup power supply. Helps you find it and keeps the data viable on older systems." Moving over to the panels, he poked a few buttons, but nothing happened. "I think this is it. We could take it back with us, but what fun is that?" Pulling out a small battery, he looked for a place to tether in. Eventually, he yanked open a small port and worked his magic. Just that section lit up, displaying a basic screen with few options until he was at the controls, fingers flying wildly across the keys. His long, drawn out "And" was followed by a victorious, "there we go!" As he stepped back, he motioned Zee in. "I'll give you the honors."
      
       The werewolf was hesitant at first, the reasons for his being here blazing across the screen. Shaking the doubt from his mind, he stepped forward and read, speaking as he went to fill in his allies. "It looks like it was an incoming object. A large meteoroid. The directional thrusters weren't working properly, so they abandoned the station onto an attached frigate. The captain left some notes. Seems... they left with every intention of coming back, but why didn't they? He also stated that there would be no casualties." Pounding to the sided of the keyboard, he growled, fierce and angry. "What do they call us in the tubes, then? Acceptable losses?"
      
       With a few deep breaths, he responded to Tran's sympatric stare as best he could. "Sorry, I'm good. That just poked a nerve. They take me against my will, and then don't even acknowledge that they left me to die." Moving from the monitor, he tried to collect himself as Tran took over.
      
       "Looks like they had some calculations. They plotted the path, but..." Pulling out his data pad, he started plugging in the information. "Based on this... Yes, they couldn't have been right. Not sure if the station was clipped or got snagged and then peeled off, but they would've had the wrong coordinates. Even with a wide search pattern, they were looking in the wrong spot. We're just lucky that it was left to drift as it was. Could have easily hit any number of issues free floating through space." Turning to the sulking beast, he stated, "You might not think so right now, but you are so lucky to be alive. You really beat the odds, friend."
      
       Gripping the console tightly, the thin metal slowly bent under his powerful grasp. "Lucky? I lost my life! Made a monster and left behind, trash to be discarded."
      
       Kaida jumped in, sharp and blunt. "Quit your whining. If you had been salvaged, then what? Cut apart for further analysis? Used as a weapon? If they found you, your life would have been over. You'd have been a tool, nothing more." The reality she laid out cut him deep. He knew it was true, that there was no place for him in the world of that time, not as a mutated freak.
      
       The voice that spoke next shocked both of the men. Kind and caring, the scaled woman continued. "He's right, you did luck out. Now you'll have a proper life. There are races with your anatomy, so you'd be accepted in intergalactic society. No need to hide. No one left to cut you up. You'll be able to make a fresh start."
      
       The sudden sentiment left him reeling. Forced to take a seat, he thought about it, the anger replaced by possibilities. "I..." he stammered as he took in the newfound freedom. "I don't know what I'd do. I'm a soldier. I don't know much else."
      
       "You'll find something," Kaida replied. "We'll get you to the right place, don't worry. You're sort of our responsibility for the time being." She meant it more as a joke, though it didn't come out quite that way. Still, Zee looked relieved, at the very least. "Now, how about those weapons?"
      
       With a heavy, calming breath, Zee nodded. "Right. I have my answers, let's get you your weapons." Giving Tran a chance to copy the data and unplug the power source, the trio made their way to the armory, following Zee's lead.
      
       Coming upon the powerless door, Zee didn't know what to do. "That pad is where we put in our code. I'm sorry, I should have realized..."
      
       As he trailed off, Tran stepped in. "I've got this. Watched Misha do it a few times. How hard can it be?" Pulling out a battery pack, he turned it on and pierced into the cabling. As the screen flicked to life, a jolt went into the man's fingers. "Gah-ouch!"
      
       While he waved off the shock, Kaida mocked. "Pretty sure Misha had it turned off first."
      
       Still rubbing the tingle from his fingertips, he shot back, "Why didn't you say that earlier?"
      
       Chuckling, Kaida replied with a shrug. "I thought you had it. How hard can it be, right?"
      
       Tran would have been amused if not for the zap, but Zee went to the pad and plugged in his code. A series of three beeps paired with a red light said that he was rejected. "I'm sure this was my code. I may not remember my name, but I know my code." Another try came with another failed attempt.
      
       "I can crack it," said Tran as he pulled out his pad. "They probably pulled you from the system when you were volunteered. It'll be a few minutes. Weapon caches tend to have decent encryption, but I can break it."
      
       After a few seconds of thinking, Zee typed in a different number, sliding the doors open. Tran gasped, "How did you do that?"
      
       The wolf shot back a devious grin. "One of my friends told me his code. Bragged that it was 'straight across the board'. Glad to see he made it off. Hope he got back to his wife and kid."
      
       Once inside, Kaida and Zee headed for the guns, while Tran zagged off to a lit terminal. "Must run off the same source as the other," he muttered as he played.
      
       The werewolf was already checking out an assault rifle when the dragon picked up a clip and asked with surprise, "It's all projectile weapons? This is ancient! You can't even find these rounds anymore. With the right buyer, we could get some credits for sure!" Moving to the back of the room, she unhooked a crate, checked the contents, and gently floated it to Zee. "Here, it's empty. Start filling it with the ones on the rack. And take the ammo. That might actually sell better than the guns." He did as told, ripping out the foam inserts to store as much as possible. She did the same after realizing all the cases were empty, save for an explosives crate. "You'll get this one, Tran." Seeing his lack of response, she tried to get his attention. "Tran? Tran! HEY, TRAN!"
      
       Nodding, he was still fixed to the screen. "You've got to see this. It's an experimental mech suit." Both of the others seemed surprised, looking over Tran's shoulders to get a look. He continued to impress them with the specs. "It's not as good as some of the ones on the market today as far as a single task goes, but this one, wait for it," tapping the display brought up a few attachments for various functions. "It's modular. You can plug in different attachments for lifting cargo, welding, mining, I think there's even a heat shield for live thruster maintenance. It's brilliant, adaptable, and might still work."
      
       Zee whistled his approval. "That was not here when I was on duty."
      
       Tran chuckled at the reaction. "I bet not. It was an R&D project around the same time as you were, no offense."
      
       While still entranced, Zee replied, "None taken."
      
       Kaida went back to packing weapons as she explained her plan of attack. "We'll take these crates with us. Looks like we'll save time going there first, and, if it's still there, we should be able to use it to haul the crates and then some. Tatsuya, did you get all that?" No reply came, so she asked again. "Tatsuya, do you copy?" With a disgruntled huff, she turned to the others. "Comms must be out. Let' get going."
      
       "That can't be a good sign," replied Tran as they gathered up their loot and headed for the engineering department.
      
       ***
      
       Tatsuya had been monitoring the group's progress when the alarm appeared on his console. "Inbound jump detected," stated the computer.
      
       The dragon called to the onboard crew, "Incoming ship, be ready for anything." Before he could warn his boarding party, an incoming transmission blinked on screen as a gunship flashed into view. Twice as big as the Kashikoi-Hebi, the vessel was familiar to Tatsuya, though not in a good way.
      
       As soon as he opened the channel, a blue, tentacle-faced man appeared, stating, "This area is now under the control of Lolingo Gashi. Flee or die."
      
        With a fake smile, Tatsuya replied back, "Gashi, you old pirate. How long has it been?"
      
       Folding his four noodly arms, Gashi seemed pleasantly surprised. "Ryuu Tatsuya, did not expect you here. How's the girl? Hope she's not still holding a grudge."
      
       Subtly shrugging, the Drakken replied, "To be fair, you did steal her weapon and leave her on a planet full of predators."
      
       "Now now," retorted the pirate. "Steal is such a strong word. I like to think of it as... cunningly acquired. Just like here. Tell you what. I like your crew. So nice. Always finding such lucrative sites. For old time's sake, I'll give you... hmmm, half a cycle to get out of here."
      
       Tatsuya played it cool, not liking the option given. "My granddaughter and a small crew are aboard still. It would take about three cycles to get them back. How about a trade. You give them more time, we hand over the map we've found."
      
       "Three cycles is a long time, old friend," came the sinister response. "You could strip a lot of the goods by then. How about this. You give me the map, I give you your time... But... I also send a party to escort them. Wouldn't want them getting lost, now would we?" The tendrils near his mouth flicked with a sick delight as he knew he had the upper hand.
      
       Tatsuya was sure it was his best option, even if it was a lie. With a purposefully defeated nod, he agreed. "Very well then. I'll have the map sent over within the cycle. Just need to let my crew know that they'll have visitors." Closing the transmission, he opened an internal line. "We have pirates. Misha, I need you up here. Pho, if you could handle the airlock, we may need to make a quick escape."
      
       ***
      
       Kaida and her crew were arriving at engineering when the call finally came through. Tatsuya sounded worried as he gave the details. "Lolingo Gashi is here with his pirate gunship. He'll be sending a crew to 'escort' you."
      
       The young Drakken's displeasure shot through her voice. "Damn him! That bastard left me to die last time. How did you manage to convince him not to kill us this time?"
      
       "I promised him the map," said the defeated old man. "I'm sure his pirates will also be taking anything you already have, so be ready. I have Pho heading to the airlock, so be ready to go as soon as you hit the ship."
      
       Huffing heavily, Kaida had a plan. "Be ready to go. We have one last thing to grab, and then we're out of here."
      
       Her grandfather spoke with concern before closing the comms, "Be careful, little one."
      
       Getting down to business, Kaida turned to Tran. "We need that door open, now!"
      
       The man shook his head. "Assuming it's like the armory, it'll take just under a cycle... unless Zee has a code for this, too."
      
       The captain shot her gaze to the werewolf. "We don't have enough time for a hack. Do you know the code?"
      
       Zee's disappointed headshake said it all. "I don't... but I do have an idea. Tran, I need to see your crate." Complying, the Terran held it out as Zee shifted through the contents. "Here we go!" Pulling out a block of old C-4, he got to work, carefully sticking it near the lower half of the door's central seam. "I'd back up if I were you."
      
       Kaida helped Tran reseal his explosives container as they hustled away, followed quickly by Zee. Rounding the corner, they made it just in time as the bomb blew a hole in the metalwork. Heading back over, they saw it.
      
       The unit sat in the center of the bay, bound to the floor and surrounded by a few strapped containers. The steel colored frame had "EXO PROTO" in bold, black letters across the chest and stood about twenty feet tall. Two long arms and powerful legs came out of a central chest-like cockpit that had a short dome of sensors resting on top. While smaller than some units currently on the market, the adaptability was the big draw. As Tran ran to the unit and started diagnostics with his data pad, Zee and Kaida were opening the nearby boxes. One had a large, metal shield while the other had an attachable container containing drills, clamps, a welder, and other fun tools.
      
       Closing her container, Kaida checked the back of the unit, and then called Zee over. "Looks like this pack is fitted for the back. Help me unstrap it and put it on."
      
       With a nod, he got to work on the bonds. Once free, the container slowly glided from the floor, weightless. Grabbing on, he commented, "Good thing the gravity's off. We'd need another one of these machines just to put this on." With the aid of Kaida, they had the backpack module in place by the time Tran had his part figured out.
      
       "Looks like it still has power," exclaimed Tran, typing on the cockpit controls. With a grinding whir, the suit opened, exposing the seat and inner electronics. Turning off the magnets in his boots, he pulled himself inside and strapped in. With a huge, dorky grin, he called out, "This is going to be fun," as he closed himself inside. Systems sparked to life as he played, figuring out the controls. Fortunately, he hadn't gotten anything moving yet when the pirates came.
      
       "Hold it right there," came a voice from the door hole as four humanoids emerged, blasters drawn and trained on the two visible salvagers. Moving in close, they split into pairs and faced their victims.
      
       One of the creatures facing Zee pointed a laser rifle at his visor, commanding, "Hands up," while the other stared at him, gun at the ready. Kaida had one staring at the machine as the other waved his energy pistol at her.
      
       Her combatant spoke as if he knew her. "You again. Shame we keep meeting like this, but it looks like you have another gift for me." Looking to his partner, he waved to the mech. "Get it moving. We'll take them back to their ship." With a sick sigh, he looked back at the dragon. "It's a shame we keep letting you go. I'd really love the chance to see just what a Drakken can do."
      
       As the pirate made a lusty bite in her direction, she gritted her teeth. "Oh, you'll get your chance. You won't survive it, though. We're a pretty fierce race."
      
       Backhanding her face with his balled fist, he cackled, "Oh, don't worry. I've tamed worse than you."
      
       Kaida recovered instantly, eyes burning with contained rage. Zee, on the other hand, took a step in her direction, his snarl loud and angry. Stopped by the weapon moving closer to his muzzle, he glared at his captor.
      
       The cocky attacker sneered at the wolf's response. "Aww, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?"
      
       As he gloated, the other pirate opened the machine, gasping at the man inside, "What th-"
      
       While the shocked enemy fumbled for his weapon, Zee took action. Sweeping his own head to the side, he pulled the rifleman forward, one overpowered hand on the gun. Sliding in, the werewolf forced the trigger finger back while aiming the barrel at the pirate currently staring down Tran. The white hot beam struck the center of the helmet, causing the man by the exo to go limp, crumpling backwards as his boots held to the floor.
      
       Zee rammed into the creature attached to the gun, using him as a shield between himself and the second combatant. With a sharp twist, the gun was left to glide as the arm of the pirate made an audible snap. The scream escaped, shrill and terrified, as the black wolf spun around to the next enemy. This one almost looked human, doubt plastered to his face as the unexpected speed of the beast brought Zee barreling into the thug as the man pulled the trigger, blast streaking aimlessly into an unoccupied portion of the room. As the enemy tried to recover from the brutal shoulder charge, Zee's fist was already on the way, shattering through the visor and ending a second combatant.
      
       The gunner with the broken arm fumbled for his gun, tucking the wounded limb in close. As he reached, the werewolf was on him, grappling below his good arm and grabbing at his face. Flinging an elbow back, the wounded pirate made contact, but it was too little too late. With a sharp twist, Zee removed the fiend's helmet, letting it spin off as the creature gasped for its final breath.
      
       The abusive man before Kaida was all that remained. As he tried to line up his shot, profanity on his lips, he was struck in the back of the legs by the twirling reptile. Knees buckling, the dragon popped up by his blaster. Struggle as he might, she easily overpowered him, energy pistol sill in his hand, but aimed directly at his chest. She hissed, "Tell me if this hurts," as she forced the pervert to fire three beams into his own body.
      
       The trio took a moment to calm down, carnage surrounding them as they panted. The stillness faded as Tran closed his cockpit and got the arms of the suit moving. Kaida looked over to the silent beast with awe. He had taken down three armed attackers in hand-to-hand combat in the time it took her to get one. "We've got to move," she called out as she made her way past the corpse.
      
       Zee was still reeling from combat. He had taken lives before, but never had it been so fast, so powerful, and so savage. The guilt felt different this time. It wasn't just that he had taken life, but that he felt strong while doing it. The inner struggle was cut short as Kaida appeared, her voice snapping him back to reality. "Hey, we have to go. Now." Shaking his head clear, Zee agreed.
      
       In the meantime, Tran had already figured out the controls. The fabric bonds snapped away as the exo moved forward. With a quick body pivot, it took two tries to scoop up the shield, which was followed by the three creates from the armory. In a weird hug, the machine looked silly carrying so much, but it worked. Tran's voice came over the suit's speakers as he caught up. "I don't have any atmosphere in here yet, but... oh..."
      
       Getting to the doors, he had to release his cargo. The unit's hands barely fit into the gaping hole, but with a steady force, the portal opened begrudgingly. Still feeling the pressure from the doors, he called out to the other two. "It's not staying open. Get the gear and I'll follow. Kaida and Zee pushed the three crates and large piece of metal out, quickly following behind. Once clear, the robot moved through, releasing the doors as it went. Scooping up the loot once more, Tran followed behind as they made a quick escape back to the ship.
      
       ***
      
       Pho was in awe as the metal monstrosity made its way into view. First came Zee, then Kaida, then a bunch of crates. The red panda couldn't help but laugh as the mech squatted down and sidled its way in. As soon as she could see her mate in the opening cockpit, she closed the outer door and pressurized the airlock. Yelling to the panel, she exclaimed, "Everyone's in! Go go go!"
      
       Tatsuya detached as soon as the word was given. In a display of pure skill, he snuck the ship backward and dipped it low, using the shattered station as cover between them and the pirate gunship. Opening the hail from the enemy vessel, he greeted Gashi with a bow.
      
       "Who said you can leave, Tatsuya," the blue face squiggling with displeasure as he spoke.
      
       The Drakken delighted in the other's unhappiness. "Seems my crew made it back without assistance. We'll be taking our leave now."
      
       From just off-screen, Tatsuya could overhear, "The raiders are not responding."
      
       Gashi's four arms slammed on his console. "You treacherous serpent! Fire! FIRE!"
      
       As the transmission cut, Tatsuya looked over to Misha. "I need jump coordinates, now!" Making it to the far side of the station, he headed straight out, drifting to keep the base as a shield. His plan worked until the beast of a ship cut through the debris, lasers firing at random. "Misha, NOW!"
      
       The Mousian typed frantically, unable to get a perfect destination in such a short time. With a worried squeak, she locked in what she could. "It's a dirty jump, but GO!"
      
       The barrage of blasts streaked past, one clipping the metal frame and another shaking the ship, but no systems were hit. As the pirates closed the distance, the Kashikoi-Hebi vanished, flashing to some unknown sector of space.
      
       Misha and Tatsuya sighed in unison. The little rodent's triumphant cheer was quickly followed by her, "We made it!"
      
       With a respectful nod, the copper dragon chuckled. "Good work, Misha. Good work."
      
       ***
      
       Zee laid in his temporary quarters, the day's events weighing heavy on his mind. Pho had told him to get some rest, but there was no way that was happening. Instead, he thought about everything he had learned: his new situation, new body, and new life. He had no idea what he was going to do in this time period, fearing that, like the ISS Discovery, he was just a relic of the past, useless and alone. The knock on the door was a welcome relief from the terrible brooding. "Come in."
      
       Standing in the doorway was Kaida, green scales shimmering in the light, her voice kind and genuine. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did back there. Had you not done what you did, I doubt any of us would have survived."
      
       Shifting from his back to a proper seated position, he smiled. "Glad I could help." His gaze lowered as the worries crept back in, drooping his ears against his will.
      
       Though she had an idea what it was, Kaida had to ask. "Something on your mind?"
      
       "It's nothing," came the obvious lie.
      
       With a gentle snicker, she called him out. "Canine ears and tails don't tend to lie. Something is weighing on you."
      
       Sighing, he rested his elbows on his knees and interlocked his fingers. "You caught me. Just worried about my future, you know?" Shaking his head, he continued, "I don't know what there is for me. It's a new time. New struggles. I... I don't even know if I fit in."
      
       Leaning against the doorframe, Kaida contemplated a moment. Pushing off, she crossed her arms. "Well, you fit in here. Tell you what; we could use some extra muscle, that is, if you're interested."
      
       His pep returned as he considered the offer. "If it's not too much trouble, that would be great. What would I do?"
      
       The dragon smiled back as she spoke. "Same as the rest of us: salvage and transport. Nothing illegal, but your combat prowess would come in handy."
      
       With his tail at a slow wag, he gladly accepted. "Sounds good. I'm in."
      
       Moving back to the hallway, Kaida nodded her approval. "You're hired. You get an equal cut of the profits and this as your private quarters." As she turned to leave, she chuckled suspiciously. "Misha will be so happy. Now, get some rest, Zee."
      
       Sharing in the laugh, he laid back down as the door closed. The dark worries slowly faded as his body relaxed, slowly slipping into a much needed sleep.