Into The Stars

Chapter Three

By Roofles

The Stellar Drift soared through space with a hiccup, a burp and maybe even a gas cloud worth of a fart as the tattered, broken ship made its way sluggishly towards the planet.

Sector Nine was an isolated group of small colonies that had formed a working trade nation; stationed around the desert planet Xi'tos. Stationed on the four moons, floating in orbit and on the planet's surface there was a mining colony; the group kept to themselves as such from the rest of the galaxy.

Serving more as a pitstop for any nation, cruisers or private vessels passing through the sector. At least, that's what they want to appear so the Galactic Front doesn't get involved in their more seedy affairs.

Sector Nine. Nine different small colonies grouped together to keep a hold on this sector of the galaxy during one of the countless wars that flair up every hundred galactic years or so. The trade nations were well informed, well stocked and worked with whoever was willing to pay the credits asked for. Without asking further questions that is.

It was one reason why Isaac had thought this place would be perfect for the two. He had little choices in the matter. Not only would they have the various tech needed to repair The Stellar Drift, this alien vessel, but, more so, hopefully it would allow Isaac to get into direct contact with his own fleet.

The Terran's might have an embassy within the colony for any stray Terran in need of aide; such as Isaac.

Like the security system, the communications on The Stellar Drift weren't operational. Otherwise Isaac would've sent out a message already to the SS Thunderbird. As was standard protocol, he knew Kaira would return the injured crew back to The Nest basically dooming Isaac to his fate. While it seemed as if he were being abandoned, Isaac trusted Kaira to send for help at the first chance she got.

The two of them had known each other since the Flight Academy. If anyone would help him, she would.  

The others? He doubted as such. Maybe his father, but not Fairbanks. The captain and his Lieutenant had barely seen eye to eye, no matter how many cycles he worked with the older man. Fairbanks was a man of few words as it was and as long as Isaac got the job done, there seemed to be no need to talk further.

“Sir," the security officer on the deck of the Pelican brought up the central screen. The Pelican, the Terran vessel, was positioned along the outer rings of the planet keeping an eye out for the trading post; as was their contract dictated. “An unidentified craft is heading towards the empty loading bay on row C-15. Their communication network seem to be malfunction; I can't hail the ship."

“Is it a Terran vessel?"

“No, ma'am."

“Then I don't care." Captain Hendricks dismissed the issue with a wave of her hand, going back to the outer patrol of the colony vessels. “Might just be an automated ship coming in; we've been seeing an influx in this region for some time now. Document the ship and get back to our route. I want to get home before the next cycle."  

“Understood."

The Stellar Drift hadn't been given clearance to park on one of the upper landings, reserved for the larger delivery ships and tankards. Or those willing to fork over the steep price for a private vessel; something only the upper class were willing to do. Such as the Noxious crime family.

Isaac had no such luxury of either as he manually guided the ship into the port; having woken up from cryosleep during entry into the outer parameter of Sector Nine. Warnings going off loudly as the hibernation pod woke the two up together. Something that had scared the living hell out of him, sure he had lost several years of his life in fright alone.

“We're going to die!" He had clung to Typhon's chest, hiding his face against the fur and hoping it would at least be a swift, yet cool, explosive death. Like he'd seen on the holotapes of movies from back when they lived on earth.

The blaring alarm was coming from his tablet, jacked into the back of his skull; Isaac heard the sound directly in his ear. The whole ship shook around them and even within the safety of the pod, the two found themselves kissing their own sweet asses goodbye.  

Typhon rode the descent out in far better spirits, holding the frightened human as the two bunked together in the hibernation pod as they passed through the atmosphere. The ship was still, mostly, in one piece at least. Neither able to do much as the ship broke apart entering the atmosphere, barely able to slow its descent enough to not be shot down by the planetary cannons along the floating ramparts.

Even a good hour later, Typhon was still smirking about it. Waking up from the pod had been a cumbersome task. Both weighted down by the after affect of cryosleep on the two. Both struggling to even find their footing in the shaking vessel as they made their way over to the front; Typhon crawling over on all fours. 

“Shut up. Don't. Just don't say anything." Isaac warned as he guided their ship in, still blushing from clinging onto the wolf's chest as hard as he could. The whole vessel shook and the two had to strap themselves into their seats, hoping the landing gauge would activate. The wolf was still beaming, seemingly ignorant to the fact parts of the ship were on fire at this point as the bow of the ship was tipped upwards and they came hurtling down like a mini comet.

Releasing the thrusters, Isaac did sporadic bursts to try and slow their descent the best he could without tearing it up any further.

“Disengaging thrusters. Manually boosting… Opening storage bay door as its on fire…" Isaac muttered trying to operate each system by himself. Even linked as he was, he found it extremely difficult to manage as a large crack began to form on the window directly in front of the two.

That seemed to finally get the picture across to Typhon whose smirk faded as his eyes widen watching the crack slowly spread over the front glass. The sheet of glass was strong enough to stop a blaster shot; if it was cracking, they were in serious trouble.

“You do know how to land this thing, right?" The wolf looked over at him with large pleading eyes. Making sure his straps were securely on. “Right!" Typhon practically whined a howl now as the upper compartments popped up and wires were exposed within. On fire, sparking and smoking at the same time.  

“I'm trying. I'm trying…!" Isaac almost whimpered as he pulled up on the steering wheel. The power steering had failed some time ago and the human was trying to strong arm it. Unsuccessfully. “I just… can't…" Isaac closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as it felt like both his arms were about to be pulled off.

Everything shook. He was shaking. His teeth were chattering. He was sweating and at this point, Isaac was sure he had tears in his eyes just from the shockwave that had hit them a second later.  

Typhon undid his straps, grabbing Isaac's chair for support and ended up pulling his bulk over onto Isaac's lap. The human grunted at the impact as the saber took hold of the steering wheel, bracing against the front with both legs as he pulled up with all his strength on it; taking it away from the human.

“Just tell me what to do!" Typhon snarled loudly as the back door flew open and air rushed inside their cabin. The howling wind was like a banshee's shriek that made their ears rang. It was hard to breathe and that was the least of their worries.

“Just hold it like that!" Isaac shouted over the increasing wind pressure as the cracks in the window in front of them began to grow. “Fuck, fuck, fuck." He cursed as he inputted the security commands. Overriding the disabled security features and activated the shields.

They sputtered, blinking into life like an opal around the diamond ship. Flickering on and off before fully engaging and surrounding the ship in a translucent blue glow. The wind pressure died, the fires began to go out and Typhon was able to manhandle the steering wheel up enough for the boosters to kick back in and stop from crashing into the open landing pad.

Somewhat…

The hexagon shaped metal platform shook as the ship came crashing onto it. Both grunting loudly as the shields held just enough not to crush the two inside. One of the three landing pads broke off and the front of the ship came crashing against the platform. The two shook within like dice in a jar, both breathing heavily as they opened their eyes after several minutes; sure they had died. Isaac had been hugging Typhon's bicep at the end, unable to do anything else as he cowered against the wolf still somewhat in his lap.

“Holy…" Isaac was able to let go. His arms had locked and he was still breathing heavily. He smelled only the wolf in front of him. The sweaty canine musky scent was almost welcoming at this point. Over death that is.

“We did it!" Typhon let loose a loud howl that cause the window in front of them to finish cracking. The two took a moment, before breaking out into a fit of uncontrolled giggling laughter at that.

“We almost died!" Isaac just laughed, trying to wipe away his tears. His arms felt like noodles, his chest was hurting and the wolf had practically crushed his lap crawling onto him at the end.

“But we didn't!" Typhon legs felt like jelly and the saber wolf just slipped slowly to the ground next to Isaac, one arm draped over the arm rest as he rested back. Panting, open maw with wide eyes. The two took another moment to catch their breaths.

“We were about to end up like a roasted marshmellow!" Isaac was still laughing. An uncontrollable sound that hurt his sides at this point. His nerves finally giving out into hysterical laughter that made him thank his lucky stars.

“I don't know what that is! But yes, we almost did." Typhon rested his head back looking at the human still strapped into the seat. Seeing Isaac struggle against the seat belts, he quirked a dark blue fur eyebrow with a tilt of his head to look at the human. “Having troubles?"

“The seatbelt won't release." Isaac still was teary eyed as he took several gasping breaths of air. The straps had constricted his chest tightly and despite his small size, they had nearly crushed him in the seat on entry. If he were any larger, it would've killed him.

“Need a hand?" Typhon chuckled softly, tail thumping as he waited for the human to ask.

“Please." Isaac winced now, struggling to breathe. He was sure the safety in the seatbelts had malfunctioned with the rest of the ship at this point and were slowly constricting him like a python.

“No, no. Got to beg for it!" Typhon just teased, in far better spirits.

“Please…" Isaac closed his eyes, gritting his teeth and only then did Typhon seem to realize the fact the seat belt were trying to pull Isaac into the seat itself.

The wolf yipped loudly, scrambling to his feet, only to slip and bash the bottom of his jaw on the top of the arm rest. Cursing loudly the wolf pulled himself up, his legs wobbling barely able to support his weight, as he grabbed hold of both the straps and with clawed fingers ripped them off.

Isaac gasped loudly, breathing heavily several times. “Oh, fresh air. How I missed you!" The human once more thanked his lucky stars before opening his eyes. Looking directly into the face of the saberwolf in front of him. “Oh, right. You." The human just frowned, now cursing whatever luck he had before.

Maybe death would've been welcomed.

Typhon helped him up and in turn Isaac tried to help the saberwolf as the two walked out of the cabin, the two leaning on each other as they made their way out of the ship. Far faster than either of them wanted to admit. Neither of them looked back as they exited the craft, afraid just looking back alone would cause the thing to explode.

Isaac wanted to drop to his knees and kiss the metal platform. It would be the sweetest taste after what the two had just gone through. Typhon seemed to be in the same mindset, wanting to lick the ground and praise Aluna for reaching it alive.

Several robots were already careening towards them making the two look up from their prayers of thanks. Locked onto the walkway, they rolled forward on metal tracks, circling around the two and began to hose down the ship with white foam. Putting out the fire and beginning to patch up several of the metal plates before they could fall off. Not fast enough it seemed, as one such plate fell off directly onto one of the drones crushing the poor thing underneath it.

The other drones stopped, looked at their fallen companion… then promptly began disassembling them to bring back to the hold for spare parts.

“Shit." Isaac cursed staring at the crushed drone. “Poor thing…"

“What? Don't tell me you actually feel for such a thing!" Typhon barked a laugh; it didn't have as much levity to it as before. The saberwolf just exhausted from their crash landing. He wanted to curl up on a nice bed and sleep for a moons cycle.

“What, no!" Isaac blushed though looking away. “We'll have to pay for it… is all…" The human tried to defend his response. “Those things can cost a small fortune!"

“Don't look at me! I don't got any Galactic credits!" Typhon said far louder than he should've.

“Ahem!" A very harsh, gruff voice like gravel said behind the two making them both freeze as they had in stasis.

“Uh…" Typhon said looking at the smaller human without moving. “What do we do…? Should I kill him…?"

“What? No! Stall, just… stall him while I think of something!" Isaac hissed under his breath, glad the wolf could pick it up as he quickly put his brain to work on how to pay for the damage done. Let alone for their ship but for the very platform they had crashed landed onto.

The large bear did not seem to be the one to be stalled. Typhon realized this quickly enough as Isaac had given him the harder of the two jobs as the human Terran quickly moved back over and inside the ship and away from the very disgruntled worker. As if preferring to hide in the burning wreckage instead of dealing with payment.

The bear was a large man. Just as tall as Typhon and nearly twice as wide. The thick Ursa didn't seem to be in a good mood either. His light brown fur was speckled with star dust, a shimmering glittery light that would have given him a rather friendly appearance if it wasn't for the scowl on the Ursa Major's face.

He wore heavy welding gloves and had a metal mask to match; it was tilted upwards so the spacewolf could make out a very disgruntled face glaring at him. Typhon just tried to smile back. The Ursa did not reciprocate the gesture.

“My companion and I appreciate the space," Typhon tried to say. If on cue one of the engines slipped from its docking and crashed onto the platform. Denting it and breaking through towards the open space underneath. “The uh… we were having engine issues… heh…"

The Ursa frown only deepened a feat in itself as the older man clearly didn't look in the mood for such flimsy excuses. Typhon noted the gun at the bears side and the lack thereof of his own weapon he'd left hidden in storage on the ship.

Thankfully Isaac came rushing back out, jumping over one of the small drones and coming over with something in his hand.

“Here's the payment!" Isaac handed the paper over, making the two look at the much smaller human. Isaac took a second. “Does the communication translate properly?" Isaac asked the wolf clearly giving the bear a misconception on the twos relationship.

Isaac was talking to the wolf, as if asking for permission on the matter.

Spying the collar around the human's neck as well as the wristband, the Ursa was able to put things together quickly. Hearing stories of the blue fur spacewolves out there. A lot of information, rumors and even legends passed through trading posts such as these. He had thought the wolves were fiction, stories to tell children until the wolf came out of the burning ship.

“Your husband better have the payment." The Ursa took the paper and looked it over; pulling out an extremely small pair of glasses to put on the end of its large snout to read it over. He looked it over carefully.

“He's not," Typhon ears folded back quickly.

“I'm not!" Isaac tried to say.

“Engaged to this thing!" The two pointed at each other.

The Ursa looked between the two. With a gruff shake of his head, he pocketed the sheet of paper. “Lovers." He just sighed. “Look. Whatever the two of you are clearly going through,"

“We're not!" Typhon whined loudly. His ears splayed out, a deep blush burning his face hotter than the fires on the ship had.

“I know. I know… things can be tough for new lovers." The Ursa said far more sympathetic than either expected him to manage to be. “You got a lot of things to learn about each other." The bear just went on, speaking almost sagely if it wasn't for the fact the two weren't such.  

“We're really not though…" Isaac frowned, giving the Ursa large pleading eyes to make him stop.

“You got to figure out the living situation first." The Ursa seemed to miss it or ignore the human's plea. “Then there's the kitchen. That alone can break up the healthiest relationships!" The large belly bear laughed, shaking his gut with one hand. Dust fell from his fur like white specks; Isaac recognized it as sediment from the mining planet. “Then there's the sleeping issue."

“Look, maybe we should just…" Typhon thumbed over one shoulder talking about heading down the walkway inside. The saberwolf realizing they weren't getting through to their would be engineer.

“I mean I didn't know rabbits don't hibernate! Their burrowing mammals too!" The Ursa just continued without stopping as if the two weren't even there at this point. Maybe surrounded by drones left him starved for conversation. “Let alone the fact I rolled over that one night… they really should've been keeping an eye out, you can't wake this bear when he's asleep!" The Ursa just laughed uncomfortably as the two walked around him.

Isaac shook his head. “We shouldn't… just in case…" He winced though as the Ursa just went on.

“And that carrots soup! Who makes soup with carrots! Disgusting! I don't care if it was their birthday and their mother had just passed away, you don't feed a bear carrot soup!" The Ursa practically was shouting now, walking past them over to the ship. He picked up the broken piece of plating and moved it off the crushed drone with one hand.

“I rather have rabbit soup." Typhon shrugged as if trying to be helpful.

“Please don't eat his ex. I think that wouldn't help our situation at all." Isaac rolled his eyes, shook his head and even rubbed his brow unable to believe he had to tell the saberwolf NOT to eat someone's lover.

“I promise nothing." Typhon truthfully told. Unless the rabbit was currently sleeping with their would be engineer, or banded like Isaac, the saberwolf had free dibs on such a thing. “What did you even give him as payment?" The spacewolf changed the conversation as he wiped the drool from his muzzle.

Isaac pulled out his tablet to show him what he had in mind.

“The hibernation pod?" The wolf eyes lit up.

“They're very rare, you know." Isaac chuckled lightly. “I've never seen a model like that one before either! Bears and hibernation… seemed to just go together, you know?" He shrugged.

“But, to pay for everything?" Typhon was at a loss for words, unable to believe he had just slept in something so valuable!

“And then some." Isaac nodded. “We'll need funds to get to saber…" The human gave a smile, trying to sound as truthfully confident as he could. Wanting the wolf to believe him to be on the matter.

Surprisingly, Typhon did.

“Right!" The spacewolf wagged his tail, eyes widening slightly. “That way we can get the ship repaired, get supplies and then…" The wolf took a moment, smiling down at the smaller male. “I… I can return home…" The wolf was nearly watery eyed as he took a second.

Then hugged Isaac, catching the human off guard.

“Thank you…" Typhon nuzzled the side of his broad muzzle against the human before letting him go. Clearing his throat, he motioned behind them once more. “We should head inside and reserve a room or… or something…" The canine's ears splayed out, tail giving a single wag once more. Hoping the Terran didn't notice the fact he had literally just hugged him.

Isaac actually felt bad, lying like this. Typhon was clearly either far younger than the human had thought him to be, or was very naïve. Either or, it helped his situation in a way. The guilt however only worsened.

“Right. Let me just make sure the payment goes through," Isaac motioned towards the Ursa. The bear was still mumbling to himself about how unfair it was that he once drooled over the rabbit, nearly drowning the smaller mammal one night. Or the time he literally sat on them. “And to make sure he's ok…"

“He's fine." Typhon waved it off. “Crazy, but fine." The spacewolf shrugged.

“Right…" Isaac took a second on that, looking back. The Ursa had begun talking to one of the drones now. “Maybe… maybe I'll check back on the payment." He laughed uneasily at how the Ursa kept going on and on about it. Petting over the small bot with a hand larger than it was.

“That boy needs therapy…" Typhon frowned at the Ursa Major. Isaac gave him a look then laughed, loudly.

“You're totally right. He really, really does need therapy…" Isaac shook his head, letting out a sigh and followed after Typhon down the long walkway overlooking the canyon they had landed in.

The mining strip was a stretched facility along one of the three largest canyons on the red rocky planet Xi'toss. Several platforms, like the one they had crashed on, stretched out over the open canyon. Each one was loaded up with several cruisers; most of which resembling space trucks. They'd haul whatever minerals they got from the planet up into the planets orbit to deposit into one of the trading hubs to sell or from there export to other parts of the galaxy.

“Why did we land here?" Typhon asked as he opened the door for Isaac, following after the human inside the facility. “Wouldn't it have been easier too…?" The wolf pointed upwards towards where the colony ships were located, orbiting the planet.

“Security pass." Isaac kept his voice down as they walked past several other burrowing mammals sitting on the benches in the walkway further inside. They passed through another pair of doors only to find more miners inside.

Moles, rabbits, bears, a couple of skunks and others that were known to live underground were spread around the open facility. They made for perfect miners after all. Able to stay weeks or even months of the planets time underneath its surface while they worked away. Xi'toss was one of the most profitable planets because of the natives that lived here alone.

“If we landed on something important," Isaac gestured skywards at the trading posts orbiting the planet. “Then we'd have been carded, as well as the ship…"

“Which neither of us own…" Typhon put together, giving a nod. “You realized it's not a saber craft, then." The saberwolf glanced over at the human. Impressed by him figuring it out so soon.

“I'm not even familiar with what a saber is. Other than you," Isaac chuckled lightly looking over at the strange blue fur sabertooth alien canine he was currently walking with. “The logs however don't mention you, or sabers, at all…"

“Who does it mention, then?" Typhon just asked instead, curious as to the ship he'd woken up on.

“I'm not sure." Isaac rubbed his chin in thought. “The backlogs were encrypted and without activating the system, I wasn't able to dig further into them. We barely got to the planet as it was," he added looking over at the saberwolf frowning at him. “Just be glad we made it in one piece!"

“Fine, fine. I'll bitch at you later." The saberwolf said in such a way that it was lost on Isaac as they headed up a metal flight of stairs and into an open space overlooking the landing pads below.

The two of them had entered a canteen of sorts. Several chairs lined the far wall. A counter had been built into it. Behind the L shaped bar were several spouts along its back wall. Liquor among liquid foods were dispensed from the spouts making the wolf wrinkle his nose at the smell of the place.

Everyone had metal trays. Each with discolored liquid gruel on them, serving as the daily meals of the poor miners. Tables were set up in rows, chairs for each leaving large walkways for people to come and go freely. Behind the counter was a service bot waiting for someone to come up to activate.

“How may I help you… gentle…men." It registered both of them, scanning over them one at a time before finishing its greeting as the two walked up. Typhon's fur stood out and the wolf froze at being scanned, snarling at the robot.

“It's just a service bot." Isaac chuckled, almost holding the wolf back as Typhon threatened to rip the thing apart. “It only has a pre-set recorded greetings. It might need to update its scan module, though…" The human shivered; even Isaac had felt the scan. Like a strangely warm and yet somehow wet cloth washing over his body as the service bot scanned his body.

Typhon just continued to growl at it like a nervous dog at a vacuum cleaner.

“Do you take Terran credits?" Isaac just asked, ignoring the wolf next to him. He showed his left wrist to the robot who scanned over his ID installed into the artificial arm the human had.

“Welcome. Lt. Isaac. Mayhews." The robot twitched, sparking at the neck as it tried to mimic a human gesture with a bow. Isaac winced watching the robot try to go through another one of its greetings.

“Why do they even have it…" Typhon just glared at the thing. 

“Money, mostly." Isaac shrugged just glad the thing did take Terran credits, even if he felt pity for the poor robot. It looked as well off as their ship did; before trying to enter the planet's atmosphere that was.

If the service bot took Terran credits, there was a high likelihood that there would be Terran on the planet. Maybe there would even be an embassy here; or more likely on the trading posts above them. Once they repaired the ship, the two could go there to stock up. At least that's what Isaac would tell Typhon while he made contact with the embassy and request sanctuary there within.

“This seems like a harsh corner to cut. Any living thing would've been better than that." Typhon frowned, still eying the robot wearily. “Why even program it with greetings when it can't use them?"

“Well, yeah. Most drunks," Isaac kept his voice down seeing several moles keeled over on a nearby table. Snoring away, knocked out for the day. Even if it was around noon on the planet for the two, the nocturnal burrowing mammals had no use for such time. “Drunkards like some sort of interaction from their bartender."

“Then why is it… that?" Typhon continued to growl at it, like a dog unsure about a new object. A low sound that filled the canine's rich blue chest as he glared at the service bot. The robot was shaped very feminine but, clearly, had no gender. This only seemed to bug the canine more.

“Are you that bothered by robots?" Isaac chuckled. There were many issues back home and over the years with AI's. There were several laws and limitations placed on the development and usage of AI's. It was one reason why cybernetics were so welcomed and pushed above the alternative.

Isaac wasn't complaining as he looked around the room before taking a seat.

“A nice meal is worth the trouble of an artificial helper." Isaac just chuckled looking at the wolf next to him. “Unless you want to go sniff out something else for us to eat…"

Typhon grumbled at that, sitting down next to the human.

“No." The saberwolf really needed some real meat, unlike the protein bars he'd had on the ship. Something that barely were able to sate his appetite. Though he had been joking about having rabbit, the saberwolf was beginning to crave it more and more as time went on. Seeing so many in the canteen even made the hunger grow. “This is fine…" The saberwolf wiped the drool from the side of his black lipped muzzle, swallowing heavily.

Isaac chose to ignore that as he ordered himself a burger and fries. And was served a burger and fries, in liquid form. Even the human wrinkled his nose at the strange pill like tablets next to the gruel.

“You have got to be kidding me…" Isaac just looked at the pitiful platter. It didn't smell of anything and the taste was as artificial as it looked.

Typhon looked just as dejected as Isaac felt. His face fell, ears lowering as his tail tried to tuck between his legs.

“I ordered a roast…" Typhon frowned, making Isaac shiver slightly though he wasn't sure why. “You think it's going to be like, that?" The saberwolf looked at Isaac's tray and sure enough was served up with something nearly identical. The gruel was a slight different color, otherwise looked and even tasted the same.

“Do you want to try mine?" Isaac offered with a laugh. At least it was something other than those protein bars. “We'll buy something on the trade vessels once the Stellar Drift is able to fly…"

Typhon didn't hear the last part, just looking over at Isaac's plate. Then at the human.

“You want to share with me…?" The wolf hesitated, looking away as he asked the simple question.

“Yes…?" Isaac was the one worried now; afraid he'd somehow insulted the alien wolf. He'd really need to read up on his culture if he was forced to stick around with Typhon in the future. “If you don't, that's fine…"

“No, no. Here!" Typhon moved his own tray over, wagging his tail now and beaming from ear to ear as he offered his tray to the human. “You can have some of mine, then."

“Sure. Why not?" Isaac shrugged, paying it no mind while the canine was seeing it far differently.

Typhon hesitated, licking over one fang as he looked down at the human's meal. Then at Isaac, then back down at it. Taking several seconds before daring to take a bite. Picking up the crude metal spoon and dipping it in as if the burger was supposed to be a type of soup.

The two understood why the Ursa out repairing their ship had such an issue now with soups.  

“What are you doing!" Isaac nearly shouted making the wolf jump. “Just kidding." Isaac chuckled, apologizing as the saberwolf growled at him. “I'm happy to share a meal with you, Typhon."

The saberwolf wagged a tail at that before taking a bite. He winced at the acrid taste before forcing himself to swallow. Using the same spoon, he got a bite of his own meal and offered it to the human.

Isaac chuckled at that. The growl that followed however made the human reconsider and the two shared the rest of their meal together as Typhon tail wagged the entire time.

“Why is it such a big deal anyways?" Isaac finally asked. “That we're sharing a meal together."

“Pack members share meals together." Typhon smiled softly at that looking down at the half eaten mess before him. Even it tasted better, when you were able to share it with another.

“And I'm part of the pack, right?" Typhon nodded at that. “Then why's it so special? Isn't this, like, normal for you?"

Typhon didn't answer that. Just finished what was leftover leaving Isaac to pay.

With the bill paid, the meal consumed the two ended up purchasing a room to share. While Isaac tried to get his own room, Typhon was having none of it. The wolf insisting the human could just sleep on him again instead of having to worry about the bed size.

“I really rather just get my own, thanks." Isaac still insisted over the matter.

“You didn't seem to mind last night!" Typhon growled loudly getting a few looks from a nearby table.

The look the badger gave the two made Isaac blush the rest of the way to their room. They dropped off what they had taken before heading out to check on the ship repairs, Isaac keeping an eye out for a communication terminal he could use to contact home on the way.

Though he might've seemed friendly by paying for the two; Isaac was hoping his credits would be traced back to the fleet and they would know he was here. Using the location device in his flight suit to pin point him out and get him out of here. He'd delay the trip as long as possible, even holding Typhon up before the two exited the canteen and headed back out towards the remnants of the ship.

Typhon took the excessive attention different however.

“Do you know who gave you the band?" Typhon started up with as the two walked back in the hot air of the outside. Even with the nearby terraforming tower that allowed for oxygen over the facility, the sandy hot air still blew in their faces as if they were walking on the planet's surface outside the protective dome the tower created.

Isaac shook his head at that. “Not in the way you're thinking, no. It was a gift." The human thought nothing of it as they walked side by side.

Typhon stopped and Isaac followed suit.

“May I…?" The saberwolf asked and Isaac nodded, holding up his arm for the wolf to inspect the band. Isaac curious about it's previous owner as well. “I don't see a name or marking of one of the tribes…" Typhon mumbled under his breath. The saberwolf even sniffed over it. “I can't detect anything other than, well, me."

Typhon chuckled at that, letting it go.

“It was a gift, I keep telling you that!" Isaac was getting annoyed at this point. In a way, at himself. He had been hoping Typhon would be able to answer some of his questions on the matter.

“From whom?" Typhon pressed this time rather than leaving the matter alone as they continued down the walkway. The two stopped near where they had met the Ursa and watched as drones zoomed around them bringing new parts to fix the ship as well as disassembling the hibernation pod they had sold off.

“Back during the Flight Academy." Isaac left it at that, not wanting to go into anything personal with the saberwolf. The two were far closer than he was already comfortable with; not wanting to get any closer to the alien he planned to abandon at a moment's notice.

“That's a Terran facility, right?" Typhon thought that over. Isaac didn't even need to nod to tell him as such. “Why would a Terran give you that? Did you get it from one?" The wolf continued without waiting for an answer, growling a bit at the very idea. “The bands are sacred to my people… if the others found out Terrans were using them like jewelry, there would be trouble!"

“Well, it is jewelry." Isaac chuckled lightly. Getting a look, the human apologized. “I mean, it's really nice. You got to admit!" Isaac held the band up as if showing it off for the first time.

“Yes… a little too nice." Typhon frowned at that. Isaac gave him a look. “Most bands are just silver with the markings of the tribe and normally the name of the one who gives it. They aren't usually studded or fancy dandy like yours." The wolf laughed at the idea.

“How do you know if this is a band or not then?" Isaac dared to ask, almost afraid it wasn't. If that was the case the saberwolf might actually eat him.

“The metal." Typhon tapped a clawed finger on it. “Saber is the only planet with this kind of silver on it."

“Is it that special…?" Isaac looked it over, unable to see anything particularly special about it.

“The moons hit our planet differently than others. Their light infuses the metal making it special to Saber." Typhon gave a loose description of the sacred metal used for making the bands. “We do NOT give it away lightly. It is why the bands are made from it. It is a part of Saber, as we are, and thus..."

“The one who wears it also belongs to the planet, having to return the metal to it, and with it themselves, to the planet." Isaac frowned at that, wishing he could just take the band off and hand it to the wolf. Let Typhon return the metal for him so he wouldn't have to make such a trip.

He wasn't even sure where Saber was.  

“Correct." Typhon wagged, glad Isaac had picked up on it. Though he had barely been able to keep up with Isaac rambling description. “The saberwolves don't leave such things for other races to take. It belongs to us, like Saber. It was our birthright and will be ours until the end of time." The wolf nodded sagely, moving his blue muzzle up and down with the gesture making his whiskers bounce.

“Like me…" Isaac frowned at the implication implied with that.

“Yes, like you…" Typhon took a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder. “If you are not taken, then… I will…" The blue wolf ears splayed out, unable to look at the human as he tried to offer him a place together with him. “I will…"

“Rickity!" The Ursa shouted loudly as yet, another, drone was crushed underneath the crumbling ship before them. “Speak to me!" The bear sobbed as he held up the broken pieces of the small drone. “My cub. My only child…" He sobbed as the other drones circled around him to clean up the mess.

“He's a bit… much." Isaac just sighed walking over to comfort the Ursa, who turned around and promptly crushed the human in a bear hug. Typhon just frowned at that having half a mind to toss the bear off the platform for interrupting the two of them.

“He only had two weeks left before retirement!" The Ursa sobbed.

“Drone's don't usually retire…" Isaac wanted to point out, patting the Ursa on the back as the bear sobbed loudly. “There, there big guy. I'm sure it had a wonderful life. With you. You creepy bastard…"

“He was so young!" The Ursa only sobbed louder.

“Yes, he… robots got genders… sure…" Isaac patted his back. “About the uh… payment, for the chamber?" Isaac tried, wanting to make sure they got the deposit for that sooner rather than later.

It took another five minutes before the Ursa could collect himself, rubbing his eyes off before nodding. “I'll transfer the credits over to you." Isaac's face lit up at that.

“You'll be giving them to me." Typhon interrupted finally stepping over to join them. “No transfers. I want the physical thing."

The two gave the blue fur wolf a look.

“Can't trust that stuff." Typhon said, more so to Isaac than the Ursa. “Technology going to get you killed one day." Typhon frowned at the human, looking over him before shaking his head. “Nothing we can do right now about what you got, but…"

Isaac just laughed at that.

“If I want to get more implants, you can't stop me." Isaac chuckled, unable to help himself. It hadn't been the first time someone told him not to get an implant or other enhancements. His friends could get tattoos, he could get implants. It wasn't that different in the grand scheme of things.

“No." Typhon just stated making the human pull back for a second.

“What do you mean no?" Isaac almost laughed, getting frustrated now. “Maybe I'll replace my other arm and both my legs. Get one of those nifty spines so I can bend like you do."

The wolf snorted at that, taking a step closer. “I forbid it."

“You forbid it?" Isaac did laugh at that. “You can't just forbid me from getting one. You aren't my father." Isaac said far more childish than he meant too.

“There will already be some issues on Saber about the ones you have. Let alone if you get any more!" Typhon grumbled, rubbing the top of his muzzle with two fingers. “Why would you even want more?"

“Sorry I can't be some big strong perfect, handsome alien dog like you." Isaac rolled his eyes at that.

“Wolf!" Typhon snapped back the two beginning to get at each others throats before the Ursa cleared his throat. The two looked over at him, neither backing down.

“I know you two lovers got things to work out."

“We aren't," Typhon winced at the implication.

“Please don't start that up again!" Isaac groaned, shoulders sagging at this point.

The Ursa however was the one to wave both of their concerns away. “Just listen, about the payment." That made the two stop. “It's clear you both got some talkin' to do. The ships going nowhere…" The three looked at the scrap pile that had somehow managed to get them here. If waiting for the attention, the pile started on fire. How? No one would ever know... “We'll talk about it in the morning, after a good long rest. You two try to hash things out while I… I bury Rickity…" The Ursa took a moment on that, biting his finger to hold back the tears.

“You don't bury drones…" Isaac wanted to face palm at that but left it, left Typhon and just walked back the way they came. He hated this damned planet already. “Tunnel madness! That's what this is!" Isaac was convinced.

“I got the keycard." Typhon chuckled easily catching up to the human.

“And I got plenty of credits in my account to pay for my own room…" Isaac grumbled back stomping his feet as he left like an insolent child.

The two took a moment walking back.

“Do you think we can trust the guy?" Typhon finally asked, looking back.

“Do you not trust him because he has a very strange, eerily, unhealthy and somewhat creepy attachment to his drones or because he's a stranger we just met?" Isaac glanced over at the wolf. Typhon snorted at that. “You clearly have an extreme distaste for technology. Even though you don't mind using a spaceship or a hibernation pod!" Isaac laughed at that.  

“Those are just tools." Typhon said in his own defense, getting angry now about all this.

“Then what's the problem using tools?" Isaac practically demanded an answer at this point. To something at least.

“This is different…" Typhon frowned, the two standing in the canteen now. The wolf didn't want to start this up around so many people.

“How? How is this any different from using a spaceship, or the dispenser? How is the service drone any different from a person?"

“It's unnatural!" Typhon snarled the words out. “This!" He grabbed Isaac's left arm and lifted it up. Pointing now at his right eye with a clawed finger. “It. Isn't. Natural!"

Isaac pulled his arm free, mostly as Typhon let him go. The wolf taking a half step back. His blue fur had bristled up and he was struggling keeping from baring his teeth as he breathed heavily.

“That it?" Isaac just shook his head. He brushed his left hand through his hair. “That's fine. Most things aren't natural."

“Why would you even want to do that… to yourself." Typhon struggled to understand the human's thought process behind such a thing. “Were you injured? Is it a sort of… medical, thing?"

“What? No." Isaac shook his head again. “These are standard procedures at the academy."

“Sounds like the academy is to blame for all… all this!" Typhon growled low looking Isaac over.

“Sorry we all can't be perfect like you." Isaac rolled his eyes, walking away.

“Where are you going now?" Typhon sighed heavily, shoulders slouching as he caught up to the human in a couple of steps.

“To get my own room. You can sleep in the one I paid for and I'll get another for myself." Isaac went up to the service bot. The black metallic machine turned, scanning the two. Typhon stopped, shuddering once more before speaking up as it did its prompted greeting again.

“You already paid for one. It will be fine." Typhon growled, getting worked up by all this.  

“For you, maybe." Isaac rolled his eyes, only his left eye really roll the right eye stayed where it was. It was unnerving for the wolf who had watched Isaac do the motion several times already. “I'll be getting another room-,"

“Isaac." Typhon cut in though blocking the service bot from the human's view with his large body. The saberwolf shuddered as his back was scanned again.

“Improper ID, please show payment method for purchase." The service bot said far crisper than it had before. Isaac almost laughed at that; payment was the only thing properly programmed into the thing. Trade planets, some things never change.

“I can get my own room." Isaac glared at the wolf.

Typhon's ears laid back. “I, yes… Yes you can." The wolf let his breath out between clenched teeth. It washed over the human's face smelling almost like peppermint gum. “Please, you… I… I'm sorry." The wolf looked away, rubbing an arm. “I did not mean to insult you."

Isaac just continued to frown.

“If there is something I can do to make it up to you." Typhon pressed now, trying to give the best smile he could. The fanged smile had the opposite effect on the human. At seeing this Typhon quickly ordered the two a pair of drinks.

“I'm not about to go out and get more implants… I just, don't like being told not to. Ok? I know it's childish."  Isaac was the one to apologize now as he found himself seating in the very spot he had earlier. “It's a… touchy subject. You wouldn't understand."

Typhon took the drinks, getting whatever had been on tap and took a seat at the counter. He patted the seat next to him. “Try me." The saberwolf chuckled lightly.

“I assume technology is frowned on Saber." Isaac started with. He lifted his left arm up, moving the blue flightsuit's sleeve to show the smooth skin underneath. It looked normal save for the fact it didn't have a single strand of hair on it; it was immaculate without a single blemish or mole.

“Something like that. We use the tech, of course, to protect our borders and the over lining system. However, we don't… do that…" The wolf nodded down at the human's arm. “Natural is the way we call it. Though, that might be a bit… limited, in translation." The wolf growled and once more Isaac found the collar around his neck producing static.

“I see…" Isaac touched the collar. “The collar isn't able to fully translate everything."

The wolf nodded at that. “My people speak a lot without words. It's hard to convey certain things when you can't translate it." Isaac chuckled at that.

“Ok, I can see that being a problem…" The human took a sip. The beer was extremely hopping and Isaac found himself wincing; only his left eye did the gesture, something Typhon noticed again. “In a way, that's the same for this." Isaac wiggled his fingers on his left hand. “It just doesn't translate well to other races…"

“Terran's often do this?" Typhon quirked an eyebrow, though honestly asking about it. Isaac was the first human he ever met. Terrans weren't popular, or welcomed, where he came from.

“We have a bad habit of wanting to… improve things." Isaac chuckled pulling his sleeve back down and putting the glove back on. “We like to take something. Look at it. Then ask ourselves 'what if we can make this better!'" And the human's smile faded as he looked down at his hand. “Better…"

“Is that what you did?" Typhon asked. Isaac couldn't answer that question.

“Terran's do that, yeah." Isaac said instead, taking another long sip of his drink. The wolf noted it but didn't push further.

“You know… I didn't even notice, when we were snuggling earlier." Typhon said with a smile. The mole next to them gave him a look, got up and left the two grumbling about how they had ruined its appetite.

“Thanks." Isaac chuckled. “I tried to get the most… Terran model possible."

“The eye is off colored though." Typhon chuckled lightly, lapping at his drink. Glancing over at the human. Watching Isaac take a drink then tried to mimic it; the saberwolf only managed to spill his drink over his front. He brushed the beer out of his fur.

“Last one in stock, at the time. Had to head out and didn't get the luxury to order the right color." Isaac helped Typhon clean up. He placed a hand on the wolf's chest, feeling that fur once more. It flowed through his fingers as if the wolf was underwater.

Isaac's hand lingered longer than he should've and he pulled back with a nervous chuckle.

“Sorry."

“For?" Typhon tilted his head.

“For… touching you." Isaac rolled one shoulder. “It isn't Terran custom to be overly friendly, like that."

“Yes, but you are no longer Terran." Typhon chuckled offering his chest once more with a hand. “You can feel me as much as you like." Typhon even encouraged it.

“No longer Terran?" Isaac frowned at that.

“The band." Typhon tapped on it with a finger. “You don't just belong to us, you are one of us." The look made the wolf chuckle lightly. “Well, it's more implied that you are. You don't just belong; you are part of the pack now. We eat together. We pile together. We do it all, together as one."

Isaac chuckled at that. “You know… I never really tried to take this thing off." Typhon ear batted but didn't interrupt as Isaac looked down at it. “I got it during the academy, sure… It's just… It helped me get through it. Was my lucky charm, of sorts." He looked at the band almost longingly. “I…"

Typhon got up suddenly startling the human. Who soon found himself being ushered away from the front as several others came inside the canteen from their left. The rabble was loud, though Isaac didn't get a chance to see who they were as they continued talking as Typhon pushed him far away from them.

“The mining being delayed?" The captain of the group took his helmet off, addressing the other Terran's with him.  

“There seems to be another strike going on in the tunnels." His second in command nodded removing her helmet as well. “And a kidnapping down near the boiler. Again." The female grumbled at his side heading over to get a drink.

“Again? That's the fourth one this month!" The captain began loudly.

Typhon didn't even have time to look back as the other doors in front of them swung open. He yipped loudly seeing a coyote walk in with a marshal hat and badge to match. His boots clicked with each step he made, his visor looking over the room in front of him to make sure everyone was up to code.

Or had their security pass.

Scooping the human up, the saberwolf quickly retreated around the L shape bar, up the stairs and towards their room as even more began to fill the early dinner rush. Due to most working at the butt crack of dawn, the dinner was scheduled far earlier on Xi'toss than other planets.  

“Nothing. It's nothing!" Typhon laughed uneasily as Isaac asked about it. The saberwolf still carrying the human as he undid the lock on the door, fumbling with the small keycard before shutting it behind the two.

Isaac was set down as the blue fur spacewolf slumped down in front of the door burying his face in his hands. Typhon wiped over his ears, dragging his nails down his cheeks and finally looked at Isaac. Who was standing there looking at him.

“What?" The saberwolf asked with a forced smile.

“What was that about?" Isaac motioned back down the stairs.

“We might… have some company." Typhon chuckled uneasily. “There's a marshal in town…" The wolf didn't mention the Terran, afraid what the one he had might try.

“And we don't have security passes…" Isaac took a moment on that, thinking it over. “If I could get to a terminal, I could hack into the system and forge us some."

The wolf gave him a look at that. “The hell did they teach you at that academy of yours!"

“Not enough," Isaac chuckled. “Why do you think I had to pick up such handy little tricks to through it." Isaac just smiled at the look he got. “What?" He was the one to finally ask.

“You. Cheated. Your way through… FLIGHT SCHOOL!" The blue fur wolf was livid practically howled jumping to his feet. “You flew the ship! You, you, you were afraid I was going to fly us into the sun! Yet you're the one who cheated his way through…" The saberwolf's eye twitched, breathing heavily as he snarled at the human.

“Only for like the final test… it's super hard." Isaac took a step back, holding up both hands. “I aced the practical exam! And I still got my wings!" And he pointed to the silver medal on his chest. “See. First Class."

“It doesn't count if you cheated!" Typhon wanted to pick up the small human and shake him.

“It counts if I don't get caught cheating!" Isaac snapped back.

And the two argued for the rest of the night like an old married couple before finally crashing. Putting off their worries and concerns for tomorrow…

“This is ridiculous." Isaac frowned.

“Just think of this as punishment." Typhon smirked.

“I think your just afraid of sleeping alone." Isaac looked up at the saberwolf he was laying on.

Typhon hadn't let the earlier remark go and afraid the human might try and “cheat his way out of this agreement," ended up forcing Isaac into the very same jumper he was wearing. Zipping it up over the two of them. It was snug but Typhon didn't seem to mind as he laid down with the human trapped against his chest.

The saberwolf was warm and Isaac had managed to at least get out his flight suit before being forced into the jumper. Unable exactly to strong arm the wolf; though Typhon had done it for other reasons, Isaac thought it was smart. He had planned to leave in the middle of the night to look for a communication module to contact home.

Now, however? He couldn't even get up to pee without alerting the wolf who was snoring loudly. The sound rumbled in his ear, making it difficult to sleep. The cool warmth of the wolf was comforting as Isaac lay on his back looking out the windows at the stars above.

He could barely make out several of the orbiting platforms around them, wondering if he really could contact home from here. Or if they'd even come after him. He wasn't anything special. Just another human pilot. One that had cheated his way at the end to get by.

Not wanting to be left behind.

Isaac lifted up his arm to look at the silver, three opal band.

“You're the only one who made me feel special…" Isaac took a moment on that as he found the wolf grumbling underneath him, afraid he woke him. “I just don't understand why you didn't tell me…" Isaac could feel his left eye burning as tears ran down it; his artificial eye couldn't cry. The tear ducts having been removed.

Clenching his hand into a fist he just looked away from the band, just hoping Typhon didn't roll over in his sleep.

“If I got to Saber…" Isaac took a second on that. “Could I meet you, again?"

It wasn't a comforting thought as the human held onto it as the night stretch on and sleep took him. The smell of ozone filled his nostrils and it reminded him of someone long ago…