Special Notes: Writer's Gallery is the only gallery that does not require an image to be posted. So, if you see a little white box with an x in it... the writer has chosen not to provide an illustration. [The White Raven, Chapter 62, Foxes] [Albatross Battle Carrier, Bridge, Deep Space] Admiral Clap pretended not to see another crew member offering a gift to the two foxes building a nest under the metal stairs that went up to the Admiral’s Deck. The gifts offered were usually articles of clothing; shirts, socks, scarves, and such. Once Prince Mischief’s Cargo Ship had landed, the army of foxes had spread out to explore the Battle Carrier. And most were doing just that - exploring and returning to the Cargo Ship once they got bored. But these two had moved into the Bridge, and appeared to have decided they were staying. Prince Mischief had been brought up to the Bridge to try and coax the two foxes to leave. Mischief had knelt and chattered, warbled, barked, and made other odd sounds, but in the end Mischief left the foxes there, saying only that they liked it here. Clap walked over to Lord Struthio and Raen, they were speaking with the ship’s linguist. “Find anything?” asked Clap. “Nothing,” replied Lord Struthio. “We can’t find any structure to the sounds Mischief and the foxes are using.” “Is it possible Mischief is just using his imagination and telling us what he thinks the foxes are saying?” asked Clap. “That is certainly a possibility,” replied Lord Struthio. “But, Master Ring said there was one unusual parameter Dragon asked during their creation.” Clap was looking at the sound analysis the linguist had made and glanced up. “What’s that?” asked Clap. “Dragon asked what the purpose of the foxes would be,” replied Lord Struthio. “They were never intended to be on a world like Demonia, and every creature in an ecosystem has to have a purpose. Master Ring told Dragon the foxes were to provide Mischief with companionship and protection.” “You think Dragon genetically modified their DNA?” asked Clap. “Ring said he was unaware of any modifications, but Dragon was very specific in choosing this particular sub-species, it could be that these particular foxes are naturally intelligent,” said Lord Struthio. “Sionnach mentioned the he lived on Carina and says there are two animals there that have achieved sentience,” added Raen. “Yes, it is possible these fox could be at the very beginning of sentience,” replied Lord Struthio. “The chattering they do seems very complex for simple animal sounds, I think there’s something here, we just can’t see it yet.” “What are the two animals on Carina?” asked Clap. “The dolphin and the orca whale,” replied Lord Struthio. “We have them on Darai also, you just haven't explored far enough out to sea to observe them yet.” Clap nodded. “Oh, I think I heard something about that, but I thought it was still being debated.” “There is another possibility,” said Raen. “The Daraians have a very limited telepathic ability, perhaps the fox have a similar ability.” “You’re referring to our ability to project an image during first bonding with our mates,” replied Lord Struthio. “But that is largely due to our ancient avian ancestry, and can rarely be done twice. I don’t know of any mammals that have a similar ability.” “Lets send our observations to Ring,” said Clap. “He can look at what we’ve noticed and research it more thoroughly. Perhaps the fox are just naturally inclined to provide companionship and protection, or perhaps Dragon did something genetically to add that trait.” “Sir,” interrupted the Com-officer. “There’s another situation with the foxes - in the reactor room this time.” Lord Struthio scratched his head. “How did they get in there?” “That’s the problem,” said Clap. “They are all over the ship, and nobody can figure out how they are opening the doors. We even found some on Deck One of the outer hall, and that’s a two-hundred foot climb up a ladder.” “We’ll be in the reactor room,” said Lord Struthio, heading for the door. Clap and Raen followed. The reactor room wasn’t actually a room, or even one reactor. There were several reactors spaced across the engine deck, providing redundant back-up to every section of the Carrier. The commotion was easy to find, the engine crew was gathered around two fox chattering and barking at one of the reactors. The Reactor Chief saw Lord Struthio and came over to report. “Sir, they showed up ten minutes ago and have been raising a fuss since.” “Animals are sensitive to environmental changes,” said Lord Struthio. “Have you checked the radiation sensors?” “First thing I did,” replied the Chief. “I even pulled out one of the portable sensors, just to be sure.” “Isn’t this the heat shield’s reactor?” asked Clap. “Yes Sir, it’s been running hot for the last week too,” replied the Chief. “We’ve had a lot of trouble with the heat shields,” said Clap. “Lets shut down the reactor and send a crawler in.” Raen raised a brow, but didn’t interfere. They would have to jettison the rods and insert a new set to restart; it would cost several million to throw away the rods, and if there were nothing wrong inside - Raen silently groaned at the thought of the cost. Lord Struthio noticed Raen’s expression and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. “That’s the cost of running a Battle Carrier,” said Lord Struthio. The shut-down procedure took nearly six hours, and another three hours to prepare the components that would have to be jettisoned into the next sun they passed. The two foxes paced and fretted the entire time. The Chief finally got the maintenance crawler inside the reactor and everyone gathered around the Vid-screen for a peek inside. The crawler made two passes through the reactor, but nothing out of the ordinary could be seen. “It looks like a healthy reactor,” said the Chief. “Make another pass,” ordered Clap. The crawler moved along inside the reactor, passing the wall again where the foxes had been barking. The two foxes got agitated and ran in circles when the crawler passed the section they were barking at. “Wait, back the crawler up,” said Lord Struthio. “What’s that?” The Chief pulled the maintenance crawler back a foot. “Something's melted in there,” said the Chief. Raen stared at the anomaly and then picked up a screw driver sitting on the control console. “Tell me that doesn’t look like a melted one of these,” said Raen. “I think your right,” said Lord Struthio. “This ship was built very quickly, someone made a bad mistake.” “Could that have been causing all the problems with the heat shield?” asked Raen. “Any contaminant in there could, but more than that, why didn’t the sensors pick it up,” said Lord Struthio. “We have a bad reactor, we’re just lucky this thing didn’t blow up.” “Ack-ack-ackawoo,” chattered the larger of the two foxes. The Chief looked down at the fox. “You got that right, buddy.” Lord Struthio, Clap, and Raen looked back and forth between the fox and the Engineering Chief. “Did you understand what the fox said?” asked Lord Struthio. “Of course, didn’t you?” replied the Chief. “Ask him something else,” ordered Clap. The Chief dropped his hand down and the fox allowed the Chief to stroke his ears. “Are you hungry, buddy?” asked the Chief. “Ack-Ack,” barked the fox. Raen took a step back, startled. “Did anyone else see that?” “I think I did,” said Clap. “Me too, I think,” said Lord Struthio. “The sounds aren’t exactly a language, they’re a trigger for a projection, I swear I saw just a glimpse of a mouse.” “If they can project like we can, then how is Prince Mischief seeing the projection, he’s not Daraian?” said Clap. “I think we need to go talk with Emperor Sionnach. I want to know why the Kitsune killed off all the foxes ten thousand years ago,” said Lord Struthio. ***** [Surf Shop, Eagle Province, Planet Darai] The room was taking on a comfortable and pleasant feel, though somewhat unusual for a home in Eagle Province. The main room was a cross somewhere between a living room and a museum. Jaco had taken to climbing the long stone stairs up to the top of the cliff each day. He would search the garbage of the palace first, that was the best place to find things. The Moeth Alliance claimed to be modest and austere in their living spaces, but Jaco knew that was far from truth. They claimed to be short of money, always pinching every note they had, but in truth, they were Ravens and collected every manner of luxury and oddity. Jaco bent over the edge of the dumpster, searching for anything that might be of value. His hand rested on something metallic and pulled it out - a lamp. And not just any lamp, the ugliest lamp you could possibly ever find. But, it was in one piece - an excellent find. Jaco turned the lamp over and checked the base, it was manufactured on Cormon. “Well, that makes sense,” thought Jaco. The Cormons are as devoid of artistic ability as any species could get, but they could make weapons - but obviously not lamps. Jaco set the lamp aside and dived back over the side looking for more treasures. This time he found a couple hideous looking spoons, two forks, a broken drinking glass, a worn out pair of boots from a Raven Assassin’s uniform, and an ugly set of sea-shell bracelets - all perfect treasures. Jaco stuffed everything into a bag and tossed it over his shoulder, he still had enough room for a few more items. A hedge ran along the outer wall of the palace and he followed it to the main entrance. A bored Storm Wings guard was standing at the bottom of the stairs and nodded at Jaco, motioning to a spot behind the bottom stair column. Jaco grinned, the signal meant the guard had saved something for Jaco. Jaco ducked behind the column and looked inside the worn box hidden there for the guards to toss junk into for Jaco. “Oh my ancestors,” whispered Jaco, picking up a Talon Dagger from the box. The blade was broken, but that didn’t matter, it was a treasure beyond imagination. Jaco shoved the Talon Dagger into the bag, thanked the guard, and ran back to the stone stairs and took them two at a time back down to the beach. Kit was sitting on the porch watching the ocean when Jaco arrived back at the Surf Shop. “You’re back early,” said Kit. Jaco grinned from ear to ear and produced the Talon Dagger. Kit took the Dagger and inspected the two pieces. “A Chirp broke it in practice,” announced Kit. “See the scratch here along the edge, it was a bad blocking move and the opponent snapped the blade.” Jaco wasn’t the slightest bit phased by the cause of the broken Talon Dagger. “I have to hurry, lots to do,” said Jaco, leaving the dagger with Kit and running inside. A moment later Jaco was dragging a folding table out onto the sand and setting it up. More trips inside produced folding chairs that Jaco set up in front of the table. That was followed by wine glasses, a tray of cheese and crackers, and several bottles of wine. “Slow down, champ,” said Kit. “You have plenty of time.” “Can’t, it has to be perfect,” replied Jaco. “This will be a big one.” “Keal would like to see this,” said Kit. Jaco looked up at Kit and smiled. “Yes, he would.” Kit met Jaco’s eyes and waited, but Jaco didn’t drop his head or eyes. Kit waited a moment longer and nodded. “Am I getting better?” asked Jaco. “You didn’t fold up at the mention of Keal’s name,” said Kit. “I think you are making excellent progress.” Jaco ran to the side of the shop and pulled a box out from under a tarp. The box was full of sea-shells; he paid a group of hatchlings twenty notes a box to collect the shells for him. Jaco dragged the box towards the water, scattering the shells randomly across the sand. Satisfied with the arrangement of the shells, Jaco dragged the box back to the shop and tucked it under the tarp with the other boxes. Next he retrieved fishing poles and pushed them into the sand so that each was standing, forming a semi-circle behind the folding chairs. He busied himself carrying various objects out to the table and carefully putting colored cloth over each one. Jaco stepped back and checked the arrangement. “They’re coming,” said Kit. Jaco turned and looked out on the ocean. The tour boat was coming. He paid some Daraians to drive the tourists from the Eagle Mercantile, down the coastal road to the Demonian port, and then a Demonian crew to sail them back up the coast to his shop. The boat pulled up to the beach and a gang-plank was set out for the tourists. Some used the gang-plank, but coaching from the Demonians had many of the tourists jumping into the surf. These weren’t just any tourists, these were thrill seekers, collectors, and mainly just Daraians that didn’t make enough to spend all their time idly, but enough to make two or three adventurous vacations a year. The first time Jaco had the idea to do this, he had been at the Mercantile when he had heard a group of tourists complaining about wanting something more daring to do. He had offered to give them a tour they would remember. The first tour had been a walking tour, down the cliff stairs and to the surf. The tourists had been thrilled to actually walk along the beach and have the ocean splashing up around their feet. Jaco’s tour business had grown from there. The tourists found the shells laying on the beach and began collecting them. No doubt the shells would end up on the walls of their homes, along with made up stories about how they were collected. The shells, fishing poles, and refreshments were complimentary items of the tour. “Welcome,” greeted Jaco. “Please have a seat, and ensure you keep an eye on the ocean. Rogue waves do occur, we lost two guests a week ago when they were washed out to sea.” No such thing had ever occurred, but the wide eyed tourists were obviously pleased at the danger they were in. “I’m sure you are excited to get on with the auction,” announced Jaco, lifting a cloth from the table lamp he had found in the dumpster. “We will begin with a rare lamp given to the Eagle Palace by the Cormon Ambassador, and obtain by me at great cost. Bidding begins at twenty-thousand Imperial Notes.” The lamp sold for thirty-two thousand. “Next up is a very rare find,” said Jaco, lifting a cloth off the worn-out boots. “My associate will demonstrate the value of these boots.” Kit stood and walked down from the porch, his leather Ravens coat billowing lightly in the wind. Kit spun once and kicked out at a tourist in the front row, a boot blade snapping out from his heel. Kit held his boot only inches from a tourist’s face. “Raven death boots,” announced Jaco. “I’m certain you can see the blood stains still on the heels. The worn out boots sold for a half-million Imperial Notes. Several more items sold at ridiculous prices, and then Jaco held up the last item and removed the cloth. The tourists gasped. Jaco held the two pieces of the Talon Dagger up, and then handed the dagger to Kit. Kit spun the broken dagger several times, then lunged at a tourist and pressed it against the man’s neck. The broken Talon Dagger sold for 1.2 million Imperial Notes. Jaco poured the wine and the tourists enjoyed the refreshments. After the refreshments, Jaco let the tourists select a fishing pole and took them down to the water and worked with them until everyone had caught a fish. The tourists climbed back aboard the boat, all of them with at least a fishing pole, a fish, and some shells in their hands. That was the key to everything. Each tourist had to leave with something. Jaco waved at the tourists as the boat pulled away. “You should have been in an Alliance,” said Kit. “That was a worthy profit for one day.” Jaco shrugged. “I think you’re ready to live on your own,” said Kit. “Maybe, but I still need a partner,” said Jaco. “You can’t afford me,” said Kit. “But I have an idea that could work for you, and us. We need to speak with Moeth.” “You want to use me as a front man,” said Jaco. “I need to find better stuff to sell than the junk here I’m peddling. Your going to let me leave the province to acquire better merchandise, and take some of your Raven spies for missions under the pretense of working for me.” “You do know you’re too smart for your own good,” said Kit. Jaco dropped his head shyly. “I’ll miss you.” “Stop that,” said Kit, but not unkindly. “I’m too old for you, stick with Caedon, he’s your age, and he’s willing.” “I know, he asked me to dinner, should I go?” asked Jaco. “Caedon and Aliaen are Hawks, so it’s perfectly acceptable,” said Kit. “And I’ve seen you using Red, that needs to stop, you need a temporary partner.” “If I’m going to be a front man I will need some protection, and they are pretty good sized Hawks,” said Jaco, nodding. He knew using Red for too long wasn’t good, he needed to stop using that dangerous drug. “We need to talk with Moeth first,” said Kit. “But yes, it’s time you got back in the game.” ***** [Albatross Battle Carrier, Hanger Deck, Deep Space] Emperor Sionnach stood watching his sons, Mischief and Malice, playing with the foxes. Mischief was including his brother in the game of chase, and that the boys weren’t fighting showed how much Mischief had changed. He was more quiet now, reserved, and always alert. The shout of a Flight Chief calling the Deck to attention alerted Sionnach and he turned to see who was coming. Sionnach wasn’t surprised to see Struthio, Raen, and Clap walking towards him, the fox had gotten out and were running all over the ship. “Greetings, Emperor,” said Lord Struthio, bowing slightly. Sionnach noticed Lord Struthio always bowed just enough to show respect, though he didn’t have to. Sionnach had no authority over Daraians, but it was pleasant to deal with a Daraian Lord that respected common courtesies. “I imagine this is about the foxes,” replied the Emperor. “I can ask Mischief to try and round them up again, but I’m not sure it will work.” “It’s not that,” said Lord Struthio. “We don’t mind them, and they have been very helpful. I want to ask what may be a sensitive question.” “I am a guest aboard your ship, you may ask whatever you like,” replied the Emperor. Lord Struthio was adept at politics, but he preferred to be plain spoken, and this emperor was different than his predecessors. Struthio decided to be blunt. “Why did the Kitsune kill all the foxes?” asked Lord Struthio. “That would require a history lesson,” replied the Emperor. “I have time,” said Lord Struthio. “Give me the condensed version.” “I do enjoy your straight forwardness,” said the Emperor. “It would have taken twenty minutes for one of my courtesans to phrase that question.” “I’m a simple man,” said Lord Struthio. “Very well. I don’t know as much as you may think,” said the Emperor. “Most written records of that time were destroyed by previous Emperors. The fox were known as the Kitsune, it’s a word from an older language. Our planet, and my House, were named for the Kitsune. They were a revered animal and it is said that there were priests that could speak with them. Everything was fine until we discovered the Demonians. They didn’t call themselves that, but there is no record of what their species was originally called.” “Could it have been the Deaemi?” asked Raen. “I honestly do not know,” replied the Emperor. “There are no records of the first invasion. I do know they were a peaceful reptilian species, but they were as strong as one of us, and we feared that.” “We know that,” said Clap. “And then you called them Demons.” “That is true, every legend of Demons there is was a propaganda campaign to turn my people and the other worlds against an innocent species, all because we feared them,” admitted the Emperor. “What does any of this have to do with the foxes?” asked Raen. “That part of the story I do not know,” explained the Emperor. “I only know that for some reason, my people began to associate the fox with the Demonians, and in time they were called Demon Kitsune. What happened next was inevitable, my people killed all the foxes.” “This doesn’t make sense,” said Clap. “There were never any foxes on Demonia, how could that have happened.” “As I said, what happened is lost in history. I am fairly certain I am in possession of every remaining accord of that time, but nothing is written about how it happened,” said the Emperor. “Now, why this line of questioning about the foxes?” “We think one of the foxes spoke to us, through a projection,” replied Lord Struthio. “Ah, I see, yes, that could very well be possible,” said Sionnach. “The legend is that certain priests could speak with them. If it was through projections, then it would only make sense that Daraians with their natural ability to project may be sensitive to the fox's projections.” “No other animals can project,” said Raen. “All humanoids are a type of an animal,” said Sionnach. “It would be arrogant to assume you are the only species in the universe to evolve the ability to project an image. The only difference would be that your ability is far more evolved than a lesser animal.” “That could explain why the fox was only able to show us a brief image of the mouse, to indicate he was hungry,” said Lord Struthio. Sionnach held up his hand. “You are not thinking like a scientist. Let me present another possibility. Is it possible one, or all three of you were hungry, assumed the fox must be also, and projected to each other your concern for the fox’s well-being?” “He’s right,” said Lord Struthio. “For any valid results we need proper testing with a control, independent and dependent variables, and a constant.” Sionnach turned back to watch his sons playing. “Yes, it is going to take a long time for our zoologists to study these magnificent creatures.” Raen tipped his head to the side. He wasn’t sure if the Emperor was talking about the foxes, or the two boys running around in circles. Most likely, both the foxes and the two unusual boys needed studying.