Tarin woke with a start and sat up in bed. He'd just had a nightmare a bad one. He looked to Silver and smiled as she slept against him. Recently his ESP had increased tenfold and he was sensing things from great distances. His dream had been about something odd. He had dreamt about a tigeress being fed alive to a massive snake. It may have been a anaconda or something like it. Tarin decided to work his contacts and see what they could come up with. It was true that his contacts where not as many as Silver's, but the dreams had from his earlier years of adulthood had proved to turn up dangerous and sometimes more unpleasant things. Tarin's wrist chrono said it was about eight in the morning. Silver would wake in a hour or so. Today the two where going with Rosepetal and Starwalker to one of the rivers nearby. They would watch part of the cross-country race and go for a swim in the mineral pools and have a small picnic together.

Silver, Tarin, Starwalker and Rosepetal sat on a cloth while watching the cross country race and those taking part. The races and other competitions had been part of the festivals as long as living memory. Starwalker and Rosepetal where keeping a eye on some cubs with others. Their attention went off them for a little and others where busy.

"Where of the cubs gone....oh hell let's go down to the swimming pool and check" said Rosepetal.

The four ran down to the swimming pool and found no one there. They franticly searched quickly.

"Spread out and look" announced Rosepetal.

Silver noticed another path and pointed it out to Rosepetal.

"What's down there?" Silver.

"There's a diving pool, but the cubs are banned from there. The current is too strong and there are bad rapids nearby so all cubs know not to go down there."

"I have a bad feeling about this" replied Silver.

Rosepetal grabbed a couple of the others around the swimming hole and sent them running off downstream. She also instructed a young vixen to take a message back to the reception. Silver, Tarin, Starwalker and Rosepetal then hurried off downstream. At the diving pool, Rosepetal sniffed around and found both scents at the edge of one of the rock ledges used for diving.

"It looks like they ignored the ban"

"Why have they done this? Where are they?" asked Rosepetal's brother Starwalker.

"We'll cross over and look down the other bank" commented Rosepetal

The four used some rock to cross the river and then made their way down as quickly as the terrain would permit. The group could see how limited the access to the shore was from the diving pool. If they had jumped in and had been unable to beat the current, they would have been unable to leave before encountering the rapids that could be heard nearby. They hurried downstream, scanning the river and shore. Then they heard a shout from the other side of the river. One of the other taurs they had sent ahead was waving his arms, trying to attract our attention.

They saw that he had been noticed, he pointed towards the river amidst the rapids. The four rushed over to where he was indicating. The group spotted two foxtaur cubs clinging to a boulder with the torrent pulling at them. They weren't far from the shore, but it might as well have been midstream because it was impossible for a swimmer to get out at that point.

"Hang on, kids, we're coming!" called out Silver.

Silver went into the water and Tarin took hold of Silver's legs. Rosepetal held Tarin's and Starwalker held onto her hindlegs.

"Brace yourself, the waters strong" warned Silver.

She heaved the first taur form up and out of the river and swung her to the bank where she was gently plopped down. A foxtaur would not have been able to pull that one off as easy as silver. The remaining cub was younger and smaller, but slightly further away.

"Hurry, I'm slipping!" wailed his small voice. She made a lunge for him, only to see him lose his grip a fraction of a second before she got to him.

"NO!" Silver screamed, desperately trying to grab his flailing arms. Too late; the current had instantly swept him from her reach. Without thinking, she pulled out of Tarin's grip to go after him, but her dive was immediately halted by someone grabbing her tail.

"Silver, you can't. It's too dangerous," Tarin yelled at the top of his voice.

"But the cub ...." she moaned.

Silver ached to jump in after the cub, but Tarin was right of course. She pulled herself fully back on shore with Tarin's help. They then gave chase downstream, leaving Starwalker to care for the other foxtaur cub. The other group on the other shore had taken off as soon as they had seen the cub slip. The going was rugged and slowed the group terribly. The rapids seemed to go on forever and as they searched every bit of it. The spotted the other group, standing on boulders in the torrent. They were attempting to get at something between the rocks.

"Oh Gods, no" whispered Silver, but her worst fears were confirmed when the limp form of the cub was pulled into view.

The group managed to find a way to cross and were soon with the other foxtaurs. Rosepetal examined the child, but she pronounced that the child was dead and beyond resuscitation. Neither Silver or Tarin knew why it was like that, either it had to do with either religion or the fact Foxtaurs just could not be resuscitated. Silver just hoped he'd died quickly. Silver put her hand on the cub's head and said with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry. If only I had been a bit sooner, you would still be alive." She choked on the words, overcome by the loss of such a young life.

"It's not your fault" Tarin said gently as he reassured her.

"It is, if I'd been a little faster....." wailed Silver.

Silver could hear more foxtaurs approaching. Perhaps the cub's parents would be among them. How do you explain the death of such a young life.

There holiday over the two had returned to duty but the foxtaur cubs death played on Silver's mind. She was suppose to be this agent of destruction able to do anything and kill anyone. But why could she not have been faster when a life was at stake. Tarin had said it was not her fault and what had happened was a tragic accident. Silver wondered all the same about if she had been that just a little bit faster.

Tarin had heard from his source and was blazing. He had kept it from Silver as he thought it was a privet matter, one that he was not sure she needed to know about. The Cult of Ta'rak had been reformed and he wondered what it would take to put them out for good. He in the past had dealings with them and neither of them where on good terms. As the two walked the orbital station a com speaker came on.

"Officers Isard and Talanta to the station commanders office immediately"

The two where soon inside within a few minutes. The commander was a large white tailed Deer named Eric Rossi.

"Take a seat both of you" said Rossi.

Thank you Sir" replied Tarin and Silver together as they sat down.

"I asked you both here for a reason. I've been hearing disquieting things from a source close to this sector station and myself, about the cult of Ta'rak. Officer Isard the Galactic Police cannot and will not condone any vendetta privet or other wise against this group or any other. No one is above the law, no one not even myself officer Isard, do I make myself clear?" asked Rossi.

"Then commander I find I have no other choice" said Tarin as he pulled a small black synthi-leather object from his uniform and threw it to the desk. As it fell it opened to show a gold badge.

"There's my badge I'm outta here and if no one likes it they can stick it where the suns don't shine" commented Tarin.

The young fox stood up and turned around to the door and padded to it.

"If the Galactic Police won't do anything then I will" promised Tarin.

"Your endangering your career, Tarin" commented Rossi.

"What career.....there was not much to lose anyway. Nothing but my pride and sense of duty. You know what's on the side of the Police cruisers as well as I do. To Serve and Protect....well seems that it's just that, words.... and not ideals" replied Tarin.

"Tarin wait I'm coming to, if he's not welcome here then neither am I" commented Silver as she placed her badge next to Tarin's

The two left the room and Rossi was left on his own.

"I'd do it too knowing your past Tarin and I don't blame you. You have a good friend there as well and not many of those around these days. May whatever gods you believe in go with you" commented Rossi to himself.

Tarin and Silver had made their way back to the planets surface. They stood outside a warehouse. The building didn't look to new but they where waiting outside a door Tarin had knocked and there was various noises as a small shutter opened.

"Come on Quizal open up, I know your in there. Open up Quiz!" called Tarin.

"What's the password?" called back a female voice.

"That's Starfire" answered Tarin.

The door opened and a red and white vixen stepped outside. She was wearing a light blue jumpsuit. Her tail was swaying gently.

"Hello Tarin, how's the smuggling business going?" asked the Vixen.

"That's all done with Quiz, I see you took over your father business?" asked Tarin.

"Yeah the useless bugger tried to play torvan and got blasted for using a skiffer" said Quiz matter of factly.

"He wasn't all that bad....he was your father after all" replied Tarin.

"Well....anyways to business what you want?" asked Quiz.

"I need your help with weapons and supplies" answered Tarin.

"You know the new rules, I suppose not. No credits, no weapons and nothing on tick" commented Quiz.

"I have a list of what we need" said Tarin as he past a small padd to Quiz.

"Hmmm let's see, I can get most of these items easily for your from the warehouse" Quiz said as she looked down the list.

Her eyes popped open wide with surprise as she spotted something on the list.

"Hey now those I don't do, thermal detonators and two beam sabers. Oh I see this is some Galactic Police sting. I don't do those weapons" Quiz informed the pair.

"This is nothing to do with them at all, certainly we have the credits" replied Tarin.

"Well are you invading a small country or something....as you have two isomagnetic cannons" pointed out Quiz.

"Something like that" replied Tarin.

"I'll have everything ready for you with a ship in a few hours. Perhaps you should stay here there's some rooms in back you can use" commented Quiz.

"What is this cult of Ta'Rak?" asked Silver.

"I don't want to talk about it Silver" replied Tarin with anger in his voice.

"Tarin I told you everything about myself, don't you trust me?" asked Silver as she looked at him.

"I.....I....of course I do, it starts about six years before we meet. I had a sister Selphie she got caught inside one of their religious cult's. They have a nasty ceremony of feeding their 'leader' a large snake with a willing victim, a live victim. They use some sort of drug and digestible clothing that stops the snake from crushing them to death. It swallows them whole, alive. I did not get there in time to save my sister. I swore a blood oath to destroy the cult forever.....I didn't do a good enough job... it seems" replied Tarin.

"I'm sorry I'll help you Tarin" commented Silver.

"You don't need to do this it has nothing to do with you Silver" answered Tarin.

"Two of us will stand much better chance than one Tarin" commented Silver.

"I suppose so get some sleep Silver" replied Tarin.

Lord Mace watched as the final interdictor cruiser slipped into place and pulled the net closed around the Triax System. The small viewing area was in darkness and Mace watched the ships around the fleet from a viewscreen set into the bulkhead.

"An excellent sight is it not?" asked a voice behind him.

"Yes it is but what concern is it of yours?" asked Mace.

"A great deal seeing that I am the leader of the Alliance" replied the voice.

"No one has seen the leader, no one even know if the leader is even male or female" replied Mace.

"You have done much since I had you rescued from the accident. I suppose I do owe you so much. I suppose you are one of my hardest working followers" replied the voice.

Someone stepped out of the shadows into the light. Their feet where wearing black shining boots. The lower body looked like it had been carved from the finest marble. It was cover like the upper body in black and white stripes. Mace's mind recalled this was a female and a beautiful one at that. Those stripes looked like they belonged on a tiger.

"I know your wondering about my stripes., my grandfather was a white tiger. My father started the Alliance. It was his dream to see all species living together, not fighting and enslaving each other. I mean to make his dream come to be fact" said the skunkess.

"But you use starships to enforce your will" commented Mace.

"Perhaps but I will set my power aside once I've ended the fighting between species. The dream is everything to us all Lord Mace. Would you not do anything to stop the destructive in fighting?" asked the Skunkess.

"What is your name anyway?" asked Mace.

"It doesn't really matter if you know or not. My name is Winter" replied the leader.

With that she turned on her heal and left.

Lord Mace went back to the large view port and looked out to the fleet. Several ships where making for the fourth planet in the system on their sublight drives. There was some commotion going on near one of the large interdictors. Ion and laser fire was being exchanged between them when suddenly without warning the interdictor exploded into a massive seething yellow and red fireball laced by white particles. It expanded in the vacuum of space.

"This is an unfortunate setback, the rebels are growing in strength and daring" commented Mace to himself.

"Perhaps, but I would not put much faith in them. In fact they are nothing more that annoyance really" replied a now familiar voice.

"Leader they do not stand a chance, not a real one anyway. One interdictor is nothing compared to the fleets you have" answered Mace.

"I'll order the shipyards as Biobilbringi to increase fighter production. Perhaps I should order the completion of the Star Hammer class starships. With them the fleet will be complete. The Rebels only gather forces from the areas where society has broken down. The dream must be held together no matter what happens. They cannot and will not defeat the Alliance" replied Winter.

"Very well Leader, is there anything you want done?" asked Mace.

"I want you to take the Adamant to the Doran system and fly the flag there. Once done Head back here and I'll have a new ship for you. The Joret system is next for the Alliance" commented Winter.

The small ship had been going back and to in the Doran system. The ship was finally setting down for the last time. The hatch hissed as escaping atmosphere leaked from the ship. Soon a ramp was lowered.

"I suppose the charges are ready now?" asked Silver as she padded down the ramp.

"Yes we're all set and the detonators are ready to go. We'll wait for evening the 'pilgrims' will have left all the buildings by then. Whatever you do make sure to think about what we're doing. The priests can make you want to be with them, but a strong mind can get over their hypnotic rubbish. When the 'pilgrims' have left the buildings we blow them. With the buildings exploding we can get at the high priests. Leave one of them alive and it will start all over again. We have to kill them all Silver. With them all dead the cult will collapse and be gone" replied Tarin.

"We can make it quick, I'll go for the magnetic cannon and disintegration. Maybe the Takblas one four blaster as well" answered Silver.

"Yeah but we have to be quick and careful. We must make sure to get them all together, not one must be allowed to escape. I also mean to kill that damn snake as well. I'll use the beam saber on it and it will all be over, all of it. My sisters soul can then finally rest" replied Tarin.

"So we're on the third planet in the Doran system. We're near the meeting place of the cult correct?" asked Silver.

"That's right there are six planets in the system. Come we have a few hours before sunset and the cult gathers. We should go over the plan again, just incase of trouble or something going wrong" answered Tarin.

The Adamant cruised into the Doran system and slowed to it's sub light drives. The fourth planet in the system was like a jewel in space. The ship was heading there and would soon slip into geostationary orbit.

"Lord Mace the planets governor sends her greetings. She asks if you will becoming to inspect their planetary fleet" informed a nearby officer.

"Good reply I will be down in a few hours" replied Mace.

"Very well my lord" answered the officer.

Mace felt something, something he had not felt for a long time. He looked to the systems star and looked at the inner planets. He gazed at the first then moved his gaze to the second, then finally the third. He watched the orb closely and examined his feelings.

"Daughter?" asked Mace gently.

He shook himself and looked back to the desk he was standing in front of.

"No it's impossible she's dead......but....?" commented Mace to himself.

He touched a small contact on the desk.

"Have my shuttle made ready immediately. The inspection can wait" said Mace.

"Very well Lord Mace, your shuttle shall be ready very soon my lord" replied the com.

Mace released his finger from the button.

"Well time is up, you ready Silver?" asked Tarin.

Silver was wearing a form fitting black battle suit. Over her left shoulder was a provan IS-1407 sniper rifle. In her arms was a type seven blaster rifle. She was wearing other ordinance on her body with several power packs. Over her right shoulder was a large bazooka like object, it was a disintegration cannon.

"Ready, let's lock and load!" announced Silver as she slapped a power pack into the but of the rifle.

"Calm down do you have your set of macro-binoculars?" asked Tarin.

"Yes and my set of detonators" replied Silver.

"Good it's going to take a bit to get to the edge of the clearing. We'll set out now" replied Tarin.

"All systems show battle ready, Lord Sarn. The taskforce is ready and at your command" commented the Captain of the Adamant.

"Excellent we're right on schedule, signal that Stormrider to launch it's fighters. Our true target is ripe for the plucking" replied Mace.

"The Starhammer and Relentless both acknowledge" replied the Captain of the Adamant.

"Captain you are in charge of the taskorce, we need the sixth planet under the control of the Alliance" ordered Mace.

"Of course my Lord" replied the captain.

"Is my shuttlecraft ready?" asked Mace.

"The hanger bay sends that it's ready Lord Mace" replied the Captain.

"Good I'll leave soon, first to inspect this fleet. Then I want to check something out for myself" commented Mace.

"Lord Mace, the leader has sent a message that you are to return immediately for the Triax system" the Captain informed Mace.

"Very well I see the Adjudicator has entered the system, Admiral Mossen will do very well. Set course for the Triax system Captain, maximum warp" ordered Mace.

"Yes Lord Mace, will you be needing the shuttle?" asked the Captain.

"No have it powered down and unfueled" said Mace.

"Very well Lord Mace" replied the Captain.

"I'll be in my quarters" said Mace as he turned and left the bridge for his quarters.

"Understood my lord" answered the Captain.

The Adamant leapt to warp and the stars turned to starlines as it did so around the ship a rainbow of light shimmered as the shields where raised so the ship could enter warp drive. The ship speed into the realm of faster than light travel. On board the ship a male skunk remembered what it was to be a father. Tears rolled down the skunks muzzle as he removed the helmet that allowed him to breath outside of the pure oxygen of his quarters.

Silver and Tarin waited outside the clearing. The area had a few buildings and a fence that was easy though as Tarin had prepared the fence and had used a few tricks he'd learnt along the way. Where Silver wasn't sure. The group had gathered and the two waited for everyone to be out of the buildings.

They began to sing a song, and it was very creepy. A young Tigeress was led forth, and she was wearing what looked like a bizarre corset with a turtleneck. From her vacant stare and ecstatic grin, it was obvious that she was high on something very powerful. She was being tugged along gently by one hand, and she was using the other hand to play with herself. She could not have been much older than sixteen. She had long, black, straight hair and a dark complexion. Although relatively short, she was not a small person; in fact she was rather attractive. Her face, arms, and legs had been painted with symbols.

"What's going on?" asked Silver

"She's volunteered herself to be offered to Ta'rak," Tarin whispered, disgusted.

"They're preparing for the ritual."

"What do you mean, 'offered'? You mean they're going to . . . you know . . . they aren't going to, I mean, they aren't . . ?" commented Silver.

"Of course they are but we have a surprise for them so be ready" replied Tarin.

Everyone in attendance swarmed around the volunteer offering, touching her and caressing her. She moaned with delight. Hands stroked every part of her body. One of the priests, still wearing his robes and headdress, appealed to Ta'rak to accept this humble gift, and to consecrate these proceedings. Silver just wanted to escape, but at the same time she was absolutely fascinated.

The anaconda's head was the size of a milk crate. It opened its mouth and wrapped its jaws around the Tigeress's feet. She cried out with pleasure.

"Oh, yes, take me, Ta'rak," she exclaimed.

As the two stood there among the rest of the clan, horrified, the anaconda loosened its coils and began to swallow. It worked its way up to her knees, and she did not struggle at all. She just lay there, inert and passive, playing dead except for her occasional outbursts, which were almost orgasmic. The snake's body rippled as it crawled forward, dragging her into its gullet. Her thighs disappeared, and then her hips, and then her waist. When the tip of its nose had reached her belly button, she folded her arms across her chest. The snake took in her arms as it continued to draw her down, and in minutes there was nothing visible of her except her head and shoulders. She was still grinning blissfully as the snake swallowed her up to her neck, and then began working on her head. Silver couldn't believe that they were letting this happen. Silver expected that someone would surely leap down there with an axe and split the snake open and save her, but these people were serious about appeasing Ta'rak.

The snake's mouth closed over the top of Tigeress's head, leaving only a couple of strands of dark hair sticking out, and a large bulge extending from its jaw about five feet down its body.

The High priest said some kind of benediction, and everyone cheered. Then there was a closing prayer. Tarin slipped a charge into the cannon on silver's right shoulder and patted her left shoulder as he called out lightly to her.

"Ok let them have it!" announced Tarin.

Silver lined up the small stage where the priests where sat on in the blood red cross hair. She pulled the trigger and there was a audible whoosh as the plasma charge accelerated to speed and connected with the stage it exploded sending the stage into the air the priests where dead before the crowd even realised what was going on. As this happened Tarin pressed a contact in his right paw and suddenly there was a massive explosion as the small temple exploded and collapsed in a crack of thunder and lighting. Tarin soon had a beam saber in his paws and was running towards the snake the beam ignited in a green glow as he charged. He brought the beam slashing down as he cut the only surviving priest down. The large Lion hit the ground in two parts. The saber sealed off blood vessels and such as it cut through him. Tarin roared out his defiance and leapt into the air he came down on the snake with a pounding thump to it head. He made a quick and skilled slash opening the snake and killing it quick. He found the tigress stunned and looking to him. Thankfully she was breathing.

Explosions rocked the place and clearing as buildings collapsed as louder explosions sounded. The snake was dead and Tarin had saved the girl who was to be honest worse for wear. The Tigeress was slowly coming out of her drug induced stupor.

"Well that's all the priests dead, just the high priest left to kill" commented Tarin.

"Hello Tarin Samuel Isard, it's been a long time. I guess you did get your revenge. Your sister wasn't it?" asked a voice.

"Come on out high priest, just you and me" replied Tarin.

A large Raccoon male came out of the shadows he was clothed is several long flowing robes.

"Let the others go, it's just you and me. As it should be" answered Tarin.

"Very well, they can go" replied the high priest.

Silver took hold of the tigeress and steered her out of the clearing.

"You know there was a time where I would not have hurt anyone. Then you and your cult killed my sister. I learned that there is one constant in this universe some don't deserve to live" commented Tarin as he raised his blaster rifle.

"What.....what are you doing?" asked the high Priest.

"What I should have done six years ago" thundered Tarin as he fingered the trigger of the rifle.

"You can't kill me in cold blood!" exclaimed the high priest.

"Oh but I can, this is for my sister!" exclaimed Tarin as he pulled the trigger. A light blue beam streamed from the rifles muzzle and struck the high priest just above the stomach. The second shot hit him just above the heart killing him.

Tarin bent down and put a paw to the high priests neck.

"Dead and good riddance, see you in hell" commented Tarin as he turned and left the clearing.

Tarin knew that the tigress would be alright and would recover. He wondered what he and Silver would do now. He guessed they could see if they could get back into the Galactic Police. After all they did have a home now and friends perhaps there would be no more running.

Lord Mace was waiting in a shuttlecraft. Behind him Winter watched as the shuttle approached a massive starship. It measured just under one and a half kilometres long.

"Something disturbs your peace of mind my friend, what is it?" asked Winter.

"Just...I felt something I've not felt for a long time. I think it was my daughter but I am not sure. I would like to search for her. She could be as powerful as I with the right training" replied Mace.

"Very well, what do you think of the Dominante. It's the first of it's class and will see the end of the Rebels" commented Winter.

"It is impressive but you will allow my search?" asked Mace.

"Of course this ship is at your disposal, do as you wish" answered Winter.

"I'll set out as soon as possible. Together we three will be unstoppable" replied Mace.

The ship that carried Silver, Tarin speed through warpspace towards Foxtaur homeworld. In the passenger area Silver was sitting with the tigress they had rescued. Her name was Lyra Silvertail.

"So you have any family Lyra?" asked Silver as the two ate.

"No there is just me and no one else" answered Lyra.

"Must have been bad all on your own" replied Silver.

"Getting involved with them was my worst idea ever. The way they went on about being whole and being part of a large family. It was all lies and brain washing. They could make you love them. Them buggers even tried to feed me to some rotten snake. I thought the morning meal tasted odd, no wonder if that was their plan. This is great this is, no home and no where to stay" commented Lyra.

"You could stay with us, till you get yourself somewhere and back on your feet" replied Silver.

"You really mean that?" asked Lyra.

"Yes I mean it" answered Silver.

"Hang on we're about to make the jump from warp to hyperwarp drive" called Tarin from the ships small bridge.

The ship jumped to hyperwarp. The speed was possible and was very seldom used but to bridge the large gaps between star systems. The ship accelerated and was far above the speed of faster than light travel. Tarin looked back to the two.

"Lyra you have anything left of your own?" asked Tarin.

"No not really everything went. I know how to run a shop and such with a few other things" replied Lyra.

"Well what do you do work wise?" asked Silver.

"Well I was all sorts like a baker for a while. I was told I was very good" commented Lyra.

"What do you think Tarin?" asked Silver.

"Yell well it's about time Gal Tech funds did something good for someone. I'll transfer the credits as soon as we get home" commented Tarin.

"There's an empty shop in town, we could buy that for Lyra. Then Lyra can get on her feet" finished Silver.

"You'd do that for me?" asked Lyra.

"Sure we will" promised Tarin.

"About how long till we get back?" asked Silver.

"About two solar hours at maximum" replied Tarin.

As Silver stood up the ship lurched forwards like some massive hand had grabbed it. The three were thrown to the floor. In the view ports a Interdictor Cruiser loomed. Near it was a much larger starship.

"I guess we're going to be detained a little while" commented Tarin as he looked out of the ships viewports.