Well, since this seems to die unless I post every other day, I guess I'd better get writing, yes?

Elexei flicked a thumb over the edge of his katana, then slid it home in its sheath. He drew his second blade and tested its edge as well.
"Going somewhere, Mr. Rayden?"
Elexei spun, and found himself facing the blaster that Tama had casually aimed at him. The communicatons 'officer' smirked, and finished her comment, "or are you just taking a vacation that we're not aware of?"
"Vacation, no," Elexei said carefully.
"I see. Deserting, are we?"
"Actually, I was just going to, er, give Jheran my, uh, resignation," Elexei said quickly. He made as if to leave. Tama's aim steadied.
"I think you'd better stay right there, Elexei."
"What are you gonna do, Tama, shoot me?"
"If I must."
Elexei watched the senior Bloodflame warily. He shouldn't have been surprised that Tama had known of his plans; the self-titled comm-op often knew things that she shouldn't have.
"All right, let's go," she said coolly, moving up behind Elexei. He felt the muzzle of her weapon, cold against his back.
First mistake: failed to disarm opponent.
"Where?"
"We'll see just what Jheran has to say about deserters."
Elexei felt a brief stab of panic. He was willing to bet both katanas that Jheran's reaction would not be favorable. The blaster at the small of his back urged him forward.
Second mistake: physical contact with metal object.
An arc of electricity leapt across the barrel of Tama's blaster as Elexei dove forward; Tama reflexively pulled the trigger. The blaster charge overloaded, and the entire thing exploded in Tama's hands. She cried out in pain and surprise.
Third mistake: no secondary weapon.
Elexei came to his feet and brought the katana in his hands around, slaying Tama where she stood.
Reaching down, he closed the dead rabbit's eyes. She looked vaguely surprised. Elexei felt a moment of regret.
"You shouldn't have stopped me, Tama," he whispered to the fallen comm-op. He cleaned his blade and sheathed it. "You knew better." He turned and walked away.

Tephro watched the pale gold rabbit for a long moment, then turned back to Jheran. The tawny Bloodflame raised an eyebrow at his second.
"Tama's dead," Tephro said neutrally. "She always did have a thing about deserters."
"She did," Jheran agreed. "I told her to leave Elexei alone, too."
"You wanna kill him?"
Jheran stretched cautiously. His half-healed side flared with pain and he winced. "No. Can't blame the kid. I've done much the same thing in the past."
"I remember," Tephro said, his grin flashing white. He turned as a rangy canine approached them, hand on hilt.
"Ah, Mangan," Jheran said easily. Mangan Tasar nodded to his captain and bared his teeth briefly at Tephro, who returned the snarl with a sneer.
"My captain," he said, in his deep-throated bass. His dark eyes kept straying towards Tephro. "You have orders?"
"Mm. I want you to inform the other Bloodflame extensions that there's a young rabbit I would like to speak to. If they come across Elexei Rayden, I want them to send him to me. Unharmed." He pinned the dog with his gaze, until the canine nodded reluctantly. "And, when you have time, send a message to other bands in the area about young Elexei's turncoat tendencies."
"Of course," Mangan said, eyes fixed on Tephro. The black rabbit deliberately turned his back on the dog. Mangan growled deep in his throat.
"Mangan," Jheran said. The Bloodflame officer turned reluctantly back to his leader. Jheran stepped forward, blue eyes deceptively friendly. Before Mangan could move, Jheran had his throat in a vice-like grasp.
"Tephro is my second, Mangan. I advise that you reconsider challenging him. I would very much hate for anything to upset Tephro." Jheran gazed up at the dog, who topped him by a full handspan. Mangan whined frantically as the hand on his throat tightened; then Jheran released him, causing the other to stagger back.
Thoroughly humiliated, Mangan turned to go. Jheran's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Oh, before you go. Get some of your friends and dig a grave for Tama. There's a spot over by the trees that should be ideal."
Mangan snarled and slunk off. Tephro turned to watch him go, and looked at Jheran queryingly.
"You anticipated Tama's death."
"I didn't really think she'd listen to my warning. I was right."
"Mangan is not going to love you for relegating him to gravedigger."
"He doesn't have to love me," Jheran said coldly. "Just obey. That's all."