Okay, where is everybody? I WILL write today, y'know.



Chapter Fourteen -cont'd



The steel tunnel that they had to navigate was not that difficult at first. It was a straight run, with hardly any turns. At least, for the first part. They sped forward, barely making the twisting turns that came up, and several of Copper's friends (I won't say names) just about fainted as they rounded yet another extremely sharp corner.

"Can't you slow down?" Blacksheep yelled, and Copper gave her an incredulous look and shook her head.

"Are you crazy? I don't fancy winding through junk, Blackie!"

An ominous rumble interrupted them. The vessel shook, and then righted itself. Copper looked faintly alarmed.

"Claw! Arm the ion cannons, we're a bit late and you'll have to shoot out any dangerous waste in our way!" Claw looked furious again; or maybe he'd never lost the look. His hands flew over the keys infront of him, and a distant click proved that the ions were out. Copper turned to Blackie.

"Black, go get Kovu. I need a fresh nav, Shinyso's been working since before we planned our course, and Kovu's-"

"The best one. I'm going, I'm go-" The hiss of the cockpit door cut Blackie off as she left.



Omega, aka Commander Flairang, had a problem. He had no way to get Zanzibar Sia to the medical without arousing suspicion, and it was very obvious that Zanzibar needed attention. There was nothing Phoebe and he could do, except. . .

"Phoebe, you'll have to stay here. Act scared, okay? I've got to get this cat help." Omega donned his disguise, and stepped out into the corridor. His once assured, cocky personality dissolved until once more he was the cold, commanding Flairang.

"You, guard, who brought in this batch of slaves?" The guard looked startled.

"Sir, I believe it was the last watch. They've gone to the soldier quarters."

"Who?" It was more of a statement.

"The shwartzenguards, sir. They were the only ones who could handle that black demon, er, the cat, sir." Flairang looked frustrated.

"They've beat him up pretty bad, trooper. He's in shock and bleeding badly, and Lord Kroys needs every slave."

"I'll get the medics, sir!"

"Good. You look like a sensible trooper, unlike the last oaf who was on watch. What's your name? The Emperor, Lord Kroys, needs good soldiers." Inwardly, Omega was almost furious every time he had to call the wizard "Lord" or "Emperor." Outwardly, he was every inch the loyal Commander.

"Syphar, sir." Flairang nodded.

"Good work, trooper Syphar." The smarter-than-most turtle headed obediently off to get the medics, who happened to be squirrels that Kroys had 'convinced' to serve him as medics. They were quite good.

Syphar returned with them shortly, and they went in to get Zanzibar. One of them, a pretty young one named Thye, returned to recruit several strong guards. Satisfied, Flairang left.



Phoebe's eyes widened with surprise as four squirrels entered. One left again, but the other three started trying to fix Zanzibar up. One of them, a pretty silvery one, turned to her.

"What's your name, youngster?" The squirrel had a low voice that was oddly reassuring.

"Phoebe, ma'am." The squirrel nodded.

"I am Shye. My companions are Phye, Chye and Thye. As you may have guessed, we are sisters. Who is our patient, Phoebe?" Phoebe hesitated, then obeyed.

"His name is Zanzibar Sia, ma'am. Is he okay?" The grey squirrel looked grave.

"No. The chemicals that Devan used to knock you out got into the wound, infecting it. It should have stopped bleeding by now, but. . ." Phoebe felt a rising fury inside of her. In the short time she'd known Zanzibar, she'd grown to think of the big cat as a friend. He was better company than the bedraggled, incoherant captives that huddled together silently.

By the Ryjev and all the Faders of Firen, she thought, using an vow she'd heard Zanzibar use before, if you die, my friend, I will not forget you nor forsake you and your cause.