My axe slams into the captains sword, psionic sparks spraying all over the place as I push her back "You have gone too far!"






The captain blinks, her features showing she's struggling against me "You are a primitive! How can you be this strong?!"






I give her a glare "Never underestimate your opponent! A lot of you Aldebaran's think you are gods. Good... I've always wanted to kill one!"






With all my strength I throw her back, I raise my left hand as another cat comes my way but I catch her, I quickly close my hand and her torso crushes as she screams, I toss her away and continue against the captain. Before she can raise a defense I smash her sword away and deliver a punch straight into her throat which sends her into one of the consoles, two more cats come my way but I quickly draw my plasma pistol and fire, each getting a shot through the chest and killing them instantly, I look to the few remaining bridge crew and they raise their arms in surrender. I nod to them as I move towards the captain, putting my weapons away, I pick her up and slam her against the console, she looks to me and I begin to smash her with a right fist, I hit her so hard her head piece flies off, I even miss once because she shifts and hit the memory stone on her chest which almost shatters it, before long my left hand joins in, her teeth flying loose as she starts to feel limp. I grab the left side of her face and smash her head straight into the holographic display system and lands on the floor.






The cat begins to groan and cough, crimson dripping on the floor as she crawls a little, I grab her and throw her into her chair, I run up to her and stomp her in her lower back, sending a crack to vibrate all over the bridge as she screams. She didn't show Willy any mercy, so I will give her none either... the only difference is I was going to make her suffer. I take my foot off of her and she pushes herself to where she manages to flip over to face me, those eyes full of fear as she gasps, she definitely wasn't feeling high and mighty now.






The captain cries out to me "I'm... I'm sorry!"






I ready my psi-axe, her eyes goes to the blade as she begins to quiver "You had your chance and failed... he didn't have to die! What you did you can never come back from, he wasn't just a brother-in-arms, he was one of my friends and he had his whole life ahead of him." I lock my eyes on her "And I'll make sure to raze your rebellion to the ground, both by projectile and by the swing of an executioners blade!", I raise my axe and swing, cleaving through her neck with ease.






A look out into the open void showing the battle taking place, I know that if the vessel is disabled we can't take advantage of the ship and I want to make an example out of these rebels, it's Aldebaran tech so it relies on a psionic interface. I can't let Willy's death be in vain, as we're still getting chewed up pretty well out there, even though it's damaged I think we can se this vessel.






I look to the bridge crew "If you want to repent and have a chance of changing sides, now is the time!"






The felines look to each other, the feline wearing an officer looks to me "What are your orders?"






The crew get into their positions as I have them disable the field to the bridge so that the Hazard Corps can enter, even though their features are obstructed I can tell how unsettle they become at the sight of the bridge. I take my place at the captains chair and join the psionic control systems along with the rest of them, it's strange feeling the Aldebaran control systems, it feels like I am handling both the ship and my body at the same time, as in they are both together yet separate.






I look to the void "On my mark open fire on all rebel ships, I want that psionic beam being used on their capital vessels. Once that is done we'll commence orbital bombardment.", I take a breath "IRON WITHIN! IRON WITHOUT!" and the Hazard Corps around us reply the cry.






......................................






The Aldebaran battle cruiser begins to open fire on the surrounding vessels once more, the rebel ships caught completely by surprise at the new threat before them, the large psionic beam weapons fires cleaves a Warren battle cruiser in half while obliterating a few enemy Aldebaran vessels and Warren-based cruisers, point defense weapons wiping out squadrons as plasma cannons pummel away at the secessionist feline ships, their shields quickly being overwhelmed by the heated vollies, it also seems that the captured ships shields have become more empowered as handles the barrage of counter fire.






Deadeye smirks "Aye Bucky, looks like we just got a new toy!"






The rabbit sighs "Maybe, but we're still dead in the water! All we can do is hope that ship ruins enough of them into surrender."






Bruiser nods "Yeah, but if you ask me Bucky I'z think we got this in the bag."






Bucky wants to be more optimistic but the unfortunate thing was that Warren was in danger of being chewed up like freshly turned dirt getting ready to be turned into a garden. He won't hold it against Adam if he has to carry out what needs to be done, but it's hard when it's your homeworld you have to attack, that you'll take some of the blame no matter what you do, that no matter how you explain yourself in the short term you will be the villain to a degree. Those eyes of his go to the captured ship, all he can do now is hope Adam, Willy and Jenny were doing alright and that they had done what they needed to without paying the price.






................................






I feel a jolt from the ship as a large barrage hits the battle cruiser, it feel like someone just hit my forehead with a hammer, I take a breath "Maintain offensive pattern, target the..." another jolt hits me which forces me to freeze.






One of the felines looks to me "Your brain isn't compatible with our technology, the fail-safes can't protect you from psionic feedback!"






I grit my teeth "I can take it." as I regain my focus "I'll keep maintaining the shields, focus on all targets!" another jolt hits me and now I have a bad bloody nose.






Another cat shakes her head "You're going to die at this rate!"






My memory stone begins to glow blue, I can feel the wolf and it's influence 'I don't know if you understand what I am trying to do or what is going on, but I need your help to do it. Please help me do it.'






The memory stone becomes glowing like an energized sapphire, blue sparks claiming various systems as everyone looks my way before resuming what they were doing. I still don't know what this wolf is, but now it was really starting to interact with me.






.....................................






The memory stones along the outside of the Aldebaran ship shifts to blue, it's beam firing and claiming more of the rebel fleet, plasma fire igniting passing vessels into flame as they scream into the void. The surrounding cruisers starting to panic as their captains issue orders to get clear.






Felicia blinks "Incredible! I don't know how he did it but he's handling it pretty well.", she looks to one of the crew "Are you able to capture data from that battle cruiser?", the feline giver her nod "Collect it, it'll help make the Executioner more formidable."






An enemy cruiser of Warren-design manages to get away, but it turns around and flies towards the Aldebaran vessel, it becomes hit and smashes into the battle cruiser but it looks like it's shields have absorbed most of the impact.






The blue haired cat becomes frozen in place "They are that desperate now... they'll destroy themselves to remove it."






.....................................






I yell out loudly as I feel the impact from the crashing of the ship smashing into us, the massive jolt sending a psionic overload into me as I try to maintain the shields, I spit out some crimson as I look out into the void and those on the bridge frozen in horror.






I hear a voice come to me in my head 'You are going die if you keep this up!'






I think 'I don't care, I am not stopping until this is over!', I send a psionic wave through the machinery "I'll crush all of you! IRON WITHIN!!! IRON WITHOUT!!!" and I go into overdrive as my stone becomes almost ablaze like a star and I howl.






......................................






The battle cruiser becomes engulfed in blue energy, a howl explodes from the field, all ships on both sides become impacted as well as Warren, communications sending out the pitch and tone, screens showing a howling wolf that constantly switches to a blue crescent moon and blue fire, the closest vessels suffering from blowouts and extensive damage with some even exploding. The bridge crew of the battle cruiser realizing they have completely lost control of the ship, but try to keep it stabilized.






Dogstar becomes transfixed by the display "What is going!?"






Mimi shakes her head "I don't know, but we have to get clear!"






The blazing ship begins to move, firing it's laser and wiping out battle groups in sweeps with vollies igniting the void, but now the plasma has this trailing blue light like some kind of tracer, some ships of the enemy fleet surrender only to be obliterated seconds later. The way it's moving it also really unnerving as it's moving like a fish would in water in a way, it's devastating laser firing in rapid bursts now, each shot destroying several smaller ships or severely damaging larger vessels.






Bucky and his crew can't help but stare at what is taking place "Jenny, what is happening on that ship?"






Jenny and the remaining Hazard Corps with her are holding onto the walls "I don't know, but Adam has taken control of the ship.", she looks to an interface with a memory stone and she makes a disturbing discovery "Scratch that Bucky, Adam's become the ship!"






The rabbit shakes in disbelief "How is that possible?"






The cat braces herself "I don't know, but it explains why the ship is acting the way it is. The problem is that he will also experience feedback from attacks and the system itself... he must be in so much pain!", she notices images constantly coming and going on the screen 'The wolf! It's helping him do this!', she radios Bucky again "We're going to get clear!"






Jenny and the Hazard Corps find some escape pods and launch into the void as the possessed machine zooms, massacring everything it's way, from the ground an orbital defense weapon fires, the shot hits the shield but does nothing else, the ships large beam targets and cuts the orbital station in half... now it was the only ship out of the rebels forces to have survived the fight.






.................................






The bridge is now ablaze in energy as I focus on the world of Warren... they went turncoat and deserve for what is to come, I'll make sure they get the message no matter what. I have the sensors show me all critical military and some civilian installations to the surprise of those on the bridge, I charge the beam, ready to pass divine judgement on the world below.






"DIE TRAITORS!!!"






The psionic weapons fires in rapid motion, I can feel the system and it's feedback striking me, I can't describe the impact because of how harsh it is as it jolts into me, finally I cease my barrage, I gasp as I feel my breath escape and I black out.






...................................






The human crashes onto the control panel before him as the ships systems fall out of his control, his memory stone still ignited.






One of the cats look to each other and the Hazard Corp "is he dead?"






The arcane stone ignites violently, creating a envelope around the human, his eyes open up, the white consumed by the same energy as the crystal, he sits up and breaks the control system off as he stands, a voice comes from him "Not if I can help it!"






A mere five minutes later, Warren declares it's surrender and the Sisterhood and U.A.C. forces make planetfall, the sight of flame and ruin catching their attention instantly. Bucky and his crew reunite with Jenny and it is very haunting for them and everyone else. Was this Adam's true power? Or something else? The sight of a heavy shuttle comes into view with Blinky confirming that it's from the battle cruiser Adam had taken over, everyone gather around hoping to get some answers as it lands, the rear ramp drops, Aldebaran's walk out with their arms raised and followed by the Hazard Corps... the next sight is one no one was expecting, Adam slowly comes walking out consumed by blue flame, the sounds of heavy energy waves being nothing short of incredible, but then they see it, he was holding Willy in his arms, the obvious signs of a plasma burn on his chest and he was completely lifeless.






Bucky goes to run towards him but Jenny stops him, the cat doesn't break her gaze at the charged human "I don't think that's Adam at all." trying to keep it together.






The human looks to the gathered crowd, a voice comes from his lips "I mean you no harm, I came to return these two to you." sounding ancient and powerful as it continues towards Bucky and Jenny.






Bucky asks what had happened and whatever this being is informs them of Willy's death and that Adam did what he could to prevent it up to controlling the ship as it destroyed him in the process, that he also carried out retribution for his fallen friend. Bucky, Jenny, Deadeye, Bruiser and Blinky do their best to process all of this, the Corsair Canards present also begin to quietly weep.






Jenny and Felicia step forward, the former deciding to speak "What exactly are you?"






The being lays Willy on table "I am a being from mankinds past, an ancient spirit and the totem of Adam's ancestors. I am known by many names, but you may call me Fenris."






Felicia gulps "Is Adam alright?"






The being sighs "He is wounded and his body is broken, if I relinquish control he will die." it begins to walk around "But there is more then just him."






The rabbit walks up "What are you talking about?"






"This is not the only Adam, back on his world when he activated the crafts systems, it not only tore into the fabric of space and time, he separated into four separate forms, each one going to different dimensions or in the case of one merely to another part of the galaxy and all four gaining an aspect of the wolf itself."






The crowd can't believe what they are hearing, that a total of four exists and each one doing who knows what.






Fenris continues "This one was given the aspect of mind, another sight, the third gained reflexes while the last gained heightened senses. I do not know what has become of them, but if they are still alive they may be turned to aid you against the toads and by extension these rebels."






Mimi and Dogstar listen to every word carefully, but this creature was being sincere, Bucky glances to them and they simply nod.






The rabbit sighs "I know we're all broken up by what has happened, but we won't let Willy's death mean nothing and we can't risk losing Adam.", he looks to Blinky "Blinky, head to where Adam's craft was junked, maybe we can use it to find the other three."






The robot gives a nod "Humble android will get it done." trying to hide his sadness.






Eventually the crowd disperses enough to were Bucky and his team make it back to Aldebaran, the news it staggering for all to hear but Blinky and a group of Aldebaran's head to the world of junk. Fenis is contained in an isolation chamber and looks to be in a state of meditation. Jenny is watching it through a viewer in deep thought, thinking of what has happened just now and ever since the two humans entered the Aniverse. All she can do is wished Willy went back home so that he would be spared, or that Adam had decided to stay on Aldebaran and study for a civilian position, she was also blaming herself and everyone else, that this has gotten completely out of hand, they should have forced Adam to retire, they should have found a way to where both humans could just live even if was against their wishes. But nothing will change that now, one is gone and the other is practically a possessed corpse that is slowly healing.






Katrina and Bucky enter the room and see the sight of her, they both don't know what to tell her... they honestly doubt if there was anything they could say.






The older cat moves forward "Our scans show that at the rate it's going, Adam's body will be fully healed."






Jenny blinks "And after he is, we need to retire him for his sake."






Bucky steps forward "Jenny..."






The cat looks to both of them "Do the both of you not see what has happened here and what we have lost? What are we going to do now, just turn Adam into a weapon system like what we've been doing since his ship was on the drawing board? Psi-human interfaces, reconditioning of his psyche and body through our psionic therapy! When does Adam get to live his life? When do we draw line that we have crossed so many times?!" tears start to form in his eyes "What if next time it is his last?"






The two stare at her, they know she is right and that's the sad part, but Adam knew the risks of what may or may not happen not like how they did. Though they all knew that the reason why Adam did what he did was to avenge his friend, had any one of them been in his shoes they would have done the same, but she was correct on how unethical it has been with Adam doing all of this to himself in recent time, trying to push the envelope to where he can interact with Aldebaran tech without hurting himself as well as new tech for the Executioner and it's future upgrades... and with this incident it has opened everyone's eyes of what has happened. What he was doing it was for Aldebaran and the Aniverse, to fight against the rebel forces and the Toads, but Jenny was right in that Adam had lost so much, ever since Canis II he's changed, he won't admit it but in their opinion the shellshock and trauma had done it's damage. Bucky decides to make the call, that until Adam is cleared and he receives proper care he is off-duty, but he will recommend that the Hazard Corps be reassigned to other units, knowing Adam wasted nothing in training them.






Meanwhile on the planet of junk, Blinky is moving towards where Adam's craft was dumped along with a team of Aldebaran's a few of them artificers while the rest are engineers, they get to the location only to find that the craft is nowhere to be seen, one of the engineers discovers what looks like signs of a toad salvage team with heavy equipment looking to have been used. Now that it has been confirmed that the great enemy of U.A.C. has their hands on the prototype, it only created a more horrific question... do they know what they now do? That there are three more humans who could really shift the odds in their favor? But that also raises a few more other questions? What have these humans been through? And what side have they gone with where ever they went? More importantly what kind of allies would they even bring?






But then they remember how their Adam is and he sided for the greater good, if what Fenris says is true then the other three would be to an extent the same personality wise in theory. But they won't know anything until they figure out a way to get to them... that means figuring out what the toads are up to and learning where they took the craft, something that is tasked to the Corsair Canards given their raids and since the green menace seems to be severely weakened now, it's the perfect time to conduct such operations.






But the rebel Aldebaran's are of still great concern and with Warren's assets decimated by Adam's attack they can't make use of the world and it's materials to aid in any war effort. Despite what has occurred, military command launches protest for Adam to be put on the side lines as he could end the threat near instantly, however the Sisterhood, it's doctors and scientists counter that such action cannot be take given he needs proper care before sortieing out once more... a stance the U.A.C. council sides with. Also given the great defeat at Warren, any support for the rebels has dried up instantly as the fractured U.A.C. comes back together. But for the Sisterhood it is an even more trying time, given how complex their machines are they are hard to maintain and replace and any hope of capturing any ships of any condition were pretty much dash aside by the humans rampage, even the battle cruiser that survived suffered extensive damage to most of it's control systems and several other critical systems.






Those captured on the battle cruiser explain how to locate the main fleet but it would likely take everything the U.A.C. has to defeat it and even then it could still fail...






................................................






I slowly wake up as I notice I'm in some kind of chamber, I get up and rub my head, noticing I still have my memory stone, the door opens and Jenny comes in, she closes the door and sits next to me. Before I can say anything she pulls me into a hug and she begins to cry, I hug her back and I bury the side of my face into her, I just feel so tired.






The cat looks to me with those green eyes "Adam, I was worried that you would never wake up again!"






I hold onto her as best I can as I take in how she's acting "How long was I out?"






The cat takes a breath "About two weeks, the wolf had to keep you on life support while it rebuilt your body.", she turns to where she faces me "Adam, there is no way I can easily say this even though you already know this... Willy is gone. And we almost lost you as well from what you did."






Jenny brings me up to speed on what has been going on and it's nothing short of crazy, especially since now I know there are three more of me somewhere out there.






"How soon can I return to the front?"






Jenny sighs "Given what has happened, it has been decided that you are no longer fit to serve and will undergo psychological treatment until further notice. And it is something we all agree with, Felicia and I have been assigned to you and to add extra security you will be bunking with me."






I blink at what I am hearing "And the Hazard Corps?"






"They have been added to various other forces and... officially have been disbanded, as such if and when you do return to military service, you'll be back on the Righteous Indignation, it wasn't our call it was the council of the U.A.C. and it's members. But they still wear the hazard stripes with pride so they are easily recognized."






I sigh as I process what Jenny said, the Hazard Corps dismantled before it could be put to proper use, we lost one of our friends and the Aniverse is now in flames... I'm not sure if even I can take it any more, I tried my best and failed, I tried to avenge Willy and almost paid with my own life... I don't think I can take it any more.






The cat takes my hand "Adam, why did you do what you did? With the battle cruiser?"






I look to her "I was... angry, Willy was just a kid and his life got cut short! I just snapped and I felt someone needed to be held accountable!" I can feel tears race down my cheeks "She just shot him as if it was nothing, for him it just wasn't fair... I'm the one who should've died, not him! I just don't understand it! I was the soldier, I was the one armed!"






Jenny grabs my shoulders "Adam!", I stop and I look to her "Willy knew what could've happened to him... it doesn't make it any easier on anyone. I am sure if it was the other way around I would be having a conversation with him, sadly we can't think of what might have been. Right now we need to get you treatment and help set your mind at ease, you have very bad ptsd and other issues.", she gives me a kiss on my forehead "And I'm going to make sure you get the help you need, Felicia and Katrina will as well. We want you to live, not to become another dead hero who fell to foolishness."






I bury my face into her and begin to cry, ever since Canis II, I wanted to try to end the war as soon as possible with the toads to try to spare everyone else of what happened to me and so many others then the traitors came and I turned my sights to wiping them out... and I just completely lost it between the pain I felt from what transpired and being plugged into the ship and lost any sense of control.






Jenny tightly embraces me "Adam, I'm right here. I don't care of it takes weeks, months or even years, I'll be right beside you along with our friends, we are there for you. Please, not just for you but for us too, please, let's try to get you better."






To be continued...