Dragon hunters

The dragon sat at the bar, being careful about where it put its arms. It had made the clothes it was wearing itself, a brown short sleeve shirt, pants, and boots which looked strange owing to the dragon's digitigrade three-toed feet. It wore a brown poncho with a hood over the shirt the hood was up, it also concealed the dragon's sword which it wore in a scabbard over its back. It had a belt covered in pouches and leather hoops for carrying things it also had a bandolier again covered in straps and pouches, and its fingerless gloves which extended halfway up its forearm, it had had it's only visible weapon in a sheath on its exposed upper arm, a knife. 

The bar was not crowded, music played there were some humans at a table with some horse bipeds the bipeds were slightly taller than the humans, some lycanthropes the five-meter-tall digitigrade bipeds sat at another table on the bar its self, as this was a Dragon sized bar.

They were all celebrating a successful scavenging operation, some biped sheep their cloven hoofs making clopping sounds when every they moved where hanging out with a short biped golden retriever at another table.

They were all around human height and there were a few dragons as well, all at about the twenty-meter mark, sitting at tables around the bar they were aboard a space station orbiting a planet in the Alpha Centauri system.

This was the only dragon-sized bar on the station. So far, the dragon had turned down three would-be one-night stands, two dragons and one very brave horse. But then as the dragon was finishing its drink another dragon sauntered over and sat next to the dragon who was drinking, he was tall the dragon drinking was taller it put its glass back on the bench. 

This male dragon had dark purple scales, and short black hair, his clothes were very ragtag, he had some protective plating on his chest and shins, he was also wearing a cape very ostentatious of him. He was armed with a big knife on his shoulder pad, and another one sheathed at his thigh, with the hood up the male could only see half of the female dragon's deep green snout and with the poncho on he could only be sure she was carrying a knife. 

'Hey babe, wanna take off hat hood so I can see your pretty face?' he was very confident.

The green dragon took her hood off reviling the rest of her face, she had almost luminous yellow eyes and long shoulder-length black hair. Pointed ears and three small horns on each side of her head, just behind her ears, 'you're not the first one pal' she said 'fuck off I'm at least four times your age.' 

'Wow, feisty as well my names Serious what's yours.' 

'Kind' Kind said curtly.

'Well, Kind' Serious said, 'I'm about to make a lot of money if you would like to join me?'

Then Serous put an arm on Kind's shoulder, she shrugged him off but he didn't seem to want to take no for an answer, he slid closer and reached out a hand, this time reaching of her chest then everything when very still and quiet then the purple scaled dragon screamed. 

Kind took her hand off the knife it was buried halfway up the blade into the bench through Serious's hand, the bar was very quiet except for serious who was in a lot of pain, The green Dragon stood and punched him. she broke the tip of his muzzle and the knife tore through his hand. Serious crashed to the ground his muzzle was bleeding his hand had almost been cleaved in two, he writhed on the ground, Kind looked at the bartender. 

'Sorry about that' she said, flicking him three extra coins and taking her knife out of the bench wiping it on her gloves she sheathed it, grabbing her EVA suit on the way out. 

The bartender leaned over the bench, 'she did warn you; you know.'

The space station had its own biosphere, which was nice and despite the fact that it was a space station most of the buildings were very ramshackle. Made of wood it was also fairly big.

The town was made up of four streets that intersected, making it a big cross. Kind had just emerged into the town centre, most of the buildings ended at her shoulder. But some were taller even then The Dragon, The streets themselves were wide enough for three dragons to walk abreast. A few were walking around, one crouched down in front of a human's stall bartering over something, another was taking a walk a Human perched on his shoulder.

Humans also used this path as did the many and varied species that inhabited the station, there were equestrians, bovines, Lycanthropes and everything in between. They stuck to the sides to avoid any accidents and looked both ways before crossing, some lived here and were perhaps just out for a walk, some were buying where's, carrying them down the street and there were stalls everywhere.

Manned mostly by humans and bipeds, there was one or two, run by dragons that Kind knew of. But they were out of town, she didn't know of any run by lycanthropes. The Dragon walked through the town keeping to the middle of the path making sure her tail did not swing as she walked.

She had to squeeze between a pair of dragons who had just stopped to chat. Making her way towards the port. While humans and bipeds from the shops keep trying to sell Kind stuff, there was even a drake. A human-sized dragon who worked a smithy with her two assistants, a border collie, and an ox, and they all wanted her attention. Whether they were on the ground or situated higher up in the buildings.

She looked down a human was haggling with a lycanthrope and a large shaggy-haired bovine over an assault rifle, she looked up as she passed a building looking inside it was an eat-in place several Naga's and a few humans were sitting around tables the Naga's resting in their own coils. A gazelle had a stall open at The Dragon's shoulder level. 

'Can I interest you in a shiny rock?' He asked he had long slender horns and was just shorter than a human, with cloven hoofs and three, hoof-like fingers. 

Kind stopped for just a second, she was tempted, 'no thank you, maybe next time.' She nodded at the stall owner as she walked away. He gave a wave smiling.

After Kind left town, it almost became a forest, hunting and logging were forbidden as the ecosystem needed to be kept in balance, it was nice here Kind ran her hand through the tops of the trees breathing in the fresh air. Shaking off the earlier experience, then she reached the entrance to the spaceport.

It was like stepping into a different world, a loud one. Not the hassle bustle of the town but properly loud, ships making port and taking off announcements were being made. There was a lot more shouting, and neon-bright signs everywhere advertising, and holographic displays and flashing lights it felt like you were being bombarded from every side. Kind's tail was twitching nervously she took a moment to just breathe, then she walked over to the service desk using the dragon walkway the others using walkways that were at The Dragon's shoulder level, no dragon was manning the dragon-sized desk, so she bent down to the Lycanthrope help desk, the brown-furred wolf looked nervously at Kind. 

'Hello,' Kind gave what she hoped was a friendly smile 

'Hi,' the Lycanthrope said, 'what can I help you with?' 

'Any ships looking for dragons?' Kind could always just go through the adds, but then meant looking at those god-awful screens, besides, she found it easier to talk to someone. 

'Yep, just the one today so you best hurry, port twenty-seven the ship is called “Two for flinching" it will be departing in three hours.' 

'Cool thanks' she said standing, a funny name she thought, and she walked towards dock twenty-seven. 

Dragon's hunting

The scavenging team had been sent here for some precious cargo, they were amusing and small there were four of them. They all had guns but she had scales, they entered the massive derelict ship, all of them had their weapons up as they floated into the almost middle of the room, using EVA packs to move through the zero-g using their light to try to see. But her black scales made it very easy to hide in the shadows thought she was thirty meters tall the ship was much bigger, the area they were in was at least a two times long and long as her and half again as high, the lack of gravity and lights made it easy to sneak upon them. 

The two men, one woman and cheetah biped of fire team blaze were wondering whether this was a good idea or not, then they heard a low chuckle.

'Hello their little snacks, usually I have to go and find dinner but seeing as you are so willing.' The voice echoed around them, it had a light almost innocent tone to it but everyone in the derelict new that it was masking a deeper, more homicidal intent. 

The human's and cheetah mag locked themselves to the floor, weapons ready the cheetah looked ready to spring its leg muscles tense. 

One of them said, 'hold position.' 

The dragon found this almost amusing, their flashlights were unable to penetrate the gloom see past the mass of black then trespassers realized a second too late, the black moved, quick as a snake the massive black dragon snatched up the cheetah, it flailed in her grip trying to get free she smiled down the other humans it was not a nice smile.

'Your companion does appear to be trapped' the dragon said casually, the cheetah kept struggling it was only just stronger than a normal human, trying in vain to escape. She loosened her grip ever so slightly, and the cheetah desperately tried to escape it redoubled its efforts she smiled wider as she closed her hand, and broke the cheetah and let the body drift.

'Run' the dragon said, raising her foot and then bringing it down. 

One of the humans was to slow to scatter she caught her under her foot and applied pressure gently, enjoying the feeling of the human's struggles and it's cries of pain. She raised her foot again, and bought it slamming down, gunfire pitter-pattered off the dragon's scales she turned, the other humans were using the EVA packs she smiled and melted back into the shadows as they fired at her. 

'Shit, shit, shit Mark what the fuck have you gotten us in to?' Matilda was sweating, breathing heavily, her eyes darted around.

'Matilda calm down, we just need to get back to the ship.' 

'Yea and how the fuck are we going to do that!' she started to cry, they were going to die here, she looked around trying to find Mark then it was there. The Dragon, it put a finger to its muzzle.

'Shhhhhh.' 

Matilda held back a scream, 'w-what do you want?' she was panicking now. 

The dragon smiled wide showing its teeth, 'dinner' she lunged forward jaws wide.

'Matilda?' Mark asked, 'where are you?' he was nearly at the exit of the room 'shit' he muttered to himself he looked around, but he couldn't see a damn thing. 

'Shit indeed' the dragon smiled, as it grabbed him using her thumb and forefinger. 

'What did you do to her?' Mark asked, struggling to break from the Dragons grip.

The Dragon giggled flicking the gun from the human's hand. Suddenly the room lit up and gravity returned the dragon landed on the deck and patting her belly laughed, looking at the human's hand even under the suit she could see the ring. 

'Well if had known you two were engaged; I would have eaten you both at the same time, but I didn't chew so you will be meeting her soon.' 

Mark paled as the dragon moved him close to its eyes he could feel the gravity now, all the dragon had to do was let go, but it seemed to be inspecting him, then it opened its jaws and its tongue slid out and the dragon licked him he struggled to get away from it then the dragon raised him up high, he screamed as she dropped him. And then he hit the dragons wet slimy tongue it wrapped around him and drew him in between the dragon's Jaws. 

The dragon felt the human struggle as she pulled him in between her jaws, and then slowly swallowed him whole, she licked her lips and let out an involuntary moan as the human slid down her throat, then she turned returned to her sleeping area and waited.

 Dragon helpers 

The scavenger ship 'two for flinching' left port giving clearance code to the A.I. of the space station with a new member in its hold, it was a two decked ship. It almost looked like two different ships the upper deck was smooth, clean and all white and curved the hull reflected that. But the much bigger and altogether more noticeable part of the ship was the hold. or the storage area, it was big enough for six dragons and most of the time it just held a lot of cargo, but the crew of 'two for flinching' had found a new member.

A dragon by the name of Kind, she was thirty meters tall, her scales were a deep green and she had luminous yellow eyes, she was currently sitting in a corner of the hold which she had claimed, the other crew members were all humans. Except for Ishta who was a Lycanthrope, the captain whose name was Kennedy and the two explorers, Johnsen and Lasky. 

Kind sat her EVA suit was hung on the wall next to her, her sword leaned on the wall and she was fiddling with the helmet of her EVA suit, as she did so she wondered idly about her new crew members and what their new mission would be and why none of them had come to see her yet, The Dragon was bought back then she stuck one of her fingers into some exposed circuitry there was a buzzing sound Kind's helmet shocked her, she dropped the helmet. 

'Ow' she looked at her finger, it was undamaged. She picked up the helmet again. 

'Are you ok?' The ships A.I. Dot asked over speakers, in a calm genderless voice. 

'Yes, I'm fine thanks, I found the problem.'

'That is good' the A.I. said, 'would not want a helmet failure in space, your blood would-' 

'Ok thanks Dot I'm good thanks, I know what happens then your exposed to the vacuum of space.' 

'Good' the A.I. said. 

The ship's captain stood in the bridge, not that he was needed there he could command the ship from anywhere. 

'Sir?' came Ishta's voice as she bent almost double to enter the bridge, 'you have a message' 

Her fur today was a cyan with her muzzle a plan white which was her natural colour, her eyes were also a bright blue, but she had at least kept to the standard uniform. Navy blue long sleeve and some custom-made pants for her unique leg structure. 

'Who from?' the captain inquired after he had looked The Wolfess up and down.  

'Wouldn't say, just that he would pay a great deal to have some cargo recovered and he wants to take the message privately.' 

'Alright Ishta, dismissed' he said not unkindly. 

She turned to leave.

'And thanks for keeping to the uniform' 

The giant wolf nodded, 'I'll get Johnsen and Lasky ready.' 

Kennedy nodded, 'very good'  

The top deck of two for flinching had a recreation room, sleeping quarters, gym, cooking area, restrooms, weapons locker, firing range, captains' quarters and the bridge. The hallways and rooms had all been built with lycanthropes in mind, with two-in-one doors, except the bridge. Ishta entered the gym, Johnson was lifting weights. He was the crew's weapons officer, he made sure the weapons were ready to be used at any time, he was also a good shot with them, he had dark brown skin and a wide smile, he smiled too often. The Wolfess nodded to the human. 

'We may have a new mission, so get suited up.' 

'You know you love a man in uniform.'

Ishta threw a weight that was four times what Johnson was lifting, but she wasn't aiming for him, he started laughing she gave him the finger as she walked out. 

'I'm going to piss on all your possessions,' The Lycanthrope said in a sing-song voice.  

She went and found Lasky easily, he was in the rec room sitting on a chair staring out the window, he was tall for a human. Very dexterous and intelligent, he had pale skin and burgundy hair which was always untidy, he also didn't see her coming until she grabbed him from behind and lifted him up. 

He struggled for a few seconds then laughed, 'hey babe' she licked his cheek then sat down putting him in her lap. 

'So, what's up Ishta?' he asked looking up at her and stroking her muzzle. 

'New mission.'

'you know what it is?'

'Nope, but there will probably be a chance to show off your skills at some point.'

Lasky snorted, 'when you say it like that.'

'Oh hey I didn't mean to offend you' Ishta said wrapping her human up in a hug, she adopted childlike voice. 'I'm sowy Wasky, I didn't mean to ofwend you, you know a waf you.'  

Lasky put his head into the crook of Ishta's elbow 'I know' he said, gently scratching The Wolfess under the chin, they sat there for a few minutes just silently gazing into space together, into the infinite void.

'Anyway, should we get ready?' Lasky asked.

'Sure' Ishta said, 'but first there's something up with the crotch part of my suit, I think it's a little tight mind helping me work out the kinks?' 

He shook his head smiling, 'sure, did you accidentally leave your suit in your room again?' 

'Maybe' she said with false innocence.

The captain had been on the bridge for almost an hour so, this must mean it was something big. Johnsen was all suited up and carrying his helmet under his arm decided to go and see the newest member of the crew. It seemed like Ishta had gotten side-tracked. He entered the lift and hit the down button not that he would want to go up anyway, the lift door opened, and he stepped out into the cargo hold the dragon was fiddling with her sword. 

'Something wrong with it?' He asked casually. 

The dragon started in surprise and dropped her sword, then scrambled to pick it up dropped it again, looking a little nervous she let the sword lay where it had fallen. 

'No, nothing wrong with it just making sure it's sharp.'

Johnsen nodded, 'that's good, get suited up we may have a job soon.'

'Cool'

He looked up at Kind, she looked very nervous as she picked up her sword and set it against the wall. 

'We're just scavengers you know, there's not much of a chance we will run into anything serious.' 

Kind looked confused, 'then why hire me?' 

'Well this is a dangerous profession; besides you think anyone's gonna wanna fuck with us if you're around? Also, we will be able to move much more cargo, and there is always the chance that we will run into something dangerous, then we have you to kick its ass.'

Kind nodded 'alright then, I had best get ready.' 

Johnsen agreed, 'we will all come down here for the mission brief.'

'Cool' Kind nodded.  

Another half an hour later everyone was assembled and ready to go, they all wore the same old patchworked slightly suits with bits of armour just stuck on and an EVA pack mounted on the back of the suit. The helmet was basically a tempered glass bowl with armour plating on the back, and a metal connection point where it clicked into the suit. The boots and gloves were magnetic.

But Kind's suit was different, it was more like combat armour with a helmet that was similar to the humans, but the back and sides were armoured like Ishta's. The plates were fitted, painted red and black, she carried a sword, Ishtar was armed with an assault rifle as was Johnsen. Lasky preferred the shotgun, and everyone had the standard tools for the job plasma cutters, patches for the suit and helmet, plenty of rope, a torch, emergency breach sealer and scanning equipment, Lasky also carried some extra techy stuff for powering up doors and unlocking them and the like. 

The captain cleared his throat. 'Alright so it goes as follows, there's a derelict hulk in the beta garmon system, it's got some loot in it and this man is willing to pay a pretty penny for it the only problem. The first two teams that went in never came out again.'  

'Strange can you get us a map Dot?' Kind asked.  

'Bringing it up now,' came the cool smooth voice. 

A blue holograph came up, projecting from the ceiling. It was a massive haulier or what was left of it, there were no engines, crew quarts or anything else, just the cargo hold.

'All that's all that is left just the main hold' Lasky said examining the map. 'Dot can you zoom in on the entrances?' 

'There is one that is already one open, Ishta might just be able to get through but Kind, honey you're going to have to cut your way in with that pretty sword of yours.' 

'Are you sassing me?' Kind asked amused. 

'She does that sometimes' Ishta replied, also amused. 'It was Kennedy's idea.' 

'I like it' Kind declared. 

'Her' The Captain corrected Kind. 

'Oh sorry,' Kind said 'I don't I didn't-' 

'Its fine' dot said, 'but we're getting off-topic so, captain, what's the plan?'  

'We don't know what's in there, so I'll be running command with Dot.'

'It's my job to keep you alive' the A.I. said.

'Thank you in advance' Johnson replied, smiling his wide smile. 

'So, this is the plan' Kennedy pointed to parts of the hologram, 'Ishta you and Lasky get in first, Johnsen you watch their backs make sure nothing sneaks up on them and Kind. Stand by for extraction we don't know what it is or how big. But for two million units, it's got to be something good.' 

Johnson slapped his knee, 'well hot damn that a lotta money.' 

'So, we doing it?' The Dragon asked. 

'Sure seems that way' Ishta smiled. 

'Alright' Kennedy looked over at the speaker the A.I.s voice came from, 'Dot what do you think?' 

'Sure thing babe, jumping in three,

'Two.'

'One.' 

'It should take proximity an hour to reach our destination.'

'Alright,' The Wolfess looked up at The Dragon, 'wanna help me make sure everything here is secure, so we don't lose anything? Just in case.' 

'Sure' Kind said standing and mag locking her sword to her back, she clipped her helmet to her waist, the hold was separated into three isles, each was made up of crates and bits and bobs stacked haphazardly in and around the shelves. Most were almost as tall as Kind some of the crates were as big as her head, some as small as her finger. They both went through each aisle, checking and rechecking making sure everything was secure. 

'So' Kind smiled, 'sounds like you and Lasky were having fun.' 

Ishta blushed 'so you heard, I'm sorry.' 

'Oh no it's fine' Kind stood on the tips of her toes tugging on a strap to make sure it was secure, 'Your kinda cute.' 

'Aww, thanks' Ishta said, 'and for not judging me.' 

They were in the middle of the third aisle Kind stopped and looked down at her, brow furrowed 'why would I?'

'Some people have a bit of a what the actual reaction to like a Lycanthrope dating a human, and also you know.. doing the thing.' 

Kind 'shrugged doesn't bother me, but what I would like to know is how did this whole thing start?'  

'Honestly, this job is not exactly safe, and well you know enjoy it while you're alive. That's how Lasky and I started.' 

'So, you just did it because life is short?'

'Well, that and my humongous tits.' 

Kind snorted, amused. 'But then you guys just realized that maybe, you actually had feelings for each other?' 

'Something like that, we have been at this job and each other for three years now, I think it would be hard not to fall for someone like him, he's just so nice and nerdy.'

'Wow.'

'So, what about you?' Ishta asked, returning to their job, 'you have anyone special at all?' 

'Me?' Kind said, 'no I have had a lot of offers, it seems humans, bipeds and Lycanthropes are just as interested in me as any other dragon, but no, it's not for me I'm just not up for it.' 

'What!' The Wolfess seemed incredulous. 

'No Ishta' Kind snorted with a faint smile, 'I have never done anything with anyone before.' 

'Have you ever touched anyone anywhere?'

'No Ishta I have not.'  

'Another man's chest?' 

'No.' 

'Thigh?' 

'No.' 

'Have you ever even kissed someone?' 

'No means no' Kind was smiling now, stifling a giggle.

'Have you ever felt another woman anywhere?' Ishta sounded almost desperate. 

'No' Kind said laughing, 'I have not, now could we please get back to work?' 

The Wolfess shrugged, 'your loss.' 

'No you overgrown hound' Kind gave a long, exaggerated sigh, 'I'm not going to touch your melons' 

Ishta gasped in mock horror 'I will have you know I gave no such implications, but Lasky would not even mind just give 'em a quick squeeze.' 

'No Ishta' Kind said slightly aghast, 'I will not give them a quick squeeze.'  

'Ok, but you are missing out.' 

Kind nudged Ishta playfully with her foot, 'behave yourself, woman.' 

'No' she said firmly. 

And then they both got back to their jobs and once they were done Ishta asked if Kind was hungry, which she was, so she said she would be back soon with something edible. Kind was once again alone with her thoughts. It almost made her sad she cherished the moments with others, she enjoyed them. But she was a dragon, and in the end, they were always left on their own.

lycanthropes at least had a similar life span. Dragon's lived for too long she would outlive this crew this ship and far beyond, Kind had liked a human once, but he was there and then he was gone. Their lives were so fleeting and she was so damn big, she could not fit anywhere except the cargo hold and no one would go out of their way to sleep in here she may eat with friends, but she would always be alone in the end.

Kennedy stood on the bridge watching the multi-coloured lights stream by the widows. 

'Captain?' Dot said over speakers. 

'Yes,' he asked, 'what's going on Dot?' 

'I have detected high levels of stress in Kind.' 

'What's wrong?' Kennedy asked. 

'Uncertain, but I can confirm that she is sad.' 

'What is everyone doing right now?' Kennedy asked 

'Johnson and Lasky are playing a game of pool, Lasky is winning Ishta is cooking up food for Kind.' 

'Once she is done get everyone down into the hold, I think our new member needs to know that and feel like she is part of the crew.'  

'Understood sir, confetti ready to go on your command.' 

'Good.'

'Fuck you' Johnson said as he sunk the white ball again.  

'What me or the ball?' Lasky asked stifling a grin, they were standing at opposite ends of a pool table ques in hand.  

Johnson laughed, 'well, I think you know the answer to that.'

Dot's voice came over the speakers, 'both of you down to the hold.' 

Johnson leaned his cue on the edge of the table 'c'mon Lasky lets go.' 

Lasky straightened up and followed Johnson out.

They came out of the rec room at the same time as Ishta exited the cooking room further down the hallway, she had had a massive tray laden with food, which was saying something as the tray was lycanthrope sized. 

'What you got there?' Lasky asked. 

'Food for our new friend' Ishta grunted as she hefted the tray and started to walk down the hallway.

'I'll get the door,' Johnson said. 

He jogged down the corridor and had to jump to hit the button to open the Lycanthrope sized door Lasky fell into step beside Ishta. 

'Thanks, Johnson' The Wolfess grunted as she and Lasky stepped into the elevator, the doors closed, and they descended.

Kennedy was waiting for them as was Kind, not that she could be anywhere else. She was sitting in her little corner with her legs crossed Kennedy was speaking. 

'...then we build you a workstation and run it along here, what do you think?' 

The Dragon looked equally confused and excited, 'well yes, I would love that usually when I do a job I'm just there to kick someone's ass.' 

'well we like to do things differently here' Ishta smiled.

Kind looked at them all standing there in front of her Ishta, with the tray of food Johnson, smiling Lasky, attempting to help The Wolfess carry the tray and the captain of this ship Kennedy, who was going to make her a place on the ship. Going out of his way to make her feel at home, and her heart swelled as she looked down at them all she felt tears again, but there were happy tears, she swept them all into a very sudden hug Ishta yelped in surprise and everyone exclaimed as well as she pressed all of them into her chest at the same time. 

'Friendship hug' she said, nuzzling each of her new friends in turn, then setting them down slowly and carefully. 'Sorry' she looked a little embarrassed.  

Ishta gasped in dismay looking at the scattered food, 'oh on Kind I'm sorry.' 

'No, no that was my fault' The Dragon bent down and scooping up the spilled food 

'Ew' Ishta exclaimed, 'don't eat that.'  

'Yea' Johnson said 'you don't know what's been-' 

Kind shrugged and ate the food tilting her head back and letting the food fall into her open jaws, she chewed for a second. 

'Wow, Ishta you do know how to cook, that was good, much better than the garbage that I usually get.' 

'Must have been the best damn floor food you made so far' Lasky said nudging Ishta.  

She smiled sardonically down at Lasky bumping him with her hip 'thanks, babe.' 

Dot came in over the speakers, 'arriving at our destination in five seconds.' 

'Alright everyone, get suited and booted up' Kennedy said now with a commanding note in his voice, 'we will be in position in five. Final gear check now if you have any complaints tell Dot five minutes ago.' 

'Sir yes sir' everyone said. 

Johnson looked up, it was go time. What they were about to do could be dangerous, and gone was the nervous Dragon, she had been replaced as she checked the seals on her suit and helmet making sure everything worked, methodically checking everything and then standing by the door. Ready to go only her tail gave her away. It was twitching, but she looked ready, they all slid their helmets on clicking them into place. 

'Alright everyone, sixty seconds, jump on.' Kind bent down on one knee extending a hand, everyone jumped on without hesitation she curled her fingers slightly, and with her free hand hit the release and stepped into the airlock there was a hiss. 

Dots voice came in through the speakers in their helmets 'Depressurisation complete, airlock release in.'

'Five.'

'Four.'

'Three.'

'Two.'

'One.' 

There was a click and the doors opened and Kind slowly drifted out, it was like being underwater but there was no sound. It was peaceful, beautiful out in space it expanded out indefinitely in all directions. But it was also dangerous. She could feel them, the other members of her team in her hand. Holding onto her gloved fingers. 

'Dot' Kind said, 'map the quickest path bring it up on my HUD.' In the middle of her HUD, a set of lines appeared in the centre of her HUD, in the upper right was her EVA pack fuel, under the oxygen. On the left heart rate and suit integrity. Down the bottom, the rest of her crew's statuses. 

'Adjusting cause' Kind activated her EVA pack.

They moved slowly towards the drifting hulk using inertia to conserve fuel, the hulk was massive even with only its main cargo hold in a degrading orbit of a planet. Space was as beautiful as it was deadly the stars were around them expanding out. They could see a nebula in the distance, it seemed to shine all the colours of the rainbow. 

As they drew closer to the drifting hulk Kind began to decelerate using her EVA pack, she grabbed onto the edge of the hulk swing herself into the shelter of the entrance to the cargo hold, It looked like the ship had been torn apart from the inside, jagged edges pointing out from the eviscerated decks.

Kind turned her headlight on, the door had already been sliced open, however, the last team to come thought blew the airlock. So, once they exited the ship would decompress and either be sent spinning into the void or into the planet below. 

Kind lowered her hand to the entrance, 'this is you jump off point I'll seal it behind, call me if you need me.' 

'Alright' Kennedy said over comms, 'mission is a go everyone let's keep it tight.' 

Ishta went first weapon up she checked the airlock, which was just big enough for her. 

'Clear.'

Lasky went next then Johnson, one they were all in the airlock Kind ripped a piece of metal off the hull and using her plasma torch sealed it, she felt nervous she had only known them for a short time but already she wanted to protect them. She couldn't do that from out here, all she could do was wait and listen, Kind pushed off and using her EVA pack swing around and mag locked herself to the frozen outer hull. 

Lasky powered up airlock and it pressurised, the door clicked, and it opened with a whoosh, they all floated into the room sticking together, Ishta out front Lasky behind her, then Johnson watching their rear. 

'It's pitch black' Ishta growled, 'can't see shit even with lights at max.'  

'That's not good,' Kind was worried, in a massive cargo hold like this, things tended to fly about.

Then they heard the chuckle, 'well, well, well my next meal has arrived.' 

'Get the fuck out of there' Kind shouted. 

'I had the same thought' Johnson was looking around, worried. 

Then the black in front of Ishta moved, she boosted back, slamming into Lasky and Johnson they heard a growl as the dragon lashed out but missed. 

'Stupid mutt' the black dragon growled. 

A fist descended seemingly out of nowhere and slammed into Ishta, she let out a pained yelp and hit the metal deck and stopped moving. 

'ISHTA' Lasky screamed. 

'I'm coming in' Kind said 

'No' Johnson grunted with the effort of restraining Lasky as he boosted back, 'if you breach the hull you might kill us all.'  

'He's right the hulk is pressurised and Ishta's suit has been breached' Kennedy said.

'Well, a fat lot of good I am out here' Kind growled.

'Oh, this one is pretty' the voice came again, mocking Lasky and Johnson. Suddenly the lights turned on, Ishta was pinned beneath the black dragon's foot. 'What am it do with you three?' she asked still mocking as she increased the pressure on The Wolfess. 

Kind switched to Lasky's view, he was fighting to get free of Johnson, they were at eye level with the other dragon, there was nothing else in the hold. Johnson was slowly pulling Lasky back.

'Damn that man' Kennedy said, 'the objective was the fucking dragon.' 

'She can't take much more of this.' Dot's voice chimed in.

Johnson was restraining Lasky trying to get him to the airlock, Kind was trapped outside unable to help, there was no way she could help. Nothing she could do, Kind closed her eyes, think, just think, there has to be a way out somewhere, somehow. 

'Get a fucking grip now' Kind almost snarled at Lasky. 'Dot, tether to the ship, keep that hulk steady.' 

'But' Kind Kennedy said. 

'Just to it' she snarled, 'now' she hated being snappy and aggressive. But she needed to get everyone out now they needed to listen to her.

'Firing tethers now' Dot said, still calm, always calm.

Johnson was still struggling with Lasky, 'dam it Lasky' he said, 'if we don't go, we all die we need to grab onto something.'  

'LASKY YOU ARE PUTTING EVERYONE AT RISK GET A GRIP NOW' she roared over a private link. 

Lasky, at the sound of Kind's harsh voice, seemed to snap out of it. 

The Black Dragon just watched amused, 'you can't deny the love there, but you can't save her.' she raised her foot.  

Kind buried her sword into the hull and sliced up, the other dragon turned Lasky and Johnson hit the deck just in time, as the breach exploded out tearing a massive hole in the side of the ship. The other Dragon along with Ishta was sucked out into the void The Black Dragon struggled wide-eyed with fear and pain as her lungs exploded. She grabbed onto the side of the breach. Kind slammed into the black scaled Dragon, she was sent spinning into the void, then Then Kind caught Ishta's unconscious form as she came flying out of the breach and just for a second watched the black dragon as her blood boiled and her body froze.

Aborwrath let out a silent scream of pure agony as she froze and boiled at the same time, her lungs exploded, her eyes froze over as her body spun through the void. 

There was a crack in the Ishta's helmet, there wasn't time to patch it as the crack began to spread, Kind could not get back to the ship in time, The Green Dragon closed her hand around The Wolfess and breathed out closing her eyes, she took her helmet off and threw Ishta into it, then slammed her helmet back on breathing in slowly. 

'Ho-ly shit' Johnson said emerging from the breach, 'you just saved our asses.' 

Kind just nodded acutely aware of the lycanthrope drifting in her helmet, she reached out and grabbed the humans, 'let's go home.'

They made it back with no further incident, Lasky did not speak he just kept his eyes on Ishta. Once the boarded “two for flinching" and the airlock pressurised Kind took her helmet off and cradled The Wolfess. The two humans looking up at them both concerned. Then the door opened, Kennedy had set up an improvised medical area, Kind gently lowered Ishta into the bed. Lasky hooked her up. 

Dot's voice came over the speakers, 'she will be fine just a concussion and some bruises surprisingly, she will be up and about in a few hours' 

Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief, all getting out of there EVA suits. Then they just sat and waited, there was not much talking. Lasky sat next to The Wolfess's bed holding her hand. At least his hand in her palm, holding onto the rough but smooth pad. Eventually Kind spoke.

'Lasky, I'm sorry I yelled at you.' 

'No' Lasky sounded dejected, 'I should have kept my cool, I should be thanking you. You saved all of us, you exposed yourself to the hard vacuum of space.' 

'Yes,' Johnson agreed, 'thank you for saving us, we should do that again sometime.' 

'Maybe not' Ishta sat up, rubbing her head that 'kinda hurt.' 

Everyone laughed, mostly out of relief, Lasky jumped up and kissed Ishta full on the lips. She wrapped him up in a tight hug, making a soft warbling noise.

'So, what now?' Kind asked. 

'I say we find the son-of-a-bitch that sent us in the suicide mission.' Ishta snarled, then she went back to her gentle warbling.

'Agreed' everyone nodded. 

Ishta got out of her bed and sat cross-legged, putting Lasky in her lap, the others sat around them Kind moved in s little closer. 

So, how do we go about this?' Kind asked. 

'Well, Ishta smiled nuzzling to top of Lasky's head, 'I'll make dinner Johnson can help me with that, and maybe Lasky, Dot and Kennedy can try and trace the signal.' 

Dot spoke up, 'that will take time, you will have to wait until tomorrow.'

'Seems like a plan' Kind said, 'but what will I do?' 

'Think hard' Kennedy said, 'this was targeted someone wanted us to go missing. We can talk about it tomorrow.'

'Dinner in half an hour' Ishta stood, placing Lasky on the ground, kissing him on the forehead.

Dragon friend- 1 day later

They were all sat on the deck, except Kind who was leaning on her workstation. 

'So, what do we know about the guy?' Kennedy asked. 

'Well, what do we know about this guy Captain,' Lasky said. 'Is that you received a message from him.' 

'I only got the silhouette,' Kennedy grimmest, 'and Dot could only narrow it down to the Sol or Alpha Centauri systems.' 

'Well, that's better than nothing.' Kind looked around at the group, 'anything else?' 

'There hand,' Kennedy said, 'it looked, well, just a bit off.'

Kind stopped for just a second, then she had an oh moment, 'well then, I may have something. There was a guy at a bar this was just before you picked me up. I messed up his hand pretty good, and he said he was about to make a lot of money. It would not have been hard to find out what ship I was going on, but that begs the question of why?' 

'Well, what do you mean?' Ishta asked, 'Why what?'  

'Why send us there? Why send others? what's the point? Why did I say he was going to make-' Kind seemed almost to be speaking to herself. 

'Dot?' Lasky asked, 'were there any other ships in the area, derelict or not?'  

'Negative.'

It dawned on them all at the same time, there was a collective gasp 'kill the crew, take the ship' they all said.'

'Right' Johnson said, 'the Dragon kills the boarding team she calls in another ship to board the ship sent to scavenge. Then they can sell the ship.' 

'And he had a vendetta against me too, so it's two birds with one stone. I know where we need to go' Kind exclaimed

Johnson saw it again, that change. Her face changed, the playful glimmer replaced with something else she stood.

'Dot' She said, 'set course for the space station you picked me up.' 

'What are you going to do?' Kennedy asked. 

Kind stood and picked up her sword, 'kick his ass again.' 

Kind strapped her scabbard on, sheathing her sword. Then pulled her poncho over it. 'That fucker chose the wrong crew to screw around with' 

She went over to her workstation which was an organised mess, tools everywhere there was also just stuff metal, cloth, tools, if you could name it, it was on Kind's workbench somewhere. The Dragon picked out one of the projects she had been working on, putting it in one of her many pockets. 

'Lasky Johnson suit up, I'm going to need you for this one' 

Kind didn't turn around as she said this, she seemed almost angry as she checked to make sure she had everything. Then last but not least the strapped the knife in it's sheath to her arm, she turned. Lasky, Johnson and Ishta stood on her workbench, in about the only space covered by stuff. They were all ready.

The elevator that was attached to the side of the Dragon's bench reached its apex and Kennedy stepped out 'I'll stay with Ishta' he smiled

'Like hell, you will,' Ishta sounded almost indigent, 'I'm coming with.'

'No, he will know something is up if I bring a Lycanthrope with me, they can actually do some damage.' 

'Hey now,' Lasky looked up at Kind 'we're not that useless you know.' 

'I know, I know but it needs to seem like I'm in a weaker position, he probably doesn't know that we know that it was him, probably, hopefully.'

'Alright then' Johnson said, 'you got some cool tactical shit, what do we get?' 

'You can bring you,'

Ishta looked like she was going to say something, 'I'll keep them safe ok' Kind crouched down so she as at eye level with the Wolfess, 'just trust me ok,' some of the old Kind came back, the fierce protectiveness.

'Arriving in sixty seconds' Dot said. 

Kind put one hand out, 'Lasky Johnson on you get, Ishta, just stand there for a second.' 

After Kind had transferred Johnson and Lasky to her shoulder she poked Ishta in her chest, when The Wolfess looked up at her quizzically The dragon just said, 'ticking things off my bucket list.' 

Then she looked at Kennedy, 'this dragon put the lives of everyone here at risk, now it's time we paid him a visit.' Kennedy just nodded. 

'We have arrived' Dot said.

Kind walked over to the airlock and hit the release, 'wish me luck,' she said, winking at Ishta. 

Ishta waved good luck, 'and if you die, I will find you and make you more dead. Or so help me' 

'Noted' Kind smiled. 

She stepped out into the port, it was just how she remembered it, not that she had been gone long. It was still much too loud, she walked quickly through the hassle and bustle that was the port and almost breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the forest of the outer biosphere. Lasky and Johnson had been uncharacteristically quiet, Kind picked them both up off her shoulder.

'I will protect you ok, that basted won't get his hands on you while I'm here alright?' she said fiercely. 

They both nodded 'remind me not to get on your bad side' Lasky said, 'coz right now even though your you're on my side you kinda scaring me.' 

'What do you mean?' Kind asked.

'I mean just that look in your eye, it's like a different person it's still you, loyal and protective and just a nice person, but like it's different '

'The side effect of living a long time' Kind said, 'it's like there's two of me. One the cares and one that protects. They can overlap and they do but if there's one lesson I can give its don't fuck a Dragon, and do not ever fuck with a Dragon's friends.' 

'Noted' Johnson grinned. 

They had reached the town; it was still the same ramshackle place. But it had charm, Kind spied the gazelle the sold shiny rocks 

'You came back,' he said. 

'I did' Kind replied, 'I have something to take care first, give me ten minutes' 

'I've got all day' the stall owner laughed, ' so, who are your friends?' 

'Oh, my new crew members' she said, 'I lost a bet, drinks are on me.'  

The gazelle laughed again, 'well have fun.' 

Kind nodded and strode into the centre of town, straight into the bar not looking around, she sat at the bar nodding at the bartender. 

'One each for those two' she said putting them on the bench, 'and one for me, something strong.' there was an odd note in her voice, something between anger and tension. 

A biped cow came over and served Lasky and Johnson, she was a full head taller than them, then the bartender handed Kind her a drink she placed on the bench, then she placed her arms on the table interweaving her fingers. Putting her arms between them and everyone else, only then did she look around, the bar was not populated at this time. 

Kind reached into one of her belt pouches and flicked two coins to the bartender, 'how's my friend doing?' she asked, in a very light casual tone. 

'Oh, he's fine, his hand is healing well, he seems to think your very dead though.' 

'The rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated.'  

'Dam straight' Johnson grinned. 

'Yea, Lasky said, 'maybe that little fuckwit should check the facts before he starts vomiting words of his mouth.' 

The bartender looked approvingly down at the two humans, 'I like these two, I'll keep them safe for free.' 

Kind looked down at Lasky and Johnson, 'you two are earning your keep' she said, in a tone of exaggerated approval, The Dragon picked up her drink and took a long drought, and set it down. The door banged open, she looked up. 

'Serious, long time no see' Kind gave a mocking grin. 

He stopped mid-step he looked shocked, his arrogance and casual swagger left him, but only for a moment 

'Come, sit down' Kind said as if she hadn't a care in the world.

Then three of Serious's friends entered all of them there big and burly, wearing the same ragtag uniform.

'So, you chicken out?' Serious asked in a mocking tone, then he saw Lasky and Johnson, 'and you got new toys. I'm going to enjoy breaking them.' 

'Touch them I'll break you' Kind growled, moving her arms back into a protective stance. 

'Still feisty' he said, 'can I touch one?' 

He nodded to one of his friends. It all happened very quickly Kind was on her feet with her knife in hand, she kicked over the stool that Serious was sitting on. He fell into one of his other friends, Then Kinds fist slammed into a dragon stomach. He bent over double she stabbed her knife into the base of his neck. The other one came at her she was around Kind's height and was only armed with a shiv. Kind jumped back and drew her sword The Dragon armed with the shiv seemed to be second-guessing her decision, then Serious and other his buddy backed her up with a bar stool each. 

'You wanna dance?' Serious asked. 

'I didn't come here to talk Kind snarled. 'You tried to kill me, you tried to kill my crew, my friends, I didn't chicken out whoever was on the hulk, she's dead adrift in space. Wondering why you haven't got a call from her.' 

'You basted' Serious shrieked, 'you killed my girlfriend, you were the last ones. Then would have enough to retire.' 

'Unfortunate' Kind said, very unkindly. 

Serious and his friends charged the shiv dragon in the middle, Kind ducked the first stool and disembowelled Serious's friend with her sword he screamed as she opened up his belly blood flowed freely as he tried to hold in his guts he fell. 

Then the shiv guy got to close, got under her guard. When it went in it so her side hurt like hell than before Serious's buddy could pull her shiv out Kind's elbow slammed into her nose, she staggered back then a bar stool hit the side of Kind's head. 

Lasky and Johnson cried out but the bartender put an arm in front of them he shook his head, 'I'll see you back to your ship if this goes wrong, but don't get involved, they will crush you ok?' 

They both nodded and winced as Kind cried out in pain, she had dropped her sword there was blood running down the side of her face, she was on her knees the shiv logged in her side. Serious stood over her, with his last friend, he looked furious. 

'You took her from me, she was everything to me.' 

Kind smiled and stood slowly backing up, 'you wanna know the difference between me you.' 

'What' Serious spat. 

'I don't lie to myself.' 

Serious roared, he and his friend ran at her.  

Lasky almost could not bring himself to watch, Johnson put a hand on Lasky's shoulder and looked up at the bartender, who glanced down at them. 

'It may be time to leave,' he said. 

then Lasky saw it something in Kind's hand, 'Hold on' he said, 'look.'

The Green Dragon pulled out the shiv from her side then stabbed Serous's friend in the shoulder, she kicked the other dragon's the knee, spinning to avoid Serious, she pulled three throwing knives out, one went into the other Dragon's eye, and the other two into Serious when he came around, they staged him but he kept coming. Kind rolled to avoid him stabbing his leg as she did so with his friend's shiv, she came up, standing. She stabbed something cylindrical into Serious's stomach as he turned around. He staggered back she headbutted him, he fell back writhing on the ground, his eyes bulged, his mouth opened, and closed and he spasmed there were sickening cracks as his body began to deform, and mashed blood organs and bone started leaking out of his orifices. Broken bone fragments could be seen moving through his body some of them pierced his skin. 

'Always wondered what would happen if you put emergency breach sealer in someone,' Kind picked up her knife and sword and she stabbed it straight Serious's friend's chest, pinning her to the floor. 

Kind walked to the bar and drained the remainder of her drink, she nodded to the bartender 

'Keep the sword' and handed over several gold coins, 'Sorry about the mess' she used her poncho to wipe away the blood on her face and then pulled out a medkit for the shiv wound, patching herself up.

'You too' she said to Lasky and Johnson holding out her hand, 'let's go.'

The other patrons looked on in awe at Kind and the two humans as she picked them up.

'Well, that was impressive' a zebra said then she turned and hugged her Labrador partner, 'told you this would be worth it.' 

Lasky and Johnson both jumped on and she nuzzled them, 'sorry about that, I didn't want you to see that side of me but there was no way in hell I was letting him live after what he did.'

'That was fucking cool' Johnson grinned.

'I'm glad you thought so' Kind said. 

Lasky patted her hand, 'thanks for keeping us safe.' 

Kind held them close to her chest on the walk back, they did not talk much, apart from when they stopped to each pick a shiny rock. 

They got back to the ship Ishta eagerly awaited them, as did Kennedy, but Kind was tired. She put Lasky and Johnson down, the former was immediately swept up in a hug from the awaiting Wolfess, but the Dragon went over to her workstation, pulled out her bed. And collapsed into it, falling asleep. 

When she woke up the ship was silent 'Dot?' Kind whispered 

Dot's voice came over the speakers, 'everyone is asleep, I would recommend you go back to sleep.'

'Huh' Kind said. 

She got up and took off her clothes, they were dirty, blood-stained and smelled of sweat, she folded them and put them under her workbench, she then put a note of her workbench about washing them. 

Her face hurt as did her side. Kind turned the lights on and pulled out a mirror from under her a hunk of metal, getting hit with a bar stool hurt and the left side of her face was swollen, but the cut itself was healing well, Kind looked down at her side twisting slightly. It was a content throbbing pain she ran a hand over this shive wound. That was going to scar, Kind rummaged in her draws of a moment looking for some disinfectant then she found it, she applied some to the wound then got back into bed wrapping her tail around her legs and pulling the sheets over herself. She fell straight back to sleep.

She woke up to the smell of roasting avian. Kind opened her eyes they were all eating breakfast sitting on her workbench they had bought in one long table and chairs and they were just having breakfast. Kind's heart swelled, she felt a rush of joy sitting up. 

'Morning everyone' she sang, everyone averted their eyes. Except for Ishta Who said, 'hot. Dam. Son.' 

Then Kind remembered that she wasn't wearing anything, she pulled the sheet up to protect her modesty. 'Sorry guys' she said blushing, 'did not mean the flash you all.' 

'I didn't mind' Ishta grinned a mouth full of potato, 'you can do it any time.' 

'Everyone knows you didn't mind' Lasky said, with good humour. 

Everyone laughed, Ishta playfully threw an egg at him. 

'So, what's on the menu?' Kind asked as everyone returned to eating. 

Ishta now had a mouthful of sausage and so just pointed at the tray laden with food.

Kind counted three whole cows, a large serving of eggs, and coffee She sat and ate with everyone else, and for once even with her differences, she felt like she belonged somewhere. Kind pushed in her bed and sat with her head level with the breakfast table, they all talked and joked together.

My new crew, my new friends, now I think it's time I just live in the moment Kind thought to herself as she sat there cross-legged, eating with everyone, then she decided to seal the deal. Gently one by one picked all of them up, first hugging and nuzzling them in turn.

First Johnson, who hugged her back when she bent down to nuzzle him, then Lasky, interrupting him and Ishta, he tried her hug her back it felt like he was t-posing in the middle of her chest, he had more success hugging her muzzle after him Kennedy, who gave her a nod when she set him down and finally Ishta she was much better at hugging Kind, and she put a little extra in as well. Kind did not miss this when she bent down, she narrowed her eyes but was unable to take the smile on her face. They nuzzled each other and The Wolfess licked Kind's muzzle. Then confetti shot out of the ceiling and Kind sneezed, almost dropping Ishta. 

'Thanks, Dot' Kind grinned.