Market Forces

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

"Your sure this will work Minnie?" the young male bobcat asked as he hurried behind his partner. He looked around them, his ragged leather jacket flopping over a too fat belly.

"Yeah, should" the pantheress replied as she stopped, holding out one hand. "Dames ah Empath, her partners dead ta tha world tho. No prob. Yah know I'm blank ta empaths."

"But a Galactic Patrol Officer..."

"Yeah, sweetmea" the female giggled. "Make ah great bit oh bait fer Mark Ton's replacement."

"Nevarr? Your crazy. We'll both end up on the bidding block if you crew with that Squirrel. He's loco in the Cabasa."

"Uh huh, but hunger fer fem-flesh fer his meat market. He'll buy 'er, and we'll sell tha infermation tah her partner. Money money money... Ah, here she comes..." 'An vengeance fer mah husband' she finished to herself as she drew a wicked looking blade.

Kena never glanced up as the Patrol Officer left. "Upset your refusal he is" she commented innocently to Terry as he watched James Wildland walk down the gangplank. "Crazy thinks he you are. Right maybe he could be."

Terry Hatcher looked down at the tiny woman sitting next to the starships open hatch. She seemed so helpless, so easy to ignore. This had proven more than one thieves mistake. But Kena liked the position. Obviously property of the ship, anyone looking at her couldn't miss the golden collar around her white furred neck, she could watch the universe walk by without worry about being bothered. She was already owned, and very obviously the ships well loved pet. "You think we should have taken the job? Why?"

"Deaths too many already. Darkness one day must we fight the... " She stopped, carefully closing her book. "Terry..." she started, knowing how hard it was for him to understand her. "Darkness... I... Can... Kill... It.." she said carefully, saying each word slowly, fighting for clarity. It left her dizzy, her brain wasn't meant to work in such a straight forward way and it confused her to do so. She waited for the universe to stop wavering before continuing. "Go maybe it better is then that I alone. Any of you I don't want to in danger put. Know I is a fight But this was I made to fight. Back I my on it can't turn."

Terry nodded, "I think I follow. All right. Let me talk to the girls. If they say okay you can take a leave of absence." He looked out the hatch, just catching the fox's tail vanish around the corner. "You don't happen to have a hunger for his partner now do you?" he asked playfully.

Kena closed her eyes, bringing up an image of the Empath in her mind. Shade Springwalker was a coyote, pretty but nothing compared to Krystal. "No" she replied, dismissing the idea. "Candle Krystal she cannot hold to a."

Terry laughed. Kena always gave an honest answer. That she'd thought about it meant she had taken his question seriously. Something he hadn't really meant. Shaking his head he turned back into the ship. 'No' he thought. "Dammit girl, Krys isn't going to let you wander off alone. Casey owes you her sanity at least. Let you face that alone?' He settled his massive shoulders. It looked like they would be taking that job after all.

Shade felt the pain like a physical blow. Someone had just been stabbed. A vicious attack from the level of pain that washed over her, and close. She drew her service issued hand gun, checked its charge and ran towards the pain.

"Why?" the bobcat asked as he tried to hold his intestines in. "We're partners...."

Licking her blade clean of blood the pantheress absently kicked her late partner on one shoulder. He fell, losing his grip. Tendrils of hot steaming intestine flowed from his torn belly, spilling out on the filthy surface. "Kaus ah need bate tah get her. An she could rea you like ah book." Stepping back into the darkness she listened as her ex-partner took his last breath, and slipped into his own darkness. The patter of feet was already noticeable. "Com on little darlin" she thought. 'Com tah moma.'

Shade spun around the corner. Here the stations lighting wasn't what it should be but the sight before her tested even her iron stomach. She opened her mind, no one. Not even the high metallic taste of an AI machine. Stepping forward she made her first mistake. Letting her weapon drop was her second. Locking her attention on the still warm body before her was her last. The last thing Shade remembered was a scratch of sound, then the universe exploded.

Shade not being home wasn't unusual, still James wished she had been. Maybe she could think of another reason to convince that odd crew to work with them. He wasn't stupid enough to think they'd work FOR him. No, that crew was too good and too sharp to take that position. Not for the first time he wondered who their real boss's were. Running around in a hopped up ship, a slave collar wearing telepath from an unknown race.. And Krystal.. God where were her parents from? He'd paid a lot of attention to the mixed breed. Mainly because just being near her lit his candle with a blowtorch. If Shade ever found out... He chuckled. Hot for a lesbian who’s partner could fry his brain in an instant. 'Yeah James' he thought. 'Lets live on the edge shall we?' He settled down to read the days mail, unaware of his partners danger.

Shade woke to pain, mind numbing pain that started in her head and flowed out her toes. She tried to move, but there wasn't a chance. Her bonds were too good. 'Damn. How?' she thought. Struggling she discovered two things, her bonds only got tighter as she struggled, and she was completely naked. Relaxing she felt her bonds slacken just a little. Enough to promise, but not a chance. Opening her mind she tried to feel her captors mind, only to come up empty handed. 'A blank. Good god no wonder I never felt him. He's a blank. Shit...'

Minnie Brown watched her captives struggles with a smile. Sell this one, leave the other like she'd been left. Alone in the universe. Never to see the one he loved again. She winced at the thought of her husband. He'd died three weeks before release. Died 'of a fall.' Word had gotten to her that 'the fall' was a lie. Her husband had been beaten to death by his guards. And these two were to blame. They'd broken her husbands blackmailing business, they'd put him in that jail. She smiled, letting her teeth show. Ten hours out of the station, an hour to her destination. 'Oh yes little coyote, you're going to learn the hell I live in' she thought to herself.

 "You want what?" Terry asked. James flinched, the black male had nearly screamed that time. "What if it was Casey, or Mimi?" James asked. "Look, I'll pay you. I don't have much but everything I've got is yours."

"Wassup" Krystal asked as she entered the room. Her effect on James was immediate, but subdued. "Yep, boys really in trouble" she told herself as she settled down. It'd been Mimi that had gleefully informed Kena the fox had a thing for her love, and Krystal that had kept the mouse from frying James brain right there. Besides, she liked the fox, and two in her bed wasn't a bad idea. Anyway Kena couldn't give her a child... And both had discovered that was something they wanted.

"Someone kidnaped Shade.. My partner" James explained.

"Uh-huh? Send the fleet after 'em" Krystal commented.

"Its not that easy" Terry interrupted.

"Look, here's the call I got" James snapped. "All I ask is you listen too it. The fleet can't help in time. Shade and I are it for this sector." James triggered the tiny recorders system. Minnie Browns soft voice filled the room.

"Wel wel Spacie Copie. Ah gotz yur pardner. Bah tha time yah ge this Iahl be sellin her sweet lit tail tah one o' dear depart Mark-Ton's rives. 'n ah few weks yah can buy 'er back. Onna meat mark. Enjoy."

"Shit" two voices said as one. "If Kena finds out..." Terry started. "Never mind that" Krystal snapped, "Who is this bitch and where could she go? What's the time span?"

"Seven to twelve hours at most" James admitted. "I can't place it closer than that."

"You tell Mimi" Krystal told Terry, "I'll be on the bridge checking targets. And get Casey to clue in Kena, I'm gonna be too busy to do it myself."

"Its Casey's turn to pilot, I'll tell her" Terry reminded the departing woman. Turning his attention to James he grimaced. "Hope you brought what you needed, we'll lift before you can get anything."

James patted the handgun on his side. "Everything I need is right here."

"Yeah... I think I've got a battle suit that'll fit you. Come on, we have to tell the others."

"Seven Thou. Enough?" the Weasel asked. Minnie picked up the bag. "Perfect. Se yah. Enjoy." Turning to leave she snarled at the weapon leveled on her. Reaching for her own handgun she felt a sharp pain in her back. Still drawing her weapon she managed one shot, neatly drilling one guard as she fell.

"Now two to train. Right Rom?"

The huge armadillo guffawed. "Only women come here meat women. Stupid cow" he replied. Grabbing Minnie's tail he dragged her towards the stairwell.

"Seventeen targets" Krystal reported as they cleared docking. "Nine cleared, too many people. That leaves what? Eight? In a twenty two light year sphere?"

"Start with the close ones" Mimi decided, "Work our way out. Hey Space Patrol, the meters ticking here."

"Bill me" James snapped from a loading bay where Terry was making adjustments to a battle suit. He reached for a glove. "You know having this stuff can get you mindwiped?"

"Yeah" Terry answered as he checked an adjustment. "So?"

"I know where you can get updated equipment. Remind me to tell you when this is over."

"DEAL" Casey yelled over the still open intercom.

Terry looked up, quietly snapping of the circuit. "She's been there James."

"Yeah, Shade told me." He glanced at the adjusted armor as Terry snapped it in place. "Even if we're too late.. You know this is the kind of debt that lasts several lifetimes, right?"

"Compound interest gets you every time" Terry replied, "Now walk. Lets try this again." 

Shade opened one still functioning eye. How long? She couldn't tell. Three days? Four? They just kept working her over, letting the boys feel her out. The pantheress across from her had been their first target. She hung from her chains unmoving. Shade took a painful breath, Minnie had broken earlier that morning. They'd slapped an educational cap on her head an hour ago. 'God' she thought. 'I'm a Galactic Patrol officer. I can't go out like this. What would James think?' She winced, 'Now I know what Casey went through.' The cells door opened with a thump, "Pretty Pretty" a thin voice said. "Your turn." Shade paled as the human walked closer.

"Her have I" Kena announced as they approached their seventh target. Terry and James suddenly felt a wash of coldness pour through their minds. The stations entire layout screamed through their minds, leaving them feeling like they had lived there all their lives.

"Mimi, Kryss. We've got company" Casey yelled.

'Not for long' Terry thought, remembering how Kena worked. Still it'd give them cover. He pulled a lever and the bays hatch started opening. "Remember James. We want the woman on that tape, and a few LIVE prisoners."

The fox stepped forward. "Live? Why?" he asked.

"Because your a law officer. It's your job."

"Oh... Yeah. I guess your right. Live prisoners. After we get Shade someplace safe."

Terry shook his head. James and his partner were a pain. But a pain they were used too. Through the soles of his armored feet he felt TOM CLANCY shudder as the two women opened up on their attackers. 'Targets of opportunity' Mimi'd said. Stepping forward he followed James into space.

Shade whimpered as the remotely operated probe dug through her flesh. She wasn't sure if the probe hurt worse, or the electrical shock it carried. Her body was on fire and she really couldn't remember when they'd started. The human was good, in two hours he'd put the coyote at the edge of collapse. A few touches and she'd go over. Tougher than the pantheress, but not indestructible. Still he hadn't played in a long time. Lowering the probes voltage he aimed for her left lung. A tickle, it'd collapse if he used more. He wasn't paid if they died, only after they broke. But she screamed so sweetly.

Defenders fought with a stubborn madness, a madness that Kena would occasionally reach out and turn against them. But James and Terry mainly fought alone. There were just too many defenders, too many emplacements. Between the six of them they were barely making progress. "Times running out" James yelled, aiming his weapon at a power junction. Fire flashed, something exploded and that section of the station went dead. "Go get her" Terry ordered, "I'll hold the way out." Seconds later he was fighting alone.

                                                                -----

The human frowned. They were under attack. Still that wasn't unusual and it wasn't his job. He closed his eyes, drinking in Shades ragged scream as the probe angled down, heading for her legs. Behind him the cell wall suddenly glowed cherry red, a figure pushed through the weakened armor as a hand reached out. The human barely had time to scream as he was enveloped in cherry red metal. Steam flashed from his body as the armored figure stepped on his metal jacket, collapsing it against him.

Shade felt... Felt something good. The pain had ceased though she could feel the probe still deep in her body, waiting new orders. She never felt James pull her from her chains. Too exhausted from resisting she fell asleep the instant her worst pain ceased.

James slipped his partners nude, ravaged body into the lifepod he'd carried with him. Turning around he spotted the black form hanging limply. His sensors told him she was alive. Hesitantly he brought up his weapon, then dropped in. Seconds later Minnie joined Shade in the life pod. It was time to get out. Exiting the way he'd entered James headed for his partner in crime.

"They've pulled back, were safe now" Casey reported.

Terry looked out CLANCY's forward ports. "Three hundred thousand. Short range fighters can survive way further out than that."

Casey pointed at the silent mouse. "Recall sounded."

Terry settled down, absently holding his broken wrist. "What's she up too?"

Casey bit her lip, "I'm not... Oh God Terry you have to ask? Just watch."

Terry turned his attention to the station. Built to hold six hundred it was a spiderweb of connecting tunnels, pods and hangers. As he watched a section collapsed in on itself. Then another.. and another..... Finally he turned away. "There were slaves in there" he whispered, staring at the mouses strained face.

"Yeah" Casey agreed. "But we couldn't save them. Not this time."

Finally it was over. Where the station had been floated a metallic sphere not much larger than TOM CLANCY was long. Kena's eyes fluttered open. She looked at Terry for a moment, then touched her collar. "Kill" she whispered in a horse voice. "Powerful Kena is too. Destroy. Please?" She waited, staring into Terry's dark eyes, then suddenly passed out against him.

"Powerful... Yeah" Terry admitted. "But I'll be dammed if I'll hurt her."

"Your gonna have too, one day" Casey informed him.

"Huh? Why?"

"Because she wants a baby... And your Krystal's choice." Casey licked her lips. "And she's not compatible with any lifeform in this galaxy."

Terry carefully adjusted Kena's body, taking the strain from his injured wrist. "Then maybe it's time to call the one person who can help her."

Casey grimaced, "Yeah. Maybe. But damn Terry. Do you really want her getting hold of someone like Kena?"

"Got any better ideas?"

"No.... I'll tell Krystal to send the probe. After this mess is cleaned up."

Shade woke in a strange room. She could tell from her bodies signals she was heavily sedated. Turning her head slowly she found her partner sitting next to her. He looked ragged, hadn't had a good brushing in a long time. She wasn't sure, but he probably stank too. "lo?" she managed through her abused throat.

James snapped awake, "Shade? You're awake?" He grabbed her, hugging her tightly.

Even through the drugs she felt some pain. "ow" she managed and he released her almost instantly.

"Sorry. Let me get your doctor."

She watched as he vanished. 'Doctor?" she thought. 'Was the aircar crash that bad?"

In another room Kena stood over Minnie's silent body. "Home not anyone there in to be" she said softy.

Casey whimpered once, then pulled herself together. Here but for the mouse's sacrifice she would be. Just then James entered. "She's awake, come quick."

Mimi nodded, "Be right there." She grabbed James's arm as he turned to leave, pulling a handful of fur free. "Remember. She's been in an air car wreak. Got that? Don't go screwing up Kena's work. Not until she's strong enough to.... oh Shit." Grabbing her jacket she followed the vanishing fox.

"What will you do?" Casey asked.

Kena touched the black furred woman's forehead. "Choices two" the mouse admitted. "Sleep put too. Retrain. Maybe."

Casey walked over, laying her hand over Kena's. "I owe you my life. My sanity. God mouse I owe you my soul. But I'm asking you not to kill her."

Kena couldn't tell the human how much her touch brought peace to the mouse. Casey wasn't one she'd have chosen for a friend. Not normally. But they were bound by circumstances now. "Pet then Casey gets a" she stated. "Leave please." She waited until she was alone. Looking down at the empty face before her she sighed. This was going to have to be very delicately done. At least this time it could be done in stages, she wouldn't have to become one with the panther. But she hadn't lied. Whomever this had been, she would only be able to survive as the pet of someone until she died. Casey was a good woman, she would make a dutiful owner. Drawing on her innerself the mouse began making changes. She'd done this many times, it required little power. Only skill, patience... and a total lack of morals.