Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

"Well," Nova said. "if that's the case, then let's pick up the pace! Shit, I'm tired of wastin' time in this maze-time I could be stovin' those bastards' heads in!"

When they arrived where Elesis was, she was still fast asleep. Aurora and Dart, however, had started to squirm. Aurélie went to them automatically, stroking their heads gently. "Mes enfants," she cooed.

Trip hugged Cross's leg.

His visor depolarizing, Cross knelt down to Trip's level, smiled at him. "I told you I'd see you before I left."

Meanwhile Nova stood over Elesis, shook her vigorously. "Wake up, ya lazy fool!"

He hugged the echidna, cuddling close. "Bring Mom back safe, okay?"

"I will. And when I come back, we'll be one happy family, as it should be."

"Mush alert!" Sol taunted, to which Cross rolled his eyes.

Elesis awoke grumbling. "Jeez. A little bit of sleep is all I ask, yet you disturb me on top of dumping those bra-" She stopped, catching Nova's piercing gaze, sighed. "Look, everything was fine, okay? They were sound asleep, so I decided to take a nap. Is that so wrong?"

"So... you'll be like... like a dad?"

Aurélie sighed, lifting her son and placing a gentle kiss on his brow. "Elesis, if they are anything less than perfect when we get back, you will be much much less than perfect." Her voice was deceptively mild.

"I was hoping I would be a dad, if it's okay with you."

Elesis was immediately sweating. "D-d-don't worry! I've got this handled! I-I mean, I've done all right with Yue! Ask Sol and Mani-they haven't had problems with her, after she was in my care, none at all!"

Trip blinked, staring at Cross with wide eyes for a long moment. Then he tackled the echidna, hugging him close. "Yes! Please be my dad!"

"Bonne."

Katherine smirked, looking over at Cross and mimed taking a picture. "Adorable."

He laughed, surprised at the kit's sudden burst of energy and strength, held him close as well. "Take it easy, Trip! I still have to get your mom's okay, all right?"

"You heard her, kiddo," Nova said coolly, smirking all the while. "Defile that, and you probably won't get the chance to hear from me."

"Okay! Okay! I get it! Eternal vigilance! I will keep a trained eye on them. They will be just as perfect as you left them. Promise!"

Sol cleared his throat, appearing at the door, rifle shouldered on his back. "Let's get this show on the road."

Trip snuggled close, purring. "Okay."

Aurélie smiled, nuzzling her son. "Mm... We shall see."

Cross smiled warmly. "I'll see you when we get back, with Star."

"Don't worry, ma'am! You can count on me!" Elesis turned to Nova, who was nuzzling Aurora, who was cradled in his arms. "Please, make a bet with me..."

Nova rolled his eyes. "400 grand. That should cover any 'damages' you incur."

"Done!" They shook hands.

Trip smiled. "Okay."

Aurélie laughed softly. "It is good to know that they will be fine."

Sunny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, sappy sappy, love love. Can we go get my best damn friend now?"

Cross broke the embrace, standing to his full height. "Time for me to go."

"Gladly." He kissed Aurora on the forehead, set her gently back in the makeshift crib. "Let's do this."

Yue gave her father one last hug. "Make sure you both come back, okay Papa?"

"You got it, kiddo." He stood, his gaze becoming instantly serious. "Let's go."

The kit nodded. "Bring Mom back safe."

Aurélie settled the pup next to his sister, sighing. "We'll be back soon, mes enfants."

"I will." With that, he stepped out the door, along with Sol.

"You guys take care, all right?" Nova said.

"No problem!" Elesis said, trying to look as confident as possible.

"You can count on us!" Yue said, easily confident.

With a nod, he moved for the door. "Let's get this over with."

Aurélie smiled, following after. "Au revoir."

"Fucking finally!" Sunny cheered.

Trip just smiled, tails flicking out behind him.

It didn't take the group much longer to reach the designated pad, where Mani and Kane were waiting patiently. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Cross apologized.

"No problem," Mani said. "Are we all ready?"

"As much as we'll ever be," Sol said.

"Bonne," Kane said, nodding. "If there is nothing else, let's get started."

Aurélie nodded. "We will 'ave to pick up Briggs on the way."

*

Trip sighed, feeling nervous again.

Damien walked jogged back over to the pad, he had been chatting with the crews of a pair of vultures two pads over, the massive ships pretty much dwarfing everything else there. "Alright, looks like the gang's all here." He stated with a chuckle as he walked up to the stealth variant pelican. "Let's not delay this any longer than we already have, eh?" He walked in as the engines turned on.

"Best thing I heard all day!" Sol said, jumping on, the others following close behind.

*

Yue smiled. "Aren't our folks the coolest?" she said.

"Yeah," Elesis responded, sighing. "When they're not breathing down your neck, at least."

"Aw, cheer up, Auntie Elesis! I'm sure you'll do just fine. After all, you got Trip and me to help out!"

Aurélie and Sunny followed, the latter grinning widely. "Dude, this shit's pretty awesome when you're not on a stretcher!"

*

The kit looked over, nodded. "Yeah..."

"Agreed," Sol said, grinning. "Spendin' four hours give or take on the floor of a ship was not cool!"

*

Elesis smiled. "Y'know, you sure know how to bring a girl's mood back up."

"It's what I do!" she said, grinning widely.

Sunny snickered. "Least I got a stretcher."

*

Trip smiled shyly, scooting over to the crib to look at the babies. They really were small...

Damien chuckled as he gestured towards the vultures, "They'll be supporting us along with two squadrons of hawks and three sparton sniper units." As he spoke, the hatch shut, but one could get a glimpse of the spartons as they loaded into other stealth variant pelicans. It wasn't long before the ships took off and cloaked, heading to their destination.