Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

The cocker spaniel sighed. "It is simple. We can not kill them because it would be... 'orrible. There is no reason to kill those with families, particularly since most are just acting on orders. They 'ave been trained to do this their entire lives and to break through the training... It is impossible.

"Delegation with long speeches are... useless. This is not a war between countries. These are mercenaries - well-trained ones - following orders. Nova, Crescent, and I are their targets. They will stop at nothing to capture us - nothing but the orders of the Elders."

"Now this is why we 'ave to go in quietly: For the Laroche, to stay home on orders like this means that you are too young or you are newly married or you 'ave children on the way. We do not like to send such people on missions. So going to France... loud, as you say, would result in many deaths that 'ave the potential to lead to plots of revenge. Going in quietly, stealing the Elders away and bringing them together - that will lead to minimal damage."

She had the Tuefel blade in hand suddenly, frowned at it. "This will make them see reason... Or it will destroy them. I will not know until I get there..."

Damien smiled, their reasons were sound. Good. "Well why didn't you say so to begin with? Now I understand your desire for this to be a 'below-the-radar' kind of mission, so to speak. Like you, we have no desire to kill civies or non-combat personel. We are not savages, no matter how much Mani wishes to paint us as." Then he added in an undertone, looking over at Sol, "I expect an explanation for her behavior as well."

Sunny blinked. "You're smarter than you look."

"It is a pity the same cannot be said of you..."

The lab's eyes narrowed, but Star laughed. "That was quick. And this is one hell of a welcome change to what happened yesterday."

Sol sighed, looking over his wife. "Our hometown was destroyed by humans, the entire thing razed to the ground. A bunch of psychotic anti-Mobian radicals. No survivors, save us two, who were elsewhere. But the worst was yet to come. We were experimented on by humans, given no say in the matter, hence our powers... And other things that remain with us. To put it simply, we were treated savagely, solely by humans, until our mid-twenties, when we became mercs, and made respectable names for ourselves."

Aurélie sighed quietly, laying her head on Nova's shoulder. "I did not know it was done by 'umans..."

He nodded, "I understand. Humanity has so many problems with ourselves that the only way to get us united is a common enemy, or at least something besides ourselves to hate. Then again, mobians aren't too different, which is why, while understandable, her prejudice will be responded to with sarcasm, pity, and probably more than one harsh insult."

"I managed to move on, but Mani's struggled with it. She tries not to be prejudice, but she has a short fuse about it. As you noticed, she hates talk of mass destruction, especially when casually thrown about. And she has nothing but contempt for criticism or any otherwise sarcasm. Next to me, she is the most dangerous of us, should we snap."

"The idea is so common for us that we don't flinch when presented with it. More than one of us look forward to the action." He sighed, "You have your torterous experiences, we have a war brought on by an religious fanatical alien conglomerate hell bent on the complete genocide of the human race. High kill counts were something to be bragged about back then. It's why killing in large numbers is treated so casually."

"But you're not fighting the... Covenant, right? Are you? This time, there's no religion involved; they don't want a total genocide. They just want to complete their orders, and go home to their loving families, and not leave them with vengeful feelings toward their killers."

"Old habits die hard. When you spend your entire combat carrer killing indiscriminitly with no thoughts of mercy or of the possibility of what you are killing may have a family to go home to, it tends to desensitize an individual.

Sol sighed. "I've gone through that phase. And it's tougher on us snipers, since our lives depend on pulling the trigger first, more so than infantry or any other style soldier."

"As a sniper, you are the finger of God, so to speak. By your decision, you can decide the very paths of a war at times, others, it's just a simple decision that will either let the individiual live, or drop him on the spot. Not for the faint of heart, then again, the military in general isn't for the faint of heart."

"And those seven years were pretty rough on the both of us, especially with the general animosity from humans, coupled with everyone else's presumptions of military."

"Tch, we ain't all evil little bastards, don't let the many speak for the few, alright?"

"Many, few-it doesn't matter how many say it. As long as there is a voice-one voice-there will always be confrontation." He shrugged. "Amazing how everyone manipulates democracy to their needs."

"The price one has to pay for having a free will." he chuckled.

"Well, no one said freedom was cheap."

"Never has been."

"We'll be landing in a few moments." Came Katherine over his helmet speakers again.

Star was curled in Cross's lap, nibbling on his neck. She'd been listening intently to Sol and Damien, interested by their discussion. "Mm... Are we there yet?"

*

Trip fidgeted, hand clasped in Yue's. He was trying to stay still, but he was, by turns, both excited and terrified. Katherine had come in, letting them know that the pelican thing would be landing soon. That meant Mom. His tail twined together agitatedly.

The ship flew in, slowed down to a hover, then landed on the pad like the VTOL craft it was. The back hatch opened, revealing the group.

"And we're here..."

Smiling, Cross got to his feet, Star in his arms. "Let's go say hi to everyone."

"Trip," she said, grinning. "Finally!"

The boy bounced on his heels, wondering if he was carrying her because she was hurt or... When she was set on her feet, the little fox bolted. "Mom!"

"Oh, baby..." Star scooped him up, hugging the boy close. "Oh, sweetie, I was so worried about you."

"Auntie Star!" Yue ran up to the hedgecat, hugged her leg. "I'm so glad to see you're okay!"

She smiled, knelling down to hug the girl. "Hey, doll." She kissed the hedgehog's brow, purring. "Have you been taking care of Trip for me?"

The fox nuzzled the hedgecat, smiling.

She nodded, grinning. "Yeah! He's great to be around. We went exploring together, and we had so much fun!"

Cross chuckled, kneeling down to ruffle the hedgehog's golden hair. "Sounds like you two had a pretty eventful day, while we were gone."

She blushed, looked away. "Well, yeah, I guess..."