His words brought out a practised, fake, laugh from his people and yet he was plainly oblivious to their fearful obedience.
No doubt another ruler who liked the sound of his own voice and one who wouldn’t tolerate a predator diminishing his power. Star Wolf couldn’t help but think of the millennia of senseless violence that had left the youth of his kind, and so many other predator planets, with the stigma of ruthless killer. Star Wolf killed out of necessity, and only those not touched by the Universal Beacon.
‘I wouldn’t know about the Lion, your grace, but we are honoured by you granting us an audience and won’t take up too much of your time,’ said Star Wolf in his most practised diplomatic voice as he approached the throne. On account of the heat he had opted for more primal attire, cropped trousers and leather tunic vest, both sporting the proud emblem of House of Wolves.
As such his padded paws moved noiselessly over the floor until he came to a stop, folding his thick arms over his chest. The faintest patter of his deadly claws brought about an uneasy shuffle in Rozelle, who now up close, was sweating profusely. His were words at odds with his now cagey demeanour.
‘Indeed,’ he waved a hand to a young female Gazelle who immediately began fanning him with a huge paper fan, nearly as big as her petit, khaki brown frame. Star couldn’t help but note the old monarch had all his servants dressed in skimpy purple outfits, ‘be quick about it, I have matters to attend to. Ask your questions.’
‘Thank you.’ Star Wolf nodded, ushering behind his back for his envoy to step back a little. As always, they remained an ever-present shadow, and given his recent near misses he couldn’t blame them, but the Gazelle were even weaker than the Horse and Moose. The Gazelle never attacked anyone and no one back in the Apex Wars ever got near to them to attack either. Flight and speed were their greatest assets, traits they poured into their spaceships. As did all creatures, whatever their strengths were became the marked traits of their spacecraft’s; the Wolf fleet robust powerful engines, designed to last an age, strong in a pack when called into battle but weak alone.
‘What happened to Ptilium? Did you hear anything from the Ostrich’s before their planet perished?’ Star Wolf, for the third time hoped he’d get an answer of substance. The Gazelle had far superior technology to Horse and Moose. They had greater numbers and a vast communication network across the whole planet. Surely, they saw something?
Rozelle clenched his jaw and scratched a hoof across the black-fur line that marked his flank. He gazed all around the courtyard, which for all its occupants appeared void of guards and soldiers. Rozelle coughed when he noted Star Wolf staring at the three guards stood below the raised dais.
‘We picked up distress calls late one evening,’ he paused, kneading his lips between his teeth, ‘and as any good race from The Council of Worlds we sent aid. Five thousand Gazelles strong.’
‘And?’ asked Star Wolf, too eagerly as he sensed a real answer coming.
Rozelle sighed, ‘Nothing. Ptilium was gone, fragments of dust, a crumbled ruined.’
‘Where are your soldiers now?’ said Star Wolf, aware a few in the crowd murmured at the question.
‘Deployed across the planet of course. Do not be fooled into thinking the sum of our forces is before you. You merely stand in the presence of my esteemed guests from families across the planet. Why if I so commanded I could raise one hundred thousand Gazelles.’
‘For what purpose?’ demanded Star Wolf, he didn’t like the drunken look of power across Rozelle’s sinuous face. The king’s sweat had dissipated into nothing more than a light sheen of damp across his furry brown forehead.
‘Protection of course, I always ensure my planet is safe,’ Rozelle said, as he raised his eyebrows. Star Wolf spun to see thirty lasers pointed at him and his Wolf envoy. The green targets danced across Wolf armour and pelt, only to vanish as the guns were withdrawn after a hand signal from the king.
‘But I’m sure it won’t come to that. Many know the true might of the Gazelle. We may have been meek prey for thousands of years and endless meals during the Apex Wars but no longer. Remember that young Wolf. Now be gone from my planet, if you please.’
Star Wolf nodded, teeth gritted so hard he drew blood, which he had to swallow to avoid the shame of spitting it on the floor. His Wolf envoy followed without word, emotionless apart from one Wolf. River smirked when the two friends caught each other’s glance, though the disrespect soon ceased when Star Wolf barred bloodied teeth.
‘Oh, and one final thing,’ called out Rozelle. The Wolves spun on their heels. ‘Your trip was wasted.’
‘How so?’
‘Haven’t you heard?’ boasted Rozelle, accompanied by amused smirks and laughs from the entire courtyard. ‘The culprit of these heinous crimes has been found and killed.’
‘By who?’ asked Star Wolf, a sinking feeling washing over him.
‘The Winter Tiger of course, a true leader, the first animal in history to have killed a Space Kraken.’
Star Wolf, somehow, kept his cool and marched out of the courtyard to the erupting, high-pitched laughter of privileged and vile Gazelle’s.
‘Take me to The Council of Worlds.’
7. The Space Kraken
‘Esteemed members of the Council, it gives me great pleasure to confirm we have killed the beast responsible for the heinous destruction of the Lynx, Buffalo, Ostrich, Camel and Mice. May the Universal Beacon guide their lost souls to their animal havens, wherever they may be.’ Every word that left the Winter Tiger’s mouth filled Star Wolf with rage, bile bubbled up in his throat as he suppressed a growl.
Raucous cheers up and down the rows of the marble coliseum greeted the speech.
‘Three cheers for the Winter Tiger!’ shouted an animal from way up high and The Council of Worlds duly obliged. All the while the Winter Tiger raised his paws waving and gesturing his thanks. It was faked and yet only Star Wolf could see through the falseness of the White Tiger. He scanned the crowds searching from anyone else not buying the lies the Winter Tiger spouted with that alluring voice of his.
Star had hoped to find the Night Badger, but the heroic legend was nowhere to be seen.
‘We need evidence,’ muttered Star Wolf and gritted his teeth.
His father stood, a struggle he failed to hide to anyone paying attention. ‘Congratulations!’ bellowed Sun Wolf, the volume of his voice dulled some of the cheering and drew the attention of the Winter Tiger, ‘Might we see the Space Kraken?’
Silence followed.
The Winter Tiger raised his chin to regard Sun Wolf, and yet he remained quiet.
‘I for one have never seen a Space Kraken in the flesh,’ continued Sun Wolf, putting on a jovial voice, which Star Wolf detected as false and staring down at the Winter Tiger.
‘Yes! Let’s see the creature!’ said a smartly attired Cheetah, his crimson robes swishing as he jumped up, a few rows behind Star Wolf.
‘Good idea, Sun, I’d love to see the beast!’ agreed a greenish-brown Alligator. His long rows of teeth clattered in unison with his purple armour-plated vest, as he too stood. Star’s father had stirred up a bit of excitement within the Council.
The Winter Tiger put his left paw to his mouth, muttering something inaudible into his hand before revealing a brilliant smile, of huge, straight white teeth glistening in sunlight from the glass dome above.
‘Of course my friends, though a beast of such magnitude can’t be brought before you in a room such as this. Why the Space Kraken was nearly the hundredth of a planet!’
‘He’s lying!’ shouted Star Wolf, blurting out the thought before he could think. His father’s face screwed up with fury.
The outburst drew an even bigger smile from the Winter Tiger as he pinned Star Wolf with those intense, intoxicating eyes.
‘Oh dear, the Wolf pup has caught me out!’ said the Winter Tiger, the scorn and sarcasm in his voice brought about a nervous bought of laughter from most of the Council. ‘Please bring in the scree
ns,’ and with the order five enormous Gorillas marched in two projector screens three times the height of the Winter Tiger.
The Gorillas were more creatures that wore robust armour, great chunks of steel wrapped around their enormous limbs. So many different species in attendance wore protection, which felt contradictory and odd to Star Wolf. No one has any weapons in here. All of the Gorillas had one neon-coloured robotic eye, the light blinding to behold.
‘If it pleases the Council, observe,’ continued the Winter Tiger as the Gorillas moved out of his way. An odd tension between Gorilla and Tiger clear to see and yet they obeyed him without question.
The screens flashed into life and revealed the severed head of a monstrous creature.
The Space Kraken looked like some foul beast from the depths of an ocean planet, the stuff of nightmares. Bulbous, dead eyes and slimy skin covered in pot marks and dried blackish-red blood greeted the Council.
‘As you can see,’ said the Winter Tiger, ‘a dead Space Kraken.’
Star Wolf stood once more, only for the Winter Tiger to wave a dismissive hand before he started up again, ‘and before anyone makes a fool of themselves anymore, shall we put the result of today’s viewing beyond doubt. Let us call forth some of the finest and most revered among our ranks to accompany myself, Hitback and Blackfire to a cargo vessel off-world where we are holding the head.’
Murmurs erupted throughout the chamber.
‘As I said it’s quite a large beast.’ explained, sounding apologetic, the Winter Tiger.
More nervous laughter ensued, and wave of disgust washed over Star Wolf witnessing so many weak species succumbing to deceit that only he could see all too clearly. How did he kill the Space Kraken?
‘And how exactly did you, you Tigers kill such a creature?’ said the Night Badger, the stocky warrior was bounding down the stairs, ‘I will accompany you, Hotback and Greyfire.’
The two misnamed Tigers snarled, both taking a step toward the diminutive Badger, before the Winter Tiger stepped in front to dissipate the potential scrap. Star Wolf couldn’t help but feel a surge of primal desire; he wanted to see the legendary warrior take on two of the Tiger’s death squad.
‘Perfect,’ said the Winter Tiger, full of enthusiasm, ‘who better than to confirm the authenticity of a dead creature than someone who has probably killed more animals than this entire Council put together.’
Smooth complimentary words used as a dagger to offend.
‘I’d wager your count is higher Winter Cat,’ the Night Badger’s gravelly tone offered no fear and he continued to push the most feared creature in the galaxy as a captive audience of submissive creatures glared on, ‘well defenceless creatures at least. You’re good at picking your battles, aren’t you?’
Star Wolf, and the entire Council held their breath.
Two elite killers, both of black and white, squared off in the lowest circle of the marble coliseum. Even the Winter Tiger’s foursome death squad stared on, tension etched across their broad orange and black faces.
Star’s fur bristled and the sweaty tang of fear, from everyone around him, stung his keen Wolf nose.
‘I’ll join too,’ said a thin voice, an eloquent accent pitched just loud enough to be audible in the looming silence. A wiry Hare, in a flamboyant, colourful three-piece chequered suit, stood several rows back, shrouded in shadow on account of the dark cloud cover forming above. The sunshine had disappeared and reflected the mood below. In seconds he moved down the carved stairs to stand between Badger and Tiger.
Including his long, proud ears he was a fraction taller than the broad-shouldered Badger and yet both barely stood above the Winter Tiger’s hip. If battles were decided on height the Tiger would win.
‘Fantastic, The March Hare everyone. Another worthy of your respect and a keen eye that can’t be questioned, I’m sure you’ll all agree?’ said the Winter Tiger, striding around the two smaller creatures, void of the murderous aggression he appeared to harbour moments before. He’s incredible.
Star Wolf remained silent as he rose.
His father promptly yanked his wrist to pull him back down into his seat.
He proceeded to shake his head.
‘But I w—’ Star Wolf was cut short by a thunderous voice. A sound of such authority Star Wolf knew the speaker before he even turned to gaze upon Kodiak, the largest Bear in the galaxy and ruler of Brunneis Ursus, the planet of the Brown Bears.
‘I will see the Kraken, Winter.’ said Kodiak, not asking permission as his huge back paws walked the few steps of marble to stand amidst the growing group by the speaker’s podium. The Great Bear’s short brown leather trousers, and matching open vest, screamed of a creature not interested in the finer garments so many of the Council opted to cloth themselves in.
‘Of course Kodiak.’ said Winter Tiger, with a slight incline of his head. The Tiger General came across as smug to Star Wolf, and for all the game in Lupus he couldn’t work out why?
‘Might I suggest one more?’ ventured the March Hare, giving the Winter Tiger a queer sideways glance. Who he suggested was another great fighter with songs and tales aplenty based upon his escapades. ‘The Scarlett Fox.’
A few gasps accompanied the name.
Yet another legend, for the same reason as all those stood below the Council, excelling in fighting and murder.
‘What a morbid bunch,’ said Sun Wolf in a low voice.
Star Wolf couldn’t help but scoff and flinch away from his father, a Wolf who could lay claim to plenty of kills himself. Especially during the final years of the Apex Wars if the rumours Star heard told true. His father turned with a wounded expression at his son’s reaction, as if he read Star’s thoughts.
A tidal wave of murmurs continued as a slender blur of orange moved down the long flight of stairs. The Fox’s steps were silent, which coupled with an obscured view of the creature’s feet, gave an eerie image of a floating torso moving down to the group of imperious fighters. The Scarlett Fox’s exquisitely tailored clothes, of matching colour to his name, extenuated his tall, slim physique.
‘I think we have enough now to provide a sufficient accounting of the beast,’ interrupted the Goat Master from his highchair behind the dark oak speaker’s podium. ‘Let us move swiftly with this and put to bed a dreadful episode in the prospering peace throughout the galaxy. Is the Council happy with the animals chosen to verify the kill?’
‘I’ was the uniform response from The Council of Worlds.
Sun Wolf remained quiet; Star Wolf knew his father wanted to be in the party heading off-world, but he wouldn’t question the Council’s will. It wasn’t in his nature. And that’s part of the problem.
Star Wolf’s desire to push the establishment and its dated rules to breaking point were overwhelming him and he would’ve started up again had the Night Badger, the March Hare, Kodiak and the Scarlett Fox not departed already. Each one a commanding fighter whose opinion would’ve been valued as highly as the Universal Beacon itself.
‘What’s he playing at? What’s the ruse?’ said Star Wolf, flinching when he realised he uttered the thoughts aloud. No one was paying him any mind, they all eagerly talked among themselves, the entire Council turning into sheep – a mindless food planet – grouping together, awaiting the word of superior predators.
‘Patience,’ said Sun Wolf, smiling an oddly fond smile at his son. ‘We may be lucky; our fears may prove false.’ The rare shoots of hope entering his father’s words stunned Star Wolf. He didn’t harbour such dreams. Frustration plagued Star Wolf. The elaborate theatre the Winter Tiger laid out couldn’t be true. Space Krakens were nothing more than myth.
‘Look, they are there!’ called out some animal so far up they almost touched the glass roof.
Star Wolf was the only one not watching the screens. The smirking Tiger twins Steelclaw and Oakenclaw leaned against the wall and appeared far too amused for such a serious situation. No one else watched them. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the gi
ant screens as the Night Badger set about inspecting the severed head. The Badger’s body paled into insignificant compared to the head that took up the entire cargo bay; an impressive feat given cargo vessels could house enough supplies to feed an entire planet for a decent period of time.
The others strolling around the gruesome head paid nowhere near as much attention to the beast as the Night Badger. Kodiak appeared to be laughing at something the March Hare said, the only one not jovial was the Night Badger who was now prodding away at the head.
In a blaring of static noise, long-forgotten speakers around the coliseum, started hammering out ferocious laughter from Kodiak. Multiple animals winced, cowering at the noise. Star Wolf noted, with disgust, how few responded by getting into a fighting stance; it should come natural to creatures. Too many creatures in the Council, and the planets they represented, had gone soft in the decades since the Apex Wars.
To Star Wolf’s shame he realised he would’ve relished leading the Wolves during the Apex Wars.
‘Can you all hear me back in the Council?’ the velvet voice of death from the Winter Tiger, ‘Steelclaw? Oakenclaw?’
The twin Tigers marched to the podium, Steelclaw pressing a button out of sight, ‘Yes General Winter we hear you.’ Steelclaw turned a pair of frightful, vomit yellow eyes on everyone, ‘they are listening.’ A statement to ensure total obedience, one adhered to by all. Anyone conversing ceased as the Tiger’s gaze fixed on them.
‘Excellent, well you’ve heard from me already. I’ll pass you over to my esteemed guests.’ said the Winter Tiger.
‘It’s a Kraken’s head!’ boomed Kodiak, unable to hide the delight in his voice. ‘What a great beast!’ He cuffed the creature, near a bulbous eye that would’ve filled the Council coliseum. A brief wave of laughter erupted before the Goat Master implored for quiet.
‘I concur,’ said the Scarlett Fox in a whisper.
‘Likewise,’ agreed the March Hare, he seemed sad to Star Wolf, like a young pup who’s got his way and then realised the folly of boredom in having no goal to chase.
Star Wolf: A Space Opera Fantasy (Songs of Star & Winter Book 1) Page 6