The Winter Tiger Read online

  Two hundred Wolves groaned, those near Star Wolf dared to glare at their leader. The Red Lion burst into laughter. ‘Ten laps around the landing bay to start with,’ more groans accompanied the order, ‘and if I see or hear a single Wolf tread on the tarmac and cut corners they’ll have another ten laps added.’ He clasped his hands together, an echoing boom floated out across the open landing bay. ‘For everyone.’

  Star Wolf was the one to laugh this time, already setting off as he shared a glance with the Red Lion, it was the closest to happy he could remember being in a long time but as he ran his stomach churned as he saw Sky stood by a space shuttle helping unload supplies. He nodded at her quickly and averted his gaze, sprinting off to the front of the line and never looking back.

  At first Star had laughed off the notion of ten laps around the landing bay, he could run all day, but there was something about having to run in unison with other Wolves and a set, ordered amount that made the task more difficult. Who was the Red Lion to tell him how many laps he could run, but perhaps that was the point, another lesson. Learn to follow orders if you want others to follow you. The Red Lion never explained the opening task as such but that’s what Star took from the jogging.

  ‘We got there in the end, didn’t we?’ The Red Lion glanced at the digital pad he held in front of him. ‘Though if the scans are correct, you’re the fastest group I’ve had. Perhaps everyone is looking to impress our glorious leader.’

  Star nodded. ‘Good work everyone.’

  ‘To the next!’ the Red Lion brandished a sword, the edge glistened in the sliver of sunlight breaching the cloud cover and charged at Star Wolf. Without a sword all Star could do was roll, but rather than retreat he leapt to the sword-less side of the approaching Lion to evade him and spin around. ‘Very good.’ The Red Lion beamed further when half a dozen Wolves stepped in between him and Star Wolf. ‘Very good indeed. Together the pack is strong.’ He dropped the sword, raised his paws, and boomed out his words, so loud that everyone on the landing bay stopped to regard the speech, ‘Never forget strength in numbers, it is a lesson we Lions forgot and as such nearly cost the entire galaxy because of our pride and folly. The Wolves need to be more, stay united. I am a great fighter but here, surrounded by you and your own you can defeat me with ease. It’d come at a cost, but as these fine Wolves demonstrate here sacrifice is what’s required to win out, protect Star and he will guide you,’ he stopped, ‘us, to victory of that I have no doubt!’

  Hundreds of triumphant Wolves roared out into the misty morning air.

  ‘Star Wolf! Star Wolf! Star Wolf!’ they cheered.

  Star stepped out a little further. The tarmac was slippery underfoot, perhaps the real reason the Red Lion didn’t want them warming up on the surface, ‘Thank you. Now, what’s say we get back to training.’

  ‘As you wish.’ The Red Lion bowed. ‘Collect sparring swords and stun guns.’ He clapped, waving his paws about. ‘Come on. Chop, chop, we don’t have all day.’ He laughed. ‘Well, that’s not true but I have much more in store for you fine Wolves!’

  TRUE TO HIS WORD THE Red Lion had put them through their paces. Star could have sworn the enigmatic Lion reserved his hardest training day for Star’s group. Star had spent two days back in the House of Wolves castle, confined to his quarters, recovering. Not that he told anyone from the Band of Breeds, he instead told them he had plans to formulate.

  ‘Fully recovered I hope?’ asked the Night Badger. He spoke loud enough for Bloodhound and the Red Lion to hear him.

  ‘Of course.’ Star faked a grin. ‘I went out hunting the next morning.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ was the Night Badger’s playful response, since his heroics and the near mutiny on Agnus the Badger’s mood had improved. Star suspected he was trying to keep Star upbeat, for what was to come wouldn’t be pleasant.

  ‘Any sign of Shadowfang or the March Hare today?’ asked Star, aware the two had given him a wide berth since he rebuked the pair on Agnus and had had River slung in the dungeons beneath the House of Wolves. Star would let him out soon enough. He just needed to remind his young friend who was in charge.

  ‘I believe Shadowfang is at your comms tower trying to ascertain when his Leopard companions will be joining us.’ The Night Badger’s own species were rumoured to be en route. Star had no reason to take the Badger’s announcement as false, but it was concerning how long reinforcements were taking to arrive.

  ‘The Scarlett Fox is at the comms tower as well,’ the Red Lion added.

  ‘Excellent, so we have three armies joining us,’ said Bloodhound with enthusiasm, before turning his eyes downward. ‘I can only apologise I cannot muster any of my own kind. I’m afraid Dogs are a chaotic lot and would only hinder our efforts.’

  ‘Not at all, Bloodhound, we have the entire Dog Navy at our disposal. We cannot ask for more than that.’ Star meant his words and was aware of his need, like the Night Badger was demonstrating, to keep spirits high.

  Bloodhound beamed, his tail poking out the back of his naval uniform wagged. The four creatures strolled in the direction of hammering and sawing, in the distance the first of many, a World Cannon. The weapons, as some called them though Star thought of them as a defence mechanism, were nearly ready. Their frames stretched way above the mighty oaks enshrouding them, vast structures of concrete and metal. Sat atop the cube shape, the real business end of the construction, a long chamber capable of firing bullets equipped to destroy spacecrafts with ease. Attached around the chamber was a ring of laser guns, both to ensure accuracy and the ability to carve crafts open. They were a sight to behold and with a dozen of them likely to be up and

  functional in a matter of days Star felt a little more at ease.

  Lupus would be safe from the horror of the war no matter the outcome. The World Cannons could destroy a hundred ships in the blink of an eye, such was their speed, and likewise they could obliterate any incoming fire from space.

  ‘Well played.’ The Red Lion leaned in close to Star, he had a pleasant woody musk to him. ‘Kindness is a key facet to ruling. Use it sparingly, though.’ That was sensible caution that Star vowed to make a note of, the Red Lion said the words low enough that Bloodhound didn’t hear.

  ‘I don’t suppose Goldtooth or Blackfang are off sourcing a pride of Lions for us?’ Star enjoyed teasing the Red Lion, the veteran warrior was that perfect combination in a creature, able to dish it out while also being humble enough to take banter at his expense.

  ‘I think,’ the glorious Lion raised his bushy orangery-brown eyebrows, ‘they are working on more Lions just not any that’ll be of fighting age for quite some time.’

  ‘Ah.’ Star said no more, and quickly changed the subject, ‘What of Kodiak?’

  ‘That selfish oaf is skulking around somewhere but pay him no mind.’ The Night Badger had slowed his pace and left Bloodhound plodding on ahead through the icy-black snow along the pathway through the forest.

  ‘You don’t approve of Kodiak?’ It was the Red Lion who asked the question, much to Star’s surprise.

  ‘Oh, aye, he’s useful in a scrap.’ The Night Badger spat into the snow, ‘If he ever bothers to show that is but in matters of tactics he is useless. Let him wander off and we’ll call him when big Tigers need crushing.’

  ‘My thoughts exactly.’ The Red Lion nodded, looking down to the Badger who barely came above his knee. That urge to watch legends fight surfaced in Star once more, the notion of watching a tiny Badger tackling the strongest fighter in the entire galaxy — though some would argue otherwise — would’ve been obscene. ‘Still, I’d of thought a few more Bears would’ve been interested in entering the fray against the Tigers. Ego alone would’ve dragged a dozen or so along.’

  ‘I think Kodiak has enough ego for all the Bears.’ The Night Badger really didn’t hide his dislike for the colossal Bear. Another match up Star was sure he’d enjoy watching, morbid as his pet idea was. ‘The more Bears we encounter the more trouble it’ll mean.’

/>   ‘Let’s hope you’re right.’ Star stood at the bottom of the World Cannon, arching his neck way up to the sky, he had to raise his paw to shield his eyes from the sliver of sun sneaking through the clouds. A brief wave of warmth swept across his muzzle, pleasant but gone in a flash. ‘I for one want numbers and don’t mind where they come from.’

  ‘You will if one of them stabs you in the back.’ The Night Badger spat into the snow again.

  ‘True, but when the galaxy is full of lasers and swords all pointed in my direction it’s becoming ever more difficult to tell where my back is!’

  ‘Ha, very good.’ The Red Lion slammed a paw into Star’s back, a painful blow, all in good nature of course.

  Once inside the concrete square Star was hit by a wave of heat, welders were in every direction and sparks flew more regularly than a Lunalupus firework celebration.

  A group of immense black Wolves, of Werewolf blood if Star had to guess, hammered away in the darkest corner of the structure. Their hammers flew in a beautiful rhythm, each half a beat behind the previous blow.

  Star ignored the fact they’d removed their House of Wolves tunics to perform the task, he couldn’t blame them and wasn’t a facetious ruler like this father. He stopped in his tracks, the Red Lion and the Night Badger did too when they realised he wasn’t walking with them.

  ‘Everything OK?’ asked the Red Lion, whose brow was a little damp and yet he

  still wore his house colours. Odd given he’d technically renounced the throne back on Leo to his former mate.

  ‘Yes.’ Star straightened and scratched his muzzle, buying himself some time to compose a response. ‘I was just thinking of my father,’ he hung his head, ‘you know since his death I’ve barely thought of him. That’s bad, isn’t it?’

  The Night Badger growled, before spitting on the floor. ‘Your father was a great Wolf once, and his services during the Apex Wars will never get the credit they deserved.’ He gritted his teeth; a spine-tingling screech came off his metal teeth. ‘But I’m afraid he grew up into a bitter old Wolf and made many mistakes. His treatment of you for one, I don’t blame you for not mourning him. He was a bad father.’

  A few nearby Wolves overheard and shot the Night Badger angry looks but kept on walking past dragging their tools with them.

  ‘Say what you mean, Nighty!’ The Red Lion laughed, a booming sound that reverberated around the building. ‘I cannot speak for the latter years of your father’s life but during the Apex Wars he was an excellent leader.’ It was his turn to hang his massive golden head low. ‘Perhaps if I’d let the Wolves in with us we would’ve been more successful. Don’t let pride get in your way Star Wolf.’

  Star Wolf nodded, mostly because he wasn’t sure what to say. Ever since his father passed he’d spent his days in leadership mode, a permanent job with little to no rest, he already felt his muzzle was a little whiter than it had been only six months prior.

  ‘What now?’ asked the Night Badger, as he turned to Star, paws spread, gesticulating his question.

  ‘That is easy, now that Lupus is safe we can begin to utilise the fleet.’ Star remained calm when he saw the Red Lion’s eyes light up amongst the sparks of industry. ‘First we need supplies and that means vegetation planets. The Wolves are going to have to go vegetarian for a while.’

  A sentence Star never thought he’d say but needs must. They had to let the supply of mindless Rabbit, Deer, Chicken and all the other meat they consumed naturally replenish otherwise the entire planet would be without meat for decades to come.

  It would prove to be an unpopular decision, but in time Star hoped the Wolves would understand.

  11. The Test of Lupus

  After the intoxicating rush of the Hexadome Winter was eager to crack on with his plans and as such ordered a good portion of the Tiger fleet to join him just out of range of any sensors Lupus might have. To be so close to the enemy, with thirty warships at his back and near ten thousand Tigers waiting was exhilarating. Winter’s body tingled every time he thought on the potential ramifications, on the prospect of battle in the open field.

  He craved action.

  Two decades of treading lightly, when all he wanted to do was open throats, had left him tense. Muscles cooped up for too long, something he would never allow to happen again. The training in the Hexadome had rekindled his passion for fighting and provided a timely reminder for all the Tigers aboard Darkchurch, who would filter the details to the other ships, that the Winter Tiger was their most fearsome and skilled warrior.

  None would challenge him after he nearly decapitated Hitback, believed by many to be a superior warrior. Hitback was in the infirmary hooked up to every monitor the medical staff possessed. They’d assured Winter the colossal Tiger would survive but it would take time, which suited the Winter Tiger. Should the need arise he could easily dispose of Hitback before he fully recovered.

  Stood in his captain’s quarter, conveniently located above the flight deck via a private stairwell, Winter regarded his unclothed upper body in the rectangular mirror. The room was cold steel in every direction, he never bothered fitting the place with lavish furnishings, Darkchurch wasn’t a place of luxury it was a ship of war. He wouldn’t sully the beautiful vessels illustrious record, if you believed destroying thousands of spaceships and tens of thousands of creatures from all manner of species as record worthy.

  Instead, the steel room had a metal-framed bed and a wardrobe at the foot, which housed the same black and gold uniform again and again. Beside that was a cabinet full to bursting with lasers and a handful of Serpent’s Blades. It was always prudent to have back up weapons, especially when they were the finest in the galaxy.

  Winter traced his paws over the many scars semi-buried within his thick black and white fur. The scars served as permanent reminders of his fallen enemies and his white fur reminded him of his difference to the rest of the entire Tiger army. Touched by ice. Too many of his differences from the other Tigers had to remain secret otherwise he might be the one on the torture racks down in the dungeons. It wasn’t something he worried about, if anything it steeled him further to his tasks and so he began talking to himself in the mirror.

  He kept at his persona, reinforcing his invincible status to himself, for a good hour before someone knocked at the door.

  ‘Yes!’ the Winter Tiger had wanted another hour of thought and peace.

  ‘We’re at the rendezvous point, General Winter,’ the Tiger’s voiced sounded tentative. ‘What are your orders, sir?’

  ‘Have all captains sent to the meeting room, I will join them in an hour.’ It was prudent to keep the other captain’s waiting.

  ‘Of course, sir, I’ll relay the message.’

  Winter heard the patter of boots on the grated stairwell that led back to the flight deck. Once the noise stopped, he returned to the mirror. ‘You are the greatest Tiger who ever lived.’

  THE LONG, DARK MEETING room housed thirty veteran Tigers, each with hundreds of kills to his name, the types of Tigers that had had to disappear the past two decades. These warriors had vanished back into Tigrefell or the outer towns across Tigris. They’d been instructed to keep sharp and train the future Tigers in preparation for future wars.

  And here they were primed and ready.

  Another seventy such captains lay in wait back on Tigris or guarding various food planets. Chicken, Cow and so many other species were now off the menu for the rest of the galaxy.

  ‘Tigers,’ Winter stood at the head of the extensive black onyx table, ‘it is good to see you all once more, thank you for joining me and for your diligent efforts from the shadows.’ He raised his paws sweeping them across opposite sides of the table. ‘Your work hasn’t gone unnoticed, nor will it go unrewarded.’

  ‘Ha.’ A slightly overweight, greying Tiger, his flabby jowls wobbled and grunted when he spoke. ‘Twenty years we’ve waited. We were forgotten! Just like you’ve left us waiting in this room for a damn hour!’

  The
Winter Tiger’s eyes shot to Steelclaw, who was stood in the shadows on that side of the room, and he nodded once.

  Steelclaw leapt forward, and tilted back the tall Elephant bone chair that housed the outspoken fool, his steel claws drove deep into the Tiger’s chest before he even realised he was dead. Steelclaw yanked his claws free and in one fluid motion returned the chair to upright, spraying a fountain of blood as he moved. Without a word Steelclaw bowed to the Winter Tiger and stepped back into the darkness, his sickly yellow eyes the only indicator he was in the shadow-filled room.

  From the opposite side of the room his twin brother sniggered; his oak claws pattered against the wall. He soon stopped when Winter cleared his throat. ‘I think we can all agree Kleinot has let himself go. The fact he even dared set foot on Darkchurch, given how grossly fat he was, is an insult to all of us and the Elder Three.’

  The remaining Tiger captains, all seated on immense chairs constructed from the bones of Darkchurch’s victims, nodded their agreements. These were the Elders’ Tigers, and as such Winter needed to tread steady and in time bring as many as possible to his side. It would take time and required a delicate touch of diplomacy.

  Winter was pleased to note they all appeared to be in great shape, solid, muscular Tigers that knew how to use their strength and stealth in equal measure. These were elite Tigers who’d taken a step away from Darkchurch to run another vessel in the Tiger fleet; ambitious Tigers and yet sensible enough to value their own lives by not challenging for control of Darkchurch.

  Blackfire, the former captain of Darkchurch and General of the Tiger forces, stood stone still and in silence at the opposite end of the table. The Winter Tiger liked having the veteran around, even if he was outspoken at times and yet another Tiger who would jump at the Elders direct orders. Blackfire hated Winter for sure, even though a portion of his hate should’ve lay with the Elders for stripping him of leadership, but Winter knew the older Tiger respected him as well. Otherwise he’d have challenged, left or attempted to murder Winter years ago.