Wanted: Dead or Alive

Dead or Alive

I was laying in bed, cuddling with my crewmate, who was also my best friend and boyfriend, when suddenly the "code red" alert sounded.

I jumped out of bed, rushed to the console, opened the coms and asked what's happening.

I couldn't hear anything over the sound of the alarm. I turned it off, hoping that Rulfie is not awake.

"What's wrong?" I asked sleepily

The electronic voice of W.H.E.E.Z.E. answered : "Dear captain, we have a code red that we are placing into your paws XD. A group of very dangerous criminals stole one of our cruisers and are on a rampage. We believe they have about six guys in their crew. They will get to outpost Alpha in two hours. We require your help. Gather your crew and report in. ".

It took me a while to process what just happened. I went to bedroom and woke Rulf up

"Mmm, what's wrong Cody?" he asked sleepily

I lowered down to him and whispers to his ear : "Bad news, we have a job to do."

"What this time?" he whined "another diplomatic mission?".

"Don't worry, this time it's code red." I said with encouragement.

"What?!?!?" he jumped on his feet and started to dress up.

I went to put on my red shirt and called two of our friends. They answered.

*beep, coms open*

"Sorry guys for disturbing you, but we have code red here. I need your help here.". I pressed on. Valor, who was one of Cody's close friends, looked shocked, but interrupted me : "Cody, hang on. Are you saying that we are going on a bounty hunting mission for W.H.E.E.Z.E.?"

I was quiet, but Rigel, another friend of Cody, began : "Well, if it's something serious."

I began to explain what's happening : "You see, their cruiser got stolen, and they need it back.".

Everyone looked at me in shock, I was suprised.

All of them said at once : "What about their weaponry?".

I just stood there, not knowing what to say, because the cruisers were usually very good in the matters of space combat.

"Well, it all sound cool and stuff, but I don't know if I can. You see, Crysal, (Rigel's best friend and Cody's long lasting friend too) is currently on a planet and I need to keep a ear on my coms incase he needs an evac." said Rigel.

"Oh, well, it's up to you. If you want to come, meeting is in 30 minutes on my ship." I continued.

"I'll think about it." said Rigel and closed the channel.

"I'll be there in 20." said Valor as his coms channel closed.

I hang up and walked to the hangar, preparing the fighter just in case.

After a while Rulf came, dressed in his red suit. He approached me from behind and hugged me.

"Reactors working at maximum power, the ship is all set for departure." he said while I finished my work in the hangar.

After that we walked to the main lobby and sat there. We started talking about the play of how we will ambush the cruiser. It didn't take long for 20 minutes to pass, and we heard from Valor asking permission to land. He landed and we went to greet him.

"Well, you have me here." he said as he exited his shuttle, and rushed for a group hug with us.

After a while he went to armory to get ready and he put his blue uniform on. We still had about 10 minutes before we'd depart, so we waited and talked about our plans.