The Bridge

"Remember the drones? They're capable of holding him off until I reach him, and then I'll chase him off anyway"

"I'm pretty sure Daybreak has minions too" Shadow muttered.

"His humans. He's too bullheaded though - be believes he can whisk his tail and have the universe begging. Up here, though, I have the advantage."

"And the demons" Chessru whispered, his eyes widening.

"I don't care. Nyxius and Marru can stuff themselves." She sniffed. A bot whirred at her.

"Good, good. The quarter is ready when you want to rest." She reported.

Shadow narrowed his eyes.
"Drone, come here!"

The drone approached with a whirr. Then, realising Shadow couldn't understand, switched to a flat feminine voice.

"Yes, Mister?" It chirped.

Shadow pounced on it, and attempted to knock it to the ground.

The drone snarled, and with a sharp, rising whirr, the rest of the drones did the same. Their eyes glowed red.

"I warned you!" Cynder snarled, turning to the Captains chair to override the defense system she had placed. Until she could, the group were on their own.

"Shadow you idiot!" Chessru growled, is wings rising in defence. Shadow continued to drive forwards, snapping fruitlessly at the drone. Feeling as if he had no choice, Chessru spran at Shadow and pulled him backwards, knocking Featherkite in reach of another drone.

Swiftwing pounced on the drone approaching Featherkite, knocking it aside.

"Moron!" Swiftwing agreed with Chessru

Featherkite rolled aside.
"The higher the rank, the stronger they'll be, right?" She called out, throwing herself against two approaching drones.
Shadow struggled to get free, attacking Chessru while the warrior attempted to hold him down. They were dangerously close to a group of drones.

"Yes!" Cynder cried, and the drones shuddered. After a long moment, they stood still. "They're re-booting. Don't do that again, please." She cast a dark look at Shadow.

Shadow wasn't listening. He was struggling under Chessru.

"Lieutenant, sedate Shadow." The drone rushed up and poked Shadow with a harpoon needle

Chessru skipped aside.
"Can you find out...why he just did that?"

"Probably." Cynder nodded. She bent down, pressed Shadow's nose against the panel, and waiting.

"Ah, he's afraid of them." She said after a moment.

"What? She's afraid of the drones?!" Chessru snorted, unbelieving.

"They won't hurt anyone unless they've been stuck. That's how they work." Cynder shook her head.

Featherkite cleared her throat.
"What are we actually doing here?"

"It's safer here than in Moonriver. Anyway, what use is a war without weapons?" Cynder grinned.

"An armoury. You said you have an armoury. So do the humans..." Featherkite caught on.

"Phase pistols, can be none lethal, edited to fit a wolf mouth." She said proudly.

"Let me get this straight" Chessru stood up, "You're fighting in the third side of this war? Against Apose and Daybreak?"

"Yep. You pick up quick. If someone doesn't dispel the war they'll destroy everything." Cynder nodded.