First of a series.

This issue stars  Exar  Niko Tawner  Siyu  Jamie-Fox & Galaranth of course.

Blue Paw Chronicles
Heartbreak & Heart Mending
Chapter 1: Picking Up the Pieces

It was over. The bruised & battered wolf picked himself up off the bridge floor, coughing & sputtering in the electronic smoke. His vision was blurred & rimmed with red from cuts & bruises on his face. Galaranth tried to stand, but unfortunately could not. He soon dropped back to his knees, his vision fading. Soon all vision, all feeling, even the taste of iron in his blood lined mouth faded to utter oblivion.
*This is it... Death. Will nothing ever happen? Where will my mind go? What will happen to m......*

Before the Fenris Wolf could finish his thoughts, his senses began to come back to life. The quiet, gentle sounds of machines humming, the rumbling of EPS conduits behind metal walls & the sounds of medical tricorders filled his ears. He then could feel the soft lining of the patient bed he was lying on, the soft covers pulled up to his collar bone & the cool metal supports his tail was touching. The sudden scent of analgesic cream & surprisingly, freshly prepared food wafted into his nostrils.

Galaranth opened his eyes to the ceiling of a sick bay. He was on board another ship. The Fenris Wolf could hear voices talking quietly amongst each other. He suddenly saw an Otter's face hovering over his. It was Exar.
"Heh, I was worried I'd lose you for a bit," Exar grinned, the smaller otter seemed relieved.
"I owe you my life, dear friend. Next time we're at a star base, next round is on me," Galaranth replied.
"You bet. I'll remember that next time we're in dock," Exar chuckled a little. "I had one of my nurses run down & ask the chef to make you some Bajoran Hasperat. I thought that would help you recover."
"Much appreciated, Exar," the great wolf replied.

Galaranth ate his dinner, stood up & looked out the window of the sickbay. There, he saw what became of his ship. The star cruiser known as the U.S.S. Calgary F was a wreck. Large chunks of the saucer & body were torn off. One nacelle was completely missing (including the pylon connecting it to the body) & the other was heavily damaged. It immediately hit him that his ship was going to be scuttled.
"My ship... She's passed the point of salvaging, hasn't she?" Galaranth asked Exar in a somber tone.
"I'm afraid so. Starfleet reports that the Calgary cannot be repaired at this point. Sorry Gal, I really hated to have to tell you that," Exar looked at the forlorn canine, his voice emanating with an undercurrent of compassion.
"I appreciate your caring about me, Exar. Hopefully I'll get another command," Galaranth replied. "It's the loss of so many officers & crew members... That's what really hurts."

:::

There they stood, all the remaining duty officers, all the bridge officers, standing around the coffins of their former shipmates. Some held back their tears, but very few could. Galaranth approached the podium at the end, with a PADD in his hand. He himself found it hard to hold back the water works. The wolf arrived at the podium, turned on his PADD & began to speak...

"Hello everyone. Today, we are here to pay final respects to our fallen comrades. These proud men, women, herms & other transgendered species gave their lives to save ours & protect the freedoms that we enjoy. And though we may have lost them; their memories will live on in our minds, our hearts & our souls. The friendships that we made even after death are not broken, for not even our mortality can break the sacred bonds between friends.

"We are more than friends. Like the sailors of the past that sailed in great sea ships of Earth's oceans, we are brothers, sisters bound not by blood, but by respect, compassion, fighting spirit, good spirits & knowing that our shipmates will be there to help us on our feet every time we fall down. We should always remember to never give up, because that's something our comrades never did. And with time, our sadness will pass & the phoenix of hope & willpower will arise from the ashes of depression to once again set our hearts a flame & put drive in us once more.

"To note: All of our fallen crew mates will have their resting places in their wills respected & carried out. We will now have a moment of silence to honor the recently deceased. If you need to shed some tears, do not be afraid to do so."
Galaranth stood there. He himself was welling up with water, trying so hard to remain composed. But as many of the crew members & officers in the room where sobbing, he couldn't help but feel the weakness in his knees & the heaviness in his heart. Tears poured out of his stress ridden eyes. Soon he managed to regain composure & preparing the last bit of speech. "Company dismissed. If anybody needs some company; counselors from my ship & Exar's command are there to help. I am available if anyone would like to talk as well." With that, the crowd of somber shipmates headed off.

Galaranth walked towards his temporary quarters. There he found Exar waiting for him by his door, propped up on a vertical bulkhead like a 1930s gangster against a moonlit lamppost.
"Was it difficult?" Exar asked.
"It always is, Exar," the great wolf replied, his tone a somber one. "I never get use to it."
"Yeah. I hear you. Get some rest, friend. I think we all could use a good sleep. See you tomorrow."
The 8 foot canine kneeled down to the otter & put a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks, Exar. I owe you my life & my utmost gratitude for saving me & my crew's lives."
"Think nothing of it," Exar gleaned a cheerful grin. "I know you would do the same for me."
"In a femtosecond," Galaranth was touched by Exar's dedication to helping him. With that, the big wolf headed off to sleep.

:::

It had been awhile since that tough event. The trauma had at least earned Galaranth some shore leave. Soon though, he wanted back up into the sky. Galaranth began commanding some other ships in his division. After all that, the Admiral began processing paperwork for the fleet. He still felt a fair bit depressed. There was only one thing that would bring him out of this awful funk: Commanding a ship named the Calgary.
"Anything else is a waste of your talents," his Gorn bridge officer often said.

Galaranth sat in his 14 foot dragon form, looking out into space in a house robe from Blue Paw star base. His red eyes looking out into the unknown. He felt a smaller vulpine's footsteps vibrate the ground near him.
"Hey," a low feminine voice said, lifting the great dragon's spirits. Galaranth turned his torso towards the unknown person. To his delight, it was Niko. Blue Paw's top Admiral & midnight fox vixen herm.
"Oh, hai Niko! It's good to see you," Galaranth responded.
"How've you been?" Niko asked, swaying hir hips, curious how Gal was holding out.
"Surviving," the dragon gleaned a saddened grin.
"I have some good news," Niko told him. "Put on your uniform, Gal. You've got your Calgary back."

Galaranth was ecstatic. He picked the 6 foot 9 vulpine up & gave hir a great big hug!
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Galaranth teared up with absolute joy. He put Niko back on her legs.
"Heh, I knew you would be excited," Niko laughed a little. A Smile on hir face.
"You bet!" Galaranth grinned. "Commanding a starship has been my only purpose since I was defrosted in this time period."
"I think you have a multitude of purposes," Niko ensured him. "You're a friend to a lot of people, now THAT is a lot of purpose."
"Thanks," Galaranth's face blushed intensely.
"Now let's get some respite, Siyu is holding a game night tonight & the usual is invited," the black & orange fox patted the dragon's back. Galaranth slung a beefy arm around Niko & they walked off to the officer's deck.

:::

Chapter 2: "I'm Home"

It had been 4 months after, & Galaranth had suited up, barely ready for the surprise coming his way. He walked through the halls towards the shuttle bays, expecting to get some old rust bucket of a ship. Little did he know, he was to get the surprise of his career. Niko watched the Fenris wolf approach as shi leaned up against a doorframe, holding the sliding door up with hir foot in anticipation. Jamie stood outside the door with Siyu, a three foot ten rat-like alien that had been a friend of Galaranth's for a fair bit.

"Ready to see your new ship?" Niko asked Gally as he arrived at the door.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Galaranth gave his three amigos a shy grin.
"I think you'll like your ship," Siyu looked up & gave him a cheerful smile.
"Let's not spoil it, fellas," Niko chuckled a little.
"Spoil what?"
"Well," Jamie explained. "We wanted to keep the type of ship you're getting as a surprise. We even convinced your crew to keep it a secret."
"Ah, I see," Galaranth was curious. "Then I won't pry."

Galaranth turned to see his chief chirurgeon running down the hallway. A 14 foot Gorn by the name of Thark.
"Sorry I'm a bit tardy, everyone. Turbolift 43 was having glitches," Thark said. He turned to Galaranth. "Captain. I think you'll find your ship satisfactory. At least we all hope."
"By the way you guys are all keeping it as a secret," Galaranth responded. "I wouldn't doubt it."
The group left & boarded a shuttle for the dry docks. Galaranth watched as the shiny, glimmering hull of his new ship started to come into view.

"The U.S.S. Calgary G" Jamie announced.
"Heh, I'll bet you'll never get tired of looking at a ship like that," Siyu squeaked.
Galaranth looked up at it. He couldn't believe what he saw... His maw gaped open in surprise as the largest ship under his command grew in size...

=^=

The Odyssey class cruiser was huge, beautiful with organic curves. The hull material shone in the starlight with a pearlescent luster. Galaranth's eyes marveled at the sheer size & beauty of it. The shuttle circled the great vessel & headed back to the rear saucer hangar of the ship.

The group walked out from the type 8 shuttle, nestled between two, brand new Yellowstone class runabouts. Soon they passed through the ultramodern interior. Crewmen Galaranth knew, & many he didn't passed by. It felt like a dream. A dream that was too pleasant to be real. Galaranth, Jamie, Niko, Siyu & Thark all walked down a ways & boarded a spacious turbolift.
"Give the command, Galaranth. She's all yours," Jamie smiled, the foxtaur's four legs tip-toed in place in anticipation.
"Heh... Here we go," Galaranth took a breath. "To the bridge, please." The computer acknowledged with a beep & the turbolift took off. They all grinned happily as they all rode along.

Seconds later, they arrived... The doors opened & Galaranth was the first to step out.
"I'm home," Galaranth said, feeling that old sense of comfort come back to him. He felt like he knew the streamlined bridge for years. He walked out onto the main area, as his colleagues followed. His fellow bridge officers stopped their duties & greeted their commanding officer...

"Admiral, isn't this wonderful!?"
"This ship is big... But not as big as you, pal."
"She is a great vessel. One that has the honor of having you as a commander."
"I could only imagine what we could accomplish with her, eh Cappy?"
"It is most gratifying to see you again, sir."

"Heh, it's good to see you too, guys," Galaranth grinned. "You bunch make a ship feel like a home away from home."
His entourage & bridge officers were all grins. He suddenly looked down at the captain's chair, his heart beating quickly, just by the sight of it. He walked to it... Slowly, he slipped into his post, as the chair adjusted in size to take his dragon form. His eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm home," He said again.

Applause erupted as he sat comfortably in his captain's chair.
"Message coming in, sir. The communique says it's from a friend from the other side," T'Par, his Vulcan Sehlat bridge officer informed.
"Put it onscreen," Galaranth replied.
"Aye, sir."
"Greetings! Earthfur!" A voice boomed out. It was Dejah, a general from the Klingon fleet 'Crimson Talon'. "I heard you were getting a new vessel. I presume this one carries the same name as the last?"
"Yup!" Galaranth replied. "The name means a great deal to me. It's dear to my heart, friend."
"I'd like to see it in action someday. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to fight alongside the new Calgary," The herm smiled jovially.
"Someday," Galaranth cheerfully grinned.
"Until then, good hunting, Admiral.... Or should I say, Qapla'!"
"I wish you & your gallant crew much success in your endeavors. Or as we say, may the wind be at your back." Galaranth responded. With that, they ended their communique.

"Well, let's see what this ship can do... Take her to her limits!" Galaranth gleaned some teeth in an intense smile.
"Aye, sir!"
The ship turned to empty space & warped away on her maiden voyage, going where no man, or no fur has gone before.

The End