Once, the world was like any other. Full of life and death. Good and bad. Humans and animals. It was beautiful and wild. Building and trees covering the Earth in every country. Then one day, it all changed when the two superpowers of the United States of America and Russia, came together to try and solve the world's numerous crises. In an attempt to create clean and limitless sources of energy and resources, they managed to unlock the secret to inter-dimensional travel. A way to harness natural energy and resources from worlds devoid of life.

This first stable portal gave the scientists a glimpse at a world not devoid of life, but of humans. Only fauna lived on Earth and it was never changed by man. While the portal allowed them to view this world, it was not possible to actually walk through it to the other side.

When they attempted to send someone through, as soon as they came in contact with the portal, it imploded and sent out a blast of inter-dimensional energy that caused a drastic change to the Earth. In mere minutes, human life and animal life were changed in different ways. Humans became anthropomorphic animals of multiple random species while still keeping their human intellect and personalities. They now called themselves “Anthros”, since they were no longer human. Natural animals however were affected in a more bizarre way. They all grew to three times their normal size, and some even gained human intelligence and personalities with the ability to speak complete sentences. Only a select few species, mainly quadrupedal ones, were gifted with intelligence and the ability to speak and were deemed “Titans” and assigned numbers, to help separate them from the non-intelligent animals.

It didn't take long for the world to fall into ruin from the catastrophe with multiple governments falling apart and cities collapsing. Wars broke out, all resources were dwindling, society was holding on by a thread, and the overall population had been reduced to half with the warring and medical complications to the new biology of the human race. Only small factions of America and Russia still maintain order in their countries as they try to correct the mistake they made. This is where the story begins, three years after the catastrophe.

An American born Israeli soldier and radio communications specialist named Mica Morez, a veteran combat specialist Russian named Koslov Keetriv, and their male four year old adult deer Titan 4611, are transporting an AGM-88 rocket across the war torn city of Moscow in mid winter. Hoping to reach their base of operations with the rocket intact, they hope it'll aid them in their goal of ending the threat of a rogue faction of carnivore Anthros named the “Meat Eaters”, or “ME” as some of the Russians like to call them, who are trying to claim all of Moscow as their own personal territory, while the American Russian Factions try to make it a safe haven for others.

Koslov lead the three man team with Mica guarding the rear as 4611 walked in the middle. “You good 4611?” Mica asked through her masked face.

4611 shook his back a little to get at an itch from the rocket's strap. “I am fine. The weight is no big deal.” He let out a snort of confidence to show he was strong enough to still handle the load.

“Good. I'd hate for our best Titan to break himself more than the rocket.” She patted him on the side gently. “You are a valuable member of the team.”

“Thank you Mica” 4611 said with a grin.

“Hold up.” Koslov said as he crouched down. Holding his M16 up as if to aim at a target and his fist raised, Mica readied her DMR 14 in case a gunfight was about to begin. 4611 stood his ground but readied to charge or flee should things become too heated. Koslov slowly stood back up and lowered his rifle. “We're clear. Thought I saw a ME but it was just a crow.”

Mica stood back up as 4611 relaxed himself. “Hopefully it wasn't a Titan.” She said as she watched the crow fly off. “It could have been a scout for the Meat Eaters.”

“Unlikely,” Koslov said as he patted snow off his knee, “It let out a caw as it flew away. Titans can't make natural animal noises.” He gestured 4611 to continue moving. “Come. Base is not much farther. We will have a nice warm welcome and meal waiting for us when we return with the rocket.”

Twenty minutes later, all three were back at the base with open arms and cheers for a successful mission. The base, named “Bald Bear” for the two national animals of the respective countries, had a community of five hundred civilians and two-hundred armed forces. It was also home to a group of seventeen scientists and twelve Titans. They were lead by a Russian General and two Majors, as well as an American General and two Majors. The presidents of both countries were in secret government safe houses along with their families to help keep the hierarchy intact, but still helped lead the remaining government structures around the world.

Once Mica and Koslov were safe, they removed their masks and helmets to reveal their Anthro species. Mica was a twenty-two year old red fox with blue eyes and Koslov was thirty-four year old badger with green eyes and a scar across his face from a life before the catastrophe. 4611 was greeted by one of his fellow Titans, a palomino mare with the number designation of 6743. She was carrying a large saddle with satchels full of water and medicine while accompanied by a doctor of the same Anthro species.

“Glad you made it back safely.” She nuzzled his nose with a smile and he returned the gesture.

“So am I. I was afraid it would not go so smoothly. We were lucky.”

Koslov patted 4611 on the side of his leg. “Luck can run out my friend. Make it last.”

6743 chuckled as soldiers removed the AGM-88 rocket from 4611's back and placed it on a the back of a truck for easier transport. He stretched and cracked his back at the relief of not having to carry it anymore. “Much better.”

Mica walked up to 6743 and took a bottle of water from the one satchel. “You keep him in line, we'll keep him alive.” They all chuckled as 6743 was asked by the doctor next to her to follow her to the medical tent. Mica gestured 4611 to go with them, since she knew they were mates. “Go with your girlfriend big guy. We won't go on another mission without you.”

Koslov laid his M16 down on a crate with other assault rifles. “We won't be going anywhere for a while. We have time to be with our friends and family.”

Mica took a sip of water and unbuttoned her coat. “Good. I need a break and I want to see how my dad and little brother are doing. You gonna go check on your mom and aunt?”

“Da. They're always worried about me whenever I go off on a mission. Before AND after our world changed.” He smiled as he unbuttoned his own jacket.

“Guess we can change on the outside, but we can never really change on the inside.” Mica made her way to where she and her family live on the base.

Back at the medical tent, the mare Anthro was examining the temperature of one of the Majors who had just gotten over a cold. “You seem to be doing much better since yesterday sir. I'd say you're good to rejoin the others.”

The Major, who was a middle-aged male white tiger, reached over to grab his hat and placed it back on his head. “Thank you nurse Minerva. We need all able hands on deck to deal with this scenario. Glad I got better at the right time.” Once he walked outside the tent, 4611 and 6743 were standing outside next to each other and politely nodded their heads to the Major. He nodded back to them and made his way back to central command in the center of Bald Bear.

6743 felt uneasy though and couldn't help but speak her mind. “You think they'll be able to end the Meat Eater threat?”

4611 turned to her and grunted slightly. “With this weapon of theirs, I hope so.” He let out a gentle sigh. “Back then, it was hard enough trying to avoid beating killed and eaten by NATURAL carnivores. These days, there are insane humans, well ANTHROS now, who want to do the same thing because of their animal instincts they acquired from the catastrophe. If I were still out in the wild as a stupid deer, I'd have likely been killed by either side of this.” He looked out towards the ruined city and just stared at it for a short time. “Makes me glad I was gifted with intelligence, so I could escape and find my way to Anthro society.”

6743 rubbed her face up against his. “And I never would've met you if you hadn't.” 4611 smiled and rubbed his face back against hers. “Come on. The other Titans want to hear about the mission.”

4611 scoffed playfully and followed 6743. “That's one burden about being the only Titan allowed on missions. You have to tell the story about the whole experience when you get back.”

-The next day-

Mica, Koslov, and thirty other soldiers lead by an Anthro polar bear sergeant, had reached the outskirts of the Meat Eater Faction's base of operations. A closed off part of the city by makeshift walls with guards posted on buildings as lookouts. Even though they were a motley crew of random Russian civilians and different species, they still operated almost as well as those in Bald Bear.

They kept at a far enough distance to avoid being spotted. Once the sergeant had identified the location of the ones leading the Faction, he had Mica radio back to Bald Bear's central command. “We have eyes on primary target. A tall building in the center of their base with the most security. No doubt where their leaders are.”

Back at command, the American General, a male grizzly bear in his late sixties, communicated back to Mica. “Copy that private Morez. We are go for launch on your signal.”

“Copy that sir, we are painting the target now.” Koslov pulled out a laser designating device. He aimed it at the building and signaled Mica they were good to go. “Clear to engage target.” Bald Bear had many vehicles and helicopters, but they had only one Russian fighter jet on hand that was decommissioned yet still operational. Originally, they believed it wouldn't be needed, but that all changed when the Meat Eaters became a major problem.

“Roger that.” The General picked up another radio and spoke to the pilot of the fighter jet that was already in the air. “Pilot, you are clear to engage once target is in range.”

In mere moments, the roar of the jet could be heard throughout the city, and the sound of the launched missile followed not soon after. The soldiers watched as a large fireball explosion engulfed the building and could hear the shouting of frightened and confused Anthros coming from behind the walls once the sound of the explosion had faded. Koslov and Mica readied their weapons, and the sergeant signaled them to move. “Go go go!”

An hour had passed, and the Meat Eater's base had now been taken over. Their chain of command broken, and the few survivors remaining, the threat of their Faction had been dealt with smoothly and swiftly with no losses or injuries on Mica and Koslov's side. Bound and striped of weapons, the remaining fourteen Meat Eater Anthros were brought back to Bald Bear for imprisonment. Even with a small working government and limited resources, the plan worked perfectly. Moscow could soon start to be made a safe haven for Anthros and Titans around the country.

-A few hours later-

Back at the mess hall, where a victory celebration was being held, Mica and Koslov were enjoying a couple of beers together with 4611 standing outside a window to enjoy the festivities as well. “A job well done comrade!” Koslov laughed as he smacked Mica on the back.

Ignoring the pain, Mica smacked him back. “With enough time, careful planning, patience and proper military might, any job can be done well.” She raised her bottle up and Koslov did the same. They both took a drink and turned to face 46211. “Want to try some big guy? I know deer don't normally drink alcohol but...”

4611 chuckled. “First time for everything.” Mica walked over to the window and 4611 stuck his tongue out. She poured a small amount of beer onto his tongue, and 4611 coughed and gagged a little. “That is terrible. Why do you people drink this stuff?”

Koslov laughed and held his drink high. “Why not!?” He took another drink and continued to laugh afterwards.

Mica smiled as she patted 4611 on the head. They both looked out at the others shouting and laughing and celebrating a battle won. “So,” 4611 said with a grin of confidence, “What happens now?”

“Now?” Mica replied. “We rebuild. After that?” She took a small sip of beer and leaned up against the wall by the window. “Who knows.”

THE END...for now.