SUMMER bee. [read desc]

Instructions

2037 GSY, Second Yentri Year ≈ Prologue ≈ Head down in defeat, Thalvor stepped up to the platform. A guard prodded him in the back, willing him to move on. His hands were secured behind him in metal restraints, and his arms hung limply against his back. His dark blue eyes were fixed on the metal floor, flashing with resentment. His mind whirled with ideas of how to escape. So far, he had no chance. The black-and-white fox anthro was forced to the ground, and as Overseer Niryss came by, she snapped at him with her whip. The Overseer wolf anthro had flowy, long white fur—almost blue—and both her ears were pierced four times. Each ear sparkled with two small, golden hoop earrings and two golden studs. She was known for silently judging the captives; she didn’t talk much, in fact. Nonetheless, her determined expression never showed whether she was mad or pleased. Another deafening, lightning-fast crack of the whip sounded right then, and Thalvor joined his fellow captives on the higher platform. They were presented in front of the highest-ranked anthros in the Asteroid. Thalvor and his friends were part of a team before their leader, a light-blue-and-white fox, disappeared. He had been captured by the Asteroid Empire in an ambush. Thalvor and his fellow crewmate, Jay-Jay, had snuck onto the Empire’s ship, the Asteroid, to save him. Unfortunately, they were detained in the process. Their leader was lost to the sinister creation, the Rebel’s Ring, and they never saw him again. “Welcome, my friends!” a deep voice called out, and Thalvor was jolted from his thoughts. He spotted Lord Draxor, leader of the Asteroid Empire. Draxor was a white and gray wolf with black stripes coming down from his eyes to his jaw. He was proud and ambitious, if you call taking over the galaxy simply ambitious. Thalvor narrowed his eyes on the tyrant. No, Thalvor mused, Draxor wasn’t just ambitious. He was evil, relentless, and power-hungry. He was trying to take over the galaxy, after all! Lord Draxor continued. “Thank you for coming to this exciting Ceremony! I know you all have heard that my cousin and our scientist, Dr. Stormpacer, has upgraded his Rebel’s Ring prototype. He increased the amount of electric shock stored in the ring and has refined the design. Now, I present to you our first-ever captives to try out the newer version!” Thalvor and his fellow captives were forced forward. As their names were called, each of the prisoners stepped forth to receive a Rebel’s Ring. First was his friend, fellow mechanic, and crewmate, Jay-Jay. He was a fennec fox with one bent, dyed ear. He also wore a silver chain necklace. He was staring at the floor as Overseer Niryss slid the silver Rebel’s Ring onto his pointer finger. As the ring was activated, Jay-Jay flinched, and a roar of applause went up from the onlooking crowd. The familiar, snarky glint in his eyes was gone. Thalvor looked away. Jay-Jay’s right mind was probably gone by now. He let out a sigh. Why couldn’t he be given the chance to see his leader one last time?! He knew he was already part of the Empire; he had been captured almost a GSY ago. “Thalvor!” Lord Draxor called the name, and the anthro stumbled forward. Overseer Niryss came to him, bearing a Rebel’s Ring. The golden exterior glittered and blurred his vision. Thalvor blinked. Overseer Niryss put her hand out. “Give me your right hand,” she whispered, as if helping a pup. Thalvor hesitated. Overseer Niryss gazed at him with worry, as if she didn’t agree with what was going on. “I’m an Overseer. I didn’t make the ring. But I’m in a high position.” She shook her head sadly. “There’s nothing I can do to stop Lord Draxor.” She paused, then repeated more desperately, “Give me your right hand.” Thalvor stood there a moment. Draxor was growing impatient. “Have you gotten his ring, Overseer Niryss?” he murmured to her. Overseer Niryss didn’t reply to him. Suddenly, she whispered harshly in Thalvor’s ear, “Run.” Thalvor broke away from her. Shocked gasps rippled through the onlooking crowd as he hurried off the platform and struck a blow to a guard blocking his way. Overseer Niryss made it look like she tried to chase after him. Draxor’s eyes went wide. “How did—” He jabbed a finger toward the escaping anthro. “Get him! Knock him out! Get a ring on him!” Overseer Niryss was staring after Thalvor. After giving Rebel’s Rings to countless captives, she couldn’t do it to another. She knew he was from a fleet led by a light blue and white fox legend, but she couldn’t recall his name. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS