Ortell V, an independent planet known for shady deals and shadier characters. The Wildcards exit the spaceport and step into the street to the hustle and bustle of the planet capital.

"Why are we here again?" says Tundra

"To get a job." says BJ "All right spread out. We'll meet back in 3 hours. And watch yourselves, this planets a little rough."

A sleazy bar somewhere in the capital. Tundra is at the bar here drinking. Steven walks in and notices Tundra.

"Oh, not again. Tundra this has to stop."

"Go away."

"BJ's not going to like--"

"I don't care what BJ would like! Leave me alone."

"Fine. See you back at the ship, hopefully."

Tundra grunts in response as Steven leaves. The bartender walks up.

"I can tell by the way you drink that someone very close died. Who was it?"

Tundra looks up at the bartender with wide eyes.

"I'm a bartender remember? I've seen it all here. Come on, lets have it."

"My.....sister Arctic. We grew up on Mitak VII."

"Oh yeah. That planet you Tiger-Sapes colonized. Honed your hunting skills stalking arctic deer?"

"Yes. I was teaching my sister how to hunt when things went badly for her. She fell and shattered her leg. I made her as comfortable as I could and left to get help. But we didn't get back for two day and by that time....she was dead!"

"I'm sorry. You must feel guilty."

"Extremely. I joined the Space Marines shortly afterwards. I never told anyone this before. Not even to my friends. Thank you."

"No problem."

"Thanks for the drinks."

"Sure thing."

On his way back to the ship Tundra passes through a back alley and is confronted by two men.

"Can I help you?"

"How would you like a job?"

"Sure, my teams always looking for work."

"Not your team, you."

"OK, what's the job?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

The other man opens his jacket and fires his laser pistol. Tundra collapses to the ground.

"Nice work. The boss will be pleased."

"Yes. He will make a fine addition."

****

Back at the spaceport the other Wildcards have returned.

"Where's Tundra?" says BJ "Ohh, never mind, I can already guess. Getting drunk in a bar."

"Your partially right."

They all turn to the man who has spoken.

"Who are you?" says BJ

"A friend. Your tiger friend was kidnapped by a group of slavers I was following."

"What?" says Mrr'tas "The Federation allows slavery?"

"Absolutley not!" says Raven

"These men are independent, working on their own. They kidnap the larger canines and felines and use them as forced labor. They are on a planet known as Otar II, it's a little known desert world the Federation never bothered with. I can give you the coordinates."

"We appreciate your help." says BJ

"I hope you stop these guys. They're trouble."

****

"Wake up!"

Tundra wakes with a start. He finds himself in some kind of barracks building. A man holding a laser rifle stands at the foot of his bed.

"Get up you lazy pile of fur!"

"What's going on here?"

"I said get up!"

The guard hauls him out of bed and out the door. Outside is a hot desert environment. Several barracks are lined up in a row with several more off to one corner. An electic fence with guard towers encircle a cliff face with cave dug in. Tundra finds himself standing in a row with other sapiens. To his left is an Irish Wolfhound and to his right is a Lion. He turns to the lion.

"What's going on here?"

"No talking in ranks!" shouts the guard.

From out of one building steps a very fat man in a business suit, fan in hand.

"Your all a bunch of lazy bags of fur! Not to many centuries ago your kind worked for us, and now you work alongside us. No more of that here! I won't stand for it! Your going to dig out the ore here until your dead."

He turns to Tundra.

"Welcome to Hell fur bag! I hope you like hot work!"

"You can't do this to me!" says Tundra "I have----"

Tundra begins to choke. In the fat mans hand is a device that's emitting a high pitched beep.

"I suggest you watch that tongue of yours before I use your hide as a doormat!"

At this point Tundra is on his knees. The fat man turns off the device and Tundra beathes normally.

"Dobbs, send 'em to work!"

"Yes sir. Grab your pick axes and file into the cave, now!"

After some time Tundra finds himself digging with the pick axe. He turns to the Lion next to him.

"Where are we anyway?"

"Otar II, Hell's Backyard. Names Cairo by the way. The Wolfhounds Goliath."

"Howdy."

"Tundra. I've been kidnapped here."

"Heh, so have we." says Goliath.

"This isn't legal! They're making us work like slaves and with pack axes."

"Give the man a cigar Goliath" says Cairo "He's won the prize."

"I'm serious! We have to escape!"

"How?" says Goliath "No ships ever land here. The ore is transported up. When they're done they'll probably kill us anyway."

Tundra looks at them horrified.

"I can't believe your accepting this so easily."

"Get back to work all of ya!" yells a guard.

"Accept it yourself, Tundra." says Cairo "You'll never escape from here."

to be continued....