The Dogs of War

Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan. Two American destroyers sit here at anchor. On board the U.S.S. Ruegger we come into the briefing room of the ship. The ships crew consists of Captain Denali, a male Great Pyrenese. First Officer Clementine, a female Great Dane. Helm officer Ace, a male Rottwieler/shepherd mix. Radar officer Wiley, a male coyote. Communications chief Sammy, a male Malamute. Chief Engineer Gavin, a male Canary Dog. Chief Medical officer Belle, a female Border Collie. Weapons officer Shogun, a male Akita and Operations officer Aaron, a male Irish Setter.

On the far wall is a monitor showing the same room on board their sister ship the U.S.S. Mills. The crew consists of Captain Nick, a male orange tabby with a nick in his left ear. First Officer Kestrel, a female grey and white DSH. Helm officer Sheba, a female creme colored Persian. Radar officer Jamie, a male grey DSH with black stripes. Communications chief Casey, a male all black DSH. Chief Engineer Lionel, a male tri-color Maine Coon. Chief Medical Officer Tabitha, a female Abyssinian. Weapons officer Ari, a male Siberian and Operations officer Fawn, a female calico

Captain Denali is addressing both crews.

"The crisis in Europe is over. GONV Forces have been defeated and the Retriever has sunk the GONVs latest superweapon, the Juggernaught battleship. We now have a mission of our own before we team back up with the Retriever. I've been told that a pirate gang has been roaming the Pacific sea lanes. This is no ordinary pirate gang. It's a group of cano-mutants who mutinied from General Parvo. Our job is to stop them no matter what. Nick?"

On the screen, Nick stands up and addresses both crews.

"They are led by a Pit Bull cano-mutant calling himself Blackbeard. Apparently they've all taken on the names of history's bad guys. They're using a stolen luxury yacht as a base. It's heavily modified with turrets, torpedo tubes and other nasty surprises. They have a special dock for personal water craft and speed boats. They call their ship the Carnage. They've been operating in the central pacific in the Kiribati, Gilbert and Caroline island chains to name a few."

"They're reign of terror and plunder ends now ladies and gentledogs." says Denali. "Let's weigh anchor and go after them. Dismissed."

****

Open ocean. The Carnage is sailing along as a frieghter is spotted on the horizon.

"Ahoy!" shouts the lookout "Ship off the port bow!"

On the bridge Blackbeard and a female cano-mutant look on.

"Ripper, bring us about. We have another ship to plunder."

"Aye captain."

"Ohh, I just love it when you talk pirate Blackbeard!" says the female.

"I'm glad you like it Jezabel. Ready the canons! Attila, Napoleon, Booth, get your boarding parties ready."

"Yes sir!"

"We're in range captain!"

"Cry havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War! Fire!"

****

On the bridge of the Ruegger.

"Captain, I'm getting a distress call from a freighter in the Caroline Chain." says Sammy.

"What's wrong?" says Denali

"The Japanese freighter Fuji Maru has come under attack from pirates. They're being boarded. Message ends."

"Ace, battle speed to the Carolines."

"Aye sir."

Later as both ships sail the area.

"Look out spotted anything yet?" says Denali.

"No sir." says Clementine.

"Message from the Mills sir." says Sammy "They're changing course to pick up survivors."

"Roger that."

****

Hours later in Denali's office, Nick is on his desk monitor.

"A total of 12 survivors from the Maru were picked up." says Nick "The pirates attacked, boarded their ship, ransacked it for everything that wasn't to heavy to carry and then torpedoed the ship and left."

"That's been their way of doing things. Did they say which way they went?"

"Southeast, they think."

"Thanks Nick. Drop them off at a safe harbor, I'm going after them."

"Will do. Mills out."

****

Carnage. Blackbeard's quarters.

"A few hours ago you told me you liked the way I acted like a pirate! Now your changing your mind?" says Blackbeard.

"That was before you left survivors to tell the authorities where we went!" says Jezabel. "Your an idiot Blackbeard!"

"Bite your tongue you wench! I'm luring whoever is coming after us into a trap."

"Oh really? I say your going soft on me."

"Captain Blackbeard, Ripper here. We got several patrol boats following us. They've ordered us to heave to and prepare for boarding."

"That's who's after us." says Blackbeard "Ripper, all hands to action stations!"

"Aye sir."

Out on the water, four patrol boats circle the Carnage. One comes along side. But before anyone can start a ladder up, a bazooka shot hits the patrol boat forcing the crew to jump overboard before it explodes. Machine gun fire erupts from the other boats as the pirates open up with laser canons. The last boat is left and the Carnage rams it, breaking it in two.

"Captain Blackbeard, ship to starboard!"

Blackbeard and Jezabel, who had been reveling in their victory look in that direction.

"Oh, blast! It's an American destroyer!" says Blackbeard. "Full speed, let's lose them in that squall!"

****

"They've seen us sir." says Sammy "They're headed for that squall."

"Shogun, main battery, fire at will!"

The Ruegger's forward turret fires, barely missing the Carnage as it enters the squall.

"I've lost them sir." says Sammy.

"Ace, head into the squall. Maybe we can catch up to them." says Denali.

"Aye sir."

After several tense moments the Ruegger comes out of the squall.

"Torpedoes coming in to port!" says Wiley

"Hard to starboard!"

"They missed us." says Wiley

"Where's the Carnage?" says Clementine

"I've lost them." says Wiley "They must have double backed into the squall."

"All right then. Ace let's do a lazy O around the squall. Maybe we'll pick them up again."

"Aye sir."

****

Hours later, the Carnage is docked at an island. Blackbeard and several others are confronting the elders of the islands village.

"Your going to give us everything you have or we'll raze this village to the ground!"

The villagers are too frightened to put up a fight as they ransack. In one hut, a scared villager is hidden behind a crate and has a morse code device and is ticking away at it. Blackbeard suddenly shoves the crate away, startling the villager. Blackbeard unsheaths his sword and raises it above his head.

"No!"

The villager dives out of the way as Blackbeard slices the telegraph in two. He heads out of the hut.

"Attila, get the last boat ready. I want out of this festering island."

"Yes sir."

A ship's horn suddenly blows. Blackbeard and Attila watch as the Carnage steams away. Blackeard growls.

"Jezabel you two-timing wench! Wait till I get my claws around you! Attila, forget the loot, just drive!"

They start the speed boat up and begin to follow. Two action station klaxons blare and from around the island come the Ruegger and the Mills.

"Aw nuts! Hurry Attila!"

"I'm going at full speed!"

The Carnage launches torpedoes at the three pursuing ships.

"I can't get away from this one sir!" says Attila "It's homing in on us!"

Blackbeard stands up in the boat and, waving his fist at the Carnage, roars.

"Jezabeeeellllll!!!!

The torpedo finds its mark and the speed boat blows up.

*****

On the bridge of the Ruegger.

"Torpedoe incoming!" says Wiley

"Hard to port!" says Clementine.

"Missed us."

"Main battery, fire!"

The Carnage turns and aims its guns at the destroyers and fires also. A shell hits the Mills on her forward starboard quarter.

"Mills, do you copy?" says Sammy "Damage report."

"Nothing to bad here." says Casey "Minor hull scoring but we're still operational."

"Roger that. Over and out."

Both ship continue to fire. Shells start to hit the Carnage and fires begin to consume the ship.

"Why don't they get off?" says Ace "Don't they know they're in trouble?"

The Carnage suddenly blows up sending debris everywhere.

"Must have reached their magazine." says Clementine.

"Bring us alongside Ace. See if there are any survivors." says Denali.

"Aye sir."

*****

Denali's office. The Master is on his desk monitor.

"No survivor's captain?"

"None sir. These pirates are done for."

"Good job anyway. Head for your rondezvous with the Retriever."

"Yes sir."

The screen blanks and Denali heads for the bridge.

"Ace, head for the Indian Ocean. We're teaming back up with the Retriever."

"Aye, aye sir."

The End