Grizzly Mountain, Alaska. A large crowd has gathered around a large pile of wood. On top of it, lies the bodies of the Ursa Majors. The crowd includes an away team from the Retriever, Tex's squad, the Road Rovers, Bear and Nitro, The Maddogs, Unit Strike, Jeremy Tally, Xander and Derek, Yukon's former coworkers and a group of Native Alaskans in ceremonial clothing. Bengal steps up to the front.

"We are gathered here today, to pay final respects to our friends. We barely knew them, yet they influenced our lives in many ways. In the short time most of us knew them, we found them to be honorable, proud warriors who did the right thing. They shall be sorely missed."

Two Native Alaskans step up with torches and light the wood pile. As the bonfire blazes, Shag starts to play "Amazing Grace" on a bagpipe. In the sky overheard, the aurora blazes as numerous grizzly, black and polar bears stand along the ridgeline on their hind legs and roar towards the sky, Kenai included.

"Squad!" shouts Tex "Ready! Aim! Fire!"

Tex's squad fires off a 21 gun salute. As Shag's rendition ends, Hunter and all the others let loose a mournful howl to intermingle with the roar of the bears.

*****

"Come."

Bengal is behind the desk in the captain's office. Tex, Cobalt, Maverick and Slide enter.

"Permission to disembark, Captain." says Maverick

"Granted. So, where you being stationed?"

"Promotion to full bird colonel." says Tex "And the position of Commandant of the Rover Academy annex in Australia."

"Instructor at Miramar Naval Air Station." says Maverick "It seems Top Gun is allowing Road Rover use of the place."

"Well, congratulation. You'll be missed on this ship."

"Thank you, sir." says Slide.

The four of them file out, and Sultan enters.

"Kenai's outside waiting for you, sir."

"Good. Send him in."

"The senior staff are waiting for you in the conference room also."

"I'll be along shortly. Dismissed Sultan."

Kenai enters and comes to attention

"I'm told you wanted to see me, Captain."

"Yes, Kenai, I did. I should point out that you disobeyed Captain Emerald's orders to stay put."

"If I had sir, we'd all be dead!"

"I don't deny that. However, you are an officer on this ship, and you will behave like one. Charging in like a crazed bull doesn't help anybody."

"Your right, of course, sir. It was just heartbreaking to see a fine team wasted like they were."

"I know. Believe me, I know. We both have a strong sense of justice, Kenai. I even admit that at times, I've been a hothead. But I can't let my temper get the best of me now that I'm captain. It's just a, uh, friendly reminder to keep your temper in check."

"Yes sir."

"Now then, what say we get to the conference room."

*****

"Captain on deck!" says T-Bone

The senior staff comes to attention as Bengal enters. He steps up to the podium as they all take seats in foldback chairs.

"I wish it were under better circumstances. I never saught this job, but it's mine now. So then, Let's have a rundown on operating systems. Sultan, I believe your first?"

Sultan stands.

"Yes sir. It's about the Barrage. A team of Rovers will replace Captain Graham and her crew within the next few days. The U.S.S. Barrage is now under our command."

"Good. CAG Akira?

"Our current compliment of Fighter Rovers are to be replaced with roverized F-14 Tomcats, and our bombers with updated A-6 Intruders. Our air wing is going to increase in size. I'm going to have my hands full."

"How many squadrons total are on this ship?" says Bengal

"Two F-14 squadrons, one Hornet squadrons, one Harrier squadron, two Intruder squadrons, a squad of sub-hunter aircraft, Hawkeye early warning planes, midair refuelers, chopper rescue and chopper passenger. All in all a grand total of about 100 aircraft."

Bengal whistles.

"Outstanding. Who's to replace Maverick?"

"That would be Caboose, sir."

"By the way sir, your decision on who's to be first officer." says Sultan

"I haven't forgotten, Sultan. I've thought about it long and hard since the funeral." says Bengal "And my number one choice is Taiko."

Taiko looks up with surprise.

"Your second is capable of doing your job, I hope."

"Yes sir. I-I'm honored.

"Who is your second?"

"That's me, sir."

A male Kuvasz stands.

"Klondike is a very capable officer." says Taiko.

"Very good. See me in my office when were done here, Taiko. Pandora, do you have a replacement for the Stingray?"

"Yes sir. I'm to be the pilot now, and the one who's replacing me will be Anika."

"Very well. Mr. T-Bone?"

"I have been promoted to Captain of the Pouncer platoon and our chain of command goes as such: Lieutenant Mojave, Sargeant Brody, and Corporal Sadie."

"Very good. Axle, how are the engines?"

"Purrin like kittens sir."

Everyone groans at the cliche.

"All right!" says Axle holding up a hand "No more Scotty jokes. Seriously, our engines are more clean and efficent than the other nuke carriers. I don't know where the Atlantis Project got the idea, but they perform like magic."

"Good. Moving on...."

******

Malcor City, Malcoria, King Alexander's palace. A scream rips through the night as soldiers, led by General Dukovsky races toward the royal bedroom.

"Queen Helen! What's the matter!"

Helen, carrying her son, runs out frantic.

"Maximillion! Stop them! They killed Alexander! Stop them!"

"Who, Highness?!"

The doors bust open with a shower of splinters. Standing in the doorway are two very vicious looking wolf-sapiens.

"By all the gods!" mutters a soldier "The rumors of werewolves is true!"

"Soldier, get Queen Helen and the Prince to safety!" says Dukovsky "The rest of you, take those monsters down!"

The soldier ushers Queen and Prince out of the palace as gunfire, screams and roars echo through the palace.

To be continued.....