Anthonyverse©: Quick-Claw

 

Quick-claw

Issue #1

Many galactic years ago, in the constellation of Lyra, Feline people known as the Lyrans and even humans, lived freely and joyfully on their highly technologically advanced world full of resources which could feed and allow the planet to last for thousands of years. This world is known as Acheron which is on the cradle of the Lyra constellation. But in time, their societies fell into disarray and split into factions over power and technology, and consciousnesses. While others were on the side of technology, others were on the side of consciousness. 

The higher powers of Acheron wanted to control the entire planet with the technology that they had developed but those of higher consciousness believed this was dangerous and one group should not have such power but rather should be shared among society so they could flourish as a planet and saying that one day would come when they would have to unite as one to fight against outside forces and the consciousness group of the Acherons fought for the sharing of this technology but they were unsuccessful. 

The higher consciousness side set out and prayed in protest, chanting for sharing of technology and unity among nations. Then one unfortunate day. The power of Acheron unleashed policing units to protests and began using their technology on the protests across the planet killing the protesters in cold blood. Soon the leader Malthor, a feline being with dark fur, brownish red eyes, came over their TVs and holograms in the sky telling the people they will bow down to the leaders of Acheron or risk imprisonment or death.

Eventually, a faction would rise of spiritual beings. Ambushing and raiding military posts of the tyrannical rule of Malthor, his leaders and his army. Gaining technology, such as crafts, ground vehicles and weapons. The spirit forces fought back against the tyrannical rulers the war would come to be known as the war between Good and evil.

During this time, Those civilians who did not choose to fight, sought refuge away from the planet plagued by the war and thus the good forces would use spaceships that they confiscated from the tyrannical forces to help people escape the planet and seek refuge elsewhere in the cosmos. Those who did not leave, stayed and fought back against the tyrannical rule of Malthor.

This war wiped out many cities and towns of the people. Those who did not want to leave stayed and fought back against the tyrants. One man and his village in particular, Quick-Claw or Claw for short, is a Feline male warrior being. He and his people live high in the mountains away from all the cities but can spot the smoke miles away. He has many refugees staying in his village away from the war. 

Claw looks off into the horizon with his family at his side. His wife and daughter. Seeing the smoke rising all across the sky in all different directions. 

“Papa? Why is there so much pain in the world?” His daughter Ava asked.

“Some wanted power. Others wanted unity. Unfortunately they just couldn’t agree and this is the result.” Claw spoke as he looked back at the village with all the refugees.

“But You don’t have to worry, little one. We will be fine.” Her mother Venna spoke.

As they turn to walk back to the village, Claw hears helicopter blades whirling and coming towards his village. He turns to look and sees a Tyrannical black crescent shaped craft coming towards him.

“Venna, take the people and get inside now.” Claw spoke.

All the people scramble and hurry about into the huts. As the craft gets closer it proceeds to land in a field close to the village. A male Lyran with black fur and black armor named Vasha steps out and comes walking towards the village.

“Who is in charge here?” Vasha asked.

“Who are you?” Claw asked.

“My name is Vasha. I am a commander of the political forces of Acheron. Who are you?” he asked.

“My name is Claw. why have you come here?”

“We have come because he are in control of this region and we need a post for our people to station. And I need to know which side you are on?” Vasha asked.

“We are not on either side. We just seek refuge from the war. Away from the unnecessary death and destruction this war of yours is causing.”

“So the peace force it is then.” Vasha spoke.

He quickly draws his gun and shoots Quick-Claw and he falls to the ground.

“Take them all. We will be taking control over this village now.” Vasha spoke.

Ava hurries out to Claw.

“Father! No!” she cried as she hugged him. Venna tries to hurry out to her but they are grabbed and taken by the political forces. As is everyone else in the village. Those who resisted were killed.

Vasha looks at Claw.

“You picked the wrong side friend.” Vasha spoke as he puts his hat back on and left the area. 

Ava and Venna look from the window at Claw as he lays on the ground motionless. 

“Get the men out here immediately and set out an outpost here. We will use it to take the peace force by surprise. Dispose of him.” Vasha ordered. 

Two soldiers pick up Claw and carry him to the river and throw his body into it and the current carries him away and the craft takes off with all the villagers on board. Venna and Ava cry uncontrollably as they watch their village vanish from sight.

Claw’s body flows freely downstream and finally comes to the river bed and floats onto the land. A shadow covers him as he lays there motionless. 

“Someone, come over here and help me with him! Get him inside immediately.” A female Feline trooper spoke.

Later, in a large cave. Claw begins to come to. And wakes up. He looks around in confusion as his body is wrapped in bandages. He looks up to see the same brown fur feline lady putting a rag on his head.

“What! Where am I?” Claw asked, sitting up quickly.

“It’s ok, friend. You’re safe. You’re in a peace force hidden camp in the mountains.” the woman said.

“Who are you?”

“My name Zara, I am a commander of the peace force. Who might you be?”

“My name is Quick-Claw but my village calls me Claw. I’m a spiritual leader among my tribe.”

“Village? Oh yes. The one a few miles from here. Yeah we saw a political force crescent ship land up there, what happened?”

“A man named Vasha came and took over my village and left me for dead. I need to go and see if my wife and child are ok.” Claw said trying to stand but had strong pain and struggles.

“No, you are in no condition. Wait a few days. We will move on to the village together and see what we can do ok? For now just rest.” Zara smiled.

“I don’t have time to rest. I need to find my family and my people.”

“I understand. But if you go out there in your current condition, you will not survive an attack. Please.” Zara pleated.

Claw looks at her and lays back down and breathes deeply. Zara walks up to one of her soldiers.

“I want you to take a scout team. See what has become of his village. If there are any survivors.” Zara ordered.

“Yes commander.” a soldier spoke. 

Suddenly outside, in the distance, they hear more than one crescent ship. They step outside to see what it is and spot three crafts heading towards Claws village. Claw limps towards the people and observes the crafts. 

“It looks like they’re going to use your village for a soldier post.” a trooper spoke.

“No, we can’t allow them to be this close to us. We need to go up there and take it. Push them out of this area. Jari, take your unit. Scout the area to see how many we are dealing with. Do not engage unless you are attacked first. Understand?” Zara ordered.

“Yes commander.” Jari replied.

In the village, multiple armed units deboard the ships and the ships take back off into the sky. They use the huts for storage and to set up communication radios and towers. 

Later that same night. Jari and his troopers are scouting the village. 

“Remember everyone. This is only a recon mission. Do not engage unless we are engaged first. Understand?” Jari whispered. They all nod in agreement and proceed on mission.

They get close enough to scout the area. 

“Commander, come in?” Jari called.

“Go ahead Jari.” Zara answered.

“It is as we suspected. They are using his village as a soldier post. They have multiple radio towers and ground vehicles stationed here. Looks to be a supply depot as well.”

“Very good lieutenant. Report back immediately.” Zara ordered.

“Copy.” Jari replied.

But as soon as they turn to walk away. Political forces snuck up behind them and hold them at gunpoint. They shoot Jari and his men in the legs and arms. Zara and the others hear the gunshots off in the distance. Zara looks in concern. 

“Lieutenant, come in?” Zara called but got only Static. Then she tries again. “Jari come in?” but once again receives static.

“Hello Lieutenant. You’re coming with us.” a soldier spoke as he knocked out Jari and carried him away. They put him in a holding cell. And by the time he wakes up he is locked in. 

“Commander, come in.” Jari whispered.

“Jari, are you ok?” Zara asked.

“No, they wounded me and my men and put us in a cell.”

“A cell?” She looked at Claw.

“Yes… I don’t know why they kept us alive.”

“Jari, they’re going to try to get our location from you. Whatever you do. Please do not give up our location. We will come for you. understand?” 

“Yes commander…” Jari replied nervously. 

She approaches Claw.

“Why do you have a cell in your village?” Zara asked.

“We don’t or at least didn’t. We have a sober longhouse. If someone got disorderly or too drunk or did something they weren't supposed to they’d spend a day or two in the long house. Nothing major.”

“Oh, well they have Jari and his unit in this longhouse. And we need to free them. I never leave my people behind.”

“Neither do I.” Claw spoke.

Zara looks at him and smiles. “Sergeant, gather the troops in the meeting room immediately.”

“Yes commander.”

Back at the longhouse, the captain of the post, Captain Dende. Come walking in.

“Well, well. A lieutenant of the peace force. This is a pleasant turn of events. Tie him up. We have a few questions for him.” Dende smiled.

Back in the hideout. They all gather.

“Ok everyone. We have a situation. The tyrannical forces have set up a base near our location. We need to take the base and free Jari and his unit. We will focus on the village first. Then seek out Jari. We will need an extraction team to carry the wounded. Let’s move out.” Zara ordered.

Claw walks up to her.

“I am going with you.” 

“You can’t. You’re in no condition to fight.”

You obviously do not know my people all that well. That is my village. If anyone knows how to navigate it, It is me.”

Zara looks at him and smiles then looks at a rifle sitting on the table. She grabs it and hands it to Claw. 

“Alright. But you must be careful. Stay close to the unit, understand?”

“Yes… commander.” Claw replied with a grin.

They mount up in vehicles and proceed out towards the village and within a few minutes they arrive on the outskirts of the village and dismount the vehicle. 

“Alright Alpha team you take the east side. My unit will take the west side and hit them in a pincer attack. Maiq, take out their communication towers so they can’t call for backup. Is everyone ready? Let’s go.” 

They move out in stealth. Staying crouched and scouting the area.

“Maiq, take out the towers.” Zara ordered. Maiq comes up with his sniper rifle and shoots the communication tower control boxes shutting them down.

“Great work corporal. The rest of you. Make them dance.” Zara orders and another trooper throws a grenade killing several soldiers.

“Everyone else! Let’s move out!” 

They go charging into the village.

In the command post, Dende looks in shock as he hears the explosions.

“Everyone. The enemy is here! Defend this village, we can not lose this post. Sergeant, call for backup. Tell them we are under attack.” Dende ordered.

“I can’t captain.” 

“What do you mean you can’t?”

“They’ve taken out our communication towers. We are on our own…” 

Dende looked in shocking concern.

Meanwhile back in the village Zara, Claw and the troopers take out several of the soldiers but several troopers are also shot and killed. Claw drops several men with single shots.

“Claw. where is the longhouse.” Zara asked.

“It’s right over there.” Claw pointed. 

“Good, let’s go.”

Zara and Claw hurry to the longhouse and proceed with caution. They take out the guards and find their way to the holding area. But Claw hangs back. As Zara goes rushing in and finds Jari and his men.

“Commander. It is good to see you.” Jari smiled.

“You to lieutenant. Let’s get you out of here.” Zara spoke.

Then Dende comes in and points his gun at Zara.

“Ah, commander Zara. It is about time we meet. I’ve been ordered to find you and take you in.”

“I will never tell you where our headquarters is… Dende.”

“That’s ok, I’ll get it out of you one way or another.” Dende spoke.

Suddenly Claw thrusts a dagger through Dende’s gun shoulder causing him to drop the gun. He yanks it out violently causing Dende to scream in pain. 

Dende looks at Claw.

“Who are you? You’re not one of her people.”

“My name is Quick-Claw and this is my village you people stole from me. Now I want to know. (Claw holds his sword to Dende’s throat) Where are my people? Where is my family!?” Claw demanded.

“Your people and family? Hahaha. You know what. I will tell you. Only because I know you will not get there alive and I want to see you dead. Commander Vasha took them to his main base in the half decent city of Bruma. He is going to torture them until they surrender to our political authority.”

“My people would never surrender to tyranny.”

“Haha. you think so…” Dende grinned.

Claw looks in concern. Then Zara kicks Dende in the face knocking him unconscious. Claw leaves the room.

“Claw wait. You can’t go into Bruma. It is heavily guarded and controlled by tyrannical forces. You’ll never make it out alive.”

“I don’t care. Remember when you said you do not leave anyone behind? Well neither do I. Now I am going to find my family.” Claw said as he walked to a shelf pulls out a bow and arrows and another dagger. He gears up, putting his bow across his back and sheathing his daggers. Then he leaves the hut.

Zara and several troopers help Jari and his men out. When Zara gets outside. Jari and his men are helped by the others.

“Claw wait!” Zara spoke.

Claw stops in his tracks and turns around.

“If you’re going to do this. I am going with you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. My people need me, like your people need you here.”

“You helped free my people. Now, I will help you free yours.”

Claw smiles at her and she smiles back.

“Sergeant, make sure Lieutenant Jari, and his unit get the proper care. Get some troopers here to station at the village until we return.” 

“Yes commander.” The sergeant replied.

Claw and Zara mount up into one of the vehicles and proceed on towards the city of Bruma. 

“When we arrive at Bruma. They will not just let us walk in willingly. You must be prepared to fight your way to city Hall.” Zara spoke.

“I am ready and willing to save my people and my family. Even if it cost me my life. This war had nothing to do with us but yet we were caught in the middle. Once my people are free. I want off this planet. Because this war of yours will surely destroy it.” Claw spoke.

Zara looks in sadness as she excellerates towards the city. 

Meanwhile in the city, Vasha is locking Claws people away in cells. 

“This can all go away. If you people just surrender to us. Or do you prefer to make it complicated?” Vasha asked.

Venna and Ava just look at him in fearing silence as he shuts the prison door. 

“I see…” Vasha said as he went to walk away.

“My husband will come for us…” Venna said, causing Vasha to stop in his tracks. He turns around to look. “Let him come. He will not make here alive.” Vasha grinned and continued out.

Meanwhile a few miles from the City, Claw, and Zara are close. 

“Alright. Mount the machine gun. We are going to push through the city.” Zara spoke.

Claw nods in agreement and mounts the gun. 

“On my mark. Fire.”

She puts the pedal to the floor and the city is finally in sight. At the city walls, Vasha’s men patrol. 

“Ready! Fire!” Zara shouts.

Claw mounts cocks the mounted machine gun and open fires killing the patrols.

Zara blasts through the city guard gate. Claw open fires as Zara pushes through the city hitting foot patrollers and other vehicles. Suddenly a rocket launcher is fired but Zara dodges the shot and Claw shoots the launcher soldier killing him.

As they get closer to the base, a tank stands guard. Takes aim and fires. It misses but Forces Zara off to a side road. Then she turns down an Alley and parks the armored Car. 

“We are going to have to walk from here. I hope you're skilled with that dagger and bow against guns.

“I guess we will learn soon enough.” Claw said as they proceeded on.

They peak at the corner and see the entrance to Vasha’s base. They stealthily move up then Claw quickly dispatches the soldiers with his bow. Then they proceed inside.  One guard stands by the entrance as watch. Claw approaches stealthy, trips the soldier and then thrust his dagger into the chest of the soldier killing him.

Zara looks in shocking impressiveness.

“Very nice.” 

Suddenly soldiers come running around the corner and open fire on Zara and Claw, forcing them into cover. 

In Vasha’s office he witnesses the battle taking place. He jumps up in a hurry and zooms in Claw. 

“He looks like one of the villagers I brought… Oh no… He is with Zara… All units! We have intruders!” Vasha called.

Zara and Claw begin pushing their way through the hall killing soldiers as they push through. 

Finally they find their way into Vasha’s office. His back turned to them. Claw aims his bow.

“Vasha! Where are my people you coward!” Claw spoke.

Vasha chuckles and turns around. 

“They’re safe for now.” Vasha chuckled.

“Zara, please go find my people. I will deal with him.”

Zara nods, and Vasha goes to aim at Zara to shoot her but Claw is quick and throws a knife disarming him. Vasha looks in shock. Zara hurries out.

“Fine, We’ll do this your way.” Vasha spoke as he pulled a sword and charged Claw. Claw pulls his daggers and deflects his sword and kicks him back.

“Very impressive.” Vasha said.

“You wanted my people to be a part of your little pathetic useless war. Well, we are involved now. And we are not on your side!” Claw spoke as he charged again.

Meanwhile, Zara works her way down to the cells killing any guards who try to stop her and finally arrives. She takes the keys from a dead soldier and unlocks the cell door.

“Who are you stranger?” Venna asked.

“My name is Zara, I am with the resistance force. I am working with Claw. to get you out of here. Let’s go.” Zara smiled.

“Papa is here?” Ava asked.

“Yes, young one. He asked me to get you out of here. Let's get you back home.” Zara smiled.

“Wait. Where is my husband?” Venna asked.

Back in Vasha’s office they continue to battle it out with Vasha now getting the upper hand. 

“You’ve fought well, warrior. I give you that. But now it is time for your life to end.” Vasha spoke as he picks up his side arm and takes aim, But claw is too quick, and slides under his legs slash his back tendons causing him to drop his gun and drop to his knees and he quickly pulls his bow and aims at his chest.

“So that is why you're called Quick-claw…”

Zara comes around the corner and joins his side. Vasha looks at Claw. 

“So now what are you going to do?”

“You kidnapped, and killed my people. Took my family… You deserve every bit of death that is coming to you…” Claw spoke.

“No Claw, let him face justice the proper way. He broke rules of war by kidnapping spouses and children. Even his people will not approve of it and neither will ours. If you kill him, you’ll only be stooping to his level and making him a hero.” Zara pleated.

Venna looks at Claw. Claw looks in determination and pulls the bow harder anxiously ready to fire. But then lower it.

“Lucky for you I have a heart and a conscience.” 

“Haha you’re a coward…”

Claw punches Vasha and knocks him unconscious. Ava and Venna hurry to Claw's side and hug him tightly.

“Now what do we do?” Venna asked.

“First we return home. Gather our things. Then… we are leaving the planet.” Claw spoke looking at Zara. Zara nods in agreement, zip ties Vasha and they leave the base with Quick-claw and his people with his family by his side.  

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