[snip]

Just as Booster finished his rambling about space monsters coming to ingest his innards there was another muted growl from within the dimly lit cargo bay. Then a screeching of metal on hyper-rubber, likely from a cargo container and a skittering of what sounded like something sniffing and then moving in their direction.....then soft ‘tick tick tick tick’ of what sounded like something four legged moved carefully in their direction from among the bustle of containers and the darker reaches of the bay....

GM CockRoach

“By the sweet Czar’s mother, what was that?!” Exclaimed Sasha, his eyes becoming like pies. “Probably a rabid Russian Wolfhound.” He backed up to be behind a crate.

Petty Officer Walters tried covering his mouth to stifle a mixed exclamation of ‘huh’ with a laugh. Was he the only ‘veteran’ in space here between the three of them? Well, veteran maybe, but maybe not with tick tick ticking of nails on the decking. His eyes fluttered about to try to identify where it was coming from but the echoes and darkness made it harder to pin down, or even how big it was. He frowned and should have ‘NOT’ watched an old movie of ‘The Mummy’ with his brother Warnie before being called back onto the ship.

What ‘would’ a dog be doing on board? He said dog. They had had a dog growing up, a husky named Silver, and it had made those sounds on the kitchen floor. Cats didn’t do that or most other animals. Those sounds made it sound ‘big’ with it escaping. A normal dog wouldn’t do that, or even wolf. Well, okay, he was speculating about the wolf part. Probably it was … wait, if nobody knew it was here then it’s not been fed and would be a hungry dog after a day or more. Who knows how much food was left in its crate? That would explain a lot. Still there were three of them. Dogs or even wolves were naturally cautious and unlikely to attack a group, even if hungry. His Canadian winter hikes in the North of Saskatchewan, and ‘wild’ orientations told him that. If there was only one person here, like Booster, then it might encourage an attack. But three? Not if they stay together.

“Anyone have sandwich on them? Any food?” All Rick had was some beef jerky that he had brought from back home and was loathe to give that up.

About that point Sasha found some nerves. “If that is a hungry beast, perhaps we should back out, close the door, find some food and inform our superiors that someone stowed away a fell beast aboard.” Rick nodded to himself. Not a bad thought. Fell beast might be a bit of an exaggeration. Still, a few minutes more would not hurt anything.

“Let’s do that,” Rick confirmed, tugging on Booster’s sleeve so they would all move back together. Unless of course Booster had a buffet in his pocket to toss out.

NE Gagarin and PO Walters

Booster seemed glad to get dragged out of the cargo bay, as the doors clicked shut again anything more coming from the dimmer areas of the bay were taken from their site. A moment later though there was a scratching and scuffing sound coming on the door from the other side. Like claws scrabbing and scrapping to cut their way through. A muted huffing sound and growl or maybe whine were also heard.

Then just as it seems the beast might not make it through to gouge out their eyes and devour their souls to likely all their surprise the door handle clicked up and after a pause the door got pushed open.....

”..Oh Gods it can open doors we’re ALL GOING TO DIE!!!” Booster said crying in fear, “..Why has no one from the armory department shown up yet?!? I called them over 10 minutes AGO!!!” He wailed then broke off from the pair and fled down the hall out of sight, leaving Gagarin and Walters to their fate it seems.

Thankfully for the two the great dangerous beast was not some nameless horror from the great beyond ready to devour their souls, or rend their flesh. No, as the door swiveled open from the inside, the great dangerous beast turned out to be a dog!

Specifically a short furry cute little thing like this, https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/1610/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-standing.jpg?mode=pad&width=1000&rnd=132143803040000000

It was female, and had a curious tilt to its head, as if looking up at the pair expecting something. Around its body was a blue-green-silver colored harness with two side pouches to either side. Weaved into the top was the markings of the MACO service branch, as well on the other ‘Service Dog’. A collar around its neck with a silver engraved dog tag gave the dog’s service number, blood type, breed, and rank/name Sergeant Nessa in this case. Another tag with a data chip read for hook up to a scanner could likely contain more information.

Sitting dutifully the dog sat on its hindlegs, as if at attention. It seemed to be waiting for someone to give it orders.....

GM CockRoach