[i]Many think adventuring through space is the job of wonder, of beauty, and freedom[/i]  “Change trajectory! Change trajectory!” The computer system screamed, red lights flashed, wings of the fighter ship burned brightly as the damaged craft began to sink and dip towards the planet’s orbit. 
        [i] Many see adventures through space as a dangerous task, especially in the line of duty…[/i] Clutching tightly around the ship's steering, Celest quickly jerked to the side as a shower of bullets flew past her. The ship's shields deflected what it could but under the amount of stress the atmosphere was putting on the craft and the repeated attacks from her followers were quickly adding up, “Change trajectory! Change trajectory!” Rolling her eyes, Celest quickly flicked the mute button on her console, “I know what I’m doing, I just-” The ship rumbled as her shields gave out, leaving her exposed, “Dammit!” 
        [i] The life of a space mercenary comes with its drawbacks, but the rush gets you get when you’re so close to death… it's to die for! [/i] As fast as she could, Celest began to bank to the side, turning the ship around while killing her engines. Rotating 180 degrees, letting her face her followers while rocketing hundreds of miles per minute, she readied her ships laser rifle, holding down the firing button to charge her shot, she smirked as she met her attacker’s gaze. A green blob like creature, using metallic incisions in its body to control its ship suddenly froze as 7 eyes opened wide, the red glare making their pupils dilate, “It’s been a pain knowing you!” Releasing the button, a ray of red fired, drilling through the weakened shields of the following ship and sent it ablaze as both the rubble and Celest fell towards the planet below. 
        The rough entry didn’t do Celest any favors. She watched as she did her best to steer and glide her craft while the wings were ripped apart, engines completely giving out after taking hours of abuse, no shields to help protect her, and her own racing heart, “Sending distress signal, coordinate of 163 - 4654 - 22 - Shit! Hold it together a little longer!” The glass to the cockpit began to crack under the pressure, her stomach dropping as gravity took hold and dragged her down even faster. Seeing the thick clouds be punctured by her ball of metal, what was once white puffs turned into violent storms. Lightning struck all around, rain poured relentlessly as the shambling hunk of metal began to roll out of control. Closing her eyes, the fox folded her golden ears back, snagged her modified pistol and locked it in place on her belt before taking forced deep breaths, “Just a three and pull, a three and…” Her eyes widened with terror as she watched a massive tree protrude and form through the chaos of the storm. Without thinking of if she was facing up or down as she spun, her claws moved on their own, pulling the eject command from the ship. 
        Cockpit flying off and the wind knocked out of her, the fox pilot was ejected into the air, four parachutes opening and becoming victims to the violent storm as the scrap metal pit crashed straight into the tree, engulfing the plant in flames as the wreckage rolled to the ground. Trying to catch her breath, the fox cracked an eye only to notice just how far down land truly was. The tree canopy below was more like mini cliffs than true plants. All trees reached thousands of feet in the air, leaves outstretched to drink the rain. Wind whipping around, the current took hold of her chutes and suddenly sent her casting down. Her amber eyes flashed as lightning danced across the storm filled sky. The streaking light being the last thing she saw before feeling her head collide hard with the trees as she fell.
        [i] I wanted to be a pilot… We tried so hard, studied so much… but the pay… the money wasn’t there… was this all worth it? Was all this work really worth it when the damn bounty was for a child’s crown?[/i] eyes flickering open, Celest groaned as her feet dangled from her chair. The chirping of birds’ songs filled her ears as the seat rocked side to side. Rubbing her neck as she shook her head, Celest looked around only to find herself dangling in the trees, just a straight fall down to meet her, “Really? Not a single branch to use?” Sighing, she tried to shift her weight and look about, only to feel the chair threaten to fall. Gulping, she looked up to find her parachutes completely wrapped within each other, caught and snagged around a tree limb 20 feet above, “Can’t climb out, can’t jump down… no extra tools on me, and that fall would most likely break bones if not kill me.. Dammit the hell…” 
        Taking inventory of her own gear, she felt and checked her belt. Quickly relieved to feel her pistol still attached. Her grey boots came up to meet her knees, her lab coat was ruffled but still intact, while her ear piece was knocked out of place but still equipped. Her large ears flicked while her long fox tail swayed in the air, “I’m a sitting duck… can’t stay here long…” 
        As she spoke to herself, her heart skipped a beat as a voice called back, “True, but you’re not really in a position to go anywhere without help either.” A cold voice hissed. Celest immediately pulled out her pistol, clicking on the green laser sight and took aim at the voice’s source. There coiled just below her was a large serpent. A naga with dark, navy-blue scales, a prestigious cobra hood with the design of orange fiery tongues that joined together to make an image of two massive eyes, as well as the warm-toned white scales for his underbelly. Orange Reptilian slit eyes stared at her as a grin crossed the naga’s face, “There’s no need for weapons, I don’t mean you any harm, in fact, I’d like to make a deal.” 
Celest didn’t dare drop her weapon as she readied her claw on the trigger, “State your demands and make it quick!” 
The naga’s eyes widened with glee, “The name’s Soluk, and the terms are simple. I want a snack for the road, and I can take you somewhere safe and you hand over your weapon until we get there.”
Celest rolled her eyes, “like I’m going to fall for that serpent!” The green pinpoint light shined on the naga’s chest as he sighed, “Well, it’s either you let me help you, or you’ll dangle here for a few more hours until the creatures below wake up and peck you to death. Hunting birds around here are not something you want to fall victim to, that I promise you.” 
Gritting her teeth, Celest weighed her options before lowering her weapon, “Fine, I don’t have food on me but I can get you some once we're down.” 
        Soluk grinned wider as he began slithering  up the tree towards the tied up tree branch. The navy blue scales bobbed and swayed through the bark with ease as he crossed the tree branch, coiled around the reinforced tethering of the parachutes, and slide down easily towards Celest. Once he was just a few feet above her, he stretched his claws out, “It will be easier if you just hand me your belt, I promises to give it back as well as your weapon and strange crown.” 
        Celest recoiled at the mention of the prize that got her stuck here to begin with, “You will not-”
        “Vixen, please, do you want to be helped or not?” Celest’s blood boiled, ready to snap back, but her own survival had to come before her temper. Balling up her fists, she grabbed her pants as she slid her belt off, weapon and crown attached, “Fine, but not a second after I’m on the ground got it?” 
        Soluk nodded, his hood dancing with the eye pattern almost blinking with his movements, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 
        Handing the belt over, Celest eyed the naga and waited as he attached the belt to the tether, “Now what?” The vixen spat as she crossed her arms. 
        The naga only grinned deeper as he inched closer, claws clicking against the metal clips, “Now I get my snack and you get a way out with time.” Panicking, Celest started to push the naga away as his jaw unhinged. Opening his maw widely, he grabbed her struggling arms and easily pulled them into his maw. His tongue licked and drenched her limbs with saliva, his eager throat widening as it pulled her in. Gulping loudly, the naga moved gently down, his tongue curling around her hair and cheek as she looked away, “The hell is wrong with you!” gripping the wet throat with her claws, she tried to scratch the serpent. Feeling the claws, Soluk pulled back and released her damp arms. 
        Glaring at the snake, Celest cursed as the naga shook his head and gulped back a mouth of spit, “Do you mind?” Soluk spat at his soon to be snack while the vixen was busy shaking her arms dry, “How would you suggest I get you down safely? You stand out too easily for the predators nearby, you’re too big to carry on my back or in my arms, and we don’t have time for this! So by all means, if you have a better idea, then tell me!”
Celest went to protest only to see a large avian raptor fly by below, a towering beast making the largest of buildings appear small. Soluk gestured to the creature with wide eyes and an “I told you so look.” Taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh, Celest nodded, closing her eyes and ruffling her snout, hating every second of this plan. 
The naga sighed, inching his way back to her and whispered quietly, his voice hissed but spoke with care, “I promise to keep you safe, trust me even if I haven’t given you a reason to yet.” The fox could only nod as she closed her eyes. 
Her claws felt the forked tongue lick around her ears, coating her forehead as she tucked her arms and legs together. Soluk moved slowly, feeling the chair sway as he placed her head in his maw, sliding it in gently, taking long moments to savor her flavor while gulping her ears down. Heart racing, muscles clenching, he started to move faster, sliding the fox’s head and neck into his gullet with ease. Reaching over, he unbuckled her seatbelts, letting her wiggle free. Taking in her shoulders, Soluk gripped her sides with his claws, keeping her still as he took her in completely. His eyes rolled in the back of his head as he felt her resisted struggles kick in, her figure wiggling and moving deep inside as he worked down her shoulders to her chest and sides. Fangs brushing gently against her skin, he did what he could to ensure not a single nip was taken. 
        Feeling trembles run through Celest’s form, Soluk tried to speed up, gulping loudly as he took in her hips and raised his head high, letting gravity help bring in her legs and boots until there was nothing left but a large bulge in his scales. The fleshy walls clenched and released, the fox snuggly packed away inside as the stomach churned and growled, letting its new guest get settled in. All the wiggles and claws pressing against the fleshy walls made the naga purr with delight, “Oh you truly are a treat.” Soluk snickered as he began slithering up the cables and to the tree branch above. Wrapping his lower figure around the wood, he pressed himself against the tree and watched the sun slowly rise in the horizon. Eyes growing heavy as his scales pulsed with new struggles of his snack, he rubbed her form with his claw as he sighed, “You’ll be ok, I’ll keep you and your tools safe, but first, I need to rest before I get to the base of the tree, just wait a little longer.”
Clicking the belt around his waist, he coiled tightly into his corner, blending in with the shadows of the leaves above as he rubbed the bulging and growling figure, letting his fleshy walls take in every inch of his guest as he the hungry serpent grew tired and fell asleep. Feeling Celest move and struggle only made him [i] Murr[/i] with glee as his tired voice spoke loud enough for the fox to hear, “I must rest, friend, I suggest you do the same. Once you’re awake, you’ll be on your feet and free.” 
Celest snarled in protest and tried to claw the thick walls to no avail as her arms and legs were pinned. Before she could protest, she took a deep breath and sighed, the hot chamber and warm air slowly getting to her. It was a nice change compared to air drying from cold rain the night before. Closing her eyes, she hated the idea, but followed the advice given, letting the pair fall gently to sleep until it was safe to continue, “Good night, Soluk spoke tiredly, “sweet dreams.”