Terror in the skies
Chapter 2:

“Okay Anna, could you explain this to me one more time? What is the ‘Chief of Crew Changing’ again? What am I doing here that’s so important?” 

Standing on the side rail of the ship as the crew was loading things up to leave port was Abel Carrows, now dressed in a blue officers jacket complete with many big brass buttons along the front. Truthfully he didn’t feel he deserved being in such a high position right off the bat but he certainly wouldn’t let the Captain down! Anna who was minding over the crew to make sure that things were brought aboard with no complications simply smiled.

	“Well it is as it sounds. You will be responsible for making sure the crew on the ship that doesn’t want to deal with their own diaper changes get changed accordingly. Of course you have other responsibilities as well but those will become apparent in time.” 

Smiling a bit at her new friend's naiveté, she went back to making sure everything is loaded without any fuss. Once everything is squared away on the ship, the crew is rounded up for a headcount before they are all introduced to the new officer on board. The Captain while standing in front of his crew began the introduction.  

“Alright listen up folks. If you haven’t noticed, we have a new officer on this ship! I would like you all to meet Abel Carrow. He will be the new Chief of Changes on this ship for all of you who don’t want to deal with changing your own shit and piss. He will be the one to go to understand? He will also be tasked with keeping inventory and stock of the diapers on board at all times. Last thing we need is to be short when the time comes for changes.” Turning to Abel he smiles, looking him right in the eyes. “I can trust you with all that correct Mr. Carrow?” 

Looking to all the crew as they all stared directly back at him, Abel gave a sigh. This would definitely take some getting used to. Feeling the nervous pit in his stomach, he swallowed and grinned looking back at the wolf. 

	“But of course! I’ll make sure no rashes reach any of this scurvy crew!” Immediately after saying this, Abel winced a bit. That was probably one of the absolute LAMEST things he could’ve possibly said and it was met accordingly with the most awkward silence in existence.. followed by the most uproarious laughter from the crew as they all seemed to rush the poor raven, officially welcoming him into their fold. 

	For once in a very long time, Abel felt like he was part of an actual family; a pack of sorts under this wolf. None of them were biological but they all shared a special bond that reached much deeper than blood. As the Captain gained control of the raucous crew, a genuine smile formed on his face that his new officer was welcomed so easily. He took a deep breath and in a deep booming voice yelled out over the various welcomes.

	“Alright you Scallywags, enough downtime. You can all meet with Carrow later! We need to prepare the ship for departure right now! Get off your padded asses and get a move on, I want to leave sometime this week!” As he said this, Abel was shocked as the nearly 50 furs in near perfect unison stood at attention and offered a salute to the Captain, all rushing off to prepare the ship. Looking out into the town, he looked a bit sad as they readied to leave the port he grew up in. 

	A white and orange paw were placed on his shoulder as he turned to find the vixen from before, Vixie, smiling behind him. As she gently took her paws away, they leaned in with Vixie whispering to Abel.

	“I understand how hard it can be leaving home. When I left, I was leaving behind my family with hopes of bigger and better things. I didn’t know it at the time but.. turns out I made the right choice in the end. Leaving is its own bittersweet thing after all. Y'know, we still have a while before the ship is ready. If there’s anything you want to bring with you, I’m sure the Captain wouldn’t mind waiting; he seems to have taken a liking to you after all~” Giggling and stepping back, she revealed the Captain himself standing behind them both with a gentle smile on his maw. 

	“Go on and bring a few personal things back, we might not be back to this port for a while. Vixie has agreed to go with you if you need any help.” As he finished saying this, the vixen in question hooked her arm in Abel’s and practically dragged him off the ship and into town. 

	“Alright Mister Carrow, where is your humble abode in this place?” 

	He couldn’t help but smile as this seemingly hyperactive fox led him through town, stopping and greeting a few of the inhabitants; they seemed nice enough at least. As she led him up that familiar trail to his home, Abel couldn’t help but shake the feeling that this would be the last time in a while he would be seeing these trees and stones. Truthfully it made him a little sad. As they rounded the pass to see the place he called home, Vixie let out a low whistle.

	“Well well well, look who lives the big easy huh? Why would you want to leave this amazing place?” As the pair stepped through the doors and into the house, Abel started walking around grabbing a few things like an old compass from his father and a picture not unlike the giant one hanging in the foyer, the same one Vixie was staring at with her paw at her chin.

	“So are these your folks?” Looking down a bit, Abel shut his hands tight around the smaller painting, turning before starting heading out the door briskly.

	“Let’s head back to the ship, we don’t want to waste any time.” Heading out the door, he left a rather confused Vixie to follow behind him. Once they reached the dock the fox picked up the pace to match up with Abel, speaking gently to him.

	“I’m.. I’m sorry if I brought up a touchy subject. I didn’t mean to upset you birdy.” Stopping a bit Abel sighed and looked at the vixen. Taking a deep breath he spoke in a bit of a strained voice.

	“They are exactly why I am leaving. They caused this.” he said this, thumbing back to his molting deformed wings. “They weren’t all bad but.. they made me learn the martial art that I used when I fought you, taught me how to protect myself and then left never to return. I haven’t seen them in years, so I said the first real chance I had to get out of here I would and well, here it is.” 

	As they neared the ship, Anna stood by the boarding ramp and ushered them aboard. Abel got into his cabin and started gathering a few things. Settling in, he looked out the window to see the port start slowly moving away. As it moved while starting to get farther and farther away, the raven let shed the first tears he would have leaving his home. 

Then all hell started breaking loose. An explosion rang out from the port. Running up onto the deck, the raven was shocked to see that the town they had only left a few moments ago was enveloped in a sea of flames. Furs were running, some screams could be heard and from the skies above the town like an omen coming from the heavens. An airship stained black and red floated down from the clouds, firing their cannons on the stragglers.

	Abel was shocked seeing his hometown razed. He barely heard anything, only saw the crew running around until he heard the captain's booming voice directed at him.

	“Carrow, man the cannons NOW! We are preparing for battle!”