Cepheus

"Visitors! Oh, cool!" Someone crows. A big, blue Silverado HD barrels over happily, not caring that we had non-GM cars and trucks with us. "Greetings! I'm Polaris, co-founder of our town! Welcome!"

"...Holy Dodge, something's up!" Toledo cries. "Run!! They're gonna capture us!!"

"Hey! What's up?" Po blinks, hurt as we defensively back up. "There won't be any capturing. Why would you think that?"

"We've been insulted, rolled, accused, screamed at; why should we trust you?" Shaun pouts. Polaris gapes before slowly looking over at our escort with a cold squint.

"Ehhh-heh-heh! Ehh! That's our cue! Skedaddle!!" Orion nervously laughs before taking off, Rigel swiftly following.

"I am so sorry. I had no clue they'd be a couple tailpipes!" Polaris bows. "Nervous, sure, especially recently. Ceph isn't sure whether it's our rivals or someone else, but there has been a sudden influx of pranks and fuel stealing. And food, too. Always my GM-loving standing rib roast! Every time I get one, the food snipers break in and nab the darned thing! I always smell Ram; I guess it's Schick and his good buddy-buddy getting back at me over the cookie episode." His gaze falls on Toledo and Fargo, suspiciously. "...Say, you want to help prank them back?"

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"When I leave the room after 7, it's always gone." Po whispers, setting the roast on the counter to defrost. "This is perfect. So, Jenna! Let me treat you to a home cooked pot roast! Like potatoes?"

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We silently peer around the corner.

"Heh-heh. Stupid Chevies. Moron Rams." The tall, hunky red head slyly chuckles, closely examining the roast. "The look on Shick's face when he finds the roast re-re-repossessed!" He eyes the jar of cookies next to the roast before frowning. "...Okay, maybe just one cookie." He reaches in, lightly and digs around a moment. "Yes. Come to..." He tries to pull out his hand, but it was glued stuck. "...Huh? What? Uh oh!" The jar was chained to the table as he tries to grab the roast and just leave. "AH!! AHHH!!" The strange human turned Super Duty cries, now desperately trying to shake off the cookie jar. "No!! Oh no!!" We smugly stand up. and walk into the kitchen, making the guy jump and whip around, hiding the jar and roast behind his back.

"Jupiter!!" Cepheus crows. "I knew it was you!"

"Come for my rib roast?!" Polaris hisses, snatching back his roast. "It's mine tonight! Yeah!" Out of nowhere, a bright blue and pearl two-tone Bighorn Ram 1500 swerves in, hits him in the back with his door, and knocks him over. "GAH!!"

"Woo! Yeah!! I watched you try, Jupe!" The Ram crows, closing his door on the roast and proudly beaming. "But even this Ram could see that it was rigged! So thanks for tripping our snare for us like a beagle in a coyote trap!" The admittedly cute little 1500 hares out the door while happily screaming, "Fire up the rotisserie, Jorg!! Got another roast!!"

"I HATE YOU!!" Polaris bawls. A barrage of whooping sounds before a hoard of random Jeeps, Chryslers, Dodges, and Rams barrel in, a silver Ram HD leading the pack.

"RAID THE CHEVAAAAAAAYY!!" He squeals, excitedly.

"RAAAAAAAAHHHH!!" His army roars.

"Uh oh!! Defend the kingdom!!" Polaris cries, shakily picking up a ladle. Bryon and I exchange nods before flaring.

"FOOD FIGHT!!" We sing. Perhaps the locals would forever recall the time the town hall became the site of the great food fight. Either way, I sling a corn on the cob at the big Ram. BONK!

"Ow!!" He cries, cringing. "My windshield!"

"Laredo, noooo!!" A Journey wails.

A mayor of one of the local towns is taken by an anti-clan antagonist and the small escort of military warriors require help from the rival clans to rescue him.
Jenna is the first person unless otherwise noted.

We swiftly land in the cave, me leading the way. It seemed deserted, and dark. I look around a moment before turning back.

“Cepheus?” I call. “Ceph?!”

<Ohh, I hope we aren’t too late!> Polaris whimpers.

“Cepheus?” I hiss. Then, I hear a waking snort.

“…J-J.R?” Someone weakly moans. I see pale movement just beyond the line of shadows. I blink and shine a light towards the creature. Sure enough, a battered, neglected, but nevertheless alive human-Cepheus lied against the cold, cave wall. He looked more than a bit malnourished, but his eyes shone with pride. “Well lookee. You found me before I starved to death!”

“You’re alive!” I sigh in relief, and quickly pull out Shaun’s last bag of cosmic brownies. “Eat these. Quick!” As he scarves them down gratefully, I manage to cut his bondage. He grunts in ecstasy as he devours the brownies.

“Hoh-lee GM, those are the best freaking non-protein related brownies I’ve ever had!” He purrs. “But a Coke, please?”

“Cepheus!!” Polaris squeals as he barrels in, a Silverado again. “You’re alive, dude! What could I ever do without ya, brother?!”

“I think you’d lead the clan into a dance club and never return.” Ceph chuckles. “Help me up, girly. Those brownies were my first meal in a week.” I pull him up, and he shakily stands. A bright, sparkling gem catches my eye, apparently now visible from being under Cepheus. It glows a mystifying scarlet before its light slowly fades.

<Here comes Terry!!> Cleavis cries from outside. I help Ceph into Polaris’ truck bed and go back to snag the crystal as an afterthought. Might be useful to study later.

“Let’s go!!” I heave, going Luginoid and grabbing them up with my strong talons. We fly out of the cave and into the crisp arctic tundra air. The others blink at me in relief and take off behind me.

<He’ll be here soon! Quick, drop them off at the trail and help us take care of Terrance.> Girazard orders, proudly. I briskly but gently place Polaris back on all fours. Ceph peers up at me in concern.

“You’re…going after him?” He rasps. I give him a reassuring flick on the cheek with my tail tip.

<We've got him. Now you two dinguses; go hide until he’s gone.> I nod. Ceph worriedly holds onto my tail as I pull it away.

“Just be careful. You’re the reason I’m alive, Jen. I don’t want to see you die in my place.” He pleads.

<Polaris, get him a beverage.> I nod.

“Where? I don’t see any Speedways around here!” Po argues.

<A stream, doofus. Mountain streams around here are probably the purest water sources in Icetora. Just keep low.> I turn and fly back up with the others.

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