[ IP ] The Adventures of Murphy Jetson !

`` Murph! We're losing power to the starboard thrusters! We ca n't take another hit like that!'' Kelsen's voice rang out above the din of the control room. 
 
 The red and yellow emergency lights of the cruiser flashed, and klaxons blared. Sparks showered the control panel where Kelsen sat, frantically trying to divert power to keep the ship stable. The *Crusado Plata* was going to fall apart in the atmosphere. 
 
 `` Murph! What do we do?!'' Kelsen shouted again, wiping a sheet of sweat off his forehead. 
 
 Iridescent beams of violet light sprayed ahead of the ship, just missing the bow. Explosions popped all around, and the hull quaked from the near miss. 
 
 Murphy Jetson let out a short bark, and trotted over to Kelsen. With one magnificent leap, he landed on the ship's console. He turned to Kelsen, his canine face lined with dogged determination. 
 
 Kelsen stared back, terrified. He tried to swallow, but could n't. `` Is this it, Murph?!'' His voice croaked, and he sat back into his chair. The burly cadet nodded to himself. `` We did all we could. If it has to end now, I'm glad I was able to serve you one last time.'' 
 
 Murphy Jetson let out a short bark. The Chihuahua's short fur was matted with plasma scoring and grease. The glass of his trademark Star Crusader goggles had began to crack in a spiderweb. Every dog had its day, and to Kelsen it looked like he was about to witness the end of a legend. 
 
 Bright violet streaked in front of them as the *Crusado Plata* hurtled down toward's the planets surface, the Imperial Vultures in hot pursuit. Kelsen could see through the parting clouds volcanic ash spewing from a nearby mountain. Lava trickled down its lofty peak into the turquoise waters below. 
 
 `` Well, at least we'll die in a beautiful place, huh?'' Kelsen stared off into the viewscreen. `` It could be worse.'' He had to brace himself against the console as the ship shook and shuddered violently. 
 
 Murph looked to the viewscreen and back to Kelsen, licking his chops. He wagged his tail. To veterans of the *Crusado Plata*, the wag meant one thing: Murphy had a plan. 
 
 With a startling quickness Murphy lunged and bit into Kelsen's right arm. The cadet shrieked in pain, and jerked his arm back, pulling the control stick back and right. The ship took a sharp banking turn. The volcano was square in their sights. 
 
 `` Murph?! What was that fo --'' Kelsen looked up at the viewscreen and gasped. A devilish smile crept onto his face. `` You crazy son-of-a-bitch.'' 
 
 Murph's tail wagged, and he butted Kelsen's arm with his forehead. The ship jerked to the left just in time, as a Vulture missile whizzed past, slamming into the side of the volcano and spewing molten ash into the sky. 
 
 `` Here we go Murph! Let's do this!'' Kelsen steadied the ship and squared his bearings to speed straight toward the volcano. Murphy Jetson let two barks. 
 
 The *Crusado Plata* disappeared into the billowing smoke and ash of the volcano, the two Vultures hot on its tail. 
 
 Every dog has its day. But Murphy Jetson was n't just any dog. 
 

