Ace

**Ace** is a Karrag of Kregill breed owned as a pet and guard dog by Lieutenant Adan'krel Voros of the *Vigil*. An older Karrag, Ace has been Adan's companion since the end of the Great War and the Kandarrian considers him one of his closest friends. He often speaks to Ace as if the creature can understand and reply and feeds him expensive, nutrient-rich kibble flavored like chicken. Adan claims Ace is a good judge of character as he immediately takes a liking to both Arra and Arandar Sùrion. Ace is said to enjoy Adan's taste in music, as they both relax to Zaal songs.

## Appearance

As a Kregill breed, Ace is a dark yellow with black spots all over his body. His eyes are brown and his mandibles' teeth are covered in caps to keep him from accidentally biting guests though they are removed when around Adan. His tail is small thanks to his Kregill ancestry and, when excited, his whole lower half will shake. His claws are regularly trimmed and he wears a black collar with his name on a metal tag.

## Personality

Ace is an older Karrag but still holds some playfulness from his youth. He is very attached to Adan, becoming excited whenever his owner returns from work. Ace has a love for raw meets, most notably chicken and beef. He hates the smell of colognes and perfumes, shying away from anywhere he smells it. Ace is said to be a good judge of character as he immediately takes a liking to Arra and Arandar though he fiercely defends his home when the station is attacked by Haktu.

Ace is often chided by Adan for being lazy as his daily routine usually consists of napping, eating, and watching screenshows. He is protective over his toys - namely a tough red ball that he has owned over the course of his life which Adan used to train him. Despite his age, he is still capable of running at speeds of thirty miles per hour or twenty-five if impeded with obstacles. Adan speaks of his capability as a war hound to Arandar, "He may be old, but he's tough and his years have given him experience and wisdom. Younger, bigger Karrags have submitted to him in fights before."

## History

Adan adopted a young Kregill pup when touring a base on Karradia, noticing it squealing as it shivered and starved in a storm drain. He nursed the pup to health with Kabba milk and the two have been inseparable since. His commander told Adan that a Karraga was a poor pet for a soldier, especially a Kregill, but Adan would hear none of it. Upon returning home after being discharged from the military, Adan found that while his children loved Ace, his wife did not and insisted that the creature live in their garage where its smell would not spread throughout the house. Adan recalls several incidents in which his ex-wife attempted to be rid of Ace, including leaving the garage door open for it to escape by accident or by discretely attempting to sell it to a neighbor. Eventually, Ace became one of the inciting reasons that the two divorced, with Adan being unwilling to part with his animal companion.

When he moved to the *Vigil*, Adan found that Ace adjusted quickly to his new surroundings and enjoyed the freedom of movement throughout Adan's apartment. Ace has his own doggy bed that he slips in within the living room as well as a padding area where he relieves himself.

## Training and Skills

Ace is a trained guard dog, with Adan knowing several command words and phrases to issue when he wants Ace to attack, guard, or otherwise perform a trick.

* **Sit** - When Adan wants Ace to sit down, he commands sharply "*Krip'ya!*" which translates from K'anda to "Sit down!"

* **Stop** - This command makes Ace go idle and stare at Adan awaiting orders. When Adan calls "*Kreg'ak!*" or "Stop there!" Ace will stop whatever he is doing and await further instructions, his neck frills flattening submissively and his eyes set on Adan expectantly.

* **Speak** - This command is usually made to entertain guests and showcase the extent of Ace's training. When Adan commands "*K'ral!*" or "Speak", Ace will issue a sharp bark. He usually anticipates a treat following this order as Adan offers treats for following commands just for show.

* **Attack** - Adan never gives this command unless he aims to have Ace kill someone. The call "**K'ato!**" or "Bite" will send Ace into a frenzy, biting and clawing and barking at whomever Adan gestures to when speaking the command. Adan claims he has only ever needed to issue the command a few times and he never says "bite" in K'anda within Ace's hearing for fear the beast will attack someone by accident.

* **Guard** - To have Ace sit and watch someone to make sure they do not move, Adan commands "*K'ratok*" or "Watch". Ace will sit and watch the person gestured to patiently and if they move at all he will give a warning growl to stay put. If they move to much he will snap at them to sit back down. Adan claims Ace has guarded his ball enough to know this command by heart. This works as well if someone else tries to move the guarded person, with Ace growling at them instead.

* **Fetch** - When Adan says "*Karpo!*" and then a word Ace knows such as "ball" or a person's name, Ace will leave to bring Adan the fetched item or person in question. If it is a person, Ace will bark at them to follow or lightly put his mouth over their hand to lead them back to Adan. This has helped Adan in the past when the Kandarrian has misplaced items in his apartment and his hound has been able to sniff them out. Adan clarifies, however, that Ace must know what he is fetching and have a scent to track or he will simply look at Adan in confusion.

* **Play Dead** - The most light-hearted of Ace's tricks, Adan aims his hand like a gun at Ace and yells "Bang!" and Ace responds by rolling onto his side as if he were dead. He usually expects a treat following such a trick, however.