Friendly Fire

By Zack Loup

Hoping to find greater meaning in his life and escape his fate as a small-town coal miner, Axel Ridenhour enlists as a solider following the promise of adventure and glory.

Luck launches him into an extremely successful military career.

But as he experiences war firsthand, Axel soon finds out that the world isn't as bl

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stray Songdog
• Release date: Jun 9, 2025
• ISBN: 9798349406980

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Copyright © 2025 by Zack Loup

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. No part of this text may be used for training artificial intelligence. For permission requests, contact Zack Loup straysongdog.com

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book Cover by Zack Loup

Illustrations by Zack Loup

Edited by Charlie Knight and Carmen Loup

1st edition 2025

Author’s website: straysongdog.com

ISBN-13: 979-8-3494-0698-0

FOREWORD FROM THE AUTHOR

It was 2012 when wrote the first draft of what would become Friendly Fire, a completely fictional tale inspired by some texts I’d read in a history class. It was 2018 when I wrote the second draft, with themes colored by my frustration with world events. Since then, it’s been edited an innumerable amount of times. I had to change scenes because things I had come up with began to look too much like real life, and I didn’t want people to think I was referencing the news. Sometimes, reality is so much worse than what I could come up with in fiction. I hope our world isn’t heading toward a future like the one that the characters struggle through in this novel.

This story has been kicking my ass for over a decade. I’m ready to release it, to be free of it. If it reads like a furry version of current events, so be it. Just know, it was not my original intent when I set out to tell this story.

This novel is set, mostly, in a fictional country called Emmerich in a world called Gaia. This story takes place in the same world as my comic, Psychopomp, in an era equivalent to the 1940s, many years before the story of the comic begins. While Emmerich and other places in Gaia might share similarities with our world, it’s not a real place. This book is meant first and foremost to be entertainment. None of the actions the characters take in this book are meant to be a prescription for real world problems. The characters are flawed, morally grey creatures, and not meant to be copied in real life.

If this book inspires anything in you, let it inspire you to kindness and understanding.

Peace and love,

Zack Loup

This book contains themes that may not be suitable for all readers, including: death, violence, police brutality, war, characters experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, scenes of intimacy, strong language, and alcohol use.

Please read at your own discretion.

THE FUTURE SEEMED BRIGHT

What follows is mostly true, but it’s true in the way a movie can be based on a true story. The memories have replayed in my head, over and over, for the past twenty years, but each time they lose a little of their authenticity. They become distorted, the colors become more or less saturated, the words echo with more sentiment than their speakers ever intended. I think my subconscious is trying to justify everything I’ve done by trying to paint over the reality of what happened. So before all that’s left is some romanticized skeleton of the past, I decided to write everything down.

My name is Axel Ridenhour. I’m a mutt from a town called Moonbright in the foothills of the Tsulugi Mountains in Emmerich. The town is hardly a blip on the map, just another exit on the highway where the occasional weary traveler might grab a coffee. My family has lived the simple life there since the gods were in the third grade.

But my generation wanted more. We pined for the sorts of adventures we saw on screen. Before each show, they’d play commercials that made the army life seem just as glorious as we imagined the lives of our movie heroes to be. I was sold on the idea instantly; the moment I turned eighteen, I enlisted.

I wish I’d listened to my mother when she told me that the lives of those onscreen heroes were nothing to covet. Instead, I spent every day dreaming of finally being old enough to leave the simple life far behind to see the world. Dying a hero seemed better than the choices I had in Moonbright, where my job prospects included waiter, mechanic, or even worse, a coal miner like my father.

I made the most of my remaining time in Moonbright, getting into all the small town mischief I could. I must’ve tried everything there was to do in town and the surrounding mountains, knowing I wouldn’t be back for quite a while once I left.

On my last day in Moonbright, I woke to the scent of breakfast cooking. I leapt out of bed and hurriedly dressed in a flannel shirt and blue jeans before rushing to the table. My mom, a black and grey husky mutt, was at the stove whipping up a feast with practiced efficiency, while my dad, a border collie mutt named Amos, sat reading the morning paper and drinking his coffee.

What do you have planned for your last day in Moonbright, son? my father asked, folding his newspaper and looking over it at me.

I’m going to meet up with the gang and head to Waya Mountain, I said, grinning.

Be back in time for supper! my mother called from the stove. I don’t know when we’ll get to have a meal together as a family again!

I know, ma, I said, rolling my eyes. I’m not a pup anymore.

Well, you’ll always be my baby, she said as she entered the dining room and set two heaping plates of breakfast food down for my father and me. She forced a smile, but her eyes shone with tears. I made your favorite breakfast. She gestured to the giant stack of peanut butter pancakes.

Thanks, I said, digging in. She stared at me as I ate. Um, ma? Do you mind?

Oh, sorry Axel, she said, wiping a tear from her eye. I’m just gonna miss my little boy so much.

Goodness sakes, Virginia, let the boy eat in peace! My father chuckled. His laugh dissolved into a cough, a side effect of his job as a coal miner. My mother went to fuss over him instead of me, giving me time to finish my meal unbothered. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw dad wink at me through his coughing fit.

A car horn honked outside.

That’s Dean! I said, jumping up from the table. I gotta go! I hugged my parents and ran out of our little cabin.

Be back in time for supper! my mom called after me as I slammed the door shut.

Outside, my friends waited in Dean's scrap-yard hot rod. Dean was a wolfdog that fancied himself a mechanic. In the passenger’s seat beside him was his girlfriend, a spaniel named Bonnie. I crammed into the back with my childhood best friend, Patricia (or Pat as she preferred to be called), a tomboyish opossum.

We drove into Moonbright’s tiny downtown and stopped at the convenience store to pick up snacks and drinks for our trip. Dean was old enough to buy two six packs for us to share. Then we followed the winding roads up to Waya Mountain, the tallest mountain in the area. It was our preferred hangout when we needed to get away from our families for a while; few people were willing to take the winding drive to the top, so the highest lookout was usually deserted.

We made our way up, laughing and screaming as Dean took the tight curves faster than our parents would have liked. It was like being on a roller coaster, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Dean parked at the lookout and we all tumbled out of the car, just a bit dizzy. We grabbed our snacks and trudged over to the pine tree we liked to use for shade.

Man, I can’t believe this is the last time we’ll be together like this. Pat sighed and cracked open a beer.

* * *

Just because I’m gone it doesn’t mean y’all have to stop coming up here, I said.

Oh, we won’t, Pat said. But it means I’ll have to drink twice as much; one for me, one for you.

You just want an excuse to get more of the beer, Dean teased.

Well, maybe, Pat said. But that doesn’t mean I won't miss Axel.

We all laughed together.

I still don’t know why you wanna join the army, Axel, Dean said. You threw away your chance with the best gal in the world.

Bonnie giggled.

Yeah, I’m an idiot, I said, rolling my eyes. But I know you’ll take better care of her than I ever could being away.

Really, Axel? Pat laughed. This is Dean we’re talking about! He’s a jobless scoundrel!

I can get a job any time I like, Dean huffed. I just wouldn’t like to!

You know, my uncle could really use a skilled mechanic like you at his shop… Pat said.

Dean rolled his eyes and combed back his coiffed white head fur. Someday my body shop is gonna take off if I just keep at it.

Well, if you want that to happen, maybe you ought to invest in an actual shop instead of the lawn beside your house, Pat said.

What’s wrong with my lawn? Dean asked.

Maybe you should join the army too, Pat teased. It would teach you discipline.

No way! Dean said. I’ll never let the world tame my rebellious spirit! He howled, his voice echoing down the mountains. The rest of us joined in whooping and hollering, creating enough ruckus to be heard all the way in downtown Moonbright.

When the echoes faded, Bonnie reached over and grabbed my shoulder. Axel, she said seriously. Please be safe. I don’t care if you never come back to Moonbright as long as you’re happy. But please stay alive.

I’ll be fine! I said. Jeez, you sound like my mom.

It’s hard not to after listening to the news about the war in Teiban, she said.

Axel will be fine! Pat said, reaching over and ruffling up my hair. His thick head will protect him!

We spent the rest of the day up on the mountain, boozing and reminiscing. When evening came, we all quieted down to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets any of us had ever seen. It was like the mountains were putting on the best show they could muster in honor of my departure.

As the horizon began to fade to blue, Bonnie pulled me from my reverie. Hey, Axel… didn’t you say your mom wanted you home for supper?

Yeah, I said, standing. We better get going.

Shit, yeah, Dean said. Your mom will kill me if I get you home late tonight. She probably wants to smother you in as much love as possible before you leave tomorrow, he teased.

There’s nothing wrong with that, Bonnie smacked him on his arm.

We piled back into the car, but not before I took one last look out over the Tsulugi Mountains. We drove back down the winding roads and through the sleepy downtown where all but the diner and the gas station were already closed. Dean pulled up in front of my house and turned off the car.

Well, I guess this is it, he said, reaching back to shake my hand. Take care of yourself, kid. Don’t do anything stupid.

Yeah, just think ‘Would Dean do this?’ and if the answer is yes, do the opposite, Pat said.

I laughed and hugged her. I’m gonna miss you, I said.

Don’t get all mushy on me, Axel, she said, hugging me back. You know I hate crying.

I know, I said.

Bonnie caught me by the arm as I stood to leave. Be safe, Axel, she said, then reached up to give me a kiss on the cheek.

I will, I promised.

As I turned to walk back to my house, Dean honked his horn and flashed his lights. My friends cheered and hollered good wishes after me. I waved goodbye to them one last time before they sped off down the dark road.

My parents were waiting at the dinner table already. Am I late? I asked.

We just wanted to spend time with you, my father said. Why don’t you tell us about your day, son?

I sat down with them and recounted my day, leaving out the parts about Dean’s unsafe driving and the copious amounts of beer. My mom excused herself to the kitchen near the end of my story. She came back with a holiday-worthy pot roast in tow. We ate in silence for a while; my mom hardly touched her food. Eventually, I noticed she was crying. I went to hug her. She held onto me and wept.

We stayed at the table together until the clock struck midnight.

Let the boy rest, my father said. He’s got a big day tomorrow.

My mother begrudgingly agreed. When I laid down to sleep, she came and tucked me in, something she hadn't done since I was small.

I woke up before sunrise. My mom made me another big breakfast, adamant that I should be well fed before I left. She gave me seconds, and tried to offer me thirds.

Ma, I’ll explode if I eat another bite! I said.

You don’t know when you’ll eat again! she chided. It’s a long ways to Fultonberg, it’ll be evening before you get there!

It’s the city ma, not everything will be closed at six o’clock, I said.

Alright, she said. Are you sure you have everything you need?

Yes, ma, I said. They give you everything you need in the army, all I need to bring along are a few sets of civvies and some cash.

Civvies? she asked.

Civilian clothes, I said.

Did you bring a toothbrush? she asked. I nodded. And lots of clean underwear?

I’ve got everything taken care of already, I assured her.

We’ve gotta get going soon, my father said. We can’t be late to the station. The train will leave at 9 AM sharp whether you’re on it or not.

My father drove the whole family to the station in the next town over in his ancient red pickup truck. He beamed with pride, and it almost made up for my mother’s sadness. Almost. She sobbed quietly the whole drive.

As I went to board the train, my mother caught me by the arm.

Please, she begged me. Stay here. I know you think this is an adventure, but it’s not. I can’t lose my baby boy. Please.

I’ve gotta go, ma, I told her.

She cried harder. Then please, please, promise you’ll be safe.

I smiled and gave a half-hearted nod; I was always wary of making promises I didn’t know if I could keep.

* * *

The trip to Fultonberg took nearly a day. The city was west of the Tsulugi Mountains, perched where the land melted from unforgiving stone into fertile fields. I watched through the window as the hills and trees melted away into suburban sprawl, and then finally into buildings as tall as the hills that surrounded Moonbright. It was dusk when we arrived. The city lights twinkled so bright they drowned out the stars overhead. I was in awe.

At the time, Fultonberg was a relatively new construction, built around the former town of Defiance. Defiance had become something of a symbol of Emmerichian determination, as it had been the site of a massive battle between the westward traveling settlers, or pioneers as they thought themselves, and the allied tribes who had once inhabited the Tsulugi Mountains. The plucky townsfolk and their modern weaponry had managed to overcome the combined efforts of the tribes, which secured a path for Emmerichians to take west, and we eventually conquered the land all the way to the west coast.

When Ford Fulton, then the president of Emmerich for many years, had taken power, he decided to move the capital from the coastal city of New Roark, the original capital of Emmerich, to Defiance, where he had been born. He renamed the city Fultonberg in his own honor, and injected a ton of cash into the creation of infrastructure. The result after forty years was an impressive city that rivaled New Roark in its size and populace.

Emmerich sources its soldiers from all over the country, but each of us had to filter through Fultonberg before heading off to the boot camp, which was located just a few miles out from the city suburbs. Once a recruit graduates into being a soldier, they could get shipped anywhere in the world; however, at the time, most soldiers were heading straight for the war in Teiban.

I was scheduled to start bootcamp the morning after I arrived in Fultonberg, so I had only one night to explore the city before I committed to eight weeks of grueling training. I decided to make the most of it. I scraped together what little savings I had from working as a dishwasher at the diner and got myself a hotel room for the night.

Of course, it was no luxury resort. The coyote receptionist sneered when I asked her if there was any vacancy. I already missed Moonbright’s signature hospitality. Once I got my room, I tossed my suitcase on the dingy bed and made my way out into the city.

Everything moved so fast. Even after nightfall, it seemed like city folks were in a hurry. I learned to be careful about stopping to gawk after more than one stranger yelled at me for being in the way. Eventually my wanderings brought me to a little diner that reminded me just a bit of home. With its unpretentious decor, Ronnie’s Diner seemed like the closest thing to country hospitality I would find in the big city. I wouldn’t admit it then, but I missed Moonbright already.

Everything inside of Ronnie’s was old, and that was comforting to me in a town that was far bigger and shinier than anything I could have imagined. The muffled sound of the party next door drowned out the fuzzy radio in the diner. I sat down on a well worn barstool and waved my hand to the rat behind the counter.

What’ll ya have? the middle aged grey rat asked. He smiled in that snarky way that only rodents have seemed to master, but it wasn’t entirely unfriendly.

Just a cheeseburger and fries, please, I said, before noticing his name tag. You’re Ronnie? The owner?

Yeah, that’s me, kid, he sighed, getting to work on my order. If I want to keep the lights on at home, I can’t afford help. He had a bit of twang in his voice, not too different from my own. Hope you ain’t lookin’ for a job.

No, sir, I said. I’m joining the army!

He tensed visibly and was silent for a few moments. I see, he said. He set down my plate. Well, best of luck to you, kid.

I sensed something was wrong, but I didn’t want to pry. It wasn’t uncommon for older folks to have lost someone during the Aquilan War.

I took a bite of the burger and let out a happy whine. Mmm, almost as good as mom’s! I said.

I hope your mom’s a good cook, then., Ronnie chuckled softly.

I nodded, taking another bite. He smiled, but still had a distant look in his eyes.

A door that I had originally assumed to be the bathroom burst open and loud music came rushing in, along with a beautiful caracal girl with tousled black head fur.

Hey, Ronnie! she hollered. We’re going to need about ten more cheeseburgers and a boatload of fries!

Coming up! Ronnie promised, turning to the grill.

Hey there! she greeted me, walking up to the bar. I’m Lucille. It’s not often we see new faces here.

Well, I just rolled into town today. I grinned. The name’s Axel. I looked past her for a moment at the still open door. Stairs led down into what must’ve been a basement. What’s going on down there? I cocked my head.

Oh, Ronnie rents out his basement to me and my friends sometimes for little get-togethers. She giggled. Her laugh was bright as sunshine.