‘I too often feel like I’m not contributing enough, Master President. This is something I can do for you.’
“You saved our lives, Master Aadi. We are forever in your debt.” Micah switched to talking out loud.
‘And you saved mine.’ Aadi started to swim ahead, stopped, and turned around. ‘As you wish. We shall remain together so we can leave when we’re ready. And since we’re here together, let us talk about the value of sharing.’ Aadi floated eye level with the twins, pulling them into an impromptu class. With the Tortoid as one of their teachers, the twins were getting the best education on the planet.
Micah banked the fire within a shallow pit circled by stones. She wasn’t certain what they would have to cook, so she used her knife to whittle a couple different options.
When Braden returned, he was emptyhanded.
“Losing your edge?” Micah wondered aloud.
“Never had a shot. Game’s a little jumpy today. I was in too much of a hurry, I guess, plus, I knew your mom had packed a lunch for us.”
Braden looked for the bag, but didn’t see it. He went to the hovercar and dug it out. Micah appeared at his side and they opened it together. They stuck their faces in the opening and breathed deeply of the aroma. It reminded Micah of home. It reminded Braden that he was hungry.
Braden felt a tug on his shirt. Ax and ‘Tesh stood there, looking at the bag. Micah smiled at them both. The children always ate first and as they got bigger, they were eating more and more.
“Where are the ‘cats?” Micah asked the twins. They both unfocused their eyes for a moment as they talked to Shauna and Klytus.
“They’ll be back in a few moments. They are bringing lunch,” Ax said proudly.
Braden had fallen for that before. “Lunch for them or for us?”
Ax’s smile faded. “Them,” he admitted.
Where did the ‘cats go?
The Hillcats from Dwyer and McCullough gathered in the fields. All had come. G-War met with them, getting angry when a mouse ran by and two of the ‘cats took off after it. Others wandered off for no reason. One climbed a nearby tree and went to sleep.
‘Would you pay attention?’ G-War demanded, projecting his thought voice as loud as he was able. A nearby Aurochs winced and moved away.
‘If we go with you, we live on the road and are forced to hunt for our food. If we stay here, the humans provide it. Doesn’t that put us at the top of the food chain?’ The ‘cat was solid black and lounging in the tree with his eyes closed.
‘What happens when there isn’t enough food because the humans are fighting? I just went through this and it wasn’t pretty. The ‘cats don’t eat. That’s what happens.’ G-War stood and stretched, unsure of why the ‘cats questioned his every word. He brought them to the south. They should trust him.
‘We’ll figure it out, after a nap. And dinner. I always think better after dinner.’
‘I think you probably sleep after dinner. You’re a ‘cat.’
‘I ‘cat better than any other ‘cat, I’ll have you know.’ The black, silky creature’s legs dangled from the branch as he lounged most ingloriously.
‘You must not know very many ‘cats.’ G-War shook his head as if brushing off a mosquito.
After a brief tussle, one of the two ‘cats that ran after the mouse sat, licked his paws, and cleaned his face. He was clearly the victor, having caught and devoured the rodent. He was where the killing took place, so the smell of blood would fill the air around him.
The other rooted around in the grass as if chasing more prey. He finally hung his head and walked slowly away.
‘We leave first thing in the morning. When the Aurochs arrive from the west, they can catch up. You!’ G-War selected a ‘cat who had sat in front of him, attentive to his every word. ‘Will you wait for them and let them know which way we went?’
‘I’m sorry, what? Where did you get your scars?’ the young female asked. ‘They’re sexy.’
‘Put your claws away, dumpling, because you’re not sinking them into him,’ Fea said, stepping forward. ‘Stay here, point the Aurochs in that direction, and then follow. Can you do that?’
‘I guess so.’ The ‘cat looked angry. Fea started to turn away, before lashing out with a paw and knocking the young ‘cat over.
‘We can’t afford to guess. Will you do it?’
‘Yes,’ the ‘cat replied before skulking away. Fea rubbed her head on G-War and purred.
‘They’re not inspiring me with a great deal of confidence. They’ve grown soft,’ G-War told her.
‘And they’ll harden up when they need to.’ The Golden Warrior watched her stroll away, admiring the way she fought another ‘cat for him. It wasn’t much of a fight, but still...
***
Shauna and Klytus were each carrying a dead rabbit when they appeared at the fire. They laid down with their prizes and tore into them. The twins turned away. They couldn’t watch the ‘cats eat fresh game. Braden couldn’t blame them. He couldn’t watch G-War eat, either.
“I wonder where he is,” Braden said.
“With Fea, somewhere with Aurochs watching over them,” Micah replied.
“I miss him, a lot. Was it something I did?”
“Did you not listen to him when you should have?” Micah asked.
“He’s always giving me advice. I don’t listen to most of it. He told me to avoid you, just until he accused me of falling in love with you. All of that happened over the course of twenty heartbeats. And then he told me to run away.”
“I’m glad you didn’t, but you should still acknowledge his efforts to keep you on the straight and narrow.”
“Straight and narrow? He wants me to be his minion!”
“Of course. He’s a ‘cat, and that’s what ‘cats do, but he’s also your friend.”
“And I miss him. He doesn’t like to be carried, you know.” Braden laughed softly before showing his arms. Faded lines showed where he’d been scratched when he was younger. “He used to tear me up.”
“Fea doesn’t. She is delightful,” Micah replied. “I miss her, too. What about you two?”
“I can’t imagine being without Shauna and Klytus,” ‘Tesh said with her mouth full of her grandmother’s bread.
Micah stopped Ax from speaking while he chewed. After swallowing, he answered. “I hear them both all the time. They are really smart, so we listen to them.”
“How come they don’t talk with us?” Braden wondered aloud.
“Because the Golden Warrior told them not to.”
Braden and Micah looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Can they tell me where G and Fea went?”
The twins talked with their ‘cats and then conferred with each other before Ax replied. “They went to see the other ‘cats.”
“The ones of Dwyer, McCullough, and so on?” Braden was confused. They could have all gone on that trip in an Old Tech wagon.
“Ankhmar.”
“G and Fea are going to cross the Great Desert?” Braden jumped to his feet and started to kick dirt over the fire. “We’ve been wasting time. We have to stop them. We can’t let them cross the Great Desert alone.”
Micah didn’t move. She slowly chewed her sandwich. Braden stopped his flurry of activity.
“We can’t let them?” Micah asked.
“We have to help them. I don’t want to see him die.”
“That’s different. Pack up children. We’re going to see if we can find the ‘cats.”
It took longer for Shauna and Klytus to finish their meals than it did to pack the hovercar. Braden tossed the carcasses into the woods, confirmed that the fire was out, and joined the others. The hovercar came to life, lifting off the ground, and Braden slowly accelerated.
“Holly? Can you plot a course for Oasis Zero One, please?”
“Of course,” the AI replied using the hovercar’s communication system. The screen in the middle of the dashboard showed a moving map. Braden could hav
e brought up the same image through his neural implant, but wanted the twins to see where they were and where they were going.
The vehicle moved quietly, making no more sound than a light breeze.
“The oasis,” Micah said softly. “They could be anywhere in between here and there, but they will have to stop there and Holly will know if they reached it.”
“Exactly.” Braden nodded as he drove more slowly than he wanted because of the terrain. Crashing the hovercar would leave them stranded. Bronwyn was still in Southport. They could call her, but she wouldn’t be able to reach them for a week or longer. Better to drive slowly.
“No one has been to Oasis Zero One since you were last there,” Holly replied.
“What’s the status of Oasis Zero Four?” Braden asked.
“Still under construction. The well for Zero Four has been finished, but it is extremely deep and the water is flowing slowly as there is an insufficient number of solar panels to drive the pump to a greater degree. Additional panels are under construction. It will be another two years before there anything is growing at Oasis Zero Four.”
“Another two years, then, before we can establish consistent trade between the north and the south.” Braden chewed his lip and sighed heavily. “But first, let’s see if there’s anything we can do to help the Golden Warrior.”
***
‘Are you sure we’re going in the right direction?’ Fea asked.
‘Yes.’ They sat together on Bandria’s head. The young cow Aurochs was strong. She’d fed well outside Trent and built her stamina as the herd traveled along the coastal plains.
‘I don’t think you’re sure.’
G-War turned his head to look at his mate. He blinked slowly until he yawned. He faced forward without replying.
‘Now I know you’re not sure.’
‘My lovely little pumpkin delight, do you have such little faith in my abilities? I have been this way a number of times.’
‘Little pumpkin delight?’ Fea replied dangerously. She leaned to the side and her back leg shot out, kicking G-War off the Auroch’s head. He jammed a claw into the side of her neck on the way down and she jerked away, bugling her discontent. She bolted toward the open desert.
G-War twisted and landed on four paws. He dodged out of the way of the thundering hooves. The rest of the herd was behind them, forty more Aurochs carrying a menagerie of ‘cats. They saw the lead and obediently followed. ‘No! Stop,’ G-War pleaded, but their minds were made up.
The ‘cat raced in front of the stampeding herd. He accelerated toward the panicked cow. His chest heaved with his efforts. You’re telling others they’ve gone soft. Look at you! he told himself. The cow started to turn, and he angled to cut her off.
Through an extraordinary burst of speed, he surged in front of her. The ‘cat turned and stood on his back legs. The Aurochs took no notice, staying the course. Fea was screaming from the cow’s head as G-War disappeared beneath. Fea stayed low and hung on, digging her claws deeper and deeper as she encouraged the cow to stop running.
G-War dodged the cow’s front hooves, then deftly slid between the back hooves, letting the great beast run past. He watched her go, then turned to find the rest of the herd bearing down on him. He embraced discretion and ran to the side, choosing to get out of their way.
In the distance, a white form flew from the cow and ran away.
The herd continued to run until they were only a dust cloud in the distance, their Hillcat riders hanging on for their lives.
‘My furry little love muffin, are you there?’ Fea asked cautiously.
‘Looks like we’re walking,’ G-War replied with a scowl. He walked toward his mate, limping slightly, not from the Aurochs but from running. ‘I’m getting too old for this. Where’s my ride? That’s right! She’s stampeding away.’
‘Sorry about that. You probably shouldn’t have stabbed her in the neck, though.’
‘So this is my fault?’
‘I don’t see how it’s mine. Everything that happens on this journey is your fault. ‘Cats don’t like getting blamed, and that’s why they’re never in charge. The fact that we’re out here is your fault, so everything that happens out here is your fault, my little love monster.’
‘That’s not how I think,’ G-War said. He couldn’t remember a single instance where he blamed Braden just because the human had taken him somewhere. Then again, he wasn’t trying very hard to come up with anything. ‘‘Cats are always in charge. That’s never changed.’
‘In charge of important stuff like meal times, nap times, sure, but not things like, let’s cross the Great Desert and take over the ‘cat nation or take over the world.’
‘It needs to be done,’ G-War said dismissively as he walked toward Fealona, glowering. The dust cloud was dissipating. Either the herd stopped running or they’d run too far to follow. ‘Someone has to do it, because the humans are screwing it up.’
‘That’s the way humans think. What you’re doing is very un-‘catlike.’ Fea sniffed the air. Game was nearby. G-War smelled it, too.
‘Ess, can you see what’s going on?’
‘The Aurochs have found a patch of grass. They have stopped to eat, but they are going in the wrong direction. They need to return to where you are, and then I will guide you.’
Fea angled her head as G-War strolled by. The Hawkoids were leading the way.
‘After our friends have eaten and are more susceptible to suggestion, get them turned around and heading this way,’ G-War told the ‘cats riding the Aurochs. ‘Come along, my dear. They will catch up to us when the time is right. I smell a ground squirrel or three.’
A Mass Exodus
Braden went as fast as he dared through the grasslands, where there were many obstacles hidden beneath the swaying green. When it became scrub, he accelerated until it faded to a desert tan, and then he turned the hovercar loose. The twins and their ‘cats had grown accustomed to riding and cheered as the ground raced by. They cracked open a window and the droning of the wind filled the vehicle.
The ‘cats didn’t like the change in pressure. The twins acceded to their demands and closed the window. Aadi hadn’t said anything, but he was relieved when the silence returned.
“Time to the oasis, Holly?” Braden asked.
“At this rate of speed, just under an hour, Master Braden.”
“I like this oasis. Can you check us in and make sure that the rooms are ready? Is there any sign of G-War?”
“Your rooms are ready, and there is no sign of Prince Axial De’atesh.”
“Sweet!” Micah smiled and nodded. “We are on vacation until they show up.”
“We’ll probably scour the desert looking for them a couple times a day until we find them,” Braden suggested.
“Are you that worried?” Micah asked, although she could hear most of his thoughts.
“I freely admit that I am. I don’t want to be without G-War. I don’t want to be without you, or you guys back there.” Braden waved at the passengers in the back seat. “I’m talking about all five of you.”
‘I am honored, as always,’ Aadi replied graciously.
‘Okay, I’ll talk with you. We need more regular feeding times, just for reference,’ a small female thought voice replied.
“Shauna? We will do our best, but I have to warn you, at the oasis, unless you hunt for yourself, none of the food is meat.”
‘That doesn’t work, but we are magnificent hunters, and you can owe us.’
“We can what?” Braden asked over his shoulder.
‘Owe us. You can owe us,’ a rough voice chimed in.
Micah rested her hand on Braden’s arm, hoping to calm him before his thoughts surged out of control. The ‘cats were adults, but they were partnered with children.
“How long did it take for G-War to fully develop his adult personality?” Micah asked.
“A long time. I found him when I was ten, and he was a kitten. He wouldn’t tell me his real name un
til after we were together, so I guess that’s when it was. Ten cycles of the seasons, ten years.”
Braden relaxed and took Micah’s hand as he drove with one hand.
‘Well?’ Klytus asked.
“Well what?” Braden wondered.
‘We’re ready to eat.’
“You just ate before we left, and there’s nothing to eat out here. You’ll have to wait until we get to the oasis.”
‘This is what we’re talking about. Senseless delays. My stomach is growling.’ Shauna rolled onto her back while ‘Tesh held her. ‘See? Empty.’
“Soon. We are racing ahead at maximum speed. How much longer, Holly?”
“A half-hour, but the terrain gets rougher up ahead. You will have to slow down.”
“Just let me know.”
“I could take over the driving duties to maximize the hovercar’s speed while reducing the risks.”
“Fine,” Braden declared. He took his hands off the wheel and crossed his arms. The hovercar sped up. Braden had thought he was already going as fast as the vehicle would move, but Holly had been holding back. The vehicle angled away from the oasis on what appeared on the screen as a more optimal, less terrain-intense route. A countdown clock showed thirty-five minutes.
The desert raced by.
‘I feel like I’m a stranger in my own home,’ Aadi began. ‘In a Tortoid’s lifespan, I haven’t been gone long, but I’ve lived an entire life in that short time. So much has happened, and here we are again, on another adventure.’
“I’m not sure about the adventure part. We’re only out here to make peace with G and hopefully find a mutually beneficial way ahead.”
‘I suspect there’s more to it than that. A lot more,’ Aadi replied mysteriously, blinking slowly as he turned his head to watch the desertscape stream by.
***
G-War lounged on a branch, his legs dangling. Fea remained on the ground in the shade. The remains of three ground squirrels were nearby. She sat and blinked slowly, as if fighting off a nap.
The Great Cat Rebellion (Free Trader Series Book 8) Page 3