Snark's Quest

by Timothy Ellis

  "But have a look at my sheets and blankets! That’s evidence of a knife attack!"

  "Not really," said the constable. "You could have done this yourself in your sleep perhaps?" he offered hopefully.

  "Why would anyone do this to themselves?"

  Sissness was flabbergasted.

  "It could happen," finished the constable lamely.

  She knew she was beaten. The police were not taking this seriously, so she should start to get smart, and look at it herself. Why would someone want to kill her? She was a simple researcher. What was going on? She tracked her movements backwards for the last few days, but she hadn’t been doing anything unusual.

  What had she been doing just before the attack? It had been the alien 'god' information. She’d been online in the community library archives. Surely that couldn’t be it? The references hadn’t been accessed by anyone before her as far as she could see. It had to be something else.

  She looked at the locks on the door. Nothing had been damaged. How had they got in? She was sixteen flights up. It was driving her mad thinking about it.

  She called her ex mate, Snipp. She arranged to stay with him for a while, where she’d feel safer. She packed some belongings, her tablet, and some research notes she’d made the old fashioned way, on paper.

  She scanned her living area and it seemed so cosy and normal. Perhaps it was just a random attack? Her paw was bandaged and sore. It was a reminder it had been real. She closed and locked the door behind her.

  Twenty Five

  The World Council had begun.

  It had opened with a grand procession along the main boulevard of the city. Cats of the Plains started to gather at vantage points, and line the street on both sides, from early in the morning. By the time of the procession there was a crush of cats, as well as other species. Everyone was curious to see the Wild Ones. Although with some caution and trepidation. They were often feared, and being an unknown quantity, quite alien on their own world, there were mixed emotions for the Cats of the Plains. They prided themselves on being higher status, more intelligent, and civilised, while the Wild Ones were uncivilised, and of lower status. They still hunted and caught their food. They had fur. And they lived wild in the wilderness. They were almost treated with contempt. They were other. Therefore they were to be despised.

  But nearly all were curious to see them, and they needed to recognise they were part of the world, and their species. There were some radicals who believed they should have equal rights to the Cats of the Plains. Of course they were just the lunatic fringe. Malcontents and troublemakers. They were in a restricted section, where they were protesting. On the other end of the boulevard were another group in fiery opposition to the Wild Ones being allowed to come at all. They believed the Wild Ones were totally inferior to the Cats of the Plains and were a threat to their civilisation. They were also protesting loudly.

  Security was out in force. They wore special collars and cloaks, so they could be recognised and keep order. Police, as well as the Grand Mother’s special guard. There were also a range of private security groups as well. And mingling with the crowds were undercover agents. There were snipers positioned strategically along the route, and light flight copters, and drones were in the air. All other civilian traffic had been suspended, with heavy fines for breaching the air and land perimeter.

  The parade started, and a cry of meows, cat calls, and applause greeted the first car. Seated on a special platform was the Leader of the Panthers, Felderspath, with his entourage. The Panthers were large, much larger than the Cats of the Plains, and thick black fur covered their bodies. They wore no adornments or clothes. Their eyes glinted green in their dark faces. A frisson of fear went through the crowd. Eyes widened, and ears flattened. Some of lesser breeding even hissed. They were so big, and so wild looking. Their sleek bodies shone almost silver in the sun. They looked from side to side with dignity, acknowledging the crowd with slight waves of their arms and paws. Claws almost like talons caught the sun.

  Next were a kind of Cheetah, smaller than the Panthers, but still large, with smaller heads, and dark spots running along their fawn fur. They were built for speed. Even sitting still on the platform, their sleek muscular forms shouted power and fluid motion.

  The parade continued, with the many different kinds of wild cats waving to the crowd. Large self-satisfied looking sandy coloured cats, the males with huge manes around their heads and shoulders, the females without manes, but still looking deadly. A small cat, just larger than the Cats of the Plains, with stripes in gold and black, and a strange bob tail. A cat like the Panthers, but the fur all in white, and striking eyes, one blue and one yellow. And the weirdest of all, the largest as well, a cat with almost orange fur, and four arms, not three. The arm at the base of the neck was missing, and instead the arms were symmetrically spaced either side of their upper body. The crowd both roared and hissed at this strange deformity.

  And lastly, the Grand Mother with her entourage. The cheers, cries, meows, and clapping described a sudden crescendo culminating in an ovation at every point as the car passed. The Grand Mother graciously acknowledged the crowd as she progressed. Her embroidered coat shone with gold and silver thread, and she wore a jewelled collar.

  Finally she reached the council venue, a specially built hall which would accommodate both the Cats of the Plains council, and the Wild Ones Representatives. She exited the car and climbed the stairs, pausing at the top to acknowledge the accolades. The other cats were already inside. With a final wave and smile at the crowd, she entered the hall, followed by her entourage. Representatives of the Council, and a small group of guests followed her into the hall. Ushers ran around ensuring all were all seated correctly. The newcomers looked at the circular stage where the Wild Ones leaders were seated in a semi-circle facing the gathered council members and guests, their entourages and aides behind them.

  The Grand Mother made her way to the central position, and ceremoniously took her seat. She gazed out at the tiers of the Council before her. She turned to acknowledge the Wild Ones leaders.

  "I declare this World Council, open!"

  There was immediate applause.

  The welcoming ceremonies began.

  Twenty Six

  The Grand Mother was pleased. It was all going well. The Wild Ones representatives were an interesting group, and certainly intelligent and thoughtful, if slightly belligerent at times. During the welcoming ceremonies, they had participated well, and the Council was now progressing to the agenda.

  The one thing which was worrying her, was Prrinks’ absence. She knew from her preparations there was a fair amount of antagonism in the Cats of the Plains Council members towards him, and she needed him here to counter it, and also to support her arguments regarding the humans.

  Her intelligence had reaped substantial information. Queen Jane was considered a hero by the Sector Ten Council, and had been appropriately rewarded. She had rid the sector of the purple plant addiction, as well as destroying the power of the Owls, while still keeping their ability to trade with the rest of the galaxy. The cure for the purple plant was even now rippling outward in the rest of the galaxy. The humans’ technology gave them immense power, and while there was talk of them sharing it with the rest of the galaxy in trade, there was some reluctance to do this quite yet.

  Queen Jane was described as benevolent, ethical, and fair. Uncompromising in the face of evil intent, she had her own sense of right and wrong, and protected the weak against harm by the strong. Several species liberated by her from the Owls, had already become part of her new Kingdom. No-one had been able to tell her what Hunter's Run meant, although it had been said Queen Jane was of the Hunter family.

  There was less information about the Human Federation. The ambassador and his team had arrived at the Sector Ten Council, and was in the process of setting up trade agreements with the other Council members. The Cat Homeworld being in sector eight, meant she had no direct access to the sector t
en council.

  However, her diplomatic team to the local sector council had already dispatched a team to sector ten at her behest, to set up both a meeting with Queen Jane’s and the Human Federation’s ambassadors. By the time they reached Kingdom space, where the sector ten council was currently relocating to, they should have further instructions as a result of the World Council.

  The humans seemed well liked, and were courteous and respectful of the species in their new home. But they were extremely powerful. How would they use that power? And what would be the effect of the new technology on the galaxy if they shared it? Everything would change, but perhaps nothing would really change?

  She had further intelligence about other forces. Bhatet had taken over several more systems close to his home system. The Sector Nine Council was aware of this, and had sanctioned him, but of course unless they sent a force to combat him, he simply ignored them. He obviously had plans to expand his empire. There was also evidence he was using the Brotherhood in his take overs, and had designs on a number of independent entities which weren’t part of any sector council.

  And there was also one interesting piece of information. He was looking for an object which would give him unthinkable power. A stone of some sort. Was this an analogy for technology of some kind? She didn’t have any details.

  There were several other groups vying for power and influence in different sectors. But none had the power of Bhatet. Or they were in some way balanced by another nearby power. So far, Bhatet had been lucky sector nine had not been able to mount a force large enough to trouble him. Or was this luck at all? She didn’t know, and it bothered her. A lot.

  She brought her focus back to the council, and on the next speaker. While they all had translator units, she'd found the Wild Ones all spoke reasonable Cats of the Plains catspeak dialect. It was just one of the surprises for her kind. While the Wild Ones had little contact with the Cats of the Plains, they still felt it was prudent to learn their language. She didn’t know any of her kind who knew any of the Wild Ones’ dialects, apart from perhaps a few academics.

  "…and I humbly welcome the Wild Ones to this momentous gathering," the speaker concluded.

  It was a delegate from the conservative faction. His condescending tone belied his words.

  The Grand Mother rose.

  "Let us start proceedings. Would Slippersnapp please open the agenda?"

  Slippersnapp was a member of the centre party. Although the centre party wanted to open up to what the humans had to offer, they were still cautious, and prudently so. Slippersnapp was also an ally of the Grand Mother’s. She was an advocate of better relations with the Wild Ones, and their inclusion in more trade, policy, and decision making on behalf of all the cats of the world.

  "Grand Mother, delegates, and guests. The first agenda item for discussion is the admission of the humans to the Sector Ten Council, and their likely impact on our World. I would like to present an argument for our immediate opening of diplomatic relations and trade options with the humans, both the Human Federation, and the Kingdom of Hunter's Run. But we must also consider the power they hold in technology and weapons of war. These were displayed in their full effect during the defeat of the Owls, but also in the provision of a cure for the Purple Plant. While we have survived the reign of the Owls due to our special arrangement, we can’t necessarily hope for a similar agreement with the humans. Do we need to develop our own defence systems, for example? We do need to put significant resources into assessing the technology they have, and how it will affect us. We need to plan for its introduction if they release it through trade. And we need to build better defences in both weapons of war, and diplomatic allegiances which strengthen our ability to face both the human impact, but also the rise of other powers in the absence of the Owls."

  There was a mix of hisses, howls, cheers, and applause from the delegates and guests.

  The Queen Mother watched the delegates and the Wild Ones Representatives carefully as the debate started, and speakers from the various factions rose to deliver their sides of the argument, to pontificate, or just to push their own different agendas. She wanted to gauge the mood of the assembly, and also be ready for any concerted opposition.

  The first of the Wild Ones rose to speak. The assembly hushed and went silent.

  Felderspath the Panther was an old male who had fought off many a challenge to his leadership in his time, but even though he was old, he still had a full covering of thick black fur.

  "We of the forests," he began in accented but clear Cats of the Plains catspeak dialect. "We advocate for embracing the new, and getting to know the humans. However, we have always kept to our forest territories. We pursue traditional lives, with minimal technology. Perhaps it is time for this world to embrace all of its citizens, and start representation at sector and galaxy level, of all cat species, not just the cats of the Plains."

  There was an uproar amongst the delegates on the floor. What was this? Unheard of! The Cats of the Plains had a right to be the representative, as theirs was the only civilised society!

  The Grand Mother was not surprised. It was a valid point from their perspective. Although this added a new dimension to the debate regarding the humans, and was taking the discussion off its proper focus. The whole debate of who was civilised, and who was not, needed to be at a different time. The Cats of the Plains weren’t ready for it.

  Another of the Wild Ones rose. Whisseth was the leader of the Silvers. Her white fur glimmered, and her blue and yellow eyes fixed on the gathering.

  "We of the frozen steppes of the north, agree. We need to embrace the change the humans bring. We wish to preserve our traditions, but mix more with the other cats of this World. We should also have representation on the sector Council."

  There was a succession of agreement from the other Wild Ones delegates.

  The Grand Mother rose slowly to her feet from where she was half curled in her seat.

  "We respect the wishes of the Wild Ones representatives. We will add this item to the agenda. But first we must resolve the issue of our response to the arrival of the humans." There was more uproar on the floor. "I call for a rest break. We will return after dinner."

  She left the podium.

  Still no Prrinks. Perhaps he hadn’t received her message. It seemed he'd disappeared from his normal trading routes and bolt holes, and his associates had no idea where he was. She was surprised, as he should have been making the most of his association with Queen Jane. She consulted with her aide who was going to present a report of intelligence gathered about the humans, and other threats such as Bhatet. But she had wanted Prrinks here to add weight and examples to the facts. This strategy did have its drawbacks. The likely backlash against Prrinks himself could detract from the impact of his experience. But she had to take the risk.

  She sighed. She was too old for all this. If only she could find her successor. Someone with the sight. Preferably her own family group, but she had recognised no one as filling her criteria. She felt it needed to be soon though.

  Sissness was enjoying the debate, particularly when the Wild Ones had spoken. She wanted to introduce herself and talk with them, but knew it was inappropriate. She didn’t think her ex had enough clout to introduce her to the Grand Mother, but perhaps one of her aides, who could facilitate things with a member of one of the Wild Ones’ entourage? Perhaps she could do a field study of one of their societies and trace its development back? She was getting ahead of herself again. She didn’t think this was what would interest the Foundation. But it would be an intriguing study.

  She heard a strange clicking noise, and looked around. A delegate was passing her dressed in a thick cloak. She noticed his artificial limb, and stared, but quickly looked away. She was embarrassed at herself. Hopefully he hadn’t noticed.

  Her sore paw begged her attention, and she began rubbing it. It reminded her of that night. She still didn’t know what had happened. Nothing else had bothered her since. It was i
nexplicable. It had to be a random attack.

  She looked for her ex. They were quite amicable, and while still good friends, had gone in separate directions. He was up to speak in the next session. She would see if he could get her an introduction at least, and go from there.

  The delegate with the artificial limb caught her eye again. He was off to one side. He had a strange focussed expression on his face. Something bulged under the cloak, which he held closed across his front. She wondered what it was, since security was very tight, and no one could bring anything apart from tablets into the sessions. She was about to move in that direction, when her ex turned up.

  "Just scored an interview with a journalist friend of mine," he said. "Always good to get in the public eye."

  He started talking about the sessions, and she turned back to listen. Perhaps it was nothing.

  Twenty Seven

  The next session opened with a fiery speech about the benefits of complete isolationism, and turning their back on even the sector eight council. What had they ever done for the cats? There was some jeering, and no one was paying much attention.

  Suddenly there was a commotion at the back of the hall, with shouting and a tussle going on. People turned back to look. Several security guards ran down the centre aisle towards the melee.

  "I need to go in!" shouted a cat voice. "I’ve been invited! By the Grand Mother herself! Let me in!"

  There was a further struggle, and the cat figure, wearing a strange suit of bright red, broke free of the security guards and ran down the aisle towards the stage, closely pursued by the security guards, with guns drawn.

  The Grand Mother stood up and her voice pierced through the general noise of bewilderment and alarm.

  "Prrinks!" she cried, and turned to the security guards. "Stop! He’s a delegate!"