“Am I interrupting something,” said a shapely golden colored she-cat in a dainty voice. Russ faltered, “Oh, Molly. We were just…” “I know…” interrupted Molly, “…what you were doing. You were monkeying around like usual.” Russ suddenly appeared to be embarrassed. Molly continued, “I hope you are planning on taking the conference seriously this year. Socrates certainly takes it seriously.” Sidestepping the question Russ stammered, “This is Commander Christopher the new ruler of Fostoria.” He gently pushed me forward and I was standing face to face with Molly. She had large copper colored eyes with long lashes and a small pink nose. “Christopher this is Miss Molly.” “Comrade Molly,” she corrected. She put out her paw and I gripped it and inadvertently began to lower my head as if to kiss her paw. Instinctively Molly furled her brow compelling me to check myself. I released her paw and she gazed at me inquiringly. “I have heard about you,” she said. “They say you are a dedicated animalist with an open mind. Is this true?” For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to reply. I just smiled nervously and gazed into her large copper eyes. She confusedly glanced at some of my colleagues but they just shrugged as if they had no idea what was the matter with me. After an awkward pause that seemed to last an eternity she finally said, “Well for the sake of the Union I hope it is true.” She then gracefully advanced toward the stone that Russ had been using as a pulpit. Russ extended his paw to assist her in mounting the stone. She declined his offer and impatiently stood in front of the stone as if she were waiting for something. Russ withdrew his arm and leaped off the stone. Molly bounded onto the stone and addressing Russ said, “Thanks comrade.” She then looked out on the group of fifteen delegates and announced, “Most of you know why you have been gathered here today. Tomorrow a conference of the United Territories is being held in Cuyamonga to discuss the treatment of the native inhabitants of Lumpenproleteria as well as the alleged use of a secret weapon, which violates peace treaties. I have been sent by Socrates to brief you on the Union’s official stance with regard to these matters.” Molly paused briefly then cut her eyes in my direction. “Christopher you are going to want to pay especially close attention to this briefing because you will be articulating our position to the world. Understood?” I nodded enthusiastically. Molly continued, “The Union’s official position is that there are no atrocities being committed according to our knowledge. You are to assure them that if atrocities are being committed it is by the Cuyamongans. We take these allegations very seriously and will send our own representatives to look into the alleged atrocities.” I thought, “This is good news. Maybe my complaining to Niccolo paid off.” I felt a need to express my support and appreciation for the stance the Union was taking. I declared, “Good for us! I knew Socrates would come through. But just in case I’m asked for an update on our investigation how will I be able to contact these representatives?” I couldn’t help myself from making this sudden outburst. I had recently begun to harbor doubts about my chosen path. I was overjoyed to hear that the brotherhood of nations was taking a stand on the side of the down trodden. That being said, my outburst had an unexpected effect on all in attendance. Molly was at a loss for words. She just stared at me in bewilderment. Vlad who had become very animated could be seen emphatically gesturing and whispering something to Russ. I couldn’t hear what he was saying but I could tell from the gestures that he was upset about something. As I glanced around at my colleagues, clusters of eyes were looking daggers at me. Molly regaining her composure sternly reprimanded me for my outburst. I don’t really remember what she said because I was enveloped in a heightened mood. There was also another reason that her words, which were meant to discipline me, had no adverse effect. When Molly spoke to me, I felt my pulse quicken and waves of lightheadedness spread across me. The strange thing about it is that even though the sensation was uncomfortable I would not have avoided it for the world. Amidst a growing unrest, Russ once again saved me. He stepped forward and motioned for Molly’s attention. He said, “Comrade don’t worry about Christopher. He will not be alone in Cuyamonga. We will make sure that by tomorrow he will be ready.” Molly looked doubtful but she continued with the debriefing. “With regard to the alleged use of a secret weapon, the Union’s official stance is that such a weapon does not exist. The rumors are nothing more than speciest propaganda.” At this point I remembered the wooden box being carried by Hannibal’s troops and the mysterious flashes of light. I began to feel uneasy. The speciests are obviously using some type of mysterious weapon. Why would the Union of Animals fail to acknowledge this? What is Socrates’ strategy? I felt I should speak up about what I had witnessed but I was on thin ice with this group as it was. For now I decided to keep it to myself. Molly concluded, “Are there any questions? If not you may retire for the evening. The conference starts tomorrow so I suggest you all get plenty of rest. We have a big day ahead of us.” As Molly leaped off the platform and exited our locale, my eyes inadvertently followed her out. Something about the way she spoke and the way she carried herself fascinated me for some reason. I thought, “What is so different about this animal? Why do I lose my train of thought when she is around? It is true that up to this point the only experience I have had with females was with my sister Josie. But could it really be that much of a challenge for me to interact with the opposite sex? Only time will tell I guess.” Suddenly I gave a start. While I was lost in thought someone had been addressing me. I looked up to see Russ and Murk standing in front of me. “I said she’s something else isn’t she?” repeated Russ. Embarrassed I stammered, “Who? Molly? She… How do you mean?” Russ and Murk glanced at one another and began to laugh. Murk said, “We can hook you up if you want?” I was mortified. “No! I mean… I never… I didn’t say I liked her. Besides she’s not interested in me.” Again my new friends grinned at one another. “Don’t worry about that,” said Russ. “We’ll take care of everything.” This unexpected conversation left me in a state of confusion. All at once the mental dilemmas that had been plaguing me for the past couple of weeks were forgotten. My friends were still missing and my faith was still shaken but for a moment the stinging sensation that my conscience had been torturing me with was numbed. I stuttered, “But why… I mean… If you think she’s so special why don’t you hook yourself up with her?” Murk closed his eyes and with his nose lifted in the air snobbishly said, “I’m already involved.” Russ said, “Molly’s not my type. She’s a little too devoted to Animalism for my taste. Don’t get me wrong. I’m as strict an Animalist dictator as the next guy, but I have other interests. It’s not my entire life. Molly needs to be with someone who feels as passionately about equality as she does. That’s why I think you guys would be perfect together. Don’t worry leave everything to us.” All of this was so unexpected but the distraction was a welcomed change. I said, “Well, I know she’s not interested but you can do what you want. It makes no difference to me.” I was lying. “Anyways I’m exhausted so I’m headed to bed. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” Murk abruptly exclaimed, “Oh no you’re not!” Taken aback I asked, “And why not?” Russ put in, “Don’t you remember what we promised to Comrade Molly? We said we’d make sure you were ready for tomorrow. That wasn’t just lip service. You can fool around when dealing with us but when it comes to handling speciests you must be prepared for anything. That’s why we’re going to quiz you on all the possible scenarios you may be confronted with tomorrow. After we’re satisfied that you can handle yourself then you can go to sleep.” For the next six hours Murk and Russ drilled me on Animalist doctrine versus Speciest doctrine. They gave me a more in depth history of the origins of both philosophies. For example they told me about a scientist who overturned a primitive world with his bold theories on the origins of species. His name was Darwin. According to Russ, this scientist initially worked for Socrates and was influential in the working out of early animalist doctrine. However there came to be a rift in the working relationship of Socrates and Darwin. Little is known about what actually h
appened but we do know that the break was irreconcilable. Despite the loss of this key architect, animalist doctrine continued to gather momentum. Meanwhile Darwin fled to Cuyamonga and began working with another group of cats whose ideas went contrary to that of animalism. This group’s leader was a cat named Zarathustra and Darwin still works for him down to this day. What I found remarkable about this history is how Darwin was able to completely switch sides to a diametrically opposed philosophy and yet his theories remained unchanged. Outwardly I was repulsed by speciest ideas but privately I began to foster a secret eagerness to understand their way of thinking. This was especially true after I had discovered both philosophies shared common origins. After I had satisfied my colleagues’ confidence in my readiness they finally allowed me to go to sleep.
Breed The Secret Design To Maintain Racial Inequality Among The Despised Classes Page 13