OUTCASTS

Shomron peaked out from behind the iron side wall. The trio of servals was already nodding with satisfaction.

"Nearly perfect blast symmetry." one of them reported. "Whoever set those charges must have known these rocks better than a mole miner." The other said approvingly.

"Target destroyed, and tunnel nonexistent, Sir." The third said at last.

Shomron didn't bother to return the salute, or answer. He just shuffled away, suddenly wishing that he could sleep for the next ten years.

The city quickly resembled a kicked in ant mound. The number of guards around the excavation site tripled over the next minute, as half equipped Simian troops spilled onto the streets, and heavy armor units went on alert, sweeping their cannons back and forth at some hopelessly vague target. Along with the regular military, Internal Security agents swept onto the streets, sweeping all ordinary Citizens away and many more into custody.

Shamir sat in Shomron's office, feeling utterly drained. Even his youthful body paid a price for the last few hours. He looked again at the image of Shomron and Maruda. Suddenly, he remembered what The Skiltaire had once taught.

"The most profound revolutions take the least amount of time." he said to himself gently.

"Well." Said a voice "You have remembered your studies."

Vlad's voice broke his tired daydream. The young Cat looked at his Skiltaire contemporary and smiled. "Thank you, Vladimir." He said gently as the Skiltaire leapt up onto the desk, to stand level with him.

"What for?"

"For caring, for warning Shomron, and just for being you."

Vladimir chirped softly, and gave the junior cat a gentle nuzzle.

Shamir was surprised to feel another set of paws join the gentle moment. Vladimir snuggled between Shamir and Shomron as they joined in embrace. It was the elder cheetah who held and relished the touch for a long, warm moment. The Skiltaire enjoyed the rich vibrato as both Cats purred thru him!! Shamir might have been surprised, but Vladimir just smiled and sank contentedly into the thick, warm fur.

"I thought I might never see you two again. That made me so sad and angry." Shamir confessed gently. "Now, I'm happy."

"Thank you, Shamir." Shomron said as they parted. "We owe you a great deal." He said. Vlad nodded agreement.

"Me?. How so?" The young Cat asked.

"You put aside your personal feelings for the greater good." Vladimir told him. "That takes more courage than anything else."

"Your days in the nursery are over, lad." Shomron said. "I need you on the front lines."

"Combat?" Just say where and when,Sir."

Shomron shook his head. "No, not combat. Something far tougher. Leadership."

Shamir was speechless.

"Aurora thinks so, Your Father thinks so, and I think so." Shomron told him seriously. "Please think about it. You think today was tough. Our tomorrows stand to be a lot tougher from now on." Shomron spoke with characteristic frankness. "I'll need every capable paw I can beg, borrow or steal if we're going to stand a chance, even with your father on board."

Shomron found the strength to stand upright and stretch. Vladimir heard Shomron's back go off like a string of firecrackers. "Vlad and I have to talk to someone in the dispensary. If you need us, that's where we'll be."Shomron told the youthful cat as he walked out of the door.

"If I need you?" Shalimar stuttered. "Shouldn't that be the other way around?" said the shocked lion. "I've got to go see Father. Maybe he can wake me up."

Vladimir turned and smiled at his friend from the doorway before racing down the corridor after Shomron.

They headed down the corridor past the main Hospital cavern. They ducked into a smaller room, set with a trio of beds and benches. Thankfully, only the middle of the three beds was occupied. Shomron stopped in the doorway, to get his first look at their prisoner without the blackened armor and partially melted helmet.

She was young, perhaps enough to be his daughter, but her youth was hidden in part by her bearing. She sat the bed ramrod straight and proud, a certain arrogance in her figure, in spite of her bandaged eyes. Shomron saw her ears prick, and her head turned in his direction, seeming to gaze at him even thru the dressing.

"I know you're there." She growled. "I order you to release me, in the name of the State. At once, do you hear?" she snapped.

"Typical officer." Shomron said out loud. "You gave our medical staff quite a struggle. Why not relax?"

Her growl in response was low and absolutely visceral in its loathing. "Let me out of these straps, and I'll give you scum more than a struggle."

Shomron smiled, even tho she could not see it. "That's why they're there. By the tone, I'd say we have an officer of the Praetorian Guards in our humble midst." Shomron answered.

Her neckfur rose, and she snarled.

"Ooooooh, nice intimidation technique, but its less than effective when you're strapped to a bed. Save it for the promotions board. Don't feel too bad Centurion Crystal, we got your name, station and blood class from your chip."

Her attitude seemed to change. "Then you also know I am in a position to grant rewards to anyone who might help me escape. The State would pay you well, in addition to my personal gratitude."

"Standard evasion and escape technique. Promise them anything." Shomron responded.

"Perhaps so." she purred gently. But as one cheetah to another, we could be more than friends."

"How did you know?" Shomron asked.

"I might be blind, but my nose works." She answered. "Other parts of me still work well, too. Why not free me, and after we escape, you could see for yourself." Her purr became richer and more seductive. Standing beside Shomron, watching the show, Vladimir smiled, and in pantomime, told the elder cheetah to have fun!

"It's the least you could do." He said, "Considering you need my eyes to get out of here."

"Get me out of here, and I'll show you that for many things, I don't need to see." She purred.

Yes, Shomron thought for himself, Including ripping out my throat at paws length.

"Well." Shomron said, "It is tempting. You do seem very healthy." Shomron ventured.

Vladimir stood there amazed, as the she-cat managed a fetching pose and a girlish giggle, even strapped to a bed!

"Get me home." she purred voluptuously, "And you can have all night to find out how healthy, Sweetfur."

Shomron looked coyly at Vladimir. The expression sent the Skiltaire convulsing to the floor with surpressed laughter!

"Oops." Shomron said, Someone else is coming. I'll have to come back later on.

"What's your name?" she asked quickly.

"Vladimir." Shomron told her.

The Skiltaire gave the Cheetah an odd look as both padded away from the door, still watching from behind the two way glass to see what she would do next.

As soon as she thought she was alone, Shomron saw her test the bed straps, pulling on them hard. She tried twisting and pulling, her back bowed deeply. Shomron had to admit that he was enjoying the view. He could admire her guts too. They were a universally rare quality, and that made her even more dangerous.

From behind the wall, Vladimir mimed that he would try.

The Skiltaire padded around the corner, and strolled into the room as if it was unoccupied. He gauged the distance with care, and leapt easily onto the railing at the foot of the bed. "Hello." he said simply.

"What's your specialty, interrogation?" she growled coldly.

"I prefer law." Vladimir replied.

"Then how can you break it the way you do?" she asked.

"Well, when the State said my kind were undesirable aliens after two generations of Skiltaire have lived here, let's just say I took it personally." Vladimir told her flatly. "And what about you?" Vladimir turned the question back on her. "How can you help these tyrants repress the rights of the populace"?

"I do my duty." she snapped shortly.

"Oh, I see." He said Another automaton with orders." He observed. "I thought the Praetorian Guard prided itself on strength and brains. You sound like those Simians."

Vladimir paused, and could notice just the slightest hint of distaste cross her muzzle. "I'm a loyal Citizen." she retorted.

"Yes, and old enough to remember the last few years of the Republic." He reminded her. "Another volunteer fresh off the lyceum grounds, I'll wager."

Vladimir could have seen more in her eyes, had he been able, but her subtle change of expression was enough.

"Back when the military was promising us riches and adventure." Vladimir reflected. Now they press gang fur bearers to do their repression and their killing. Convenient, I suppose, if you're a brainless automoton. Oh I forgot. You have orders."

"The old Republic was a group of dreamers!" She snapped. "The old and useless and the young and nieve. There are real, hard, worlds beyond this planet. Why should we be denied our rightful share? I have nothing to feel sorry for." She justified.

"Oh." Vladimir said "Now I understand. You're a realist?" He asked.

"Absolutely!" She snapped back fast.

"Well, let a silly dreamer share one slice of realism with you." Vlad told her. "The Praetorian Guard battle code says no prisoners. True?" he asked.

Yes!" she said, filled with arrogant pride. "We do not take captives and we die rather than be taken capt--" She stopped short, as the words hit her.

"We might have given you your wish." Vladimir told her. "But you and whatever you believe still exist because these silly dreamers have another sort of code. It's called live and let live. Even for someone like you."

She was speechless now.

"Think about it. That's all we ask." Vlad jumped down and left the room without another word.

Shamir padded down the corridor, and into a side tunnel. He looked around, and not seeing anyone, he Sent quietly, rather than raise his voice.

Father?

Over here, Son The send returned almost as soft as a whisper, not even a tenth of his father's usual mental energy.

Shamir could feel his father now, and very quietly padded into a smaller grotto in the natural rock tunnel.

Shalimar sat still in the center of the room, his eyes closed peacefully. The wall opposite him had been covered with large slabs of slate, forming a wide natural blackboard. The gray-green rock was covered with mathematical sets that Shamir remembered dimly from his earliest days.

"Near light speed singularity theory." Shalimar said in a fatigued voice. "At least I can work on it here without having to hide it."

"Father I--." he began, but faltered, losing the words.

"Yes, Shamir,go on."

"They want me to become a leader."

"Splendid!"

"You don't object?"

"Heavens no. You were right, and I was wrong. It's all in the past. But I do wish your mother could have seen you and Rokar in the observatory. She would have been so very proud of you both."

"Thank you, Father."

"Whatever for this time, lad?"

"I can only guess at how deeply it hurt you to have to destroy the observatory, Father. You made the kind of sacrifice mother did, in your own way."

Shalimar nodded, the pain obvious in his eyes. "It had to be done, My son. These Simians are not fit to escape this planet. I did what I did so any other civilization might be spared their ignorance and violence."

"I understand, Father."

"I wonder if you do." Shalimar continued. "The day is within sight when we may leave this world, because we won't have another choice. If we leave, they must not be able to track us, even if they cannot follow. When we leave, and we shall sooner than later, we must be gone for good and all."

Shamir nodded "It's the only way our future generations would be safe. If the Simians do develop star flight someday." He reasoned.

"Precisely, my Son. You do have a good mind, when you can curb your temper." His Father observed.

Shamir blushed a bit.

"If you can spare the time, Could you and I dine together tonite?" Shalimar asked. "It's been so very long."

Shamir sat down, freeing his forepaws to move, and proceeded to hug the great scientist breathless, purring richly all the while!

The City and the blackened Nexis had become a sea of barbed wire and lights. No one and nothing moved in the heart of what had once been a thriving capitol. Military Headquarters was ablaze in a wash of blue lights. Rokar had seen it tens of times before, Yet as his bearing alone gained him passage thru check points and walls of electricity and wire, he felt an inward sensation that was mostly alien to him-Foreboding.

The destruction of the observatory was completely unexpected. He had spent hours with the engineers, pawing thru the small fallen mountain of pulverized rock, and bits of unrecognizably mangled optics. He had recognized debris from the telescope array, but had said nothing to the slow-witted Simians around him. It would have taxed their limited mentality too much.

But the same could not be said for the General Staff. Some of them had sharp minds together with their ruthlessness. They would be much harder to deceive.

He counted his allies with care, the first of them being the unknown. Rocar had swept the fallen ruins with psionic probes of nearly unbelievable power, born out of desperation. The observatory building had been blasted to bits by a powerful primary charge before the falling mountain peak burred the disintegrated remnants. He alone had found traces of a single body, reduced to a paste-like smear. But that body was Simian, not Fur-Bearing. It was as if the blast had opened the ground, and all the occupants of the embattled observatory had been swallowed alive. Or at least, that was his innermost hope.

His second weapon worked both for and against him. He was his Father's son, and could therefore take advantage of many things. First, no Simian suspected where had had gone that nite, for any who did would have died before that faithful sunrise. So, his secret was safe, with himself alone. He could also take temporary advantage of the fact that, Officially, his Father was missing and presumed dead. Bereavement was a comfortable cloak, but could not shield him from duty forever.

He also had one advantage that none could take from him. The unit under his command was loyal, to him before any chain of command. It was composed entirely of fur bearers by his own design.

Theirs was the duty of investigation and reporting, and from this key position, Rocar could delay and if needs must, falsify any small amounts of evidence that might surface.

All of this did little to ease his mind as he walked with great bearing thru the corridors of power. He had learned one rule when dealing with the Simian mind. Trust nothing to any of them. They were mostly brutish beasts, who wore a thin veneer of civilization at best. They had both the physical strength and the authority to act on both their terrible tempers and naturally suspicious natures. He had no illusions. What he was about to face was potentially as dangerous as any combat he had ever known, perhaps more so. He had been in deadly danger from the moment he had been ordered to report here, and it would require the use of his every faculty to avoid his own destruction.

"ROKAR!" a gravely voice boomed. "You're late!"

The big white cat sighed. He wasn't due here for five more minutes. He had made a point of NOT being late. It was going to be an arduous meeting.

"Praetor Rokar reporting." He said with a sharp salute and no rancor.

The Simian he addressed looked at him thru cold eyes. He wore a uniform that was a solid wall of ribbons and medallions. The Simian face was flat and jowly, and gave him no real acknowledgment before launching into discourse.

"The loss of a key instillation and personnel is an insult to the honor of the State." Korar boomed. "The populace look to the State for protection and security. Two episodes of brazen destruction have occurred in as many days. These malcontents have become embolded because they have lost their fear. I propose to restore it. Fear can be better and less expensive than ammunition."

"Yessir." Rokar said flatly. He said no more because the Simian was helping him by being customarily long winded.

"In the forthcoming operation, I expect to make extensive use of counter-intelligence, as part of an overall effort to restore respect to us, and fear amongst these bold swine. That is what is needed, Balance of terror, Praetor, Balance of terror. What has your investigation disclosed thus far?"

"It is not yet clear that the incident at the former observatory was the result of the resistance movement and--

"It must be. We shall advance no other explanation for it. It is a vile attack on the modern symbol of the State."

"The ruins and debris have been searched. One Simian body found. No sign of Karnat, Doctor Shalimar, the garrison force, or their equipment." he told the uniform.

The Simian eyes were still for a moment, and then they glinted. Cold and Hard. Rokar's guard went up.

"Excellent." the Simian said. " Simian martyrs. And a distinguished scientist, and our State hero as well. They will be given State funerals. They and those who gave their lives in defense of the weapons development center. We must present them as a united group, with one ideal. The State. All of them struck down by these vile agents of evil. It will be a masterwork of propaganda." he went on, nearly ranting now.

After a moment, he descended to reality, as Rokar looked on blankly.

"I will send orders to the Information Secretariat at once. You will continue your investigation in secret. Under no conditions is word of your findings to be made known to anyone other than myself. Clear?"

"Very Clear. Sir."

"Your operations will have unlimited access to whatever you need, on direct authority from me." Korar said

"Thank you, My Leader!" Rocar had that line practiced to the point of near sincerity.

"Find me these vermin, Praetor. And after they have unwittingly aided the State, the "Resistance" will be ruthlessly annihilated, is that clear?"

"Yessir!"

"You may go, Praetor." The general said with contempt.

Rocar turned and marched out of the office with the machine like precision that the Simians valued so highly.

Korar waited until the fur bearer was out of sight. He went to his desk and pushed a button.

Get me our Laboratory The Simian leader growled.

At Once, Tribune! Replied the frightened voice on the other end of the intercom.

In a moment, there was a click.

This is Tribune Korar. Report! The Simian snapped.

Work Proceeding, Tribune. The components must be mixed with care. Several of our people have already been injured. A gravely voice told him.

You can get more help. I want progress! Tell me of the tests. Korar demanded.

First tests on small animals. The gas works quickly, as we thought it would. We are encouraged, but must proceed with care.

Excellent! Korar replied. Now you must test on other subjects. Korar told the Simian scientist.

Tribune. I have no authority for tests beyond laboratory animals.

Now, you have authority. Internal security will provide you with subjects.

There was a moment of quiet on the line. By your Command, Tribune.

Your tests must be complete as soon as possible. he compound must be ready within a few days, and it must be effective. You have been given much. I expect results. That is all.

The line went dead.

Iron will and cool discipline took him calmly from the building. Once clear of security, the Warrior became a leonine rocket, flying over the now vacant streets, and back toward his headquarters. As his body raced, so did his mind. The situation resembled a black comedy. The leader of counter-intelligence needed desperately to contact the resistance, as much for his own sake as for theirs. The loss of the observatory had done him this one disservice. And then he remembered something from his past. From his nearly forgotten childhood, there lingered a memory of a Skiltaire friend. He veered from his intended trajectory, away from his headquarters, and set course for the outlying districts of the City.

Shomron looked up from his desk as Vladimir came around the corner. The Skiltaire jumped up onto one of the flat chairs across from the cheetah. The look in the musteline eyes mingled anger and disgust.

"She is unique, isn't she." Shomron ventured.

"Some don't see the danger in all this militaristic nonsense. They ought to talk with her." Vladimir replied, his frustration boiling over. "There's still a young fur bearer under all that rubbish. She's another victim of this insanity."

"I've seen it before." Shomron related. "Indoctrination camps that begin when they're young, then the offers of travel and money. And power."

"How could any sentient race take pride in producing youth like that." Vladimir asked, seething with rhetorical anger. "Perverting youth is more like it."

"Not only that." Shomron said "But we have another problem."

Vladimir nodded. "Indeed. How and when do we release her."

"And if we should at all."

Vladimir could not hide his slightly shocked expression.

"Not to worry, my friend. I was more concerned about her being impaired in a world of Simians."

"We're all impaired in a world full of Simians." Vladimir joked. "But I see your point. If we can't heal her sight."

"Or if she won't allow us to." Shomron added.

"Her value to the military is nil." Vladimir told his friend. "The Simians would look at her as damaged goods, and you know how they think."

Shomron nodded. "I'd take odds, if she could see, but this way, somewhere, someday, some Simian would cave her skull in."

"Some might say that that's the result of her own actions." Vladimir put forth the logical argument. "But I'm not one of them." He said after a pause.

Shomron smiled. "Neither am I."

"Now, how do we cut thru the dogma and convince her of that?" Shomron asked.

"That's what the rank is for." Vladimir kidded. Shomron smiled, knowing that the keen Skiltaire mind had already begun to peel the problem like an onion. Together, they would find a way.

Rokar paused as the city turned green again. Here, the explosions were merely unpleasant events, happening elsewhere. He slowed to a walk. This section of the capitol had not yet been garrisoned. It was a pleasure to walk along and enjoy the tranquil scene without Simian soldiers on every corner and in front of every building.

He slowed so his memory could catch up to his thoughts. He stolled along the road, until a familiar shop tugged at his cubhood memories.

It seemed peaceful enough as he walked up onto the porch in front of the shop. It had once been a house, now shared with a smaller shop on one side. Rokar stopped in front of the door. His station and the edict of Martial Law gave him the right to pass anywhere, at anytime, but to the warrior, this was no excuse for bad manners. He caught gentle hold of the silken bell cord which hung along the door frame, and holding it in his teeth, gave it a gentle pull. Rokar backed up a step as, beyond the door, he heard the gentle chime of bells within the shop.

There was a muted sound of pawfalls on thick woven rugs. Then there came a sound that brought his memory back to him, full and vivid.

The sound of a pile of books falling over was mingled with a steady stream of epithets in a language he had not heard in years! There was a shuffling sound, as more volumes were moved, probably clearing the door. The entrance did not seem a high traffic area. Thick coats of dust had fallen on the curios that were on display outside the shop.

The door opened just a bit, just enough to let a pair of bright green eyes peer out. They were still bright, in spite of the gray-white fur that betrayed the advanced age of the head and muzzle they were set in. "Yes, who is there?" The voice held the timbre of youth, in spite of their slight slowness.

"Is your shop open for trade?" Rokar asked.

The door opened a bit wider. The green eyed proprietor brightened as he saw that the pest was not the usual Simian.

"Well, Yes. But things have been rather slow. Simians don't read anymore than they have to." he lamented. He unbolted the door, allowing it to open on its own. "That's the problem these days, bullets and bombs instead of books and brains." The Skiltaire expounded as he turned and loped back behind the large table at the center of the room. He paused to set a large stack of books and crystals lovingly on the floor to make room for himself and his customer.

As he looked up from across the table, the Skiltaire saw the insignia on Rokar's collar. The Lion saw the green eyes fill with a mist of suspicion. "What do you want here?" he asked. "Are you another of those bureaucrats from the Information Secretariat?" His tone became sharper.

"And if I am?" Rokar asked.

"You can pack up your volumes of re-written history and half truth and get out of my home! But before you leave, and if you can read, I'll give you a copy of the Original Charter. Get those thugs to read it. Maybe You can learn what freedom is!"

"Treasonous words, Have a care, Khai Takagi." He replied with an easy smile.

The quotation, more than his name and his title, stopped him in mid picqure. He looked oddly at the giant cat. "Where did you hear that?" the Skiltaire asked with a breathless tone of surprise, still edged with caution.

Rokar's smile broadened. He lowered his head gently, and nearly touched noses with the elder Skiltaire. Rokar saw the distant eyes spark with a glimmer of recognition. "I used to lay awake in bed at nite and listen to you and Father debate the Charter between sessions."

The Skiltaire let out a soft whistle, and staggered back two steps behind the table! "Your Father?" he gasped.

The huge, gentle head nodded again, and Rokar nose bumped with the Skiltaire. That was all it took!

"Rocar!" Takagi whispered, only because he couldn't find the wind to shout it as he stepped forward and took the lower part of the lions neck in a gentle stranglehug!

"So." Rokar said softly, mostly because he was having trouble breathing." You finally remember a bookish young pest, do you?"

Takagi let him go and with a remarkable display of spryness hopped up onto the table between volumes. As Rocar stepped back, Takagi squinted, looking him up, and up, and up, and back down again, closely. "You've grown a bit, I see."

"So I have been told." Rokar said brightly.

Takagi looked askance at him. "So why the costume?" He asked, traces of his suspicion returning. "Don't tell me you fell for all that jingoistic babbling, too." He asked, surprised.

"Father agreed to continue his work for the State at first." Rokar explained. "They wanted to induct me when they found out I was gifted. The State sort of insisted. I thought I might be able to change things from inside, so I tried."

"A laudable effort, Young one, but that fruit was rotted long before you got to the tree." Takagi told him.

"Yes." He said slowly. "I know that now."

"Say, did you ever finish that book of Maruda's essays I lent you?"

"You remember that?" Rokar asked surprised. "I read it until the paper crumbled."

"Well I set them into a crystal years ago. No need to worry about that anymore. Let me see I have a set here someplace."

"That would be nice, but I need something else just now, Teacher."

"Really? Go ahead and browse. You can have anything you like. No charge."

Rokar turned and focused on the door. It swung closed by itself, and then it bolted itself again as well.

Takagi looked at Rokar, his old eyes wide!

"My word, lad. Your father was right. You are strongly gifted."

"You and Father gave me a stronger gift, Teacher. A free and open mind." Rocar told him.

"Tish-tosh, Lad." The Skiltaire said, visibly touched.

"Now the time has come to defend it, and others. Teacher, I need you to link with someone for me." Rocar told him in a quiet voice.

"I KNEW IT!." He practically shouted. "I knew they couldn't turn you lad." He said, his elder voice cracking slightly. "But you should be able to do that yourself." Takagi said.

Rocar nodded. "Yes, but I don't have the range that you do."

Takagi nodded understanding at once. "Ah, I see. Is he Skiltaire?

"She." Rokar corrected.

"Now, see here. I don't run a social club."

"No." he said quickly "You don't understand."

"How so, Lad?"

"No time for longer explanations." Rocar told him. "Please. I must communicate with Aurora, as soon as possible."

Rocar had heard of it, but had never seen the effect that went with the name. The key had been turned. Understanding filled the old eyes full again. That light was mixed with restored pride and vindication in Takagi's aged eyes. "Right away, My lad." There was a restored vigor in the old voice, as if a great burden was now shared, rather than carried alone.

Vladimir was deep in thought as Aurora rounded the corner of the officer door. She padded in softly, and without word or send, wrapped herself around Vladimir as only a Mustelid could. She nip-nuzzled him until he quivered. " Please Sweetness." He gasped gently.

"Yes, Please." Aurora folded herself into him so that Shomron could not tell one Skiltaire from the other, save by a swirl of pastel fur.

Shomron smiled gently at Vladimir. "Why don't you two work on this problem in the other room, where it's quiet and comfortable." Shomron suggested with a wink.

Vladimir scooped her up, and the mates ducked thru the door closing it behind them. In a moment, the cheetah could hear echoes of the soft trilling sound that was pure Skiltaire bliss. He smiled, and decided to try again with their unwilling prisoner.

"Hello again." He said softly from the doorway.

She heard his voice and he saw her body relax.

"Hello, Handsome!" she purred quietly.

Shomron smiled. "How can you tell?"

"Just a feeling I have."

"Oh? I thought they trained you not to feel." Shomron objected.

"There's a time and place for everything."

"Ohhh. Philosophy." Shomron purred.

She smiled. "So you like your females with a brain too?"

"If possible." Shomron replied.

"Speaking of Philosophy." Shomron said after a pause to admire her. "Given any thought to your situation?"

"You know what I said before. And I'll keep my word." she answered.

"No, I meant in a larger sense."

"What do you mean, Sweetness?"

"I'm a survivor of the new Simian army. I know how they treat fur bearers. I also know how they would treat a sightless one. I'm just worried for you."

"Awww. You're sweet, but you don't have to worry. I'm an officer."

"You're an awfully big kitty to hide behind such small pips." He told her. "C'mon level with me, and I'll get you out of here." Shomron offered.

She took the first part as a complement. She arched her back, knowing that you couldn't miss her build in the gown she wore. "Big kitty?" she asked coyly.

Shomron had to force himself to breathe and think again."I like the wrapper, but I'd like to know more about the filling." He said honestly.

She giggled, involuntarily. "Well, you are a sweet one. First off, you can call the wrapper and the filling Crystal." she said. Shomron noticed a slight blush below her fur.

"I'm Vladimir." He said simply.

"Yes, so you said. Say can you do me a favor?"

"Can you do me a favor?" Shomron parroted coyly.

"No, sillycat! C'mere."

Shomron's guard and guardfur went up. She was well trained and strong enough to kill him with a single pawstike, and he knew it. He looked at the thick leather straps on the bed rails, while they had been stretched, and cut near the edges, by her claws, they were intact. Still, Shomron hadn't gotten to be his age by being overheated and stupid at the same time.

"Promise you won't hurt me?"Shomron asked.

"Look sweets, Like you said, I need you to get out of here. And besides, I'm beginning to like you. Now C'mere. Please!"

"A little honesty is refreshing. Or at least I hope it's honesty." Shomron padded to within paws reach of the bed, standing sideways, with his body arched out of striking range as he reached in. She heard him approach.

"Good! Now,scritch my nose, will you please?"

This time, it was Shomron who laughed! He complied, his fine sensitive paw digits rubbing her nosepad gently. He was as surprised as she was when she nuzzled his paw, without thinking!

"Thank you." she purred from deep in her throat.

It was one of those magical touches that lingers, and as Shomron drew his paw back slowly, and looked at his digits, they tingled warmly!

She was delighted when she heard him move what might be a chair closer to the bed, and heard him sit down!

Takagi concentrated for a moment putting slightly more energy than usual into his probe. It took almost a full second to find Aurora and touch her active mind. Takagi held the probe just long enough to conect, and then broke it quickly. The aged Skiltaire turned to his erstwhile pupil, a trace of a smile playing on his muzzle.

"I contacted Aurora." Takagi told him.

"Is everything all right? You looked worried for a moment there." Rokar asked.

"Aurora is doing quite well. Quite well indeed." He replied with a trace of mirth. "But I fear she'll be occupied for some time."

"A Skiltaire too busy to get a send? That's nearly unheard of." Rokar observed.

"True, but even we need a bit of privacy now and again my lad." Takagi said in a teachers tone of voice. "How important is this matter?" Takagi wondered aloud.

"How important is freedom, Teacher?"

"Point taken, Lad." He said. "There is a roundabout way. If you know Aurora, you must know of Shomron."

"Yes Rokar replied with a masterstoke of understatement.

"Good! ' Takagi replied. Then you're a member of our treasonous little group." Takagi said.

"Yes, but the Simians don't know it. What they have ordered me to do puts many lives in jeopardy."

"I see. With Shalimar driven underground by the destruction of the observatory, your lines of communication are down."

"Exactly." Rocar replied.

"Can you stay, or would our Simian friends miss you?"

"I was on my way back to my command. I can move freely, all my officers and troops are Fur-Bearing and gifted." Rocar told Takagi with a trace of pride in his words.

"You're certain no one followed you?"

"No one that lived."

"All right. Stay here and read a bit, while I make a few more contacts. I haven't tried Shomron this way in some time." Takagi warned "This send will go thru a half dozen minds. I have to find ones we can trust. It should be less than an hour. Until then, you're a customer."

"Right."

Lollo and Krista returned to the command center tired but very satisfied. The duty officer looked oddly at the pair of laughing wolverines.

"What's so funny, and where have you two been?" The margay inquired.

"Oh, Noplace in particular." Lollo replied.

"Just out somewhere playing Opossum! Krista explained with a wink!

Lollo let out a sort of gurgling growl, took his mate firmly by the shoulders, kissed her, and then marched her past the perplexed margay!

"Where's the Top Cat?" Lollo called behind him.

"Dispensery,isolation." The margay told them, wondering if he should try to figure it all out. No way! He shook his head as the wolverines walked down the corridor, the male with his paw over the female's muzzle!

They walked into the hospital cavern. When Shazi saw them, all the otter did was smile and point in Shomron's direction! The two of them swerved in lockstep down the separated passageway. Lollo sent ahead of him, only to have his send go no where beyond his mind. Then he remembered. Isolation.

Lollo shushed Krista gently, removing his paw, and indicating a single room at the end of the passageway. The heavy door was propped open, and Lollo knew that the mirrored glass that ran along the wall in front of the door was unique. He directed Krista's gaze, and both wolverines saw their friend and commander sitting with a gorgeous female cheetah!

While it seemed a pity to disturb them, duty was duty, and in this case, a pleasure.

Both stepped quietly in front of the door, so their claws made no sound on the special floor.

"Well." My shift is over." Shomron said simply "I have to go again. I hope to see you later."

"Any time at all, Vladimir. If I have another itch, I'll ask for you." She purred. "And I'll think about what you said, I promise."

"Bye-bye." Shomron purred, and padded out of the room. It was with a touch of regret that he closed and locked the blast door from outside.

"Vladimir?" Lollo interjected. " What's the matter with her. Shazi have to give her a needle, or something?"

"No." Shomron explained as the three of them strolled out of the hospital. "She thinks I'm Vladimir."

"Oh, I get it. She's crazy."

"Yes. like a box of foxes. The minute she heard my name, she would know who I am. So I borrowed Vlad's."

"I understand. You're trying to get her to open up." Krista said.

Shomron nodded. "She thinks I'm just a volunteer nurse. She tried to bed me to help her escape."

"And you turned her down?" Lollo questioned. "Maybe she's not the crazy one."

Krista gently body checked Lollo into the wall.

While Lollo was picking himself up, and brushing the rock dust from his guard fur, Krista and Shomron walked and talked on, as if nothing had happened.

"Vlad is right in one thing. She's very confused. She's been put thru their special indoctrination program."

Krista nodded. "I know it well. Subliminal indoctrination, drugs in the food, and even in the air. I learned to resist it. It took months but I escaped it, barely."

"Then you'd know the problems." Shomron offered. "Its worse for her tho, because she's a construct."

"Gads. The poor dear."

"Its not as bad as it sounds. It depends on what happens after that. For her its worse." Shomron went on. "The army has been her family. Yet, she has problems with some of what they've asked her to do."

Krista nodded. "Fur will tell. Eventually."

"Yea." Lollo said, Catching up to the pair and the conversation. So will muscle and a bad temper, especially in the females."

Krista shot him the "You deserved it" glare. The male wolverine finished checking himself for dislocations and breakage as he limped alongside the other two, standing safely on the other side of Shomron!

"She's fighting it, deep down, and repressing it hard." Shomron told both of them. "You know that this is the first time she's ever been outside of a camp or a barracks."

"So she's out of range of their constant conditioning." Krista guessed. "Only a few of us learn to block it, and it weakens with time."

"Right! Shomron said. "She's changed a bit since she's been isolated."

"So that's why the Isolation." Lollo said.

"Yes." It's also good security. She's the most potent non-Skiltaire telepath I've ever felt." Shomron confessed. "If she gets above for more than a moment, knowing where she's been, we might be up to our muzzles in Simians.

"Might?" Lollo asked.

"That's the issue." Vlad. That is, the real Vlad. Has talked with her too, altho she still blocks his tries at sending to her directly." Shomron went on as they walked into his office.

"Conditioned reflex." Krista told him. "It should fade with time, unless she's blocking of her own free will."

"I don't think she knows what she thinks now." Shomron told her. "You can feel her frustration. Part of her wants to let go, but part of her still wants to rip out throats to escape. I can't risk the latter, at least until I know what's in her mind."

"Vladimir is good at what he does best. Telling the truth." Lollo said. " He could convince white that it's black, because he would prove there is black in white."

"That's a good analogy." Shomron responded. "Vladimir challenged her dogma, and she's seeing the flaws now."

"Now that it's not being pumped into her constantly." Krista said.

"Exactly." Shomron said. "There's something else. She's so powerful that we can't heal her eyes. She won't let us. If we just send her back." Shomron paused.

"They'd interrogate her, and then kill her, construct or not."She could never be the controlled killing machine she was meant to be. They would kill her to keep from being potential prey." Lollo said coldly.

"No Fur-Bearer deserves that." Krista said. "I don't care who or what she is, was, or might be." she said flatly. "That's what we're supposed to be fighting for, isn't it?" Krista protested.

"That's the crux of the problem." Shomron explained. "Getting her to see that, while convincing her that we're not bent on her destruction." The frustration showed in Shomron's voice and posture.

Krista took his paw gently, and snuggled it. "Maybe she needs to talk to a girl who knows." Krista offered. "Why not let me try?"

Lollo hugged Krista deeply. You go ahead and try Darling. He said sweetly. I need a to get some sleep. Join me when you want to.

Krista blushed as Lollo loped away up the corridor.

Rokar finished another volume, and put it aside with the dozen others. If Takagi had not been so occupied, he could have passed several blissful hours watching Rokar speed read. At last the elder Skiltaire paused and dropped into a pedestal chair, looking tired and worried.

"I've managed to put your message thru to someone close to the party in question, but they send back that something is blocking him from receiving, temporarily. Aurora still has not responded, so a messenger is taking your report to it's destination on paper, by delivery. It should be another hour, maybe a bit more.

"I cannot wait. By that time, I would be missed." Rocar told him.

Takagi nodded. "Can I get you anything more to read. Or perhaps for you, it should be digest." The Skiltaire said with a wry smile.

Rocar blushed. "I had forgotten how firey you and Father could be in your debates."

"It was never personal, my lad. To this hour, I would do anything for him. He was younger and more passionate about non-violence in the early days." Takagi recalled, his eyes gleaming with the memory as he spoke of it.

"Do you think he was wrong? You and Maruda finally won him over." Rocar said.

"Yes. I know. These days, I wonder." Takagi mentioned in passing. "If we had gone to war and fought to preserve our Republic, perhaps we might have paid less than we have in the long run. Who can say?"

"At least the Simians wouldn't treat us like indentured servants."Rocar observed. "Even I am treated like an inferior by the General Staff."

"Don't let their stupidity degrade you." Takagi said. "Instead, be the warrior that you are, and turn it on them as a weapon. Their stubborn lack of mentality is one of our best weapons. It's all in how we use it." Takagi told his student. "Your father once believed that non violent resistance meant using no weapons. He finally learned that it just means using subtle weapons in a different way, you see?" Takagi explained.

" Yes. That's why Father agreed to work for the new government, and why I joined the military." Rocar answered.

"And from what I hear of late, you both do the Movement proud."

"What was Maruda like, Teacher?" I've read all his speeches and papers, but you knew him in person."

"Oh, My." Takagi said. "Therein lies a book, or several. Ask me that again, when we're free, and I'll bend your ear for a month or two. Maybe we could write it together."

"It would be an honor, Teacher." Rocar replied, slightly awestruck.

"But for now, you should leave." Takagi told him.

"Will you be all right. Teacher?"

"Not to worry, the Supreme law still makes the person and property of the former members of the Khai inviolate. I should be safe until they decide they don't need me anymore. Maybe five or ten minutes." he added in jest. "No, Lad. When the time is right, I'll happen along. Don't worry. They won't get me like they did Maruda."

"Good. I'd like to write with you someday."

Takagi smiled lightly as Rocar turned and loped away. The Skiltaire was careful to close and double bolt the door once again. In less than a minute, the shop and house resumed their appearance of careless disuse. Takagi padded back to his sheltered room, and resumed his task, sending page after page of manuscript into crystals as fast as word and thought would flow thru his mind.

Shalimar and Shamir sat together quietly. The elder cat had hoped their first meal together would be in the observatory. But he knew now that it was the company and not the location that was important.

The Resistance fighters that had rescued both of them had emptied Shalimar's home and office with remarkable speed and efficiency, removing all things great and small, right down to Shantalia's prize roses. But the move had been rapid in more ways than one. Shalimar ate little while engulfed in work, so the food at the observatory was spartan at best.

Shamir took over, using his own ration card and his father's new one to obtain a fair sized meal for a pair of great cats. Shomron had sent orders to the galley that the cooks were to put on a fine spread with whatever was available and palatable to the brace of lions.

It took the galley staff more than an hour, but the fisher in charge of the mess announced that he had exceed himself, because he so seldom had a chance to ply his craft for a special meal and guest. The cook and five of the lynx on mess duty became waiters, and the meal that had begun so simply became a masterwork. Great haunches of meat were brazing over the firepits, succulent and juicy. Bread by the stack, and fresh fruits and vegetables lined the table. Huge bowls, filled with carbonated spring water and fruit juice awaited them.

As he marveled at the feast set before them, Shalimar turned to the fisher, a pang of guilt on his muzzle. "Has everyone else been fed?" he asked.

"Yessir, Including the enlisted duty staff, the hospital staff and patients, and all of the young and elders." The fisher said, seeming to anticipate the question.

"Welcome home, Father!" Shamir said simply.

What the younger cat felt next made all the work and pain worthwhile. Shalimar moved close to his son, and nuzzled him ever so sweetly as the two of them padded to the table! As they began to eat, Shamir nearly wept with joy!

Rocar raced swiftly along the now darkened streets. No one would dare challenge him. Quickly, he could see the fortified parameter of his camp seem to rise out of the rolling ground beneath his swift paws. He sent ahead to his sentries, answering their powerful probes. His body guards had special orders, to sweep out and back along his trail, and dispatch anyone or anything that had followed him home. He passed them in pitch blackness, beyond the camp lights, yet his mind could see them as if it were mid-day. The pair of golden lions on either side of the gate snapped to attention. The rocket launchers that they carried easily at high port were bigger than the average Simian. He had ordered his command to take no chances, not even with them.

The gate opened without the sentries having to move it. Rocar raced in, an incandescent streak of white beneath the harsh lights of the compound. Within seconds, the gate rolled closed behind him. Only when it was fully closed, and guarded on both sides did Rocar allow himself any transient moment of relaxation.

A huge panther stalked up from the command bunker, crossed the compound, and saluted. Rocar responded, allowing himself a smile up at the tall mountain of ink black fur who was his chief of staff.

"Intensify telepathic screening for the compound Nachtoter. Pass the order: Officer's call, five minutes."

"Already done. Sir." The panther's voice was as smooth as velvet, as deep as a well, and rumbled like a thunderstorm.

Krista padded into the isolation room as quietly as she could. At first glance, the wounded cheetah may have looked asleep. Krista knew better. Even within the damping field of the room, Crystal's mind put out enough energy for Krista to feel it along the tips of her guardfur!

"There must be some Skiltaire in you." Krista observed lightly. She saw the female's ears prick up.

"Perhaps. I don't really know." Crystal responded. "I bet there's more in you."

"Close. I'm a wolverine." Krista confessed what she knew the cheetah's nose had already told her. "I'm also a construct." Krista continued.

"Who told you?" she demanded, cutting Krista off shortly.

"Not to worry, Vladimir is my best friend. Your secret is safe." Krista told her.

Crystal seemed to relax a bit.

"I'm also "missing in action" from the Simian Army training camp." Krista went on. "I thought maybe we could chat."

"Another interrogation?" Crystal suddenly seemed tired.

"Nope. Just someone else who knows and understands. Vlad tells me you're having a hard time of things."

"Well." Crystal confessed "Sort of."

"I know all about it. How bad is your headache?"

"I'd like to get my claws into the one with the hammer." Crystal replied.

"I'll get you something. If you feel you can trust me." Krista offered.

"As far as I can tell, you've been trying to keep me alive, so I figure that you wouldn't poison me. Not when I'm trussed up like this. A cub with a pen knife could do me in, so why use poison? Besides, anything to stop this pounding." Crystal reasoned.

"I'll take that as an extended yes." Krista said. "I see you haven't touched your dinner tray."

Crystal giggled. "I can't even touch my nose in this rig." She indicated the straps on her wrist with a nod of her bandaged head.

"Oh my stars!" Krista said. "Here, let me take care of you."

"Is Vladimir available? He could help me." Crystal asked, trying and failing to hide a new element of anxiousness in her voice.

Krista let her smile show in her voice. "He's eating just now, too. I imagine he'll be along soon. But let's us two start. When's the last time you ate?" Krista inquired.

"Four days ago."

"WHAT?"

"I'm trained to go longer without food than most." Crystal explained. "Guess you never got that far."

"Nope. They designed me for strength." Krista explained. They fed and worked me to layer on muscle."

Crystal nodded. "They wanted me lean and strong, so I was fed for strength too, but less often.

"It shows. You're quite lovely." Krista mentioned.

She was surprised to see the very female cheetah blush slightly. "Why thank you. All I get from most of the other females is jealousy."

"Never needed it." Krista answered. "I know and like what I am, just fine." Krista answered. Then she saw Crystal's posture change to a sullen slump. Krista had struck a nerve!

"Here you are, we'll just give you this with a dash of supper." Krista floated a small white tablet onto the edge of Crystal's tray.

"I'm not hungry anymore." Crystal pouted.

Krista hopped up on the bed railing, and then down again, walking onto Crystal's bed. "Here now, Love. How do you expect to stay pretty for Vladimir if you don't eat? If you don't get protein, all that muscle turns to lard." Krista said, girl to girl.

"Well." Crystal said, perking up at the thought, "I do have to keep my strength up. I need exercise too. I know one cat I'd like to "exercise" with." Crystal confessed in a low whisper!

Krista giggled, more from knowing the real Vladimir, and knowing that if her physique was any indication, a Skiltaire might be hard pressed to satisfy her!

"That a girl!" Krista said, "I can't unstrap you. Yet at least. So I'll steer, and you just open wide." Krista told the still secured cheetah. The female wolverine was delighted when the female feline accepted the first bites and the pill not only easily, but hungrily!

"That concludes the briefing. Any questions?" Rocar asked. There was silence from the ring of sullen muzzles gathered in the lantern light.

A huge black paw raised, claws extended as an exclamation point.

"Yes Nachtoter?" Rocar asked.

"I speak for all here sir." The mountain of panther growled. "You've made us Warriors. Strong enough not to give in to easy, wanton killing. We are as one mind in saying to you, as you have said for yourself, that we will not be transformed into toy soldiers for the amusement of these Simians." Nachtoter told his commandant and friend. "We shall be honored Sir, If you would lead us as we defect."

"Gentlebeings." Rocar answered. "I am the one who is honored. To know that you would follow me in life by choice, as well as duty under orders is the finest tribute any commandant may wish from his command. No battle flag, nor victory of honor has ever moved me as you have in this moment." Rocar told them in an emotion filled whisper.

"I feel I may now be justified in asking of you all a greater sacrifice. This can never be an order. I request it from the heart, of the body of you whom I prize so much." Rocar said gently.

"Speak, Friend and Leader." Nachtoter purred. "We make of ourselves as one body, an instrument of your will, as we have always been."

"As hateful as it must seem for a time." Rocar began. "We must stand together, here, in this way, in this hour. None can yet depart, lest many other things be undone. But fear you not, I shall never accept, nor pass any order, from any authority, which shall require you to violate your honor, or the trust you have shown in me."

"Then we stand with you, Sir. Come what may. One and all." Nachtoter responded for his fellows.

"The hour advances more swiftly than you know, My friends. The hour wherein we must be the shield that lays between true freedom for ourselves, and the black tyranny of those who would finally enslave us. Together, we forge and weld that shield beyond any temper of mettle." Rocar told his command. "Those who work for the freedom of all will require such a shield until the hour is set, and then shall we turn again, as one, and fight together for the honor and justice which is the true blade of the warrior."

"Then." Nactotter began, "To that hour, Justice and Peace."

"Justice and Peace." They raised their motto with one voice, sealing themselves to their commander's will.

The margay with the jeweled collar padded softly and swiftly into the office. "Special dispatch courier to see you sir." He told Shomron.

Shomron saluted. "Very well, Take the message and refer it to intelligence." He went on absently.

"Sir, This courier is irregular. He is civilian and demands to see only you." The margay reported.

"I cannot see everyone who comes in here. Tell him to wait." Shomron said sounding slightly annoyed.

"Sir, the courrier repeats his demand. He sends that the message is from Khai Takagi, and--"

Shomron's chair overturned as his leap cleared his desk by almost a full body length!

The stunned margay was left to finish his sentence to an empty room, as Lollo sailed past him in a headlong, rolling rush!

The Skiltaire messenger was royal purple and powder blue. A stunning combination that marked him at once. When Shomron raced into the ante room, his stop was so short and sharp that his claws raised curls of wood from the floor. The Skiltaire didn't need to be told who this was. An exacting description, down to the spots, had come with the message he carried. Before the Mustelid messenger could start his send, the cheetah was joined by the largest wolverine the Skiltaire male had ever seen! The mustelids instantly made eye to mind contact. A surge of heat sailed between them. The messenger looked Lollo up and down once, his mind wandering for just a moment, from his mission and message, and then he collected himself and his libido, and began sending.

Aurora and Vladimir lay cuddled close together, their bodies still entwined, both contented beyond send or word. Vladimir had pinged another Skiltaire close by, but no one he knew. When he felt the new comer enter the room outside, his musteline curiosity peaked. He unwound himself from his blissfully slumbering mate, and padded for the office door.

..came to see Khai Takagi this afternoon. He tried sending to Aurora, but she was busy." The newcomer was saying as Vlad opened the door and walked into the room. Both Skiltaire paused to exchange chirps before the messenger continued. "So Khai Takagi touched me, and asked me to bring you Rocar's message. I felt it was important, so rather than write it, and bring paper, I brought you his send."

"Thank you so much." Shomron said, and then paused, waiting for a name.

"Shato, good sir." came the swift and sure response. "If this is so important to Khai Takagi, than it is worth doing well. May I ask something?"

"Certainly."

"How is the big wolverine called?" I like the feel of him." Shato asked.

"That is Lollo." Shomron responded.

Across the office, Lollo bowed, in a slight blush!

"Lollo." Shato said slowly. "Chirrrrr. I will remember you."

"And I you, Shato Kinita" Lollo said to the male Mustelid. Lollo added the ancient word for handsome, and saw Shato's misty gray eyes sparkle!

"Please help yourself to food and water." Shomron told their guest. "Perhaps Lollo could take you to our mess hall." the cheetah added.

Shato cooed gently, and padded over next to Lollo!

As the two mustelids walked away down the corridor, Shomron turned to Vladimir. "I'm sorry to have to disturb you both, but Aurora should be told of this at once."

"I agree." Vladimir replied. "Let me rouse her." He said, ducking back into the office. "It may take a few minutes."Vladimir said.

Shomron nodded, with an understanding smile. It was an open secret that Aurora usually woke up feeling amorous!

Shomron admired his friends ability to both love and lead in the midst of insanity. He wished he could, as well, but for now, there was too much to do, and little time for self-indulgence. He shoved the thought rudely from his mind, and began a long send to his senior commanders.

Nachtoter! Rocar sent sharply.

Yes Preator? The panther returned smartly.

We have been given an unlimited authorization for equipment and weapons. Let's start using it!

Yessir! Nachtoter purred.

I have a list of tactical supplies here. Take two cohorts to the central supply depot and bring them home.

At once, Sir

Slasher!

Yessir? Answered the jaguar.

Get a construction detail together. I want you to take the supplies on this list to the location at the bottom. Prepare a fallback cache.

Yessir Slasher plucked the second list from the air, and was gone.

Toma!

Yours to command, Sir! The golden lion snapped.

Have your communications intelligence unit establish a monitor on all military command and data frequencies. I want to be able to block them if it comes to that.

Already Done, Sir! And Toma vanished.

I want this command put on five minute alert He sent to the remainder of his staff. Sentries doubled around the clock. They will have deadly force authorization. No officer leaves this compound unless under orders, and then only with armed escort. Understood?

Understood, Sir! They sent as a group.

I request mixed volunteers for a special and hazardous watch duty. Six shifts, around the clock. I'll give the location to the team leader.

Every paw around the table went up.

You are dismissed, and thank you. I shall be here, if needed. Check in at ten minute intervals. Rocar sent to his commanders. Next meeting at sunset, in the command bunker.

**** ****

Shalimar and Shamir were eating fruit and cheese when a familiar send touched them both.

Excuse me for interrupting your desert. Shomron sent. We have some new and alarming news from a warrior of your aquaintance. As soon as you are finished, please come to the command center.

Both cats shared anxious looks and left the table between the pears and the cheese!

The command center was not far distant, and the main tunnel was just wide enough for the two lions to dash along shoulder to shoulder. They appeared in the room almost before Shomron could turn around in his chair!

The resistance leader looked at them both with a worried smile. "You both look very well, considering that you're dead." Shomron said laconically.

Both of them knew that Shomron wasn't one for semantics, or idle threats. They shared a startled look as Shomron went on. "Rocar has just returned from Military Headquarters." He expounded. "Seems our Simian brothers have decided to make the late Science Advisor and former member of the Khai a martyr to the State, and the dastardly deed is to be blamed on the bandits and thugs who call themselves the Resistance."

Shalimar's head and eyes dropped. The sight of his father's dispair was unnerving to the younger cat.

"I'm sorry, Shomron." I should have given myself up to them. Now I've given them a weapon against you all."

Shalimar was surprised when Shomron padded over, and gently but firmly raised the lion's head again. "Never." He said. "After the raid, they had all the excuse they needed to concoct. You did what anyone would have done. Don't waste your mind or heart on blaming yourself." Shomron told him in a quiet, serious voice.

Shamir finally found his tongue. "Shomron is right, Father. Mother would say the same thing. She would have been so very proud of you."

Shomron nodded as he walked back behind his desk, and fell deadweight into his chair. "And there is more, my friends. This night's comedy is not yet done." Shomron said with a heavy dose of the theatrical.

Both Lions looked at him. The attempt at levity told them how black their predicament was.

"Speaking of the raid." Shomron began. "It seems that Shalimar is to have companionship on this pyre of lies." Shomron explained. "It seems that the Simians have decided that our blind and wounded guest is also expendable in this propaganda war. She has been "Killed" too. In an attempt to rouse the ire of the army against the movement." Shomron said at last. "The fur bearers aren't having any of it, but according to Rocar, the Simian troops are being told to give full vent to their anger."

Shalimar saw his son's eyes fill with dread. "Now, they have official sanction. Oh. No."

"Now you begin to see." Shomron said darkly.

"Darker still than night, our woes." Shalimar said with ominous quiet.

"And Yet does Darkness evil reign." Shomron went on. "We must find a way to tell our "Guest" that she just became a permanent fixture."

"You should be the one to do it, Shomron." Shamir said. "She likes you. Sort of." He added.

"I suppose so. " Shomron lamented "I was tired of life with all my limbs and vital organs working anyway." The Cheetah said dryly.

"If you want help, I'll go with you. She may be powerful, but there's safety in size." Shamir offered.

"No." Shomron said at last. "If I were in there, I'd want it fast, and straight. I have to do this one. Alone."

"I understand. I hope she does." Shamir answered.

Suddenly, Shomron hated this job.

He resigned himself, and rose from his chair, padding down the corridor. He ducked thru the hospital and into the isolation corridor. He paused there, his thoughts tangled and sore. He squared himself, and then marched toward the door.

"There now. Isn't that better?" Krista said. "Would you like seconds on anything?"

Crystal was purring now, and her low sensual rumble filled the room. "No thank you, Krista."

"How's the head?"

"Better. The pounding is gone, at least."

Shomron padded around the edge of the door, and quietly mimed for Krista to join him. Krista saw the downcast expression on Shomron's muzzle. Trouble, and lots of it.

"Let me take care of the tray, and you're due for a dressing change. I'll be right back." Krista told Crystal gently.

"Can you get Vladimir to do my dressing change?" Crystal called after her.

Krista looked at Shomron. The cheetah nodded.

"I think so. Let me check the duty roster." Krista replied.

Shomron walked the female wolverine all the way out, and into the hospital before sending Rocar's message to her. When he was done, Krista looked at him deeply, her gentle eyes full of pain and dread.

"Can you do it?" She asked.

"I have no choice. If nothing else, she knows I won't lie to my own kind. I hope."

Krista nodded. "I meant the dressing change." She tried to joke, knowing that Shomron's training had included combat medicine, just as her own had.

Shomron grabbed a kit from one of the carts and silently made the long walk back, toward the isolation room.

Krista dashed thru the hospital, back toward the command center.

"Shomron is in there with Crystal." She told Shamir. "If he needs it, he can't send for help. Let's back him up." Krista told both cats.

Father and son looked at one another, and went racing towards isolation.

"Well, Hello!" she purred as he came in.

"Hello, there, pretty kitty. Howya feel? Shomron asked, adopting the same slow drawl that he had always used with her.

"I could almost feel good. If I could get out of these straps." She replied softly.

"I wish I could. I want to." Shomron told her. "Higher heads than mine have to make their minds up." He added.

"It's all right, Handsome. Can you stay a while?. I wanna talk to you."

"Me too." Shomron said. "I havta change your dressing anyway." He said as he pulled a chair up near Crystal's bedside and sat down.

"Vladimir?" She purred

"Yes, Crystal? He replied as he slid the cutters behind her ear and snipped away gently.

"When I first came here, I did and said some pretty awful things." Crystal confessed.

"It's all right. We understand, and we don't hold grudges." He answered as he slipped the outer dressing up and off of her head., he could see her now, for the first time. The washed fur beneath the pads was a rich honey yellow. Her neck, sleek and strong, held up her smallish head. She had short muzzle, and a high forehead. He found himself having to try NOT to look at her.

"That's fine. But I wanted you to know." She paused.

"Know what, Crystal?"

"That I meant what I said. About us."

Shomron swallowed hard, and audibly. She wasn't making this any easier. He forced his paws to move slowly, steadily as he began to re-wrap her head, above the muzzle, and over the pads on her eyes. His paws shook, transmitting the vibrations thru the roll of gauze he held. She could feel them.

Crystal giggled a bit. "Whatsamadder, honeyclaws?" Do I make you nervous"? She asked.

It took Shomron several seconds to regain any semblance of inner self control and throw an iron wall around his own feelings.

"I just wanna be sure I do this right is all." Shomron said, with a hint of something else in his voice.

Crystal smiled.

Shomron melted.

"Crystal?"

"Yes, Vladimir?"

"What if. I mean. If." Shomron snarled, as angry at his sudden verbal deficiency as he was at the uselessness of words in general.

"Why Vladimir. That's the nicest thing I've ever heard. Thank you!"

"Huh?"

"Don't think you're the first. But most just keep it in." Crystal explained.

"There's more, Sweetfur." Shomron said quietly.

"I know Handsome. Just use one word at a time. Goodness knows you have a captive audiance. I'm not going anywhere, and wouldn't if I could. Trust me." Crystal said sweetly.

"You can't leave. They've killed you." He blurted out sharply.

"What? Who? I'm perfectly all right, Love. And no one is going to hurt me. You said so."

"Not us, Crystal. Them."

"The Simians?"

"Yes!" Shomron snarled. "The rotten Simians! I swear I never hated them. Until now!"

"You're serious!! You mean it?!

"Yes, my Dear." The sadness in Shomron's voice outweighed him.

The entire structure of the isolation room was armored. The entire corridor had been blasted from the bedrock. As far as anyone knew, there was no single weapon on the planet that could penetrate it. From the outside.

Shalimar and Shamir exchanged worried looks as a sharp, visceral noise filled the room, and blasted into the corridor! Even more ominous, it was mixed with the sounds of wrenching metal and the crash of breaking glass!

Shamir beat his father by a step. He sprang thru the door and into the room! The sight he beheld froze him amid a sea of ruin!

The room, or what was left of it, had never been large. It was less so with broken sections of the overturned bed laying against three of the walls. The floor was littered with scraps of batting and tatters of sheet. Bits of blanket still wafted down from near the ceiling, where the light now hung at an odd angle.

In the midst of the surreal lighting, Shamir saw two spotted figures, huddled close together on the floor, wrapped in one another amid the condensed devastation. The bandaged one was now bawling, her anger spent.

Shamir looked at Shomron with concern. "Your shoulder is bleeding."

Shomron looked down absently. The wounds were clean, as if they had been made by a scalpel. They were already closing.

"It's All right. Just doing a little therapy. Give us two minutes, will you?" Shomron asked.

Shamir backed out of the room, more surprised than when he entered it!

The younger Cat met the shocked gazes of not only his father, but one outraged otter!

"Group therapy in progress." Shamir said plainly.

His Father smiled.

Shazi was stone muzzled. "What the duce goes on here?"

"Healing, I hope. Isn't that what's supposed to go on here?" Shamir asked as he walked back to his place.

The Mustelid healer thru up his paws and stalked away.

A moment later, Shomron and Crystal walked out of the shambles, paw in paw. Shomron smiled, just a bit. "I think we can trust her without the straps now."

Crystal put a gentle paw around the male Cheetah's healing shoulder, and nuzzled him gently.

"I think we're out of them, all of a sudden, in any case."Shalimar replied coolly.

"I need to talk to the Doctor. Now." Crystal said, a tone of resolution in her voice.

"You just missed him. He took acceptation to the redecoration." Shalimar said.

Shomron nodded. "I thought he might. I may have a tougher fight with him." Shomron quipped.

"Let me corner him." Shalimar said. "You seem to have your paws full, in a charming sort of way." The scientist added.

Crystal smiled. "Remind me to hug you. once I can see you." She said gently.

"That will be a pleasure!" Shalimar said over his shoulder as he padded off to find Shazi!

Krista heard the din from a distance,and came dashing toward trouble as fast as she could move. She was brought up short by the sight of the cheetah couple!

"Oh, My! She said to Shamir. "I'm going to have to get some of whatever was on that dinner tray."

"I'll take seconds if you can't finish!" Shamir said, as he and Krista followed Shomron and Crystal up the corridor.

Krista watched the cheetah pair, paw in paw with a broad smile. The grin was broken by a yawn.

Shomron smiled in return. We'll be fine. Why don't you go and check Lollo's night vision?

Krista cooed, and dashed up the corridor!

Shantal finished with the last in the line of litters. She chanced a look back across the park. A second line of injured was being borne in one at a time. The litter bearers were walking wounded in their own rite. The lynx doctor moved mechanically from stretcher to stretcher, taking a pulse here and there, and making the urgent diagnosis that the victims required. Shari followed a step behind tapping a few words into the datacap that hung from a strap on a handle of each stretcher. The younger vixens energy began to flag as the night deepened, falling toward an uncertain morning. The lateness of the hour had been a unique mercy. The number of stretches that had been set into a lonely row not far distant was fewer than a dozen. Most of the wounded were coming from points more and more distant from the Nexis, and their injuries were lighter than the fist few they had seen.

Kasim lay asleep not far down the row, sleeping soundly in the cool nite air. His head and leg securely bandaged.

A low sound rose over the stillness of the park. both vixens looked up at the sound, and then at one another. Shantal's muzzle fell into a mask of disdain. The sound of marching boots had been annoying most of the evening, but now, for the first time, a cohort of armored Simians marched over the littered ground, toward the small, crowded circle.

You Doctor? the armored Simian in the lead growled as the double line of Simians came to a halt before the lynx.

Yes replied the lynx evenly.

Many Simians sick in Nexis. Near military Headquarters. You have medicine and supplies for sick Fur-Bearers here. You have more for Simians. You give. Now! The Simian centurion growled.

If you have sick and injured, I will come with you, and bring what I need.

No! Growled the Simian. Simian doctors will care for Simians. We take supplies. Army Emergency. Now!

And what about these Citizens? Asked the vixen who padded up beside the lynx, and set the Simian in cold eyes.

I no care. He snapped. Simians good. You Fur-Bearers do this. You give supplies, or I take you all for army now. Want leave these all alone? Or maybe I just kill.

The Simian started to draw his broad sword.

No! Shantal snapped. Who is bad now?

Maybe I just take you! The Simian soldier said quietly.

Leave her alone! I will get you medical supplies. The lynx said, quietly resigned.

The flat Simian face showed a semi smile. He nodded.

The cohort was gone in less than ten minutes, alone with half a cart of dressings and medicines. The Simians marched away, leaving the lynx with nothing but a slip of paper.

As soon as they were safely out of sight, the lynx tossed it away among the debris.

What will we so now, Doctor? Shantal asked quietly. We have twenty critical cases. They will need help before morning. The vixen told him.

The lynx nodded.

There is one thing we can do. Can you deliver a message for me? The lynx asked I'll take over here..

Just tell me where to go Shantal answered.

It's to someone in the Movement.The lynx thought at her.

Shantal smiled. It's about time!