OUTCASTS

As the disk of the sun was cut in two by the horizon, and the circle continued to craft their action plan, one mind in their midst was touched with gentle urgency.

Rocar felt Chaunci's send from a distance. It was factual, but edged with a visceral fear that Rocar could understand.

I think there is something inside the ship that we all should see. Rocar told the group quietly. They rose and walked together from their circle into the great ship that loomed before them.

As they walked, Rocar watched the Simian eyes. Only when the group walked into the dark, heavy hull did the light of both full truth and wonder flicker into the eyes of the still doubting Simian officers.

With Shalimar in the lead, the mixed group met no suspicion and with scant surprise as they loped aft, past the engineering section, and paused.

This section wasn't on our original design. Shalimar told them. This section was added by Simian minds. They walked on, and not far distant. the party met Chaunci. The cougar saluted smartly.

Shalimar bowed in return and waited.

It was then that he saw a mixed group of fur bearers in heavy protective suits, emerge from the hatch of the hold behind Chaunci. One of the smaller members of the gray-silver clad group stepped forward, pausing to carefully remove the hood of his suit.

The Marten saluted and then spoke with a worried look. Definitely a class one biotoxin. In spray form. Strip tests indicate a toxin that is selective by blood classes.

Meaning it would be deadly to Fur bearers only. Shalimar interjected.

Yes, Sir. The Marten replied. My team is in one of the medical labs, running controlled tests, but that is what I think. The Marten responded.

The mind numbing horror that lay just beyond the bulkhead took a few cold seconds to sink in. Shamir remembered what Lollo had shown him. The younger cat sent his father a mental image of the printout order they had found on the Simian guard in the bunker.

Together, they made ghastly sense!

Get that printout from Lollo. He's on the bridge. I want it shown to Ku Minn Li, and contact Runner at once. Shalimar ordered.

Yes, Father! Shamir said quickly and sprang quickly toward the bow.

Well. Said the elder lion to the Simians, Do you believe now?

Ku Min Li's two companions nodded, not wanting to make eye contact with the white fur bearer.

Ku Minn Li stayed where he was, rooted to the spot in the depth of his shame and horror. Rocar nuzzled him gently, to restore him to the moment.

They would have killed you. All of you. The shocked Simian warrior stammered.

Yes. Rocar replied tightly. Genocide fits Korar. All too well. Have you any doubt now, about what we have planned? Rocar asked his Brother Warrior.

None. Answered Ku Min Li quietly. None at all. **** ****

In the underground Command Center, Shomron faced the largest operation of his carrier, but with Vladimir and Aurora to help, even pandemonium seemed to flow smoothly.

Word of the evacuation was greeted as a liberation by many, in both the political and personal sense. Word had passed thru the organization strictly thru the loose chain of command, Yet word of the Starship had become the largest open secret in the Movement within ten minutes of Shamir's transmission.

Yet, no one fled from what had become a small underground city. There could be no great rush southward, for the Simians would be at their heels, and that would end the dream before it had begun.

Instead, Shomron used the technology that the fur bearers had given birth to. Interfaces were quickly wired into the great deep shafts that had become teeming shelters for so many. An hour of hurried work, backed by weeks of planing, meant that when he was ready to speak and send, Shomron's voice and mind could be felt by every last one in the Fur-Bearing multitudes.

Shomron signaled, and Vladimir opened the dataflow for both image and voice, while Skiltaire around the now vast underground complex sent and resent all that he said, so no one would not know of this moment.

My Fellow Fur Bearers, and members of the movement, and free citizens of the Homeworld. An hour ago, a strike force of Resistance fighters conducted an operation that struck hard at the heart of our oppressors.

A Simian built starcraft, Originally designed by Khai Shalimar and Maruda Khai has been captured. She is intact, and capable of flight. This craft was intended as a troop transport for the invasion and forcible conquest of worlds beyond our own.

It has also been revealed that the Simian High Command had intended to use this craft as an airborne attack craft. She is loaded with a poison gas, deadly only to Fur Bearers. The result of its use would have been genocide on a planetary scale. This unspeakable horror has been prevented, but for our people and ourselves, we face an hour of historic decision.

After a free and open debate, and by unanimous vote, the leadership of the movement and the leaders of the opposition have approved a plan which will permit the Fur-Bearing populace of the homeworld a bold new beginning, free of oppression and strife.

Colonization of a new world is not easy, nor is it without risk and great sacrifice. But we now have that adventure before us. This is not an hour to rejoice, because while freedom lay open before us. There is much preparation to undertake.

In the hours to come, we face a task that is harder than any we have known, and at a great cost to ourselves personally. But I ask you all to remember that what will be bought at that seemingly heavy price is freedom and a chance at a new life for ourselves and all our generations.

The blackness of the last three years cannot be undone, nor all tyranny done to us met with just retribution. But now, in this hour, all the potential of our minds, hearts and bodies must focus of building a future.

There will be a vote among the Adult population, by interface, in one hour. We Fur Bearers have always chosen democracy over tyranny. That Tradition will continue in this historic day.

The question shall be one that is simple, yet profound.

Shall the Fur Bearing populous of the homeworld under take colonization of a new and separate Homeworld for themselves and their generations?

Your leadership, after much profound debate, recommends a vote in the affirmative. A simple Majority is required to pass the question, but no Fur Bearer who elects to remain on K'alit'ai shall on any account be forced to remove against their will.

Trusting to the judgment of your minds and hears, and relying on your vision to chart our future, I await your voices as the one voice of our destiny.

The interface closed, and Shomron dropped into a chair, emotionally spent.

Shomron looked at Vladimir and Aurora, standing on the table beside him. They stood in simple and profound silence, and looked at Shomron with two pairs of shining eyes, and muzzles damp with a free flow of tears! The three of them fell into a deep embrace. It broke the tension, and gave the trio the strength to go on.

The hour passed as none other they had ever known. There was so much to do that no one in the command center dared count minutes or anything else. Their task list seemed impossibly long, yet one by one, like a boulder dissolving into sand, accomplishment of tasks great and small begin to sum toward success.

Shazi had been ready for the move for days, in spite of the patent load. When he caught Shomron's send, it took the medical staff exactly half of that faithful hour to pack the last vestiges of their equipment, and prepare enough supplies to found a hospital abroad the starship when the time came.

The remainder of Shomron's command staff exceeded their dedication only with their attention to a thousand details that might have escaped even the brightest of minds. Shomron's staff had lived and fought alongside him for three years, and sacrifice for their mutual belief and trust in one another had become a bond of the deepest sort. Now, when superlative effort was the clarion call, Shomron himself could only stand in wonder and watch his staff perform like graceful dancers who all moved to a music unheard, but universally felt and understood.

For Shomron himself, packing his gear had been something done so often and so quickly, that this time, he needed to give it no thought, nor attention as he moved thru his offices, taking only the things that history and heart would require on the journey to their future.

Here and there, he paused, to say a farewell to certain things. His desk had been a gift from his father when he started Gymnasium. The only thing that gave him the steel to close his door and lock it for the last time was knowing that he carried the desk in his heart, and all that it had given him in his head.

Vladimir and Aurora had an even simpler lot. Theirs had always been a life of simplicity, largely unencumbered by material things. Yet, certain exceptions had been made for himself and his special gifts. The Skiltaire supervised the packing of all of his books, data crystals and papers with special care. Shomron's vision was as deep as his heart, knowing that the wisdom and knowledge to be found in books was as necessary as peace for a civilization to grow and prosper.

Aurora too had been trusted to a special task. Maruda was much in everyone's heart and mind. Shomron ordered that without exception, Maruda's estate would follow his legacy into the stars.

There was a special glow about her as Maruda's granddaughter packed his books, crystals and images. Her encyclopedic knowledge of everything he had ever done, said, or collected stood her in good stead, as a team of loving and carefully reverent paws gathered and secured for a starborn posterity all of the richness that was the foundation of their hopes.

By the time most of the hour had run, seemingly with leaden paws, the command center had been transformed to nearly the naked cave it had been half a lifetime ago when Shomron himself had helped excavate it. Only the barest essentials remained. Fifty-eight memorable and hectic minutes later, Shomron sent an assembly order to his entire staff. They gathered in the near naked command center, to await the vote, standing together both literally and figuratively, because without it's long accustomed clutter, the command center become cavern again had enough room to hold them all as they waited.

Vladimir's work crew had left a portable interface unit, intended for a back up, in the cavernous room. The group formed a half circle around it, many layers deep, and as close to one another physically as they all had been at heart for so long.

Similar interface units had been left at various points scattered thru the underground, and the deep shafts that had become shelters. Security personnel stood by, two for each station, and waited exactly the sixty minutes their leader had proscribed before allowing the first of the throng to be given a retina scan, and then to go to the interface, and behind a privacy guard, press one of two buttons.

Within the former command center, Shomron unlocked the selection panel on the interface. His eyes were scanned, and then without bothering to close the privacy guard, the cheetah touched the blue button, and then stood aside.

No one else moved, or spoke.

Shomron looked at the group, more taken aback than he ever had been.

He looked to Vladimir and then to Aurora, who stood to one side, smiling slightly. We've already voted, Shomron. It was unanimous by acclimation.

Aurora stepped forward, unlocked the tabulation unit and keyed in one hundred and ten yes votes, as Shomron watched, so overcome that he could not speak!

Do you want to watch the totals? ' Aurora inquired.

There was a gentle affirmative sound from the staff, so Aurora left the interface open, so the projector on the tabulation unit could display the totals, both yea and nay onto the small holographic screen before them.

How many votes can we expect? Shomron inquired.

Out of fifty two hundred in the underground this afternoon, we estimate that slightly more than four thousand are of age, altho it varies with the species. The scanners have been programmed to accommodate all races and genotypes. Vladimir told Shomron.

Good. Leave all stations open long enough for everyone to vote, and be sure to poll those who are bedridden in the Hospitals and aid stations. Shomron replied.

Vladimir nodded. That's being done by tally sheet and will have to be keyed in, after a count is tabulated. The Skiltaire explained.

Shomron reached over and touched Aurora gently. Her foresight had not faltered, even in this hectic hour.

Shari stood paw in paw with her Lifemate as the long line snaked closer to the poling interface.

I just don't know, Honeypaws. It's a big risk. Shari sent, full of worry.

Shantal hugged her close. What's left for us here? The Simians want us dead or worse. And what about the baby? You want him growing up among Simians? The elder vixen sent to her Lifemate.

Shantal saw Shari grimace in the subdued light.

Shari reached over and took Shantal's paws in her own. A new life, a new world? As long as I have you and Samir, what could be wrong?

The vixens embraced, and stepped toward the polling station together.

The numbers spoke almost as eloquently as Shomron himself. Within the first few minutes fate and freedom combined to bespeak destiny for them. First by tens and then by hundreds, unseen voices made themselves heard in their thirst for freedom and a new beginning for themselves and the young.

Yet, Shomron did not look to the superior number, the one that grew now with each passing second. He watched the far smaller number that grew by one and two as the minutes past. In half an hour, all the numbers were still, and re polling began, so that no one would miss their chance to have their voice heard. After a score of minutes, there was a soft bell like electronic tone from the interface, as the tabulation ended.

Shomron felt strangely energized, but at the same time, the weight of his caring was such that his first thoughts were for the few hundred who had made just as difficult a choice as leaving.

Vladimir. Shomron said quietly. Make sure that we leave enough stores and equipment down here for anyone who stays.

The Skiltaire nodded tightly, his mind already racing down a list of ample supplies he had cached more than a month ago.

The six of them walked soberly from the ship, silent and angry in their realizations. The setting sun cast a dying light as the disk of the sun became the merest sliver above the land.

Silently, they returned to their seating places around the laid fire. Here and there, across the ground small fires had been set, and kept alive with difficulty on the damp ground. From one of these close beside him, Rocar used his gift to draw out a pair of flaming tapers. They arced like large fireflies thru the air and then divided, with one of them passing easily to Ku Min Li's hand!

The Simian warrior plucked the flaming offering from the air, his surprise showing in his eyes and even on his flat face!

Let a fire of peace, honor and justice be kindled between all who are here. We shall make an end of this tyranny, and consign those who have cast such hatred into the flames which they have made. Let this fire light be one of justice and peace.

Rocar spoke aloud and sent for all to hear and feel. He and Ku Min Li bowed deeply to one another, sealing the pact between them. Then the laid fire sparked to life under the touch of two tapers at the same instant.

As the fire caught and rose swiftly on the gentle upswept night breeze, Rocar thought in deep and sweet silence of Takagi and Maruda, and pledged the fire to them, as well.

The intensity of emotion in the hour did nothing to abate the tension that had become another refugee in the vast underground complex, As Shomron drafted his announcement, he also could have told any who asked the precise number of minutes since Shamir's one and only transmission.

The great blue building shook again and again with shouts of rage as each long minute passed, as Korar, stalked up and down the halls, sword drawn and dripping.

CENTURION OF THE WATCH! He bellowed.

The second watch captain of the new night plucked up his courage and stepped forward.

Yes, My Leader?

Korar put the point of his broad sword to the throat of his fellow Simian. This time, he did not push.

You have five minutes to live. Longer or shorter, if you do not bring me some word of our legions! Korar hissed.

Self preservation and a sudden will to find another career hurried the lower ranking Simian's heavy footfalls, as he hoped there was still someone with his head to ask.

Shalimar padded back onto the bridge on light paws. Lollo felt him and pivoted in the thickly padded chair, looking at the stately lion with a broad smile.

Seems like a big assembly down there. Any trouble?

No. None at all. Shalimar replied with a slightly dreamy voice. Peace has broken out.

Lollo considered the prospect for a moment, and his smile grew!

How are you coming with that checklist? Shalimar asked, forcing his mind to the tasks still at paw.

I've only run it a dozen times or so. You just say the word, and we're off.

We may have to wait. Shalimar told the wolverine. We have to load a few extra passengers for this trip. The elder lion continued.

Shalimar used his gift to move a switch in front of him in the closed in space. The main viewing plate at the front of the bridge shimmered, and the entire width of the forward bulkhead was filled with a strange image. Lollo shook his head in disbelief, as a serpentine column of Simians five wide and hundreds long moved quickly to board the ship!

Then, in the next second, the Lion sent the nearly panicked wolverine all of the events that had happened below.

Lollo gasped, his muzzle hanging open in wonder. and then slowly, ever so slowly, he grined. The kind of grin that might make a shark think twice!

What are we waiting for? Let's get things moving!! Lollo asked the elder cat.

Behind and beside him, Shalimar shared a leonine version of the wolverine's expression!

Lollo could sense the huge cat's happiness, but physically, the handsome white lion was a picture of cramped discomfort.

You know. The wolverine said. With your permission, I'd like to make a slight design alteration to this space. Lollo asked, being rather formal.

Shalimar simply nodded.

Lollo paused in his test checklist, and rolled out of the chair he stood on, over its arm console, and onto the deck of the bridge itself.

Shalimar watched as the thick, squat mustelid bent his powerful legs, and locked his forelimbs with their formidable claws into pedestal of the base of the second seat. Lollo set and then, in a single strong motion that called upon his whole body, Lollo tore the second seat free of the deck with the satisfying sound of wrenching metal!

The wolverine carried his difficult burden with a slight stagger over to the far side of the bridge, and dropped it in a heap!

There now. Lollo said, wiping off his paws as he lopped back to assume his own seat again. I hope that's more comfortable. It certainly looks better. Remarked the wolverine, his sense of equality and athletics justified.

Shalimar's smile lingered as he took advantage of the added space to do a standing, and very feline stretch!

Lollo watched Shalimar step up and in front of the wide central console. Shalimar was home again, and it showed in the swift sureness of his paws and mind, as he pre-flighted the ship in under a minute, his eyes never straying to the forgotten book in front of Lollo on the console!

The TAKAGI is yours, Captain Koda Shalimar. said Lollo with a deep satisfaction!

Shalimar looked at Lollo as if he had not aged a day in twenty years! Inform all stations we are flight ready. Shalimar ordered.

Justice and Peace. Lollo answered.

Shomron?

The quivering voice came from Salome. The quiver in her voice matched the deep tremor that shook her body. Yet Shomron knew that nothing in this world, or any other that he could imagine, would frighten the female mink.

Salome? What's wrong?

I--I have. a Transmission. sir. Fr-om Shalimar. aboard the TAKAGI. Salome forced herself to say thru a voice and a body overcome with wonder and happiness!

Put it on the dataflows. Audio channel one. Shomron replied calmly.

Runner. Runner. This is Shalimar from Takagi on secure channel alpha. We are airborne. Over.

The transmission began to repeat, but the sound was lost in the cheer that tore thru the underground complex!!

Korar's black rage only deepened with the silent and clear nite. There was no news, no word to be had, and no amount of rolling heads could change it.

He promised himself ample chance to take heads and more from the fur bearers, or from his own kind if they did not report the stunning victory he wanted.

His blind anger slowly let Korar become aware of a low vibration, one that built in intensity and depth as it seemed to surround him, and as it built in volume seemed to be everywhere at once! The structure around him picked up the vibration and seemed to deepen it to the point that Korar had to struggle to remain standing!.

Then it seemed to pass away.

Before Korar could launch his usual fusillade of anger, the double doors to the great office opened, and a catatonic Simian walked almost blindly into the vast and cold room.

Korar began to shout at the Simian orderly, but the mingled look of terror and shock on his fellow Simian's face gave Korar pause. This fear was unlike he had ever sensed.

My. Leader. I have a transmission, from Ku Min Li.

Excellent! Korar strode across the red carpet, his bold, arrogant swagger restored.

The Simian dictator opened the data flow, and Ku Min Li's face could be seen.

Report! Korar snapped.

I beg to report that the Legions of the Second Simian Republic have your headquarters surrounded. You have two minutes to lay down your weapons, or my artillery will open fire. The Simian warrior said flatly.

Korar snickered.

He laughed.

He roared.

A half a minute later, the Simian despot recovered his composure enough to respond.

A fine jest. No doubt in celebration of our great victory. But humor is not necessary, Praetor.

My Rank is General of the Army, and you now have a minute and a half. Came the deadpan reply.

Korar's face contorted to a uniquely Simian mask of ugliness and anger co-mingled as the dictator realized that this was no joke.

Korar ignored the face before him, turning quickly to the near catatonic Simian orderly who had brought the report.

Order all personnel within the building to battle readiness! Korar snapped.

The petrified Simian orderly stood still, as his motionless gaze set out the wide window of the building.

Order all Personnel within the building to full battle readiness!! Korar snapped again.

The Simian stood unmoving, his body shivering and his fixed gaze one of blind terror.

Korar sprang across the room, ready to restore Simian courage with his sword blade, as he had done so often this day. But as he drew back his blade to cut down another coward, his eyes were drawn to a massive dark shape that seemed to hang in space opposite the wide window.

In the midst of the massive hull, Korar could see the soft light that issued from a gun blister that swelled from the dark hull. Thru the thickness of the clear bubble that was home to the gun trained on that window, Korar's eyes met the soft violet eyes of a female fur bearer; cold eyes, that set him in a deadly predatory stare!

Korar's sword slipped from his mailed hand and clattered to the floor.

Shomron stood with Vladimir and Aurora in the soft breeze of the nite, as the boarding of the ship progressed under the bright moon. Rocar strode up to the group in the company of a Simian who bowed at once and saluted, in the restored Republican fashion.

The Cheetah and the Skiltaire smiled at The lion and Simian, returning the deep bows. Justice and Peace They said as one.

Where have you two been? Shomron asked Shalimar's eldest and his Simian companion.

Khai Takagi's home. Rocar answered. He sent to me to get something. For all of us.

Silently a crystal box floated over to Aurora. She took it gently from the air and placed it in her belt pouch.

The Simian smiled. The building is secure, and all troops have been disarmed. Ku Minn Li told the group.

Korar? Rocar inquired.

Under arrest. He will get the trial that he never gave so many innocents.

The group smiled.

You are welcome to stay, if you choose. Ku Minn Li told them. I pledge you better.

Shomron Looked at the two Skiltaire. Vladimir and Aurora shook their heads. Time to grow. Aurora said softly.

Ku Minn Li nodded. For those who chose to stay, I pledge my life to their freedom, well being, and peace. Ku Minn Li said quietly. Perhaps someday, we shall be ready.

Dasher and Nachtoter strode up and saluted.

All Stations report passengers aboard. the Margay reported.

Shalimar requests that you join him on the bridge for liftoff. The black Panther reported.

Ku Min Li looked at his brother warrior. Justice and peace, my brother. May the stars be yours in harmony. We will cover your departure.

They walked as a group to the wide hatchway, and with a gentle touch and a final look back, Rocar paused, and allowed Vladimir and Aurora to lead them into the ship.

The hatchway closed, and without looking back, Rocar and the Skiltaire sprinted toward the elevator.

Lollo and Krista stood to one side as the doors opened. Rocar noticed that the wolverine had given up the second seat. Shomron waved from there instead!

Rocar padded over, and nuzzled Shamir as the two Skiltaire hugged the younger and older cats together.

From the second seat, Shomron looked at Shalimar. Years became seconds, and then melted away.

Just like the simulations. Shalimar purred as Shomron beamed.

There was a soft shudder, and a slow and powerful feeling of lift as the great ship rose gently into the star laden sky. Shalimar and Shomron aimed her at the bright moon, where they had walked before. She rose swiftly and silently upward, until she became one of the stars in the clear and peaceful evening sky.

THE END