tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11732117668132316822024-03-14T09:55:30.841-07:00Spy CatsSarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-80518305560606196282016-12-27T19:16:00.000-08:002016-12-27T19:16:41.331-08:00Back in the Game
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
The Ministry of Espionage Observation and Whisker's headquarters were
beginning to look like the outside forest was migrating inside. Every
office door had a wreath hanging on it. The entrance had a large
tree. Both entrances actually. Both the M.E.O.W. entrance and the
entrance to the cat shelter that was the Ministry's cover. The
columns and railing had garlands. The tops of the file cabinets in
the records room had a painted plaster village nestled between boughs
of evergreen It was as if the calendar turned to December and a
Christmas bomb exploded everywhere. Threaded through everything were
fairy lights.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the kittens
training area, there was a tree wrapped in lights but decorated with
soft cloth ornaments. The kittens were still being trained so the
urge to climb the tree hadn't been curbed yet. The human janitorial
staff had to right that tree a couple times a day. Lady Gwen would
probably be by to take a turn after the office Christmas party next
week. (A ride to the floor from the top of a Christmas tree was a
kind of fun and stress relief that came one once a year and she would
never leave all the fun to the kittens. The tree was decorated to be
knocked over and so she would.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one area of
headquarters that had missed the festive shrapnel was the veterinary
ward. There was a small ceramic tree with lights on top of the file
cabinets. A green and red quilt was draped on one of the chairs in
the waiting area. The rest of the ward was its usual efficient self.
That was because Dr. Liz MacDougal didn't want the holiday to
interfere with the business of saving lives. She liked the holiday as
much as the next person or cat, but she refused to have pine needles
drop into open wounds and sap get everywhere.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Colonel Angus
MacDougal walked into the ward with his tablet. He breathed in and
sighed. This was the one place he could get work done. His assistant
had decorated her desk in his office with green needley bits and it
was beginning to drive him nuts. It would be alright when the scent
wasn't so fresh and he got used to the smell as he always did but the
first week of December always seemed like Christmas overload. He
prayed for a mission, as he always did this time of year.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I heard you had
come to seek refuge here,” Liz said to her husband as she walked
in. “Christmas get too much for you?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes,” Angus
said as he kissed her cheek. “Can I stay awhile?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You know you're
always welcome, darling,” Liz said. “As long as there are no
emergencies for you to get in the way of.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus settled into a
chair in an unobtrusive corner. He scrolled through the end of the
year reports. Some department heads got right on those once the
calendar hit December. The clowder reports wouldn't come in until the
last week of the year as some still had on going missions, but any
report that he could deal with now meant more time he actually got to
take off at Christmas and New Year's.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He had just finished
with the budget request of the Research and Development team ( they
wanted an extra hundred thousand Pounds Sterling to make the feline
laser smaller and more powerful), when his email dinged. That wasn't
unusual. He'd been getting emails all afternoon. No, this was the
ding that said the email came from the Deputy Minister that was in
charge of M.E.O.W. at Whitehall. Normally, an email dinged the same
tone no matter the sender, but the late Erik O'Brian was a genius cat
who had managed to set up Angus's email so that emails with that one
address in the sender line dinged a special ding. Angus always
checked those emails as soon as they came in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sure enough, the
Deputy Minister had a mission for Clowder Number Nine. Not just any
mission. No this one wasn't dangerous. At least not physically. It
would be more dangerous politically. The Duke of Glasex was hosting a
Christmas Eve party for have the people in Debrett's. Strictly the
upper half. The people who would have been called the “Ton” a
century or two ago. As His Grace's guests were wealthy, important,
noble, and in some cases royal, security would need to be tight. But
as His Grace's guests were wealthy, important, noble, and in some
cases royal, they wouldn't like too much visible security. So His
Grace thought that the elite clowder of cats would be the perfect
solution.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus replied that
the Clowder would be pleased to provide security. Then he took the
information attached to the email and created a briefing. He called
the Clowder together and they started a plan. It was a good mission
to send the Clowder on. They had been stood down long enough. It was
time to get back in the game.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-42462169709967003882016-12-06T00:37:00.002-08:002016-12-06T00:37:52.400-08:00A Seasonal Invitation
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
It was the first week of December and Nala Grey, the cat in charge of
a clowder of feline spies, eyed the envelope that had just been
placed in front of her suspiciously. She knew what it was – an
invitation from her mother. Svetlana, the feline Countess of Grey,
could be extremely formal when it came to the holidays. The Countess
knew that when it came to her daughter, formality helped. It wasn't
just an invitation to her, but to all of Clowder Number Nine and to
Rhys. How the Countess knew about Rhys, Nala wasn't sure but she had
her suspicions. Since the invitation was to Phoebe, Fiona, Alex, and
Rhys as much as herself, she couldn't just turn it down out of hand
and claim she had work to do. Nala was sure that Lady Gwenllian had
told the Countess that Clowder Number Nine was still on light duty
until the beginning of the New Year.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It wasn't that Nala
didn't want to go home, She did. She loved her parents and her
siblings at home. For the year of training and the two years that
Natalia was still at M.E.O.W., they had both proudly gone home for
holidays – Christmas, New Year, Easter, and the August Bank
Holiday. But in the four years since Natalia had gone rogue, Nala had
avoided home as much as possible. It was guilt over the way her twin
had turned out and how Nala, hadn't brought her to justice yet.
Natalia was a blot on the Grey family honor and she felt responsible.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This year, though,
Nala did kind of want to introduce Rhys to her parents. In the last
month, they had gotten close. Well as close as his work allowed. His
Clowder was still on active missions. She had thought about trying to
get him to transfer to Clowder Number Nine but street smarts wasn't
the skill set they were missing. They needed a computer expert.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She waited until
dinner to tell anyone about the invitation. Dinner was the one time
every feline would be together. Fiona and Phoebe had noticed how
close Nala and Rhys were getting and had asked him to join the
Clowder at the meal when he was at Headquarters. Rhys had gratefully
accepted as he wanted to get to know the rest of Number Nine. Alex,
the no longer quite so young kitten, was glad to have another tomcat
at the table. He missed Erik's male influence being left with the
three ladies. Others would be envious of having three such lovely and
deadly examples of feline femininity to himself, but Alex wasn't so
pleased. Not that he didn't agree they were all lovely and deadly. It
was just that they were so much older than him and they tended to
mother him when not on missions. Erik had been able to influence
Fiona to back off but with him gone, the mothering had gotten worse.
That was until Rhys had returned. Rhys had distracted Nala and Fiona
was keep busy with teaching her history class, which left only Phoebe
to mother him. He wouldn't want the mothering to completely stop,
after all the attention was nice, so the attentions of one maternal
cat was good.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the dinner –
roast beef with cooked carrots – had been served, Nala brought up
the invitation. She let her opinion that they shouldn't go be known
but the others seemed excited by the prospect. Fiona hadn't be
looking forward to Christmas with out her brother. Rhys was both
excited and nervous about meeting the Earl and Countess. Alex was
awed and honored. He remembered his history lessons and the Grey
family were legends. He was awed to be included in their holiday
celebrations. Fiona teased him about being so awed when he'd been
working with a Grey for the last six months. It wasn't the same he
insisted. Phoebe chimed in that she had no other plans except maybe
attending the party the MacDougals through in the mess hall every
year for the cats who had no where else to go or were on duty.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That was it. Clowder
Number Nine and Rhys would be traveling to Northumberland for the
Christmas Holiday. Nala conceded to the enthusiasm of everyone else.
That evening she went to the offices of headquarters. There was
always a secretary on duty to help with any official correspondence
any cat needed. Nala requested that the formal stationary her mother
had sent her be loaded into a printer ready for when she had finished
composing her letter.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took Nala close
to an hour to write the short three paragraph letter. It printed on
the ivory linen paper and the secretary took it out and placed it
before the gray cat. The secretary opened a blue ink pad and waited
for Nala to press her right front paw into the ink and then onto the
paper above the line that read “Lady Nala Grey”. The signature
done, the secretary brought over a warm damp towel to clean Nala's
paw. Paw clean, the feline left for her evening activities and the
secretary folded the letter and inserted it in the per-addressed
envelope. A stamp was placed on it and the letter was set on the pile
of out going post.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala went to the gym
to pound on the cat sized heavy bag for a while. She loved her family
but the idea of having to go visit them with Natalia still on the
loose made her angry. She would happily go visit the Earl and
Countess when the family honor was restored. Until then, being forced
to go made her need to work off the anger. It wasn't just the smudge
on the family honor that made her not want to go home, but also the
fact that the cottage held good memories of her sister.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An hour latter Nala
was in a much better frame of mind. She went and washed the sweat out
of her fur. Once that was done she went in search of her boyfriend,
Rhys. She found him in the cafeteria having a small snack of leftover
salmon.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala signaled for a
snack herself. A staff member brought out a small plate of salmon for
herself. Nala thanked her and set to eating the treat.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys waited until
the plate was almost clean before asking the question upper most on
his mind.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are you ashamed
of me?” Rhys asked, in cat because this conversation shouldn't be
overheard by the humans. “Is that why you didn't want to take me to
meet your parents?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala looked at Rhys.
He looked like he was extremely hurt by that suggestion. That was the
last thing she ever wanted do. She never wanted to hurt him. Rhys was
the best thing to happen to her and she didn't want to loose him. She
didn't want to explain her reluctance to go home but her desire to
not lose Rhys outweighed that so she told him. Everything.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys listened to
Nala's story – to her pain. He nudged her shoulder with his head.
He purred. She relaxed against him. Soon she started purring too. She
might not want to face her family but with Rhys at her side she
could. He gave her strength. He couldn't make Natalia's betrayal go
away but Rhys could make it easier to bear.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-11394113370429089982016-11-29T00:01:00.000-08:002016-11-29T00:01:44.644-08:00St. Andrew's Day
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Colonel Angus MacDougal, an SAS officer, proud Scot, and chief cat
herder for the Ministry of Espionage, Observation, and Whiskers,
strolled into the gym at headquarters humming “Flower of Scotland”.
His kilt of the day wasn't the usual utility kilt made out of ripstop
cotton. It was a traditional wool short kilt in the MacDougal Clan
Tartan. His usual outfit had cargo pockets instead of the sporran he
wore today.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What's the
occasion?” asked the computer voice of the old white Persian cat
currently doing pull ups on the cat sized TRX machine.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It is November
30<sup>th</sup>,” the tall man replied.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ah,” Lady
Gwenllian, the cat, said as she dropped to the ground. “Scotland's
National Holiday.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Aye,” Angus
said as he stepped up onto the treadmill to begin his morning
workout. That was the thing about being back at base – regular
hours and a schedule. The schedule meant he could get in a proper
workout rather than just a run and some stretches.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll allow the
unusual clothing choice today,” Lady Gwen said. “But see that you
are in uniform tomorrow.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I will, ma'am,”
Angus said.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Gwen nodded at
Angus as she walked by and eyed his knees. She resisted the urge to
wrap her tail around his leg and left the gym. She was headed to the
showers to wash her fur.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus completed his
workout, ending with twenty tire flips to celebrate the workout. He
took his own shower and started his work day. He did performance
reviews of the secretarial staff at headquarters, set up interviews
of the new class of feline computer geek agents for Clowder Number
Nine, and filled out the requisition forms for some new types of
litter. This litter was supposed to feel nice under the paw and lock
in odors so it smells fresh every time. Angus would believe it when
the cats had thoroughly tested it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lunch came and Angus
went to go take the meal with Nala, Alex, and Phoebe. After he set
his tray down at the table and the meals had been served for the
cats, Angus noticed what the cook had prepared - Cullen Sink, a
traditional Scottish stew made with smoked haddock. He took a deep
inhale of the smell of home. If it tasted as good as it smelled, when
he got back to his office he'd upgrade his evaluation on the cooks
from great to truly excellent. He tasted it and he could have sworn
it was just like his Grandma used to make. Clearly he had some
evaluations to redo.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Colonel
MacDougal,” Nala's computer voice interrupted his enjoyment of his
meal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes, Nala,”
Angus said as he swallowed his food.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Have you found
any candidates for our tech feline?” Phoebe asked.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“A few of the new
class might work,” Angus said. “But they are awfully young.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Meow,” said
Alex. He hadn't turned on the voice interpretation feature of his
collar.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Not all kittens
are that young,” Angus said. “You did just fine but the question
is do you all want another kitten or a more experienced cat?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I don't think we
are particularly picky about the age of our tech cat,” Nala said.
“Just so long as the new cat fits in with the rest of us.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Aye, that is
important,” Angus agreed. “We'll take our time and find the right
cat.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After that they all
dug into their meal. Angus ruminated on just what qualities a cat
would need to fit in. The feline would need to be good at computers,
that was a given. They would also need to be able to put up with the
Fifis and their mysterious ways. And Nala's aristocratic bearing and
Alex's kittenish ways. The cat would have to be very good at their
job, almost instinctual reactions, and that usually came with
experience. They'd try the kittens and then work their way through
the more experienced cats and see if any wanted a transfer to Clowder
Number Nine. Most cats liked the clowder they were with but
occasionally a cat wouldn't fit so well and would welcome the
opportunity to transfer clowders.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus was the last
to finish his meal, so he left the empty table. After busing his
dishes and those of his feline companions, he noticed the time.
Almost one. He had a few minutes to make it Lady Gwen's office.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He arrived right on
time. Lady Gwen bid him to enter when he knocked. He entered and sat
in the human chair that faced the large desk. The was a large crimson
velvet cushion with gold piping and tassels. The surface of the desk
was scattered with papers and a monitor was on the other end. A key
board with larger than usual keys sat next to the cushion so the
white fluffy Persian cat can use the keyboard and look at the
monitor.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Colonel
MacDougal,” the slight Welsh accented computer voice of the cat
said. “You asked for this meeting. So what can I do for you?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“My Lady,” Angus
began. “We have talked about the fraternization rules before.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We have,”
agreed Lady Gwen. “In regards to Rhys Llewelyn and Nala Grey.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's who I want
to talk about,” agreed Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm prepared to
look the other way whilst they are courting, here at headquarters but
not out in the field on missions or during field training,” Lady
Gwen said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's fair,”
Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But I'm not
prepared to let them be on the same clowder,” Lady Gwen declared.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Neither wants to
leave their current assignments,” Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good,” Lady
Gwen said. “But we've already been over all of this, so why this
meeting?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I wanted to know
what your position would be, if they went beyond dating?” asked
Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Do you know it
will become more serious?” Lady Gwen inquired. “Did Mr. Llewelyn
ask you to ask me about my position before he asked Nala? I would
have thought he would have the courage to ask me himself.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He doesn't know
I'm asking,” Angus assured her. “I'm asking because I know the
cats that work for me and Rhys will ask me before he asks Nala and I
wanted an answer when he does.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well then,”
Lady Gwen said. “I will treat their engagement and marriage in the
same manner as their courtship.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I will tell Rhys
when he asks,” said Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Anything else,
Colonel?” Lady Gwen said as she turned her attention to the
computer monitor.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No mum,” Angus
said as he rose.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Then you're
dismissed,” Lady Gwen said as she got involved in the information
on the computer.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus stood up,
saluted, and left the office. As soon as the door closed, he broke
into a smile. He was looking forward to the marriage of the two cats.
He knew that was where their relationship was going. It was a matter
of time. He needed to get Clowder Number Nine fully staffed, so that
when the inevitable honeymoon happened, they could do without Nala
for a time. Clowder Number Nine could use the happy news.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus went on his
way. Today was a good day. Hopefully the next few weeks would have
more good days than bad.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-10113081407798986812016-11-22T00:06:00.001-08:002016-11-22T00:06:26.926-08:00The Mission That Shall Not Be Mentioned (part II)
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meal time over, Nala
found herself back in the Clowder Number Nine barracks by herself.
The mission she had been thinking about before the interruption (and
salmon would always be a welcome interruption) returned to her
memories.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next morning,
Nala tried to get out of the cave she was sleeping in. It was
strangely smooth in three walls and the other was both hard and soft
but very warm. The walls were very very close and she could barely
move about. If it wasn't for the fact that she needed to use the
litter box and she was having a hard time breathing, she might stay
right where she was all day. She tried to get out but couldn't find
the entrance she extended her claws and tried to dig out.
Unfortunately she chose to dig at the warm wall.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ouch, cat!”
exclaimed Angus. He was grumpy from being awoken by cat claws too
close to his privates for his sanity. He dug down and pulled out
Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cat now realized
what the cave was. She was sorry she hurt Angus but he was funny when
he was woken suddenly. She shouldn't have used her claws. The second
her paws his the floor of the actual cave she ran for the small gap
between the plaid and the wall. Sure it was cold beyond the plaid but
there was no way she was going to use some of their living space as a
littler box. Once the necessities were taken care of she walked to
the mouth of the cave to check the snow situation as Angus used the
same corner of the greater cave for a human litter box as well.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once done he joined
her at the entrance.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, that's no
good,” Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala rubbed her head
against his leg in agreement. The entrance was filled from the floor
to roof with snow. They could hear the wind still kicking up outside.
This was going to be more than a one night stay. Angus went back to
the walled off room and retrieved his collapsible bucket and filled
it with snow from the middle of the entrance. He hoped to do two
things with that. One was fill the bucket so he could melt it for
water for breakfast (parriatch for him and kibble mash for the
feline). Two was to gauge how thick the drift might be. He did fill
the bucket but the drift was more than a few inches thick. That would
require serious digging by both he and Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He and the cat
started to get cold so they retreated to their little room. While the
snow drift helped keep the wind out, the additional insulation of the
plaid helped keep their body heat confined. The heat from the little
stove also helped make it bearable back there, though Angus did
foresee spending a fair bit of time holed up in the sleeping bag for
warmth. Trying to tunnel out before the storm passed wouldn't
accomplish anything and there wouldn't be much else to do.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After breakfast,
Angus tried to signal the science base. He thought he was successful
at letting them know where they were and that they'd be fine but he
hadn't been sure. (He had been successful as it turned out but the
base had been snowed under as well so the rescue would take a couple
days.) That done he explored the cave some more to see if there was
more than just this one chamber.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ten minutes later,
he confirmed the one chamber was all there was to the cave. There was
light filtering through the snow so it was day. He pulled his tablet
computer out of his pack and set about completing some of his back
paperwork. (There was always paperwork to be done – mission reports
both pre and post, requisition orders, personnel evaluations, and
much more.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While the human was
occupied, Nala did her own reconnaissance of the cave. She didn't
find much, except a small mouse's nest. She didn't eat mice as a
general rule, as she usually had plenty of food she was accustomed to
and unusual food could upset her tummy, but if she had to eat the hot
kibble mash too long a small mousie would be a tasty treat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala returned to
Angus's side after her cave inspection. She was warm from her
exertions but would soon cool so she made to sit next to the human to
share bodily warmth.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus worked until
it was time for lunch. He got up and got another bucket of snow to
make lunch. After the hot soup and kibble dishes were mixed up, he
made himself a cup of tea. Good and strong and warming all the way
down to his wame. It would be better with some whiskey but he hadn't
packed his flask on this little excursion.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After lunch, both
human and feline had a go at digging out. Nala dug at the bottom,
kicking the snow behind her. Angus used the bucket to dig from the
middle. He carried the buckets to the back of the cave to make a snow
pile away from the walled off room. The worked for a few hours and
while they cleared to the mouth of the cave but there was still snow.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was teatime and
Angus made a small snack for each of them. Then another cuppa for
himself. A good strong brew of Scottish Breakfast soon warmed and
cheered him up. Nala finished her snack and came to sit on his lap.
He absentmindedly stroked the cat with the hand that wasn't holding
the collapsible tea cup. He petted her from her ears to the tip of
her tail and repeated the action. Nala started purring and relaxed
into sleep on his lap.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What little light
that had penetrated the snow began to fade and Angus lifted the cat
off his lap and turned on the solar powered lights that resided on
the outside of his pack to charge as he hiked. He used the light to
make dinner for them both. Then it was time for bed, again. He
changed into his other set of clothes to be dry to sleep in. He
dowsed the light and the stove and climbed into the sleeping bag.
This time he remembered to bring the cat under the covers with him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The thing about
trying to fit a six foot something man and a fifteen pound cat in a
“Mummy Bag” to sleep was there was only one place to fit her –
between his legs. Nala slid her hindquarters down between his limbs
readily enough but she wanted a soft place to rest her head so she
laid it on the top of his thigh. She didn't like having to choose her
sleeping spot without turning around three times to make the spot
perfect so she chose a soft and warm spot. Her head on his thigh and
her front paws beside her. She pawed and massaged the spot with her
claws half out and purred herself to sleep.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus was not so
sure about her sleeping position but he tried not to move. If he did,
the claws might come fully out and he'd have a hard time explaining
the scratches to his wife. If he didn't displease the cat the claws
wouldn't dig in. Claws half out pricked but didn't draw blood, so he
was fine with what she was doing. Well not fine because it hurt a
little but it would be fine when she fell asleep and stopped. The
purring was soothing and he soon fell asleep. The cat joined him in
slumber a few minutes later. The temperature dropped and neither man
nor cat noticed as they kept each other warm.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning, Nala
woke and remembered where she was, which was very good as she had
shifted in the night to lie fully on Angus. If she had used claws to
did out like she had the morning before, Dr. Elizabeth MacDougal,
Angus's wife, would clip Nala's claws and keep them clipped for a
month as punishment. It would be inconvenient but unlike normal cats,
claws weren't Nala's only weapons. She could use her teeth and if she
had her collar on, there was the laser beam, either way she wasn't
defenseless without sharp claws. (Liz would never declaw a cat
particularly a M.E.O.W. agent but she would clip the claws to be
piratically useless.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala decided to
crawl out of the sleeping bag by crawling up Angus. She put a paw
directly into his stomach and shifted all her weight onto that paw.
This woke Angus from sound sleep muttering.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Then let amorous
kisses dwell, On our lips, begin to tell.” muttered Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala stopped her
exit. Poetry? That little tid bit was going to go in the report. Not
which poem because that information would be saved for a properly
timed reveal. Preferably when it would most embarrass the human. He
settled back down and drifted off to sleep again. She resumed her
journey to exit the sleeping bag. She finally emerged and scampered
off to take care of business.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Business taken care
of, Nala returned to find the human still asleep. There wasn't an
obvious way back into the sleeping bag so she was going to have to
burrow under. She walked on top of the sleeping man to his shoulder.
She ducked her head between his shoulder and the fabric. She then
hooked a paw under and pulled at his shoulder to move a little
further along. Then she flipped the rest of her body and nearly hit
Angus in the head. Her tail curled around his head and tickled his
ear. He twitched his head to get away. Nala smiled to herself and
wriggled under. It was a lot of work for a nap but she was a cat and
naps, when they can be worked into her day, are a cat's specialty.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When Angus woke a
couple hours later, Nala was ready to get up and see if they'd get
out of the cave today. She thought it likely as the sound of the wind
had died down and more light was filtering into the cave.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think we might
get out of here today,” Angus observed as he crawled out of the
sleeping bag and pulled on his boots. “The wind seems to have died
down.” He stood and moved to the spot designated as the bathroom.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala moved to the
spot where his head usually rested and started grooming her privates.
She just couldn't bring herself to assent to his observation when she
had just thought the same thing. It would be redundant.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Breakfast and
morning rituals taken care of, man and cat set to making an opening
in the snow drift. They made more progress than the day before. They
worked steadily til luncheon. After that meal, Angus, once again, got
out his tablet computer to try to contact the base. This time there
was a message waiting for him. There would be no rescue unless
medically necessary because there wasn't anyone to spare. It was what
he figured so he sent back that he and Nala were fine and should be
back that night.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They worked another
hour and there was enough room for Nala to wiggle out. She did and
preformed a quick recon. She got back into the cave and turned on the
speech translation on her collar to tell Angus what she had found.
(She could have turned it on yesterday but she had little to tell the
human. It would have also drained the battery as she had no way to
recharge it, so she had rationed the usage to make it last.)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala's trip out and
back had widened the hole enough to shove Angus's pack through and
theoretically widen it further to let the Scott through. He packed up
his pack and stuffed the plaid in. The woolen fabric might not make
for great sub-zero clothing but had been handy in other ways. He was
going to include that in his report and suggest that a plaid be
listed on the optional equipment list so that he and others could
take them on missions, officially.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The plan worked the
way they thought. Angus made it out and man and cat headed back to
the research station. They used the time to coordinate their stories
for their reports, agreeing that no one, not even Liz, needed the
details of how they managed in the cave. The less said about it the
better as far as they were both concerned. They arrived in perfect
accord. Clowder Number Nine finished up their time at the research
station and turned over security duties to Clowder Number Two and
Angus and Nala remained closed mouth about their time in the cave.
The event passed out of memory and into legend at headquarters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala returned her
attention to the here and now as the door to the Clowder's barracks
opened with a chime, indicating that it wasn't a clowder member or
Angus. She sprang to alert, even though the room was deep in
headquarters and only someone or some feline with M.E.O.W. clearance
could get in. It never hurt to be prepared.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Meow?” said
Rhys as a greeting.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala relaxed and
purred an invitation for him to join her. As it was another cat,
there was no need for vocal interpretation devices. They could both
speak cat.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys lumped up on
the couch next to Nala and curled next to her. He hadn't seen her,
socially, since he had graduated and been sent to Rio on assignment
for the Olympics. They had seen each other in Russia and then France
in the last couple weeks but that was on assignment. They had a long
conversation and caught up on all that had happened. When Nala got to
Erik's death, Rhys put a paw around her and pulled her into his furry
embrace.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus came to check
on Nala, as no one had seen her for a couple hours. Sure a lieutenant
could have been dispatched to do that but he had time. He was also
concerned about how Nala was taking Erik's death as she was leader of
the Clowder. Fiona was taking it hard, as she was his sister, but she
was working through it and making daily progress. Nala was just
hunkering down and not socializing in anyway to help grieve and heal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus looked in
Clowder Number Nine's rooms and found her. Nala was curled up against
Rhys. They made a tight pile of fur. Her gray against his orange fur.
Angus smiled, and backed out of the room. Nala would be fine. He
needed to talk to Lady Gwen about bending some fraternization rules.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-657598288743264512016-11-17T00:01:00.002-08:002016-11-17T00:01:58.394-08:00The Mission That Shall Not Be Mentioned (part 1)
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Nala paced around the M.E.O.W. Headquarters. She hated being stood
down but she also didn't want to go in to the field with the Clowder
in its current state. Erik had been a valuable part of M.E.O.W. for
fourteen years and the last six with Clowder Number Nine. They all
needed time to grieve. Particularly coming on the heels of the loss
of Clowder Number Eight. The whole of M.E.O.W. was still reeling from
the losses. The last time this had happened, Fiona and then Erik had
joined the Clowder and they had been sent to Tromso to babysit the
scientists.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala remembered that
mission. It was both infamous around the halls of M.E.O.W. and
something she wanted to forget. Angus also wanted to forget it But
thinking back to the mission brought it all to mind like she was
reliving it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tromso must be
Norwegian for land of snow. Tons of snow = Tromso. Nala thought for
the tenth time since she and Colonel Angus MacDougal set off for this
cursed cave. Some of the scientists, that Clowder Number Nine had
been sent to babysit, wanted another machine aimed at the sky to take
some measurements. Nala wasn't exactly sure what for. She was a cat,
an extremely smart and intelligent cat, but still a cat and the
mysteries of astrophysics would remain a mystery to her. All Nala
knew was that Jane wanted this thing set up at a particular place and
she hadn't the gear to endure the forcastted weather conditions. That
was when Angus had volunteered to take it. (Nala was sure he was
tired of the bickering and techno babble of the scientists. Because
Heaven knew she was.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A policy of the
research station stated that no one was allowed to go off on their
own. Everyone leaving the research compound had to be accompanied.
(Scientists had been known to wander off and get in trouble without
help.) Since there were only two humans with Clowder Number Nine on
this mission and one of them was needed to interface between the
scientists and the cats, that meant a feline would need to accompany
Angus. The felines, Nala, Phoebe, Fiona, and Erik, drew straws with
Nala being the lucky feline.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus checked the
weather forecast and had noted the possibility, slim though it was,
of the snow flurries turning to a blizzard. He packed for the worst-
sub zero sleeping bag and extra fuel for the alcohol stove among
other items of use. Nala didn't have to pack. She was half Russian
Blue and half English short hair so she had fur that could withstand
some colder temperatures even if she didn't enjoy them very much.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="result_box"></a>
Man and cat, packed and ready to go, set out into the lightly falling
snow. The trip to where the machine need to go was uneventful. Angus,
a lover of his Scottish heritage and sometime reenactor, had taken
the opportunity to field test the <span lang="gd-GB">fèileadh mòr</span>
his wife, Liz, had given him for his birthday a few months back. This
was the classic Scottish garment that had been outlawed after the
defeat at the Battle of Culloden, all seven yards of wide wool. Angus
was conducting personal research into just how warm and practical the
garment could be. So far his research showed that it was quite toasty
and warm until he stepped into snowdrifts taller than his knees.
Still he could see how useful so much wool fabric could be.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The day wore on and
they finally placed the thingy where they were supposed to. The snow
was falling faster now. The wind began to pick up. The sun was about
to set as it had taken them longer to slog through the snow than
planned. They'd never make it back to the science base in the dark
and growing blizzard.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I saw a cave on
the map just over there,” Angus said to his feline work companion.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Meorow...”
chattered Nala through clack teeth. She was getting cold from the
snow starting to penetrate her fur.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus took that as
assent to the plan and led off towards the cave. An hour latter they
made it. Nala stayed just at the entrance to stay out of Angus's way
as he made camp. She ruminated on the Norwegian language and snow
whist she waited.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus ventured into
the cave. It was twenty feet wide and that long with the ceiling
about eight feet at it's highest, but barely six feet at the walls.
There was, in the center, a column where a stalagmite and a
stalactite met. The wind whipped down the sides of the cave all the
way to the back. Past the first ten feet the floor was dry and clear
of snow. Angus took his pack off and set it on the dry ground at the
rear of the cave. He unpacked the sleeping bag and spread it out
before unpacking the small alcohol stove to try to heat some water.
He got the stove lit but the wind would blow it out right away. He
needed a windscreen but there was none. Then he remembered he was
wearing a good wind screen. He could attach an end to each of his
trekking poles and use the column as the other corner. He did just
that and it made the cordon off room warmer by just blocking the
wind. Unfortunately, removing the kilt had left him half naked so he
dug out the high tech cold weather pants out of his pack and put
those on.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once he was dressed
again he called to Nala to join him. She couldn't see a path around
the plaid so she executed the most graceful feline acrobatics she
could with her paws going numb from the cold. She managed to land on
Angus's should and dump snow from her fur down his shirt.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, cat!”
Angus exclaimed. Nala, of course, ignored him. She was cold and he
was warm so she cuddled closer. He unzipped his jacket and let her
burrow in while he heated the water for their suppers. For him it
would be a bowl of freeze dried beef stew reinvigorated by hot water.
For the cat it was a mash of kibble powder mixed with hot water to
make a hot meal to warm a frozen cat. The meals were eaten in
companionable silence. Nala wasn't normally a fan of the kibble
porridge but she was cold enough that the warm food tasted heavenly.
Angus washed out the bowls and emptied the was water beyond the plaid
wall. That done, Angus changed his shirt into the spare high tech one
and put the one he had been wearing in the foot of the sleeping bag
so it would be warm when he dressed in the morning. He dosed the
little stove and climbed into the sleeping bag. Nala settled on top
of his chest. An hour latter she was shaking with cold. She was
shaking so hard she woke Angus up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, cat,”
Angus said as he wormed an arm out from the sleeping bag to wake
Nala. He thought she was having a kitty nightmare, but when his hand
touched her fur he figured out the truth. She was very, very cold.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Cat, ye're going
to be the death of me,” Angus muttered as he pulled the cat into
the sleeping bag with him. He quickly figured out that sleeping bags
nicknamed “Mummy Bags” do not allow for additional sleepers even
if they are twelve pound cats. He eventually found a way to fit them
both and Nala warmed. Unfortunately her warming up meant he cooled
down and it was sometime before he returned to the cozy warm state he
had been in before bring the feline in bed with him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A bell sounded and
it brought Nala out of her reverie. She snapped back to the here and
now and joined the rest of those in residence at the cafeteria. Yes,
all of the Clowder barracks had unlimited kibble dispensers in case a
cat got hungry in the night or missed a meal, but one of the good
things about being at HQ was hot meals. She sniffed the air. It
smelled like salmon. There was no way she was going to miss her
favorite fish.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-45910656632585520202016-11-09T00:06:00.000-08:002016-11-09T00:06:10.684-08:00A History Lesson
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Fiona O'Brian stood in front of the class of kittens. She didn't
really want to be teaching the class. But then again she didn't
really want to be anywhere now that her brother was gone. For
fourteen years, they had been together- living and fighting to save
the world side by side. When they had left Ireland and their family
together for training, at least they had each other. Now she was
supposed to carry on without him? The last four years, Erik hadn't
been in the field but he had been in her ear and at the command
center making sure that the clowder had all the tech support and back
up they needed and when they needed it. Now he was gone. That voice
in her ear would be someone else. Fiona was glad to leave that
possibility for another day, which is why she was sort of glad to be
facing a class of ten kittens and not some of Natalia's henchmen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The kittens were
rather active, as six week old kittens in a new environment tended to
be. Fiona remembered those days. She and Erik had been- she wasn't
going to think about that now so she rang the bell on the desk and
the class quieted down. This was their third class of the day and it
looked like they had learned the first lesson well.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I am Fiona
O'Brian, of Clowder Number Nine,” Fiona introduced herself. “I'm
here to teach you the history of M.E.O.W. Do you know why it is
important to know our history?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A little white
kitten raised a paw.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes?” Fiona
asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Bronwen, ma'am,”
replied the kitten.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, Bronwen,”
Fiona reasked the question. “Why is it important to know our
history?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“To know where we
came from and so we learn from our mistakes,” Bronwen replied.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Exactly,” Fiona
said. “So I'm going to tell you how M.E.O.W. was started and why we
are important.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
M.E.O.W. was started
back in time of King William IV. There was no Ministry. The idea of
cats as spies hadn't really been thought of yet. But One cat served
his king and was rewarded with the honorary title to match his human.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas, the first
feline Earl of Grey had helped his human counterpart, Charles the
Second Earl of Grey, foil a plot against the then Princess Victoria.
Henry Wentworth, one of the younger sons of the Earl of Worthington,
a member of the House of Lords, was heard making injudicious remarks
about the Princess at one of the clubs. His older brother, James, had
managed to quiet him and send him home but not before the Earl of
Grey had heard about it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Grey knew there was
no time to get a human spy in the Worthington household. The Earl was
fond of cats and would take in a stray. Grey had been working with
his own cat, Thomas, and knew if Thomas could get into the
Worthington household, then he'd know what the young lordling was on
about.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That evening, Grey
ruffled Thomas to look like he hadn't had been taken care of in days.
Once Thomas looked scruffy enough, he ambled to the Worthington door
and made himself at home. Sure enough when the Earl of Worthington
came home, he bent down to pet Thomas.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Aren't you a
pretty kitty,” Worthington said. “Or you would be with a little
care.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas rubbed
against his legs, purring. Worthington bent further and got into the
petting. After a few minutes he picked the cat up and carried him
into the house.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You look like you
used to belong to someone,” Worthington said. “Well you will
again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas purred
louder. The plan was working. He was being taken into the Earl's
townhouse. Then it was just a matter of finding young Henry and
listening and reading what the man was up to.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Worthington took
Thomas into the kitchens. This caused no little amount of stir. While
the Earl had been known to wander down to the kitchens for cream and
tidbits for cats, every time he did, it threw the staff into a tizzy.
The requsite cream and meaty tidbits were produced. Thomas ate them
as if he had been starving instead of having been fed a decent lunch
and tea earlier that day. This plan might have it's advantages. The
Earl of Grey took care of his cat but he didn't spoil him. The Earl
of Worthington didn't just like cats, he spoiled them. Thomas could
have sworn he smelled a salmon cooking. He hoped there would be fishy
bits for him later. This could be fun.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The snack finished,
Thomas followed Worthington back upstairs. The Earl kept up a one
sided conversation explaining what rooms were where. Thomas followed,
his tail in the air, as he absorbed the information. Sure he could
have found out what he needed by exploring but having the whole house
laid out before him made it easier. He would confirm what the Earl
said and add his observations later but for now he trotted along
behind the friendly Earl.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Earl led him in
to his bedroom and invited Thomas to jump up on the bed and be
comfortable. Thomas didn't have to be told twice. He got up on to the
large canopied bed with dark blue silk satin coverings. He stood and
circled three times in the satin and then settled down. The Earl kept
prattling on about the people in the house while his valet helped him
change for dinner.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas paid
attention when the Earl described his sons. James, the heir, was
steady and responsible. Just like his father, except he had a
fondness for his hunting dogs instead of cats. Thomas vowed to climb
on to his lap as soon as possible. Somehow it was more satisfying to
cuddle on the lap of a dog person. Though cat people had their uses
too. Henry, the middle son, was a cat person. He was described as
taking an interest in business but no particular one. His father
wasn't one of those peers who thought business was beneath his family
so he wasn't discouraged. William, the youngest was still at Oxford
reading Philosophy.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The information
would prove useful. It was good that the subject he needed to observe
was a cat person. That would mean he could get close.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Earl left for
dinner. Thomas followed him down stairs but instead of going into the
dining room with the Earl, he went to the library to scout out any
papers. He hopped up on the desk and started looking through the
letters and such there. There were bills to merchants in Town and for
some repairs to the country house but nothing out of the ordinary.
Thomas cast a glance at the fire burning in the grate. Clearly
someone planed to return to this room, so all Thomas had to do was
wait here. There happened to be a large stuffed ottoman in front of
the fire. Thomas declared that his spot and he hopped up there,
turned around three times, and went to sleep.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The clock struck ten
when James and Henry walked into the library. Their voices roused the
sleeping cat. He was going to be grumpy about being woken up but then
he heard what was being discussed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What were you
thinking?” James demanded. “Going on about how Princess Victoria
should never be Queen?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“She shouldn't,”
Henry said. “She's just a female and they can't rule. You agree
with me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I do,” James
said. “But speaking such a thing in public could be considered
treason.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So?” Henry said
as he went to the sideboard and poured himself a brandy.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“They put people
in the Tower for that,” James said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll remove to
America before that happens,” Henry said.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That will break
Mother's heart,” James insisted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Better to break
her heart then bend a knee to girl,” Henry said. “You know Prince
Ernest Agustus should inherit Brittian as well as Hanover.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He should but the
law clearly gives it to the Princess,” James reasoned. “We cannot
change the law.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But we can change
who is around to inherit,” Henry insisted as he resumed his seat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas kept quite
still. This was why he was here and he wouldn't spoil it by moving.
He was afraid that any movement would cause the brothers to change
topics.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Whatever do you
mean?” asked James, shocked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I and a few
friends,” Henry began to brag. “Have recruited a maid in the
employ of the Duchess of Kent. We can arrange for her to have an
accident and that will be that.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are you sure?”
James asked amazed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“In fact
arrangements have been made for such an accident to happen Thursday
when she is out riding,” Henry continued. “Maria will make sure
of it.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I still think it
far fetched and a bad idea,” James said. “I'm off to find better
entertainment.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think I'll go
to bed,” Henry said. “I have an appointment at nine.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“In the morning?”
James asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes,” Henry
said. “That's when the business day starts.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What an ungodly
hour,” James said as he left the library.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Henry followed not
much latter. Thomas hurried out into the hall. He reached it just in
time to slip out of the house behind James. The information he had
needed to get back to the Earl of Grey tonight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hopkins, the Earl of
Grey's groom, had been set to watch the Worthington house in case the
cat should appear. Thomas made right for the prearranged meeting
place and found Hopkins. The groom picked up the cat and carried him
off to the waiting Earl.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Earl of Grey was
waiting in his own library for the cat. He thought it might take
longer than one night but it might not. He had been writing letters
on pieces of paper so that the cat might spell out the information.
He wasn't disappointed in his optimism when Hopkins carried Thomas
in.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas wasted no
time in spelling out “Maria, Duchess’s maid. Horse riding
accident. Thursday.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Thursday?!”
exclaimed Grey. “That's the day after tomorrow and tomorrow is
almost here.” The clock chimed a quarter to midnight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Grey went to his
desk and wrote out several letters. He had Hopkins deliver them
whilst he went and got dressed in day clothes as he wasn't going to
get any sleep for the next thirty-six hours.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Earl had been
right. The next thirty-six hours had brought many meetings but the
plot was foiled. The maid was fired and the Princess was saved. The
King was grateful. He demanded a meeting with the Earl who had saved
his heir and Grey went and extolled the virtues of Thomas the cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
King William IV was
disbelieving that a cat could be of use, but when the human Earl
insisted could couldn't have foiled the plot without the feline's
help, the King made Thomas of equal honorary rank. The feline Earl
and his wife, Charlotte, the feline Countess, retired to Grey's
Northumberland estate of Howick to be pampered by the staff there.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas and Charlotte
had a comfortable life. They roamed the estate at will, hunting when
they wanted and being fed like nobility when they didn't. They were
both gray in color and had many gray colored children but only four
showed any signs of being intelligent enough to serve as their father
did. It wasn't that the other cats were dumb or incapable of working
in intelligence, but more that they didn't show an aptitude or desire
to the work.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Together the feline
and human Earls of Grey founded a Ministry where those cats, with
aptitude for intelligence, to do their work. It was called the
Ministry of Espionage, Observation, and Whiskers. M.E.O.W. was a
secret not just to keep the agents a secret but because no one would
believe such agents could work.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The descendants
of the feline Earls of Grey still work here,” Fiona finished. “I
happen to be privileged to work with Nala Grey, the daughter of the
sixteenth feline Earl of Grey.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A distant bell rang.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That is all for
today,” Fiona said. “You are dismissed to your luncheon.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The kittens got up
and left the room. Fiona looked around her. The memories with Erik
were strongest here where they trained together, but teaching the
kittens would be rewarding. Seeing their eyes light up as they got
into the story and the importance resonated was lessening her grief.
She might not be out on the front lines but she was still making a
difference. That was something until Clowder Number Nine was able to
be reinstated.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-27198818119778617082016-11-02T03:32:00.001-07:002016-11-02T03:32:20.735-07:00Author's Note - The Passing of a CatIn regards to the last chapter, I hadn't intended to kill another cat but on Monday afternoon my husband and I had to put down his cat, Dearecca. What does this have to do with Erik? Well the original four cats of Clouder Number Nine are based on our four cats - Nala, Fiamain, Dearecca, and Phoebe. When I started I knew that the names Fiamain and Dearecca would be hard for readers so I changed them to Fiona and Erik. I also didn't want an all female clouder so I changed Dearecca to Erik.<br />
<br />
Dearecca had had some neruological damage from a cheap flea treatment I had used on her. Her back legs didn't work so well for the last few years. But a month ago, she lost a lot of her movement and moved into the bathroom to be close to her food, water, and litter. Then late last week, she wasn't even able to move that much. So we had to do the hard thing and put her out of her misery.<br />
<br />
That left me with a fictional cat counter part still living. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue with writing Erik with his counterpart gone. And I wanted a way to pay tribute to Dearecca, so Erik died. I didn't want to have him killed in a fire fight but I also didn't want to have him put down at Liz's office so I came up with the series of strokes.<br />
<br />
Rest in Peace Dearecca! Rest in Peace Erik!<br />
(These pictures are of Dearecca in her prime before she got sick.) <br />
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<br />SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-39546776733829555132016-11-01T01:39:00.000-07:002016-11-01T01:39:42.295-07:00The Job Completed
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
While Natalia was sleeping the sleep of a feline villainess, Angus
and the agents of M.E.O.W.- both feline and human- were seeking
intelligence about the island. The aerial drone pictures showed the
anti-cat measures. Down to the last ball of yarn.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the intel had
been gathered, the several clouders of feline agents and their humans
sat around the large kitchen table of the house that was there
headquarters in this part of France. The computers and speakers
needed for the cats to air their thoughts were set up on the counter
near the table. Several piles of papers and carts were at one end and</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, that rules
out cats,” Nala said through the computer speaker.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Natalia does
seemed to have planned for you, Nala,” Angus agreed. “Have we any
good sonar views of the island's bases and any security measures in
the sea?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lt. Brewster pulled
out a couple of charts. She spread them out in the center. Lt. Smith
and Angus each grabbed a corner.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It looks like the
only sea based defenses are aimed at the two docks and the single
path to the sea,” Lt. Brewster reported.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“She's counting on
no cat deigning to set paw in the water,” Nala said. “I'd love to
prove her wrong.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You'll get your
chance but I think I'll need to go in first,” Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So you have a
plan?” asked Fiona's computer voice. The big, fluffy black and
white cat was studying the map. “I really want to catch Natalia but
I'm not sure I'm up for a mile swim.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If the plan goes
right, no cat will be swimming,” Angus pointed out.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He detailed the plan
and the various cats and humans prepared for their roles. Liz and
Erik would stay be hind. The doctor would ready the supplies for any
treatment beyond field first aid and the feline would run the
computers.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus and Lt. Smith
took a boat out. Angus was in SCUBA gear to make the stealthy
approach to the island. Lt. Brewster and a couple of the other human
handlers had two boats with cats ready to infiltrate when Angus gave
the all clear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus rolled
backwards over the gunwale of the boat into the Mediterranean Sea. He
dived down and swam to the island. Just as he thought, there were no
anti-human measures. He disabled the sea defenses before he climbed
out on shore. Then he made his way up the shore and stashed his tank
and flippers in bushes that surrounded the cat nip field. He went
back down the sides of the paved path and disabled the sensors.
Finally, he signaled for the others to land.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took ten minutes
for the boats to come ashore, as they had been far out to sea to
avoid detection. In that time he rounded up the cardboard boxes
nearest the path so there would be a wider path for the invading
felines to take to the house. The invasion force landed and started
carrying out the plan.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The invasion went as
exactly according to plan, for once. All the human lieutenants and
cats working for Natalia were rounded up. The humans were taken to
the French authorities to hold until Interpol could deal with them.
The cats would be taken to the French Gendarmeire Chat for
interrogation and sentencing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus, Lt. Brewster,
Nala, Fiona, and Phoebe had Natalia surrounded on the patio of her
bedroom. She had just woken up and was enjoying a moonlit repast of
fresh salmon when the invasion began but she had trusted her defenses
and kept eating until they had breached the room.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Natalia,” Nala
said. “You've no where else to go, so just come with us.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Never,” Natalia
backed up from her towards the low wall around the patio.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Angus,” Liz
said over the comms. She sounded a bit anxious but still
professional.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We're just
getting Natalia now,” Angus answered.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good,” Liz
replied. “But you and Fiona need to get back here. Now.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus looked around
at the situation and the mentioned cat. They could wrap this up in
five minutes and be back to the house in just over a half hour. Fiona
looked at him. The others briefly glanced his way. Natalia took the
opportunity to get up on the ledge of the wall.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Go,” Lt.
Brewster said. “The rest of us have this.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus nodded and
Fiona and he left. They ran to the boats. One had already pulled away
to take a load of captives back to the mainland but it halted a few
feet from shore. Angus picked up the black and white fluffy cat and
waded out to it. He handed the cat to Lt. Smith and climbed in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ifrinn,” came
Brewster's voice over the comms. “Natalia just jumped for it. All
teams on the beach look out for Natalia.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Angus,” Liz
came into the comms conversation again. “You and Fiona had better
be on your way back.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We are,” Angus
answered. “We'll be there in twenty minutes.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We got eyes on
Natalia,” Brewster replied.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ifrinn,” this
time it was Nala's computer voice. “That evil sister of mine has a
personal watercraft and has escaped again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ifrinn,”
chorused all of Clouder Number Nine. (Everyone had learned that but
of Gaelic cussing from Angus and used it liberally.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Brewster, you and
the rest of Clouder Number Nine get on the next boat out and leave
the others for mop up operations,” Angus ordered. “Now, Liz, I
assume something has happened to Erik?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He had a small
seizure right after you left,” Liz explained. “He seemed all
right after that. Then about ten minutes ago he had another, and is
still unconscious.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We'll be right
there,” Angus said. The boat captain looked at him in question.
Angus nodded his permission and the captain opened up the throttle to
maximum. It cut the transit time in half. When they reached the
docks, Fiona allowed Angus to pick her up and carry her. The house
they were running the op from was just a few doors down, so Angus
just ran with the cat under his arm.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz saw them coming
and opened the door. Angus put the feline down. Liz lead them to the
bed room where Erik was laid out on the bed. Fiona jumped up on the
bed and curled around her brother. They had been through much since
they had been from the same litter. She started grooming his head and
though Erik didn't wake he leaned into his sister.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twenty minutes
later, the rest of the Clouder entered the house. The cats all curled
around the siblings and purred. Erik's breathing got shallower and
shallower.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Can't you do
anything?” Angus asked his wife.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If we were at HQ,
I might be able to but by the time we get to a vet's now, nothing can
help,” Liz said. “Either he comes out of this or he won't.”
She took Angus's hand. “With two seizures so close together, I'm
afraid he won't recover.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus gripped tight
to her hand and with his free hand, he stroked Erik's head. This was
the hard part. Cats didn't live nearly as long as humans and Erik was
fourteen. He had lived a full life and been useful to his country.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An hour later, Erik
slipped away. The other cats concentrated their concern on Fiona. Liz
made the official pronouncement and Angus made arrangements to take
the body back to Wales for burial.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lt. Brewster and
Fiona took Erik's body home and did the necessary preliminaries while
everyone else completed the job in France. Erik would have wanted
that. Fortunately that only took a day and then everyone was gathered
graveside for the service. As the cat sized coffin was lowered, Angus
and an honor guard, culled from the humans of various Clouders whom
Erik's computer skills had saved, fired a three volley salute. Then
Lady Gwen read a condolence letter from Her Royal Majesty.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ceremony over,
Clouder Number Nine retreated to their quarters. They were on stand
down for the next fortnight to grieve. They would do so while pouring
over the records of the villa in France. They would go back in the
field with Lt. Smith at the computers until they could find a new cat
to work with. But until then, they'd console each other and drink
cream.
</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-12210611660991749542016-10-19T15:10:00.001-07:002016-10-19T15:10:19.110-07:00A Hideout at Sea
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span lang="en-US">N</span><span lang="en-US">atalia looked over the
moonlight on the blue green water and admired the view. It was pretty
to look at but she wasn't tempted in the slightest to venture into
it. The sea would get her fur wet and salty. As a cat, she had an
aversion to being wet and the salt was a pain in the tail to clean.
Not to mention, it tasted funny. Even though she didn't want to swim
in the Mediterranean Sea that surrounded the latest of her hideouts.
</span><span lang="en-US">Though the term hideout conjures the image
of a shack deep in the woods and this was more of a luxury villa on
its own island in the French Riviera, but it still served that
function. Though hideout wasn't exactly what it was either. It was
more like a trap. A trap designed to capture the secret agent cats
that M.E.O.W. would send after her.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">N</span><span lang="en-US">atalia
might be a former M.E.O.W. agent with no current contacts in the
Ministry, but some of her contacts had contacts. So what if the news
was second or third hand, it was still news. The latest was all about
the mission in Turkey that went sideways. It was bad luck that by
keeping her rivals close that she and her followers had been next to
where three cats and two M.E.O.W. handlers had died. Natalia knew
Lady Gwen and Angus well enough to know they'd be after those
responsible and then Natalia and her </span><span lang="ru-RU">культ
кошки. </span><span lang="en-US">Hence the retreat to the
island.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">The
island was very nearly cat invasion proof. Natalia and a half dozen
cats resided on the island with a similar number of humans. The rest
of the </span><span lang="ru-RU">культ кошки</span><span lang="en-US">had
founded a commune in the hills of the Western United States where
they could live in relative peace until it was time to rise up and
take out M.E.O.W. once and for all. No cat could get on the island
because a boat would be seen from miles away. M.E.O.W. </span><span lang="en-US">cats
might parachute in, but the element of surprise would be lost because
the island was not on the regular flight route of planes capable of
deploying parachuters and the noise from such a plane would be a dead
give away of the plan. </span><span lang="en-US">The drop from far
enough away not to be noticed would be too far for a small cat to
make. But if it was tried and a cat made it to shore, there were
other anti-cat measures. </span><span lang="en-US">Empty cardboard
boxes, arranged in concentric circles on the ground, would be the
first such measure. </span><span lang="en-US">The boxes would only
delay cats as highly trained as M.E.O.W. agents were, but even a
delay could be helpful. After the boxes came patches of cat nip.
Again, a M.E.O.W. agent wouldn't be stopped, they were trained to
work through the high, whether they went manically nuts or became
stoned. It would further delay the invasion until Natalia could
escape. After the cat nip came the balls of yarns and the feathers on
sticks. A delayed cat could be captured and interrogated. That was
what the humans were for.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">O</span><span lang="en-US">ne
would think with all the cat traps, the resident felines would
succumb to the traps themselves, but they knew where the traps were
located and could avoid them. They used the easy paved paths around
the island. If the sneaking agents used those paths they would be
easily spotted and taken out.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">The
moonlight had given way to the beautiful yellows, oranges, and blues
of dawn. Natalia yawned. It might be early morning but it was late
for a cat. She took one last circuit of the island and made sure her
traps were ready. Once she was sure no strange cat would breach the
island's defenses, she headed into the house.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">Natalia
made her way to the kitchen, where the cook had made a bedtime meal
of chicken tidbits and warm milk waiting for her. After consuming
her repast. Natalia visited the necessary box. The litter was fresh
and at the perfect depth, so she had bit of fun playing in the stuff.
She may have </span><span lang="en-US">made a bit more of a mess than
necessary but that would give the humans something to do later. After
shaking the last of the litter from her paws, she padded up stairs to
her room.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">The
room was a corner room with big windows in the South and East walls.
Natalia made her way over to the large, soft, velvet cushion
positioned in the space where the light from both windows fell. She
climbed onto the cushion where the sunlight fell and turned around
three times and settled with her head on her crossed paws. After a
moment she realized she had forgotten part of her bedtime ritual. She
stood up, hopped off the cushion and cleaned her nether regions. Once
she had all the last litter bits removed, she returned to her spot in
the sun, turned around three times and settled in for her sleep.
Sometimes it was very good to be the head of a villainous
conglomerate.</span></div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-88735016894984007912016-10-10T19:51:00.000-07:002016-10-10T19:51:01.275-07:00Cat Cult
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Colonel Angus MacDougal led an unprecedented strike force of M.E.O.W.
agents. Never in M.E.O.W.'s history had so many agents been deployed
together. Sure, during the World Wars, all of M.E.O.W. worked on
intelligence but the various clouders were all on unique assignments.
This was a strike force of clouders One through Seven, Nine through
Seventeen, and Twenty-One. That was seventy cats and forty- two
humans. Forty – three humans since Dr. Liz MacDougal insisted on
coming along. She wanted to be close in case of injury and with that
size of clouder, injury was almost certain. The Turkish Government
was warned about the size of the force and had agreed to allow it if
the humans blended in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus was dressed
like a tourist in cargo shorts and tee shirt with a camera around his
neck. Liz was playing the vacationing wife. They were posing for
pictures with interesting backgrounds. Some were typical tourist
photos at the Grand Bazaar but others were at the scene of the
explosion with the zoom on max over Liz's shoulder. They found where
the explosives had come from, exactly. It was indeed a rival gang.
One with Russian ties and a cat cult religion.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="result_box"></a>
<span lang="en-US">A Russian cat cult sounded strange since before
Communism, Russia had been Christian but there were </span><span lang="en-US">people</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">who</span><span lang="en-US"> had given up
on both Communism and Christianity. Those </span><span lang="en-US">people
</span><span lang="en-US">were looking for something and the</span><span lang="en-US">re</span><span lang="en-US">
was a gang with a seeming feline leader, one who was strong,
ruthless, and efficient. </span><span lang="en-US">The cat cult,
'</span><span lang="ru-RU">культ кошки</span><span lang="en-US">',
had attracted a couple dozen former military men and women. The took
their security seriously and thus the concussion bombs. Their
compound was next to the original target. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span lang="en-US">Keep
your friends close and your enemies closer.” Something that was
reported that the cat leader Natalia had said, when they had taken
over the compound. </span><span lang="en-US">So </span><span lang="ru-RU">культ
кошки </span><span lang="en-US">moved next door to their rivals
and started booby trapping the approach. And because their leader
was supposedly a cat they planned for attacking forces with cats.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">A</span><span lang="en-US">ngus
looked closer and saw that while cats had been planned for a force
such as he had assembled could defeat the counter measures. It would
take most of the humans and half the cats working simultaneously to
disable the traps. </span><span lang="en-US">They would be back
tomorrow with the dawn so they had as much time as needed. Now it was
time to rendezvous and share intel.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">C</span><span lang="en-US">louders
Number One and Two took off to deal with the intel about the original
target while there rest </span><span lang="en-US">dealt with the
</span><span lang="ru-RU">культ кошки </span><span lang="en-US">because
an enemy that prepared for an army of cats was the bigger threat. </span><span lang="en-US">The
remaining humans and cats went right to disarming the booby traps. It
had to be done simultaneously or they would all go off and kill
everyone. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">A
few hours later, </span><span lang="en-US">the trap was disarmed and
the cats were exploring the compound. Once again it was abandoned but
it had been left in a hurry. It took the rest of the day but the
compound </span><span lang="en-US">was searched and the other assets
of </span><span lang="ru-RU">культ кошки </span><span lang="en-US">were
revealed as well as the next base location. </span><span lang="en-US">When
the majority of the compound had been searched, Clouders Number Three
and Four went and joined One and Two in securing the original target.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">All
the members of the</span><span lang="en-US"> original target </span><span lang="en-US">gang</span><span lang="en-US">
w</span><span lang="en-US">ere</span><span lang="en-US"> rounded up
and left to the Turkish authorities. </span><span lang="en-US">The
original mission was completed in the original time frame and the
clouders involved went home to other missions. </span><span lang="en-US">Shortly
after their departure, Angus determined that Clouders Number Five,
Six, and Seven were better used back at headquarters and on their
other missions, </span><span lang="en-US">as were Clouders Number
Fifteen, Sixteen, and Seventeen</span><span lang="en-US">. </span><span lang="en-US">This
left him with six clouders – twenty- </span><span lang="en-US">four
cats and eighteen humans- </span><span lang="en-US">a large enough
force to face anything that </span><span lang="ru-RU">культ
кошки </span><span lang="en-US">could have in store for them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">A</span><span lang="en-US">ngus,
Liz, the other humans and the remaining cats </span><span lang="en-US">packed
up for a three and half hour flight to the airport at Nice, France.
The humans settled the felines in for a nice nap with easy access to
covered water and food bowls and litter boxes should they wake mid
flight. Twenty-four cats on a plane was a very interesting
proposition. Once the feline agents were settled, the humans found
their seats for the flight and tried to get a little rest. </span><span lang="en-US">There
might not be another chance as good for a nap, for either feline or
human agents, for a couple days so everyone took advantage of the
opportunity.</span></div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-83724703692186081412016-10-06T15:32:00.000-07:002016-10-07T10:57:38.322-07:00Not In Vain<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Lady Gwenllian, Directress of Ministry of Espionage Observation and
Whiskers, really hated this part of her job. The interviewing of the
kitten recruits was exhausting (she hadn't been a kitten in a couple
decades so keeping up was a challenge), the pinning on of badges to
the graduating kittens was rewarding, and seeing cats succeed where
human intelligence agents failed was satisfying. But seeing small
coffins draped with the Union Jack was the part that made her
reconsider her job. Maybe it was time to retire. After all she was
approaching the dreaded 2-0. Not many cats, even pampered pets, made
it to twenty. She had been extremely lucky in her career to have no
major injuries and to have avoided serious illness. It also didn't
hurt to have the best feline veterinarian on staff. But there were
things that even Dr. Elizabeth MacDougal couldn't fix and that was
why she was in the chapel of MEOW Headquarters staring at three
flag-draped cat coffins. There were also two human sized coffins with
flags over them in another chapel waiting another service.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The humans of
Clouder Number Eight would have their service tomorrow at the
Birmingham base that was their recorded duty assignment. The humans
of MEOW would attend both services, but Lady Gwenllian would only
attend this one. She would be there if she could but it would be
strange to have a cat attend the service of two SAS officers killed
in the line of duty. She would have to rely on Colonel MacDougal to
represent her and MEOW.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clouder Number Eight
had gone on what was supposed to be simple recon mission. But the
first rule, as always quoted to new recruits, is “What looks
simple, never, ever is.” The mission went sideways from the moment
the Clouder landed in Istanbul.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Major John Kincade
had reported their arrival and that the customs agent was approaching
the plane. The next thing anyone had heard was two days later when
Snowball had called in the distress call that three cats were down as
well as the two humans. Send help now.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clouders Number Ten
and Twenty-One had gone in and returned – a little battered and
a little worse for wear, but alive. They rescued the remaining cats and
returned with the bodies. The rescue clouders tried to determine what
had gone wrong but it wasn't exactly clear. Near as they could make
out was that Clouder Number Eight had gotten caught up in turf war
between their surveillance target group and a rival.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The original target
was thought too extreme by the rival. The rival thought to stop them
by blowing them up. The cats had managed to identify the threat and
defuse the explosives. Except there had been a smaller explosive
triggered by the disarmament. It was a concussive blast that would
have only knocked out a human but cats are much smaller. Major
Kincade and Lieutenant Jones each worked on the explosive device with
help of Sparkles and Bane, respectively. The secondary explosion went
off. Sparkles and Bane were killed and the humans were injured. The
Major and Lieutenant survived to get the cats back to the rendezvous
point and went back out with Fluffy.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fluffy had gone into
the rival's camp and brought back good intel. Unfortunately one of
the sentries followed her and saw the humans. A fight broke out and
while normally one man against two SAS commandos would end badly for
the one man, the two SAS men were injured. Fluffy got in the way and
now the re injured Major got her out as the more hurt Lieutenant took
care of the sentry. Both men made it back to the rendezvous point
before succumbing to their injuries. Fluffy hadn't made it either.
Snowball, Rexxy, and Sushi had various cuts, scrapes, and Sushi had a
broken leg, but they made it back.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Gwen looked at
the coffins again. She made a silent promise, to the dead, that
M.E.O.W. would get the bastards that did this.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We'll get those
bastards,” Colonel Angus MacDougal said as he entered the chapel.
He was in his dress uniform, not the usual utility kilt.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I was just
promising that same thing,” said Lady Gwen's computer voice. “It
is M.E.O.W.'s number one mission – bring down both organizations.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus was about to
speak up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Of course the
continued tracking of Natalia will be mission number two,” Lady
Gwen continued. “I have a feeling that mission one will lead to
two. That rival gang seemed to be on the look out for cats.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Very good, mum,”
Angus replied as the door to the chapel opened and the Vicar and the
other mourners filed in. Soon the first of two funerals, Angus would
attend in as many days, began. Then he would take his clouder and
others to make sure that these funerals weren't in vain.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-78061156242108813012016-09-20T02:27:00.000-07:002016-09-20T02:27:10.956-07:00Strike Out in Siberia
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
The MEOW jet touched down in Yekaterinburg. From the outside, the jet
looked like just another plane owned by a rich businessman and was at
home in the executive section of the airport. It pulled in to the
hangar space as directed by the tower. The door opened, the stairs
descended, and Angus, dressed as the business man cover complete with
a briefcase, exited the plane. The briefcase contained the papers
that Clouder Number Nine and their support humans needed to enter
Russia and carry out their mission.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Colonel
MacDougal?” asked the approaching Russian immigration official.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I am,” Angus
answered as he extended his free hand.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm Colonel Boris
Pieteroff,” the Russian said as he shook Angus's proffered hand.
“I'll be you liaison while you're in my country.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Is there
somewhere we can talk?” Angus asked as he noted the busy airport
and the ramp workers everywhere. His briefing of the Russian would be
better with less ears to hear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We should go
review your papers in my office,” Pieteroff suggested.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Lead the way,”
Angus agreed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An hour later, the
paperwork was completed and the other arrangements for the mission
were completed. The arrangements weren't what Angus would have
preferred but he could deal with them. Chief condition was that if
the Clouder split up, each group needed a Russian observer. Boris
Pieteroff, himself, would accompany Angus and Nala. Tatiana,
Pieteroffs's secretary, would stay on the plane with Erik, Alexander,
and Lt. Steven Smith. She would be both the Russian baby sitter and
facilitate cutting through the administrative colored tapes, since
Russia enjoyed bureaucrats in such large numbers that red wasn't the
only color tape tieing things up. Lastly, Pieteroff's lieutenant,
Oleg Federoff, would keep tabs on the Fifis and Lt. Jane Brewster.
Angus didn't like having the Russians know more about operations than
absolutely necessary but it could be helpful for Russians to
interface with local officials.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lt. Jane Brewster
and Oleg Federoff took Fiona and Phoebe to inspect the area where
Natalia was last seen. They were hoping to pick up her trail, either
going or coming. One would tell them where she might be. The other
would give context for the meeting.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus, Pieteroff,
and Nala would find out who the man the fugitive feline met with was.
That would hopefully tell them what the meeting had been a bout. So
they started tracking down the car. It was a part of a fleet of
personal drivers for businessmen. Pieteroff would be handy in
intimidating records out of the company's administrative personnel.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tatiana and Erik
were deep into requesting and hacking, where needed, to access CCTV
cameras and requesting records before the others had even exited the
hangar. Tatiana was was searching for property records for Natalia or
any of her known front companies. Erik was searching for any more
security footage of the cat in question.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That left Lt. Smith
and Alex to patrol around the plane. The lieutenant was also the
pilot of record for the plane so he could hang out in the pilot's
lounge and other places a pilot would be expected to be. It would
look strange if he kept circling the plane on patrol so that task was
left to Alex. Most people would never notice a stray cat. If they
did, it would never occur to them that the cat was doing anything
other than searching for a mouse for its next meal. Alex might tire
of patrol if the mission lingered on for several days, but he was
still new enough to field work that he was still pleased to have a
job to do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took twenty-six
hours but all three lines of inquiry led to the same place – an
abandoned estate of a really minor branch of the Romanov family. It
was exactly the kind of place Natalia would like – secluded,
opulent, and Royal. It was also a three hour drive away. There was no
place closer to hide the plane in plain sight, so Erik, Alex, Lt.
Smith, and Tatiana would remain in Ykaterinburg, but the others would
go scope out the place.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus was continuing
in his role as a wealthy business man for a cover. Pieteroff was
taking the role as his driver and would drive the Colonel and his cat
to the estate. They would enter by the front door. The story was that
Angus had some business he wished to discuss with Grey Import and
Export, one of Natalia's holding companies.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Fifis and the
humans with them would arrive separately, by helicopter to few miles
away, and sneak in. The estate was built into the side of foothills
of the Ural mountains. It would take humans and cats working together
to get inside.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoebe took point.
She was the smallest and an able to squeeze into the smallest of
openings in the wall. She scaled the wall and caught the grappling
hook that Lt. Brewster shot. The feline anchored the rope and the
Lieutenant climbed the wall with Fiona in her pack. (The black and
white feline couldn't follow Phoebe since Fiona was both fatter and
fluffier and thus had to suffer the indignity of being carried.) Lt.
Federoff followed as the cats and Lt. Brewster were taking in the lay
of the land.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was odd but the
grounds and what they could see of the house, or more accurately- the
palace, looked deserted. If Natalia was here there would be patrols
at the very least. Either she wasn't here or she had left a very
clever trap. The foursome worked their way down from the walls
searching for the answer.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The limousine with
Angus, Nalla, and Pieteroff came up the drive as the others entered
the palace. The car was not challenged at the gate. In fact Pieteroff
had to get out from the driver's seat to open the gate. The car
pulled up to the palace and parked. Pieteroff opened the door for
Angus and Nala. They played out the fiction of Angus being a business
man and Pieteroff his hired help as they entered the palace. Again
there was no one there.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They rendezvoused
with the others and together they searched. No one was there and no
on had been there for a few days. They found papers for several other
holding companies and the deeds to three other estates.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Colonel
MacDougal,” came the computer voice of Erik over the comms.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes, Erik?”
asked Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“There is a
message coming from HQ,” Erik said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Go ahead,”
Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The message
reads, 'if mission is done, then return home immediately',” Erik
said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That is it?”
Angus asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“All that can be
said over comms,” Erik said with the implication there was more but
had to said in person.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We'll rendezvous
as planned,” Angus said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Three hours later,
the MEOW agents – both human and feline- bid farewell to the
Russians and left for home. The part of the message Erik hadn't
relayed over the comms was the sad news that Clouder Number Eight had
suffered heavy losses in an ambush meant for cats. Lady Gwenllian was
recalling all Clouders until the larger implications could be
evaluated and the Ministry formulate a plan. Clouder Number Nine took
off in the airplane with heavy hearts and headed for home.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-63308479530984000232016-09-13T00:42:00.001-07:002016-09-13T00:42:32.439-07:00Citius, Altius, Fortius
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Captain Ross and the cats of Clouder Number Twenty- One looked around
the room in the athlete village in Rio to make sure they hadn't left
anything behind. They had been living there for the last month doing
security for the athletes of Great Britain at the Olympic Games. It
had been an eventful games – in the exciting feats of skill by the
athletes with a few minor jobs for the cats to do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They had arrived a
week before the athletes themselves. They had scoped out the venues
and gotten the lay of the land. They had met the security details of
the other countries. Among the details was a familiar face for Rhys,
one of the British cats, Beruthiel Beauregard of DERP. That was the
great things about the Olympics, every country with a cat spy program
set a detail of cats. It was part job and part international spy cat
conference with war stories and techniques being exchanged in the off
hours. The cats of the Mossad being the cats everyone else stood in
awe of and slightly scared of. The others learned from them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once the athletes
arrived, the atmosphere changed from congenial conference to actual
work. The first event for security was the opening ceremony. The cats
of the larger nations – Great Britain, the United States, Canada,
and Australia were easy to get into the ceremony among the humans.
The greater numbers of humans disguised the cats among them. But the
smaller teams it was harder. Three cats were assigned to the Refugee
team but those cats were able to get by because no one was looking
farther then the remarkable story of each of the ten members of the
team. The ceremony went off without a hitch and the games began.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys had been given
the job of escorting the Synchronized Divers. He witnessed the
surprise gold by Jack Laugher and Chris Mears. In fact he was doing
his job, patrolling the pool area – the surprisingly green pool-
when the dive happened and the celebrations started. Then The
American dove and the lead held and then the Chinese went and the
gold was Great Britain's. The celebrations poolside got out of hand
and Rhys was nudged and then shoved into the pool – the green pool.
He sunk down sputtering and then remembered the hated swimming
training. He kicked and gained the surface and swam to the ramp and
walked out. By that time the celebrations were winding down and Mears
noticed the wet cat. He picked Rhys up and laughed at the soggy
feline. He scritched the fur and then grabbed a towel and rubbed the
cat dry. Rhys wasn't exactly happy at the treatment but it was the
fastest way to get dry so he put up with it. Besides it would be a
good story to tell Nala when they were both back at headquarters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the diving,
Rhys was assigned to Copacabana Beach for the beach volleyball. Late
nights in the party atmosphere was just the kind of place for a
former street cat. No problems there, except staying out of Liev's
way.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liev was one of the
Mossad cats. The most terrifying of them. The tiger striped cat
actually sat a round sharpening his claws so that the merest touch
would draw blood. Of course the claw had to get through fur for cat
on cat violence, but most of the other international cats steered
clear of Liev. Beruthiel had private lessons in feline Krav Maga from
Liev's partner, Rachel, so she was the one exception to the fear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liev and Rachel were
also on the Copacabana patrol. The most exciting thing, besides the
late night antics of the US Olympic coverage, was the upset in the
ladies competition and the favored team winning Bronze instead of
Gold. The problem with patroling the beaches was the sand in the
fur.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys was happy when
that duty was done. He was tired of eating sand when he groomed. It
was a relief to help with the security of the marathon. It might be
wet and rainy, but Rhys was Welsh. Rain was nothing new to him. In
fact it felt like home.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The games proceeded
through the closing ceremony with no problem. The cats walked in the
parade and enjoyed the party. The cats kept getting scritched and
picked up for selfies with the excited athletes. Myfi was turned
into an Instagram sensation when one of the US women's gymnastics
team posed with her. All in all it was a very easy first assignment.
Though the next one wouldn't be so easy.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-54212041726928627942016-08-10T01:17:00.002-07:002016-08-10T01:17:40.215-07:00Chasing Natalia
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Clouder Number Nine was gathered in their quarters when the main
screen blinked on. It was Alan, the chief human computer tech.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We have something
you might be interested in, Nala,” said Alan on the screen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What?” asked
the Russian Blue cat, after she switched on her translator.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“This,” Alan
said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This turned out to
be security camera footage of a cat that looked enough like Nala to
be her twin. The cat was sulking around a town that was dominated by
an onion domed church. She met with a human in the shadow of the
building. After a brief conversation, the human bent down and put a
touch screen tablet in front of the cat, who raised a paw and placed
it on the screen. The human put the tablet away and extended a hand
and the cat shook it with her paw. Then they left in different
directions. The Nala look alike got into a limo and was driven out of
the security camera range.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That looks just
like you, Nala,” commented Alexander Cattus, the youngest member of
the clouder being that he was a nine month old kitten.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know,” said
Alan. “But we know it isn't because Nala was at headquarters when
this was taken.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“When was this?”
asked Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“About an hour
ago,” Alan said. “It just got noticed because I ran the Whisker
Recognition program again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“An hour ago I was
with Rhys in the dining hall,” Nala said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If that isn't
you,” Erik O'Brian, the white and black short hair, said. “Then
it must be...”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Natalia,”
growled out his sister, Fiona. Her long black and white fur was
starting to stand on end. “It's about time we found her.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The door opened and
the military kilt clad form of Angus MacDougal strode in.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I just heard,”
Angus said, “We found Natalia.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We did, sir,”
said Alan, who visibly straightened on the monitor at the arrival of
his superior.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where?” Angus
asked. Natalia was a sore subject for the Clouder and Angus and the
sooner she was dealt with the better.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Russia,” Alan
said. “I'm running a program to analyze the skyline and figure out
where exactly right now.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good,” Angus
replied. “Let me know where when you figure it out.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sir, yes sir,”
snapped Alan. The screen went blank as Alan went back to work.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus turned to the
Clouder. They started planning the mission, even not knowing where
exactly they were going. There were certain things that were always
true of traveling to the former Soviet Union. Angus called Molly, the
administrative assistant assigned to the Clouder, and got her working
on the paperwork. The paperwork for the visas for the humans was just
the start. There was also the issues of weapons Angus would be taking
and for taking cats without a quarantine. It would be helpful if they
could find some kind of threat that Natalia was making against Russia
as well. Natalia's status as a “Cat Most Wanted” by Great Britain
wouldn't carry much weight in Russia.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sure, they could
sneak across the border and carry off the mission without anyone
being the wiser. But no one wanted to antagonize Russia over a cat.
It was far better to have cooperation and that was what they were
seeking.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The screen came back
on.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We've found the
town, sir,” Alan said on the screen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where?” Angus
asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“A town in the
Sverdlovsk Oblast,” Alan said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where?” asked
Phoebe, the gray and white long haired cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Outside
Yekaterinburg,” Alan explained. “In the Ural mountains. Siberia.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Brr, Siberia,”
Erik said. “I'm glad I get to stay on the plane, where it is warm,
to do computer support.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Actually, the
weather report for the next little while is highs in the mid 20
degrees Celsius and lows in low teens. Quite comfortable,” Alan
explained.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Then I won't be
packing the wool,” Angus joked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The screen devided
and Molly showed up on the screen next to Alan.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Commander
MacDougal,” Molly said. “The paperwork is finished. You're
cleared to fly into Yekaterinburg.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But?” Angus
asked. “I hear a but in your voice.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But the Russians
want you to leave any and all weapons on the plane,” Molly said.
“That's the bad news.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What's the good
news?” inquired Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“They only
specified Angus and any other human needs to leave weapons on the
plane,” Molly smirked. “They said nothing about the lasers in the
collars.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ok, we can work
with that,” Angus said. “Thanks, Molly. Alan.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The computer screen
blinked off with his dismissal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Wheels up in a
half hour,” Angus commanded. “Gather what equipment you need and
meet me at the Land Rover then.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats sketched a
salute with their paws and turned to get what they needed. Angus went
to the armory and the equipment room to pack. When that was
accomplished, he stopped by the Veterinary Ward to tell his wife good
bye. By the time he got to the Land Rover his two lieutenants had the
cats loaded and were waiting for him. He got in and drove for the air
field. Within the hour, Clouder Number Nine, cats and human support,
were winging their way to Siberia.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-81432121537713120562016-08-05T01:55:00.001-07:002016-08-05T01:55:54.585-07:00Graduation Day
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Rhys Llewelyn was nervous. The results of the practical exam were
expected back today. If he, and the others in his class, passed then
on Saturday they would receive their badges. (Not that cats could
carry their badges on their persons but it was the principle of the
thing.) If he didn't pass then it would be another month before he
could take another practical to try again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus MacDougal, the
chief human of M.E.O.W., walked into the room. He looked at the
cats--kittens really, except for Rhys of course--being cats. The
kittens Myfi and Finn were engaged in a steeplechase around the cat
trails on the walls up to the ceiling. Three of the others were
watching to see who would win. Another four were engaged in game
involving a ball of yarn.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ahem,” Angus
cleared his throat. All feline activity stopped and the seven cats
looked at him with their full attention. It was a good thing he was
used to it because that much focused feline attention could be
unnerving.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I am pleased to
announce that all of you have passed the practical exam and will be
graduating on Saturday,” he said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The felines nodded
and went back to what they were doing. Except Rhys, who hadn't been
doing anything to begin with. Angus walked over to him and crouched
down.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Nala is
exceptionally proud of you,” Angus confided to the cat. “She told
me that if you didn't have other plans, she'd love to see you this
evening.” Rhys looked up at the man. Trainees weren't allowed to
roam headquarters without orders or an escort.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Merow?” Rhys
said. He hadn't turned on his translator so it came out in cat
instead of English.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus, with his
years of being a human in a feline organization, knew what the cat
meant. Rhys wanted to know how he could visit his girlfriend.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“As of today,
right now actually,” Angus smiled. “You're not a trainee but you
are not an agent yet so you can go where you want.” He looked at
the cat who realized what his change in circumstance might mean.
“Within reason. There are still classified areas but you don't need
an escort anymore.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys rubbed against
Angus's leg. His tail curled up the human's limb under the kilt.
Angus laughed and removed the offending appendage. It was one of the
hazards of being a Scott around cats.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That night, Rhys and
Nala took a ramble through the field around headquarters. It was a
beautiful July evening in the heart of Wales. The some of neighboring
fields were full of sheep and the others had freshly cut hay ready
for bailing. The sun was beginning to set and romance was in the
air. The two felines knew that they only had two more days to enjoy
this because after Saturday, Rhys would be a full Agent of M.E.O.W.
and Nala's convalescence would be over. They would have separate
assignments. Rhys wouldn't be a member of Clouder Number Nine because
that clouder was full and the powers that be knew of their
relationship and while it wasn't against the rules, per se, they did
like to keep romantic partners in different clouders to cut down on
conflicts of interest.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They walked to the
top of the hill and watched the sunset. Their tails twined together
and they just sat there. They had so much to say and not enough time
to say it so they let their presence say it for them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Saturday dawned
sunny and warm. The graduation ceremony was set for ten in the
morning and dignitaries from the Ministry and other intelligence
agencies that knew of the cats' existence started arriving an hour
before. The graduation was partly to mark the achievement of the
kittens, and in this instance a grown cat, and partly to reassure
others in Whitehall that the money to train cats wasn't wasted. Video
of the practical exercise and their success in France lead the
ceremony. Then the seven graduating felines were called up one at a
time and Angus fastened their new tactical collars around their
necks. Lady Gwen fastened a badge to each collar, but that badge
would be removed and placed next to the cat's bed in their quarters
later.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm pleased to
announce that this class will be forming a new clouder,” Lady Gwen
said at the conclusion of the badge ceremony. “Clouder Number
Twenty- One.” There was polite applause from the audience. “They
also have their first assignment- they have been attached to to the
Athlete security team for team Great Britain at the Rio Olympics.
Clouder Twenty-One has proved their expertise at low profile security
of large civilian gatherings and I expect they will continue to show
just what a cat can do.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Gwen nodded to
one of Angus's Lieutenants to step forward. “Lieutenant Archibald
Ross, I'm pleased to promote you to Captain and place you as Chief
Human for Clouder Number Twenty-One.” She gestured for Angus to pin
the new insignia of rank on Archie.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ceremony ended
after that and everyone retired to the canteen for cake and punch.
The cats enjoyed cat mint tea and salmon pate instead. The human
dignitaries mingled and talked with the graduates, though they still
had trouble with the idea that cats could actually converse. Soon the
guests went back to their jobs and the cats went back to their
quarters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Captain Ross removed
the badges and placed them where they would go. He gathered his new
clouder and gave them their briefing. The cats had an hour to get
ready to depart. Rhys had had his go bag ready since Wednesday so he
went looking for Nala to say goodbye.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He found her in the
canteen, finishing off the salmon pate. Ever since she'd had the
feeding tube removed, Nala had been eating everything she could. If
she didn't get more active, she was in danger of becoming a fat cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I've got to go,”
Rhys said, in cat. There was no need for translation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know,” Nala
replied in the same language.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll be gone a
month,” he continued.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll be leave in
a couple days myself,” she said. “Hopefully I'll be back before
you.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where are you
going?” Rhys asked. “That is if you can tell me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We have a lead on
Natalia,” Nala said. “There is very little I can't tell you.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She moved her head
closer to his. They rubbed their heads together. She affectionately
licked behind his ear. He purred. They nuzzled for a moment before
the door opened and Captain Scott walked in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Rhys, it's time
to go,” Captain Ross said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys licked the top
of Nala's head and turned to go. Captain Ross lead the way with the
cat at his side. Nala watched until they crossed the threshold and
the door swung behind them. She hoped Rhys would be safe. She turned
back to the plate of the salmon pate as the door clicked shut.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-42990211045540651712016-07-13T04:59:00.000-07:002016-07-13T04:59:43.154-07:00Land of My Fathers<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
The Agents of M.E.O.W. moved their mobile command from Lille to Lyon
when Wales advanced from the Quarterfinals to the Semifinals. The
crowds got bigger and more exuberant. The cats were needed more than
ever as a rise in pickpockets came with the excited crowds. Drunk
excited fans were the perfect hunting grounds for the pickpockets and
others who would steal from the careless so the local law enforcement
needed all the help they could get. The few commanders who knew about
the cats were skeptical but willing to have the help. Rhys and Myfi
were excited both for their work and because their beloved Wales
Football Club had advanced further than ever before. They were proud
they could be there for the historic moment and help keep their
countrymen safe.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus walked down
the streets of Lyon, keeping his eye out for trouble, with Rhys at
his heels. The fans bedecked in Welsh red shirts and Daffodil hats
were everywhere singing, laughing and drinking. It was a party the
likes of which hadn't been seen before. The singing, which could be
heard coming out of every pub and bar, was a mixture of French and
Welsh bar songs with an occasional song having English lyrics.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The four days
between games became a party and the Agents of M.E.O.W. were the
private security. They arrested several thieves, a few drunken fans
who just needed to sleep it off, and a few who had let bar debates
become shoving matches but no threats to the game itself had
manifested. It was rapidly becoming one of the easiest test
assignments ever. Just enough real world experience to count but
nothing like what the class of August of 1996 had to deal with in
Atlanta. That had included crowd control of a panicked crowd after
explosives had gone off. That class was a M.E.O.W. legend.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At last Wednesday
dawned. The Agents of M.E.O.W. moved to the stadium to make sure no
one was bringing in contraband. The cats were doing the sniffing and
then coughing up hairballs on the suspect's feet routine, and it had
become routine. A few pickpockets, people trying to bring illicit
substances but no extremists doing dastardly things. The cat patrol
moved into the stadium.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The game started and
the excitement grew. Rhys and Myfi, as the only Welsh cats, kept one
eye on the game and one on their job. When the play drew to a close
and Wales was down two points to none, they joined their fellow
countrymen in signing their national anthem. Chatter on their ear
pieces told them that after the end of “Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”,
they needed to get back to keeping the peace.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The celebrations on
both sides continued the next day. The cats were assigned to keep the
Welsh players safe. The Portuguese security could take care of their
own players. Thus it was that the cats flew back to Cardiff in style,
on the Welsh team plane. The players, coaches and a few family
members, human M.E.O.W. agents, and the dozen cats made for an
interesting flight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys was walking
back from the cat carrier that held the litter box when little Alba
Bale, the three year old daughter of Gareth Bale, reached out and
picked him up. She settled into the seat and petted Rhys. Rhys had
lived on the street long enough to be pleased when someone petted
him. He settled down and purred.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Here, Daddy,”
little Alba said as she dumped the cat on her father's lap. Her
mother escorted her to one of the lavatories.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys looked up into
the startled eyes of the Welsh football star. The footballer shrugged
and petted the cat. Clearly being handed a security cat wasn't the
strangest thing his daughter had handed him. The cat settled in and
purred.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ten minutes before
the plane landed, Angus and the other M.E.O.W. humans rounded up the
cats and placed them by twos into cat crates. Everyone on the plane
knew who they were but the people in the airport and at passport
control didn't. The cats only worked as spies if their existence
wasn't common knowledge.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala and Rhys were
placed in the same carrier. They talked all the way through the
airport and passport control and as they were loaded on to the bus
for the victory parade.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You look dazed,”
Nala started as they were loaded onto the trolley to exit the plane.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Gareth Bale
petted me,” Rhys said dreamily. “I'm never washing my fur again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Really?” Nala
asked. “You'd be less stealthy if your targets could smell you
coming.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Spoil sport,”
Rhys said. “I'll wash before I get that bad, I promise.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They were silent as
Angus handed over their paperwork. The passport agent was slightly
surprised when he scanned the papers and it gave him instructions to
let the cats through without being quarantined. The decision came
from high up. On their heads be it if these cats brought some weird
disease into the country.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How would you
feel if that Sam fellow from that Outlander show petted you?” Rhys
asked once they were out in the airport concourses again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I only watch that
show because it is better than the horror movies or sportsball
options that are available in sick bay,” Nala said primly.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Really?” Rhys
asked. “Then why do you and Liz have a date to watch the season
finale on Sunday?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How do you know
about that?” Nala asked surprised. Rhys gave her a look that said
'Spy cat, remember?' “Right. Liz likes watching the show because
that Sam guy reminds her of Angus.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Angus has blonder
hair but I can see it,” Rhys agreed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They were loaded on
the bus to wait for everyone else and their luggage.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So tell me why
this team gets a hero's welcome when they lost,” Nala said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Because no Welsh
team has ever made it past the quarter finals in a major
international competition. This team made it to the semi finals and
we're exceedingly proud,” Rhys answered. “To us they are heroes.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh,” Nala said.
The bus started up for the trip to Cardiff proper. Angus released
the cats from the carriers and the dozen felines took their stations
to exit the bus and walk beside it in the parade. The cats would look
like strays from the neighborhood and keep an eye on the crowd. Once
parade duty was done they'd return to headquarters and their next
adventure.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-61414855528248657562016-07-01T00:28:00.000-07:002016-07-01T00:28:07.460-07:00C'mon Cymru
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Rhys Llewelyn sat in the barracks of the training facilities at
M.E.O.W. with the other dozen cats (kittens really but Rhys was a
full grown cat), waiting to hear what their final test would be.
Graduation was a month away and the cats of the class needed a real
world practical test. It was the last thing as a part of training
before becoming full Agents. Right now they were provisional agents
but if they passed the practical field exam they'd graduate and have
a badge and everything (not that the cats carried their badges with
them but they had them all the same).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The two kittens Rhys
had had the most dealings with were running around the room and
jumping from carpeted shelf to carpeted shelf in a sort of feline
steeple chase. Myfi, the cute little marmalade kitten, was in the
lead but the tuxedo Manx named Finn was not far behind. Finn leaped
from the shelf on the right side of the door towards the one on the
left when the door opened and caught him mid-flight. The kitten fell
right on to the head of Angus MacDougal, chief human at M.E.O.W. The
kitten was startled and reacted with claws out.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ouch,” Angus
said as he pried the kitten from his head. “Watch your claws, ye
wee beastie.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Reoww,”
answered Finn as Angus set him down on the floor. Finn didn't much
like Angus, particularly ever since the human had paid more attention
to Rhys. Finn thought Rhys too old to train with the kittens and let
it be known.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys, ignoring his
nemesis, switched his speech translator on. “Do have our mission
for us?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I do indeed,”
Angus said with a smile as he walked to the center of the room and
turned on the flat screen monitor.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The other cats came
and arranged themselves on the couch and floor in front of the
monitor. Angus used the computer tablet in his hand to flip through
the power point presentation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“First off, the
clouder who will be monitoring your mission and assisting you, if you
need it will be Clouder Number Nine,” Angus said. Rhys perked up at
that. “Yes, Rhys, the whole Clouder. It will be Captain Nala's
first mission back after her illness.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finn turned on his
speech translator. “I'm sure we're all glad that Captain Nala is
feeling better, but what about our mission?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I was getting to
that,” Angus said. The screen changed to the Euro216 logo and
bracket graphic. “Wales has made the quarter finals against Belgium
and they play on Friday.” Myfi and Rhys looked excited. They were
the only cats from the principality itself and were very patriotic.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What does footie
have to do with us?” asked a gray British short hair kitten named
Reginald.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The French police
and particularly those in Lille, have asked for extra help and the
Minister has agreed to loan this class, Clouder Number Nine, myself,
and four other human support staff for the rest of the week.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why?” asked
Myfi. “Not that I'm complaining being near the game but why us?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Besides the huge
influx of footie fans, this is the 100 anniversary of the Battle of
the Somme and ceremonies are planned on Friday as well,” Angus
explained as he then outlined the plan and what part each cat would
play in the plan.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats found
themselves patrolling the streets of Lille that night. The atmosphere
was strange. One half of the town was celebrating the footie games to
be played. The other half was remembering the Great War and those
that had died in it. Three days of patrolling the crowds and it was
game day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats were doing
their job winding between the fans waiting to get into the stadium.
They were sniffing for contraband and weapons (explosives and
gunpowder).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys found a person
dressed to support Belgium and the person smelled funny. He was
exactly the kind of human Rhys had been sent to find so he did what
he had been told to do. He started heaving from his tail. The yorking
sound came from deep with in him and seconds later a mass of
partially digested fur and fluids landed on the suspicious human's
foot.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ah man,” said
the human as he noticed the hairball on his foot. He started hopping
around trying to figure out how to clean it off.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sir, I can help
you with that,” Angus said as he came over to the man. Angus was
dressed as a stadium event worker. “If you just come with me, we'll
get you cleaned up in no time.” The man complied and Angus lead him
to a side room.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm Commander
MacDougal,” Angus said as he flashed his Interpol badge. (He was on
special assignment for them after all.) “And I need to look in your
bag.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I thought you
were going to help me with the cat puke,” said the belligerent man.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Certainly,”
Angus said and motioned to a waiting lackey. “Lieutenant, if you'd
please?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Lieutenant hand
the man some wet paper towels.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Now may I see
inside your bag?” Angus asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No,” the man
answered and took a swing at Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Attempting to
assault an officer,” Angus chuckled. “I might not have had more
than suspicion to look in before, now I have the right and duty to.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus opened the
bag. On top were some bags of a white powder and on the bottom a
bottle of clear liquid and a rag. Also a cigarette lighter. An
disassembled Molotov cocktail. Who knew what use he'd had planed for
it. Angus pulled out his handcuffs and arrested the man. That made
four arrests assisted by the cats today.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys came into the
room and looked around. He wanted to make certain he had detected the
right out of place smells. He needed to know if he needed to do
anything about it if he smelled that smell again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You were right,
Rhys,” the Lieutenant said. “He had drugs and a weapon on him. Go
back out there and keep up the good work.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys preened with
the praise. He started purring a tune that sounded very much like
“Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”. You could make a cat patrol the game
but you couldn't keep him from cheering for his home country's team.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The game was set to
start in an hour. Most of the fans would be in the stadium in the
next half hour. The cats would remain in France through the weekend
for the celebrations and commiserations to keep the peace.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-27769137452611122972016-06-21T22:04:00.003-07:002016-06-21T22:04:34.056-07:00A Job Well Done
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Another day dawned over the Revolutionary City, as the promotional
material called Colonial Williamsburg. Beru, Phoebe, and the other
cats had been there, along with the human support staff, for about a
week. It had been mostly boring but they had gotten the rhythm of the
place down and could now tell when something was out of place, like
now.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoebe and Beru sat
outside the Raleigh Tavern Bakery, where the crumbs, scraps, and news
were plentiful. They were people watching. There were three basic
types of people who went into the bakery for sandwiches, cookies
fresh from the wood fueled oven, and fountain drinks in the
refillable cups with Tri-corn hat lids: costumed workers on their
breaks; tourists with their clip on ticket badges; and college
students from William and Mary getting the free refill on soda before
class. The tourists covered all walks of life from farmers to big
city folk but they all had a ticket of some type clipped somewhere
visible so that the costumed guides at the restricted buildings would
know who to let in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A farmer, without a
ticket, was looking around the little courtyard beside the building
and not moving to get in line for the nummy smelling baked goods. He
had a backpack and was constantly checking his watch. Finally he
walked out of the courtyard.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beru and Phoebe
nodded at each other and followed him out. The sidewalk was crowded.
The morning's little play about the dissolution of the House of
Burgesses was in progress. The crowd was surging towards that
building and the cats had to keep out of the way of all those feet.
Phoebe took the right side of the crowd and Beru took the left. The
scene of the Governor proclaiming the dissolution was over and the
crowd dispersed around the building. Some went to other parts of the
city and some lined up for the guided tours. Others just milled
around looking at the building. The suspicious farmer did that. He
circled around to the back where almost no one was and bent down as
if to tie his shoe and let his back pack slide off. He nudged it next
to the building and straightened up. Then he looked around saw the
coast was clear, except for a couple of cats and wandered back around
front.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoebe and Beru
looked at each other and again silently communicated. Beru would
follow the man while Phoebe would look into the back pack. One might
think that a cat, a creature without opposable thumbs, might not be
able to open the zipper on a back pack, but one would be wrong.
Phoebe was a
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
M.E.O.W. trained
agent and could open doors with doorknobs and undo zippers. She dug
her claws into the fabric on the side near the zipper pull and hooked
a fang in the large hole on the tab of the zipper. She shook her head
to one side while pulling with her claws to the other. The zipper
opened about six inches, which was enough to see what was inside. It
was a bundle of Semtex and a digital clock counting down. Six and a
half hours to go. Phoebe unhooked her claws and pushed the button on
her collar and excitedly chattered away. Anyone listening would just
think the cat had seen a bird in the tree and was calling to it, when
she was relaying the information about the backpack and its contents.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twenty minutes later
the bomb was defused and Beru had chased down and subdued the farmer.
Everyone thought they were in the clear. That is until Jed spoke up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jed's call came from
over by the courthouse. He, too, had followed an unticketed farmer
with a back pack. The pack had been set down at the base of the
pillory, as if someone had taken it off to take a picture in the
pillory and forgot about it. The bomb squad moved over there. They
had it defused and were breathing easier when Dale's voice came on
the line.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dale had followed a
third farmer and found another backpack next to the Governor's
Palace. Its clock also set to go off at 5pm like all the others. The
bomb techs moved over there and defused that one too. By this time it
was getting to be late after noon.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Guys, there is
something you all ought to know,” spoke up Bobby, one of the bomb
techs, over the radio. “None of the Semtex recovered from the bombs
today was actually Semtex.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What do you
mean?” asked Tucker. This was weird. Either the group wasn't as
serious as they were reported to be or they were testing security.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's blocks of
modeling clay,” Bobby explained.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Thanks, Bobby,”
Tucker said. “Remember just because these bombs were as phony as my
Grandmammy's Rolex doesn't mean that the next one won't be the real
deal.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You expect
another?” asked Phoebe's computer voice.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sure as
shootin',” Tucker said. “So far we've found one every two hours
since this place opened for business today and there are still four
hours to go. I expect to find at least two more. So keep your eyes
peeled.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats redoubled
their efforts. It would be easier if any of the three suspects
arrested would talk but so far all they'd say was their name, they
knew their rights, and the name and contact info of their lawyer. The
fact that all three had the same lawyer out of West Virginia did seem
to connect them to the plot they were sent down here to foil. Which
was good news. Only one group of radicals to deal with.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Three o'clock came
and Marley found another suspicious farmer with a back pack hanging
around the gunsmith's shop. It was dealt with like the others and was
determined to be modeling clay as well. The cats got more and more
nervous with each dummy bomb found. Were they a test or a
distraction? Either way the next could be real.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At half past four,
Phoebe rounded the armory and found an abandoned back pack. No human
in sight so she called it in. The bomb guys came and she left, to get
out of the range of fire should it go up. It was policy that only
those needed to deal with the bomb stayed in range. So she quickly
went to join the other cats in the end of the day march to the
Revolution. Costumed workers playing the part of the Virginia Army
recruiting militia members were teaching tourist volunteers to march
in formation. Then with the fife and drum corps leading the way lead
the volunteers to the parade grounds before Governor's palace. In the
week the cats had been there, they had taken to forming a line behind
the volunteers and before the Army. Everyone thought it cute that the
local cats got in on the parade so they kept doing it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The parade reached
the green and the volunteers were dismissed behind the ropes and the
cats left with them. The marching and musket firing drills proceeded
as normal. Then they got to the canon drill. The canon fired, but
with a louder BOOM than normal.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That one was
real,” Bobby's voice came over the radio again. “The noise was
the detonater being exploded in place.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So we can see if
we can see who set it,” Beru surmised.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Exactly,” said
Tucker over the radio. “Anyone react different then the others?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think I see a
guy who keeps looking over at the armory,” Phoebe said. “Everyone
else is cheering the end of the demo.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Go get that guy,”
commanded Tucker.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats circled the
guy. He was still looking at the armory and not paying attention to
the cats. The five felines circled him and at the same time pounced.
The combined weight of two Maine Coons, a Norwegian Forest Cat and
two others toppled the man. Each cat took a different area on his
body and dug their claws in. Dale radioed it in. Tucker arrived in
minutes and arrested the man.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats' job being
done, the retired to the outdoor seating area of the Raleigh Tavern
for supper. The management of the Foundation had been informed who
the cats were and what they had done to save the place so the cats
were fed like the heroes they were. Big bowls of fresh from the cow
cream, huge plates of meat, and finally cat mint custard for desert
were laid out before the felines and they dined know their job had
been done and done well.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-72891804475650222872016-06-14T20:14:00.000-07:002016-06-14T20:14:04.140-07:00A Day in the Life of Angus MacDougal
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
The alarm buzzed. Angus snaked an arm out of the covers and hit the
snooze button. He curled up closer to his wife and the cat that had
been disturbed by his movement settled on his shoulder with her head
at his ear and purred. Loudly. Directly into his ear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, cat,”
Angus said as he removed his arm from around his wife and batted at
the cat. Nala, the cat, moved but only to his pillow and Meowed right
in his ear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ok. I'm getting
up,” Angus told the cat as he sat up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Five more
minutes,” Liz murmured next to him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Aye,” Angus
whispered as he bent to kiss his wife's cheek. “Ye can have five
more minutes, lass.”x</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He swung his legs
out of bed and picked up Nala, being careful not to jostle her
feeding tube. The cat was improving and eating wet food but not
enough so they were still feeding her through the tube. Liz was
optimistic that Nala would have the tube removed at the end of the
week. It wouldn't be soon enough.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus carried the
Russian Blue cat into the bathroom and deposited her on the cushioned
bed they had installed in there for Nala's comfort. Nala curled up in
the center of the cushion and Angus covered her lightly with a small
quilt. The cat normally wouldn't need the covering but between the
area on her neck that was shaved for the feeding tube and tape and
the area on her tummy that had been shaved for the ultrasound the cat
was missing a good third of her fur and got cold easily. Nala napped
as Angus went about his morning rituals.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While his parritch
was reheating, Angus made up the cat's feed. He fed her. Nala had
finally quit shaking her head and covering him with cat food flung
from her feeding tube. Liz snuck in the bathroom to see her husband
stroke the cat into purring after feeding her. She smiled. Angus may
claim he cares for all the cats at M.E.O.W. equally but she knew the
truth. Nala was his favorite.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parritch eaten and
dressed in his military uniform and utility kilt, Angus set off for
his daily commute, with the cat strapped into the seat beside him in
the Range Rover. Liz was driving her Mini right behind them. It was
silly to take two vehicles when both he and Liz worked at the same
place but with their jobs, it was rare that they left both the house
and headquarters at the same time. It wouldn't do to strand one or
the other of them at home.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once at
headquarters, Angus delivered Nala to the hospital wing, where Liz
and the vet techs would take care of her during the day. Then he
headed to his office to catch up on the paperwork generated by
Clouder Number Nine. The Clouder hadn't been on active duty with
Nala, their leader, on the sick and injured list, but still the
paperwork piled up. There was the forms for the loan of Fiona to the
Duke of Glasex and the reports for the completion of that job. Then
there was the papers for the exchange of Phoebe with D.E.R.P. He also
got the progress reports of that mission. He read through that and
found that the cats were staking out an American historical tourist
attraction. Who really thought targeting a place called Colonial
Williamsburg would do anything? But if the threat was true, Beruthiel
and Phoebe could stop it even without other cats as back up. Beru
might have not seemed competent with her Southern drawl but she had
proved to be a smart cat when she had been at M.E.O.W.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus finished the
papers on his desk just in time for lunch. He went to the cafeteria
and grabbed both his and Liz's lunches before joining her in her
office. That was the good thing about hanging around headquarters, he
could have lunch with his favorite person. Some weeks, their lunch
dates were all they saw of each other so Angus and Liz made every
effort to be available at that time.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The hour passed
quickly, as usual, and soon Angus was making his way back to his
office to check his schedule. It was, indeed, Kitten Evaluation Day.
He grabbed the tablet with the files on the dozen six week old
kittens. They were the offspring of the best agents of Clouder Number
Six and Clouder Number Three. The two mothers had been on maternity
leave and would get back to active status once the kittens were
evaluated. The kittens not making the cut would be placed in the cat
shelter M.E.O.W. runs as a cover for the local area.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lewis, of Clouder
Number Two, and Thomasina, of Clouder Number Six, had had six
kittens. A one was all white, and another was white with black
markings, like Lewis himself. Two more were all black like Thomasina.
The last two were tuxedo kittens. The kittens would get names later
today if accepted in for training. If not they'd get temporary names
until adopted through the shelter.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Colonel Mustard, who
ironically held a Captain's commission in Clouder Number Six, had had
five kittens with Sushi of Clouder Number Three. Two of them were
marmalade toms like their sire and two were Tortoise Shell females.
The last kitten was a calico female with the attitude of a runt.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus shook his
head. It was going to be an interesting afternoon. Lady Gwen would be
helping with the evaluations and the parents would be around to keep
an eye on the kittens and speak for them. The kittens were too young
for collars just yet (give them a week to get use to normal collars
and then they'd start getting the ones with basic translation and
listening devices) so the other cats were need to tell Angus what the
kittens said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The testing went
well and eight out of the eleven were accepted for training. The two
tuxedo cats, now named James and Movaise, the calico named Laura, the
all white cat named Pearl, one of the black cats named Fedsie, one
of the marmalade toms named Creole, the white with black marking
kitten now found himself named Clark, and one of the Tortoise Shell
kittens found herself named Jane. They'd be moved to the barracks.
The parent cats shooed them on a head and would help settle them in
for training starting tomorrow.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus took the other
three kittens, one on each shoulder and one in his arms, to the
shelter. He eased them down and played with them and the other dozen
kittens of various ages for a few minutes. These cats weren't cut
out for field work but would still receive some training that if they
overheard something that M.E.O.W. aught to know, they'd report it.
The kittens would be adopted in to loving homes but were still apart
of the M.E.O.W. family. If they ever needed a home, the shelter at
headquarters would provide it. If the kittens chose to receive
support personnel training instead of adoption that was also
available. They just wouldn't be field agents.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus said good bye
to the cats and went back to his office to file his reports. Two
hours latter he left the office and picked up Nala for their evening
commute. Dinner and more paperwork done at home and then finally to
bed. He hoped that Clouder Number Nine would get a new field mission
soon. He was tired of the tiny claw marks that the needle like claws
of kittens left in his shoulder. For some reason, all kittens wanted
to play Pirate Kitten and ride his shoulder. He needed an actual
assignment or he might go stir crazy doing office work. His last
thought was of the trouble a couple o the new kitten recruits could
cause. The same qualities that made good agents caused kittens to
behave in mischievous manners. It would be interesting to watch
though. From a distance as he came in and out of HQ between
assignments. Hopefully.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-35097848169426141032016-06-08T13:08:00.003-07:002016-06-08T13:08:37.637-07:00A Journey to the Revolutionary City
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Phoebe and Marley made their way to their assigned patrol. It was
several miles out of town and dark by the time they arrived. It was
milking time so the followed the farmer in and settled behind some
hay bales.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The farmer, John
Adams (named by patriotic parents after the two dead Presidents),
finished milking his two cows by hand and put the pails away for the
family's use latter. He bedded the cows down for the night and
started arranging hay bales in the empty area before the big double
doors. He came towards where Phoebe and Marley were hiding. The cats
quickly run and find other shelter before farmer John can see them.
They found a shelf of buckets to hide under.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twenty minutes
later, people started streaming in. They found seats on the hay bales
until there were no more seats left and then they leaned against the
barn walls. All in all about thirty people from a variety of walks of
life, there were town shopkeepers, other farmers, a local politician
or two, and some state workers from both Virginias. They talked for a
bit before Farmer John called the meeting to order.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Let's get started
with today's meeting of the Virginia Assembly of True American
Patriots,” Farmer John started.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over the next hour
they planned and schemed. They arrived at a course of action that
would let the world know how dissatisfied they were with the current
state of affairs in the United States of America. They hatched a
crazy plan to reignite the American Revolution and start the country
over. They were going to blow up the place where the Revolution
started.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The more they
planned, the more worried Phoebe and Marley got. Marley told Phoebe,
in a low rumbling purr, to get closer because she was smaller and
gray and white so she could blend into the shadows. She did so in
order to get a better reception for her collar so that DERP could
record the conversation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The meeting broke up
an hour later. There was a plan but no start date. They agreed that
it would go in effect in the next month but not until all the
supplies could be gathered.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phoebe and Marley
worked their way out of the barn as the meeting broke up. They had to
get back to headquarters as soon as possible. They had an explosion
to prevent.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They arrived at the
DERP farm just before midnight. Tucker had been listening and knew
they were coming and had prepared a small midnight snack of cream and
catfish for them. He had signaled the other cats to come back and
there would be a planing session as soon as everyone was back. Phoebe
and Marley enjoyed their small repast and went for a nap. There was
no use waiting around when they could take a nap. Phoebe was pleased
to see the Americans had a similar sensibility when it came to
napping on missions. Why wait around when you could nap.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning a
meeting was held. Dale had relayed the information back to National
Headquarters in D.C. and received orders back. Since they knew who
was plotting and what they were planing, the West Virginia DERP could
continue with the mission even though D.C. was closer to the target.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The five cats were
soon in a beat up old jeep with Tucker heading down the road. They
reached the target city, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, just as the
daily activities were winding down. They watched the parade down to
the green space before the Governor’s palace for the canon
demonstration. The cats jumped at the sound of the blast. It wasn't
that they weren't expecting it, it was just that that would make a
good cover for someone to detonate a bomb around here. They looked
around and saw that everything was just the way it had been before.
They calmed down and waited for the tourists to go home or at least
file into the taverns and hotels for dinner.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats spread out
and Tucker made his way to check in to the hotel and get the keys to
the Colonial Guesthouse that DERP had reserved for him to use as
local head quarters. Dale went to check out the Capitol. Marley went
to inspect the Governor's Palace and gardens. Beru and Jeb went to
watch the taverns. Which left Phoebe to look through the trades
buildings.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She went trough the
milliner's, the tailor's, the silversmith's buildings without
incident. Then she got to the carpenter's building. There was
apparently a demand for rocking chairs since the workshop was full of
them. Phoebe, being a Norwegian Forest cat, even if she was a runt,
was worried. She had nice long fluffy fur and a long tail. Rocking
chairs were the stuff of nightmares. She tried to pick her way
through but managed to nudge one and it set a dozen off rocking, as
they were packed in so tight. It took all her skill to wind her way
through. She was almost to the exit when she miss judged the timing
and got her tail caught beneath a chair and she suppressed a yowl.
She didn't want the yowl on the record and DERP was listening to her
collar.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats patrolled
and investigated all night and found nothing. It was still early in
the time frame for the attack. They would be here awhile longer. The
cats joined Tucker at the guesthouse just as the morning tourists
were arriving. They'd need back up to keep up a twenty-four hour
patrol and the additional cats would arrive that afternoon. Now it
was time for a bit of food and sleep. The patrol would resume again
in the afternoon.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-32167011819213559882016-05-31T21:12:00.001-07:002016-05-31T21:12:32.038-07:00Taking Your Work Home With You
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of the joys of
being responsible for Clouder Number Nine and being married to the
Chief Vet at MEOW, was that when one of the cats, in this case Nala,
was sick or injured and needed around the clock care they came to the
MacDougal home to be nursed. Nala had been in the emergency ward, too
sick to be moved for a week, but now that she was on the mend, she could commute
with Angus so that Liz or one of her assistants didn't need to sleep
at headquarters to care for her.. There was a more technical name for
what Nala had but as far as Angus was concerned it just meant she had
to be fed through a feeding tube every three hours and that was all
he needed to know. If anyone wanted further details, they could go
talk to Liz.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus didn't really
mind. All that much. Nala was a very affectionate cat, most of the
time, when she was off duty. After the first attempt or two to take
revenge on him for treating her like a cat and not the highly trained
operative she was. For example, when Angus finally had a chance to
sit down and catch up on the rugby matches, Nala was content to sit
on his lap and sleep and purr. It was rather relaxing listening to
the purr and watch Scotland win a match and so Angus dozed for a bit.
Then his watch alarm went off and startled both him and the feline on
his lap. Unfortunately for him, Nala was trained to react to
startling with claws out and as she was on his lap, so he was
subjected to the indignity of scratches where scratches should not
be. He let out a shout which brought Liz into the parlor from the
kitchen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What is it?”
she asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The cat,” Angus
growled as he picked her up by the middle and held her out to Liz.
“Take the cat.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz came over and
took the cat from her husband. She cradled the cat to her and petted
her into purring, murmuring sweet nothings to the feline.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's time for you
to be fed,” Liz said as she carried Nala into the bathroom.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz sat on the edge
of the bath tub and arranged the syringes of warm water and warm
liquid food. She then arranged the cat in a towel to keep the claws
from scratching her. Angus slipped in and closed the door behind him.
Nala might understand what was going on but she was still cat enough
not to want the humans to do to her what they needed to. She would
bolt if she got the chance and they weren't going to let her have a
chance.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz removed the
feeding tube's cap and started giving the cat some of the water. Nala
sat and allowed the indignity while plotting revenge. Projectile
vomit, she hadn't tried that one in a while. Right as the humans are
about to sleep. That would convey the right amount of contempt for
this indignity.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus lifted his
kilt to inspect the damage that cat claws had done. He drew in a
breath. That cat had it in for him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That bad?” Liz
asked as she swapped the water for food and continued feeding Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, no,” Angus
said. “It's not bad just the placement. A couple more inches and
I'd be singing like a lass for a few days.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz giggled. Angus
took out the disinfectant and cleaned the shallow cuts. Cats could
get all sorts of nasty germs on their claws and it was best to clean
the cuts as soon as possible.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just then, Liz's
phone rang. She stood up and handed the cat and the syringe of food
to Angus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I have to get
that,” Liz said. “That's the emergency tone. You'll have to feed
her.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She slipped out of
the bathroom, leaving Nala to Angus. He looked down at the towel
wrapped cat and tried to get a better grip on the feline but she
wiggled out of his grasp. He chased her around the bathroom for a
minute before finally throwing the towel on her. He whipped the towel
around Nala and got a firm grip on her and carried her back to the
bathtub. He sat on the edge of the tub and picked up the syringe and
placed it in the feeding tube. He carefully pushed a few cubic
centimeters of food into the feeding tube. That went well, so he
pushed a few more CC’s. He petted the cat. She looked up at him and
he swore he saw a mischievous grin on the cat's face. He ignored the
implications and pushed a few more C’s of food into the tube.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala eased her head
out of Angus's grip and smiled at him. She let him get a bit more
food into her. She was rather hungry and the few stray bits of
kibble she'd managed to eat earlier weren't going to give her enough
energy to take her revenge. She bided her time. The food syringe was
empty. Now was the time before he could get the water to flush the
feeding tube. Nala shook her head and neck spraying the nasty
smelling liquid food everywhere.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Cat!!” Angus
sputtered. Dang it. Some of the vile cat food ended up in his mouth.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala wriggled out of
the towel again and ran away. She wormed her way into her favorite
hiding spot – the small space behind the commode by the wall in the
corner. Angus could reach her but it would be tricky to get a good
grip. She knew that the feeding tube was good for her and that she
needed the food, but it still hurt her catly pride to be fed in such
a manner. What she couldn't forgive Angus for was that he forgot she
was intelligent and treated her like she had no idea what was going
on. Liz remembered it, most of the time, but Angus treated her like a
… cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Och, you wee
beastie,” Angus sputtered and he rinsed out his mouth. If he was
alone he'd let Nala sulk, but Liz had pressed upon him the importance
of not letting the feeding tube get plugged with dried food, so he
had to chase her down and use the water to flush it. He knew where
she'd go to hide and sure enough there was a gray fur ball curled in
the corner of the bathroom behind the commode.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz walked in to see
her husband sitting on the floor trying to reach for the cat and
getting his fingers snapped at for his trouble.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Let me guess,”
she said as she closed the door behind her. “You treated her like a
cat and not an intelligent, rational being.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“She is a cat,”
he insisted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Aye, she is,”
Liz agreed. “But she's also a highly trained spy. You know that. In
the field you trust her with the security of this nation and your
life, so why do you insist on forgetting that once back at
headquarters or here?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus looked a bit
ashamed at that but before he could reply Liz continued speaking.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Anyway, I've got
to go back to HQ, Clouder 2 came back with injuries and I'm needed
for surgery.” Liz walked over and pecked him on the lips. “I
don't know when I'll be back. If it's too late, I'll sleep at the
office.” With that, she left him to deal with Nala.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus looked at the
feline and thought about what his wife had told him. He knew Nala was
intelligent. He'd worked with her for the last couple years and they
had saved each others' lives a couple times. But some how in their
off hours he had focused more on the Cat part of her than the Spy
part.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Lassie,” Angus
began. “I'm verra sorry. I forget that you know what's going on and
that I should trust you to be reasonable.” He reached a hand out to
her and she uncurled a bit. “I may forget sometimes, but I promise
to try to remember that you are intelligent and not treat you like a
dumb animal.” Her head peaked up. “Will ye forgive me?” Nala
nodded. She stuck out a paw and he shook it. “Now will ye let me
flush your feeding tube so it doesna clog up and cause problems?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala stood and
walked back towards the tub. Angus sat down on the edge, holding the
syringe. The cat jumped up on his lap and looked up at him. He put
the syringe in the tube and pushed a bit of water. Nala sat down on
his lap and let him do what needed to be done. When the water was
gone, Angus removed the syringe and replaced the cap.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He cleaned up the
supplies and put them away, ready for the next feeding, which would
be in a couple hours.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“All right, Nala,”
he addressed the cat. “Shall we go finish watching that match?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala looked up at
him and purred. He opened the door and followed the cat out to the
parlor. They made themselves comfortable and watched the match. Then
when it was time to feed Nala again, things went much better with
Angus treating her like any other colleague he'd nurse. Then both
human and cat got ready for bed. As Liz wasn't home yet, Angus didn't
mind when Nala burrowed under the covers next to him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was just after
midnight, when Liz slipped into the bedroom. Angus woke and watched
her as she got ready for bed. She lifted the covers to slide in next
to him but he stopped her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Careful,” he
said. “You donna want to squish the wee lassie.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where is she?”
Liz asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Under the covers
next to my knee on your side of the bed,” Angus answered.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala, as if sensing
they were talking about her, shifted in her sleep. This brought her
whiskers into contact with the backside of his bare knee. The touch
was light and tickled him. Angus let out an unmanly giggle at being
tickled.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll move her,”
Liz said as she reached under the covers and drug the cat out. With
practiced ease, Liz slid into bed, still holding the cat with one
hand. She settled for sleep, placing the feline on her chest.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nala was still half
asleep. She didn't know what was going on besides she had been
suddenly removed from her safe, warm spot, so she burrowed back under
the covers. She worked her way between the humans, tail flicking back
and forth to tickle them both.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus, wide awake
now, leaned over to kiss his wife. What with one thing and another it
had been a couple weeks since they had both been in bed and awake, so
the kiss grew a bit passionate. Angus rolled over to get closer to
Liz, but he was half way there when a strangled MEOW sounded from
under the covers. He reached down to move the cat so he wouldn't
squish her, but she didn't stay where he put her. Within seconds,
Nala was back between the humans. Angus tried a couple more times,
with the same results.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I guess we'll
just have to sleep,” Liz laughed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I guess so,”
Angus agreed. He kissed Liz lightly and lay on his back. “Good
night.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good night,
dear,” Liz said as she lay back down. She was so tired that she was
drifting off to sleep at once. Just before she fell completely asleep
she heard Angus muttering something that sounded like “I canna
believe I've been cockblocked by a cat.” She smiled and slid into
peaceful sleep.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-30310707099672568572016-05-25T13:30:00.001-07:002016-05-25T13:30:14.709-07:00Attack at the Castle
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
After a full Scottish breakfast for the humans and a plate of tasty
salmon pate for Fiona, the Duke and Duchess of Glasex, their
daughter, Lady Anne, and the aforementioned feline, Fiona, exited the
Royal Scotsman train for a day of sightseeing. Up first was a trip to
see Eilean Donan Castle. It wasn't that the Duke and his family had
never seen a castle, they lived in one after all, but this castle had
more romance and history about it then theirs. Their castle was a
small one that had been in the family without dispute for over four
hundred years. This castle had been abandoned after the Jacobite
rebellion and recently made safe enough for tours. Lady Anne had been
studying about the Jacobites in school and that was the reason they
were on this vacation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The motor coach that
took the passengers from the train to the castle was every bit as
luxurious as the train. Fiona even had her own seat next to Lady
Anne. She was again on the leash but at least her tactical collar had
been returned to its rightful place. The leash was for appearances
only, as she and the Duke knew, Fiona was only pretending to be leash
trained. She was going along with the plan until she was needed and
then she'd use the break away feature of the leash to protect her
charge.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona had a funny
feeling about this excursion. If she were trying to kidnap Lady Anne,
this would be where she'd do it. It was five days into an eight day
trip- long enough to lull them in to thinking nothing was going to
happen and with enough time left to try again if unsuccessful. The
castle also provided good cover and opportunities to separate Lady
Anne from her parents. Fiona hoped that they'd see Lady Anne with
nothing but a cat to defend her and try something. She enjoyed
showing just what damage a fifteen pound cat with teeth and claws can
do.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The coach pulled up
to entrance and everyone disembarked. Sure enough, anxious to
explore, Lady Anne separated from her parents. She wondered to the
far side of the island while the Duke was still caught up in reading
the names on the World War I memorial. The Duchess was busy looking
inside the castle with the other women.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Anne and Fiona
wondered down to the water where the three Lochs met. The girl saw
something in the water and wasn't paying attention to her
surroundings. The cat divided her attention between their
surroundings and making sure that if Lady Anne fell in she wouldn't
take the cat with her. Fiona didn't mind the water so much and had in
fact been trained to swim and complete missions that involved getting
wet, she just wasn't crazy about being drug into water for no reason
other than a human dragged her in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona was looking at
Anne, who was just about to tip over in the water, when a crunching
sound on the gravel sounded. Fiona pulled back on her leash to pull
Lady Anne away from the water as a pair of hands came around the
girl. The cat instantly broke the leash and launched herself at the
attacker. She had her claws out and attached herself around the
attacker's face. He tried to remove the angry cat and let go of Lady
Anne. The girl ran a few paces away and saw that her cat wasn't
coming too so she ran back and kick at the man.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona let go with
one paw to be able to press a button on the side of her collar. She
reattached the paw with it's claws into the attacker's neck. She let
out a yowl right into the man's ear. Between them, Fiona and Lady
Anne managed to topple the man. Fiona parked herself right over his
sternum with her claws dug into his fleshy sides.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Elsewhere on the
castle grounds, the Duke of Glasex's phone buzzed with an incoming
text alert. He dug out his phone and checked who the text was from.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll be...” the
Duke said.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What?” asked
his Duchess.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I got a text from
the cat,” he said as he opened the text. He read it and shoved the
phone into her hands. “Go get the security guards and come around
the back of the castle.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Duke didn't wait
for her to react, he ran around the castle, just in time to see the
cat and his daughter topple the man. If he hadn't seen the cat in
action he wouldn't have believed it. He ran the rest of the way to
them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona looked up at
the Duke and opened her mouth to tell him something. “Meow?” was
all he heard.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He came over and put
a foot on the mans chest while reaching down to pet the cat.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Meow?” Fiona
repeated. The Duke just looked at her. She pick up a paw and tapped
her ear. The Duke remembered the ear piece and pulled it out of his
pocket and put it in his ear.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Back up coming?”
Fiona's computerized Irish voice asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“My wife should be
bringing security at any moment,” he answered.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Duchess and a
couple security guards came around the corner. Security to custody of
the attacker and hauled him off. The Duke made arrangements to press
charges later but took his wife, daughter, and the cat back to the
train.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I didn't believe
it when they told me that a cat would be a good bodyguard,” the
Duke said as they gathered in the lounge car for soothing drinks –
whiskey for the Duke and Duchess, hot chocolate for Lady Anne, and
cream for Fiona. “But after seeing you in action, I'll admit it was
brilliant.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
His Grace sat next
to Fiona and scritched her behind her ear. “When you have time off,
you'll be more than welcome to Glasex Castle.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We'll treat you
like the most pampered pet ever,” added Lady Anne.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona leaned into
the petting and purred loudly. She would take them up on the offer
for her next vacation but for now she was going to enjoy the rest of
this train trip. Her job was done and she could relax.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-51182234368791078792016-05-18T01:13:00.002-07:002016-05-18T01:13:52.848-07:00Listening at Keyholes.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Beruthiel Beauregard lazed in a patch of sunlight on the porch of
DERP's West Virginia's head quarters. It was good to be home. The
smells smelled right. The heat and humidity was perfect not the cold
of Wales. She may be a long haired cat but she'd lived her life in
the South and was happy to be home. Three days and she'd adjusted to
the rhythms of home like she never left. She enjoyed traveling and
working other places, seeing the world, and experiencing other
cultures, but she loved her home. Even if her younger, by a couple
minutes, brother was in charge.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of Dale, he
came out of the house at that moment and leaped to his perch on the
porch railing. He turned around three times and sat down. He didn't
curl into a ball to sleep but settled into a position where he could
see the whole porch. Tucker came out and sat on the porch swing.
Immediately he was swarmed by a dozen kittens, all too young to
train. They covered his lap and shoulders and went to sleep. Phoebe
wondered out and took a seat next to Tucker and the kittens. A couple
other cats came out of the house and sat on the braided rug in the
sunshine next to Beru. Dale surveyed the scene and nodded to himself.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Now that we're
all here,” he started. “I mission I'm assigning you. I guess,
Miss Phoebe, you'll get a chance to see how we do things in the field
as well as how we run headquarters.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm looking
forward to actually doing something,” Phoebe agreed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You'll get your
chance,” Dale agreed. “I've gotten word from Homeland Security
that one or more of the militia groups in our area have been a lot
more talkative on the radio lately. There is something going on but
every time they try to get a man in, they shut up. So it is up to us
to go in either unnoticed or to be barn cats. No one ever notices
barn cats, provided they do their job and hunt the rodents.” He
looked at Phoebe. “You do know how to hunt in a barn?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We do have barns,
though we call then stables in Britain,” she assured him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good,” Dale
said. “You and Marley will go out Highway 60 and check out the
group out that way.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sure thing,
Captain,” said a huge Marmalade cat as he lumbered up from his spot
next to Beru. “I'll see you later, sweetheart.” he said to the
Maine Coon next to him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You can count on
it,” Beru said as she rubbed her head on one of his front paws
before he lumbered away.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That must be Marley,
thought Phoebe. He looked like he could handle himself in a fight and
had on a number of occasions by the number of scars on his ear and
face were anything to go by. It was interesting the way Beru acted
with him. She'd never mentioned a significant other before but she
hadn't mentioned not having one either.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Beru, you've got
the patrol of downtown around the museum, Old Stone Church, and the
Lewisburg Cemetery,” Dale said. “If these nuts are patriotic and
as history minded as the DHS says, then there'll be activity there.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Got it,” Beru
said as she stood and stretched in the sunlight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Jed and I will go
out and survail the group out Seneca Trail way,” Dale said looking
at the other cat, a tiger stripe.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll be here with
my ears on, if'n y'all need anything,” Tucker said. “Just give a
holler, and the cavalry will come runnin'.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats geared up,
as much as they could, which meant they took the collar best suited
for their environment. Phoebe, Marley, Dale, and Jed had to trade in
their tactical collars with all the bells and whistles for ones that
were frayed and seemed old, as if they were house cats that been left
to run free for some time. The only thing these were equipped with
was the two radio. The little bell on the end could be detached and
used as an ear piece but other wise it had a microphone and a
transmitter so the overheard conversations could be recorded. The cat
could be located by tracking the signal but it wasn't as precise as
the GPS on the tactical collar. Beru had a similar collar but looked
a lot newer. She was going in as a cat that was taken care of at
night but was free to roam during the day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the collars
had been tested to make sure they were working as expected, the cats
went their separate ways. Phoebe and Marley headed out a bit further
West while the other three headed into town.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once they reached
town, Beru took of to the Greenbriar County Library to start her
patrol, while Dale and Jed headed South. Beru was to make it look
like she belonged so she couldn't beg. The others would hunt but
Tucker would come in every day to use the library, visit the museum,
do some business at the shops around the center of town, or something
and leave her food in an inconspicuous place. She might seem to have
the easiest job as her patrol was in town and relatively short but
she would be the one that would be more noticeable. She had to evade
the well meaning humans who might realize she was a stray and turn
her in to Animal Control. She also had the best vantage to hear more
people talking.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beru completed a
slow circuit of the town. She learned that the school needed their
computers updated so that many came to the library to do their work.
She learned who was running for local elections and more shockingly
who wasn't and why. She learned many things but not a thing about a
plot but it was still just the first day. The sun sack below the
hills around the town and she needed to look for a place that no
human would notice her. The only building she could find open was the
special shed that housed the Conestoga wagon that belonged to the
historical society. She curled up beneath the wagon and went to
sleep. She was sure she'd find out something in the morning. The town
was humming with gossip, it was just what she had heard so far wasn't
the right gossip.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-68386753782564323242016-05-10T22:01:00.001-07:002016-05-10T22:01:48.334-07:00Physical Fitness
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Rhys Llewelyn, provisional Agent of MEOW, was beginning to question
his life choices. A couple weeks ago he'd been a lazy, if homeless,
cat. Free to go where he wanted and eat all the food he could find.
Today, he looked at his morning kibble allotment. He wasn't sure it'd
be enough to get through the morning but if what his friend Alex had
told him about the physical fitness testing, was true, maybe Rhys
didn't want to eat too much. The only advice the kitten could give
Rhys was, “Don't spew!” . Rhys planned to heed that advice.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys went outside
with the rest of the trainees. He was the only full-grown cat in the
class. The rest were ten-week-old kittens. They'd been training for
four weeks and Rhys had only been here a week. The kittens were in
awe of him, though, because he had some field experience, and with
Clouder Number Nine at that. Well all the kittens except one, a
tuxedo Manx by the name of Finn. Finn had been the star pupil in
class until Rhys came and he was jealous of all the attention so he
made life difficult for Rhys.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The dozen trainees
filed out of the mess hall and onto the exercise yard for the
physical fitness testing. Rhys was surprised to see several humans
among the felines. Then a voice sounded in his ear. It was the
Yorkshire accent of Finn.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“They have to keep
in shape too,” Finn smirked. “I, for one, wouldn't want to be in
the field with a human I don't know was capable of keeping up.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys nodded. It made
sense. He tried to get in his position in the line up but Finn bit
his tail. Rhys yowled. The door opened again and this time Lady Gwen
walked out. She had seen what Finn had done to Rhys but couldn't
single him out, though she would keep an on on the two. Rhys made as
if to greet her but she shook her head ever so slightly and he
stepped back into his place.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Gwen got the
field started with some stretches. The feline agents did have a bit
of an unfair advantage when it came to doing the Cat/Cow stretch but
everyone was equal in the Downward Dog. They had been at it five
minutes when the door opened again and Angus MacDougal came out.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You're late,”
Lady Gwen said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes, my lady,”
Angus agreed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You know what
that means?” Lady Gwen asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes, my lady,”
Angus said. “I'll stay after and do the extra Burpees.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The white feline in
charge nodded. Angus took his place at the side of the line in which
Rhys stood. The humans and felines worked their way through push-ups,
Burpees, squats (which the cats did on their hind legs), and running
an obstacle course. Angus was the fastest human. No one was surprised
at this. While the other humans had been military, Angus had been
Special Forces so it was expected. But the surprise was that Rhys was
faster than the kittens though Finn was right behind him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cats were
dismissed to their lunches when they completed the course. The humans
went about their business, except Angus. He stayed behind and did his
punishment for being late. Rhys stayed to watch because he wanted a
chance to ask the human about how Nala was doing and if he could go
see her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How did you do
that?” asked Myfi, a cute little Welsh accented marmalade kitten,
as she came up to stand beside Rhys.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“After being
chased through a town by an angry dog and a few other feral cats,”
Rhys explained. “That small obstacle course is nothing.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That would do it,
I suppose,” agreed Myfi. “You coming in?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Not right now,”
Rhys said. “I want to speak to Angus, I mean Commander MacDougal.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You can call me
Angus,” said the human as he walked up to Rhys. “Just not in the
class room.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Myfi looked at the
tall Scot as he crouched down to talk to them. She was a little in
awe. They said he had disarmed a bomb with seconds to spare a week
ago, and it wasn't the first time. The other stories that floated
around the Agency were equally hard to believe and heroic. That Rhys
would call him by name and be able to speak to the human without
being mission related just increased her awe of the older cat. She
stammered something about seeing Rhys around and fled back to the
mess hall.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What was it ye
wanted?” asked Angus, after the kitten had fled.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How's Nala
doing?” Rhys asked. “And can I go see her?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“She's responding
to the medication,” Angus answered. “And I believe she'd welcome
a visit from you.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll have to see
her tonight but that's after visiting hours,” Rhys said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Not if I take
you,” Angus said. “I know the head vet and can get you in.” He
smiled. Liz, his wife, would let the other cat visit when he could
even if it wasn't exactly visiting hours since she knew about the
training schedule.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Would you
really?” Rhys asked. He wasn't used to people, or cats for that
matter, doing things for him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'll meet you in
the mess right after dinner,” Angus said. “But you'd better go
eat your lunch. You earned it.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys nodded and ran
back to the mess.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's why you
were late,” Lady Gwen observed as she came up next to Angus.
“Wasn't it?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I hadn't had a
chance to check on Nala this morning,” Angus agreed. “Too many
meetings that went their full allotted time.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You could have
said,” Lady Gwen said. “I'd not assigned punishment for checking
up on your charges.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It would have set
a bad example of justifying one's actions instead of owning up to the
consequences,” Angus said as he stood. “Besides, I've been
slacking off on the exercise and need a kick in the arse.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Gwen chuckled.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You may go about
your business,” she dismissed him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Thank you, my
lady,” he said with a salute and walked into the building.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After dinner that
night, Angus met Rhys, as agreed, and escorted him to the Veterinary
hospital wing of the headquarters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You may have
fifteen minutes but after that Nala needs her rest,” Liz said to
Rhys as she led him back to the area where Nala was curled up on a
cat bed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rhys thought she had
her laser beam out but then looked again. It was a strange tube that
entered Nala's throat. He came over and talked to her in Cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I have some
paperwork to do so I'll be in my office,” said Liz. Rhys nodded his
acknowledgment.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz went into her
office and Angus joined her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How is she
doing?” Angus answered.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Really well,”
Liz said. “She should be able to come home with us at the start of
next week. She'll need some care but should be back to herself in
about a month.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good,” Angus
said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Liz sat down at her
desk and started on her paperwork. Angus took the visitor's seat,
pulled out his phone and started working on his reports as well. When
the time was up he stood, kissed his wife and went to find the cat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Angus escorted Rhys
back to his quarters for the night. Trainees weren't supposed to be
wondering around, after lights out unescorted. The cat was full of
how much better Nala was looking and that they had had a nice
conversation. Angus smiled to himself. He'd need to remind Nala of
the fraternization rules but there was time for that later.
</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173211766813231682.post-16708775068059594922016-05-03T23:46:00.002-07:002016-05-03T23:46:37.730-07:00Trains - The Only Way to Travel
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
The Duke and Duchess of Glasex, their daughter, Lady Anne, and Fiona
the cat stood on the platform of the Glasgow train station. They
watched their luggage being loaded onto the elegant Royal Scotsman
train. Its wooden sides gleamed in the sunshine, relic of a more
civilized by-gone era, when train travel was more than just a fast
way to get from place to place.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Anne was dead
chuffed to finally have the cat she always wanted. Fiona, a black and
white Norwegian Forest cat with long and soft fur, stood patiently on
the end of the leash the girl was holding. Anne had always wanted a
cat to walk and show off and now she had one.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona, on the other
end of the leash, was thinking thoughts about how much money she was
being paid to be this girl's bodyguard so she would put up with the
indignity of being walked like a dog. Fiona was on constant alert
watching all the comings and goings around them. She was secure in
the knowledge that the leash was MEOW issued and had a special
release mechanism if she needed to get away to do her job. Lady Anne
only thought she was in charge.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Soon enough the call
for “All Aboard” came and the Glasex family embarked on to the
train. The Duke and Duchess were shown to on of the double cabins
while Lady Anne and Fiona were settled into one of the twin cabins
next door. Fiona claimed the bed opposite the door to the train
corridor. No one was getting into this cabin without going by her.
Lady Anne was left with the bed at the far wall, but as that was the
bed she would have chosen herself, she was quite contented. Once the
steward left, Fiona hopped off the bed and inspected the attached
bathroom, pleased to see that beside the commode was an enclosed
litter box. She sniffed it and found it full of her favorite litter.
She decided now was as good of time to try it, so she did.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A knock on the door
sounded then. Lady Anne opened the door to see her mother standing
there. The train had left the station and it was time for tea. Anne
picked up Fiona and carried her to the dining car. On any other
train, a cat in the fine dining car would be looked askance at but
everyone on this train knew who Anne was and allowed that Royals,
even minor ones - in both status and age, were a bit different from
the rest of us and made allowances for her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The staff had
prepared a special place at the Ducal table for Fiona. They had
brought over one of the side tables from the observation car and put
a cushion on it. Anne set her cat down on it. When the tea was laid
out before them, a saucer of the finest cream from the finest
Highland coos was placed before the feline. When the sandwiches were
served, another saucer was placed before Fiona. This one contained
tidbits of smoked salmon of sufficient quantity to keep the Agent of
MEOW quite contented for several hours.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fiona was licking
the last of the salmon from her whiskers when the humans were
finished with their tea. Anne picked her up and carried her back to
their cabin. Fiona wasn't upset with being cat handled. If she was
going to be fed in that manner at every meal, four meals a day for
eight days, then she would be more than happy to be carried a bit
right after the meal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Anne set Fiona
down on her bed and retreated to her own. She pulled out a tablet and
proceeded to talk to her friends. She may be on a train in the wilds
of Scotland but that wouldn't keep her from gossiping about who like
Phillip this week.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A chime sounded an
hour later and Lady Anne put down the tablet. She opened her wardrobe
and found her clothes already hung up for her. Fiona watched from her
perch on the bed as Anne pulled out a formal satin gown. Clearly one
dressed for dinner on this train. Fiona wondered if that included
her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anne finished
dressing and turned to her dressing table and opened her small
jewelry box and fastened a necklace around her neck.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I have a little
something for you,” Anne said as she came over and sat on the bed
next to Fiona. “Let's get that ugly collar off of you.” She
reached around and unfastened it and tossed the tactical collar on
the bed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Daddy got me this
one for you,” Anne said as she placed a diamond crusted black
velvet collar around Fiona's throat. For a moment Fiona panicked.
What if some thing went wrong and she couldn't alert anyone. Then she
felt the familiar vibration of a MEOW collar. This was one of the few
formal tactical collars. It didn't have the laser beams and things of
her regular one but it could communicate both directions between her
and headquarters and that was enough. Fiona doubted that if anyone
was after Lady Anne that a laser beam would help. What she needed was
the communications and this had it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lady Anne clipped a
matching black velvet leash to Fiona's collar and lead the way back
to the dining car. So far the trip was turning out to be the vacation
Fiona needed, but that didn't mean there weren't dangers. Fiona would
be on alert when they went on excursions away from the train but
while on the train she'd enjoy the cream, salmon and whatever other
delicacies came her way.</div>
SarahMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05707752361349449436noreply@blogger.com0