A New Beginning: Chronicles of Batpooh State Vol 1

Introduction

2012-05-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

This is the reboot of a previous reboot story--BPS Files: Lost & Found Again. Both are based on characters my older brother and I created when we were kids. In the Pooh books, Christopher Robin's stuffed bear, donkey, tiger, pig, etc. lived in a forest and had adventures, but our stuffed animals did much cooler stuff. They flew around in starships, fought epic battles, and could vaporize anyone who got in their way with Power Collars. Take that, Winnie the Pooh!

The easiest way to think about it might be to think that it's like "Star Trek" only the humans are dogs. Dogs who walk on two legs and talk, kind of like Brian in "Family Guy." So there you go.

The central character is Captain Buster Bulldog. After a meteor shower nearly destroys a colony of the Bloc of Planetary States, Buster and the crew of the Batpooh are assigned to check out some strange energy readings from a nearby unexplored system. When they get there, they find an alien race made up entirely of cats!

On the cat home world, Buster meets the beautiful and wise Princess Whiskers. And though it seems impossible for a dog and a cat to fall in love, Buster and Whiskers find themselves doing just that. But their new love sets off a chain reaction that could lead to war between dogs and cats!

This is intended for middle grade and older audience, so there's no real cursing or sex and just mild sci-fi action violence.

Please enjoy A New Beginning (title may change)...

Epilogue

2011-06-26T09:26:00.003-07:00

Epilogue

Buster fidgeted nervously in the antechamber. He ran his paws along his formal uniform jacket to get the wrinkles out of it. For the biggest moment of his life he wanted everything to look perfect.

He yelped as the door opened. Turning, he saw Spot in his formal uniform. “Need a paw?” Spot asked.

“I might need you to carry me up there. How many guests are there going to be?”

“Fifty thousand,” Spot said and Buster had to grab the wall to keep from fainting. “Plus a few billion watching the broadcast.”

Buster collapsed onto a cushion. “Dog save me.”

“Hey, come on, it won’t be so bad. Just remember why you’re doing this.”

Buster nodded and thought of Whiskers. He imagined how beautiful she would look on the dais and the love in her eyes. “I guess you’re right. Do you have the ring?”

Spot reached into his jacket and pulled out a black felt box. Inside were two gold bands. They were far less ornate than the jewelry Whiskers already owned, but Buster wanted at least one tradition from Batpooh State in the ceremony. He wanted to be able to slide that ring on her finger as a symbol of their eternal bond.

A gong sounded from down the hallway. Buster felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. “That means it’s time, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” Spot said. “Unless you’re having second thoughts.”

Buster thought of Whiskers again. He thought of when he had first seen her on the landing platform, their trip to the mall, their first kiss in the trees, and everything that had happened since then. “No second thoughts.”

“Then let’s go.” Spot took Buster’s arm and then hauled him upright. They walked slowly down a hallway from the antechamber, into the main chamber of the church. It was a Cat church, with a statue of Cat towering over a crystal dais gilded around the edges with gold. Queen Smokey sat atop the dais on a cushion, Lady Isis at her side in case she faltered.

Buster leaned against Spot for support as he marched up to the dais. He kept his eyes on it, not wanting to see the throng assembled behind him. Seats had been crammed into every possible location so that the guests could be accommodated. No one wanted to miss this historic ceremony, the first-ever marriage of a Cat and a Dog.

Another gong sounded and Buster had no choice but to turn around and face the crowd. Spot caught him before he fainted away at the sight of it. It seemed everyone in the Bloc and Cattatonia was here.

Most of the rows had been divided with Cats on the left and Dogs on the right. Other than Cassie and Captain Morgana, Buster didn’t recognize anyone on the left. In the front row on the right, though, he recognized Nina, her two new puppies Carly and Lisa, and their father Admiral Barker. Beneath his dress uniform pants, the admiral’s legs were sheathed in silver from the robotic implants Dr. Ruff had designed to allow Admiral Barker to walk again. The admiral smiled and nodded to Buster.

Farther down he saw Jake, Jonathan, and his father. The latter had been the hardest to convince into coming on the grounds of the wedding being held on Cattatonia, but Buster Sr. had finally relented when Buster promised they would have a smaller ceremony in Batpooh State later.

Even President Bear was present at the end of the row with his security. Among that security, wearing a nondescript suit was Dodger. He leaned down to whisper something into the president’s ear. President Bear nodded at whatever it was and then leaned over to Jonathan, who winked at Buster.

“It’s time for me to go,” Spot whispered into Buster’s ear. “Makes me glad you married us on Sirius Five.”

Buster nearly burst out laughing as his best friend sat down in the front row next to the former Marshy Ruff, now Marshy Mutt. Spot put an arm around her shoulder and then patted her bulging belly with one paw. It wouldn’t be long until she too had a litter of puppies. After the battle of Sirius Five, Buster had presided over Spot and Marshy’s impromptu wedding. Given the choice Buster would have done the same, but he couldn’t. His wedding was a matter of state—of two states.

A flourish of horns sounded. Buster came to attention as everyone in the church stood. There were so many in the church that Buster couldn’t see her at first. Maybe she had changed her mind?

Then she glided into view. She wore a gown that was somehow even whiter than her fur. The train extended behind her for twenty meters, three kittens holding up the end of it. She wore an elaborate headdress like those on the statues of the palace. But he could still see her eyes as she approached and see the love still in them.

At last she reached the altar and took his paw in hers. He didn’t remember anything about the ceremony until she kissed him. It was just a short kiss for in public, but the first of many as husband and wife.

They marched paw-in-paw out of the church, horns sounding in their wake. Buster saw his friends and family applauding him, cheering him on. It seemed to take forever to get out of the church. But when they finally reached the doors, he saw what President Bear and Dodger had been whispering about.

A transport waited for them at the bottom of the steps. Someone had written, “Just Married” on the side and back of it. Buster laughed and then kissed Whiskers. “Did you know about this?” he asked.

“Let’s go,” she whispered into his ear.

“Where?” he asked.

“Wherever we want. The universe is ours.”

[END]

Chapter 28

2011-06-26T09:26:00.001-07:00

Chapter 28

The shuttle bucked a few times from near misses, but otherwise there were no problems reaching the flagship. The shuttle clanged dangerously as it attached itself to an airlock on the Cat ship. Buster couldn’t help but feel a knot in his stomach as he watched the Batpooh begin to break apart. His first command and now it was in pieces. They’d probably never give him another one if he survived this.

Whiskers kissed him on the jowls. “We have to go,” she said.

“I know.” He turned to Dodger. “How are we going to get inside?”

Dodger reached into his pocket to take out a black disc. “A little toy Dr. Ruff came up with.” Buster watched as Dodger opened the shuttle’s airlock. He planted the disc on the opposite side of the airlock. A few seconds later, the door began cycling. “Guess Cat airlocks aren’t so different from ours.”

Dodger took a pistol from his hip. Buster did the same. He turned to Whiskers. “Stay behind us.”

“I am not helpless.”

“You’re also not armed,” Dodger said. She hissed and extended her claws. “Still, you don’t get much range with those.”

“Very well. I will do as you request.”

They scurried through the airlock, Dodger’s contraption opening the other side of the door for them. There weren’t any guards waiting for them, but it wouldn’t be long until some showed up to investigate. “Any idea where your mother would be?” Buster asked.

“Her stateroom would be the largest one. Probably on one of the upper decks.”

“That still gives us a lot to search,” Buster said.

“If we can find a computer terminal out of the way I might be able to convince the computer to give us some directions,” Dodger said.

“How are we going to do that?”

Dodger shrugged. “Start opening doors and hope we get lucky.” He slapped his disc against a door on the right. It hissed open a few moments later. He peeked inside and almost right away jumped back. A shot sizzled past, singing the fur on the right side of his muzzle before hitting the wall behind him.

More shots followed and alarms sounded. “I think we blew our cover,” Dodger said. He pressed himself to the wall. Buster and Whiskers did the same on the opposite side. They traded shots with the guards in the adjoining corridor for a minute before a door down the hall opened. More guards came running towards them, firing wildly.

“We’re in trouble,” Buster shouted over the sound of weapons fire.

“I got an idea,” Dodger said. He reached into his pocket again, this time taking out a blue sphere. He hurled this down the hall at the oncoming guards. Blue smoke billowed out of the device. Though he couldn’t see them, Buster could hear the guards coughing. “Let’s go!”

They charged into the blue smoke, where they found the guards doubled over. Dodger kicked one to the deck while Buster took another. Whiskers grabbed the third by the front of his uniform. She hissed something at the guard in her native tongue. He responded, his words punctuated with coughs. Once he finished, she hurled him back against the wall.

“He says the queen is on the third deck, room seventeen.”

“Then let’s make tracks,” Dodger suggested. They didn’t need any convincing to start running.

More guards waited at the next intersection. At least two-dozen of them, all heavily armed. “You have anything in your pocket for that?” Buster asked.

“No. I left my tactical nuke at home.”

“There’s no way we can take on all of them.”

“We must do something. We have to reach my mother,” Whiskers said.

Buster nodded and then leaned into the hallway to fire a burst from his pistol. The pistol’s charge would be out soon and then they’d really be in trouble. He thought of the fallen guards behind them. If Whiskers could harvest those guns it would help them hold out longer, but it was still only a matter of time before they were overrun. “Whiskers, go—” He stopped himself, as a thought struck him. “I’ve got an idea.”

“What is it?”

“Get into the uniform of one of those guards. We’ll distract them while you go find your mother.”

“Buster—”

“We can’t pass as Cats, but in the uniform no one will recognize you. You can get by unnoticed.”

“I can’t leave you. Draco will kill you.”

“Not if you get your mother to call off the guards.” He looked Whiskers in the eye. “I love you, Whiskers, but there’s no other choice. You’ve already risked everything for me. The least I can do is return the favor.”

“Oh, Buster.” The kiss wasn’t as long as Buster would have liked; under the circumstances they didn’t have much time. “I love you.”

Buster nodded to her and then fired another burst from his pistol to cover her as she scampered down the hallway. He and Dodger kept firing while she changed. After a couple of minutes, the rifles the guards had been carrying slid down the hallway to them. Buster tossed his depleted pistol away and then grabbed the rifle.

“You think she can do it?” Dodger asked as he took up another of the rifles.

“The princess always gets what she wants,” Buster said.

“Let’s hope so.”

Buster was right. Disguised as an ordinary guard, no one on the ship paid any attention to Whiskers. She passed through their midst unmolested, heading for the third deck, where her mother waited. What she would say to convince her mother, Whiskers didn’t know. Mother hated the Dogs almost as much as Draco. She feared them and the change they might bring to Cattatonia.

It was necessary change as far as Whiskers was concerned. They had been isolated for too long, stuck in their ways. They needed to do as she had done, expand their horizons and see what the rest of the universe had to offer.

An elevator door opened. A squad of soldiers ushered out of it. “What are you doing?” one of them snapped at her.

“Duke Draco asked me to inform the queen that intruders are on board.”

“I heard of no such orders.”

“He wants to keep it quiet, so as not to upset the crew.”

The soldier considered this for a moment and then nodded. “On your way then.”

Whiskers threw herself into the elevator and then slapped a button for the third deck. She heaved a sigh of relief that the ruse had worked. It occurred to her that Draco would have guards assigned to her mother’s quarters. She would have to find a way to distract or disable them.

The elevator doors opened. Whiskers peeked into the hallway. There was no one around that she could see. Maybe Buster and Dodger had drawn off any guards. That would make her job easier. She hurried down the hallway until she found a door marked with a number seventeen.

She opened the door—

“About time you got here,” Draco said. He sat on a cushion next to the queen. To one side of him, stood a knot of a dozen guards. These parted so that something could be pushed forward. Buster and Dodger landed on the deck with a thump.

Whiskers screamed.

It was soon clear that Buster and Dodger weren’t dead. They were only unconscious, at least for the moment. Without asking, Whiskers tossed her rifle away and put up her paws. “Did you think I was so stupid?” Draco asked. “As soon as you opened the airlock I knew what you were doing.”

“And now what will you do?”

“After the Dogs are finished, we will return to Cattatonia. The prisoners will be executed and we will be wed.”

Whiskers turned to face her mother. “Is that what you wish, Mother?”

“The duke has acted under my orders,” Queen Smokey said.

“You would kill thousands because of my disobedience?”

“It is not only your disobedience, child. The Dogs have become too bold. We must teach them that we are not to be trifled with.”

“Do you really think it will stop here?” Whiskers said. She glared at her betrothed. “He will not stop here. He will keep pressing the attack until every Dog is wiped out.”

“Good riddance,” Queen Smokey said.

“How can you say that?”

“Mind your place, young one.”

“No!” Whiskers knelt down beside Buster. She cradled his unconscious head in her lap. “My place is here, with him. I love him! If you kill him then you will have to kill me.”

“Do not talk so foolishly, child—”

“I am not a child! Not any longer. I was a child when these strangers landed. I followed your orders without question, even if I hated them.” She glared at Draco. “Now my eyes have been open. These dogs are not our enemies. They are so much like us. They want only the same things we want.”

“They want to destroy us!” Draco shouted.

“No.” Whiskers narrowed her eyes at her betrothed. “You were the one who brought them to Cattatonia. You triggered the meteor shower that destroyed their planet just as you are destroying this world beneath us. You wanted them to enter our space so that you would have an excuse to launch this invasion, to destroy them.”

“That’s a lie. I had nothing to do with the Dogs entering our space. I will not tolerate such an insult!”

Queen Smokey glared at Whiskers. “You cannot accuse the duke of such things without proof. What proof do you have?”

“None, but Mother, please—”

The queen turned to Draco’s guards. “Take the prisoners to the brig. Then escort my daughter to her quarters and make sure she stays there.”

“No!” Whiskers shouted. She clung tightly to Buster, digging her claws into him until he whimpered with pain. His eyes fluttered open.

“What—?”

She kissed him before he could say anything else and before the guards could take him from her. They tried to pull her away, but she refused, using every ounce of strength to hold on to him. Her claws were losing the battle, though, a little bit at a time. Her claws slipped out of his side. She tried to latch onto his paw but then it too began slipping away.

“Hold!” Queen Smokey shouted. The guards stopped and released Whiskers. The queen stared at Whiskers. “You really love this Dog?”

“Yes.”

Buster awoke with a grunt. He flopped onto his stomach and then pushed himself into a kneeling position. Queen Smokey turned her glare on him. “And what of you? Do you truly love my daughter?”

“With all of my heart,” Buster said. He took Whiskers’s paw. “I’ve never felt the way about anyone the way I do about her.”

The room went silent for a few moments, far too long for Whiskers’s liking. Queen Smokey mewled and then pushed herself up on the cushion. “I am an old feline. I have forgotten what it is like to be in love. You, my daughter, have reminded me of that feeling.” The queen looked at Whiskers and then at Buster. “If you two can love each other, then perhaps our races are not so different after all.” The queen turned to Lady Isis. “Call off the attack. Contact the Dogs and tell them we will assist them with the asteroids and with their wounded.”

“Yes, my queen.”

“No!” Draco shouted. “You can’t do this! These are servants of Dog. They will betray us! They will bring our doom!”

The queen hissed at him, “I am still the queen of Cattatonia and you will do as I command, Duke Draco.”

Whiskers saw him reach for the pistol at his belt. She cried out, knowing it would be too late to stop him from shooting her mother. He swung the pistol up—

The weapon flew across the room to shatter against the wall. A guard kicked Draco in his bulging stomach. He doubled over, yowling in pain. The guard turned and Whiskers recognized Draco’s adopted daughter, Cassie. “You are no longer my father,” she hissed.

“Take him away,” Queen Smokey said. Cassie and two other guards dragged the duke out of the room. Then the queen turned to Whiskers. “You will make a fine queen, one day. You are already wise beyond your years.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Queen Smokey straightened, looking healthier than she had for years. “Now, we have much to do. Let us get moving.”

On the floor, Dodger began to stir. He looked around the room and then turned to Buster and Whiskers. “What did I miss?”

Chapter 27

2011-06-26T09:25:00.003-07:00

Chapter 27

They were too late. The moment they came out of hyperspace, Buster had to put a paw to his eyes to keep from being blinded by the flashes. Blue flashes, green flashes, and white flashes of light. “No,” Whiskers hissed next to him. “We are too late. It has already begun.”

Buster nodded. Their position gave them a view of the entire battle zone. A BPS battle group led by the Batpooh was in protective orbit over Sirius Five while a larger group of Cat warships bombarded them. Behind the Cat ships were asteroids that seemed destined to wipe out everything.

He nearly didn’t recognize the Batpooh from the damage it had sustained. Its hull was pockmarked with dark splotches, bits of the front had come off, and one hyperspace generator was hanging on by a thread. The only good news was that the bridge seemed to be intact—at least for the moment.

Getting a transmission through to the Batpooh was a difficult task with so many ships all trying to communicate with each other. He let Dodger deal with the overlapping noises until the intelligence agent found a clear channel. “Captain?” Dash asked, panting.

“It’s me. What’s the situation?”

“We’ve taken heavy damage to all decks. Half the group is gone already and we can’t get the colonists off the planet.” Dash stopped for a moment and then said, “The admiral wants to talk to you.”

“Buster? What are you doing here?”

“I brought the princess. We’re here to stop this.”

“There is no stopping this. Not even if you give them the princess. Get out of here while you still can.”

“No, sir. We’re not leaving. Not until this bloodshed stops.”

“Captain, that’s a direct order—”

Dodger shut down the transmission. “Should have figured on that,” he said. “Want to try your luck with the Cats?”

“Can you get through to them?”

“I’m trying. They use a different encryption.” Dodger’s paws flew over the controls. “I think I’ve got something.”

Though the image was blurry, Buster could tell that they had reached Captain Morgana’s ship. The sound was garbled, but she didn’t sound pleased. “You dare try to break our encryption! Your victory will be short-lived! Soon we will destroy you.”

Whiskers gently pushed Buster aside. She leaned down towards the screen so that Captain Morgana could get a good look at her. “Captain, this is Whiskers, princess of Cattatonia. I wish to speak to my mother.”

“Princess? I’m not sure—”

“You will put me through to her ship. Is that understood?”

“Yes, your highness.”

It wasn’t the queen’s image that came on the screen, though. Draco’s sneer was evident even with the static. “So, you have realized the error of your ways? You wish to come crawling back to us?”

“I do not crawl to anyone. Where is my mother?”

“The queen cannot be bothered now. Once we have disposed of these feeble Dogs then you may talk to her.”

“Draco, stop this. I will return to Cattatonia. I will marry you as soon as we are able. Please, call the ships back. Let the dogs save their colonists.”

Draco pounded the armrest of his chair. “No! They violated our territory. They turned our princess against us. They must be made to pay for these crimes!”

Buster leaned down to the screen, hoping Draco could see him as well. “Duke Draco, this is Captain Bulldog. I will surrender myself to you and your justice if you end this attack on the Bloc. I’m the one you want. I’m the one who should pay for my crimes, not them.”

“This will be your punishment. You will watch your pathetic fleet be destroyed.” The transmission ended and it was Buster’s turn to pound the armrest.

Whiskers put a paw on his shoulder. “We must talk with my mother directly. She will listen to us.”

“How are we going to do that? Draco will intercept any transmissions we send.”

“Then we will not send a transmission. We will board the ship and locate her.”

“Board the ship? That’s suicide. We’ll never reach her.”

“Leave that to me,” Dodger said.

Another explosion rocked the Batpooh. Spot held on to the edge of the his station until the tremor died out. “Weapons systems are down to twenty percent,” Jake announced. “We used up the last of our torpedoes.”

“And we’ve hardly made a dent in them,” Dash said.

Spot couldn’t disagree with that assessment. They had managed to take out three Cat warships, but in the process they had lost six of their own. Those ships that remained were so battered they wouldn’t be able to reach hyperspeed, provided they ever got the chance. And Sirius Five was still facing annihilation from the asteroids. The battle had disintegrated more than half, but those that remained could still kill every living thing on the planet.

Spot’s job in this crisis was to work with all of the remaining ships, trying to organize a defense as well as to dispatch medical teams. He had given up the helm controls, seeing little point to them at this point. They were sitting ducks here, trying in vain to defend the planet from the Cat onslaught.

Marshy was still out there. He couldn’t be sure where. The transports had all taken cover on the fourth moon, where they would probably be stuck until the Cats took them captive. At least Marshy would live for a little while, until they executed her along with the others.

“Admiral, we’re getting another transmission from Captain Bulldog.”

“Those fools are still here? I told them to clear the area!”

“Sorry, sir,” Buster said. “We’re going to attempt to find the queen and negotiate with her directly.”

“What? That’s suicide!” Spot said. He ran over to the communications station so that he could look Buster in the eye, probably for the last time. “They’ll kill you on sight.”

“Maybe, but we have to try.”

“Buster—”

“There’s no point arguing about it now. You’ve been a good friend, Spot. My best friend. I need you to do one last thing for me.”

“Name it.”

“Keep that flagship distracted while we make our approach.”

Spot stared at his friend for a moment. He wanted to tell Buster again that this was crazy, that they stood no chance of reaching the flagship, let alone the queen of the Cats. But he knew there was no point. A Bulldog didn’t change his mind once he’d made it up. “All right,” Spot said. “We’ll do what we can. Good luck.”

“You too.”

The transmission ended and Spot turned to Jake. “Target the flagship and give it everything we’ve got.”

“Gladly,” Jake said.

Spot put a paw on Dash’s shoulder. “Contact the other ships and give them the same instructions. Put everything we have on the flagship.”

“I’m on it.”

Spot returned to his station and looked over at Admiral Barker, who nodded to him. “If we survive this, I might put you in for a promotion,” the admiral said.

Spot watched from his displays as Buster’s shuttle began moving towards the Cat fleet. The Batpooh shook from another hit. It returned fire, its weapons centered on the enemy flagship. The other ships joined in, tiny explosions blossoming all along the flagship’s hull. Spot hoped none of those shots hit wherever the queen was located.

“Keep firing,” Spot said. “They’ve got a ways to go yet.”

The Cat fleet returned fire, the deck shaking violently beneath Spot. Warnings of hull breaches came in from several decks. They wouldn’t be able to take much more of this pounding. Maybe it wouldn’t matter if Buster could reach the queen and convince her to call off the attack.

“We’re just about down to harsh language,” Jake said as the Batpooh rocked again. What the ship had left continued firing at the flagship. Spot watched Buster’s shuttle continue towards it, reaching the halfway point. Just a few more minutes—

The lights went out with the next series of hits. It took several seconds for the dim blue emergency lighting to come on. When it did, Spot saw the news was not good. Jeremiah’s voice came from the intercom, shouting over the sound of hissing and sparking, “She’s just about had it. We’re running on emergency batteries.”

“Put all power into the weapons. Begin getting all personnel into escape pods,” Admiral Barker said. “We’ll cover Buster as long as we can.”

Spot sounded the evacuation alarm. It probably wouldn’t matter, as the escape pods, like the transports, would eventually be picked up by the Cats. That was unless Buster and Whiskers could work a miracle.

Another explosion shook the Batpooh. Spot’s displays went blank. That meant the main computer had gone down. “Switching to manual,” Jake said.

“After you finish, get to the escape pod, Lieutenant,” Admiral Barker said. “That goes for the rest of you.”

“Admiral—”

“That’s an order, Commander.”

“We can’t leave you!”

Admiral Barker smiled. “The captain is supposed to go down with his ship.” He guided his hoverchair over to Jake’s station to take over the controls. “Go on, all of you.”

“No, sir,” Spot said. “I’m staying with you.”

Jake nodded. “Me too, sir.”

“Me too,” Dash said.

“Get out of here!” Admiral Barker thundered. He took his pistol from his side. “Now! This is my job.”

Jake could have probably disarmed the admiral, but Spot took him by the shoulder. “You heard the admiral. Let’s go.”

With Dash’s help, Spot managed to drag Jake away from his station, towards the escape pod along the port wall of the bridge. There was room for ten in the pod, more than enough for all of them, and supplies to last for a month. Not that they would need to worry about that.

Spot was in the process of activating the pod when he heard the bridge elevator doors open. He heard Nina’s voice a moment later. “What are you still doing here?”

“What are you still doing here?” the admiral countered.

“I thought you would be too pigheaded to abandon ship with the others.

“This is my job.”

“What about me? What about our puppies?”

“Nina, please—”

“Bob, I love you. I came close to losing you before. I don’t want to lose you now.”

“I have to do this. Buster is out there. He needs my help.”

The Batpooh shook again. The ceiling caved in over the helm station. Spot heard Nina scream and ran from the escape pod. She was squatting down on the floor by where Bob was still trying to fire the Batpooh’s weapons at the flagship. For the moment she appeared all right.

Admiral Barker slapped at the controls furiously and then gave the console a final punch. “Batteries are out.” He steered the chair over to Nina’s side as Spot helped her up. “That’s it.”

“Let’s go then,” she said.

He nodded. “I guess so.” He took her paw and went with her down to the escape pod. Spot followed them, taking one last look around the bridge. It was gone now. The ship he had served on for years, where he had grown up and even fallen in love was nothing more than debris now.

The door lowered over the escape pod hatch. Spot helped Nina and Admiral Barker with their straps and then strapped himself in. “Here we go,” he said and then pulled down the lever to launch the pod.

The explosion was worse than any during the battle as rockets fired the escape pod into space. With any luck they would rendezvous with the transports on the fourth moon. There he could be reunited with Marshy—at least for a few hours. Then he could tell her everything he had wanted to but hadn’t been able to.

The g-forces of the explosion had just died out when Nina cried out. She put both paws on her stomach. She turned to her husband with a pained smile. “I think they’re coming,” she said. She turned to Spot. “Get the medical kit.”

“What do you want me to do?” Spot asked.

“Just catch them,” she said. “I can handle the rest.”

Spot gulped at this. Despite all of the chaos and carnage around them, two puppies were about to enter the world.

Chapter 26

2011-06-26T09:25:00.001-07:00

Chapter 26

The meteors hadn’t reached the colony yet. From what the sensors calculated, the first one wouldn’t hit Sirius Five for another two hours. That gave the battle group two hours to try and evacuate fifty thousand colonists.

Spot spent most of his time communicating with the transports from all the ships of the battle group and with the colony. He hadn’t gotten a chance to do more than wave at Marshy before she went down to the hangar. He wished he could be there with her, to try and keep her safe, but his place was here, on the bridge.

“How many do we have so far?” Admiral Barker asked.

“Ten thousand on board and another five thousand en route.”

The admiral nodded but didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to; they could both do the math well enough. There was no chance they would be able to extract everyone before the meteors started coming down.

Admiral Barker looked over at Spot. “We’re going to have to buy them some time. Commander, take the helm and plot an intercept course. Lieutenant Bulldog, ready weapons and shields and put the ship on red alert.”

To accommodate the admiral’s hoverchair, Dr. Ruff had installed a magnetic lock in front of the captain’s chair to keep the chair from being thrown around as the ship moved. The admiral activated the lock as Spot settled into the helm station—Marshy’s station. He took a deep breath and then plotted the intercept course.

Shooting at the asteroids was a risky gambit. It might buy the colony some time. Or they might wind up creating more deadly projectiles to create even more damage. It would depend on how accurate Jake’s shooting was and on the trajectories of the asteroids.

It didn’t take the Batpooh long to near the asteroids. Just five minutes at full sublight speed and they were in position. Spot brought the ship around to the port side so that more of their weapons could track the asteroids. “We’re in position, sir.”

“Open fire.”

Spot didn’t look back, but he could hear a nervous tremor in the admiral’s voice. He was probably remembering the last time they had gone into a meteor shower to try and save a colony. That had left him crippled and nearly destroyed the Batpooh. What would happen this time?

On the viewscreen, Spot watched the first asteroid disappear in an explosion of concentrated blue light. The few pieces that remained weren’t large enough to pose any danger to Sirius Five. If Jake could keep that shooting up, they might be able to hold out long enough. Except there were going to be a lot more asteroids a lot closer together.

Jake had just destroyed a second one when a burst of red energy came out through the cloud of debris. The Batpooh rocked as this energy burst hit its shields. The debris from the asteroid cleared and Spot saw what had hit them.

A Cat warship streaked through the debris cloud, its weapons glowing red. A second one appeared from behind another asteroid, followed by a third, and then a fourth. There was an entire Cat battle group hidden in the asteroid field!

“Commander, pull us back,” Admiral Barker ordered. “Ensign Mutt, tell the battle group to form a defensive perimeter. We can’t allow them to hit the transports.”

“What about the transports, sir?” Spot asked as he began pulling the Batpooh back towards the rest of the BPS ships.

“Are any of the other planets in this system habitable?”

Spot didn’t need to call up the report on the system; he had memorized it on the way here. “The fourth moon of the planet is barren but its atmosphere can support dogs.”

“Then we’ll divert the transports there for now. We can pick up the colonists later.” The admiral left it unsaid that if the battle group was destroyed there would be no need to worry about it.

The Batpooh took a few minor hits as it backed away from the meteors, but as soon as it was clear, the Cats ceased firing. “They aren’t leaving the meteors, sir.”

“They’re using those rocks for cover,” the admiral said. “They know we’ll have to fight them in there eventually. Keep moving us back to rejoin the battle group.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Cat ships disappeared again, using their cloaking devices to hide amongst the asteroids. They must have some skilled pilots to manage such precise flying. How many of them were in there? Enough to wipe out the battle group? With the help of the asteroids, they might not need that many ships.

The Batpooh rejoined the rest of the battle group. Spot watched the viewscreen for any sign of the Cats, but there was nothing. He motioned for Marshy’s replacement to retake the station while Spot went back to check the sensors. There was nothing unusual coming from the asteroids, nothing they could home in on. They would just have to wait for the enemy to attack.

Spot went over to Dash’s station. “Can you bring up Lieutenant Ruff’s transport for me?”

“Sure thing, cuz.” Dash punched a few buttons and then Marshy’s face was on the screen.

“We’ve got a bit of a situation, Lieutenant,” Spot said.

“I heard you want us to reroute the civilians. What’s going on?”

“The Cats are here. In the asteroids.”

“Oh. That will make things tougher.” Despite her nonchalant words, Spot saw the worry in her eyes.

“We might not have much time, so make sure you cram as many in every transport as possible. Throw out anything you don’t need to make extra room.”

“I understand. I’ll pass the word along.”

“Thanks. And good luck.”

“You too.” As the transmission ended, Spot wished he could have said more to her, but he couldn’t, not now. They had a job to do.

By the time the first asteroids neared the planet, thirty thousand had been evacuated either to the battle group or the barren moon. The rest were going down to underground shelters in case one of the asteroids slipped through. That seemed like a distinct possibility with the Cats hiding in the asteroids as well.

“I want all ships to lay down a concentrated barrage on the asteroid field. Maybe we can coax them out of hiding,” Admiral Barker said.

Spot was back at the helm as the battle group opened fire. The concentrated fire of the dozen ships took out at least three asteroids. Whether they destroyed any Cat ships he couldn’t tell. It did have the desired effect of convincing the Cats to leave their hiding places. They uncloaked all around the battle group. Spot counted at least fifteen of them.

Directly in front of the Batpooh the stars shimmered for a moment. He watched in awe as another Cat warship appeared. This one was twice as big as the others, larger than the Batpooh by half. Ports all over the ship began opening, revealing cannons and racks of missiles.

“Focus on that flagship,” Admiral Barker said, but it was too late.

The flagship’s weapons opened fire. The sheer number of laser cannons was enough to blind Spot. He whimpered and put a paw to his face as the Batpooh shook from the impacts. He slapped blindly at the controls to ease the Batpooh back, away from a second barrage. Not that it would matter. They couldn’t run and abandon the colonists.

“Return fire!” Admiral Barker shouted.

Spot’s vision cleared enough that he could see the Batpooh’s counterattack, which seemed feeble by comparison. The shields of the Cat flagship absorbed the laser blasts; the ship itself absorbed no damage.

“Admiral, we’re being hailed by the enemy flagship,” Dash said.

“Put them on.”

It didn’t come as a surprise to Spot when Duke Draco’s face came onto the screen, his mouth curled in a sneer. He was the one who had tried to frame and execute Buster for attempting to murder Princess Whiskers. “Where is Captain Bulldog?” Draco asked.

“I am Admiral Bob Barker. I am in command here.”

“Not for much longer. You have taken something from us. Now we will take something from you. Your pathetic colony will be destroyed either by the asteroids or our weapons after we finish with you. The choice is up to you.”

“We will not allow you to destroy our colony. This is an act of war—”

“You declared war on us first by kittennapping Princess Whiskers!”

“We didn’t abduct her. She came here of her own free will.”

“Return her and I will consider sparing your lives.”

“What about the colony?”

“They will die so that your leaders may learn an important lesson. We are not to be trifled with.”

“In that case, no deal.” Admiral Barker turned and signaled for Dash to end the transmission. “Continue firing. We’re going to hold out here as long as we can. Ensign Mutt, any word from Command on reinforcements?”

“Nothing for at least a day, sir.”

The admiral said nothing. There was nothing to say at that point. No help was coming, not soon enough to be of any use for them. “Move the battle group into protective orbit over the colony. We’ll hold them as long as we can. Dog save us all.”

Chapter 25

2011-06-26T09:24:00.003-07:00

Chapter 25

As soon as he opened the door to Whiskers’s quarters, she asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing much. A colony is in trouble. The Batpooh is going to help them.”

“Then you are leaving?”

“No, I’m staying behind for this one.”

She stared at him for a moment. “But it is your ship. How could they?” Her eyes widened and then she nodded. “It’s because of me, isn’t it? They took away your ship because you brought me here.”

“It’s not like that.” Buster took her by the arm, leading her over to the sofa so they could sit down. He forced himself to smile. “They think it’s better if I stay here, to protect you.”

“I don’t need you to look after me as if I’m a newborn kitten.”

“Whiskers—”

“I’m not helpless.” She leapt to her feet and then stomped around the room for a while. She finally shrieked and clawed a wall, leaving deep gashes in the plaster. “Why does everyone treat me as if I’m a child?”

“I don’t think you’re a child,” Buster said. He stood up to embrace her. “Everything will be all right. I promise.”

She nodded and then sat back down on the couch. “I’m sorry to lose my temper. It’s so frustrating to have so much of my life determined by others. For once I would like to feel as if I’m in charge of my own destiny.”

“I know how you feel. Sometimes we all have to follow orders we don’t like, though.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” She shook her head. “I should have stayed on Cattatonia.”

“No—”

She turned to Buster. “This colony, what’s wrong with it?”

“A meteor shower. Nothing too serious.”

She shook her head again. “You are a terrible liar, Captain Bulldog. What is really going on with this colony?”

“It’s an attack, like on another of our colonies. Like the one that brought us into your space.”

“Then it’s a Cattatonian attack?”

“We don’t know that for sure—”

“It is.” She growled. “I smell Duke Draco’s slimy paw in this. He wants to destroy one of your worlds to force you into sending me back.”

“We don’t know—”

“There is no other explanation. I should have known he would convince my mother to act quickly. My escape—and yours—have wounded his pride. He must get revenge.”

“Whiskers, you’re jumping to conclusions.” He tried to put a paw on her arm, but she shook it away. “Whatever it is, the Batpooh can handle it.”

“No. I came here to make peace, not to start a war. We must go there and stop them. Once they have me, this madness will end.”

“But—”

“There is no other way, Buster. I love you, but I can’t allow innocent lives to be destroyed for my sake.” She put her arms around Buster to kiss him. “It must be this way.”

Buster wanted to argue, but he could see there was no real choice in the matter, short of locking Whiskers up. She had made up her mind and she would carry through with it, not matter what. That was part of what he loved about her, that determination and strength of will. “If that’s what you want, we’ll do it.”

“Thank you, Buster.” She kissed him again and then took his paw to lead him to the door. “Now, we must hurry.”

The immediate problem was finding a ship. He tried contacting Command, but they informed him there were no ships available. His orders were to keep Whiskers on the base until this emergency was resolved. “Yes, sir,” Buster said with a sigh.

He tried calling Jonathan next. The president had authority over the fleet; he could get a ship to take them to Sirius Five. He found his brother just as unreceptive as the admirals, though. “The battle group is already underway. We can’t call them back.”

“Then find another ship. A private one perhaps—”

“There’s nothing we can do, Buster. I’m sorry.”

“But the princess has to back, before the situation escalates.”

“She should have thought of that before she left Cattatonia. You both should have.” Jonathan broke off the connection.

Whiskers sighed. “What do we do now?”

Buster shook his head. He looked out the window at Washingdog. Bulldog Tower winked at him as light hit its upper windows. “I’ve got an idea of where we can find a ship.”

“You do?”

“Come on.”

Getting past the guards proved to be the next challenge. The guard refused to raise the gate for them to pass. “I’m sorry, sir, but we have orders to keep you and Princess Whiskers on the base.”

“The president has asked to see us right away.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t let you go without a written order.”

“Here you go, my young friend,” Dodger said. He was dressed in the uniform of a commander. He took a sheet of paper from his pocket to hand to the guard. “I have the president’s authority to take them to the First Mansion. President Bear thinks they’ll be safer in the bunker there.”

The guard scrutinized the paper for a moment. “This appears to be in order.” He raised the gate. Dodger hopped into the car and then tucked the paper back into his pocket.

Buster turned to look back at him as they were on their way to Washingdog. “Was that really a presidential order?”

“We have reams of them. I can get you a pardon for anyone in your family.”

“No thanks. But I might need one later.”

“We all might.”

It was much easier to get an audience with Buster Sr. He sat behind his desk, glowering at Buster and Whiskers as they came in. Dodger remained outside in the reception room, chatting with the secretary as if they were old friends. “So this is the Cat?” Buster Sr. said.

“I am Whiskers, princess of Cattatonia,” she said and bowed her head. “It is an honor to meet you. Buster has talked much about you.”

“I’m sure.” Buster Sr. reached into his desk for a cigar. He blew a puff of blue smoke towards them. “So what brings you here?”

“We have need of a ship to take us to Sirius Five. Buster said that you possess such a craft.”

“Sirius Five? Isn’t that a mining colony? You want to see strip mining in action?”

“No, sir. My mother is attacking the colony. We must get there to stop her.”

“You should ask the military then. That’s their job, isn’t it, son?”

Buster took a step forward. “They’ve already turned us down. The fleet and Jonathan.” He tried to look through the smoke, into his father’s eyes. They were so tired, tired and disappointed. “Father, you must help us. Thousands of lives—maybe even millions—are at stake.”

“You two think you can head off a war by yourselves?”

“It’s me my mother wants. That is why she’s attacking your colony. If I give myself to her, then she will have no more reason to invade your space.”

Buster Sr. took out his cigar, mashing it out on the table. “That’s certainly a noble idea. Naïve too. Once she’s in our space, do you think your mother will just stop and turn around?”

“We are not conquerors. We desire only to live in peaceful seclusion.”

“Then why are you here, my dear?”

Whiskers looked down at the carpet and then over at Buster. “Because I love your son. He is brave and noble and the kindest soul I have ever met.”

She reached out for Buster’s paw and he took it. Buster Sr. nodded at this. “I take it you feel the same way, son?”

“Yes, sir. Whiskers and I love each other very much.”

“Enough that you’re willing to give her up?”

“If that’s what it takes to stop this.”

There was a moment of silence and then Buster Sr. nodded. “I have misjudged you, son.” He came around the desk to clap Buster’s shoulder. “You’ve become quite a dog. I’m proud of you. Both of you.”

“Does that mean you will help us?” Whiskers asked.

“Yes, my dear, it does. You can use my ship. It’s fueled and ready to go. My secretary will give you the details.”

“Thank you, Father.” Buster hugged his father. “I don’t know how I can repay you—”

“Just stop this war before it starts. That will be thanks enough.”

“We’ll try.”

Buster Sr. clapped Buster on the shoulder again. “You two had better hurry. It won’t be long until the Batpooh gets to Sirius Five.”

Buster took Whiskers’s paw and led her outside. It wasn’t much of a surprise that Dodger already had the launch information. They hurried back to their hovercar to get to the spaceport. There wasn’t time to waste.

Chapter 24

2011-06-26T09:24:00.001-07:00

Chapter 24

They stopped at Barkington National Forest. Buster hadn’t planned to stop there, but Whiskers had leaned out the window of the hovercar when she saw the ancient redwoods. “Are those trees?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“They’re not like any trees on Cattatonia.”

“They’re redwoods,” Buster said. He pointed to the trunk of one tree. “Because of the trunks. See?”

“I see. They’re beautiful. Can I climb one?”

Buster looked back at Spot and Lieutenant Ruff, who both shrugged. “I don’t see any reason why not,” Buster said. “Though I’m not sure if your claws will work as well here.”

“They’ll work just fine,” Whiskers said. As soon as Buster brought the car down low enough, she leapt from the vehicle. He didn’t have time to even call her name before she was throwing herself onto one of the trees.

Her claws worked just fine on the redwoods. She hung against one of the trees for a moment. He thought maybe she had knocked herself out against the trunk, but then she leaned her head back. “They smell funny,” she said. “Not like our trees at all.”

Before he could say anything else, she had scrambled up into the tree’s canopy. “What do we do now?” Lieutenant Ruff asked.

“I’ll go after her,” Buster said. He reached into a storage compartment for two pairs of climbing spikes, the kind climbers used on mountains. They should work well enough on a tree. “You two stay here and watch the car.”

“I hope she’s not getting into any trouble,” Spot said. “We have to make sure nothing happens to her.”

“She knows what she’s doing.” At least Buster hoped that with her experience in climbing trees, Whiskers wouldn’t run into any trouble. There was still the chance she might fall or a branch might snap or an animal might attack her. The raccoons didn’t have any villages here, but there was always the chance a rogue one could be hiding here. With that in mind, he sunk the climbing claws on his front paws into the tree.

It was an arduous process to climb the tree, even more difficult than back on Cattatonia. There he’d had Whiskers to help guide him. This time he was climbing alone, holding in a breath every time he sunk the claws into the bark, waiting for it to snap.

She waited for him at the top of the tree. By the time he reached the summit, he was panting so fiercely he couldn’t say anything when she teased, “Your climbing skills aren’t any better here, are they?”

She pulled him up to sit on the branch with her. It wasn’t as wide as those in Cattatonia and it creaked dangerously when he sat on it. If the branch snapped, it would dump them three hundred meters to the ground. There was no chance they could survive a fall like that.

Still, he had to admit the view up here was breathtaking. They had the forest spread out before them and on the horizon, the mountains where the bears lived. President Bear’s tribe was probably up there somewhere, hibernating for the fall and winter.

“It is a beautiful planet,” Whiskers said. She put a paw around Buster’s shoulders.

“As beautiful as yours?” he asked, still breathing hard from the climb.

“No. Nowhere is as beautiful as Cattatonia—to me.”

“That’s probably how it is for everyone.”

“Do you think I’ve made a mistake coming here?”

“Of course not.”

“Your president did not seem very happy to have me here.”

“He’s worried about how your mother might react.”

“She would not dare harm me.”

“Let’s hope not.” Buster pressed close to her. He licked her face and she giggled. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

They were kissing when Buster’s communicator beeped. He didn’t want to answer it, but its shrill insistence forced him to finally back away from Whiskers and answer it. “We’ve got trouble,” Spot said.

“What kind of trouble?”

“They didn’t say but they want us back at base right away.”

“It might take us a while—”

“Don’t worry. We’ll come get you.”

“Spot—”

“It won’t be a problem. Marshy is a very good pilot.”

They waited on the branch for the hovercar. Whiskers shook her head. “It’s my mother. She’s sending her fleet to get me.”

“It’s probably just an exercise. Or a false alarm.”

“I hope you’re right.”

They heard the whine of the hovercar’s engines. Spot was right; Marshy was a very good pilot. She guided the hovercar through the maze of branches with the agility of a raccoon—or a Cat. The car came to a stop in front of them, Spot opening the door for them. As they climbed in, Buster noticed that his friend’s face was damp and there was a red mark on his cheek the same color as Lieutenant Ruff’s lipstick.

Spot must have noticed Buster’s look as he wiped at his face. “Let’s go,” he said to Lieutenant Ruff. The car streaked away from the trees. Buster looked over his shoulder, at the forest, wondering if he and Whiskers would ever get a chance to sit up there again.

The guard at the gate told them that Whiskers was to report to her barracks immediately. “I’m not leaving her alone,” Buster said.

“Sorry, sir, Admiral Barker’s orders.”

Admiral Barker? Buster looked over at Whiskers. She put a paw on his arm. “It’ll be all right. No one will hurt me here.”

He growled under his breath. “All right,” he said. “We’ll drop her off.”

He wanted to kiss Whiskers goodbye, but he couldn’t do that in public. He settled for squeezing her paw with his. “I’ll see you later,” he said.

“Good luck, my love.”

“Thanks.” Then he climbed back into the car to head for the briefing room.

The admiral waited for them there, sitting in a hoverchair. Other than the chair, he looked none the worse for wear. “Hello, Buster. Spot. Lieutenant.”

“So they gave you a promotion?”

“I’m afraid so,” Admiral Barker said. He tapped the chair with one paw. “It came with this.”

“I’m sorry, sir—”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about, Buster. You did everything you could for me. I wouldn’t be at all if you and Spot hadn’t gotten me to sickbay.” He sighed and then motioned for them to sit down. “I’m afraid this isn’t good news.”

A viewscreen over the admiral’s shoulder came to life. Buster recognized the system it depicted as the colony of Sirius Five. A cluster of tiny objects at the outer rim of the system became magnified into numerous asteroids. “We detected a gravity spike in the vicinity of this asteroid field,” Admiral Barker said.

“One like before Bone Seven came under attack?”

“The very same. We’ve consulted with the colony and their instruments tell us the asteroids are heading their way. We estimate sixteen hours before the first impacts.”

“That’s impossible. No asteroids can move that fast,” Lieutenant Ruff said.

“It seems that whatever destabilized the asteroids has also harnessed the gravity of the area to accelerate them.” Admiral Barker shrugged. “Think of it as a giant slingshot and these asteroids are the rocks.”

“And the Cats are the ones holding it,” Buster said.

“That is our conclusion as well.”

“So you want us to go out there and save the colonists?” Buster asked.

“Not exactly.” Admiral Barker looked down at the floor. “They’ve asked me to resume command of the Batpooh. I will take her out there along with a battle group to rescue the colonists and ward off any Cat invasion.”

“Bob, I don’t understand. Why would they—?” Buster stopped as he thought of Whiskers in her barracks. “You think I’m in league with the Cats?”

“Not at all. Command thinks you’d be better used to stay here with the princess. She trusts you.”

Spot got to his feet. “With all due respect, sir, if Captain Bulldog isn’t going then I won’t either. The Batpooh is his ship.”

“I won’t go either,” Lieutenant Ruff said.

Admiral Barker nodded. “I told them you’d feel that way. They instructed me to say that you’ll both be put into the stockade for refusing to obey a direct order.” He shook his head. “I don’t like this anymore than you do. This situation smells worse than a raccoon garbage pile. I’m only doing what I’m told.”

“I understand,” Buster said. He put a paw on Spot’s shoulder. “I won’t have anyone getting court-martialed for me. Both of you go with the admiral.”

“But—”

“Saving those colonists is the most important thing. They have a much better chance with the fleet’s top pilot and best first officer on board.”

Spot looked as if he wanted to protest, but he nodded. “All right. But after we get back, I’m going to file a complaint with Command.”

“And I’ll second it,” Admiral Barker said. “But for now, we have a colony to save.”

Buster hugged Spot before he left. “Take good care of my ship, will you? I want her back in one piece.”

“I will.” Then they were gone, leaving Buster alone to contemplate the future.

Chapter 23

2011-06-26T09:23:00.002-07:00

Chapter 23

Though it was against protocol, Buster allowed Whiskers on the bridge as they arrived at Batpooh State. His home planet came up on the viewscreen, looking so welcoming after what had happened in Cat space. Whiskers’s reaction was less than he had hoped for. She squinted at the planet and then said, “It’s so blue.”

“Those are our oceans,” Buster said. “They cover three-quarters of the planet.”

She shivered at this. “So much water. I don’t know how you can stand it.”

“Mostly we stay on the land,” he said.

She pointed at the mass of gray-brown in the center of North Bearica. “What kind of strange trees are those?”

“Those aren’t trees at all. They’re mountains. You must have some on Cattatonia?”

“Not such as those.”

Buster nodded. The mountains on Cattatonia were probably covered with jungle vegetation as well, except perhaps at the highest elevations. “Maybe later we could take a shuttle and I could show them to you.”

“That would be lovely,” she said. Though she couldn’t kiss or hug him on the bridge, Buster could see the love in her eyes and in the slight curl of her mouth. He couldn’t wait to give her a more personal tour of his home planet, to show her its many wonders.

“Captain, we’re receiving a transmission from Washingdog. The president is requesting that you, Commander Mutt, and Ambassador Dodger take Princess Whiskers to the First Mansion immediately.”

Buster nodded, barely holding in a sigh. “Tell them we’re on our way, Ensign. And make sure a transport is prepared for launch. Lieutenant Ruff, put us in high orbit.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Lieutenant Bulldog, you have the bridge until I return.”

“Right.”

Buster took Whiskers by the paw to lead her back to the elevator. Before the doors closed, he took a look at his bridge, wondering if he might see it again. The way things were going, his next command might be a garbage scow.

Dodger was waiting for them in the hangar. “Sounds like we’re going to get a newspaper on the nose,” he said.

“What does that mean?” Whiskers asked.

“It means we’re in trouble,” Spot said.

“Because of me?”

“Not just you,” Buster said. “There’s plenty of blame to go around.”

“And I’m sure they’ll find all of it,” Dodger said and then climbed into the transport.

Buster risked giving Whiskers’s shoulder a squeeze. “It won’t be that bad.” She nodded, but from her eyes, he knew she didn’t believe him.

Spot and Dodger flew the transport down, leaving Buster and Whiskers alone in the passenger compartment. Once they had made a relatively smooth plunge through the atmosphere, Buster uncovered the windows so that she could get a closer look at Batpooh State. She shivered again as they flew over the Bearlantic Ocean.

“I take it you’ve never been swimming?” Buster said.

“No. Such a thing would be undignified.”

“It’s not that bad. I could teach you. I was a champion paddler at the academy.”

She smiled slightly at this. “Perhaps we could try it.”

Ahead, Washingdog rose up from the ocean, its skyscrapers gleaming in the morning sun. “That is so beautiful,” Whiskers said. “That is where we’re going?”

“That’s right. Washingdog. Our capital city.”

As they drew closer to the city, Whiskers squeezed his arm. “Your buildings look much different from ours.”

“We don’t carve ours out of crystals. We build ours out of glass, steel, and stone.”

“Like our old palace?”

“You could say that.” Buster pointed to Bulldog Tower, its copper windows reflecting the sunlight back at them. “That’s where my father lives.”

“It is a beautiful palace,” Whiskers said.

“It’s not really a palace. Most of it is offices.” Whiskers stared at him without comprehending. He shrugged. “I suppose there’s not much difference.”

“What does your father’s company do?”

“A little bit of everything. He doesn’t like to put all his puppies in one basket.”

“He sounds like a smart creature—for a Dog.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“We’re coming up on the First Mansion,” Spot announced. “Get ready to land.”

Whiskers leaned close to the window. “This is where your king lives?”

“Our president. We don’t have kings.” Again she stared at him blankly. “Our leaders are elected. All Bloc citizens decide who will lead.”

“You would let anyone lead? That sounds very chaotic.”

“It can be.”

The transport touched down on the mansion’s roof. It took less than ten seconds for the hatch to swing open. Jonathan stood at the head of a security team. His expression did not bode well for the coming discussions. “Greetings, Princess Whiskers. I am Jonathan Bulldog, the president’s chief of staff.” He smiled, but it was a stiff, diplomatic smile. “I’m also Buster’s older brother.”

“I can see the resemblance,” she said.

Jonathan snorted at this. He offered his paw to the princess. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to see the president. He’s most anxious to meet with all of you.”

Buster leaned close to his brother’s side. “Jonathan—”

“Save it for the president.”

“I take it he’s none too pleased?”

“I said to save it,” Jonathan snapped.

Buster let him escort Whiskers while he drifted back a step to fall into line with Spot and Dodger. “Definitely looks like we’re getting the newspaper on the nose.”

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Spot said. “They’re probably trying to scare us.”

“I wouldn’t put much faith in that theory,” Dodger said. “Puppynapping a princess is a serious offense.”

“We didn’t puppynap her,” Buster said. “She wanted to come with us.”

“I doubt they’ll see much of a distinction there.”

Buster looked back, wondering if there were time to grab Whiskers and head back to the transport. Maybe they could find somewhere to hide in the forests, with the raccoons. She could teach him to climb trees and he could teach her to swim. It would all be so perfect. But as the security guards shut the doors to the roof, he knew it was too late.

Down in the war room of the basement, the heads of the military were already gathered, along with the president’s cabinet. Security guards showed Buster, Spot, and Dodger to seats at the far end of the table. Whiskers remained standing at Jonathan’s side as the door to the president’s chambers opened.

President Bear lumbered into the room, looking even more haggard than last time. Either his natural instincts were winning or else the situation with Cattatonia had been keeping him up. Probably a little of both, Buster thought.

The president’s paw enveloped Whiskers’s as he kissed it with his snout. “It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Whiskers.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“You may call me Mr. President. That is our custom,” President Bear said.

“Forgive me, Mr. President.”

“It’s quite all right.” He motioned to a chair beside his. “Have a seat, if you would. We have much to discuss.”

Jonathan held out the chair so that Whiskers could sit down. The president collapsed onto his chair with a low groan. He looked around the table with tired eyes. “What brings you to Batpooh State, Princess Whiskers?”

“I would like to open diplomatic relations between your nation and mine.”

“And you come on behalf of your queen?”

Whiskers grimaced at this. “Not exactly. My mother has not yet seen the error of her ways.”

“Then at the moment you carry no diplomatic authority?”

“No, I suppose not, but—”

“Then there would be little point in negotiations, would there?”

“Mr. President, please—”

“I am not sure you understand the consequences of your actions yet. We have received several angry messages from your mother’s envoys, demanding your immediate return. They threaten war if I do not comply.”

“War? But I made my own choice. None of you convinced me to go. I only wish to help foster peace between us.”

The president turned to Jonathan, who cleared his throat. “There’s also the matter of Captain Bulldog. He escaped from Cat custody, presumably with help from the princess. They are demanding he return as well to face punishment.”

Whiskers leapt to her feet and hissed. “You can’t send Buster back! They would execute him on the spot.”

“Calm yourself, Princess,” President Bear said. “We have no plans to surrender Captain Bulldog or any other citizen of the Bloc of Planetary States to a foreign regime.”

“So what are you going to do? Ask me to go back? I won’t do it. Not until they drop the charges against Buster.”

“I don’t think they’ll be very receptive to that,” Jonathan said.

“Then I won’t go.”

The head of the fleet snickered. “We have ways to make you go.”

Jonathan held up a paw. “We’re not considering that as an option, not yet.” He turned back to Whiskers. “We are prepared to tell your queen that you are staying here temporarily as our guest, so that you might learn more about our culture.”

“My mother will not care about that.”

President Bear nodded. “But that gives us some time to sort things out—diplomatically. In the meantime, I welcome you to Batpooh State. We hope that your time here can help foster better understanding between our two great cultures.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

“Now, Mr. Bulldog will give you a tour of the First Mansion.”

“What about Buster?”

“He will join you shortly. There are some things we need to discuss first.”

Whiskers gave Buster an uncertain look. He smiled, trying to put her at ease. She finally nodded to him. “Very well. I shall learn more about this palace of yours.”

After Whiskers had gone, President Bear leveled an angry glare at Buster. “I thought when you were promoted, Captain, that you would demonstrate better judgment.”

“I’m sorry, sir—”

“From your report and those of Commander Mutt and Agent Dodger, it is apparent that you have recklessly put the lives of your crew at risk, as well as those of every citizen of the Bloc of Planetary States.”

“Yes, sir. I understand and take full responsibility. I will accept whatever punishment you believe to be appropriate.”

“We are not interested in punishing you at the moment. That will be determined later. For now my primary concern is what to do about this Cat situation. What do you think they will do with Princess Whiskers here?”

Buster thought about it for a moment. He wanted to lie and say nothing bad would happen, but one look at the president and the others at the table and he knew no one would believe that. “I think they are very angry, but as our escape attested to, I don’t think they will put the princess’s life in danger.”

“Commander Mutt, do you agree with this assessment?”

“Yes, sir. The Cats refused to fire on the transport carrying the princess. They allowed us to escape with her on board rather than endanger her life.”

“Agent Dodger, anything to add?”

“The Cats practically worship their queen, sir. The princess is the sole heir to the throne. There’s no way they’ll jeopardize her life if they can help it.”

President Bear nodded and closed his eyes. Buster thought perhaps the president’s instincts had finally won out, until he said, “I believe you are correct. They will not harm the princess. That doesn’t mean they won’t try to harm the Bloc to force us into giving her back. I want all ships on full alert. Make no aggressive moves at the border, but be prepared.” The president opened his eyes to glare again at Buster. “Captain, since the princess seems to have taken a liking to you, I want you to show her around Batpooh State. Show her that we mean her and the Cats no ill will.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. This meeting is adjourned.” The president rose from his chair slowly and then waddled back into his chambers, probably to take a nap.

On their way out, Dodger whispered, “That could have gone much worse.”

Chapter 22

2011-06-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Chapter 22

Whiskers had been relatively quiet during the journey through Cat space, but she leaned forward in her chair as they came out of hyperspace. “That is your ship?” she asked, pointing at the Batpooh.

Buster nodded. “That’s her. The cream of the Bloc space fleet.”

“It’s beautiful.” She turned to face him. “And you rule this entire vessel?”

“You could put it that way,” Buster said. “I don’t think it’s as autocratic as a monarchy, though. My crew and I are a team.” He patted Spot’s shoulder.

“How wonderful. We are going aboard now?”

“That’s right. And soon you’ll get to see all the wonders the Bloc of Planetary States has to offer.”

“I can’t wait.”

Buster held her paw as Marshy guided the transport into the hangar. Considering the rest of their journey, the landing was surprisingly anticlimactic. All the landing systems functioned normally, so that Marshy was able to put it down with only the slightest of bumps. As she and Spot deactivated the systems, Buster helped Whiskers up. She leaned against him for support as they went back to the rear compartment.

Jake lowered the ramp, he and the Saint Bernards standing aside to let them pass. One of Whiskers’s guards hissed something at her. She hissed back at him. From the way the guard shrank back, it was not something positive. “Let us go,” she said to Buster.

Whiskers pressed harder against him as the ramp lowered to reveal a party waiting for them. Jeremiah was at the head of the group, along with Nina, Dash, and two security officers. “It’s all right,” Buster whispered. “They’re my friends.”

Nina wasted little time in taking a scanner from her pocket. Whiskers arched her back and hissed at this. “It’s not a weapon,” Buster told her. “This is Dr. Nina Barker. She’s our chief medical officer. She wants to make sure you aren’t sick or transporting any dangerous germs.”

“Dangerous germs? I would never—”

“It’s only a precaution,” Buster said. “It’s not even going to hurt.”

Whiskers stared at him for a moment but then nodded. “Very well. She may take her scans.” Whiskers stood on the deck while Nina ran the scanner over her body. “Do I have any germs?”

“No, sweetie, you’re clean as a newborn,” Nina said with a motherly smile.

“Good. I would not want to harm any of your crew.” She turned to the others and said, “I am Whiskers, Princess of Cattatonia. I come in peace to meet with your rulers to discuss matters of our mutual benefit.”

Jeremiah shifted uncomfortably and snuffled. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Jeremiah Mutt, chief engineer. We, um, welcome you to—”

Jeremiah looked as if he were drowning. Buster nodded to him. “We all welcome you to the Batpooh. This is Ensign Dash Mutt, our communications officer.”

“A princess! I never thought I’d meet someone that important,” Dash said, his tail wagging furiously. “I don’t suppose you could sign an autograph for me?”

Whiskers stared at him blankly. Buster cleared his throat. “That will be all, Ensign. I think we should get Princess Whiskers to sickbay. Dr. Barker will want to run a few more tests to make sure you’re healthy.”

“I understand.”

“Your guards will have to come with us as well.”

She nodded and then hissed an order to them. They came to attention, forming a semi-circle behind her to follow her and Buster from the hangar. She sprang back, though, as the doors opened on their own.

“It’s just a door,” Buster said. “They all work like that.”

She nodded again. “I am sorry, Buster. This is the first starship I have been on.”

“It’s all right. I’ll show you around after we finish with the tests. I think you’ll see it’s not so different from home.”

“Except that it moves—in space.”

Buster laughed. “Yes, there is that.” He hooked his arm through hers to lead her to sickbay.

All of the tests came back negative. Nina gave Whiskers a clean bill of health. “I’ve compared your results with Captain Morgana’s. Your vitals are much stronger, your spine is straighter, and your muscles show no signs of atrophy.”

“Princess Whiskers gets a lot of exercise,” Buster said, winking at her.

“Yes, I do a lot of climbing.”

“Not much for you to climb here,” Nina said. “But there are some magnificent trees on Batpooh State. So long as you’re careful of the raccoons.”

“What are these raccoons?”

Nina brought up an image of one on the screen. Whiskers hissed at it. “Are they all that ugly?”

“Well—”

“The raccoons are a different species than us. We can’t evaluate them in the same way,” Buster said. He patted his jowls, “A lot of Cats probably think I’m pretty ugly.”

“I am not one of them,” Whiskers said and patted Buster’s head.

Buster wanted to kiss her, but not in front of Nina. He took Whiskers’s paw in his. “If you’re up to it, I’ll give you a tour of the ship.”

“I am very much up to it.”

“Your entourage will have to wait,” Nina said. “I’m not through with them yet.”

“That will not be a problem.” Whiskers issued orders to them. They mewled in response, though they didn’t seem happy about it. “Let us go.”

Unlike when Captain Morgana was on board, Buster took Whiskers down to the engine room to start their tour. Along the way, every dog they passed tried not to look at Whiskers. He knew word would spread quickly not only about the Cats on board, but about he and Whiskers. He didn’t care. Let the crew say whatever they wanted. He and Whiskers loved each other.

Jeremiah had returned to engineering, where he looked much happier as he reviewed the latest reports on the efficiency of the cooling relays. Buster reviewed the reports and nodded his approval. “Everything shipshape in my absence then?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll be back in Batpooh State in no time.”

“Excellent.” Buster motioned to the lantern-shaped chamber in the center of the room that extended through six stories. “That’s our main fusion reactor. It’s what allows us to travel in hyperspace so that we can move between planets so quickly.”

“It’s so big! Nearly as big as my mother’s palace.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

Whiskers turned to Jeremiah. “And you have to maintain all of this?”

“That’s right.”

“That must be very dangerous.”

“Not for someone who knows what he’s doing.”

“Jeremiah is the best engineer in the whole fleet,” Buster said. The engineer looked down at the deck. “Without him and his team, we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.”

Whiskers nodded. “You are doing a very good job.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

They walked all the way around the engine room, with Buster explaining what some of the equipment did. Some of it he figured would be too far over her head and some of it was too far over his head to explain. She seemed impressed by everything. Along the way she complimented the various technicians, telling them what a splendid job they were doing. They thanked her politely, though most also looked puzzled too.

From the engine room, Buster showed her to the galley. “Are you hungry? I know you Cats don’t like kibble, but we have canned fish—”

“I believe my stomach is still on Cattatonia,” she said with a smile.

“That’s all right. So’s mine. Would you like some water, though?”

“Do you have any cream?”

“I’m sure we do.” Buster led her over to a table in the corner, far away from the rest of the crew. “I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t like the idea of leaving Whiskers alone, but he didn’t have a choice. He didn’t figure anyone on the Batpooh would hurt her anyway. She might do something to hurt herself, though. He thought of various scenarios where she might trip or run into a wall or set herself on fire with one of the burners. These all seemed unlikely, but he worried anyway.

The cooking staff had to do a little rooting around to find a carton of cream. They poured this into a dish for her. Buster got a dish of water for himself, parched after playing tour guide. When he stepped out of the kitchen, he saw she was not in the corner where he’d left her. Where had she gone?

Before he could panic, he heard her soft voice across the room. She sat at a table with four dogs who had been playing cards. One of them laid down a card on the table. “That card is a queen, so it goes on top of the king.”

“A queen?” Whiskers smiled. “I thought you did not have queens.”

“Oh, we don’t. Not real ones.”

“I see. And why does the queen go on top of the king?”

The golden retriever looked around at his friends, who offered no help. He shrugged, “It’s always been that way, I guess. The king is the highest, then the queen, the jack—”

“What is a jack?”

“Like a prince—or a duke,” Buster said. At the last word, Whiskers flinched, probably thinking of Duke Draco, her betrothed. He set the bowl of cream down on an empty table. “I found some cream for you.”

“Thank you, Captain,” she said, returning to formality in front of the lesser officers. “That will be very refreshing, I’m sure.”

“It’s probably not as good as you have on your planet,” Buster said.

“At this point I do not care,” she said and smiled. She bent down to lap up some of the cream with her pink tongue. “It is very good.”

“I’ll tell the cook.”

Whiskers looked back at the young crewmembers, who had returned to their game. “You have an interesting culture. What do you call those cardboard rectangles?”

“Playing cards. We use them for entertainment.”

“I see. We do not have those on Cattatonia.” She lapped up some more cream and then smiled again. “Most of our games take place in the trees.”

“I’m sure you were very good at those games.”

“I did not have anyone to play them with. Isis was too old for such games and I had no siblings my own age.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It must be nice to have brothers, as you have.”

“Yes, it is nice,” Buster said, thinking of Jake and Jonathan. He thought too of Spot, his almost-brother. “Being a princess must be lonely.”

“It is sometimes.” She finished her cream far more quickly than Buster thought possible. “I would like to rest now. Is there a room for me?”

“Of course. I’ll show you the way.”

Buster led her from the galley to the suite Captain Morgana had occupied. “I know it’s smaller than what you’re used to—”

“It will do nicely.” Once the door closed, she kissed Buster again. “You have been so kind. Not at all like Draco.”

“I’m only repaying your hospitality.”

She nodded and then collapsed onto the bed. She looked out at the darkness of space, tears coming to her eyes. He thought it was from the spectacular view until she said, “He will come after me. He will convince my mother to send a fleet into your space.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Draco hates you. He hates all Dogs. So does my mother. They will not suffer this outrage gladly.” She shook her head. “I am being a fool. I should return to Cattatonia immediately.”

Buster put a paw on her shoulder. “No, Whiskers, it will be fine. We’ll meet with President Bear. He’ll listen to you. I’m sure he’ll want peace as much as you do. We can work out a treaty to take back to your mother, to show we have no ill intentions.”

“She will not listen.”

“We’ll make her listen.” He sat down beside her on the bed and then turned her head to look her in the eye. “I love you, Whiskers. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

“I believe you will try, but even one mighty ship won’t be enough.”

They didn’t say anything more, staring out at space, Batpooh State drawing ever nearer.

Spot took Marshy’s advice and went to his quarters for a nap, though only after making her promise to do the same. It had been a stressful twenty-four hours and there was undoubtedly going to be more stress ahead of them. He had barely sunk down onto his bed and kicked off his boots when he heard Dodger say, “Are you really going to let him do this?”

“What are you talking about?” Spot asked. He laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. “And haven’t you ever heard of knocking first?”

“This is no time for courtesy. You’ve got to take command of the Batpooh and send that Cat back where she belongs.”

“Now you want to send Princess Whiskers back? It was your idea to use her as a hostage so we could escape.”

“That was to save all of our hides. Now’s the time to go back to the border and stuff her into an escape pod with her entourage.”

“I thought you were a diplomat?”

“You know what the Cats are going to do. They aren’t going to let us keep the princess, the sole heir to their throne. The queen is going to come after us with everything she has.”

“The princess isn’t going to stay here forever.”

“Is that so? You know she loves Buster, don’t you?”

Spot thought of the kisses and paw-holding on the transport. “Yes.”

“Do you think she’s going to leave him behind to go back to that slob Duke Draco?”

“Who?”

“Her betrothed. He’s a real piece of work. Swallows mice whole for fun.”

“Wonderful.”

“He also has the queen’s ear. Or maybe she’s too old and sick to care and lets him run the whole show. You think he’s going to let Whiskers marry a dog?”

“Marry? I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“I don’t think so.” Spot turned his head to see Dodger take a seat beside the bed. The other dog’s gray muzzle twisted in a smile. “You don’t think I know about love. I do. I have a son on one of the colonies. He looks like his old pop. His mom called him Junior. Of course she doesn’t know what it’s supposed to be the junior of, so he’s just Junior.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe you should worry less about the captain’s love life and more about your own.”

Dodger laughed softly at that. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the way you and Lieutenant Ruff looked at each other.”

“What about it?”

“I think you have a little workplace romance brewing.”

“Why is that any of your concern?”

“It’s not. I’m only proving I know what I’m talking about. Buster is head-over-tail for Whiskers and she feels the same. They aren’t going to call it off. You have to force her back.”

Spot sighed. “Regulations stipulate that I can only take command if the captain is deemed unfit for duty. So maybe you should talk to Dr. Barker.”

“I could. I think she would be just as unresponsive. She cares about him too.” Dodger snuffled. “I thought you were professionals, not a blurball club.”

Spot finally sat up to glare at Dodger. “There’s nothing I can do. Whether the captain loves Whiskers or not isn’t any of my concern. When we get to Batpooh State, you can petition President Bear to have her deported. I’m sure as his duly appointed ambassador he’ll listen to you.”

Dodger got to his feet. Spot waited for him to pull a pistol or do something worse. Instead he only shook his head. “I thought you were the smart one, Commander. I thought wrong.” Dodger tossed a mock salute. “Good night, Commander Mutt. When the war begins, I hope you’ll remember this conversation. The blood will be on your paws.”

Spot was going to say something, but Dodger was already gone. Spot settled onto the bed again, but he couldn’t sleep now.

Chapter 21

2011-06-26T09:22:00.001-07:00

Chapter 21

Spot checked over the gauges. Adding Buster, Dodger, Princess Whiskers, and her four guards was putting additional stress on the engines from the weight. He glanced over at Marshy, who had the same worried look on her face.

Something beeped on his displays. “Enemy aircraft inbound,” Spot said. From the look of it they were fixed-wing fighters, probably armed with missiles. From the sensor analysis the fighters didn’t have rocket engines, but they were still approaching at over Mach 4. “They’ll intercept us in three minutes.”

“Can we fly any faster?’ Buster asked.

“Negative.”

“Are we carrying any weapons?”

“Only small arms.”

“Lieutenant, can you lose them?”

“I’ll try, sir.” She threw a worried look at Spot. He knew what she was thinking: a transport was not designed for air-to-air combat. Transports were designed as transports, carrying equipment and personnel from the ship to planetary surfaces. They had already stressed the craft enough with the maneuvering through the atmosphere to pick up Buster and the others.

“Everyone hold on,” Spot said over the intercom. Then he turned to Marshy and smiled. “OK, Lieutenant Ruff, show me what you got.”

Her smile was less confident than he would have liked, but she nodded. She punched a few buttons on her console. The control panel parted and a steering yoke popped up. This was intended to be used in emergency situations; Spot couldn’t think of any better emergency than right now. “Here we go,” she whispered.

Marshy yanked the yoke hard to the left as the fighters approached. They didn’t have any trouble following the maneuver, positioning themselves in a firing line behind the transport. Spot watched through the sensors as a missile lit out from beneath one of the fighters. Marshy grunted with irritation and then snapped the control yoke back to the right. The missile went streaking past, its tiny fins unable to follow.

The transport went into a sharp dive and without asking, Spot knew Marshy was aiming for the mist around the tree line. If the fighters had infrared sensors—and they likely did—it probably wouldn’t matter. Still, a pilot flying by instruments was less capable than one flying by sight so it might help even things up.

“Just watch for the trees,” Spot said.

“I will.”

The transport spiraled down into the mist. Spot considered taking control of the craft as they continued to plunge down, nearly into the jungle canopy. He held back, seeing the look of determination on Marshy’s face. She knew what she was doing.

Marshy leveled off abruptly and then spun the craft around a hundred-eighty degrees. “When I give the word, I want you to hit the main engines. Give it everything you have, understand?” Marshy said.

“I got it.”

The fighters came down through the mist slower, using far more caution than Marshy had. She eased the transport forward with its maneuvering thrusters. The fighters were still coming down, trying to get a bead on the transport with their missiles. Marshy waited until three of the four were down on her level and within just two hundred meters.

“They’re getting a lock on us,” Spot said.

Marshy nodded but didn’t say anything. She pushed the transport forward with its maneuvering jets. The warning tone from the missile locks became a shrill buzz loud enough that Buster and Whiskers put their paws to their ears. “Lieutenant—”

The fighters fired their missiles. Marshy turned to Spot. As calmly as if ordering a bowl of kibble, she said, “Hit the engines.”

Spot did as she said, slapping the button to activate the main engines. These were designed to be used in space, where the heat and radiation wouldn’t affect any plant or wildlife. There was also the aerial disturbances created by the engines, especially at full power. As the transport lurched forward, its engines kicked up a vortex of deadly hot air. This vortex proved to be a lucrative target for the enemy missiles, which exploded harmlessly in the transport’s wake.

As for the fighters, they were caught practically standing still as the transport shot past. Its wake tossed the three craft around like boats in a hurricane. Already in the unstable air near the trees, the fighters couldn’t pull up in time. The three pilots bailed out only moments before their fighters became entangled in the branches.

The fourth decided discretion was the better part of valor and turned away. Spot looked over at Marshy and nodded. “Nice flying, Lieutenant.”

“It’s not over yet,” she said. And she was right.

No one bothered them as they climbed through the atmosphere. Cattatonia’s atmosphere was thicker than most Bloc worlds, making for a warmer and choppier flight. With the inertial dampeners already gone, Spot had to cling to the edge of the control panel to keep from getting his head bashed in. Marshy and Buster had similar problems. As for Whiskers, she was smiling.

She let out a very unregal squeal as the transport rocketed through the atmosphere. If he weren’t being thrown around like a chew toy, Spot would have asked her what was so funny. It must be a Cat thing, he thought.

They emerged safely into orbit, the craft settling down and turning cooler. “That was amazing!” Whiskers shouted. She seized Buster’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Is this what it’s always like?”

“Usually no one’s chasing us,” Buster said.

The princess leaned forward to stare through the viewscreen. “Is this space?”

“This is it,” Buster said. “You’re among the stars now.”

“It’s incredible. I see why you enjoy being up here so much.”

Then she kissed him. Spot had never seen anything like it. He had to grab onto the edge of the control panel again, only this time out of shock. A Cat kissing a dog! And they both seemed to be enjoying it. What had happened down there?

He turned to Marshy, who was trying not to look back at the interspecies lovers. “I think it’s time we activated the cloaking device.”

“Good idea.” She punched the intercom. “Randy, is the cloak ready?”

“I’m afraid not, Marshmallow.” Despite the circumstances, she bristled at this name. “All of our maneuvering has damaged the relays. I fear beyond repair.”

Right on cue, two Cat warships appeared in front of them. Captain Morgana’s face appeared on the communications screen. She pressed her face just about against the camera as she screamed, “Invaders! Traitors! We will destroy you!”

“Can we hit the hyperdrive?” Buster asked.

“Not yet. We’re too close,” Spot said. He hit the intercom again. “We need that cloak, Dr. Ruff.”

“I’m sorry, Commander.”

Dodger’s voice came on the intercom. “I have an idea. Can you send Princess Whiskers back here and then punch through a video link to their ship?”

“What are you planning?”

“There’s no way they’re going to kill the princess. So we use that against them.”

Buster turned to Whiskers. “You don’t have to do it.”

Whiskers smiled at him. “I must. It’s the only way for us to escape.”

“At least let me be the one—”

“No, you couldn’t do it. They’ll know.”

“Whiskers—”

“There’s nothing to fear, my love.” She gave him a shorter kiss before unfastening her straps and slinking off to the back.

Spot typed in a few commands to create a video link between the back hold and the Cat warship. As he did, he said over his shoulder, “You have some explaining to do when we get back, Mister.”

“Don’t I know it. Father is going to neuter me.”

With a last flourish, Spot set up the transmission. On one half of the screen he saw Captain Morgana, her tongue sticking out of her mouth as when they had first seen her. On the other half of the screen, Dodger pressed one of the Saint Bernard rifles to Princess Whiskers’s head. “Hey, Captain Morgana. Nice to see you again,” Dodger hissed.

“You dare put a weapon to the princess’s head?”

“That’s right. And I’ll use it if you don’t let us go.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“You think so?” Dodger’s gray muzzle turned up in a grin even Spot found unsettling. “It’s too bad I can’t show you my raccoon tail collection. Three hundred thirty of them. I think the princess would make a good addition.”

“If you singe even a centimeter of her fur—”

“What will you do? Fire on us? Kill your princess, the only heir to the throne?” Dodger shrugged. “Maybe the queen’s not too old for another child. Miracles can happen.”

“You vile—”

“Listen up, Twitchy. You and your friends better stand down. Got it? Or else there isn’t going to be any heir to your throne. And don’t try following us either.”

“You won’t do it,” Captain Morgana hissed. “If you kill her, we will destroy you.”

“Directive One of the Fleet Intelligence manual is that no agent is ever to be taken alive. Surrender is not an option for me, Twitchy. Think about it. I’ll give you one minute to call your queen and tell her that her daughter is about to be vaporized.”

“No!” Captain Morgana hissed something in her own language. Spot watched on the sensors as the Cat warships backed off.

“They’re letting us pass,” Spot said.

“Good.” Dodger didn’t lower the weapon, though. “Thanks, Twitchy. But if you try to have one of your cloaked ships follow us to the Batpooh, I won’t hesitate in vaporizing her.”

“We understand. You will be allowed to pass through Cat space with the queen’s protection.”

“I’m glad we understand each other. See you around, Twitchy.”

Spot broke the transmission. He kept the camera on the back though until Dodger turned Whiskers loose. The princess staggered back to the cockpit, where she collapsed against Buster. He stroked her fur and whispered comforting words as Marshy set a course to take them back to the Batpooh.

Spot looked over at Marshy, noticing the same look of concern on her face. “Let’s go home,” he said. Despite the damage to the makeshift cloaking device, the hyperspace engines worked. Cattatonia, its moons, and its warships disappeared from view, but Spot knew the latter would reappear sooner rather than later.

Chapter 20

2011-06-26T09:19:00.001-07:00

Chapter 20

Buster had been dreaming of Whiskers when he heard the door opened. He hoped it would be her again, so that he might have some final words with her before the execution. From the smell of dead mice, though, he knew it wasn’t her. “Back again to gloat?” he asked.

“Not only for that,” Draco hissed. “I’ve spoken with the queen and we’ve decided to move up your execution by six hours.”

Buster growled at this. Instead of six in the morning, he would be executed at midnight now. “I don’t suppose it really matters,” he said.

“No, not with your ship light years away.” Though Buster couldn’t make out Draco’s face clearly, he could hear the sneer in the Cat’s voice. “They ran like cowards rather than try to save you.”

Buster shook his head. Spot was only doing the smart thing, putting the lives of the crew above those of the captain. That was what Captain Barker would have done and what Buster would have done in similar circumstances. “I’m not as important as you think. I’m just one dog.”

“You’re the heir to the largest industrial conglomerate of your pathetic empire.”

“The Bloc isn’t an empire. We choose our representatives through fair elections so that everyone gets a voice.”

“Except the raccoons.”

“They can if they want to participate.”

“Participate in your system.” Draco sneered again. “I’m sure you would offer us the same, wouldn’t you?”

“It’s not the Bloc’s mission to change the governments of established worlds.”

“It would only be a matter of time before you tried to absorb us into your culture, to make us into you, just as you tried to do with the princess.”

“The princess did everything of her own free will.”

“You seduced her with tales of starships traveling among the stars.”

“I only answered her questions.” Buster took a step forward to make out Draco’s face more clearly. “You should try talking to her more. She’s an interesting being.”

“She is my fiancée.”

“Only because of her duty to Cattatonia.” Buster bared his teeth and was gratified to watch Draco hop back a step. “She would never marry someone as foul as you of her own free will. This was her mother’s idea. And you probably had a paw in it too.”

“I only convinced the queen of what made the most sense.” Draco stepped forward again. “I will be king and you will be nothing but monkey food.”

With that Draco turned to leave. Buster could have jumped on his back and bit him in the neck like one of the monkeys in the trees, but he didn’t. He would probably only have a second or two before the guards were on him. Then he would be dead. Better to wait and see if Whiskers could do anything.

The door clanged shut. Buster returned to his pile of mud to sit down. How would the Cats choose to execute him? Something long and painful he imagined, to make him suffer. Draco would ensure that. Would they honor a final request? If they could give him a few minutes to speak with Whiskers, to kiss her one last time—

“You had enough fun playing in the mud?” Dodger whispered.

Buster yelped with surprise. He squinted in the darkness but couldn’t see the spy. “Where are you?” Buster whirled around as he felt a paw on his left shoulder. “How did you do that?”

“Practice.”

“Did they get you two?”

Dodger snickered. “Don’t be absurd. I snuck in here to bust you out.”

Buster collapsed on his mud pile again and then shook his head. “What difference would it make? We can’t escape this place. We don’t even have a ship.”

“Let me worry about that. Come on.”

Buster got to his feet again, reaching out to put a paw on Dodger’s shoulder. He followed the secret agent to the door. He watched as Dodger took something from his pocket to open the door. “Old-fashioned lock,” Dodger said. “I learned to break these in kindergarten.”

He opened the door and then peeked outside. “All right, let’s go. Try to be quiet.”

Dodger took about five steps down the stone corridor before a shadow on the wall moved. Buster didn’t have time to shout a warning before something dropped on the spy. He rushed forward only to get a claw across his snout.

Dodger hurled the dark shape against the wall. He tried to reach to his hip for his pistol, but something snapped it out of his hand like a whip. The dark shape slammed into Dodger’s midsection, knocking him back against the wall.

While they were engaged, Buster scrambled to find the fallen pistol. He got down on all fours to feel for it with his snout. Just as he felt the butt of the weapon, he heard the click of a weapon. Looking up, he saw the barrel of a pistol aimed right between his eyes. Draco held the weapon in one paw, smirking. “I thought you might try this. Cassie, let the other one up.”

“Yes, Father.” The dark shape crawled off of Dodger, allowing him to sit up.

“Looks like we didn’t get all of you back to your ship,” Draco said. “Such a pity. Now you’ll both be executed.”

“That’s what you think,” Dodger said.

“Brave words from someone facing a half-dozen rifles.”

Buster waited for Draco to pull the trigger and finish it. Or, knowing Draco, he would stun them both so that they could be executed publicly. Either way, he was never going to see Whiskers again, except perhaps in a royal box seat, watching as he died. “Go ahead and finish it,” Buster said.

“Gladly.”

Before Draco could pull the trigger, Buster heard the click of more weapons. “Stop this immediately,” Lady Isis said. Buster twisted to look past Draco’s girth and see a dozen royal guards accompanying the royal handmaiden.

Draco spun around and roared, “On whose authority?”

“Her highness, Princess Whiskers has decreed it.”

“She can’t do that! I am following the queen’s orders!”

“The queen said nothing about killing the prisoner in the dungeon. They are to be executed in the arena. That is where we will take them. Stand down immediately.”

Draco roared again, this time without words. He lowered his pistol. Turning to Buster, he grumbled, “You will still be killed. It’s only a matter of time.”

After Draco and his guards had gone, Lady Isis offered a paw to Buster. He got to his feet, wishing he were cleaner. “You and your companion will follow me,” Isis said.

“Sure,” Buster said. With a sigh he followed after Isis. Wouldn’t want to be late for my execution, he thought to himself.

From his last trip beneath the palace, Buster soon realized they weren’t going to the arena. The smells around him were just like those of the tunnel he had been in before. The dampness and sliminess were about the same too. He wondered what Lady Isis thought about crawling through this muck, but she didn’t say anything.

He nearly leapt for joy when they came to the end of the tunnel and he found Whiskers waiting for him. She didn’t have any qualms about wrapping her arms around him, despite the muck coating his fur and remains of his uniform. She stroked the wrinkles of his neck with one paw and whispered, “I thought I would never see you again.”

“Here I am,” he said.

Lady Isis broke up the moment by mewling in her throat. “We haven’t much time, Your Highness.”

“Yes, we must go quickly. Draco will petition my mother and they will soon be after us.”

“Then we best make a run for it,” Dodger said. “You have a ship?”

“Not here. Draco will be watching the royal hangars.” Whiskers motioned to the trees. “We must get you into the trees. You can hide there until we find a ship for you.”

“Doesn’t sound like much of a plan,” Dodger grumbled.

“It’s the only one we got,” Buster answered. “Did you bring those claws?”

“Yes.” Whiskers smiled and then held up four pairs. “Enough for both of you.”

“I don’t need any,” Dodger answered. He reached into his jacket for what appeared to be two balls. At his touch, three daggers sprung from the balls. “I brought my own.”

“Then let’s go,” Buster said. He followed Whiskers to the nearest tree. This time, having some experience at tree climbing and the extra set of claws, he made quicker progress. Still not as quick as any of the Cats or even Dodger with his special devices.

“You want to borrow these?” Dodger asked.

“I don’t think I have the upper-body strength for it.”

“Probably true. Most of you fleet officers are soft.”

“I’ll let Jake know you said that. If we get back.”

“Silence,” Whiskers hissed. “Listen.”

Buster strained his ears until he heard a faint hiss. He thought it might be a breeze, but then he caught the smell of the dungeon. “Draco?”

“Cassie,” Whiskers said. “We must hurry.”

“Right,” Buster said. He dug his claws into the tree trunk, trying to pull himself up faster. Looking down, he could see Cassie’s dark shape below. There were probably more with her. It wouldn’t be long until they caught up with him, Whiskers, and the others.

By the time Buster reached the branch where they had fought the monkeys, Cassie was close enough that Buster could see the green of her eyes. The determined look on her face indicated she would do to him what he had done to the monkeys. He tried to go faster, but it didn’t do much good.

“We can’t outrun them,” Whiskers announced.

“I can’t,” Buster said.

“Then we have to make our stand here,” Dodger said. He took a pair of pistols from his pockets. One of these he handed to Buster. “It’ll make me happy to get rid of that nasty little beast once and for all.”

“She won’t be that easy,” Whiskers said. “And she will surely have a lot of help.”

“We’ll see.”

Buster wished he shared Dodger’s confidence—or feigned confidence at least—but he couldn’t. They did have the advantage of holding the high ground, at least until Draco scrambled a few shuttles to attack them from the air. They couldn’t hold out forever.

Even as he thought this, he heard the whine of engines approaching. He tapped Dodger on the shoulder. “Looks like they’ve got some help.”

“That ought to even the odds.”

Buster turned to Whiskers. “You should leave now. Dodger and I will hold them off until you’re clear.”

“I won’t leave you,” Whiskers said.

“Princess, please—”

She took his free paw in hers. “I can never leave you, Buster. I love you.”

Buster stared at her in shock for a moment. Had she really said she loved him? “You love me?”

“Yes, Buster. I know it’s been a short time and we come from very different worlds, but I don’t care. You are kind and brave and handsome—everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Buster smiled at her. “You think I’m handsome?”

She smiled back, her paw touching his jowls. “You are the most beautiful thing in the world to me.”

“So are you.” He squeezed Whiskers’s paw. “I love you too. That’s why you have to go. I don’t want to be responsible for getting you killed.”

“I am responsible for my own actions.” She stroked his jowls again. “Wasn’t it you who told me to embrace my own destiny?”

“I didn’t mean for you to get yourself killed.”

“I don’t care if I die, so long as it is by your side.”

“Whiskers—”

“I have made my decision. We will make our stand here. We will die together if that is what fate has in store.”

“Fate’s looking pretty good today,” Dodger said. He handed a pair of binoculars to Buster. “Take a look at that.”

Buster put the binoculars to his eyes. They were adjusted for the nighttime light of Cattatonia so that he could clearly see the ship approaching them. The profile of it was all wrong for a Cat ship—but just right for a Bloc transport! “It’s from the Batpooh. We’re saved!”

“Not yet,” Dodger said, pointing down at Cassie, who was less than ten meters away. He fired a few shots down at her. Buster watched through the binoculars as Cassie threw herself from the tree to an adjoining one. She was going to be too slippery to catch.

Buster raised his pistol to fire into the air. He watched through the binoculars as the transport adjusted its course to head towards them. It would still be a minute or so before it could line up to extract them.

The guards with Whiskers added their fire to Dodger’s to try and drive away Cassie and the guards who accompanied her. Buster paid little attention to this. He turned back to Whiskers. “You have to go now. Dodger and I will be fine.”

Isis took Whiskers’s arm. “He is right, your highness. We must go now. While the guards are distracted. Our guards will keep Cassie at bay.”

“No. I am going with you.”

“Whiskers, you can’t! We’re going back to Batpooh State.”

“I will go with you. Perhaps if I talk to your president, we can forge peace between our races.”

“But your mother—”

“I don’t care what my mother wants. I care about the rest of Cattatonia—and you.” She stroked Buster’s face. “I won’t lose you, not again.”

“Your highness—”

“It is my decision.” Whiskers turned to her handmaiden. “Tell my mother I go as an emissary of peace to this Batpooh State. I will begin negotiations with its leaders to create a lasting alliance between them and Cattatonia.”

“But your highness—”

“You will do as you are told, my faithful servant.”

For the first time, Isis’s face showed real emotion. Tears welled up in her pale green eyes. “I swore to your mother I would care for you as I would my own.”

“And you have. But I am no longer a child. It is time to take my rightful place as the princess of Cattatonia.” She gave Isis a hug. “You have been a good mother to me. I thank you for your service. I release you now. I ask only that you return to my mother and tell her my wishes.”

“I will do that, your highness. I hope only that I will see you again in better times.”

Isis took four of the guards with her and then leapt across to another tree. She had soon scurried out of sight to head back for the palace. Whiskers took Buster’s paw as the transport came down to hover three meters away.

The side door opened to reveal Jake and the Saint Bernards, all three carrying heavy laser rifles. Before they could open fire, Buster shouted, “Hold your fire! These Cats are our friends!”

“Funny friends you got there,” Jake rumbled.

Buster hooked Whiskers around the waist to guide her towards the transport. As he pushed her forward a shot sizzled past his ear, close enough that he could smell singed fur. The Saint Bernards didn’t waste time opening fire with their weapons in the direction of the shot. The chatter of the weapons was as loud as a pack of monkeys and brighter than a summer storm.

“Let’s go!” Buster shouted into Whiskers’s ear. He used both paws to pick her up nad throw her towards the transport. A metal arm reached out to grab her paw.

Whiskers shrieked at the sight of Dr. Ruff’s half-artificial face, but she couldn’t resist the augmented strength of that metal arm as he hauled her in. Buster waited until Dr. Ruff returned before he took off running. The Saint Bernads laid down another barrage to keep anyone from firing as he dove into the transport. He landed ingloriously on the deck.

“Glad you could make it,” Buster said as Jake helped him up. “Make sure we get Dodger and the princess’s guards.”

“Going to be a tight squeeze.”

“Find a way,” Buster snapped.

He made his way forward, into the cockpit. The co-pilot’s chair turned around and Buster found himself facing a grinning Spot. “Welcome aboard, Captain.”

“Where’s the Batpooh?”

“In Bloc space.”

“You got all the way here in a transport?”

“Thanks to Dr. Ruff—and a little Cat technology.”

Buster shook his head at this. He motioned to Whiskers in the rear compartment. She squeezed forward into the cockpit. “Commander Spot Mutt II, this is Whiskers, princess of Cattatonia. She’s coming with us.”

“Princess? Buster—”

“Don’t worry about it.” He turned back to the rear compartment. “How are we coming?”

To answer his question, Dodger came flying into the rear compartment. He rolled to come to a sitting position. “Everyone’s aboard!” he shouted.

“Then let’s go home,” Buster said. He took a jump seat behind Spot while Whiskers took one behind Marshy. The Saint Bernards kept the door open so that they could keep firing as the transport pushed away from the trees. Only once they were a few hundred meters away did the Saint Bernards stop firing and pull the door shut.

“Punch it,” Spot said to Marshy.

“Yes, sir.”

As the transport leapt forward, Buster turned to Whiskers. She smiled at him, but above that he could see fear in her eyes.

Chapter 19

2011-06-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

Chapter 19

With his computerized brain, Dr. Ruff needed only five seconds to analyze the situation and come up with a solution. “If we can modify one of our transports to emit the same kind of energy field as their ships, we should be able to land on the surface undetected and retrieve Captain Bulldog.”

Jeremiah had come down from engineering for this meeting. He shook his head as Dr. Ruff spoke. “A cloaking device? We’ve worked on those for years with nothing to show for it. You think you can make one in twelve hours?”

“We have been studying the energy field the Cats use to disguise their cities from our sensors. I believe we can mimic the same energy field for one of our transports.”

“Why not the whole ship?” Jake asked.

“To create their fields, the Cats use a particular type of crystal as a conductor in their relays. The crystal is not indigenous to any Bloc worlds.”

“Then how are we going to get any of it?” Jeremiah asked.

“The escape pod they delivered Lieutenant Bulldog and the others in contains some of the material. I believe it will be enough to cloak one of our transports.”

Spot smiled at this. The Cats had inadvertently made a critical error by sending Jake and the Saint Bernards back in an escape pod. He nodded to the others. “How long will it take?”

“With the help of Lieutenant Commander Mutt and a team of engineers, I believe we can make the modifications in seven hours.”

“That doesn’t leave us with much time,” Jeremiah said.

“Then we’d better get to work,” Spot said. He turned to his brother. “Give Dr. Ruff whatever he needs. Strip parts off the hyperdrive reactor if you have to.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. While you do that, Jake and I are going to figure out just how to get Captain Bulldog out of there.” He patted Jeremiah’s shoulder. “Keep me apprised.”

Jake followed Spot out into the corridor. “You really think this is going to work?”

“It has to.”

Marshy came running out of the elevator. Though her face was white, it looked even paler. “Spot! We just received a transmission from Cattatonia.”

“Cattatonia?”

“It’s Ambassador Dodger. He says they’re moving Captain Bulldog’s execution up by six hours!”

Spot could only think to say, “Oh no.”

The tighter schedule meant there was no time for mistakes. Dr. Ruff and his team did the majority of the work, their cyber-enhanced bodies allowing them to work faster than Jeremiah and the other engineers. Despite this, they still had to work at a feverish pace to meet the new deadline.

Spot watched a live feed from the conference room, where he and Jake went over a rudimentary plan. With the execution moved up, they would be unlikely to have any time to search for the dungeon where Buster was being held. That meant they would have to wait until the execution itself. They would have to hope they could arrive in time to rescue Buster off the gallows—or whatever the Cats used to execute their prisoners.

Spot rubbed his tired eyes with one paw. “I think the best we can do is lay down some covering fire from the transport while someone goes down to get him.”

“I’ll do that.”

“No, I should do it. I’m the captain; I shouldn’t ask you to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”

Jake snorted at this. “I know you would do it yourself. I just think it’s better if I do it.” Jake flexed his muscles. “If things get rough down there, I’d be better at handling it.”

Spot sighed. Things were very likely to get rough on the ground. The Cats would have a lot of security down there and no matter how well-aimed their shots from the transport, they couldn’t take out all the guards. “I suppose you’re right.”

Jake patted him on the shoulder. “I know you’d do anything to rescue Buster. So would I. We still got to keep our heads about this.”

“I know. Thank you.”

The intercom buzzed. “Commander, we’ve finished the modifications,” Dr. Ruff announced. Spot turned to the monitor to see Jeremiah’s crews packing up their gear.

“I’ll be right there. Can you ask your sister to meet me down there?”

“Yes, Commander.”

Spot turned to Jake. “Get your team together and meet us down there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Spot considered this enough of an emergency that he could run down to the hangar. He just about ran into Jeremiah as the hangar door opened. “She’s as ready as she’s going to be,” Jeremiah said, the fatigue evident in his voice. “Wish I could guarantee that she’ll hold up, but we’ve had to rush this so much—”

“I know.” Spot gave his brother a hug. “If anything happens—”

“I’ll tell Mom and Pop.”

“Thanks. I’m leaving you in charge while I’m gone.”

“Me?”

“It’s either you or Nina.”

Jeremiah looked down at the deck. Although he was a lieutenant commander, Jeremiah had never been interested in commanding a starship. He preferred to stay in the engine room, among his precious machines. He snuffled and said, “I understand. I’ll try not to let her go to pot.”

“Thanks. And you might want to give those engines a tune-up. We may have to make a quick getaway back to Batpooh State.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“That’s all I ask.” After another hug, Spot went into the hangar. The transport didn’t look any different on the outside, but inside he saw just about every access panel had been opened to expose its circuitry. He saw a few strange crystal conduits that must have come from the Cat escape pod. “That’s it?”

“Yes, Commander,” Dr. Ruff said. “I apologize for the mess—”

“It’ll be fine, so long as it gets us there and back.”

“Let us hope so.”

Marshy poked her head into the transport. She smiled at her brother and Spot. “This looks different.”

“It does indeed,” Spot said. “Think you can fly her?”

“Me? I thought you—”

“We need our best pilot for this, the one who holds all the Academy records.”

Marshy’s smile broadened. “Yes, sir.”

Before she came up to the cockpit, Marshy gave her brother a hug. Despite that he was largely a machine now, Dr. Ruff hugged her back. Then Marshy slipped into the pilot’s seat and began flipping switches. “Let’s do this,” she said.

“And hope Dog is on our side.”

They couldn’t use the cloaking device in hyperspace. That would have to wait until they reached the moons of Cattatonia. Going over the Batpooh’s chart of the system, Spot and Marshy had agreed that the third moon would make an ideal waypoint. As far as they could tell, it was uninhabited. It was also volcanic, spewing jets of radioactive gases into space. That would help to provide cover for their approach.

That was if they made it that far. The Cats would surely have sensors along the way capable of picking up a hyperspace signature. If their sensors were like those on Bloc ships, they wouldn’t be able to penetrate the hyperspace “bubble” around the transport to determine its make. They might decide it was simply another of their ships coming back from patrol.

Along the way, Spot kept an eye on his gauges, waiting for something on the jury-rigged transport to blow out or fuse into slag. So far everything seemed to be holding together well enough, except that the inertial dampeners had been cannibalized, making for a bumpy ride. Good thing he hadn’t eaten before the trip.

“Everything’s holding steady,” Marshy said. She punched the intercom button. “How are you doing back there?”

“We’re fine,” Jake snapped. If they rescued Buster, there wouldn’t be much room to squeeze him in the transport, not with Jake, the Saint Bernards, and Dr. Ruff already back there. Then there was the matter of Dodger. Would he be there as well? Would the Cats have already found and killed him?

A clock on Spot’s side of the cockpit counted down the minutes until Buster’s execution. They had only two hours left. It would take another hour just to get out of hyperspace. From there, at least forty-five minutes of flight time down to the surface. That would leave them very little time to find where Buster was being executed and rescue him.

The hour ticked down painfully slow. He and Marshy said nothing except for routine status reports. There was nothing they could say at this point. They might both be killed on this mission. If only they had met before this, so that they might have had more time to get to know each other—

“We’re here,” Marshy said. “Dropping out of hyperspace.”

The third moon of Cattatonia loomed ahead of them, its gray-brown surface pockmarked with craters. Marshy used the maneuvering jets to bring the transport to the right seconds before a crevice along the surface came to life with blue light. A jet of blue gas lit out into space. Spot checked his displays for any damage, but Marshy had moved them out of the way in time. “Nice job, Lieutenant.”

“Thank you, sir.”

He hit the intercom button. “Are we ready back there?”

“Just about, Commander,” Dr. Ruff answered. A few more precious seconds ticked away. “Ready to initiate cloak.”

Spot held his breath as he waited. The lights on the cockpit dimmed and then went out completely. Marshy slapped at the controls. “We’ve lost navigation controls,” she said.

“Dr. Ruff?”

“A relay has burned out. It should only be a minute to reroute power.”

“Commander!” Marshy shouted. Spot turned to look out the front screen. He saw immediately what Marshy had seen: another of the crevices was about to erupt, one directly in their path.

“Dr. Ruff—”

“Working on it, sir.”

“We don’t have much time.”

The crevice lit up with bright blue light as the previous one had. Spot pounded futilely on the control panel. Without the transport’s shields, they would be killed by the radiation when that crevice erupted. “Dr. Ruff!”

“Randy, do it!” Marshy screamed.

The instrument panels came back to life. Marshy wasted no time in firing the maneuvering jets to push them out of the way. The stream of blue radioactive gas passed within meters of them, not close enough to do any damage. Spot sighed with relief. “Status of the cloak?” he asked over the intercom.

“Fully operational, Commander.”

He turned to Marshy. “Take us down, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the transport backed away from the moon to head for Cattatonia, Spot checked the clock. They had less than an hour left. Less than an hour before his best friend would be dead.

Chapter 18

2011-06-26T09:17:00.003-07:00

Chapter 18

After hours without hearing anything further from Cattatonia and still without any success at penetrating the energy field in the trees, Spot decided to follow Marshy’s advice. He had Dash bring a cushion into Buster’s office so that if trouble happened he wouldn’t be too far away from the bridge. Spot was curled up on the cushion for nearly twenty minutes before the alarms sounded.

As he sat up, the intercom on the captain’s desk buzzed. Spot leapt from the cushion to punch the button with his paw. “Status?” he barked.

“We have a Cat shuttle approaching,” Dash said. “They say they’re returning the away team.”

“Excellent news, Ensign. Keep our shields down and welcome them aboard.”

“Yes, sir.”

Spot rushed back onto the bridge, where he found Marshy just stepping off the elevator. From the way her jacket was unbuttoned, she must have just received a call as well. She smiled slightly to him, probably with some embarrassment to look so unkempt. Thinking of his talk with Nina, he smiled back and nodded to her.

Then he took the captain’s chair, where he saw the Cat shuttle approaching on the sensors. The shuttle was too small to be in visual range yet, but it would be within a few minutes. Of more concern though were the Cat warships nearby. What if they tried to stop the shuttle or even to destroy it?

Even as he thought this, the warships changed their positions, coming around to face the Batpooh. “They’re getting into attack position,” the security officer said. “Should we raise shields?”

“No,” Spot said. “Let’s see what they do.”

“But sir—”

“It’s not us we have to worry about, Ensign.” Spot watched on the viewscreen as the black dot of the shuttle became larger. A few more minutes and they would be aboard. Then they could get out of here and go back home. Spot resisted the urge to drum his paws on the armrests as he waited. “Lieutenant Ruff, prepare a course to get us out of here at the quickest possible speed.”

“Yes, sir.”

Trying to fight three Cat warships—and however many more might be lurking out there—would be foolhardy, but they could at least try to flee. The shuttle continued its approach, though far slower than Spot would like. So far the Cat warships were just sitting there, watching and waiting. But for how long?

“Sir, I’m receiving a transmission from the shuttle,” Dash said. “It’s from Captain Morgana.”

“Put it through.”

“Attention, foolish Dogs, we are putting the others of your kind in an escape pod. Once you have them, you are to leave Cattatonian space immediately. We will provide an escort to make sure you reach the border.”

“Thank you, Captain—” The connection went dead before Spot could finish. He watched on the sensor display as the shuttle came about ninety degrees. There was a momentary flash of heat, followed by something the size of a compact hovercar breaking away from the shuttle. “Track the escape pod and plot an intercept course.”

“Yes, sir,” Marshy said. The Cats had aimed the pod well, so that the Batpooh hardly had to move in order to align itself with the vehicle. Marshy fired the maneuvering rockets for a few seconds to get the ship in position.

“I’m going down to the hangar to meet them,” Spot said. “Have Dr. Barker meet me there. Lieutenant Ruff, you have the bridge. Let me know immediately if those Cat warships make any hostile moves.”

“Yes, sir.”

Running was undignified for even a temporary captain except in the most dire emergencies. This didn’t qualify in Spot’s mind, so he forced himself to walk quickly through the corridors, to the hangar. He saw Nina coming from down the opposite end of the corridor, her body clad in a tight-fitting blue biohazard suit and carrying a medical case in one paw.

“Let’s hope that isn’t necessary,” Spot said.

“I’ll still have to take them in for quarantine until we know they aren’t carrying any contagious germs.”

“I understand.” The Cats might not have infected their guests with anything, but that didn’t mean germs from the planet couldn’t make the Batpooh’s crew sick.

Spot opened the door to the hangar to find the escape pod drifting down to the deck thanks to the hangar’s internal tractor beams. He let Nina go first, hanging back until she gave him an all-clear. That was until he heard shouting inside the escape pod and saw it rocking violently. Spot took the pistol from his hip and then raced forward.

He threw open the hatch Nina had gone through, expecting to find a squad of Cats holding Nina hostage. Instead he found Nina standing over a Saint Bernard, who was rolling on the floor and howling as she tried to examine him. “I guess someone is ticklish,” Spot said and put the pistol away.

Jake took him by the arm. “We need to talk. Now.”

It was then Spot realized the escape pod was short two dogs.

Despite what Jake had said, Nina refused to release him or the Saint Bernards from sickbay. Her preliminary scans had cleared them of anything harmful, but she ordered them to wait in sickbay until more detailed tests came back. In issues like this the medical officer had priority over even the captain’s orders, so there was nothing for Spot to do but wait and hope the Cats didn’t get too impatient about them leaving Cattatonian space.

Only after taking her scans did Nina allow Jake to have a seat in her office. Spot sat in the doctor’s chair and tried not to look at the picture of Captain Barker his wife kept there. “What happened to Buster and Dodger?”

“They took Buster. Some trumped-up charges about him trying to kill their princess.”

“And Dodger?”

“He was on the shuttle with us. They even crammed him into that tin can with us. But when it launched, he was gone. Somehow he snuck out of there without anyone seeing him.”

“Sounds like what a Fleet Intelligence operative would do.”

“You mean he was a spy?”

“Yes. A real high-level one too. Nothing in any database about him. At least not the ones we can access. They probably have something on him at the First Mansion.”

“Guess that explains it then.” Jake shook his head. “He’s probably going back for Buster. Thinks he can break him out on his own.”

“What about that princess Buster supposedly attacked?”

“Not sure. She took us around the place instead of her old mum and then that night she sent a note to ask Buster to meet with her somewhere private. From what he said, they went up into some tree and had a nice chat. Got into a run-in with some critters up there but came down without much damage. Next thing we know, they’re taking him away, saying he tried to poison her in her sleep. Bunch of—”

“I get it,” Spot said. “Where are they holding him now?”

“Don’t know that either. Somewhere in that palace of theirs. A dungeon so it’s probably underground.”

Before Spot could say anything, the intercom buzzed. Dash’s voice came through. “Message from the Cats, sir. They want us to leave their space immediately or else they’re going to blast us. What should I tell them?”

“Tell them we’re on our way. And tell Lieutenant Ruff to get us moving—half-maximum speed, though.”

“Yes, sir.”

Spot could tell even before he got to his feet that Jake was angry. The flaps of his jowls went up and the hair to bare his teeth and the hair on the back of his head bristled. Spot had seen this look before when Buster got upset. “You’re going to leave them there?”

“No.”

“But you said—”

“There’s no good we can do. Not with the ship. They’d have us in pieces before we could get a transport on the ground.”

“Then what are you going to do? Roll over and show your belly to them?”

“For now, yes. At least let them think we are.” Spot stood up but didn’t dare risk trying to pat Jake’s shoulder at the moment. “Let’s go pay Dr. Ruff a visit.”

Chapter 17

2011-06-26T09:17:00.001-07:00

Chapter 17

Buster had just fallen asleep when the door to the suite had opened. For once Lady Isis wasn’t at their head and it was much too early for breakfast. These guards bore leveled spears instead of food carts. Before Buster could get to his feet, he faced a half-dozen spears.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Dodger shouted as the guards surrounded him.

Buster couldn’t look over his shoulder, but he could hear the Saint Bernards growling. “Don’t do anything hostile!” Buster ordered.

It wasn’t until they were herded into the corner—with the Saint Bernards cuffed—that Duke Draco arrived on the scene. Buster held back a growl in his throat as he thought of what Whiskers had said about her fiancé. Though Draco probably thought he was being clever, Buster had seen him slip the vial in his uniform jacket. So it didn’t come as a surprise when Draco “found” the vial of poison.

As the guards led them down the hallway, Jake growled, “We could still take them.”

“Not yet. Let’s find out what the queen is going to do.”

“Probably have us executed right there.”

“Then you can make your move,” Buster said. “No sense trying to fight our way off the planet if we don’t have to.”

Jake only snorted at this. Buster didn’t have much doubt about what the queen would do. She already saw them as intruders, a menace to her planet. He hoped, though, that Whiskers might be able to talk some sense into her mother. At the least she might decide that banishing them was preferable to starting a war.

The queen wasn’t in her throne room when they arrived. Draco waddled in first to eye the throne with a hungry look. Buster thought again of what Whiskers had said about her fiancé; he wasn’t just a disgusting bully, though, he had larger plans. By marrying Whiskers he would be the prince of Cattatonia, and then the king once Queen Smokey finally died.

Lady Isis appeared from a side door. “The queen will be here shortly. I would suggest you brutes confess to your crimes. It will save us all time and trouble.”

“Lady Isis—” The cat turned away from them to go back through the doorway. She wasn’t going to be an ally for them. Buster turned to Dodger. “We might need your diplomatic expertise.”

“I think my other skills would be more useful right now.”

Buster was starting to agree. Draco turned to face them, a smirk on his face. “It won’t be long until the queen decides your fate. If you beg for your lives, she might only lock you up in the dungeon for the rest of your pitiful lives.”

“I know you planted that vial of poison. I saw you put it into my jacket.”

“You’re welcome to prove it.”

The side door opened again, accompanied by the bleat of a trumpet. Lady Isis didn’t bother announcing the queen this time. Instead she held one of the queen’s arms to escort her to the throne. With a sigh the queen settled onto her cushion and arranged herself into a lying position. From there she glared down at them.

“I have provided you nothing but hospitality and you repay me by attacking my daughter in the night?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Buster said. “We were safely in our suite when the alarms sounded.”

Queen Smokey turned to Lady Isis. “Is this true?”

“Your Majesty, Captain Bulldog knows about the hidden passages. I escorted him down to the old palace earlier this night.”

Had she been stronger, the queen probably would have slapped her handmaiden across the face. Instead she only growled at her. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“It was your daughter’s wish. She wanted to show him more of the planet.”

“Where is my daughter?”

Whiskers came in through another side door. She glanced at Buster; the look did not give him much hope. She came to kneel beside the throne, her head bowed. “I’m here, Mother.”

“Why did you show this outsider our secrets?”

“I thought Captain Bulldog was…interesting. I wanted to speak more with him. I hoped if he saw the true beauty of our planet, we would not have to fear a Dog invasion.”

The queen growled again. “He did not attack you when you were outside the palace?”

“No, Mother. It was in my bedroom. After I thought we had parted.”

“It wasn’t me!” Buster shouted. “I went straight back to my suite. My comrades will verify that.”

“I do not care what other Dogs say,” Queen Smokey said. “It is as was foretold. You are nothing more than treacherous backstabbers.”

Draco stepped forward, holding up the vial. “I found this in his jacket. It’s some kind of poison. He surely would have given it to your daughter—my betrothed—if she had not raised the alarm.”

“That’s a lie!” Buster said. “We didn’t bring any poison with us. Your guards searched us after we left the Batpooh.”

Draco’s smirk returned. “But one of your crew smuggled recording devices here. Is that not true?”

How had Draco learned of that? Had Whiskers told him about the incident at the shopping mall? Or perhaps one of the guards had mentioned something. “That is true,” Buster said. “But that’s different—”

“I grow weary of your lies,” Queen Smokey said. She looked down at her daughter. “Is this the one who attacked you?”

Whiskers turned to look at Buster. He looked into her eyes, trying to communicate telepathically with her that he was innocent. Tears came to her eyes and then she looked away. “I can’t be certain,” she said. “It was dark. I could not see. It could have been Captain Bulldog, his brother, or the ambassador.”

“Do any of you wish to confess?” the queen asked.

Jake was about to step forward, but Buster put a paw on his shoulder. “I confess,” Buster said. “It was my fault. I beg you though not to punish the rest of my crew or the Bloc of Planetary States for my actions.”

The queen considered this. As she did, Whiskers met Buster’s eyes again. They were still wet from crying. She began crying even harder when the queen announced, “For your crimes against my daughter and all of Cattatonia, you, Captain Bulldog, will be executed in one day’s time. Your companions will be taken back to your ship. None of your kind shall ever set paw within Cattatonian space again.”

“No!” This came from Whiskers. She took her mother’s paws. “Mother, please, you can’t do this. Captain Bulldog didn’t do it. He’s innocent.”

“What proof do you have of this?”

“Only the proof in my heart.”

Queen Smokey snorted at this. “A queen cannot rule with her heart. She must rule with her head and think of what is best for all of Cattatonia.” She looked up at her guards. “Take them away.”

“No!” This time it was Jake who spoke. He threw himself against the guard holding him, knocking the Cat to the floor. When the other guards tried to rush him, the Saint Bernards sprung into action. Even with their paws cuffed, the huge dogs proved more than a match for the Cat guards. Bernard St. Bernard batted one a good five meters with his bound paws. His cousin kicked two more to the floor. Draco scurried across the room faster than Buster thought possible to duck behind the queen’s dais.

“Stand down, Lieutenant, Ensigns!” The three security officers stopped what they were doing, leaving a pile of guards around them. “You will respect the queen’s wishes and return to the Batpooh. Under no circumstances will you try to rescue me. Is that understood?”

“Buster—”

“I’m sorry, Jake. It has to be this way.”

“What am I supposed to tell Dad and Jonathan?”

“Tell them I did my duty.” Buster wished he could hug his brother, but his paws were bound together. He could only not to Jake before he was taken away.

The dungeon was part of the old palace. Buster couldn’t see anything in the room, but he could smell centuries of decay and hear mice scurrying around. Sitting on a pile of mud, he told himself this was what he deserved. He had failed his crew and all of the Bloc. Instead of bringing peace, he would be lucky if war didn’t break out between Cattatonia and the Bloc. If he was lucky, his death would be the last in this conflict.

He knew the growl outside his door belonged to Draco from the smugness of it. “A fitting end to a Dog,” Draco hissed.

“I don’t care what lies you told Whiskers and the queen. I know you planted that poison. You probably arranged the whole attack.”

“There’s no way you can prove that.”

“Why did you do it?”

Draco’s eyes appeared at the slit of the door. Even they seemed to be gloating. “The queen doesn’t want a war, but she’s old and frail. Soon she’ll be gone and I’ll be king. Once I am, your pitiful race will be destroyed by the might of Cattatonia.”

“The Bloc isn’t so easy to destroy.”

“That’s what you think. You’re weak. Weak and stupid. Look how easily I tricked you—and Whiskers.” Draco snickered through the door. “Did you really think you could take my fiancée that easily? As if she would ever want to mate with a Dog.”

“Whiskers is everything I could want in a mate. She’s smart, she’s beautiful, and she’s kind—three things you aren’t.”

“You of all creatures shouldn’t talk like that. Your face looks as if someone melted it with a blowtorch.”

Buster snuffled at this. “That may be, but step inside here and see what this face can do to you.”

“Perhaps I should. It would only add to your guilt.”

“Too bad you wouldn’t live to testify.”

The barrel of a pistol appeared through the slit in the door. “Oh, I think I would, Captain.” Draco snickered again. “You should get some sleep. In seventeen hours you will face Cattatonian justice. Then perhaps I’ll mount your disgusting head on my wall with the rest of my trophies.”

“I doubt you earned any of those trophies, you coward.”

“We’ll see how brave you are when you face the executioner’s axe tomorrow,” Draco said. Buster waited for him to say anything else, but he must have gone. Buster sat back down on his pile of mud to wait for the end.

He was asleep when he heard the door open. Buster awoke with a yelp and then rolled into a defensive pose. Was it time already? How long had he been asleep? The Cats had taken his chronometer along with anything else that might be of use in helping him escape.

Not that he had any interest in escaping. By now the Batpooh would be safely out of the system, on its way back to Batpooh State. He wished he could have said goodbye to Spot and the rest of his crew. He hadn’t been their captain very long, but he had known most of them for years. He hoped his sacrifice would mean the rest of them would live.

A pair of guards slipped into the jail cell. To his surprise, Whiskers followed after them. “You came to take me to the execution?” he asked. “I thought it would have been Draco.”

“Perhaps he will. That is still ten hours in the future.”

“Oh. So what did bring you here?”

“I want to be sure.”

Buster took a step forward until the guards leveled their spears at him. He sat down on his pile of mud with a sigh. “I didn’t attack you, Whiskers. You know I wouldn’t do that to you. Not after what happened in the trees.”

It was still dark in the cell, but he could see her eyes staring at him, once again filling with tears. “Oh, Buster, I believe you,” she whispered. She hissed a command to the guards, who melted away through the door. Once the door was closed, she settled onto the mud beside him. “None of this makes any sense. Who would do such a thing?”

“Ask your betrothed.”

Whiskers growled in her throat. “I should have known. He hates your kind as much as he hates everything else—as much as I hate him.”

Buster put a paw around her shoulder and pulled her close as on the tree branch. “You can’t let him start a war. No matter what happens to me, you can’t let him launch an attack on the Bloc.”

“I won’t. And I’ll do whatever I can to save you. If I plead with my mother, she might commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.”

“Being imprisoned here wouldn’t be much of a life.”

“This isn’t a time for jokes.”

“I’m sorry.” Buster leaned over to kiss her on the mouth as they had before. “Just be careful of Draco. He nearly got to you once. He’s bound to try again.”

“I’ll be more careful. And I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you aren’t executed.”

She gave him a kiss and then stood up. Buster didn’t want her to go, but there was no choice. He could only hope this wasn’t the last time they saw each other.