Drew's Trouble with Cats and Roaches

To all,

Due to the interest in this series, here is part 14.

PS. If anyone wants to volunteer to be my editor, please give a shout. I have struck out with the volunteers listed within this website.

Welcome to a new beginning for the Pride. Its time now for the Pride to settle down and grow roots and wings Its time for separate communities to come together as a group or spiral off as fiefdoms.

The sad part is that humans are the worst of the lot.

Any aliens, real or imagined in this story are purely a construct of my twisted and warped mind.

I am going to try and branch off and tell other character stories. I am going to try and do this for me. This whole adventure of writing has been to help my growth from a solid 'C grade' writer in HS and College to hopefully something better. I enjoy the story telling.

I thank everyone so much for reading my stories and enjoying them.

Part 14

***

"To all. This is Drew Scott, late of earth. I am also known as one of the Saviors of Earth. I am flying in the Cat converted Corvette 'Enterprise", also known as the 'mouse that roared.' You gave the ship that noble title when my co-pilot and I killed the Roach dreadnaught." Drew paused, this took more energy that he thought it was going to, but he wanted everyone to hear.

"I do not want to do battle. I do not want to hurt anyone. I just want you to turn around and go back home. There will be other opportunities to colonize additional planets. We just need time to work out the problems from our first colonies." He paused again and had to drink some water before additional projections.

"Turn back now. Armed ships are not allowed in our space and will be treated as hostile, each time, and every time. Turn back now or we will have to take aggressive action."

Drew turned and asked Alexander and Target "enough time?"

"Need another 2.2 Teran minutes, Lord" responded Target.

He hit the comm button to talk directly with the command structure on the bridges of the offending ships, "Gentlemen your ships are in our space. You were warned before we left that armed ships would be treated and pirates, what more do you..." Drew did not finish because the little ship was rocked from beam weapon fire from the cruiser.

"Shields holding fine lord, but we have four missiles inbound from the cruiser," commented Target rather calmly.

"Can you please deal with the missiles with the narrow focus bug weapon we have been working on?"

"Can I do it with some style...sir?" asked Target.

"As long you get them before they shake the ship again, sure" responded Drew.

A pinpoint green ray, like an old LASER. Reached out one at a time and vaporized the incoming missiles. One, two, three, four, they winked out of existence.

Drew summed up his own personal energy and closed his eyes again,

"I am again asking for reason. Please turn around and leave our space. You are considered a hostile and will be dealt with deadly force. I give you one minute to turn and leave our space."

The corvette was again rocked by beam weapon fire from the Cruiser.

"Please tell me we are now ready," asked Drew as he was almost thrown from his command chair.

"Yes lord, the drones have completed their mission and the 'limpid mines' are in place." responded Alexander.

"Blow the engines, control vanes and weapon controls on all 5 ships." Ordered Lord Drew

A series of explosions on the different ships began, just like they had done to the Queens clan. This time, the drones had been sitting inert in space, like a mine field waiting on command. Once the command was given, they slowly approached their prey, keeping speed to the lowest levels. Drews mental talk and playing the 'savior of earth just created a show. He just needed everyone's focus on the wrong place.

"Remove the weapons that keep shaking us up," ordered Drew

"Yes sir," responded Target and burned a few more to make the point.

"Lord, we have inbound" Alexander commented in an excited voice.

Artemis and Aphrodite popped into space directly behind the corvette. Both oversized Cat Cruisers were literally glowing green from all the bug and other weapons lit up at that moment.

An incredibly angry sounding Thing One and Two echoed in his head.

"Just what do you think you are doing 'Admiral?" entered his mind with as much sarcasm as could be felt.

"Just handling a human matter with my friends over there" Drew commented smarting from the rebuke of two of his longest friends.

"North Alliance fleet, you are now disabled and under arrest. You have two options, fight and die. Or have all personnel abandon the elder destroyers. We will tow the cruiser back into the Homogeny space and send for rescue. You have 30 seconds." Drew paused and thought for a moment.

"One more thing, Mr. Reginal Schober will be turned over for trial. That is all, 30 seconds."

The two Cat cruisers immediately fanned out and powered up all weapons systems.

At 5 seconds left in the deadline, audio was again heard.

"We accept your offer. We ask clarification on your request for the civilian Mr. Schober."

"He has to answer for a message that was sent by the North Alliance that cumulated in the deaths of many Cats. He needs to answer for that. This is a non-negotiable point. Also, please make sure that no one sabotages the destroyers when they leave. Those are my spoils of war gentlemen."

"Agreed, personnel now being transported," Alliance command reported.

"What are we going to do with those old ships?" Thing One asked.

Thing two responded to her sister before Drew could respond, "Same thing we do with all the other old ships, make them deadly."

***

Drew was glad that all of colonists had been discharged off the ships. It was now other people's problem to sort out the daily dramas. He was on his way by shuttle to tour the establishment of the first colonies at the lower elevations along the coast. He was looking forward to winding down the drama induced worries of colonists and focus on the potential of a deadly enemy in the adjacent parcel of space. He knew he would end up going by his personal valley at the end of the trip. He had taken one of the original bug bombers that had been rehabbed as a small shuttle and made Kitten and Goldie stay put while he did his official glad handing and expounding their adventures to come.

He had returned his prisoners to their rightful villages. They were released with a parole agreement. They would follow the rules or be banished forever.

The continent Atlantis always reminded Drew of New Guinea on Earth but much larger. The vertical stratifications were very distinct with their own weather and plant life demarcations.

The lower elevations of the island were perfect for opportunity, for aquaculture and dirt farming. The volcanic soil created good growth medium for both the native chaparral and future grain and tuber crops. Drew hoped that the different communities would learn from earths mistakes and focus on grain and root crops and limit meat animal production. The coastal and lower elevation would house the modified earth animals and plants that would live alongside the native gazelle type creatures.

The mid layer of the continent was pure jungle. It always seemed to be clouded' causing the continent to have a collar surrounding the mountain's waist. The jungle of the midspan was full of multiple creatures and insects, but it was not traveled or explored except by flight. This mid-section was ruled by the spiders. Not genetically arachnids of earth, but 6' dark brown to black, 8 legged furry creatures all the same. It was something out of nightmares for most humans and all the avian species.

The upper layer of the continent was cold, rockier and had scrub trees of a decorative variety. It reminded Drew of having a giant garden of huge bonsai trees. Few creatures lived at the higher elevations, but Drew was hoping to import mountain goats and some Tibetan subspecies, along with rabbits and even lynx. He would leave that up to the environmentalists and biologists but was looking forward to the transformation.

Drew wrapped up his tour and headed up slope to spend a night in his valley. He enjoyed turning Kitten and Goldie loose to romp and chase each other while he looked and planned for work on his future cabin. He also took time to plant earth modified trees that would thrive in this cold high elevation.

He slid the modified shuttle onto the landing pad and let the two critters bolt out of the hatch. He heard an odd mental comment from Kitten about "other one" but it was fleeting, and she was off to her chasing the local version of a mouse. He wrapped himself in his winter coat and headed towards the prefab structure that had been placed there for his use. The solar panels that covered what on earth would be called a Quonset hut, seemed to be doing their job as he checked the load readings before going inside.

He settled his bags on the table and then raised the temp from 50 degrees to 60F. He reached out mentally to Kitten and reminded her to stay away from the jungle, or even try and get close. He knew the two of them could eat up distance with her lopping and Goldie's stamina. But he did not want to take a chance. His valley and temporary home were miles from the jungle, but still, he was a dad.

Drew walked out and popped the storage bays so he could dislodge the trees and other items he would work on tomorrow. The evening was getting dark and he just reached out and called the two furry crew back. He got an affirmative when he popped the third storage bay and a blanket covered body rolled out.

He was startled and then dropped to his knees and rolled it over. It was a young human woman he did not recognize. He checked for a pulse, but his fingers and her body were too cold. He bundled her up and staggered towards the hut. He reminded himself again, that he needed to get more exercise other that going to damn meetings and sitting in the command chair.

He kicked the door open, pulled her in and dropped her on one of the beds at the end of the hut. He grabbed the blankets off the other bed and layered them over her. He went back to the door and was about to close it, when two streaks of fur flew through the doorway and went right to her bed.

Goldie nudged the girl and whimpered, Kitten put her paws on the bed and rubbed noses with the young woman. Drew heard "other cold" and knew that his furred partners knew they had had a stowaway. Her lips were blue, and she was not shivering which was a bad sign. He walked over and felt again for a pulse and found a soft one.

Goldie launched herself between the wall and her body setting down next to her and whimpering. She placed her rather massive head on the girl's chest. Kitten took the front of the small waif and settled in purring and began to lick her nose with her course tongue. He saw the girl's eyes flutter and then he saw absolute terror and she screamed.

Drew knew that in normal cases, staring down a huge cat predator and female wolf would un-settling. But here she was trapped with both in her face. Things seemed overly tense, until Goldie French kissed her. Not on purpose mind you, but the girl's mouth was open to scream, and Goldie's tongue just happen to intersect the opening at that perfect moment.

The girl sputtered, coughed, and wiped her face and Drew pulled back the two furry greeters, and laughed at the face she made. She had crawled into a tiny ball against the wall but was calming herself knowing that the animals were not attacking her.

"Who are you little one?" Drew asked pulling a chair over to the side of the bed so he could control his two furry companions. They both were still trying to crawl into bed with her. He waited for her to answer and then gave her that look that all adults have just before they get cross.

"I am known as Cara," the translator issued after what Drew thought he heard was Latin. She was still curled up making herself as small as possible.

Several things clicked inside Drews head suddenly, and he knew who she was, but had no idea why she almost died stuffing herself into the storage compartments.

"And why were you stowing away on my shuttle Cara," Drew questioned.

The little sprite squared up her shoulders, well al little bit and stated with a dry voice, "I must escape and get back to my clan, it is my duty."

"Ok. That can be arranged. You know you are not a slave anymore? You are free to go and be where you want. I do not understand why you felt the need to escape, but we will get things straightened out," Drew finished. He got out of his chair and went to his desk to retrieve his comm device.

He heard a soft voice behind him ask, "You can do this?". He looked her in the eyes, smiled and shook his head.

"Eddie, sorry to bother you. I was not sure if you were shipboard or land based at the moment. Do you know if anyone is looking for a small human waif named Cara? She is about a hundred pounds, 5-foot 5, brown hair and speaks Latin?"

"Lord Drew, let me guess. Somehow you have found yourself in the middle of another mystery?" Eddie responded.

Upon hearing his official title, Cara had vaulted out of bed and supplicated herself on the floor. The two furry ones thought this meant play time, so Goldie was trying to shove her nose under Cara, while kitten was pulling her sideways with sheathed paws.

"Hold on Eddie, I have an issue over here."

Drew was now trying to talk to Eddie as he pulled the furry friends off her because she was starting to panic again. He held back Kitten and Goldie and allowed her to crawl back on the bed. He then gave her some additional information.

"These two friends," pointing at the furry creatures, "They think you want to play."

Eddie was overhearing a bit of the transaction and started to laugh. "Why is it always you lord?"

"Eddie, if you can answer that I will be eternally grateful." Drew commented.

"Unless someone needs the little waif back immediately, I will keep her with me. I can use her help. I can get to know her. And maybe help find what she is looking for in the next couple of days," he turned his head to look at her and found her petting Goldie's head as Kitten lounged next to her cleaning her paws.

"Is that ok with you? To stay with us for a couple of days and then go find your clan?" Drew asked.

"Yes lord, anything you want. I will be good help, I promise."

"Ok Eddie, let me know if there is any new disaster that I need to handle. I just want some downtime," Drew commented while releasing a huge sigh.

"Enjoy your time in the cold lord Drew," Eddie responded.

***

So, the next day the furred crew raced off to find their own adventure, only coming back at lunch time to mooch lunch from Drew and Cara. After lunch they raced off towards the caldera. Drew promised Cara to fly over it on their way out to let her see it.

She asked a hundred questions about the Pride, his life and why he wanted to live in the cold. He answered what he could and admitted that he did not have all the answers to his own life. They planted trees, laid out his cabin and generally walked. She looked a bit silly in his extra cold weather gear, but its not like he packed for a stowaway. Drew was happy for her and was pleased that she enjoyed her time planet side.

The next morning, they made a simple breakfast and were packing to leave when Cara opened the front door to let Kitten and Goldie out. All Drew heard was a blood curdling scream. He came out the restroom, half done with his shower...in just a towel. Cara was trying to lift the projectile rifle he had left by the door. He had told her never to touch it, but her fear outweighed his orders. He grabbed the weapon and turned towards the door to find Goldie and kitten with fur up, growling and snarling to save their life. He looked out the door and there planted on the gravel walkway was the biggest spider he had ever seen. He guessed over 6-foot-wide, 4-foot-tall, with black fur, red eyes and 8 segmented armored legs.

Time seemed to halt at that moment. He called his furred ones back, but they would not move. He saw that the spider was not advancing but vibrating. He knew spiders could jump, and guaranteed, this one could clear the distance in a flash.

He felt an odd tickle, it was as if he was receiving a message, but none was there. He closed his eyes for a second and could see a weird set of symbols, almost pictographs he was receiving. He decided to try something, he sent some back, his own mental pictures of Elsa and the babies, fun times with the two growling beasts at his knees and the feeling of cold, that was hitting him. He was really starting to feel the cold, him still wet from his shower wrapped only in a towel.

The large spider danced a bit and backed away from the doorway. Kitten stopped growling and her ears came up. Drew wondered if she had received any communication from the spider or picked up that he was trying to communicate. Goldie was oblivious and continued to growl.

Drew had to grab his towel because Cara and come up behind him and was grabbing it for comfort. He did not want to share other aspects of himself with this young woman, so he juggled the riffle and the closed towel.

He looked at the spider and motioned for her to stay there and that he needed to do something for the cold. He got a pictograph that showed a sunny day in the jungle and he could feel the emotion of warmth from the spider.

He turned, upsetting Cara. Kitten came over and rubbed against her and stayed with her as he dashed to get dressed. He returned fully clothed and slipped on his winter boots being warmed by the front door. He set down the rifle and started to walk forward, with his hands outstretched and shown. Cara stayed by the door, but both Kitten and Goldie followed him towards the spider.

Just a few steps had been taken when Kitten stepped in front of Drew and looked up at the edge of the door canopy, her ears went flat, her hair raised, and she growled. He heard her say, 'other' while she looked up. Drew straightened himself and then put his hand on the sidearm the had strapped on when he dressed. His dads old Colt 45 911 was an antique but had been worn and used in two wars by his ancestors and he kept it in pristine condition.

They all heard a series of clicks and whistles come from the large spider. A much smaller spider flew off the canopy to land by the large spider and get smacked by her. She did a dance and a vision of mating and a brood of eggs.

"Ah, your mate, and he seems to not listen."

Drew was in a quandary. He was faced with a sentient being. They were beginning communication. But what to do now? He knew he was talking about the nightmare scenario from a whole host of species. Do you invite them in? Do you take them in a ship and bring them to a bigger ship?

"Well fuck" Drew said out loud. Drew picked up his comm and called Eddie.

"Yes, lord Drew, are you on your way back?" asked Eddie

"Um...no. we have an issue at the valley. I need you down here and any other scholar that wants to meet a new sentient species. Xeno-linguistics may help, but a lot of it is mental transfer. Oh, and anyone that has an absolute fear of spiders...they should not come. The hut is going to be awfully small if anyone flips out."

Drew turned to the large female spider and her nervous mate and waived them inside. He herded kitten, Goldie, and Cara to one side of the hut. The beds had already been folded up into the wall so there was much more room.

As the large spider squeezed through the door, Cara started to panic, well truth be told, so did Goldie. He put both in the opposite end of the hut near the rear door. The smaller spider came in and danced around his larger mate.