The Calm Before the Storm Snippet 3

So, so far nothing from Goodlifeguide, I may need to check in with them.

I'm skipping to another story.

This is from "Heathcliff and the Alley Cats," a short story that will introduce them to the universe. A familiar face puts in an appearance here at the beginning...

Pi Sector Capital

Command 1 Space Station

“We won't let you down, Admiral,” the diminutive orange tabby said from his place in front of the admiral's desk.

The admiral had to stand to see the cat. Some might think it absurd to talk to a cat, but this cat talked back, even if he was on the plump side.

Commander Heathcliff M, known as Heathcliff the one thousand, was a bit of a throwback. He looked like a pumpkin, Admiral Horatio Logan thought. Not at all like a well-respected ONI agent.

Maybe that was the point he thought with a mental nod. The best Office of Naval Intelligence agents didn't look at all like what you'd expect. The spies that did field work had to blend in.

“I know you won't, Commander; your reputation precedes you,” Vice Admiral Horatio Logan rumbled. He saw the cat's whiskers and ears twitch. He snorted ever so softly as the cat peeked up at him.

“I know a crew of Neos …”

“Hold it right there,” the admiral said. “As I said, your reputation precedes you, Commander,” he put a slight emphasis on the title. The cat fidgeted ever so slightly. He definitely didn't look comfortable in uniform. Rumor had it he ran around his ship naked.

That's all well and good when you've got fur. But UFN-071P Catillac, as the cats called the ship, was a navy ship. Specificall,y a Meridian class II prowler with a smart A.I. Where most of the Poltergeist and Zephyr class prowler ships were headed to the front, the Meridians had been dispatched to the other sectors to do long-range scout work. Many of the crews in the prowler community were hot to play their part in the pirate war directly.

Apparently the cats had a different take on it.

“I read your history,” he said, cocking his head as the cat snuck another look. “At ease, Commander.”

The cat instantly relaxed. He even sat and scratched behind his ear. Horatio snorted again. He snorted louder when the cat muttered something dark about monkey suits.

So, maybe the rumors weren't just rumors he thought.

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat as the cat went to scratch behind his ear with more vigor. “As I was saying, I read your history. I noted the particular emphasis on your bloodline. I also noted you drew attention to it,” he said mildly.

The cat looked up.

“Ever wonder if you really are the one thousandth Heathcliff? There had to be others scattered over the galaxy if your ancestor was as prolific as some would have you believe.”

Heathcliff shrugged. “They can all get in line behind me, sir,” he said with an ear flick.

Horatio smiled ever so slightly. Yes indeed, he was a character. He had no idea if the cat had assumed the role or if he'd put on the clothing of an officer as a cover. For the moment, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that the cats got the results needed while keeping as low a profile as possible.

And came back alive, he reminded himself.

“My ancestor might not have fought as a Snarf in the Thundercats during the First A.I. War, but he played his part. And I'll do the same here,” the cat said with quiet firmness.

“Good to hear. And as I said, I'm not prejudiced by your crew selection. But you need to keep a lid on the discipline issue and the complaints of harassment—specifically with the dogs,” Horatio said, giving the cat a gimlet eye.

Heathcliff rolled his green eyes. “Another complaint?”

“No, just noting a pattern of behavior that needs to be corrected. I know bad habits are hard to break but you are setting a bad example. Can it.”

The cat looked at him and then shrugged again, this time looking away.

Horatio decided to give up that particular tender subject while he could. He didn't want the cat to come down on the dogs and start another round of complaints and demands for transfer.

It was funny, the cats and dogs fought like, well, cats and dogs, but they were great professionally. But some of the videos of those complaints! He shook his head mentally. No doubt the dogs did something to retaliate in some way. If the orange tabby wasn't too careful, the dogs might really trip him up and make him look so bad he'd lose his command.

But, he'd belabored that point enough.

“Your assignment and the latest intel we have,” he said, pushing a chip forward to the edge of his desk with a finger. “You'll be headed northeast,” he said. The moment he took his finger off the chip the cat reached up and took the chip. “As you know, we need to get a handle on the pirates and put a stop to their plagues. We also need more detailed intelligence on the planets and star systems—the players and who is in bed with the enemy and who is willing to help us. Don't get into things too deep. And don't get into any crusades that could come down on your heads.”

“Low profile. That's what we're about, sir,” the cat said with a nod as he palmed the chip.

“Good. Any questions?”

“Support?”

Horatio smiled. “Your ship is being fully stocked now. I understand Logistics Command is in a tizzy over the amount of fish you are requesting.”

The cat wiggled his ears and actually gave off a mild snicker.

“I understand you have a small aquaculture tank. Good. And you have fish protein samples loaded into your food replicators. Beyond that you'll have to scavenge. I understand you are good at that.”

“Fuel?”

Horatio shrugged. “Again …”

“Scavenge. Got it,” the cat said with a grimace. “I hate suits,” he muttered.

“Figure it out,” the admiral rumbled. “If you get to the point where you can't go further, fine, make your way back and refine and update your intel profiles as you go.”

“Understood, sir. How far can we go?”

“Well, you are assigned to me so I'd appreciate it if you stayed in this sector,” the admiral replied dryly.

The cat flicked his ears and snickered slightly louder.

“I meant that, Commander,” the admiral growled.

“Aye aye, sir.”

“Very well. Anything else send through channels. I understand your A.I. is pestering mine for more requests. I'm giving you a blank check. Don't abuse it.”

“Try not to, sir,” the cat replied with a shrug.

“Sure, where have I heard that before?” Horatio replied with a weary shake of his head as he dismissed the cat.

<(>^<)>