[X-Over][Original][FanFic] The Protectorate: Side Story 2

[Izcer4]

Ok, here is the second side story to my main fic, The Protectorate.
These are designed to be self contained side stories, separate from
the main fic. It helps to have read the main fic for characters and
storyline, at least until I get the companion guide writen (future
project). Anyways, as always, comments and criticism accepted, flames
read, laughed at, and sent to the nether regions of several ancient
cultures.



Protectorate Side Story 2
Pinball anyone?
by Izcer4 (Izcer4@rocketmail.com)


Keniv stepped onto the transporter pad, carrying only the
small sack he was allowed, Mai standing off to the side near the
operator.

"Well Mai, I'll see you in a few days."

"Mou...why did you pick now to take one of your short field
runs?"

"Because, I need to get them done, and this is supposed to be
a simple one. I feel a lot more confident in my own magic abilities,
which should help me in this one."

"But why?"

"I don't know, ask the Council. They said just me, solo only,
no seconds, no medical, and not even Gunai, that was a fun one to
explain to him."

"I still don't like it."

Keniv stepped off the pad, and gave Mai a big hug, kissing her
on the lips

"I promise I'll be back soon Mai, you know I can't live
without you."

Mai nodded, still looking sad, but shooed him back to the pad,
as the operator cycled the sequence. She watched and Keniv flickered
briefly, then vanished. Hopefully in three days he would be back. She
sighed, and left for the house.

Keniv touched down softly. The area was clear, only the small
circle of stones he landed in noticing his presence. The locals of
this line didn't know about the Protectorate, but were humanoid, so he
would blend in. They had set him down in a Yujity, a small clearing
with a ring of stones used for worship. The world was an odd mix. They
retained deep roots to their tribal past, rich in culture, religious
beliefs and belief in multiple gods, yet technologically, they were
around the same as circa 2001 Mainline Earth. Large sections of the
planet had been declared off limits for development, allowing the
natural people and animals to still roam free. Keniv sighed and picked
up his sack. It contained food packs, a tracker, a log pad, and a few
other items. He checked his emergency pack, which was hidden inside
his watch this time. The assignment was simple. Remain unseen, not
disturbing the normal development of the line, while gathering
information on how far they were from finding the multiverse key
bases. It also meant he had to talk to the animals directly, as well
as the people.

He pulled out a e-blade, and headed off into the jungle. He
didn't really need the blade, but he had brought it with him anyways.
The Jungle had several well kept paths, and was lush in greenery,
teeming with life. He breathed deep, the fresh clean air feeling good
as it permeated his body. He pulled out his data pad, and looked over
it. World population was around 2 billion, thanks to enforced
population controls. Strict pollution controls meant the world was
still fairly well off concerning global warming, and toxidty of the
water base and atmosphere. The stars were still revered to an extent,
so space programs were still very limited in scope. The biggest
current problem was, unfortunately, poaching. Several animals were
considered sacred. In the days of old, only tribal chiefs, and
warriors who proved their worth were honored with the right to bear
the skin of one of the sacred beasts. Varieties of dogs, and reptiles
peppered the list. But the most sought after was the great Cat. Only
the chiefs, and no one else could bear their skins. The cat was a
large, highly intelligent animal, resembling a white Bengal Tiger from
the Mainline, except here they were smarter, and deadlier.

Of course, since they top the revered list, those who had
begun to question the reverence of the old ways in their quest for
power and profit had sought them for the status they brought. Those
willing to try and capture these magnificent animals were highly paid,
and those who paid them got the prestige that very few could afford.
The government publicly denounced the practice, but had little ability
to halt the poaching, due to their own rules regarding what they could
do, and what was allowed to enter the Jungle reserves and natural
keepsake lands. The penalty varied on what was poached. Male cats were
life in prison, females was death. and if one was caught poaching
cubs, they would die, and their clan banned from the house of laws for
20 generations. Needless to say, no one but the boldest dared touch a
cub.

Keniv brought up the social structure as he made his way
through the jungle. The main government was run by a council of 30
members, representing the core 30 tribes of the planet. The voting
body was made up of the 200 smaller tribes and subsections of the main
tribes. The main tribes also were unique in the fact that they had
tribal villages within the preserved lands. The world's year was based
on cycles of the moon. Certain cycles meant different things, and
thusly, certain cycles demanded the members of the ruling council to
be in their home villages at certain times. The finer points Keniv
skimmed over. The area he landed in was out of a presence cycle, so
even if he wandered into the local tribe's village, It wouldn't impact
too much, since the ruling council person would be absent.

Keniv stopped, and looked at his watch. He sat down against a
nearby tree, and pulled out a small food set, and decided to eat his
lunch. As he ate, he leaned back, and tried to relax, tried to let his
mind go, and expand, to touch the many creatures around him, trying to
remember what he had been taught what felt like eons ago on how to do
this. He touched the insects, simple minded, but relentless in their
duties, the trees, with their wider knowledge, but very slow pace of
reaction. He touched a few birds, who excused themselves, and went
about their way, nearing the time for their eggs to hatch. Keniv
smiled, and closed his eyes, just letting his mind wander. The odd
thing about mind wandering, is you lose track of time, and a sense of
touch with the real world, as it gets a bit hazy.

Keniv began to open his eyes, something warm laying on his
legs, something with some weight to them. he slowly opened his eyes,
and looked down. There, resting his head on his legs, having devoured
the unfinished part of his sandwich, was a Great Cat. The feline
looked up, and made no sudden motions, or movements, merely looking at
Keniv hard with it's piercing large eyes, it's whiskers twitching ever
so slightly. Keniv smiled, and the cat did it's best to imitate. Keniv
chuckled, and slowly reached out, from the underside, to skritch the
cat behind the ears, which the cat made a low purring noise, and
looked obviously happy. Keniv could feel a presence on the edge of his
mind. It was an odd sensation, but something was definitely there.

Trying to remember how, he opened his own mind up...and was
surprised at the presence, it was highly intelligent, to the point of
understandable speech, and it wanted to talk to him.

"Hello there stranger who sleeps in the Jungle"

"Hello, who may I ask is the one I am connected to?"

"I am the large animal sitting on your lap."

"I see."

"You are not of this place, are you?"

"I am not from around here, no."

"You are not of this nature...you do not fit with the other 2
legs, you are different."

"I suppose I am. How may I help you?"

"I am not sure, I felt my own nature draw me here, and I found
you lying against the tree, seeking answers from the nature around
you. Few know how to do such a thing."

"I was well trained."

"Yes, you must have been. Why do you carry the markings of a
Nature lord?"

"A what?"

"The marks on your face, they are similar to those I have seen
on Nature Lords, beings of the sky that rule with evenness among the
nature."

"Oh. That would be difficult to explain."

"I see. You were asking of the not Nature keys, were you not?"

"I guess you could say that."

"You are from the not Nature's Nature then?"

"My kind call it something different, but I suppose you can
call it that."

"What do you call it?"

"I call it home, My kind calls it Protectorate."

"What is it you do?"

"I am a guardian, a protector of many things."

"I too protect my mate, and my cub."

"Things worthy of protecting to be sure."

"Were you sent to protect us?"

"No. I am here to see when this Nature may be ready for my
Nature to reveal themselves."

"A long time I fear, the two legs, although trying, do not
have the fortitude to handle such things."

"I see. I must ascertain this for my self."

"That is understandable."

"I am Keniv."

"An odd title."

"Well I am sure your name would similarly odd to me."

"You speak with wisdom not normally found in two legs."

"I thought these lands were protected by their rules."

"Yes, and the local gathering of 2 legs respects those rules,
only their lord carries one of the skins of my brothers, as the
ancient pact allows for."

"And there is a problem?"

"The number of my kind has been dropping too fast. I fear 2
legs are taking my kind against the rules of the old, and I cannot
stop them, and I fear for my mate and cub."

"I am not supposed to interfere, but will keep my eyes open."

"I am not asking you to help, but you are a good man. I wish
you well on your journey. I will tell the Nature that is here to
answer your questions as best they can."

"I thank thee for that."

"It is the least I can do, you sit here, wise in how to live,
and your food was most tasty."

"Your welcome."

"Be well and live long, one not of this Nature."

And the presence left, as did the cat, walking off silently on
his powerful legs, making as close to no noise as possible, vanishing
back into the Jungle. Keniv sat up, and smiled. This would prove most
interesting, not to mention he was both surprised, yet glad he had
apparently learned something of use from Belldandy. He stood up, and
got his bearings, and went about his way. After talking to a large
cat, Keniv chalked up one more thing he never imagined himself doing,
smiling as he continued on his way.

Meanwhile, in the local tribal village, the head chieftain,
who also sat on the ruling council for the world's government was in a
quandary. He had returned home for the needed cycles, and now it was
time to return, but there was a problem. His long friend of many years
lay injured and dying in his saloit, or home. A victim of trying to
aid a sacred cat who was caught in a trap set by poachers. His own
reserved lands, even the poachers had entered here. But should he
return to his position, or stay with his friend. The laws allowed him
to stay if he wished, and he owed his friend deeply more times over
than he cared to remember. But he was also needed at the council. The
upcoming sections of talks were supposed to address this very problem
on a very serious level. He sighed, looking at the skin of the great
cat that adorned his own saloit. A male cat had given of it life, for
his own symbol of stature. The flap to his home opened, and in stepped
his attendant.

"Chieftain, you must make preparations to return to the
central hall. Your presence will be missed."

"Will it?"

"Yes, you know of the upcoming talks."

"Yet my closest friend lays dying. Should he pass on, I cannot
return in time for his rites"

"The needs of the world are above personal links sir."

"Are they? He taught me how to improve my hunting, taught me much
after the passing of my parents. He is my only remaining family, and
now he lies wounded, with injuries that will not close, inflicted by
unknown means."

"Would he want you by his side, or doing what you do best, which is
guiding the way of our collective people."

"Would he truly tell me his own wishes?"

"Does the sacred cat return to it's injured kin to help them, or let
Nature take them?"

"We are not like the Cat. We have the ability to help our own kind."

"Is that what Nature intended?"

"Did Nature intend for those not worthy of the status to buy the life
of a Cat?"

"That is why you are needed at the Hall, to put into place ways to end
the pilfering of our sacred creatures."

"No. I am staying with my fallen friend. I will use the clause, and
keep in contact with the recsen device."

"Is that wise?"

"Maybe not, but it is the right thing to do, for my tribe, and for my
friend."

"I do not think.."

"I am not asking you to. I have made my decision. I will take the
outcry for it. Leave me to think."

"Yes, yes Chieftain."

The aide bowed, and left the tent. The Chieftain was soo predictable.
He was too emotional, and he was playing into their hands. Those fools
and their insistence on keeping the old ways valued, there was too
much to be made by bending the old rules. He would be a rich man, and
would have a skin of his own soon. This was all proceeding far too
easily, too easily indeed. The aide went to his place of sleep, and
pulled out his recsen, punching in a long series of numbers, and
conversing with someone in hushed tones and incongruent sentences on
the other end, then put it away. He went to bed, knowing the coming
wave of skins would drive the Hall into a frenzy, and with the
Chieftain tied up here, a powerful speaker would be absent to keep the
old ways in the limelight.

The Chieftain had gone to the home of the Healer, where his friend of
almost his entire life lay wounded. He sighed, and bowed to the
healer, who allowed him to enter, retiring to his own chamber. He
kneeled near his friend. The scratches from the Cat were fading
already, but that was not the problem. A small hole was burned in his
finger. Not something one would really worry about, except it was
refusing to close. It stayed open, the gentle flow of blood having
been constant, now for 4 days. They gave him liquids as fast as he
could take them, staving off the loss of blood, but it was a losing
battle. The wound refused to close, even using the newer, non
traditional methods of science, instead of the old ways. Nothing. The
Chieftain picked up his friends hand, looking at his face, as the ma
turned his face, smiling softly.

"I am here for you old friend."

"Chieftain, you should be where you belong. Not here, watching a
simple wound in the Healer's hut"

"My place is here. You are my friend, and a high man of the Tribe."

"The Hall is where you need be, old friend."

"I differ there. The Hall is formal, but the needs of the people need
to be tended to. You gave me so much, and I have done so little in
return."

"Always the speaker."

"When one is not a lord of the Hunt, one must compensate."

"Bah, you passed the trial of manhood."

"Thanks only to your help."

"No, you had it in you. Now go, return to the Hall, the people of all
tribes need you more than me."

"Where did this happen?"

"Out in the hunting garden."

"That's over half the Jungle, care to be more specific?"

"Two runners minutes to the north, and about 8 to the west of the main
Tribe gate."

"That's not far at all."

"No, it wasn't."

"How did you get injured?"

"Some men, they were tending to a caught Cat, a female, with cub. They
had her trapped, and shot her with some type of device. it made all
but a brief flash, and left only the smallest mark. The cub scampered
off, and the Cat lay down. I tried to free the cat, it misunderstood
and scratched me. The men heard the rustle, and came back, firing the
device at me, and they got my finger. The Cat has a similar wound,
slowly leaking it's life out of it, refusing to close."

"They were purposely poaching a female, with Cub?"

"Yes. I fear that the new ways of honor less status and the possession
of money drive men to madness."

"Perhaps. I will go and see this place. If you need anything, ask my
aide."

"I have never trusted him, and you know it. He was against your trial,
and although he says he is loyal...I often find myself questioning his
beliefs."

"Hush, we will talk later."

The man nodded, and the Chieftain left the hut. He stopped in his
home, gathering his carapace, and his hunting knife, setting out in
the direction of where his friend was injured. To poach a female and a
cub, was intolerable to say the least. Only the male Cats were allowed
to be hunted, but only during the trials. Poaching was highly illegal,
and he was beginning to agree with his friend, the lure of wealth and
false status was sometimes too great. He made his way through the
brush, looking around, trying to use the skills his friend taught him
so long ago.

Keniv was proceeding well. The jungle was now considerably more
cooperative with him. The things giving a sandwich can do, he mused.
He had basically concluded what he needed to know, and was just
walking around, admiring the natural beauty of this planet. He was
making his way silently more or less, when words caught his attention.
He listened, but they were too hushed, and made no sense. He shrugged,
and continued on his way. A while later, he heard louder voices,
arguing. He made his way closer and saw what was happening. A man, in
a carapace, with a bit of regality about him was being held down by
two men behind him, one on each arm. Another man, the leader
apparently, was talking to him, occasionally hitting him in the face,
asking him questions, something akin to a rifle on his back. Well,
almost a rifle, something about it didn't sit right with Keniv, so he
went a little closer.

Keniv sat and looked, that uneasy feeling still there, and he reached
for his comm unit, and spoke softly.

"Gunai. I need you to send me an EIDU please."

"Sir, there is no need for it."

"Guani, please, it's a hunch...something isn't right here, and I want
to be sure, just send it."

"What of the council's rules and the profile?"

"Just send it. If I'm right, we'll be safe, if not, I'll take the
trouble."

"Very well, it's on it's way. Gunai out."

The comm went silent, and a small box appeared on the ground in front
of Keniv. He picked it up, and turned it on, setting it for analyze
and capture modes, and concentrated, extending his hearing to the
clearing to hear what was going on.

"Unhand me this instant, you have no right to hunting in this Jungle."

"Well forgive me Chief, but the money is what we are after, so we
don't care where we are or aren't supposed to be, as long as it pays."

"You would risk tribal banishment for money?"

"That's right pops, see we don't amount to much in the tribes, but
outside them, making money, we can"

"That breaks half our laws."

"Well tough."

The leader punched the held man, quite hard, knocking the wind out of
him.

"What should we do with him?" asked one of the holders.

"I want to know why he's here."

"Why not just shoot him and be done with it."

"Yeah, use the gizmo and lets book. The boss got his skin, and we have
more contracts."

"Shut up. The boss decides what we do. And quit your yappin."

"Why, it aint like he's gonna do much."

"Yeah, but making noise only attracts animals."

"Ooohh....scared of the Cat?"

"Heck no, there's just the cub left."

"And the sire, don't forget."

The man coughed, and finally got his breath back.

"You, you are the ones that killed the mother Cat?"

"Yeah, what of it?" Asked the man with the gun on his back.

"One of my men lies in pain because of you, you have broken our laws."

"So the idiot made it back, oh well. Not like it will do him any good.
His wound won't close. and neither will yours."

The man drew his gun off his back, and pulled the small arm on it
back, and waited while a soft hum grew from the gun. Keniv glanced
down at the EIDU, and watched as it did it's work, he looked back up.
A small growl sounded out as a small Cat cub leaped out of the tree
above, trying to claw at the man with the gun. the man easily threw
the cub off, and leveled his gun, firing it at the cub. The cub reeled
back, a hole through it's leg, howling in pain, an eerie glow coming
from the wound. The man in the carapace struggled, having seen a man
fire on a cub. Keniv likewise wanted to move, but was held back by his
own rules. The man broke free and rushed to the cub, picking it up,
and looking at the wound, trying to comfort the small animal.

"Good, now we get a cub skin, and get rid of the old man." The man
said, leveling his gun at the man.

"You, you are not worthy of even having a name" Said the man holding
the cub.

Keniv watched on, cursing as the one round wasn't enough, he watched
on, wanting to help, gripping his small blade in his hand. The man
leveled the gun again, and this time, a much louder roar came from the
area, as a fully grown Cat leaped at the man. Keniv recognized it as
the Cat he had talked to before, the rage evident in the creatures'
eyes as it lunged at the man responsible for killing his mate, and now
his cub. The man ducked, and dropped the gun, as all three men began a
dance of sorts with the Cat, keeping just out of reach, while trying
to retrieve the weapon that was dropped. Even with a Cat, three on one
was a bit much. two men happened to get lucky, and pin the beast more
or less down, as the big man got the gun, and looked at the cat.

"Well, make that a whole family" He said, sneering as he pulled the
trigger.

"NO!" Came a yell.

Keniv watched as the gun fired, the Cat looked head on, on the man
holding the cub leaped into the shot, getting hit squarely by the
blast. His eyes went wide as he was struck, falling over, his carapace
enough to keep the shot from going clear though him and hitting the
cat beyond. Keniv wanted to scream, and he looked down, clenching his
fists. He managed to look at the EIDU, which had but a simple display
but it was all he needed.

'Energy identified: Class 3 Consortium anti-biomass weapon'
'Energy discharge not native to this Dimensional Locality'
'Type 3 violation of treaty incurred. Protectorate open for action'

"Stupid old man. Guess you get die along with your cat then."

"Not if I can say anything" Said a voice from a ways away.

The men looked and there stood a man of slightly above average height,
with a pack on his back, carrying a simple knife. He looked a bit odd,
an air of power about him, and his eyes were pure rage.

"Butt out or die." The man said, and fired a shot.

The shot was deflected off the knife blade.

"You have 3 seconds to tell me where you got that gun."

"None of your business, kill him."

The other two pulled out automatic weapons, and began firing. Keniv
easily leapt and dodged, landing, and taking a rather strong swipe
with his hardened blade, taking the muzzles right off. The chieftain
watched in pain and awe as this man fought the poachers, still holding
the cub, whose sire had come to look him over, not threatening the man
in the least, rather sitting on his back paws, in reverence.

"What the heck is this guy."

"I dunno, kill him." The leader said firing the gun again.

"Easier said than done." Keniv said, twisting around, grabbing the
gun, and knocking the man back with an upper hand to the chin.

"You're dead."

"You first." And Keniv employed scare tactic number one.

The marks, normally hidden from view, began to glow, as Keniv called
them into mortal view, glowing brightly, as the leaves begin to rustle
and pick up around him, as the wind gather to his call. His eyes
became glowing blue.

"Oh crap, a Nature Lord, I'm gone!" Said one man, running in pure
terror.

"Bull, they don't exist." said the leader, although the wind was odd.

"Then" Came the booming voice, "Taste the anger of the souls you have
killed" as a bolt of energy sprang from Keniv's hands, striking the
two men, sending them flying for 10 feet easily, after which they
turned and ran.

Keniv powered down, smirking. Simple tricks often worked best. He
sighed, and turned around, lifting him comm to his mouth as he bent
down to look over the wounded.

"Gunai, pull the EIDU back, we have a type 3 infraction, I'll send the
weapon in a few minutes, I need a unizxy melder unit, stat."

"Understood, on it's way."

Keniv kneeled down looking to the man and the cats. He nodded to the
Cat, and kneeled carefully.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I think my lord."

"I'm not your lord."

"You are a Nature lord, the ones who sit in the sky."

"And you are wounded."

"And I will die form it. It is similar to that of my friends, it
refuses to close."

Keniv smiled, as a small carton appeared near him. He glanced at the
Cat, which nodded

"This will sting, but it will heal you."

"Why would you heal me?"

"You were willing to take a death shot for another. Plus, this weapon
is not of this place."

"I am unworthy of your gift."

"My large friend here thinks otherwise."

Keniv set a long, tapered round object near the man's wound, and it
glowed, the wound beginning to heal. He repeated the procedure on the
young cub, who sank it's young teeth into Keniv's arm, out of
discomfort, and trying to be what it was, a Cat. Keniv merely smirked,
and made a slight hiss when the young one did so.

"The cub bites you?"

"It is in pain. It had pride, and pride demands certain actions. I
will heal."

"You must be a Lord, for you can talk to the Cat."

"I am not. I understand them yes. Come, we need to seek the aide of a
healer."

"Why? did you not heal us?"

"I stopped the wound from not closing, but you should be checked, and
the cub needs more attention than I know how to give it. Is there a
healer in your Tribal village?"

"Yes, but my aide will not appreciate strangers in my presence."

"I don't think he'll mind."

Keniv offered the man a hand up, which he accepted. Keniv helped
steady his walk, while the Cat carried his cub carefully, making their
way back to the village. They discussed a few things, and eventually
made it to the gates, which opened for them, the aide and the healer
standing behind them, waiting patiently. The healer called for men,
who helped the Chieftain to the hut, and they vanished inside.

"I thank thee for returning the Chieftain to us."

"He was injured by poachers."

"It was by the lords then that you managed to help him."

"It was he who proved his own worth to the lords."

"I would invite you in, but our tribe has strict rules pertaining to
who may enter."

"The Chieftain has extended an invitation to me."

"I cannot verify that."

"Yet a man who walks with two Sacred Cats is not to be trusted?"

"I, well. Very well, enter good sir." The aide said with an audible
sneer.

"I thank thee."

Keniv bowed, and he and the Cats entered. The villagers were in awe
that a live Cat was walking through their home village, calm and
unassuming, near a man. They made a bee-line for the healers hut, and
waited till they were permitted entry. The large Cat stood outside,
while Keniv took the cub inside with him. He bowed, and sat near the
Chieftain, and his friend and the healer. Keniv pulled out his box,
and undid the damage done to the Chieftain's friend, and put the box
away, and they spoke.

"You have a piece of the new medicine, one that works where ours do
not." The healer said.

"I am not from here, healer. What I have was used to right something
that never should have happened."

"You save our Chieftain, and his friend. You walk with the Cat. You
must be something."

"I assure you, he is quite like us Healer, he simply is a bit more
ahead of the rest of us." The Chieftain said.

"I owe you my life, one of strange origins."

"You owe me nothing sir. You have helped your village many times over,
and you have helped your friend. For that simple task, it is I who owe
you." Keniv said.

"What can my humble village do for you then?" The chieftain asked.

"All I ask is your healer help this cub. I fixed the unclosing wound,
but there is more, and I do not know what is wrong. The sire has given
his permission for you, Healer, to help the cub."

"I can try."

Keniv picked the cub up, and looked it straight in the face, and told
it no biting this time. The cub managed to nod, and Keniv handed it to
the Healer, who took it to the back room, and returned some time
later.

"The cub is sleeping, she will be fine."

"I thank thee Healer."

"You were bitten by the cub?"

"I was, yes."

"Do your wounds need mending?"

"No, they are fine." And Keniv pulled his sleeve back, and sure
enough, the wounds were almost gone.

"Truly, you are a man of talents."

"Only a man of practiced skill."

"A respected man, to have a Cat follow you freely." The healer said.

"Actually, the Cat followed out of respect, but not for me."

"Then for who."

"For the Chieftain, I believe it said, the Man of timeless honor."

"I, me?" The Chieftain asked, not understanding.

"From what I know, the Cat knows that the Chieftain position of each
Tribe is passed to son in title, but he must prove himself, by
obtaining a skin."

"Oh, that."

"Yes. That."

"What does he mean Chieftain?" The Healer asked.

"Healer, you are looking at the only Chieftain to never get his own
skin." The Chieftain's friend said.

"What do you mean, you have a skin in your home."

"It's my fathers."

"Then what of your Hunt of Manship?"

"That was for real, yes. But, as for the skin, the one in my home is
my fathers."

"But, if you did not obtain your own skin, how can you be chief?"

"My father was killed. I inherited the position, and took the test. I
could not kill a Cat for the sole purpose of status. The Cat I paired
off with was good, and we both were injured minorly. But in the end, I
could not kill him. I choose not to."

"When he returned, he explained it to me, and I helped him, saying the
skin was being prepared, and the new chief needed rest, to recover
form his ordeal. By the time everything settled, no on else knew."

"Is that allowed?"

"It is written in the old texts, under certain conditions, a new skin
does not need to be found for each chief, but it can be passed down.
Luckily, when I slid into the position, I fit the needed rules. I
wonder what happened to that Cat. He was a magnificent creature."

"Who do you think is outside Chieftain?" Keniv said.

"You mean, that Cat, he's?"

"The one you paired off with all those years ago." Keniv said.

"I see." The Chieftain said.

"If you'll excuse me, I need some air." Keniv said, standing, bowing
and leaving.


Across the village, the Chieftain's aide was furious, and was letting
people know it. He was furious as he spoke into the comm unit.

"Why is he still alive?" He angrily asked.

"There were unforeseen problems."

"I don't want excuses. You were supposed to kill him. Now he, and his
friend are healing."

"I thought the gizmo prevented wounds from closing."

"As did I, but this 'problem' as you call it apparently knows a work
around."

"Well between that idiot cub, it's father, and him, what did you want
us to do?"

"Kill them all. I now have a cat, it's cub, the Chieftain and a
stranger in my sights."

"You didn't see this guy, he threw us 10 feet easily....without
touching us I may add."

"I thought you mercenaries didn't believe in the gods."

"Well when one fights you..."

"You fought him?"

"Yeah, got our butts beat. And we lost the gizmo."

"You IDIOT!"

"I was not about to go back while he was there. I went back later, and
it was gone."

"Do you know how hard it is to get those things?"

"What do I care. You got your skin, and the other 4. Just make sure we
get our money, or you're our next target"

And the comm went dead. The Aide threw it across the room. It had been
near impossible to get that device, and getting another one would
prove difficult. He was to never lose it, as it was a gift from people
who saw things his way. He grumbled. Now it would be harder to take
over the Chieftain's job, and worm his way into the council. He paced
for some time, trying to think on the matter, before retiring for the
night.

Outside the Healers tent, Keniv sat down, and the Cat set it's head in
his lap. Cats will be cats he mused, pulling out his comm, and placing
the headband in it's place, so he could talk freely. He gently petted
the Cat as he keyed in home.

"Gunai?"

"Yes Sir."

"Did you get the gun?"

"Yes. You were correct, it is definitely Consortium by design. The
infraction has been brought to the council, and they are going through
the motions if you will."

"All's fair in love and war, until the politicians get involved I
guess."

"You speak with a rapier wit Sir."

"How's Mai?"

"She has retired for the evening, having almost either left to beat
you up herself, or fainting out of fear at your little dancing match."

"Oh...she watched?"

"Yes. With a most peculiar look on her face I will add."

"Perfect, I'll get the lecture when I get home. Part of being married
and loving someone I suppose."

"Somehow, I think you two will be fine."

"Gunai, you never were good at sarcasm."

"I merely choose not to try sir."

"Heh, alright. Anything else of importance?"

"Not really, just to be careful, and not reveal too much."

"Gunai, they think I'm a Nature Lord, so I don't revealing anything
would a problem...they would chalk it up to religion."

"True, but it is best to be careful anyways."

"Alright, I'll try, Keniv out."

Keniv removed the band from his head, and tucked it away, still idly
petting the now purring feline in his lap. He heh'd and smirked. No
matter how big they get, a cat is still a cat he mused, sitting there
with this huge creature, who was purring like a kitten, it's tail
swishing about contentedly. Keniv sighed, and just started to relax.

"You risked your life for that of me and my cub, one not of this
Nature, why?" Came a familiar voice in his head.

"All creatures deserve the right to live. Those who took your mate did
so with an item also not of this Nature, and part of my duty is stop
such things from happening."

"So you did it to correct a mistake?"

"Partially."

"Partially?"

"In part. Also, I always had a soft spot for large cats. My mate
thinks it's cute, even if a bit odd for males of my kind."

"There is nothing wrong with approving of Nature's work" came the
pride filled response/

"I know."

"How is my cub?"

"She will recover. She is sleeping soundly. I'm surprised you trust
the healer."

"This village holds the old ways fiercely, one of the last that do. I
have heard the Healer even studied the ways of Nature healing. Any two
leg willing to do such a thing has my respect. The leader of this
village also trusts him, and given his strength of character, that is
enough."

"Now you speak with a wisdom I would not expect."

"Being spared my life in a trial of manhood can have profound
changes."

"I understand. What will become of yourself and your cub?"

"I am not sure. Without my mate, I cannot properly care for her. I
lack certain traits needed."

"I see, well, we can think that through another time. I need to check
on the cub, and on the chief."

The cat nodded, and got off Keniv's lap, receding from his mind as
well. Keniv smirked, and took out another sandwich, and gave it to the
Cat, who happily ate it as he ducked back inside the Healer's tent. He
looked at the sleeping man, and the Chief had left for his home. Keniv
took a peek in the back, and saw the cub curled up in a soft bed of
pillows near a heater. He almost missed the Healer behind him.

"You have saved the lives of 4 this day stranger. Yet you say it is
nothing."

"Oh, Healer, forgive me, I didn't hear you. To boast one's
accomplishments does nothing for either party. I did what I felt
needed to be done, nothing more."

"Wisdom, unique wisdom, yet wisdom all the same. Please come with me."

Keniv nodded and he and the Healer retreated to the living quarters of
the tent so to speak. The Healer bade him enter and sit, which Keniv
did, thanking him for his hospitality. The Healer made something to
drink and handed it to him. Keniv accepted, and took a sip, oddly, it
tasted very very good, like a good cup of tea from home.

"You approve of my humble skills?" Asked the Healer, taking a seat.

"I do, this is very good. Reminds me of the tea my wife makes."

"She must be special, and concerned you are not home."

"That is a light way of putting it." Keniv said, taking another sip.

"So, tell me what brings you here, Keniv of the Protectorate."

Keniv almost gagged, looking back up incredulously. He regained his
composure quickly though.

"The what?"

"Heh. It's alright, I too, an more than I appear." And a few light
green marks faded into view and then vanished from his face.

"Nature Lord?"

"Yes. I am one of them. We had wondered when a member of your home
would come and visit, to gather whether or not they are ready for the
next large step."

"The creatures seem ready, but I think the people have a bit to go
before they are ready."

"We agree. I wondered what had injured the Chieftian's friend. I could
not risk healing it myself, and for that, I am grateful you are here."

"Well, the poachers weren't using a weapon native to this line."

"I guessed as much. I enjoyed watching you deal with them though, it
was quite humorous, and most effective."

"Well, I couldn't whip out weapons, that would be against my rules."

"So instead you used what you knew of their beliefs to solve the
problem."

"Well it was a guess at the time, but I doubted any of them believed
in, let alone ever saw a Nature Lord."

"True, thankfully they have had the strength to keep the planet in a
equilibrium, not allowing the advancements they have made consume
their own heritage."

"In that they have surpassed even my own home."

"All that mattered was no one was hurt, and they are currently unable
to use that cursed device on any more creatures of the wild."

"To preserve life in all it's forms."

"I take it you have spoken with the Cat you came in with?"

"Yes I have."

"I hear he likes those sandwiches I think you call them."

"Yes, it's surprising what a simple sandwich can do in the annals of
interdimensional diplomacy."

"Yes, but the real evil still lurks. And I fear I must ask your help
in rooting it out."

"I am very limited in what I can do."

"We know. We are asking your leaders for permission, as we are willing
to let you."

"Let me what?"

"As you said weapons are out, however, you do possess similar
abilities as we do. That is sufficient to root out the evil."

"Evil can have some deep roots."

"I know. We know who is responsible, and why he does what he does."

"My guess is for material wealth."

"Yes. He is one of the increasing number to fall prey to the lure of
advancement without honor to the past."

"Time flows as a river, learn from the flow, lest ye be drowned by
it's repeating course."

"Very accurate."

"Old saying from home."

"Yes, well the problem is two fold. The Chieftain here, along with
having our almost direct blessing, is one of the most respected men in
the council. He carries great amounts of influence, and has kept the
encroaching evil at bay for now. However, with his friend injured, he
is absent in a time when those who oppose the strict code of old are
mounting to change many of the things that keep this place the way it
is. We fear without his presence in the chambers, the evil will grow,
and we will lose more than our jungles and animals, we will lose our
heritage and past."

"I see, My people are working on tracing their comm. Signals, but back
tracing against the ebb of time is arduous."

"There is no need. The man behind the plot to keep the Chieftain away
is none other than his own aide."

"Interesting."

"He comes from a family of, I believe you call them, slackers. Always
wanting the easy road, they speak with forked tongues, and hold a
blade behind them in one hand as they cheerfully greet you with the
other."

"That would explain his insistence I not enter the village."

"Yes. The Cat will sense him eventually. And he knows this. He was the
only one to fight against the Chieftain at his manhood trial."

"He disapproved of his trial?"

"Yes, and later took advantage of the man's trusting nature in his
village people, and became his aide."

"What is it you would like me to do?"

"Ensure the Chieftan can make it to his council meeting. And if
possible expose his aide to him, and the council."

"Domino effect?"

"Hmm?"

"Take out the head, and the rest will fall. Without the one planning
and keeping it together, the followers will disperse, or at least lose
much of their cohesion and strength."

"You have fought this type of thing before?"

"In a way, I suppose."

"Is there anything we can provide to help you?"

"Just wish me luck I guess. Have to rely on the time honored methods
of wits and fists, wits first of course."

"I see. You are an enigma of sorts. I can see why the Cub takes a
shine to you."

"Hmm?"

"Not many people look a cat cub in the eye, tell then no biting, and
have the cub nod back. She offered no problems to me at all. And she
is too young to be able to sense my abilities."

"Oh, well" Keniv said, rubbing the back of his head, "I guess I got
lucky then."

"One last thing. Your marks are blue. In our kind, Blue is rather high
up the chain, succeeded only by those who carry the many colors. There
are members of the Council that have seen, either waking or sleeping,
visions of Nature Lords."

"Ok, just my luck to have the color of a high rank. Oi, oh well, fits
about right."

"And that means?"

"Nothing. Just that a lot of what has happened to me, and been granted
me by the higher powers usually comes without a real explanation, and
I end up finding out about where it places me in the chain of things
later on."

"Makes you think on feet." The Healer grinned.

"That it does, that it does." Keniv chuckled

"Well, I think we should both retire for the night."

"You go ahead. If I need to expose this aide, I think it's time to see
what he's up to."

"Without being seen?"

"Well," Keniv smirked "we Nature Lords are a resourceful bunch."

The healer laughed a bit, and bowed out, heading for sleep.

Keniv checked on the cub, then went outside, and looked around. There
were a few torches, which the night men used to see by. He spied the
Aide's home, and saw the lights were still on. He sighed, and headed
over slowly, wishing he was allowed to have his shield unit, which
would do nicely for making him invisible. For now, he ducked behind
the simple structure, and hid in a mass of shadows. He folded his
legs, and chanted carefully, and softly. A small mist circle opened
before him, rendering the wall of structure invisible, as he watched
the aide. The small man inside was still quite active and awake,
scurrying around the room, occasionally going to his comm. Unit. Keniv
watched as the man made several calls, all in hushed tones. After
several hours of this, Keniv stood, and walked to a corner of the
village wall, and hunkered down, and gently went to sleep in a
meditating like position.

The next morning, the Aide crept out of his abode slowly, cautiously,
carrying something wrapped in a large sheet. He proceeded to go near
the wall, near a portion hardly anyone ever looked at deeply. He set
down the item, and pulled out a small stick, and began searching fro
something on the wall. When he found it, he inserted the stick, and
turned it, pulling a good sized section of the wall out. He set it
down, and picked up the package, and began to heft it through the
hole, when a low growling caught his attention behind him. He turned
slowly, and growling rather nastily at him was the dam cat the
stranger had brought back with him, staring him down in the face. He
backed down slowly, placing the sheet covered items on the ground, as
he slowly backed away. He had a small gun in his robe, but with the
cat looking at him, he could never get to it.

"Hey boss, what's the holdup?" Came a voice through t the hole.

The sound distracted the cat for a moment, as the aide reached for his
gun, and drew it, the cat already moving, as the shot rang through the
village. The healer and Chieftain were awake in a moment, and Keniv
was almost racing when the shot woke him. When they arrived, the Aide
was gone, a few drops of his blood on the ground where the Cat got him
with a paw. The sheet, and the items inside them were gone, and the
cat was on the ground, with a good sized wound from a bullet. The
healer bent down, and immediately began to help the Cat as Keniv and
the chief looked around, especially at the hole in the wall.

"Who could have done such a thing, in the village no less?"

"Your Aide did this sir." The healer said.

"My Aide? I cannot believe that." Came the response as rustling
outside the wall grabbed their attention.

Keniv looked through the hole, and saw 4 men running away, 2 of them
carrying large weapons.

"Damm idiots....they got more of those weapons now."

"Why would my aide do this, and how do you know?"

"Healer, explain it to him, I have some poachers to catch."

"Yes." The Healer said, as he kept at the Cat, and the Chieftain was
dumbfounded, as Keniv almost literally jumped over the wall and began
to chase, lifting his shades to his face, and his comm to his ear.
"Gunai."

"Here sir."

"They sent 2 more at least of those anti-biomass weapons. I'm in
pursuit now."

"Pursuit is not like you."

"Well I can't tune in long enough to port, so this has to do."

"Affirmative. The back trace is complete, and the data will be sent to
your data unit."

"Great. Anything else?" Keniv asked hurriedly, as he ducked a tree.

"The council has agreed to the request of those in your line. Good
hunting sir. Gunai out."

Keniv smirked, and broke into a full paced run, the marks on his face
slowly beginning to glow as he drew on that power to help him catch up
to them. He began to close in, and one of them noticed, and turned to
fire several shots at him, which he dodged in one way shape or form,
leaping up finally into the trees. They kept on firing, as Keniv
dodged, tossing an occasional force bolt himself to keep them off
guard as he drew closer and they kept moving.

"Die stranger, you are not welcome" The Aide shouted, attaching
something to the end of his gun.

"Nor are your attempts to derail what is right." Keniv said, barely
missing getting hit.

"Might makes right, and I control the Might." The Aide said, and
fired.

The shot missed Keniv, but he could sense the extra power behind it as
it passed, hitting the branch in back of him, which fell and hit him,
driving him to the ground.

"So much for the interloper. Come, we must make it to the transport."
And the Aide and the poachers left, never checking to see if they
finished the job.

Keniv was dazed, and worst of all, upset. He groaned, and stood,
shaking his head. He looked through his shades, which were partially
damaged in the fall, and swore in Mai's native tongue, there was no
way to catch them on foot now. He grumbled, and stretched out, making
sure he wasn't hurt to badly, patching himself up where he needed, and
set out to return to the village. He walked back in, and headed for
the Healer's tent, and entered. There, the Cat was on a series of
pillows, with the Healer and the Chieftan. The elder seemed stunned,
and was quite lax looking, supposedly from being told the truth.

"Did you manage to catch them?"

"No, they dropped a tree on me when I wasn't looking. How is the Cat?"

"He will live. A bit of pain, but he will pull through. The Chief is
adjusting to the news."

"Which news?"

"The news about his aide, and yours and mine status in this world."

"You think he can be trusted?"

"If the Cat was willing to give his life for him, then I think I can
trust him."

"How, how could I have not seen it." The Chief said softly.

"Villans who twirl their mustaches are simple to spot, those who hide
in the shadow of good, and cloak themselves the shadows are much
harder to spot." Keniv said, sitting down and working out the kink in
his neck.

"I concur. But how will we catch them. If they got that far, they are
headed for the council chamber, and we now have no transport."

"There are ways. How long till our large feline friend here is well
enough to move?"

"Not for a 12 hours at least."

"How long would it take to return to the Council?"

"Not long, maybe 12 hours at most, and tomorrow morning is the debate
session for loosening the hunting laws."

"Great, less than a day."

"It doesn't matter. There is no way to catch them."

"There is always a way...." Keniv said exiting the tent to think.


Back in the Council chambers, the Aide was pacing a hole in the floor,
trying to calm down, his idiot henchmen sitting in various spots of
the office, watching him.

"Hey boss, will you relax, we're here, they are still back in the damm
jungle."

"Now you look!" The aide said, pulling the man up by his shirt "We are
obviously not dealing with a normal person. He dodged blaster fire,
and talks to those pathetic cats. When I have his dead head on my
desk, then I'll relax, you got me?!"

"Yeah, yeah sure boss." The man said, being released.

"I told you that guy was a Nature Lord" one of the other men said
softly.

"He is not, they don't exist. That stupid legend is only for kids, to
keep them in line."

"So, tomorrow is your precious meeting, after that, it won't matter,
right."

"Assuming we last that long. Get out of here, I need to think."

The room cleared out, and the Aide sat down, clenching his fists. He
worked so hard to get this far, and he was not about to lose it all
now. He would be a chief, and he didn't care who he had to hurt to do
it.

Back in the Village, Keniv had managed to get the data logs gone over,
and a replacement pair of his shades, along with a short scolding from
Mai by remote, at which the Healer and both cats smirked and chuckled
watching him cringe as he was berated by his wife. He had gone over
the logs, and had them printed out, for evidence. He checked on his
large feline friend, who was growing impatient, and close to moving
again without fear of more damage to his body. His cub, on the other
hand, was very active, and was spending much of it's time playing with
the Cheiftan, and pouncing on small bugs, getting used to having all 4
feet working again. Eventually, the Cheiftan, both cats, and the
healer joined Keniv in the center of town. He pulled out his shades
and looked around.

"Alright, lets take care of this problem now, and forever. This will
feel a bit odd, but I'll try and set us down right outside the great
hall. Assuming all goes well, we should arrive before the talks
begin."

The two men nodded, and the cub perched on the larger Cat's back, as
Keniv began to move his arms, and speak in soft words, words of
foreign tongue. A soft glow enveloped them all, swirls of wind
surrounding them as they vanished from sight in a small noiseless pop.
Once they left, the Healer looked to the sky, sighing, and saying a
few short words to no on ein particular, before retiring to his hut to
watch the occasion from afar.


"Order, oder, the Tribal Council will come to order."

Several men sat down in the large circular room, the noise level
dropping.

"Attendance is recorded, and before we begin, we have an
announcement."

All eyes looked to the aide, who rose from his seat, to stand in front
of the chair that was vacant, his features hiding his worried and
confidient emotions inside. He took out a piece of paper, and began to
read.

"Ahem, my fellow Council members. It pains me to not be present at
this time of crucial juncture. But events of a personal nature dictate
my need to be in my tribe, and absent from the proceedings this
session of the Council. I give my adie the ability to speak on my
behalf, and cast my vote in matters I would address. I have full
confidence in his loyalty to what is right for our people, and out
world." The aide finished, sitting down.

Several murmurs went though the room.

"Very well, with that out of the way, we shall move onto the first
item on the agenda. We have a motion to loosen the restrictions placed
on the hunting laws of old. The proposal cites the growing size of our
people, and the need to move forward in our cultural development. Are
there any parties who wish to second this motion to a vote?" Asked the
head Councilman.

The aide seconded the motion, bringing another round of murmurs and a
few catcalls form the crowd, as those who knew the Chieftan knew he
would never want to loosen the laws on hunting.

"Motion for denail of authority!"

"A motion is brought, does the Aide wish to dispute?"

"I cannot dispute when I know not the reason."

"Your representative is a known stalwart supporter of the ways of old.
To loosen the very thing that protects our past would be against
everythign I have ever known about him. You are not voting or acting
in his interests." Came a man of good size from across the open room.

"Sir, he sees the growing size of our people, and knows artifical
supplements, or herded animals will not be able to keep pace with our
growth. It is time to put aside some of our fetters and step forward
towards the future."

"ANSWER THE CHARGE!" came a loud voice, booming from no place.

Everyone in the room backed off, save the Aide.

"What charge, and and who brings their voice to the chamber of Elders
without permission?" HE refuted.

A swirl of wind and dust picked up in the center of the room, with a
bright flash of light. When the light subsided, there stood the
'absent' Cheiftan, a Great Cat, it's cub, and a man of unremarkable
build, but an air of oddity about him.

"Answer the charge of acting outside my interests you worthless excuse
of an Aide." The Cheiftan said.

"Cheiftan, I" the Aide stammered, "Wait, you are not the Chieftan, the
Cheiftan is in his village, you are an imposter! Seize him!"

"Relax fool, the guards cannot help you." Came the odd man's voice, as
he turned to the head of the Coucil "Sir, I bring this Chieftan to
your chamber to confront a snake in his office. I bring a Great Cat to
serve as witness to his worth, and his cub to serve as witness to the
use of weapons against protected creatures, for the purpose of
poaching. All of which is controlled by the Aide."

"These are serious charges, how do you answer these words?" The head
Councilman asked the Aide, who was looking a bit nervous.

"These men are fools, I am not any of that. I have served my people
for many years, I have" he began as the cat roared loudly, making him
cut short, a growl of disdain coming from the great beast.

"The Cat seems to not believe you. Tell me stranger, who are you?"

"He is a liar!" The Aide said.

"You doubt me, then step forward. I have nothing to hide from you."

The Chieftan and the Cat retreated to the head Councilman's area, to
speak with him.

"You have been challeneged several times this day. How will you
react."

"I will face my challenges." Said the Aide, stepping out into the main
part of the room, lifting his robe in the process.

"It would be easier to admit your wrongs and face judgement." Keniv
said.

"I have done nothing wrong stranger."

"Illegal poaching, Illegal arms. Attempted murder, these are not
wrong? Boy, that;s one messed up sense of morals you have."

"And you can prove nothing. I challenge you for proof of your person."
The Aide said in a stern tone.

Keniv sighed, and took his glasses off.

"Very well, you seek proof." As he held his arms out, bent at the
elbows, and closed his eyes, bright blue marks beginnig to glow on his
face.

Gasps and words flew about the room, several people going to a
kneeling position, knowing only Nature Lords possesed such marks.

"You seek proof, there is my card. Do you yeild?"

"No, you are a fake, and a dead one at that" The Aide said, whipping a
blade out of his robe, lunging at the man.

He never got close. The knife fell to the floor, as the Aide screamed
in agony, a full set of teeth embedded in his arm, belonging to the
Cub, who had lept from his spot, biting hard int the man's arm. As a
gentle warm wind picked up in the room, three men of obvious dubious
means dropping in from the sky, all complaining loudly, but not moving
when they saw who was in the room. The Councilmen looked on, as the
hunters cowered in fear of this man, as the Aide was flailing to get
the small cub off his arm. Try as he could, he could not get it off.

Keniv walked over, and held the man;s arm still, and took a hold of
the cub gently, giving her a look, and the cub let go, the Aide
crumpling to the floor in pain and agony.

"Are there any others who wish to dispute the validity of our claims?"
Keniv said, petting the cub, who looked quite happy and content.

"For, forgive us my Lord, we do not normally receive such honored
guests in our place of rule." Came the stammering reply

"I do not expect as such. However." Keniv began.

"Yes my Lord, tell us, and we shall listen."

"It is not my place to pass judgement. It is your place to find the
path to longevity."

Saying so, the odd man, and the cub vanished is a soft blue glow,
leaving the large animal and the chieftan, as guards ran in to accost
the cowering men, and the sniveling injured Aide. As they left the
Chieftan, with the Cat beside him, stood up and began to speak, the
words reaching all in the room. Outside the room, Keniv reappeared
with the cub and sat down on a bench, idly petting the cub in his
arms, smiling, waiting for council to adjourn for the day.

Several hours later, the council adjounred, the members leaving the
chamber, the Cheiftan and the Cat coming out last, accompanied by the
head Councilman, idly talking. They both walked to Keniv, who stood,
gently settign the now sleeping cub on her fathers back.

"I take it things went well?"

"Yes, yes they did. I could not have asked for a better way to end a
session. Of course, having a Cat at one's side does tend to help" the
Chieftan said, with a slight purr from the beast.

"Well as long as you all know you must take care of this planet, and
respect all life on it."

"That we do. That we do. Were it not for your intervention Lord, I
fear for what may have happened. Now we know the old ways still hold
weight."

"Do not take it too heavily. We watch, yes, but it is your world as
much as it is ours. We choose to let you live, and grow."

"But you exist, we should praise you for that."

"Councilman, time flows ever onward. What has happened in the past
defines what we were, where we came from. In that respect we should
never forget, for it is the past that molds us towards the future. The
past also has our errors, or mistakes, things we are not proud of. We
learn from those things, if we don't we are doomed to repeat them."

"Spoken like a wise Lord. You truly are a Nature Lord."

"Perhaps, but now then, how do we get our large friend and his cub
back to their jungle?"

"Could you not just go there, like you left the chambers?"

"I only went out here. I may have power, but it has it's limits."

"Well, the Cat I think has chosen to stay with me, but his cub I think
has other plans."

"Oh?"

"It is not normal for a cub to risk it's life for one it does not
believe is worth dying for. She lept at him for you. The fact you
probably could have parried is another matter, but I think the cub
wishes to go with you."

"I am not exactly equipped to care for a young cub though. Most of my
life has been solitary."

"Then you will have someone to releive that lonliness."

"I think I'm not being given much choice in the matter."

"I think the higher powers have decided this for you."

"I get the feeling you may be right Cheiftan."

"You saved her life, the life of her sire, my life, and brought her
mother's killers to justice. Now despite your feelign that needs no
repayment, I think the cib feels otherwise.

The chieftan picked the cub up, carefully handing her to Keniv, who
took the small cat gentlym the cub not once waking up. The head
Councilman smiled, and walked towards his chambers to retire, leaving
the two men to speak alone.

"Keniv, I really do think the cub wishes to be with you, it just seems
right. I can't explain it, but something tells me it was meant to come
to pass."

"I know, things usually happen tht way for me."

"I know this large creature will be with me till we both perish, I
don't know how, but I know."

"You have taken a step towards a larger world."

"I hope it will not be the last step either."

"Nor do I, nor do I."

"Will we ever be graced by your presence again?"

"That I cannot say. I don't know if I, or anyone else, will be visitng
again within your lifetime."

"I hope we do meet again, but if not, it was an honor and a proviledge
to have met you."

"The honor is mine Cheiftan. May you find suceess in your endeavours,
and may your people grow stronger and wiser."

"That is my wish as well."

"I will join you in that wish." Keniv said, as a small beep sounded
"Well, it looks like my time has passed. I must leave now."

"Be sure to care for your new charge, she will be great, just like her
progenitors."

"I will try."

Keniv bowed, as a slight shimmer appeared behind him, a sort of
rippling blue wall. She smiled, and bowed to the Cat, and stepped
through the portal, the shimmer vanishing behind him. The Cheiftan
smiled, and patted the head of his large companion, heading back off
to his chambers. Back home, Keniv stepped off the pad, where a waiting
Gunai took in the bundle in his Lord's arms with a quizzical aire.

"Should I make arrangements for the house? Or shall I warn Opetu he
has a new playmate, one with claws?"

"Ha ha, very funny Gunai. She was a honored gift of sorts."

"I do hope Miss Mai finds humor in it."

The cub awoke, and yawned, looking around, sensing it was in a
different place. It looked up and Keniv, then at the large blue thing,
and pounced, hopping all over Gunai as if he was a cross prey and a
jungle gym.

"She seems most energetic sir."

"I think she likes you Gunai."

"I am honored you think so." Gunai said deadpanly.

Keniv picked up the climbing little cub, turned in his report and head
back home, petting the cub along the way

"Well, I guess we need a name for you don't we?"

The cub nodded a bit.

"Now I hope you and Mai will get along."

The cub just meowed a bit as he walked in the door, callign for Mai
who came downstairs.

"It's about time you got home Keniv, I need to talk to you about" Mai
started in as she saw him, pausing as she saw the cub.

"I know Mai, and it seems out family just grew by another member."

"And what is that?"

"This is a cub of a Great Cat, her mother was killed by poachers, and
the little gal seems to think she owes me a life debt of sorts."

"Does she have a name?"

"Not yet."

"Well I suppose we can find room for one more." Mai said smiling a
bit.

The cub looked at the smile, and jumped to Mai, who caught her, as the
little thing purred happily, settling in as if looking for a nap.
Keniv smiled.

"Well I think she likes you. Now I don't want any cat fights" He said
with a smirk.

"If I wasn;t holding her, I'de give you a fight, now shoo..I want you
to clean yourself up and relax." Mai said, going to the main room and
sittgin down, settign the cub in her lap, gently petting her. "About
how big will she be when she's grown?"

"Um, a bit bigger than a Siberian Tiger from the Mainline." Keniv said
going up the stairs.

Mai just smiled as she held the young kitten

"Well I guess we won't have to worry about salemen then."

"Like we do anyway?"

"Oh fine, spoil one of the only jokes I know."

Keniv came back down a few minutes later, and gave Mai a kiss and a
hug gently.

"It's alright, you'll learn more. I'm going to head down to the rec
room till I'm tired enough to sleep."

"Keniv"

"Mai, please, I couldn't sleep right now wihtout being drugged, so
please, don't scold me yet."

"Alright, this once I'll let it slide." Mai replied, still petting the
very happy cat in her arms.

Keniv heh'd and made his way down to the red room, idly passing time
on the old video games, pool table, darts, and what have you,
eventually ending up on the classic pinball table. He hated waiting to
get tired. His mind kept wandering, wondering if what had happened was
for the best. He did after all speak on behalf of local dieties,
granted they had asked him to, but it still nagged on his mind. He
found himself wandering in thought till a white blur passed in front
of him, the cub apparently having come downstairs, and finding the
lights and motion of the pinball machine truly fascinating. Keniv hit
the ball around, and watched the young feline try and pounce on it,
following it, her tail whipping about in obvious happiness.

After some time, Keniv yawned, and stopped, picking up the kitten, who
wanted to keep trying to get the ball. He gently picked her up, and
headed back upstaris, where Mai was asleep on the couch. He smiled,
and sat down next to her, placing the cub between them, as he wrapped
his arms around his wife, and sighed, letting sleep take him, having
decided on a name for their new family member, one the young kitten
would probably like.

And thus, Pinball entered the growing family.



The End



Ok, so maybe I got a bit melodramtic there at the end. Kinda reflects
my state of mind. Between losing my main comp for a month, and being
out of work for several months now, just finishing this side story is
a small step for me. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll keep
writing, and hopefully posting. Anyone else who is starting to get
confused, please e-mail me with what's confusing. I am in the process
of writing a companion guide, to help clear thigns up, and I would
LOVE input. Till next fic, ja!

-Izcer4 (Izcer4@Rocketmail.com)