Drew's Trouble with Cats and Roaches Pt. 04

Sr. and Kay were excited because they had worked with Bob at the space station. So, Bob moved in with them in their little cottage. Even with all Drews experience with aliens, Bob was a bit odd. He was just a glowing gelatinous a-sexual blob that rolled around the ground. The name Bob was given to him by the maintenance crews at the station...you get it Bob the Blob.

It turns out Bob would be an asset in the future on all things alien.

***

Unknown to the rest of the world, Drew's forced mental change came with a price and benefit. Yes, he could feel the emotions and send messages within the Pride, but he could also feel emanations from most humans. And while he could not read minds per se he could feel intentions. He had not realized, until this new growth showed him how many people were disgusted with his lifestyle.

He was beyond saddened to find the massive growth of the xenophobia on his home planet. The idea of breeding with aliens seemed to be tipping point for many. The hatred from the outside was still contained to a small segment of the human population. But it was a very vocal segment that seemed to be growing daily.

Through it all the Pride grew and settled into their piece of Terra.

But their piece of Terra started to feel exceedingly small, Paparazzi began to invade. The Prides return, became either the darling, or the most hated item on social Media. But the hate persisted and grew in all the dark corners of humanity. The knowledge that a Cat helped to save Earth, seemed forgotten.

The public ejection of the North American representative became an immediate flare point for both pro and anti-alien groups. Luckily, the Pride controlled and edited the first news briefing. Dick had showed all his hatred and xenophobia, but he said it was all lies. The negative press continued both in public and on the web and sparked added waves of xenophobia.

The press went insane. Then it went ballistic with a media frenzy of personalities wanting to meet and take pictures with the newest alien species. Many paparazzi and news crews tried to sneak into the refuge but were met by either an armed drone or worse yet, a group of younglings. They had a score board up in their dorm. They had created a new game, 'capture the Paparazzi". They defined scores by, number, type, and anyone 'famous". One fool parachuted in and the younglings had to create a new category for their score board 'flying idiot.'

Drew established rules for the capture and release. The younglings could capture and release or capture and bring them to Drew for disposition. No harming the humans or other alien paparazzi. It was great fun and good training for the over energized younger generation.

The only group to be hurt, was a group of local boys that said they had the right to hunt the property since their families had been doing it for generations. They came armed. They made the serious mistake of firing a projectile weapon at one of the younger cubs of the group. They all lived but would have the scars for life.

***

Drew could feel the calming effect of the forest as he sat beside the main house and sipped his tea while the morning dawned.

Then the morning shattered.

He felt a scream but did not hear it, then others followed ringing in his head. He knew immediately where the screams came from and who they belonged to. It was one of the littler youngling groups out hunting for paparazzi. They were in trouble. Their calls for help were quickly cut short, normally this would be by death. But it was not death, he could still "feel" them but somehow their 'voices' could not be heard.

Before he could get out of his chair, he was met with the feral growls of several of the female warriors. They acme to his side, armed and ready for battle. Tiffany was up, dressed, and armed when she joined him. Meme was only a few seconds behind.

He knew that the Pride was ready for conflict, they had been training for it since they arrived on Earth. Through all the emotions flooding him, Drew paused.

He needed to think like a human again, but a human with no honor.

He again, was on that field of battle covered in the entrails of others.

He again was in space battling Roaches, facing overwhelming odds.

Yet, just like those times, he paused to gain clarity.

He pulled Meme and Tiffany to the side, "Get everyone, Pride, and friends into the main house and lock it down. Prepare for battle. This could be only a diversionary tactic to get to the rest of Pride. Protect the Pride." Drew paused, no one was arguing so he knew he was on the right track.

"I am going to take Thing One and Two and I want Alexander as scout. We are going to find out what happened to the younglings. Any questions?"

Meme spoke up briefly, "Alexander is the oldest of the younglings and oldest of the Lords lineage, but not yet a warrior. Why not another warrior?"

"Yes, agree, but he is the best at woodsman ship and tracking. This is his chance to earn some scars. Things One and Two can kill anything that walks, slithers, or skitters. Let them work together so we can go in and get out quietly." Drew ended with finality.

There was no more discussion. Alexander was called and came prepared. The four moved out with Drew being the slowest.

End of Chapter 4