Drew's Trouble with Cats and Roaches Pt. 11

Drew started to panic when he saw the way Kitten lowered herself and began to lope. She was eating up ground faster than he could believe. Goldie, while older and larger, was struggling to keep up.

At the last moment, Drew stood and mentally sent a direction, 'Slowdown'. It would have been to late anyway, but at the last moment Kitten hit her own brakes and stopped just short of a mixed group of children. The smallest was a bit surprised, but then 'heard' Kitten and realized the much bigger cat was her new play buddy. Goldie's was just a few seconds later and slid into the group of children with a bit less finesse. The small human child wrapped the larger head in a huge hug and got a huge purr in return. The other children surrounded Kitten and Goldie began what all young children do, touch and stroke.

The human parents watching their children panicked when they saw a young wolf and a young puma rushing at their children. By the time they reached their own kids, they were looking for direction from Drew. He just patted the bench next to him.

The parents of several species came to sit next to him. As they watched the children and the soft play of Kitten and Goldie, their tenseness evaporated.

"Can you really talk to them?" asked one of the avian species.

"In a way," Drew answered, 'If I touch Goldie, I can impart feelings on her and give her nudges. And it's a two-way street, she sends feelings back too." Drew smiled and paused thinking about some of the times Goldie got confused when Tiffany was 'mean.'

"As for Kitten, we just began to have dialog this morning, but she already looks to me for guidance." Drew looked at Kitten and asked her to "come."

She nuzzled the children one last time, with a low purr and then bounded off to see her "papa." She was still learning and enjoying the added speed and strength gained over night. She was showing off for her 'papa' and got tangled in her own feet and ended up skidding to halt right in front of the crowd of parents. She got up from her own ball of tangled feet and sheepishly padded over to put her forehead into Drews chest.

Drew was so amazed at her new speed and strength that he imparted his awe and happiness to her through the touched connection. Her head sprang up and she nuzzled his neck while purring like an old motorboat.

The parents and children laughed and enjoyed seeing her so affectionate and happy. The joy of the moment had been a good respite for Drew. He knew deep down there was something deeper going on with Tiffany. He needed to find out what it was and end it before the ships left for the colonization drive.

He stood and ruffled Kitten's and Goldie's ears. He sent out a broadcast to Eddie, Alexander, Thing One and Thing Two to meet him at his dad's place. He asked them to gather up Elsa and to do it quietly.

He got back affirmation with mental question marks behind the acknowledgements.

***

"How many of you know why I asked you to be here?" Drew asked quietly. Everyone, including his Dad raised their hand except for Elsa. It was a truly human gesture, the members of the impromptu meeting that could, also signaled with mental bursts.

Drew's shoulders slumped and he exhaled loudly letting everyone know his total exasperation.

"We are two weeks from launch, and I don't know what to do." Drew stated to no one and to everyone.

Elsa finally spoke up 'My love, can you please explain what is going on and why everyone seems to be at a funeral?" Drews head snapped up at the offhand comment.

"Funny you should put it that way," Drew could not even muster a dark humor out of the moment.

"I made a promise once, and I don't want to keep it. But I cannot allow something wrong to leave us, especially if it is in a position of power."

"Dad, you are the keeper of alcohol, do you have any of California Syrah on hand?"

"Of course, one or two bottles?" he asked

"Two dad, its going to be one of those nights." Drew paused and looked into Elsa's eyes. "I am not sure how much time we have before we are interrupted, so let me give you the short version of Tiffany's history with the pride and me."

Drew grabbed the bottle out his dad's hands because he was going to break the cork off, again. His dad huffed but backed his floating chair away and opened a beer. The Cats all started to open beers. They could not process wine for some reason, but did love their beer. Drew filled a glass for Elsa and signaled her to sit and get comfortable.

"When I first came to the Pride as a slave, Tiffany wanted me killed outright." He was unbuttoning his shirt as he talked and then took it off. Elsa has seen and admired his battle scars many times, tracing them lightly as the cuddled after sex.

Drew opened his hand and ran it across the diagonal scars on his chest. And then turned and showed the deep ugly scars across his right shoulder. He traced them with is fingers. Finally, he touched the ones alongside his head that lead almost to his eyes.

Drew turned to Elisa, and finally told her, "Tiffany gave these to me, trying to kill me over a two Teran years. None of my scars are from battle. My single 'heroic' battle where I killed 31 roaches and 'saved the day caused no scars at all."

Elsa gasped.

'Before that battle, I was then experimented on, like a lab rat, to see if the Cat meds would allow me to communicate mentally. Even for Cats, 3 out of 4 died with that medication." Drew paused again.

"I survived, but barely. The pain is not something I want to discuss. It literally rebuilt me as an unintended side effect. My mind was altered and is still shifting today."

Drew looked up at Eddie, and smiled, "Eddie, my friend, watched over for me for three days as I writhed in pain. He took a moment off and Tiffany tried to poison me."

"You know the story of the transfer of genetic material, another experiment that changed my body. Not with my acceptance by the way. And then the Lord did something so amazingly wonderful and stupid at the same time, he made me Lord protector."

"All of the Pride accepted his judgement except one, Tiffany. She was roughed up and shorn and placed in a closet by the Pride. She was not the nicest to them as the Queen bitch either." Drew stopped and filled his glass again.

When I awoke on the bridge of the ship, escaping the rest of the roach hoard, I found what my new position was. I had a choice, to kill her outright or..." Drew sighed and drank a bit more.

"Give her a chance to redeem herself. She has done so and been my partner for many years." Drew paused.

"But there was always Meme, to be the balance, to be the foundation and wall the new Pride was built on. And now she is gone. Since her death, I have been noticing a shift, a change. I was too wrapped up in my own grief and loss to notice it, but Kitten brought it all to the front of my mind."

Drew could feel the anger welling up inside him and he felt Elsa shift and wrap her arms around him.

"She had Eddie gave a variation of the same drug to Kitten, to experiment on her. Just like I was experimented on. It caused me to rethink what I have been seeing and feeling since our partnership was formed and our decision to go back into space."

"Elsa, I apologize but the others have been sending me images and worries for months. Their worries never made it deep enough to get through my grief, until now."

Elsa looked at the sadness in his eyes, "What was the promise that you made?"

'That if I ever saw the old Tiffany resurface, I would cut her throat myself." Drew responded and started to tear up.

Elsa knelt before his seated form and wrapped him in her arms, or as much as she could with her hugely extended belly and enlarged breasts.

***

Discussions continued for another half hour until Drews head snapped up and he stated, "We have inbound."

Drew stated barking orders mentally and to the humans in the room. Things One and Two to exit by the back door and circle around to flank the 'visitors. They were to take Elsa with them and send her off to someplace safe and his dad was to go with them. Both his dad and Elsa refused to go. His dad produced and antique projectile handheld firearm, his colt 911, and put it in the side bag of his chair.

Alexander and Eddie took strategic places within the living room corners. Both Goldie and Kitten stood from their lounge positions on the floor and came to stand, cuddling Drew.

As the first shadow of Tiffany was seen through the door, both animals lowered their shoulders and the hair stood up on their backs. Canines could be seen on both muzzles. It was not until two other shadows, two of the Other warriors, stood on the porch behind her that the animals stared to hiss and growl.

Tiffany was insulted beyond herself that her own pet was growling at her. "Stop it at once!" she demanded of Kitten. Kitten did no such thing, only doubled down when one of the Other warriors reached for his knife. The second one made the same move. From different direction, both warriors left their feet and slammed to the grass beyond the porch.

Things One and Two, towered over their prostrate forms, weapons drawn. They individually divested the Other warriors of all their own weapons.

"How dare you! They are with me," she was talking to Things One and Two. At that moment Drew walked out on the porch, his Dads weapon in his hand. Drew was followed by both Alexander and Eddie, all armed. Elsa finally walked quietly and stood behind Drews shoulder, with Goldie and Kitten sliding beside Drews knees, one on either side.

"Of course, she would be with you," Tiffany commented with sarcasm dripping from her lips.

"My queen, please explain why you come looking for me with two armed warriors?" Drew paused, "when I have given specific instructions that NO Other warrior shall bear arms in the refuge?"

Tiffany just straightened her shoulders but did not answer.

Drew turned to Things One and Two, "bind them and take them to the holding cell. If they twitch, kill them."

"Yes, my lord," they answered, with way too much enthusiasm.

Drew turned his head and sent a message to all Pride members, that there was an emergency meeting to be had in the large hall before dinner. He gave no reason, no explanation.

"And what is the reason for this meeting My Lord Protector," she issued the last three words with more dripping sarcasm.

"The colonization plan, my queen, you need to be there." he answered sadly and walked away before she could shift her mood and try and manipulate the situation. As Kitten walked by, Tiffany tried to touch her. All the Queen got was a deep growled warning.

***

As all the Pride gathered in the hall, Drew sat in his office with Elsa, doing the daily work that needed to get completed. Goldie and Kitten were curled together on the side rug they had claimed as their own. 15 minutes before the appointed hour, Drew felt the presence coming close and Kitten raised her head and her hair raised. She began to get that low growl again and Drew just quietly and mental let her know that all was safe.

As Tiffany entered the room, Kittens ears went back flat on her head and both animals started to show canines.

"What did you do to turn my pet against me," she stood with her hands on her hips.

"Nothing," replied Drew, "But she recognizes the one that sent her to torture."

"That is Eddies fault, she should blame him," Tiffany replied and seemed done with the line of questioning and Kitten as a whole. Drew wondered if she was dismissing Kitten because of the lack of affection or was it something deeper.

"So, you came to meet me here. Why?" asked Drew.

Tiffany seemed shocked by the question. "Because we should walk in together, united, Lord protector and his queen."

Drew raised and Eyebrow and looked sideways at Elsa and then at Tiffany.

"Oh of course your consort too. I am sorry I did not mean to forget you Elsa," Tiffany retorted.

"No offence taken Queen Tiffany," responded Elsa.

They entered the great hall and the chairs were set up to face the great fireplace. Drew loved the open fireplace with a roaring fire going during the cold months. And above it hung the ancient claymore. The whole area was raised two steps so it could be used as a stage along with it being a lounge area.

On the wooden flooring, sat one ornate wood framed high backed, padded chair. It was one from Tiffany's private office and one of a set she had just purchased. She had gotten into the earth habit of having private meeting during her planning of the expedition.

The three entered by the back of the stage and Elsa continued walking down the steps and took her seat next to Eddie, Drew and tiffany continued to center stage and stopped.

"Please be seated Tiffany," Drew directed.

"I prefer to stand, my Lord," Tiffany responded, not wanting to give up being the center of attention.

"SIT!" Drew demanded using command voice. Kitten was up in a flash looking at Tiffany and broadcasting 'prey' to Drew. Goldie was confused but was up with Kitten a second later. Drew sent a command to Kitten to lay down. She did it grudgingly, and Goldie followed suit. Kitten though was on high alert, with her paws out front, and her rear tucked underneath her. Goldie just rolled on her side and watched from a lazy side position.

Drew turned to Tiffany and she again saw a side of him that she had not seen for many years.

Drew sent her a personal warning, 'sit my Queen or I will have others help you sit...now!'

Tiffany huffed but turned and went back to the chair and sat.

Drew turned back to the assembled throng and took and deep cleansing breath.

"To my family, my Pride. This family that has adopted me and allowed me to lead you, I owe you an apology. I became so overcome with grief at the loss of Meme, that I have forsaken my duties. I am honor bound to lead and cultivate the love and bonding that has brought us through so many troubles and I have failed you." Drew paused, he had planned this for several hours and he was getting choked up how hard it was.

Drew could hear female 'voices' mentally calling out to him, telling him he had not failed them.

"My mistakes are my own and I will own them for the rest of my life. My mistakes cost us lives of our pride members. I will remember them and honor their spirits forever." Drew paused again.

"I tried to learn from those mistakes. Trust, loyalty, and the love of the Pride have always been the hallmark and strength of our community. I trusted Humanity and it cost the life of Kay and nearly two others. I trusted the Others and it cost the life of Meme and almost more." Drew again paused for affect.

"When I was lost in my grief, I let others handle the details of my plan to explore and colonize the Other's space. It was to be a shared exploration, showing that Cats, humans, and a multitude of other races could band together to do something that one race could not. I trusted those members to be true to the plan, true to the Pride and true to me." Drew was walking around the sage and as he finished this last comment he was directly behind Tiffany.

"I have been deceived, we have been deceived, the Pride has been deceived." Drew ended, but slammed his hands down on her shoulders as she tried to raise up. Thing One stepped out of the alcove on stage right, pointing her cat weapon directly at Tiffany, still in the chair.

Drew whispered, "stay seated or she will fire on you."

'You will regret this, lord." Tiffany responded.

"We shall see," Drew retorted.

The pride had erupted in confusion and everyone wanted to talk at once verbally and with their loud voices. Thing Two was up on the stage on the left, weapons lowered but hot, scanning the crowd.

Drew raised his hands and verbally and mentally asked everyone to sit and there would be an explanation. Everyone took their seats. Thing One, never taking her eyes off Tiffany, walked up on stage and took position directly behind the chair.

The two Other warriors were brought in, manacled, and made to kneel close to Tiffany's chair.

With the stage set, Drew continued, "As I stated, in my grief I abandoned my duties to others. I began to hear complaints from the other races that they were being cut out of the process. I heard from other members of the planning team, that the mixed-race relationship had been shifted on prime M class planets. In my grief I let it all wash over me. Then something triggered my attention. A gift, a gift of a kitten from a human to a Cat. Given with respect and love, to fulfill old sailing superstitions."

Drew paused to call Kitten up to him, of course Goldie had to follow. As Kitten passed Tiffany she growled and bared her teeth. This simple act caused a stir in the crowd. She stood one side of Drew and leaned, rubbing herself on his leg. She continued until he reached down and touched her, purring could be heard across the large room.

"This creature, a larger cat than some we have around here, was experimented on by Tiffany. She ordered Eddie to perform the mental treatment that has cost us so many young ones in our past. I had forbidden the treatment on our Pride members, not thinking that someone would again try in on another species. She tortured a simple animal out of curiosity. With no regard to how her 'pet 'felt about the pain that was inflicted. As you all know, I had the same experiment done to me and I will never forget it."

Drew pulled Kittens face up and bent and kissed between her ears. She was sent her back to lay with Goldie at the rear of the stage.

"This triggered something in me, a remembrance of all of the warning signs that I received over the past several months. So, this morning, I was meeting with several pride members and my father when Queen Tiffany arrived with these two Other warriors fully armed."

The crowd again began to become unsettled. Drew again raised his hands and sent out requests for quiet.

"So, I called this meeting so we can all discuss what has happened and what our future will be. I 'interviewed' these two warriors. They did not find the process enjoyable. Here is what they provided me."

Drew closed his eyes and broadcast out what the warrior's memories were. They showed graphic detail of Tiffany seducing them with sex and promises of kingdoms on far planets. They showed her discussing her plans to cut the other races out of the best planets and then subjugating the other races over time as slaves." Tiffany erupted out of her chair.

"Lies, all lies. And if they are true, so what. We are the dominant race. We cannot let humans, blobs, birds, and half sized cats rule us. We were meant to rule the universe." Tiffany commanded.

'Restrain her,' was Drews quiet command. Thing One slammed her back in her chair and Thing Two provided cover while Tiffany was manacled through the arms of her ornate chair.

"And therefore, we are here this evening. I may be Lord Protector, but I have failed you all. I am here to allow you, as the Pride, to choose your pathway forward into your future. I will step down as the Lord Protector at your request." Drew heard a flood of voice telling him no. "Before I ask you to vote, I am going to try one more thing to see what truth we find."

Drew walked behind Tiffany and put his hands on her shoulders. She went stiff and at one-point Drew thought she would try and bite him.

Drew closed his eyes and mentally pulled her thoughts and memories. He had never done anything this evasive before, especially with someone he loved. When she felt him, she tried to shield him from her thoughts. His changed mind blew through any personal shielding she threw up. Drew just broadcast a moment by moment mental view of it all.

Her thoughts confirmed the personal hatred for all other races, even humanity. She held a duality with him, revulsion of his humanity while enjoying his maleness. This startled him and made him faulter. He felt Thing One and Two physically reach out and hold him. He felt their love and respect flood him with inner calm