Chanur's Arrival
Chapter 5
Placed a small wire snare near the entrance to the canyon.
Hopefully, I can get rid of the pest before it gets any bolder. Vermin!
Another visit to the berbils today with a fresh kill. Not nearly as much
attention this time. Bert must have talked to them. When I arrived, the
berbil bid me to step inside. Dropping the kill in back I followed him
into the hut, stooping slightly to avoid the roof beams. A human female
dressed in a rough-spun skirt and tunic waited opposite a small rough
table. "Chanur," Said Robear-Bert. "This is Kaheia of the Warrior
Maidens. We all need to talk."
The female eyed me waspishly. "So, this is the new cat that hunts
the plain."
"I'm not a "cat". I rumbled. "I'm hani."
"Some of the others have seen your hunts." She continued. "They
were most impressed."
"Your people must be good as well. I wasn't aware I was being
watched." I countered.
"They are and you are." She smiled slightly. "Now that we've
exchanged pleasantries, perhaps we can begin."
"Perhaps."
"Are you aware of the situation here on Third Earth?"
"Define situation."
Robear-Bert broke in. "The arrival of the outsiders."
My ears pricked up. I know an insult when I hear one. "What of it?"
I asked dangerously.
"It would be easier if you remained quiet so I can explain." Said
Kahiea. She had a point. Even I had to admit that. "Alright, I'm
listening."
Kaheia drew in a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. "When the
Thundercats arrived here on Third Earth the people here welcomed them.
We all felt their pain of losing their homeworld. Then, their enemies
arrived. We helped the Thundercats stand strong." She nodded to
Robear-Bert. "The berbils even helped them build their home."
"A decision we have come to regret." Answered the berbil.
"Then the Lunatacs arrived." Kaheia continued. "Then others. All
with one purpose: Destroy the Thundercats. We," She gestured with her
hands. "have been caught in the middle. If the Mutants want a response
from the Thundercats they attack us. Many of our homes have been
destroyed and good people have died, just as a provocative gesture." She
sighed. "We're tired of it."
I paused to think it over. "But, the Thundercats protect you..."
"From dangers they brought with them!" Snapped Robear-Bert. He
calmed. "Not all the dangers are the Thundercats doing. Mumm-Ra has
always been here. But he is a known evil. The Thundercats would have you
believe we ran in fear before their arrival. We held our own." The
berbil stated proudly.
"Then the outsiders arrived." Kaheia began again. "You've seen
them. The one with Tygra while you were in the river...."
"That was a private moment!" I snapped. "You watched me bathe??"
The woman blinked. "Not me personaly. But you were observed." She
chuckled. "She was impressed."
I felt rage begin to heat my cheeks. I've always been modest, but
then I've got a lot to be modest about. "What of their privicy?" I
demanded. The berbil snorted.
"Everyone knows about the Thundercat and the tiger. Hardly a day
goes by without the sound of those two yowling at each other."
"Sadly enough she's not the only one." Said Kaheia. " We have a
tiger living in our village. Lazy brute! We feed and provide for it, and
in return reaceve nothing! Not all of "them" are like this but most are.
The one with the Wollos earns her keep. But otherwise...." She let the
sentance hang.
"Why am I different?"
"You didn't expect anything." The berbil answered. "You provided
for yourself. The supplies you need, you trade for. You don't expect us
to feed you, or," He shuddered. " just come in and take what you want.'
"When I first heard that a cat was hunting the plain, I thought the
observer was mistaken." Interupted Kaheia. "Thundercats don't hunt. They
won't get their claws dirty. Instead the Warrior Maidens provide. Willa
may be content with the arrangement but I'm tired of it! This cannot
continue!"
"Their entire socity is built on the work of others." Answered
Robear-Bert. We've had to double the size of our fields to provide for
them and make up for what the others steal. Our farmers are tired, the
Wollos tired, the Warrior Maidens angry. Something must be done."
Kaheia looked me dead in the eyes. "We need your help in killing off
the Thundercats."
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"No." I answered.
"How can you say that?? You havent..."
"Killing them isn't the answer!" I shot back. "Look at yourselves!
If the answer were that easy you'd have done it already! Do you honestly
think you'd stand a chance if they found out you killed one of their
number? You MIGHT get one of them, then the others would wipe you out!
Even if you got them all, the Mutaints and the Lunatacs would spread
unchecked. You'd be worse off then before. What are the Lunatacs and the
Mutiants after? The Eye of Thundaria, right?"
"Yes, I suppose so." Said Robear-Bert.
"So we find a way that the Thundercats keep the eye, but leave us
alone." Answered Kaheia.
"Exactly. I said. "You need to force them out with the Eye. The
Mutiants and Lunatacs follow the Eye. End of story."
(Later, on my way back to camp.)
That went well. Less then a month on the planet and you may have
already declared yourself an enemy of the strongest groups here. I've
allways liked fighting for lost causes, but.... I hope I haven't bitten
of more then a mouthfull here. I glanced at the sun. Nearly at its apex,
it was too hot to hunt. No real need to yet anyway. Lost in my own
thoughts, I nearly didn't hear the crack of a twig off to my left.
Someone's hunting ME?? That's a good one. I reached for the AP. Damn, I
left it back in camp. I continued forward, casting quick looks to my
left. Whatever it was, it was low to the ground and moving quickly to
keep pace. I caught a glimpse of spotted fur. Some type of smallish
preditor. But why me? I was much too big for a single small.... I cast
a quick look arround. Was there only the one? I could feel my heartbeat
slow as my vision narrowed. Where is it? I can't......
(Continued)