Post by stubinz on Jan 10, 2017 11:45:03 GMT -5
a little something just for fun, got the idea from some RPing Autumn and I did awhile back. and when I said something different, well I meant it heheheh!
SUMMARY
Jellicles: a felinoid race that live on spacestations, planetary stations and orbital platforms throught the rim of the
Confederation of Allied Systems.
Pollicle: a set of canoid races that are the primary work and fighting force for the Confed of AS.
The Confederation of Allied Systems: a Human dominated Starculture in which ost alien races are second class citizens.
The Ribbet Empirium: an empire of brachtiod (frog) amphibians. they and the Confed of AS are at war.
the cast: the main charecters are the crew of the independent salvage ship Moonrise who's home port is the Spacestation
Junkyard.
the "Home Team"
Captian: Munkustrap
Comunications: Bombalurina
Astrogator/Navigator:Pouncival
Ships Doctor: Jennyanydots
Engineer:Stubinz
"Away Team"
Rumpleteazer: Salvage Tech
Mungojerry: salvage Tech
Tumblebrutus: Salvage Tech
Grumbuskin: Scav Security
Manfredd: Scav Security
the others will apppear on the station!
AND NOW OUR STORY.....
the Moonrise was making a standard circut of the asteroid fields of system 371 of their home sector when the sensors
picked up a magnetic reading. Bombalurina smiled when a polite blip occured on her screen and a calm soft voice said
in her earpice, "there seems to be something that may be of interstmin that cluster 100K to port Ma'am."
she gave a tinkiling laugh, "please Owen call me Bomba." she said.
"that would hardly be proper Ma'am." Owen, the ships computer replied. "well thank you for alerting me. ohhhh Captain..."
the lovely scarlet queen purred as she turned to look where a tall black and sliver stripped taby sat with a young
patchwork taby, "we have a contact, shall I continue scanning and alert the crew?"
Munkustrap glanced up from his console, "well that IS why we're out here Bomba!" he replied with a grin.
Bomba touched a button that sent a warbling call through the crew compartment. "up at at 'em darlings, time earn our
keep!"
down bellow Mungojerrie and Tumblebrutus dropped the cards they were holding and headed for the ladder while
Rumpleteazer sputtered, "bloody, ditzy BIMBO! she'allyas dose that when oi'm 'bout ta win!"
but the tiger striped young queen had forgoten all about it buy the time she had swarmed up the ladder and joined
the rest of the crew around the plot table. it was a tight fit with ten of them there but it was a companionable
crowding. on one side were Munkustrap, Bomba, and battered old Stubinz who was fiddling with a wrench. on the other
was the Scav team, her twin Mungojerrie, Tumblerutus and herself. at one end sat Jennyanydots in her white coat
with Pouncival on the other were Grumbuskin, already in his away jumpsuit with weapon belts strapped on, and
Manfredd. over the table was projected an image of a battered oblong ship inbetween three asteroids.
Bomba tapped a key and the asteroids vanished and the ship straightened to horizontal.
the scarlet queen smiled and said, "what we have is an old Type Twelve mass freighter 100 k tons without
the extental frieght pods and about 111 meters long, the crew compartments are fore the engines aft. the visible damage
is mostly to the external cargo pods and that nasty through and through to the bridge, not likely to be anything worth
the effort in those pods BUT the Type Twealve also had two internal holds for perishable or fragile cargo and from the
outside they look to be intact. the best salvage will be there and in components and spare parts in engineering.
questions?"
Grunbuskin cocked his head the scars on his muzzle rippling, "just the usual, any living Bio Signs?"
Bomba shook her pretty head, "not a one, though they could be holding up in the more secure of the holds."
Munkustrap clapped his paws together and rubbed them, "well kittlngs you all know your jobs, so lets get to it!
Manfredd the Type Twealve had some very tight spaces so Grum is going out and you'll be stating here." he added.
the massive tom nodded "gottch ya Cap." Manfredd answered as the others moved off to their duties.
the Away team slid down the ladder to the forward EVA bay. Rumpleteazer danced over to the lockers and pulled out
out a jumpsuit and shimmied into it, "these Oi donn like, we have ta where 'em while tha Home Team get's ta sit all
comfy in thare fur."she amiably grumbled.
"better than tha alternative banphrionsa, better than tha alternative!" Grumbuskin chuckled as he put on his own
helmet and environmental rig.
toolbelts and equipment packs were distributed and soon enough they had paired off, Teazer and Jerrie, Tumblebruts
and Grumbuskin, each checking the external readouts on the other.
MEANWILE ON THE BRIDGE....
Pouncival sat at his post paws dancing across the board as he set the coordinates to pull along aside the drifting wreck.
he gave an ear flip and a soft sigh, the others always got to do the fun stuff. Bomba glanced over, "hey Patches what's
the matter?" she asked in a warm velvety voice. "oh it's nothing, just I never get to go and SEE what's out there or
do anything." he said. "ahh buck up hey? the point of the Home Team is that without the Engineer we'd go no where,
without the Doc none of us would be here to go anywhere and without YOU we'd never GET anywhere!" she said with smile.
"and you DO plenty!" she added crossing the deck to give him a friendly bump. "I guese," he answered ears pinking,
then his paws flicked across the board "we're set." set he said and bomba fluidly retook her seat.
"Captain," she purred into her mike, "we are in position." Munkes smooth voice responed "alert the team and have
extend the docking tube." "yes sirrr! okay pounce extend the tube!" she called out.
then she keyed the helmet coms...
MEANWHILE IN THE EVA BAY.....
the team was standing ready by the lock when a soft intimate voice filled their helmets, "all right everyone it's a
go! good luck and come back to Bomba hear!"
a hollow THUNK followed and the light above the lock turned green.
Grum keyed the hatch and drew a very short shot gun and advanced into the airlock followed by the others.
when the lock cycled he was the first out scanning the compartment for threats. "clearrr," he growled.
the chamber was cluttered with debri floating about in the lack of gravity.
"I'm for Hold One!" Teazer said with a giggle, "and I'm for Two!" Jerri chimed in. Tumblebrutus shook his head with a grin
"then I am headed down to Engineering." he said as Teazer nimbly darted down a companionway.
"keep ya bloody Mag-Boots on this time!" Grumbuskin replied, Teazers answer was one of her notorious giggles.
as soon as she was out of sight Teazer put the boots on standby anyway and eeled down the corridor, for the pretty young
queen THIS was the fun part of zero-g! time enough for serious work when she got to the hold at the moment she was enjoying herself as she flowed past obstacles like buckled hull plates and displaced wire that hung like jungle moss. she carefully noted the frame and id markers as she flowed past.
she paused at a four way juncture and said into her com, "hey Red I am at Frame 4 and got four passages marked B-12 B-10 B-14 and B-15, which way ey?" on the bridge Bomba keyed into the stock schematic for the type twelve, and replied, "B-10 hon, then take the right turn and the ladder way down!""thanks Red!" Teazer chirped as she swam into B-10 and at the end dove down the ladder well and whe she flowed into
the the chamber below Teazer let out a startled shriek as she bumped faceplate to shattered faceplate with a floating
suit. "on my way Puss Ah have ya on my readout," Grumbuskin growled into the com. "Oim fine just found our first
dead crewman tis all!" Teazer answered. "nothin for it stay put!" he responed. and shortly down the ladder he came
gun ready suit lamps searching the chamber.
when they illuminated Teazer free floating, the scarred tom growled "get those boots switched on!" she sank to the floor "better now? why do ya ha to be such a sourpuss ta ma anyhow?" she growled back. Grumbuskin gave a quick look around then holstered his gun, "because Puss ya are one a tha best Lock Tickler's that Ah hae seen in a long shady career but yer reckless an Ah would hate ta lose ya ta some silly tomfoolery!" he replied.
Teazer blinked and danced over to the cargo hatch "well let's see if Oi can dazzel ya agin!" she chirped as she pried open a service port and attached a small gadget punching in a code. moments later a nscreen lit up and Teazer gave one of her notorious giggles, "ohhh Old Gussie and Haversham back at tha station are gonna JUST LOVE this!" she laughed turning to him Grunbuskin just folded his arms and tilted his head.
"well acordin ta tha manifest the cargo tis twelve tons a BEER!" Teazer chortled.
MEANWHILE.....
Jerrie went down his chosen passage a bit more cautiously than his sister and he almost turned back at her shriek but did nit when he heard Grum's reply, the scarred tom would let them know if there was real trouble. no he had to keep his head an be professional and cool. at the end was a three way intersection. he chose the middle as it was the largest and continued and went down the ladder well at it's end. at the ladders bottom he found an empty chamber. Jerri paused and cocked his head wishing that these darn jumpsuits allowed more movement for their tails.
"hey Red, you read where OI'm at?" he asked. "yes hon what's up?" Bomba purred. "well on tha schematics how long is the chamber Oi'm in?" he answered. Bomba checked her screen, "20 by 50 hon." she answered. "thought so thanks sweets!" he quipped. then he approached the blank wall that was five feet closer than it should be, and began inspecting it. "HA!" he declared as he found a hidden control pad. he opened it and pulled out a gadget and hooked it in and began tapping in code humming a happy tune.
a few moments later there was a hmm and a rumble and the wall slid away revealing a cargo hatch.
"ohh ya sneaky blighters" he laughed! deftly he opened the access panel to the cargo hatch and began to fiddle within. there was a rumble and thunk and the hatch opened. as Jerri swung his light around he grumbled "ahhh bollocks!" then he added "hey Red patch a vid feed to the Cap'ns screen will ya love?"
Bomba cocked an elegant eyebrow "sure Hon, there you are."
Munkus keyed his mike "waht's up Jerr?" he asked. "take a look Cap'n see those markings?" Mungojerri said.
Munkustrap shook his head as he read them and counted two hundred or more crates with Confed of A military stamps.
then he said "seal it Jerri and clear there quick! head to engineering to help Tumble that is more trouble than it's worth and we need to get out of here before the intended parties get here!"
Jerri replied "on it Cap!"
Bomba blinked her large green gold eyes, "what's up?"
Munk shrugged "oh nothing much, just over two hundred crates of Confed energy weapons stolen from a garrison armory, and you know the regs as well as I do Military weapons are illegal for for civilians and that many would mean life on a penal colony! to hot for us and I am betting it was left here for a pick up! so keep a look out for any visitors!"
Bomba blinked her large clear green gold eyes, as Tumblebrutus called in "no point in sending him down here, I was just about to report that engineering has been stripped! did score a few spare parts for the Moonrise but nothing that would be worth selling."
Pouncival added "I have the cargo lifter aboard the shuttle Cap!"
Munkustrap nodded "great! I'll take it down and we can load Teazers prize" he said as he headed down below.
Bomba keyed her mike "heads up darlings, Teazer Grum the shuttles on it's way to you!" she purred.
Munkustrap entered the shuttles cabin and slipped into the seat where he began flipping switches and adjusting dials. soon he had the ungainly looking vessel in motion.
once clear of the Moonrise he deftly steered the boxlike craft to the wrecks forward cargo lock.
when the two craft met with a THUMP he secured the lock and fixed his helmet before entering the lock that led to the shuttles cargo area.
when the doors opened Teazer and Grum rushed inside and swarmed up onto the cargo lifters checking their readouts before setting the large mag-lift fork trucks in motion.
with a grin Munkustrap climbed up on a third. "wow you two sure seem motivated!" he said.
"been listening Ladiebuck, an Ah have no burnin desire ta meet up with any a ma old chums out here! in a bar mebbe but na in tha Black!" Grum replied as he slid the Lifters forks under a two ton vat and transferred it to the shuttles hold.
"ah why nat Oi'm sure ya could charm 'em!" Teazer quipped as she took her load and swung it around.
"different rules Puss different rules." Grum replied. they transferred the vats as quickly as they could.
as the last was secured and the shuttles bay doors began to close Bomba hailed them, "we have company Darlings, a ship just entered the system! Owen confirms it's an old D-0 Assault craft. Owen says visible modifications are that they swapped out four Energy Mounts for four more missel tubes!" the scarlet queen purred in their ears.
Grum snorted, "that's a Pirate riggin sure enough!" he growled.
Munkustrap hit the thruster's and headed for the Moonrise's open bay, "be ready to run as soon as the hatch is closed got it?" he called to the bridge.
Pouncival nodded to his lovely crewmate, "Pounce say's he'll be ready!" Bomba replied. then she keyed the com to engineering, "Stubby dear we have a situation get the engines hot!" she purred. "alright Lassie alright I hear ya!" he answered as he set to his work.
"so Bomba what are we looking at here if we get boarded?" asked Munkustrap.
"well if they haven't mucked with the insides to much the standard was tweanty normal Troopies or ten Gen-Mods like our
Manny." Grumbuskin added, "by addin those four tubes they'd have to add magazine space an tha machinery ta feed 'em
would cut inta tha jump space so likely be maybbe fifteen."
Munkustrap frowned "still more than I like," he said as he steered the shutle into the bay and triggered the hatch.
"Captain they are trying to make a targetting lock," Bomba said, a heartbeat later she added "they have fired six,
Owen says thirty seconds to impact." Munkustrap counted to tweanty the called into the Mike "Pounce PUNCH IT!"
as the missels streaked in the Moonrise leaped away suddenly clear of the target zone as the six weapons instead locked
on the wreck tearing through the hull shearing away the fore section before a brilliant light blossomed as three hit the
aft hold and it's weapons.
the Moonrise kept up it's acceleration speeding away from the Pirate vessel who was still trying to pursue.
on the prate bridge the Captain swore, even with the gettaway of the prize at least they got a clear lock on their
name and registration. the Golden Horde would deal with them.
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Stubinz hummed as he tended to the engines isolating the systems that had been strained by the sudden demands that had
been placed on it. he glanced to an empty space next to him and said, "ah tell ya Vladimir ya would love these new ships!
no parachutes or some such! oh right yer right Virgil me lad she'll still blow easy enough!"
Jennyanydots shook her head as she leaned in the hatch, "still talking to your friends Stubby?" she asked gently.
the battered old tom grinned at her, "Ah'd introduce ya but ya wouldn't believe me sweet one!" he answered. he was used to
the doubts and others thinking he was crazy but he knew the spirits that he talked to were real enough. though why they chose
him to appear to he had no idea, he suspected that they appeared to others in need but very few admitted it.
most believed that being the lone survior of a wreck was the cause but none could quite explain his knowing the names
of spacers from such ancient times! "AH know ya wurry me áilleacht but Ah 'm fine, thogh Ah would na be disinclied ta
a nice massage!" he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Jenny arched an eyebrow and replied "come up to the infirmary and we'll see!"
the battered old tom closed the port to the engine and gave it an affectionate pat before joining the brown and white white
queen, together they strolled up the companionway at an ease pace. on the next deck up Stubby ducked through a hatch and
called "this'll do!" when she followed him Jenny saw that he had hopped up on the table in the Mess hall. she quirked a smile
"and replied "very well then, no padding it is!" as she began to knead his back and shoulders she could tell that he
had indeed been knocked about a bit from their sudden acceleration. as the pretty queen leaned in their was a sudden
exclamation from the hatch, "OY EEEW cant ya do that somwhere else some a us EAT on that table ya know!"
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MUCH LATER.....
as the Moonrise left Faster Than Light and closed on the space station Junkyard Bomba noticed one of the ship docked in
particular. "oh Captain..." her velvety voice called, "you might want to know there is a Border Patrol cruiser in dock
at the station."
Munkustrap chuckled, "no troubles there we're clean! but thank you Bomba!" then he turned to the crew gathered at the
ploting table. "alright here's the lay Bomba, Tumblebrutus and Pouncival will handle Refuling and Resupply while
the twins Grum and Manny will come with me when I sell our cargo. now I want you all to keep your nose's clean hear?"
an asserting chorus answered him, then Grum tossed a bundle to Pouncival. the young patchwork tom caught it and blinked.
he held a belt and a scabareded short cutlass. "part a keepin ya nose clean lad is protecin ya self! aye Tumble was
crewmate with me in tha bad old days and can look after hisself quite well ya should carry as well." Grumbuskin said
calmly. in fact Tumblebrutus had been the Bosun Mate to the storied Growltiger just as Grum had been the famous captain's
first officer.
Munkus grinned "well now that's done Bomba has lists from both Jenny and Stubby of the supplies that they want."
Manfredd turned to Bombalurina and gently wrapped his massive arms around her and nuzzled her mane,
"be safe yes?" he said. the lovely scarlet queen tapped a slender finger against his broad chest, "of course I have these two
stalwarts to protect me." she gestured to Tumblebruts and Pouncival, "and you come back to your Bomba got it?" she answered.
reluctantly he stepped back as Grumbuskin gave his arm a friendly tap, "time enough fer that later Lad
work ta do." he said with a grin then the two toms left to go down to the armory and training room.
Munkustrap gave her a friendly shoulder bump, "you're good for the big guy." he said with a grin.
she swished her tail and replied "well he hasn't been bad for me either!" then an agile crosstep she turned to her to her escorts "alright you two
lets get going!"
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the two groups walked out the Moonrise's hatch and on to the dock and headed for their destinations the hatch shutting behind them.
the concourse teamed with traffic as Felines, Pollicles and others went about their business vendors hawking their wares at the top of their lungs
while porters lumbered by with their loads. Munk and company made their way straight to the Lark and Rose.
Grumbuskin walked along with a gnarled four foot stick with another cocked over the opposite shoulder keeping a weather eye out without seeming to.
Munk grinned at the familiar sights and sounds his Father may be the station Governor but it was here that he spent his childhood.
when they walked into the Lark and Rose friendly faces called welcomes. Munk strolled up to the bar giving Haversham, the bartender a smile when a pretty
red barmaid with bright green eyes and a white heart shaped bib gave him a friendly hip bump "why hello, you still owe me a evening!" she purred.
"umm ahh later Bridget I've got ships business." he replied. "your loss sport!" Bridget said as she returned to her rounds.
"ahem so Sham is Gus in? I have a deal for him!" Munk said ignoring Grum's smirk as the scarred tom and Manfredd scanned the pub for trouble.
the pudgy gray tom continued to polish a mug as he replied "oh yes round the back, you know the way." Munkustrap's smile broadened "great!"
the three toms went through a door and up a staircase Manfredd almost brushing the sides and when they came to the door of Gus's suit Munkus
knocked politely then walked in. the office was large, the walls lined with posters from various theaters of productions from Gus's heyday on the boards
while various other curios dotted the room. the frail old tom sat behind a huge wooden desk that you could have landed a shuttle on with two lovely queens
on either side. on his right sat a petite brilliantly white queen with electric blue eyes, on his left a tall shapely brown and gray Abyssinian mix with green eyes.
"ahh yes Victoria, Cassandra allow me to introduce Captain Munustrap and two of his crew. Grumbuskin I believe and.....the big fellow escapes me. now
Captain what brings you here today?" Gus said in a slightly rusty voice.
Munk flashed a smile, "Ladies might I trouble you for a glass?" he asked. Cassandra flowed to her feet and gracefully fetched one from a cupboard and brought it to him.
"here you are," she said in a velvety voice. "why thank you," Munku replied then he took out a flask and poured a small amount of dark liquid that foamed white into the glass
which he passed to Gus. the old tom cocked a withered eyebrow and took it. first he sniffed then he sipped. "mmm not bad at all!" he said.
"well I have twelve tons, roughly oh five hundred barrels or so. interested?" he said. Gus smiled "very..." and the haggling began.
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MEANWHILE ELSEWHERE.....
as they strolled down the concourse Bomba sashayed along hips swaying to her name Bomba..Bomba..Bomba... enjoying the glances and stares from the vendors and passersby. as they paused at a vegetable stand and she was inspecting the wares Pouncival said "I think we're being followed."
Boba replied without look like she had heard him "mmmnhn three maybe four Siamese leanly muscular toms." then she flashed the vendor a bright smile "please send baskets of these and those to the Moonrise at docking birth number ninety five." she paid him and added Hon!" Tumblebrutus crossed his arms and tilted his head, "the Siamese are all armed and carry like they know their business. the Cap'n said to keep our noses clean so whats they play?"
Bomba gave him sly wink and said "why....disappear!" as she vanished between the racks and danced into the next street.
"darn it that minx is a fast one when she wants!" Tumble grumbled as he and Pouncival followed.
the curvy scarlet queen paused long enough for them to catch sight of her before she flowed into a shop. Tumble gave a quick glance around the plunged in,
the shop was a maze of shelves and equipment. at least this was one of their stops! Bomba was already talking with a brown and rust tom showing him Stubby's list if components and parts that he was looking for. "sheet metal, copper tubing, callington heaters, two gimbal mounts.....you know if I did not know any better I'd think you were going to build a Centrifugal Still!" he chuckled. Bomba gave him a playful swat, "never you mind it's all legal! now about those switching boards....." she answered as Tumble and Pounce shook their heads.
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after the queens had brought out the paper work and all was done the three toms strolled down the stairs. in the public room they noticed Jerri at a table with Bridget on his lap and Teazer shaking her head as the approached. as they sat she said in a low voice "we hav company Cap." five large siamese toms stalked over and one took a seat as the others stood on his right and left.
the siamese who sat shook his head with a woeful look, "Captian Munkustrap I am disapointed, you took cargo that was ours." he said.
Munkcocked his head with a grin, "ah ah that was legitimate salvage." he looked over at Bridget and said, "would you mind getting us a pitcher? there's a fine lovely thank you."
the rust red barmaid scooted off with a will. Munk turned back to the siamese, "now here's the thing, the beer has already been sold so how about this I give you thiry percent of what we made, we both make a profit and you don't lose any face ey?"
the tom slammed the table with his paw, "not lose face? that was OURS you should give us ALL of what you made!" he growled.
Munk blinked "well yeah I mean how much face are you gonna lose when Grum and Manny here take you down before the rest of us can get into it? or maybe we should just ask the Border Patrol Troopies who just walked in?" he purred. the siamese glanced over and snarled when he saw four pollicles, two German Shepard's and two Rottweilers
all decked out in Patrol midnight blue and fully armed.
"this IS NOT over!" the siamese hissed before they left in a huff.
the pollicles moved through the crowd with purpose. when they reached the table where Munkustrap and company sat the Troopies smartly stepped to the side revealing a four foot tall Pug also in Patrol Blue with the collar tabs of a full Commander.
he stepped forward "ah yes the Crew of the Moonrise, he glanced at Jeri and Teazer, "thieves," cut his eys to Grumbuskin, "cutthroats," and settled them on Manfredd "and the unstable." he shook his head and sighed looking at Munkustrap and said "so are you having any trouble with your GenMod? it is prone to problems."
Munk frowned and answered "hey HE is just fine, and cut out the whole property angle THAT was settled in the Confed courts a long time ago! besides if anyone has a propety claim it's our Lady of Communications!"
the Pug nodded, "oh yes the red one Bimbolarana..." Manfredd stood looming like an avalanche his face clouding as he growled, "her name is BOMBALURINA AND SHE IS MY MATE!" the Troopers reached for their guns while the commander did not even bat an eye, "really? well she is a fine looking girl, I hope the two of you are very happy together." like the sun coming from behind a cloud Manny's face cleared and he sat down with a placid smile "gee thanks."
Munk shook his head "so what is all this about?" he asked.
the Pug nodded, "I am Commander Grymm of the SC Concord we have been stationed here to patrol the sector, Pirate activity you know, and I am in charge of the troops assigned to the station. an I feel it only appropriate to meet and become familiar with ALL if the ships and crews that have the station as their point of registry and home port."
Munk nodded "well that sounds reasonable so what else would you like to know?" he said.
"well now ahem...Manfredd according to your file you were in the Home guard and were dishonorably discharged for refusing an order from a Superior Officer and threatening the same Officer with bodily
harm. would you like to explain?" Commander Grymm asked.
the massive tom shrugged, "it was Dickers four, an agro-colony blight killed the crops and they were starvin so they tried to leave, so they took a ship. the Combine that owned the colony reported it as piracy. the were,'t Pirates nor terrorists either, just a bunch a starvin folks with not a weapon on the ship! so when we boarded an I was ordered to fire I told him no. he told me to do it again so I told him if he told me to a third time I would fold him four ways and feed him down the recycler." Manfredd answered with a shrug.
Comanndr Grym blinked "would you have done it?" he asked. Manfredd looked thoughtful then said "yup."
Grymm looked at Munkustrap "and you are alright with him in your crew?"
Munk grinned and said "Manny here keeps us clean! no matter how bad off they are if there is a single crew member alive when we board he won't let us make a salvage claim! why there was one time when we had one survivor who died of his injuries before we could get him to our Med Bay, and someone offered the idea that we could salvage the ship after all and Manny shot it down, and you know what? when I checked our Manny was RIGHT according to the letter of the law!"
then Munks ear bud buzzed, and he heard Bomba's velvety voice. "umm Cap we have a problem, we have three or more Siamese following us and Tumble dose not think that they will play follow the leader much longer. we are in the East Corridor Section Nine. oh crudd one of them just pulled one of those folding machine pistols. we're headed for BJ's to take to ground. some help would be nice Hon!"
Munkustrap got up "trouble folks we've got to go!" as the others got up he looked at Commander Grymm and his Troopers, "actually this is up your alley, crew members of ours that were doing some resupplying are getting jumped by some siamese and one of the 'mese has a gun in direct violation of local law I might add! besides it'll give you a chance to see Grum and Manny at work." he said.
Grymm cocked his head "well then let us take my skimmer."
as they rushed out Munk looked at the oblong rectangle of the BP Skimmer and said "Grum, Manny and I will take the ride Jerri and Teazer you hoof it!" he said before climbing in the front with Commander Grymm while Grum and Manny piled in the back with the BP Troopers.
the skimmer rose on it's magnetic lifters and shot off rocketing over the other traffic.
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Tumble snarled as he, Bomba and Pouncival ducked into a corner as rounds spattered off the wall.as he pulled readied his cutlass and prepared for a charge to give the others an opportunity to run
a midnight blue skimmer with Border Patrol markings dropped out of the sky like a brick.
the doors opened and Manfredd leaped out pouncing on the siamese gunman, the massive tom grabbed the siamese by his gun hand twisting the arm with a bone snapping crunch he pulled the machine pistol away and tossed it to Commander Grymm, "your evidance." he said as he grabbed his victim between the shoulders and proceeded to punch the pavement with him three times in rapid succession.
Grum closed holding his four and a half foot knobby sticks midway up the shaft. the siamese that he approached swung his knukle dustered sword swung a viscious slash that Grum blocked withhis off hand stick as the other flashed down catching the elbow of the siamses's sword arm with a sickening crunch as the joint shattered. a lighting swift stike to the temple convinced the siamese that the pavement was just fascinating.
Tumblebrutus and the third were exchanging blows in an impressive exhibition of strike and parry until one of the Troopers brought the siamese swordsman down with a charge from his elctro stunner. the Trooper walked up looked at the fallen tom and turned to Commander Grymm, "Pirate sir, from rhe markings Golden Horde!"
Bomba danced out of their cover to give Manny a big hug, burying her face in his chest fur where it was exposed through
the jump suit he wore.
"I knew you'd get here!" she purred. Manny nuzzled her mane "well yeah," he said. "here's some one to meet he gave us the
ride, Bomba this is Commander Grymm. Commander this is Bombalurina." he said. the pug gave a small bow "Confederation of
AS Border Patrol Commander Grymm-mph!" he said only to be interupted by the scarlet queen scooping him up in a hug
burying his face in the white bib of her ample bosom before setting him down, "ahem...um yes...quite I am happy to make
your acquaintance as well madame." he said as he tired to straighten his uniform while his troopers snickered.
"well thank you for the assistance!" she said returning to Manny's side.
the Commander turned to Munkustrap, "so Captain Pirates?" he asked. Munk nodded, "it's all in the report I filed when we
docked. well I think we should all head back to Moonrise!" he said.
Grum gave Pounceival a friendly shoulder "so pounce me Lad have enough of port yet?" he asked with a grin that rippled
the scars on his face.
the young tom cocked his head "I think that I would have rather gone to the Pub."
LATER ELSEWHERE.....................
in the Station Governor"s Mansion Deuteronomy sat his desk perusing files. when there was a polite tap at his door, the Massive Norwegian Forest Cat
settled back in his chair his thick gray, tan and brown fur rippling, "yes?" he called. a lovely black and gold queen entered carrying a tablet and stylus.
"excuse me Sir, but I thought that you would want to know that your son's ship is in port," she said in a soft velvety voice.
Deuteronomy's face lit up with a broad smile. "splendid Demeter, simply splendid! please send an invitation to diner, and include his crew as well!" he said in a cheerful tone.
Demeter's ears flattened, "are you sure that's wise Sir? I mean the have some rough edges and may.....offend your other guest's." she cautioned.
his gold eyes took on a mischievous gleam, "oh I know, but the Captain of the SC Concord is a bigoted boor and I will not curry his favor.
no he will have to deal with us as we are!" he said.
----------------------------------------------------------
the crew was busily puting away the stores as they arrived at the docking bay, Jerri grumbling all the while.
"ya know ifin yer gonna make us bloody run tha least that ya can do is wait fer us!" he said to Tumblebrutus.
the patchwork tom shifted a box onto a jack and grinned, "sorry you missed it ladd but there was only so many
of the blighters! besides you could use the run your getting a litle thick thr=ere in the middle.
"OI AM NOT! did ya here that Teaz?" Jerri protested. "mmm what's that Brother dear?" the young tiger striped queen
asked as she perused a box of food stuff, "oooooh she got them shoots again!"
Mungojerri snorted and hefted his load.
a young brown tom coughed politely at the ships hatch, "ecsuse me I have a message for you." Tumble strolled over
"well lets hve it Lad." he said. the tom straightened him self and read from a com-pad, "ahem the Captain and
crew of the SS Moonrise are cordialy invited to Dinner tonight with the Station Govonor. do you have a response?"
Tumble chuckled "one moment Lad." he replied and walked over to an intercom and keyed it "hey Cap'n your Da has
given a foraml invite to dinner tongiht, what say ya?" the intercom crackled back "sounds good, though someone
will have to stay watch." the Bomba was clearly heard "oh Manny and I will stay on no problem!"
Tumble shook his head and chuckled, "no doubt what THEY'LL be doing." he said ten he turned to the meassenger
and said "there's your answer Lad! tell his Nibbs we'll be around with bells on!"
LATER THAT EVENING--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
thye crew arrived with a cheerul air, Munkustrap wore a black vest with silver pipinmg. Jennyanydots glowed
in a buff and white tunic and Grumbuskin, Tumblebrutus and Stubinz wore their gray utility jump suits.
Pouncival looked uncomfortable in his tunic while Mungojerry and Rumpleteazer wore only their utility harness
and belts their tiger stripped fur catching the lights like burnished bronze. Teazer did sport a strand of pearls
as well. ushered inside they saw that the hardwood floors and paneling was a warm honey hue under the crystal lights.
they were met by two toms a tall muscular grey with along black mane and a black and white harlequin'
who stepped up and inspected each guest, "no offense just a standard precaution." he said.
Munkus smiled "it's all right Rumpus we understand!" he said. the only weapon to be found was Grum sporting
one of his walking sticks. Rumpus smiled himself when he got to the twins, "this way you donn have ta search us
for tha silverware when we leave." Jerr said with a grin. Teazer batted her bright green eyes and added "though
ya can search me all ya want!"
Rumpus blinked and Alonzo smirked and then they ushered the crew into the dinning room where a long table was
set. shortly afterwered two other gusests were shown on, Commander Grymm and a Tall Human in a black uniform
with the Pips of a Captain. his pale gold hair was slicked back and he hand a calmly handsom face.
Commander Grym nodded to Munkustrap "allow me to introduce Captain Richard Lardess of the CAS Space Crusier Concord."
he said smoothly. "Captain this is Captain Munkustrap and the crew of the Moonrise," he added.
Captain Lardess glanced cooly at grumbuskin and Tumblebrutus and said, "I was unaware that we were going to be dinning
with known pirates."
Grumbusking cocked his head, "I belive that the word ya are lookin for is PRIVATEER....sir. the ship that Tumble and Ah
crewed on had legitimat Papers a Marque honest an true."
Captain lardess cocked an eyebrow and said with disdane, "Pirate, Privateer....Apples and Orngaes, both are fruit that
hang from trees. Privateers were litle more than a ill hidden excuse for thuggery. their time is done now that the
Border Patrol is on the Rim in force."
Grum grinned "true enough some where little better than tha Pirates we fought. an sir tha is why we turned ta other work!"
he said with a wink.
CaptainLardess cocked his head "and what would that be?" he asked. Grum shrugged "salvage my good
sir."
the Captain smirked, "and what would you provide an...honest salvage operation?"
Jennyanydots straightened, "Grumbuskin and Mannfredd are our leagaly mandated Scav Security. " she said cooly.
the Captain nodded, "oh I see, and Manfedd that would be your Gen-Mod would it? and where is it?" he
inquired. Jenny's fur bristled, "HE is back at the ship with his mate."
a liveried server swept in distributing cups and and pots of an aromatic tea.
Captain Lardess poured himself a cup and said, "his handler you mean." both Jenny and the captain cut Jerri a dark look
when he chuckled and added "oh yah ya could say that."
"no his mate sir, as in his romantic significant other." Jenny answered with lowering brows.
"what is that wise, Gen-Mods are not capable of that sort of thing it was bred out of them to make them more manageable
after all!" he said eyebrows climbing. Munkustrap cut in "not our Manny! in fact he is all the more stable for it!" he
stated.
the Border Patrol Captain just shook his head shook his head. he glanced at Stubinz, "so what are you? the ships cook
I suppose."
the battered old tom coughed on his tea. "na sahr, Ah am tha ship Engineer sir keep tha Moonrise runnin smooth Ah do!"
he answered with a laugh "oh an Vladmir say's ya remind him of an SS officer he met once ifin ya dona mind whats an SS?"
he added curiously.
before the glowering human could respond Deuteronomy entered with a lovely black and gray queen on his arm and the
beautiful Demeter dutifully following on his left. the massive tom only wore his badge of rank his thick coat of catching
the light bringing out his fine stripes even as it soaked into his escort's short velvety fur. of the three only
Demeter wore a close fitting tunic that only served to accentuate her soft curves.
"so is everyone acquainted?" Deuteronomy asked expansively.
"the only two who have yet to speak up are the cabin boy and the exhibitionists." Lardess answered dryly.
Pouncivals ears went flat and he looked quite abashed.
Munkusrtap straightened, "actually Pouncival isn't our cabin boy, Pouncival is our Helmsman and navigator
and he is a natural at it!" the silver and black tom said cooly as the young tom shifted glowing with pride.
"yes my son has gathered a very good crew." Deuteronomy interjected, "each a fine example of their field."
Lardess covered his expression by sipping his tea.
"so this is it no other guests? no other humans?" he asked archly.
Deuteronomy gave him a benign smile and said in a genial velvety voice
"well Captain you have to remember that this is not a human station, Jellicles, Pollicles and Maus are the norm.
why other than yourself there are only four humans on the station, and they are hardly the sort that i thought that
you would associate with socially. lets see there is Timothy Deever, better known as Weasel a ratty little man who
is a known fence and a belived smuggler. then there is Dinny O'rafferty, he runs the bar The Black Shamrock
a fine fellow who unfortunately has not quite accepted that Ireland was reunited centuries ago and that they and Old England
have settled their differences. oh and there are Paul and Dweazel Twitchel, they are in the import and export business.
they also are what I believe you call....Furries and absolutely LOVE that they are surrounded by real Fur Folk."
the human Captain's response was cut off by the arrival of the first course of dishes, savory scents wafted
from silver serving dishes, several soups thick and thin, mashed potatoes and yams, pies and fowl.
Lardess cocked an eyebrow when one of the pies that Stubinz dug into with relish turned out to be eel while
the other was fish. the diners filled their own dishes occasionally dipping serving spoons into this or that sauces.
Commander Grym happily attacked the fowl while Captain Lardess ae with more decorum.
Commander Grymm smiled politely at Deuteronomy, "and who is your lovely companion Sir?" he asked.
Deuteronomy smiled "ahem yes I have been quite remiss, allow me to introduce Exotica."
"well Pop you can still pick 'em!" Munkustrap chuckled.
Deuteronomy frowned but Exotica touched his arm " it's all right D, thank you young Sirrr," she purred
"the Governor and I are good friends and he was nice enough to invite me this evening." then she
turned to Commander Grymm and his human superior, "the Border Patrol must be exciting!
we do appreciate what you are doing for us sirs, after all safer routs mean better commerce yes?"
Exotica said smiling brightly.
Captain Lardess shook his head, "Hardly Lady Exotica, oh the smugglers are more creative to be certain, but all in all
they are little more than savages that need to be put down. and that is precisely...what...we...do."
Jennyanydots cocked her head, "so you do not take prisoners, you just summarily kill them all?" she asked in a
cool voice.
"oh we take prisoners to be sure...for public trial and execution. after all it's the only way to teach others who
may mistakrnly feel that their luck is better."
Jerri snorted his disdain and buried his muzzle into his thick soup.
"oh and you have something to add Master Thief?" Lardes asked dryly.
Teazer chirped "here now we were never convicted a any a that!"
Lardess cocked an eyebrow, "oh to be sure."
MEANWHILE........
back at the Moonrise Bomba lay curled on Manny's broad chest her contented purring melding
with his deeper rumble. they lay there comfortably till there was a polite BEEEEP.
"what IS IT Owen? it better be good!" she growled at the receiver mounted on the wall.
Owen's smooth voice was annoyingly calm, "I hate to disturb you Madame, however I must
point out that there are six Siamese that are attempting to break into me."
Bomba sighed n"alright Owen here's what we'll do...."
outside the smallest of the Siamese was tinkering away at the hatch access pad.
"are you sure you know what you are doing?" one of his fellows growled half drawing his short curved sword.
the small one glared back at him "do you think that you can do better? no? then shut it and LET ME WORK!"
he snarled back. then the light gave a satisfied bleeep and went green.
the six charged into the passage to find a lovely red queen standing before a shadowed hatchway with a shocked look.
they pulled short and grinned lustily.
"oh my," she said frightendly, "what is a girl to do..." then her beautiful face lit with wicked glee and her
green gold eyes burned. "Manny....sic 'em!" she purred. three hundred pounds or so of angry tomcat flew out of the darkness
behind her to land among the startled Siamese. he grabbed a siamese tom who brought up a short automatic
carbine and as he triggered his gun Manny swung him around so that he sprayed his fellows sending them scuttling.
Manny smashed him itno another and threw him out the hatch. the rifle slid toward Bomba who caught it easily. as he turned to the others with a roar the gunmen did an
ackward dance as Bomba fired controlled bursts with the captured carbine leaving only the Siamese tech. Manfredd
leaned down and growled,
"GO. tell the Golden Horde not to come back!"
as the hatch closed Bomba stepped up and rubbed against Manfredd who was breathing deeply his eyes dialated, "see your
Bomba's safe, you protected me." she purred calming him down. then she sighed "okay now's there
is work to do darn it" said pulling back. Manny nodded turning to the bodies as Bomba flowed through the hatch and down the hall.
she entered an adjoing chamber and folded down a work station. her fingers swam about the keyboard writeng up a situation
report while Manny stretched out the toms and their equipment. five minuets later there was a hail at the hatch.
"buggers made good time," he mutterd as a polite BEEP alerted Bomba. "Border Patrol is at the Hatch Madame," Owen said.
"thank you Owen, I'm finished." Bomba replied as she transferred the document to a stick. then she joined Manfredd.
BACK AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION....
Deuteronomy smiled at Lardess, "and just why did you name the Station 'Junkyard" hardly an endorsement really."
the human said dryly.
Deutoronomy gestured widely, "the name came naturally, as you might have noticed only the core shaft and docking rings
are orignal pre-fab all of the other areas are reconditioned ship hulls!" he replied smoothly
as Commander Grymms com quietly beeped. "yes...I see. keep me informed thank you."
he looked over at Munkustrap. "well Captain you seem to have had visoters, shots fired at Bay ninety five and shots
fired, Siamese again. your people are fine, which is more than can be said for the Siamese."
ELSWHERE........................
an asteroid floated among it's fellows not betraying the base hidden within.
a rangey grey and tan Siamese tom bedecked in barbaric finery stalked into an lavishly decorated chamber followed
by a quiet and lovely Siamese queen who wore nothing but her own fur.
the tom threw himself into a chair his handsome features impassively set for news good or bad.
"well?" he asked. the queen bowed "oh great lord of the eastern star..." she began only to be interrupted.
"oh cut the flowerey nonsense Kim we are alone! he said.
Kimiko shot him a dark look then continued with flattened ears her electric blue eyes burning as she began pacing.
"fine Ghengis, we have had four setbacks brought about by mutton heads under your command!
first in space, the Moonrise which was salvaging our wreck, caused us to destroy our own primary plunder with a quick
maneuver that left our ship looking like bumpkins destroying our own goods. granted it was a quick bit of thinking
but still.
Second, then at port the commander confronted the Moonrise's Captain over the secondary goods which he found
had already been sold. the Moonris'es Captain, a Munkustrap made an offer to split the profits and save face
all around, an offer that was rejected out of paw by your mutton headed Commander I might add!
third and fourth attempts to grab members of the crew and then the ship itself while in port failed....
BADLY. in both attempts not only did they not work but the loses were unacceptable a totally of seven severely
injured or dead between the two."
Ghengis shook his head and grimaced, "and your recommendation?" he asked.
Kimiko fluidly shrugged. "let it go. oh certainly make a move in space or if there is an opportunity, but
otherwise....take our lumps. we will not lose that much face AND anyone who gets too friendly with
the Border Patrol will be in bad favor when they outstay their welcome!" she replied.
"ahhh Kimiko you are a treasure!" Gehngis said with a chuckle that fillied the chamber, "now come here...."
AND SO WE DRAW THE CURTAIN ON THIS THREAD. THE ADVENTURES OF OUR INTREPID FELINE FRIENDS CONTIUNE IN THE NEXT!