Chapter 37

Starting Renovations

I wasn’t surprised, but we all managed to fit into the King’s ship. Though I did put the Xenos in the cargo hold, the handful of Dryads packed into the salon and Bandera, the Maiden of Truth and I all sat in the cockpit, with Clyde sitting motionless in the corner and flying as the pilot.

So far we had an Ursine named Thor; a Bovine named Valentin; Roland and one other Equine named Thales; and Farrow. There were two other Aves who chose to come with but decided on flying, along with Farrow, following us and meeting us a day later. I had given them the directions, and they should be able to find the ship from the air, once we’ve landed.

I was glad I had company now. I was a bit apprehensive going into the city. Think of it, going alone would be a disaster, just like last time, and even then I was only traveling through. I hoped this time we’ll have enough of a head start, i.e. a safe place to stay and some direction on what to do. It seems like we even have a host to begin with.

Shortly we had made it to the city and started slowing down, allowing for the air speed-limit in the city, which Clyde had gotten from a signal as we entered.

Another few minutes, heading straight to the center of the city, we had found the train station and circled, looking for someone calling us down.

I had spotted him, a Feline, waving his arms nearly too casually. I would have missed him entirely if it wasn’t for my goggles zooming in on patterned heat signatures.

We came in and landed as close as we could.

I gave the Maiden of Truth an earpiece and had her step out to meet the Feline.

“I’m not sure if you’re the Feline I’m waiting for. But you do look like you’re from the village.” The waving Feline said.

“Uh-oh.” The Maiden of Truth said, seeming to play along, but I doubted it. Maybe she did think we were wrong. “I guess we’ll keep looking for our rendezvous.”

Quickly, I spoke into her earpiece, “Yes, this is where we’re supposed to land. Ask him who he’s waiting for.”

She did.

He replied, “I don’t think I’m supposed to say who I’m waiting for, but if you’re from the village…”

“Tell him you’re with the Huntress.” I said. I thought of something he couldn’t argue with. “And that Ares told us to meet him here.”

She relayed the message. He straightened up proudly for a second, “Well in that case…”

I guess he didn’t know what to say. I maybe startled him.

I jumped out of the ship and stepped forward. I realized this Feline was quite old. Almost the oldest Feline I’ve ever seen, and he looked it. His fur was discolored, turning gray, his eyes fading and one was even walleyed.

“Very nice to meet you Dawn. I have to say you look like a good new Huntress. The last Huntress I knew was Celentine, I haven’t heard from her for a while. I know she retired a number of years ago already. But I had been her rendezvous into the city since she became the Huntress. I have even kept up her headquarters. I think you’ll like it.”

“I hope so. I have a few friends, I hope there’s space for them as well,” I said.

“There should be. There was never a lack of space, have them come in and see.”

I went to the cargo hold and opened up the doors to let them out. The old Feline was watching us come out, counting, his eyes got wider and wider. I guess he was expecting Felines, not an Ursine, Bovine and Equines. I had the Dryads come out as well, and I could see him questioning his own eyes. Dryads are fairytale creatures.

The old Feline cleared his throat and said, “Let’s see the lovely quarters.” I could hear he said under his breath something about his lodgings not being a zoo.

We entered through the doors of a good sized shipping container. The insides of of which seems to be an innocent container with boxes upon boxes of random unlabeled items.

Then the old Feline zig-zagged through and got to the other end of it. He reached into a box, fiddled with something, swore under his breath, thought for a moment and fiddled a bit more. I looked over his shoulder, but as soon as I tried to find out what he was doing he closed the box and the end of the shipping container slid open just like the security doors at the temple.

I nearly wasn’t surprised, but when the doors finally opened and the lights, one after the other, flashed on, I found it was just a staircase leading down into the ground.

The old Feline smiled and led the way further.

It was an odd staircase, manufactured with cement and just barely made to be even and distanced well. I could tell where ground level was as that was where all the mildew and water stains started on the walls.

I shrugged and hoped for the best, still not knowing what to expect. I could hear the other Xenos coming down the stairs, commenting and complaining that they hope they don’t have to spend another unknown amount of time under ground, the Talpa’s dugouts were enough. The Equines had trouble and were swearing about taking stairs, “Why don’t they just make ramps? Ramps are always easier to make, and walk on.”

But once we got to the bottom of that stairwell we got to the last door. The old Feline opened it and led us inside our quarters.

It seemed to be a modern day living room, with layers of dust, a kitchen and a few more doors.

“This is it. The doors lead off to other places, and I’ll have to remember which one is which,” the old Feline said.

“When was the last time you were in here?” I asked.

“Oh, maybe twenty, thirty years ago.”

“It definitely looks like it.”

“Smells like it too.” The Maiden of Truth said.

“The last one was Celentine, she used it as her city headquarter, as I said before.”

I started checking the place out, opening cabinets, feeling the sofas. I even checked the water and electricity to most of the appliances. It seems the fridge was even still trying to run, not too well now after all those years. Besides the place was quite cold already, being underground.

“I guess we should clean the place up,” I said, but failing to have found any clean cleaning supplies. “Bandera and the Maiden of Truth, you should go out and buy something’s to clean with.”

The old Feline gave his now common look of surprise. “You’re the Maiden of Truth?”

“I am,” she said, “born and raised.” I don’t think that was the right saying, but she continued. “My name is Nancy, what’s yours?”

“I’m John, pleased to meet you. My father was a duke in the village, probably before your time, which makes me as near to royalty as I could be.”

“Seems fitting, we should call you Duke John, of the Feline’s city headquarters.”

He laughed. “We’ll I think that title is quite long, you can call me John.”

We all agreed, and I informed them again that we should get this place looking good if we want to live here.

“But we don’t have any money,” Nancy, the Maiden of Truth said.

“Not to worry my dear, I can spot you if you don’t mind.” John chimed in.

“Well, only if you don’t mind.” She smiled sweetly at him.

I came in again, “Then let’s get some things to clean with, Bandera can join you so she can get a look of the city too.”

“Good idea,” John said. And they walked up and out.

I couldn’t stand all that mushy-gushy stuff, especially at their age, but I won’t stop it. I’ll let them be.

“Now,” I got the attention of the Xenos piled into the room and still not fitting entirely, mainly due to some of their sizes. “Why don’t we open these doors and see what’s behind them.”

They seemed excited, and rushed to see who could find the most interesting things, maybe there’s hidden treasure somewhere.

They found a bedroom, bathroom and another hallway filled with more doors which were locked, along with the other two doors left in the main room. I’ll have to ask John about that later.

“Well, that leaves us nothing to do.” I said. “Maybe we can go out and get some food?”

“I don’t think there’s much of food around here.” Roland said.

“Unless we can go get some Murid meat.” The Ursine pointed out. “We might get something out of them, then have them for dinner.”

“That’s definitely one of the first things we have to do but I think we have to buy our food here,” I explained. “That’s what the city is all about. Someone organizes the food and sells it to us, just like the villages, but there’s no way to get food ourselves without money.”

“It’s a monopoly, or whatever they call it.” Valentin the Bovine said.

“That sucks, now we can’t get any food. What do we do if we don’t have any money?”

“I know John has money, but this is also something I had planned, minutely. At least I had thought about it. I do know I must have some money somewhere.” I said, not saying it was Clyde’s.

“So then,” the Bovine started, “what do we do to make money?” He seems interested in making money, also doubting that I had enough to keep us all funded, just buying the food alone.

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“Not really sure, maybe someone can can work at a restaurant. I’m sure John would have some ideas.”

“I don’t want to work at some restaurant.” The Ursine said. “All of us here are trained and experienced warriors. Pulling carts and throwing boxes around in a warehouse would be the lowest I would go. Plus I don’t want to wait for John to come back. I’m starving.”

We’ll have to wait for John to come back either way. “I’m sure there’s something. Does anyone here have any idea what it’s like in this city?”

Nobody raised their hand.

“Ok then,” I said uncertainly. “Have a look around until John is back, I’ll go to the ship. Probably be back in a few hours.”

“But we still haven’t found a place to sleep.” The Ursine said.

“That’s what I’m going to handle now.”

I let them wander, but hoped that my plan would work out. It’s not very outrageous, but I think it would work.

I said hello to Clyde as I entered the ship. “Let’s head to the eastern fields. Start up the ship.”

“What an interesting place.” He said. “Looks like it would be good after some renovations.”

“You saw inside?” I asked, surprised.

“Of course, your goggles were on the whole time.”

“That’s right.” I hardly take them off now.

“Could I advise on renovations?”

“That’s what I’m going to handle now.”

“Yes, but the schematics I have rendered consist of one-hundred-forty-two plans to make it habitable for all of you.”

“Really?” I said, amazed that he can still do all those functions, I’m still surprised that he’s still alive sometime. “Remind me on the way back, I still have to be sure I can get what I want out there.”

“In the fields? Could I ask what your looking for?”

“A renovations team.”

We arrived at the location fairly quickly, we had not much of a load and got to an altitude where the speed limit none.

We had passed over the desert and were now over an area of valleys and orchards, scanning for any landmarks I might recall from my last time here.

It took a while to find what I was looking for, my last crash site. From what I remember I was in a solid metal crate, small and cramped but enough to register on the sensors even if ten feet underground.

We had found it. A shimmering red spot on the screen indicated iron. That was it from what I could tell from up here. I had Clyde land next to it and I got out.

No danger here fortunately, forests were hardly dangerous, especially for me.

I looked down the tunnel I had made, it had already started to blend in with grass growing over the opening.

Keeping my goggles on I went in, looking for something. Usually the Talpas cover their holes, or at least by magic. But here was this one, adjacent to the tunnel made by me and the crate, not covered up.

I climbed down that one. Zig zagging for a while then a few vertical drops. I held myself pressing against the walls of the tunnel.

Actually now, my goggles weren’t helping much and I realized I didn’t need them down here. The only thing I worried about was how far I had to travel. Even in the great battle with the ancients the Talpas closest village was a half a day away, crawling on hands and knees.

Fortunately, after only half an hour of tunneling I found it. A small, underground city with a very low ceiling.

It wasn’t much time until someone had noticed me. A Talpa had seen me, hardly startled but more curious than anything. “An intruder?” I heard him whisper.

“Not quite,” I said. “I am the Huntress.”

“I thought I recognized you. It was just a year ago when you had came here last. Though you didn’t look like you were doing very well.”

“I wasn’t. But now I’m looking for some help, and not so dangerously urgent.”

“Well then, what do you need? I think after you had slain the Ancients we have to help you in return.”

“I need a crew of any number to come and help renovate a new place I have.”

“Renovate?”

“Yes. I mean, I need some more rooms built. I thought Talpas would be the best to do so. So I came here.”

“Of course. Let me talk to the chief and we can send a crew over.”

———

I got back to our new headquarter early in the morning, I stepped outside. I hope I can get back in, at least the ship is here, I could stay there or use it to escape if I need to.

I decided to take a look of the city instead and made my way out of the container storage block and into the city. The buildings were tall. Taller than I had ever really noticed before. Last time I was here I was running from the cops, no time to be immersed in the grandeur of it all.

I walked around the blocks, noticing there were hardly any people around, it helped that it was so early in the morning.

The buildings, if I could see correctly had gardens on some of the floors, patios where business men could step outside and get some fresh air.

I ventured inside one building, seeing there was a cafe, nothing special, just a cafe. Luckily they were open.

I stared at the menu, thankful I could read what was written, it seems that even though I was more than capable, any other young Feline just coming from her village probably wouldn’t be able to read the menu here.

The barista looked at me, wondering if I was going to order, looking impatient.

I didn’t have any money, yet. So I told him.

“That’s a shame, you don’t look like a beggar,” he said politely.

“I’m not, I just left it at home.” I said, which wasn’t a lie.

Another person came up behind me, a big guy, as big as an Ursine, but more like a Murid. “Don’t worry, I don’t mind a little charity. I’ll buy you breakfast.

The barista looked happy, someone would pay for me.

But I kept looking at the menu, though I could read it and probably sound out the words, it meant nothing to me, and nothing looked quite like “bird” or “boar.”

“What’s good for breakfast?” I asked the towering Murid beside me.

“Early bird sandwich and a coffee,” he told the barista, looked at me, and added, “make it two.”

The order came up fast and the giant Murid took me to a seat to talk.

Being polite, I sat down.

“So what’s your name?” He asked.

“Dawn.”

“And what are you doing around here without any money? I’ve never seen you around.”

“I’m sure there’s so many people, you couldn’t have mistaken me for another person.”

“True, but dear, it’s the suit and goggles that gives it away. You’re not a beggar and you’re not from around here, correct?”

I nodded.

“So where are you from? And don’t tell me the Feline Village.”

I hesitated, trying to figure out what to say no if I couldn’t be from the village. I said it anyways, “Well yes, I’m from the Feline Village. My family just moved here.”

“Fair enough, but why the suit and goggles? It’s not the style these days if you haven’t seen.”

“I’m—.” I hesitated, wondering if I should really just spoil my identity as the first thing I do here. “You’re not the police?” I asked. “Or work for the government? Or the Mafia, especially Jenres, or Cain?”

“No, no, and no.” He said calmly. “I’m a business’s man here, an entrepreneur. I don’t really have a thing for police, nor trusting the confused government here, and though I don’t always like it, I’d rather do things legally, stay out of trouble with the mafia, and I don’t smuggle drugs and weapons.”

That was a good point, someone trying to be a good law abiding citizen.

I asked him another question, “Are you even a Murid?”

“No,” He said empathically. “I’m a Bolrag. Though somewhere long ago in the genetic line we might have been related. Don’t you know your own planet’s history?”

“I do. But I’ve never seen and Ursine sized Murid before.”

“That’s because I’m a Bolrag. we’ve come a long ways from our origins, the evergreen forest of Regonia. Over the many years we’ve mainly made peace with other planets. Of course there have been wars, but me, I like to make it as a businessman, as they say.”

“So you’re a good guy?” I said, calming my suspicion down a bit. “So I guess I can tell you who I am, because you bought me breakfast.”

The Bolrag nodded encouragingly.

“I’m the Huntress of my village, I’ve slain the evil in the land to find that they were only minions of the true evil. Someone we still haven’t found. I believe Jenres is another minion along with select Canines.”

I was afraid I had already said too much. It was a lot, I should have just told him I was the Huntress and let him wonder what that even meant.

The Bolrag nodded, seeming to approve of such a mission, though obviously skeptical, he was a businessman, not a poet or priest. “Well I wish you the best on your adventures, I have to say that it sounds fun, something us businessmen don’t get out to do much.” He laughed and grabbed his big belly. “But if you need some help, especially in the area of business, I could help. Maybe even get rid of that mafia, they’re a terrible crowd, always in the news.”

“Thanks,” I said, “and please don’t blow my cover, I’m not here to be popular, it’s a Feline’s mission.”

“I won’t tell a soul. But I may have a hard time explaining what I was doing eating breakfast with such a strange, and young, Feline.”

“Charity,” I answered for him. “I’m nocturnal and was out too late,” helping with his imagination. “And, Bolrag, I never got your name.”

“I’m Yanku. Very please to meet you.”

I left somewhat hurriedly, people were starting to come in and I didn’t want to be noticed, especially if that meant noticed by the police, I’m sure that I am still on their wanted list.

As soon as I made it back to the new hideout I had found some old friends. The Aves who had followed us here, arriving just a bit late.

I greeted Farrow and welcomed the other two named Fen and Spar. They were quite awed again at all of our Feline security. First the hangar in the temple and then this, not just a perch on tree.

I led them into the shipping container and made it to the back. The doors had opened before I had a chance to even try my paw print on the scanner. John hadn’t registered me on it, but I think Clyde had done his job and opened it for me. Then down the stairs and into the living quarters of my band of Xeno Warriors.

The majority of them had woken up and were already about, hungry for food, investigating the new rooms or, in the case of some of the larger Xenos, just trying to stand in a place out of the way.

Farrow had nodded at Roland, and Roland being himself, pretended not to notice and started to complain about the number of Xenos it takes for this mission when there’s already three Equines.

As I walked in, John was busy trying to make breakfast but was feeling really bad about it as there wasn’t enough food to barely feed the four Felines, me included. I didn’t think it would be any help to mention that I had already eaten.

The Bovine and Ursine were getting quite restless and already making plans of getting out.

The Dryads were everywhere, investing everything, inside and out of the cupboards, turning the lights on and off, trying doors and door handles. I had nearly forgotten they didn’t have anything like a proper house ever in their history. They even thought the use of wood on the floors and doors were blasphemous.

I managed to quiet them down a bit to tell them my thoughts at the moment regarding our future plan. Which wasn’t much as I didn’t even know where to start myself.

“Listen up. We’ve just started and our plan of action is vague at the moment. We have no clues except for the fact that whoever it is we’re looking for is here in the city.”

Some had rolled their eyes, other paid their due attention. What do they expect?

“The first action would be to investigate. You’ll all have actions to be working in the city while getting information. Valentin, you’ll work in the shipping docks with Thor. I assume heavy lifting and moving items of interest for the Murids and Canines might do you some good and give us a footing on who, what and where regarding shipments.” That handled the Bovine and Ursine.

They nodded their agreement. The others looked apprehensive about what they might be placed as.

“Farrow, Fen and Spar will be patrolling the air, the city and keeping an eye out from the sky. I’m not sure what you can do for food and money but I’m sure the other Aves can help you with that.”

They also agreed to that.

“Equine, Roland and Thales, I’ll want you to be on the streets, maybe acting as guards or vendors or security. We’ll need you to keep a look out from the ground.”

They gave condescending looks, as if these jobs were understatements for Equine. But they had managed to give me a look of approval before too long.

“And unfortunately, for the Dryads, I don’t think I can send you out. In the eyes of Xenos, you’re mythical creatures, not something anyone ever sees, especially walking around in the city.”

They also seemed to agree, but with obvious looks of disappointment.

Thor, the Bovine raised his hand and asked a question, “What are we looking for? I mean, ‘evil’ is a big term. Depends on who you’re talking to.”

“Very good question. I wish I could say more. But all I know is this. This creature has been controlling the minds, or lives, of some. From what I can tell, these people have blackouts and don’t know what they’ve been up to for the last few hours and even sometimes, days. They found to have gotten into things like the Murids’ weapon trafficking, or the Canines’ drug empire. They can’t stop themselves and they can’t even try to kill themselves without blacking out and not following through.”

“That’s it?” He asked. “We’re looking for people who have blackouts?”

“Yes, and no. That’s only a slight lead. The real enemy is the one behind all that madness. He seems to be living ‘backstage’. But I don’t know what that means. I do know that he has probably never been seen, so looking for him would probably lead us nowhere. So we need to find clues, rumors of this monster controlling minds and spreading his evil. He’s the one behind the Ancients, they were his pieces in whatever game he’s playing.”

They nodded, not being the type to say no to this kind of mission. But I could see the doubt on their faces.

“I want you to report back daily, if you can.” I didn’t want them straying too far until I have good idea of how this city works, not to mention noting the dangers of the city before they jump into it all.

“This place should be our sleeping quarters. In the next day or two we should have a bigger space for all of you to fit.” Mentioning the Talpas wouldn’t be a good idea while the Dryads are all listening.

“And one last thing, before you leave, let’s get with John to get you all access to the scanner at the door.”

“And a ramp,” Thor called out. “Those stairs are a death trap to most of us.”

Roland said, “I’ve climbed steeper mountains when I was a young colt.”