Snark's Quest

by Timothy Ellis

  Anna was silent. She was thinking furiously.

  Jamie added, "Perhaps this is all linked. To you."

  Anna looked up at him. His face was sympathetic and concerned. She almost wanted to hug him. Almost.

  "What can we do?"

  "Nothing at the moment. There has to be someone we can contact who has influence here."

  "The only real contact I have is Sissness. Unless you made some friends?"

  Jamie thought.

  "Wait, I did. They may not remember much, but I’m sure they can help."

  "We have to get in contact with Snark."

  "He’s not answering?"

  "No."

  "Keep trying."

  Anna had a bad feeling about this. Things seemed to be totally out of control.

  Thirty Three

  The family were at the hospital when the doctor in charge of the case came to speak to them. He looked concerned, and several of the family sat down to hear the news.

  "She’s been through extensive surgery, which for a cat of her age, is critical, and life-threatening. The good news is she's in intensive care, and still fighting. The bad news is, well she is old. She may not recover."

  Several of the family wiped away tears, while others wanted more details. It became obvious she wouldn’t recover quickly.

  Mattersnitch stepped forward.

  "We need an interim leader. It’s better if it’s from our family. I’d like to nominate myself for the job."

  The other family members went along with this. It seemed logical, as he was the senior family member.

  Preddle broke away from the other family members. She was young, and not very well considered, as she wasn’t an upcoming 'star' like some of her brothers and sisters. She was worried, though. At the very same time as Snark had come home, Grandmother had been shot, and Mattersnitch had taken over. She didn’t like Mattersnitch. He would criticise her and her siblings on her side of the family, while overly praising his own.

  She loved Grandmother, but she idolised Prrinks. When he'd come back, she'd recognised a ‘black sheep' could return to the family. She felt pretty much isolated, and alone. She could see how Prrinks must feel, and she thought he was great. He didn’t talk down to her, he talked at her level, and was as grumpy with her as anyone.

  If anyone should replace Grandmother it was Prrinks, in her book.

  But where was he? He'd disappeared.

  She picked up her tablet and started posting. Her friends were there, and she was soon networking with them all. She had some responses to her texts as well.

  Pesters texted he knew Prrinks was at the central police station charged with murder. He’d heard it from Shufflesnuff, who’d heard it from Mrreow, who’d heard it from Whiskerspaw.

  Milders texted she'd heard the police had someone who was 'helping them with their enquiries', and were keeping whoever it was under lock and key.

  Fitzsnap's text said her father was the chief detective on the case, thought it was 'cut and dried', and Prrinks was in the frame.

  She started talking with Minsie, who she knew well, and who thought her detective father was overly controlling, since he wouldn’t let her go out, and wouldn’t give her any pocket money.

  "He’s well pleased with himself", said Minsie. "Thinks he’s got it sorted. I wouldn’t want to be in Prrinks' shoes."

  This didn’t seem good at all.

  Preddle had a hit with Hatch, who texted her when they’d returned home.

  "My mum has just had a fight with Dad. They were shouting about something to do with 'the human affair'. They said there were other forces involved. Mum didn’t want anything to do with it, while Dad was chuffed he was involved. He mentioned the Brotherhood."

  She kept texting. Someone, somewhere would know something, and she could piece it all together.

  She wanted to help.

  Snark wished someone would help him out of here. He thought they had the same cells, the same lousy bathrooms, and the same interview rooms, he’d spent so much time in all those years ago before his exile. The most galling thing of all was having to face detective Minssner over and over. They weren’t getting any further. Snark continued to deny involvement, while the detective came up with more and more outlandish scenarios for how he was involved. It was getting tedious. They must be lacking any concrete evidence. Which was fine. Because there wasn’t any.

  Meanwhile, he worried about Grandmother. They wouldn’t give him any information.

  The Grand Mother was hooked up to so many tubes, wires, and drips, it was hard to see her under it all. Cat medical technology hadn’t progressed much due to the conservative nature of the medical profession in general. Preddle sat next to her bedside, still communicating with her wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

  Mattersnitch and Petupaws entered the room, but stopped by the door. Mattersnitch flicked a glance at Preddle but ignored her, bent over her screen.

  "It’s going to plan," he said to Petupaws, quietly. "Our contact in the Brotherhood is confident Prrinks will be charged with murder, and treason. This time, he’ll be done for."

  "What are we going to do with the humans? They weren’t part of our original planning."

  "Charge them as well. They're obviously in conspiracy with Prrinks."

  "What if they have powerful friends amongst the humans?"

  "No-one will know if we keep it quiet."

  "They have a ship docked at the station."

  "Yes." Mattersnitch licked his nose and mouth in anticipation. "It will have to be confiscated."

  They both laughed.

  Sissness had been released on parole, due to her lawyer’s efforts. Snipp met her at the station, and took her back to his den.

  "Prrinks was arrested," he told her. "It doesn’t look good."

  "Any news of the assassin?"

  "None. It’s like he never existed."

  "It’s a coup." Sissness was tired and badly needed to groom herself all over. "How can this happen? It must be a widespread conspiracy."

  "Agreed." He hesitated. "But what can we do?"

  "I don’t know. But we have to do something."

  He started to lick her face. He hadn’t done that in a long while. It was nice. Perhaps… She started up, and he stopped.

  "What?"

  "Come on!" she said, and ran out of the den. He ran after her.

  Preddle had pieced it together from her friends’ information. And also overhearing the conversation. But what should she do? Who should she tell? She didn’t trust any of the Family, even her own mother and father. And she didn’t like to leave Grandmother’s side, particularly after hearing them talking about 'murder charges', especially since Grandmother was still alive.

  She messaged Fitznex, whose father she knew was in the cat security forces. Perhaps she knew something about what was happening there. Perhaps she could tell him? It was difficult to know who to trust.

  Snettle was in her den accommodation at the city complex, when Sissness and Snipp arrived. The Wild Ones had all stayed, not knowing what to do next. They wanted resolution of their motion, and were also concerned to learn the Grand Mother would be alright. They'd been so close to possible equal rights with the Cats of the Plains, or at least equal representation. Changing the Cats of the Plains views of the Wild Ones would take a long time.

  She listened carefully to Sissness’ story. A conspiracy? A coup? She considered the information carefully.

  "What do you want us to do?"

  "To help. The Cats of the Plains fear you Wild Ones. We need to get Prrinks out of jail, and we need to get in touch with the humans. I’m not able to, I gave my word on parole to stay home, until they either formally arrest me, or drop their case. And anyway, they’d never let me near them."

  Snettle growled to herself. This was as bad as it could be. The Wild Ones should not get involved in what was Cats of the Plains business. But perhaps it was more than that? A new conservative force in power here might attack the
Wild Ones in a number of ways. The Wild Ones had shown their hand. And the shot had come just before resolution of the motion. She was sure the Grand Mother would have voted in favour of the Wild Ones.

  "Leave it with me," she said finally. "I can’t promise anything. But I’m glad you came to us."

  Sissness sighed. She was glad of the help, but wanted to be more actively involved. Perhaps she could? She needed to follow up on her research on the Talisman. Somehow this was connected with all of these strange events.

  Thirty Four

  Commander Fitzharss was the junior officer in charge of external security for the Cat Homeworld. His unit was an offshoot of the main security services, and had been formed some time ago to concentrate exclusively on off-planet security issues. Most cats didn’t know it existed, as it didn’t have a high profile, and hadn’t really needed to be called on, except for some minor dealings with other species in the galaxy from time to time. His unit dealt with anything alien to the Cat World, and as such, his job was interesting, but limited in its career opportunities.

  He’d been following events carefully. His superior was sitting on information, but he had a range of intelligence sources, and was in the loop. He was very concerned. The nature of his job meant he was aware of the rest of the galaxy much more than most cats, even the traders. And he was keen for the cats to establish relations with the humans.

  But conservative forces had made their move. Although he wasn’t tasked with internal security, he’d been wondering if he would have to take sides. And now, he was given information by his daughter Fitznex, of all sources. Disturbing information. He would need to choose. And act. Who else could he rely on? He couldn’t think of anyone he could trust. Except, perhaps. He donned his unit cap and cloak, and left the office.

  While making his way to the Wild Ones Accommodation, his communicator beeped, and he answered. His second in command's voice was calm but excited.

  "A large force has been spotted heading this way. It looks like at least a dozen ships, Bhatet's most likely. There’s no other force that big in this part of the sector."

  Fitzharss, or Fitzy as he was known, was not surprised.

  "Interesting this should come at this particular moment."

  He growled slightly to himself. The cats didn’t have any defence force of much note. A couple of freighters with gun mounts, but not much else. He’d been advocating for some time for proper defensive capability, but the conservative forces in the Council had always thought their alliance with the Owls would suffice.

  And now everything had changed, and just when there was some sense being talked in the Council at last.

  He needed to act quickly.

  Thirty Five

  An emergency meeting of the Council of the City of Cats had been called by Mattersnitch. He'd not bothered to invite the Wild Ones. Before he could call the meeting to order, he was interrupted.

  "We need to call on the Sector Eight Council. Or even possibly the humans!" The Councillor was on his feet.

  "No need," said Mattersnitch, who had taken the Grand Mother’s place on the stage. "These forces are our friends. I am pleased to announce we've made an alliance with Bhatet."

  Uproar ensued. Several councillors were on their feet at the same time, shouting. Growling and hissing was punctuated by shouts and calls. There were a few cheers, but they were drowned out by panic.

  "Friends," Mattersnitch called. "Listen, we are not threatened. These are our allies!"

  Snipp was on his feet, and took advantage of a lull in the uproar.

  "What have you done!" he shouted. "Bhatet is the greatest flea infestation in this part of the galaxy. He’s not to be trusted! He can easily defeat us, and we’ll be at his mercy!"

  "Nonsense," scoffed Mattersnitch. "We have an agreement."

  "You might. But you don’t speak for council. We should put it to a vote."

  Mattersnitch was untroubled. His face puckered in a sneer.

  "It’s too late!"

  Suddenly they could hear gunfire outside the auditorium. Sporadic firing was interspersed by single shots, and some long bursts. It was getting louder.

  Panic ensued. Councillors climbed over each other to get to the exits, but those first there ran back towards the centre of the space. Councillors were running every which way, but no-one was leaving.

  Mattersnitch left the stage. This hadn’t been part of the plan at all. He made his way quickly to the VIP exit. He must meet his Brotherhood contact. He opened the door, and recoiled back. Commander Fitzharss was standing there flanked by two of his troopers. He was holding a pistol aimed directly at Mattersnitch’s head. The troopers had rifles at the ready.

  "I don’t think you’re going anywhere. Grand Father."

  This last was said in a sarcastic tone.

  "What are you doing?" he blustered. "This is mutiny!"

  "I don’t think so. We have a serious defence situation, and I’m carrying out my duties under policy directive number 365."

  "What? This is an outrage."

  "I don’t have time for this!"

  Fitzy gestured to this troopers, who took hold of Mattersnitch, and ushered him away, still blustering.

  He stepped quickly to the centre of the podium.

  "Quiet!" he shouted.

  The din died away. Councillors stopped what they were doing, and stood aghast.

  "This council is disbanded. Under section 55 of the World security agreement, civilian rule is suspended, and my military unit in now in charge."

  There was dead silence. While he'd been speaking, a number of troopers had entered, and were standing in the aisles, arms at the ready. With some shock, a number of Councillors noticed there were also Wild Ones as well. Wild Ones? With weapons?

  "I direct you to leave this building, and return to your homes!"

  "Under what authority do you act?" asked the Pesker Councillor, who was on his feet.

  There had never been such a thing happen in all of the Cats of the Plains history.

  "I’ve sent the relevant legislation to your tablets. You can all see I'm acting lawfully to prevent the overthrow of legitimate government, and defend the world in the face of a serious external attack."

  The councillors growled and hissed to themselves. But they had no other choice but to make their way to the exits.

  While they left, Fitzy’s communicator demanded his attention, and he started listening to his superior officer hissing at him. Fitzy put it down, and the tinny voice continued growling, hissing, and pontificating.

  Fitzy sighed. He had some control, because he’d moved faster than anyone else, but he wouldn’t have it for long. He’d taken a great risk, but he trusted his daughter, and the other intelligence sources had confirmed it. He had the advantage, but this wouldn’t last. His main thought was how to combat Bhatet’s forces. The Wild Ones were some help on the ground, as fighters and hunters, they knew the business, but had no space capability. And neither did he. Apart from some armed freighters, and perhaps an old fighter or two.

  The door opened, and a trooper appeared.

  "There’s some female to see you. She says she knows Prrinks, and has information."

  "Bring her in."

  Sissness came through the door at a rush. She saw a very military looking cat in cap and cloak. He looked business.

  "I have some information I think you need!"

  He looked enquiringly at her, his yellow eyes both appraising and narrowed.

  "Please be quick!"

  "You’ve got to get Prrinks released. There are also the two humans, in house arrest at the spaceport. They have a ship."

  "Yes, a passenger yacht."

  "I think you'll find it’s a bit more than that."

  He pricked up his ears. She had his immediate attention. The communicator was still squawking, so he shut it off.

  Thirty Six

  Anna and Jamie had no idea what was happening. They weren’t allowed to leave their suite. They were hungry, an
d had tried banging on the doors to get someone’s, anyone’s, attention. Nothing happened. No-one came. Anna was furious.

  "This is ridiculous! They can’t keep us here like this!"

  Jamie was a little more relaxed. He sprawled in something soft and formless, like an overstuffed cat bed.

  "There’s nothing we can do," he said. "We’ve just got to be ready, if anything happens. We should get some rest."

  With that, he fell asleep.

  Anna was even more furious. But he was right. She flopped into another one as well.

  Suddenly the door opened. Jamie was instantly awake. They both scrambled to their feet.

  Sissness came through the door, followed by a military looking cat.

  "Sissness!"

  Anna was surprised. She'd expected Snark.

  "What’s happening?" she asked.

  The military looking cat jumped up on to the table so he could get some height.

  "We need your help!" he said quickly. "We have a situation which requires your ship."

  Jamie and Anna looked at each other, and then the cat. Sissness quickly filled them in.

  "Of course we’ll help ye!"

  Jamie was excited. This sounded like something interesting was happening at last. He knew the weapons on the Seasprite were formidable. And they had ammunition stocks. But a dozen warships? He’d never fought off that kind of force. He’d never fought off any kind of force. And although he’d simulated some mock battles with the weapons systems, he’d never actually fired them. He grinned.

  "What would you like us to do?"

  The cat grinned back.

  Snark was in a cell. He’d been left alone for some time, the interrogations long since ended, and they'd simply left him here.

  He felt defeated. He’d been on his way to being accepted again, and would have been able to clear his name. Now Grand Mother was at death’s door, he was accused of her assault, and would be accused of her murder if she died. He felt there was a deeper conspiracy happening, but he was despairing of anything good happening.