Masha was close beside her sister. “Yeah, dude, what happened?”
“You haven’t seen the vid?” They shook their heads. Craig groaned. “I suppose you’re gonna see it eventually. Meredith, put the video of my fight with Jian on, please.”
“Of course, Craig.” Meredith’s voice held the edge of a laugh. The TV on the wall came on and the video began to play.
“Who’s the leopard?” Masha asked. “I thought you said you fought Jian?”
“That is Jian,” Craig told them.
The twins watched the screen as a wolf–Craig–and the leopard who was Jian charged at each other from opposite ends of the room.
Masha made a face of appreciation as Jian pulled a sweet maneuver which sent Craig flying into the wall at high speed, leaving a huge dent when he hit. Mischa gasped as onscreen Craig slid down into a crumpled heap on the mat below with his spine twisted at an unnatural angle.
“What, no snark from my favorite sisters?” Craig blew upwards to dislodge a tuft of hair from his eyes. “It’s not as bad as it looks. I’m getting out of here in a few days. Do me a solid and move that hair out of my face, will you? It’s been driving me crazy.”
Masha looked at Craig’s chart and tried to make sense of the indecipherable squiggles on it. “Dude, that looked painful.”
Craig twitched, as much movement as the apparatus would allow him to make. “Yeah, wasn’t expecting him to be a cat, to be honest. Why didn’t anyone tell me? That’s what I want to know.”
Masha chuckled dryly. “A better question to ask is why you didn’t bother to find out what he was capable of before you challenged him.” She waved the chart at him. “Twenty-seven separate injuries to your spine? Wouldn’t it have been easier to think before you acted?”
“I can feel every one of them. And you don’t need to tell me; I’ve heard it all from Commander Silvers.” Craig tried not to wince. “It wouldn’t have been so serious, but I hit the part of the wall covering the support beam. Snapped me like a dry twig.”
Mischa tucked the stray hair back into the cast. “Oh, you poor thing! Are your nanos not healing the damage?”
Craig winced. “They are, but I have to stay totally still until my spine heals.”
Masha wrinkled her nose. “It won’t take more than a day or two. Why haven’t you been healed in the Pod-doc?”
“Commander Silvers decided I still hadn’t learned my lesson, so traction it is. He said it would ‘give me time to consider,’ or something.”
Yana and Bai Hu came in, and Tina joined them all a moment later with a Tupperware container in one hand and a squirming ball of fluff in the other. She put the container on Craig’s over-bed table. “Hey, my mom sent this to help you heal faster. It’s still warm.” She put the kitten down on the table and cracked the lid of the tub, letting out a rich meaty aroma.
Craig moaned. “If only I could sit up to eat it! Where’s Ron and Aleksei?”
Tina shut the lid before the kitten could dip her tiny paw into the gravy. “Fudge, that’s not for you!” Fudge left the tub to pounce at a shadow cast by Craig’s traction apparatus. “They’re deep into a project, and I haven’t seen Ron since he decided to be a sulky baby. He did leave me a gift; a kitty-cam so I can check in while Fudge is alone in the dorm. But if he thinks that’s enough to get him out of the doghouse, he’s got another think coming.”
“Don’t hold back there, Tina,” Craig joked. “Tell us how you really feel!”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “I can always keep the brisket.”
“No–ow!”
Bai Hu stared at the apparatus holding Craig in place. “Does it hurt?”
Craig tried to shake his head. “Only when I try to move. Oh, man, it’s a good thing I have this holding me still.”
“What happened to you?” Yana asked, tickling Fudge’s dappled tummy with a finger. “Halli didn’t really say.”
Craig reddened. “I hit a wall at the wrong angle.”
Masha snickered. “He asked Jian for a rematch and lost.”
“Hey!” Craig protested. “I almost had him.”
Everyone snickered at that. Fudge hissed, suddenly catching the scent of Bai Hu.
“It’s okay, Fudge,” Tina told her kitten. “Bai Hu is nice.”
Fudge didn’t appear to agree. She skittered up Tina’s arm and over her shoulder, tucking herself under Tina’s hair where she could keep an eye on the human-who-smelled-like-a-cat.
There was a soft knock at the door and a nurse walked in. “I thought you already had somebody in here. You’ve got a lot of visitors today, Craig.” She smiled at them all. “Just don’t tire him out, okay?”
“We won’t,” Yana promised.
The nurse left and a Chinese man wearing a Guardian uniform came in.
“Jian!” Craig couldn’t hide his surprise. “You haven’t come to finish me off, have you? At least wait until I get out of traction!”
Jian chuckled as he crossed the room.
When Bai Hu saw Jian’s uniform he panicked. Quicker than the eye could see, the sweet little boy was gone and in his place was an angry juvenile white tiger standing atop a puddle of activewear. Bai Hu jumped between Yana and Jian, hissing and spitting as he swiped the air between them with splayed claws.
Tina shrieked as Fudge lost her tiny kitten mind at the sight of the tiger and clawed her way out of Tina’s hair, scrambling upward. “Fudge!” Tina just missed catching the kitten as she made a leap of faith from the top of Tina’s head and landed on Craig’s crotch.
“ARGH!”
Tina rushed to grab the kitten, who was scrabbling for purchase on the blanket as Craig cried out in pain.
“Bai Hu!” Yana scolded. “Change back! It’s just Jian. He is not our enemy. I’m so sorry, Jian. He must associate you with the soldiers who hunted him before we found him.”
Jian shook his head as if the reason didn’t matter and exuded calm as he waited for Bai Hu to realize he was no threat to Yana. Bai Hu yowled to warn the Guardian to stay back, but Jian didn’t back off—and he didn’t attack either. He sat down on the floor with his legs crossed, arms resting loosely in his lap and a patient smile on his face.
Bai Hu’s ears went back and his tail swished in confusion. He backed up and sat back on his haunches in front of Yana, never breaking eye contact with Jian or ceasing his snarl.
“What’s going on?” Craig cried, interested now that there wasn’t a kitten clawing at his groin.
Jian’s voice was calm and slow. “It is nothing to worry about. The little cat is afraid of me.” He didn’t take his eyes from the tiger in front of him. “Your name is Bai Hu? I had a friend named Bai once. He was brave, just like you. I mean you no harm, xiǎo māo. In fact, I am just like you. Can you smell my cat?”
The tiger’s mouth opened as he tasted the air, his sensitive Jacobson’s organ picking out the Were element of Jian’s scent. Yana held up a sheet for Bai Hu when he changed back to his human form a second later.
The young werecat stared at his elder for a long moment. “I thought all my people were gone, that I was the only cat here. You are not a tiger. Are you a soldier?”
Jian gave a slight shake of his head as he got up in one fluid movement. “I used to be. Now I am a Guardian and I serve the Queen. I am a leopard when I change.”
“Why did you not change when I changed?”
Jian smiled gently, patting Bai Hu on the shoulder. “I did not come here today to attack a frightened child.” He took the few steps to Craig’s bed. “I am stationed on the medical level tonight. I came to make sure I had not permanently injured you on my way to my post.”
Craig groaned. “This traction is a pain in the ass, or should I say, an itch I can’t scratch, but I’ll be healed soon. Dude, you know I can’t leave it like this, don’t you?”
Jian lowered his head fractionally. “I would expect nothing less from someone of your…enthusiasm. I look forward to schooling you in patience once again.”
Craig laughed, then groaned again with pain as the movement wracked his ribs. “Screw you, Hotdog Man. I’m gonna be ready for you and your Zen-ness next time.”
That elicited a dry twitch of the lips from Jian. “I will believe it when I see it. My ‘Zen-ness,’ as you call it, will not continue to extend to you if you keep calling me ‘Hotdog Man’.” He looked down at Bai Hu. “Would you care to take a walk, young Bai? I believe we have much to talk about.”
Bai Hu looked eagerly at Yana for permission.
Yana hugged him. “Go ahead, Kotenok. But get dressed first, yes? I will see you back at the Academy later.”
A grinning Bai Hu skipped out after Jian. Yana watched them leave with a concerned expression.
“He’ll be okay, right?”
“Who, Bai Hu?” Craig grinned. “Sure. Jian is cool.”
“Why’d you call him ‘Hotdog Man?’”
Craig snickered. “You know, because he’s One with everything…”
___
Jian spoke in Mandarin, putting Bai Hu at ease. “You were very brave in there. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself between that which you fear and those you love.”
Bai Hu walked alongside Jian, studying the older werecat’s serene face. “Yana is my sister,” he declared fiercely. “I would stand between her and any danger. You are the one who hurt Craig.”
Jian shook his head. “Craig was injured because he did not make the effort to find out about my enhancement. Know your opponent, Bai Hu. It is a hard lesson well learned that will keep Craig alive later in life.”
Bai Hu did not agree, but he kept his opinion to himself. “Where are we going?”
Jian pointed to the elevator ahead of them. “I like to walk through the cornfields now and then. So…’Bai Hu.’” Jian chuckled. “You are very well named. I’ve seen many Sacred Clan tigers, but never a white one.”
“My family was not a part of the Sacred Clan. We hid from them like we hid from the government until they found us and sent the soldiers.” Bai Hu hung his head. “I killed many soldiers in my tiger form. Even though it was in my family’s defense, I do not want to kill any more people. There must be another way.”
“I did not expect to become a cat,” Jian told him softly, pressing the call button for the elevator. “My life on Earth was spent at war with the Sacred Clan, and they killed my dear friend Bai. But accepting my heritage was easy when we battled the Yollins, and I see more of the same ahead. It is my duty to protect my friends, and in this my feelings about the Sacred Clan do not matter. The only thing that matters is that by going into the Pod-doc I have become strong enough to protect them from harm. It was not a decision I made lightly, but it was the right one. You will find your path, Bai Hu. You are free to choose what fulfills you, but if you do not accept who you are the path will be difficult to see.”
They rode the elevator in silence, Bai Hu contemplating Jian’s words. He didn’t like being so scared when his tiger broke free that he put everyone around him in danger when he lost control. He was sure that other eleven-year-olds did not have to contemplate a future filled with death and destruction. His experiences of both of those things before he had been brought to the Meredith Reynolds had been enough to last him a lifetime.
What made him happy was being at home with the family who loved him enough to take him into their hearts. He loved his school, and even more, he loved visiting Yana at the Academy so he could examine the ever-expanding galaxy projection in the lobby.
“I do not wish to be the cause of anyone’s death. All I want is to be with my family and study the stars.”
Jian smiled as the elevator doors opened. “I think there will be plenty of room for an astronomer on the journey ahead.”
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Etheric Academy, Alpha Class Dormitory
Back from the medical wing, Tina shut the door and put Fudge down on the floor carefully.
The kitten purred and rubbed her face on Tina’s leg before sauntering off to inspect her food bowl.
“Are you hungry, Fudge?” She picked up the bowl on the way to the kitchen area and filled it with kitty kibble. Fudge continued purring, making little hops with her front paws as she twined herself around Tina’s legs. “There you go, sweet girl.” She poured a mug of milk, put it in the microwave for hot chocolate, and replaced Fudge’s water while it warmed.
The door opened and Ron and Aleksei came in, arms loaded with electronic components.
“Watch out for Fudge!” Tina hurried over and scooped up the surprised kitten quickly before she made a dash for the open door. The administrators had been clear that she would only be allowed to have Fudge at the Academy if she kept her in the dorm.
Ron placed his load on the table next to Aleksei’s and reached out awkwardly to stroke the kitten, who hissed at him and clung to Tina. “Was she okay while you were in class today?”
Tina nodded grudgingly, nuzzling Fudge’s nose with her own. Fudge blinked and batted at Tina’s hair. “The kitty-cam was a good idea. I came back and fed her at lunch, and she slept from then until I picked her up on the way to visit Craig. I had to bring her back early because Bai Hu went all tiger and scared her. The twins will be here soon. They stopped by to see Devi.”
“If I was the size of a mouthful I would be afraid of a tiger too!” Aleksei joked. “She’s going to have the zoomies tonight. I am glad I will be fast asleep in my dorm!”
Tina narrowed her eyes at Aleksei as she replaced Fudge on the floor.
Ron interjected. “Knock it off, Aleksei. Tina, we made progress on our project today.”
Tina’s face lit up. “That’s great!” She laughed at the confusion her abrupt change of mood caused both boys.
“There’s still a ways to go, but once we’re done we’ll be able to feel the wind on our faces again!” Ron replied, tentatively accepting Tina’s olive branch—however temporary. “How was Craig?”
Tina was just about to tell them about Craig when a commotion at the door distracted them.
Masha and Mischa came in with Devi. The twins were consoling the puppy, who was still indignant about not being allowed inside the rabbit habitat.
“It isn’t fair,” Devi complained, her translation device giving the words a pouty tone. “I want to see the— What is that smell?” Her whining ceased and her ears pricked up as she zeroed in on the kitten, who was at that moment sharpening her claws on the sofa.
“Intruder!” Devi growled, ready to pounce.
Fudge jumped into the air and spun to face Devi, and the animals stared at each other, hackles up.
Tina cried out in alarm, “Devi, NO! You leave Fudge alone!”
The twins rushed to hold Devi back, but there was no need.
The tiger was still fresh in Fudge’s mind. She had seen scarier things than an overgrown puppy that day.
Fudge’s stripy fur stood on end, making her appear twice as big as usual. She hissed at Devi and batted the German Shepherd’s nose with her tiny claws extended.
“Owww!” Devi yelped and jumped back. She pressed a paw to her nose. “What kind of evil creature is that?”
Fudge sat down, nonchalantly washing her ears with the air of one confident of her place in the pecking order.
“Serves you right for scaring a helpless kitten,” Masha told Devi. She held out her arms for the puppy. “Here, let me see.”
“Helpless? Look what the monster did to me! I’m wounded!” Devi whined, holding her stinging snout in the air for Masha’s inspection.
Tina passed Masha a damp cloth to use to dab at Devi’s snout. “There you go. You’re not bleeding. Fudge isn’t an intruder, Devi. I’m looking after her for Marcus, and that means you have to look after her, too. Don’t scare her.”
Devi huffed, eyeing the kitten suspiciously. “If you say so, but she smells like an enemy and my nose has never lied to me. I’ll look after her, but only so I’m there to protect you when she turns traitor.”
Fudge gave Devi
a look of pure feline disdain, then got up and stalked toward the sleeping area with her tail held straight in the air. When she got to the door, the kitten glanced back and fixed Devi with a cool look before sauntering off.
“See?” The puppy was indignant. “She’s evil. Evil, I tell you!” Devi looked around at the humans. “Why are you laughing? She’ll be the end of us all!”
CHAPTER EIGHT
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, All Guns Blazing, BMW Offices
Tina stood at the door to the office holding her tablet in one hand and Fudge’s kitty carrier in the other. “Meredith, would you let me in, please?”
“Shouldn’t you be at the Academy, Tina?”
Tina could have sworn she heard a hint of disapproval in Meredith’s usually equable tone. “I haven’t snuck out, if that’s what you’re implying,” she told the EI indignantly. “I got a pass; you can check. Marcus is expecting me.”
“Very well.”
“Thank you, Meredith.”
The door opened and Tina wandered through the offices until she found Marcus sitting at his computer. She cleared the empty beer cans that Bobcat had left away, sweeping them off the table into the trashcan with a tinny crash, and put Fudge’s carrier down next to the scientist.
He looked up from his screen, startled. “Oh! Oh, it’s just you, Tina. I wasn’t expecting you until this afternoon.”
Tina took in his red-rimmed eyes, two-day stubble, and the grubbiness of his clothing. “Marcus, it is afternoon! In fact, it’s later than that. Have you worked right around the clock again?”
Marcus grinned sheepishly, rubbing a hand over his stubble. “Huh, I guess I have. How’s the kitten?”
Tina opened the top zipper on the carrier and Fudge hopped out, much to Marcus’ surprise. “She’s doing great, unlike you.”
Marcus wiggled a finger for Fudge to bat at, ignoring Tina’s snark. “So, what did you want to see me about?”
Tina shook her finger at him, putting the other hand on her hip. “Oh, no! You don’t get away with it that easily, Marcus Cambridge!”
Marcus’ brow furrowed. “Get away with what?”
Alpha Class - Graduation_A Kurtherian Gambit Series Page 5
