Written in collaboration with Bryan "Brightspot" Hall. The following takes place immediately after Callie's Education in the late fall/early winter of 1997. First posted to alt.devilbunnies 4-11 August, 1998.
©1998 by Scott Bernier and
Bryan Hall.
First HTML-ized 10 August, 1998 by Scott Bernier
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A Bit of Truth 1
Brightspot heard the knock on his door and called, "Enter!" without even looking up. He heard someone scrabble in, and from the sounds of it, wasn't heavy enough to be a bun. "Treerunner?" he asked, as he soldered the last connection into place and blew on the bead to cool it faster.
Treerunner (YesFlicked) "It's me. Just a quick report.. seems someone stole one of the CD-ROMs, one of the NiCad battery cells, and some of the speakers from the parts inventory.. We're looking into it."
Brightspot (Poof)ed. "Mm. Don't bother.. they're right here with me," he replied, snapping the plastic cover back into place. "Just finished what I wanted to accomplish. Do me a favor.. you're headed over to Callie and Orchid's place to drop off her jumper.. Take this with you, and tell her to give it to Mrs. Blake. She'll know what to do with it."
Treerunner (WoahFlicked) "YOU stole the equipment?"
(Noddles) "Yep."
"(SurprisedAsHellFlick) Want to tell me why?"
"Nope. (Poof)"
"(sighBristle) Tell me why, Brightspot, why you stole parts from our inventory."
"Close the door, Treerunner, if you're sure you want to know."
Five minutes later, Treerunner slowly walked out of Brightspot's office, tail dragging MOST uncharacteristically, carrying a small black-wrapped box, and headed off to give it to Callie.
Callie prepared for the trip to Maine, packing a small knapsack. There wasn't much she would need: A blank notepad, pen, a small pillow, and snacks for the trip, and this odd package that Treerunner said that she had to give to Mom.. That concerned her. She didn't know what it was, but knew that Brightspot wouldn't hurt Mom, nor would Treerunner have given it to her without ensuring that it was safe. She shrugged, and got on with her preparations. She planned to start writing her detailed report on Volo Bog on the flight to Maine. There was a tapping at the door.
"Come in, Orchid."
(surprisedfluff) "How did you know it was me?"
"Because you always knock on my door in the same way," she looked-up as she slid into a security jumper. That was going to come-off as soon as she was on the flight. She started to pin the Private rank pips onto it when she noticed Orchid had a knapsack and medical kit.
"I'm going with you."
(shookpoof) "What?!"
"Brightspot doesn't want you going alone."
"So he doesn't trust me alone?"
"It's not that. He just wants to make sure you'll be safe."
(confidentfluff) "I'll be just fine," Callie replied.
"I'm sure you will be, after all you're the Angel of Frith," Orchid replied. Callie cringed at the name but Orchid didn't notice as he finished with, "come-on, we'll miss our flight."
Captain Stickney was in no condition to drive his jeep. He had all he could do to hobble into the jeep. A techbun had to adapt the vehicle so Orchid could drive it from down below, with Stickney still sitting in the driver's seat. The arrangements with the Maine Fudds had been set. They would drive to Chicago and meet with a small Fudd team who would escort them onto a plane bound for Maine. Stickney explained along the way that upon their arrival, they'd have to get into a pet carrier for the flight. Both Callie and Orchid was hesitant about this, but finally agreed.
Upon rendezvous, things went as Stickney had said it would. Neither of the Fudds who met them threatened to harm the two buns, who cooperated and got into the cage. Upon check-in at the airport counter, Orchid and Callie had to pretend to look drugged as was the regulation with most airlines for transport of 'pets'. Things went smoothly and the two buns found themselves being loaded into the cargo hold of a MD-11 jet. They relaxed once the hatch was closed and they were left alone.
Callie fumbled in her pack in the dark and pulled-out a small battery lantern and turned it on so the two of them could see. 15 minutes passed before the jet engines roared to life. Another 10 minutes and the plane began to lurch forward. They were jostled about a little as the jet taxied down the runway and took-off.
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A Bit of Truth 2
Once the plane leveled-off and Callie's ears stopped popping she asked, "So why did Brightspot have you come along? He doesn't trust me alone?"
(shockfluff) "It's not like that at all, Callie. He doesn't trust the Fudds, entirely. If this Sgt Pomerleau were in charge, he probably would not have..." Orchid hesitated a moment and pulled something out of his knapsack. "asked me to go with you." He reached for Callie's paws and held onto them. "But if Brightspot hadn't asked me to accompany you, Callie, I'd have insisted on doing so." Orchid hesitated again and squeezed her paws a little for reassurance.
(slightlydejectedfluff) "What do you mean?"
He looked her deeply in the eyes. "Callie.. a long time ago, my mother gave me something. She said that it had been passed along from mother to son, for many, many generations. She didn't tell me why, but did tell me that I'd know when the time was right, and I'd know what they were for then. I know what they are for, Callie. They are to give to you, as a Mating present. Callie, I love you. I want you to share my life.. and to have me share yours. Please, Callie.. accept these earbows and become my mate.." He pressed the satin earbows with emerald and sapphier studs into Callie's paws, and (BunniHugged) her closely.
Callie was stunned into silence in the embrace. She looked-down at the pink satin bows with gemstone studs in them. Then a few tears rolled from her eyes and down her muzzle. She was overwhelmed and torn in two. Dad had warned her such a situation could come-up in a spy mission. He had said he had no advice as to how to get-out of such a predicament. Orchid felt her sob in his embrace.
"What's wrong? I...I didn't mean to upset you, Callie. That's the last thing I want to do." (concernfluff)
Callie pulled away from Orchid. "You don't understand." She hopped towards the cage entrance and unlocked the door from within.
Orchid was grief stricken. "You don't love me as I love you. That's what I don't understand, right?"
Callie threw the door open and turned towards Orchid. The tears in her eyes got bigger. "No, that's not it at all. I do love you, Orchid, with all my soul. But you don't love me!" (mournfulfluff)
"Of course I love you!" Now the tears were coming to Orchid's eyes. "Why did you unlock the cage?"
Callie hopped to Orchid again and hugged him close. "I figured we'll need the space in a moment. I do love you, Orchid. But you don't love me. You love Callie."
He pulled back and looked at her with confusion. "But you are Callie."
Callie shook her head in the negative. "No, Orchid, I'm not," she said softly. "I've been living a lie since my arrival here. I've known who I am all along. I know who my parents are and where they live.
"I'm telling you this, Orchid, because I do love you, but if you are to love the real me back, you need to know me first. I'm no Angel of Frith....more like an Angel of Elmer."
Orchid shook head. (disbelieffluff) "No..."
"Yes, Orchid, you've captured the heart of a Fudd spy, but not just any Fudd spy." (ohnofluff) She turned away from him and hopped towards the cage door and then turned back. "Captain Stickney, is..."
(disbeliefluff) "Your father..."
Callie hesitated a moment and then laughed, much to Orchid's confusion. When she could gather her breath she replied, "no...but close, 'Unca Stinky' is my godfather."
"'Unca Stinky'?" Despite his confusion, love, and pain over learning what Callie was, he laughed himself. "'Unca Stinky'!?" He chuckled again for a moment. "Now I understand why you aren't worried about the trip to Maine," Orchid stammered-out.
Callie wiped a tear from Orchid's muzzle and one from her own. That's not the full story, Orchid. My human name was Julie. Julie Blake."
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A Bit of Truth 3
> Callie wiped a tear from Orchid's muzzle and one from her own. >That's not the full story, Orchid. My human name was Julie. Julie >Blake."
Orchid sat back in stunned silence.
"I'm going home Orchid to see my folks and to turn-in a full report on my observations of VoloBog, or so that had been the plan before I found-out you were coming along..." She added softly, "I had hoped to get-over my feelings for you without having to tell you. The original plan was for me to 'find my parents' and as such have a good reason not to return to VoloBog.
(snifflfluff) "Some spy, I turned-out to be. I've" (fluffed-up) "on my first mission. I haven't just fallen in love with you, Orchid. I've fallen in love with VoloBog." (sniffle) She tied the bows onto her eartips, making sure the little sapphires showed and grabbed his paws. "I want to be your mate, Orchid, if you'll still have me once you know the whole truth. But I don't know how or where we'd be able to live."
Callie told him about her family and how she had really become a bunny, her training under her father, and about the trip to South Dakota. "....and while Dad and Cathy were recovering from the kidney transplant operation, Lt McMalley contacted me and asked if I'd volunteer for this mission. With the help of the Fudds of the SD base and Magic Bunny, I found myself on a bunnymover attempting to find Volo Bog. You know the rest from there." Callie fell silent.
Orchid resolved himself. He found his voice and said quietly, "You must never, ever, tell Brightspot or the other members of the council, who you really are. At least not that you are a spy."
"Do you know what you're saying, Orchid?"
(Thump!) "Yes, I do," Orchid stated with determination. "I don't care who or what you are/were. I still love you, Callie. We'll find someway for you to be able to come back to Volo Bog."
(relieffluff) "I was worried for a moment..."
(takenabackfluff) "I said I loved you..."
(gigglefluff) "No, silly, I know you do. I was worried you'd be willing to leave Volo Bog for me."
(hesitantfluff) "If that's what it takes..."
(STOMP!) "No! I won't let you go that far. Our warren needs its medbun."
"Our?"
(noddle) "OUR warren. I'll find some way to return."
"Then all that's left is to deal with your father..."
(dreadfluff) "We'll deal with that when we have to."
They hugged close, with Orchid reaching-over and reclosing the door cage. They snuggled-up close to each other and exchanged family stories for a while. Callie also talked about the Maine Fudd Base. Neither of them noticed when the lantern's battery burned-out for by then they had fallen asleep in each others embrace and remained that way for the rest of the flight.
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A Bit of Truth 4
Orchid slept the sleep of the contented... Callie had accepted the earbows.. and indeed, her feelings for him. He was happy, and at peace. Callie, on the other paw... Callie had awaken to find herself in the enviable position of being held by Orchid's paws. But though she was indeed happy with being Orchid's mate.. and having adopted Volo Bog Warren as her home.. still, she was haunted by nightmares.. nightmares of her father, Major Steve Blake.
Her heart was pounding in her little chest, and her eyes darted about despite being held close and safe. She could still hear her father ranting.. bellowing at the top of his lapine lungs.. "Callie!! TRAITOR! Betrayer of the Fudds! See what you have done! See what you have wrought to Uncle Stinky! You left him in the paws of the enemy! Turncoat! You are no daughter of mine!!"
Callie closed her eyes and took several deep breaths... as her ears popped. They were landing in Maine. She made sure her heartbeat and breathing had slowed back to normal before she nibbled lightly on Orchid's ears in a gesture of tender affection. "Orchid... wake up, love. We're landing soon and have to face the Fudds."
Orchid (YawnRufflePoofed) as he awoke from a delightful dream of Callie, himself, and a nice warm den back at the new warren..."(GrinShimmyWink) 'morning, Callie.. There already?"
"(GiggleRuffle) Already? It was a long flight, and we talked forever. Then you fell asleep on me."
"(Blinks) Well, with such a nice pillow.."
"(LAUGH) That's not what I meant, and you know it!" Callie sobered almost immediately. "Orchid, we're going to have an...interesting... time with my father. Please, don't tell him how it is between us.. not until I have a chance to warm him up to the idea. And whatever you do... DON'T (STOMP) don't tell him you know who I am! " She took the earbows off, put them in the box Orchid had presented them in and stored them in her backpack. "I promise to put them back on, once we've dealt with Dad."
Orchid was set aback by the raw emphasis of her words. "(SoothingPoof) All right, love. I'll be on my best behavior. But surely it can't be that bad?"
Callie (ShiverRuffled).. "You have NO idea, Orchid. None whatsoever. But you will..."
Not too long afterwards, the plane came to a stop, and the cargo bay doors were opened. Long before that point, Callie and Orchid had locked themselves back in their carrier. Callie was well and truly frightened but still looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad again. Sure enough, there was a Fudd contingent awaiting them, and they were escorted to a Chevy van, with the lettering: CTP Electronics --"It ain't broke unless I can't fix it!" with a logo of an axe going through a television picture tube on the door.
One of the Fudds paused.. "Callie?"
Callie (Noddled) "It's me.. It was determined that I needed an escort. This is Orchid.. Chief Medical Officer of Volo Bog."
The Fudd nodded curtly. "Doctor. My apologies, but we were only expecting one."
"Understandable, private. But there are two of us now." Orchid replied.
The Fudd blinked. "How did you know.."
Orchid chuckled. "Because anyone over that rank would have waited until we were in the van and under way to say anything."
That Fudd blushed, and the others chuckled in appreciation. Rapidly they were bundled into the van. Their carrier was secured to the floor by a couple of bungee cords, and the Fudds settled back.. axes and shotguns prominent. Orchid (EarTwitched) as he turned to Callie as if asking if this was normal. Callie (Ruffled) back and sighed.. it indeed, was.
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A Bit of Truth 5
The ride to Maine Fudd HQ took a little over an hour.. an hour that dragged by in an uncomfortable silence. The scent of gun oil wafting from the shotguns was potent, as were the glares the guards shot (or so Orchid thought) the two bunnies in the cage. He sighed and nuzzled Callie's ear amiably, eliciting a (CarefulFluff) and a return nuzzle.
Finally they arrived, and were greeted by a veritable army of Fudds who surrounded the van and took careful aim on the carrier when it was being lowered to the ground. The carrier door was opened by a kindly looking older gentleman, who spoke as he let the two buns out. "Welcome to Maine Fudd HQ, Callie.. Dr. Orchid. If you'll follow me, we can get inside where it might be a bit more comfortable."
Round about that time, another bun hopped up, a bun wearing a miniature Fudd uniform with the rank insignia of Major and a tiny brass nameplate proclaiming the surname of Blake. This bun was obviously agitated, as his fur was (BristlePoofed) out and his ears trembled slightly with barely contained rage. "Callie, get in the house, NOW! Guards, take Orchid back to the airport and stuff him in the first outbound plane to wherever he came from!" The guard moved to do as he said..
Callie (BlinkFluffed) "Excuse me, Major Blake, but Orchid is my official escort from Volo Bog Warren and should remain by my side under orders from Mentat Brightspot.." Callie said, a trifle tremulously.
That was more than Blake could handle. "El'Mahr DAMN it, Julie! Have you gone completely native on me? What were you THINKING when you tore apart Captain Stickney? I thought I trained my daughter better than that, dammit!" His rage visibly increased by the moment, and Callie was cowering in the face of it, leaning heavily against Orchid.
Orchid blinked at the display and started as he saw the Major's eyes.. dilated, but on the dull side where a HEALTHY devilbunny's would have been shiny and bright. There was something wrong with the Major. "(AhemFluff) Excuse me, Private Blake.."
(SNARLBRISTLE) "That's MAJOR Blake to you, scum of Frith!"
Orchid was used to abuse from dazed patients so the Major's words rolled off his back. "Then start acting like it, Major, and consider the problem you now have."
"The only problem I have is you, DB, and I've already ordered that fixed! Guards! Take him away already. NOW!" (STOMP!)
In his best authoritarian voice Orchid said, "Consider this, Major. You've blown Callie's cover to the Pleiades. You've named her your daughter, which means that she has to be a spy into my Warren to monitor our activities. And now you're sending me back with this information. How do you think my Warren will react to this?"
Blake (BlinkFluffed).
"Not only that, but you've nearly driven yourself into an apoplectic fit over this, Major. Doctor Matthews, with your permission and if necessary, your authority to over-ride the reluctant Major, I would like to perform a physical with your assistance."
"Now wait just a minute!" (STOMP!) Blake said, a trifle plaintively.
"I think that's an excellent idea, Orchid. It's been quite literally 'forever' since I've been able to convince him to go willingly." Doc Matthews said companionably, a slight mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He really could appreciate the finesse with which Orchid was handling the situation. "Plus, I think it'd be advisable that you perform it, being infinitely more thoroughly trained in devilbunny physiology than I."
Over the Major's weakening protests, Doc Matthews escorted Major Blake and Orchid to the infirmary.
"Dad, I'm going to the house to see Mom, Julie/Callie called-out to the trio as they headed-off. "Mentat Brightspot gave me something to give to Mom.. said she'd know what to do with it. Don't worry, I already checked it out and it's safe." Callie, without further ado, hopped to the farmhouse and inside.
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A Bit of Truth 6
Orchid and Major Blake were escorted to the infirmary where upon the physical commenced. The usual.. blood pressure, weight, blood gasses were checked. But both Doc Matthews and Major Blake were well versed in DB body language and saw Orchid's ears droop bit by bit as the tests came back. With a bit of trepidation, Major Blake looked to Orchid and Doc Matthews..
Orchid (SighRufflePoofed). "Major, you are a devilbunny but are in a position of command over Fudds. I give you a choice.. we can do this the devilbunny way where we gather the family together and lay it all on the line, or we can do this the human way and tell you in private."
Doc Matthews and Blake shared a glance. Matthews shrugged slightly, as this was Orchid's show and though he'd been a close observer, Orchid /was/ the expert in DB medicine. Blake spoke.. "Privately, if you please, Orchid."
"(Noddles) Very well. Major Blake, you are a trifle overweight, definitely are out of shape, and are under a tremendous amount of stress. It is my medical opinion that if these three things are not fixed, and soon, inside of six months you will have a potentially fatal heart attack. Already your heartbeat is irregular, and in times of stress, such as this morning, I'd lay even odds that you'd have seen sparks in front of your eyes, correct?"
Doc Matthews speared Blake with a glare. Blake (WinceFluffed) and nodded slowly.. "I thought it was nothing.. just stress."
Doc Matthews was NOT amused, this much was obvious. Neither was Orchid. In tandem, they spoke, "And you never thought to tell your physician?"
Orchid sighed. "Look, Major. It's my recommendation that you take four hours each day, MINIMUM, and get away from things. No stress. No command duties. Just a long hop in the woods. Relax."
Doc Matthews nodded grimly. "Oh, he'll do that, Orchid. I'll make it an order if I have to."
But the admonishment was lost on Major Blake... he stared off into the distance as if for the first time realizing how grim his situation was. He'd put his body through terrible abuse.. the first conversion, all the spy missions for Lubbock, the accident training Pomerleau that nearly cost him his life, the resulting experiment by Aldin Busheytail as a last ditch effort to save him, his abuse of his body after that metabolism-altering experiment that enabled his body to heal flesh wounds rapidly, the attempt to rescue his daughters that should have killed him if it were not for the generosity of three pro-bun devilbunny does and a blood donation, his volunteering for Magic Bunny's attempt at converting him back to human which failed... then undergoing an emergency kidney transplant as a result of that failure.. Truth be told, he'd NOT been taking care of himself at all since the accident at Waco in '93 that turned him into a devilbunny in the first place. He shivered as he considered just how close he'd come to dying, too many times, including this time. Six months shot by like a hunting round.. gone before you knew it was even there. He nodded slowly. "No need to make it an order. I can guarantee you my cooperation on this one, Doc, Orchid. If.. if you'll excuse me, I've some thinking to do..."
Orchid and Doc Matthews nodded, and closed the door quietly, leaving the Major to his thoughts.
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A Bit of Truth 7
Carol had been waiting for her daughter inside the front door, though she had watched the events outside from the window. Julie leapt into Carol's waiting arms.
"I missed you, Mom." (nuzzle)
"Same here, dear." Carol Blake hugged back. "What's this about a package?" she asked as she set Julie/Callie back down.
Callie removed the odd black wrapped box from her backpack and pawed it to her mother. "Mom, Mentat Brightspot said that you'd know what to do with this.."
Mrs. Blake looked at the package oddly. "Dear, I don't even know what it is." She carefully unwrapped the package, not worried about it exploding or doing anything untoward. She trusted Brightspot. She'd seen into his eyes and soul when she'd held him as he sobbed over the loss of his mate. There was a bun every bit as human, every bit as honorable as her own husband. She would accord him similar respect.
What the package turned out to be was a rather mangled CD-ROM drive, a pair of speakers, and a jury-rigged battery pack. There was also a note in an envelope addressed to her.
Mrs. Blake arched an eyebrow and opened the card.
"Dear Mrs. Blake.. I wanted to thank you for looking
after Sunfall's gravesite. That means more to me than you
can ever know. A humble request.. please take this device
and place it on her grave. Press the play button, and just
leave it there until the battery runs out. With deepest
regards, Brightspot."
Carolyn nodded.. "Julie, come with me. I want you to hear this. I've an idea how it is between you and Orchid.."
"MOM!!" Callie gasped. She was terrified that Orchid had mentioned it too early! Which was kind of silly for they had only been home for less then ten minutes.
"Julie, I'm your mother. I was young once, and in love too. I saw you steal glances to Orchid when your father was barking at you. I saw how he was looking at you and defended you against your father as well. Dear, you're grown up for a bunny. Finding a mate is a natural part of life, and it seems you have found one unless I miss my guess. I'll leave it for you to tell your father when you feel the time is right, though."
Julie worked her muzzle but no words could be made to come out.
"Now come with me. I want you to see what true love is."
Together, they walked to the gravesite nestled under the apple tree by the small brook. Sunfall's staff still stood there, the stout ironwood easily weathering time and the elements without so much as a blemish on the polished surface. Carolyn put the player down against that staff, and pressed the play button, picking Julie up and holding her closely.
Music issued forth from the speakers. A soft instrumental guitar played the opening notes to "Tears in Heaven" by Clapton. But when the vocals started, the changes became obvious.. Brightspot had used the computers to allow him to splice his voice in as well, making it sound as if he was singing with Clapton in the recording studio..
"Will you know my name... if I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same... if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong... and carry on... because I know...
I don't belong.... Here in heaven.
Will you hold my hand... if I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand... if I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way.. through night and day...
Because I know I just can't stay.. here in Heaven.
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knee..
Time can break your heart, make you beg and plead..
Beg and pleeeeeeeeead....
Beyond the Door, there's peace I'm sure..
And I know they'll be no more, Tears in Heaven.."
The song wound to a close, and Julie cried softly at the heartbreaking song. When it started again, Carolyn carried Julie back into the farmhouse and sat with her quietly on the couch. She gently stroked the silken fur of her daughter's head and considered her words carefully. "Julie, it /is/ your choice of time and place as to when, or even if, you tell your father about Orchid. Just know that I'm here for you, dear. I'll always be here for you."
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A Bit of Truth 8
[2 days later...]
"I'm sorry Julie, he's not to have visitors."
(glarefluff) "Orchid isn't a prisoner. He's a guest."
"We have our orders from your father."
"And they are..."
The two Fudd guards, both privates, glanced at one another. "Orchid is not to be left alone."
(finefluff) "You two head on your way, I'll take responsibility..."
"But..."
"He had all summer along with the trip here to pull something on me and he hasn't. He also had time in private with the Major and he didn't pull anything. Believe me, he'll still be here in the morning. Now go." The Fudds hesitated a moment and complied. "Oh, one more thing." They glanced back at Julie. "Send some relief at 0530 hours."
After the guards turned the corner, they looked at one another. This was the third night Julie had relieved whoever had been assigned to watch the devilbunny doctor. Maybe the rumor was true about the two of them.
Once the guards turned the corner, Julie let herself into Orchid's 'guest' room, shut the door and set a small paper bag down. She then embraced her mate in a long (bunnyhug).
"I missed you all day, Orchid."
"Same here. So how did things go today?"
"Dad's still upset with me after what I did to Unca Stinky, but the training is coming along well. We shouldn't be here more then a month."
Orchid stumbled back a moment. A whole month...will the warren be able to get along without their medbun that long?
Julie nuzzled Orchid in concern pulling him out of his thoughts. "uhmm...Sorry, Callie, I was just surprised. I have to admit I didn't expect this training would take so long, that's all."
"Well, I'm working on it, Orchid, believe me. If all goes well, Dad will understand that whether or not he 'blew' my cover, you and I need to check-in with Volo Bog a couple times a week, to keep them from becoming overly concerned. Dad is hesitant for your words to him the first day really sank-in, and he doesn't want the rest of them to learn I was a spy."
"Have you told him about us yet?"
(shockfluff) "No, he isn't ready yet. No where near ready." (sighpoof) "So you'll have to give him some sort of oath not to tell them. I know you wouldn't, but Dad doesn't know that."
"And what about your report..."
"I'm sorry, Orchid, but I have to give it. It's in the best interest of Volo Bog. I hope that if the others learn about it some day, they'll realize I did it in the best interest of all of them." (afterallfluff) "Volo Bog has nothing to hide. It's one of the few true civilian warrens we've dealt with. And I'm going to do my best to tell the truth, while providing the warren with the protection it still needs. For example, I don't know where the warren is relocating to and I don't want to learn that information at this time so I can truthfully say I don't know where it will be."
(concernfluff) "Is that a good idea?"
"Whether it is or not, it'll be my problem to deal with. In the meantime, I've arrange for you to be able to spend more time with Dr Matthews. I know that isn't much, but it'll be better then being cooped-up in here." (sighpoof) "Maybe I can arrange for Cathy to have a physical when I'm off on Dad's hop through the woods tomorrow."
"Your father would get upset if he learned about this."
"I know, but Cathy hasn't had a thorough physical since the transplant operation." (besidesfluff) "Dad isn't letting her get out much while you're around. He's afraid you'll learn she lives." (giggle) "Don't worry, I'm taking care of Dad's problem with you being here. You've got a big enough challenge of your own. You've got to keep at Dad to insure he follows your recommendations. It's real important he gets better. I want him around to see his grandkits grow-up."
(BOINK!)
(scuffpaw) Callie looked down and then into Orchid's eyes. "Well isn't that the normal next step for mates? To raise a family?"
It was Orchid's turn to be at a loss for words as he tried to open his muzzle, but nothing came-out. Julie caressed his muzzle and nosekissed him lightly, Orchid melting under the attention.
"Nothing to worry about, dear. I'm not ready for a family yet, but there's nothing that says we can't..." Julie (shimmywiggled) against his body and pulled away, hopping over to the bag. She pulled out a can of chocolate syrup and whipping cream and dimmed the lights. "...practice." (wink)
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 9
Over the next five days, Julie filled-in details in the reports on Volo Bog, underwent remedial training under her father, and joined him on his daily "walks" (well hops) through the woods near the base. On these trips daughter provided father with the nitty details about Volo Bog that couldn't be placed in a report. Blake had been worried at first that his daughter had turned to the fluffy side, but realized this had not completely been the case. He could see through her descriptions that she was, indeed, in love with the warren, but at the same time, he could see the warren wasn't working for the bunny cause.
This day like every day, they stopped in an apple orchard gone wild on the edge of a long abandoned farm a mile into the woods from the base. The only sign of the old farm house being the depression in the ground that had once been its hand-dug basement. The first snow of the winter had fallen coating everything with white.
Julie and Steve made their way to an old stone wall and sat upon it under one gnarled ancient apple tree.
"So how much longer are you going to make Cathy hide?"
"Until Orchid leaves."
"Isn't that unfair to her, Dad?"
"We can't have the buns finding-out she's alive. It's bad enough that in my foolish anger they'll know you live..."
(sighpoof) "What if I told you Orchid already knows about Cathy?"
(STOMP!) "HOW!? Did she sneak-out at the wrong time and bump into him???"
(reassurefluff) "Dad, calm-down. She hasn't done any such thing as that. I arranged for the two of them to meet in Doc's office. He's given her a completely clean bill of health."
(STOMP!) "YOU WHAT???!?!"
(sighpoof) "I arranged for Cathy to have a full physical with Orchid. There was nothing to worry about. Doc will testify that Orchid was just as professional with sis' as he was with you. Besides by that time he had already known a lot about Cathy and the rest of the family..."
Steve sat there staring at his daughter. "What are you saying?"
Julie hesitated a moment. "Well, you've got to learn sooner or later, Dad. Better now then when Orchid departs and I insist on going with him..." Julie pulled-out a small box from her backpack and put-on the pink bows Orchid had given her. "I had hoped you'd take this better if you were given a little more time, Dad." She hesitated a moment. "Orchid is my mate."
Steve was dumbstruck. How could he have been so blind?
Before he could reply, Julie continued. "He proposed to me on the flight to Maine. I broke-down for deep inside I knew I loved him also and I confessed everything to him. Despite being a spy he still loves me, but he admonished to me that Brightspot and the other members of the warren council must never learn I am/was a spy. Then and only then did I accept his proposal.
Of course, as soon as NoCO finds-out my situation, I doubt they'd trust any future information I could provide them. You've seen my reports, Dad, and you can confirm them with Orchid if you like. Volo Bog and its inhabitants are no threat to humanity. And I intend to return there for I feel I can do my best for the Fudd war effort at Volo Bog. Perhaps as a liason for the AoF...." she trailed-off as she noticed her father had tears in his eyes. "Dad?" (nuzzleconcernedpoof)
Blake pulled away from his daughter slowly and hopped down the stone wall a little ways, facing towards the old farm basement. (snifflefluff) "Did you know your old man has been a fool for far too long, Julie? Whether I approve or disapprove, there's little I can do to stop you from deciding how to live your life." He turned back towards her. "But why now? Why not find somebun among the pro-Fudd contingent?"
"With time Volo Bog *can* be pro-Fudd." (matteroffactfluff) "They're better then that right now, for they only wish to exist in peace. They don't wage war except when provoked. They don't promote or push conversion onto anyone. They don't participate in the devilbunny propaganda machine, nor do they conduct evil godless experiments on others. They treat squirrels and humans who have worked with them in the past as FULL equals, not slaves, not tools. *AND* they don't eat any part of humans..no Spam™, and especially no toes." She paused a moment and then added in a very quiet and serious tone, "Did you know, Dad, that they would have executed me, if I had bitten-off Unca Stinky's toe when I lost control of myself during my Education?" There was a moment of silence before Julie continued.
"Isn't this what the Army of Fudd has been striving for all along? Hasn't the Army of Fudd pushed to stop the plans of the current devilbunny leadership and not the genocide of the entire devilbunny race? Rather, haven't we tried to push to get them to change their ways such that all can live in peace? In my observations and opinion, Volo Bog represents those very ideals....
"I had no intentions of falling in love with Orchid while on this mission. I very much doubt anyone has intentions like that on a mission. It simply happened. I love him deeply and vice versa and I intend to return with him..."
Steve contemplated on his daughter's words for a long moment, faced her again, and sat back down. (sighpoof) "Well there's nothing I can do about you, Julie." Steve gave his daughter a stearn look, but there was a twinkle in his eyes. "But no buck is going to be my daughter's mate until I've had a talking with him." He scuffed a paw sending newly fallen snow into the air. "I must be getting soft in my old age. When you first arrived I had ordered Orchid shipped back. There was a time when I would have just *POP*ped an uninvited bunny without hesitation or asking questions. I, suppose, this could be considered a good thing in this case." (Besidesfluff) "Your mother always wanted a doctor in the family." (grin)
Julie leapt at her father and embraced him in a (bunnyhug). "Thanks Dad!" She wiped a single tear out of her eye. "You don't know what this means to both Orchid and I. And he has a plan..."
"Plan?"
(enthusiasticfluffandnoddle) "On how we will be able to tell Volo Bog that I'm your daughter without revealing I was spying on the warren. This way you, Mom, Matt, and/or Cathy would be able to come visit sometime without rousing suspicion *and* I'd be able to come home to visit without raising questions."
"But..."
(tugonpaw) "Come on! Orchid can explain the whole thing after you've had your heart-to-heart talk with your new son-in-law." (biggrin) "And then he can have dinner with the whole family and stay with us rather then in the 'guest' quarters all alone..." (excitedpoof)
"Now wait a minute, I've heard rumors that until now I've brushed-off as just rumors that he hasn't been alone at night..."
"Ddddaaaaaddddd....."(dismaypoof)
Steve gave his daughter one of those 'I'm teasing' looks and allowed her to lead him back home as she rambled-on about what Orchid was like.
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 10
Upon their arrival back at the farmhouse, they went straight to Doc Matthews' office where Orchid was conversing with Doc. Orchid saw Julie wearing the earbows and looked at Major Blake with a combination of trepidation and excitement. Julie embraced and nuzzled him.
"I told him, dear. And...and..." (excitedfluff) "he's not going to stop us."
They hugged again and Orchid looked-up at Blake. The Major had a rather serious, stern look on his muzzle, which caused the excitement to drain-out of Orchid as he pulled away from Julie.
"I try not to do anything that will intentionally harm my daughter, Orchid," Steve said in a level, quiet voice. (howeverfluff) "You and I need to talk. Come."
Orchid glanced at Julie a moment who fluffed reassurance at him before he turned and followed the senior Blake out of the office, grabbing his medkit out of habit. Outside Blake motioned over a private. He pulled his uniform off and pawed it to the private.
"Tell Pomerleau to hold the fort-down while we're gone. I'm taking full responsibility for our guest. Let him know I'm heading for the cedar grove. He'll understand. We'll be back around sundown."
The private saluted and headed-off for Eugene's office. Blake turned to Orchid, "Come, we need to discuss you and my daughter." He lead Orchid down a different trail in the woods from the one Steve had taken each day with his daughter. He said nothing to Orchid for about 20 minutes.
Orchid finally couldn't bear it any longer. He sighed and drew to a halt. Quite deliberately, he let the Major get several hops ahead of him before clearing his throat. "Excuse me, Major, but I think we need to have a bit of that talk you mentioned here and now. I don't know precisely what you think of me, nor what I can do to assuage your trepidations as to Callie and myself. All I CAN do is assure you I love her, and would do nothing to hurt her. Hell.. She's likely to hurt ME if I were that kind of bun. All I can do is give you what feeble reassurance I can that this is as much her desire as mine.."
Steve stopped and faced Orchid. "I wouldn't expect anything less. She's a lot like her mother. Once her mind is made-up there's no way to change it. But that's not why we're out here. I have no intentions of interfering in the affairs of my daughter in this matter. She's told me more about you and the others at Volo Bog then we ever expected to find-out. I'm not worried about her, at least not much. She's more then proven she can take care of herself."
"Then what is it you need to talk to me about, sir?"
(sighpoof) "Patience, Orchid, patience, and I'd prefer that you call me Steve away from base. You're the one who ordered me to take time-off each day and get away from my duties on base. I want you to see something." Steve turned back down the path and lead-on.
The trail began to slope down and skirted along the edge of a cedar swamp. Orchid noticed other rabbit tracks in the fresh snow. Steve stopped again and whispered to Orchid.
"We're coming-up on them. We have to take it slow and easy, they tend to be skittish."
"Who?" Orchid whispered back.
"Them.." Steve pointed to some buns they could see in the distance in a small clearing. "The buns of Yorktown Warren."
"You allow a warren to exist this close to your base?" (astonishfluff) "We can't be more then a couple miles away."
"I wanted you to see I'm not some sort of Fudd monster, Orchid." He pointed to the buns in the distance who just now noticed them. One ducked into a hole in the ground. "They are mostly regbuns with only a couple alphas among them, probably due to inbreeding and/or mating with local, wild snowshoe hares. They lost contact with other devilbunnies a long time ago and simply live in peace out here. Except for one incident three years back, but that's a long story...
"They don't even have the equipment to communicate with the outside world. They are no threat to us so we leave them in peace. I check on them once in a while to make sure they have remained as such. They don't even know I'm a Fudd. They simply know me as BrownPaw."
Orchid was beginning to catch-on. "And you brought me along for in their isolation, they probably haven't had a medbun look at any of them in ages."
"That's part of it, yes."
They didn't get to say anymore as a group of 6 rabbits approached them timidly, all sniffing the air. They stopped about 10 feet away and one moved forward a little, being nudged ahead by the others.
"BrownPaw?" Steve nodded. The bun pointed to Orchid with curiosity. Introductions were made and they were led to the small, very primitive warren.
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 11
Blake and Orchid spent an hour at Yorktown Warren (named for the nearby swamp), Orchid doing the best he could under the natural conditions in giving each of the warren's 13 inhabitants a physical. Orchid was a professional, and his expression never wavered as he examined each in turn.
In the meantime, Steve casually examined the warren while watching Orchid work. The warren was as it had been on his last inspection. There were no signs the inhabitants were participating in the war.
There was some disappointment among the elders when the two of them left long before dinner. Once they crested the hill and the swamp was out-of-sight, Steve stopped.
"So what did you think?"
"Genetically, Steve.. they're already dead and don't know it. Each and every one of them, the Alphas less than the regbuns, have abnormalities in their anatomy. Nothing visible externally, which is why you never caught it. But an organ slightly out of place here.. a hitch in the joints there.. Each and every one of them bear some marks of the inbreeding."
"So perhaps I should send a small platoon in and put them out of their misery and thus prevent them from suffering?"
Orchid looked at Steve with palpable shock. "W.. what?? How can you even CONSIDER doing such a thing to the poor wretches? For Frith's sake, Steve, how the HELL can you say that to me?"
"So you'd prefer to see them die-off slowly of debilitating diseases that are the result of inbreeding?" Steve replied calmly.
Orchid hesitated a moment. (dismaypoof) "No," he whispered.
"If we leave them be, they'll die or I could send some of my Fudds in and end their misery more quickly and they'll still die. In either case they are dead. By your own observations they might as well be dead already. It's only a matter of time as to when they die....unless you have an alternate suggestion?"
Orchid shook his head. "You don't understand, Steve. They /ARE/ dead already. One generation more.. perhaps two.. and the mutations will become non-viable. /NOTHING/ can stop that now. They're lonely...and fearful. One of them told me she fears the nearby Fudds would someday find and kill them when all they want to do is live in peace." He stared hard at Steve. "This is some sort of test, isn't it?" He thought for another moment. "I'd have to talk to the Council, but it shouldn't be a problem to accommodate another 13 bunnies in the new warren. But you've got to understand something. Those bunnies are genetically toxic now. Damn it all to El'Mahr, I wish I could change that. But I can't. Even with an infusion of fresh genetic material, they cannot last. Not without spreading the horrible mutations they already begin to exhibit. Major.. I can take them home with me. I can keep them safe, and keep them happy. But I cannot let them breed, either amongst each other, or amongst the population of Volo Bog Warren. Were I to do otherwise, they'd take the rest of the warren with them. They'll die warm and happy.. of old age, but be kitless."
Steve knew comparatively little about genetics.. but what little he DID remember bore out what Orchid was saying. There /WAS/ a point of no return.. and it looks like the inhabitants of Yorktown Warren had passed that point long, long ago.
Steve brushed a speck of dirt, or perhaps a tear from his eye. "It's a shame. Only the squirrel scouts and two other Fudds currently know that warren even exists, Eugene Pomerleau and his brother, Chris. If there's any hope for true peace, we can't afford to loose the inhabitants of warrens like that one. We need buns like them to prove that peaceful coexistance can be achieved." He paused a moment and added under his breath, "May Volo Bog survive." Steve turned back down the trail. "We had best get moving, for I said we'd be back by sundown, and we'll be cutting it close to that deadline as it is."
The two conversed about other things the rest of the way back to base, Orchid confessing that he had met the rest of the family behind Steve's back. Steve only shook his head in disbelief and chuckled to himself. Orchid relaxed more and more around Blake as they hopped along. Steve stopped again when they were within sight of the base, putting a paw on Orchid's shoulder.
"You will be joining us for dinner and moved into a room more appropriate for a member of the family where the two of you will be able to have a little more privacy. Take good care of my daughter," (pause) "Son."
Steve was startled as he was embraced in a (bunnyhug), hesitated a moment and then hugged back. Orchid whispered into his ear, "Thanks...Dad."
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 12
(STOMP!) "No. This won't work..." Blake stated flatly as Orchid finished laying-out his plan in the Major's office with Julie/Callie present.
(takenbackfluff) "Of course it will," Orchid replied to Steve.
(negativeheadshake) "No, it won't. I've worked many years in espionage. This won't work. They'll see right through this charade. and you'll have to get use to living here."
Orchid drooped his ears. Julie looked to her father with dismay.
"Why not?"
"Too much coincidence, Julie. We could get away with DNA testing reports I suppose to show you are my daughter, if we were to tell them you are my daughter. I could go so far as to tell this to the Council on my own and state I haven't confronted you about it yet. *BUT* if we go and tell them that your memories came flooding back when you arrived here, we would be treading on thin ice. It would reek of coincidence. Add to this that NoCO sent your godfather, Captain Stickney, to Volo Bog to perform your Education, and we'd be pushing things too much. As it is I'm going to have words with Intelligence about that fiasco.
You might fool one or two council members, but how well do you know Brightspot and Treerunner? The mentat use to be human. He's had first hand experience in deception during his stay here...not that Eugene had much of a choice in how he dealt with Brightspot during his first visit before he learned about *real* devilbunnies in Bangor.
"As for Treerunner, squirrels in general are known to be paranoid, whether or not they show it on the surface. He wouldn't last long as head of security if he didn't have a head on his shoulders and suspected nothing if told this story. He'd see right through it. Take it from someone who has risked his head too many times infiltrating bun warrens. This won't work. Either we tell them nothing or lay it all on the line."
(sighpoof) "I see your point, Dad," Orchid stated. "It would be too risky. We'll have to come-up with something else at a later date."
Major Blake shook his head. "No.. we don't need to come up with anything else. We're going to try something different entirely with Mentat Brightspot."
(Blinkfluff) "Dad? What..."
He raised a paw to gently silence his daughter. "Julie, for a long time now I've been wondering. It's so easy to tow the party line to exclusion. But if the true purpose of the Fudds is to protect humanity, then all appropriate steps must be taken. I can't say that I'm entirely pleased with Mentat Brightspot's position on some things.. he looks out for his warren over all else. I can respect that.. he is a leader, and leads well. He has proven himself to be honourable, and if we ARE to have a peace between us, then we MUST have trust somewhere. I'm going to take that first step, even if I wind-up being damned by the AoF for it. I am going to tell Mentat Brightspot the truth. *ALL* of it--That you went to VoloBog as a spy for the Army of Fudd to analyze their position in the war. His reaction to that, Julie.. Orchid.. will determine Fudd policy towards Volo Bog Warren. Maybe.. maybe even that you're my daughter. I don't want /THAT/ little bit of information coming from anyone but us.. especially if you go back."
Callie was stunned.. she leaned against Orchid and trembled. Orchid (NuzzleFluffed) her, but was smiling. "Father, I think that Mentat Brightspot will surprise you. He's not as bristly as he likes to think."
Major Blake, however, was unconvinced. "I hope so, son. I hope so.. for your sake, for Callie's.. and for the Mentat's."
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 13
Brightspot eyed the doe with a mix of amusement and irritation. Orchid had found her in one of the security teams, presumably with Treerunner's and Perl's collusion. Judging from the way she stood as /she/ eyed /him/ with the same mix of emotions, she was under orders from Orchid to make sure he ate whatever was put in front of him. Each time he put down his eating utensils, the doe arched an eyebrow and tensed slightly, as if preparing to be true to her word and 'Cram every last morsel down his throat'. Brightspot eyed the doe, looked at his plate that still had some greenery left on it, and sighed.
Fortunately, fate intervened.
Brightspot's comm unit chirped. He depressed a switch. "Yes."
"Sparks here, we're receiving a transmission from Orchid at the Maine Fudd Base. He says he needs to talk to the council all together. It concerns his and Callie's situation..."
"Pipe it through to the council chamber and get the others there immediately." A brief wash of concern flooded him, but soon passed. He trusted Major Blake, for something about the bun exuded honor and dignity. If something had happened to Callie, then it wouldn't have been by his paw and that's a fact.
Brightspot activated the console in the chamber when the others were ready. They saw Orchid on the screen who (nervoustwitched) slightly. Brightspot began to wonder just what had happened...
Mustering all the control he had, he forcibly relaxed until he seemed perfectly at ease, a calm expression on his muzzle. Once this had been accomplished, he motioned for Sparks to kick in the video pickup on their end.. "Orchid, report please. What is your situation?"
Orchid gave Brightspot a long look through the terminal. "You have been eating, right Brightspot?"
Brightspot blinked once, and never even twitched an ear. "Orchid, I know you too well to assume that you called to berate me on my eating habits. But if it soothes your concerns, yes, I have been eating. Now.. why have you called us together?"
"I believe it was the Council that asked that we give you a weekly update as was the arrangement with the Maine Fudds as a condition to allow Callie to come here." He glanced off screen. (sighpoof) "I'd feel more comfortable, Sergeant if we could do this in private..."
Brightspot could hear Eugene's voice off-screen. "I'm sorry, Orchid, Army of Fudd policy. Brightspot can tell you I wasn't allowed to treat him any differant."
There was a pause as Orchid glared to the right of the screen. "Did the Major explain to you what was going to happen?"
"No."
(sighfluff)
"What?" (gettothepointfluff) Brightspot requested.
"One moment, Brightspot." Orchid stared offscreen again. "He probably left you in the dark to protect you, Sergeant." (pleadfluff) "Can we have a few minutes alone?" Orchid's statements raised hackles on Brightspot's back.
There was a moments pause. "Major Blake didn't state I had to be present in the same room. I can monitor from an adjoining room. Remember that the Major wants to speak to the council when you're done." Orchid physically relaxes a little.
Concern was written on Brightspot's muzzle. "Are they treating you and Callie well? Is she with you?"
(sighfluff) "They're treating us fine, Brightspot. Better then you think." (gigglefluff) "Like one of the family..."
The camera angle changed slightly to show Callie wearing the earbows Orchid had given her. She set her paw back down in view of the camera after having changed the angle. "What he's trying to get at, Menat, is that..." (scuffpawsighfluff) "There's no way around this...We are being treated well because I am *home*. I'm an agent for Army of Fudd Intelligence. Callie is my code name."
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 14
Dead silence fell upon the Coucil as all stared in disbelief at the monitor.
The only sound was the click of the Mentat's claws on the arm of his chair, his one concession to the roiling of his stomach and heart.
"I didn't learn the truth until after I had made my proposal to her on the flight up here," Orchid added quietly. "Despite that, I still love her."
Callie seemed to work-up a little more courage. "I did what I felt was best for Volo Bog Warren..." she trailed off at the glance from Brightspot as he leaned into the camera.
"What have you told them, Callie?" Brightspot asked in a deceptively gentle voice. Though his words and tones were soft, no one could doubt the twisted steel that was hinted at. "Tell me, 'Callie'.. Angle of Frith.. what all have you told them of us?"
"I work for Army of Fudd Intelligence, I told them what I could. Dad will probably give you more then enough answer to that question in a moment." Callie waited for that statement to sink in. "Yes, Steve and Carol Blake are my parents. My real name is/was Julie." She paused for a moment and added as an after thought, "Oh, and Mom has done as you requested of her, Brightspot."
Brightspot smiled a bit at that. "Tell Carol she has my thanks, and that I owe her for that one." He sighed and rubbed his temples, a pounding headache developing. "I'm sure you know my next question, Orchid. Callie might have been SecOps, but she wasn't there for very long. And I don't believe she had the time to learn anything truly destructive. But /YOU/ on the other paw.. you can do a lot more damage to us than she."
"I told them very little they didn't already know. I didn't contradict any of Callie's reports, but I didn't add to them either." (contemplatefluff) "She was very thorough...between Callie's and Captain Stickney's reports, they know close to everything."
Before Brightspot could respond, Perl (DismayFluffed), "What about the location of the new warren?" Brightspot nodded appreciatively.. his paranoia seems to have been rubbing off.
(confessfluff) "That is my one failure in this assignment." Callie answered with a gleam in her eyes. "The Army of Fudd does/will not know Volo Bog's new location for I never found out. I made sure that I never went anywhere near the new warren so that I could truthfully state I didn't know it's location."
"Why?" Perl asked with calm and surprise in her voice. Unlike the others, somehow she kept her cool while learning the truth. "Why would you avoid learning the location of the new warren? Wouldn't that be very important to your superiors?"
Callie looks straight at the camera. "I love Volo Bog and everybun there. I have done as I have to protect Volo Bog while not being called a traitor by the Army of Fudd in the hopes that someday I may be able to return to Volo Bog again and call it home...It was more of a home to me then..." She gestures to the room around her. "Then this place will ever be." She pauses a moment. "This is my parents' home, not mine. My home in northern Maine was burned to the ground by devilbunnies as I was infected with bunnyvirus in their warren just over the border in New Brunswick." She wipes a tear from her eye. "But that's a long story that can wait. Volo Bog is home to me and I hope that I'll be allowed to return home at some time."
"You need not worry, Perl" Orchid added. "I saw her report. She's telling the truth. When the Major asked me, I told him simply that I couldn't divulge that information. There are areas of their own base I'm not allowed to know about and there is a reason for that. I stated that for similar security reasons I couldn't state the location of the new warren. We can't risk another Crenshaw getting his hands on that information."
"And the Fudds' reaction to this?" Treerunner piped-up.
"That's the one thing that surprised me about my new father-in-law. Dad, er, the Major accepted my answer and didn't pry further about that and simply asked about other stuff...warren life, standard medical procedures... he asked several questions about 'The Education' and what our future plans were to find a successor for you, Brightspot, now that we're doing away with it...I assume he wanted to make sure his daughter's report was accurate..."
Orchid watched the play of emotions across Brightspot's eyes. They glinted nearly ferally at times, then sparkled.. his muzzle and fur was all a-twitching.
Orchid drooped his ears but kept a calm voice.. "I did what I could do to protect Volo Bog..."
Even the Councilmembers saw the unspoken byplay. Treerunner and Perl shared uncertain glances at eachother as Brightspot's apparent agitation grew. The only bun who remained unconcerned.. and even was amused by the proceedings.. was the guardbun doe whom had been ordered to keep watch over him. She (GiggleFluffed), but nobun saw it..
Orchid (WorriedFluffed) "I told them the truth.. Fudds, in general, don't trust devilbunnies. I did what I could to reduce that distrust. I also did what I did to help protect my mate." He hugged Callie tightly for a moment. "Before you render any decisions for or against us, you should talk to Major Blake, Brightspot, maybe you'll understand my...no not my, but OUR situation better."
The connection changed before Brightspot could react.
Return to the
A Bit of Truth 15
(greetingsfluff) "Members of the Council..."
In that far-too-gentle voice, Brightspot said, "Steve. We've got a lot of very worried buns over here, and at least two worried buns up by you. Please.. dispense with the pleasantries, and get directly to the point?"
(sighfluff) "Very well, Brightspot. But before I 'get to the point', I want you to know a few things. I didn't know my daughter took this assignment, her first, behind my back while I was recovering from surgery. All this time I assumed she was in South Dakota helping to train the Fudds there. I didn't learn she was at Volo Bog until Captain Stickney's communication with me on the flight back here...I lost my temper when I found-out what she had done to her godfather in her Education and I chewed her out in front of the whole base upon her arrival, not thinking." (droopears) "I should have had words with her in private. If she hadn't already blown her cover with Orchid, my outburst would have done it. I just felt I needed to get that off my chest before we 'get to the point'."
Blake paused, but the Council remained quiet. Brightspot was back to clicking his claws against the armrest.. onetwothreefour..onetwothreefour.. Fortunately, somebun had put a steel plate there after having to replace his chair four times in a single session, last week..
"'The point' as you have asked. When you came here, Brightspot with this story of a neutral warren and the subsequent communications Eugene had with your Council, we didn't know what to make of it other then a devilbunny trick to try and get us to drop our guard. So, Army of Fudd Intelligence did the only thing we could do to make sure of your claims, send in a spy to garner the truth.
"We still remained wary after the attack on your warren. In the past the devilbunny war machine has waged such attacks, sending warren location information covertly to extremist Fudd groups in order to destroy said 'neutral' warrens. They then send in their own force to finish-off the Fudds and remaining neutral buns. They know that we know of such tactics but it wouldn't be beneath them to stage such an event anyway to drop our guard. That's why we remained wary. As I stated earlier, I didn't know we had a spy in your warren until she was flying home.
"As for Julie, she was very thorough in her report through her observations and interactions. We know your defenses. As of the time Julie left there were approximately seventy-five able pawed buns in your warren..." As Blake droned-off the figures he watched Brightspot for any reactions. "...though I know you'll be changing all your passcodes anyway, that was one of two areas that were lacking in Julie's report, the other being the location of the new warren. However, we don't need the location. Obviously, it won't be too far from the present warren or you wouldn't be able to house your engineers at the old warren every day. We have the ability to find such a warren with our cuteness geometers™ if a need to do so arose."
"What I'm getting at, Mentat and members of the Council, is if we deemed you a threat, we wouldn't be having this conversation, as that threat would already be neutralized." Blake let that sink in a moment.
Brightspot chuckled. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I was human, Steve.. as were you. I still remember how humans think.. it is something I try to cultivate still. I can promise you this. The defenses at the new warren are decidedly UN-cute. And very.. VERY.. effective. We'll have a few surprises in store for the Fudds should things ever get that sour again."
"I don't doubt that, Brightspot. Which leads me to my next point. I've had to deal with many, many devilbunnies in the past, but none of them come close to you, Mentat, or other members of your warren. Excuse my lack of tact on this but I see one of two possibilities concerning your warren. One, you're all putting on one hell of a charade here pulling the wool over my eyes and are truly working for the bun-side of the war effort. Maybe you've even corrupted my daughter and she now serves the Fluffy Cause™. Or, two, your warren really *IS* neutral in the war. Right now I'm pegging towards the latter. Especially after reading Captain Stickney's report and cross-checking it against Julie's report and what little information I could gleam from Orchid."
Brightspot's facade began to crack. Instead of a stone-face.. he began to smile. And, surprisingly.. to chuckle!
Blake is silent for a moment in contemplation. "I've withheld forwarding my daughter's report to Intelligence for the moment. When and how much I forward to them I haven't decided yet. She's very adamant about return to Volo Bog if permitted to do so. She's an adult and I can't stop her, especially when I also have her resignation from AoF Intelligence sitting on my desk, which is partial reason I've held-off on forwarding her report."
Much to the consternation of Steve, Brightspot's chuckle deepend and intensified... growing towards a full fledged laugh. The devilbunnies were catching on to Brightspot's mood. Their fur ruffled with amusement, and indeed, with raw pleasure at what they've been told. Blake had a brief fear that the entire command unit of Volo Bog had suddenly lost it when they /ALL/ burst into laughter and a round of back-pounding that rivalled that of the victory celebration when the warren was attacked.
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A Bit of Truth 16
After a tense moment for Steve, Brightspot wiped the tears from his eyes and brought his laughter under control. The guard doe hopped up beside him and rested a paw affectionately on his shoulder. Brightspot smiled, then turned back to the camera. "Steve.. do you have any idea what has happened here today?"
Steve (BristleFluffed) "Aside from the evident mass insanity, no.."
Brightspot (GrinFluffed) "Steve, you gave us what no Fudd has since the founders made this warren. You gave us the /TRUTH/. THAT is what happened here! Do you realise that we've taken the first steps to eventually ending the war? No, you don't completely trust us. No, we don't completely trust you. But we trust each other a little bit. And that, my friend, is a start. I think I speak for the entire warren when we ask you when our prodigal son and daughter can come home?"
Steve (BLINK-Fluffled) in surprise, "Umm.. Orchid can return whenever he's ready, Brightspot, but my daughter has several more weeks of retraining to go through to control her urge for toes. I doubt she'd be ready to return before Christmas...I'll tie them back into the conversation so you can tell them the news..."
Orchid and Callie/Julie embraced once they learned the reaction of the Council.
Brightspot and the Council all (noddled) and grinned. "Also, Steve. When can we entice you and Carol down for the wedding? We've a ceremony to plan for you know.. It's not every day that the Angel of Frith and of El'Mahr tie the knot, now is it?"
A decidedly un-bunnylike smile crossed his muzzle as Steve grinned.. "No, Brightspot.. no it isn't. I can't say as I'll be able to come, nor that I can bring Carol. I don't know that the trust extends THAT far, not just yet. But you're right...we will need to plan something."
A cry of near outrage in the timbre of Carol's voice was heard in the background. "WHAT? Oh, STEEEEVE.. we've got some talking to do..." It was rare for Carol to come near Steve's office, but this happened to be one of those rare times.
Now the Council, Brightspot, Callie, Orchid, and even Steve joined in a second bout of laughter. Brightspot (GrinFluffed).. "Steve, I'll leave you to deal with the trouble in Paradise. And if I can make a recommendation..?"
Steve chuckled and nodded. "Please.. I think I'm going to need a lot of luck this time.."
In the backround could be heard.. "Better BELIEVE it, Mister! I will /NOT/ miss my daughter's wedding!" The door to Steve's office swung open as two Fudd guards got out of Mrs. Blake's way in a hurry.
Brightspot laughed. "Go get 'im, Carol! But seriously Steve.. flowers. Get a whole LOT of flowers. They work wonders on a doe's heart."
"I guess that's my cue to end this transmission, Brightspot. Orchid still needs to speak to you about possible imigrants to your warren..."
Some time later, Carol was carrying Steve back towards the house, much to his embarrasment but to her evident delight. She gently scritched behind his ears and under his chin, chuckling.. "You know, love.. I'm really proud of you both."
Steve needed no explanantion as to who she meant. Nor was he going to complain if ONLY her hand would scratch a little to the left.. Mmmm.... "How so, hon?"
She chuckled warmly. "Because both of you have preserved your humanity despite what happened. And are making steps to claim the rest of it. Not too long ago, you'd have been advocating a full fledged invasion replete with weapons to ensure the total annihlation of that warren. But now you act to save it." She leaned down, and kissed him lovingly on the nose..
End
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