First posted on alt.devilbunnies 21-23 February, 1999.
©1999 by Stories
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| One | Five: Tightbeam to Fuzzy |
|---|---|
| Two | Six: Tightbeam to Algonquin Main |
| Three | Seven: Tightbeam to SnowShoe |
| Four | Eight: Reply Tightbeam from SnowShoe |
Jerry sat in the terminal awaiting for the bunmover to come to a halt. Grinding noisily as it slowed and stopped, the bunmover car looked like it had been through a battle. Jerry smiled inwardly. What better way to get the point across as to how bad the bunmover line was then to send the engineering crew through some of the worst tunnels in the state on their round-about trip from Kingdom Warren. The hatch opened and a half dozen weary buns hopped out. Jerry immediately spotted Downyfluff and signaled a few of his buns to help her companions with their gear.
(greetingsfluff) "Welcome to Bangor. I won't lie about your trip, I know it was rough."
(wearyfluffsigh) "You weren't joking, Commander," Downyfluff replied, "about the condition of the bunmover system up here. If we had gone through Canada as you suggested in the first place we would have been here hours ago." Downyfluff glared at one of the buns behind her who shrank under the gaze, "But, others insisted we try the direct route and we replotted our route several times trying to get around all the cave-ins before we gave up that approach."
A grizzled old buck hopped up next to them. Downyfluff introduced him. "Commander CrimsonPaw, this is Forebuck Suretail. He is in charge of the engineering corps that has been assigned to rebuild your bunmover system." Jerry nodded politely.
"Your tunnels are in shambles." Suretail's voice was as old and gravelly as his pelt. "It's a wonder we made it here at all. We might have been better off flying up in" (shudderfluff) "pet carriers. We'll have to rebuild them from the subfoundation up." The rest of his crew drooped their ears at that prospect but knew it was true.
"You won't be alone. We have many buns who will follow your orders." (alasfluff) "Most of them are betas and regs."
Suretail nodded. "Lt Fuzzy mentioned something about blueprints."
(noddle) "We have the original blueprint maps of the current system and the proposed redesign, the one that has been made obsolete by the new Fourier presence" (STOMP!) "in the state. We have not, yet, located where the Fourier scum are hiding.
"However, we can discuss all that in detail later. You must all be exhausted from the ordeal of travelling here. Burrows have been prepared for you to rest in tonight and Cookie has prepared a light dinner for you. In the morning we will travel the rest of the way to DEWComm in a private van."
"Wait? This isn't DEWComm? The navigation computer in the..."
(negativefluff) "The system hasn't been updated yet. This is the front line of the war zone here in Maine. We've relocated our command center deeper in our territory, another hour's drive via van from here. We'll need to connect it to the new bunmover line also. Anyway, my buns here will carry your equipment for you."
Jerry's buns lead the engineering corps to their burrows as Jerry, bunsonally, led Downyfluff to hers, carrying her baggage himself. He opened the door to her burrow and followed her in, setting the baggage down in a corner. She closed the door behind him, briefly inspecting the small burrow and nodding her approval.
"It appears you plan on an extended stay."
Downyfluff nodded. "I was concerned after seeing the video." She noted Jerry's ears droop. "Fouriers aren't like Fudds. They're insane beyond insanity. You mustn't let it get to you. No bun would have reacted differently to that situation. One of the reasons I agreed to come up here was to make sure you're alright. Also, I have been asked to help you with your human family as they prepare to convert..." (hesitantfluff) "that is, if they have chosen conversion."
"Mariel is ready, but her parents are still thinking about it. Perhaps I'll go ahead with Mariel's conversion and upon seeing how happy she is afterwards, that will push them over to choosing..."
Downyfluff snuggled up to Jerry. "Don't rush them. It's a tough decision to make." She nibbled lightly on his left ear. "Perhaps I could take some time with them and help convince them."
She (shimmywiggled) against him and he (BOINK!). The conversation ended as they thoroughly enjoyed each other's company for a while.
The meal Jerry's guest had that night was light and served to them in their individual burrows since all was weary from the trip. The buns from away found the trip the following day to be just as troublesome. Come midmorning, all were happy to finally arrive at DEWComm in Cherryfield.
Suretail looked up from the blueprints that evening. "Innovative..."
"Yes, they would have been perfect before the Fourier problem. The Fudd monkeys would have never have attempted to destroy a system that followed the natural gas line being built across the state. They wouldn't want to draw any attention to themselves. But the insane Fouriers would just look at it as an easier target...kaboom!"
Cookie Lightclaws brought out the first course of an extravagant dinner she had prepared for the warren's guests that night. A light tossed salad with raspberry vinagrette (homemade of course) was followed with teriyaki (human) sirloin tips on a bed of long grain and wild rice with a side of steamed broccoli and young asparagus crowns. Nobun went away hungry.
(cutebelch...pardonfluff) "Are you trying to spoil us, Commander?" Suretail asked as he tapped his slightly enlarged belly.
"Jerry, please. Cookie just likes to show off her talent to guests. We don't get guests out this way much."
"When we get your tunnels repaired and word gets out about that bun's cooking, you'll have to worry about where you'll put all your guests up for the night." (gigglefluff) "Provided some bigger warren doesn't try to lure your cook away."
Cookie poked her head out from the kitchen. "I thank you for the compliment, Forebuck, but I have no intentions of moving from my home. I may go on tour and visit when the new book is complete, but this" she points about the dining hall, "is home." (thump) "Dessert anybun?"
Everybun shook their heads negatively.
(poutfluffle) "Then I guess," (sighwiggle) "I'll have to eat this chocolate German Fudd toe cake," she said as she wheeled out the dessert, "all by myself." (helplessdoelookbateyelash)
Somehow everybun found room for a slice.
"I'm quite impressed, Jerry, in how you handle your guests."
"I wanted to start things off on the right paw, Downyfluff. And like I said, Cookie likes to show off. Wait until you see the farewell dinner she has planned." (gigglewiggle)
Jerry and Downyfluff had travelled the smaller bunmover that connected DEWComm (formerly Cherrywarren) to Whitneywarren. The bunmover system in eastern Maine was in rough shape, but still functional. Taffy, the outpost commander at Whitney offered Jerry's guest her burrow, but Downyfluff declined. The Haynes had already invited her for the night, remembering her from their trip to Orlando.
It was less then 300 yards from the small warren's entrance to the Haynes residence, but it seemed a lot further to Downyfluff, who wasn't use to the conditions of a Maine winter evening. A gust of artic wind blew across a nearby field and blinded her eyes with snow. She shuddered in cold and kept close to Jerry and his thicker pelt for warmth. He wasn't affected by the wind and made mental note that his guest may need coats.
Once on the front porch, Jerry lightly scratched on the door which was opened almost immediately by Mariel.
"Jerry!" She scooped him up and hugged him, not seeing Downyfluff at first until Jerry pointed to her with an eartip. She set him down and ushered her in as well. "Downyfluff? Welcome."
Downyfluff was quite releaved to be out of the cold. Inwardly, she briefly cursed Fuzzy for shipping her up here on this assignment. She followed the human kit in through the foyer and into the living room where she was reintroduced to Robert and Kristina Haynes. They made small talk for an hour until it was Mariel's bedtime.
Upstairs Downyfluff observed Mariel's routine and nodded her approval as Jerry provided quick lessons on the fluffy way telling his stories where they fit in naturally with what was happening around them. Once in the bedroom, Mariel showed Downyfluff the bedding she had set up for her in a wooden box next to the bed. It was plenty big and soft, but not exactly what Downyfluff had expected. She got in anyway for she didn't want to upset the human kit as she wanted to get onto and stay on Mariel's good side. It would be very important to be in that position as time went on.
Finally, Mariel pulled off her prosthesis and crawled into bed. Jerry snuggled down on the pillow beside her.
"Good night, Downyfluff," Mariel whispered as she reached down and scritched her between the ears just right. She then kissed Jerry. "Good night, Jerry." She shut the light on the nightstand.
Jerry snuggled back. "Good night, hon."
About ten minutes later all three were still wide awake. Downyfluff couldn't stop shivering. Despite the blankets provided her, she still felt cold. Jerry could hear her shaking and this kept him awake out of concern. Because of his figgeting, Mariel kept awake. Finally, Mariel rolled over and peered down at her guest.
"What's wrong, Downyfluff?"
Downyfluff was to embarrassed to reply.
"I think she's cold," Jerry replied. "She is use to Florida, not Maine..." he added in a whisper.
"Oh..." Mariel thought for a moment. "I suppose Mom and Dad keep the temperature too low at night for you then. They usually set it at 581."
"Fifty-eight?" (disbelieffluff) "Why so cold?" Downyfluff was too surprised to remain quiet or polite as she continued to shiver under the blankets.
"We've always set it at 58 in the winter. We just throw a few extra blankets on the beds. It saves money and fuel, which in turn helps protect the environment through less pollution." Jerry nodded his approval. "It's suppose to get down to minus 20 or so tonight."
Downyfluff (shudderfluffed) at the idea of such a cold temperature as she made a mental note to have Fuzzy come up here next time. Before she could respond, Jerry spoke.
"Mariel, I think we could make enough space for Downyfluff up here, if you don't mind. Then we could help keep her warm."
Downyfluff declined. "I don't think I could trust myself. I sometimes have bad dreams and lash out in my sleep. I wouldn't want to hurt my host." It was a half lie. She very much wanted to be warm, but couldn't trust herself enough yet. She wasn't use to sleeping with apes and was really afraid she might have a midnight munchie craving if she got under the covers with Mariel and not be able to resist.
Jerry looked at Mariel, who nodded in turn. He then lept down and snuggled under the blanket next to Downyfluff before she could give permission. He was like a blast furnace next to her under the blanket. Her shivering stopped almost immediately as she snuggled up next to Jerry.
"Thanks."
(earnibble) "Don't mention it," Jerry started to drift off. "Remind me to order some jackets for you and the others in the morn..."
Mariel giggled quietly and rolled over again and fell asleep. Downyfluff took a little longer but enjoyed having the buck next to her, even though he had once been a Fudd.
1--For our metric fans: 58F is about 14C and -20F is about -29C
*****BUNIX™ TIGHTBEAM REPORT TO LT FUZZY BUNNY*****
We have been here a week now and thanks to the jackets issued to us, we've been able to survive this Frith damn cold Maine weather. It's a wonder anybun would choose to live up here!
The engineers presented Jerry their first draft of the bunmover system and he rejected it soundly. (gigglefluff) Of course, I had advised him to do so. One of the younger members of the corps, Broadpaw, had attempted to bring to life his favorite kit-hood show. He had proposed a system similar to the Quick Car system (tm) from Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears (tm). Can you imagine the disaster that would have resulted in? Maine wouldn't be compatible (and vice versa) with the rest of the worldwide bunmover network. His proposal might make a nice new attraction back home, but it is unpractical up here, not to mention we'd look like fools to sponsor such construction here. Forebuck Suretail had allowed him to present it simply to embarrass the young buck.
The second preliminary draft passed his approval. Suretail still needs to do some survey work at the warrens to be connected to design bunmover stations.
Robert Haynes has chosen a suitable replacement for his position and with my help he is training this replacement who thinks he's going to be Robert's assistant. The monkey's name is Bruce Hegarty. Bruce is younger then Robert and single, but he has a girlfriend, who we may be able to use to our advantage if the monkey becomes unmanagable. I have already initiated a thorough background check on Bruce and he comes out clean. When his preliminary training is complete, we plan on shipping him down to Kingdom Warren for further training.
When Jerry is not around, I have tried my best to disuade the Haynes from conversion, but I think my attempts actually caused them to decide to convert. (apologeticfluff) We will have to find some other...tool...to use against Jerry if he should ever become a problem. (doubtfulfluff)
As for Jerry, yes, from my observations he's developed some backbone. Understandable, considering he's been thrust into command. A CO with no backbone does not keep command long. However, he still respects you and hasn't forgotten who helped him through his own ordeal.
One other note to pass on. I can't get use it up here. At least, not yet. This program we introduced to provide jobs to the monkeys Down East is working too well. The majority of the population in this area (which is rather small, maybe 15,000 if you count every human monkey within 40 miles of Machias) not only know about us, but are loyal to the Cause (tm). A bun can hop down the street and not have to hide. Monkeys will yield the right of way while driving to let you cross the street! This could be a propaganda gold mine. If only we could get a certain vocal symp over here to observe and tell the rest of the world how monkeys and bun can 'get along'. (sighfluff) If only we could be this open and have the same success throughout the country. The Fudds wouldn't stand a chance. >:)=
I will try to provide weekly reports from here on out, unless something really important happens.
Counselor Downyfluff
*****END TIGHTBEAM*****
*****BUNIX™ WIDEBEAM*****
To: Transport Sub-Leader Speedy of Algonquin Main, Ontario
From: Journeybun Engineer Broadpaw, 3rd Kingdom Warren Engineering Corps
RE: Bunmover Interchange Name Contest
I saw the contest on the Algonquin website and would like to submit the following suggestion to you. Name the seven stops as follows:
These are the seven Gummi Bears of Disney fame. (worshipfluff) The attractions at each stop could be centered around what each bear is known for on that show: the library could be at the Zummi stop, art gallery at the Gusto stop, fashion center at Sonni, etc. (gigglefluff)
Why not take it one step further and design this bunmover simular to their Quick Car™ system? I have enclosed blueprint plans to do such which could be adjusted to fit the proposed route.
Journeybun Engineer Broadpaw
Blueprint enclosure
*****END ENCRYPTED MESSAGE*****
*****BUNIX™ TIGHTBEAM TO SNOWSHOE*****
Cmdr SnowShoe,
(embarrassedfluff) I'm sure you're upset at my outburst in my last message to you. It was uncalled for at my end. I just realized that I haven't taken a moment to write down and submit my plan to you. Sometimes my mind races far ahead of me. It's hard for you to agree to a plan you haven't seen, though I did brush upon it lightly in our last exchange in January when we were discussing bunmover connections. I will submit this plan to you shortly. If you do go up against AWFie now, however, I will have to drastically change the plan.
As for the bunmover connection, I have secured aid from Kingdom Warren to help rebuild our bunmover line. The engineering corps has arrived under the command of Forebuck Suretail. He wishes to send one of his buns to your warren to map out a bunmover terminal and to get an exact GPS reading for the new blueprints. Said bun will also stop by Bowsbuck Warren to do the same thing there.
Once the blueprints are drawn up they can begin a rapid construction schedule. Suretail believes his buns can have your warren and Bowsbuck connected to us here downeast by Easter and the rest of the infrastructure rebuilt by June.
Will you be willing to host this engineerbun for a day or two while he performs his job?
Cmdr Jerry CrimsonPaw
DEWComm
*****END ENCRYPTED TIGHTBEAM*****
Return to the
***** TIGHTBEAM TO JERRY CRIMSONPAW, DEWCOMM *****
***** BUNIX ENCRYPTION ENGAGED *****
***** CONNECTION FLUFFY AND CORRECT *****
Commander -
[amusedfluff] We are in receipt of (both) your recent tightbeam(s)...
>(embarrassedfluff) I'm sure you're upset at my outburst in my last >message to you. It was uncalled for at my end. I just realized that I >haven't taken a moment to write down and submit my plan to you. >Sometimes my mind races far ahead of me.
Actually, we had been pondering that transmission for several days now. We hadn't replied because Thistleroot, JackPaw and I had been keeping a little cash pool as to what was going to happen next. I was betting that you and your engineers were suddenly going to show up some morning as if nothing had happened. JackPaw had his money on a secret Fudd takeover of DEWComm. And Thistleroot thought you had just made a mistake.
[grumble] I guess Thistleroot wins... [irritatedfluff]
>It's hard for you to agree to a plan you haven't seen, though I did brush >upon it lightly in our last exchange in January when we were discussing >bunmover connections. I will submit this plan to you shortly. If you do >go up against AWFie now, however, I will have to drastically change the plan.
I look forward to seeing the plans, though no concrete decisions have been made as far as Dunwich goes. While I appreciate your position, I refuse to commit myself to any course of action on the southern front at this time. Considering that I am dealing with a combined force of Fudds, Fourier and Squirrels here, I think you can appreciate my position.
[*sighfluff*] Such interesting neighbors I have to my south...
>As for the bunmover connection... [big nibble]
I look forward to hosting your engineer. Let us know the exact date of arrival once you have it.
Regards,
SnowShoe
Commander
White Mountain Warren
***** END BUNIX ENCRYPTION *****
***** DISENGAGE AND TRANSMIT *****