Mustard's Tale

Continues from Maine: Ice-olation. Mustard SnowPaw, prisoner of of the Maine Fudds learns his fate.

First posted to alt.devilbunnies 27 January- 3 February, 1998.
© 1998 by Scott Bernier.
First HTML-ized 22 February, 1998.

The following day (day after the scout party's return after the ice storm and the telling of their story), Aldin was back at work in the lab, training the newer squirrels in lab basics.

(sighflick) "For the fifth time, Tamarack, the dirty test tubes go by the sink, the clean ones back in this cabinet."

Aldin was beginning to fear that Tamarack wasn't going to cut-it for lab work. All his other pupils were catching-on with ease, but Tamarack...let's just say he was just a few acorns short of a full load. He was going to start showing him the basics again when the intercom chirped. Aldin depressed a switch.

"Yes?" (curiousflick)

"There is an incoming call from Major Blake for you, Aldin."

"Put him through..." Blake appeared on Aldin's monitor, though a bit fuzzy. (Greetingsflick) "Steve. How are things down your way?"

"We're back in operation, but still doing some repairs. I can see this connection isn't the greatest, but no matter. How did you people fair up there?"

"I lost my nest as did several of the others. That on top of all the ice, the Council has decided to move everyone into the warren until spring."

"That's too bad. Come spring, I'll make sure a few crews of Lumberjacks are sent-up your way to help clean-up the aftermath."

(appreciativeflick) "Thanks, Steve. So is there anything else I can do for you today other then a friendly chat?" Aldin cringed as Tamarack dropped a rack of clean test tubes. He turned around to see the dejected squirrel grab a broom and dustpan. (sighflick) "As you can see, I've got my paws full up here."

Steve suppressed a giggle, but barely. "Well that's the main reason I'm calling, Aldin. I may have a henchbunny for you."

"What!?" Aldin's tail drooped.

"We've captured a bunny who is the only survivor of a failed raid or spy mission on this base, we don't know which yet. We've attempted to negotiate with the buns in Bangor to make a prisoner exchange, they're not interested. I've offered to spare his life if he cooperates. And I know how you're looking for a bunny..."

"But...but..."

"And we can't just let him go. We could just execute him, but it would be bad PR wihtout any reason, other the he's a devilbunny. Even if that is standard procedure...."

Aldin waved his tail frantically at the screen to try and get Steve's attention. (hhheeelllllloooflick) In a low voice Aldin replied, "With my current problems, I know I'm not ready to have a test subject yet."

"Test subject?" (embarrassedfluff) "I thought you were looking for a henchbunny. That's the proverbial carrot I waved under his nose. Cooperate and I'd send him to a mentat I owe a favor to so that he could become that mentat's rightpaw bun."

Aldin was silent for a moment and then, not able to help himself, started (chittergiggling) which led to full-out laughter until he lost his balance and rolled-about on the floor. Gripping his tail in his forepaws and gasping for breath, ignoring the looks his apprentices were giving him, Aldin finally dragged himself back over to the monitor.

(gigglechitter) "I'm sorry, Steve, I didn't think I'd fool you with those posts. Spirit knows it didn't fool the buns, though I thought I came close to snagging...what was that bun's name....Barleycorn...." Aldin trailed-off for a moment. "Steve, all those posts I made last fall weren't to find a henchbunny, it was to obtain a devilbunny guinea pig."

Steve was silent for a brief moment. "So?"

"What do you mean so? You're promising this bun his life and position as my helper if he cooperates. I guess it's true, you really are a devilbunny at heart, Steve." Steve (offendedfluff) on screen. Aldin smiled back. "Well, you're always teaching the recruits to 'never (STOMP!) trust (STOMP!) a (STOMP!) devilbunny! (STOMP!)'." }:3 Aldin paused a moment.

"I don't want a rabbit as my assistant...unless he's disavowed the ways of the mainstream buns and supports squirrel liberation." (howeverflick) "I can always use test subjects." Aldin smiled deviously, not unlike most Mentats contemplating their prey.

(whatthehellflick) "Go ahead, keep making the offer to him. If he betrays my trust, I've got several ideas on how to punish him." (howeverflick) "I want to interview my 'potential assistant' first." (coyflick) "And you might want to warn him as to what some of the questions will be." };3 "What is his name anyway?"

"Mustard Snowpaw. He's a snowshoe hare..." Steve briefed Aldin on what he knew about the bun so far.

That evening, exhausted, Aldin dragged himself into the warren burrow assigned to him and Ash. Ash (excitedflick) and leapt on him, snuggling him close and giving him his evening backrub which had become a ritual since about the time Ronin had moved to Namakata. Said backrub had virtually made Aldin her slave. She chittered in his ear softly as she did so.

"So how was your day, dear?"

Aldin relaxed under her ministrations and told her about the conversation with Steve and about the new arrival they may expect in the next week.

"I'll take responsibility for anything that happens. In the worst case scenario, either I'll have a test subject, or Ronin will have a sparring subject...." he turned around and hugged Ash as he finished.

"Be careful," she whispered and then, "I love you..."

Aldin hesitated a moment. "I..." (dejectedflick) He pulled-out of the embrace. "Forgive me, Ash. Part of me loves you, but a small part still yearns for..."

She pulled him back to herself. (hushflick) "I know, and I can accept that, as long as you still love me, at least a little."

"Yes...yes, I do..."

They snuggled-down together and slept soundly.

That same evening, Steve rapped on the door of the guest room and entered. The door clicked as it was locked behind him. The snowshoe hare in the room/cell looked-up at him from the bedding hollow in the floor.

"I've talked to the mentat. He's willing to possibly give you a chance if you want it...."

Mustard stared at him another moment before he replied. "That's one thing that has puzzled me all day, Major. What mentat in its right mind would be working with or for the Fudds? Unless...." Mustard paled. "No...not that crazy tree rat..."

"He's not crazy." (contemplatefluff) "Then again, he did save General Longear's life about two years back..."

Mustard looked at Steve blankly for a moment before he regained his voice. "Are you telling me that LonGears is alive thanks to a tree rat???"

(affirmativefluff) "Of course, Mentat Aldin Busheytail was forced to cooperate with the PAW buns at the time."

"And you want to ship me to him as a reward for betraying my fellow buns?!"

"Well, that was one alternative." (howeverfluff) "Your fellow buns betrayed you first. And Aldin has a very high sense of honor. You won't be harmed unless you betray his trust."

"I won't do it. You'll have to come-up with some other way to kill me.."

(soothingcalmfluff) "Take it easy. You'll have another day or so before you make your final decision. He wants to interview you first before he decides whether or not he'd want you to work for him. And if you cooperate, I'll tell you exactly what answers he'll want to hear."

"I SAID" (STOMP!) (wincefluff--though his foot didn't hurt as much this time) "I'm NOT interested!" But the reply fell on deaf ears as Major Blake had already left the room.

Mustard flopped-down on the blanket in the nesting pit, fuming to himself, which led to selfpity and a few tears. Again, he cursed the Black Rabbit for putting him through this rather then just taking him when he had pleaded for a quick death. He cursed Browny CrimsonPaw for sending him on this failed, cursed mission to begin with. He silently vowed he'd disembowl that bun someday if offered the chance. He then cursed RazorClaw for abandoning him here and fell into a fitful sleep.

A couple days passed and Blake checked-on his guest again. Mustard was in the infirmary having stitches removed and his bandages changed.

"How is our guest this morning?" Blake asked Doc.

Mustard glared at Blake as Doc replied, "Well on his way to as full of a recovery as he'll be able to considering the extent of his injuries."

"So how do you feel this morning, Mustard?" Steve asked.

"And why would you care?" (contemptfluff) "Why are you doing this anyway? Why not just kill me and be done with it?"

Steve moved within a fraction of an inch of Mustard's muzzle and whispered in a bone-chilling monotone. "Because as long as you live, there is hope. And by keeping you in Maine, I'm giving you a chance to take revenge on the buns who let you fall into my paws." (fangygrin) He pulled back. "You know, scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours..."

(STOMP!) "First you want to turn me over to some mad tree rat! Now you want me to kill my fellow buns?!"

Steve kept a calm voice despite Mustard's ranting. "Oh, so now we are a united front. This from a bun who has already been sentenced to death by his superiors for his failure. So you'd simply turn yourself over and let him disembowl you?"

"No.."

"Well, it seems you haven't given yourself much of an alternative, you can cooperate and have a chance at life to do with as you please, or you can sit here until you rot, or one of my subordinates kills you as you attack them when you do finally attempt to escape. The former provides you time to plot your revenge against RazorClaw or whoever sent and abandoned you here. I doubt you'll choose the latter..."

(defiantfluff) "And why's that, Major. You seem to know me so well..."

"Because you've had ample opportunity to get yourself killed, including right now, and you haven't taken advantage of it. You know what I think? I think that deep down you're afraid of dying. You want to live."

"The Black Rabbit doesn't want me yet.." Mustard whispered and then fell silent.

"Exactly," Blake replied, playing-up on the bun's beliefs. (perhapsfluff) "He wants you to deliver other rabbits to him first. I know, I tried for about three years trying to appease him myself, but my pleas fell on deaf ears also. He'll only listen when it's truly your time.

"In the meantime, Mentat Busheytail would like to interview you."

Mustard glared at Blake again. "I'm not interested in talking to a tree rat."

"Nevertheless, Aldin wishes to interview you before he decides whether or not he'll accept you as his henchbun. It'll be a video conference, just you and him at about 2pm this afternoon."

Seeing that Blake wasn't about to pay attention to any further protests, Mustard simply (sighpoofed) as Blake left.

"Sir, why are you doing this?"

Blake glanced-up from his desk at Sgt Eugene Pomerleau. "Doing what?"

"You know, what, Steve. Mustard. Keeping him alive is bad for moral. Several Fudds are whispering that you're going soft, perhaps even slipping over to the Fluffy side, by keeping him alive like this."

Blake's claws unsheathed as he stood-up behind his bun-sized desk. "You can tell them that maybe, just maybe they're right and I have slipped over into the Fluffy side. Our guest will receive a much worse fate then a quick, merciful execution by *POP*ping. You tell them I'm sick of the treatment our comrades receive in the enemy's paws and I will not sit back any more. There is nothing we can do for those who have perished in the past, but Mustard will be our example to the enemy as to what we will do from here on out with captured buns until they start to follow the very rules we had been following until now on the treatment of prisoners.

"I want you to pass the word along that I'll be handing Mustard over to Aldin Busheytail to do with as he please. Remind everyone that even though Busheytail is on our side, he's still a mentat and what that entails. Also imply that we may make shipments in the future down to Massachusetts if we should capture more then a couple buns. Does that clarify things, Sergeant?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then get to it!" (STOMP!)

Eugene saluted and did as he was ordered. The rumors stopped almost immediately. Word also leaked to Mustard in his room. In dejection, he drooped his ears. Whether he liked it or not, he'd have to talk to the tree rat and somehow satisfy its questions. He wasn't about to admit it to the traitorbun, but Blake was right, Mustard did want to live.

At about a quarter to two, a Fudd rolled a small monitor into Mustard's room/cell on a small cart. Below the monitor, mounted on the cart was a camcorder. Coaxial cable led from the camcorder to the monitor and out of the room, under the door. The screen was snowy and the volume was muted. Blake followed the Fudd into the room.

"Well, Mustard, Aldin will be calling through shortly." (fangygrin) "Good luck."

Blake and the Fudd left, closing the door behind them.

Outside, the Fudd asked, "Should we monitor the conversation, sir?"

"No. I respect Busheytail. If something comes-up, he'll signal us."

"Understood."

Fifteen minutes passed and the snowy screen changed to earthtones. Then a grey squirrel came into view. It moved its muzzle, speaking, but Mustard heard nothing. Mustard unmuted the monitor.

"...have the pleasure of speaking to?" The squirrel's tail held itself up in a questionmark-type gesture for a split moment before flicking-out (curiousflick).

(appologeticfluff) "Mentat, the monitor was muted."

The squirrel nodded. "The Major said your name was Mustard..."

(nervousnoddle) "Mustard SnowPaw, techbun...."

"Mentat Aldin Busheytail, head of research, Namakata Labs. What is your speciality, Techbun Mustard?" His tail did the questionmark thingy again. (curiousflick)

Mustard was taken aback. "Excuse me?"

Aldin's tail changed patterns. (patientflick) "I said, what technical aspect or aspects did you specialize in?"

(scuffpaw) "Well, um..."

Aldin leaned closer to the camera. "Well???"

(nervousfluff) "I've never been questioned like this before, it makes it harder to think..."

"Think of answers in general or answers to give the enemy?"

"A little bit of bot..." Mustard stopped in mid-sentence as he realized he's slipped-up.

Aldin leaned back from the camera. "I understand, relax, I can't bite you through the monitor," (gigglechitter). Aldin switched from English to bunny. (reasurefluff) "Would it be easier for you if I used bunnyspeak?"

Mustard froze. It was bad enough to have to talk to a tree rat to begin with, but he wasn't expecting this. Aldin read his body language and continued in bun.

"You have nothing to fear from me in this conversation. It is a private channel." (pawwavetoleft) "I have Blake on a separate channel if I should need him. Maybe it will help you if I told you a little history about Namakata..."

Aldin spent the next 20 minutes giving Mustard an overview of Namakata under Rabbit Mentat and what had happened to the squirrels there since then. Mustard had heard rumors about Namakata. But that's all they were, since most information about Namakata was under an Omega Seal by General LonGears' orders. He actually started to relax a little during the background lesson. *What kind of fool is this tree rat to give me this information?* he thought to himself.

It was like Aldin could read his mind. Actually he could read Mustard's body language. "Yes, maybe I am a fool, Mustard, for sharing this with you. But I want you to know, that I'm not trying to trick you or anything. If you satisfy the qualifications I'm looking for and Blake releases you to me, I want you to realize that my intentions are.." (sincerefluff/flick).

Mustard worked-up a little resolve. "Very well, Mentat..."

"You can drop the formalities for this conversation, Mustard."

(sighpoof) "As you wish, Aldin. But could we please switch back to English. I find bunspeaking with a tree...I mean squirrel..." (droopears) Mustard gave Aldin a panic look.

"You might as well get it out of your system now, Mustard." Aldin replied in English. "I'm use to it. I understand. You've probably never dealt with a squirrel who can speak fluently in bunspeak."

Mustard relaxed a little bit. "Well...yes, it is disconcerting."

"Very well. Where were we?" (ponderflick) "Ah, yes, what is your specialty."

"Repairs, communication, electronic, and general..."

"Ever work in a laboratory setting?"

The question and answer session went-on for another hour. By the end, Mustard couldn't believe what he had done...he had revealed so much to the squirrel...he was even thinking of Aldin in his head as a squirrel, rather then tree rat. Actually, if he closed his eyes, he could almost picture this squirrel as a rabbit, except for the high-pitched voice. Never once did Aldin attempt to pry into what his team had been doing near the Maine Fudd base.

(impressflick) "Well, Mustard, if you are willing to follow our rules, and Blake is willing to release you, I'm willing to give it a try. Provided you'd want to give being my henchbunny a shot...."

Mustard didn't even realize he was nodding his head yes until the screen went blank. The termination of the connection was like a spell had been broken. What the hell had he done? Why was he excited at the possibility of working for a tree rat? Yet, as he thought about it, some of what Aldin had said intrigued him, especially the background to Namakata. In the worse case scenario, yes, he'd have to live there a while and satisfy the tree rat's whims, but maybe, just maybe, he'd gather some useful information he could use to regain his proper place with his fellow buns....

"...he has a long way to go, but I've always liked a challenge. If you are willing to turn him over to me, I'm willing to give it a shot."

(concernfluff) "Are you sure, Aldin?"

(positiveflick)

"Very well, we shall see if he'll cooperate with my questions."

The screen went blank. Blake headed for Mustard's room/cell and found the bun to be rather anxious to talk to him.

"So you've made-up your mind?"

(wellfluff) "You haven't given me much choice. I never met a squirrel I liked before, but there's something about this Aldin that is different. Something that is...intriguing."

"And..."

(resignedpoof) "We were sent by Browny CrimsonPaw to disable your cuteness detection network while the power was out. Disable it in such a way that it would appear to still be functioning after you got your power back. That way..."

"That way later this spring, probably as part of a bigger offensive around Easter..." Blake replied, watching Mustard's reaction. "..he could launch a surprise attack on us, in the hopes of actually being able to defeat us and thus, gain enough clout to unseat RazorClaw and reclaim commandship of all bun forces Down East..."

(droopears) "Yes..." Mustard replied quietly. He was only slightly amazed at how quickly the traitorbun had pieced-together the plan. He felt sick inside, not so much because he had cooperated with the enemy, but because he felt little remorse in the betrayal.

"Did you actually tamper with any of the geometers?"

(negativefluff) "We never made it to the first one. I'm sure you'll be double-checking your security system anyway. I know I would. My party was taking a quick break under a large maple tree, consulting a map, when a huge, ice encrusted branch fell. I was the only one not hit by the branch, for I was..." (scuffpaw) "using the buck's room. All our equipment was destroyed. I lost control of myself and panicked when I saw what was left of my group and backed-away from the few survivors pinned-under the branch begging for my help..." Mustard paused as images of his comrades under the branch came back to haunt him. "..I...I must have become disoriented or something between my panic and the cold, for the next thing I remember, your men were calling me out of a hollow demanding my surrender...

(guiltyfluff) "I should have maintained better control and at least granted my comrades a merciful death. Instead, they died slowly, freezing to death, pinned under that branch..." (droopears) "and I should have joined them..."

Blake kept a cool facade. "And your assignment as part of this party?"

(resignedfluff) "As techbun, it was going to be my job to do the actual tampering to the detectors." (sighpoof) "Are you satisfied, now, Major? Not only have I failed in my mission, I've betrayed those who perished out there and my fellow buns back home...."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mustard. Get some rest, you'll be travelling tomorrow to your new home at Namakata."

Steve turned and left. Sleep did not come to Mustard easily as he kept replaying the day's events in his mind, wondering why he had done as he did. He was bothered not so much by committing the betrayal as to why it didn't seem to bother him as much as it should have.

The noise despite the ear protection was nearly unbearable. Worst of all, Mustard had no clue where they were. It had been hours since he got was inside the wire cage. It had been covered with a tarp, and set in a sled being dragged by a snowmobile. The trail they were on weaved, dipped and jostled the cage about. Mustard wrapped himself tighter in the blanket he had been provided with praying the agonizing trip would end soon. Finally, the sled came to a stop and the engine shut-down.

Mustard the cage get lifted up and set-down again on the ice-encrusted snow. A squirrel's head poked under the tarp and studied him for a moment. He paw-motioned to Mustard, indicating it was safe to remove the ear protection. The squirrel then left.

The cage was lifted again and carried a distance. Mustard could tell by the change in lighting being filtered through the blue tarp that they had gone underground. Also the temperature got significantly warmer.

"You sure you want to risk this, Aldin? He maybe nearly weaponless now, but in a few more weeks, he'll have regrown those claws..." a definitely human voice said.

"Nothing to worry about," came a reply in a high-pitched voice. "I'm sure we can handle him if he should misbehave." (gigglechitter)

Mustard could tell they were descending some stairs. Then they walked for some more time and finally the cage was set-down.

"Good luck."

"Take care, Gene."

A door closed and the tarp was removed. Mustard blinked for a moment and stared through the cage bars at a grey squirrel.

(greetingsflick) "Mustard, welcome to your new home!" (enthusiasticflick) "This is the lab where you'll work. Your privileges will be few at first, but as you prove yourself, you will be given more." The squirrel pointed with his tail to a door behind him and to the left. "Your private room is beyond that door. A crew is suppose to be in Monday to start adding a bath to the far end of that room." (appologeticflick) "In the meantime, you'll be stuck using kitty litter."

The squirrel cautiously unlocked the cage and backed-up. Mustard gave him a look, stretched, pulling himself out from beneath the blanket and got-out of the cage. He contemplated leaping for the squirrel for a brief moment, even without claws, he figured he could bite its head-off before it could react. Then he heard what sounded like strings twanging. He cautiously turned his head to see three more squirrels on the far wall with what looked like mini-crossbows aimed at him. The squirrel who had been talking to him glared at the others.

(scoldchitter) "Put those away!" (glare) "NOW!" (squirrelystomp!)

The others hesitated for a split moment and then lowered and uncocked the weapons.

"Leave."

(protestflick) "But..."

"Leave! I've dealt with buns alone before."

The others complied with the order.

Mustard turned back to the first squirrel who was digging-out some medical equipment.

"Now then, a quick physical to make sure Doc didn't miss anything and then I can give you a tour of the lab..."

Mustard was a little too bewildered by what had happened to raise a protest as the squirrel pawed and poked at him, examining his healing wounds with great interest. The squirrel's tail flicked up and down a few times. He didn't bother with small talk, but concentrated on examining the bun.

"Yes, Doc did a clean job of it. Good. Come, a brief tour..."

"I take it you are Aldin?"

The tail flicked-up and down again (affirmativeflick). "Yes, and you'll start work tomorrow, Mustard. This way..."

Aldin showed Mustard around the lab. The room was spacious enough for humans. The bun noted that nothing was left out in the open and all equipment was locked-up. There wasn't even a test tube brush lying around. The squirrel, definitely, was not as much of a fool as he first thought. They stopped in front of the door Aldin had pointed to with his tail earlier.

"This will be your room. Not much in the way of furnishings yet. You'll probably want to retrieve that blanket from the cage for tonight..." He pawed the door open. "The warren was originally constructed by buns for bun use, we had been using this room for storage. You can redecorate it to your fitting in your spare time..."

Mustard peaked-in. Unlike the grand-scale of the lab, this room was bun-sized, almost cozy. The walls were a soft pink. On one wall was a small desk and terminal. Other then that, the room was empty.

"You have read-only access to the net in general. You will also be permitted read-only access to some of our general files that will allow you to better familiarize yourself with the history of this facility. I strongly suggest you start with that for tonight. You've also been allocated 1 MB of personal journal space to start with if you should choose to keep a private journal...."

Mustard stared at Aldin. "Why are you entrusting me with so much so soon?"

(gigglechitter) "Am I? If you haven't noticed, there is no lock on the inside of your room's door, yet. So when you settle in for the night be sure you bring a bottle of water or Snapple™ with you. As for the computer access, we follow standard guidelines...."

"So, I am still a prisoner."

The squirrel's tail flicked up and down again. "You think I'd be stupid enough to give a devilbunny free access to the entire facility as soon as he arrives? You'll earn privileges as you prove yourself over time. The journal space, which only you will be able to access, is an extra I threw-in. I'm sure a month or so from now, if you go back to your first entries, you won't believe how much your view of this 'prison' has changed."

"So am I to be your henchbunny or just another guinea pig?"

The squirrel smiled deviously at him, his tail flicking in a lazy pattern. "That depends on your behavior, Mustard. If you prove yourself trustworthy, you will become my henchbunny. Who knows, maybe we'll even heal your injuries. I'm sure you'd like to get the rest of your rearpaws, your eartips and tail back...."

Aldin's tail swirled-about. All the tail movement was starting to make Mustard sick. (howeverflick) "However, betray that trust and we'll have to try a few experiment ideas on you I have planned for LonGears if I should ever get my paws on him." (gigglechitter)

Aldin turned towards another door that led to a small kitchen. "Come, I'm sure you're hungry." Mustard followed as the squirrel led-on, wondering if maybe, just maybe he'd have been better-off trying to escape from the Fudds.

Aldin Busheytail, Squirrelmentat, Head of Namakata Labs

(chittersigh) To be continued as time is found under: Mustard's Journal

Copyright violators will be pelted to death with walnuts and the
remains divided amoung devilbunny mentats, Fudd scientists and the
War of Four for experimentation!  You have been (warnflick)!