First posted to alt.devilbunnies 19 April-3 May, 1999.
©1999 by Scott Bernier
First HTML-ized 7 May, 1999
As with the rest of my stories to date for 1999, this one is interconnected with the rest to some extent.
Return to Moxie's Stories homepage.
| Phase 2-1 | Phase2-6 | Phase2-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 2-2: Widebeam to all Warrens | Phase2-7 | Phase2-11 |
| Phase2-3 | Phase2-8 | Phase2-12 |
| Phase2-4 | Phase2-9 | Phase2-13 |
| Phase2-5 |
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Parts 1 & 2 take place while Cathy is visiting Volo Bog Warren.
(yawnstretch) Sugartail hopped into the comm center after being summoned.
"Councilor." The commbun on duty (salutefluff). "We just received this communication from DEWComm."
Sugartail read over it and (sighfluffed). "Send a copy of this to my sisters in the morning and let them know I'm already taking care of the situation. Send acknowledgement to DEWComm and let them know we will do what we can. I have a message to compose that I will then need sent out on a BUNIX™ widebeam."
"As you wish." (salutefluff)
*Looks like I need to sweeten the honey some more...* Sugartail thought to herself as she wrote out the message.
Return to the
Phase2-2: Widebeam to all Warrens
*****BUNIX™ WIDEBEAM TO ALL WARRENS*****
****RELEASE VERSION 99*****
(greetingsfluff) I am one of the three members of TorbiqueWarren's ruling council. We are a small warren in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada with jurisdiction over the upper St. John River Valley as far as the Quebec border.
I am sending out this widebeam for I need the help of my fellow buns-in-paws. A Fudd spy could be travelling among us. If she currently isn't doing so, I expect her to do so in the near future. I recently learned she is alive and well, despite reports to the contrary.
She is Catherine Duquette-Blake, adopted daughter of the traitorbun, Steve Blake. She has the same pelt collorations as the Major, but is slightly smaller in size. She is to be considered very dangerous as she has been personally trained by the Major.
I want her captured ALIVE and as unharmed as possible (STOMP!). She is useless to me dead or injured. I don't care what you use, cages, tranq-darts, whatever, as long as I get her in an uninjured state. She was mine before the Major took her from me. I have met her muzzle-to-muzzle briefly, but could not convince her to hear me out at that time.
I did give her a code that initiates a special bunmover navigation program. Once activated from within a bunmover, it will lock her in said bunmover and deliver her to Torbique. All she may need is a little 'coaxing' to use that code. This would probably be the safest method for any of you to try and apprehend her. Shut down your bunmover station, leaving one car there. Chase her in and give her little choice--capture or flee. If she uses the code, it will override all shut-down commands.
Under no circumstances should anybun attempt to apprehend her alone. She is quite capable of defending herself, having been trained by Major Blake.
I am, personally, offering a 40 toe reward for delivery of Catherine, unharmed and alive, to me here at Torbique. The bun(s) who successfully bring her to me will get to choose those 40 toes fresh off Fudd or traitor-symp monkey feet that we have access to here at Torbique Warren. If she is forced to use her code, the program will record where the mover car originated from to determine who gets rewarded. If you do not wish to come in person, we will truss-up two Fudd or traitor-symp monkeys and ship them back in the same movercar to do with as you wish in place of the 40 toes.
May Frith watch over all of you,
Councilor SugarTail, TorbiqueWarren
*****END TRANSMISSION*****
Return to the
Cathy got off the bunmover somewhere in central Illinois. She intended to switch movers to head towards her next assignment up in Michigan. She moved along calmly and easily through the mixed crowd of buns. The crowd thinned and all but disappeared as they either boarded various movers or headed down the two tunnels and into the warren this station was connected to. She was left sitting alone waiting for the next mover which wasn't due for another 15 minutes.
Cathy pulled a bun-size copy of The Long Patrol from her knapsack and read a few pages. She became aware that things were too quiet around her and she looked about. There wasn't a bun in sight. Her danger sense was sounding off within her head. She put the book away and moved towards the platform, checking the time on an overhead clock. The mover she wanted was late.
"Going somewhere?" (gigglefluff)
Cathy had all she could do to not leap in surprise as she turned around towards one of the warren tunnels to see the speaker and the dozen buns backing her up. A quick glance towards the other tunnel showed another dozen buns. *Pellets.* Her ears pricked upwards slightly as she caught the sound of a bunmover approaching.
The head doe continued. "I'm afraid you're going to miss your connection, Ms.....Blake, isn't it?" She hopped forward enough to let the others past her who surrounded Cathy but kept their distance. "We don't welcome traitorbuns in these parts." (howeverfluff) "If you surrender, you will not be harmed." As she finished, the bunmover came to a stop and the door opened.
Cathy leapt in and pushed the emergency lock button. The doors slammed shut behind her before any of the buns on the platform could pursue. As she moved up towards the navigation computer, the mover lost all power.
"You think I didn't plan for this, Catherine...or do you prefer Cathy?" The head doe continued though muffled by the closed doors. "It's only a matter of time. Why make it hard on yourself?" She earsignalled two buns who came forward with acetylene blowtorches, lit-up and started cutting into the mover's door. "Why not just surrender, Cathy dear?"
Cathy was near total panic. She pawed away at the computer keyboard with no response. All systems were locked down. She sat back and shook in fear and shock.
"NO!" (STOMP!) "I won't be captured here....but dare I do it?" She shook even more as she pulled the knapsack off and pulled out a small palmtop. It had a compressed version of BunnyStumper Deluxe™ on it, Windows CE™ and some basic programs. She ripped the bottom cover off as the blowtorches continued to cut through the door. She didn't have much time.
Cathy slashed off the panel below the mover's computer keyboard and pulled two wires out, pink and mauve. She stripped the ends and wired them into the palmtop. She then booted up the palmtop. It flickered to life, but was dim as she attempted to access the mover's computer through it. She glanced behind to the mover's door to see the buns were nearly through.
"Father, forgive me." With tears in her eyes she typed:
89(FLUFF)TR764GO
and hit enter.
The mover came to life and shot down the tunnel. The two techbuns were knocked aside, but were uninjured. The doe in charge simply smiled and sent a message off to Torbique Warren requesting the two trussed-up monkeys option.
Return to the
*****BUNNYSTUMPER DELUXE™ TIGHTBEAM*****
*****EMERGENCY CHANNEL*****
*****TO LT McMALLEY, NoCO INTELLIGENCE*****
The enemy is on to me. Have barely escaped, but may have leapt out of frying pan and into fire. I fully expect they will be waiting for me at the terminal this mover stops at. Enclosed is all the data I have been able to collect on warrens I have passed through since leaving Volo Bog Warren, along with what little new information I obtained on Volo Bog. I will also enclose Brightspot's plans for 'reducing the problems Volo Bog is having with its db neighbors'. Will be destroying this system as soon as broadcast is complete. Will try to make my way to a pick-up point. In meantime all my codes should be deleted except for the emergency frequency. I'm sorry I have failed you, sir. Tell my parents I love them.
Agent Catherine Blake
Enclosures
*****SIGNAL TERMINATED*****
After ensuring all data has downloaded to NoCO, Cathy rips the palmtop to shreds and takes a lighter to the small hard drive. Having no more control over the mover or her situation, she sits back as comfortably as she can in a bun-size chair and continues reading her book. She already has a plan prepared for her arrival at Torbique Warren.
Return to the
The mover slowed down and stopped. It showed signs of a blowtorch having been taken to the door. As Sugartail had instructed, no bun got closer then 10 meters to the platform except for herself. She sat there with two large backpacks filled with food and supplies. A second mover arrived on the other line and its doors opened. Finally, the first mover's doors opened and Cathy stood in the entryway.
(greetingsfluff) "Cathy, dear. I'll cut the small talk for I'm sure you're not too happy right now. The last warren you were at sent out a message about you..."
(glarefluff) "Don't give me that. You promised me safe passage, so provide it." (STOMP!)
Sugartail continued as if she hadn't heard Cathy's statement. "I know how uncomfortable you must feel being here, so we won't stay." That last part caught Cathy off-guard. "About two and a half years ago, I had promised to take you to see the Grand Canyon. Don't you think it's time I kept that promise, dear?"
Cathy looked at Sugartail suspiciously and looked about the platform. All the other buns had backed off further. *Alright, I'll play your game,* she thought to herself and then replied, "Get in."
Sugartail shook her head. (negativefluff) "That mover's damaged. We're going to switch to the other one." She picked-up one of the packs and hauled it to the second mover. Cathy hesitantly departed her mover, small knapsack on her back and picked-up the other pack and followed. All the other buns kept their distance.
Sugartail looked back at Cathy when she paused on the platform. "Well come-on dear, unless you'd rather stay here a while." Cathy complied. The door shut behind her.
After their mover departed, a group of buns hopped forward dragging two gurneys. They moved two trussed-up, naked humans from the gurneys into the damaged bunmover car and sent it on its way back to Illinois as promised.
Return to the
Silence commanded the first few hours of the trip. Cathy sat there quietly reading. Sugartail left her be at first, but couldn't take it any longer.
"You're taking this awful calmly for a bun who wanted to rip me apart in our last meeting."
Cathy glanced up from her book. "The only thing stopping me now is your promise," she responded coldly. "Why don't you just give me your pitch and be done with it, Sugartail. You could never lie convincingly to me. I know you sent out a description of me. What did it cost you to get their cooperation?"
(sighfluff) "Yes, I got impatient waiting for you to come see me. That warren's leader received two fatted humans in exchange for convincing you to come visit me. As for my 'pitch', I don't have one."
Cathy glared at her and put away the book.
(honestfluff) "I don't. What's the point? You've been brought-up a Fudd and wouldn't listen to me anyway. You'd simply write it off as propaganda." (noddle) "I simply wanted to talk to you and hoped we wouldn't wind-up as mortal enemies. We had been friends for a while before things went sour two-and-a-half years ago...And...I wanted to try to help make-up for what Lapine did. When I brought you and Julie to Torbique, I really didn't know he was going to have your parents murdered....
They talked for several hours, Cathy providing Sugartail with no new information. The two of them fell asleep as the long range mover continued on a course for Arizona.
Return to the
The mover slowed and came to a stop.
"Where are we?"
"Some small medical warren near Flagstaff. We need to switch movers here for the rest of the trip up to the Grand Canyon. Come along and stick close."
Cathy followed, but took in the platform around her. The mover they boarded was smaller.
"We'll be at the North Rim in an hour," Sugartail commented as they settled into their seats.
"North Rim?"
(noddle) "It's about 1000 ft higher then the South Rim and it's closed to humans this time of year, so we'll be able to enjoy the view without worrying about anyone seeing us." (besidesfluff) "I've never been to the North Rim."
Cathy did the best she could to hide her excitement. She knew Sugartail was trying hard to throw her off-guard. She prayed that Sugartail would keep her end of the deal after they toured the canyon.
Return to the
The mover came to a stop and they got out onto a largish platform. It was quiet except for the echo of their paws on the stone floor. There was nobun about.
"According to the bunnet brochures, even buns tend to not come to the North Rim when it's closed. Why? I don't know." Sugartail commented. "So, I'm not surprised we're alone. It could also be that few buns like hiking in the last 4 miles by paw as I told you on the trip up..."
Sugartail trailed off as she secured the bun pack to her back and Cathy did likewise. They hopped down a tunnel away from the bunmover and eventually up to the surface. It was a sunny early spring afternoon outside. They were on the edge of a meadow surrounded by pine trees. A herd of deer grazed in the meadow.
"This way," Sugartail motioned with a nod of her head and started hopping slightly west of south, skirting the edge of the meadow. "It's 3 miles to camp and another mile from there to the rim."
Cathy was silently surprised by the sights and smells around her. All the pictures she had seen of the Grand Canyon were dessert-like and stark. She didn't expect there to be a forest near the canyon. The air was cooler then she figured it would be. Overall, it was a lot like home, more so then she expected. If they hadn't switched movers in Flagstaff she would have been suspicious and accused Sugartail of taking her on a long about route to northern Maine.
Sugartail set a leisurely pace through the forest. It took them ninety minutes to reach the base camp, a small primitive warren set on the edge of a human campground. The campground was empty as expected. There was a single bun at the warren. A grizzled elderly buck who waggled his ears in excitement at having visitors. He introduced himself as Kaibun, caretaker of North Rim Warren. Cathy learned that she and Sugartail were the first buns he'd seen in close to a month.
"Normally, visitors are on their own for meals," Kaibun stated as he led them to a small burrow within the warren, his voice similar to what one would expect out of an old prospector, "but I expect you two to attend dinner with me. I'd like to hear the latest news going on in the outside world."
Cathy hesitated and Sugartail picked-up on the body language. She hopped aside and whispered into Kaibun's ear, just loud enough so Cathy would overhear her. "That's very kind of you, Kai, but my niece is on one of those New Age kicks. She won't touch anything with human in it."
Kaibun's eyes widen to the size of saucers a moment. He replied quietly, "You don't say?" (shakesmuzzle) "Not even toes? What are today's kits coming too?" He looked towards Cathy and spoke to her, "So you're one of those Fudditarian types, huh? Not a problem. We'll have some nice spring herb and leek soup and I'll see what else I can muster up. It'll be ready in 'bout an hour, so don't be late!" He hopped off down the tunnel at a clip that belied his age and appearance.
"Guess we'll get our first glimpse of the canyon after dinner," Cathy stated as she stretched a moment and laid down in the sleeping hollow.
"Don't count on it. That buck hasn't seen anybun in a while, he'll probably talk our ears off all evening."
Return to the
Cathy complimented her host on the dinner as she sat back stuffed. It was the best soup she had ever had. She had been too embarrassed to ask for more at first, but Kaibun hadn't mind. Before she was done, she had put away three bowls of the soup. Kaibun now sat back and lit a bun-sized pipe. Burning clover wafted in the warren's small dining commons. He conversed with Sugartail for over an hour without Cathy adding anything to the conversation. She started to drift off when she heard Kai mention her name. She snapped awake and alert instantly.
"I'm sorry..."
"I said," he repeated (patientfluff), "that your pelt is bit lighter in color in that one spot on your flank. Matter of fact, it looks rather thin. Have you been injured?"
Sugartail moved closer to her. "May I look? You didn't tell me you were injured." Cathy held still for she didn't think putting up a protest here would do her much good. Sugartail tsked.
"This scar looks rather new."
"It is," Cathy stated. "Fudd axe."
Kai gasped. "What's a nice doe like you doing anywhere near Fudds?"
(bambieyes) "Spying."
Kai blinked. "Come again?"
"Spying. You know, James Bun 007 type stuff. I was at a Fudd base. As my cover, I was a Fudd-bun agent providing a hand-to-paw combat training course. The Fudds bought my cover story and needed the training, badly. All except for one, who was a little too good. I'm sure that small base no longer exists." (fangygrin) "Auntie Sugartail offered to bring me out here to give me extra time to recover from that incident before my next assignment." She caught Sugartail's eyes briefly warning her not to press further.
Soon afterwards, they parted their separate ways and settled down for the night. Cathy had a hard time falling asleep. As kindly as he seemed to be, she didn't trust Kaibun. She trusted Sugartail even less.
Return to the
Words could not begin to describe the Grand Canyon as viewed from the North Rim. It took Cathy's breath away. Sugartail also appeared awed.
"This is a much better view then the South Rim. We've got a lot of ground to cover though if we are going to attempt the rim-to-rim-to-rim hike."
It took several hours to descend to the canyon floor. It was much warmer then either of them had expected and they were both panting from the heat and from the long hike. Neither of them were in shape to complete the entire hike. They discussed this on the shore of the Colorado River in the shade under the footbridge that crossed the river. They agreed to turn back, but to take it easy on the ascent back up to the North Rim.
Sugartail was happy to see that Cathy was keeping a friendly truce with her since their arrival the day before. She hoped it would become more then a truce with a little more time. This 'vacation' to the Grand Canyon was proving worth the time and effort.
Return to the
PiG-13 Alert: The following may be a bit too violent for some kits.
They were back on the North Rim just before sunset and gazed in wonder at the sight before them as the sun set. Cathy blinked at what she saw.
"Did you see that?" she squealed almost kittishly. "Did you, Sugartail?"
"See what?"
"The green flash. Eugene told me about that once. It's a rare thing to see. Even he hasn't seen it before! Just as the last speck of the sun sets, there's a brief flash of green light. He's shown me pictures of it in some of his weather books...." she drifted off as she caught herself stating more then she really wanted to say. She needed to be more careful.
"No, I didn't see it, Cathy, but now that I know what to watch for, maybe we'll both see it tomo.." Sugartail froze as her ears pricked up.
Cathy looked about slowly. They were being watched from the trail at the rim. Six buns, all bucks.
One of them catwhistled. "So what's a couple of lovely does doing way out here? There might be Fudds about. I bet you could use our protection, right boys?" They agreed with the speaker as they quickly surrounded the two does.
Sugartail whispered in Cathy's ear. "If we give them what they want they'll leave us be."
Cathy glared at her. "No [PiG-13] way!" (STOMP!) She glared out at the bucks, unsheathing her claws. (SNICK!) "I'm quite capable of taking care of myself around Fudds, thank you."
The apparent leader pawsignalled and the group pounced on the two. Or tried to anyway. Two went sailing quickly over the rim. Over the noise of fighting, no bun heard them hit the side of the canyon on the way down.
Cathy was too busy fighting two others to see how Sugartail was doing. She threw one over her and into the side of one of the human lodges near the trail head. The other leapt at her only to get himself disemboweled on the spot. As she turned, she slammed to the ground as the ringleader pounced on her back. She felt him thrust himself inside her twice before she could get her paws under her and leap-up, with her assailant on her back. Her vision turned red with fury over what was happening to her. They slammed into the roof overhang of the same lodge his 'buddy' lay slumped against.
Loosing his grip on Cathy, he tumbled to the ground. Before he could recover, he found himself muzzle-to-muzzle with her. "That's the last mistake you'll ever make," she said in an icy cold monotone as she slashed-out with one hind paw and peeled his pelt off him in one clean stroke. He stared at her in shock, pain etched on his bloody muzzle, and collapsed in a pool of his own blood.
The other bun shook himself awake and stared at what was left of his leader, then looked up at Cathy. He defecated at the look she gave him displaying the pelt to him. He bolted down the trail, tumbling as he went. She turned towards Sugartail. Sugartail's assailant was keeping his distance from her, half his right ear missing, blood trickling onto his forehead. He looked at Cathy and the bloody pelt in her paws. He, too, bolted down the trail.
Return to the
Sugartail attempted to wash some of the blood off using a canteen from her pack. She hopped towards Cathy who had curled-up in a ball. (concernfluff) "Are you alright, Cathy?"
She pulled out of the ball slightly and glared at Sugartail with tear-filled eyes. "Give them what they want?!" She unculred completely and faced Sugartail. (STOMP! and wincefluff) "How dare you! Am I alright?! Do I look alright? That buck raped me!" (STOMP!) She threw the pelt down at her feet. "I intend to clean that up and bring it home. It'll make a nice trophy."
Sugartail drooped her ears. "I'm sorry, I know its traumatic, and I know my sentiment doesn't help much, Catherine. They caught me by surprise too. I had made that comment to you before they attacked to rile you up. I saw that as the only way we'd pull through. I didn't expect that buck," she points to the pelt at their feet, "to get a lucky leap in." (droopears) "I fended off two of them, but it wasn't enough. I had promised to protect you and I've failed." She attempted to bunnyhug and comfort Cathy.
Cathy lashed-out and Sugartail barely dodged in time. "Stay away from me!" (STOMP!) "I'm tired of your games." She picked-up the pelt and started hopping slowly in the direction of Kaibun's warren.
Sugartail wiped a few tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Catherine. Really I am. I wish I could do something for you, but I know I can't. However, we could travel back to Flagstaff in the morning and see a medbun. Other then what that buck did, are you alright?" (concernfluff)
Cathy stopped and hesitated. She checked herself carefully. "I believe this is all his blood. I'm sore, but not injured other then..." She stared at Sugartail and paused. "Yes, I enjoyed ripping him apart! He deserved a slower death though for what he did." (STOMP!)
"Then you're in better shape then you realize, dear." There was true motherly concern in Sugartail's voice and body language. "Come on, I bet it'll take us at least an hour to get back. We'll need to tell Kaibun what happened. He'll need to radio the parkbuns on the South Rim to send a clean-up team." Sugartail's tone completely disarmed any anger Cathy had towards her. Feeling too fatigued to argue further, she followed Sugartail, carrying the bloody pelt with her. Sugartail quietly cursed the fates over what had happened. She felt she had been real close to winning Cathy over until this incident.
Return to the
Cathy and Sugartail bade farewell to Kaibun early the following morning and headed north towards the bunmover terminal. They covered the three miles rather quickly. When they reached the edge of the last meadow, Cathy stopped and hesitated. Sugartail edged closer to her.
"What is it?" Sugartail inquired as she gazed out into the meadow. There were no deer in sight. Silence greeted them.
"I'm sorry," Cathy wiped a single tear out of her eye. She (bunnyhugged) Sugartail briefly. "I've really enjoyed the small time we've had together, but it has come to an end. We're not on the same side of this war. Stay hear and I'll make sure they don't harm you."
Before Sugartail could respond, Cathy bolted ahead of her. Ten camouflaged humans wielding supersoakers and axes emerged from the undergrowth on the northern edge of the meadow. Two took aim at Cathy, while the others looked about wearily. Cathy did a complicated set of leaps and paw movements which appeared to be some sort of recognition signal, for the Fudds lowered their weapons. One started to radio into a headset.
Cathy came to a screeching halt as a score pair of rabbit ears popped up out of the thick meadow cover. The Fudds brought their weapons to bear as the rabbits attacked.
"Nnnnnooooooo!!!!!!!" Cathy yelled as she started leaping towards the chaos as screeches of pain from both human and bun echoed across the meadow. Quickly, the Fudds were overcome by the superior (though reduced) bun force. She leaped at the nearest bun, determined to take some of them with her.
The bun barely dodged. As Cathy rolled out on her landing, she was stung on the back and in the rump several times. She tried to leap again, only to slump over as the tranquilizer darts took effect. Darkness enveloped her.
Sugartail hopped up and saluted the Park Bunranger and his troops. They had lost 8 buns in the battle, but all ten Fudds also lay dead.
"I recognized your name from that message you sent out earlier this week, Councilor," the ranger stated. "I suspected your 'niece' might try something. It's a dangerous game you play with this" he nudged Cathy's body with a paw "traitorbun."
"I thank you and your buns for your help in this matter, Ranger, but I 'play this game' out of necessity. I had nearly won her over before the incident last night." Sugartail lashed off the boot of the nearest Fudd and munched on a couple of toes. She bit off the other three and packed them carefully in cloth. "How long will she be out?"
"Probably 6 hours. Long enough for you to get to the nearest warren and then some."
Sugartail nodded her approval. "Could you spare a couple of your buns to carry her down to the bunmover?"
The rangerbun nodded. Two of his deputies helped Sugartail while the rest cleaned-up the carnage topside. She set the mover on a course down to Flagstaff. Storing the extra toes in the mover's small fridge, she sat back next to Cathy's still form and stroked her fur briefly.
(pityfluff) "We'll have to do this the hard way, I guess, dear. I had really hoped we wouldn't have to do it this way." She wiped a small tear off her muzzle.
END
Return to the