First posted to alt.devilbunnies 20-28November, 1999 in collaboration with William Wade and Tammy Sue Keyes.
©1999 by Scott Bernier, William Wade, and
Tammy Sue Keyes.
First HTML-ized 29December, 1999 by Scott Bernier
NOTE: Like all my other stories in 1999, this one is interrelated to those before and after it. In particular, this story should be read before you read Cathy's Temptation, even though parts 6-13 of this story correspond to parts 1-8 of that story.
Return to Scott's devilbunnies stories homepage.
Prologue--Widebeam to Wade (Was: RE: The Four Explained)
[Author's Note: There was a short series of banter posts that led up to the following reply, which sparks the beginning of this tale.]
Wade wrote in delirium:
[My demand for Wade's death.]
[nibbled throughout]
>we would never lower ourselves to ally with a group that >doesn't have the conviction to liquidate all of humanities enemies.
You lie as well as your allies do, monkey scum.
>The only reason that I helped the Fudds is due to an old debt to Sgt. Eugene.
So you admit that Sgt. Pomerleau *HAS* aided you before. You admit the Four and the Army of Fudd have collaborated. Thank you, Wade.
>This brings me to my next point, GIVE ME BACK SGT. EUGENE.
(narrowseyes) Who are you, scum, to dictate to me in *MY* territory. You lost the battle, get over it. Go back to Massachusetts where you came from. You are not worth the resources to hunt down.
>Next, your continued presence in the valley is an act of war.
(gigglefluff) We weren't at war before??? You, my dear Wade, are crazier then the average member of your group.
I wasn't going to bother responding to your pathetic demands, but I felt obliged to respond. You see, Wade, I owe you a small debt of gratitude. Frith forgive me, I'm about to thank a Fourier. If it weren't for you, Wade, and that all-but-failed attack you made on us last December, my foolish brother would still be alive and in power. I would never have advanced beyond symp relations and the Fudds would still be in control of the lower third of this state.
(fangygrin) But you stormed into my brother's trap and he, being the fool he was, underestimated you in single hand-to-paw combat. Thanks to you, Wade, I was able to take command and decimate the Maine Fudd forces. (narroweyes) If you had kept out of a fight that was none of your business, it would have been a total victory, not that it wasn't already. How many Fudds did you rescue? 10...15 at most? What few that are left are not a threat and I can snuff them out at anytime, for I now control all but a small portion of this state. And I have you to thank for it, Wade.
(appreciativefluff) The Fudds should have been more careful in who they chose for allies. (gigglewigglefluff... rollaboutonthefloorlaughingforafewminutes)
(Gasp, pant, gasp) Where was I? Oh yeah...in repayment of that debt, if you quit your babbling and crawl back under the rock you came from, I'll ignore your insect-like annoyance and not hunt you down. (STOMP!)
Commander CrimsonPaw, DEWComm
Return to the
Wade walked into his war room followed by Cassandra.
"Cassandra, this is another insult. He treats me as if I am nothing, does he not know that I am serious in what I say. I want him to pay. I don't care how, but he must be made to pay. What does that Dark One say?"
"My Lord, I feel that he has already answered you. One of the buns has accepted the gift. Surprisingly, he lived and he is recuperating in the BAS (Battalion Aid Station. Marine term). Second, my brother is among the prisoners. I couldn't believe it, but there he was. He didn't recognize me at first, but when I talked to a nearby bun he recognized my voice. He yelled out to me, giving away my former identity, but luckily he was in a small cell and I only had to kill three buns. I believe that he will want to convert. He always looked up to me, so I think it would only take a little "reeducation" to convince him to join us."
"There may be a huge possibility in this. Would your brother agree to return to his warren to spy for us? With the body of a vermin creature, but the soul of a true child of the Dark One would allow us to find out what has truly happened to Sgt. Pomerleau. Either way he will need to be brought into the family. Have him released into your care and do what you think necessary. Next, I think it is time to strengthen our patrols. Two man patrols are too easily overwhelmed. Second, we will now start targeting the supply convoys. Symps will no longer be off limits, they will be terminated with extreme prejudice. Without supplies we would be able to starve their outpost. I want to weaken all of the vermin lord's support. Maybe if the symps become scared enough it will slow down or completely stop the convoys. I know we can't win by numbers. We once numbered thirty highly trained men, but now after all these battles I can only muster about nineteen men. Even with recruiting and the addition of you and this new wyrmbunny the casualties are more than we can take. We must recruit heavier among the buns. These recent battles must have hurt them and caused some to become disillusioned. The Fudds we rescued might also provide us with new blood. Hopefully, our saving them will have created goodwill and make it easier for them to join us."
"My Lord, I believe my brother will join us and consent to what ever you want. I will have him brought before you tonight. Second, I understand your worries about our men, but we must remember that the Dark One will support us. Every time I look into those buns eyes I can see that the once glorious thoughts and ideals are starting to waver. I can almost see their hope die. Some want revenge so badly that they can taste it. This in itself is what will draw them to us. All we need to do is twist it and make them see that we are not the killers or enemies, but that their leaders are the cause of their suffering. Hatred is such a powerful tool."
"We must use every tool at our disposal. Have the Marshals sent in when you leave. I will see your brother later tonight in my throne room. "
Cassandra bowed and left the room.Return to the
John was driving along the China Road in Winslow. He was about twenty minutes away from the bun outpost in China. He was in a pretty good mood, because he had been promised conversion if he remained faithful to the fluffy cause. John turned onto the twisty, windy Pleasant View Ridge Road and drove past brown cow pastures. After he crested the ridge, the road narrowed and trees closed in upon the road from both sides. "Only a half-mile to go," he commented to no one.
Suddenly figures jumped into the road and John slammed the brakes. When he recognized the men as Fouriers he tried to slam on the gas, but was stopped when a hand reached through the window to grab him by the neck.
"Stop moving scum or I'll terminate you right here!!!"
John went limp and prayed to Frith that he would live through this.
Fluffytail was on guard duty at the Blake farm. He had watch on the road that went past the farm.. Recently this was the most dangerous post due to the sniper attacks, but lately the snipers had stopped harrasing the outpost. Fluffytail perked up when he noticed the resupply truck driving towards the camp. Finally, they would be getting some food, maybe even a few toes to celebrate their recent victories or maybe a couple of does to help pass the nights....
Fluffytail was pulled out of his daydream as the van stopped and two men dressed in Cammies got out. They dragged a man out of the van. Forced him to his knees and shot him. They then proceeded to do something to the van and then disappeared into the forest. By the time Fluffytail reported what happened and a party had been to sent out to investigate they found only the body and in blood the message "GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!!" All of the supplies were gone. A patrol was mounted up to go after the Fouriers, but they were long gone and no supplies were found.
Return to the
Eugene lay on the floor with his legs up in the air resting against the back wall. He convulses and twitches occasionally. He prays his act would work. There is no way anybun is going to make a profit off selling him. He listens carefully as he continues to play-up the seizure, not daring to cock his head around and see what was going on. He hears movement, but nothing approaching his cage/cell.
"How long has he been like that?"
(salutefluff) "Fifteen minutes sir. I ignored it at first as were your orders in case he was just faking. I've never seen a monkey fake that long."
"Medical?"
"On their way, sir."
Eugene recognizes the voice of the warren commander. He has learned only his last name while in captivity, CrimsonPaw. How many cursed buns were there from that family? Eugene pushes his act a little further. His whole body bounces and pounds against the floor of the cell as it inches towards the front, his legs sliding/twitching down from the back wall. Spittle froths from his mouth. He prays somebun would take the bait soon before he actually injures himself beyond some bruising.
"It's about time you arrived. Sedate the monkey and then check him over."
Eugene listens carefully, not letting up on the act. A hesitant hop. Another. Finally, he could hear a bun breathing, fluffing nervously near him. Eugene wastes no time, rolling over, knocking the syringe aside and snatching up the bun through the bars.
"I figured as much," Cmdr CrimsonPaw quips. "What do you expect to gain from this act, fuddling?"
"This," Eugene replies pulling the struggling, scared bun between the bars. He quickly grabs the bun by the throat with one hand and positions his thumb in *POP*ping position. The bun twitches with fear but stops struggling. "Good, you value your life," Eugene mumbles. He turns to Jerry. "No bun is going to get to perform godless high-tech experiments on me, use me as their chew toy, nor shove me into a Teletubbies™ costume." He paused a moment and glared at Jerry. Jerry could see madness creeping on the edges of his eyes.
"If you value your miserable existence, fluffah," Eugene growled at the bun in his grip,"and you don't want me to *POP* you, I suggest you extend your claws."
(SNICK!) The bun complies, shaking in fear in Eugene's grasp.
"Good, very good, little bun. How many bidders will pay for a dead Fudd, CrimsonPaw?" Eugene slashes his free wrist on the captive bun's claws. Eugene quickly switches his grip from the bun's throat to his right forepaw, forcing the claws on that paw to remain extended. He quickly slashes his other wrist as the bun struggles to get free, biting into his hand. Eugene raises the bun's extended claws towards his own throat, as he starts to laugh.
"So how much am I worth dead to your fluffy pals, CrimsonPaw?" Eugene cackles.
(STOMP!) "Move! Stop him!" Jerry hits a pink button in the wall which drops the front portion of Eugene's cage into the floor. Eugene raises the struggling bun's unsheathed claws towards his own throat, ignoring the pain said bun was inflicting into his arm as it rakes him with its hind claws trying to get him to let go, resignation on what needed to be done in his insane eyes. A bun leaps and knocks the captive bun out of Eugene's hand. Eugene's vision clouds over as a wall of fluff barrels into him. He falls backwards, slamming his head against the steel commode and is engulfed in blackness.
Return to the
(STOMP!) "This meeting will come to order!"
The various buns gathered around the table quieted down and turned their attention to Jerry. Jerry turns to Mentat Blackberry first. "How's our patient, Mentat?"
Mentat Blackberry bowed to Jerry. "We still had two Fudds with the same blood type on paw. Pomerleau will live. However, I don't know how long he'll remain unconscious. He took a bad blow to the head as he was subdued and has a concussion."
"Keep him sedated for now. I'll have to give the news to the bidders. LT Flatpaw, what about the nuisance in Central Maine?"
Flatpaw winced as he raised himself on his hindlegs and saluted with a bandaged paw. "Terrorist tactics. I've lost another 20 buns in groups of two's and three's in ambushes. The Fouriers have turned to attacking our supply convoys. The outpost at the old Fudd base has not received supplies for over a week. They've killed the symp driver on the last run. Several of our other symp drivers have verbally stated they'd rather be spammed then make that run."
Jerry's eyes narrowed. "Really? So Wade doesn't get a clue very easy, does he? Explain to me what you have learned of their tactics, Flatpaw." Flatpaw spent close to half an hour doing so. Jerry nodded and then replied, "Then here's what we'll do next..."
Flatpaw and the others nodded in agreement with Jerry's idea. After the meeting broke- up, Jerry turned to his terminal.
*****BUNIX™ WIDEBEAM*****
To my esteemed fellow buns:
As many of you may have seen on BunEbay™, Sgt. Pomerleau tried to the cowardly route out of his prison cell, but his suicide attempt has failed. He is recovering in our medical facility and remains sedated for his own 'safety'. Like our business partners at Kingdom Warren, I don't believe in selling faulty merchandise. Any of you who wish to withdraw your bids on Sgt. Pomerleau are welcome to do so with no penalty. Even our psychbun, the lovely DownyFluff, didn't foresee Pomerleau cracking the way he did.
For those of you who helped drive him over the edge with your bid proposals, excellent work. (fangygrin)
Commander Jerry CrimsonPaw, DEWComm
(Down East Warren Command)
*****END WIDEBEAM*****
[Author's Note: FluffyTeacher's Bid series starts right after this and runs parallel to this story time line-wise. You should finish reading this story first, however.]
Return to the
A messanger runs into Wade's war room. He is out of breath and looks as if he has been up for days.
"My Lord," Wade's loyal man salutes him. "We found the missing party."
"What has happened to them?"
"All dead, except one."
"All but one?!" Wade's eyes narrow.
"Yes my lord. He is waiting outside."
"You've done well, bring him in."
The Fourier brought in walked on his own, but with a bandages on his head and left arm. He salutes Wade and then stands at attention, even though it is causing him great pain.
"My Lord! I have failed you."
"Stand at ease. Tell me what has happened."
"The vermin ambushed us as we waited for them two days ago. It seems that they are learning our tactics and using them on us. They managed to kill or capture the rest of my patrol. I managed to escape when I was knocked down into a ravine. When I came too..." The man then falters, but Wade gets up and goes to his aid. After a few moments he continues. "They slaughtered them. I was going to ingest my poison, but I knew I would have to live to tell you the news. I watched as they mutilated the bodies. I didn't want to continue, but I knew I had to give you this news. They even poured some liquid on their toes and ate them. The horror my Lord. I can't even bear to remember it. It seems that they have a counter to the Sibylviris™ the men use to protect their toes. I waited until they left and I returned to recover the bodies. They were so horribly mutilated..." The man pauses for a second, his face contorting in pain and anger. He fights down the emotions to continue. "I also found this paper on one of the bodies." The man takes out a small piece of pink paper and hands it to Wade.
Wade, with obvious disgust, opens the paper and reads it.
'I, Commander CrimsonPaw, of the combined devilbunny
warrens of Maine reject your demands. You will cease and desist
your attacks and vacate MY state. Then and only then will I
consider your request.'
Sgt. Wade's face contorted with anger. *Who is this scum to dictate these terms to me. Who does he think he is. I will make them pay for this slight. Does he really think that the death of a few of the holy soldiers will turn me away from my chosen path!!* Wade in a spur of anger yells out, "DOES THIS VERMIN THINK HE CAN SCARE ME!!! I AM THE LORD OF THIS VALLEY. CASSANDRA MEET ME IN MY CHAMBERS!!!!!!" Wade then looked back at the wounded soldier. The man had started to mutter to himself about now being able to sleep and prepare to meet the Dark One. In a gentle voice speaking as a father to a son, "No, my son, you have not failed me. In the battle soldiers will die. We must gather our strength for the next battle. You must nurture your hatred, remember your fallen comrades, harden yourself, train harder, and then you will be ready to meet the enemy again. Then you will be able to bring the righteous fury down on the vermin, backed by the power of your fallen friends. Get this man to a medical room and heal him quickly, he must prepare himself for his destiny."
Wade then looks around the room. He takes out his knife and sheds the warrior's tears. He walks out of the room and heads to his chambers. Cassandra hobbles closely behind.
Return to the
Catherine cautiously stared out the window into the yard. She had scouted out the farm for several days before slipping into the house and her room. In the yard below she watched small patrols of devilbunnies enter and exit a paw-dug warren entrance. Thirty-nine, forty devilbunnies she counted. She was infuriated. Not only did these buns drive her family and friends from her home, they decided to move in.
"I'll show them what happens to those who trespass on the Blake farm." (STOMP!) Cathy turns around and glances at the pelt in her sleeping hollow. "Isn't that right, hon?" (gigglefluff)
That night, the bun on nightwatch at the warren entrance stood alert and called out his challenge as he saw the stranger bun approach. "Hault! State your business." (STOMP!)
(shimmywigglefluffbatseyelash)
(BOINK!)
"Hello, handsome," the brown doe whispered. "Stuck all alone out here in the cold? Maybe," (wink) "I can help.." (nipeartip) "keep you warm." She (shimmywiggled) against the buck and nuzzled his cheek.
(BOINK!BOINK!) The buck's heart fluttered as the doe giggled lightly. He finally caught his breath and semi-composed himself. "You shouldn't be out here. There are Fouriers about." (STOMP!)
The doe (shudderfluffed) at the mention of the word, Fouriers and looked about fearfully. "What's a doe to do?!" she stammered in a panicked tone. "I...I don't want to get killed and eaten..." she stared at him with her big brown dewy eyes, blinking back fear-inspired tears.
(suspiciousfluff) "Where are you from?"
Tears began to flow freely from the doe's eyes. "I'm lost, cold and scared. When I saw you I knew you could help me...and now you tell me they are about," (scaredfluff) "what's a doe to do!" she was beginning to turn frantic. "Where do I turn to for help?!"
The buck couldn't help seeing a doe under duress. He (bunnyhugged) her and calmed her down, whispering reassurances in her ear. "I'll take you inside and get you a nice warm burrow and some food. We'll talk to the commander in the morning."
(shimmywiggleshaketailbateyelash) "Maybe you can help warm me up in that burrow..."
(BOINK!) The buck briefly lost his composure again. "I...I can't. I have my duty to perform. I must guard the entrance."
(scuffpaw) "You know it wouldn't take long..." (suggestivenibble) She nuzzled him such that he would get a head full of her scent and then looked at him with those huge bambi-eyes again. "I'm sure you won't be missed, big guy...and you know, you get to be on top." (bunnyhug) While still embracing him she whispered in his ear, "How long would you have?"
The buck relaxed as he replied, "My relief isn't for several hours," (poutfluff) "night shift can be so..." *POP* The buck, minus his head, dropped out of Catherine's grasp.
"Good, that means I'll have plenty of time to do my work," (gigglefluff) she commented as the guardbun's head landed 12 feet away from the entrance. With blood from the guard dripping on her dewlap, Cathy turned towards the warren entrance and hopped in whispering a Fudd battle hymn.
Return to the
Cathy yawned exposing her fangs as the water ran over her from the shower. She was thankful for the farm's back-up generator as the homestead's power and phone had not been reconnected yet. Without it, there would have been no running water in the bathroom, never mind hot water for her shower.
The last of the blood rinsed down the drain as she shut the water off and grabbed a hand towel, which was more then enough for a doe her size to dry off with. She almost felt like she was going into heat after the act she had to put on last night for the few bucks who were awake. She couldn't believe there wasn't a single doe in the warren.
Cathy yawned again as she brushed her fur in the mirror. She was very thankful that Dad had a bun-size bathroom installed just off her and Julie's room in the farmhouse. Julie...Callie must be a proud mother by now, she thought to herself as she combed out the last of the small knots that had been made in her fur from the tight warren tunnels. They must be what? Three, four months old now....she pondered on it for a moment and grimaced as she brushed too close to the one wound she received in the cleaning out of the warren. It wasn't big enough to stitch, but was deep. She'd have to watch it closely and make sure it didn't become infected.
She turned her thoughts again to her sister and her litter. (shockfluff) No! They were nearly half-grown! Had she been away that long??? Yes, it has been that long. She hadn't seen her sister since April and she had just announced her pregnancy then...that meant the kits were born in May....six months ago. Cathy sagged her head a moment. Her captivity and indecisions had cost her six months, a long time for a bunny. No wonder none of her passwords worked on the laptop she had kept in secret storage under the floorboards in the back corner of her room.
Cathy froze as she sensed another presence in the room. She whipped around and stared at a small, nervously twitching buck. *How did I miss one?* flashed through her mind briefly as she stared at the newcomer, a snowshoe hare.
"Hhhowww cccOoOmmMee tThHehyey diDidnt hHhuuUrrRrttrt yYyyOouu?" (scaredfluff)
Cathy relaxed a little, it was a regbun. She could smell his fear from across the room. There was also something about him...something she liked. She tried to push the thoughts aside.
"WwwHhhaAaattt aaArrReeE weE tTtoowoo ddoo? Iii kkKnnNoooOwww iIitT waSses Dddaa fFofuR! IiIi fFooOunNded aAaLll MmmYyy fFrRiiEendS DeaaAddEd aAnNDdd tHeEiiR FfuR wWwaAssS mIiiSssing." (scaredfluff) "IiI dDdinont wWwaaAanNtT tToo gGiTTet kKilLleEd aaAnNnDd eEaaTten."
Cathy hopped towards the regbun buck. (motherlyfluff) "What's your name?"
"JjjooEyey," he replied without question, recognizing the alpha-tone in Cathy's voice.
"They call me Cathy. You wait right here, I'll check things out." Cathy hopped out of the room and down the stairs. She made her way out into the yard and scouted about, knowing the scared regbun was probably watching her from the window. She entered the warren and sniffed about. Good, no other buns about. How did she miss this regbun? She waited a little bit and hopped back to the house, eventually making her way up the stairs.
She stared at the buck with shock-filled eyes. "They're all dead! And like you said, they've been skinned. It does look like Fourier work."
"YyooOouuU ssSounNd lIikeE aAnan aaLllpaha, CcaaaAthEyY. WwilLil yYouU ppProTect mMeeE?" (nervouseartwitch)
Cathy closed the door behind her. "We'll protect each other, Joey. Fouriers are mean, but stupid. They didn't think to look inside this old Fudd house when they attacked. It must have happened as I was using the shower. I tried the commlink in the warren, it's dead. All we can do is bunk down and wait for help to come, surely others will come looking when we don't report in." (reassurefluff) She glances slightly past him and is thankful she had remembered to pack the pelt away before attacking the warren.
"YuyouuU Thtinnk Ssoosoo?"
Cathy (noddles). "And I know just how to pass the time too." (wink) She pulls the bottle of chocolate syrup from behind her back and squirts some at Joey who yelps in surprise at first and then (BOINKS!) as she drizzles it on her own fur.
[alt.dbs OFF] I don't know how Whiskers, the regular bunny, can type like that. It hurts! [alt.dbs ON]
Return to the
Cathy slowly drifted back into consciousness. She felt warm, warmer then she had in a long time, not since her days as a kit when she and Julie had shared the same sleeping hollow...She felt somebun snuggle against her and she snapped fully awake. Joey was there, cuddled-up asleep beside her. She looked about. She was in her room in the farmhouse and from the looks of the long shadows outside the window, it must have been late afternoon.
(panicfluff) Did she? She couldn't have! She couldn't remember. She must have been more tired then she thought. Her stirring about woke-up Joey. He yawned and looked over at her, playfully nibbling her ear.
"What happened?" she asked him.
(poutfluff) "Iii''Mm aa gGgooDd bBubuckk." (STOMP!) "YyOuu MmUmssst Hahveve BbbEeeeEN tiRreded, 'cAuCSe yYyouuuU fFeelll aAAasssSSlelEep AssASas I cCLlEeaAnNneded dDdaa Chohcholaljtate OouOUtTtt OffF yYOuuyrR fuFufr."
"Did you..." (glare)
(indignantfluff) "nNnEeVeeer!" (STOMP!) "Iii''Mm aa gGgooDd bBubuckk."
Inwardly, Cathy felt relieved, but a small part of her deep, deep down...she pushed the thought aside. She gathered her thoughts as she stretched, extending her claws. Joey looked on impressively, but behaved himself like the good regbun he said he was.
"Shower?" She wiggled suggestively and hopped into the bathroom with Joey following.
As they toweled off, she was impressed. The buck continued to show restraint. She figured he would have tried something in the shower, especially the way she rubbed against him with their two bodies soaped down. She paused for a moment. *WHAT AM I DOING?!? Why am I trying to attract the regbun? Do I want kits that bad??!*
Joey noticed her pause and nuzzled her worriedly, but remained silent.
"Hungry, Joey?"
(noddle)
"Then let's see what we can find in the Fudd kitchen downstairs." Cathy led the way down with Joey following almost like a faithful dog.
Return to the
Cathy stayed clear of the fridge, having seen the growing mess in there the previous day. You could tell the battle had taken place a month previous. She did find some elbow macaroni and a jar of spaghetti sauce under the counter and got a pot heating on the stove, not an easy feat considering it was a human-size appliance. As the water began to boil, Cathy found some flour and began to make a batch of quick biscuits to place in the oven. Joey watched in fascination, never having watched anybun cook before.
Dinner was on the table in thirty minutes. Joey dug hungrily into the macaroni in mushroom spaghetti sauce. He didn't complain about the lack of meat, but praised Cathy's cooking.
"YyYouuU'Vve bBbeeEenn sSosoo NnNIcicCE tTotOW MmEeE, CcaaaAthEyY. IiI WiwWiShsh IiI wawWSass aAnan aaLllpaha llLiIkieee YyYouuU oOOrrRor dDdaaaaTtat YyYouuU wawWsass aAa rReegGEbBun llLiIkieee mMemeE."
"Why do you wish that, Joey?" Cathy asked as she picked-up the dishes and leapt from the table to the sink to clean them. She had relaxed somewhat in this regbun's presence.
"TtThheEnenn wWweeeeE cOdoudld bBeBEE mamMaaTtttes. YyYouuU'RreE NnonTeet llLiIkieee ooOTherher aaLllpahaSs. YyYouuU dDodndt't PpiICik oOnnN mMemeE." (scuffpaw) "TttTHhatht iIIssSSee iIIIfFF YyYouu..."
Cathy dropped the dishes in surprise at the regbun's statement. She turned and faced him. "Is that why you didn't try anything when I fell asleep this morning?"
(noddle) "Iii''Mm aa gGgooDd bBubuckk."
"And why you behaved yourself in the shower?"
Joey repeated himself again. "Iii''Mm aa gGgooDd bBubuckk. rReegGEbBuns aaAadnnd aaLllpahaSs dDdonNtT hHhaavveE kKitTSsts. IiITIT'ssS NoNNOtout aAalllowied." (sighfluff) "Iii''Mm aa gGgooDd bBubuckk," he repeated again. "SssOometITimes IiITIT'ssS hHhaharrrd tThthoouuUghGh."
Cathy felt tears come to her eyes. She fought them back. She couldn't understand why. She sniffled. She couldn't harm this regbun, he wasn't much more defenseless then a kit. Did she actually feel something towards this bun? He wasn't like any other normal devilbunnies she had dealt with. She could detect the honesty in his words. After a momentary debate, she came to a decision.
"You're not going to like what I'm going to tell you, Joey. Fouriers didn't kill your friends out there."
Return to the
There was a long pause and then Cathy stated, "I killed them."
Joey stared at her from the table and backed away towards the edge, nearly losing his balance. "Iii dDdonn'ttT bBbeeLieaeve YyYouuU. "YyYouuU'RreE aa gGgooDd dDdoOeE." (STOMP!) "YyYouuU dddoND'ttt lLLloookk lLlliIkeEke aaa fouFurier."
"No, Joey, I'm not a good doe as devilbunnies define them. My last name is Blake." (STOMP!) "And this was my father's base," she stated matter of fact.
Joey fell off the table and landed in a ball, where he shook in terror. "aaAadnnd nNnooOWw YyouuU'RreE gGoiNg tTtoowo kKilLl aaAnNnDd eEaaTt MmMEmee." Joey whimpered still curled up in a ball. "YyYouuU fFefeed MmMEmee tTtoto fFFfaatTTeenn MmMEmee Uuupp." (whimperfluff)
Cathy jumped down from the counter and over to Joey. She nuzzled him and he screamed in fear and then whimpered some more. She nuzzled him again and forced him to look at her.
"I'm not going to kill and eat you, Joey, I'm a Fudd, not a Fourier." She (bunnyhugged) him and he struggled at first, but eventually calmed down as she hugged him as he whimpered. She made shushing noises in his ear.
"YyouuU'RreE nNnoOtT gGoiNg tTtoowo kKilLl aaAnNnDd eEaaTt MmMEmee?" he asked for reassurance.
Cathy shook her head negatively.
"WwHhyY?"
"You said it yourself, Joey. You're a good buck. You didn't take advantage of me though I gave you a few chances to do so. Because you're a good buck, I'm letting you leave here with your life."
Joey stared at her in disbelief.
Cathy nuzzled him onto his paws. "Go on, get going, before I change my mind."
Joey took a couple of hesitant hops towards the door, turned quickly leapt at Cathy, bowling her over quicker then she could react.
Return to the
Cathy found herself pinned under Joey. She didn't have a chance to unsheath her claws. Major Blake's words echoed in her mind, *Never Trust a (STOMP!) DEVILBUNNY!!!!*
Joey quickly sweeps her up, (bunnyhugs) her, and lets her go. "Tthhahnkkk yYyouuuU, MmmSIss BbblBlakKe." He turns and hops out the door, Cathy staring at the regbun dumbfounded.
Cathy soon hears a commotion outside and Joey quickly races back in, nearly bowling her over. "FouFuriers!!!" (panicfluff)
Cathy rushed to the window to see humans fighting buns, but she didn't recognize the humans. Then she saw the silvery pelted bunny. Fouriers! The buns they were fighting must have been a scouting party come to see what happened to the warren. Cathy was angered that they would come here and burst out the side door into the yard as the Fouriers captured the last three buns for interrogation. "There's one more!" one of them cried, pointing at Cathy.
(STOMP!) "You are trespassing on my family's land, Fouriers. You're not welcomed here!" (STOMP!) Cathy extends her claws. (SNICK!)
The Fouriers began to surround her, but the wyrmdoe ordered them to stand to. "Who are you that we should listen?"
Cathy sat back on her hindpaws. "Agent Catherine Duquette-Blake, Army of Fudd Intelligence, and you?" she glared at the wyrmbunny.
"If your father is Major Blake you may sheath your claws. We will cause you no harm."
Cathy sheathed her claws, but her body remained tensed. "I answered your question, will you answer mine?"
"Yes." The silver doe motioned for the soldiers to lower their weapons. The men complied, but positioned themselves to stop any attempt at escape. Their hands never strayed to far from their weapons either. Obviously, they would keep their word, but would kill Cathy in a second if she did anything funny.
The silver doe then turned back around to face Cathy. "I am The Chosen One, Cassandra, in charge of this war party. I take it the pelts in the barn are your work?"
Catherine nods once, thinking fast on her paws. "Took all forty of them by surprise last night, all but one who's cowering inside. A regbun I wasn't through playing with yet." (fangygrin)
Cassandra looks at Catherine closely, hopping slowly around her. "Nice work, almost worthy of a true wyrmbunny. Truly well done. Did you enjoy killing them?"
"Come again?" (puzzlefluff)
"You killed them like a Fourier would. I would almost think you enjoyed killing them. Did it feel good to skin those vermin? I bet you could almost taste their fear as you skinned them alive." (inquisitivegrinch) Cassandra's paw wiped her muzzle unconsciously.
(negativefluff) "I don't enjoy killing, but it is a necessity in war. Their deaths were quick and painless. Most died in their sleep. Why waste the pelts?"
"Tell me, why did you kill them then?"
Catherine glared at Cassandra. "Hello! We're at war here." (sarcasticfluff) "They were trespassing on a Fudd base and are the enemy. Of course, I'm going to kill them!" (STOMP!) "They drove my family from their home."
Cassandra smiles as she continues to slowly hop around Cathy, wanting to observe her from every angle. "So you did it in revenge..."
"They are the enemy," she stammers again.
"Ah, so you deny the truth. They drove your family away from here. You killed them in revenge." This time Cassandra (STOMP!)s her paw, but it didn't sound anything like a devilbunny stomp. It had more deadly force lurking behind it.
(sighfluff) "If you put it that way, then yes." (STOMP!)
"Then why do you deny your true self? You were born human, forced into conversion. Is it not right for you to want revenge? You are already a Fourier at heart. You kill in revenge. That's what we do. The Dark One offers a way out of your predicament. Accept his gift and free your true self." Cassandra bared her fangs.
Return to the
(SNICK!) "Stay away from me!" (STOMP!) "I am not a Fourier!"
"You're not a Fudd and by killing your fellow devilbunnies you are an outcast as well," she countered.
"You're right, I'm not human. I AM a devilbunny." (STOMP!) "A bunny who wants to be cute and fluffy." She unleashes a cuton burst with a huge (FLUFF) that angers some of Cassandra's men. "But I don't want anything to do with toes or subverting the human race. You're" (spit) "'Gift' would take from me what I am. I can control my urge for toes, I know you can't say the same for bun flesh."
"I can control my hunger. I haven't eaten you yet! You obviously have fallen for the devilbunny propaganda that we are carnal eaters of bun flesh. Yes, I do eat buns, but I don't do it arbitrarily. Buns are nothing but a plague upon this planet. They are the mote in the Dark One's eye and must be eradicated. Do the only thing that will save your soul, accept the Gift." Cassandra moved closer. Cathy slashes-out just in front of Cassandra to show she meant business.
"If you have met my father," Cathy states, "maybe he told you about the strain of bunnyvirus™ we carry. It is immune to antibunnies™, eats through it like candy. I've learned it's an engineered version. Who knows what would happen if you gave me 'the Gift' as you call it. It might not affect me, but you could revert to bunnydom." (fangygrin)
Cassandra shivered at the statement. "The thought of being physically turned back into vermin revolts me. Though on the positive side I will always be one of the Dark One's children, regardless of my form." Still, the thought of becoming less then what she has achieved, Cassandra backed off. "Very well. Lord Wade has promised to provide aid to the Maine Fudds until they are back on their own. This is not a good place for you to stay as we plan to leave a message for the next bun scout party." She points to one of her men. "He will escort you to where ever you wish to go to from here."
Catherine thinks for a moment. She definitely didn't want to hang around the Fouriers any longer then she had to. "He'll need a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. I wish to be dropped off in the southwestern corner of the Nahmakanta district of the Maine Public Reserve Land Trust near the southern shore of the lake with the same name. I need to pack some things first though and the regbun comes with me." Cathy turns back towards the house and then paused.
"Why? He would better serve us than you!"
"There are some fates worse then death. Everyone in this war seems to have at least one mad scientist. You have Dr. Kralk. We've got Dr. Remus Shephard out in Colorado and...Aldin Busheytail here in Maine. Aldin is in need of a new 'henchbunny'. His last one had a most...unfortunate, accident." She smiled her fangygrin at Cassandra again and ducked into the farmhouse.
Return to the
Cathy quickly packs what little she had upstairs. She then hops into her parents' room and to the closet in the corner and opens it. "Come out, Joey, do as I tell you, and they won't harm you."
The regbun pokes his head out from beneath a pile of fallen blouses. "NnnoonO, tTthheEeeyyy'RrrEE gGoiNg tTtoowo kKilLl aaAnNnDd eEaaTt MmMEmee!"
"You need to make a choice, Joey, live or die." Cathy pauses a moment. "They will kill and eat you if you don't come with me, maybe eat you first and let you die slowly...or worse, make you one of them..." She trails off and pauses again and then adds more quietly, "But if you don't want to come, I could provide you a quick death, something they would never do."
Joey stares deeply into Cathy's eyes and hesitates only a moment. He nods at her, comes out of the tangle of human clothing and listens as intently as only a regbun can to her instructions.
They leave the house side-by-side and hop towards a waiting pick-up truck. Two cages sit on the ground. Cathy hops up to one, and quickly slashes through a part of the wire mesh and pulls her paw back quickly. The scent of blessed vanilla wafts in the evening air.
"My father designed these, you try to escape, and you'll die from vanilla burns."
Joey nods, hops into the other cage and allows himself to be locked in. The cage is then placed into the back of the truck and is secured in place to prevent it from sliding around.
The Fourier assigned to transport them turns to Cathy with distrust in his eyes. "Get in," he motions to the cab of the truck.
"You know where to take us?"
The Fourier nods and states his instructions.
"Then, I don't need to ride up front and we wouldn't welcome each other's company." She hops into the cage she had damaged. "Place me next to my prisoner, I'll trust you will follow the instructions given to you."
"Always, very unlike any Fudd or devilbunny." The Fourier then closes the cage, places and secures it next to the other and drapes a blanket over both. He then gets in the truck. In minutes they are driving on I-95.
Return to the
Upon returning to the Fourier base Cassandra immediately went to find Wade to report what had happened. When she got to his room she found him staring out the window.
"My lord we investigated the outpost as you requested. It seems that the buns didn't retreat, but were butchered by one of Blake's children. I tried to convince her to join us, but she is too entrenched in the propaganda about how evil we are. In accordance with your orders I had her sent to where she wanted to go. She did provide us with some helpful information before she left. She gave me a rough sketch of the bun mover system near the outpost. I left two wyrmbunnies to watch over it...."
Wade cut Cassandra off. "I have received unpleasant news from your brother today. It seems that the vermin are holding Sgt. Eugene. It's funny, because when we interrogated the buns they said he was either dead or still missing." Wade turned around to face Cassandra and he had a wild look on his face. The eyes betrayed the insanity within. "Kill them Cassandra, kill them all. Have the wyrmbunnies attack the bunmover. Leave nothing alive. Crush them, do you hear me crush them. They will pay for this insult. I can understand them withholding information, but I will not tolerate lying. KILL THEM, CASSANDRA KILL THEM ALL. I WANT THEM TO KNOW PAIN.....I WANT THEM TO KNOW FEAR. LET THEM KNOW WHO THEY ARE MESSING WITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Cassandra bowed. "My lord they are as good as dead."
Return to the
The Search for Eugene 15 (possibly PiG-13)
Nero rocked back and forth at the bun mover terminal. He anxiously awaited for the time when he would be able to carry out Lord Wade's orders. He was wrapped up in a cloak, as was the other two wyrmbunnies nearby. He muttered lightly under his breath. There were other "normal" buns nearby, but they had moved away from Nero, no knowing what was wrong with the cloaked buns, but instinctively knowing something was wrong. *I must kill them, but not yet. I can smell their fear and their tasty flesh. I want to kill them. I want to crush them. I hate them. They are the true evil. They are the enemies of the Dark One. I must kill them, I want to kill them. They must pay...*
Nero's two companions glance up as two movers pull into the terminal, one taps Nero on the shoulder.. A doe gets off one with five kits bouncing about her. They move into line to get on to the other mover with four other buns. Nero looks over, nods, gets up and gets in line with them. His two companions, continue to look about.
The doors to the mover close and pull out of the station. The two remaining wyrmbuns wait until it is out of view before they descend onto the crowd. Nobun is spared. After the wyrmbunnies liquidate the buns they mutilate the bodies. The blood is used to write the phrase "GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!" all over the terminal. Some of the bodies are also arranged in grotesque parodies of everyday events. A nearby vendor machine is emptied and the buns parts put in replacing the normal products. In blood the new prices are displayed, twenty-five cents a part and one dollar for a semi-whole body.
Nero continued to rock back and forth in his seat, mumbling to himself. The five kits bounced about the mover talking to this bun and that.
"Mom's taking us down to LL Fluff where Dad works!" (conspiratoryfluff) "He works for Santa Claws and we're going to tell Santa what we want for Frithmas!" The excited kits bounced about telling everyone the same thing with their mother trying to keep them calm. One bumps into Nero. Nero glances over and glares at the kit through his cloak.
(nervousfluff) "Are you going to see Santa Claws too?"
"Sweetums, leave the other buns alone," the kit's mom orders as she hops up to take the kit by the paw. She turns to Nero. "I hope he isn't bothering..."
The kit's mother is cut off as Nero picks up the kit. "Why no child I am not going to see Santa Claws, because he is a myth. In fact you're not going to see him either!" With that Nero rips off his cloak. He flings the kit as hard as he can into the side of the bun mover. When the kit's mother tries to intervene she is stopped with a neat slash across her throat. Nero slashs and tears his way through the bun crowd. *NOW THEY KNOW FEAR!!* Nero grabs one bun and literally tears its paws off. *Tasty flesh, ahhhh the beautiful taste of bun flesh.* The silver wyrmbunny continues on his murderous rampage, only stopping to indulge his unquenchable lust for devilbunny flesh. Soon, there is nothing moving on the bun mover. Nero them proceeds to paint an identical message on the bun mover walls.
Kelty sat in the busy Freeport bunmover terminal awaiting the arrival of his mate and kits. He knew they were proud of his new job and he couldn't wait to get pictures of them on Santa Claws' lap. Several buns got-up and stood in line as the lights blinked indicating an arriving bunmover. Kelty got up too and stood by waiting.
The bunmover pulled in with it's internal lights on the fritz, blinking on and off at random intervals. The doors opened and the buns at the head of the line shrieked in horror. Kelty bounded forward and stopped in surprise, anger and fear. Standing in the doorway, a silvery, blood-covered bun danced in place playing a fiddle chanting about the Dark One. The kit he had thrown jumped up and tries to get away. Unfortunately, Nero is faster. "Oopps almost forgot one." To the horror of the on looking buns he dashes the bun against the wall and bites its head off. Nero then looks at the crowd, "Well hello there. Fine day for a picnic isn't it!!!" Nero then proceeds to launch himself into the crowd.
Kelty leaps at Nero in anger over seeing his son murdered, but is slashed down. Several other buns die under the wyrmbun's claws.
"Everybun, down!" (STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!)
The buns still alive drop to the floor of the terminal as milbuns leap into the fray, overwhelm and kill the wyrmbun, but several of them also die.
Return to the
The Search for Eugene 16: Natalie's Puzzle 1
[Posted by Tammy Sue Keyes]
Natalie was so focused on the computer screen that she jumped when Mike spoke her name.
"Gee, Nat." Mike giggled, "What are you so absorbed in?"
Natalie pointed to her screen. "There seems to be a lot of communications going to and from Maine."
Mike shook his head, "Probably the buns just congratulating each other on their victory."
Natalie sighed, "I thought that too. But there are more transmissions to this one sub-station than to the main one. Even DenverWarren is getting in on it. Here we have a transmission to Maine, a reply, a transmission to SFU, a widebeam, and then a transmission to the sub-station. I thought DenverWarren was non-combatant."
"If you believe that, I've got beach-front property to sell you in Nevada." Mike gently laid his hand on Natalie's shoulder. "Whatever it is, it can wait 'til tomorrow. You're late in picking Rachael up as it is."
Natalie looked at the clock and cursed. She picked up the telephone and dialed the BHX's extension. "Bill? Natalie. I'm running late at the lab. Can you pick up Rachael for me? . . . I know, but this could take a while, and it's your turn for dinner anyway. . . Thanks." She replaced the receiver and looked back at Mike, "I'd like to stay and finish this. I'll close up."
Mike shook his head, "All right, but just don't neglect that little girl of yours."
Mike left and Natalie went back to work. She looked at each transmission, going through each line. There had to be something here that she could use. After hours of staring at the screen she had a pounding headache. She was just about to give up when she saw it. A post somehow misdirected. It looked as though it was supposed to go to a specific system, but somehow got sent into usenet instead. Not only that, but it was not even properly encoded! The system must have "burped" or a TechBun slipped up. Natalie couldn't believe her luck. She took the post and ran it through every de-coding program she had. Maybe, just maybe, the flaw in the encoding would let her at least get the gist of the transmission. She modified the programs, and re-ran it. Finally she had it. She read the post, then re-read it. The transmission was from DenverWarren, written by FluffyTeacher herself. Eugene Pomerleau was still alive and the buns were trying to buy him. She printed out the report and headed home.
"Mommy!" Rachael bounced toward Natalie as she opened the door. Natalie caught her daughter and gave her a big hug. "Have you been a good girl today?" she asked.
Rachael nodded. "Sargent Thomas said I was the bestest help. I even helped daddy cook supper!"
"What did you make?"
"Pizza! Which chicken and mushrooms and lots and lots of cheese!"
"Did you save any for me?"
Rachael shook her head. "We ate it all. But daddy said that there was left over sketti for you. And after you ate, we could go to Walruses for ice cream!"
Bill had just come out of the kitchen when Rachael had said that and flinched at Natalie's glare, "He said that, did he?"
Bill shrugged, "You're the one who's late. Besides, Rachael even helped me do the dishes."
Natalie smiled, "Well then. Let me eat and we'll all go get some ice cream. You, little girl, finish your homework." Rachael gave her mother a hug and ran off to her room.
"So, what was so important you missed dinner?" Bill asked, getting out a plate for Natalie.
Natalie handed him the report she printed out. "I think I know what happened to Eugene. I found this transmission. It's not much, but I think Moxie is being auctioned off to the highest bidder."
"Why would CrimsonPaw do that? Why not just kill him?"
"I don't know. Maybe that battle used up too many resources."
Bill studied the report. "It's not a lot of information to go on."
"I know, but it's at least a start. You wanted me to monitor the battle up there. This is what I found. What can we do?"
Bill sighed, "Not much I'm afraid. The Maine Fudds are in tatters; I'm fighting off accusations that the AoF is working with the Four. Dunwich is too far away. Briley and I are still trying to work out what happened at Edderville. Until we get more information, especially where Pomerleau is being kept, we really can't do anything."
Natalie sighed, "I'll keep working on those codes. Maybe they'll slip up again, and I can get more."
Bill placed his hand on Natalie's shoulder, "Don't work yourself too hard. You're doing a great job. We've gotten further on cracking the codes than we ever had. You need to take care of yourself... and Rachael too."
"I know. I just want this war to be over. I just want Rachael to be safe."
Return to the
The Search for Eugene 17--General Widebeam
*****GENERAL WIDEBEAM (no encryption)*****
[A peppery-grey devilbunny buck with crimson streaks in his forepaws stands in the foreground of the broadcast.]
Wade? Have I got your attention? You out there? I hope you are. Watch carefully and crank-up the volume. I wouldn't want you to miss any of this.
The attacks on my militia are annoying, but understandable. After all, you're a dumb, fudd-allied monkey and we're at war. (finefluff) I gave you a chance to clear out and in return I wouldn't hunt you down. You were like a gnat--very troublesome, but never causing any real harm...
[The buck's eyes narrow suddenly as his ears turn red and twitch furiously.]
That all changed when your deformed minions attacked our civilian population last Friday. Your troops slaughtered over 45 buns, many of them pregnant does and kits in that bunmover station you destroyed!
[The buck is reduced to a smaller screen as the rest of the screen is filled with security camera recordings of the carnage for several minutes.]
I want your 'allies' to see what you did, Wade.
[The recording ends and the buck takes up the full screen again.]
(STOMP!) None of those killed were military, until your wyrmbunny arrived at our Freewarren terminal. Fortunately, a small military unit was nearby when that attack occurred preventing this from being a three digit slaughter.
I demand justice for the slain civilians, especially the kits! (STOMP!) Should I stoop to your level, kit-killer? And why did you kill them? What was the message painted in blood on the walls, coward? (icyglare) "Give me what I want." (STOMP!)
[The buck chuckles malevolently as he extends his claws.]
(SNICK!) You've been watching too much Stephen King....And what it is you want, coward who fears to face us in a real battle, is one, Sgt. Eugene "Moxie Man" Pomerleau. (finefluff) Here he is.
[The buck gestures off camera and a tied, gagged, naked Eugene Pomerleau is brought into view. He turns to Pomerleau.]
You've been read the crimes you've committed against devilbunny kind. You've been found guilty on several other occasions and have never denied your guilt. Matter of fact, you're actions show your guilt...
[Pomerleau glares at the grey buck, and bites hard on the gag, struggling to get loose. It takes six buns to hold him steady. The grey buck turns back to the camera.]
So you want Pomerleau, huh, Wade? (glare) Take a good look at him.
[The buck motions to the guards who forcefully turn Pomerleau around so his various scars can be seen by the camera. The buck then turns to Pomerleau again.]
Fudd Sergeant Eugene "Moxie Man" Pomerleau, for your multitude of crimes against devilbunny kind, and the recent heinous crimes committed in your name against our civilian population by the Fourier, Wade, I, Commander CrimsonPaw of Down East Warren Command, do hear by sentence you to death by spamming! (STOMP!)
[The camera pans to the left showing an infamous Spam-O-Matic™ as Pomerleau is shoved into it. The camera zooms in on Pomerleau as he's ground down. The camera zooms out and back onto the grey buck as blood splatters on and around him. He laughs evilly.]
I'm glad you never said you wanted him back alive. Send me your coordinates, Wade, so I'll know where to ship the little blue cans! (STOMP!)
[He laughs some more and leans forward until his muzzle takes up the whole screen.]
I will hunt you down, Wade, for attacking our civilians and killing our kits. I won't grant you a quick nor honorable death. (glare) Kit-killing cowards have no honor. (STOMP!)
I look forward to dining on you when your time comes.
CrimsonPaw, Commander of the combined warrens of Down East Maine (DEWComm), out! (STOMP!)
*****SIGNAL TERMINATED*****
TBC in Reactions
Return to the