BANGOR: Changing Tides

Originally posted in August, 1997 on alt.devilbunnies. Mostly written by Alex Jansen with some help by Scott Bernier. Alex's bun, RazorClaw takes-over command of Down East Warrens.

©1997 by Alex Jansen and Scott Bernier
First HTML-ized 3 November, 1997 by Scott Bernier.

Return to Scott's Stories homepage.

There was a knock at the door. The bun behind the desk looked up from his montors and answered calmly, "Come in."

A charcoal-grey doe strode in.

(salutefluff) "Sir."

"Ah, Sergeant. Sit down. Report."

"The final preparations have been made for the transfah of command, sir."

The Commander remembers how much he enjoys the SGT's accent. He is going to miss hearing it.

(delightedfluff) "Excellent, and what of my ship?"

"She is holding position off shore near Bucksport, awaiting your orders."

The bun behind the desk glances over at his monitors and watches a group of Bunny Marines climbing the hull of a ship in a training excercise. He quickly turns his attention back to the Sergeant.

"Tell the Captain to set his course for Bangor. The symps will be waiting at the marina to move the ship around the dam and then he can proceed on to Orono."

"Understood, sir."

"There is still one matter that I need to attend to before I depart to assume my new command."

(curiousfluff) "Sir?"

"You have served me well these past years SGT. Appleblossum. Ellswarren wouldn't be what it is today without your help. I am promoting you to Lieutenant Commander and placing you in command of the base, effective immediately." (proudfluff)

(estaticsalutefluff) "Thank you sir!"

"You've earned it Lieutenant. I believe it is time for me to assume my new command, and show the Fudd monkeys that Maine rightfully belongs to us!"

The Commander takes one last look at his old office, and then heads for the bunnymover terminal. Next stop. . . . . . Bangor.

LT. Gus Crimsonpaw, temporary commander of Downeast warrens looks over at the blinking light on his desk and presses it down. "Yes?"

"Sir, we have just received word that the new commander will be arriving in 20 minutes at bunnymover terminal 1," the combun stated.

"It's about time. Did the message say who it will be?" (curiousfluff)

"No sir."

"Where did the transmission originate?"

(nervousfluff) "I was unable to pinpoint the source, but it came from here in downeast Maine. My best guess would be somewhere in Hancock county." said the combun.

"Thank you private."

He flicks off the intercom. He then reaches over and presses another button. "SGT, could you come in here?"

"On my way." he responded.

Moments later SGT. Flatpaw enters the temp commander's office.

"You wanted to see me commander?" Flatpaw asks.

"Yes. It seems that the buns ‘from away have finally made their decision on who is going to replace my brother."

(curiousfluff) "Who is it?"

"I don't know. It appears that whoever it is, he is from Maine."

Crimsonpaw glances over at the time. "It looks like it's time for me to go hand over this command and get back home to Bowsbuck warren." "Come on Sergeant, let's go find out who this mystery bun is."

Temp. Commander Gus CrimsonPaw and SGT. Flatpaw stood waiting at the bunnymover terminal. In the distance they could hear the sound of an approaching vehicle echoing in the tunnel.

(curiousfluff) "Where is your brother?" Flatpaw asked.

"I have no idea."

The transport comes into the terminal and glides to a stop with the door right in front of where the buns are standing. They can hear movement inside, but the door doesn't open.

"What are they waiting for?"

And right on cue, the door slides open and two bunnymarines in full armor hop out, followed by a jet-black bun and two marines.

(Stomp!) "What is the meaning of this?"

The black bun motions with his hand for his troops to move aside as he hops forward.

"Ah, you must be Gus CrimsonPaw. This isn't what you think. Don't jump to any conclusions just yet. I am Commander Razorclaw, and they are my escorts."

Flatpaw looks up. "Bunnymarines?" (astonishedfluff).

"Actually SGT., their official designation would be ORCA, but I just prefer the term Special Forces."

Razorclaw turns back to the temporary Commander.

"I realize an explanation is in order, and you will get one soon enough. First, I would like to be shown to my new office. I believe that we have some uncute paperwork to fill out..."

"Yes Sir." (salutefluff).

Gus signs off on the last of the uncute documents and puts his pen down.

(sighfluff) "There. The transfer is complete. You are now officially in command sir, and I have my previous rank restored."

"Thank you, LT."

"Now that we have taken care of that, I can explain what is going on."

LT. CrimsonPaw and SGT. Flatpaw straighten themselves in their chairs and listen to the commander.

"After the defeat at Portland (shudderfluff), my warren and I approached Admiral Marlin and PAW with a proposal. We planned the construction of secret military bases along the coast of eastern Maine where the treaty didn't govern. There was one catch though; all of the bases were to be staffed entirely by Maine buns. They reluctantly agreed to our terms.

"Under the agreement, a Navy base was established on Mount Desert Island in Somes Sound. The base contains 2 companies of BunnyMarines, 1 platoon of ORCA's, and 1 squad of SeaBees. There are also submarines in an underwater harbor and a few modified lobster boats as well. At the moment they are constructing a group of newly designed monitor-class ships. The first of which is on its way here. The island itself is a joint venture between the militia and the Navy. They patrol the seas and we watch over Acadia National Park and the surrounding areas.

"I am from Ellswaren, in Ellsworth. My warren was the command center for the operations on MDI, much like this base is in command of downeast Maine. We reported our progress to the buns ‘from away, but we are 100% Maine owned and operated. Now that our existence has been revealed, those bases fall under this command. That is why the Marines are here. Here in Maine there is no separation of powers, all the warrens are under my command."

(astonishedfluff) "What do you have planned sir?" Flatpaw asks.

"I have a few things in mind. My first priority is to make the transition as smooth as possible, and get this base running the way it should be. Which brings me to my next question..." He turns to LT. CrimsonPaw. "I am going to need experienced buns like yourself to help lead my troops into battle. I would like for you to stay here in Bangor."

"I serve my warren and its council. They do not wish to be involved again with the buns From-Away after how those buns failed us in Portland. (STOMP!)"

"Well, I will not order you to remain here. But there is one last thing I need you to do."

"Sir?"

"I need you to find your brother and send him here. I have some things I need to discuss with Browny."

"Understood."

Gus gets up and hops out of Razorclaw's office. The commander turns to SGT. Flatpaw.

"Don't worry SGT. Your rank and position are secure. I have no intention of demoting you. I do have one request for you, also."

"Sir?"

"I would like you to call Hoppie's Pizza and order me a carrot and Spam pizza. I've been wanting to try one of those."

"Right away sir!" (salutefluff)

Flatpaw turns and leaves the room.

(knock)

"Enter."

A brown buck with paw-tight white gloves on his forepaws hops in and stands before the jet-black commander. "You asked to see me, SIR?"

Razorclaw looked the buck over. "I thought you lost a paw, Browny."

Browny removed the glove from his left paw. The paw was pepper colored along with the CrimsonPaw red streak. "Yes, but I found a new one." (fangygrin) "Mentat Blackberry did a good job grafting it, especialy since it's former owner tried to ruin it. I've gotten back about 75% of my old strength out of the new paw." Browny flexed his claws testingly. (SNICK!) "Don't you think the pepper grey looks good against the brown?"

"Can I expect your loyalty?"

"You are in command now, I have no intentions of challenging that authority, unless you make some foolish decisions, Commander."

"I suggest that you keep your intentions to yourself, Browny." Razorclaw raises a paw and extends his silvery claws. "I don't think you want to learn the truth behind my name."

"The Fudds are no longer my headache, they're yours. All I wish to do right now, is monitor my ballteam, speed-up the blueberry harvest, and....keep tabs on my other pet project."

Razorclaw accepted the statement for what it was worth. "Other pet project?"

(smirkmuzzle) "Yes, the former owner of this paw still lives, and he's enjoying what he thinks is a happy life. If you have time, I'll tell you what has happened so far."

Razorclaw nodded and Browny related what happened to Gerard Tondreau after the Fudd attack back in March. How through research and determination, Mentat Blackberry converted him into a bunny. Gerard's attempted escape and his almost succeeding in killing himself and the consequent 'donation' of the paw to Browny.

"So what did you do to the Fudd after the operation?"

(evilgrin) "That's the best part, Razorclaw. His last words as I told you that he spoke to my brother were: 'I'd never serve the bunny cause...' Well," (fangygrin) "let's just say, that's not necessarily the case..." Browny filled Razorclaw in on his intentions with the bun that used to be Gerard Tondreau.

Razorclaw smiled. "Brilliant. Carry on." Razorclaw was surprised when Browny offered to shake paws before leaving. He spent the rest of the day reading reports between slices of Hoppie's Pizza. Browny departed on a bunmover to his center of blueberry operations at Cherryfield Warren.

TBC in Jerry Bunny.