The Frisky Feline

“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say”, said Gautow as he fixed a small microphone on the creature in front of him. “So for posterity’s sake, please do try”.

Gautow looked on as his henchcats shouldered the odd looking being into the airlock. A smile crept up his face as his eyes began to softly glow.

“You don’t have to do this; we meant no harm. I was only sent to gather information.” Clearly panicking the odd furless cretin was now beginning to panic as it sensed its impending doom. Clawing fruitlessly as the airlock emergency lights came on it tried changing tactics. “You won’t get away with this Gautow Bailando, we know where your home planet is. Emissaries will begin arriving shortly…. You won’t even know who they are”.

Gautow’s smile evaporated as the creature began pulsing and started to become transparent. A sense of foreboding prompted him to quickly lunge and press the door release. The creature was starring at his eyes through the enviroglass that kept space on the outside of the ship when the airlock was open. The speaker was silent as the being’s voiceless scream was ripped from its lips and Gautow lost sight of its bulging eyes as it was slung out into the void.

“Well, it looks like they were right”, was all he said before turning away and marching back down the corridor.

His swishing tail was the only indication of his agitation, and he swiftly got that under control. It wouldn’t do to let his crew know of his trepidation. Cats were natural about picking up on things as it was. The crew of the Frisky Feline needed him to be rock solid at all times, that’s what being captain meant.

“Jorge”, he called out over his shoulder to his second in command,” what’s the statis of that cruiser? Does it still think it’s sneaking up on us”?

“All indications are that it does, Captain”. Jorge slowly looked around gauging their secrecy.” Cap… I’ve never seen one of those furless wonders behave that way. Do you think it was something else, or maybe some kind of new tech we haven’t seen yet”?

“It was somehow impersonating a crew member; If they could do that before, they would have. Speaking of, has ensign Thomas been located yet? It would be good to know if elimination is necessary for their copying method. It would tell us a few things if he were found alive”.

Before Jorge could respond a red indicator light began blinking on Gautow’s wrist communicator.

“He hasn’t been found yet, Sir. I’ll let you get that”, the second in command nodded at the captain’s wrist before walking further to stand outside the elevator call box.

Gautow glanced around quickly before tapping the answer button and calling out, “We’re secure Barnaby, what’s the urgency”?

Barnaby’s slightly airy voice came across the earpiece, “I felt this news should be for your ears only captain. The microphone was deactivated”. Barnaby waited for the gravitas of what he said to be understood. When it was clear after several seconds that it wasn’t he tried again,” Sir… it was switched off”.

“Switched off? How long after expulsion?”, Captain Gautow was listening intently now.

“If it equalized the pressure in its lungs and they didn’t explode, a normal being might last a few minutes of oxygen deprivation before loss of consciousness. A few minutes after that they would expire. The device was deactivated two minutes ago. Eight minutes after expulsion. There is no known being in my repository. This shouldn’t be possible”.

“Barny”, started Gautow,” I know how particular you are with your tech… you don’t like losing it, can it be tracked while deactivated”? His ear twitched at the sudden hopeful speculation.

A quick laugh answered him, “As often as you cats lose my devices? You know I do captain. I tracked it a few kilometers off our starboard side, and before you ask… it was deactivated BEFORE the signal corresponded with our veiled friends. So whatever it was, it seems unlikely it was rescued. They may be unaware of its intentions and presence. Humans can be so short sided.”

“Well Barnaby, your faction has had more experience with them than we have. I’ll trust your word. Can you link my communicator to the microphone? What range will I need to be in”?

“Pretty close captain, most likely twenty feet or so if it stays deactivated. Your communicator doesn’t have the needed tech for an extended proximity, and no… I can’t upgrade it with what I have in lab”.

Gautow didn’t like or trust many of the Owl peoples, but Barnaby was different. He had their expertise with technology, but not their lust for intrigue or their penchant for subterfuge. That he was adopted and raised by his uncle might have had something to do with it. He wasn’t just a friend, he was family and Gautow trusted him with his life… well, one of them at least.

The captain looked up as Jorge came forward, it looked like he had been waiting for the conversation to finish and the red indicator to clear.

“Sorry to bother you sir, the princess would like an update on our friends”.

The look of distaste on Captain Gautow’s face was fleeting, “I have a mission for you, my friend. We must surprise our friends who think they are surprising us, locate a device and the creature that thinks it got away.”

Jorge snapped a quick salute, “I’ll gather my boarding party sir”.

“Oh, no. No, no, no….”, Gautow gave him one of his favorite Cheshire smiles,” I will be leading the boarding party, I need you to report to Princess Porcupine”.

All signs of mirth fled from Jorge’s face as his eyes narrowed,” friend, my foot”

Gautow’s only reply was an evil chuckle as he finished walking down the hallway to the elevator box.