Chapter 10

134 18 4

by kourtnienet

by kourtnienet

by Philosopher Jones

We gathered around
DeeJAY, a tabby
with a wolf-pelt
beneath his stripes,

and we discussed
where to find Lahea,
to save hoomanity
from the Babylonians
and Orange Man,
given we'd lost
Happy Rock.

I felt so proud
of how DeeJAY
had grown into
a formidable leader.
As I listened to him
discuss matters with
the hoomans
and other cats,
I realized
I'd trained him well.

Hooman #1:
So where is Lahea Ikaika?

Hooman #A:
Greg, stop
clawing the couch—

As Greg continued
ripping his rage
on the corner
of the love seat,
Phoebe hulked
around the living room
of Feline Society #337,
her senior-cat shoulders
rising, falling,
noble with every step.

Buttercup and Tom
watched quietly,
awaiting for me,
philosopher and elder,
or DeeJAY,
young commander,
to give them
their next instructions.

DeeJAY:
Our sources say
Lahea's in Hawaii.

Phoebe:
She was born in a bush
at the Maui Marriott.

Philo:
But the Cat Sanctuary
has her now?

DeeJAY:
Fortunately, yes.

Phoebe:
So she'll be safe there.

Philo:
Proxima Centauri B
has attacked it before...

Phoebe:
Not since Loker
upgraded our systems.

Hooman #1:
Loker? ...Da Loker?

Hooman #A:
Who's that?

Hooman #1:
A cat I knew
before I met you.

Philo:
My short-haired
twin brother.

Phoebe:
Cancer took him.

Hooman #A:
Oh... I, I'm sorry...

Philo:
I live on for both of us.

Hooman #1:
But he upgraded...
systems?

Phoebe:
Yes,
our solar defense system—

DeeJAY:
Big Interstellar Red Dot.

Philo:
We call it BIRD for short.