[Stylist] anthropomorphic Space story 1000 words

[anniecms64 at gmail.com]

Anthropomorphic Space Story

 

By Ann Chiappetta

Drop me a comment: Anniecms64 at gmail.com <mailto:Anniecms64 at gmail.com>  

The Nine Lives slipped past the Hound, engaging the warp drive and entering
hyperspace. 

Blood and bones," snarled the Hound's commander Akita, "Ensign, track that
ship,"

"Arf, Captain," she   barked, toenails tapping.

"Captain, the ship is headed for the Feline Space cluster," reported the
Ensign.

The Captain licked his canines  

"All paws on deck, "Captain Akita howled.

He turned to his second, Commander Rottweiler, 

"this could be a trick, be ready for anything," he growled, shaking out his
annoyance.

               "Arf, Captain," he barked, "Red alert!" he snarled, a thick
black toenail tapping the communication array.

 

The sleek battle cruiser slowed as it entered the feline cluster, the fur on
the bridge relaxing after the harrowing chase. 

"Don't congratulate yourselves yet, pretties, that ship has our scent. Tux,
employ the scent cloaking device. Tabby, set course for the cat tree sector,
full speed ahead," growled Captain Blackie, hissing his disappointment
through needle sharp teeth. 

"aye, Captain," Tux and Tabby purred.

 

"Report" snapped Captain Akita.

The ensign lowered her head and a low whine escaped her lips.

"Ensign, do I need to trot over to your station and read the report for
you?"

"N-no, Captain,"

"Well?"

"We've lost them in the cluster," she stammered, her delicate, Whippet tail
tucked between her legs.

The bridge quieted, only the sound of Akita's ear scratching was heard. He
stared out the bridge window and tried to console himself with knowing he'd
be done with this assignment soon.  He didn't have a choice, it was part of
the consequences.  He slid a look around the bridge and lowered his hackles,
reminding himself the pack was also in the same situation. It was either
this or the collar and kennel.

 

He was about to admit to the pack it was time to turn around and go back
tails tucked in abjection when Commander Rottweiler spoke.

 

Captain Blackie tracked the ship's progress, claws kneading the seat.  He
had to reach the check point, the pride depending upon their success. Just a
few more clicks and this would all be over. His mouth watered in
anticipation. He could practically taste the reward of a fine, roasted
breast of fowl. He scanned the bridge reports and hissed. The   cloaking
pheromone gas wouldn't last much longer. He made the calculations in his
head, it would be close, too close.  He yawned and flicked his tail. The
captain of the Hound was dogged but not flexible.; they would be able to
slip by unnoticed and once in Cat Nip's orbit all would be well. He was
counting on nothing else delaying them.

 

"Speak," said Captain Akita.

Commander Rottweiler shook his head, dislodging spittle. It landed on
Lieutenant Sparky.

"Sir, consider this: Captain Blackie is most likely counting on us to break
off the pursuit once we reach Cat Nip,"

"Yes, I'd read all the reports. What's your point??"

"Well, Sir, it seems to me that we should think like a cat," 

The Captain swiveled his ears forward and as if on cue, the pack tilted
their heads at an odd angle.

"Go on,"

Commander Rottweiler explained the plan.

"It's the best plan we've got, it's either this or going back with our tails
tucked," said the Captain.  The pack yipped in agreement and scrambled to
their posts. If it worked, thought Akita, he'd be able to retire and keep
his promise.

 

"Approaching the planet Cat Nip in one minute," reported the ensign.

Sixty seconds later the star lines melted away and the Hound appeared above
the planet.

"Mr. Doxy, take us to the lee side of the planet with sub-light thrusters,
power down, then remain there until we detect the other ship,"

Quick paws piloted the ship and soon the deepness of space enveloped them.

"Steady, Mr. Doxy. Ensign, begin countdown the moment that ship drops from
hyperspace,"

He swept the bridge with his best alpha expression,

"We're on the prowl, Commander Rottweiler, is the tracking beam ready?"

"Arfirmative," 

"Let the hunt begin," 

 

 

The Nine Lives shed the hyperspace star lines above the planet Cat Nip, and
Captain Blackie retracted his claws. He gave the command to the pilot to
begin entering the atmosphere.  The Russian blue hissed a warning,

"Captain, there is an anomaly   orbiting the lee side of the planet,"

: Identify it," Blackie said, flattening his ears.

"I am trying, Captain but the planet's atmosphere is interfering,"

"We'll be within scanner distance in 30 seconds," Blue said, then counted
down.

The Cat Nip nosed into the planet's shadow and found nothing.

"Scan for the anomaly," hissed Blackie, a bad feeling in his bones.

Then all hell broke loose. Every alarm went off, proximity alarms, tracking
alarms, weapons arrays, and then the ion cannon blaster them into
submission.

Too late, Captain Blackie realized the Hound was behind them, using the
blackness to first drop below them, then attack from behind, just like he'd
done. It was a pirating maneuver he didn't believe a canine would or could
employ. Being chased wasn't usually so demeaning to Captain Blackie, he'd
been caught before but this time it was infuriating-those space dogs used
his own strategies against him. He vowed at once that if any of the Hound's
captain and pack ever trotted into his territory, he's scratch out their
eyes.

 

Akita sat in the command seat on the bridge, thinking. The rest of the pack
had disembarked hours ago. He completed the reports but wasn't ready to go,
not yet. There was one last thing to do.  Exiting the bridge, he trotted off
to find the new captain of the ship.  Commander Rottweiler stood at the
observation deck, lost in the business of the spaceport. He turned when he
smelled Akita's scent.

"Captain," he said Akita nodded and sat beside him, taking in the activities
below.  

"You did well today, Commander, I am proud to have served with you,"

"Served, Sir?"

Akita met his eyes, then dropped his gaze and settled down, forepaws
outstretched, belly on the floor.

"I'm retiring. You now have command, Captain,"

Rottweiler stood and shook, stretched and smiled, his tongue spilling out a
gap between his teeth. 

"It was an honor, Captain,"

Akita stood,

"Now that this is settled, let's go eat until we puke,"

The two dogs turned, playfully walking beside one another from the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Chiappetta, Author

Anniecms64 at gmail.com

` Making meaningful connections with others through writing `

 

914.393.6605

www.annchiappetta.c <http://www.annchiappetta.c/> om Facebook Annie
Chiappetta

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is
waiting for us." 

*	 Joseph Campbell

 

 

 

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