The Miami Broncos

Chapter 2: Before the Limelight

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

It wasn’t quite morning when I got to my paws and stretched out the kinks that had found their way into my poor back during the night. Since the beginning of my last semester, I had only been able to surface for air on the odd occasion, consisting of trips to whatever small café or bar I could find near my place. Ever since my parent’s passing, I’d been under the wing of my father’s right hand man in the family, as he had been the Godfather of the Bronco clan back in Miami. I hadn’t returned since their assassination, and questioned constantly whether I would ever do so. There were too many memories, and I was almost sure that Badger, my said godparent, would insist that I stay and become my father’s son. I had refuted his attempts at returning me to the seat of the family, and insisted that I wanted no part in the heritage that was forced upon me by bloodright. Instead, I had gotten enough money to get myself through college to get a major in business with a minor in foreign relations. I was intent on entering the resort business with a good background, and someday, make my own place in the lucrative world that surrounded it. All this, without the mob’s helping hand. Yes, I could have used it. Yes, I could have used that influence to get better grades and make myself look better in the eyes of my peers, at least in their words, but wouldn’t that mean trading away the very integrity that makes a good business partner? Of course, and I wouldn’t have it.

Sighing a long breath out, I got myself ready for the day, a Monday, as it would be, grabbing a change of clothes before showering, washing away with it any regrets and ill-thoughts of the previous day. I had a certain philosophy when it came to studies: excellence is a concept taught by those who boast, but competence is taught by those who understand. I didn’t aim for the highest marks, nor did I aspire to. I only wanted to be able to get my degree and run, so to speak. The only reason why I was the least preoccupied with my work above the usual level of those around me was that I had applied for a foreign cooperative learning position in South America, to start a week after the end of courses. I was anxious to know if I was accepted for it, for if I was not, I would have to find another occupation in the shortest delay else my finances would suffer. God forbid, I’d return to Miami to live under Badger’s protection…

Brushing aside the thought with a nonchalant wave, I left my apartment and took the elevator down to the ground level, and started pounding the pavement for the ten-minute walk to the college. I was fortunate to have found such a nice, clean and comfortable place to stay for the term, especially so near to my studies. It was a coveted tower, visible from the campus in its plain white painted shell, and with a dogged determination, I had gotten a bye from the landlord one night at a local café where, on the oddest of luck, I had run into him and at the mention of my position, he’d offered my the deal. I reached the doors of the collegiate in the usual time and made my way towards the main auditorium where my morning course, advanced economics, was to take place. As I planned, I was ahead of schedule, which gave me time to catch my breath and relax a bit. There was no point in rushing in moments before the professor started giving his course, which offered the hazard of either not finding a place to sit, or even less enviably, a bitter look from the instructor. As soon as I’d propped myself against the wall aside the doors, I felt someone poke me, getting my attention instantly. A tall ram, a few years older then me, looked at me with a friendly air, seeming amused at my sight.
-Hey there Ulrich, said the ram. I see you’re as punctual as ever, eh?
-I try to be, Chris, I do, I answered. On the other hand, you missed class Friday. I could pass you my notes, if you want.
-I already got them from Cassa, said the ram, thanks.
-I’m sure there was a good reason...
-Some great head from my boy, returned Chris in his usual imprudent way, wagging his tongue to underline his comment. I could ask him to give you some too, if you like. That okapi’s such a sweet little slut.
-I’ll take your word for it, thanks. Anyway, here comes our graceful gazelle.
-Hello boys, said the female ungulate as she approached. That smirk of yours speaks volumes, Chris. I take it Hermann was good for you yesterday?
-And this morning, added the ram, correcting the gazelle. Bah, enough of that! Cassa, any news about that placement way down south?
-The professor’s going to announce the candidate today, said the gazelle. I didn’t enter, but I think you did, didn’t you, Ulrich?
-Yes, I replied, I did. I hope it works out. I wouldn’t mind a little tropical heat to warm my bones.
-And the pay to bulge your pockets, laughed the ram.
-That too, I coughed. Well, to each his reason, fame or fortune, right?
-True enough, shrugged the ram, hey, there comes my ride!
-Howdy partner, called the okapi, putting his hand on the ram’s shoulder as he came to greet us. So, big day today, eh Ulrich?
-So it would seem...were you in the running, Hermann?
-I was, yeah, though I wish the best for you first, kitty.
I nodded to the okapi  as the conversation continued until the early class in the auditorium, biomedical ethics, filed out of the room and holding the door open for the last stragglers to leave, we took our usual places. I was always at the front, two rows from the podium to the left, were I’d found the view to be excellent and the noise level to be near null, as any poor soul who decided to talk would be doing so right under the professor’s nose, not a very recommendable thing to do at all. With my bag stashed under my chair and my things out, I felt the gazelle, Cassa, tickle the back of my neck, laughing as I turned and stuck my tongue out sideways, my usual response to the tease. Herman and Chris sat together three seats down, just out of sight of the instructor so they could be free to fool around a bit if the course got too tedious. Finally, our professor entered, a old wolf with low-hanging spectacles for close sight, which he’d taken to wearing even if he wasn’t doing so, just as a signature. He stole a glance at me as he reviewed his papers, which immediately sent a tingle down my back, as if it was a non-verbal communication that the announcement he was to make was to my advantage. I tried to let it go and wait with the respectful patience that any student should have for his better. At long last, he scanned the class with his eyes, the signal for the noise level to die down, which it did, allowing him to start his speech.
-Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Well, today I couldn’t have been tasked with a more pleasant duty then to announce to you all who shall be leaving after this semester to the wilds of Brazil, eh? Before I say any more, let me first say that it will no longer be a single person who will be awarded this prize, but three, as it was decided that well, you might get lonely and everything, and the good people which are sponsoring this project apparently have far too much money for their own good. Now then, with this say, I will ask those I name to stand to be applauded by their peers, then we’ll start class when you’ve recovered from your emotions. First of all, our good panther here, Ulrich Luther! Congratulations, Ulrich, the board chose well. Second, Hermann Vitter! Nice surprise indeed, for a Monday, isn’t it? Finally, Cassa Wells!
-Cassa, I whispered to the gazelle, you said...
-It seemed a bit out of place for me to compete against you, Ulrich, but I really would’ve liked the placement too.
-Bah, we’re both in for it now, I said with a sly grin. Congrads!
The gazelle smiled and tickled my neck again before sitting down, allowing for the class to continue. The lecture seemed to pass by quickly enough, our minds too full of wonderful dreams of what our adventure would entail. Herman kept glancing over to us, more often me then Cassa though, twice sticking his long tongue out as far as he could, giving me a wink as he pulled it back. The second time, I discretely gave him the finger, which he replied to with a smile and a nod, obviously not interpreting it the same way as me, though his meaning was just as clear. As the professor put his chalk down for the last time of the day, we packed our things and headed out of the auditorium, whereupon the two other winner of the placement competition came to see me, all of us exchanging our comments and thoughts about the victory. Chris left his okapi’s side to join up with a few other buds at the cafeteria, allowing him to stay with us as we walked to one of the smaller study rooms to unwind a bit.
-I still can’t believe it, said the gazelle, easing herself down in her seat.
-I’m thankful they chose to take more then one soul, I replied.
-Yeah, otherwise we wouldn’t have stood a chance against you, Ulrich, joked the okapi.
We shared a laugh at the comment and went on some more until Cassa got up and took her leave, popping by the campus cooperative to get a few things for her place. Hermann stared at me as I watched her go, finally putting hand on my shoulder and muttering in my ear.
-You know, Ulrich, that’ll mean a lot of free time down there.
-It would, of course. What’s with the low voice, o-kappa?
-I get lonely quick, shrugged the Hermann, what can I say. Maybe I’ll finally see more of you then I do at tennis, eh?
-Hermann...
-Oh, come on, kitty, winked the ungulate, its no big thing. Tell me, when’s the last time you, you know, let it out?
-Too long, I sighed, cringing at the thought.
-Then what do you say we go to the John’s and I show you why they put handicap stalls all over the place?
-Hermann...
-Come on, just imagine it’s your dream girl, or me whatever the case.
-Hmm, I grunted to see the okapi’s gray eyes, fine then.
-Goody goody, I want some kitty!
We moved with the utmost stealth to the basement of the building, where there was hardly any traffic, there being no classrooms, only a few lockers. The okapi seemed to be used to the route and was quick to show me to the washroom around the corner of the stairwell, pointing to the latrine in the disabled stall.
-Just drop’em mister, said Hermann, himself undoing his belt.
-I’ll close my eyes, I replied as I lowered my briefs and sat.
-Oh wow, Hermann exclaimed as he saw my crotch, that’s something all right! ‘Course I got a natural edge, but eh, that’s the luck of being an okapi.
-Really, I muttered, half-opening an eye to see his long black member. Sheez, and you don’t faint when you get it up?
-Part of the trick too, he laughed. Now, take it easy, Ulrich me boy.
The okapi started pleasuring himself with his off hand as the other grasped me to guide his muzzle onto me, getting a ‘mmff’ from me as I felt his long, sleek tongue started to glide on me, wrapping his lips as he went on. I didn’t have much time to let my imagination wander as I held his head in place, caressing his ears as he worked. Scant minutes later, I worded my concern as I came to climax, but he let out a muffled giggle and continued until I came in his mouth, the okapi swallowing my salty load before letting me go and letting out a ‘ahh, yeah’ and getting up.
-Ulrich, would it be too much to ask for you to finish me off, eh?
-You mean get you to shoot off, I asked.
-That’s the idea, answered Hermann as I got up, seeing him in full performance.
-Hot damn! That’s just insane! All right then, get ready, o-kappa.
I got behind the okapi and grabbing his member with both hands, beat his massive tube snake until he gave a long sigh and dyed the water of the bowl a dull eggshell white.
-You’re better at this then you let on, he said, wiping himself clean, or you’ve really been lonely for a while.
-I plead the fifth.

I took a half hour to recover from my little morning surprise, though I could only say good things about the whole experience. I had lost sight of the okapi after we had returned to the fist level, but I extrapolated that al and all, it would be for the best, as I wouldn’t want for there to be any question from my acquaintances on the subject. Not that I always aimed for a Spartan reputation, but then again… I laughed to myself as I saw Cassa again, this time leaning against a tree outside, reading from one of her course manuals though I couldn’t quite make out which one.
-Hey hey, Cassa, how’s the book?
-Darling, this is advanced economics, and I think you can give just as good a critic of it as I can.
-Boring bunch of rubbish that we’ll need to live the good life later.
-Bingo, Ulrich.
-Can I join?
-Pull up some grass, kidded the gazelle. I have to admit I’m nervous about this though.
-What, the placement?
-No, this ‘bunch of rubbish’. Did you catch the part about strategic fund placements?
-Yes, to some extent.
-Then you’re not leaving this tree until you tell me everything you know, stated Cassa, taking my head in a playful lock. Start talking.
I gave a grin and taking out m own volume, showed her through the section she’s had trouble with and continued with an once-over of the entire matter until the next class, which of our whole gang, only we were registered to, being a purely managerial course for those who planned to start their own high-risk enterprise and do their own accounting for it. Cassa was rightly ambitious about her future, as was I, which was the glue that stuck us together since the beginning of our studies. We’d met in first year and stayed close enough but with mutual respect that we didn’t have the time for anything more. She’d been there to support me in the hardest year of my life though, during which my parents, Don Kaline and my mother, had been assassinated back home and I was faced with the responsibility to go back and take up the post of Don. Through my choices, she’d been of the greatest kindness and I owed her quite a bit for it. I considered my help during our studies something I gave back, and my own way of thanking her. After the course, we parted company with the promise of meeting back together tomorrow, exchanging a warm hug before leaving.

I felt like I was gliding on the pavement as I walked home, just besides myself as I realized the wonderful luck that I’d run into. It was getting a bit late and darkness had started to fall as I took the elevator up to my apartment, letting out a small roar as I closed the door, exalting my joy. With exams the next week and only one more after that, I’d have to pack the place up in the shortest delay, then probably put the majority in storage somewhere, if I found a good enough rate. I put together a nice tuna salad for supper, sitting myself down to listen to the radio a bit and unwind, taking out a few notes from the day and looking them over with a lazy gaze, humming once in a while, and even occasionally letting a nice burp rip with a giggle. After an hour, it was dark as me outside, to make a good comparison, just past seven, and I decided to turn of the radio as the news and local events finished, putting away the notes and throwing my head back on the sofa, closing my eyes to try and doze off. As my mind was settling into its restful place, I heard a knock at the door, which nothing short of mystified me, as there was no one to visit at this time of the night, not to my knowledge at least. Nonetheless, I walked to the door and put my eye to the Judas, trying to see who it might be. A tall, solidly built deer stood waiting patiently, seeming as calm and composed as could be, a good sign he wasn’t some nutcase of something of the sort. I put the lock chain in place and opened, standing behind the door as I asked who it was.
-I was sent by your Godfather, Don Badger, said the cevidae. I have a message for you, if you would chose to listen to it.
-If I let you in, do you swear upon your honor that you have no ill intent?
-I do, upon my name.
-Then come in, I said, undoing the locket and letting the deer in, who seemed even more solid in person, just shorter then me, not counting his panache. May I know who you are?
-Those in the family call me Tracks, said the deer. Badger heard that you are to leave for Brazil two weeks from now, is this correct?
-Yes, indeed, though I don’t see…
-The resort where you will be going is near a zone were there has been numerous reports of civil unrest and even highway bandits. He insists that you be careful, and that you do not walk about without some means of defense, should you find yourself in a hard position.
-I still have my Heckler and Kosh, I stated. Though getting it past the frontier…
-Is hazardous, yes. Instead, I suggest that you visit this address when you arrive in the country, said the deer, handing me a business card.
-A fish market, nice cover. I take it that there’s more there then food, however.
-Anything under the sun, and the owner was once a contractor with me. He’s completely trustworthy.
-I’ll take your word for that, I nodded, putting it in my wallet. Thank you, Tracks.
-I have to go, unfortunately, answered the deer. I have an urgent contract to take care of, and badger will be expecting me when I’m done.
-Then give him my best, and thanks again for you help.
-Of course, take care, Don Ulrich.
I was about to protest the title with which my visitor had addressed me, but he’d already turned around and left out the door, closing it tightly behind him. I hadn’t asked for the family’s help, though I still appreciated the concern and help that they’d offered. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in the middle of some mob in a strange land without a way out, especially if I’d have Cassa and Hermann with me. I wonder if they knew I’d already taken life… And would they see me do it again?

The week of exams had taken a heavy toll on me, though I felt just great about the results I’d gotten from them. I’d been ready for each one, as had Cassa, who’d come over three times to study with me, staying over once as the exam had been quite late and well, she felt like the company. I had done my best to put her up comfortably, giving her my bed and new sheets as I slept on the sofa, and preparing omelets for our breakfasts. After having lived through our trial, we’d started planning our work, myself renting a self-storage unit in the inner city where I’d found the security nice and tight and the fee extremely advantageous. Cassa hadn’t this step to take care of, as she lived at her parents, two kind gazelles that did their utmost to make sure their daughter would be fine in the strange land, inviting me and Hermann to their place one evening to discuss it, though they knew me well already and trusted me to take good care of their little one. I made a solemn pledge to her father in a heart to heart that I’d watch over her and protect her, as he’d learned of the tricky situation at our destination himself and was understandably worried that we’d run into trouble.
-I know you’re... experienced in these dangerous situations, said her father. If anyone can keep my daughter safe, it’s you, Ulrich.
-My background’s rather with families and their associates, not disgruntled militias. Still, thank you, and I’ll do my utmost.
-I can’t ask you for more, he answered, putting a firm hand on my shoulder and pulling me into a hug. Godspeed, panther.

As a special treat for their prized students, the college sent a limousine around to pick us up, Hermann already in the car when I got in, which was only logical, as he lived far in the suburbs and Cassa was deeper still in the city, in one of the better neighborhoods. I threw my bags in the back and gave the okapi a good head rub as I crashed against him, both as giddy as little kids on a field trip, which, fundamentally, was what we were. Cassa seemed the most nervous as we picked her up at her place, her parents seeing her off with the regretful expressions that could be expected from parents. As we pulled away, my own gray eyes seemed to linger a bit on the tableau, myself wondering what my own father would have done. Would he and mother have waited for me like that at the mansion? Maybe...
-Hey guys, called the gazelle, coming over to sit between us and trapping us in her arms, are you as excited as I am?
-I think I couldn’t be anything else, answered the okapi, returning the gesture. How are your folks taking it, Cassa?
-They’re fine, really, they know that the kitty will take good care of us, she replied, putting her head on my shoulder, isn’t that right, kitty?
-Yep, nobody’ll mess with us as long as I’m around, I said, letting a nice growl go, surprising the driver for a moment. Sorry ‘bout that. Oh, by the way, I just have a little pit stop to do when we’ll be landing over there, I hope you don’t mind.
-Where would it be?
-Just a little social call to a friend from way back when, nothing much. He works at a fish market over there.
-Nice! I didn’t know you had friends overseas!
-Nor did I, until a few days back...

The airport was crowded as usual, but we stayed together and made our way to the international flight deck, getting our luggage thoroughly searched, especially me, as my name would no doubt be in the databases because of my father. Still, we didn’t linger too long, and before we knew it, we were in the waiting room, looking at the screens to start showing details about our flight with butterflies in our stomachs. At long last, flight 513 for Brazil popped up and with twitching eyes we read the time and terminal, getting our tickets ready as we marched on to get onboard greeted at the gate by one of the hostesses, checking our credentials before we continued and jumped in our seats coincidentally one aside another, with me right in the middle of my friends, though Cassa was quick to steal the window seat from Hermann, sticking out her tongue to him with a nice ‘prrrt!’ The okapi mumbled for a moment, but then took his place and my hand in his, asking me if I was comfortable sitting aside a little thief like her. I rolled my eyes with a sigh and whispered in his ear that it was alright if I had a nice little tramp like him on the opposite side. He gave a husky laugh and settled back down, putting the courtesy headphones on, letting the tunes ease him into sleep as we took off. Cassa was in a very talkative mood, chatting with me about anything and everything, especially the fact that because of the voyage, we’d be missing the graduation celebration.
-My parents were a bit disappointed, but I convinced them that it was nothing compared to this wonderful experience. How about you, did you have anyone looking forwards to seeing you up there?
-Maybe my godfather, a nice old badger my father considered almost a brother of his, and grew up with like an uncle. But then again, maybe not. My situation’s always a bit more complicated then I’d like it to be.
-I know, Ulrich, said the gazelle, taking my arm and leaning on me while I stroked her long black hair. At least we have each other and the little horned beast over there.
-Who says thank you for your vote of confidence, said the okapi, half-opening an eye, though little horned is hardly a justifiable declaration if you know me better...
The gazelle blushed at the comment as he grinned and returned to his rest, leaving us to our peace. Halfway through the flight, Hermann pulled out a deck of cards and we played long hand of rummy, Cassa getting the lion’s share of the luck, but nonetheless killing time effectively until the end of the long trip, ending as we rolled onto the runway of the South-American airport. To our surprise, there wasn’t too many people around, and we didn’t have too much trouble getting our things. As we gathered the last of the suitcases, a Main Coon in a dark charcoal suit came to greet us on the behalf of our employer.
-Good afternoon, and welcome to Brazil, he said with a heavy Portuguese accent. My name is Juan Callao, partner with Banco Hotels and Resorts. My driver is waiting to take you to the resort as soon as you’re ready.
-Good afternoon, mister Callao, I said. My name is Ulrich Luther, and this Hermann Vitter and this is Cassa Wells. Could I ask for us to make a quick detour to a local business? I have an old friend to visit, near here, actually
-Oh, but of course. Please, this way, if you would.
We grinned and followed the Coon out of the airport to a cavalcade of taxis and private vehicles, finally stopping in front of a nice, sleek, full-sized black sedan, large enough for all of us and then some. I gave the driver the address as we got in the back and closed the door, and within minutes, we were parked in front of a low-end fish market with a nice assortment of just as suspicious characters, though from their looks and type, I knew they were nothing but the arms merchant’s muscle. I got out and walked towards the entrance in a quick, confident step, eyeballed with care by the men, though none of them tried to stop me as I opened the door and entered. There were a few patrons, but all and all, the market was empty, even for a slow day. A short, barrel-chested grizzly bear waited at the counter, looking at me with a curious air but nodded as I got closer.
-Don Ulrich, he said, I heard you’d be stopping by.
-Good, I’m glad the word got around quick. I need something discrete, but powerful and accurate.
-Then I have exactly what you need, he said, taking a package from under the counter and placing it in a plain plastic bag. Beretta, long-barrel special, rechambered to 35 caliber, five clips of 12. Three hundred and fifty.
-Four hundred if you have a silencer.
-Four hundred with a silencer, repeated the bear, putting another bundle in the bag while I passed him a roll of bills, which he didn’t even bother to count. Have a good day, and be careful out there.
-I will, thanks.
I took the bag with a relaxed air and returned to the car, explaining to them that he’d given me a little gift to remember him by as we rolled on, heading out of the city towards the countryside, were in the remoteness of the forests, the resort had been enjoying a monopole over nature-themed expeditions for tourists, which had racked in a pretty penny, from what the Main Coon had said. The driver started looking in his mirrors more often as we crossed a bridge, a telling sign that we’d entered the troubled area that Tracks had told me about.
-I hope we don’t get a flat tire, said Juan. These are dangerous roads these days. It’s anything but safe...
-Mister Callao...
The driver called for the cat’s attention as we came out of a blind turn in the dense woodland and saw the most terrible sight. A group of houses, the kind of poor residences that the less fortunate had in the region, was still burning, as if there had been some raid and they’d been set ablaze by the attackers. Cassa gasped, her eyes looking for the most horrible sight of victims, but saw none, thankfully. My stare caught something though, deeper in the clearing, and I called for the driver to stop.
-I can’t sir, not here, definitely not!
-Stop, damn you, I called. Right now!
The driver seemed taken aback by the violent surge from me and immobilized the vehicle, giving me the chance to get out, my plastic bag with me. I crept towards the movement I’d spotted, feeling my friends had gotten out of the car as well and were watching me as I advanced. At the foot of a tree stand, I saw what seemed to be one of the militiamen, yelling at someone on the ground. I didn’t speak a word of Portuguese, to my discredit, though it hardly sounded like anything melodious. Ten meters away, I finally saw what it was: a young ocelot girl, stripping bare for the brown monkey holding a rifle at her. I took my new goods out of my bag and mechanically loaded a clip in the handgun, the distinctive click of a round loading in the chamber getting the rapists’ attention. He’d never see me though, as the moment he’d turned his head towards me, three bullets traversed his skull, wrecking their havoc as they continued on their way back into the air and into the wilds. Without direction, his frame fell to the ground, finally freeing me to rush to the ocelot’s sides. The girl was crying uncontrollably, half of her trying to cover herself with her torn clothes while the other had given in to the despair that seemed to eat her alive. I put my gun away in my pocket, knelt aside her and tried to hush her, holding her shivering arms as I spoke, slowly calming her enough for her to look at me.
-Do you speak English, I asked in an articulate tone. Can you understand me?
-I do. Who... who are you?
-I’m here to help, I replied, with nothing better to say. How old are you, where are your parents?
-I’m..., started the girl, trying to find the right word, twelve, sir. I lose my parents when we run away from them. They come two days ago, ask for money and food, then leave after saying they come and kill us for not helping them. Before they come, we run away, but I fell and he find me. He ask me to get undressed and try to...
-I know, I know, I said, not wanting her to mention the incident again, seeing that it had deeply marked her. Here, have my shirt. I have a car over there and we’ll take you to a hotel were you’ll be safe until your parents come back.
-Thank you, sir, thank you... muttered the ocelot before passing out, obviously overwhelmed by her emotions.
I took off my shirt and put it on her, leaving behind her torn blouse and pants, and carried her to the car, with my old schoolmates staring at me in disbelief. It took a while for them to talk again, but they didn’t mention my summary execution of the militiaman, instead concentrating on the ocelot, who I held against me as we rode on, running my arm in her hair and down her back through my ill-fitting shirt, letting her sleep restore her until we reached the resort.

After a long, tortuous drive through the rough, unforgiving path, we finally came into view of the hotel. The main access way was actually another road, from the North, but the detour would have brought us through a longer stretch of the insurrected territory before landing on it. Even with the hazard of the local militias, the place was booked to capacity, save for the rooms we were to use as our own for the time we were placed there. The driver pulled into the employee parking lot, behind the main building, and seemed to be contempt with the fact that he’d gotten us though the forest in one piece, and that he’d remained whole as well.
-I’ll let you settle in, said Juan, and perhaps we can try and contact the local authorities about your treasure there, Ulrich.
-Perhaps, I echoed, that would be recommendable, but I’d like for her to get some rest before we take such an initiative, poor little kitten, she’s still shaking.
-Wouldn’t you be, huffed Cassa. We’ll take care of her. After all, I don’t think we could be of that much help until we get more familiar with your establishment, sir.
-Indeed, indeed. Feel free to roam, and my assistant will come by with some literature for you to go over.
We took our luggage from the trunk, Hermann insisting on taking mine so I could carry the ocelot as we filed in behind Juan, who insisted on showing us to our first-floor suites, which, I had to admit, were just a tinge larger then my last apartment back home. I put the ocelot on the bed, who looked at me for a moment before closing her eyes again, going back to sleep long enough for me to unpack my things. As I took a step back and looked at my closet, neatly packed and organized, I felt a hand take mine, and looked down to see the ocelot’s striped palm, and her golden eyes staring back at me.
-Ah, so you’re awake. What’s your name, if I may ask?
-Lua, answered the kitten. Yours was… Uri?
-Ulrich, I corrected, gently squeezing her hand. You’re very beautiful, you know that?
-Thank you, answered the ocelot, blushing slightly, you very strong yourself.
-Oh, so little, so little. Now, we should get you something better to wear then my old rags, eh?
I took the phone and searched for the number of the lost and found at the hotel, getting one of the janitorial staff on the line in a few minutes, questioning him about lost children’s clothes. By the oddest chance, at my greatest relief, a suitcase had been left behind a few months back, and had yet to even be inquired about, containing a few things, but most importantly, about three changes of clothes for a young girl. I asked for Lua to wait for me while I went downstairs and gave a twenty to the attendant for his troubles and took the clothes, hurrying back to the room to give them to the ocelot. Leaving her to her privacy, I went to get a coffee at the resort restaurant’s takeout café, returning to find her in one of the jeans and tee-shirt set I’d brought, looking at herself in the mirror.
-Thanks Ulrich, these very nice, nicer then what I had home. I’m very worried bout my parents now. Can you try and find out where they are?
-I’ll call the police right now, I answered, picking up the phone as the ocelot came over to sit aside me, finding some comfort in leaning on me while dialed.
The constable I first got a hold of didn’t speak English, which made things a bit difficult until another came and managed a very decent dialect, almost hiding his accent as he spoke.
-Good afternoon, how may I help you, he asked in a polite tone.
-My name is Ulrich Luther calling about a lost child I found on the road to the Banco. The village there seemed to have been raided, and one of the attackers was killed during the assault…
-You travel in very dangerous places, mister Luther. I cannot help you, however, as that area was declared in a state of martial law an hour ago. The National Guard is coming to secure the area and put down the insurrection. When the troubles are over, then I’m certain you will be able to coordinate with them to locate the child’s parents. It often is like that, you see, when these situations occur. In the meantime, you can either turn the child in to us so we may take care of the situation until things get better, or you could also keep him safe in your care.
-Seeing as how returning to the capital would mean another trip though the forest, I think I’ll keep her here.
-You have a good heart, amigo. Take care, and I hope you find her parents, eh? Adeus.
I hung up with a mixed feeling of hope and understanding of the situation I’d run into. Just as Badger had kept an eye out for me, I’d be keeping an eye out for Lua until the local troubles blew over. I turned and explained what I’d agreed to with the police, but I saw only comfort and relief in her eyes, ending my explanations as she jumped on me, sighing as I cradled her against me. It wasn’t fair for her to have been victim of so much violence, not in the least. Whatever these people could say they were fighting for, fundamentally it was only for their own selfish ends, nothing else, and no manner of rhetoric or demagogy could erase that fact. Trying to rape poor children after having burned their villages, what savages. All I hoped what that the armed forces would have just as much mercy in their treatment as I’d had…

By the time that supper had rolled in, Hermann and Cassa had done their own tour of the facilities and were eager to go out for a bite with me, knocking on my door until I opened to them, pushing me in with a laugh.
-Hey Ulrich, this is going to be great, called the okapi. There’s a pool session for employees on the weekends, and we have free access to the spa after hours. Guess who’s going to be getting massages ‘till he’s sick of them!
-And who’s going to be attending every aerobics classes that she can, added Cassa.
-As if you needed them, I said, motioning her form with my hands.
-Well, I need to keep it that way, don’t I? How’s…
-Lua, she’s fine, I stated, letting them in to see the little ocelot drawing at the desk with the paper and pens I’d given her to have some fun. We played cards for a while, but she hasn’t taken to the television yet.
-Good thing too, that box just rots your brain out, said the okapi as Lua turned and came to meet us. She’s really cute, isn’t she?
-Thanks, said Lua, pulling at his horns. You have very short horns, Hermann.
-That’s part of being an okapi, he laughed. And having lots of spots and stripes is part of being an ocelot?
-Sim, said the girl. Ulrich, I’m hungry. Can we eat?
-That’s what we came here for, assured Cassa. Come on, Lua!
The four of us headed for the restaurant, where we were shown to a booth out of the main area, reserved for employees unless there was an overflow. The prices for our meals were lower, though the choices were fewer. Not that it bothered me, I was hungry enough I could have just generally waved at the menu and said ‘That’. Hermann took the largest salad on the menu while Cassa chose an egg sandwich, somewhat betraying her usual vegetarian habit, and both me and Lua took nice hamburgers too fill our cravings.
-I swear it always scares me a bit to go out for lunch with you, said Hermann. You never kinda feel like taking a nice bit out of our meaty butts?
-That’s part of being civilized, I said, we carnivores control our hunger. Just pass me your hand though. Naah, you’d be stale as a cracker.
-And me, asked Cassa, would I be better?
-Not in front of Lua, I whispered to the gazelle, who took a nice tone in her cheeks at the comment, kicking me under the table. Ow!

We’d eaten our plates through to the enamel when one of the waiters came by to advise us that there was someone at the reception desk who wished to see me.
-Two officers from the National Guard, said the waiter, a captain and his lieutenant, from what I could tell. They seemed eager to talk to you, though they didn’t mention on what subject.
-Thank you, I’ll be there shortly. Lua, stay with Hermann and Cassa, okay?
-Sim, I will.
I excused myself and walked out of the dining area at a good pace, noticing the unmistakable figures of the two soldiers in full uniform, who also caught sight of me as I approached, giving me a courteous salute as I shook they hands.
-Good day, Signor Luther. I am Captain Carlos Tomas, and this is my second in command, Lieutenant Ronaldo Diez. We learned this morning that you rescued a little girl from one of the looted villages to the south, correct?
-Yes, that’s exact.
-We also found the body of one of the damned men responsible for the atrocity, said the lieutenant.
-That’s not a problem is it?
-Not directly. You see, what does concern us is how he died. None of the villagers were armed and he wasn’t dead for too long when we arrived and found him. I’ll be plain, for I hate subterfuge; did you kill him?
-He was trying to rape an innocent little ocelot, the girl I rescued, I answered, my purpose clear. Yes, it was me.
-Then first, I extend my gratitude for your aid, said the captain, for we were able to find much information on his person when we searched him. Thank you for your great skill and deadly response. Second, I thank you even further, for he was the right-hand man of the leader of the militia, and fundamentally the brains behind their operations. Without him, they’ll be hard pressed to continue fighting on with heart and soul. We have already started cleaning up pockets of them all over the region today, and they are putting up very little resistance, even surrendering when we arrived.
-A few angry peasants with civilian weaponry doesn’t quite match up to your firepower anyway, I shrugged, they’d be either very foolish or desperate to put up a fight.
-Very true, nodded the captain. On another note, I know your background, Signor Luther. I had a copy of your file made for me, the one used for your passport. You could be a dangerous man for the militia to face, verdadeiro?
-Perhaps, but I am a graduate student here in a work placement, not a war hero.
-Signor, with your merciful actions today, you are already a hero, said the lieutenant. At any rate, if you need anything, find anything out or continue to disassemble the militia’s command structure, please contact our forces and ask for one of us. It is an honor to know you, Ulrich.
-And you as well, I said, wishing them goodbye. Perhaps we’ll meet again?
The two gave a final salute and marched out of the resort, freeing me to return to my friends, who had also left the table by then and were waiting for me at the restaurant’s entrance.
-Good news, I hope, said Hermann. They’re not cross at us or anything?
-Just a pledge of mutual assistance, I replied, and thanks for taking care of one of the head honchos of the militia.
-Really, returned Cassa, well, its nice to have them on our side, just in case we run into any more of them. No offense, Ulrich, you were good, but…
-I second that, said Hermann. Anyway, I’m right about ready to hit the sack. I didn’t get all that much sleep on the plane, and last night wasn’t too wonderful either ‘cause of the nerves.
-I’m spent too, I said. It’s eight o’clock anyway, so no regrets about missing sunlight, eh?
-Did you just hear that, said the gazelle, right there?
-Gunfire, about five clicks out, I answered, and another wonderful reason not to stay up too late in the dark of the night. Let’s haul our butts out of here, eh?
We jogged back to our rooms, sharing a warm hug before wishing each other a good night’s rest, Lua jumping on my shoulders before I had time to protest as we went back to ours. I gave her my toothbrush and asked her to get ready for bed while I took care of setting up my own bed, which consisted of a high-end pull-out from one of the sofas, very nice quality all and all. As I was tucking in the sheets, I felt the ocelot’s hand tugging at my arm, and I turned to see the girl in her tee-shirt, pointing to the bed.
-Ulrich, I feel scared to sleep alone tonight, she said. My parents sometimes stay with me to help me sleep when I’m like this. Could you, please?
-Are you sure? I don’t want to keep you up.
-Sim, come and hold me, Ulrich. I know I’m safe with a big leopardo with me.
-All right then, I said, picking her up and putting her in bed before getting in with her. How do you say ocelot in Portuguese?
-It’s the same, she smiled. Boa noite, Ulrich.
-Right back to you, I said as she snuggled against me and in a slow breathing muffled in purrs, she fell fast asleep, letting me do the same as I was sure she was fine.
In the dark of the night, I felt something shaking my arm, a sensation that after led a single life for such good while, surprised me to the greatest extent and woke me up instantly. Looking back at me was Lua, managing a half-smile on an otherwise troubled face. I gave her a hug, holding her as I asked what was wrong.
-Did you have a nightmare? A bad dream?
-Sim, I did, said the ocelot. I saw that man who tried to hurt me. I... I don't understand what he wanted. He told me take off my clothes, and said he'd hurt me if I didn't. What did he want, Ulrich?
-Did your parents ever talk to you about sex, I bluntly asked the ocelot.
-Sim, a bit sometimes, but they don’t like to.
-You see, Lua, its wrong for anyone to have sex with someone who doesn't want it. Also, it's completely wrong, no matter what, for an adult to have sex with a child. People that do that are terrible people, that nobody likes, and who its okay to be afraid of. It's hard to live life without being afraid, Lua. If anything, its good to be afraid, because it keeps you safe by warning you when there's something wrong. Now though, you don't have to worry about that man, he's gone forever, and I'll protect you from anyone, okay?
Lua nodded and cuddled back with me for a moment before talking again. Shaking me again to be sure I was awake, she asked a very complicated question to answer on the spot.
-Ulrich, it is also wrong to take photos of children, sim?
-Of course, it’s terribly wrong, I said, my eyes shooting open. Why would you ask that?
-Sometimes, men come to the villages around here with money and cameras, and offer money to our parents if they let them take pictures of us, even more if we aren’t dressed. Not many say yes, but some do. Some of my friends do it and feel bad about it, but their parents say they need the money too much.
-God, I startled, feeling my blood boiling at the thought I’d better not meet them. Do you know where they come from? Who they are?
-I think they come from the city, but I’m not sure. I never talked to them, so I don’t know.
-Bless your soul for not having done so! What filth, preying on innocents like that...
-They only come for a few days, maybe two times a year, added Lua. Ulrich, can I ask you another question?
-Of course, I said, holding the ocelot even closer now.
-Is it all right for an adult to do things with someone my age, if they really love each other?
-No, I answered, it isn’t any different. Is that also..?
-No, it is not, I was just wanted to know, because I like you very much...
-Lua, I’m almost twice as old as you, I said, and I respect and love you too much to do something that could possibly hurt you, you understand?
-Does it hurt, asked the ocelot, does it? Then why do people do it if it hurts?
-It doesn’t hurt when you’re grown up, I replied.
-Then you don’t get hurt? Is there something to do that only person one feels anything?
-Lua, I don’t think it’s right for us to talk about this. You’re still very young to learn about these things. I did when I was about your age, and I regret it.
-Please tell me, insisted the ocelot. Show me, Ulrich.
I let my mind race around for a while, confused as to my answer to Lua. She’d been so vulnerable and naive about sexuality, and almost exploited because of that fact. For her own good, perhaps, it would be for the best that she know all she could, so that she’d be aware when someone is trying to abuse her. Giving a grunt, I looked at the ocelot, who was leaning on my side, waiting for her reply.
-Are you sure you want to learn, Lua?
-Sim, I want to know more about these things.
-Then I’ll show you what I can, I replied. First though, we need to get ready.
The ocelot smiled as I acquiesced to her plea, and quickly pulled her shirt over her head, revealing her yet forming slim body and her immature chest, covered with spotted amber and white fur. I felt aroused the moment that she threw her tee aside the bed, landing on my discarded pants, making me lose my concentration as I fumbled with my own shirt, soon suffering the same fate as the rest of our clothes. Lua waited in her underwear, curious as to what the next step would encompass. Before going any further, I went over the procedure of intercourse with her, and what the act meant on an emotional and personal level, the girl nodding in understanding at my explanations, even catching on to certain allusions I made when a more abstract subject came into play. With the theory over with, Lua reached over to me and pulled down my briefs, looking with a fascinated air at my crotch, inspecting it with a shy grin.
-So that’s what goes in me, said the ocelot. Are you sure? It’s quite big, too much to be able to.
-That’s one part of you growing up before anything, I said, holding her chin.
-Can I touch it, asked the girl, do you mind, Ulrich?
-Go ahead it you want, I replied, letting her hold me as she continued her exploration, giving a grunt as her soft hands slipped against me.
-Is something wrong?
-No, that just felt... good, I guess. You see, even without intercourse, you can feel some of what you would when you’d do it. For me, it’s by stroking myself, for you, its different.
-How is it, asked the ocelot, taking off her panties and waiting.
-Open your legs, I said. Do you even feel something when you wash there?
-Sim, sometimes. It is that?
-You start like that. First, you play with the lips here, like this. Then, when you feel its wet around there, you can put a finger inside, and it feels even better.
-Do it, Ulrich, whispered Lua, holding her knees apart.
I gathered myself and ran my furry paw on Lua’s crotch, getting a few whimpers as she gave in to the feeling. She smiled and nodded as I showed her my index, and slowly as possible, I put it inside her, the ocelot muffling a shrill cry as she started breathing heavily while I worked in her. After a few seconds only, she rolled her eyes back and bit into her pillow, coming with a long sigh.
-That was wonderful, Ulrich, I never felt like that, she exclaimed, putting her own finger inside. Oh, sim, I like it!
-Just don’t do it too often, it becomes a habit.
-Now can I do something like that to you? By stroking you?
-If you want, I said, lying down and guiding her hands. Hold it like this, and move like that. Oh, yes, that’s it. If you do it faster, then I’ll come, but before you do, pass me those tissues there.
-Sim, here you go. Why do you need them, asked Lua, pumping faster still.
-Because of this, I called, putting two sheets on me as I shot off.
-What was that? Why did that come out?
-That’s how men come during an intercourse. There’s something else, if you want to know.
I turned the ocelot to face away from me and raised her tail before starting cullilungus on her, instructing her how to do the same to me, starting a very enjoyable time of our night, as awkward as it was. After having thoroughly spent our energy, we put our underwear back, hugged tight in the sheets and fell back asleep, Lua purring softly as she dozed on my shoulder.
The first thing I felt the next morning was my face hitting the floor as I fell out of bed with the tingling feeling leftover from a wet nose poking my in the neck, which was a sure way to startle me out of my peaceful slumber. I turned to see Lua on the bed, laughing her head off at my reaction to her pun, self-satisfied as could be. I got back on my paws in a hop and pounced on her, pinning her to the mattress with a growl, getting a further giggle from her.
-Good morning, kitten, I said as I let her up. You slept well, I hope?
-Sim, without opening an eye, she replied.
-Then maybe if we get ready we could go down for a bite, my stomach’s making more noise then I’d like right now.
-Me first, exclaimed the ocelot, grabbing her clothes in a lightning movement and rushing into the shower with a mad giggle, sticking her tongue out at me. You’re too slow, Ulrich!
-Then just make sure that you don’t empty the Amazon River, I called through the door. The fish need some too!
-You can eat the fish if you’re hungry, I’ll take the water, she called back.
I shook my head with a compassionate grin, glad that she had such a great humor only a day after her home had been razed, and there still no sign of her parents. As I was pondering the matter, I saw a note slipped under the door, and picking it up, read the manuscript, in Juan’s hand. It was an invitation to breakfast for the ocelot and me where he’d be able to hand out assignments for our work term. I smiled for a moment, glad that I was finally going to be earning my keep, and hurried to take a quick shower after Lua had finished hers. The pair of us came in time to see Cassa just making herself comfortable in a chair at the little salon in front of the restaurant, waving at us as we got closer, giving us a nice hug and sniffing my cologne for a moment, giving a little hum in response.
-I don’t remember ever smelling that one, she said. Well, it fits you just fine, Ulrich.
-Thanks, I just got it before leaving. I wonder where Hermann could be.
-Right behind you, answered the okapi, grabbing my sides, and right on your behind! How’s the gang?
-Rested, replied the gazelle. Ah, here comes our benefactor! Good morning, mister Callao.
-Call me Juan, we’re all friends here, answered the Coon. Well, I see you’re all as good as your words, eh? Shall we go in? I doubt that our stomachs will forgive us for holding out on them for so long.
We gave a courteous laugh at the joke and followed the cat into the restaurant to one of the nicer window tables as one of the waiter brought us a round of coffee, leaving us to prepare them as we started to talk.
-So, to start, I’ll explain my usual habits, said Juan. I looked at your files from the college, and tried to fit you into what seems to be your specialties. For you, Cassa, I saw that you have a natural talent at administration and personnel, am I correct?
-I’m very comfortable at it, confirmed the gazelle. I’d like to be able to experience it more in a practical way, though.
-Well, that’s easily taken care of, nodded Juan. As you you two guys, you’re both outstanding number crunchers and planners, from what I saw. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll have both of you working with me, at the top of the food chain. If you do intend on starting a business, there’s nothing like firsthand observation, eh? I was thinking of a meeting every morning, then to let you do your stuff in your rooms, work-at-home, if you want to call it that. No protests?
-None other then a question as to what computers we would be using.
-Ah, we have some old laptops here already, said the cat. I think you’ll find that using those little marvels is just perfect for an on-the-go administrative structure. It lets you go where you need and roll with the punches in your schedule. Plus, it’ll let you take care of your little treasure there, Ulrich. I assign moral support to Lua, on an unofficial basis. Also, there’ll be another student joining us this morning, and for the summer, actually. As nepotical as it might seem, he’s my nephew, a fine young jaguar, about your age, from the capital. He’s a Spartan publicity guru that just finished his education, though I’m sure you’ll get along just fine. Ah, I think I see him there. Estrela! We’re over here!
-Ah, dear uncle, said the jaguar as he joined our table, it’s wonderful to see you. Good morning, friends! I’d heard that there would be some friendly faces here as well, and I see that it was right! My name is Estrela Callao, though I hope you hold no grunge against me for the favor that was shown for me.
-Not in the least, assured Hermann, it’s nice to know you’ll be with us, Estrela.
-And it’s good to be inside four walls, returned the jaguar. Things are a little too exciting out there these days...
-From what I heard, it’s going to be over soon enough, I replied, though that’s a brave captain’s bravado talking.
-I hope so, amigo, I hope so, nodded the spotted cat. Ah! Enough talk of these dark things, this is a place of wonderful enjoyment!
The jaguar was animated as any creature could be, and seemed to have a natural glow to his eyes that just made him seem happy and surprised all the time, and underline his words as he went on about his schooling and us four students got our first meeting with our superior, who was anxious to get Hermann and me started on projected figures for the year, which he’d need by the end of the week to be able to start a project planning program to continue the growth that the resort had been enjoying, and make sure that it would continue well into the next five years. I found myself sharing some very salty jokes with him, careful that the young ocelot didn’t hear, some of them making us bite our lip not to burst out to loud. The meeting disbanded with the end of the breakfast, and the laptops that Juan had promised were delivered to us as we were leaving the restaurant, allowing us to start as soon as we’d gotten back to our rooms. Cassa and Hermann came over to my room so we could go over the big picture together, as well as pool from our collective experience and gain confidence in our ideas and make the most of our efforts. With Lua in mind, I took out a few books I’d brought along, including some basic calculus and physics, and seeing her interest in them, showed her a few tricks with derivatives, and let her start her own learning, as she’d had little more then basic primary and intermediate-level education which, though the best that her parents could offer her, was far from what she’d need to get a higher education. Perhaps it was a good thing she was stuck with us, after all...

As we’d gotten into the nitty-gritty of the math behind the economic models that Hermann and me had decided to use for the projected figures and Cassa had started looking over the organizational structure and philosophy of the hotel resort, a knock came at the door. Leaving Hermann to continue reviewing some calculations I’d put together on a spreadsheet, I went over and opened the door, coming face to face with Estrela’s glittering eyes.
-Hello, Ulrich. I take that the rest of you are in there too?
-Yep, the whole gang’s here in an all-out admin party. Want to join?
-I’d like to, if it doesn’t bother you too much.
-Not in the least! So what does your assignment consist of, exactly?
-Well, this and that, shrugged the jaguar, entering the room and getting comfortable against the wall aside me and Hermann, but mostly trying to give the company a little more prestige when it comes to the image it projects.
-You’ll like this then, I said as the okapi turned his laptop towards Estrela.
-Sorry, Ulrich, laughed the jaguar, putting a hand on my shoulder, all I see are numbers, and I’m quite terrible with those. Could you explain a bit?
-Basically we’re trying to see how much of a good corporate citizen Banco could be, said Hermann. This model is for a socially minded enterprise with a profit margin split between redistribution in social causes as well as growth.
-If you get too much growth, I continued, the structure of the company couldn’t take it, especially in this case, right Cassa?
-Yap, called the gazelle, giving a thumbs-up. If I see more then 15% personnel growth and 30% rotation, we’re fried.
-So you give back part of the profits to charitable causes and social programs, added the okapi. All and all, it means that you don’t have an unmanageable growth, but you still retain a profit margin and look damn good because of the cash you dish out.
-Add tax benefits to that, and bam! You’re sipping martinis with God and the angels.
-I see, said the jaguar. You’re brilliant, the three of you!
-It’s all theory, but it seems to be working all over the place. Anyway, I guess if we start using this little idea, it would be a good spin for you to work with?
-A gift from above, you mean, corrected Estrela, shaking my shoulder. Thank you for making my life so pleasant. I’ll start typing up a pitch for the media and a little publicity storm to announce the direction Banco would be taking. Poor uncle! We come to his resort and turn things upside down!
-From what I can see, he had a great idea to start with and brought it to what it is now, explained Hermann, but things just hit a brick wall three years ago. Good startup, but he didn’t expect this much growth this fast, which bring us back to the problem we talked about. If anything, we’re avoiding a recession in business from lack of renewal.
Better understanding the decision that we were trying to push the resort to take, the jaguar took out his own computer from his pack and started typing his heart out, the glitter in his eyes almost following his train of thought as he worked. Within two hours, the four of us had coordinated together to be able to present a full package to Juan, and were convinced that he’d buy into it. After all, for a first day, we’d made very impressive research and came up with a solution to an otherwise fatal problem to be contended with later on, and would be able to rebound with a publicity campaign that would gloss over any doubt that Banco was ever in an unenviable position. Hermann eventually dozed off as we wrapped things up, sounding the end of our workday, as the sun had come and gone and five o’clock was dully glowing on my bedside alarm clock’s display.
-All right, I said, saving my files and shutting my computer, let’s call it a day.
-All in, called Cassa, closing her own computer. We’ve earned our sleep. If you need me, I’ll be in my room, but don’t count on me answering the door.
-Dido, seconded Hermann. Call it quits, Estrela.
-I will indeed, replied the jaguar, putting his things away. It looks like Lua already dancing in dreamland.
-Oh yes, I giggled, seeing the ocelot on the bed, out cold. Anyone for a walk? It looks like a warm night out there.
-I’m come, said Estrela. After all, I haven’t gotten my place ready yet and I’m in no hurry to hop into more work. Shall we, my good panther?
-Sure, I said, pulling a cover over Lua and giving her a peck on the cheek. Let’s go before we wake up this little kitten.
The gazelle and okapi almost melted upon seeing my kind action and filed out of the room, with me and Estrela closing behind them, locking the door before continuing on out of the lobby and onto the sundeck, now deserted of guests as the time for sunbathing had well passed. The jaguar looked at the sky for a moment, humming as he took in the sight.
-Nice night, for the beginning of summer, he said.
-Yes, and plenty warmer then what I’m used to back in Miami. The nights tend to get nippy around my place.
-A real shame. I bet you don’t get skies like this either.
-No light pollution here. Plus the forest smells great. So you studied in the capital?
-Most of the time, shrugged the jaguar. I did two semesters from home over the Internet, actually.
-Impressive! How did it work out?
-Let’s just say that there’s nothing like reading a lecture in bunny slippers and boxers at nine in the morning after having slept in.
-I can imagine, though in my case I always lived to close to the campus to think about taking it easy.
-Good news, you have an entire placement to do it, said Estrela, jabbing me in the side. Sorry to complain, but I have a bit of a cramp in my back. Mind if we sit?
-Not in the least, I replied as we took our places on a stone bench on the patio. Where’s that cramp of yours?
-Just in the small of it right there, pointed the jaguar. You good at getting rid of those?
-I have my own back issues, from my father’s side. I normally use a chair’s leg to massage it though, being alone and all.
-Well! I won’t interfere, he said, turning and sitting straight, pulling his shirt up a bit.
-Right here eh, I mumbled, feeling a trigger point right where he’d indicated, in the middle of a rosette. This’ll pinch a bit, though.
-Oh! Hey, that’s just great! You’re an angel, Ulrich!
-Ulrich das Engel, I could take that, I joked as I pulled his shirt back over the spot.
We kept talking for a while, though I could sense that Estrela was stealing a few looks at me while we did. I caught his glance a few times, and strangely felt something stir, though for the slightest instant, I could swear it was the same kind of feeling as when I was looking at Cassa on lonely evenings. The fourth time it happened, our eyes met and stayed locked until the jaguar reached over and taking my shoulder, pulled me in and for the first time in my life (although not the last, I must admit), my lips met those of another man. At first, only our lips touched, then for the oddest reason, I felt my mouth open, followed by his, and instants later, our tongues were probing each other’s and our arms closed over the other in the dark of night. Estrela pulled back after a few seconds, and looked a bit ashamed at having dared to touch me in such a way.
-I’m sorry, Ulrich, I just felt like...
-It’s all right jag, I replied, I... I like it.
-Ulrich, he said, looking at me again with those glittering eyes, could you fuck me?
-What?
-I mean it, he said, looking deeper at me. I’d do anything to feel your thick cock in my ass right now. I didn’t say a thing in your room, but I was thinking very, very bad things.
-What the hell, I grinned. Your room?
-My room, he returned with a sly air.
The two of us hurried to the jaguar’s room, where little more then the usual hotel furniture and boxes waited. Estrela was savage, and he knew it. As soon as we’d entered his bedroom, he stripped bare, showing every inch of his spotted golden yellow fur and his average member, raised like a pink obelisk in the yellow sands of Egypt. He pounced on me, pulling down my pants before I had time to undo by shirt, and loudly slurped as he sucked on my member, his fierce eyes staring back at me. As soon as he could feel me as solid as stone, he got on the bed and with his rear raised to me, leaning forwards to give me as much room as possible, he slapped his left bun with a giggle. Not wasting an instant, I took my cock and holding him open, slid myself in. The jaguar didn’t expect me to go so quick, or perhaps the caliber of my equipment, letting out a dry gasp as I worked in him. As I went on, I took him in a wrestling lock and turning him on his back over me, reaching over to masturbate him as I continued. The poor jungle cat was yowling and clawing at the sheets as I gave a husky laugh, proud of the number I was pulling on him. Finally, I came in him and sympathetically, he shot off all over his stomach with a dull ‘oompf, ohh!’. I almost laughed as I let him go and rolled off the bed, getting up and tossing him a toilet paper roll from the bathroom.
-Hot damn, said the jaguar, that was something else! I bet this wasn’t your first...
-Actually, it was, I said with a smile as he hopped back into his underwear.
-You’ve kidding! Well, let me say you must have some mean beginner’s luck! Anyway, I’d hate to sound ungrateful, but I wouldn’t mind a little rest, you know, recovery time, giggled the jungle cat, rubbing his ass.
-In that case, I wish you sweet dreams and a good night, Estrela.
-Hah, a sweet dream I’ve just had, Ulrich! Same to you, kitty.
I waved to the tired feline as I got my clothes straightened out and ambled out of the room, letting out a long sigh as I felt my general tension drop like a brick. After all, it hadn’t been a bad screw, not by a long shot. I returned to my room listening to see if my little ocelot was in dreamland already. I could hear movement on the other side, so I was sure that she was definitely up and about. Opening the door, I saw Lua lying on the bed in her panties, one hand gripping her breasts as the other played in her. As soon as she realized I’d come into the room, she let out a shrill yelp and got her shirt from aside the bed and quickly put it on, looking a bit red in the face.
-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, I said, backing out of the bedroom. I’ll come back later...
-No, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were coming back so soon, apologized the girl. I just felt like that feeling again, and thought I had the time. I... I didn’t feel as good as when you did it, Ulrich.
-Call it expertise, I shrugged with a grin, dropping on the pull-out bed. Anyway, it’s late, and you’d better get some rest! Tomorrow, I’ll show you integrals.
-Could you hold me again, asked the ocelot, patting her mattress, please, Ulrich?
-I don’t think that’s a good idea, I replied. I’ll leave you to your rest, kitten.
-Please, repeated the ocelot, her eyes getting moister as I tucked into my sheets, please, I don’t like to be alone. I feel scared, Ulrich.
-Why? There’s nothing to be afraid of, you’re just fine here...
-Please, Ulrich, she muttered, her jaw trembling as sadness overcame her.
I groaned as I got out of my otherwise comfortable bed and walked over to hug Lua, easing her into the sheets, who settled down from her near-cry. As I started to drift, I felt the girl’s breath, then her lips pressing on mine, her little pink tongue following my incisors before pulling away. I opened my eyes, but only to see Lua huddling back against me, on the edge of sleep. I gave a grunt and dismissed the gesture, letting myself go out like a light.

Morning came slowly as the first rays of sunshine crossed into the room, revealing a beautiful sunrise as I came to. Looking down, I saw Lua still dozing, her spotted arms opened as she lay on her back. I gazed at her for a while, watching her soft stomach rise and fall with her breathing. Leaning over, I wondered how to wake her, finally settling on as romantic an awakening as the goodnight she’d given me. With a hand I supported myself as the other slid under her shirt and grasping her chest, I lay a long kiss on the ocelot. Lua’s eyes opened slowly and a wide grin appeared on her face. My hand dropped from her stomach to lower down, and pulling down her undies, I ate out the kitten as she bit in her pillow.
-Good morning, Lua, I said as I returned her silks.
-It is, she smiled. That was good!
-Bah, it’s nothing, I shrugged. I wonder if-
Before I could finish my sentence, the phone on the bedside table rang out, ending only as I reached over and picked it up. Hello?
-Ulrich, started a voice, almost inaudible with sounds of battle in the background, this is Captain Tomas. We need your help, quickly!
-What’s wrong, what can I do?
-We’ve been ambushed five kilometers from the hotel by the remainder of the rebels, near the burned village. If we don’t break through them, they’ll wipe us out. We need a diversion to break their concentration so we can get out of there. We called for reinforcements, but they’ll be here too late. Please, waste no time!
The signal broke as the man finished his phrase, but I was just as certain that there was no other option then for me to go and help the man. After all, I’d told him he could count on me, and vice-versa. I told the ocelot to wait for me and to get ready for her studies as I got dressed and packed my sidearm, running downstairs as fast as possible. I jogged as fast as I could, though I could hear the staccato of gunfire as I neared the area Tomas had told me he was located. I almost bumped into a rebel fighter breaking cover from the tree line to reposition for a better shot at the convoy, visible a hundred yards away down the straight stretch. Before he’d realized what was happening, I’d cut him down, and two more of his friends came out to stop me, only to receive a shot to the head each. I returned to the safety of the trees, reloading my pistol as I took a few aimed shots at fighters I caught sight of in the brush. My intervention and expedition of six souls to hell must have been just what Tomas had hoped for, as the convoy started moving towards me, heavier assault weapons trimming the vegetation as they advanced. The rear guard was still in the tick of it, as the rebels had abandoned their forward positions to try and tail-gun the vehicles. As their numbers depleted with the more and more focused fire from Tomas’ men, the incoming fire soon fell silent and I poked my head out to see the coati standing in his jeep, giving me a salute and waving for me to get on with him, the driver slowing to allow for such. As I got on, he gave me an accolade with his free hand, nodding with a tired but glad expression.
-Ulrich, you’re sent by God, said Tomas. How many did you throw in the Devil’s pit?
-Six or seven, from what I could tell. What happened?
-We thought that this road was clear, which is why we decided to come by here to start our light patrols today, only to see a few of the rebels come out with mortars and started to open fire on us. Soon, they had cut off our retreat, and we formed up to resist them, though there were more then we were ready to take on. From what I can tell, that was all that was left of the militia’s assault force, and they were determined to take the weapons and supplies we were carrying to regroup and reform their core. Now, however, they are broken, once and for all, and only their command remains. My deepest thanks, panther!
-I’m just glad that this fighting is over, I replied. Have you started processing refugees and displaced people?
-Yes, by the hundred, though I still have to get that in order before I can tell you anything about your little one. How is she?
-Just fine, I said. Right now, she’d learning advanced math from me. It would be nice to see her go to college.
-Sim, it would be indeed.
As the jeep picked up speed, Tomas tossed me a flack jacket and showed me how to adjust it to my chest, underlining that the possibility was still there that we’re come under fire again. Slapping the Velcro straps in place, we discussed the captain’s career, the coati quite proud of his platoon, and singing their praises with vigor.
-All these god men are veterans, he said, all the best in the forces. We have what, just under six hundred kills, collectively, so about 20 each, on average. Except me, of course!
-Luckier with the trigger?
-Oh, yes, fifty-five. Not bad, if you look at the number of times we were fielded.
-Nothing more dangerous then a crazy coati-man!
Tomas exploded at the nickname, giving me a thumbs-up and nodding as we pulled into the parking of the resort. Juan was waiting for me, obviously intrigued why a military column had parked in front of his establishment. His air was of total surprise as I got off the jeep, getting a last thanks from Tomas as he signed for me to keep the vest and showed his people on their way. The Coon was utterly distressed and mystified at my appearance, which was understandable, seeing the amount of blood splatter from they close-range shots against the militiamen and the mud from hitting the deck a few times.
-What happened out there, Ulrich? I heard gunfire, and you look like you were in the middle of the action!
-Well, I was, I said with a grin. I got a call from the good captain this morning, asking for me to help pull his platoon from an ambush. I went out and picked off a few in the backfield of the siege, enough for them to turn things around, then helped them clean up a bit. Thankfully, the worst the Guard got was a man with a minor bullet graze.
-Who did the board sent me, started Juan, if not a Hercules by his own right? I’ll let you rest, though. To ask for more from you would be too much.
-Actually, would it be all right, I corrected. After all, I do have obligations towards you to fulfill. Did you want us to present our findings today?
-Sure, if you feel up to it. I’d be glad to send something colorful to the board.
-Then I’ll go change and call the others. I doubt that I’m all that credible right now.
-Oh, I doubt anyone would contest your declarations, laughed the cat. Take better care of yourself, Ulrich, or you’ll burn your candle out too fast.
I walked to my room, and to my dismay, poor Lua almost had a heart attack when she saw me enter the room, completely forgetting about jumping on me as she had apparently planned. I reasoned with her and told her what happened as I took off the bulletproof vest and changed into clean clothes to meet Juan and my friends, the last of whom I called up and filled in as to the expose we would be giving today. As I buttoned my collar and gave the ocelot a hug, a knock came at the door, and I opened to see the gazelle, okapi and jaguar with their gear, ready to crash at my place like the previous day.
-Wow, you really had some fun, commented Hermann, seeing my stained shirt hanging out of the closet hamper. Are you Jack the Ripper’s proud descendent?
-Not just quite, but don’t worry, that hemoglobin isn’t mine.
-Can I try the jacket on, asked the okapi, pointing to the armored vest, just for a while?
-Sure, raise your arms, I replied, putting the article on him and strapping him in. Looks good on you, Hermi!
-Then I’ll keep it on, he smiled, leaning over to whisper in my ear. You know, I have this little dream about a private getting disciplined by his drill sergeant...
-A private’s privates getting disciplined, you mean, I replied. Later, o-kappa...
The okapi grinned and winked as I shadowboxed his vest, pretending that I was giving him a good wallop until we settled into the task of putting a nice digital slideshow together to get our ideas across to Juan, including whatever work from yesterday we deemed necessary to prove our points. Cassa smooth-talked me into doing her part, using her irresistible brown eyes and pout until I caved in and started, getting a thank you and a shoulder massage from the gazelle. I returned the gesture as soon as I was finished, letting Hermann do his part as I worked on Cassa, though I added a few ear nibbles to it, getting a few giggles from her as I nuzzled behind her ears with a little growl. The okapi clapped his hands to catch a diskette from Estrela, who had been simultaneously typing his part, then passed the laptop to the jaguar, who worked a bit of magic into the presentation with his own brand of expertise. We finished in time for lunch and called up some sandwiches for the whole gang as we rehearsed our show, though it was obvious we looked like a bunch of technocrats compared to Estrela’s candid tone and pace. Juan gave us a call just after one, asking if we were up for our presentation. Getting nods all around, I gave him a green light and signed for everyone to pack it in and more to his office, except Lua, who I set up with some basic integration problems, the kitten looking giddy as she started on them.

For a good hour, we blew Juan away with our plans, though the Main Coon was a shrewd mind and caught sight of the major points with precision, as well as potential pitfalls to avoid on the way to our final objective. As we turned off the laptop, he sat back and closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and with a smile gave his verdict.
-Lets to it, said Juan. It looks like you’ve all got plenty of work in this project and I can’t wait to get this troubled ship back on course. Outstanding job, all of you! Hermann, Ulrich, I’ll get the most recent numbers from the bank, and we can start planning our campaign from there. Estrela, I’ll get some funds together for you to start working on publicity. Cassa, I noticed there’s still the issue of a training and standardization plan outstanding. With this image project, it would be worthwhile for our people to start entering a higher level of competency to continue projecting a ‘model citizen’ persona. I’m sure you can think of something, my good lady. And Ulrich...
-Yes?
-Any more firefights on your schedule?
-Not for the moment, but life’s unpredictable, isn’t it?
The Coon chuckled and waved as we took our leave, exchanging comments and congratulations for our wonderful display. We only did framework planning for the rest of the day, as the entire process would depend on what Banco’s situation looked like from the bank’s perspective. As before, Lua had put down her math and fell asleep in the sofa in front of the window, leaving us in peace until we disbanded for the day around six. Hermann and Estrela left for the bar for a few cold ones to relax, though Cassa seemed content to stay with me for a while, the gazelle looking more and more thoughtful as we chatted about our impressions on our placement.
-There’s something on your mind, Cassa, I said, raising her head with a brush of my hand. What is it about?
-It’s just that... you know, Ulrich, we’ve been together through college, and more still. Now, I don’t know, I feel like we don’t have to hold out on each other anymore. If there’s more between us, maybe we should say it.
-Cassa, I’ve always had the deepest respect for you, I said. I’ll be honest with you, I’ve had times where I wished I could have you with me more often, hold you closer then a friend, maybe.
-Me too, Ulrich, said the gazelle, taking my arms. When I stayed over at your place, sometimes I wished I could get up and lay down against my big black kitty for a while. Sometimes, when I looked at you, I felt something else too, like I’d really like for us to, you know...
I turned and looking at Cassa, brought my muzzle to hers and kissed the gazelle, holding her shoulders as she closed her eyes with a hum. It was the strangest moment, though it felt like we’d finally brought down a wall between us, grasping close as we contemplated our next move. The gazelle rolled her eyes towards the door, then shook her head towards her place and holding her waist, we left for it. I could feel Cassa’s heartbeat through her short fur, getting faster still as we entered her place. She wasn’t timid about her appearance anymore and took off her trademark white denim jacket, hanging it in the entrance closet before proceeding in. She was beautiful, very beautiful, none could deny it, and without anything but her white denim pants and a blue tank top, she was nothing short of breathtaking. Cassa could see through my tee just as easily as she eyed me when we entered the living room. I sat down on the sofa and pulled her down with me, taking her in a loving embrace like I would have liked to so many times, and felt her hands search under my shirt, taking hold of the bottom of it to pull it off me. I did just the same to her and in one fall swoop, we were looking at each other’s duvet as the gazelle took off her brassiere. Her breasts were firm, filling my hands as I held them while I kissed her, Cassa giving a burst of breath as I cradled them.
-Oh, Ulrich, I always wanted to know how this would feel, she said. Hold them tighter, yes! Like that...
-Cassa, You’re so soft, I just want...
-I know, she said. Me too, kitty!
The gazelle left my body to undo her pant’s buttons and let them drop, leaving next to nothing between us as I did the same. We searched and explored our chromatically negative forms until I got over her and pulling off our underwear, I took the leap and entered Cassa. The gazelle smiled as I started my performance, which brought me to ask her why, exactly.
-Is something that funny, I asked.
-This is so much better then I thought it would be, she answered with a giggle. Come on Ulrich, hard as you can! Oh, that’s right, kitty! Bring it on for the gazelle!
I bumped against Cassa as long as I could hold it, feeling my scrotum bounce against her rear as I went on. The ungulate gave a few silenced cries, her eyes rolling back as I finished in her, hands gripping the sheets then releasing them just as soon. She took me against her, letting our sweaty frames hold each other, then planted another long, warm kiss on me.
-I love you, Ulrich, she said as she hugged me. I’ve always loved you.
-Me too, Cassa. I didn’t think your nipples were black though...
-Surprise, laughed the gazelle, letting me tease them. I didn’t think you were that hem, large, down there, I mean.
-Surprise, I echoed.
-And a good one too... how about round two?
-Ladies and gentlemen, in this corner...
I made passionate love to Cassa for a generous two hours before we shared a hot bath, wherein we continued our cuddling, interrupted by a bubble fight for a few minutes. It was like we’d always planned for this, somehow and it was just meant to be.
-This is going to be a very, very nice placement, she said as she saw me off to return to put Lua in bed.
-I’d rather think so, I returned.
I left the gazelle with a sweet embrace as I took my leave, bumping into Hermann in the hall.
-Sorry about that, o-kappa! How’s the evening?
-Cold and lonely, replied the okapi. I wouldn’t mind a little company, to tell you the truth.
-I’ll just go put Lua in bed and we’ll play cards a bit, how’s that?
-Great! I’ll be waiting, just knock.
I hurried to see the ocelot to bed, who was tired from her long day already and didn’t ask for me to stay with her this time, just happy to wrap herself up tight in the sheets and go out like a light. I took a portable chess set I’d packed in my things and walked over to the okapi-next-door, who called to me to come in. I opened the door to see Hermann in his pants, shirtless at the living room table, shuffling his deck.
-So, what’ll it be, he asked. Gin? Rummy?
-I’d say strip poker, seeing as how I have a lead on you, I joked. I brought chess, in case.
-Nice! Poker, eh? Fine with me, I’ll deal. How many aces up your sleeves?
-You trust me that much? Fine, I’ll get ex equo with you, I said, taking off my tee.
-I know how the rest looks, commented the okapi as he dealt out the cards. Don’t worry.
-You still remember that, eh? Well, it was... special, I’ll admit. Let’s see... I’ll need one.
-I’ll need two... special? Heh, that’s one word for it.
-Full house, I said, showing my hand. What do you have?
-Three jacks and a bad stiffy, said Hermann with a wink.
-Then stop jack-ing off, I retorted. Ha ha.
-I don’t want to be too forwards, us being friends and all, but I kinda liked you touching me that one time...
-So you’d like an encore? Well, how about a few more hands, eh? Then we’ll see.
The okapi grinned and dealt out again, starting a winning streak for me lasting no less then fifteen games. At last, I got up and walked over to Hermann, hugging him from behind and running my hands on his chest as he craned over his neck and licked me. I waved my finger as a signal for him to drop his shorts, which he hurried to do, sitting back down low in the seat, his twelve inch member half-up as he looked at me with his gray orbs. He moaned as I ran my hands over his legs and on his balls, but let out a cough as I grabbed his cock and put it in my mouth and started to suck him off. Poor Hermann almost fell back as pleasure overtook him, my pointy canines and raspy tongue running on his privates while I jerked him with my good hand. In a low hinny, he finally came flooding my jaws with his fluid, which I had no choice but to take down as more seemed to come as I finished him off.
-Good Lord, he called out, that was great! I mean great! And I’ve had head more times then I remember for God’s sake! I owe you for that.
-Then pay up, I grunted, taking off my pants and putting my dick in his face. Get to work, o-kappa.
-Yes sir! Can I put the vest on first..?
-Did you forget your uniform, private? That’s a court martial, soldier!
-Sir, I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again...
Hermann strapped on the bulletproof jacket before he started to work on me, jacking himself off as he worked while I gave a military-style reprimand, which seemed to tickle his fancy in the most interesting way...

I got up first the next day, hurrying to my room to get changed and execute a nice concealing wash-up before the others would be the wiser about my previous activities. Juan was actually the first to knock at my room just before ten to give me a status report on the financial promises he’d made us before. Indeed, there was more then enough money in the accounts to start initial investments as per our plan, and for Estrela to work his magic. There was no question about it, we would be in full swing within the week, as soon as we’d be able to get in touch with local charities and make sure they were legitimate and would be properly using whatever sums we would attribute them.
-I think we could act more directly for now, I said to the Coon. Seeing as how there are a large amount of displaced persons in the area, we could set up some kind of a triage center to start registering them and whatever missing persons they lost track of.
-That would require some coordination with the Guard, commented Juan. Could you manage something with your friends from yesterday?
-Probably, there shouldn’t be any problem with that. After all, it would only mean one less activity to concentrate on for them.
-Wonderful! Well, when you get any news, please call me. In the meantime, I’ll get working on setting up accounts for the charitable actions another for our one-jaguar PR department.
I smiled and waved to Juana s he walked out of the room, turning to cuddle with Lua for a while as the ocelot talked my ears off about what she’d been doing during the previous day and asking for me to correct assignments she’d done to get used to calculus. The kitten was gifted, if nothing else, her math just perfect in every way. I kidded that soon I’d let her do some of my work, answered with a shrug and ‘sim, I’d love to!’ As soon as I was done, I took the phone and called the central command post at the number that Tomas had given me and was transferred to an outpost ten kilometers away.
-Come in outpost Gamma, I called over the phone, come in, over.
-Roger, this is sergeant Samel, said the voice over the fuzzy line. What can I do for you, over.
-Transfer me to Captain Tomas, please. Over.
-Roger that. Sorry sir, Captain Tomas is out on mission, and was classified MIA an hour ago when he failed to respond to a radio check. Over.
-Roger. Can you give me his last position? Over.
-Roger, positive. He was in the vicinity of village Santa Anna, three kilometers from here. I cannot disclose his mission, however. Over
-Copy that. Thank you, Sergeant. I’ll be transferring to Santa Anna shortly. Please advise of status. Over
-Status is occupied by militia forces. It is their last bastion, and heavily defended. Over.
-Copy. Over and out, Gamma.
I hung up the phone and gave a heavy sigh as I reached for the flak jacket aside the bed and strapped it on over my shirt and took my sidearm from the bedside table, tossing whatever clips and loose munitions I had in my pockets. Lua seemed very worried, but I plainly stated to her that everything was fine and that I’d be back soon, and to tell the others to start planning the implementation of our work if they showed up at the door. With the information that I’d gotten from the outpost, Tomas would have been twelve kilometers from the resort, to the South-East. I kept the Beretta out as I jogged, soon cutting into the woods as I left the parking lot. A bright sun was both a blessing and a curse, as although it would mean that I’d be able to spot any movement and get ready to duck out of danger, it also would mean that anyone else had the chance to do so as well. An hour later, I was hidden in bushes overlooking a small hamlet where a sizable group of militiamen were resting and shoring up their defenses, building barricades around the perimeter and coordinating to resist a siege. As I was glancing around, I suddenly heard the percussion of automatic gunfire from my left and two of the militia fall to the ground, dead as logs. I raised my sidearm and took the opportunity to pick off a third who had broken cover and was returning fire, getting the attention of whoever had been attacking the village. I looked to the woods aside me and heard a familiar voice calling to me.
-Who is there, friend or foe?
-Friend, I returned. Tomas, is that you?
-Ulrich, said Tomas, coming to meet me from his cover with the rest of his men, what the devil are you doing here? How did you...
-I called your outpost and they told me you were here, and that they’d lost contact with you and declared you MIA.
-We lost our radio, said the coati, pointing to a damaged radio pack carried by his platoon technician. A few stay shots hit it, though I’d rather it be that then the good man carrying it. We’re to take out either the entire force here or their leader. We have rockets, but I’d hate to use them unless we know were he is. When we use them, we can’t really tell who was who after...
-I understand, I grinned. So we’d need to flush them out. How about flaring the rooftops and lighting them up?
-And give away our position? That’s a harsh gamble.
-Give them to me and I’ll go across from here and do it, then make a break for it.
-You’d better just keep your ass down while we clean the village up. All right, if you want to try it, I have no objection.
The coati collected the flare guns from his platoon and handed them to me in a satchel, wishing me the best as I started off. I still took my time as I moved, knowing that at the smallest movement, the militia would open fire and worst still, give away our plan by telling them that some part of the force was coming into their rear. As soon as I could see the tall palm I’d used to position Tomas just poking over the hamlet, I took the flares and started my work. My first shot was wild, just to measure what the range of the things would be, but the next three hit the roofs of the houses and lit the dry timber up, immediately sending their occupants outside and as predicted, a wall of lead spraying my position. I hit the dirt behind a raise in terrain, but could just see that Tomas had started his firing, two flares from him hitting the remaining huts while he worked the militia over. A few minutes later, there were scarcely anyone left in the village and cries of surrender sounded them the survivors as they put down their arms. I waited until the Guardsmen had moved in and secured the area before I joined them, the coati coming over to shake my hand and give me a tight accolade.
-You were perfect, Ulrich! That monkey over there near the barricade was the leader, and rushed out of the second place you set ablaze, only to meet our fire.
-Well, you were darn precise too, Tomas! That was fine, fine work.
-You know, I think I’ll put in a nomination for a medal for you, leopardo, said the coati. After all, this is the second time you give us a hand in hard times. It’s the least I can do.
-I do whatever I can for friends, I replied. On a more practical note, would you have any 35-caliber rounds? I only have one clip’s worth left.
-Back at camp, we do, yes. Why don’t you come along? It’s only half an hour away, and I’ll have you driven back home after.
-I’d be honored! I’ll be right behind you.
We waited until one of the soldiers took snapshots of the dead at the camp before starting off in double files. I took the time to meet some of the platoon, some of which were surprised by my credentials, and started calling me ‘The Don’ by the time we reached the military camp, a collection of temporary shelters and tents in a well-entrenched clearing, manned by no less then half of Tomas’ men, who seemed relieved to see the expeditionary force back in one piece, a few calls and comments exchanged between both groups as we disbanded. The coati showed me to their quartermaster’s, who was all too glad to issue me a medium-sized wooden box of 35-caliber JHP rounds, neither mentioning their price or legality.
-I know who you are, said the anteater. You’re the one who pulled us out of the fire yesterday. These ought to see you right, eh?
-Two hundred and fifty? I hope I don’t have to go through them that quickly...
-You never know, replied Tomas. After all, how many did you use today and who knows when’s the next time you’ll be our brother in arms?
-Point taken, thank you.
-Have these too, muttered the quartermaster, putting a few smoke grenades, flares and a pistol holster in a helmet and passing it to me. That vest can protect your guts but it would be nice to keep your head together too, eh?
-Always useful, I laughed, strapping it on and putting the other items on the vest. Tomas, I meant to talk to you about something.
-Then let’s go to my tent, over there, said the coati, pointing to one of the larger ones in the camp. I have a nice bottle of old brandy...
I followed Tomas to the tent where we took off our gear and he pulled a glass bottle of hard liquor and poured us both a glass, cheering to our outstanding victory, which signaled the end of the struggled against the militia. After two helpings, I gave him a once-over of my idea for the temporary triage center, which got nothing but commendations from Tomas.
-Like I told you yesterday, we started, but we just didn’t have the time or resources to coordinate a serious effort. I could have whatever we have right now transferred to you and you could continue from there on out. Plus, the police would be able to assist you if you need anything with regards to it. I’ll put in a word to them about it.
-Will you stay deployed in the region for a while as well?
-Well, I doubt that we’ll just be pulling out this soon, replied the coati. After all, just because we put down the uprising doesn’t mean that there aren’t any more discontents that wouldn’t be willing to pick up the torch and rebuild. I wouldn’t be too surprised if we’re kept in place for a month of two, at least. Actually, when I look at this area, it’s very funny...
-What is?
-Your hotel has possibly the best staging option anywhere. I suspect that’s also why it’s so good for nature tours, in calmer times. Do you know if your superior would mind if we set up somewhere down the road to the south? It would give us a direct path to bring in supplies from the capital and patrol the area by jeep.
-I don’t see why he’d object, I shrugged. If anything, he’d be glad to make some arrangement with you if you want to drive through for a square meal rather then live off good brandy.
-Nice, exclaimed the coati, very nice! Well, I guess that I could see you back there now, if you’d like. We’ll keep in touch for the arrangement, all right? When I get confirmation about our posting, I’ll call you. In the meantime, maybe you could hint at our idea to the manager?
-Yep, consider it done, captain.
-Oh, and call me Carlos, smiled the coati, slapping my back as we got up to leave, you don’t report to me, after all, being a civilian and everything.
-Gotcha, Carlos.
-What do your friends call you, back at the hotel?
-Hmm, all kinds of things. Leopardo, panther, kitty...
-Sounds like a lady’s nickname, eh? Lucky cat you.
I laughed as we left for the motor pool, where the coati ordered one of the patrols to go out on a recon run down the road and drop me off at the same time. I enjoyed the free ride and hopped off as soon as the jeep had stopped by the front entrance of the resort, getting a few looks from the visitors as I passed by in full combat gear. The first familiar face I saw was Hermann coming out of the restaurant after a quick snack, his gray eyes dilating and a bulge appearing in his pants as he saw me.
-Howdy there stranger, called the ungulate. I take it you had another quiet morning?
-Very funny, I chuckled. Does camouflage turn you on that much, o-kappa?
-Oh, kind of, whistled the okapi. I’ll just be in my room banging my crotch halfway to Hell, if you need me.
-Need help?
-Hard to refuse...
I escorted the okapi to his room, careful to be quiet as we passed in front of mine, where he signed the others were working already, and who’s voices I could hear all too well. With a very naughty air, we snuck inside Hermann’s apartment, where I pounced on my victim, knocking him off his hooves and onto the large sofa in front of the television and to his surprise, gave him a long, purring kiss. The okapi’s eyes blinked hard, as if he wondered if he was dreaming, but then gave a muffled laugh and wrapped his arms around me and slipped his long tongue into my mouth, teasing mine as I shoved my hand down his pants and took a solid hold of his member and undid his fly. He had a delighted grin on his face that turned to a questioning air as I took off my pants and briefs.
-Ulrich, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your train of thought, but what are you doing, exactly?
-Clearing the way, I answered, getting on my knees and elbows on the sofa. Get in there, o-kappa.
-You...you mean it? I mean, just a blow would be great too.
-Shaddap ya mouth and fukka me in de ass, eh, I said with a fake Italian accent.
-Hallelujah, called Hermann. Gracia plena!
I felt the okapi take my legs apart and massage under my tail, then as I relaxed, he started his branch into me, which as I could have expected for a first time, offered an interesting variety of dull pain though strangely enough, quite enjoyable. Our grunts and exclamations continued as Hermann jerked me off as he slid in and out of me, the okapi just besides himself, as if he’d been hoping to get the chance to do it for some time. At last, he let out a moan and pumped me faster as he finished, myself coming scant moments later.
-Lord almighty, mouthed the ungulate, that was incredible! I’d never would have thought I’d see the day...
-Me either, but then life’s full of wonderful surprises.
-How are you... I mean...
-Oh, just a bit numb, nothing much. Perhaps a little shower would be in order though.
-You can use my soap, offered the okapi. It’s lavender and mint, if you ever wondered what I smelled like.
-Interesting mix. How about I scrub your stripes while I’m at it?
-He he, you might be just as bad a slut as I am, kidded Hermann.
-Call me morally relaxed, I laughed as I picked him up off his hooves and carried him to the bathroom. Don’t mind it a bit hot, do you?
As soon as we were presentable, we returned to my room, where the other graduates were lazily looking over the reports from the bank and discussing the possibilities and the possible scope of what we would be able to accomplish. I announced my idea about the refugee and displaced persons processing team, then as I’d gotten their agreement and support, I typed up a proposal for the action, as would be standard procedure for the Banco Endowment Fund, the temporary namesake for the program. Without a doubt, we’d be getting in the limelight with such a gesture and Estrela backed me as much as possible with public hype to maximize the return from what would nonetheless add up to a respectable sum when all was said and done. By noon, we’d gotten a message from the reception desk that Juan was in the restaurant and expecting our company. I gunned hard to finish my document with the jaguar’s help, publishing it in time for us to go down and meet the cat, who looked as relaxed as ever, though had a smirk on his face as he caught sight of me.
-So Ulrich, you couldn’t stay out of the line of fire? I heard you came back with your guardsmen friends again this morning.
-That was the last time I’d get the chance to, I replied. I couldn’t miss that, could I?
-Apparently not! Well, I take it from that look of yours and a laptop under your arm that you have more miracles to profess?
-Somewhat, said Hermann. This is the first application of our endowment fund, towards a refugee processing operation nearby, partly operated by us and by volunteers. It would pay for itself in terms of great publicity, without a doubt, and the military has agreed to support our effort.
-All the better! I can’t say how pleased I am with your work. I got down to the business of setting up those accounts this morning, so there are provisions for you to start when you’re ready. That goes for you too, Estrela.
-There’s just an issue regarding the military support of this idea, I added. The Guard will be staying in the region for a good while, to make quite sure that any remaining dissent was stamped out with the militia’s defeat, and were looking at setting up shop a few kilometers away. Maybe with certain deals, we could attract their patronage, at least here at the restaurant?
-Any more rabbits in that hat of yours, chuckled the Coon. I suppose that a captive clientele couldn’t hurt, even at a lower profit margin. We’ll have to make temporary arrangements though to insure they have room to dine though.
-I’ll ask their commander if they have a tent they can set behind the hotel, just temporarily. That would settle any space issues, as well as keep us safe under their umbrella. Hearing firefights at night hasn’t been a restful thing to date...
-Hear, hear, called Juan. This calls for a nice bottle with our meal! Anyone have something against Chardonnay?

The meal only ended about an hour later, with the group disbanding for the day, all quite tired of the intense burst of energy that we had deployed to make out proposal to Juan a reality. My work was not done, however, as the task of calling Carlos and informing him of the success of our enterprise was still before me. I hurried to my room to get patched through to him, getting the good coati on the line before long.
-Ulrich, my friend, how did your boss take our idea?
-Absolutely perfectly well, I answered. You’re welcome to come at your leisure to steal out food and drink, as you like, for a modest price.
-Well said, returned the coati with a laugh. Are there any conditions other then that?
-Only that you bring your own mess hall, so to speak. We hoped that you might be able to install a tent behind the resort to serve as such for your men, as we don’t really have the facilities on hand to welcome you for an extended period of time without disrupting our usual flow.
-Quite understandable. I don’t expect I’ll be short of volunteers to pitch that, considering. I just got my orders five minutes ago, and as I expected, we are to remain deployed for a period of four months, and then probably the same period just in case, the way that things usually are. I take it that we’ll be in your area by nineteen hundred hours, at the latest. We didn’t set up shop very solidly here, only a temporary base camp. I’ll come see you when we’re installed over there.
-I’ll be waiting, I said. Take care, Carlos.
-Yourself as well, and my best to Lua, eh?
I hung up the phone in time to see the ocelot pouncing on my, bowling me over the bed and to the ground, chuckling as we wrestled for a while, though I conceded victory to her in jest. After all, she had the better spirit in it, and I was understandably tired myself, in no state to put up much of a fight anyway. I played with her for two hours straight, then took a nap with the girl cuddled against me before I was woken up by the sound of trucks outside. I slowly roused Lua and strode to the window to see two of the Guard’s vehicles and a good group of men talking with Juan in the basement as others started putting together what had formerly been the mess hall in the forest. The Coon waved to me with a thumbs-up as he spotted me watching and I waved back, glad that things had worked out so well. An hour later the phone rang, answered by the coati’s familiar voice. Lua insisted that she wanted to take some time to draw, which she’d gotten quite good at, sketching pictures from a few books that I’d given to her. With her busy, I offered to Carlos that we take a little drink at the bar downstairs, an offer that he accepted whole-heartedly, eager to get some time off. Changing into a polo and twill pants I went down to meet him, seeing to my great surprise the captain out of uniform, wearing a black tee and cargo jeans, holding his hand out in greeting. Shaking it I put my hand on his shoulder and guided him to the bar, which he gave a sigh of relief at seeing.
-This beats my little tent, he joked. Could I have a gin and tonic, please?
-And a pale lager, whatever you have on tap. So, how was the ride in?
-Wonderfully peaceful, though don’t tell my superiors, I wouldn’t mind staying here for a while. It’s been a long week, and my men aren’t as salty as when they came in.
-Combat takes it out of you, eh?
-Disturbingly quickly, actually. I don’t know, maybe it takes some life to take some from others. I’ve never thought about it much myself, though. I joined when I was twenty, and haven’t had much break from the field since. I had my first combat kill in a patrol mission when I was twenty-two, but I don’t know, I didn’t feel anything. Probably I realized it would happen one day and finally it had, and all my rhetorical reflections on it had been vindicated. I guess the bullets fly to fast for me to bother with what or who they hit after a while. How about you? You’re a Don’s son, but though I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I’m not used to meeting civilians who so good at killing as professional soldiers. That rapist wasn’t your first, eh?
-I didn’t chose where I was born or what I was born into, I said. I grew up surrounded by the Family, and they activities. As any kid, I guess I wanted to be like my father Kaline, and as soon as I could suck my thumb I learned about guns. When I was young, my father adopted another into our Family, a kangaroo named Vincent, though everyone calls him Jumpy, just because of his race. We used to compete against cans and whatever we found, and got better and better. One day, I was coming back from school, because of course I went to school to help keep the grand illusion about our Family, and I was walking through an alley to a diner where I bought burgers once in a while. It was a nice place, but the neighborhood wasn’t that great, and there had been news of a possible serial killer in the area. As young as I was, I didn’t care, naive and all, determined to get myself a nice bite anyway. I was walking into the alley when I see this tall rat about, oh, two inches taller then me. He looked surprised to see me, but not that happy at all that I was there. Suddenly, he turns towards me and I realize he had a knife, about this long, all red with blood, and seemed to be deciding how to attack me.
-God, what did you do?
-It was like I’d always trained for. My hand dropped into my bag and I pull out my pistol, a Colt my godfather had given me, and just like if I was aiming at a tin can with Jumpy, I shot him two times in the head, once here, and once here. He dropped like a ton of lead, the knife clattering on the ground as he released it. I thought fast and taking my gun, put it in his hand and put him prints on it as well, just to make sure that there was evidence that he’d been holding it. With the Family’s omerta, no one else would be the wiser. When I look up though, I see this female panda, about thirty, insofar as I could tell, looking at me blankly. I came closer and saw a slash on her shoulder, obviously from the rat’s knife. I’ll never forget that look, as if she was glad that I had killed her attacker, but that it might be the last thing she’d see. I ran to the street, calling to two cops I saw walking their beat, who followed me to the scene and listened to my half-assed story about how the attack had gone as they called for an ambulance. An angel must have been watching as the paramedics came just in time to save the woman, who still raised her hand at me as they took her away on the stretcher. The police made their report with my godfather as guardian in my representation, which kept me out of the whole thing, as I was, after all, a minor, and ended up thanking me in sorts for having killed the murderer. The woman completely recovered and still sends a card to me every Christmas, and so do I to her. When I came home though, my reaction was anything but what I’d expected it to be. My father, who had been unable to get more closely involved in the affair, seemed to know what I was thinking, and came to meet me in the lobby of our home, and out of nowhere, I tossed my bag aside and fell in his arms crying. I was sixteen, and I’d taken a life. I don’t think you could imagine, Carlos, what that means. I wasn’t even allowed to see a dirty picture or smoke a cigarette, but I’d sent a soul to Hell. My father and godfather had a long talk with me, and I got back on my paws, though now I was conscious of the power and consequences of pulling a gun’s trigger.
-And since then? How many...
-Do you really want to know how many demons scream my name in the Pit?
-I have fifty-five. You have...
-Ninety-three, with those from today.
-Holy shit, mouthed the coati. Ninety... how?
-Enemies of the Family that tried to hurt me, and those I care for. Members of a biker gang who tried to eliminate us to take over the city. Hardened criminals on the street I ran into. Damned souls expedited to God’s justice. I never remember their faces, nor do I want to. And please, keep it between us, all right? Cassa, Hermann and Lua saw me kill once, but I don’t want them to know about...
-I swear it’s you and me. You’re a strong soul, Ulrich, said the coati, giving me a firm shake, but what you do is justice, plain and simple. Those I raise my hand against? I don’t know. I never really know. Sometimes that picture with the man who tried to rape Lua, is something I need to encourage me that I’m doing the right thing.
-What makes us different from them is that we realize when we’ve killed, and remind ourselves that we’ve done it to protect innocent lives. They take up arms and whatever’s in their way is fair game. That, that is pure evil.
-You’re wise beyond your years, Ulrich, said Carlos. Damn! This glass must have holes in it!
-Bah, don’t worry about it, order whatever you like, my treat, between victors, eh?
-Kind of you! Hmm, what goes well with another gin?
-A deck of cards, I said, pulling out a pack of cards I’d borrowed from Hermann. Rummy?
-You’re on! I’m notorious for fleecing anyone I play against, so watch yourself.
-Thanks for the fair warning, and I return the favor, because I’m a killer bluff.
-Aside from that waving tail of yours, though.
I played against the coati for the better part of the setting afternoon, the barman readily making bets on our game as he enjoyed the sight of two skilled minds facing off. There was no clear winner either, both of us ending with very comparable figures, which got us a few more shooters courteously of the barman, laughing that a draw at cards only meant we’d both shoved as many decks up our sleeves. The captain wasn’t too steady on his paws as he got up, blinking hard with a glazed look.
-Oh boy, looks like I’m a little off, chuckled Carlos. I don’t figure I’d make it to the camp tonight.
-Then I’ll put you up, I said, if you can deal with a foldout.
-Ah, fair game. That sounds better then those deployable monstrosities that they give us when we’re fielded.
-Then how about a real bed, said a voice from behind us.
-Who is... Cassa? Oh, hello there! Cassa, this is Carlos, the good captain from the Guard who’s been so misfortuned as to have me bother him since the beginning of the week. Carlos, this is the best mind in our faculty, Cassa Wells.
-Honored to make your acquaintance, miss. What did you mean about that bed?
-Well, you can Lua can crash at my place if you want, offered the gazelle, lowering her voice. I wouldn’t mind the company...
-Then in that case, I said with a cough, it looks like you’ll be on a hotel mattress tonight.
-Thank God and bless you both! Now, I’ll just try and make it there, eh?
We returned to our rooms with the poor coati, Cassa stealing looks at me with playful winks as I told the news to the ocelot, who was all too happy to have a crack at playing with the gazelle and followed us back to her room, where we settled in for an evening of quiet conversation and games, a nice change from what I’d gotten used for the last few nights. As Lua started yawning, one by one, we got ready to call it a day. Cassa and I put the ocelot to sleep on the foldout, the kitten purring softly as we stroked her and the gazelle sang to her a bit until she went out. As soon as we were finished, I turned and picked Cassa off her hooves and lay her in the bed, lying aside her as we cuddled as quietly as possible as to remain unnoticed by Lua.
-Nice kitty, whispered the gazelle, teasing my hair. Happy kitty?
-Verrry, I returned, purring the r. And the gazy? Is she happy too?
-Gazy? That’s cute! Yep, she’s just fine too, if the kitty holds her tight tonight.
-Grab, I said, wrapping my arms around Cassa and slowly planting a kiss on her soft lips. Goodnight, Cassa.
-You too, Ulrich, she replied, giving me a second embrace. If I snore, grab my butt, won’t you?
-Ah, no problem, but you’ll be snoring often then...

My sleep-drowsy eyes opened to the sight of the gazelle looking back at me, holding me as she’d done when we’d fallen asleep, winking slowly as I brushed the hair from her face and kissed her waiting mouth. Cassa grinned and wiggled closer, nuzzling my neck.
-Hey gazy, I whispered as I put her chin on my shoulder.
-Hello kitty cat, she answered. I was right, you know.
-About what?
-I sleep so much better with my big black leopard then I do alone. You didn’t stop me snoring at all, did you?
-Let me compensate then, I replied with a purr, getting a nice handful of Cassa’s left buttock. Hmm...
-What? Hey, that’s nice...
-I might have to correct myself. The other day when you asked if you’d better then Hermann, I should have answered an honest yes.
-Move that hand a little to the right, can’t you? You know...
I purred harder still as the gazelle concentrated on not calling out as I put me paw down her panties and played around with her fruit within, her hands running over me as I continued. After a few minutes, she couldn’t take it anymore and taking my face, signaled to stay quiet and get out of bed. Grabbing a change of clothes, we headed for the washroom. As soon as I’d closed the door, Cassa was as bare as a babe and her primitively hungry eyes gazed at me with a mad grin. I hopped out of me tee and shorts in time to have her pull me down to the ground where we played around a bit. Her reserve disappeared as we no longer had to be concerned with Lua’s interruption, and soon I’d lifted her legs and over her whipping flyswatter tail, I entered her, only to have her thrust my face on her chest to have me suck on her hard, tense nipples as I worked away. A steady ‘squish squish’ was all that interrupted the silence, but our eyes were wide open until they closed with relief as we finished.
-Ulrich, you devil, I hope we never grow apart, said Cassa. My God, that was incredible!
-You said it! Oh, I love your breasts you gazy beauty. Mmmfff...
-Predator and prey make great bedfellows, eh? I kind of like the primal danger in that...
-What, you think I’d have gazy for breakfast, I said, licking Cassa.
-Only if I have panther, retorted the gazelle, licking me back. Oh, your sweat’s salty! How about that, eh? I bet it’s better...
I didn’t have time to protest before Cassa had pushed me back and pulling at my tail, put my cock in her mouth and let her herbivore tongue do it’s best, her flat teeth only occasionally brushing against me. I thought quickly and wrestled her cunt towards me and licked away at her, my rough papilla sending her into a frenzied state until we came a second time, holding each other tight as our breathing normalized. We both had a stupid stunned grin as we shared a nice long shower, although we felt strangely energized into jumping into our day and getting things rolling. As soon as we’d escaped our tantric dungeon and let the ocelot take her own wash-down, I called up Carlos in my room, apparently tearing him from his morning exercises, though he was just as glad to hear from us.
-Carpe deum, coati-man! How was the bed?
-I’d have to be a little more conscious to come up with an intelligible answer, but for what I can remember right now, it was just great. Don’t worry though, I called up the camp and told my second in command that I was staying, so you won’t have anyone coming to the hotel looking for my body.
-Good to hear! Well, we were thinking of breakfast just now. Can we detain you for a while longer?
-What other tortures do you plan to put me through? Thanks, I couldn’t say no.
-All the same, I think that Estrela had that banner I talked about sent for late yesterday, so we can start getting under way with the processing.
-True. See you there!

Lua had taken advantage of my distraction with the phone to put herself in position for a pounce, and as soon as I’d put the receiver down, I heard a growl and felt her jump on me with a good acceleration, throwing me into the sofa while Cassa burst out laughing as I tried to get up from the ocelot’s grips. I took the girl under my arm and jokingly motioned for the gazelle to go ahead and I’d be right behind her with the kitten. After a few bats from Lua’s tail I put her down and we filed out to the restaurant, were both Carlos and Hermann were talking, apparently getting along just fine. We settled down to a quintuplet of omelets before the coati brought up a point that struck me as a difficulty to contend with in our new-fangled plan.
-As soon as we put that banner up and the clerks get their rotations straight, all we’ll need at the displaced persons post with be displaced persons.
-Huh, startled Hermann, what do you mean? After all, now that the unrest is over...
-The people that heard about our operations will be coming, that’s not a problem, but then there are those from villages that took to the woods and are no longer in communication with others. I’ve already sent out some recon to try and spot them, and a few groups have been found.
-I see what you mean. How long do you think that it would take to find them all?
-A week, if everything goes wrong, less if not. The Red Cross has sent aid packages for us to distribute, and have offered to supplement us in first aid, so we have to be able to keep up with those as well.
-I smell donation number two, I said.
-Hear hear, Red Cross it is, noted Cassa.
-You could all come when this is over, if your superior gives you leave to do so.
-He does, called Juan, accompanying Estrela, who was carrying a long tube.
-I got this in the mail, laughed the glittery-eyed jaguar. Three grommets and it’s good to go!
The cats pulled up chairs and joined the table, the Coon glad to finally get some time to talk with Carlos, who he’d only been in contact with through me, to date. With nothing left to return to the kitchen but ceramic and metal, all of us, save for Juan, followed the coati to the parking to the processing outpost, where a good file of villagers and other civilians were being looked after by a few military clerks as well as a handful of medics, busy giving a once-over to each of them as part of their check-in. Carlos saluted the manager of the post and ordered two of the attendants to give Estrela a hand in putting up the banner, which gave a nice final touch to the tent, certainly more interesting then the dark green cloth. As we contemplated the physical embodiment of our project, I heard a call from down the line.
-Lua, agradece o deus que é você. Minha mais cara menina!
-Mãe, Pai, finalmente!
-Minha Lua querida...
Two ocelots rushed out of the crowd towards Lua, a sight that gripped my heart like few that I’d lived through. The mother took the kitten in her arms, joined by her father, all releasing their emotions in tears as they rejoined at last. I felt a few drops cross my fur as well, and managed a smile as they turned their attention to me and the other students.
-Mãe, Pai, this is Ulrich. He saved me from the village when I got lost, and took care of me here at the hotel since then.
-Bless you, friend, said Lua’s father. My name is Guillermo, and this is my wife Oria. We... we didn’t know if we’d ever see our beautiful girl again after we ran. Damn us for having been so careless!
-It’s all right now, we’re together, stated Oria. Ulrich, what can we do to repay you? You’ve given our life back to us!
-All I want is to know that Lua is safe in your arms, I said, swallowing a mean lump of emotions. Are you well right now? Do you have a place to stay?
-We live with my brother, said the ocelot male. He lives alone in the city, and insisted to help us.
-How about we go in for a while, eh?
The family nodded together and tailed us back to the hotel for a bit of rest, recovering from the unthinkable shock of finding their daughter again. I could have sworn that time had slowed while we were together, and a feeling of total relief and respite as Lua sat on my knees and played with her father’s hair. I carefully brought up a point during the conversation, which sent the parents in a spiral.
-Did you consider putting Lua through high school and college, I asked.
-We want to, answered her father, cowering a bit, but it costs more then what we have...
-How much?
-What do you mean?
-How much would it cost for her to finish her studies?
-A hundred dollars a year, six times, then a thousand, at least.
-Sixteen hundred? That’s fine then, I said, letting Lua off me as I reached into my pocket and took a check from my wallet. Here, Guillermo, I want you to take this and put it in a trust for your daughter. No arguments, eh? Just do this, please.
The ocelot accepted the check, then turned to me and fell on my shoulder crying his eyes out, muttering thanks between gasps.
-I’m only a worker in a factory, sobbed the cat, I could never afford this. Our daughter deserved more then we could ever give her. Deus...
-Lua’s a beautiful kitten. Anyone would be proud to have her as a daughter, Guillermo. She’s bright as the sun, I tell you! You should see her math! A natural, I swear!
-Thank you, Ulrich, that’s very kind of you to say. Maybe you should meet my brother, said the ocelot with renewed energy. He has a friend that works in a big hotel chain. I don’t remember the name, but maybe he could return you the favor I cannot.
I shrugged as the item became imbedded in my thoughts for the remainder of the conversation as I played host to the cats until they left, no earlier then seven at night, whereupon Carlos had a ride given to them back to their residence.
-You know, said the coati as we saw the jeep off into the setting sun, turning out of the resort’s roundabout, that, that was the purest goodness I’ve seen for a while.
-What? The family getting back together, you mean?
-That, yes, and you giving Lua a chance like that. I mean, that was something else! Saint Peter will have some kind words when you meet him...
-Money’s just money, I retorted, it’s her effort that’ll get her through her studies. Though...
-Yes?
-I’ve never had someone depend on me like that. It felt nice to have someone close like that for a while...
-Not that you won’t, said Cassa as she hugged me from behind and put her head over my shoulder. Come in kitty, it’s getting cold out.
-Lucky cat, chuckled Carlos.
-Hey, I can’t argue with a gazy, I said with a lazy smile, my eyes lingering on the road until they settled in the gazelle and I filed in with her and the coati. Anyone for poker?