A Lost Kitten (32 page)

Tuesday, the 27th of September
Oceanica

Once the fleet entered the planet’s atmosphere, Gorwin gave the order for the ships to land by the shore nearest the castle. John wondered why until they flew over his cousin’s home. The flat terrain around the castle grounds could only accommodate two warships.

Over communication, John also overheard Gorwin instruct Sirius and Andros to accompany him. John felt it was unnecessary. He was a grown Seacat, more than capable of handling any threats. Still, he did not want to insult his friends, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

Sirius and Andros landed their ships in front of Sev’s home. Sirius, John, and Jasira exited the Guardian ship Sirius commanded. John spotted Asher and Andros exiting the second ship. The Space Guardians wore their usual Guardian attire—white jumpsuits with the pant legs tucked inside their white boots. This was in contrast to the Sea-anan warriors, who had adopted the color of the Mages—black—and wore either jumpsuits or pants and a shirt.

As they approached the castle, John reached for his translator and removed it from around his ear. “I won’t be needing this since you guys speak Earthlish.” He placed the small device in his shirt pocket.

Jasira inched away from him and went to the nearest tree. She stopped at the base and plopped to the ground. She closed her eyes, leaned her head against the trunk, and sighed, grateful to be on solid ground. She remained there for several minutes deeply inhaling the cool air.

Her actions placed a smirk on Sirius’ face. “Are you feeling any better?”

“Much,” replied Jasira.

Asher squatted beside her. “Have you always been this pale?”

John noticed he regarded Jasira with an odd expression. Jasira opened her eyes to look at him. She arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Never mind.” Asher stood. “You should have stayed hom with Audra. Bogdan would have protected you. He’s a Guardian in training.”

“I do not need Bogdan to protect me.” Jasira carefully stood back up. “My permanent mate is a Seacat.”

John reached for her arm. “And I am more than capable of protecting my wife.” With a firm hold of Jasira’s elbow, he led the Starr men to Sev’s home.

The group paused at the bottom of the long flight of stairs. They gazed up at the huge, silver castle. From the sky, John had seen that the castle’s steel structure was taller in the front and back than in the center. The center was shorter and seemed to have a retractable metal ceiling.

Above the massive, steel double doors was an emblem. It was the old Seacat insignia—a giant blue circle with a smaller red circle inside that represented the feline’s iris. In the middle of the iris was a small black circle—the pupil. John had not seen the image since Oceana’s destruction.

That all-seeing eye, looming over its new pride lands, sent an assortment of emotions sailing through John, each more negative than the last. John had sworn never to set foot on Oceanan lands again. Yet, here he was. The reason was beside him. John clenched his jaw and started to climb. For Jasira, he would face his demons.

The group of five reached the top platform. They stood side by side, peering up at the building. John observed its smooth steel facade, unimpressed with the castle’s sterile architecture. His home was double the size and more rustic and authentic. He had no doubt that the inside of Sev’s home would be as plain and lifeless as the outside.

John released Jasira’s arm. “So this is Sev’s home.”

“Impressive, don’t you think?” Sirius shielded his eyes from the sun as he considered the castle’s exterior.

“Not really,” replied John. He gave the massive double doors the once over. “It does seem bigger than his father’s home, though.”

Andros gestured to the castle. “How can this castel not impress you?”

John regarded him oddly. “Castel?”

Andros pointed to the castle again.

“Oh!”

“Really, John?” spoke Jasira. “This place is huge.”

John walked up to the double doors. “If you say so.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Asher. “It took over a year to byld this hom. Inside you will find state-of-the-art electronics and weaponry.”

John paused in front of the closed doors and banged loudly. He briefly looked over his shoulder at them. “Let’s just say that none of you have visited
my
home.” He glanced at Asher. “Hom does mean home, right?”

“Yes,” replied Asher.

John nodded and placed his ear against the metal door and listened for any sound of movement. Nothing. He scanned the interior of the building with his senses. He sensed no one inside.

Andros turned his attention to the jungle beyond the two ships. “I guess the others left with Sev, after all.”

“Sure looks like it.” Asher walked to one side of the castle. He carefully leaned forward to scan beyond the sidewall. “Unless they are visiting the Amgarean or the Ferons.”

John took a step backward. He glanced at Asher. “Amgarean or Ferons?”

“Ferons are furry creatures that live in the forest behind the castel,” answered Sirius. He crossed his arms. “Amgareans are warriors who look similar to you. If the others have left with Sev, where do you plan to stay?”

“Here,” replied John.

Asher returned to the group. “If they are gone, there’s no one here to let us in.”

“We don’t have Sev’s entry code,” added Andros.

John peered up at the giant insignia above the door. He could not keep himself from snarling. To him the insignia shouted, “Keep Out, Half-breed.” He hated the sight of it. When his brother Mathew had suggested altering the form of the pupil for their own insignia, John had immediately voted yes. He had never wanted to see the original symbol again. Now it loomed above him for the entire planet to see. If he had his brother’s powers, he would have destroyed it.

Never again would John allow that horrid symbol to dictate to him what he could and could not do, where he could and could not go.

“I don’t need Sev’s code.”

Jasira immediately knew how John meant to enter the castle.

“Really? How do you plan to get inside, then?”

Jasira saw John face Sirius with a smile. “We McCalls were born with special gifts. We can’t cast spells like you guys, but we can do this.” John walked backward, phasing through the doors.

Sirius dropped his arms to his sides. “What the—”

Andros quickly looked at Jasira. “Did you know he could do that?”

Jasira nodded. “That, amongst other things.”

“Other things?” questioned Asher.

John reappeared. “We’ll leave that for another time.” He paused between Jasira and Asher and clasped Jasira’s wrist. “Let’s find those computers and crack them.”

“We have to be inside to do that.”

John grabbed a hold of Asher’s arm. “I know. Let’s go.” He tugged his wife and Asher toward the doors.

Asher pulled back. “What are you doing?”

“We’re going inside,” answered John.

“How? The doors are closed.”

“I just showed you how.”

Asher quickly extracted his arm from John’s grasp. “I can’t walk through walls!”

“John, I am no longer mist,” Jasira said. “I cannot walk through walls anymore.”

John smiled at their nervousness. “Calm down, you two. Trust me.”

“Trust you?” repeated Asher.

John read the doubt in the man’s metallic-blue eyes. His smile vanished. “Yeah, trust me.” He yanked Asher forward, but he was gentler with his wife.

Without pausing, John tapped into his power and easily passed through the solid steel doors with Jasira and Asher in tow. Inside, he released them and went back outside for Sirius and Andros.

After phasing inside the castle, Sirius swiftly felt his chest and torso. He seemed relieved to be in one piece. “Well, that was…different.”

“Extremely,” agreed Andros, smoothing back his blue hair.

“I for one don’t want to do that again,” clipped Asher, staring heatedly at John.

“Oh, stop whining. You’re not hurt.” John chose a corridor and started walking. “Let’s find the Control Room.”

“Not that way.” Sirius pointed down a different corridor. “The Control Room is on the seventh floor. I know where to go.”

John backtracked. He scanned the interior of the castle as he followed Sirius. It was just as he thought—no paint or artwork on the walls. The scarce pieces of furniture, made of wood, looked out of place against the gray, steel walls.

“Sev is in desperate need of a designer,” commented John.

Sirius glanced over his shoulder at him. “A designer?”

“Someone who could breathe some life into this place through paint, accessories, and furniture.”

Asher’s brows pulled together. “I see nothing wrong with this place.” He gestured to the floor, walls, and ceilings. “It has a sturdy foundation, strong walls, and a solid roof. It provides heat and protection from the elements. What more do you need?”

John met his gaze. “You would say that.”

Asher shrugged.

John spotted Jasira bringing up the rear. He paused to wait for her. Asher and Andros continued on ahead. He reached for his wife’s hand with a smile. Her return smile warmed his heart, but her paleness worried him. Hopefully, now that they were on solid ground, Jasira would regain her strength. Hand in hand, they followed the Starr men.

.

Chapter 17

“How many times have you visited Sev, Sirius?” inquired Jasira.

The group stopped in front of the elevator.

Sirius pressed the top button. “Countless times. I introduced Sev to some traders on Cerko.”

A bell sounded. The elevator door opened. Sirius entered first and waited for the others to clear the door before pressing the number seven button. The door closed and the elevator started moving.

“He made the necessary purchases to byld this place,” Sirius continued. “My crew and I helped him transport the materials here.”

“I take it the felines with Sev are builders.” John made the comment as he inspected the interior walls of the elevator.

“There were only a few Seacats, but a large number of Oceanans on board the Emerald Tiger. Amongst the civilians, there are bilderes,” replied Sirius.

“I see.” John smoothed a hand over the wall and button panel.

“Does it meet your standards?” asked Andros.

John spotted his smirk and stepped away from the door panel. “Hey, I built ten space stations, one underwater city, and remodeled three castles. I can’t help it if I have a critical eye.” He shrugged. “It’s all right for an elevator.”

“Underwater sitee?” repeated Jasira.

“Catlantis,” said John. “You’ll love it when you see it.”

Andros chuckled. “You are making me want to visit one of your homs.”

“Which reminds me, you’re heading to Earth. The Seacats and Sea Rangers will be at Catlantis.” He shook his head. “You won’t be able to get there unless you contact them first. Remember, on Earth we had to remain hidden, so our city was built underwater, kept hidden by a cloaking shield.”

“Thanks for telling me.”

“No, problem.”

They heard a small bell. The group glanced above the door at the number digitally displayed in red. The door swooshed open. Sirius led the way to the Control Room.

“The Oceanan villatic is nearby, in case you need assistance during your stay,” Andros added.

“Villatic?”

“Where the Oceanans live.”

“Oh, you mean village.” John shook his head. “No thanks.”

Asher moved closer to John as they made their way through the corridor. “This is not the time to let your pride get in the way, John. Jasira is weak and undernourished because of her airsickness. Someone amongst the felines may have medical knowledge that you will need during your stay.”

“I’ve already contacted Sea Base Nine. My White Stars are on their way. She’ll get the attention she needs once they get here.”

Asher’s disapproval showed on his face. “What if something happens before then? What are you going to do?”

“We’ll just have to hope nothing happens before then.”

The group arrived at a closed door. The door swooshed open when Andros approached it. He entered first, followed by Jasira and Sirius.

“Is that being realistic?” countered Asher.

John paused just inside the room to face Asher’s scowling countenance. “It’s called keeping the peace. Those Oceanans will take one look at us, see no feline features, and decide not to help us.”

“Then tell them who you are.”

“Sev’s half-breed cousin?”

Asher firmly nodded.

“That would place Jasira in danger.” John shook his head. “There will be no interaction between us and them.”

He scanned the room. It was large. Computer stations lined each side of the room, along with several mainframes. At the front, he saw Andros take the seat in front of the main giant monitor and begin typing away on a keyboard. Sirius and Jasira stood on each side of him, watching. John went to see if Andros needed help.

Asher stayed where he stood. “The citiseins will have to be told sooner or later.”

“If you mean citizens, then it will have to be later, and by Sev, if he decides to acknowledge us and risk an uprising.”

Andros paused in his typing to look up at John. “An uprising? Why would that happen?”

John read surprise and doubt in everyone’s eyes. He felt it was time to inform them of the situation between his family and the feline race.

“We felines mature faster than other races. In other words, chronologically we are one age. Biologically, mentally, and emotionally, we are much older. When the younger generation, meaning my brothers, sisters, cousins, and I, turned five—the equivalent to a ten-year-old—my Uncle Challen lectured us on the laws of Oceana. He made us memorize them. One in particular stated that the feline nation must remain pure. Anyone who broke that law would be stripped of all possessions and wealth and banished from their homeland.”

John walked around the room. He examined each terminal and mainframe as he spoke. “In the beginning, Oren bent the law to make his soulmate happy. He threatened that if anyone spoke of the mixed marriages, they would be severely punished. The elders of my clan went along with it, believing Oceana was the safest place to raise their children.”