Chapter 8 The Guardians Investigate Rumors

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Claire Rose Lutin, an elf, and her Guardian partner, Myadin, a werewolf, were busy reading all the new data on the nekos. They compared it to the data they had received from other nekos from around the planet.

“Claire, did you see this?”

“What?”

“It says it’s the famous geneticist again who created the human/animal hybrids, like the nekos.”

“Meh. Yeah, I see that now. He’s also the creator of the tiny nekos. Damn him.”

Myadin raised his eyebrows. “I see you’re still upset about your health issues.”

“Yeah, they were caused by the bad food he created. It didn’t even stop world hunger.”

“Nope. In the archives, it’s very clear what the genetically modified food did to many people who ate it. Most were worse off than you ever were.”

“I know. I feel bad they were so sick and didn’t understand why. And to make things worse, they couldn’t get decent healthcare. The treatments just made them sicker and many died as a result.”

“Yes, people are still sick in general, but many are getting better.”

“Yes, I hope it continues. It’s nearly impossible to undo all the damage he caused.”

“Unfortunately, that is very true.” He paused as he checked the information. “I wish one of the nekos came with us. It might help us make contact with the tiny ones.”

Claire Rose smiled. “Yeah, I wish one would have come with us, but White Lion is with them. He’ll talk to us.”

“Oh? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, look at the new data on the tiny nekos. It came straight from the lab. White Lion was the one who sent it out originally.”

“Okay, so what’s their status now?”

“Sounds like there is a rebellion occurring. The tiny nekos are learning how to read from White Lion. Some can do it very well already.”

“So they are highly intelligent.”

“And that geneticist didn’t want them to learn in the first place. He probably wants them to stay in the compound. Sounds like the nekos want to be free instead.”

“Yes, it does. Wilhelm strikes out again. I would think by now he would have learned better social skills.”

“Ha! Wilhelm learn social skills? If he hasn’t before he became an adult, it’s doubtful he will now. Doesn’t sound like he’s changed at all.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve read enough. Let’s go help those nekos.”

“Okay. Let’s see their current location. Ah. It’s close enough we can both run there in a couple of hours easily. Uh…”

“What?”

“We may want to avoid the labyrinth. It’s not to far from there.”

Myadin checked the map. “Oh. That labyrinth. Okay, so if we go around that way, we will miss it. Funny how the transportation network doesn’t go anywhere near it.”

“I know. I think most people just don’t want to go there, but sometimes people end up there when they don’t want to.”

“Yeah, I’ve read of the documented cases. Some people barely made it out alive.”

“Eek. That is bad. I guess some people just didn’t want to face their fears or insecurities.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” He transformed into a wolf.

Claire Rose smiled at him. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

They took off running. Two hours later, they were at the compound. They stopped and looked around. The first thing they noticed was Silver Moon Unicorn’s trolley was driven away by someone who wasn’t her. Then they heard lots of screaming and hissing from the compound.

Claire Rose pulled out her communicator. “Sam, I thought that trolley was Ms. Unicorn’s.”

“It wasn’t technically. She and her partner had a fight and it’s his. Felicia and I have her. We’re taking her to safety. How are the nekos?”

“Not sure just yet. There’s a lot of screaming. Some of it is coming from Wilhelm and the rest sounds like cats fighting.”

“Oh! Ms. Unicorn will want her son back as soon as possible.”

“Understood. Let her know we will do what we can to save as many nekos as possible.”

“Good. Meet you in Elsewhere.”

“Acknowledged.” She put the communicator away. “Okay, Mya, are you ready to deal with some angry nekos?”

He whimpered.

“Oh, I know you’re a wolf. I doubt that changing back into human form will help you. The nekos will know by your smell that you’re a werewolf.”

He nodded.

“Alright, let’s get through the open gate and see what we’re up against.”

They walked into the compound and looked around. Soon a couple of nekos stopped in front of them. They growled lowly at the new pair.

“Hello, I’m Claire Rose Lutin and this is Myadin. We’re Guardians sent to help you out.”

“Guardians? He’s a werewolf.”

“Yes, he is, but he won’t attack you.”

“What if he does?”

“Then I’ll beat him and he knows it.”

Myadin whimpered.

“Okay, come this way. We have kittens to protect.”

“Kittens? Oh, but I thought that wasn’t possible. White Lion can’t have any.”

“Claira Jaen can’t either. She doesn’t complain about it.”

“That’s a good thing.”

The nekos led Claire Rose and Myadin in the lab. There they found White Lion and Claira Jaen trying to keep some of the nekos from panicking.

“Oh, hi, Claire Rose and Myadin!” exclaimed White Lion.

“Hi, White Lion.”

Myadin barked hello.

Claire Rose pulled out her scanner. “I hear Claira Jaen says White Lion is her lost brother. Let’s check your genes for both of you to find out if it’s true.”

“Okay,” both nekos answered. They held still as Claire Rose ran the scanner over both of them, one at a time.

“Oh, now this is interesting.”

“What?” Claira Jaen asked.

“You two are sister and brother and you have the same two parents.”

“But my mama is an elf.”

“Yes, she is, but I’m talking about genetics. Silver Moon Unicorn isn’t your biological mother, but she raised you just the same. Ergo she is your mama.”

“Oh?”

“It’s alright, we know you imprinted on Lady Silver Moon Unicorn when you were very young. So, there is nothing anyone can say to disprove that belief of yours.”

“So mama isn’t my biological mother?”

“Right. That was someone else. Here, let me show you pictures of your biological mother.” Claire Rose pulled out her little computer and quickly found information on White Lion’s biological mother. “See, you and your sister look something like her.”

“Oh! I think I’m starting to get it now.”

Claire Rose smiled. “Good. So, you have had two mothers in this lifetime. That’s more than most people ever get.”

White Lion nodded. “So mama can still be my mama.”

“Yes, of course. I doubt she’ll have a problem with you having a different biological mother.”

“Good. And what about Claira Jaen?”

“What about her?”

“Well, would my mama be okay with her too?”

“Why wouldn’t she?”

Wilhelm was still screaming. He managed to get his controller back and he closed up the compound.

The computer said, “The compound is now closed.”

The nekos gasped. Some screamed. Others hissed and growled.

Claire Rose grabbed one of her light swords. “Oh, no. Sounds like playtime is over. We’ll have to get all the nekos out of here as soon as possible.”

Myadin nodded. Both he and Claire Rose ran to the walls to hide as Wilhelm stormed back into the lab.

“There will be no more reading lessons. If anyone dares to disobey me, then I will have to kill you.”

The nekos got quiet. Mothers held their kittens closer to them.

“Good, I see that you all understand.” He walked over to his computer.

The nekos all went to different areas of the lab. Wilhelm, the scientist didn’t see the werewolf or the elf blending into the lab walls.

**********************

Felicia landed the ship near the trolley. Silver Moon stood up and went to the back porch to meet the vampire couple.

Sam carried two suitcases. “I hope these will be enough for you to pack up your son’s things and your things.”

“I think I can manage. I have a backpack as well.”

Silver Moon put her tablet in the backpack. She quickly filled up one suitcase with White Lion’s clothes, toiletries, and his teddy bear. Then she proceeded to fill up her suitcase with her clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Then she looked around at the kitchen. She sighed. She knew she would have to leave all the kitchen items there.

She found a few mementos and put them in her backpack. Then she grabbed what food she could and put that in the backpack as well. She looked at the vampires. “Okay, I think that’s it. Or at least all that is important to us.”

“Okay, this way to the ship.” Sam took the suitcases.

Silver Moon followed with her backpack on her back. Felicia sat down in the pilot’s chair. Sam put the suitcases in the back near the chairs. Then he sat down next to Felicia. Silver Moon took off her backpack and set it down in front of her.

“Everyone ready?”

“Yes,” both Silver Moon and Sam answered.

“Takeoff in 30 seconds.”

“Have you heard from my son?”

“Yes, he sounds like he’s fine with the other nekos. He’s been giving them some reading lessons.”

Silver Moon smiled. “Claira Jaen said she wanted to learn how to read.”

“Well, apparently, they all do. They all want to be free of their creator, the infamous geneticist, Wilhelm.”

“Oh, him…”

Sam smiled. “Yeah, we all know him and we know what he did to harm the people of Platinum, especially where you’re from. He doesn’t seem to understand that the food he altered was no good for anyone.”

“He didn’t understand that we weren’t altered to be able to utilize that food he created.”

“Unfortunately, no, he doesn’t get that part. And from his notes, it sounds like he still hasn’t acquired any people skills.”

Silver Moon sighed. “So he created the tiny nekos, including my son?”

“He did create the tiny nekos, but not all of them. Many of them can and do tend to have kittens.”

“But I was told that White Lion was fixed.”

“Hmm.” He answered a message from Claire Rose.

“According to Wilhelm’s notes, White Lion is his son by a cat he created who could walk upright. But she was a feline and not human. She was able to get pregnant from Wilhelm’s sperm. Claire Rose scanned both White Lion and Claira Jaen and concluded they are siblings with the same two parents. White Lion is the tiny neko who escaped and ran off when still just a kitten.”

“Oh! He has a sister. I hope that makes him happy.” She sighed. “Where are we going to stay?”

“We’re taking you to Elsewhere.”

“Oh, good. We were on our way there.” She looked out the window and saw someone claiming the trolley. They got on board and drove off. She tried hard not to cry, but a tear still escaped down her cheek.

Sam saw the tear, but said nothing.

No one spoke for the rest of trip to Elsewhere.