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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 95 Corbin's New Mission (A Quiet And Simple Vacation Part Three)

Day 313 continued

Professor Stern was waiting for us as we landed at her camp site on our way back to World One that evening.

"Exactly where are we momma bear?" The little mongoose boy asked.

"A hidden archeological site in the forests between World Four and World Five." My she beast said parking the prototype.

"This is definitely away from it all." Corbin said as he stepped out of the blue coupe to look at the small tent, the large hole in the ground next to it and the dense forests beyond. "Not much to look at either".

"Looks can be deceiving little brother." I said cryptically.

"Madam knight! Alex! How nice to see you!" Professor Stern said running up to hug myself and Lady Ursa who looked a little uncomfortable at the embrace, but decided to return it anyway. "And who do we have here?" She said kneeling down to inspect the newest visitor.

Corbin studied the dirty and dusty blond haired female in the unkempt brown archeological shorts, shirt and hat.

"Professor, this is Corbin a orphan my mistress and I have been looking after for the last few weeks." I said to my sister's doppelgänger.

"Wow, he is a cutie!!!"

"Thank you ma'am." Corbin said quietly.

"So what brings you three here?" The professor asked us.

"We were in the area and decided to check on your progress." My bear knight said crossing her arms.

"Well, please come on in and have a seat. Can I get you anything?" She asked. "Some raspberry tea?"

"Um how about a place to sit first?" The little mongoose said looking at the interior of the tent. There were files, pads, all over the place.

"Uh one minute, I think I can find the chairs and table." The professor said hastily tidying up."

"I think that was the noise we heard during her call." My bear knight said to Corbin and myself.

It took more than an minute for the professor to clear the tent enough so that we could sit down.

"So professor how goes the research?" I asked as she poured Lady Ursa, Corbin and myself a cup.

"Not so good. My progress has been slow."

"How slow? Have you managed to translate any of the books you found?" My she beast asked.

"No. I am still working on an a rudimentary alphabet."

"What about mapping the city?" I asked.

"No."

"Cataloging the items you found in the city?" Lady Ursa asked.

"No."

"What about the giant cloud?" I asked.

"No, no and no. I am afraid." The professor responded.

"I know that it has only been five months since we left, but don't you have any results?" My she beast asked impatiently.

"As I said madam knight it has been very slow going."

"Why is that?" I asked as Corbin looked on.

"My staff. They all left."

"Why?" Corbin asked the female archeologist.

"There has been talk that a steep recession is coming with everything that has been happening. My staff didn't like the meager salaries they were earning and left to find better employment. As of now, I don't have enough staffing to tidy my tent." Professor Stern said.

"We see that." Corbin said looking around.

"What about interns?" I asked her.

"There aren't any."

"Recession fears as well?" My she beast asked as Corbin got up from his chair and started walking around the tent.

She nodded. "My progress and productivity is at a virtual standstill I am afraid. Although I did manage to determine the age of the city."

"Really!" My she beast and I said in unison.

"It is at least 500 years old and well preserved. I believe the builders knew what they were doing when they built it."

"Excuse me ma'am, but what city?" The little mongoose boy asked.

"They are so inquisitive at this young age!" The blond female said. "It has been one of my greatest discoveries."

"It happened the weekend the empire sent Lady Ursa to recover professor Stern because her numerous extensions to excavate this site had expired." I said to the little mongoose boy as he continued to move about the tent.

"The professor begged and pleaded with me for more time- she felt that she was on the cusp of a great discovery. I gave her until the end of the weekend." The bear said to her 'cub.'

"Boy did she deliver!" I responded.

"All I did was fall through a hole and into a large maze." My sister's doppelgänger responded humbly."

"At the center of that maze was an abandoned underground city. Perfectly preserved." My warrior bear added. "We spent the remainder of our time exploring it."

"That is incredible?" Corbin said. "How large?"

"About a mile and half total radius." The human female responded."

"Was anyone living there?"

"In the past, but not recently." The professor responded.

"How long ago?" The mongoose boy asked.

"That is one of the things I am still trying to figure out. Here see for yourself." The professor said trying to dig through a stack of pads. "I know it was here somewhere."

"Could this be it?" Corbin said handing her what she had been looking for.

"Thank you Corbin. Did you just organize all of my mess?"

"Um hmm."

"That was fast."

"I know." The little mongoose replied.

"Here look at this." The professor said showing Corbin a 3D projection of the city.

"WOW." The little mongoose exclaimed. "It must be quite eerie down there all by yourself."

"It can be. But my work keeps me busy."

"Have you made your findings public?"

"No."

"Why not?" Corbin asked.

We all fell silent when the mongoose boy popped the big question.

"Professor?!"

"Actually Corbin, that was not the only discovery that was made that weekend." My mistress said to her 'cub'.

"What else did you find?" Corbin asked. "Momma bear? Big brother?"

"Actually, another reason why there is concern across the empire about a recession." I said to my little 'brother.'

"Corbin, remember the rhetoric The Movement was saying at their assembly?" My she beast asked him.

"Yes?" Corbin answered.

"They were partially right." I said. "In addition to the Animalita, The Madam, the rebellion, alarmists, separatists, dissidents, ONE and Neo, you can add the phantom cascade to that list."

"You mean the giant cloud that hit the empire two years ago?"

"Yes Corbin, I discovered that it has happened before." The professor said to the little mongoose.

"When?" Corbin asked shocked.

"I am still trying to determine that." The professor responded.

"Is it going to happen again?"

"I am also trying to determine that too."

"That weekend while we were exploring the city. We came across a large mural in one of the buildings." I said to Corbin.

"It showed a giant cloud devouring a city and the populace fleeing in every direction. As far as I am able to determine the survivors fled underground." Dawn said to the little boy.

"Based on that information I forbade professor Stern from going public. It would create a panic like the alarmists at the amusement park were trying to do. The master would probably have destroyed this site and the professor's discovery just to preserve his rule. So I ordered her to remain quiet and to just work- hard to find answers."

"I see." The little mongoose said. "That sounds like a very important and difficult task made all that more difficult given your staffing issues."

"Corbin, now that you know the truth you can not tell anyone what you have learned. Do you understand?" My she beast said staring at him.

"Yes momma bear. I didn't say anything about World Six, I guess I can keep quiet about this too."

"Corbin!!!" I shouted.

"World Six??" Lady Ursa and the archeologist said in unison."

"Mistress, professor- I would like to have a word with my little brother." I said as I pulled the cub out of the tent.

"I am sorry Alex, it just came out."

"Well it seems we are spilling a lot of secrets today."

"Alex, Corbin what is World Six?" My warrior bear asked peaking out of the tent. "Another lost city?"

"Well since we are sharing secrets mistress...." I said re-entering the tent.

"Momma bear it was a secret that Alex and I were ordered to keep by Lord Tiger." Corbin said blushing.

"What happened?" Ms. Stern asked.

"You heard about the incident at Capital Stadium?" I asked my sister's doppelgänger.

She nodded.

"Well an entity that calls itself ONE made its presence known."

"The knight core thinks it was a dry run for a possible attack." My she beast said.

"You mean on the day of that sporting event?" The woman asked.

"It possessed, infected or did something to some of the attendees at the event by touch." The little mongoose boy said.

"The touched attendees started acting weird, touching others and then they came after Alex, Corbin and Lord Tiger. You three and another attendee fled to the wilderness where his vehicle crashed and you three some how made your way back to civilization while trying to elude the Others as you called them and he did not." My she beast said.

"That was the official version." I said. "What Corbin and I are about to tell you is the unofficial, the version that was supposed to remain classified."

"Momma bear, professor, we were sworn to secrecy by Lord Tiger." Corbin said as he continued to blush.

"Why?" The archeologist asked.

"We were rescued by members of a hidden village who live on a mountain far to the west of here somewhere within a series of mountain ranges." I said.

"Who are they?" Professor Stern said locking her attention on us.

"The village is a colony comprised of disillusionists and imperfects who have fled the empire." Corbin added.

"Why did the commander decide to bury this discovery?" My fierce ursine warrior asked.

"The same reason you wanted this lost city to remain a secret mistress- to protect those involved."

"Lord Tiger became quite friendly with one of the colony's leaders- a saber tooth tiger." The little mongoose boy said.

"That leader would have made a fine adoptive mother Corbin." I teased.

"Big brother...." The little mongoose boy huffed.

"Alex you are drifting." My bear knight said crossing her arms.

"The colony is made up of humans and beastials and has been around since the start of the empire."

"Really?" Ms. Stern said.

"It was formed by those who fled after the High Evolutionary came to power and beastials who were deemed imperfect, flawed and were to be recycled. They are ruled by three leaders who despite being quite xenophobic treated our injuries, patched up the commander and helped us trap the surviving Others."

"Who are these leaders?" My bear knight asked.

"Well there are three a human female, and two beastials a cave bear and saber toothed tiger. Kendall befriended the human Gia. Alex befriended Basil the cave bear and Lord Tiger and I befriended Shira the saber tooth tiger. In fact they wanted us to stay with them." Corbin admitted.

"Which you should have accepted Corbin. It was perfect! You made friends there, you were in the wilderness, away from the threats and problems of the empire and you would have had a saber toothed tiger as your adoptive mother you know, RAWR!" I said to my little brother.

"So why didn't you stay Corbin?" My she beast asked her little 'cub'.

"If I did, it meant that I would not be able to see you and big brother again- ever since the colony is hidden." Corbin started.

"Aaaaw." Professor Stern said during the heartfelt moment.

(There is that eccentricity again.)

"That and the clothing and weapons they wore. It conveyed a certain style- you know the 'we are primitive and without technology' type of look."

"What did their clothing look like Corbin?" The archeologist asked.

"Pre-barbarian. I mean Basil and Kip didn't wear shirts or pants of any kind save for some type of furred under garments."

"Basil and Kip?" My she beast asked.

"The bear family Alex lived with." Corbin said as Lady Ursa just looked at me weirdly. "Shira and Gia's clothing looked like they had made it themselves as did everyone else's clothing."

"Anyway after turning down their request to stay with them, they returned us back to civilization." I said resuming the story. "We were drugged so as not to remember or reveal the location of their village."

"So that is the whole story momma bear."

"I would love to study this so called World Six, it would be interesting to see how they have managed to live away and apart from the empire." Dawn said excited.

"Quite primitively." Corbin teased.

"Back to the point professor you have important work here." Lady Ursa said.

"Yes madam knight. My proficiency would increase if I could obtain adequate staffing."

"A hidden city? Hmm..." The little mongoose boy said. "What if I lended a paw?"

"Really? I could use an assistant!" The professor stated.

"You don't say." My she beast and I said in unison.

"I would like to have a word with my 'cub'." Lady Ursa said pulling me and Corbin out of the tent all the way back to the prototype.

"Corbin are you sure about this?" Lady Ursa said kneeling to ask the little mongoose.

"I think so. Professor Stern- she is a bit of a flake..."

"Corbin the brilliant ones usually are." I said.

"But she is also kind of nice." The mongoose concluded.

"She is also on a private vital mission which may involve our survival." Lady Ursa warned.

"I have been thinking about that too. After seeing what the knights do and what you and Alex do to protect and preserve the empire, I was thinking about a way I could contribute." The little mongoose boy started.

"Absolutely not too dangerous!" My mistress and I said in unison.

"I know, but helping the professor here wouldn't. Besides it is a important assignment away from the empire and the dangers facing it; it would be just what you wanted for me."

"He has a point there mistress."

"And since there isn't anyone willing to adopt this orphaned cute little mongoose for now anyway...." Corbin said laying it on really thick.

"This will keep you occupied until the Consortium can find you a family." My bear knight concluded.

"Actually I was going to say it would also be an opportunity to live with big brother's sister- sort of. I can see the resemblance." Corbin said.

"Professor Stern is a prodigy who is very passionate about her work. She is a supporter of the empire and is tolerant of beastials. I think it would be a good fit. You would also learn a lot about archeology and ancient civilizations." Lady Ursa said lending her support.

"So I can stay and help her?"

"I think it would be a perfect fit." I said kneeling in front of Corbin.

"AND I could come back and visit you and momma bear anytime I want." The mongoose said crossing his arms.

"Most importantly you will be safe here from the threats the empire is facing and may be facing in the future." My lady bear said hugging her 'cub'.

"Actually momma bear the most important thing is that I won't be entirely cut off from civilization or be forced to wear only clothing I make myself."

"Now that is true!" I said laughing. "We better get back."

So we returned to the professor Stern's tent.

"Everything ok madam knight?" The blond woman asked.

"Yes, we were just talking."

"So what were you to talking about? The human female asked.

"Getting you some help professor or rather a assistant." My lady bear said.

"Go on." She said.

"Corbin is in need of a loving family and stable home to help him heal from the from the the tragedies he suffered this past year." My bear knight continued.

"Why Corbin I am honored..." Professor Stern started to say.

"But since I can't find that at the moment, I thought I could stay here and help you with your vital mission."

"A wise guy huh?" The archeologist said. "Well, I was thinking about becoming a mommy at some point." Ms. Stern said thinking out loud.

"Such a flake." The little mongoose said under his breath.

"So how long will you be staying?" Dawn asked the little mongoose.

"As long as you need me professor and from the looks of it, it will be for quite some time."

"Splendid, now all that is left to do is to update the Consortium." I said.

"Well we better head for home professor." My she beast added. "We will contact you to finalize everything."

Corbin was rather quiet the rest of the trip back to World One.

"Something wrong Corbin?" The momma bear asked her 'cub.'

"Change. I had just started getting used to living with you and big brother. Now it is changing again."

"True sweetie. But this one will be for the better you will see."

Corbin remained preoccupied the rest of the evening despite our reassurances to the contrary, even when it was time to turn in.

"I am going to miss the way you tuck me in each night momma bear."

"The professor will do more than an adequate job I am sure. Corbin."

"I am also going to miss your warm hugs too."

"Miss Stern will hug you if you like- I know for a fact she is a good hugger."

"I am also going to miss your wild mating sessions with big brother."

"You will have to wait until the professor decides to find a mate before seeing that again." The warrior bear said kissing her little mongoose.

Day 316

"Good morning my fellow consortium members!" I said greeting the two buffalo calves and our hyena leader for our weekly meeting.

"Someone sounds especially chipper this morning." Dongo said exhausted.

"What's wrong Dongo?" I asked.

"Someone had a tough week." Bess said.

"Really?"

"Yup our leader single handedly organized a job fair in the basement of World Two." Tess said.

"Dongo! Congratulations that is outstanding!" I said to the hyena.

"It wasn't easy at all. I had to pull a lot a strings to convince a lot of businesses to even participate in the fair." The hyena said. "It was quite a rough week."

"You should take pride in that awesome accomplishment." Tess said. "That fair is going to change and influence a lot of lives. Perhaps for the better."

"So did Doria make you FEEL better afterwards?" Bess asked snickering.

"Um, in a matter of speaking." The hyena said blushing.

"See sis, love is wonderful when it is right." The boy buffalo said.

"It is when it is right, I chimed in. So I take it that there weren't any takers to adopt our little mongoose?"

My three colleagues shook their heads.

"That is alright because we had a fabulous week!"

"Really? What happened?" Bess asked me.

"I went to the amusement park in World Five, I saw the hub broadcasting and production studios and even helped the knights there take down a rebel group!"

"What were they group doing?" Tess asked.

"Fueling doubts about the dictator's ability to protect the empire from its enemies, creating fear and panic and increasing the possibility of a recession."

"Way to go Alex!" Bess said.

"Doing your part for the empire." Tess added.

"But wait it gets better!" I said perking up.

"Corbin landed an apprenticeship."

My friends from the consortium looked at me.

"With who Alex?" Dongo asked.

"Professor Dawn Stern."

"Who is she?" Tess asked.

"An archeologist." I replied quickly.

"She is a prodigy, very knowledgable on ancient civilizations." Bess said to the others.

"Corbin is going to be assisting her at an archeological site she is studying." I added.

"So he will be staying with her?" Bess asked.

"Yes she is in need of an assistant after her staff walked out on her."

"What does Lady Ursa think?" Tess asked.

"She respects her; they are friends." I replied.

"What does Corbin think of it?" Dongo asked.

"He is nervous, but excited."

"With a major change like that, it is to be expected." Tess added.

"Seriously, guys I got to know the professor, Lady Ursa and I both did and I think it is a good fit. She could use a research helper with her workload and Corbin needs a safe place to stay- away from the many things that are threatening the empire right now." I said to my colleagues.

"Very well, I want to do a little more research on her." Dongo said cautiously.

"Then why not invite her to our block party tomorrow afternoon?" Tess asked.

"Block what now?" Dongo asked.

"Oh that is right, we did not tell you." The boy buffalo said. "Tess and I organized a block party for the residents and neighbors at the corner we stand on every afternoon. That is what we did last week."

"It is nothing special, just a chance for neighbors to get together and socialize." Tess said.

"Well done you two!" Dongo said. "Great job!"

"Then it is a date then, I will have professor Stern stop by and introduce herself. If you approve we can let Corbin stay with her during his apprenticeship." I said.

"Dongo you and Doria should come too. It would be a good opportunity to socialize out side of these hub conferences." Bess added.

It took some doing, but I was able to convince the professor to swing by for a meet and greet with Dongo, Doria, Bess and Tess the following afternoon. Corbin and I also attended. I started to ask my mistress as well, but she said that she would be there but in another capacity providing security in case there were problems. Which meant that she would be in the prototype watching most likely hidden but in plain site.

Day 317

So the following afternoon Corbin and I attended Tess and Bess' block party at Liberty Street and Battlefield Road. The weather was quite warm for the second week in December. Despite being in the slums of World One, the mood was upbeat and festive, there was music, dancing games and food and lot of mingling although the vast majority in attendance were non-beastials. Dongo, Bess, Tess and Corbin were the minority. Which must have been weird for them.

"Nice party." Doria said. "But a little on the small side."

"True but it is a start." The hyena said to his girlfriend.

"Anything to put a dent in the rebellion." I said joining Corbin, Bess, Tess, Dongo, Doria and Ms. Stern at a small table near the intersection.

"So Ms. Stern tell us a little about yourself". Dongo asked beginning the interrogation.

"Well, I am a archeologist at the World One Museum. My specialty and passion is Counter Earth Civilizations present and past. I am also pursuing a Superior Degree in archeology."

"So what are your plans once you obtain that degree?" Doria said as the rest of us looked on.

"Well, if you must know I plan to take over the world MAW HAW HAW!" The blond female said laughing manically.

(And the eccentricities appear yet again.)

"Such a flake." Corbin said face palming.

"Sorry just trying to break the ice." Professor Stern said laughing.

"Uh riiiiiight. I understand that Corbin will be living with you during his apprenticeship." Dongo asked.

"That is correct." Ms. Stern responded.

"So you in a way will become the little mongoose's guardian." Doria said piling on.

"Well yes you could say that...."

"On that matter, what qualities do you think would make a person and effective guardian?" Tess asked.

"I, a, um..."

"Do you think you would be an effective guardian for Corbin?" Doria asked.

"But of course..."

"Do you think you could help Corbin continue to heal from the tragedies he has suffered?" Bess said adding to the interrogation.

"Well I...."

"Well if it isn't my favorite children!" An elderly woman said approaching our table. As my sister's doppelgänger was feeling the weight of her interrogation.

"Afternoon Ms. Sine." Bess and Tess said together.

"What do we have here?" The woman said taking a seat at our table.

"Oh we are just interviewing a potential guardian for a orphan friend of ours." Bess said.

"Professor Dawn Stern. Corbin will be living with her during his apprenticeship." Tess said gesturing to the now blushing blond archeologist.

"You know dear becoming an guardian and virtual parent is not an easy task; it is difficult, challenging and very trying. There will be moments of complete frustration, where you are at your breaking point and you will ask why did I do this to myself?" The elderly female said looking at the professor. "But if you can make it through those trying times you will also find it very rewarding."

"Ms. Sine, it is only an apprenticeship." Corbin said correcting the elderly woman.

"Sure, sweetie, sure it is." Ms. Sine responded.

"Thank you ma'am." Ms. Stern said finding her voice. "I understand your concerns but I am more than positive that I can care for little Corbin here. To be blunt, after what he has been through- he needs stability in his life, a safe home, and most of all love and affection. I am confident that I can provide that. In fact I have actually grown quite fond of the little guy."

"Uh, it is only an apprenticeship." Corbin said to the human females.

It was at that point the professor turned to the little mongoose.

"Corbin I will never be able to replace your parents, but I will love and care for you all the same."

"But it is only an apprenticeship, not a adoption!!" Corbin said startled.

"Apprenticeship for now, adoption later." Ms Sine said correcting the little mongoose boy.

"Now who is the flake?!" The professor said as she hugged her new charge.

"We will see." Corbin said smiling.

"See I told you it was a good fit!" I said calling out the two.

"Then it is settled." Dongo said. "Congratulations Corbin."

"Yes, congratulations." Bess and Tess said.

So that afternoon Bess and Tess' block party also celebrated Corbin's apprenticeship by a eccentric archeologist, my sister's doppelgänger.

That evening as the party was winding down Dongo and Doria said their goodbyes wishing Corbin the best. As did Ms. Sine, Bess, Tess and myself and then there was a certain female knight....

"Take care little one." My she beast said hugging her foster cub. "Now I want you to be on your best behavior for the professor. Help her to get the answers we seek, the ones we need to know- quickly. This will be your mission."

"Yes momma bear." The little boy replied. "Try not to let the stress of your job get to you either."

"I will try, but no promises Corbin. One more thing, I expect you to come and visit."

"I will. Thank you for everything." The little mongoose said as he hugged the brown bear.

"Ready to go?" The professor asked walking up to the embracing pair.

The little mongoose boy nodded.

"You know pet, I am going to really miss him." My lady bear said as we watched Corbin and his 'guardian' drive off in the professor's brown sedan.

"I am too. He was with us for just three weeks but he will always and forever be my little brother."

With that we headed back to the lair confident that Corbin would be safe from all the craziness that was taking place around the empire. Speaking of craziness...

As we walked through the front door of the lair I helped my bear knight remove her uniform and weapons. She then stretched out on the sectional to relax and turned on the hub to catch up on the news of the day. Which I didn't think was a good idea, but I kept my mouth shut.

Lady Ursa ended up watching a report from her favorite reporter- that kangaroo she likes so much. Meanwhile I headed to kitchen to prepare a snack.

*GROAN*

(That was rather a large one!)

*FACE PALM*

I darted back into the great room to find out what had my warrior bear so perturbed.

"Everything ok mistress?"

"No pet, It never fails. Every time! Every time! We eliminate one threat- another appears!" She admitted to me. "Alex I am tired, burnt out, run down and fed up of being the first and last line of defense against those that oppose the High Evolutionary and his rule." She said pointing to the monitor.

(What brought that on?!) I thought to myself as I the kangaroo interviewed a well dressed human with perfect teeth and a winning smile.

"I Rick Rivers, am announcing my candidacy to replace the High Evolutionary as leader of Counter Earth. I feel that through his personal biases and unequal policies he has exacerbated human and beastial relations on this world which has given rise to rebellion and dissident groups making us all unsafe. The recent Neo incident for instance. I feel that I would be a much better leader than he is!" The man said.

"But Mr. Rivers you do realize that the empire is a dictatorship and not a democracy?" The kangaroo asked.

"I do but remember thirty years ago it was the populace that agreed to let him become their ruler. I think the populace should agree the time has come for someone else to rule."

"Say you are successful. What will your first priorities be?"

"End the rebellion and foster true equality for all citizens throughout the empire. I will also eliminate poverty. No one will be allowed to be poor!"

(That is quite a profound statement.)

"You're ready to quit?" I asked my bear knight after watching the interview.

"No pet, don't get me wrong I love my job, I love battle and conquest- I love what I do. It has just been too much as of late."

As the truth from her admission resonated. Her being stressed out was only the symptom of a much larger problem. I listened intently and then hugged and kissed my fierce ursine warrior.

"Mistress when was the last time you went on vacation?"

"It has been a long long time Alex."

"I think you are long long overdue then."

To Be Continued....