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DOOMDAY 4

Dogesh Defeat

We awoke to a jubilant Professor Malmut, dancing between us and the Viewport, though cautious of It's weak elder bones.

"It's over! It's done," It explaimed, "He wanted to be throttled so we throttled Him right through His Dogesh face with a simple arrow. He turned to dust same as all the Anthrogyne He took during His oh-so-Dogesh centum..."

"Are you sure?" Cori asked as It rose from the pew, rubbing It's eyes.

The Professor stopped dancing and stood on the yellow line marking Majors boundary. "Yes, I'm sure. Several agents saw it happen and we're studying samples of His ashes as we speak."

Could the Dogesh Centum really be over?

Cori took a moment to process then asked, "So what do we do now?"

"I'm glad you asked," the Professor said, "We still need the Iron Scales to return immediately. The longer they remain in Minor, the more we risk losing our best defense against the feral beasts."

Cori stretched. "I still need to get out of Major..."

"One of our scouts returned last night with a possible way out. A maintenance hatch to the Sole Gate behind St. Sirah's, which we previously believed to be sealed, is being closely guarded by Dogesh Policifur. Our tacticians are certain this means it's not actually sealed."

Cori scratched It's head. "Why would they still be guarding it if the Dogesh is dead?"

"They may not know. We defeated the Dogesh in the middle of the night and we're working to disseminate that information as quickly as possible, but the Dogesh Policifur have been trained to distrust every other fur; they capture every messenger we send. Even with the Dogesh gone, His Policifur continue to follow His orders."

"So what do I do about them? Will I have back-up?"

"No. We don't want to risk an open conflict with our familiars now that we are on the same side again. You should remain hidden on your way, and if possible make it through the hatch without incident. Having back-up will only make it more difficult."

"Okay, but I am taking Chatter." It was as though Cori had already forgotten about last night. "We've come too far together. I'm not leaving It behind."

*"Actually..." the Professor started, and I thought It might protest to my involvement. "... I was hoping to take It with me." *

*Cori and I looked at each other then back at the Professor. *

"Where are you going?" Cori asked.

"Iyang; to find Heir Master Brickish and convince him to campaign again. We need his help to rebuild Anthrogyne Majorum. And since Chatter already knows Brickish well, I thought It might be willing to help."

It's not been more than two cycles since Brickish left but it feels like an eternity. Could it really be possible for us to meet again and finish what we started?

"Are you serious?" Cori showed some frustration that grew as It spoke, "Brickish failed in his very first campaign as the first fertile Heir Master of Majorum. He then abandoned Major by returning to Iyang. Leave him there, where he belongs."

Professor Malmut showed only pride, "Brickish is still Heir Master. It's our duty as Heirs to Anthrogyne Majorum to support him."

"Like you supported Heir Master Curry? If I disagree, do I need reconditioning?" Cori's frustration was turning to spite.

The Professor preached on, "When Heir Master Brickish returned to Iyang, Chairfur Curry regained power and has been vying for It's previous title. And as Heir Master, Curry used the tragedy of the last Sole Gate Opening as a means to seal the Gate indefinitely, ultimately trapping us here with the Dogesh."

"You said, yourself, we can't survive Minor anyway. Why not seal the Gate?"

The Professor responded with passion, "Curry is corrupt! It will use this tragedy and Brickish's absence to retake the title of Heir Master and will once again become the most powerful Anthrogyne en-Majorum. We cannot let that happen!"

Cori stared back at Professor Malmut en-defiance, "I will not let you take my last living familiar on a trek across what is still Dogesh Majorum because of some personal vendetta against your sibling."

The elder Malmut regained calm and took in a deep breath. "Well... it's not really up to either of us, is it?"

Then they were looking at me. I had to consider: after all I'd done to support Brickish, which ultimately brought shame upon me and my familiars, He left me alone in my disgrace; Cori was willing to stay by my side after I betrayed It and brought shame upon myself. In spite of hope, I chose to go with Cori, my most loyal familiar. "Cori needs me more than Brickish."

"There you have it." Cori smiled at me.

"And so it is," the Professor was disappointed but spoke en-kindness, "I harbor no ill-will. We've made our decisions and we each have our missions. Though we may disagree, I assume we both understand the implications of failing to accomplish our goals..."

"Yes, Professor." Cori nodded en-respect and they shook paws before Professor Malmut departed.

Cori, eager to get started, said, "Daxus should have ready whatever we need for the mission."

After retrieving Cori's pack and Aorn's sword, and with my tablet pack en-paw, we left the university before sunsrise. We remained cautious of Policifur as we made our way and soon arrived in the Wooded Slope Ante-Park.

Ante-Park, Wooded Slope, and Major Overiew

After the last Sole Gate Opening ceremony (during which several feral beasts of Minor invaded Majorum, killing many Anthrogyne and traumatizing all the rest), all areas between the Gate and St. Moe's University were designated off-limits to common Anthrogyne. A few cycles later, Governance reopened the Ante-Park, Wooded Slope and the Temple of St. Sirah with assurances that all beasts in Major had been eradicated.

Even so, most Anthrogyne have continued to avoid these areas for fear that beasts remain hidden by the thick woods of the Wooded Slope. So far as common Anthrogyne are concerned, the Wooded Slope and it's ante-park are not destinations but rather serve only as the sole route to the Temple of St. Sirah before the Sole Gate high upon the northern cliff.

As chronicler to noble Anthrogyne, I learned there was more to the ante-park, at least. Only after being sworn to secrecy under threat of reconditioning, I was invited there by my chronicles-commissioner, a Governance Deputy Chairfur, to only one of countless secret meetings of the elite. The Deputy assured me that all in attendance held important positions en-Governance. They donned cat masks to pay tribute to their Heir Master at the time, Curry, who was by custom uninvited. It was at this meeting that I learned the most about the elitist Anthrogyne; most peculiar to me was their good humor when discussing the topic of the Dogesh. They spoke of the prophecies in mixed incantations as though it were all a scary fuzzal's tale true only for those who believe it. Now, I wonder if they still have such good humor, if they even still live.

Currently, on the edge of the Ante-Park near the entrance to the Wooded Slope, Cori and I hid in bushes and prepared for our next step. We would need to wear camouflage and travel deeper in the woods, off the beaten path to avoid discovery by Policifur.

*We dressed leaf and thresh covered garb then ran through the large open-gated entrance before quickly ducking into the woods and hunkering down until dawn. When there was enough light to see by, we moved slow and deliberate to avoid making too much noise. Without the trail to follow, we went deeper into the forest until we could see the base of the Wall of Civility which would guide our way northward. *

It was terrifying for me to be so deep inside the only forest in Majorum, on the Wooded Slope where feral beast could certainly still be lurking if they hadn't been fully eradicated. Our need to move silently amplified every nature sound from which I was compelled to run and hide. Cori tended to me as much as It's mission, noticing my anxieties and taking several opportunities to pet and calm me while we rested under our camouflage.

Halfway along our trek, it had reached midday though the forest remained darkened by it's canopy. I was growing more weary from constant fear than movement. Cori decided on an extended period of rest for my sake and with It on the lookout, I quickly fell asleep.

Later, Cori woke me and beckoned me to follow. Instead of continuing northward, It lead me away from The Wall and back toward the trail. We hid for a while near the trail to be sure it was clear of patroling Policifur, then we crossed over back into the forest. The Wooded Slopes inner edge becomes cliffside at a certain elevation and there is safety fencing to protect adventuous Anthrogyne from a fatal fall. When Cori and I reached the fencing, It climbed over. I followed while unsure but soon found Cori was leading me to an overview of the new Majorum.

"Fodder for your chronicles." Cori said, climbing onto a boulder near the cliff edge and taking two pair of binoculars from It's pack.

I followed It's lead taking a pair and looked out over Major, "So many buildings have been demolished!"

"Build in vain for the destroyer of Majorum." Cori recited prophecy.

"But look there..." I directed Cori's attention to a new warehouse near St. Moe's University.

Cori lowered It's binoculars en-thought, "I wonder that was built for Policifur."

"There must be more of them."

In total we found eight completed warehouses and two under construction throughout Majorum.

"... and that's just what we can see," Cori said.

"If there are more, they couldn't all be Policifur camps... could they?"

"His Policifur aren't special; they are just enslaved Anthrogyne. If I had to guess, not every camp is for Policifur. Maybe those being collected and taken through the Central Market Square for processing are then taken to camps as well. 'He's a nefariously whimsical creature', Chatter. There's no telling what He's really up to."

'... what He's really up to.' I thought aloud, "You speak as though the Dogesh is still here..."

It sighed. "We still don't know where He came from nor do we understand all of His powers. We can't be certain He's gone for good."

Thinking the Dogesh might return even after being destroyed made me think throwing myself from this cliff wouldn't have been such a bad idea if I didn't have Cori with me. Even with the Dogesh gone, everything was different now. We observed Major for a while longer and witnessed a large group of Policifur collecting Anthrogyne from East/Residential near St. Moe's. The common fur were cuffed to four chains pulled by two motored-carts and led all the way to the Metropolis. Once they reached the Central Market Square beneath the Governing Spire, we lost sight of them beyond the tall Market shops surrounding the Square. Soon after, an East/Residential building imploded into a cloud of dust, shaking the earth all the way up the Wooded Slope.

"What hope is there, Cori? What are we doing here?"

"I am to bring back the Iron Scales." It's eyes spoke a matter of fact. "You, my friend, are chronicling the Dogesh Centum until it's certain end."

We carried on, back over the fence and across the trail, back into the deeper forest and while remaining sleathy we didn't stop for the rest of the afternoon. We made it to the upper tree-line across before the second sun fell. Beyond the clearing in front of us was the Temple of St. Sirah, still mostly intact aside from the bell tower which was scattered in pieces around the Governing Spire-tip lodged upside down in Temple's anterior garden. The temple and it's gardens were gaurded by countless Dogesh Policifur and behind the Temple, as we expected, the maintenance hatch to the Sole Gate of the Wall of Civility was also guarded well guarded. We studied them for a while, hoping to spot an opportunity to make it to and through the hatch unnoticed.

Capture, Processing and Refusal

Without warning, we were wrapped around our necks and lifted from the ground by the Dogesh.

"Where do you think you're going?" He growled.

Cori reacted, unleashing Aorn's blade, and It fell to the ground with a Dogesh tentacle. The Dogesh howled and I flailed, kicking Him in the groin en-accident. He tightened his grip on me with gnarled teeth, and I lost consciousness.

I awoke, at night soon after, in the back of a motored-cart, riding along the street beneath the East-Central HighRail toward the Governing Spire. My camoflauge had been removed and my tablet pack taken. Cori wasn't with me and I tried not to think what might have happened to It.

"It's awake!" The Policifur, sitting in the back of the cart with me, held a wired baton in my face.

The driver hollered back, "You know what to do if It tries to escape. We're almost there."

I thought about where we might be headed. The procession of captive Anthrogyne from The East was led to the Central Market Square beneath the Spire; and Tele told us that all common Anthrogyne seemed to go through the Square for 'processing'. I was sure of my destination but couldn't have imagined what processing awaited me there.

We arrived at a check-point, outside of the Market Square; a tall fence stretched across the street from building to building and was guarded by several Policifur on either side. One of these Policifur pulled me from the cart and the driver came around to give It my tablet pack.

"What's this?" The guard asked.

"The Dogesh said to make sure this tablet stays with It."

"Are you sure?"

"Are you questioning the Dogesh?" The driver asked, smug.

"Shut up, dog." The anthrotype reference seemed rude at first but then I realized old customs don't apply to the Dogesh Policifur.

The guard strapped my tablet to my neck and tucked it in my cloth. "Don't let it be seen by Policifur or it might be taken away. Once you get inside, it's not my responsibility."

The motored cart rolled away and I was passed through the fence gate. One of the guards inside took me en-paw and pulled me toward processing.

The Central Market Square was crowded with the largest gathering of Anthrogyne I've ever seen and they were herded by countless Policifur.

I was pushed through the line of herdsfur and was swallowed by the crowd. Near this outer edge, the crowd was dense with Anthrogyne jostling with each other to stand furthest back. The thicker Anthrogyne managed to push me and other smaller fur toward the center of the Square where all eyes were pointed. Then I saw the stage, directly in the center of the Square, kept clear by more herding Policifur. More Policifur guarded the stage with one on stage conducting the show.

A fox-type Anthrogyne wearing scrubs colored blue exited the stage, crying, weary, and shamed. A Policifur escorted It through the crowd which made way.

The officiator, an Anthrogyne of the novel rodent-variety, spoke into a megaphone to the crowd, "Just one more fox-type for now. Come on, don't be shy! If we have to come find one ourselves we will strike every other type we pass until we do."

When no fox did come forward, a stage guard walked toward the frightened mix of anthrotypes. As it neared, all backed away except for a few fox-types which were either too afraid to move or they didn't want to cause harm to their fellow Anthrogyne. The Policifur grabbed one left exposed by the retreat and the poor fox began to cry as it was pulled toward the stage.

It was pushed on-stage and seemed so weak; the officiator dragged It to center-stage.

"State your name!" The officiator addressed the fox but still spoke through the megaphone for the entire Square to hear. "Remember the consequence for deceit is death."

The fox whimpered a reply inaudible to me.

The officiator continued, "Carr Tallymane, the Dogesh demands your absolute unquestioning servitude; the consequence for refusal is death. Will you serve?"

The fox was now weeping and shivering uncontrolled and did not answer en-turn.

The officiator urged on, "The consequence for refusal is-"

"I'll serve!" the cry was surprisingly loud and sudden.

After a stunned pause the officiator continued again, "Wise decision. Now, in order to complete the sorting process you will be examined and your gender assigned. Bare yourself."

I nearly fainted but was kept upright by a lion behind me who'd no doubt seen this several times already. Bare in front of Anthrogyne Majorum.... examined... gender assignment.... How cruel, indecent, archaic. What animal...?

The Dogesh, of course, 'will show them their shame' and this is it.

The fox, now soaking It's fur with tears, began to disrobe. The crowded square watched pitifully.

"Why is everyfur watching? Why do they not give It privacy?" I asked the fur that'd supported me a moment earlier.

"There are Dogesh Policifur in the crowd," It whispered, "and they will strike anyfur they see turning away or hiding their eyes. We are meant to watch... If I'd had any food on my stomach, I'd have lost my gut the first time I saw it myself."

Once the fox was bare for all to see the officiator continued, "Spread your legs wide and raise your arms high."

I only pretended to watch for whatever Dogesh Policifur might notice me, but I did not dare rest my eyes on what was to be examined, lest I lose my own gut.

What anatomy that perpetuated Anthro and beasts alike for many centuries has been dormant and irrelevant in the Anthrogyne since the first was fixed by It's blessed mother. Now this forsaken anatomy is literally center-stage and to question why would be to question the Dogesh.

After the officiator had done It's shameful examination It declared, "Carr Tallymane, your are female. You will don these pink scrubs to be identified as such. The consequence for their removal is death."

Carr then dressed en-haste to hide It's... her indecency. She was led off stage and through the crowd, en-shame, same as the apparent male that went before her. The rodent-variety officiator also left the stage and was replaced by a lion-type. It was stout en-build and had the mane-malformity around It's neck.

Then it addressed the crowd through a megaphone, "Let's begin!", his deep voice leaving no doubt about his heritage: a fertile Anthrogyne descended from Iyang. But what was he doing en-Majorum?

"My name is Tallen DeYang and the Dogesh has invited me to do some processing." he spoke in an almost jovial manner, "so of course, I will oblige. I've waited my entire life to see how you common Anthrogyne would react to your own anatomy. So let's see, shall we? Let's start with a group of lion-types. Remember, if none come forward the Policifur will strike every other type they pass until they reach one. Bring me the first lion!"

In the same manner as before, as a single Policifur approached the crowd, the mix of anthrotypes backed away except for a few lions, stricken still by fear or compassion for their fellows. One of these left forward was grabbed and taken to the stage.

Tallen pulled his common Anthrogyne counterpart to center-stage then spoke through the megaphone, "State your name. The consequence for deception is death." then held the megaphone in front of It's face.

The common lion spoke en-confidence, "My name is Dice Markhor."

Tallen continued, "Dice Markhor, the Dogesh demands your unquestioning servitude. The consequence for refusal is death. Will you serve?"

"I will NOT serve!"

An audible gasp from the crowd helped Tallen realize what he hadn't expected to hear.

Tallen looked at Dice en-disbelief and clarified, "The consequence for refusal is death."

"... better than being a beast like you." It stared back en-defiance.

Tallen grabbed Dice by the neck. "Then it'll be just as fun watching the Dogesh take your stubborn ass." He pushed Dice backward off the back of the stage where I could not see and spoke down to It, "You can wait in this cage like the beast you think you ain't. Don't worry, the Dogesh will be around soon."

Tallen returned to center-stage and addressed the crowd again, "Next lion!"

This process was repeated again: Policifur approach, anthrotype mix retreat, exposed lion taken to center-stage, 'State your name...', '...Maru Druff...', '...will you serve?', 'I will NOT serve!'.

Tallen was even more irritated by this recurrence. "If you think gender is what defines the beast... the Dogesh will show you what a beast really is."

Maru was pushed off backstage with Dice and I was somewhat struck by their bravery which also seemed to affect the crowd.

When the Policifur next approached the crowd, fewer Anthrogyne retreated and a few lion-types stepped forward. The next lion center-stage followed It's predecessors and refused to serve. As this happened several more times, angering Tallen more and more, he stopped asking names instead asked one question: 'Will you serve?' At least seven more lions refused and they filled the refusers' cage.

Then the Dogesh made His appearace center-stage seemingly from nowhere. Everyfur surrounding the stage, including the Policifur, fell to their knees. I raised my head to see over the top of the crowd but under the stage toward those that had refused to serve; they were also kneeling. Even Tallen knelt next to the Dogesh who then laughed at the spectacle.

"Look at the Anthrogyne!" He said, needing no megaphone as His deep dark voice was amplified from within, "... dirty animals on the ground... and what's this?" He turned to the caged lions. "Some think they are special... noble even." He turned back to the crowd and began to rise over those doomed lions.

The expectant crowd lowered their eyes and covered their ears but I watched as is my duty.

*"The consequence for refusal is death!" The Dogesh rained down thunderous Dogesh bolts, one after the other, turning each lion to ash en-turn, laughing as He did so. Survival insticts had the doomed climbing their cage before their demise. When the caged lions were in the wind, the cage itself fell into a heep and the Dogesh countenance turned to us in menacing determination. He hoverd over the terrifed "... but I should clarify. One Anthrogyne's refusal means the death of several more!" *

He then flew this way and that and flashed many more Anthrogyne in the Square to ash, indiscriminate of anthrotype. A few Anthrogyne stood to run but those were taken next while most understood it best to stay still. He exacted punishment upon the doomed Anthrogyne until His whim was satisfied, then he returned to hover center-stage.

"Fill my camps with Anthrogyne 'thankful for their suffering'," he addressed the crowd but then set eyes on me. He no doubt noticed me being the only Anthrogyne not hiding It's eyes. He turned to Tallen and spoke, inaudible to me.

My Processing

Tallen rose from his knees and found me in the crowd. "Bring me that rabbit!"

With nowhere to hide I accepted my fate: having already accepted servitude, I was left with but shame to show and the Dogesh himself chose me to be processed next. A Policifur looked into the crowd, looking for the rabbit demanded. Already found, I rose to my feet and made my way toward the stage, stepping over and around my cowering fellows. The Policifur waited for me at the stage-ward edge of the crowd.

When I stepped out of the crowd, the Policifur grabbed at my arm. However, without realizing my strength or intention, I pushed the Policifur to the ground with one paw. I'd never issued force against another fur in my life but I've accepted my Dogesh servitude and with it my beastly nature. The Policifur got to it's feet but seemed confused more than angered and, as I was climbing onto the stage with the Dogesh, it did not pursue.

The Dogesh bellowed, "Ladies and Gentlefur! Rise for the Dogesh Chronicler!", and showed His evil smile, seeming proud.

I turned to face the crowd which stood to observe my processing.

Tallen asked, "Shall I begin, Master?"

The Dogesh fell from his hover to His feet and walked around to face me. Only now could I see, His actual size was twice my height and His body thrice as thick.

He reached into my shirt taking my chronicles tablet and said, "Now, you may begin." He floated up and away from me to hover over the crowd and began reading my chronicles of the first doomdays of His Centum.

My fellow Anthrogyne focused on me as my processing did commence.

Tallen began, "State your name."

"Chatter Docs."

"Will you serve?"

I looked at into Tallen's eyes, incredulous, but was distracted; I saw Brickish in his eyes.

Tallen realized, "Oh, of course. You are the Dogesh Chronicler. Lucky you.." he laughed

I knew what was to come next so I held on to the distraction, watching Tallen's eyes as he continued.

"You will now be examined and your gender assigned. Remove your cloth, spread your legs and raise your arms high." He took from his pocket an extending small mirror and waited for me to comply.

I did as asked and focused on memories of the Brickish Campaign and what might have been. I wondered what Brickish would think of his fellow fertile Anthrogyne, escaping Iyang to serve the Dogesh. Considering Brickish left Majorum and returned to Iyang not to be seen again: I doubt he cares either way.

When my examination was complete, Tallen presented me with blue cloth saying, "Chatter Docs, you are male. You will wear this blue cloth to be identified as such. The cons-"

"-consequence for their removal is death." I snatched the cloth knowing the processing was complete. I dressed as I walked off stage-left. I didn't look back; I didn't look at my fellow Anthrogyne; I didn't look for my tablet. Once off stage, the Policifur I'd pushed grabbed me by the arm and hard to be sure it wasn't assaulted again. It escorted me through the crowd which made excessive way. I did not look them in the eyes but I could feel they were steering clear of me rather than the Policifur.

We went beyond the crowd, toward the south end of the Central Market Square and through another checkpoint like the one I'd entered through from the east. This Policifur passed me to another that was waiting with a small bus.

"I was expecting a group of lions first," the bus driver said pushing me into the back of the bus.

Then the Dogesh floated down behind the bus still reading my chronicles.

"Argh!" the driver hollered then bowed to the Dogesh, "Master... with respect, you'll give me a heart attack one day."

The Dogesh looked up from my chronicles, "Consider how else I might take you."

The driver found the Dogesh's gaze the bowed again, "Yes, Master."

"Take him to the rabbit camp."

"Just one...? Do we need a full escort?"

"I'll be your escort. He's not going anywhere."

With it's orders, the driver jumped in the bus and started to drive. The Dogesh rose up as we pulled away; then He followed behind us, flying high reading my chronicles of His Dogesh Centum. I fretted over what He might say about my chronicles. If my chronicles do not please Him, maybe He'll end my suffering, and if my chronicles do please him, I will not be proud.

I closed my eyes and might have slept for most of the ride; I do not know. I awoke sometime later being pulled from the bus. The Dogesh had disappeared. I wondered where might my chronicles be until I felt the strap of my tablet pack once again around my neck then the pack itself against my chest. The suns had fallen and through the darkness behind the bus I could only make out the road we'd taken and remains of buildings on either side, half standing or reduced completely to rubble. I could just barely make out The Wall of Civility towering over us which told me we were on the outskirts but there were no other clues to our whereabouts. The Policifur driver pulled me around the bus revealing the only light in the area, emitting from a lamp attached to a small building newly erected amung the rubble of what was here before.

This metal warehouse-type building and it's larger yard strewn with rubble was surrounded by a tall metal fence topped with razor wire like the Central Market checkpoints. This was no doubt a truly Dogesh camp. The lamp hung from a pole protruding from the peak of the slanted metal roof casting its unsteady light on the camps metal facade. This front side of the camp was almost entirely one of those large metal warehouse doors that rolled up by motor for large shipments. I imagined it rolling up for a new shipment of doomed Anthrogyne but here now was only me.

The Policifur kept a hold on my arm as it fumbled keys out of it's pocket with it's other paw, selected one and unlocked the door-sized fence gate beside the larger bus gate. It pushed me inside and locked the gate behind me before quickly returning to it's bus and driving away.

*I stood for a moment paws on this cage until the red tail lights of the bus had faded away. I in no way wanted to be here alone outside this camp and I certainly had no desire to enter; but where else could I go, what else could I do? I turned en-solemn to approach my camp. *

There are no windows to show signs of life inside. To the side of the warehouse gate is a metal door with a sign that reads 'No shipments after dark'. I have no hurry to get inside so I sit myself against the warehouse gate to do my duty and chronicle the events of today. I can now hear my fellow Anthrogyne on the other side of this gate; their stifled cries and moans tell me they are meant to sleep but are having trouble. No doubt, every fur asks themselves the same questions: Are we saved by servitude or doomed by it? Are we shamed by having gender or for having denied it? Are we civil? Are we beast? Are we Anthrogyne?