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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 12: The First Mission

The following week true to form, the Equality Now Movement was destroyed. Likely I suspect from the inside. The instigators were judged and sent to Sir Ram as punishment.

The Hub had several reports on the movement's demise. On the one that I watched, I could swear that evil ram was absolutely giddy to have some new test subjects to experiment on.

The loved ones of the movement's instigators were notified that they wouldn't be killed. However, the empire couldn't promise they would still look the same when Sir Ram had finished with them either. Many were chastised during the High Evolutionary's Judgement of the instigators for weeping for the doomed. If the movement's instigators hadn't become enemies of the empire they would not be in the predicament they were in now. This killed all movements for human equality on Counter Earth in the near term. But they would return- eventually.

Over the next six weeks I embraced my daily routine. Hell, I enjoyed and reveled in it. I had grown some what knowledgeable in English and had a handle on the language. But I wasn't at the point where I could retire my PDA. I still had yet to learn Animalian, compared to English, the beastial's language was an entirely different animal; as it was a much more difficult language to learn.

While I was studying Counter Earth's languages, I also figured out to how to expand the range of my PDA's translator to cover a wider area. This meant that I did not have to have it by my side all the time. In fact, I could leave it in another room elsewhere and still be able to hold a conversation with anyone in my mistress' lair.

When not cooking, cleaning or studying, I found time to pursue other interests like painting- scenery and landscapes. One thing there wasn't a shortage of on this world. On Gaia I didn't have such a luxury because the surface of the planet was uninhabitable and everyone lived underground. So seeing a sunrise and sunset on Counter Earth was an amazing experience. Seeing my fascination with the sun, Lady Ursa warned me never to look directly at the sun; it would damage my eyes.

Oh! I almost forgot- the day before professor Love notified my mistress that I had indeed acquired a basic familiarity with the human's language. But I had a thick accent and it would take some additional time to lose it. My mistress was still impressed; she gave me a 'special' reward that evening. It lasted most of the night too.

Day 48 (six weeks later)

However, staying up half the night copulating with my mistress didn't do our sleep patterns any good. I awoke still tired and immobile. It most likely had something to do with mistress Ursa having a tight grip on my genitals- I think she was still trying to masturbate me when she drifted off to sleep- her chin as usual, resting on my head and mine resting on her chest. She was still asleep when I awoke. So I drifted back to sleep and let her sleep in as well.

(Thank goodness it was the weekend).

Around 9 AM I felt a soft paw on my head.

"Good morning my pet did you sleep well?"

"Incredible mistress." I replied awakening.

"Come, we need to start the day." My she beast replied stretching.

"You mean you have a mission you are going on today? A Sunday? Does Lord Tiger assign missions even on the weekends?"

"Yes, pet even on Sundays. Anytime any place." The ursine warrior responded.

"So what is the mission? How long will you be gone?"

"Pet, it is classified." She said to me rising from the bed.

"Mistress, who am I going to tell? Besides I would like to know how long you will be gone and when can I expect your return? You know, I will be all by myself- alone wondering if my master is safe and if she will ever return." I said to her making a sad puppy dog face.

"Very well pet. But if you tell another soul..." she said cracking her knuckles.

"Let me guess, you will shred me to pieces and then tear those pieces into little bits." I interjected.

"Exactly." She said growling. We talked while she made her way to the exercise room. "I will be traveling to the west, to the prairie today to evict a family from their home; they are in violation of the law."

"How is that?" I asked her as she started her morning exercises with her sword.

"That is all I can tell you Alex. This family secretly moved away from this civilization and the empire to the prairie. That is a violation of the law and I am being sent to bring them back."

"That sounds very harsh mistress. What if they don't want to come back?" I asked my she beast as I watched her magnificent form stretch.

"Then I will have to use my raw power and brute force to convince them otherwise." She said thrusting her sword.

During my time living with Lady Ursa taught me what that statement implied- the family would be hauled away, imprisoned, judged and punished for violating the law.

"Wow that sounds extremely harsh mistress." I said to the exercising warrior.

"In this situation pet, my duty is clear; that family violated the law and must be made to comply with it or punished. That is how it is, that has how it always been." She said as she continued to thrust her sword.

"That is very, very, very harsh. Raw power and brute force can't always be the answer to EVERY situation and EVERY conflict. There has to be another way- perhaps there is some reason the family left civilization for the prairie...?"

Lady Ursa abruptly halted her exercises and looked at me.

"Oh really Alex? What would you propose?"

(Uh oh, I really stepped in it this time.)

"And can you back up that theory of yours?"

"Um, I just thought there has to be a kinder and gentler way to resolve this issue... you know, on second thought I will just be quiet and watch you work out..." I stammered.

"Oh no you don't, that sounded like a challenge to my authority there pet! And I love challenges!" She said staring directly at me.

"Uh, what did I do?! Mistress I meant no disrespect." I stammered.

"Oh no, you aren't going to wiggle out from this one- you voiced an opinion that was in opposition to mine and the way I conduct my missions and now your going to have to back it up!" She said carefully sheathing her sword.

Mistress Ursa then grabbed two wooden swords, she threw one to me and kept the other for herself.

"So let's test that theory of yours." She said cackling.

"But, but mistress you know I hate fighting!" I pleaded.

"Too bad for you Alex, because I going to use MY raw power and brute force to pummel you into pudding- can you find a kinder and gentler way to keep that from happening?"

I gasped. "Mistress I, I..." but she cut me off.

"Alex, you are always so careful with your words; you think carefully before you speak as to be sure not offend others. Well today that offends me- you aren't going to talk your way out of this one pet." She said. "Now quit whining and bring it! Because I am not going to hold back!" She growled at me.

I stepped right into that one and there would be no way out either. I had to think quickly or possibly spend the next several days in traction. My mistress did love to fight and she was a force to be reckoned with. She knew I didn't and as a result, she was going to enjoy teaching her pet a lesson he would not soon forget.

I quickly assessed the situation- a vastly superior force is attacking an inferior force. Said superior force is a highly trained warrior, very skilled in combat one of the top fighters in all the empire. Inferior force is not a warrior, not trained in combat, has no chance to win in hand to hand combat. Inferior force will be destroyed unless... I got it!

Lady Ursa attacked and lunged at me with her wooden sword. I dropped mine and dodged out of the way. She turned and thrusted her sword back at me. I dodged again moving behind her. She then tried to slice me I ducked and moved to the side. She continued her sword play thrusting, parrying, slicing. I quickly dodged, ducked and evaded each of her attacks. This went on for three or so minutes until my she beast dropped to one knee exhausted and out of breath. I carefully walked up to her and tweaked her on her nose.

"Amazing! You used my strength and power against me. You definitely are not a typical human." She said astounded.

"Something I learned trying to survive on Gaia." I said to the amazed warrior. "Mistress, please understand. I am still learning about your culture, ways and customs on this world. At times I may say things that sound like I am directly challenging you or your authority but I am not. I meant no disrespect to you or your authority- ever."

"Point taken pet." She responded between breaths. "I was testing you to see if you could back up that opinion of yours and how you handle yourself under pressure. Speaking of pressure..."

Lady Ursa dropped her sword, picked me up by both my arms and pinned me against the west wall of the exercise room. "Those tactics won't work again." She growled. "Now what are you going to do my little human?"

"Let's see." I thought out loud. "A superior force has pinned an inferior force...."

"Super force is going to use her raw power and brute strength to destroy inferior force." Lady Ursa interjected. "Inferior force can't use raw power and brute strength to counter or use the superior force's tactics against them. So what tactic does the inferior force have left?" My she beast asked curiously.

I thought about it for a second and then responded: "Guile." I said as I kissed my she beast passionately and deeply startling her. She then returned the kiss.

"EW, morning breath!" We said in unison.

"Alex you are definitely a survivor." She said releasing me from her grasp. "Since you seem concerned about this family you have never met, I have decided to let you accompany me on this mission. Perhaps you can persuade them to comply with the law so that I won't have to have to punish them." She said putting away the swords. "Come now we need to bathe and prepare for the mission."

While we were showering I tried to gather more information about the upcoming mission.

"Mistress will this be dangerous?"

"It can be Alex, all missions are unpredictable and can go either way, that is why it is important to prepare for them as well as to try to account for unforeseen circumstances."

"What about this law you speak of that they violated. What is it?" I asked.

"I will fully explain that to you and the family in time pet." She replied.

After drying off Lady Ursa put on her gold colored chain-mail. She then went to a storage locker and produced some clothes for me as well. A black shirt with cargo pants and a pocket to store my PDA. She also grabbed some weapons from the training room. Her sword and a side firing arm- some type of laser gun device.

"Does that have a stun setting?" I asked.

"No." She replied.

After packing supplies for the mission, we settled down to breakfast which I remember was granola oatmeal and berries that morning.

"How long will it take us to get to the prairie?" I asked Lady Ursa who was deep in thought.

"Oh? Uh, two hours to the west pet. We will be taking a prison transport vehicle."

That we did. We went to one of the loading docks of Castle Wundagore and signed out the vehicle. Unlike the hover bikes which I had seen the knights use, this vehicle was moderate in size and held up to seven prisoners.

We departed Castle Wundagore and proceeded due west. This was the first time I had seen Lady Ursa pilot anything other than her hover bike. I also got another decent look at the city which I had previously seen from the castle and that trip to the forest my first week on Counter Earth.

"You are looking at World One. That is the city nearest to Castle Wundagore." My she beast said.

"How many cities are there?" I asked.

"Five she responded Worlds One through Five."

"So why is the city called World One instead of something after the High Evolutionary?"

"Simple, this was the first city that was built after the war had ended and when our master came to power- hence the name World One. The four other cities were named similarly in order of their completion. As you know, the five cities comprise our civilization." She said as she showed me a map on the windshield of the five cities and the surrounding countryside.

"Wow." I said studying the map. "So this is the size and extent of the High Evolutionary's empire? What about the rest of the planet? Aren't there other civilizations other kingdoms?"

"None, but ours." She said. "When our master ascended to power thirty years ago- studies were conducted on possible sites for civilizations. The ones that were deemed most promising were developed. Others that were deemed less desirable were left alone and all subjects were forbidden from living there." She said to me.

"Why would an area be deemed not desirable?"

"Well," she continued. "If it was determined to be plagued by natural disasters- tornadoes, hurricanes, tidal-waves, volcanoes, counter-earthquakes, mudslides, avalanches that occurred frequently or other natural phenomena detrimental to life. The master wisely determined that anyone foolish enough to build a civilization in an area that suffers from natural disasters didn't respect their life and was risking the lives of the inhabitants- one day a disaster would hit and wipeout the population maybe not today or tomorrow- but in the future. So why take the risk?" She said.

(Oh!)

"That is why the other continents of the planet are uninhabited- parts of the eastern continent are seismographically unstable and experience frequent devastating quakes and volcanic eruptions that would demolish any city built there causing numerous casualties. The western continent experiences tornadoes and hurricanes which would be disastrous to any city built there. Our civilization is built in an area that is the most stable and experiences the least amount of natural disasters. In short this area was chosen to give this civilization the best chance to prosper."

I realized what my mistress had told me circled back to the purpose of our mission. "Our quarry today left our civilization five months ago to live in the prairie west of here. This area is off limits and subjects are forbidden from living there because of high tornadic activity." My she beast said.

"How many in a given season?" I asked.

"Around 1000."

"Fascinating, mistress- what is a tornado?"

I watched my she beast pilot the prison transport past the other arial traffic on the outskirts of World One as she told me about the weather phenomena known as tornadoes. I soon came to realize despite the High Evolutionary's oppressive rule, he did have some enlightened policies. This was one of them.

Two hours passed and we arrived at the eastern edge of the prairie around noon. Lady Ursa landed the transport about half a mile from a modest looking single level rectangular housing structure- she called it a ranch. It was made of wood and metal with a single door in the front two windows either side. The same at the rear of the structure and two windows on each side.

When we landed I immediately looked at the sky. It was ominous looking for late winter and early spring and some what windy but the temperature was quite warm; we didn't need jackets.

"You don't need to be from this world to know that that doesn't look right." I commented.

"Nor that." My ursine warrior said looking at the ranch. I turned to see what she was looking at and noticed that there was a silhouetted figure staring at us from one the windows of the house.

All of the sudden, the front door of the house opened and a little boy ran out to greet us.

"Yay! Visitors!"

I looked at my lady bear and she at me.

"Who is that?" I asked.

Mistress Ursa looked at the tracking device she had brought with her. It was then that I realized our quarry was a human family.

She aimed the device at the little boy.

"That is Cubby Legend. He is ten years old and attends the World One primary school or used to." My she beast said looking at the boy.

"Hi ya!" He cheerfully said looking at me and then at my mistress. "Nice to meet ya miss animal lady."

"I am a beastial child." Lady Ursa said gently to the boy.

"And a tall one too!" Cubby said looking Lady Ursa over. "None of the animal people in my school were as tall as you; most of them were my size except for my teacher of course." Cubby said.

(Wow so the schools on this world are integrated?)

"It is a job requirement." Lady Ursa said to the boy.

"Were any of them bears?" I asked the boy.

"No, they were much smaller, but had longer tails." He replied. "Say how are you able to fit in that uniform?"

"What do you mean child?" My warrior said.

"You have at tail too don't you?"

"I do." My lady bear replied.

"Well how are you able to stuff it in that uniform and not be uncomfortable? It doesn't have a hole for your tail." Cubby asked curiously.

"My tail is small enough to fit inside comfortably without inhibiting my movements."

"Actually she tapes it to her backside so she has ease of movement when she wears her chain-mail." I teased.

My ursine warrior just gave me a look and growled when I said that.

(Oops!)

"Uh, Cubby do your parents know that you answer the door by yourself?" I asked him.

"Yup, my dad says it is ok because there isn't anyone around."

"That is true." I said seeing that there was nothing but flat prairie for miles in either direction. "One of the benefits of getting away from it all, I suppose."

"I have two more signals that way." Lady Ursa pointed. His parents Adam and Theresa."

"Yes, they are out back probably looking at the garden!" Cubby exclaimed. The boy said grabbing Lady Ursa's paw and my hand to lead us into the ranch.

"Hmm... mistress do you think this is a good idea? We could be walking into a trap. Don't you think we should call for back up?"

"Alex are you feeling anything?" She asked me.

"No."

"Then don't worry about it. I doubt they would use their own son to propagate an ambush. Besides, I am my own back up. Lady Ursa then looked down to Cubby who was holding her paw. "Child, can you take us to your parents? There is a very important matter that I need to discuss with them."

We then entered the house. The ranch was quite modest- one large room with a kitchen, table and chairs, fireplace and rug. Behind the house was a elaborate garden dormant due to winter along with a well and out-house. It was obvious that this family lived off the land and grew what they needed. It was also here where we met Cubby's parents who were talking amongst themselves about the coming growing season and probably discussing the abnormally warm and windy weather that afternoon.

"Oh my gosh it is a bear!!! Don't make any sudden movements!!!" Theresa screamed when she saw Lady Ursa.

"Out here?!" Adam said turning around to see what his wife was staring at. "Dear it is not that type of bear. He said walking up to examine my she beast. "This one is not walking on all fours. She- I think it is a she...."

"I am." Lady Ursa said.

"She is standing upright- it is a beastial dear."

My mistress crossed her arms and let Cubby's father continue his visual inspection:

"But what type of beastial wears goldish chain-mail with a red cape and weapons?"

There was a sudden pause as the two processed what they were seeing. They both immediately dropped to their hands and knees, bowed and trembled.

"Greetings knight to what do we owe the occasion?" The two said in unison.

(Wow, they are both afraid of her? Do the knights have that much power?)

Cubby was astounded at his parent's reaction. "Wow, you're a knight of the empire?! A enforcer of the high mucky muck?"

"Cubby come here!" His mother called.

The boy obediently did as commanded and dropped to his hands and knees as his parents had done.

"Yes child. I am." My mistress said in a stern voice.

"And what of him?" Cubby asked singling me out. "Are you a knight in training?"

Lady Ursa countered. "No child. Alex here is my charge, he sometimes accompanies me on my duties like this one now."

Adam and Theresa rose to their feet as my she beast continued:

"Legend family. I am here on behalf of the High Evolutionary to discuss an important matter."

"You mean the Settlement Statute?" The father asked.

"Yes." My lady bear continued.

"We had been receiving alerts for few a months, but I never thought the empire would send someone to visit us." Theresa responded.

It wasn't hard to determine that Cubby's parents weren't high, middle or any class for that matter. Adam Legend was dressed in a simple shirt and slacks and appeared to be in his mid forties. His wife also seemed to be in her mid forties was dressed as plain as he was in a simple shirt and slacks.

"They have, it is me. Adam, Theresa and Cubby Legend you are in violation of the Settlement Statute and hereby ordered to comply with the law." My ursine warrior announced.

"The High Evolutionary sent you and him to retrieve us?" Adam said looking at me and growing irritated. "What are you a collaborator in training? Or did they send you as a liaison?"

"The matter at hand is that you and your family are in violation of the Settlement Statute which is..." Lady Ursa began.

"It is a law to prevent humans from living where they want, when they want and how they want." Adam countered growing more irritated. "You know before your master came to power and you creatures appeared, I remember life was much easier- humans weren't treated like garbage, we weren't told what to do, where to live, and even how to act! We didn't have restrictions on our movement and we weren't tagged and tracked like animals."

"Do you believe that Mr. Legend? I countered. "Before the High Evolutionary came along this world was in chaos. There were wars- humans killing other humans, poverty, disease, hunger and much misery. Do you mean to tell me that life was better during that time?"

My fierce warrior collected herself and piled on. "Mr. Legend and Mrs. Legend, my charge speaks the truth, life on Counter Earth before our master, err the High Evolutionary came to power, was one of constant warfare, destruction, poverty and death. The High Evolutionary came to power because of this constant state of warfare on this world; the populace selected him as their leader."

"And we have been miserable ever since." Mrs. Legend added.

"Has it been that miserable? Let me ask you something." Lady Ursa continued. "In the past thirty years has Counter Earth experienced another war? Mass destruction? Casualties from conflicts? Starvation?" Adam thought for a minute as he guided us back inside their house.

"No." He said. "I do admit when the dictator came to power he ended the wars, the killing and the hunger. But wake up, he did not eliminate illness and disease, poverty and misery- it still exists."

"He initiated programs to bring prosperity- but only to a select few- those of which hold wealth and power. He also has a shadowy program he is using to reduce the human populace." Theresa added. "Let me ask you both something. Have you noticed that there haven't been any human births in the last seven years? While you animal people continue to procreate and procreate and procreate. Why is that?!"

"Social issues aside Mr and Mrs. Legend the law applies to all citizens of the High Evolutionary- humans and beastials alike." Lady Ursa said redirecting the conversation. "Citizens are only allowed to live in and around Worlds One through Five. Not two hours away in an area prone to natural disasters."

"Citizens?! We are citizens? What citizens are prevented from participating in their own government? What citizens are prevented from pursuing happiness? What citizens are looked upon as inferior by those who control the power and wealth?" Adam retorted as we arrived at the family kitchen table.

My she beast tried to defuse the situation.

"I did not say that you are inferior." Lady Ursa responded.

"You didn't have to. I see it in your eyes and the way you stare at myself and my family."

"Madam knight all my husband is saying despite his irritability, is that we deserve a better life. Something that was impossible for us to attain in the city." Theresa said to my mistress. "That is why we moved here. We are not a threat to the High Evolutionary or his rule, we just want a better life. We just wanted to leave the misery we were experiencing in World One."

"Madam knight, what is the price for violating this law you speak about?" Adam asked.

"Punishment." The ursine warrior replied. "You have received several warnings since you moved out here. Well, I am your final warning; I have been sent here to MAKE you comply with the law or you will face judgement and punishment."

"Specifically what is the punishment you speak of?" Theresa asked bringing Cubby to her side.

"That would be entirely up to the High Evolutionary. It could range from public shaming to confinement or imprisonment for all of you." My she beast said.

Apparently that angered Mr. Legend.

"To hell with your damned high and mighty dictator! I don't like being told what to do! If you think we am going to leave here you are sadly mistaken!" Adam said reaching for a kitchen knife on the table.

Realizing what was about to take place I reached Mr. Legend first placing my hand over his as he was about to grab the knife.

"Mr. Legend please don't." I warned him. "My companion here is a quite capable and accomplished warrior- your attempted action would be deemed a hostile act and she could knock you into next week or even kill you before you would have lifted that off the table. Trust me sir, your wife and son do not need to see you die needlessly in front of their eyes. So why don't we end the hostilities now?"

"Mr Legend you would do well to listen to my young charge." Lady Ursa interjected. "He just saved your life."

Horrified, Mr Legend sat down. I looked back to the wife who was equally horrified, then their child and then back to Mrs. Legend.

I needed to break the tension. "So exactly what caused you to leave World One and how did you do it Mr. Legend?"

Mr. Legend composed himself and responded: "Alex, you live with the knights and the other beastials right?"

I nodded.

"Then you are largely sheltered from what the rest of us have experienced." He continued. "Have you seen where the human populace lives? In the slums on the outskirts of the High Evolutionary's cities? There is crushing poverty, limited education, prejudice and intolerance everywhere. This is no place to raise a family let a lone a child. In my case I had a first rate education but could not obtain suitable employment to support my family. Neither could Theresa. Due to the 'glass ceiling.' The high paying jobs were in the cities. But after going to interview after interview Theresa and myself were turned down and other candidates were chosen over us- all of them nonhuman."

"Glass ceiling?" I asked.

"Yes. If there are three applicants for a position Two humans and bestial, the beastial will be chosen every time. This glass ceiling keeps many of us from achieving anything. I did find employment- human employment working outside the cities, but the pay was low, we could barely get by on what I made and were forced to live in the slums- what the beastials call them the basement or designated human areas." Mr Legend said.

"What did you do for a living?" I asked as Lady Ursa and I listened intently.

"I was a maintenance specialist. I maintained apartment buildings. I saw first hand the poverty that was present there. During that time I longed for a better life for my family- I wanted to live in one of the fabulous cities. But housing prices there priced me out of the market. I suspect that this was done intentionally to keep humans from living in the cities. So my family and I were stuck."

Mrs. Legend added "I am a horticulture specialist. I experienced the same thing trying to find a decent paying job because no beast wants to hire a human for any type of work in any of the cities. "

"How did you wind up out here?" I asked.

"We are getting to that." Adam said. "If the crushing poverty (there is virtually no human middle class) and despair weren't enough there was the hazing. Several times a week beastials would roam through the neighborhoods harassing people- friends, neighbors acquaintances you know, people trying to just get by. Some were mugged others were assaulted and constantly reminded how inferior they were to the 'primary' class of citizens. Living with that day in and day out affects a person you know." He said.

"Did you witness any of that what you speak?" Lady Ursa asked.

"I did."

"Did you report any of that?" She asked.

"Madam knight I did many times and still the problem persisted It was like none of you knights seemed to care." Adam told Lady Ursa. "It is amazing how little was done. That also reflects badly on you knights because every fed up person is just another potential recruit for the rebellion and these splinter groups with their movements. The wife and I got tired of just getting by and decided to collect our belongings and move out here- away from it all where we can be free without all the restrictions. Here we live off the land, we are not oppressed, we are away from the discrimination, prejudice, poverty, despair, harassment and until recently we thought the High Evolutionary's influence as well." He said.

So there you have it, a first hand account of what it was like being a human on Counter Earth. I felt sorry for Adam and his family I really did.

"You moved out here in one fell swoop?" I asked him.

"No." Theresa said. "We started the garden first with some seeds we were able to obtain from friends and neighbors which we planted and nurtured." She said pointing to the garden behind their house.

"After the plants started growing, we built the house from parts we were able to salvage." Mr. Legend continued. "When it was complete we had some friends quietly drop us off here. That was five months ago."

"Mr. Legend did you know that you were breaking the High Evolutionary's laws by moving out here?" Lady Ursa asked him sternly.

"I guess I did..."

"Did you know you are placing your family at risk living here?"

"I don't think so." He responded as the wind picked up outside. "If you are talking about the weather here. We have been here six months and have been just fine." He said.

"Then you have been extremely lucky." Lady Ursa said "Mr. Legend, Mrs. Legend I am sorry that you have had a hard life. But violating the law isn't going to fix that it will only add to your problems. My duties as a knight are to enforce the law and all laws of the High Evolutionary. Being out here is in violation..." Lady Ursa paused as we all noticed that the wind had really picked up outside the Legend's home. My she beast continued. ".. you are in violation of the law and must comply there is no other way around it."

"So that is it. You are here to kick us out and to make us go back to the slums?" Adam started to say. They each ended their conversation as they saw me start to violently tremble.

"What's wrong with him?" Theresa asked.

"My charge is clairvoyant, he can 'sense and see things' before they happen." My she beast responded. "Alex, what's wrong?"

I turned to look at her with terror in my eyes. "Mistress we are not safe here!" I said to her shaking.

"I know Alex, that is why the Legend family is moving back. "I shook my head and turned to look at the family.

"No! We are not safe at this moment! Right here, right now!" I said as I made my way toward their front of the house where I opened the door.

The site I saw almost stopped my heart. I was soon joined by my mistress and Mr and Mrs. Legend then their son. Not one mile away was a large wedge shaped cloud formation that had extended to the ground. It looked to be about a half a mile in width, completely dark grey and moving toward our direction.

I pulled out my PDA and aimed it at the object. "The winds are over two hundred miles and hour." I told everyone there."

Lady Ursa responded. "Nothing in that thing's path will survive."

"And it just ate your vehicle!" Cubby said in amazement and wonder.

(So now it was only a half mile away.)

"What are we going to do?!" Theresa screamed.

"The only way we can survive that, is to be underground. Far underground. When you built this house did you make a cellar or basement?" Lady Ursa asked.

"NO!" Adam responded. "We only have a simple storage area for supplies about a foot deep!" He said horrified.

"Where is this storage area?" I asked moving the family back into the house and closing the front door.

"Here!" Theresa said opening up a trap door that was under the rug where Cubby had been standing on moments ago.

"That is small, too small." I said in shock.

"It will have to do!" My ursine warrior said drawing her fire-arm. "Everyone stand clear!"

She adjusted the setting and fired. There was a red glow in the storage space and the 1 foot deep pit became 7 feet.

"Everyone in!" She ordered. We all made a break for it. Once in the pit she pulled the trap door closed above us and locked it. My Mistress ordered Mrs. Legend to shield Cubby with her body. I then shielded Mr. Legend with mine. As my mistress shielded all of us with hers.

There was a huge howling sound as the storm enveloped the Legend's ranch and the surrounding area. There was breaking glass, crashing windows as the house took the storm head on- then silence. We were safe underground save for a lot of dust and dirt falling on everyone in the pit and the trap door rattling very loudly.

After about a minute the family tried to get up. "Stay down!" Lady Ursa growled. "It is not over."

"How do you know? Adam asked.

"Alex is still shaking!" She answered as there was another violent howl and the trap door rattled above us again. This one last about 20 seconds then it was over. I stopped shaking.

"Everyone ok?" Lady Ursa asked.

"I am humbled but fine." Mr. Legend responded. "I understand the nature of your master's law and why he made it."

"It only took us this tornado to realize it too!" Theresa said apologetically. "You didn't have to, but you saved our lives madam knight."

When the Legend family, Lady Ursa and myself emerged from the pit we saw the complete extent of the damage- the ground of the surrounding area was scarred. The Legend's house and garden was gone. The transport my mistress had brought with us was gone as well. The storms that had just destroyed their house continued moving northeast- off in the distance. One made a abrupt left turn. It was then we saw both for what they were; we had just survived two direct tornado strikes from twin tornadoes and lived to tell about it.

Seeing the damage Theresa started to cry. Cubby was amazed as well.

"Wow, the planet tried to kill us! Cool!"

(Something is off about that kid....)

Comforting his wife Mr. Legend turned to us. "We will comply with the law knight; it is too dangerous to live out here."

"Be thankful that it didn't cost your life or your family's life to realize that." My she beast said scolding him. "If we hadn't visited you today you and your family would be dead." She said sternly.

This had been a remarkable day on many many levels. If I had not come on this mission at all there was a very good chance Mr. Legend would be dead- killed by my mistress in self defense. There was also a good possibility that my mistress and the rest of his family would have perished in the tornado strikes as well.

It took us a while to arrange a second transport vehicle to pick us up as we had to wait out the violent weather in the area. Fortunately my mistress communicator wasn't damaged during our tornado incident and she contacted Sir Wolf who picked us up and transported the family back to civilization.

On the way back to Castle Wundagore mistress Ursa briefed Sir Wolf about our mission in the prairie.

"You know those things have been roaming through there since time and memorial and they will continue to do so regardless if there is settlement there or not. It just doesn't make sense to put yourself in harm's way for anything." The wolf warrior said.

"It's just a shame that this family will be going back to the same living conditions they were trying to escape from with no future or hope." I said dejected.

"Now pet, Adam and his family still have their freedom- they won't be imprisoned, judged or punished and they have their lives." My she beast countered.

"Actually there might be another way." Sir Wolf countered. "You mentioned the Legend family are modest citizens; they have never been in trouble or violation with the law until now. I know of a family that is looking to rent out a room in their house in World Two perhaps I can put in a good word...."

Put in a good word Sir Wolf did. He was able to convince his friend a gorilla, and his family to let the Legends rent that room. Mr. Legend ended up working for the gorilla family as a handy-man maintaining the house and several other properties they owned.

It was a beneficial symbiotic relationship. The Legend family was able to leave the slums. Adam was able to live comfortably in his new position with his new boss and their family. Theresa helped the family build a garden at their house. In return the gorilla family looked out for the Legends sheltering them from the hazing and most discrimination humans would face living near beastials. Cubby became good friends with the gorilla family's children and even attended the same school as they did. In short Sir Wolf had made a difference in this family's life.

That night as Lady Ursa and myself got ready for bed:

"Alex your performance today was outstanding for your first mission." My she beast said praising me. "Good boy!"

"Arf, Arf!" I simply responded as I climbed into bed and cuddled my bear.

"You know mistress you surprised me on this mission as well." I told the reclining ursine warrior.

"How is that Alex?" She asked inquisitively.

"Well even after the Legend family had lost everything to the tornadoes, you could have imprisoned them for violating the law but you didn't."

"I figured what they had been through was punishment enough and as a result of that I think they will follow the rules from now on." My ursine warrior said to me.

"Actually I think mistress, that someone I deeply care about is transforming from a hard and uncaring, indifferent enforcer into an honorable and just warrior." I said contradicting her as I kissed her goodnight.

"Oh, really little human... and I wasn't before?!" She said indignantly raising an eyebrow.

"Well, um, err, ah, you see..."

(Oh bother.)

"Oh crap!! I stepped in it again!!" I said looking at her.

The perturbed warrior nodded while cracking her knuckles.

The next sound she made filled the entire room and perhaps the rest of the house.

"GUOOH-AAAAHHHH!!!!"

The next sound I made also filled the room but did not manage to reach the rest of the house Like hers had.

"OWCH!!!!!"

To Be Continued....