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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 17: Good Is Good, Bad Is Bad, But You Are Something Else Entirely

Day 62 continued

My she beast first turned me to look at her. But then turned on the lights to the room when she remembered humans don't see too well in the dark.

"I don't like that at Alex! If there is a spy in the castle that would go a long way in explaining the recent incursions over the last few months. The rebellion would know exactly when, where and whom to strike." My lady bear said.

"That explains why there have been so many too." I said laying on top of her. "What is even scarier is that another one can happen at any time."

My mistress immediately contacted Lord Tiger.

The two spoke for about twenty minutes before ending their conversation.

"So what is the plan?" I asked.

"Lord Tiger and I are going to talk about this again in the morning and he in turn will tell our master. He will not be happy to hear about this." My ursine warrior said.

My mistress fell silent for a moment.

"Alex, for the time being you are to keep this between myself and Lord Tiger." She said to me sternly.

"You mean you aren't going to tell anyone else? Not even your best friend or Sir Ram? It can't be him- he despises humans."

"None of them. In the coming days and weeks, Lord Tiger and I will have to investigate this very, very quietly; we will be doing things behind the scenes that we will not be allowed to talk about. The others will be brought in one by one, but only when we have cleared them. Until then you are to remain silent on this matter and continue on with your life as if we had never had this conversation. Do you understand?" She asked me.

I nodded.

"There is one more thing mistress."

"What is that pet?" She asked me.

"Can I cuddle you while we sleep?"

"Why is that Alex?" She asked inquisitively.

"I need to feel safe again."

Lady Ursa turned off the lights in her room. She understood the severity of the situation and why I felt the way I did. Until the knights got to the bottom of this, no one in the castle was safe.

That night I slept on top of her embraced by her strong arms that despite what was going on inside the castle made me feel somewhat safe. While she was sound asleep, I also nuzzled that amazing rack of hers as well.

During the next few weeks Lady Ursa and Lord Tiger worked quietly trying to identify just who was the mole. The task was daunting because of how many beastials worked inside the castle on a daily basis. Was the mole inside the circle of six beasts I knew? Or were they someone else entirely? Who would want to betray the empire and risk the fall of this civilization?

During that time I returned to my safe and stable routine of being a house pet, student, servant and in my free time landscape artist.

Day 76 (Two weeks later)

The morning began like the past few had. Lady Ursa was distracted by the pressure she and Lord Tiger were under trying to determine the identity of the mole. My mistress was particularly quiet that morning as she finished lathering me with the foam-like soap in the shower.

I have grown to love showering with my mistress at times it is even more sensual and pleasurable than our love making.

As I started to scrub her back and that magnificent pelt of hers, she seemed to come to life and to snap out of the funk she was in. She and Lord Tiger were probably still narrowing down the list of suspects. Given the amount of time that has passed since my discovery, it must have been one hell of a list. Of course I was kept in the dark on the situation so I could only speculate.

"Alex I have a present for you." She said turning toward me and breaking her silence.

"What's that?" I asked fearing that it may be yet another mission.

"I have been thinking and I feel your language studies have progressed to the point that you are ready to start seeing this world and our master's grand cities. This afternoon our master will be giving his Empire Address. All of the knights from the five cities will be present at the Pavilion in World One. Right next door to the pavilion is the World One Museum. What do you say we take a field trip? We can leave several hours early and you can explore the museum with me and stay there during the address it you like. I trust there shouldn't be too many visitors today."

I stopped lathering her at hearing this news.

"But what about my language studies with professor Love?"

"She canceled today because she and her students will be in attendance." My she beast said glancing over her shoulder.

"Really? A field trip? You mean I get to see the cities? All five of them?!"

"Calm down pet, your tail is wagging." She said to me. "It's going to be just one of them today- World One. Actually, only part of it; Worlds Two through Five will have to wait for another time."

"Awesome! That's great!" I said as I hugged her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

She snickered as our naked bodies touched.

"That is one thing I do like about you pet..." She said. "Don't ever lose your sense of discovery and wonder, it truly exemplifies your innocence."

"Actually mistress, I have come to accept this world as my home and am anxious to explore it. With your permission of course."

"Of course." She said. "We will leave after breakfast."

That morning Lady Ursa treated me to a stack of pancakes for breakfast. They had become her favorite breakfast item. Especially served with honey.

Before leaving she gave me new clothes to wear a gorgeous blue and gold striped shirt and black slacks that matched her knight's chain-mail that she was wearing to the event.

We then took her hover bike to the World One Museum, which was a moderate size angular glass looking building in downtown right next to the pavilion.

As we entered the museum I observed that there weren't too many people, beastials or humans looking at the exhibits- most were finding their seats at the pavilion in preparation for the address. Despite it being spring the daytime temperature was in the 60s. The High Evolutionary had picked a perfect day to give an address.

"Are you here for our master's address?" The lapin curator asked.

"I am." Lady Ursa responded. "But Alex here will be touring the museum during his presentation."

"Very well." She said. "There will be less crowds at the museum so he will be able to see most of the exhibits."

"Excuse me, but I was curious how many museums are there in the five cities?" I asked the curator.

She displayed a visual map right there on the counter of the five cities and the museum's locations.

"There are five museums one in each of the cities. This one is the History Museum. In World Two you will find the Art Museum. In World Three the Technology Museum. In World Four the Space Museum and in World Five the Geographical Studies Museum." The curator responded.

"I would love to see all of them." I told Lady Ursa.

"In time Alex, but they are quite large and quite extensive. It would take you some time to explore all of the exhibits which can't be done in just one day."

After the curator had walked away- I turned to Lady Ursa. "By the way, what is the Empire Address?" I asked her curiously.

"Every year the High Evolutionary delivers a speech about the status of our civilization, the good and the bad. Afterwards he fields questions from the public." My she beast responded.

"Wow, that is quite enlightened for a dictator." I said. "Isn't he afraid that his critics or opponents might try to assassinate him during his presentation?"

"No, he gives his presentation from a secure location and his image is broadcast throughout the empire. Afterwards, the media randomly picks people from the audience with questions for him. The presentation is tightly controlled, but the questions are completely at random." Lady Ursa responded. "Myself and the other knights will be there providing security. There shouldn't be any trouble- but in case there is you should be safe in the museum." She said. "Now come. Let's see how many exhibits we can get through before I have to leave."

The museum was huge, it consisted of 12 floors and was the length of a city block with many many exhibits from the first human settlements on the continent to the High Evolutionary's arrival on Counter Earth 30+ years ago. It even had a replica of his spaceship that he arrived in. I was surprised that the dictator allowed the museum to show the true historical record without debasing it with propaganda.

We managed to make our way through the first three floors. I noticed that the exhibits were in both Animalian and English, so it was a great opportunity to test what I had learned. My mistress was pleased that I was well on my way to becoming bilingual as well.

On the third floor of the museum we entered an exhibit that was dedicated to the Originals: the first beastials that populated World One. The exhibit had a replica of the lab where the beastial's master had taken local wildlife, genetically enhanced them and turned them into the sentient beings that populated Counter Earth today. It also had pictures of some of these originals beastials, Lord Tiger and and Sir Ram's pictures were among them.

That made me wonder:

"Mistress, how many originals were there initially?" I asked as I combed the exhibit looking for Lady Ursa's picture. I didn't see it.

"Initially about a hundred in the first wave." She replied. "That was followed by a second and third. Eventually there was a stable enough genetic base so that the master could pursue other endeavors, leaving his creations to populate his cities by themselves."

(That probably explains why his creations are so sexual in their nature.)

"That's a good picture of me don't you think?" I heard a voice say from off to my right.

When I turned to see who it was- I locked eyes with Sir Ram who apparently had come to the museum to kill some time (or was it me?) before the High Evolutionary's address.

I was horrified! I ran and hid behind Lady Ursa like a scared cub just as he said his "Hello and how are the two of you on this fine morning?"

Lady Ursa turned her attention away from Sir Ram who was admiring his picture on the exhibit to look directly at me. She must have seen the sheer terror in my eyes. Despite this, she said nothing as she placed her paw on my back and pushed me forward to stand in front of her to greet our visitor.

"Just wonderful Sir Ram." I responded as she poked me on my back with a claw tip. "Ah.... how are you this morning?" I finally managed to say still completely unnerved to be in his presence.

I hadn't seen Sir Ram since the day Lady Ursa adopted me and didn't care if I ever saw this being I considered truly evil again.

"Just fine dear boy." He responded. "I see that you have adapted well to your captivity and it looks like you are enjoying what our civilization has to offer."

I was still incredibly uneasy but I believed that he did not have any hostile intent. Plus my mistress- his colleague was there as well- he should be on his best behavior.

"This museum is amazing!" I finally replied. "This city is amazing as well."

(I wonder if this is what Gaia looked like when its population lived above ground?)

"Yes it is." He replied. "I like to come here every now and again to rejuvenate myself when I need to clear my mind." The ram said. "That reminds me, I have a mission I am going on soon and I am in need of someone with your special abilities." The beastial scientist said.

"Really?" I responded skeptically.

(If he needs to be healed, sexual or otherwise that is out of the question!)

"Actually, I need a clairvoyant or a partial clairvoyant on this mission. They could be quite useful to me. Besides, I believe your mistress owes me a favor." The ram warrior replied thoughtfully.

(Does she now?)

"Anyway, we will talk later it is almost time for the presentation, we best be going." He said as he departed.

I looked up at Lady Ursa quite disturbed. She saw this and was instead very curious.

"I wonder what type of mission?" She asked. "I will have to talk to him during the presentation. Stay here and finish your tour of the museum and I will fetch you later." She said as she patted me on my head and departed.

My museum tour was mostly uneventful afterward despite being tainted by this mission Sir Ram had wanted me to accompany him on. I was freaked out to say the least. Me alone with Sir Ram! The very beastial scientist that tried to dissect me my first week on Counter Earth and almost did. This is madness! Lady Ursa will of course TURN him down cold. After all she saved me from his clutches before right?

SHE DIDN'T.

That evening we had a guest for dinner at the lair- Sir Ram. He spoke to us in detail about his upcoming mission. One of Sir Ram's experiments had escaped from one of his labs near World Five.

"What type of experiment?" I asked.

"One of the were-beasts I have had in my care for the last twenty or so years." He replied.

"You mean one of your subjects from your human/beast experiments?" Lady Ursa asked.

"Yes, a genetic werewolf. This one is quite special to me." He said. "He was my first attempt to turn the human population here into beastials." He said feigning nobility. "This experiment- my grand experiment, was my attempt to purge humans from their flawed, self-centered, base existence and to make them like us. However, it didn't go well- the creature I created was neither human or beastial but a monster without any civilized traits, only rage and pure raw animal instinct. I had spent time trying to refine him, to fix what went wrong with the hope of making it sentient- a human beastial with the same traits as us and none of the flaws that plague humanity. When that failed, I placed a control collar on him while I continued my research. It has worked well for many many years until recently. A few nights ago he escaped from my lab. I managed to track him to the great forest west of World Five." Sir Ram responded.

"So he escaped to the woods." Lady Ursa said.

"He will remain a dangerous hostile threat to any citizens who travel there because he will attack and ravage anyone who is luckless enough to cross his path." The ram said. "It is my duty and responsibility to track and capture him before the word gets out and we have casualties."

"Is that why the other knights and the public at large haven't been informed?" I asked.

"Precisely dear boy." He responded. "I think your clairvoyant ability would also aid me in my search to find and capture this creature." The he beast said.

My mistress thought about the situation very carefully and then said: "Alex go with him."

"WHAT?!" I stammered nearly fainting.

(Is she mad?)

"He could really use your assistance and it would be for the greater good." My lady bear said to me.

"I hear that my colleagues consider you a good luck charm Mr. Winter." The evil beastial said looking at me.

I traded glances with him before staring back at Lady Ursa.

"But, but mistress..." I stammered.

"Listen dear boy." The ram said. "I know we got off on the wrong hoof when you arrived here-"

(That was the understatement of the millennium.)

"Let's consider this a chance to make up for that." The he beast said placing his paw on my shoulder. "Besides the recent mission you completed with Lady Vermin, she would have perished without your assistance and I seem to remember you saved Tauren's life at one time or another and even that of your master."

(That was true, but Tauren's life was placed in danger because of Sir Ram and his were-program.)

"Sir Ram on your honor as a knight, will I be safe with you?" I asked doubting the ram warrior's sincerity.

"Of course!" The he beast replied with a snicker.

(Oh crap, I am doomed!)

"Come Alex!" My she beast ordered escorting me to her closet.

"Mistress I, I..."

"Alex, I know you are extremely terrified, but this would be a great opportunity for you to build a rapport with Sir Ram. Listen-" my she beast said removing my loincloth as she started to clothe me. "Like Lady Vermin, Sir Ram is a colleague of mine and a fellow warrior. Listen to him, follow his instructions and he will keep you safe." She said as she handed me some additional clothing and some supplies. "He is one of the brightest and smartest minds on Counter Earth and I expect you in turn to look out for him. I wish I could go with you, but I am working with Lord Tiger on some OTHER projects." She said. "Now get going and good hunting!" My ursine mistress ordered as she hugged me. "You are to return from your hunt no later than two days from now." She said as she smacked me on my rump and pushed me back toward the kitchen.

The sun was setting as Sir Ram and I left Castle Wundergore in a transport vehicle. We traveled an hour west to the great forest near World Five. I could tell from what little light remained that this was another large hilly forest on the outskirts of the cities. I couldn't tell though if this one was the forest my mistress had taken me to a few months ago; they all looked the same to me.

Our trip to the forest while only an hour seemed much longer. Probably because I was traveling with Sir Ram. We both were silent during most of the trip. Probably because I didn't know what to say to him. What does one say to an evil beastial scientist who tried to dissect you? What would have you said were you in my position?

"It must have been difficult for you Sir Ram." I said finally breaking the silence between us.

"Hmm?" He said looking at me.

"To admit that you needed help on this mission and from a human no less."

"You are not a typical human as you have proven over and over." He responded. "And only a fool doesn't acknowledge his limitations." He said sternly. "Based on the reports from my colleagues you have established yourself to be quite an asset to the knights. I am glad I didn't dissect you."

(Was that an apology?)

"Hmmm...." I responded looking at the evil beastial.

"I see before we begin this mission, we need to clear the air between us." Sir Ram said stopping the transport vehicle to look directly at me. "Alex I am sorry."

"WHAT?!"

"I am sorry I tried to dissect you when you first arrived on our world. Despite being ultimate life forms, we beastials do make mistakes from time to time and perform unnecessary tasks. Time has made it apparent that you are much more valuable to us alive than dead." The ram warrior said staring me right in the eye.

My jaw dropped. The evil beastial scientist closed it for me.

"You, you apologized?" I was stunned. "But what about the new field of study you were going to create studying my remains?"

"I have the results from the tests that were conducted the week of your arrival which will have to do. Besides, what makes you think I am not studying you right now?" He said wickedly.

(Eep!)

I nearly freaked when he said that to me.

Seeing the expression I made when he said that, the Ram warrior put his paw on my shoulder.

"Calm yourself boy. I gave my word to your master that I would never experiment on you ever again and that you would be under my protection on this mission. Besides thanks to Lady Vermin I have become aware of your double on this world- an enemy of the empire isn't he? When we catch him and we will catch him, he will be mine. I can't wait to conduct a comparative analysis between him with your results or a dissection I haven't decided yet." He said grinning wickedly resuming our trip.

"Wow, those are some plans." I blurted out stupidly while considering if I was going to accept his apology.

"Pretty good for a prejudiced close minded individual who has love only for his own kind and extreme hatred for anyone or anything different him huh?" He shot back.

My jaw dropped again as he continued:

"You know the kind of individual who practices science without conscience, ethics or empathy. In doing so exhibits great cruelty and sadism toward his test subjects and revels in their grief, despair, suffering and demise. The kind of beastial that oppresses those he believes are not worthy to breathe the same air he does." The ram warrior said closing my jaw again.

Sir ram had recited nearly word for word the verbal tirade I gave him on the day of my pending dissection.

"You know I said that under extreme duress." I said to the evil beastial.

"Yes I do boy. But I forgive you for saying it...."

"I still do mean every bit of it. You sir are an evil individual." I said accusing him.

"That is a matter of perspective collaborator." The ram shot back. "The only reason you are here is because I need you."

(Ouch, that hurt.)

"You and I will need to put aside our mutual animosity and work together if we are to survive and accomplish this dangerous mission. In order to do that, you will need to know my motive: I will do whatever needs to be done to preserve the empire and my civilization and at what ever cost."

(There was that anything for the cause mentality again.)

"I am curious sir." I started.

"About what?"

"What event caused you to believe and behave like you do? It must have been something really counter-earth shattering." I said trying to pry information from him.

The evil beastial scientist was silent before he said at last- "We are here."

Sir Ram landed the transport vehicle just after dusk. We grabbed our supplies and entered the forest.

"Wow, this place looks very, very scary at night. It's a great place to kill, torture and maim and to drop a few bodies especially your colleague's pet." I said as I grabbed the ram's arm.

"Do not be alarmed boy. I promised your mistress that I would not harm you. You can believe me when I say that." He said as he looked at me sternly. "Besides I left my scalpel back at the lab."

"That is not funny in the slightest." I replied still wondering if I could trust the evil beastial.

We hiked two miles into the forest during the first moments of nightfall arriving at a line of trees near a clearing.

"We will camp here. This should provide us adequate cover and protection." He said as he erected a tent-like structure which appeared to be only large enough for three. After erecting the tent and moving our supplies within, Sir Ram pulled a electronic device from his pack and looked at it intently.

"According to this our prey is deep within the forest. It would be foolhardy to pursue him now in the dark, we will start at dawn. Which means we will bed here for the night."

I agreed.

"Now come pet, it is time to rest. He said to me."

I entered the tent as he was unfolding his thermal unit noticing how no frills and barren the interior was. For a technologically advanced society, I was expecting our accommodations to be well, more advanced. Perhaps he liked it that way?

Sir Ram noticed that I was noticing the lack of amenities.

"I know boy." He said. "We are tracking highly mobile quarry. We need to be mobile as well- able to move at a moment's notice."

"I see." I responded candidly.

I then went to my pack to get my thermal unit that Lady Ursa had supposedly packed for me. Hmm.... it wasn't there. Had she forgot or was this intentional? My mistress had gotten me again; she wanted me to bond with another beastial this time it was Sir Ram.

"What's wrong- pet?" Sir Ram asked condescendingly.

"I guess I forgot to pack my thermal unit." I responded.

"You know it is spring out here." He replied. "Though the temperatures are above freezing, it is still cold enough to make the nights quite uncomfortable." The he beast said scolding me.

"I guess so." I replied as I rummaged through the pack checking to see what other supplies my mistress had packed and not packed- there were plenty of rations, water, clothes it was all there save for the thermal unit.

With a sigh, Sir Ram removed his uniform leaving his undergarments on and beckoned me to do the same.

"I guess we are going to really bond on this mission, although my thermal unit is really only built for one- we will have to make due." The ram warrior said.

"No, no! You don't have to do that! I will be fine without it." I said as I started to feel the effect of the night air.

"No you won't." The ram countered. "You will catch cold. Now come here. I won't bite- much."

I climbed into his unit with him- extremely, extremely reluctantly.

"I will make you a deal young Alex." The he beast said. "I will keep you warm this night, if..." He paused. "You keep me warm in return." He said.

With that the ram warrior rolled me on my side and hugged me in the same way as my lady bear did at night. His fur felt like cashmere quite different from that of my mistress and I heard his heart beat when I rested my head against his chest. Actually I don't know if I was more surprised that I was being embraced by this evil creature, that I would be sharing a thermal unit with him or that he actually had a heart.

After a moment, the he beast broke the silence. "You are very soft and squishy." He responded.

"You're not so bad yourself sir."

"I suppose we should bond now." He said.

I tensed up completely in his embrace.

(Is he going to rape me?)

"You need to relax." The ram warrior said. "You are very very tense."

"That is because I don't know what your intentions are Sir Ram." I said to him uneasily.

"My intentions are to bond with you, and keep you warm this cold night. I guess that also means we will have to snuggle as well. If I had designs to do you in Alex, would I allow you to share my bed? Would I embrace you?"

"I guess not." I replied.

"You can relax little human. I promise I won't kill you while you sleep. But if you snore...."

"You better not!" I said sarcastically. "My mistress would be quite upset with you if you did."

With that comment Sir Ram started laughing really loud. I realized that once again I was really out of my element- my comfort zone. I would have to rely on this prejudiced beastial warrior for my protection and safety.

"Seriously little human, if you remain this tense you will not be able to sleep and it will affect our mission. I will need you at your best tomorrow when we hunt our quarry. If you are fatigued you won't be able to focus and will make mistakes. Just like warriors in battle you must have a clear mind free of any preoccupation otherwise you will make mistakes. Mistakes will get you killed. I won't lie to you this mission will be dangerous that is why I will need you at your best." The ram said.

"Yes sir." I said meekly.

"Good now I want you to relax completely." He said as he started rubbing my stomach.

(Funny, that's what my mistress tells me before we make love- we aren't going to- to? Ick!)

"Here look at this." He said showing me the view screen on his communicator.

"What is it?" I asked uneasily- "Please tell me it's not a sex tape."

"You're not my type.... what is a tape and how does it pertain to sex?" The ram warrior asked me.

I was relieved to hear that.

"This is footage of the High Evolutionary's presentation. I thought you would like to see what transpired while you were in the museum."

I was silent.

"How about just the highlights?" He asked.

"Well, ok."

"Look at this, it's my favorite part!" He said turning on the view screen.

We observed the closing statements of the dictator's address in the Pavilion of World One:

"_In closing my rule while controversial has brought peace, stability and prosperity to the citizens of Worlds One through Five. There has not been any war in over 30 years and I have ended world hunger!" _

"The specific location of this civilization has alleviated it from many natural disasters and environmental catastrophes such as floods, droughts and mudslides that are prevalent elsewhere on this planet. There is no pollution or environmental degradation, my citizens enjoy a quality of life that is matched by none, and life expectancy has risen to 100 seasons."

"Under my guidance and leadership you can expect this not to change. I foresee continued peace, stability and prosperity for years to come! At this time I will entertain questions, suggestions and comments from my subjects...."

A human male who looked to be in his forties stood up in the front row of the pavilion. He was dressed in a grey business suit with a red tie.

"Yes, you there in the front what is your question?" The High Evolutionary asked.

"Sir the empire you speak of is not the same one I inhabit. I will have you know that there are not one but two empires on this world, one of prosperity and one of hopelessness."

"I want to know why all the wealth is in the hands excuse me, in the paws of nonhumans and why myself and my fellow humans are prevented from pursuing said wealth and prosperity?"

"You are poor?" The High Evolutionary asked.

"Yes sir. Myself and everyone else I know is." The man responded.

"So your question is why are you poor?" The dictator asked.

"Specifically why are we prevented from achieving prosperity? Why is there no middle ground? You are either well off like your animal people or not. (_A steer sitting next to the man smirked at that statement). _It is a fact that your creations constantly remind us of." (_A wolf seated on the other side of the man smiled at the man's observation)._

The High Evolutionary responded almost immediately:

"Before I respond to your inquiry, tell me about yourself- How is your family? Do they have enough to eat? Are they dying in some type of conflict or war?"

"No sir." The man responded_. "My family is fine."_

The dictator continued: "The human population of this world will experience the equality they desire when they learn to follow the same rules I have set for my beastials. First and foremost absolute obedience, second love, respect and care for one another as you would a lover, third surpass humanity's self-centeredness and flaws that have lead to YOUR continual cycle of hatred and destruction which you are exhibiting now."

"I am familiar with the hazing some of my creations have done to you and some of your fellow humans. Let's try an experiment- the beast seated next to you has been identified as one of the perpetrators in the those hazing incidents. Could you, would you forgive him if he personally apologized? Could you accept that apology without thinking that he is a freak that doesn't deserve to breathe the same air you do?"

"I can do that." The man responded_._

"Can you?" The dictator asked_. "Then I challenge you to turn to your seat neighbor embrace him and tell him that you love and respect him as a fellow sentient creature and acknowledge his right to exist. Can you really do that without feeling that you are superior to him and that he isn't an abomination worthy of condemnation?"_

The man stood up and turned to the steer that was seated next to him. He embraced the steer and looked the beastial in the eyes.

"I am sorry (you filthy stinking) human." The steer sneered at the man.

The man started to say something, perhaps some words of forgiveness or words of respect but could not follow through. It appeared the man had a deep seated hatred and animosity for the dictator's creations as a result of his life experiences.

"This is why there can't be equality the High Evolutionary said. In this brief example you violated two of the edicts I set forth for my creations. Next question?" The dictator asked_._

(Whoa!)

At seeing this broadcast I was floored. The dictator had not only answered this man's question but also humiliated him in front of all who were in attendance.

"Maw ha ha ha!" Sir Ram laughed. "Idiot human made a damn fool of himself during a live broadcast!"

"Was the rest of the question and answer period like this?" I asked the laughing ram.

"No, the humans present were silent after that. The remaining questions were about development and the degree of prosperity citizens would see in the coming season." The ram said.

I was silent.

"So what did you think?" The he beast asked me.

I was silent again.

"Go ahead I want your whole opinion."

"I am conflicted." I told the ram at last. "Your world, this world is magnificent, it is beautiful; it contains wonders that I have never seen before in my life and I am thankful beyond words that I have been allowed to live here among you. But I am one of the few. For the rest, this world is only for those who have claws, paws, fangs, fur and tails- if you meet those qualifications you are "the privileged." You will have a magnificent, wondrous, prosperous life. On the one hand, I sympathize with what the man was saying he wants that life, but since he doesn't meet those qualifications he is limited to a life of mediocrity as one of the unprivileged. Now that I think about it, If I was him I would be bitter too; you strive to attain a better life, for prosperity but keep hitting walls that prevent you from doing so. Sir Ram, I can see why there is a resistance movement to overthrow the dictator; each point the man made adds credence to this movement. This is a potential powder keg. At some point in time the High Evolutionary will have to acquiesce or he will have a revolt on his hands maybe even a war."

"Oh really?!" The ram said indignantly.

"On the other hand like you Sir Ram, I believe humanity is flawed, self-centered and self destructive and needs to be kept in check. My experiences on my world proved that. I think you furries are a necessary counterbalance to keep the humans from fighting amongst themselves and ultimately destroying this world in the process. On my world- Gaia there were no such things as beastials and the humans there continually fought amongst themselves and in the process destroyed themselves and ultimately the planet."

"Is that why you acclimated to your captivity so well?" The he beast asked curiously.

"Part of it, my experiences on Gaia have given me a great disdain for my own species. That is why I prefer to live among your kind."

"What is the other?" The evil beastial asked me.

"The other reason is my mistress. "I love her with all my heart and my very soul. I guess that makes me beastial lover." I said babbling foolishly. "What did you think?" I asked.

"Well collaborator, that human got what was coming to him. If the event encourages others to join the resistance movement, they and their followers will be crushed. That is why there are measures in effect to decrease the human population on this world. Presently we beastials out number the humans on 3 to 1. In time it will be 3 to 0 and this planet will only be inhabited by first class citizens- beastials." Sir Ram responded indignantly.

"You mean measures like your were-program that created that crazed werewolf running around out here?"

Sir Ram huffed in a response to my chiding.

"I am sorry." I replied "I didn't mean to upset you great knight."

"It looks like you are finally beginning to relax." He said putting away his communicator. "You seem to be at ease."

"As I see it Sir Ram, this back and forth between humans and beastials will continue- the rebels will attack, the knights will counterattack and this will go on and on and on. Until one side wins. The vanquished side will disappear, but in time another one will take its place to resume the struggle. Ultimately humans must learn to peacefully coexist with beastials. That is the only way. All others bring misery, strife and destruction." I told the ram warrior yawning.

"Is that a vision little human?" He asked questioningly.

"No just a gut feeling." I said breaking his embrace. "Deep down I believe humans and beastials can peacefully coexist if the animosity, hatred and fear are left behind. I know Sir Ram, because I have seen it happen." I told the curious ram yawning.

"Oh really little human? Where?" He asked.

"Right here, right now." I said rolling on top of his torso and turning so that our abdomens were touching.

That evening I did something that even surprised me. I let go of the animosity, hatred and fear I had felt toward this evil beastial for attempting to kill me after my arrival on this world, as I rested my head on his chest and fell asleep. Although he still scared me, I knew in the coming days I would need to rely on him for my personal safety and protection so I might as well start now.

"Good night." Sir Ram.

The Knight of Wundagore and Counter Earth's smartest scientist said nothing but placed his paw on my back as we both drifted off to sleep in the great forest.

To Be Continued....