The Spacedog Cometh by Johnny Marciano & Emily Chenoweth

Author:Johnny Marciano & Emily Chenoweth [Marciano, Johnny & Chenoweth, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2019-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28

Barx!

He had bitten my tail, invaded my fortress, intercepted my communications, blocked my escape, and even gotten my paneer rations taken away.

Clearly, I had underestimated the enemy. I should not have doubted the wisdom of the ancients—dogs are indeed the only foe worthy of the cat.

But the battle was far from over. I was presently crouched deep inside the tall mesh basket the Humans used to store their soiled bodily coverings. The stench was dreadful, but it was a most comfortable hiding spot.

This “hamper” was kept in the room in which I had put Wuffles and Flabby through those amusing spins in the dryer. Rest assured, they had never returned to this place. Barx, however, came here once a day when the ogres were gone, and he always locked himself inside. Now I would find out what he was up to.

I was in the midst of my seventh nap when I heard Barx approaching. Peering out through a foul-smelling Human sweater, I watched as he closed the door, pushed the lock button with his nose, and quickly swiped at his collar with a hind paw.

What was he doing?

The shiny metal medallion hanging beneath his chin began to glow red. Of course! I should have known the canine’s collar was not like the primitive strangulation devices employed by the Humans.

My fur stood on end as a hologram of a spacedog flickered into view. This one was small, with brown-and-white fur and extremely long, drooping ears. Like a Human, it wore an ugly yet intricate body covering.

“Greetings, Comrade Muffee!” Barx said. “Comrade Barx, reporting in.”

“Yes, I can see that,” the holo-dog said curtly. “So tell me, is the criminal cat in your custody yet?”

“Well, not yet,” Barx said. “But my intelligence-gathering operation is going really well!” Barx’s tail began to wag slightly.

The holo-dog frowned. “Might I remind you that this is not your mission?”

Barx’s tail stilled itself. “But I’m the first canine to make contact with one of our long-lost cousins in thousands of years!”

“The Earth dog known as Wuffles, you mean?” the holo-dog asked. “Has this relationship begun to yield useful information?”

“Well, I still can’t understand anything he’s saying. But I really like him! Oh, and he did show me this amazing water fountain.” Barx began wagging his tail again.

“The Humans remain ignorant of your true identity, I trust?”

“Yes, of course. Have I mentioned how wonderful they are?” Barx said. “I love everything about them.”

I had to choke back several hairballs as the fool went on to praise every last thing the ogres did.

“Earth does indeed sound like the paradise our foremothers told us it would be,” said the hologram. “I understand your desire to linger. But when will you bring the feline to justice?”

“Soon! I promise, Comrade Muffee. I only wish I didn’t have to leave Klawde’s Human. I really do love that kid.”

The hologram flickered. “The feline has a Human?”

“Yes, a most excellent boy named Raj.”

“This complicates matters,” the hologram said.

“What do you mean?” Barx asked.

“The Master Clause does not apply only to dogs,” Muffee said.

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