Life In the Stars

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The Pawgor

Chapter 2

II

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Amy DeLuca said goodbye to the girls and kissed Isabel on the cheek. Mareeya and Ceelya quickly occupied their seats in front of the Antarian version of a television, which most resembled a plasma screen mounted on the wall. The biggest difference was that it curved around slightly, giving the viewer the impression of being surrounded by what they were seeing. Mareeya quickly switched the channel to find Yogi Bear, their newfound favorite.

"I'm gonna take a ride up to Jim and Kath's place in the country," Amy said. "Did you hear about his new 'pet'?"

"Uh, uh. What pet," asked Isabel.

Jim went hunting in the Nan-torel last week and came back with a half-grown pawgor. He's got it in a pen outside… calls it his new 'pet'… his little 'puddy tat!' He's been telling everybody about it, so I thought I'd go over and take a look out of curiosity."

Isabel laughed. "Well, leave it to Jim Valenti to try to tame a pawgor! I don't think that's ever been done before. I've never seen one, but I remember Max telling about having to fight them off two or three times while he was wandering in the Nan-torel during the Battle for Antar! Even Kivar's elite soldiers were afraid of them!"

Amy pressed the button on her remote 'car' key, and the top of her bright green Fan-Ji II Sports compact slid back, taking the doors with it. Amy stepped into the driver's side bucket seat and placed the small crystal that had been impregnated with her DNA code into a tiny recess in the console. Both engines purred to life, and the top closed back, along with the doors. Isabel waved goodbye, and Amy drove off toward Jim and Kathleen's place in the country.

The Fan-Ji II, like most Antarian 'cars,' had wheels and could drive on them, but it normally used them only for parking and generally traveled as a hovercraft about eight inches off the ground. It also had a very nice feature that allowed the driver to punch in a code on the console that indicated his or her intended destination then just lie back and relax. The car would get there on its own by the shortest route. Amy chose to do the driving.

As Amy arrived at Jim and Kathleen's ranch estate, she saw Jim sitting outside on the front porch, wearing his trademark tight jeans, strumming on a guitar, and chewing a piece of straw. Amy parked her car and walked over to the porch. Jim had been preoccupied with what he was doing and hadn't noticed Amy driving up, which is not too surprising, considering that both engines on the Fan-Ji II are as quite as a summer breeze. Kathleen had seen Amy coming from the window and walked out on the porch to greet her. Amy and Kathleen kissed each other on the cheek, and Jim put the guitar down and gave Amy a friendly hug.

"D'you come to see the fierce beast," asked Jim.

Amy couldn't resist, especially when someone --like Jim-- left the door so wide open. "No… actually I came to see your pawgor, Jim."

Kathleen snickered. Jim gave them both that sort of endearing look that he had that seemed to say, "Okay, you got me this time, but don't think you're gonna make a habit of it."

"Come on, I'll show it to ya."

Jim led Amy to the back of the house and down to the edge of the woods. There, in a large pen, was a half-grown pawgor. It was about the size of a full-grown Siberian tiger, and it had two huge front teeth, but no tiger stripes. Its hind legs were somewhat shorter than its front legs and noticeably muscular. One would think it would be supremely adapted to pouncing and leaping. Amy took one look at the pawgor and let out a small gasp.

"Jim, that's a damn saber-tooth tiger!"

"Yeah! Cute, isn't it? They say he'll get twice this big."

"My God, Jim, you're going to keep a saber-tooth tiger for a pet?"

"Why not, Amy? He's just a cute little kitty! Look at that face! Is that cute or what?"

"I'll take the 'what,' said Amy.

Jim climbed up on the fence and leaned over into the pen, stroking the pawgor on the head. The pawgor seemed to respond to Jim's touch. It's eyes narrowed in that pleased, satisfied look that a cat gets when it enjoys being stroked. And it actually made a purring sound.

Amy shook her head. "Okay, Jim, I can't believe you're doing this, but good luck! I'd hate to come back out here and find this… 'pawgor!' licking his chops and using your arm bone as a toothpick on those teeth of his!"

Jim smiled at Amy as though to say, You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine.

Kathleen put her arm around Jim and smiled, too.

"How do you feel about this… 'pet,' Kath," Amy asked.

Kathleen smiled and shrugged… "I've seen worse beasts."

Amy knew what she meant and couldn't help but grin, too. "Yeah, we have, I guess, haven't we! The agents from the Special Unit! Okay, Kath… Jim… you're right! I'd take the pawgor over those bastards any day. The pawgor's more likely to have a soul.

Kathleen reached over the fence and stroked the pawgor on the head then looked back at Amy and nodded.

-------------------- End of Chapter 2