Chapter 3

Remi paced the hallway, back and forth outside the sick bay where Ashima had been taken, the little kitten sick out of her mind with worry. The polar bear and penguin had been in there for ages and hadn't come back out. What was taking them so long? She went back to the door, trying to look in but still she couldn't see anything.

'Hi.'

Remi looked around at a brown dog standing behind her. 'Hello.' She replied cautiously, her tail twitching in fear.

'It's alright, you don't need to be scared.' The dog exclaimed gently as she walked closer to her. 'I'm Dashi. The Captain asked me to come check on you and see if you need anything.'

'I'm fine.' Her stomach rumbled loudly and she sighed. 'Well, I am hungry.

'Well come on then, I'll take you to the kitchen and have the Vegimals make you something to eat.'

'I don't really want to leave-'

'Your friend is in good hands, the best. Trust me. Come on.'

The kitten looked back at the door, she was hungry. She hadn't had a decent meal since breakfast the day the ship had been attacked and she was half starved. 'A-Alright.'

'Good girl.' Dashi smiled and they started down the hallway. 'How old are you Remi?'

'I'm eight.' The kitten replied nervously .

'It's not everyday we Octonauts find a kitten and a pony on a deserted island. How did you two end up there?'

'Our ship was attacked-' A sudden coughing fit came over her and she had to stop what she was saying, gasping for air.

'Are you okay?' The dog asked kindly, her arm around the kitten.

'I'm. Fine.' Remi replied after a moment, catching her breath.

'You should let Peso take a look at you.'

She shook her head. 'Ashima needs help more. I've had this cough for a long time and probably always will. It never bothers me, except when I cough.'

Dashi frowned but didn't press her, the door to the kitchen opening as they walked up. The Vegimals were hard at work making dinner when they entered the room, Tunip coming over to meet them. 'Tunip, got anything for a hungry kitten?' The Vegimals replied with something then headed over to the bench. She looked down at the kitten hiding behind her. 'It's okay, don't be scared.'

'What are those things?'

'Vegimals. Half vegetable, half animal. Our scientist, Shellington found them.' Tunip came back over with a tray of fish biscuits, holding them out towards the kitten but Remi pulled back. 'It's okay. They're fish biscuits. They're really nice.'

The kitten hesitated then took one, nibbling on it cautiously then smiled. 'They're delicious!'

'Tank you.' Tunip chirped, handing Dashi the tray then headed back to check on dinner.

'I've got to go check the weather radar, do you want to come have a look at our HQ?'

'HQ?' She questioned, her mouth full of biscuit.

'It's short for headquarters. It's where all the computers and things are.'

'Sure.' She grabbed another biscuit off the tray as she followed the dog out of the kitchen. They took the lift up, the kitten gasping as she saw the ocean around them from behind the glass. 'Wow!'

'Pretty cool right?' They headed over to the computers and Dasi placed the tray down on the bench, bringing over another chair for the kitten.

'What's all these buttons for?'

'Oh don't touch them Remi. They drive our Octopod. Don't touch anything.' The kitten nodded, hastily devouring another biscuit. Dashi pressed a few buttons and the radar came up on the screen. 'Looks pretty clear to me.'

'What's it do?'

'It tells me if there's anything big out there. Like a whale, pod of dolphins, even storms.'

'Storms?' The kitten gulped. 'Is there any coming?'

'Not at the moment. The one last night made things pretty rough. Kwazii and Shellington are still checking to make sure all the sea creatures are safe.'

The kitten shivered at the cat's name. 'Kwazii is a pirate, isn't he?'

'He calls himself one, so I guess he is.' She looked at the kitten thoughtfully. 'Why do you ask?'

'Pirates attacked our ship we were on yesterday-' The kitten nibbled at her another biscuit. 'They were mean, they hurt Ashima. They tired her up. I don't like pirates.'

Dashi placed her paw on the kitten's shoulder. 'You don't have to be scared of Kwazii, he's a good pirate. He wouldn't hurt anyone.'

'You sure?'

'I'm sure. I've known him for two years and he's always been gentle and kind. He can be reckless and stubborn but if a creature is in need of help he's always happy to lend a paw.'

The radar screen disappeared, Barnacle's face appearing over the radio. 'Barnacles to Dashi.'

'Dashi here Captain.'

'Is Remi there with you?'

'Yes, she's here Captain.'

'Ashima's made it through the operation, Remi can come see her if she wants.'

Remi nodded. 'Yes please.'

Dashi smiled. 'We'll be up there soon Captain. Dashi out.'

The kitten grabbed a pawful of biscuits and got up. 'What are we waiting for?'

'Just one moment Remi, I need to turn the radar on again- There.' She stood up. 'Come on.'

The kitten hurried ahead, waiting for the dog when she was uncertain of what way to go. They soon reached the sick bay, the kitten slowing down and hiding behind Dashi as they stood at the door.

'You alright Remi?'

'I'm okay.' She nodded after a moment then stepped forward, the door opening in front of them. She could see Ashima on the bed, bandaged up with tubes going to different machines. She felt the dogs paw on her shoulder, staring at the filly. She'd never seen her like this before. 'I-is she going to be okay?'

'It's going to take some time, she's very injured and she's sick too but I think she will be alright.' Peso replied softly. 'Now, let me check you over.'

The kitten shook her head. 'No way.'

'She was coughing really badly earlier Peso.' Dashi exclaimed. 'But she insisted she was alright.'

'There's no harm in letting Peso check you over.' Barnacles added gently. 'If you're really good he might give you a sticker.'

'A-Alright.' She gave in after a little bit. 'Have you got a pink one?'

'Sure, we can find you a pink one.'

'Something on your mind Captain?' Dashi asked as she and Barnacles made their way back to the HQ a little while later. 'Your awfully quiet.'

'I'm okay Dashi.' He smiled. 'It's just been a long day.'

'Are you sure that's all?'

'Positive.'

She nodded as she took a seat back in front of the computers. 'Remi seems like a sweet little thing. Rather timid though.'

'She really doesn't like Kwazii.' He replied, watching the ocean outside the Octopod. ' Where is Kwazii anyway?'

'He went out with Shellington to start cleaning the beach. They should be back soon.' She checked the radar again then the weather forecast. 'How did those two end up on that island in the middle of nowhere anyway?'

'I've got my suspicions from the bits and pieces the two of them told me. Ashima couldn't say much and Remi is rather young so I don't think we're going to be able to get much more than we already know.'

'Remi said shes eight.'

'Eight? I thought she was more like five. She's tiny.'

'That's what I thought.' She finished her checks then turned back to the polar bear. 'What are we going to do with them Captain?'

'Well, wait for Ashima to get better first I think.'

'Should I be looking for their parents?'

'I don't know, once Ashima is able to tell us more we'll know what to do next.' He glanced up at the screen, watching as the Gup A started back in their direction. 'For the moment though they'll be staying here on the Octopod.'

'Come in Captain.'

'I'm here Kwazii.' He replied, the cat driving the Gup back. 'How'd the clean up go?'

'Okay. How's the two castaways we found?'

'Ashima is stable, Peso is going over the kitten now.'

'Find out any more about them?'

'Not yet.'

'Alright. We'll be back soon. Kwazii out.'

'I'll go see how things are going with Ashima and Remi.' Barnacles started after a moment, the dog nodding and he headed back down to the sick bay. Peso put his flipper to his beak as he walked in, motioning to the two sleeping patients and he went into the hallway, the door closing after them. 'How are they?'

Peso sighed heavily and took a deep breath. 'Remi's dying.'