This lasting situation is starting to take a toll on Chase and Carmen. Not to mention that a caper can still go wrong.
PLAF.
Carmen turned a tired look to her bed, where Chase just fell from her shoulders. He was laid there, all paws spread and let out a deep sigh. Yes, it has been another rough mission. Team Carmen decided to went back to Indonesia, where Bellum had a lab. Of course, since her previous visits the mad scientist had increased her security system. Even Player had trouble disabling it, and deactivating every traps functioning on another system.
" You're feeling okay, Red ?" questioned the hacker.
" I'm exhausted, if that was your question." she said.
" Don't talk about it. I'm experiencing a headache, the first since I ever touched a keyboard."
All for nothing again. Chase was still trapped in a cat's body. Sandiego found some files about this kind of transformation, but it had been more like essays, ideas. Saira kept her different labs independent from each other, in case of computer hacking. So intel was scarce. Carmen was missing Chase horribly. The cat here wasn't enough. Far from it. She looked at the Maine Coon with sad eyes. That one hadn't budge a whisker, which intrigued his girlfriend.
" Chasey ?"
" Mrrr."
The thing was, he too started to be tired of this. How long had it been since he ended up like that ? Three weeks ? More ? Less ? He had no idea. But he too, was missing contact with his girlfriend. It wasn't the same. He couldn't do like he wanted. Chase curled up. Carmen thought that they were both tired, it'll be fine the next day. The cat moved while she was getting under the blanket. Both immersed in their thoughts. Why was it so hard to find a solution ? How long will it last ? VILE was on their tail, rendering this harder. Chase was fighting more than ever to protect Carmen. It bore fruits though : the operatives were now hesitating to approach once they spotted him. Devineaux remembered for example their previous caper, before this one. Team Carmen had arrived in Peru, where new Incas' sites had been discovered. Mime Bomb had been dispatched here with another operative.
While the mime was deciphering a code to enter a monument, Chase appeared above his head. Laid with paws crossed, he growled showing his teeth. Mime gulped. Then, pushing his hat above his eyes, bolstering the chest he tried to appear intimidating. Turning his head to his flank the cat exited a dagger he stole from Shadowsan.
Bring it on, you clown.
Mime Bomb froze. Then, he acted to say that Chase was a nice kitty, all while backing away. The cat growled louder, getting up. His partner went to find out what was the hell taking so long. Noticing the cat, he mocked Mime Bomb. That one tried to prevent his partner to approach. The Maine Coon cut the hand who wanted to grab him. Bouncing on his opponent's head, he inflicted several cuts … and stabs. It seemed that he trained to manipulate the blade : using his tongue, he managed to turn it. His aims were precise. He pierced his adversary's hand. Then, perched on a stone he placed the blade under his chin. The operative lowered an eye, meeting the feline's cold glare. Chase growled, defying him to make a move. Lifting his head, he forced him to get up. They understood they had to leave. Chase stored his blade, then joined with Carmen who had just finished the job. Shadowsan spotted the dagger around the cat's waist.
He stuck it in his belt holding the taser, along with its scabbard. The Japanese wondered what to think about this. This was on another level. A bloody one. Would the human Chase have acted the same, or was he doing this because he was in animal's body ? The positive thing was that Carmen was protected. He couldn't deny it. Let's just hope he wouldn't cross the line, one that Carmen might not accept. Back in his room, Chase was struggling to find some sleep. As he was about to give up and get up to do something useful, he heard Carmen's moaning in her sleep. Damn, was she having a nightmare ? The cat stood up and approach. He meowed to awake the lady. Nothing, so he mewed louder and tapped her shoulder.
" Huh … Chase ?"
" Meow !"
Meow ? Carmen frowned. Still in her dream she didn't get what was happening. But rest assured, it came back. Chase blinked when she switched on the light. But he got taken aback when spotted her expression. Disappointed first then … reproachful. He emitted an interrogative sound.
Carmen fell backward on her bed. A dream. It had been nothing more. Chase's cat head appeared, questioning her again.
" I wasn't having a nightmare. I just dreamt that you were back." she said with accusing tone.
A nice dream he interrupted. Chase protested : how was he supposed to know ? Still angry, Carmen switched off the light and turned her back.
" EH ?"
The Maine Coon growled. Ungrateful girl. He jumped from the bed, going for a drink. He sat before his bowl. This situation … no, he had to stop thinking. He'll end up crazy otherwise. Finishing the night was hard, for Carmen as well. She tried to hide her emotions during breakfast, but her teammates saw her dark eyes. Chase wanted to comfort her, but the miss startled. With a pretending smile, she assured everyone that she was fine, simply tired. None of them bought this. The team pursued its missions, between cutting path short for VILE and discovering how to save Chase.
" What are you doing with a blade ?!"
" Why are you sounding shocked ?"
Carmen vaguely noticed that her boyfriend was carrying a dagger. Why was she snapping now about it was weird to Chase. The cat had just exited it before an operative, making it think twice before attacking. In the end, Sandiego handled it as usual. Now however, she was scolding the cat.
" Drop it. You can't wander around with a blade, and I don't want bloodshed."
Chase, in his cat's body and the mind, instinct of the animal sensed something. Her eyes … attitude, they were so cold right now. It pierced his heart. Until now, everything about her had been warm toward him. Warm, supportive, comforting. At this moment, she was icy. Chase stored his weapon.
" Where did you find it anyway ? I sure hope I won't see you with that ever again."
" Whoah, what is that tone ? I'm not your pet nor your child ! It's for protecting you, young miss !"
Carmen turned heels. The siblings exchanged a look, then with Shadowsan. During the whole trip back, Carmen ignored Chase, even when he curled on her lap. That one stared at her, intrigued by this lack of reaction. He then exchange a puzzled look with Shadowsan. Curious. Maybe she was simply tired, or stressed. It will be fine later. However, Carmen ignored him even back at their hotel. Chase opened his mouth several time to call her and initiate conversation, but something kept him shut. This atmosphere was saddening him. He handled the blade over to Shadowsan, in the hope it would soothe his girlfriend. During the night, Carmen had a bad dream. She was visiting Chase in the hospital. He was awake and sat in his bed.
" Why aren't you rescuing me ? Why is it so long ?!"
" I'll save you I promise, but it's really hard and …
" Hard ? Want my place maybe ? You didn't protect me when I needed you the most, this is your fault !"
Carmen saw the bed getting away from her. She begged him to stay here, not leave her. Sandiego heard the hospital staff pointing her, saying that she was one putting her boyfriend in danger, and doing nothing to help.
" Chase please come back ! I need you, I'll save you please trust me !"
Carmen was vainly running to catch up with him. She was crying, hearing his voice repeating that it was her fault, she was supposed to take care of him.
" CHASE !" she exclaimed, straightening.
Awaking in a gasp, Carmen looked around her. Her hand found her bedside lamp's button. A nightmare. Or the truth ? Because she was failing at helping her beloved one ? By the way, where was he ? Usually the cat was on her bed. Her eyes searched the whole room. No … did he really leave ? Carmen tossed her blanket. Looking under her bed, she called for him. The Maine Coon was nowhere. A shiver ran down her spine. The Latina looked everywhere. She then opened her window, not realizing in her panic it was already mid-opened.
" CHASE !" she shouted in a desperate voice, on the verge of crying.
The latter was precisely coming back from a stroll supposed to be relaxing. Jumping at the window, he took her yell straight in the ears.
" YOWL !"
" There you are ! What's wrong with you, I was worrying sick ! How can you disappear at night like that !" lectured Carmen.
The woman grabbed him and put him a bit roughly on the floor, before closing the window. Chase blinked. So much for relaxing.
" You better not do this again, you can't wander alone it's dangerous, you're just a cat and …"
This was too much. Chase yelled back, retorting that she was the one with a problem, cat or not he was still free to stroll outside day and night, and hadn't she been ignoring him he would have stayed here, and how was he supposed to warn her she was sleeping, and what the hell he didn't need her permission ! Of course Carmen didn't hear all that, but his fur all straightened, his eyes wide opened and the tone were enough for her to get the idea. Growling the cat went into a corner of the room, laid there turning his back on her. Sandiego remained frozen. Damn, she didn't want to quarrel with him, she just believed he was gone like in her nightmare. Her nightmare ? Wait.
" Oh no ! I was scared by this and let its emotions control me. Poor Chase got scolded for nothing."
She made some steps to him.
" Oh my love I'm sorry, it's just that I had a bad dream and …"
He cut her with a raging mew. Carmen bit her lip.
" Fine. I'll let you sleep, we …we'll talk about this tomorrow."
" Not sure I'll want to."
Carmen looked at him one more time once in her bed, before the dark engulfed the room. The following morning, Chase was still mad at Carmen for being lectured like a child. The worse part was her saying that he was nothing but a cat. What, hadn't he proved that he was more than capable of defending himself ? Didn't she realize that VILE was starting to consider him as a threat almost as problematic as her ? Who was protecting her at every chance he had ? But no. That wasn't enough for miss Sandiego. Like only her was able to do well in this team. Carmen approached her hand to caress him, he dodged it.
" Chase ?" she tried.
He turned his head in a pouting gesture. Carmen gave up.
" What happened between you ?" asked Shadowsan later.
" A stupid quarrel, and it's all my fault." sighed Carmen.
She wrapped her arms around her. If only Chase's body could be here like before. She closed her eyes. She was missing him. She wanted him to be back, but no hope in the horizon.
" Can I help you ?" suggested Shadowsan.
" No."
Player interrupted this, announcing a caper planned in a zoo. Which completely took aback the thief. Now that wasn't a common place for VILE to rob. But this one was sheltering a rare species of primate : a Hainan gibbon.
According to Player, that kind of monkey usually endemic to the island of Hainan, China, was one of the rarest, with only 30 individuals alive. No doubt that VILE planned to sell a specimen a fortune to the black market. So it was decided. Carmen went on her way to warn her team. The siblings were enthusiasts to move, as always. Her sapphire eyes fell on Chase. That one glanced barely at her when walked away, causing a pinch to her heart. She'll have to make it up to him. The cat remained away from her during the plane trip, during which each member seemed to wait for a move from Carmen to solve this tension. No one knew what really happened and how to help. The thief was glancing at the Maine Coon, thinking about how to fix this.
Chase on his side, was wondering if he wasn't exaggerating. He didn't try to sort this out with his girlfriend, and he really disliked being on the outs with her. He couldn't understand why was she mad last night. He didn't do anything wrong. He closed his eyes. Gosh, how he missed her touch right now. The plane was about to land, interrupting those reflexions. Later, they were all visiting the Chinese zoo in charge of this monkey. It had been brought here for cares after his unfortunate meeting with poachers. The gibbon got lucky. Carmen and co were scanning the place. The lady was discussing with Shadowsan about warning the zoo keepers.
" Damn, I'm hungry." noticed Chase in his backpack.
So what was in there for him ? Some treats were at his disposal in a pocket. He grabbed them with his mouth, before tearing the bag. At first, he was disgusted at the idea of eating those, until he came to smell those famous treats. It was appealing. After some hesitation, he gave it a try, to find those delicious. Thus Carmen buying several for him. All while eating, he heard his girlfriend talking with the place's director. That one wasn't taking the menace seriously, but was getting suspicious of them.
Oh my.
Glancing outside, the cat discovered lots of objects in the effigy of cats. Well ! Maybe he could be of use here. The cat exited the backpack. Was also good to stretch his paws. A little later Chase jumped on the desk, with a little mew. Carmen and Shadowsan startled. Animals weren't allowed in here, what was he thinking ?!
" Oooh. What a beautiful cat ! It's a Maine Coon right ?" asked the director.
" Hum, yes but …" made Carmen.
Chase was looking at him with all this cat attitude, saying yes I was made by the gods, I'm the perfection but you are allowed to be near me. That one most of them have.
" I love cats ! Can I pet him ?" exclaimed the director.
Chase replied in place of his girlfriend, with a tone indicating he was granting a favour. The man immediately strolled his fingers in the brown fur.
" It's the first time I see a Maine Coon that close."
Carmen remained silent, puzzled at this. After a while, the conversation resumed with the cat still on the desk. But when the director started to voice his suspicions again, Chase growled. The man looked at him. His green eyes were now stormy.
" He's … defending you."
" He tends to do that, yes." smiled Carmen.
" Amazing. I never saw or heard about a cat behaving like that. So. You're saying I should trust your owner ?" asked the director to Chase.
" Mah."
" Hmmm …"
Regular thieves wouldn't warn him about an incoming heist, now would they ? But they could have heard about it, as they said first. Plus, this cat was supporting them … which wasn't common.
" Fine, I suppose you are right, sir cat. I'll allow you to stay here after the closure. But I'll be there too and keep an eye on you."
" I didn't imagine it otherwise." smiled Carmen.
Chase jumped down and slipped in his backpack, that Carmen carried. He popped his head out when the director said goodbye to him. He responded.
" That was weird." commented Shadowsan.
" But helpful. Chase surely noticed that this man was found of cats, and used it to support us."
She wanted to thank him and apologize, thus put her backpack in front of her. Chase was currently rewarding himself with another pack of treats.
" Chasey ?" she called.
" Momph ?"
" Thank you. And also … I'm really sorry for last night. I just had a nightmare and thought you disappeared, just like I dreamed. Please forgive me."
The cat swallowed his treat. So that was it. She was simply scared for him. Oh alright, how could he remain mad at her for long, anyway ? Chase exited his head he rubbed against her face. Carmen smiled before kissing him, relieved.
Later during the night, the team was back in the zoo where they met with the director. They were now waiting for the operative to arrive. It came, in a form of an inseparable duo : La Chèvre and El Topo.
" You were right !" whispered the director when spotting them approaching the gibbon's paddock.
" Let us handle this, you could get hurt." advised Shadowsan.
Chase followed Carmen and the Japanese. The VILE operatives had just put the monkey to sleep. When they noticed them incoming, La Chèvre ordered his teammate to leave while he would occupy them. Seeing that, Chase meowed to indicate he was dealing with that. The cat ran after El Topo. Running faster than him he caught up and attacked a leg. The thief fall, his bag containing the monkey rolling. Chase would have liked to take it, but it was obviously too heavy for him. Fortunately, the director intervened. He grabbed the bag while Devineaux jumped on El Topo's head to distract him.
" I am sorry cat, but if you get in my way I won't be your friend." warned El Topo.
" Great, because I don't want you as a friend."
The Maine Coon did his best to avoid his opponents' attacks, as well as keeping him occupied. However, El Topo managed to grab him and threw him away. Chase turned in mid-air, ready to land on his four paws. But his eyes opened wide when he realized he was going in a paddock. He let a mew of fear. The land was rough as he fell from quite high. He shook himself. Now where was he ? His ears caught the answer. And his eyes allowed him to understand it. He managed to refrain a shout of fear, as he spotted a cousin coming to him. A tiger. The cat flatten out on the ground, terrified.
It was so big. Intrigued by this little package of fur, the tiger approached to investigate. Chase closed his eyes, convinced that he was nothing but a treat to that giant, waiting for the teeth to pierce his skin.
" CARMEN !"
Wait. No he couldn't die here or now. He had to be there for her, to protect, comfort and support her. Chase was about to leave, when he felt air in his fur. He opened an eye. Apparently, the tiger was inspecting him, trying to determine his nature. The cat didn't dare to move.
Its inspection over, the tiger lifted the cat.
" NOOOOO !"
The cat mewed in terror. That was it, he was about to be devoured. What a horrible death ! He struggled, but all in vain. Suddenly, as Chase was desperately trying to find a way out of this danger, something messed his fur. But it wasn't painful.
" Hein ? ¹"
He blinked. His brain was tempting to apprehend the situation, as he kept feeling that thing in his fur. Wait. Was the tiger … actually licking him ?! Turning slowly his head, he took its huge tongue in the face.
" ?!"
The tiger continued washing the cat, naturally. What was happening ?
" Is it … mistaking me for a cub ?"
The washing stopped. The tiger put its head on a paw. Chase was petrified. After a moment, he calmed down a bit. He was still alive. A good point. The tiger certainly thought he was a baby tiger, and didn't hurt him. Another good point. He smelled it. A female … figures. He couldn't stay here forever, he had to go back to Carmen. Chase wait. When he was sure the tigress was asleep, he raced toward the door her caretakers used. Once there, Chase looked how to open it.
He suddenly felt a jaw closing around him.
" Hey no let go !"
The tigress brought him away from the door. She walked for a moment, before entering what looked like a den.
" Oh great !"
Meanwhile, Carmen made La Chèvre flee, and was gathering with Shadowsan and the director. That one put back the gibbon in his paddock. The red thief wondered where was her cat. She called. Nothing.
" Where is he ?"
" I saw him fighting that other thief over there." announced he director, pointing a direction.
Sandiego ran, worried. Was he hurt ? But as the director signalled the place, she found nothing. No tracks of blood either, with reassured her. She called her cat, along with the others. After longs minutes, she swore she could hear a faint mew. It was … below her.
" What's down here ?" she asked.
Her lamp suddenly caught the Maine Coon. A smile began to form, when a massive striped silhouette appeared and took the cat.
" Ooooh." made the director.
Carmen screamed her boyfriend's name. She was about to jump down when Shadowsan hold her back : she couldn't hope to defeat a tiger ! But she protested, couldn't he see that Chase was in great danger ?
" I wonder about that. That's Kali, a female. She lost her cub a few days ago due to weakness. Maybe she thinks your cat is another cub." said the director.
" Please I have to take him back !" begged Carmen.
" Of course, but it won't be easy. Kali didn't let us take her baby's corpse, we had to put her to sleep. And if I'm right, she's hiding and won't allow us to get close."
" How can we be sure she won't eat him instead ?" wondered Shadowsan.
" The way she approached him. It wasn't an attack, she would have killed him under our eyes. No, she simply took him with her. Not to mention I heard your cat protesting."
Carmen calmed down, reassured by those explanations. Her boyfriend was gifted to get himself in messy situations. Now he got adopted by a tigress.
" Please give me a hypodermic rifle, and I'll take back my cat." demanded Carmen.
" Don't even think you'll fool her predator senses for a split second. Kali will spot you way before you localize her and kill you before you can blink an eye. For now, we can only wait." objected the director.
" But ! I can't let Chase on his own for the whole night ! He must be terrified, and waiting for me to rescue him !" protested Carmen.
" Carmen. Come with me." intervened Shadowsan.
They backed away.
" Listen. I understand your concern, but this is no VILE operative. It's a savage animal, a dangerous beast. We have to act with utmost vigilance. The director is right : you stand no chance." said her surrogate father.
" I know all that, but I can't abandon him."
" We're not abandoning him, we are waiting for an opportunity to act without risk. I am sure that Chase can understand that too, especially since we're not hearing him calling. Meaning he must be fine."
Carmen leaned eyes. She hated to be unable to help him. Poor guy will have to spend the rest of the night with a predator. Down there in the paddock, Kali noticed Chase's belt and attempted to remove it. The cat was on his back, pushing the huge head away with his paws. Doing so he lifted a babine, revealing a long canine.
" Oh my god it's so huge. Let's not anger it."
Kali aimed for the belt.
" I said no !"
The cat gave several hits, which certainly felt like he was playing with her. Kali shook her head. Chase immediately rolled and went to climb a tree. The tigress went to fetch him quite fast. The cat growled. Settled between her front paws, he sighed heavily. Apparently, he had no other choice but to sleep here tonight. He hoped that Carmen wouldn't try to steal him, that was too dangerous.
" I don't what I did in a previous life, but I must have messed up big times. If this trial doesn't improve my karma, nothing will."
Devineaux also thought it could have been worse. At least, he didn't fell in the crocodiles' paddock. Since escaping was vain, he better try to sleep. Meanwhile, Carmen went downstairs. Her hand was passing on the glass sheltering the tiger's paddock. The place was big and she realized how right was the director. Even with infrared glasses, there was little chance she could find Kali first. She sighed, her forehead on the glass.
" I'm sorry my love. I hope you won't be mad at me again, but I can't rescue you now." She said low voice.
Carmen felt unable to leave the place. As she wanted to communicate Chase that she was there nonetheless. Shadowsan found her sat on the floor, leaned to the glass. He had trouble to convince her to move and find some sleep, at the sick bay. Carmen swallowed back her tears, then followed.
