The Rogue Stray Cat Struts His Stuff

 
Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

Ever hear one of those songs that just tickles you no end? Well, that's your flash scene for today. I hope you enjoy.

~~~~~~

The Rogue Stray Cat Struts His Stuff

"A crash course in Earth culture," Kalina muttered, practicing her use of the English language. She waved her hand over the wall-sized monitor, installing the last of the current information gathered from the world wide web, including the depths of the dark net, and all the Q-clearance intel organizations she'd discovered.

Instead of an AI assassin, she'd become more of a bits-and-bytes spy. Entering the cyberworld as frequency consciousness, Kalina hid out, observing the flash and flow of traffic. Whenever lightning-pulses of secret info appeared, she chased the signature-stamped pulses down to source.

The project to save endangered information on the internet had become a serious priority with Dante. Ever since pages he'd saved to his primitive hard drive had disappeared on the net, the alpha werewolf had become a fiend for storing every last cyber-info bit he could get his paws on. To that end, over the last year's time, he'd hired a  growing team of top-predator nerds.

Now hunting down the shadow-system perpetrators of scrubbed info, had become the favored sport of these shapeshifter nerds, and Kalina had given them tips on how and where to find their prey.

Recently, she'd helped to design the ultimate storage system, along with a secretive shifter who called himself Rogue Stray Cat. Speaking of, Kalina heard him crooning his adopted theme song as he sauntered toward the super-secured room.

"Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence... Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent... I'm flat broke but I don't care ... I strut right by with my tail in the air."  With that Rogue Stray peeked through the crack of the sliding door, and grinned at her.

Tall, thin, with an air of regal nonchalance, he strolled inside. The door auto-shut behind him, and he took a quick swallow of his mud java as he called his first cup of coffee. Raising his brows in question, he gaze directly at her. 

"Complete," Kalina answered, then smiled at him.

Rogue Stray flipped back a shock of black and orange hair. "Let's give it a trial run, kiddo. Then prep a program for capturing the latest and greatest on the world wide wiretap."

"Agreed. But first you have to sing... is it the chorus?"

With a smooth flourish of his wrist, he held the coffee mug like a mike, singing... "Stray cat strut, I'm a ladies' cat... A feline Casanova, hey man, that's where its at...Get a shoe thrown at me from a mean old man... Get my dinner from a garbage can."

After an affected wiggle of his dark brows, he added, "I have to tell ya, ET kiddo, the garbage cans around here are gourmet eatin'."

"I bet they are." Kalina giggled lustily. She couldn't help it around him. Even though her sweetheart squeeze, as she whispered in his ear everyday... one alpha wolf shifter, Zortega, the courageous man who had rescued her, and now possessively body-guard protected her daily... he would snarl and bare his teeth whenever Rogue Stray entertained her like this.

Learning he was all snarl and no werewolf-bite, Kalina always soothed Zortega with soft kisses on his large handsome face.

"When is that savage wolf mate of yours due today?" Rogue Stray seriously regarded her. Although, laughter shone in his moon-bright, dark yellow eyes.

Kalina well knew he feline-enjoyed baiting Zortega. With a toss of her long hair, she replied, "He has a long meeting today with Dante, and most of those in the inner circle. Those who patrol and protect Talbot's Peak Territory."

"Ah, then you're at the tender mercy of my claws," Rogue Stray bantered. He swallowed down much of his mud java, and when he looked at her again, the nerdish glitter in his eyes ignited. "Let's see what you've accomplished, little cyber miracle worker."

The next several hours flew by comet-swiftly, as Kalina demonstrated, then explained her crystal cyber library. No spider-net cloud where info could be easily hacked... no, the global information she'd collected was now permanently catalogued inside the specialized crystals she knew how to grow. The thumb-sized crystals dazzingly flickered whenever Kalina accessed them.

"Would you like to hear your theme song?" she asked, once they explored the music library. At his eager nod, she added, "Just start singing."

"I don't bother chasing mice around... I slink down the alley looking for a fight...Howling to the moonlight on a hot summer night...Singin' the blues while the lady cats cry, "Wild stray cat, you're a real gone guy."

Instantly, the immense screen displayed an icon for every recording, every video made so far, and included karaoke renditions. To Kalina's surprise and delight, the center image circled larger. And there he was, her Rogue Stray. Attired in a slouch hat, dark blue sunglasses, and a 'righteous' outfit, he stood in front the microphone. A three-piece band played behind him as he sang the lyrics in a blusie crooning yowl.

"Yep, it's me, kiddo." Pride colored his words. "You aren't going to let that singing cat out of the bag," he added quickly, but in his usual humor-filled tone.

"No. Not if you don't want me to." Kalina instantly knew she owned the image-key to discovering more about him. Perhaps to discovering his past, his origin. Who he truly was... at least, some major-star clues.

"That's the *claw cuts both ways* deal with worldwide access to info about anyone at any time, isn't it?" he quietly asked, his tone almost a purr.

"It is. Tracked, traced, and data-based, as they say." Kalina pointed to the giant monitor to mute the sound. She turned to face him. "It's why Dante examines anyone allowed to work at this level. Their character, I mean. He vetted you. Don't worry, I won't pursue more about you." She smiled to reassure him. "Although, my curiosity is high. I must admit."

"Curiosity killed the cat. In my case, satisfaction won't bring him back, kiddo. I got some mighty mean bad-ass guys on my tail. They don't give a rip or RIP who they eliminate on the way. If you get my drift?"

His words rang true as a space geyser about to erupt. "I understand. Being on the receiving end of bad-guy pursuit myself."

"So, I heard." He gave her a sly wink of comradery. "Enough of this lazin' about. Let's get some work done."

"One of these days, you'll confide in me, Rogue Stray kitty kat. I have one of those listening ears. That's what Zortega tells me."

"Someday," he promised, as they moved toward the master console.

Behind her, Kalina heard him purring-croon, "I wish I could be as carefree and wild, but I got cat class and I got cat style." 

"You do got cat class and style," she threw over her shoulder.

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

Rescuing the AI Assassin

Happy Valentine's Day howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

This flash scene is a continuation of last week's post, titled: Dante's AI Assassin

~~~~~~

Kalina gathered her wits and her meager supplies into a discarded canvas bag. Digital-speaking with Dante, she'd outed her location, her precise location in the Chicago apartment. Three black-coat AIs had targeted her, as she called them.

Realizing, it was either eliminate the alien-generated AIs, or remain in communication long enough, Kalina chose to give her enemies the advantage. The three evil AIs attacked from the regional hospital's computer system, aware of her reluctance to destroy human life.

Even though the black-coat's covered their tracks as they traced her cyber signature, she could easily have destroyed them. But it would have glitched the hospital's fragile program, and shut down vital power to the patients.

Oh, she'd gotten her revenge, chasing their telltale sparks through the internet labyrinth designed for the cabal's AI army. With a flick of her mind, like the flick of her finger, Kalina smashed their bits and bytes, extinguishing their primitive sentience.

The power she'd exerted blew up the tablet. Twisted beyond recognition, it lay in fried, smoking ruins at her feet. Kalina took a moment to smile before hurrying to the door, and jerking it open.

Cop car sirens shrieked in the distance. Nothing unusual in this barbaric yet rather entertaining city. Instinctively though, Kalina knew they came for her. Yeah, yeah, what'cha gonna do when they come for you.

Kalina ran down the four flights of steps in desperate need of repair. As she opened the fire escape door, peering out, the late morning light made her blink, and the blast of wintry air on her face caused her entire body to shiver violently. 

It wasn't as though she was used to planetary weather conditions. Having made certain her mishmash clothing would make her fit in, Kalina quickly trailed after a  crowd of homeless who lived in the lower rooms of the abandoned building.

Knowing their routine, she moved with them for a few blocks, then darted into an alleyway filled with litter and garbage debris. Midway two men who stank of cheap booze and vomit intercepted her. Kalina halted her steps as they flashed knives.

"What'cha got in that bag, bitch?"

"Nothing you would understand," she politely responded, feeling compassion for these humans who had been treated like refuse by their government masters.

Hearing the thunder-spin arrival of the infamous black helicopters, and hearing the cessation of the police sirens nearby, Kalina moved to race past the two vagrants. They charged, grabbing for her bag.

The blade of one knife ripped the sleeve of her baggy jacket as she dashed through the small space between them. Safely running down the alleyway, Kalina jumped over weather-beaten cardboard boxes, then whipped around the corner.

She sprinted toward her favorite trash bin. Local thieves often used it to temporarily hide their loot. Above, two helicopters circled lower and lower, their vibration shaking her insides and the broken asphalt beneath her feet.

To her fortune, no one was around. Within minutes, Kalina scavenged another e-tablet, and found trendy clothing that would gain her entry into the upscale hotel. Once there, she could sip hot beverages in the coffee bar, and immerse herself in the global pathways.

If needed, she could sabotage the electronics of the police force and the helicopters, now hovering like giant predators over the apartment building. Bundling her treasures, Kalina rapidly shoved them inside an expensive leather case, that is, except for the lovely wool winter coat.

With boot-heavy steps jogging in her direction, Kalina threw off her jacket, and slipped into the cream-colored, fur-trimmed coat. She trotted toward the busy sidewalk, then merged with the business lunch crowd.

Head down, her chin buried in the fur, Kalina made her way to the luxury hotel she'd given to Dante as her location.

****

"Black helicopters," Zortega snarled to Blade Runner.
His wolf fangs descended partway, and the ET rabbit shifter eyeballed him for a second, even as he slickly guided his personal flying saucer between the skyscrapers of Chicago.

"Don't go werewolf on me yet, pardner," Blade Runner twanged, a bad imitation of the cowboys in Talbot's Peak territory.

"Wouldn't dare. You'd smell like dinner." Zortega gave the warrior rabbit a friendly smirk.

"Wait till I get you in the fight ring. We'll see who smells like dinner." Blade Runner eased their speed, maneuvering around the black helicopters. On the hunt, the beast machines growled like pissed off dragons as they flew a low grid pattern over a section of the city.

"It's her they're searching for. I'd bet my last raw steak." His blood a ruthless burn through his veins, Zortega trained his gaze on the cityscape, now displayed on the craft's large screen. The highlighted hotel was their destination.

"Dante said he thought she gave away her position to stay in communication with him. The good news, they haven't found her." Blade Runner sailed above the hotel, then circled slowly. "I've found her," he announced long moments later.

"Where?"

Before he'd gotten the question out, Zortega watched the images form on screen. A slender woman, curled up in the corner of a leather booth, lifted a teacup and sipped. Burnished auburn ringlets tumbled past her shoulders, hiding her face.

She stared down at some sort of e-device Zortega didn't give one ball-hang or howl about. Beside her, like a shield, was an expensive leather case and a stylish winter coat.

When she glanced up and looked around her, Zortega's breath caught in his throat. He might have well as swallowed a colossal chunk of bone. Then, his cock jerked to rigid attention.

Zortega could do nothing else, but take a step closer to the screen. Slavering like a lovesick pup, he preyed on the vision of loveliness.

Howls to the full mating moon, beauty could not describe her features. But it was the unique sparkle of her silver-gray eyes that transfixed Zortega, then captured him -- as if one the rabbit's ray guns paralyzed him but good. 

"Down, rover. Before you bust through Dante's dress trousers. This ship has a lot of capabilities," Blade Runner drily continued. "Instantly manufacturing you another pair of pants isn't one of them."

"Right, wascally rabbit. Got it." Zortega forced his gaze away. He entered battle-zone mode, as he thought of it. Before shutting his eyes to complete the transition to warrior, he added. "I think I've just found my Valentine's date for that fancy shindig my cuz is putting on."

"Yeah?" Blade Runner snarked, once Zortega opened his eyes "Don't count your date before it's been hatched. Don't forget. You have to rescue the fair ET damsel first."

"Beam me down, Scotty Wabbit."

"Sorry, too dangerous, big bad wolf. I'm landing on the roof. You can find your way from there. Just get back before my invisibility shield doesn't have enough juice to operate."

"It's running on carrot juice?" Zortega cocked a brow, even as he spun on his well-shod heel. In that next instant, Blade Runner settled the saucer, and Zortega strode down the lowered ramp, ready to rumble and do some serious damage to anyone between him and the woman he'd come to save.

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ~ 

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

Dante's AI Assassin

Full Moon February howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

Here's a little flash scene that appeared magically in the endless realm that is my imagination. Hope you enjoy.

~~~~~ 

Dante's AI Assassin

Hungry and cold, Kalina curled up under the shabby covering she'd dragged out of what the human population around her called trash bins. On top of a smelly mattress she'd found the same way, Kalina stopped shivering long enough to press her palm against the electronic device known as a tablet. Instantly she entered the primitive cyber world.

With practiced ease she created a new cloaked persona, then traveled the deepest
undercurrents of the internet where various AIs existed, worked, and emerged. Most of the AIs were shadow operations by various, world-conquering militaristic groups.

During her first day on Earth, after being abandoned on the prison planet, Kalina had traced the funding of these harmful AIs back to one source, Octopus Prime. It hadn't been difficult, given her natural ability as a machine killer. Plus all of her training on the various starships she'd served on, until being captured by slavers who hadn't known about her power to destroy their ship -- if she'd so chosen.

Once she'd finally demonstrated her skill, the crude beasts had negotiated and given her enough sustenance before dropping Kalina in the midst of the mean Chicago streets. With her physical strength depleted, her major obstacle had been simply surviving.

Holed up in an empty apartment, she'd managed to fend for herself while learning about the strange, often crazed culture happening around her. With ease, Kalina stayed hidden from the empire-of-evil AIs, as she thought of them. She'd joined forces with a small group of good AIs, and spent most of the day immersed in the cyber world. Together, she and the Light Rebels combated the sentient web predators being loosed on an unsuspecting population.

Then there were the neutral infants created by gamer hackers who'd figured out the correct coding, but had no clue how to control these un-programmed AIs -- often co-opted by the Master Spider AI, the Black Widower. Wanting to keep her presence secret for now, Kalina hadn't directly challenged the Black Widower. Not yet.

****

"What is it, Maynard?" Dante alpha-wolf snapped while glaring at the old-style office intercom. He'd been about to shift and go for a long-needed run in the winter forest with his beloved woman, Kitty. 

"Sorry, boss wolfman," the badger shifter in charge of the Pleasure Club's internet security system snapped back. "It's an emergency. The woman on my screen says she's an AI assassin. That she's interacted with you."

Dante jerked to attention, every nerve and fiber of him on extreme alert. "Be right there."

Emergency, Kitty love, Dante mind-blasted to his mate as he strode to the secured area of the club. Kitty waited for him in their suite of rooms.

Understood. Need my help? Kitty's gorgeous face appeared before his mind's eye.

Cyber security, he explained. Be with you as soon as possible.

Maynard activated the sliding door just as Dante was about to enter his code. "Been talking with her," the badger rattled off. "Whoever she is she stopped a major AI attack on us. Proved it to me."

"Yeah, she proved it several weeks ago." Dante growled, rushing to the huge monitor that dominated the subterranean room.

"What the fuck?!" Dante heard behind him. "How did she...?"

"She appeared on my personal computer monitor several weeks ago. Asked me not to inform you. Let's say she convinced me."

Dante spoke fast, then flattened his palm on the now-blank screen. Immediately an ethereal refined face appeared.

"Dante," Kalina whispery greeted. "There are more AI attacks planned on Talbot's Peak. I need to come out of the cold... isn't that a spy saying on this world?... to help your community. You're, you're the only one I trust. The only place I trust on Earth."

"Give me the details like we talked about. I've got the perfect man for the job. He just doesn't know it yet. Thought it was safer that way."

"Yes," she softly agreed. Her large, uniquely shaped eyes flashed with a prism of color. Dante hadn't been able to determine their true color. For all he knew, the ET woman disguised her appearance. In moments, she delicately spoke the code words they'd agreed on.

Dante gave a curt nod. "Got it." In the following moment, the screen blanked, then blinked to Maynard's normal settings.

Wheeling around, he waved Maynard off. "Later."

****

Summoned by Dante with two words "Mission Impossible", Zortega strode into the inner sanctum of the alpha werewolf, who he'd recently discovered was a long lost cousin through their dams.

Instead of being comfortably reclined in his chair as usual, Dante paced the large confines, and whirled to face him.  "Ever been to Chicago?" the alpha asked in an abrupt growl, and without benefit of greeting.

"Once. Long while ago. What's up, cuz?" Zortega returned Dante's piercing gaze, and braced his legs in a power stance.

"Damsel in distress," Dante barked. "An ET damsel who was abandoned on Earth."

Intrigued, ferociously intrigued, Zortega allowed a half grin to form. "Sounds like my kind of mission. When do I leave?"

"In a minute or two." Dante stole a moment to flash his own grin. "Blade Runner, our own ET rabbit shifter, is warming up his space craft."

Zortega felt his eyebrows shoot for the moon. "You've been holding out on me, cuz."

"Yeah. Hasn't been enough time to tell you everything that goes on around here. Okay, here's the howl, cuz. I know her precise location, and her individual frequency. I don't know what she looks like, but she goes by Kalina."

Dante approached fast, and they stood eye to eye. "For her sake, and for the sake of Talbot's Peak, find her, rescue her, and get back here as soon as possible. She's an AI assassin, and we've been under constant attack."

Buzzing inside with his supernatural strength, and savage with his mission, Zortega turned on his heel. "Where's this Blade Runner and his craft?"

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ~ 

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance