The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 83.

Waking up as a tin of fish was opened, Mr Fluffy jumped down and started to wash himself. He had slept and dozed for almost twelve hours and knew the Ick fleet would be well on its way, while the forces from the Ashia Minor system would be close to the Bounty Hunter space station. Soon the Federation forces would begin their attack and as soon as battle was joined he would act. A human scientist placed a golden bowl on the floor beside him and Mr Fluffy turned his attention to eating, which would be followed by time spent chasing a wind-up mouse around the control room. After all, despite his massive intellect he was still a cat, and the wind-up mouse was great fun.

Hydroponic ran over his plan. He had kept it simple and not gone overboard on planning: enter Ji space and when they approached him, say the secret word to ensure he wouldn't get blown up. Then it was simple, convince them to join forces with the Ick and set off to the battle. He had not considered the fact that the violent little bleeders would come aboard his ship and while still grinning and accepting the drinks he offered, kick the crap out of him before gagging and binding him.
Now he sat in a small dark cell, one eye swollen shut and at least two ribs cracked, waiting to see what they would do next. A door opened down the corridor and he heard someone walk down and stop outside the cell. A small section of the door was slid back and light flooded in, blinding him and making his eyes water.
“Wat tha doin ere big un an ow yer no ar word?” A voice asked through the door.
Hydroponic considered a number of answers about alliances and the war, but dismissed them. He hated the fact that somewhere Snoodgrass would be sitting back, saying “I told you so.”
Instead he went for the right response and ensured he lived a bit longer. “Where's my bloody room service, and when was the last time you cleaned up in here, you bunch of filthy little sods? You'd better get the boss down here as I'm starting to get pissed off with all this, and I’ll not tell you about the great pet hunt that’s about to start. Do you really want to miss hunting the cat?” Hydroponic sat back and waited for the effect of his outburst.
From beyond the door he heard urgent conversation and then cheering. After a couple of minutes the excitement died down and then the ji that had spoken to him started giving orders. “Get the big un out n tek im up to hall so we can chat n av a scoff, I wanna know abart this ere pet hunt.”

To be continued.
All images are mine.