The Throwback Chronicles: Book Two: Revelations

By Tom Roth

Four years after their escape from the death farms, Whitestripe and Vence have done all they can to rescue their people from enslavement to the katerans. Surronded by enemies, the boys will need to discover the origins of their race, and learn what brought about the throwback's enslavement.But faced with these truths, will they be able to continue their fight for freedom, or will it tear the friends apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329605169

Book preview

The Throwback Chronicles: Book Two: Revelations

The Throwback Chronicles

Book Two: Revelations

By Tom Roth

Prologue

Van let out a tired sigh as he walked to his office, the older gentleman was clad in a fine grey suit, one nearly the exact same shade as his hair. The kateran’s eyes scanned over the latest report Sparky, Gaje, and Valor had sent in. The man simply couldn't understand it, he had given them an easy duty. Deal with one stray, one little cub hardly eight years old. And yet four years had passed and the only thing they seemed to have done was mastered the art of getting their tails kicked.

No, no. This simply won't do. Van murmured to himself as he stepped into his spacious office, taking a seat behind his desk and picking up the phone. Ah, Lauren? Yes, please have Sparky and Gaje escorted up here. I feel I need to have a talk with them. Van said warmly to his new receptionist, and yet again he was reminded just how difficult good help was to find. He thanked her, before setting the phone back into its cradle and letting his eyes scan over the report again.

A few minutes later, the door opened and two figures stepped in. Both where clad in form fitting black armor, each carried under their arm a stylized helmet shaped like a snarling cat. Both of them were also throwbacks; humanoid like felines.

Excellent. Welcome Gaje, Sparky. He nodded to both throwbacks. Van was fairly sure rocks had more expressions compared to what he got from the pair. Now I want to talk about our little Whitestripe problem. It's been four years boys, and he's still running around causing trouble. Why is that? A deceptively mild tone lined his voice as he regarded the two with cold eyes, he was not pleased by this, not pleased one bit.

Look Aeon, I told you... Sparky didn't get a chance to finish his statement as Van tapped a button on his desk and electricity coursed through the cat's body. The tiger like throwback let out a howl as white hot agony lanced through his body, forcing him to his knees. Gaje glanced away, his fists tightening as his hatred for the man before him only grew from what he did to his mate.

Van regarded the two cats coldly. All illusions of kindness and compassion were gone as he stood up, ending Sparky's punishment as the cat struggled to catch his breath.

Sparky, I told you, do not use that name around me. The kateran growled lightly, for a brief moment, it sounded almost like a throwback's snarl.

Gaje regarded him coolly, the gold and black speckled cat took a step forward. Or what Aeon, what can you do, kill us? At least then we aren't torturing our own people. The cat snarled savagely.

Van smiled indulgently at the uppity cat. No Gaje, I had a much better punishment planned if you failed, but you won't, not again he said as he got to his feet. You see boys, at this very moment Valor is on his way to deal with that cub and his rag tag band of misfits. Hopefully you two will be out of the job, and that little thorn in my side will be dealt with.

Chapter One

Sitting on the edge of a dock, looking out as the sun rose over the ocean, was a small feline like boy, his black and white striped pelt shining beneath the first rays of dawn.  Sitting on the lap was a small wrapped package, a present for his younger brother to celebrate his eighth birthday. A soft gold light ignited besides the cat boy before an almost mirror image appeared besides him, sitting on one of the supports of the old rickety pier, a frown on his muzzle.

Why so down in the dumps Whitestripe? It's our brother's birthday, even I'm happy. The new arrival asked quietly.

Whitestripe glanced up and regarded the other cat for a moment, a soft sigh escaping him. I find that hard to believe Leogun, you hate just about everything. All you seem to know how to do is hurt and kill other things.

For a split second Whitestripe thought he saw a shadow of a frown cross over Leogun's muzzle before his darker side flashed him his trademark sadistic leer. You wound me Whitestripe, you really do, but that's beside the point. You're avoiding the question, so spill; what’s wrong?

Whitestripe gave a small shrug, climbing to his feet then stretching lightly. It's been four years Leogun, and nothing's changed, no matter what we've tried. Try as they might, the four cats hadn’t even managed to cause a dent in the Katerans operations. Sure, they may have been able to cause some problems to a few of the nearby farms, or rescue one of the rare strays from the Cy-cat hunting squads that patrolled the streets. Yet it seemed no matter what damage they did, or however many cats they saved, the Katerans would simply fix the damage. That or the Cy-cats would catch them in a surprise attack and catnap their rescuees. That didn’t even count in the T.A.S, the throwback apprehension squad. A group of katerans attached to the local police forces whose sole purpose was to work with the Cy-cats in locating strays and bringing them in to domesticate and give out to homes.

Leogun crossed his arms, a frown etched on his muzzle. What? Did you think it'd be easy to take Van out? To free our people from centuries of enslavement? You've read the history books just like I have, our people have been under the kateran's thumb for almost five centuries, you don't just change that overnight.

Five centuries was quite a bit of history to have to go against in order to free their race from the chains of slavery. But there had been one question that had always bothered Whitestripe, what had happened five centuries ago that had caused them to be created in the first place? What had happened all those centuries ago that had caused the first throwback to be born?

The cat boy's shoulders slumped slightly. No, but all we're really doing is running and hiding. We free a cat here and there but... I don't know, is any of this really worth it, when we just end up losing them again? Whitestripe got his answer as Leogun delivered a staggering punch to the boy's face, sending the kitten and the present skidding to the edge of the dock. Leogun calmly stepping over the prone boy and scooped up the wrapped gift, dusting it off.

You go back inside and look at Vence and Fenrir, then you come out here and tell me that this fight isn't worth it. Leogun told him softly, his free hand tightening into a fist. It might not be easy, and there might not be a clear ending for us, hell we might just fail and end up dead. But no matter what, we don't give up, not now, not ever. The only way anything will ever change is if we work towards it ourselves.

The cat turned and offered one hand down to Whitestripe to help him to his feet. So Stripey, you make your choice. Are you gonna give up, let the katerans have their way with our people? Let the sacrifice Nita and Inktail made for us go unavenged, break your promise to Tyrick about his daughter? Or are you going to fight?

Whitestripe hesitated as he looked up at Leogun's eyes, those eyes filled with determination and will to see their mission complete, no matter the cost. A slow smile came to his muzzle before he reached up and took his other self's hand and pulled himself to his feet. We'll fight, even if it kills us, and we'll show them that they can't have their way anymore. The twelve-year-old growled.

Leogun grinned before he tossed the package to the boy. That's what I want to hear Whitestripe, now get in there, today's our little bro's special day, make sure he has a good one, otherwise I'll thrash ya.

Whitestripe snickered catching the package as he started back towards the warehouse, calling back to Leogun as the other cat faded from view. Ya, ya, you don’t gotta tell me twice Leogun.

The cat boy quietly slipped inside, the first thing hitting him was the delicious scent of roasting fish. A bright smile appeared on his muzzle as he strolled over to the makeshift kitchen where a sky colored cat was hard at work grilling three good sized fish. The cat stood nearly five feet tall, versus Whitestripe's mere four-foot stature. Despite being four years older, his body seemed to have refused to grow taller. Hey their cub, enjoy the sun rise? The feline teased lightly, looking back and grinning as Whitestripe walked over.

Ha, ha, ha Vence. Just because you’re taller and older doesn't mean you can keep teasing me about it. Just wait, one day you'll be looking up at me.

Whitestripe said as he embraced him. The throwback’s gaze drifted over to a group of cots pushed into the corner. Fast asleep on one was his little brother Fenrir, an almost mirror image of his big brother except for his fur. Where Whitestripe was black with white stripes, Fenrir had white with black stripes. You’re losing your touch Vence, your fish usually has the little scamp jumping up and down.

Vence shrugged lightly, still smiling. Well he was up late last night, what do you expect, besides it's his birthday if he wants to sleep in, let him, after all it's the one day he might actually get to spend like a regular kid, no need to do anything to tempt fate.

Whitestripe froze at those words. Really Vence, you know what our lives our like, remember what happened the last time you said we shouldn't tempt fate, we nearly ended up getting skinned.

The sky colored cat simply laughed. Whitestripe that was just one time, you’re overreacting. Nothing will happen. As if fate had a sense of humor, it was that exact moment when the door to the warehouse blew right off its hinges. Fenrir yelped as his head shot up, looking around in sleepy confusion while Whitestripe and Vence ducked down.

There, standing in the doorway was a brown furred cat, his true size and age unknown due to the cybernetics built into most of his body, replacing most of his chest, his right arm, and both legs. It seemed most of his face though had been spared, though one ear was cloaked in metal, and a single eye was replaced with a faintly glowing equivalent. Hoisted over one shoulder was a long, thin blade, nearly as tall as the feline himself. On his outstretched cybernetic limb, a thin tube, the end smoking, withdrew back into the limb with a faint click.

You really think I can resist an entrance like that little stripey? The cybernetic cat growled happily. Despite the machinery built into him, the cat's face had a very youthful appearance, and his voice was high pitched, like a cub.

Whitestripe nodded lightly towards Fenrir then to Vence who grinned and flashed him a thumbs up, backing up and racing over towards the younger kitten on the cot.

Hello Valor, it's been what? Almost six month's I think since I sent you running with your little robo tail between your legs, how's the family doing? Whitestripe questioned, sounding casual as he set down his brother's present before slowly drawing his ever present daggers from their sheaths at his waist. When

Valor chuckled softly, spinning his sword around and embedding the tip into the ground, leaning lightly on the handle, looking just as casual with a smile lighting up his muzzle. It's been five months actually, but hey who's counting? The robotic cat said with a simple shrug. As for the family, we'll we're getting new members every day, the cy-cats just keep growing and growing and we'd love for all of you to join us. His smile seemed to grow as he looked at the three felines like they were slabs of meat.

Whitestripe seemed to think about it before shaking his head. Sorry Valor but we gotta decline such a heartfelt offer, you know, it might sound crazy, but we like our individuality and freedom.

The robotic cat sighed dramatically,