Bones of Others: Cat and CoDee, #2

By Cherime MacFarlane

Cat and CoDee have refitted the Bond and are pursuing their dream of being space traders. Cat only wants to find goods to trade, CoDee yearns to experience and explore. The sector of space he longs to explore has a dark history. Ships vanish.

Cat can't recall the reason this area terrifies and revolts her. Because she can't explain there is no factual basis for resistance when CoDee insists they set a course there.

And CoDee has another need. He has discovered how to mimic Cat's physical form when they play. It adds so much more to their playtime and bonding experience.

Samueland is much more than they expected. And there are two other worlds CoDee wants to see Hunter and Pride. One of them may be their downfall.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cherime MacFarlane
• Release date: Aug 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201516642

Cherime MacFarlane

Meet Award-Winning, Best-Selling Author Cherime MacFarlane. A prolific multi-genre author, she has a broad range of interests that reflect her been there-done that life. Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, all sorts of characters and plots evolve from a vivid imagination. As a reporter for the Copper Valley Views, Cherime MacFarlane received a letter of commendation from the Copper River Native Association for fair and balanced reporting. She was part of the Amazon Best Selling in Anthologies and Holidays, and Fantasy Anthologies and Short Stories. The Other Side of Dusk was a finalist in the McGrath house award of 2017.

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Copyright © 2015

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Copyright Notice:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, events or locales is completely coincidental.

Author's Note: This book is in response to requests.

Amazon Edition, license notes:

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Artwork: C. MacFarlane

Dedicated to: Mouse and Julie.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Epilogue

In Pursuit of Cheese

About the Author:

Other books by the author:

Chapter 1

His cheek rested on her soft fur. Like a lullaby, the deep, rumbling purr filled the sleeping space. Relaxed, he did not want to move. CoDee kneaded her shoulder muscles, and the purr increased in volume. Pretty Kitty, we must get up. I sense the ship is reducing speed, so we must be nearing the quadrant.

How do you sense this? I feel nothing.

Rubbing his cheek against the dense fur, CoDee thought for a moment how to reply to her question. I've gone over it from every angle, and I have no answer for you. Perhaps it's the resonance of the engines through the hull. I certainly do not hear it. If I did, you would know before I do, as your hearing is far superior to mine.

Yea. Truly. She slipped off the bed and stretched.

The computer began its chiming, which alerted them to the end of the flight. Shortly, the ship would start searching this area of space to see if there might be anything which warranted further exploration.

They chose this area because of the seeming mystery surrounding it. Several of the traders who traveled through the sector reported no issues. But several of the ships that entered this quadrant vanished and never seen again.

The mystery piqued CoDee's interest. Research on the area brought him to one vessel. That incident produced some documentation. But it still wasn't sufficient to quell his curiosity. He wondered what might cause the disappearances.

Cat felt uneasy about being in this area and did not hold back her opinion. She argued for a voyage to Pacifica. There were some excellent goods to be had there. Shells of certain sea creatures were beautifully colored and prized as decorative items. CoDee teased her, insisting she was only interested in the incredible variety of seafood on the planet.

His Pretty Kitty voiced her displeasure with him physically. The thought caused him to finger the tiny scabs where the tips of her claws penetrated his shoulder. Thankfully, she refrained from biting him.

CoDee smiled at his companion as she walked back into the berthing area from the cleaning station. Are you finished being angry with me because of my insistence on coming here?

You are referring to our disagreement over Pacifica as opposed to this wilderness?

It does not meet the definition of 'wilderness.'

I find this place to be every bit as harsh and unforgiving as the desert of Estevan.

CoDee first responded into her thoughts. Agreed, the planet is not a desert, but it is devoid of advanced life forms if the records are all correct. Then he changed to speech. We must investigate if we are to determine the existence of higher life forms on any of the planets. There are three possibilities, and I see no reason to shy away from a little exploration.

Traders seek goods to trade. We are not explorers. We should search for things of value to take back to Estevan.

He reached out to grab her tail and tug her back to the edge of the gel-bed. I don't understand why you are so adamantly against our having a look at those planets. We could well find civilizations ready to trade with us.

Turning her head to the side, Cat glanced at him. I can't really give you an answer any more than you can give me one on the engines question. This disturbs my internal balance. It is as if I should remember something critical, and I cannot.

Then perhaps something here will jog more memories loose for you. That would be a good thing.

Yea, it would. Unless the thing it exposes is quite evil.

Evil? I have not heard you speak of evil in terms of a place before.

It exists. Somehow, I feel there is something, a malignancy, somewhere in this sector. I truly want to find the memory, but it is apparently lost.

She kneaded the side of the bed with the claws of both hands. Cat was quite upset. CoDee thought it prudent to leave the subject for the moment. It was time to find out what the computer had to say.

Seven different systems were of note in the sector controlled by the primary elected planet of Audubon. The entire Swanson Quadrant of the universe had few habitable planets and saw minimal traffic.

Swift, Nuthatch, and Jayhawk had voted Audubon the ruling body. The other three planets usually traded with each other for most of their goods. They confined their luxury items to specialty traders who worked out of Audubon.

Two of the remaining systems in the out-of-the-way quadrant possessed planets with the possibility of some type of life forms. The last seemed to be a mystery. CoDee could find little information, and he did research every possibility.

The first of the three lesser planets had been named for someone a long time ago, Samueland. That name for the planet derived from the captain of the ship he found the most information on, Hunter's Pride. Salda Samuel operated Hunter's Pride with one admin. Information on the indigenous creatures gave him little to go on. He read the inhabitants had no language, and no evolved society. He wondered if it might be worth an exploratory venture to the surface of the planet.

Cat joined him with a hot drink. Which planet do you show on the screen?

The one named Samueland. Samuel, the explorer or trader who found it, took note of a sentient creature on this one, but indicated its development had not progressed to speech at that time.

When she sat in the chair beside him, Cat's tail automatically curled around CoDee's ankle. Was there anything of note or value? Something having potential worth?

There is little other than a few sparse entries. Samuel's vessel, Hunter's Pride, didn't make any additional data transmissions beyond the one brief exchange I discovered.

A strange half cough, half growl bounced around the control room. Her tail convulsively tightened around his ankle, then released.

Cat? What was that?

I have already explained. Something here is not right. This sector is not a good place to be. I fear to venture down to any of these lesser planets, but cannot isolate the cause of the trepidation.

Rising from the chair, Cat paced around the room as her tail twitched from side to side. CoDee had never experienced this kind of behavior before with Cat.

Fear? That is not a word you use often.

Truly. I have not encountered this that I recall, not with the limited access to my memories I possess. Yet...there is a vague feeling of ... menace or a thing I have no name for. It is not good, my bond-mate.

With a shake of his head, CoDee went back to the computer. Data was so sparse on this sector; he conducted the search manually. Nothing he found gave him a clear picture. The mystery intrigued the young man.

Not a timorous individual by nature, Cat’s reaction added another level of concern to CoDee’s thoughts. He did not know any others of her species to judge by, but what he knew of her caused him to pause slightly. Then again, if some of her damaged brain cells could be stimulated sufficiently to regenerate, the trip might be worth it.

If we live through the experience.

Cat's communication reverberated inside his mind with a jolt. Since embarking on this journey some time ago, neither of them restricted access to the other. Their thoughts flitted across each other's minds as if they were one individual.

CoDee enjoyed the intertwining of their minds. When playing games, they sometimes blocked each other if the game was of a competitive nature. The physical games they engaged in functioned on another level entirely. The bond they shared heightened the joy both experienced while racing through the landscapes inside the gardens of their minds.

The flash of fear flowing through his mind nearly caused his stomach to twist with nausea. But the young man realized his bond-mate blocked the worst of the terror surging through her.

No! Do not block me! What is this you feel? Outside of play or bonding time, CoDee rarely spoke directly into her mind. He treasured the ability to vocalize his thoughts.

For too many years, he had lacked the ability to form proper words or sentences. It gave him great pleasure to verbalize thoughts. Words were things he savored. Cat humored his need to speak his thoughts aloud.

Here, if you insist.

As if a great storm lashed the meadow in her mind, the tree alongside the pool lay nearly flat. Waist-high grasses they loved to lie in bent flush with the ground. A dark cloud hovered inside her head over the garden.

Crouched on all fours in the middle of her meadow, Cat's fur stood in a ridge along her spine and shoulders. Her tail whipped back and forth.

Beside her in the chaos, CoDee struggled forward to reach her head. One arm went around her neck as CoDee pulled the tense body against his. He clung to Cat.

CoDee whispered into her ear. Let me help you, Pretty Kitty. This is not real. You are aware of the source, your fear. There is no threat that we can see now. CoDee attempted to ease the terror raging uncontrolled through her.

There is something out there. I do not understand what it is, and I fear waking it. I sense it has not seen us, and I do not wish to encounter it.

With her body against his, the young man put one leg over her and stroked her orange and white spotted fur with his free hand. What he crooned into her ear was not really a song. It was more of a low hum, and the best approximation of her rumbling purr he could manage.

Slowly, the dark cloud shrank slightly. The harsh wind eased as the cloud of misery withered.

Yes, Pretty Kitty, let it go. CoDee encouraged her before resuming the sound in her ear.

Her tail fastened around his ankle and the wind died away to a slight breeze. Above them, the cloud shriveled. The usually clear sky held a slight gray tinge. Her purr joined his in the meadow.

The grass revived, and the tree straightened again. He turned his face into her fur and sighed. She was recovering. He had never experienced a Cat meltdown before. Heart pounding, CoDee waited for her to get her emotions under control.

Her rumble increased. Ah, CoDee, you are a ...

The struggle to explain the concept was apparent to him. CoDee waited quietly as Cat sought to clarify her thoughts.

I am not sure how to define what I wish to say. The term is so much greater than a bond-mate. Spouse is nearer the mark, but not quite. It suggests one who is equal but capable of taking the lead when necessary. Each bond-mate is expected to take the lead if a circumstance warrants it. Cat relaxed against him as she continued to purr.

Pretty Kitty, you needed me to take the lead in this situation to help you regain perspective, as expected of a mate. Either of us is responsible to the other for such duties. He spoke softly into her ear.

With a twitch, Cat's ear moved forward in response. The gray in the sky above them gradually cleared, somewhat like a dust storm over Estevan. CoDee did not release her. He felt there was more to discuss. The reason for the fear needed to be explored in detail.

Probing her own mind, Cat remained silent. CoDee could tell by the hushed atmosphere surrounding them. The meadow grass did not flutter gently; the butterflies which typically flitted here and there were absent.

The black fence which enclosed the barren areas of her mind seemed to shimmer slightly in his vision. The imagery of the ground beneath them rolled slightly before settling down. It reminded CoDee of a hard space wind they encountered, one which tossed the ship violently.

Can you tell me what is going on? I sense you are prowling the perimeters of the damaged zone.

A partial, soft growl emanated from her throat. I know there is something in there. I have caught a slight whiff of it. The fear came from my inability to discern where it is. And I am angry about the damage and how it is affecting us. I am afraid my lack of control over my body will cause harm to us both.

Her tail unwound from his ankle and beat a steady tattoo on the ground. The sky once again became clear, and the tree's leaves fluttered gently in the soft sigh of the breeze.

Cat turned in his embrace and ran her rough tongue from his jawline to his ear. I harnessed it for the moment. We can discuss what is needful. Do you wish to discuss this here, or would you prefer us to return to the control room?

From the meadow inside Cat's thoughts, CoDee considered what might be best. Come with me into my mind. There we can review the data on this planet, as I have it all memorized.

As effortlessly as they had entered her mind, the couple transferred into CoDee's. The data needed to be seen from CoDee's technical perspective.

Chapter 2

CoDee brought them into the chamber in his mind he referred to as the library. Full floor to ceiling shelves held what appeared to be old leather-bound volumes. Cat knew the room had originated from an illustration he had once seen in a book.

Her bond-mate loved books. She estimated that more than half of his entertainment cubes were old books, copied into the current format. This room, in his mind, had two complete floors. One wall of windows gave a view of rolling hills and fields. Inside, a gallery circled the other three sides of the space. A tightly twisting stair case reached