In Pursuit of Cheese: Cat and CoDee, #3

By Cherime MacFarlane

Cat and CoDee have reached a cross road.
Clean, Wholesome read.
Cat and CoDee are ready to make modifications to their ship. The shipyard on Greenhouse II is their destination. They find the Bond and one other ship are the only ones queuing up. A huge planet-wide disaster has every available trader hauling materials to the stricken world under contract to the Mercenary's Union or the Life Foundation.
Greenhouse II was one world where Cat could be herself. But the official of the Life Foundation stranded on Greenhouse II is a telepath. He senses CoDee and Cat are different. They are trying to avoid the man, but another menace lurks on the warm jungle planet, one neither of them sense as they struggle to communicate without using their bond.
Cat's obsession with cheese may prove her undoing. The planet Caleta which issued a call for help has two major exports: a fantastic cheese and wine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cherime MacFarlane
• Release date: Aug 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201472023

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 © 2018

Copyright Notice:

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

Author’s Note: These two were born years ago and are finally alive.

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 buy a copy for yourself. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Artwork: C. MacFarlane

Dedicated to: K’ao and Dubh, sweet boys, and Jack, the sweetest and most gentle dog I know.

Acknowledgment: Thanks, Sean.

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

Epilogue

The Hostage King: Claimed by the Shaman Prologue

About the Author:

Other books by the author:

Chapter 1

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The Bond sat in its assigned orbit outside the main traffic area of Estevan. CoDee waited for clearance to take the flyer down to the port. The gems they planned to give to their attorney, Mr. Sebe, sat inside Cat’s throat. She would regurgitate them once they were safely inside the man’s office.

For this journey she must be on a leash, a situation which irritated CoDee far more than it bothered her. When that portion of their agenda was dealt with, they would make their way back to the port area and Lady Pia’s and Tonio’s restaurant.

After enjoying a leisurely dinner with the couple, Dave Yerks, and Lute, they would spend the evening at Dave’s house. In the morning, they would conduct corporate business.

He had two purposes for this trip. CoDee wanted to tour the junkyard to make sure it was in good order. And there was something he hoped to find in the yard—the last piece to set up the control interface for Cat. Once he had the last part, Cat would have access to the ship’s controls.

Business accomplished, a visit with family and friends would lift everyone’s spirits. But they must keep it short from necessity. They did not want the administration of the planet to discover Cat’s abilities.

With the gems in Sebe’s hands, and family business complete, they would go back up to the ship. She would be safe from discovery in the Bond. CoDee tried to curb his anxiety as they waited for control to give the go-ahead for landing.

Dear one, all will be well.

He responded to Cat’s assurance through thought. He would not take a chance on being overheard. No one knew how sensitive the port authority’s equipment might be. Since he must maintain open status, it seemed better to exercise due care.

When you are on board, the ship and this visit is complete, I will breathe easier.

The port’s AI contacted the flyer. We cleared you to descend in a concentric pattern of one point two miles spacing per pass until you reach hard atmosphere. At which time the proscribed path will be displayed. You may begin descent.

It appears the port has upgraded things. I do not recall having a designated landing path.

Nor do I. This is a welcome addition, however.

We need to speak privately with Dave. I wonder what other improvements the port authority made since our last stop.

Nothing having to do with security, I hope. But that remains to be seen.

As stated, the guidance system of the flyer received coordinates for descent. With a small thump, the flyer made landfall on CoDee’s home world. But the port authority hadn’t finished with them yet.

You are in a secured landing area. A customs official will be with you soon. As Estevan is your home port, this is a nominal visit. Welcome home, Captain CoDee.

With that, control of the flyer returned to CoDee. Bond, release locks and deploy stairs. Prepare for boarding.

The slight hiss told him all would be ready for the individual they were told to expect. Cat dropped to the floor behind the pilot’s chair and curled her tail up over her nose. Now she was a pet—an exotic one, but no more than the property of the man standing beside the door waiting.

In a uniform declaring the person to be an employee of the Port of Estevan, an older woman entered the first stage of the airlock. As soon as CoDee saw her on the monitor, he opened the second door.

It slid into the skin of the flyer and the official stepped into the cabin. Captain CoDee. It is a pleasure to meet you. Will you be bringing any cargo down from the ship later?

No. This is nothing more than a visit home. I’ve not been back for a while and need to deal with a few matters of business.

Ah, your salvage yard needs attention?

CoDee laughed. My yard always needs attention, but my employee seems to be up to the task. I’m making a quick stop before keeping another appointment. A few minor matters need to be dealt with.

She nodded and looked down at Cat. Your pet?

My comrade. Calling Cat a pet raised his irritation level higher.

I understand. I have a furry friend and would never think of him as nothing more than a pet. They fulfill us in so many ways.

Both his anxiety and anger levels dropped. They do.

I can’t imagine being on a trading ship on long voyages without companionship. Anyway, you are cleared. If you wish, you may move the flyer to another location or leave it here. As a citizen, you get a choice.

With a nod, he acknowledged her statement. It can stay here, as I hope to be on my way tomorrow evening. My schedule doesn’t allow too much leeway for this visit. I see there are several improvements to the port since I last landed.

The woman grinned. Yes. Although Greenhouse 2 does a lot of refitting, we catch the jobs they don’t have time for. That has given our coffers a slight boost. We had to invest in the substructure if we wanted to keep that business coming. She turned to walk out of the hatch.

CoDee picked up the leash.

Tell me to come. Cat’s thoughts slid into his. 

Come, Cat.

Laughter filled his mind. You are not to growl. Someone might think I made that sound, and they must see me as harmless.

He huffed out a breath and turned to instruct the flyer to lock up once they were on the ground. The official stood to one side and watched as Cat leaned against his left leg.

What a beautiful creature. Is it feline? If so, it is the largest one I’ve ever seen. It seems to be overawed by this. Is it shy? Might I touch it?

Cat is feline. She is quite shy. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d rather you didn’t touch her. We must go into Estevanna and that will be trauma enough on its own.

I’m not offended in the least. You need to do what is best for her. May I suggest you get a personal ground car to take you to the city? There’s no regular company providing that service yet, but a few enterprising people will provide transportation. You’ll find them outside the port. That is sure to be easier on your friend than public transportation.

CoDee warmed up to the woman. Thank you. That sounds like the best idea. Leaving the ship is always difficult.

As soon as I get back to the office, I’ll transmit an entrance code to your flyer. That way, you can enter the secured area without hinderance. Have a pleasant visit, Captain.

It seems Estevan is profiting from