Alien Cats: DurPlunk's Battle for Planet Earth

By Sallie Cochren

Earth. DurPlunk’s home. Again... When the evil-hearted Maine Coon from Katonia finds himself exiled on the primitive planet with three of his Sphynx soldiers, there may be only one way to make their new home bearable. Gather an army of Earth cats, conquer the humans and make DurPlunk the planet’s ruler! DurPlunk may be in for more than he bargains for, though. Conquering a planet where humans are in control could be more difficult than he thinks. To complicate things, two of his former adversaries from Katonia now live on Earth with their friend, Sarah. Will Bootsie and Soxy be able to keep DurPlunk from accomplishing his evil plans? Back on Katonia, Sunset has his paws full. As the planet’s ruler, he is trying to right the wrongs of the past. Can he ever find a way to live in peace with the Sphynx who have always been seen as enemies? His recent truce with the dogs gives him hope, but the Sphynx may not be as cooperative as the canines. As if Sunset doesn't already have more tuna on his plate than he can eat, he learns that DurPlunk is stirring up trouble for the Earthlings. Will Sunset be able to send reinforcements to Earth to stop DurPlunk? Will Bootsie and Soxy find a way to keep the Earth humans safe? One thing is for sure. DurPlunk is going to have to be alert and keep an ear, tail and whisker out at all times if he is ever going to win his battle for planet Earth!

This is book 3 in the Alien Cats series.

Book 1 - Alien Cats: No Place Like Home
Book 2 - Alien Cats: Return to Katonia
Book 3 - Alien Cats: DurPlunk's Battle for Planet Earth

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sallie Cochren
• Release date: Sep 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005670306

Sallie Cochren

Sallie Cochren has always loved a good story and enjoys stories in a variety of genres. She started writing short stories and skits as a child, thinking it was a great way to spend her free time. She always wanted to write a book of her own, but her teaching career kept her so busy that there was no time to write. When she resigned from her teaching job, she finally had time to start writing and fulfill her lifelong dream.Sallie is drawn to many genres. Her stories encompass a range of writing. She has written horror novels, science fiction, psychological thrillers and even Christian fantasy. She has also written a lighter read with her Alien Cats trilogy. She is currently working on a dystopian series as well as continuing her vampire hunter series.When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She also loves animals and enjoys spending time with her cat.

Book preview

Map of Katonia

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Chapter 1

I don’t like this. It gets my fur all in a knot! Samson said. If Sunset finds out what we’re doing, I don’t even want to think about how disappointed he will be in me! As High Advisor, I’ve always been loyal to him. We are going completely against his wishes!

Samson was a handsome Siamese cat. The Siamese helped the Persians rule the planet of Katonia and held important positions like advisors and palace guards. Samson was considered to be the most important advisor to Sunset. As ruler of Katonia, Sunset had relied on Samson’s expert advice on many occasions. Samson was distraught that he was letting his friend down now. He had never done so before.

I agree, Panther replied. It isn’t like I didn’t try to talk some sense into him, but he simply wouldn’t listen. Given that he will someday be my father-in-law, the last thing I want to do is upset him.

He had recently become engaged to Princess, who was the daughter of Sunset and Snowflake. Princess was Persian like her parents. Her fur was a beautiful copper brown with some darker hairs mixed in also. She stood out among her family. Not only were her mom and dad both white Persians, but her sister, Snowcone, was white also. Panther, on the other hand, was a beautiful black Burmilla cat. Fortunately, like the rest of her family, Princess wasn’t a snob. She didn’t mind dating someone who was outside of her Persian tribe. Sunset and Snowflake had accepted Panther without hesitation. They knew that he was a good cat and that he loved their daughter. Once married into the family, Panther would be considered a Royal.

Even though Princess and Panther were engaged, it didn’t mean the wedding would be anytime soon. Most cats didn’t rush into marriage on Katonia. They enjoyed the engagement period. Many waited a year or more before following through with the wedding ceremony.

Then, maybe we should abandon our plan, Samson suggested. It’s obvious that we both want to please Sunset. Perhaps it would be better to follow through with his request.

I wish it was that simple, Panther said. You and I both know that if we do what he asks us to do, there is no guarantee that any of us will be safe, not as long as that nasty feline shares our planet with us!

But surely Sunset has thought this through, Samson replied. I know that he thinks no better of DurPlunk than we do, and yet he still asked us to take him beyond the coyote’s territory to exile him there. As we both know, in order for DurPlunk to ever have any chance of coming back to bother us, he would have to cross a very dangerous river that would likely drown him. If he somehow survived that, he would have to cross the coyotes’ territory. I venture to say that doing such a thing would be dreadful and would end with his death!

Panther felt a chuckle coming on, and he had trouble holding it in.

What’s so funny? Samson asked. I know that as much as you despise DurPlunk, you still wouldn’t laugh at his demise. You’re too good of a cat to find joy in another’s suffering.

True, Panther replied. Although if DurPlunk no longer existed, it might be better for all of the good creatures on Katonia. But no, I wasn’t laughing at that. I was picturing DurPlunk crossing that river. Can you imagine what that would be like? That’s assuming he actually survived. I was thinking about how wet he would get trying to cross such a vast expanse of water! No amount of shaking could ever make me feel dry again. I suppose the misery of being so wet would almost make death seem welcome. Just the thought of having so much water in my fur is enough to keep me on dry land.

You’ve got that right! Samson agreed. I don’t mind bathing in the shallow water of the pond once in a while or accompanying the humans to Small Lake when they catch our fish, but I have no desire to throw myself into the water and get soaking wet. Yes, I imagine trying to cross that river would make one almost wish for death! I don’t think DurPlunk or any cat would try to cross it.

Or the coyote’s territory either! Panther added. If DurPlunk set paw in their terrain, they would snap his neck in a moment. They aren’t fond of felines, but DurPlunk has the worst reputation of any cat on Katonia. Can you imagine how quickly they would devour him?

Yes, I can. I agree the odds are slim that he could ever get back. So, shouldn’t we abandon our current plan and do as Sunset asked us? Samson suggested.

Panther thought about it for a moment.

I don’t know, he answered. I wish we could, but DurPlunk is very cunning. If any cat could find a way back, it would be him. If it were just myself to worry about, I would go ahead and do as Sunset asked. But you should have seen Princess last night. She was beside herself with worry. She’s been having a terrible time ever since Sunset was taken prisoner. Of course, she was glad to have her father home safely, but she can’t forget how DurPlunk catnapped him. She didn’t think she would ever see her father alive again.

Yes, that was a hard time for all of us, Samson agreed. But DurPlunk won’t be able to hurt her or her family ever again. Whatever we do, I will make sure of that!

That’s why I think we are making the best decision, Panther said. We can’t take any chances. We must do what is best for all of us. Sunset is a good ruler. But sometimes, he has too much compassion for others.

I am not sure there is such a thing as too much compassion, Samson replied.

Perhaps you are right, but I must think of my fiancé, Panther responded. It hurts me that she still dwells on how close her father came to being killed. You didn’t hear her. When she found out her father’s plan, she begged me to get rid of DurPlunk for good. She doesn’t want any chance of ever seeing him again. If it was up to her, I think she would impose the death sentence on him. What we’re doing isn’t so bad. Besides, it’s not like he hasn’t been on Earth before. He knows his way around. Surely, this time, the other Sphynx cats won’t be so daring as to take a ship back to Earth to rescue him.

Yes, DurPlunk had been on Earth before. After the battle where DurPlunk had gathered his allies to fight the Royals in his attempt to overthrow them and take over as the ruler of Katonia, Sunset had exiled him to Earth. DurPlunk had been miserable being sent to such a forlorn and primitive planet. He had been very grateful when his soldiers, Sharvol and Evolina, had come to rescue him. Feeling a great hatred for Sunset and what he had done to him, DurPlunk had plotted to get even with him. He had catnapped Sunset, thinking that he would eventually kill him. But that hadn’t happened, and DurPlunk thought perhaps it was good that he hadn’t gone through with his plan. He knew that once he killed Sunset, there would be no chance to escape the death penalty.

When Sunset had told him that he was being exiled to live beyond the river and the coyotes, he began to think he was wrong. Perhaps it would have been better had he killed Sunset! Still, he supposed being exiled to any place on Katonia was better than being sent back to Earth. He was smart enough to eventually figure out a way to get back to his tribe.

In the cargo hold of the small ship, DurPlunk hadn’t quite yet figured out where he was really being sent. The former leader of the Sphynx would have only worried more had he known.

Even though DurPlunk had previously led the Sphynx, he was a Maine Coon cat. He had abandoned his own tribe long ago and had gone to live with the Sphynx. The Sphynx were happy to take him in, seeing how the other cats all rejected them because of their lack of fur, thinking that the Sphynx cats must have some contagious disease that made their hair fall out.

That theory should have been proved wrong long ago. DurPlunk had lived with them a long time, and he still had his beautiful thick gray fur.

Sunset had come to realize that an injustice had been done to the Sphynx and had tried to make amends with the tribe’s new leader, Botalia. But Botalia didn’t see how he could atone for something that had been going on for so long. She had rejected Sunset’s apologies, and there was still animosity between the Sphynx and the good tribes of Katonia.

Samson thought about what Panther had said. He agreed with him. He didn’t think that the Sphynx cats would be likely to try to bring DurPlunk back to Katonia again.

I would highly doubt that any of the Sphynx would be brave enough to make another rescue mission to Earth. I’m not even sure there will be anyone left on Katonia who is close enough to DurPlunk who would want to risk it anyway, Samson said. You and I agree on that point whole-heartedly. I don’t think anyone will be trying to rescue him any time soon. The likelihood of a Sphynx coming for a ship now is very slim, especially since Sunset is being even more vigilant in making sure that the ships are guarded at all times. In the past, we were too lax in trusting that no one would take the ships unless they had a good reason. I have to admit that I feel a bit guilty about not having taken more security precautions. I feel as if I shirked my duties. That makes what I’m doing now all the harder. I’m going against what Sunset asked me to do. That’s bad enough. But I can’t tell you how responsible I feel about all of this. Had I told Sunset to be more vigilant in guarding all of the ships long before he was catnapped, then I wouldn’t have to disobey his instructions now. I still don’t know if we’re making the right decision.

I know you still have your doubts, but I truly believe we are doing the right thing. It’s also consoling to know that security has been increased, Panther said. Now, I know for sure that no one will be able to get a ship to go and rescue DurPlunk again. This time, he will stay put on Earth, exactly where he deserves to be!

Yes, but do the Earthlings deserve him? Samson asked.

That’s a whole other ball of yarn, Panther answered. There’s not much that DurPlunk can do to them, though. Cats on Earth can’t even speak. I can’t imagine that he will stir up much trouble there. How could he?

It must be such a primitive planet, Samson said. It does feel like we’re being exceptionally cruel. Perhaps that’s why Sunset chose to exile DurPlunk on our own planet, but I suspect it’s more because of the deal he made with DurPlunk when he was in captivity.

Awe, yes, the deal to not exile DurPlunk to Earth again, Panther replied. I do wish that Sunset wouldn’t have made any deals with that vile cat at all.

He was in a very dangerous situation, as you and I both know. His paws were tied, Samson reminded him.

DurPlunk tied him up in addition to locking him in the cave? Panther inquired. I hadn’t heard about that. Poor Sunset! He must have been miserable!

No, his paws weren’t really tied. I just meant that he didn’t have any other choice, Samson explained.

Awe, yes, I have heard that expression before, Panther said. It was just that since Sunset had been held prisoner, I thought perhaps his paws really had been tied.

No, thankfully, that wasn’t the case, Samson replied. Still, I think the bargain he made was the best he could do, but you and I both know that Sunset is a cat of his word. He will not go against what he promised DurPlunk. That’s another thing that gets under my fur about what we’re doing. We’re making Sunset break a promise, and that’s something that he’s never done before!

No, we aren’t, Panther insisted. He isn’t the one who’s breaking his word. We’re the ones who are breaking it! Sunset has no idea that we’re taking DurPlunk back to Earth.

And he won’t, not unless he checks the ship’s registry, Samson said. As you know, it would tell him exactly where we’ve been.

Sunset has no need to go anywhere in a ship anytime soon, Panther assured him. By the time he ever takes another space flight, even if he sees that the ship went to Earth, he’ll just think someone went to visit Bootsie and Soxy.

Bootsie and Soxy were two Maine Coon cats who were very close to the Royals. They were torn between two worlds. Long ago when DurPlunk had made the fateful decision to bring a sickly human to Katonia to weaken the humans who helped the Royals, things had gotten out of paw quickly. The humans became very ill, and the virus rapidly spread to all of the villages. Sadly, most of the humans died. Even DurPlunk’s own human servants had been killed by the virus.

At least, Harold had survived. Harold was a human who had lived in the Maine Coon village. He had been a very close friend to Bootsie and Soxy, and to their whole family also. When humans started getting ill, Bootsie and Soxy sent Harold away, not wanting him to get sick. They feared for a long time that he had died also. It wasn’t until recently that he had made his way back to their village and they had seen that he was healthy. He had wanted to go home for a long time, but he had been hesitant to do so. It wasn’t until his friend, Ricky, introduced him to an elderly rabbit named Granny that things had changed. Ricky was Granny’s grandbunny.

Granny knew about a berry that grew on a flower called the fluffy cat’s tail. The flower had gotten its name because of blue petals that drooped down and resembled a fluffy cat tail. Granny told Harold that the berries that grew on the flower had a powerful effect on the immune system. Harold ate them and trusted Granny. He ate many along his journey home. Sure enough, they made him strong and healthy. He was able to resume his life in the Maine Coon village. He no longer had to fear any alien germs that he might encounter.

Harold wasn’t the only human on Katonia now, though. Recently, two more humans had returned from being in hiding. Their names were Brenda and Arthur. Prior to fleeing, they had lived with the Abyssinians. A blue jay had spotted them as she was flying on the outskirts of the villages, looking for news to spread. Blue jays liked to sing news from the treetops.

Cautiously, Bella flew to the humans and asked who they were. She was excited to learn that they were from the Abyssinian village. She quickly told them about another human who had recently returned. She said that they must go to the Maine Coon village and find Harold, letting them know that Harold had found a berry that was keeping him healthy. Unfortunately, Bella had forgotten the name of the berry. Was it a squishy cat’s toe berry? No, that wasn’t it. A scratchy cat’s whisker berry? No, not that either.

You must go speak with Harold! Bella had told them. He will remember what that berry is called, and he will help you find it. Be careful to stay away from others until you find him. And eat those berries!

Brenda and Arthur thanked Bella. They hurried to the Maine Coon village. Bella spent the rest of the day racking her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember the name of the berry. Was it an itchy cat’s claw berry? A fuzzy cat’s tail berry? It was useless. She was never going to remember!

When Brenda and Arthur got to the Maine Coon village, they had found a gray cat named Shadow. They told him who they were looking for.

This is so exciting! Never on Katonia did I expect to find more humans! Shadow had said excitedly. I shall go and get Harold at once!

And that was what he did.

Harold was equally excited to learn that there were more survivors. He showed Brenda and Arthur the fluffy cat’s tail berries, and they ate a handful. They also soon became strong and healthy. Now, they had nothing to fear from any alien viruses.

But it wasn’t just Harold, Brenda and Arthur on Katonia now. There were other humans also. After the Katonian humans died, DurPlunk had wanted more humans. He had taken the mother ship to Earth and had abducted many humans, this time seeking out healthy ones. It had taken an intertribal battle to free the humans and to defeat DurPlunk and the Sphynx. DurPlunk had even had raccoons fighting with him. Other tribes had helped the Royals. Ravens, ferrets, foxes and several cat tribes all sent soldiers to fight. It was a battle that would no doubt be spoken about for generations to come.

When the humans had been freed, they had been sent to live in various feline villages. Prior to the battle, the mother ship had been disabled and couldn’t fly for a Katonian year, or two Earth years. Disabling the mother ship had been a difficult decision to make, but it was the only thing that Sunset felt he could do at the time. He had heard that DurPlunk had been making plans to go back to Earth and abduct even more humans. There had been no choice but to push the remote button and disable the ship. So even after the humans were rescued from the Sphynx, they still couldn’t go home to Earth. That’s how the Earth humans came to settle down with the good cat tribes, slowly coming to trust their new feline friends and trying to forget the cruel Sphynx who had held them prisoners upon their arrival to Katonia.

When the mother ship was ready to make a return voyage to Earth, many of the humans wanted to go home, but some chose to stay on Katonia. Those were the humans who theoretically still posed a danger to Harold, Brenda and Arthur. But with the help of the fluffy cat’s tail berries, everyone was doing very well. There were plenty of the berries growing around Katonia. The three humans ate a few every day to keep themselves healthy.

One of the humans who had chosen to return to Earth was named Sarah. She had also become very close to Bootsie and Soxy, so much so that when she decided to return to Earth, they decided to go find her and live with her.

They had been called back to Katonia when Sunset was catnapped. Seeing their friends and family again and being reunited with Harold, it was hard to leave Katonia. The two brothers felt like they belonged in both worlds. All they would be able to do would be to travel back and forth, going from one planet to another whenever they got too homesick for whichever world they weren’t currently on.

Samson thought about what Panther told him.

You may be right, he said. Sunset knows that Bootsie and Soxy have friends who will want to go and visit them, especially Silverbell. It’s logical that he will think that’s what the ship was used for. Still, we had better make sure that Sunset doesn’t go anywhere near the ships for a while. We need enough time to pass. I cringe to think how he would react if he found out what we have done!

He was speaking as if their mission was over and DurPlunk was already exiled on Earth.

He won’t find out, Panther assured him. It’s the best thing we can do. I only hope that Bootsie and Soxy don’t have to deal with DurPlunk anymore.

Earth is a large planet. Perhaps we should take him to another continent, Samson suggested.

No, we must stick to the same place as before, Panther disagreed. Then, if Sunset does ever see the registry, it will make more sense. It will convince him for sure that someone went to visit Bootsie and Soxy.

Now, why didn’t I think of that? Samson asked. Sometimes, I worry that I’m losing my ability to think things through thoroughly. That isn’t good, seeing how I’m the High Advisor!

Don’t worry so much, Panther said. You’re a great High Advisor. Everyone thinks so, including Sunset. We’ve all been under an enormous amount of stress with all of the trouble that DurPlunk has caused. It’s bound to affect us and keep us from always making the best decisions. That’s why you must trust me on this. I know in my heart that we’re doing the right thing.

So, how do you think our passengers are doing? Samson asked.

I’m sure they are very upset, Panther answered. I know I would be! Surely by now, they have figured out where they are going. They’re smart enough to know that we should have been to our planned destination by now if we were indeed taking them beyond the coyotes. It has to be nerve-racking for them. It even makes me nervous. Knowing that I’m only going to Earth to drop off the four of them, I’m still anxious to have it over with and return to our own planet.

DurPlunk wasn’t the only prisoner being exiled to Earth. His three soldiers who had helped him catnap Sunset and hold Katonia’s ruler hostage were being exiled also. At least, DurPlunk wouldn’t be alone.

Rantossen was DurPlunk’s most faithful soldier. He was with DurPlunk, Evolina and Sharvol. The cargo hold was much smaller on this ship than it was on the mother ship. Still, there was room for the four prisoners, even if the space was a bit cramped.

DurPlunk looked at his friends and wondered how he had gotten into this mess. Yes, he had done things to make the Royals angry. He supposed if he was them, he would have punished them even more severely. Still, this wasn’t right. He still believed that he should be the rightful ruler of Katonia. If asked why, he would have had a difficult time coming up with an answer.

Because I’m DurPlunk! That’s why! would have most likely been his answer.

That answer wouldn’t be good enough for the other cats. But why should the Persians and Siamese get to be Royals? They only held their position because that’s how things had always been. Perhaps things had always been wrong!

DurPlunk didn’t regret leaving the Maine Coons. He had felt like nothing more than a commoner when he had lived in their village. There, he had been just like all the others. No, he needed to stand out! He knew he was too special to be like everyone else.

So, he had chosen the Sphynx. With their lack of fur, he would naturally stand out with his beautiful thick gray hair. Of course, he hadn’t told the Sphynx that was why he wanted to join their tribe. He used the fact that they felt like outcasts to convince them to let him become one of their tribe members.

See? I don’t reject you simply because you don’t have fur! he had said to them.

The Sphynx had eaten it up, and DurPlunk had found his place. The Sphynx had even been so grateful for his acceptance of them that a blue-eyed Sphynx named Benototh had relinquished his position as leader to DurPlunk.

Benototh wasn’t just good at leading. He was also a good navigator and had helped DurPlunk on his mission to abduct humans from Earth. He had been glad to do so. DurPlunk was his friend. He was grateful that the gray Maine Coon accepted him and his tribe as they were.

So, DurPlunk had held onto his power until the battle had come. He had acquired valuable allies. As much as he had liked all of the attention, it hadn’t been enough for DurPlunk. He really wanted to rule Katonia. Being leader of a single tribe simply wasn’t enough for him. That had been the basis for all of the nasty things he had done. Things escalated until it led to a war.

After the battle between the tribes and after DurPlunk was captured, Benototh felt defeated. He didn’t want to resume his position as leader of the Sphynx, so he chose to stay out of the moonlight. That was the Katonian expression that meant the same thing as staying out of the limelight. He had made no move to return to his position as leader. When Botalia took over in DurPlunk’s absence, Benototh had no problems in letting someone else lead his tribe.

Over time, a few Sphynx cats had actually become DurPlunk’s friends. DurPlunk was closest to Rantossen. He was glad that if he had to endure this, he at least had his friends with him.

But now, it seemed like everything his friends had done to help him had all been for nothing. DurPlunk was being exiled again. What was worse was that he was beginning to suspect that he was headed back to Earth. Even though Sunset had promised DurPlunk that he wouldn’t send him back to that despicable planet, it was taking much too long for them to be going anywhere else. He was almost positive about what was happening. So much for Sunset being a cat of his word!

That lousy liar! DurPlunk shouted and spat on the floor.

I assume you’re talking about Sunset, Rantossen said.

His voice sounded defeated. He had figured out where he was going and couldn’t believe how wrong everything had gone.

Who else?! DurPlunk replied.

We should have killed him when we had a chance! Sharvol said. But we didn’t. And you know why not?

He glared at DurPlunk. He was angry at his friend for getting him into this mess.

Why are you looking at me like that? DurPlunk asked. It’s not me who you should be angry with. It’s Sunset!

Oh, really?! Sharvol asked sarcastically. You don’t think you’ve done anything wrong?

As a matter of fact, no. I don’t think I have, DurPlunk answered.

Well then, let me enlighten you, Sharvol said, still sounding sarcastic. Remember I just asked you a question. I asked you why we didn’t kill Sunset when we had a chance. Does that fry your fish?

He was using a common expression. It meant the same thing as, Does that ring a bell?

Is there anything you can think of as to why I would be angry with you and ask you that question? Sharvol added.

Stop playing games and get to the point, DurPlunk snapped. This is a miserable journey. The last thing I care to do is to play guessing games with you!

He hadn’t realized how angry his friend was with him. They had been making the trip in silence. He figured that everyone was simply too depressed to say anything.

Well, excuse the fur off of my paws! Sharvol said. I didn’t think there was any rush to end the conversation. After all, it’s not like we’re getting off this ship anytime soon. And when we do, we’ll probably wish we were back on this ship, seeing where we’re going!

You’re getting off track again, Evolina stated. I would very much like to know why we didn’t kill Sunset when we had a chance. I know I would have enjoyed doing so very much!

Sharvol gave Evolina an exasperated look.

Whose side are you on? he asked.

What do you mean, ‘whose side am I on?’ Evolina inquired. I’m asking a legitimate question. I agree with DurPlunk. You should answer your question already!

Sharvol let out an exhausted sigh.

I’m the only one here with a brain, he said.

Hey! I resent that! Evolina stated. I should claw your eyes out right now!

Go ahead, DurPlunk said. We have nothing else to entertain us. Don’t expect me or Rantossen to jump in and break up your cat fight. It might be amusing to watch you two claw it out.

Speak for yourself, Sharvol said. I am not in the mood to fight. Evolina loses control much too easily. Just chill already!

I should at least get an apology, Evolina replied. If you say you’re sorry for insulting me, then I won’t claw your eyes out. For now…

Would it be that simple? He remembered not so long ago when Evolina thought he had called her fat. She had started a fight even when he tried to explain what he had said. He still didn’t see how saying that she had a large appetite was the equivalent of calling her fat!

Fine, I’m sorry, Sharvol apologized. It’s just this whole trip has me so upset!

As it does all of us, Rantossen said. Now, will you please answer your question?

What question? Sharvol asked.

The stress of the trip was making his mind wander.

Why didn’t we kill Sunset when we had the chance?! the other three cats screamed in unison.

Oh, that! Sharvol replied.

Yes, that! Rantossen shouted.

Well, I’ll tell you, Sharvol said. It’s all DurPlunk’s fault.

"My fault?!" DurPlunk asked incredulously.

Yes, it’s your fault! Sharvol accused him.

For Katonia’s sake, why?! DurPlunk questioned.

Because I remember that Evolina and I were ready to do it, but you kept telling us to wait. ‘Not yet,’ you said. So, we waited. And where did it get us? Sunset is still alive. No harm came to him. But now, the four of us are headed to Earth, and I don’t even want to think of what horrors wait for us there, Sharvol answered.

Hmmm, Rantossen said. I think maybe Sharvol has a point. This does sound like it might be your fault, DurPlunk.

You too?’ DurPlunk replied. You are my most faithful soldier. You were the one who sent for me and rescued me. Now, you’re turning on me also?"

I’m not turning on you, Rantossen said. I’m just saying that if you had let them kill Sunset, we probably wouldn’t be here now.

You’re right, DurPlunk agreed. We probably wouldn’t be here. We’d most likely be dead. When the other cats caught us, they would have had us executed.

What?! You knew that, and you still planned to kill him?! Evolina nearly screamed.

I wasn’t planning on getting caught. I thought the point was moot, DurPlunk explained.

Well, it would have at least been nice to let us in on what you knew, Evolina said. After all, we were all taking a risk together. I agree with Sharvol. This is all your fault!

I can see this trip is going to be even longer than I feared it would be, DurPlunk observed. You can all be angry with me if you want, but there is one thing I would like to point out.

Yeah, what’s that? Evolina asked in an annoyed tone.

I’m the only one here who has had to live on Earth, DurPlunk responded, now completely sure that was where they were headed. If you want to have any chance at all of surviving, perhaps instead of placing blame on me and yelling at me, time would be better suited talking about what we will do once we get to Earth. You will need my expertise to survive on a foreign planet.

Evolina shivered, and a tear slipped down her face. Deep down, she had more fear than resentment. She was terrified at the fate that awaited her. Like everyone else, she had figured out that it was taking much too long to be going anywhere on Katonia. Where else could they possibly be headed? It had to be that primitive planet called Earth!

I don’t want to go to Earth! Evolina cried. It’s not fair!

There, there, Evolina, Rantossen said. Everything will be alright. I’m sure we won’t be on Earth for long. Someone will come and rescue us.

But all four cats knew there was only a slim chance of that. None of the other Sphynx would be brave enough to risk a flight to Earth to find them. They were on their own. Whatever fate awaited them, they would have to take it on together.

I’m sure he’s right, DurPlunk said. But just in case it takes a while, let me help you when we get to Earth. I was your leader on Katonia. I don’t see why that should change. I will lead you on Earth also.

The cats sat in silence for a few minutes.

I’m sorry I started trouble, Sharvol finally said. I still think you’re to blame, but the truth is that all four of us were in this together from the beginning. We can’t turn on each other now. You’re right. We must stick together if we are going to survive on a foreign planet! I’m sure with your knowledge from your past experience on Earth, we will all be fine.

Again, they sat silently for a few more minutes.

I was just wondering, Evolina pulled herself together and broke the silence. Is it true about the Earth cats?

What about them? DurPlunk asked.

They can’t speak? Evolina inquired.

Not a word, DurPlunk confirmed. Having a conversation with them is very one-sided. It’s rather like talking to a wall on one of our huts!

Or talking to a lizard maybe, Sharvol added.

Lizards were one of the few species on Katonia who couldn’t speak. They were also loners and were spread out all over Katonia. Many of the other tribes didn’t believe that the lizards were really mute. They thought that they simply chose not to talk. DurPlunk and his friends were among those who thought that the lizards were more capable than they really were.

It’s not the same thing, DurPlunk insisted. Lizards can talk.

Yes, but they choose not to! Sharvol replied. It’s the same thing. Talking to an Earth cat is the same as talking to a lizard!

DurPlunk had a sudden desire to swat him. He didn’t know why. He figured it was just the lousy mood he was in. Sharvol was one of his friends, but DurPlunk needed someone to take his frustrations out on. He knew that swatting Sharvol would only make matters worse, though. Fighting with his friend wouldn’t solve their problem. He let out a sigh and resisted the urge to growl.

Unbelievable! Evolina said. I should pity the Earth cats. But right now, it’s hard to pity anyone but myself.

Well, I don’t pity them, DurPlunk replied. They can do what they want. I only care about what happens to us.

The truth was that he mostly only cared about what happened to himself, but it did comfort him to know that he would have his friends with him. So, he didn’t want anything bad to happen to them either. It would be terribly lonely to be exiled all alone on Earth again. He had gone through that once before.

A family had found him when he had been sent to Earth the first time. They took him in and let him live in their house, thinking he was a stray cat. But DurPlunk couldn’t even talk to them, so it didn’t help his loneliness. It wasn’t a good idea to let humans on Earth know that he could speak. He feared that they would send him to other humans who would want to do experiments on him to try to figure out how he could talk. So, he had exercised his right to remain silent.

It wasn’t like it was a huge loss. The humans had been annoying, and DurPlunk hadn’t grown fond of them anyway. He had tolerated them because they provided him with food and safety, at least most of the time. There had been that visit to those vile humans they called a vet and his assistants. DurPlunk had barely been able to contain himself and not tear the vet’s face off when he was jabbed with a needle! Still, DurPlunk knew that he needed the humans, so he had refrained from attacking them. Perhaps now, he wouldn’t need to rely on any humans. He had his three Sphynx friends with him. Surely, the four of them could find a way to survive on their own. Maybe this time wouldn’t be as bad as before.

Who was he kidding? DurPlunk knew that this time would be horrible also. The only thing that gave him a slight hope was thinking that Samson and Panther might possibly drop him off in the same place where he had been dropped off before. Then, he would be able to find Bootsie and Soxy. He might not be able to change much about his situation, but maybe he could at least get some revenge on those goodie-four-paws. They had helped to capture him when they rescued Sunset, after all. Yes, they deserved