Warrior Cats: Into the Cosmos
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Firepaw gently guided his ship onto the flat expanse of worn white stone. Graypaw and Ravenpaw landed beside him. Next to them, a squadron of Thunder Fleet elders, queens, and soldiers waited alongside their ships for Bluestar to escort them.
Firepaw had not seen this place since his first journey with Lionheart and Tigerclaw. The water-covered planet looked different now. The tide retreated enough to expose smooth white stones, and what had at first been a lonely impact crater with four indescribably tall trees alone on the planet now revealed itself as a large mountain. Most of it was still submerged, and the white stone pathways carved into and built out of its slopes showed years of cycled damage and repairs. Roots from the trees moulded themselves with the structures, giving some areas a striped appearance. At one point, it must have been a city. Firepaw wondered what lay deep below the mountain, but not even the River Fleet dared to venture too far below the surface in their all terrain ships. It was beyond the light of the Star Fleet, which meant it was far beyond their protection.
The air was thick with the warm scents of cats from the other Fleets. Firepaw could see them quite clearly in the moonlight, emphasized against the white stones as he ascended the stairs. One of the elders began to explain how they landed their ships on a building that used to be a university. Another argued it had once been a hospital. Neither were sure how far from the base of the mountain the water came to rest. The steps werenât too long, maybe only equivalent to three or four flights of stairs, and once they reached the indented mountain top Firepaw tried to crane his neck to see the tops of the oaks. A meteorite sat in the center of the crater, shimmering with a reflective dark stone. It had been carved into and smoothed on the top so the leaders could make their announcements from it once the time came.
âLook at all those cats!â hissed Ravenpaw under his breath as he removed his helmet. He was careful where he placed his paws, avoiding the snake heâd just painted on the side of it before they left.
âThereâs Crookedstar!â Graypaw hissed back. âRiver Fleetâs captain.â
âWhere?â Firepaw mewed, nudging Graypaw impatiently.
âThat light-colored tabby, beside the Meteorite.â
Firepaw followed Graypawâs nod and saw a huge tom, even bigger than Lionheart, standing in the clearing in a cream colored robe and making small talk with the surrounding fleet members. A four pointed star pin on his lapel shimmered when he walked. He did not wear the same deep blue fleet uniforms the other River Fleet cats had on. His were loose garments accented only by the deep blue trim, ending at his knees. Where his robe ended, a deep blue undershirt matching the Fleet uniform shade covered his arms as well as a nice pair of pants in the same shade. His boots were black and unremarkable. It was the same as the outfit Bluestar now wore, though hers was a deep green instead of shades of blue. Neither brought along a pilotâs helmet. Even from this distance, Crookedstarâs face showed the signs of a harsh life. His mouth look twisted, as if it had once been broken and had healed badly.
âHey!â mewed Graypaw. âDid you see Sandpaw spit when I told her I hoped she had a nice evening at home?â
âYou bet!â Firepaw purred, flicking his tail mischievously.
Ravenpaw interrupted them with a low growl. âLook! Thereâs BrokenstarâShadow Fleetâs captain.â
Firepaw looked over to the Meteorite, and on it stood a dark brown tabby. He wore his ceremonial robe on his shoulders, leaving the front open to show an all black uniform beneath, interrupted only by the cream accent lines running down his sides. His fur was unusually long and his face was broad and flattened. There was a stillness in the way he stood and stared around him that made Firepawâs fur prickle uncomfortably.
âHe looks pretty nasty,â Firepaw muttered.
âYeah,â agreed Graypaw. âHeâs certainly got a reputation among all the Fleets for not suffering fools gladly. And heâs not been in charge that longâfour moons, ever since his father, Raggedstar, died.â
âWhat does the captain of the Wind Fleet look like?â Firepaw asked.
âTallstar? Iâve never seen him, but I know heâs black and white with a very long tail,â answered Graypaw.
âCan you see him now?â asked Ravenpaw.
Graypaw peered around, searching the crowd of cats gathered in the crater. âNope!â
âCan you see any Wind Fleet cats?â Firepaw asked.
Graypaw shook his head. âNope. Theyâd be in purple.â
Lionheartâs meow sounded softly beside them. âThe Wind Fleet may just be late.â
âBut what if they donât turn up at all?â mewed Graypaw.
âHush! We must all be patient. These are difficult times. Now keep quiet. Bluestar will give the signal to descend into the crater soon,â Lionheart meowed quietly.
As he spoke, Bluestar reached the top of the steps and approached the rim of the impact crater. She nodded subtly, and the Thunder Fleet cats began to descend. Firepawâs heart missed a beat as he raced alongside them, marveling at the bootprints that had worn down the layers of roots and stones into clear paths, steps, and seating. The other Fleet cats looked even more impressive close up, milling around the Meteorite. A large white furred soldier in a black uniform strode past. Firepaw and Ravenpaw looked at him in awe.
âLook at his paws!â Ravenpaw murmured.
Firepaw looked to the paws of the great tom, realizing what he thought were gloves was actually jet black fur.
âIt must be Blackstep,â mewed Graypaw. âShadow Fleetâs new deputy.â
Blackstep stalked over to Brokenstar and stood beside him, his uniform looking a matte dark grey next to the shiny black of the meteorite. The Shadow Fleet captain acknowledged him with a twitch of one ear, but said nothing.
âWhen does the meeting begin?â Ravenpaw asked Whitestorm. He was one of the only cats carrying their helmet, having wanted to show off the new paint on the side, but Firepaw could see he was beginning to regret it at the sight of the crowd.
âBe patient, Ravenpaw,â he answered. âThe sky is clear tonight, so we have plenty of time.â
Lionheart leaned over and added, âWe pilots like to spend a little time boasting about our victories, while the mechanics or other station workers swap advice or tales of the ancient days before the Twolegs came here.â All three apprentices looked up at him and saw his whiskers twitch mischievously.
Dappletail, One-eye, and Smallear headed straight off toward a group of elderly cats who were sitting among the roots of one of the oak trees. Whitestorm and Lionheart strolled over to another pair of pilots whom Firepaw did not know. Their blue uniforms made it clear they were from the River Fleet.
Bluestarâs voice sounded behind the three apprentices. âDonât waste any of your time tonight,â she warned. âThis is a good opportunity to meet your enemies. Listen to them; remember what they look like and how they behave. There is a great deal to be learned from these meetings.â
âAnd say little,â warned Tigerclaw. âDonât give anything away that might be used against us once the moon has waned.â
âDonât worry, we wonât!â Firepaw promised hastily, looking into Tigerclawâs eyes. The feeling that Tigerclaw didnât trust his loyalty lingered with him still.
The two pilots nodded and moved on, and the apprentices were left alone. They looked at each other.
âWhat do we do now?â Firepaw asked.
âWhat they said,â replied Ravenpaw with a shrug. âListen.â
âAnd donât say too much,â Graypaw chimed in.
Firepaw nodded gravely. âIâm going to see where Tigerclaw went,â he mewed.
âWell, Iâm going to find Lionheart,â mewed Graypaw. âYou coming, Ravenpaw?â
âNo, thanks,â Ravenpaw replied, inspecting the painting on his helmet to make sure it had dried. âIâm going to find some of the other apprentices.â
âOkay, weâll meet up later,â Firepaw gave them both a nod before trotting off in the direction Tigerclaw had taken.
He followed Tigerclawâs booming voice easily and found him standing in the center of a group of huge soldiers by the Meteorite. He was speaking and waving his paws wildly for emphasis.
It was a tale Firepaw had heard many times at camp. Tigerclaw was describing his recent battle against the River Fleet squadron. âI wrestled like a Lion. Three soldiers tried to hold me but I threw them off and disarmed them all!â He swung his arms into the air with this, earning gasps from the crowd. âI fought them paw to paw until two lay knocked out and the other had run off to its ship like a kit crying for its mother.â
This time Tigerclaw didnât mention killing Oakheart in vengeance for Redtailâs death. Firepaw decided it was perhaps so he doesnât offend the River Fleet members.
Firepaw listened politely to the end of the story, but a familiar snide voice caught his attention as he walked off. Longtail was sauntering towards him with a few other young pilots in tow. He flashed a sneer that exposed his missing tooth. âNotice anything, Firepaw?â Firepaw had enough sense not to point out the hole in Longtailâs smile. Thankfully, the pilot didnât wait for an answer. He leaned closer, flicking his torn ear. A glint of metal shimmered in the moonlight. âSome River Fleet cat pierced it for me.â The sandy tabby looked back at the pilots following him, nodding proudly. âDidnât even flinch.â
Firepaw looked at the silver piercing, genuinely admiring it and wondering how it had felt. He opened his mouth, about to remark that Yellowfang had similar piercings in her ear, but clamped his muzzle shut upon remembering her status as a prisoner was still secret.
Another voice chimed in. âYou better take care of it, those can get infected easily when theyâre new,â Spottedleaf walked up behind Firepaw and flicked her tail. âWouldnât want to lose any more of your ear.â
Unimpressed by the comment, Longtailâs ears flattened and he clenched his jaw as the River Fleet pilots around him snickered. He muttered something about wanting to meet the River Fleet deputy before storming off.
âHeâs brave to keep picking on you, considering what happened last time,â Spottedleaf purred, placing her paws on her hips as she watched Longtail retreat. âGraypaw was looking for you.â Then, leaning down to whisper, she added, âYou make sure he doesnât speak so loudly when he talks about the other clans, alright?â Her whiskers twitched in amusement.
âOf course!â Firepaw agreed, wondering to himself what trouble Graypaw was getting himself into this time. He scampered off towards where Spottedleaf directed him, eventually spotting Graypaw sitting on a large root nearby a cluster of various Fleet toms. âStill no sign of Wind Fleet,â he called out to his friend as he approached.
âThe meeting hasnât begun yet; they may still come,â replied his friend. âLook, thereâs Runningnose. Heâs the new lead Shadow Fleet doctor, apparently.â He nodded toward a small gray-and-white cat at the center of the group wearing a cream colored medic uniform with dark gray accents.
âI can see why they call him Runningnose,â Firepaw remarked. The medicâs nose was wet at the tip and enscrusted around the edges.
âYep,â replied Graypaw with a scornful growl. âI canât see why they appointed him when he canât even cure his own cold!â Graypaw looked thoughtful for a moment before adding, âDo you think thatâs his real name, or just a nickname heâs stuck with?â
Firepaw didnât answer, he was too busy listening to the doctor speak. Runningnose was telling the cats about an herb that the medics used to use in the old days to cure kitten-cough. âSince the Twolegs came and destroyed the planets they grew on, covering it with hard earth and strange flowers,â he complained in a high-pitched yowl, âthe herb has disappeared, and kittens die needlessly!â
The cats gathered around him yowled their disapproval.
âIt never would have happened in the time of the Great Cats,â growled a black River Fleet queen.
âIndeed,â mewled a silver tabby. âThe Great Cats would have killed any Twoleg that dared enter their territory. If Tigers roamed these planets still, Twolegs would not have built this far into our galaxies.â
Then Firepaw heard Spottedleafâs quiet mew, not having realized she followed him. âIf Tigers still roamed these planets, we would hardly have made our territory here, either.â
âWhatâs a Great Cat?â mewed a small voice beside them. Firepaw noticed a little tabby apprentice from one of the other fleets, his black uniform baggy on his frame.
âThe Great Cats used to rule the galaxies,â Graypaw explained quietly. âThe Tiger was a cat of the night, bigger than Twolegs, with jet-black stripes. Then there was the Lion. TheyâreâŚâ Graypaw hesitated, frowning as he tried to remember.
âOh! Iâve heard of them,â mewed the little tabby. âThey were as big as Tigers, with yellow fur and golden manes like the rays of a sun.â
Graypaw nodded. âAnd then there was another one, a spotty cat or something like thatâŚâ
âI suspect youâre thinking of the Leopard, young Graypaw,â meowed a deep voice from behind them.
âLionheart!â Graypaw greeted his mentor with an enthusiastic wave.
Lionheart shook his head in mock despair. âDonât you youngsters know your history? The Leopard was the swiftest of the cats, huge and golden, spotted with black pawprints. You can thank the Leopard for the speed and hunting skills you now possess.â
âThank them? Why?â asked the tabby.
Lionheart gazed down at the little apprentice, âThere is a trace of all the Great Cats in every cat today. We would not be so quick minded without our Tiger ancestors, and our love for the planets comes from the Lion.â He paused. âYou are a Shadow Fleet apprentice, arenât you? How many moons are you?â
The tabby stared awkwardly down at the ground, shoving his paws into his oversized pockets. âS-six moons,â he stammered, not meeting Lionheartâs eye.
âRather small for six moons,â Lionheart murmured. His tone was gentle, but his gaze was searching and serious.
âMy mother was small too,â answered the tabby nervously. He bowed slightly and backed away, disappearing into the crowd of cats with a twitch of his light brown tail. His boots scuffed awkwardly, too big for his paws.
Lionheart turned to Firepaw and Graypaw. âWell, he might be small, but at least he was curious. If only you two showed as much interest in the stories your elders tell!â
âSorry, Lionheart,â Firepaw and Graypaw mewed, exchanging doubtful glances.
Lionheart grunted good-naturedly. âOh, go away, the pair of you! Next time I hope Bluestar decides to bring apprentices who appreciate what they hear.â And with a half-hearted growl he chased them away from the group.
âCome on,â purred Graypaw as they leaped away. âLetâs see where Ravenpawâs gotten to.â
Ravenpaw was in the middle of a group of apprentices who were clamoring for him to tell them about the battle with River Fleet.
âGo on, Ravenpaw, tell us what happened!â called a pretty black-and-white she-cat.
Ravenpaw shyly shuffled his paws and shook his head, clutching his helmet to his chest.
âCome on, Ravenpaw!â insisted another.
Ravenpaw sheepishly looked around and saw Firepaw and Graypaw at the edge of the crowd. Firepaw nodded encouragingly, and Graypaw raised him two thumbs up. Ravenpaw flicked his tail in acknowledgement and began his story.
He stumbled a bit at first, but as he continued, the tremor disappeared from his voice and his audience leaned in, their eyes growing wider.
âFur was flying everywhere. Blood spattered the stone paths, bright red against the dusty floor. Iâd just fought off a huge soldier and sent him squealing back to his ship when the ground shook, and I heard a soldier scream.â Ravenpaw raised his helmet above his head. âIt was Oakheart! Redtail raced past me, blood covering his torn uniform. âOakheart is dead!â he howled. Then he rushed off to help Tigerclaw as he fought another pilot.â
âWho would have thought Ravenpaw was such a good storyteller,â Graypaw murmured to Firepaw, sounding impressed.
But Firepaw was thinking of something else. What was it Ravenpaw had said? That Redtail had killed Oakheart? But according to Tigerclaw, Oakheart had killed Redtail and he, Tigerclaw, had killed Oakheart in revenge.
âIf Redtail killed Oakheart, who killed Redtail?â Firepaw hissed to Graypaw.
âIf who did what?â Graypaw echoed absentmindedly. He was only half listening to Firepaw.
Firepaw shook his head to clear it. He assured himself that Ravenpaw must have been mistaken. He must have meant Tigerclaw.
Ravenpaw was coming to the end of his story. âFinally, Redtail dragged the wailing cat off Tigerclaw by his tail and, with the strength of an entire fleet, flung him into a nearby wall.â
A moving shadow caught Firepawâs eye. He glanced around and saw Tigerclaw standing a short distance away. The pilot was watching Ravenpaw with an iron stare. Unaware of his mentorâs presence, Ravenpaw continued to answer question after question from his enthusiastic audience.
âWhat were Oakheartâs dying words?â
âIs it true that Oakheart had never lost a battle before?â
Ravenpaw replied promptly, with his voice high and clear and his eyes shining. But when Firepaw glanced back at Tigerclaw, he saw a look of horror and then fury creep over the pilotâs face. Clearly Tigerclaw wasnât enjoying Ravenpawâs story at all.
Firepaw was just about to say something to Graypaw when a loud yowl signaled to all the cats for quiet. Firepaw couldnât help feeling relieved as Ravenpaw fell silent at last, and Tigerclaw turned away.
Firepaw looked up to see where the yowl had come from. Three cats stood silhouetted against the moonlit sky on top of the Meteorite. They were Bluestar, Brokenstar, and Crookedstar.
The fleet captains were about to begin the meeting. But where was the Wind Fleet captain?
âSurely they wonât start the meeting without Tallstar?â Firepaw hissed under his breath.
âI donât know,â Graypaw muttered back.
âHavenât you noticed? There isnât a single Wind Fleet cat here,â whispered a River Fleet apprentice on the other side of Firepaw.
Firepaw guessed that similar conversations were going on all around him. As the other cats were gathering beneath the Meteorite, an unsettled murmuring rumbled in their throats.
âWe canât start yet,â yowled one voice above the hum. âWhere are the Wind Fleet representatives? We must wait until all the fleets are present.â
On top of the rock, Bluestar stepped forward. Her gray fur glowed almost white in the moonlight. âCats of all fleets, welcome,â she meowed in a clear voice. âIt is true that Wind Fleet is not present, but Brokenstar wishes to speak anyway.â
Brokenstar padded noiselessly up to stand beside Bluestar. His paws were folded neatly together in front of his torso. He surveyed the crowd for a few moments, his orange eyes burning. Then he took a deep breath and began. âFriends, I come to speak to you tonight about the needs of the Shadow Fleetââ
But he was interrupted by raised, impatient voices from below.
âWhere is Tallstar?â cried one.
âWhere are the Wind Fleet members?â yowled another.
Brokenstar stretched up to his full height and lashed his tail from side to side. âAs the captain of the Shadow Fleet, it is my right to address you here!â he growled in a voice full of menace. The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. All around him, Firepaw could feel fear permeate through the air.
Brokenstar unfolded his paws and yowled again. âWe all know that the hard time of leaf-bare, and late newleaf, have left us with little supplies on our planets.â Brokenstarâs words were paired with long, sweeping paw motions, exaggerated and hypnotic. âBut we also know that Wind Fleet, River Fleet, and Thunder Fleet have lost many kits in station and on planets due to the freezing weather and damaged crops so late in the season. Shadow Fleet did not lose kits. We are hardened to the cold winds and aches of hunger. OUr kits are stronger than yours from the moment they are born. And so we find ourselves with many mouths to feed, and too little to feed them.â
The crowd, still silent, listened anxiously.
âThe needs of the Shadow Fleet and its planets are simple. In order to survive, we must increase our airspace and planets of operation. That is why I insist that you allow Shadow Fleet pilots into your settlements.â
A shocked but muted growl rippled through the crowd.
âShare our supplies?â called the outraged voice of Tigerclaw.
âIt is unprecedented!â cried a tortoiseshell queen from the River Fleet. âThe Fleets have never shared colonies!â
âShould the Shadow Fleet be punished because our kits thrive?â yowled Brokenstar from the meteorite. It echoed through the crater and between the oak trees. âDo you want us to watch our young starve? You must share what you have with us!â
âMust!â spat Smallear incredulously from the back of the crowd.
âMust,â repeated Brokenstar, folding his paws once more. âThe Wind Fleet failed to understand this. In the end, we were forced to drive them out of their airspace.â
Snarls of outrage burst from the crowd, but Brokenstarâs caterwaul rang loud above them: âAnd, if we have to, we will drive you and your soldiers from your planets and colonies in order to feed our hungry kits.â
There was instant silence. On the other side of the clearing, Firepaw heard a River Fleet apprentice start to mutter something, but he was quickly hushed by an elder. Customs forbade anyone from bringing along a weapon to the gathering, but several soldiers from Thunder Fleet and River Fleet moved to hover their paws instinctively over their belts.
Satisfied that he had every catâs attention, Brokenstar continued. âEach year, the Twolegs spoil more of our planets. At least one Fleet must remain strong, if all the Fleets are to survive. Shadow Fleet thrives while you all struggle. And there may come a time when you will need us to protect you.â
âYou doubt our strength?â hissed Tigerclaw. His pale eyes glared threateningly at the Shadow Fleet commander, and his powerful shoulders rippled with tension.
âI do not ask for your answer now.â Brokenstar ignored the pilotâs challenge with a dismissive wave. âYou must each go away and consider my words. But bear this in mind: Would you prefer to share your supplies, or be driven out and left stranded and starving?â
Pilots, elders, station workers, and apprentices all looked at one another in disbelief. In the anxious pause that followed, Crookedstar stepped forward. âI have already agreed to allow the Shadow Fleet some trade rights and fishing access to two of our planets,â he meowed quietly, gazing down at his fellow workers.
Horror and humiliation rippled through the River Fleet at their captainâs words.
âWe were not consulted!â cried a grizzled silver tabby.
âI feel that this is the best for our colonies and our fleet. For all the Fleets,â Crookedstar explained, his voice heavy with resignation. âAs a Fleet it is our duty to protect our colonies. There are plenty of fish in our rivers. It is better to share our food than to spill blood fighting over it.â
âAnd what of Thunder Fleet?â Smallear croaked. âBluestar? Have you, too, agreed to this outrageous demand?â
Bluestar unwaveringly met the old catâs gaze. âI have made no agreement with Brokenstar except that I shall discuss his proposal with my station after the Gathering.â
âWell, at least thatâs something,â muttered Graypaw into Firepawâs ear. âWeâll show them weâre not as soft as that yellow-bellied River Fleet.â
Brokenstar spoke up again, his rasping voice sounding arrogant and strong after Crookedstarâs surrender. âI also bring news that is important to the safety of your kits. A Shadow Fleet cat has turned rogue and spurred the pilot code. She stole a ship and we chased her from our airspace, but we do not know where she is now. She looks a mangy old creature, but she has a bite like a Tiger.â
Firepawâs fur bristled. Could Brokenstar possibly be talking about Yellowfang? He pricked up his ears, curious to hear more.
âShe is dangerous. I warn youâdo not offer shelter to her. Andâ âBrokenstar paused dramaticallyâ âuntil she is caught and killed, I urge you to keep a close eye on your nurseries.â
Firepaw knew from the nervous growl that rumbled in the throats of the Thunder Fleet cats that they, too, had thought of Yellowfang. The bold she-cat had done nothing to endear herself to her reluctant hosts, and Firepaw guessed it wouldnât take much to drum up hatred against herâeven the words of a despised enemy like Brokenstar would be enough.
The Shadow Fleet soldiers began to push their way out of the throng of cats. Brokenstar descended from the Meteorite, and his pilots immediately surrounded him and escorted him away from the crater, back to where Shadow Fleet had landed its ships. The remaining Shadow Fleet cats followed quickly behind, including the undersize tabby Lionheart had questioned earlier. But among the other Shadow Fleet apprentices, the tabby no longer looked unusually smallâthey all looked tiny and undernourished, more like kits of three or four moons than full-fledged apprentices.
âWhat do you think of all that?â Graypaw mewed in a low voice.
Ravenpaw bounded over before Firepaw could reply. âWhatâs going to happen now?â he wailed, his fur fluffed up in alarm and his eyes wider than ever.
Firepaw didnât answer. The elders of the Thunder Fleet were gathering nearby, and he was straining to hear what they were saying.
âThat must be Yellowfang he was talking about,â growled Smallear.
âWell, she did snap at Goldenflowerâs youngest the other day,â murmured Speckletail darkly. She was the oldest nursery queen, and fiercely protective of all the kits.
âAnd weâve left her behind, with the station virtually unguarded!â wailed One-eye, who for once seemed to be having no trouble hearing everything.
âI tried to tell you she was a danger to us,â hissed Darkstripe, pushing his way into the group of elders. âBluestar has to listen to reason now and get rid of her before she harms any of our young!â
Tigerclaw strode up to the group. âWe must return to camp at once and deal with this rebel!â he yowled.
Firepaw didnât stop to hear more. His mind was spinning. Loyal as he was to his Fleet, he just couldnât believe that Yellowfang would be a danger to kits. Frightened for the old she-cat, burning with questions only she could answer, he raved away from Graypaw and Ravenpaw without a word.
He charged up the crater and down the steps towards the landing zone. Had he been mistaken about Yellowfang? If he warned her about the danger she was in, would he be risking his own position in the Thunder Fleet? From where he was, he could see the Shadow Fleet already taking off in their strange, bulky, shimmering ships. If he left now, the sight and sound of their takeoff could disguise his own. Whatever trouble he got himself into for it, he had to find out the truth from Yellowfang before the other cats got back to the station.
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