Chapter 10 - Mayhem's War Begins

Mayhem was unsettled. There was something unusual going on, he could feel it. Fred and all the other fighter pilots were sitting in their quarters, occasionally getting up to stare moodily out the window or put the teapot on, but mostly they were just talking quietly together or writing letters home.

Then the door opened and the Seargent Major was saying. "Okay men, its wheels up for us, Get your kits together, we're next". Let's show those Jerry's who is in charge". Mayhem felt the fur on his neck bristle,then stand up. His instincts were telling him "protect your family". So, when Fred hunkered down to give him a goodbye belly rub, like he always did before leaving on a mission, Mayhem jumped onto his lap and attempted to crawl inside his jacket just like when he was little.

Fred had never, not even once, considered bringing Mayhem along on a mission, but tonight was different, this was not a regular milk-run. The enemy had bombed London last night and there had been serious casulties there. Tonight the 401's orders were to drop their bombs on Berlin. They were going to be the first squadron across the channel and they knew they would be taking heavy fire.

Fred knew he would get into serious trouble from the Sergent Major if he ever found out Mayhem had come along...but if he didn't find out, this would be the best story ever to tell the lads about when he got home. "Okay Mayhem, its going to be a really tight fit, but..in you go"...Fred opened his jacket. Mayhem squirmed inside and settled down. Fred, along with the rest of the 401 fighter squadron, ran out to his airplane and climbed in while the flight mechanics finished the final safety checks.

"Okay Mayhem, here we go", Fred laughed, "I bet you are the first cat ever to fly across the English Channel in a Hawker Hurricane". The aircraft started to rumble, then roar, as it made its way down the grassy runway. Mayhem shivered, partly from fear, but mostly from excitement. Then the aircraft was practically jumping off the runway, into the air. Minutes later, Fred was saying, "okay Mayhem, we're in the air, if you don't squirm too much, you can come out and take a look at the world from up here". Mayhem's nose popped out of Fred's jacket, then the rest of him. He stood up in Fred's lap and looked out the window. Where on earth was he...opps he obviously wasn't on earth. Everything was black - and very noisy and cold - Suddenly, the roaring sound of the aircraft seemed to double. Fred looked out his window and waved. The RAF planes were flying in formation as they started out across the English Channel and his buddy Stu had just dropped in on his left wing to take his position.

"Okay Mayhem, you need to settle down for a while. I have some serious business to attend to here." Fred wrangled Mayhem back inside his jacket. They had left the channel behind now and were flying over France towards Berlin. Fred was on guard, he knew German fighter planes could and would often appear out of nowhere. Fred wanted to get this mission accomplished and get home. This was his last flight before he left on a 3 day leave. He missed Margot and was really really eager to get home for a few days

Fred found his target, and dropped all eight rockets. Then with the rest of the squadron, he turned back towards the channel and home. Suddenly, to his left and just above him, he heard a burst of enemy gunfire. It was away too close. The figher had targeted his rear rudder. Immediately Fred tried an evasive maneuvre but it was too late. He heard the sickening thwack as enemy gunfire found his rudder. Fred twisted around to look at the damage and to his horror, realized it was totally destroyed.

Where was he? He was going to have to try to land the aircraft and very soon. He looked out the window one more time, to see his buddy Stu's aircraft settling in beside him. Fred smiled quietly when he saw Stu's sad salute, then returned his salute and motioned him to be on his way back. He knew that Stu would get a message to Margot on his behalf.

Now back to business at hand. Would he be able to get this aircraft down. How long would he have before someone realized an allied aircraft was coming down behind enemy lines. Would he be able to survive the landing and make it away safely from the crash site. And, what about Mayhem...

Chapter 9: A lesson for Bella

This is absolutely ridiculous, grumbled Bella as she crouched motionless in the long grass near the edge of the north pathway leading out of the colony, I've been crunched into this position for hours - or at least it feels like hours. George the old scout was in charge of training the females for this mission. He knew the females Bella had chosen would be excellent members of his team, but first they had to learn about staying still and silent for long periods of time. They were going to be in very dangerous situations on the journey to the city and back and their ability to remain unnoticed by humans, or other wild creatures could save their lives.

Lavender had directed him to be very tough on the four females, because the time for training was running out. The teams were leaving the colony when the moon was in its third quarter, less than 3 nights from now. The darkness of a nearly moonless night would make their first journey into the city safer. Lavender and George knew they had many enemies in the night darkness, searching for prey, and they did not want to lose any one through carelessness to an owl or a hawk.

Bella flicked her the tip of her tail in annoyance, and thump, out of nowhere pounced Rudy. He landed with his full weight on her head and shoulders and before she could even squeak, he had pinned her paws and bit down - quite forcefully, this time - on her neck. "You're dead - again" he growled. This is the 3rd time I've caught you moving today! Bella, we're not just playing here... if you move, even one tiny flicker, after George gives the order to be still - you may never come home to the colony again. The danger you face is real. You cannot be careless or you put us all in jeopardy.

"Let's take a short break" called George, seeing Lavender striding toward them. The cats uncurled themselves from their hiding places and stretched themselves out. Whew, that feels so good, thought Bella as she leaned deeply into a stretch, then arched her back prettily before stretching out her back one more time.

Hello father, she murmered as he walked past her. Greetings Bella my princess, are you making me proud? Lavender growled. Bella hung her head for a moment, then looked up into the kind eyes of her father and realized he was not angry with her. This is the hardest work the colony will ever ask you to do, my child, he said, fear not, I'm proud of you already. You will do fine. But, you must learn patience, the other females are watching you. With that, he continued on his way to where George was waiting. He had news that must be shared.

We cannot wait any longer, we must leave at dusking tonight. Our scouts,have returned, bringing news of homeless, starving cats in Nottingham. We must try to rescue them. I've asked George to select two teams made of 1 male guard/scout and two females. Take heed of what he says, then make yourselves ready for the journey. The rest of your training must take place as you travel.

Bella looked at the other recruits, and then at the guard/scouts. The seriousness of the mission struck her like a stone. Would the others trust her as a team member? or would they remember her petulence during the training? In that moment she vowed she would not let anyone down. She would do her part to keep her team safe.

Rudy, you will take Fernfrost and Winona and leave by the north pathway at dusking, just 5 hours from now. Gabriel, you will leave with Bella and Greymist from the secret pathway, two hours later when full darkness is upon us. Lavender and I will follow at dawning tomorrow. Go now, eat and rest, an for no reason do not be late returning. With this, George turned away from the recruits and strode out of the training field, towards his den.


Bella stood up, stretched out to her full length in one lithe motion, then jumped gracefully onto the broken fence to make her way back to the ruins of the church. Thank the Queen's Memories, she purred to herself, at least that obnoxious Rudy won't be hovering about, watching my every move, waiting for me to make a mistake, so he can chastise me. Bella was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn't even even notice Rudy's amber eyes watching her leave,with something that looked almost like disapointment.