When Rani and Bella were dropped off, they initially curled up together, waiting for the Cats to arrive to lead them to the city. Within minutes, two Cats were there. Bella was keen to talk but her Cat ignored her. It (a she Bella thought) seemed grumpy.
Two of the three moons were up and the light was enough to see fairly well. Rani wore a pack containing two containers like thermoses, water, food and blankets. The latter were home made from scrounged clothing since blankets and sheets did not exist on this planet. Neither did towels. Luckily, the most practical and popular garments (considering all the varied body shapes and sizes), were cloaks. Rani had put fastener tape across the bottom and parts of the sides to form a day time cloak and a night time ‘sleeping bag.’ Very practical.
After walking an hour or so, Bella got tired so Rani picked her up to carry her. One of the Cats nuzzled her. Puzzled, she stopped and put Bella down. The Cat made its intentions very clear and a delighted Bella was lifted onto its back. Bella experimented and finally found it more comfortable to stretch out along the Cat and almost lie down. She smiled. This was fun! But the Cats wouldn’t talk to them. Maybe not all of them could?
Also moving slowly towards the cities were Ali and his father, Alia and Helene, Bea and Julia and Harsha and Mayling. All had a guide of two or three Cats.
Several hours of walking later, the third moon came up which made things fast and comfortable. They made good time, arriving at their destination well before daylight. Bella had gone to sleep several times. The Cats, clued up by the Priskya, had scouted out caves or overhangs in which to spend the days, the rock hiding them from any scanners. For Bella and Rani’s safety, the Cats had excavated an overhang into a cave. The floor was smooth soil.
Rani and Mayling had planned well, Mayling being a keen hiker. Rani removed the bubble wrap type covering protecting the ‘thermoses’ and put them into pillowcases Nanelle had made. Little Bella and one of the Cats were soon asleep; the other Cat on guard duty. Rani slept on and off during the long day. She dreaded the night. She felt unreal. Her little child expected to run into a war zone tonight.
Finally it was night.
“You remember. Like Mathew told you; scrunch up like a quiet little mouse and sneak in.”
“I remember. I’ll be good. Don’t cry Mummy. I promise to be careful.” Mathew had told all the children, during practice,
“The most important thing is not to get caught. Even more important than releasing the parasites. Better to get out undiscovered than to release all the parasites but get caught. Don’t get caught! They don’t know we’re fighting back. Don’t let them find out.”
Bella ran off led by the Cat as close as the Cat could get her, then on alone. Once she had gone, the Cat, furious, stalked back to Rani determined to give this woman a lesson on appropriate child care. She reached Rani and slapped her paw down hard on Rani’s leg. Her mind was flooded with sheer distress as she touched Rani’s mind; fear, anguish, guilt at not being able to protect her child, helplessness and her mind was crying. Rani was overwhelmed to the point of being barely able to function now Bella had gone. The Cat leaped back, embarrassed, contrite and also guilty for being thoughtless and judgmental. She again touched Rani and apologized profusely. Rani threw her arms around the Cat’s neck and howled with her voice and her mind. The Cat was shocked at the intensity of her emotions and the level of her distress. As she would for her own child, she soothed and calmed Rani, reassuring her she would ensure Bella’s safety and that she could feel Bella’s mind even from this distance. The little girl was frightened, but safe and undiscovered. She was very brave. She was determined to complete her mission, as she thought of it. The Cat assured Rani she will get Bella out safely and left to be there when Bella came out.