FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2006 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Matt Barstock and Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios.
Chapter 34
Determination
Andrew sat on the deck, looking out toward the rolling pastures beyond Alex’s house. While the pastoral view was nice, his thoughts were turned inward. Eddie Idiri had said the trouble Sal was in would blow over in a week, but somehow Andrew doubted that. The uproar at school when all the computers failed from a virus, and then the rumor that someone had hacked the grades and used the virus to cover it up, had caused a lot of lost instruction time. It had also brought a quite angry promise from the school board to find and punish the one responsible. He was afraid Sal would be expelled. He’d tried calling the young mongoose, but Sal’s mother had just tersely said that Sal was grounded and couldn’t take phone calls. She had hung up before he could say anything to her about the situation.
He was still trying to sort out what to do when the door opened behind him. He turned to see Jack Lazarus stepping out onto the deck to join him.
“Hi Andrew, how ya doing?”
The wolf sat down beside Andrew and looked out over the pastureland as well. He could tell that something was troubling the young tiger, but he also knew Andrew wouldn’t respond to unbidden prying.
Andrew shrugged and turned back to look outward again. “Okay.”
There followed several moments of silence before Andrew spoke again.
“Mr. Jack, suppose you know something, and telling it would get one person out of trouble, but get another one in trouble.”
Jack continued to look out over the fields as he thought about how to respond. He and Andrew were still on rather fragile ground, and he was thankful the young tiger was asking him for advice. Now he just had to think of the best way to answer. After a few moments, he decided which track to take.
“Well Andrew, remember the Ninth Commandment?”
Andrew glanced over a little uncertainly. Jack caught the look out of the corner of his eye and let a slight smile curl on his muzzle. He gave the youngster a hint.
“The one about not giving false testimony against your neighbor?”
“Oh yeah. That means don’t lie.” Andrew nodded. They had just been over that one in Sunday School last week.
Jack held the smile, still looking out over the pastures. “Yes it does, but think about this. Is it also lying when you know the truth, and don’t speak up? If someone is accused, and you know they’re innocent, but don’t speak up, aren’t you in fact agreeing with those who are accusing them? Since you know better, wouldn’t your silence in fact be a lie?”
There was another long silence, and then Andrew sighed deeply. “Thanks Mr. Jack.” He then made to stand up.
“Anytime Andrew. Do you need anything else? Any help?”
Andrew had turned to go back inside. He looked back over at Jack. “No, I’ll see this through. I’ll tell Mom when the time comes, too. She has a lot on her mind right now.”
Jack nodded solemnly. “If you say so. Call me if you need anything.”
Andrew nodded in return and went inside. Jack sat awhile longer, thinking and saying a silent thanks for the chance to connect a bit with the younger O’Whitt. He just hoped what Andrew had gotten himself into wouldn’t be too bad.
# # #
Alex had been at his desk making sure the paperwork from his trip to Columbus was correct for a couple of hours when Billy knocked on the door and stepped in.
“Hey! Hello Billy. You just getting here?” Alex stood to shake paws.
Billy walked up to Alex’s desk to take the proffered paw. “Yep. Ben needed a right seat. Charlie called in sick, and we didn’t get back until after twenty one hundred last night.”
Billy sat down beside Alex’s desk. Alex just smiled and went back to what he had been doing. Several minutes went by while Billy grew more and more fidgety. Finally he couldn’t take it any more.
“Oh, ah, how was your trip to Columbus?”
Alex didn’t even look up. “Fine. I’m working on the contracts I got signed.”
Another minute passed, and then Billy tried again.
“Uh, how did it go at ZZ Studios?”
“Fine.”
After another minute, Alex glanced up again. Billy looked ready to either explode or strangle him, so of course he was going to push a little farther. He suppressed a grin and spoke.
“Billy, really, it was just awful! I walked into that place and it was worse than I’d ever imagined. Naked femmes and males everywhere! Humping in the halls, pounding away against the doorframes, oh my word. And then the studio manager mistook me for an actor! And Zig Zag . . . words fail me.”
Alex glanced up once more to assess his statement’s impact. Billy’s eyes were wide, but he was grinning from ear to ear.
“Wow, really? Ah, er, that is *cough* how terrible.” Billy tried to cover his enthusiastic curiosity. Then Alex looked him in the eye and grinned.
“Gothcha!”
Billy blinked, and then slapped the desk with his paw. “Alex, don’t do that to me! Penny’s been after me ever since I told her what you were up to. Wanting me to get every detail about your cousin. I think she’s afraid one of those little porn starlets will get her claws in you and corrupt you. I already told her it was too late for that. She’d have flipped out if I’d gone home with that story.”
“Sure, blame me for getting her excited,” Alex teased.
Billy tried to look stern, but couldn’t quite carry it off as he laughed in spite of himself. “C’mon, what really happened?”
“I told you, the studio manager mistook me for an actor, and so did Zig Zag’s boyfriend. The rest I embellished a lot for your benefit. I didn’t see one naked fur, except for some publicity stills laying on Zig’s desk when I put my presentation on. I did see a few actors and actresses wearing only robes in the halls and lobby, and some of those not all that well gathered, but it’s like I said, a business. Zig Zag, it turns out, is not only quite beautiful, but very intelligent, too. She has a sharp wit, and a great sense of humor. Her boyfriend is a very nice guy, too. He runs a computer business, and we hit it off quite well. She’s quite the businessfur, too. She wants to borrow Stripes One for a poster shoot with all the studio cast sometime.”
Billy now grinned and shook his head. “Alex O’Whitt, hobnobbing with the elite of the adult entertainment world. Never thought I’d see the day. Hey, did you make the sale before or after she found out you’re her cousin?”
Alex’s expression turned serious. “As a matter of fact, I nearly lost the sale, and a portion of my ‘stripy tail’ as she put it, when she found that out. Dad was absolutely correct in his approach. The rest of the family has been so awful to her, she wants nothing to do with any of them. Except for her brother and sister, that is. As to the sale, well, she’s running our figures past her accountant. She’s supposed to call in a couple of days.”
Billy grinned broadly. “Now that’s stuff I can tell Penny. Congratulations, Alex. Or should I just call you Zig Zag’s cousin now?”
Alex chuckled. “Well, it could be. I realize now what everyone meant when they called Stripes One the Zig Zag jet. Hey, want to see a picture?”
“Alex, I’ve seen Stripes One several times, I don’t need to see a picture.” Billy winked and Alex gave a long-suffering sigh.
“My partner has gone senile, so I’ll have to use small words. Billy-do-you-want-to-see-a-picture-of-Zig-Zag-and-me?” Alex said slowly, emphasizing each word.
“Sure! Why didn’t you say so?” Billy nearly jumped over the desk as Alex produced a picture envelope. He’d had the pictures on his digital developed at the one-hour photo shop, and was quite surprised when he got them back. The three photos of he and Zig Zag were there, just as they’d previewed them, but apparently they hadn’t gone back far enough. He’d been chagrinned to find that the rabbit Max had also gotten a picture of them with Zig in her original, drop-dead sexy pose. Alex had quickly tucked that one away separately to give to his cousin at their next meeting. Billy opened the envelope and quickly looked over the pictures.
“Wow! She’s a real classy gal in her business attire. I didn’t realize she was that tall.”
Alex snorted, and then laughed heartily. “You senile old cat. She’s standing on the first step of the boarding stairs. Her ears are at about my eye level, unless she would decide to wear a pair of those really high heels or something.”
“Oh now don’t start me thinking down that road.” Billy grinned widely, and was about to comment further when the intercom on Alex’s desk buzzed.
Toggling it on, Alex answered, “Yes Loni?”
“Line two for you, Alex. A General Higgins.”
“Thanks.” Alex picked up the pawset. Billy arched an eyebrow and remained silent.
“Hey Scatcat, what’s up?”
“Hello Ice, sorry to call while you’re playing Joe Civilian, but I need a favor. We need a bird to go to Rhine Mien week after next, and I’d like you to ferry it over there. You should be able to depart on Wednesday and make it back on Saturday evening. We’ll call that your drill weekend for the month.”
“Sure Scatcat, be nice to see if any of the old gang is still over there.” Alex said with a grin.
“Uh huh. One more thing. HQ has some new program going where they have an officer go escort a ROT-Cee cadet to their training assignment. Supposed to inspire them by a good example. The Tigerkahts got tasked to provide an escort for a cadet going from Cleveland down to Cincinnati.”
“Okay Scatcat. Jedi would be a good choice, or Blackie, or any of them, really.”
In his office, the lion sighed. “Yep, except they’ll all be down at Tyndall in Florida for the William Tell competition preliminaries. You’re in Lexington, go hop a flight, or have one of your guys drop you off. The government will reimburse you.”
“Aw Scatcat, what am I now, your kitten sitter?” Scatcat and Billy could tell by Alex’s teasing tone that he wasn’t serious.
“Yeah, we finally found you a job equal to your talents. Wise guy, just make sure you deliver the cadet intact. I’ll arrange for you to pick up a government vehicle and then you drive the cadet down to wherever he or she needs to go. That’s mandatory, by the way. Gives you plenty of time to impress the kid.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll do it. When is this supposed to happen?” Alex sighed resignedly. At least the trip to
“The Monday after you get back from
“Geez, what a fuss. I could pick the cadet up and fly whoever it is to Cinci a lot faster.”
Billy gave Alex a sardonic “yeah, and show off” look. Scatcat apparently had the same thought.
“Negative, tiger. HQ wants this cadet to just quietly show up at his assignment, not blow everyone’s mind by showing up in that striped wonder of yours. Just go pick up and deliver said cadet safe and sound in Cinci, and I’ll treat you to a steak dinner the next time you’re at Langley.”
Alex looked at his schedule calendar. “Good thing it’s that far away. I’m booked up until then. Okay, anything else?”
“Nope, that’s it. Thanks Ice. Gotta go. I’ll fax the info as HQ sends it.”
“Okay. Bye, Scatcat.”
Alex put the pawset down and was about to speak to Billy when the intercom buzzed again. Billy shook his head and stood up to leave as Alex toggled the intercom again.
“Yes Loni?”
The lynx’s voice sounded amused. “There’s a call for you on line three. A sultry-sounding voice that says she’s your cousin.”
Billy stopped in his tracks. Alex grinned.
“If you stay quiet, I’ll leave the speakerphone on.”
Billy nodded enthusiastically and sat back down while Alex thanked Loni and punched the button to take the call.
“Hello cousin, Alex here.”
“Hello Alex, how was your flight home?” Zig Zag’s warm, smooth voice sounded from the speaker.
“Great, dodged a couple of thunderstorms, but made it just fine. What’s up, Zig Zag?”
Both Billy and Alex heard Loni gasp despite the distance to the lobby. Alex grinned again. He’d always suspected that the admin fur kept an ear open to the calls that came in.
Zig Zag apparently didn’t hear it across the phone. “That was a spectacular takeoff you made. Do you do that all the time?”
Alex chuckled. “No, usually it’s too crowded and busy. I caught a good break there.”
“I’m glad I got to see it. Anyway, my accountant took one look at your service package and threatened suicide if I didn’t call you back right away and accept it. He agreed that the time savings alone would be worth the slightly higher costs. How soon can we get the contracts signed?”
Alex thought a moment. “How about I fax them to you this afternoon, and then you can sign them and fax them back?”
On her end, Zig Zag penciled herself a note to watch for the fax to arrive. “Sounds fine. Any idea what time?”
“Should be around fourteen hundred, er, two o’clock. I’m going over them again to make sure everything is correct.”
“Great! Oops, Marvin is waving that someone is here to see me. Talk to you later, Alex.”
“Bye Zig.”
Alex punched the button to end the call and looked at Billy. The older tiger started to speak, but seemed to rethink what he was going to say.
“I, ah, have work to do. Congrats on the sale. Going to be fun flying her around. Oh, and don’t try to keep your cousin a secret. Loni knows, and she’ll tell Duncan, and someone will overhear, and, well, you know how it goes.”
Alex shrugged and then gave a toothy grin. “She’s my cousin. Anyone has a problem with that, they can come talk to me about it.”
“Uh huh. Somehow I doubt that’ll happen. Everyone’ll be too busy trying to angle for the crew slots for her flights. Talk to you at lunchtime, I’ve got work to do.” Billy grinned to let Alex know he was teasing, and then headed back to his own office.
Alex just sat for a moment, smiling. Yep, being related to Zig Zag definitely made for some interesting times.
# # #
Andrew had been sitting outside the principle’s office for what seemed to him like forever. He’d told his story to the vice-principle when he’d arrived at school that morning and Mr. Balnek had told him to wait where he was. He’d heard a flurry of activity in the office area, but it had been a long time since he’d heard anything more.
Just then the principle’s door opened and Mister Pauling, a tall, thin greyhound, called Andrew into the office. Andrew stood and walked into silently in, his tail low and still behind him.
“Have a seat, Andrew.” The principle motioned to a chair in front of his desk. Andrew sat down and looked at the greyhound levelly, awaiting his pronouncement. After a moment, Mr. Pauling spoke.
“Andrew, thank you for coming forward with this. It took courage to stand up and tell the truth. Sal Idiri is on his way in. he’s been re-instated, and this will be taken off his record. When we called to inquire about this, Mrs. Idiri remembered it being odd for her older son to be so interested in doing his homework on the computer. The incident has been turned over to his school for disciplinary action, although by the sound of Mrs. Idiri’s voice, I’d say that was the least of his worries. I also called your mother, and she was not too pleased that you hadn’t told her anything about this. I assured her you wouldn’t be in much trouble here, but I think you have a lot of explaining to do when you get home.”
Andrew gulped, but then set his jaw. He would see this through, including apologizing to his Mom. “Yes sir,” he said after a moment.
“Now don’t look so worried,” Mr. Pauling continued. “You’re not being suspended. No cause for that, but the School Superintendent wants me to make sure you understand not to treat any information you happen across in the future so lightly. It’s my call, and here’s the deal. You’ll have three day’s after-school detention, and I want a written essay of at least five pages on the effects and consequences of computer hacking. That’ll be due to me in two weeks. Any questions?”
Andrew swallowed again. The punishment was much less severe than he’d been fearing. He quickly stood up before Mr. Pauling could change his mind.
“No sir, no questions. Thank you.”
Mr. Pauling gave him a slight smile. “All right then, on to class with you. Remember, two weeks to have the essay here on my desk.”
“Yes sir.” Andrew quickly left the office, stopping only to get a pass letting him into his regular class.
It was lunchtime before Andrew saw Sal and Dan. When he approached the table where they sat, Sal stood to meet him. As soon as Andrew had put down his tray, Sal grabbed his paw and vigorously shook it, talking even faster than he usually did.
“Andrew oh thank you You saved my life Mom was so upset and Dad too They were going to ship me off to some military school but now they’re talking about sending Eddie instead They heard he’d threatened us both and boy are they mad!”
When Sal stopped to gather a breath, Dan interjected. “Yeah Andrew, way to go. What did the principle say?”
Andrew smirked a bit. “Three days after-school detention and a five page essay.”
“What on?” Dan managed to get out before Sal started in again.
“The effects and consequences of computer hacking.”
Any other response from Andrew disappeared as Sal got his wind back and launched into another string of nonstop sentences on the subject. Andrew just listened. He felt quite at ease with himself now. All the things his father, Uncle Alex, and now Mister Jack had told him about doing the right thing had proved true. He had been a bit scared of Eddie, but now he realized even if Eddie DID try to beat him up, he’d still know he did the right thing.
# # #
“Thanks for driving me, Uncle Alex,” Tia said again as they arrived at Quai’s Karate school.
“No problem, Tia. I’m still a little stunned to hear that Andrew is in detention. When Jenna asked me to drive you so she could go pick him up, and she told me what happened, I could scarcely believe it.” Alex shut down the truck and Tia grabbed her gear bag as they headed for the door. She shrugged as she walked.
“Well, I guess it could have happened to anyone. The school board was very upset about the damage to the computers and files.”
Alex nodded as they reached the door. “Yes, I suppose so. I am proud of Andrew for doing the right thing, though. His dad would be proud, too.”
“I am too. I guess Cubby is finally growing up a little. In fact, he hasn’t played a joke on me in a couple of months.” Tia looked thoughtful as she waved at her uncle and headed for the area where the other students had gathered. Alex walked on toward the back, intending to say hello before the class started. Alex was going to sit off to the side and watch, since it’d be too much of a trip to drive back to Winchester and then come back to get Tia. Izzy was just coming out of his office.
“Hello Sensei.” Alex bowed, and the snow leopard returned it, looking distracted.
“Hello Alex, welcome. Say, could you do me a favor?”
Before Alex could reply, there was a loud shriek for the area the students were getting ready for class in. The two felines quickly looked around, only to see Tia standing in the middle of a group of students, all with fluffed-out fur. Tia’s cheek-fur was especially fluffed out, and both Alex and Izzy could see the red skin underneath from her embarrassed blush. A small paw puppet with its tongue sticking out was bobbing on the end of a spring above her gear bag. Alex looked back at Izzy. The old snow leopard had an amused look on his face.
“Andrew, I presume?”
“Yes, that’s his style.” Alex glanced back to see that Tia and the others were now inspecting the surprise, and smiles were beginning to show. “Looks like she’s managing to overcome the embarrassment. What did you want, Izzy?”
“Could you stay and teach tonight, and possibly next week, too? I have several calls to make. I might have to relocate the class location for a while.”
Alex looked askance, but then nodded solemnly. “The gang problem?”
“Yes,” Izzy answered. “I’m not one to let anyone run me away, you know that, but I have to take the student’s safety and welfare into consideration. Shoop has told me the gang has been working itself up to do something here. Last week they started taunting the students as they left, calling out specist slurs and threats. Several of them followed Trish most of the way to her home before she was able to lose them. The gang unit from the police has been slow to respond and help with this, as they claim to be too understaffed to follow up on every threat. I would suspend class, but the students all insist on staying with it.”
“All right, I understand about tonight, but why next week too?” Alex looked puzzled. Izzy broke into a broad grin.
“Insurance, my friend. If something happens, I want the best fighter I know here with me.”
Alex smiled and bowed his head, pleased with the compliment. Then another thought came to him.
“Thank you, but what if they try something when I’m not here?”
Izzy put on a rueful smile. “Then I shall face them alone. However, so far they have been most active and noticeable around the Thursday night class. I think there is someone or something in or about this particular class that is drawing their attention. Come, I have a uniform you can teach in.”
Izzy turned and walked back toward his office and living quarters. Alex followed silently behind, already thinking and planning the class. Once they reached his living area, Izzy went to a closet and pulled out a black, impressive-looking martial arts uniform. There was a belt with it that showed the three stripes of a 3rd degree Black Belt. There was also a tawny, stylized feline-head emblem with two hash marks beside it, the symbol of Journeyfur level in the discipline of Panjitsu.
“I kept your spare uniform and belt from when you were practicing for that tournament. You won so easily, but then you had to go overseas. I never could get you to compete again, because you were so busy.”
Izzy smiled at the remembrance of Alex testing for the second of the three levels in Panjitsu. They’d had several practices since he’d returned to Lexington, and once Alex found an apprentice to teach, he’d be eligible to test for Master level. Izzy felt his friend was quite ready for that.
Alex grinned broadly, took the garment, and headed into the bathroom to change. He was glad he hadn’t put on any weight since he’d last worn that uniform. Izzy nodded in approval when he came out.
“It still looks good on you. You should come out and help me teach more often.”
“That would be fine when I’m here. Between work and the Reserves, I can’t commit to it on a regular basis.”
Izzy shrugged. “Whenever you can. Shall we go? I’ll introduce you and then go make my calls.”
Alex gave a small bow. “As you say, Sensei. I think I’ll work on teaching some effective defenses against street weapons, as that might be needed soon.”
Izzy nodded as he led the way back out. “I have already been teaching some basics in that area. It seemed prudent to do so since this problem arose.”
The class had all the mats set up, and they had arranged themselves to start as soon as the two felines appeared. The excitement over Andrew’s joke had died down, and everyone seemed ready to start. As one they bowed to Izzy as he and Alex took their places at the front of the group. Many looked askance at Alex, as they’d never seen him in his martial arts gear before. Both he and Izzy returned the bow, and then Izzy addressed the class.
“Students, I have some things to attend to, so Sensei O’Whitt will teach the class tonight. You may address him the same as you would me.”
There was a murmur of surprise from the students, but it quickly died down. Alex and Izzy bowed to each other, and then the snow leopard turned and walked back to his office and quarters, closing the door behind him.
“All right class, warm ups first.” Alex started them off, leading them through a series of exercises and stretches to warm up their muscles. He then went through some basic stances and moves, and then tied them all together by showing them how to use these skills to defend against knives, clubs, and chains. They were quick learners, and overall Alex was confident they’d be able to defend themselves if needed. He then broke them up into sparring pairs to practice what they’d learned. As everyone paired up, Shoop found himself without a partner.
“Looks like it’s you and I, Shoop.” Alex stepped up to the rabbit and bowed. Shoop bowed back and both took fighting stances. The rabbit had armed himself with a sai, and was using it to defend against Alex’s attacks with a rubber practice knife. In between feints and block, they conversed after a fashion.
“Sensei O’Whitt, *Hai!*, I, uh, want to say sorry about a few, *Huh!*, weeks ago. I was upset about th’ T-Rads, and I was out of line.”
“I accept, *Hah!*, your apology, Shoop. What’s the latest on the gang?”
“They’re mad at Tyler, *Uh!*, ‘bout somethin’. Been following Trish toward her home ‘cause she’s the one who walks. Think someone’s driving her tonight. I live on their,*Ha!*, turf but they never showed any interest in recruitin’ me. I think they’re canid-only or some crap.”
“I see,*Whoo!*. Do they go armed?”
Shoop was silent as he maneuvered to block Alex from getting behind him, and then he answered. “Guns ya mean? *Oof!*”
“Yes.”
The two had been circling and moving, alternately attacking and defending. Then Alex made a stabbing motion toward Shoop’s neck and then stepped in behind it, getting inside his defense. To his credit, the rabbit dropped and tried to do a sweeping kick at Alex’s ankles, thinking the tiger had overextended himself. Shoop was stunned when Alex deftly stepped over the kick and used his toe claws to snag the leg of the rabbit’s uniform, pulling him off balance. He hit the mat on his side and quickly thought to escape by curling into a summersault and then recovering. Before he could, though, Alex was on him delivering an imaginary knife thrust to his neck. Alex then stood and bowed as Shoop scrambled to his feet and bowed back. The rabbit then answered Alex’s question.
“Not much. I think they are known to have a couple in the gang, but most of them are underage. They know they’ll get charged as an adult if they get caught doing a crime and packing. Knives, clubs, chains, that’s more their style.”
Alex nodded. “Thank you, Shoop. Now it’s time to end the class. It was good sparring with you, you’re a good fighter.”
“Thank you . . . Sensei.” Shoop gave a lopsided grin and went to join the other students.
“Class, assemble for dismissal,” Alex called out. The students quickly formed up in a line, and Alex was about to dismiss them when Izzy came out of the office area. He walked over and Alex and he bowed to each other. He then turned to the class.
“Students, before you are dismissed, I want to make an announcement. Due to the threat of gang violence, next week will be the last class here until further notice. I have made arrangements to use the gym at the YFCA over in Versailles to hold classes until the treat has passed. Thank you.”
“Sensei?” Both Shoop and Tyler spoke at once. Izzy nodded at Tyler to speak first.
“Sensei, is that really necessary? We’ll stand with you here.”
Both Izzy and Alex smiled at the loyalty and bravery the youth displayed. Izzy answered.
“You all have good, courageous hearts, and I am honored by your loyalty, but this isn’t some- what’s the term, Shoop?- ‘chop-saki flic’ where everyone defends the dojo. This gang is dangerous, and your parents would not be so eager to put you in danger. We will resume class here after the problem is resolved. Now, what did you want to say, Shoop?”
“You said it already, Sensei, and Tyler did, too.”
“Ah, good. Then Alex, you may continue with the dismissal.” Izzy stepped back, and Alex reminded them all to stay safe, and to get away and get help if the gang confronted them. Then they all bowed and the class ended with Alex giving a final admonishment.
“Now remember, stay inside until your parents arrive to escort you home. We’ll have no shouting matches with any gang members in front of the dojo. You are dismissed.”
The students gathered their gear and parents began to show up at the door. Alex had learned that Tyler was the only one in the class who had both parents together at home, and it was his father who picked the young wolf up. Alex smiled to see the two interact as they left. A short time later, Tia came up to Alex as he watched the students mill about and depart. His expression was unreadable, so she simply stood beside him and spoke.
“Uncle Alex, do you think they’ll settle this soon? I don’t want to get into a fight, but this feels like we’re running away.”
Alex didn’t look at Tia, he just kept watch over the students as they waited or left. “I know Tia, but it would be very irresponsible to put y’all in danger like that. This wouldn’t be a tournament fight with rules and referees. It would be a nasty, vicious street fight, involving everything from fists to guns, chains to knives and clubs. I have no doubt of the courage of any of you, and your skills are as good or better than any I’ve seen in furs your age and training level, but why put you at risk if it can be avoided?”
Tia shrugged. “I know, but I still don’t like it.”
Alex nodded. “Neither do I, Tia. Neither do I.”
# # #
The young mixed-breed canid slid around the corner and slowly, carefully approached the large wolf, who sat peering out of the alley across from the karate school.
“T-Lo,” he said, nearly in a whisper.
“Shagger, what’s the word?” the wolf said without looking around.
“Bo an’ Chug wudn’t able to get close to th’ girl. Her mother picked her up and drove off. Same with the rest of ‘em. That ol’ leopard must know somethin’s up.”
“Wat’d Skinney say?”
“Said he couldn’t see much through the windows. Someone else taught the class. He saw th’ ol’ cat in the office talkin’ on the phone mostada time.”
T-Lo nodded. The owner of the school was on to them. At twenty five years old, the wolf had been on the streets, and in and out of juvenile detention and jail, most of his life. He knew when his prey was alerted to him. He was silent as he thought over their next move. If the leopard hadn’t taught class tonight, then most likely the young wolf had. He growled low to himself. That one, that canid who dared to come into T-Rad turf and chum around with non-canid and mixed-species scum. T-Lo had been willing to overlook the school as unimportant when the T-Rads had declared this their turf, but then he’d been told that a wolf was lowering himself to associating with the inferiors and half-breeds there. Then the half-breed tiger and his daughter had started showing up. It was more than T-lo could tolerate.
His brooding was interrupted by Shagger. “When we gonna get that IBAM-lover and his pals?”
T-Lo was still thinking. IBAM’s; Inferior Breeds And Mixes. The term he’d learned from his father the few times he’d been around. T-Lo applied it to any and all non-canids. He supposed canid mixes were all right, but he really didn’t care all that much for them, either. Shagger, the mixed-breed terrier behind him, he considered little more than an errand-pup.
Finally T-Lo spoke. “Looks like the ol’ leopard may be looking for a safer place for his students. I say we hit them before they can run off and hide somewhere, or else they’ll come sneakin’ back in when we’re busy doin’ somethin’ else. Tell th’ T’s next week we go teach the students a lesson.”
Shagger grinned a feral grin and left. After a few minutes T-Lo watched the half-breed tigress with the over-sized tail and what he thought was her father come out and get in a large truck to leave. The tiger was tall, and looked fit.
T-Lo patted the weight tucked into the waistband of his jeans. “This’ll keep that tiger tame, and put an end t’ all this karate shit real fast,” he murmured as he turned to go.
END OF CHAPTER 34