LIVING IN THE PAST, CH 7

Chapter 7: Horror in the Cavern

At first things seemed to go along smoothly. Everyone that had a set task, were taking care of it daily, however, those that had nothing to do were beginning to meet more and more frequently in larger and larger groups with much shouting and arguing going on.

Steele was becoming nervous about it but Morgan had gone on to be completely paranoid. He was certain the groups were plotting something. Steele wasn't so certain yet but he knew something was up. Morgan finally pulled Steele aside on the sixth day of the Commander's absence.

"Listen! We have to find something for these people to do. I can feel something bad brewing and I don't like it!" he hissed, eyes narrowed in tension as he looked around the cavern as they talked on a ledge above the cave floor. It was a good vantage point for watching for trouble. Right at that moment, another large group was having what looked like a rather intense conversation.

"They're just trying to keep their spirits up!" Steele objected, though in his heart he'd been feeling uneasy too.

"That group yonder isn't discussing the next foraging mission nor how to take care of the kittens. Wake up! There's trouble coming. We have to break these up and do something or we're going to be caught in a riot and soon!" Morgan stated adamantly.

"Don't you think I now that. I've tried to break up these gatherings but it doesn't stop them. And I know they are up to something because they stop talking whenever I try get close enough to find out what they're talking about. Have you managed to hear what they're saying?" Steele growled, angry that Morgan thought he was just slacking off.

"No, they know us so clam up the second even the best spy I have gets close but I know it's causing heated feelings and words cause you can see it on their faces when they break up the confabs," Morgan grumbled.

"I just don't know what we can do to keep them occupied. They have no real skills that are useful here and the disabled have nothing to do at all. And even when I try and suggest some thing, I get only angry looks, rebuffs, or they just ignore me," Steele said, frustrated.

Morgan shared the Enforcer's frustration. He'd not been able to think of anything either but then this wasn't his kind of gig. He usually was called in after the shit hit the fan and they needed someone to clean it up. No way did he know how to actually prevent a riot from happening.

No matter what the two of them attempted now, his gut feelings told him it wouldn't be enough to stop the powder keg that was just waiting from something to light it and if Feral didn't return within the next twenty-four hours, the Commander would be met by a full scale riot, he was certain of it.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The sun was just rising when Feral's group rose to eat breakfast. After a pleasant meal and quiet speech with the Queen, they were given horses (those that could ride anyway) to make their trip quicker and to be used to keep in touch by regular messenger runs, so they could be informed of the progress both parties were making and share any important news.

With their food supplies replenished, the group bid the Queen farewell and rode through the gates at a brisk trot. Feral wanted to go faster but with some of the horses carrying double (one a qualified rider, the other someone who had never been on a horse in their lives) they were forced to keep to the speed the horses could manage but at least it was much faster than on foot. This meant the trip took only half the time it did the first time.

It was dusk of the third day since they'd left the Queen and they were filled with sudden apprehension when they passed through the waterfall and saw the guards grim expression and their noses caught the scent of death, fear, and sorrow.

Halting his horse next to the guard, Feral demanded, "what's happened here?"

"If you'd only been here just a day sooner sir, I think none of this nightmare would have happened. We've had a riot caused by a handful of idiots that stirred up dissension and fear. It was a horrible, frightening mess that's only just been sorted out. I think Lt. Commander Steele and Morgan are still up if you want all the particulars," the guard reported, bitterness and anger still lingering in his voice.

Unable to say anything and sick at heart, Feral pushed on past the guard into the cavern, the rest of his group grimly following close behind. They left the horses with two mercenaries who'd heard them come in. Jumping down off their mounts they hurried toward the leader's hut.

A large bonfire was going at the center of the encampment. It's eerie light fell on a large pile of unmoving bodies, among them four teens and two disabled. A squad of Enforcers mixed with mercenaries were grimly transporting the bodies to the side cave where the dead were being kept. Only their grunts as they hefted a rather large body could be heard in the otherwise silent camp. All the huts except the food tent had at least four guards on them. He knew without having to ask, that each exit to their sanctuary was just as heavily guarded. He spotted a newly built hut set back against the wall of the cave behind their meeting place with four guards on it as well.

T-Bone had noticed it too. "Must be where they put the idiots that started all this." His gruff voice held barely restrained fury. Grumbles and curses were heard behind him showing how the rest of the group felt about this as well. Feral couldn't blame them. This was exactly what he feared might happen once the people had too much time on their paws.

A runner had gone ahead of them to warn the temporary leaders that Feral had returned so it wasn't a surprise to see the pair and a few other leaders stepping out of the meeting hut to greet them. All looked weary, anguished, and very angry. When the Commander reached them and was about to speak, Steele shook his head and gestured for them all to return inside. When they had done so and sat down, Feral ordered, "Alright, tell me what happened."

Steele was dirty faced, had blood on his clothes, and was covered with scratches and bruises but faced his Commander with a bravery he'd never displayed before much to Feral's hidden surprise and began his report in a flat, grim voice.

"Morgan and I began to notice a few of the more fearful of our number were starting to spread a rumor that you wouldn't be coming back. Despite Morgan and I's efforts to reassure everyone and warn the offender to shut up, the fear of being here permanently took hold. More and more people began to gather and whisper worriedly, inflaming the situation. Morgan and I were forced to begin physically breaking up these groups but they found ways to spread the word that we were lying and they needed to take over and plan their own escape from here. We arrested the one who started all this but that just made things worse. An all out mutiny occurred yesterday on Morgan's shift." He nodded to his co-leader to continue.

Morgan looked as battered and bloodied as Steele. His eyes were narrow and cold as he took up the tale from there. "I was on duty. Steele and I had decided we'd better split up. He took days, I the night. We arrested this idiot Starser who started this whole business but his lieutenant Blakener used his arrest to work everyone up into a fine rage. They hid in their huts and lured us in by having a few of them gather near the bonfire. When I and my squad went to break it up, we were immediately surrounded by a mob that rushed out of their huts at a signal given by Blakener. We were trapped."

"Fortunately, I heard the noise and summoned my squad," Steele continued. "I climbed up on the ledge while having security surround the mob. I did my best to try and get everyone to calm down and disperse but this Blakener fool began shouting that they weren't going to just wait around and be killed or captured by the Pastmaster. They had got it into their heads that marching to see Queen Callista was a good idea. Better to wait out their time in her castle than being this close to the Pastmaster was his argument. I tried to remind them that you had gone to speak with the Queen but Blakener butted in and said you weren't coming back and they were tired of waiting. My pleas and arguements fell on deaf ears and that's when they began to move toward the waterfall exit."

"Being trapped inside the mob made it difficult for us to join forces but when the barmy fools began to march for the exit, I was able to gather my guys and run ahead of them. We managed to gather again at the ledge leading out and formed a line three deep. There we took a stand and did our best to keep them inside," Morgan stepped in again. "They were mean, scratching and hitting us but we didn't use our weapons only our training to keep them at bay. I don't know how long we were fighting them back when there was a shout from the rear."

"I heard it but no one in the front of the mob did. A guy who apparently had attempted to leave by the back entrance, had a near encounter with some soldiers coming down to the lake to water their horses. This told us it was past dawn and the townspeople would also be arriving soon," Steele took over the tale. "Seeing he wasn't being heard, the fool shot off a flare and some of the crowd turned to look at him. He shouted his message again but only half listened to the idiot, the rest were still trying to get out. When we shouted his message to the ones in the front, some of them finally realized the danger and only then tried to turn about. That's when things truly turned ugly. The mob became some kind of beast as it turned on itself, running down those not swift enough to get out of the way." A look of grief and horror crossed Steele's face.

"It was horrible. Those who fell were trampled and kill. Screams of fear and the cries of the dying filled the air. I don't think I'll ever get over the sound of that night. It was the most nightmarish thing I've ever been a part of," Steele said hollowly.

Morgan continued when it looked like Steele couldn't at the moment. "My biggest fear was having those soldiers hear the commotion but thankfully, the falls were just too loud. Unfortunately, that same roaring noise kept the mob from hearing the screams of the ones they were killing beneath their feet. By the time they had all returned to the bonfire and huddled there, the ground near the falls were littered with the dead and the dying." He shook his head.

"It took hours to sort out the mess. Though we were all tired, Morgan and I had our troops clean up, help with the interrogations of the guilty, build a jail to hold them, herd everyone back into their huts or the hospital and guard them. We've only just sat down to eat and rest when you returned," Steele finished, sagging with exhaustion. "We are very glad you are back," he said with a great deal of relief.

"There is one other thing, the leader, Starser...he left his hut during all the commotion and joined his stooges only to be trampled by the very ones he had stirred up to violence," Morgan said, a smirk on his face. It was obvious he thought the fool got what he deserved.

"Poetic justice, I say." Steele said harshly. He was sick and angry at what had happened. For the first time in his career he was forced to face the harsh realities of what it truly meant to be an Enforcer. He took solace in the fact he hadn't failed in his duty and had done everything he could to end this thing as quickly as possible but still people had died. He had a better understanding now what it was like for Feral when he dealt with the aftermath of an omega attack. It was a bitter lesson.

Feral and the others that had been with them sat in silent dismay and bitter sorrow. So many dead all because of a few cowards. It was all so stupid.

In a tired, sad voice, Feral asked, "no kittens were harmed were they?"

"No, thank God. At least the fools thought to keep the kittens in their huts but as you probably saw, a few of the teens and disabled weren't so smart," Steele answered.

"What a nightmare. I don't think you two could have done anything different even if you found ways to try and keep them busy, its seems a few still wouldn't have been satisfied. When you have this many people with so many diverse opinions, it's a crap shoot whether they will remain peaceful or a fearful person convinces other fearful people that their way is better than anyone else's. It's unfortunate we managed to have those types in here now. Truly, you did what you could so don't beat yourselves up about it," Razor said, quietly after a thoughtful silence as he weighed all the options the pair could have tried but in the end certain events were simply against them from the start.

Steele eyed the SWAT Kat in surprise. He never expected to hear sympathy from one of them toward him.

"I agree, you did what you could under the circumstances," Feral backed up Razor to Steele's amazement. "So, how many dead do we have? He asked, grim and sad.

"Twenty-three." Morgan said promptly, staring at the floor.

Feral winced and closed his eyes. He'd feared something like this would happen. It was just sad it actually had.

"I think we need to come up with some kind of daily activity that everyone must participate in if we're to prevent a repeat of this kind of behavior especially in light of how long we still have to wait to leave," T-Bone said gravely.

Morgan's head shot up and he stared at the tabby with anger and shock. "How long are we talking here?" He demanded.

Understanding the reason for the mercenary leader's anger, T-Bone ignored it and briefed them on what had transpired with the Queen.

No one spoke for a long moment then Steele sighed. "Well at least we are going home just not as soon as we'd hoped. That's at least some good news." He turned to stare at his Commander. "So, we have to spy on the Pastmaster now. How do you propose we do this sir?"

"I've been thinking about it on our return trip and I feel we need to limit the number of people who mingle with the natives. This will prevent further contamination with the past and keep anyone from realizing there are a lot of strangers in the area. So it will be myself, Felina, Morgan, and the SWAT Kats who will play spy. We'll have to go into the village frequently to listen in on conversations by his soldiers and hope for an early warning of his plans. Also we have to reconnoiter the castle for our planned attack," Feral said, thoughtfully.

"There's only one problem with your plan, Feral," Morgan grunted.

"What might that be?" The big tom asked warily.

"The SWAT Kats costumes. They've done alright so far hiding those things but if they are going to be part of the spy team on a constant basis, someone is bound to spot what they are wearing and tell the Pastmaster about the strangers," Morgan said, knowing the pair of vigilantes were not going to like what he was suggesting.

"So you're saying we can't be spies, is that it?" T-Bone growled, angrily.

"No, you just can't be SWAT Kats to do what we need. To insist means you don't care that you would risk us all for a secret identity," Morgan shot back, coldly.

"...or are your secret identities more important than getting us home again?" Steele cut in.

T-Bone had been about to blast Morgan with a blistering response when Steele's question took the wind out of his sails. He subsided and fumed. No way did he intend to sit on the sidelines but to give up his identity now...the repercussions could be dire for them when they returned home.

"Excuse us a moment while we discuss this," Razor suddenly said, rising to his feet and tugging on his partner's arm for him to join him. The two left the hut and walked a short distance away. Their eyes were drawn to the now dwindled pile of bodies.

"They're right, buddy," Razor said grimly, keeping his voice low. "We can't do this in costume and we can't be left out. Our skills and weapons are what's going to bring down the Pastmaster so remaining behind as guards is out. That only leaves revealing ourselves and getting on with the job of saving everyone which is why we became vigilantes in the first place."

T-Bone kicked at the sand at his feet as he listened to his friend's hard truths. "It stinks! If we give up who we are nothing will stop Feral from arresting us when we return," he said bitterly.

"Unfortunately, that's true. It's possible we can extract a promise of keeping who we are to only Feral and Felina. Who knows, he maybe so grateful he might allow us to continue as the SWAT Kats."

"Oh, like that's going to happen..." T-Bone scoffed.

"It could happen, partner. Won't know until we ask," Razor said, shrugging. He wasn't any happier about this but getting home took precedence over their secret.

T-Bone grumbled and stalked around in a circle as he thought. Finally, he returned to his partner's side. "I still think this is a rotten idea but you're right, we really don't have a choice except to limit who knows our secret."

Razor just nodded and turned back to the hut. When they went inside and sat down again, Razor gave their decision. "We agree that this is necessary but will only reveal ourselves to you and Felina, Commander. Our masks will go on again before we step foot into the cavern."

Feral frowned a moment in thought while Morgan and Steele just shook their heads at the proviso. "Very well SWAT Kats that's fair enough but we'll do the revealing later away from camp," the Commander agreed. "Now that's settled, I think I would like to get some rest after the long day in the saddle. Tomorrow, I will speak to the people and let them know what we know and what we expect from them until we get home. I need you all to think of what we can do to keep them busy while they wait," he said rising to his feet. "See you all in the morning."

Sighing, they rose to their feet and did as ordered. When they spilled out of the hut going to their own sleeping quarters, Feral noted all the dead had been hidden away and the central bonfire was just embers now. He yawned and trudged off, followed by those that shared his hut.