Lastbite stared at the screen at the planet called Earth. One puny pathetic Gatoan flagship was in orbit around the blue planet. Laughable.
"Report," he snarled.
"Beta Lastbite, we are reading no other ship signatures."
"And our informant?"
"We've lost his signal. It is no longer on Earth."
"What does that mean?" Lastbite demanded.
"We're not sure. We're checking on it."
"This is ridiculous. Unless...Navigation scan this area again on all bands."
"Yes, Beta Lastbite."
Lastbite had a feeling that he'd missed something important. "Well?"
"Nothing, Beta Lastbite."
"Hail them. I wish to speak to the great King Renten LoudRoar."
"Message sent and received. Vid is live and open."
The screen flickered and was replaced with Renten LoudRoar's leonine face. Lastbite stood and studied the Gatoan King's expression. He saw the craftiness in the other male's eyes. The feeling of a trap surfaced once more. He tamped it down. He was in control here.
"King Renten LoudRoar. I would say a pleasure to meet you, but I'm afraid that isn't true. I am here to accept your surrender and to retrieve the human female, Jewels Enbran."
Renten rubbed his chin. "And you are?"
"Lastbite, Beta to Alpha Bonebreaker."
"Ah, so once again Bonebreaker sends an inept underling to challenge me. Really, you would think he would have outgrown that by now."
Inept? Lastbite clenched his fist, raised his muzzle and bared his fangs. Stupid cats. They would tremble at the Lupines' might. "Maybe he knows that you are nothing more than a joke and easily defeated by an 'inept underling.' No matter. You will die and we will triumph."
"You sound so sure. Hmm, I wonder. Could it be that you aren't confident at all?" Renten goaded.
"You will not sway me. I will assume that all this talking is to disguise your lack of prowess. I will take great pleasure in ending your miserable lives and subjugating the humans. Good-bye, Gatoan," Lastbite spat and terminated the feed.
"Power up our weapons. It is time to teach the cats respect." Lastbite sat down with a grin. Finally, he would be able to vent his frustration by using the Gatoans for target practice.
"Weapons powered, Beta Lastbite."
"Fire!"
* * *
"Father, maybe you shouldn't have taunted the mutt," Dex admonished from his seat at the weapons console.
"Perhaps, but we have to make a stand. No more running. We have a right to our lives too!" Renten threw back his head and roared loud and proud. "For honor! For our homes!"
"They're firing!"
"Evasive maneuvers now! Return fire. Try to keep between them and Earth," Renten ordered.
Their ship began a slow roll to dodge the enemy's weapons.
"Communications, have our other three ships join the attack from behind the enemy. We need to split the ships up."
"Message sent and received, Sire."
"Returning fire. We scored a hit on the lead dreadnought. Minor damage," Dex reported.
"Swing us around and target their engine section. If we can disable them, it will make life a little easier," Renten replied.
He looked over at Dex and saw the tension bubbling beneath his focused facade. His son was worried about his missing mate. Renten hoped that for Dex's sake that the human female survived. This was going to be a short fight if the humans didn't come soon. If he had to die, then at least it would be with his head held high and pride for a glorious death. Renten's one regret -- not destroying their enemies sooner.