Tarra placed her hands over her young eyes as Jerrix glared around.
He suddenly dashed to a side control bank and threw a switch. This brave act deactivated the laser weaponry.

The security guard moved to arrest him but a couple of well-aimed blows knocked him to the floor.

“Now captain get us out of here,” Jerrix demanded.

The captain looked at him coldly.

“You wouldn’t dare sir.”

Jerrix moved a finger over the opposite button.

“Try me. One push and I cut the power system.”

Tarra removed her hands.

“Now you have got him.”

The captain realised he was deadly serious as the security officer picked himself up.

“Take us into orbit,” the captain ordered. “Will that suffice sir?”

“Not quite. Before we leave, I’ll wreck your weaponry for good. You will have to head home for repairs.”

“What business is this of yours?” the captain demanded. “You are not from Earth.”

“Oh I know that captain. I just can’t stand bullies.”

As he spoke, the alien craft rose into the atmosphere, willing itself into low orbit. Jerrix pulled out his fork shaped device as
Tarra joined him.

“Your superiors will be angry with you,” Jerrix told him.

“We will simply send another craft sir. This station must be put out of action. Nothing will change that.”

Tarra turned to her companion.

“Perhaps we should negotiate?”

“What do you mean by that?”

She whispered one word into his fluffy ear.

“Headline.”

He screwed his nose and scratched his ear lightly.

“Perhaps I can help you captain without having to destroy the place.”

The skipper left the pilots and joined them.

“You have a suggestion sir?”

“I won’t damage your ship if you swear to give me time.”

The captain thought it over.

“How long till station activation?” he called out.

“Three days sir,” a pilot replied.

“That is your time limit sir. After that I start blasting.”

Jerrix nodded and removed his paw from the panel. Then he said, “If I were you, I would relocate to high orbit. In about six minutes the ISS will collide with you.”

He took his companion’s hand and walked back to the lift, leaving a very grateful captain.

As they entered the ship once more Tarra asked, “Can you trust him?”

“He is the captain Tarra. Of course I trust him.”

“Obviously you have a plan.”

Jerrix smiled.

“I always have one. See that drawer over there? Get me the keyboard please.”

She did as asked, and handed the device over.

“I take it the aerial transmits a signal?”

“It certainly does Tarra. Now I enter the appropriate coordinates like this, and voila.”

He handed the keyboard back and she placed it carefully within its home.

She saw him padding across to the east statue and activate the drive system. This time the craft shook with displeasure, and Tarra felt pretty unsafe.

The shaking soon stopped and Jerrix grinned.

“Worried were you?”

“I nearly lost my lunch thanks.”
---
When she stepped outside it was dark. A full moon hung overhead in a clear, crisp sky.

“You took us through time,” Tarra commented.

“That is why the ship shook. It’s not really designed to carry out such a manoeuvre.”

“So where are we?” she asked looking at the bushes.

“Just a stone’s throw from the research station. That ship arrives in about ten hours.”

“Jerrix. That will change the timeline.”

“On this occasion we have to Tarra. I don’t like it either but we have no choice.”

He dashed off and stopped at a metal fence. Deploying his device, he cut his way through until they both slipped inside the outer perimeter.

He checked for alarms before dashing across the grassy ground towards a side door.

“Now comes the tricky part Tarra. This may get rather hairy.”

“I’m with you,” she replied. “Just do the best you can.”

He smiled.

“Just hold my paw will you.”

As she did this, he fiddled with the device and she suddenly found herself standing in a white washed corridor.

“Some device.”

“Oh it comes in handy you know,” he replied.

He looked around and carefully led the way towards the main lab. Due to the early hour, they were alone.

“Now that is what I like to see,” Jerrix said. “A well stocked chamber.”

The lab was quite large and packed with scientific equipment. At the centre stood what they were looking for. The space laser. To Tarra’s eyes, it looked quite boring.

A long red thick cable led across the floor to a metallic cradle.
Within that cradle, a large glass barrel rose about fifteen feet before terminating in a metal tip.

“To think,” Jerrix said. “This is the cause of all the trouble.”

“Seems so innocent,” Tarra said. “Pity we just can’t carry it off.”

“Not this time I’m afraid. Get me a small screwdriver and wire cutters.”

As Tarra searched for these materials, Jerrix knelt and waited for her return. As carefully as possible, he removed the backing plate, which exposed a series of coloured wires. Then he cut each one before removing the circuit board. Behind this, a metallic tube came into view. Glancing at her, Jerrix said slowly, “This trilithium case contains a cobalt core. Go back to the ship and in the third drawer remove one pink vial. Can you do that for me?”

“Of course Jerrix. Cobalt is radioactive. Are you sure about this?”

He gritted his teeth. There is no other way. It takes twenty years to collect enough trilithium to create the case. That should result in the project’s abandonment.”

“That’s not what I meant”

“You had better go and wait for me Tarra. I’ll be alright.”

He watched her dash off and waited until she was safe. Then slowly he unscrewed the case and due to its weight, hugged it to his chest.
Rising slowly, he made his escape.

Getting outside was no problem but as he crossed the grassy ground the radiation poured through him. He began to stumble then, but he knew that dropping it was not an option.

He slipped through the fence and saw the light green glow from his craft. By this time, he was sweating profusely.

Then he stopped.

“Tarra. I need the containment vessel.”

He heard her searching through the drawers until she appeared with a large metallic flask.

“Open it up and step well away.”

She placed it upon the ground and stepped inside the ship. He lowered the case slowly and slammed the lid shut.

“I’m glad that is over. Now, phase two.”

He hauled the containment vessel off the ground and staggered in with it. Tarra held the pink vial.

“You’ll need this Jerrix.”

“Not yet. We need to get rid of this damn thing.”

He activated the galactic image, followed by the drive system and without any shaking changed location.

“You had better stay here Tarra.”

Picking up the vessel, he staggered outside into a hostile environment. The hot red sky blazed down as he approached one of the smoking fissures. Then placing it upon the hot ground, he removed the trilithium case and simply dropped it in.

With failing strength, he attempted to get back but crumpled. His failing vision registered a dim figure dashing to his rescue.

“Open your mouth Jerrix. For pity sake.”

He did so and tasted he sour liquid flow down his grateful throat. He suddenly felt a burning sensation and his vision restored itself.
As life seemed to return, she helped him to his feet and together, staggered into the waiting ship.

“I’m grateful for that. Put the vessel back please while I get us out of here.”

“Will you be okay now?”

He glanced at his ginger paws and smiled.

“I am still here. I should be alright now.”

He set the ship in motion and when in orbit retrieved the keyboard.
He typed away and activated the drive system when the shaking returned.

Moments later, Tarra stepped out into daylight. She saw the familiar caravan park. Jerrix stood beside her.

“What a lovely day,” he muttered.

“What time is it?”

“About ten minutes before your mother returns. Now get yourself back Tarra.”

The young girl faced him.

“Promise me one thing?”

“Which is?”

“No more time travel.”

He nodded then said, “Can’t anyway. If I try it again the ship will disintegrate.”

“Glad to hear it,” she replied. “Just take care and find yourself a partner.”

He smiled. “I don’t want one thanks. On my planet the blokes have the kids.”

Tarra opened her eyes wide then laughed loudly.

“Oh Jerrix, what a pickle.”

“One that requires more vinegar I think,” he said.

He extended his paw.

“Goodbye Tarra. Live your life and stay away from talking cats.”

She shook it and watched as he vanished inside. Moments later, he was gone for good. Tarra turned and walked back to her holiday.