Gerry loved school lunchtimes. For about half an hour, he was free from the torment of bullies. He had never understood their mindset. Perhaps he thought to himself, it was his black spiky hair.

His bulky weight, far higher than your average ten year old, seemed to slow him down. That made escape quite difficult, if not impossible.

He did not have to go far to reach the small sweet shop he loved. His red shiny uniform always gave him an air of importance.

“Hi Mr Yani.”

“Afternoon Gerry. Same as usual?”

Gerry loved the Sikh’s national dress. If only everyone could wear it. The shopkeeper had turned to take down the jar of spicy jellies when the door opened and an unfriendly voice said, “Hand over the cash old man.”

Gerry turned to see another youth, stocking pulled over his face holding a knife.

“I’m giving you nothing,” Mr Yani told him. “You had better leave before I call the police.”

The youth grabbed the schoolboy, and putting the knife to his back pulled him into the quiet street.

“Let me go,” Gerry demanded.

“Or what?” the youth replied.

“I would do let him go. That is your final warning.”

Gerry was swung round, and saw a rather strange sight facing him. A largish ginger moggy was standing there with a yellow cloak fastened at the throat with a gold clasp.

“Where did you come from?” the startled youth asked.

The strange figure turned and pointed to a faint green glow just down the street. Then he turned back.

“Let him go now.”

The confused youth seemed to relax and Gerry swung his arm back, jabbing the bone into his stomach. The youth yelled and doubled up, allowing Gerry to break free. As soon as he did, he grabbed the moggy by the paw and ran towards the nearby glow.

He had no idea why he did this you understand. He just felt it was safer than waiting around for the youth to recover.

As they ran into the glow, Gerry suddenly stopped as the door slid shut behind them. He released the paw and gawped.

“Eh, yes,” the cat commented. “This is my ship by the way.”

Gerry just stared at the shiny, squashy floor and the walls that seemed to emit a pale blue light. A waist height, metallic dome stood at the centre of the contraption and fixed at the four cardinal points stood a cat statue, almost as high as the cat.

“Have a look around.”

Gerry wandered around slowly, noting the single levers behind each of the statues.

“The walls contain drawers where I keep my equipment.”

“This is incredible,” Gerry gasped.

“I like to think so.”

The boy suddenly realised that he was having a conversation with a five-foot high feline.

“You are not from around here then?” he asked.

“I think that is obvious. What is your name by the way?”

“Friends call me Gerry. What do they call you?”

“Jerrix Tau at your service,” and the cat half bowed.

“Thanks for the help by the way.”

“Anytime,” the cat replied padding over to the north statue and pulling down the hidden lever.

To Gerry’s astonishment, a holographic image of our spiral galaxy appeared above the dome. He clearly saw two flashing dots upon it.

“I don’t recognise that second dot,” Gerry said rather puzzled.

Jerrix smiled.

“That is where I am of to Gerry. Would you like to see it?”

“What? Another planet?”

“In this galaxy,” Jerrix explained. “There are over a million inhabited worlds you know. Earth is but a lonely old backwater.”

“I have to return to school really.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. See you later then.”

Gerry walked towards the door, which slid open. Then he stopped and turned.

“Come to think of it Jerrix, I would not mind.”

The cat smiled and padded to the east statue. As Gerry watched, the lever was pulled then moments later returned to the middle position.

“Is that it?” the boy asked.

“What do you expect?” the cat asked. “Flashing lights perhaps?”

Jerrix walked past him and stepped outside. Gerry shook his head and followed.
---
The familiar quiet street had gone. In its place, he found himself standing in a pink miasma that was a little difficult to see through.

“Where are we?” Gerry asked.

“Jawa actually. Came here years ago.”

“Returning like the prodigal son then?”

Jerrix smiled.

“Not quite. We should not be far from the main settlement you know.”

“I hope your eyes are better than mine.”

“I can see perfectly,” Jerrix replied. “Let’s go.”

He followed the strange cat across the weird landscape and realised they were upon a plateau. They quickly reached the edge and looking down, saw the strangest settlement he had ever seen.

It was circular in shape, and huge mushroom like buildings sprouted within it.

“At least it’s still here,” Jerrix muttered.

“The place looks deserted,” Gerry commented.

“They just have not seen us yet. Come on, let’s say hello.”

They began their descent, through the strange pink miasma when half way to the settlement Gerry spotted an inhabitant leaving a dwelling and floating towards them.

The creature was bulbous and many tendrils hung from the base. It moved quickly to meet them and the cat stopped.

“Hello Cantril. Nice to see you again.”

To Gerry’s surprise, a pair of pink eyes rose from the bulbous body on stalks.

“Welcome back to Jawa old friend.”

“This is Gerry by the way.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” the boy replied.

Cantril swung and led them to the small settlement, which remained strangely quiet.

“Seems like a Sunday,” the boy commented.

“Is there something you are not telling me Cantril?”

“Times have changed. As they always do.”

They entered the first mushroom shaped residence and saw a small group of Jawans chanting together.

“What are they doing?” Gerry asked.

“Carrying out a prayer ritual Gerry. Very rare.”

“We are praying for a miracle my friend,” Cantril explained.

“I think you had better explain yourself,” Jerrix suggested.

“Our sun is suffering Hydrognic decline.”

“What does that mean?” the schoolboy asked softly.

“It’s losing gas. I am truly sorry Cantril. Your people have lived here for millennia.”

“We cannot leave Jerrix, as you are fully aware.”

“So, you are reduced to prayer.”

“As you know, I prefer more solid action,” Cantril told him. “Come with me.”

They followed him to the far side of the settlement and into another mushroom shaped building. At the centre of the enclosure, a strange device stood upon a large table.

“This is my own invention. What do you think?”

The cat examined the object and exclaimed, “You have built a solar ioniser.”

“It is our last chance to save our planet.”

Jerrix glanced back, rubbing behind his ear.

“If you get this wrong, that sun of yours will go nova.”

“I consider the risk acceptable. Better to perish now than next year.”

“I fully understand your point,” Jerrix replied. “I need to check the internal setting.”

Cantril floated forward and a tendril tapped the side panel. As it swung open, Gerry saw complicated circuitry.

“Thanks,” Jerrix commented removing a fork like device from his deep cloak pocket.

“Always prepared,” Cantril commented.

Jerrix smiled. “As you know, I don’t like to be caught with my pants down.”

He slowly waived his device across the circuit board and glared at the readout.

“It’s only just marginal, Cantril. Is this the best you could do?”

“With our technology yes. I suppose you could do better?”

“If you had given me enough warning yes. At this late stage however... “

“I can only try Jerrix. This device will be deployed within hours.”

The cat glanced at Gerry, scowling.

“We will have to leave by then just in case.”

“Of what?”

“Eh...Boom.”

Cantril led them outside and the cat spotted a domed building he did not recognise.

“What do we have here?” he asked padding towards it.

“Our secondary plan my friend. In case my device fails.”

“Oh yes. A bunker would not protect you,” Jerrix reminded him.

“You may look inside if you wish.”

Gerry followed them towards the dome and through a small side canopy. To his amazement, he saw a rocket standing on a red gantry.
It was obvious that the dome swung back. Jerrix simply stared at it.

“This will save my people,” Cantril explained proudly.

“Some rocket,” Gerry commented.

“Looks like photonic drive,” Jerrix commented.

“It will take a million polyps to their new home.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” the cat replied padding towards the gantry.

“It is the only solution.”

“Where do you plan to send it?” Jerrix asked.

“Earth my friend. The Pacific to be exact.”

The cat stopped, turning slowly.

“You really can’t go there,” he advised. “Your people would become the dominant species.”

“It is unfortunate,” Cantril replied. “We debated for a year before building this rocket.”

Gerry had been listening of course. Hearing that his planet was in danger, angered the schoolboy.

“Now hold on a minute,” he exclaimed.
Cantril swung toward him.

“You come from Earth?”

“He does,” Jerrix told him. “Aim your rocket somewhere else.”

“The automated controls are dead set my friend. They cannot be changed.”

“Then we will stop the launch,” Gerry informed him.

The creature looked surprised.

“So will I,” the cat said.

“Such anger. Neither one of you understand our need to continue.”

“Continue yes,” Jerrix told him. “By conquest no.”

“Then you must be considered our enemies,” Cantril said sadly.

Jerrix realised what that meant. Before he could react however, two tendrils slashed across his face and he toppled backwards. As Garry moved forward, he too was felled.

The Jawa hummed for assistance and two companions glided through into the dome.

“Restrain them,” he commanded.

He watched as the unconscious friends were dragged off.

Health report...Had good night..0 attacks...Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's hope tonight same!

Perhaps the fearless moggy can lend me a hand! Or a paw perhaps?

Very glad to hear that your feeling better my friend, :)...i knew when i saw the new episode. Thank you for indulging our reading pleasure!

Ta...