Chapter I – Establishment

“I’m not a cat, you know” I shouted.

The traffic was terrible. It’s not like the next wave from Pluto is arriving. A cold rock for cold absorbing shape shifters. The Zodiac people are indeed… peculiar? They are for sure not welcomed here, that I am for certain. The establishment don’t allow it.

“But you look like a cat, Cane” Pedro said.

“Do I need to remind you of her majesty’s present?” I said quite amused.

Her majesty sat in the backseat. Quietly she chuckled and then shrugged off our present. I smiled through the mirror. Oh man, I’m pretty. Pedro shook his head. Just some miles left until we are in the capital. This escort mission is sure boring.

I opened the door for her majesty. Recklessly she stepped outside and pushed me aside.

“Hey!” I exclaimed. “It’s not like I’ve already been pushed around today”

“How pity” she said. “Such savage animal can’t even hold down its own temper?”

Pedro locked the car and handed over a beer to me. We followed her majesty.

“If you say so” I said bitter some.

We were home again. When the gates opened for us I felt a sense of familiarity. “It has been some time, heh?” I thought while taking in the beautiful view. Being raised up here has been such a ride. I’m lucky that they took me in.

Pedro showed the way past the waterfall. We ended up at the floating luxury palace. Robots, serving drinks made me shake my head. It just reminds me of the old days. The days when my people was ruled by those monsters. The so called humans.

Her majesty threw her coat at Pedro. Then she continue walk towards the floating palace. I saw how furious Pedro became. He shouted after her but she couldn’t hear him. If he continue with this savage behavior then he will end up in custody. I know that I could lose my temper, so I don’t want this guy to end up with the same fate as I did those years back. I’m lucky to even get passed that gate again after that rampage.

“Anyway” Pedro said. “Is this where you lived?”

“Yep” I said. “Stayed until her majesty’s 16^th birthday”.

Pedro sighed.

“I can’t imagine your relief to leave this horrible place” He said seriously.

Before I could even say I word Pedro was on its way into the palace.

“I suppose so” I said to myself.

I stayed behind and watched over the garden. How calm it is here. The queen has really changed since we last met. I hope she take care of this place. You know, it is only the Buckingham Palace we are talking about.

I saw how the robots trimmed down the hedges and cleaned up the leaves. “The servants of the almighty queen, heh?” I thought. “I guess she really replaced us with unemotional robots”. I really hate this place. Slowly I started walking towards the stairs to the palace. There I met a robot officer. She saluted me. If she only knew who I am.

“Greetings Cane” the female robot said.

“Greetings to you officer” I said.

“I’ve been ordered by her majesty to keep an eye on you” she said.

“Good to know” I said. “You’re well informed I see”

The robot nodded and smiled when I past her.

“Thank you Cane” She said.

I chuckled and continued my stroll up the stairs. “Haha” I thought. “Yeah. I’m so fucked, I’m so fucking fucked”. Well, I guess the lady could beat me up with one punch. These bullet sponging robots to officers really pissed me off in prison. I rather not piss off the queen then.

Inside I sat sipping more from my beer. Finally I threw it in the trash can. After a while came that man Pedro. He sat down next to me and he told me how her majesty wanted a word with me. He said it was urgent too.

“Tell her majesty” I began. “That I’ve done what she asked me for”

“Come on Cane” Pedro said. “You know I can’t do that. The queen will be mad”.

I sighed.

“I know” I said. “I’m sorry dude, I better head home”.

Pedro stood up and stopped me from walking. What more can I do? He’s a war hero from Brazil. And I know he would beat me in a fight. But I had an ace hidden in my robe. He’ll never expect it. Guns blazing time! Hell yeah!

“I will not ask you twice!” Pedro shouted.

“You don’t need to” I thought. Then I heard a “click”. That sound have I heard before. It’s a… *sigh*… a gun. Got dang it! Pedro bite his teeth with frustration. I made an oh-really face. He stole my idea, well I guess we just thought the same though.

I held my hands in the air as a sign of defeat.

“Fine!” I yelled. “I’ll go to the fricking queen. At least I can tell my friends that I met the queen two times today”.

Pedro chuckled.

“That’s right” he said. “You’ll meet her twice today. Send her my regards”

“Well” I said. “I’ll do anything to a guy who pulls a gun on me”.

“No hard feelings Cane?” he said.

“Well” I said. “I never had any feelings for you compadre”.

He pulled away the gun and pointed towards the queen’s chamber.

“Don’t keep the lady waiting” Pedro said with a smirk on his face.

I pushed Pedro aside and walked towards the chamber. My last visit to the queen herself. I would rather not speak with her. It’s not like I’ve been forced to obey her crazy orders. After I was released I was forced to follow commands from her. This was my final job. A foreigner like me has no say. I thought this was my home, until she backstabbed me. To her I was just a servant, a pet.

There is no blood that bond me with these humans. Yet, I still am a person you know. I’m not a cat, not anymore at least. Probably I’m just crazy. The establishment don’t allow a change of mind. They are the same as they were 1000 years ago.

Slowly I opened the door to the chamber. My eyes widen when I looked over the room. It was so clean. Such beauty, ruined. A dead body focused my vision. It can’t be. The queen is dead. Long live the dead queen.