Star Kitten Read online

  STAR KITTEN

  a novel

  by

  Purple Hazel

  Smashwords Edition

  Published on Smashwords by:

  Purple Hazel

  Star Kitten

  Copyright 2015 by Purple Hazel

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Smashwords Edition License Notes

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Intergalactic Penal Colony

  Chapter 2: Fifty Earth Years Later

  Chapter 3: Crystal Discovery

  Chapter 4: Open Rebellion

  Chapter 5: The Naustie Revolt

  Chapter 6: The Ramp

  Chapter 7: For the Honor

  Chapter 8: The Empath

  Chapter 9: The End of Warden Ggggaaah

  Chapter 10: The Star Kitten

  Chapter 11: Space Pirates

  Chapter 12: Another Year Passes by on Star Pussy

  Chapter 13: Meanwhile Back on New Australia

  Chapter 14: Voyage to Star Pussy

  Chapter 15: Attack on Star Pussy

  Chapter 16: The Starfish

  Chapter 17: A Heart’s Desire

  Chapter 18: The Voyages Home

  Chapter 19: The Order of Heroic Merit

  Chapter 20: Chasing the Anarchy

  Chapter 21: The Happy Couple

  Chapter 22: The Wedding

  Chapter 23: Five Years Pass

  Chapter 24: Earth Invades!

  Chapter 25: Hell Cracks Open

  Chapter 26: The Star Baby

  Chapter 1:

  Intergalactic Penal Colony

  The President of the Assembly, a rather aged and respected Porkonji named Abrafrilric, suddenly stood up and cleared his throat. The murmuring inside the gigantic hall swelled into that kind of a roar that comes from the result of hundreds and hundreds of people making discreet whispering comments to their neighbors next to them or behind them.

  Pig-like, rotund, and gruff (just like most full-grown Porkonjii) Abrafrilric’s throat-clearing was rather more like a snarling, snorting, gurgling growl, but even this had little effect on the mass of people crowded inside the convention hall. It was a gigantic building spanning a quarter mile square area and located near the supreme government building in the planetary capital of Porkonji. The interior was a cavernous hall that was made of stone walls, stone floor, and a very high ceiling. It was lit only by lamps and some chandeliers suspended from the vast wood-beamed ceiling above. Porkonjii didn’t really need or like very bright lights. Their very sensitive snouts directed their movements more than their eyesight. And their big floppy swine-like ears accomplished the rest. But their buildings and rooms were large. They liked to have lots of space to move around in.

  There would still be a few more moments of tense murmuring within the crowd before he’d be able to regain control. Abrafrilric could already tell this would take a while. It usually did anyway. So he just stood and waited patiently for the tumult to subside. No use in trying to regain order—that would be like interrupting ancient earth pigs at a feeding trough (back in more barbaric times when swine were bread for slaughter and consumption by Humans). But on Porkonji, the evolution process that led from tiny rodents to wild boars to pigs continued to advance that life form into a bipedal sophisticated life form which grew to dominate the other species on its planet. Porkonjii learned to stand, to walk, to communicate, and to develop higher technologies.

  Abrafrilric was the duly-selected leader of this year’s meeting—honoring a tradition that had gone back over 70 galactic years (roughly the equivalent of 301 earth years). Tradition was that the host planet would choose its own President for the annual convention. The Galactic Convention had been held every galactic year since the Peace Treaty of Slartigifij, which ended the war between the planets Zorgolong and Pumalar. This first convention was hosted back then by the very wise and docile Slartigifijian planet elders, and was held to establish the terms for peace between these two bitter long-time planets. After that, the event was moved annually from one planet to another, to promote fairness and balance in decision-making. This particular galactic year (which equaled 4.3 earth years) the Convention was held on the planet Porkonji.

  Abrafrilric gripped and lifted his gavel, but the murmuring still rose. No one heeded this gesture (determined gavel-grabbing somehow didn’t seem to draw their attention). And he even thought for a moment about raising his hand to calm them. Porkonjii had hoof-like claws that could grip like a human’s thumb and fingers; but specifically it looked more like a human hand tucked inside of a mitten. The difference was that their grip was incredibly strong as was their bodies.

  The audience was made up of ministers and delegations from all the seven different planets of the Interplanetary Authority, as well as their colonies and their satellites. This throng of humanoid beings had begun meeting centuries ago to address matters affecting peaceful resolution to conflicts between planets. But it also over time dealt with issues affecting free and open trade, as well as threats to the health and welfare of the galaxy’s billions of citizens. Today, the proposal being presented to the over 1000 intelligent beings in attendance, was very nearly just as controversial as it was ingenious: the creation of an Intergalactic Penal Colony for violent criminals.

  It all started with a proposal that had originated from the Earth delegation regarding prison over-crowding and the humane but practical treatment of inmates. The murmuring had begun just a few minutes before, after Abrafrilric had announced that debate would soon begin on the measure. Behind him a giant screen, the size of a soccer field, was activated and switched from its usual computer image of the Interplanetary Authority logo, to a title of the Earth delegation’s proposal: NEW AUSTRALIA PLANETARY PRISON. Then it began scrolling down and gradually detailed in Galactic language exactly what the proposal was. On smaller computer screens located at each desk inside each planet’s delegation box, the same proposal was being detailed in that planet’s native language as well. But most of the beings in the audience preferred to read Galactic. Educated beings all spoke and understood the Galactic language and only spoke their native planetary languages in their homes; or with their families. As the audience read the details of it, the murmuring rose higher and higher as more details were described; and the screen scrolled down further.

  What the Earthmen wanted was to develop a global penal colony on a barren planet located inside the star system of Rijel. As the Earthmen explained it, the twelfth planet in the Rijel system already had a small mining operation, located below the surface. What the mine needed was labor; and below the rather forbidding pla
net surface it would be “easy” to support a population of forced labor with the planet’s already available supply of subterranean aquifers. The interior of the planet was basically glacial ice, and within a mile below the surface it was quite easy to dig wells inside the planet’s infinite cavern system.

  The commercial mine could simply be purchased, the existing staff and administration of the mine could be retained, and all the Interplanetary Authority needed to do was create a prison and guards there to supply the mine with workers. Existing labor there could continue to be employed as supervisors and foremen.

  Simple! Just like everything the Earthmen always proposed. And therein lay the irony with those beings from Earth. Almost nothing about Earthmen and their ethics or logic was in any way… simple.

  The controversy lay in Earth’s long-standing reputation for deception and ulterior motives when it came to intergalactic politics. They just always seemed to be justifying their policies or actions by claiming it was necessary for the greater good; seemingly oblivious to how it might negatively affect other planets or the natural order of things. The other planet delegations could just assume the Earthmen were really trying to devise some scheme to either rid their own planet of a problem—or even more likely they were just trying to make a lot of money. Then again, it might be a combination of both - it was always like that with Earthmen. Their “logic” as they called it, always seemed to rationalize away most anything resembling morality or common sense—just like a fresh coat of paint could be used to cover up rusted metal.

  As the famously wise Slartigifijian Planet Elder Sektarpuldifleej once put it, “They (Earthers) aspire to greatness which they cannot truly achieve, so they portray noble ideals that are beyond their capacity.” Another way of putting it might have been, that Earthers (humans as they called themselves) were compelled to accomplish more than their abilities or emotional nature could bear. So they would embellish, boast, and exaggerate. They would very often portray an image of what something could be, rather than what it would most likely become. They would make unrealistic projections; then decry and chastise the failure of those involved in its implementation. The Human way of developing and managing an operation was to set goals that were technically unachievable, then blame everyone and anything but the planners themselves for not achieving them.

  Most certainly, all planets had the occasional violent criminal who was beyond reform. But most of the other planets had a more black and white view of the treatment of antisocial behavior and sociopathic traits. On Pumalar, for instance, they followed a very simple code for punishment when it came to errant acts. Pumalars believed that an offender should have the capability of repeating the offense removed from them; so that they could later continue their contribution to the greater good of society without even being ABLE to make that mistake again. A rapist...? Castrated; no questions asked. A Thief…? Severed hand or hands, depending on what was stolen. A liar or blasphemer…? Tongue removed. All Pumalars grew up knowing the consequences for all their actions, so it was also KNOWN that if an adult Pumalar committed the act, then it could only mean they’d made the choice to violate the law and deserved the punishment accordingly.

  The difference with Earthmen was that they could lie… and that was what made them so confusing to other beings in the galaxy. Just what were they up to this time? An intergalactic penal colony where all the galaxy’s violent criminals could be disposed of? “That was immoral,” said the Slartigifijians. If Earth needed to house and reform its criminal element; then they should do so with better prison systems and larger facilities that could reeducate their inmates back into society.

  By way of comparison, the short and lizard-like Zorgolongians just scoffed that the Earthmen were merely looking to capitalize on the untapped potential of the twelfth planet’s mineral wealth; by using “free labor”. Of course, they should have thought of it themselves frankly, but it was too late now and that likely frustrated them.

  And the diminutive rodent-like Schpleefti delegation just simply sat in confusion. For them it was difficult to understand the concept of “institutionalizing the processing of criminals.” Poly-amorous by nature, this rodent-like species functioned on sheer whim of emotional inspiration for the most part. Violent criminals were merely banished from their communities. Basically they thought the Earthmen’s proposal was a refreshing idea; but at the same time they wanted to make sure they got an even cut of the profits. After all, a GLOBAL mining operation, like the Earthmen were suggesting? That could be amazingly lucrative!

  Such was the tumult over the Earth delegation’s proposal, and Abrafrilric needed to just stand there and let everyone argue it out from their delegate boxes until everyone had spoken their minds. It always just worked out better that way—letting all the delegates fight it out for hours on end, occasionally summarizing the points made until everyone had heard all angles and sides of the issue. It was important that all planetary delegations understand ALL consequences of Interplanetary Authority policy, and avoid rushing into any hasty acts or decisions which might adversely affect one another in the future. That’s partly why these conventions were only held every galactic year - because the debate sessions could last for hours, sometimes days.

  Yet, Abrafrilric could let this debate last for only so long before he had to step in and get back in control of things. That was also his job as President. Eventually, it would become time to vote; and to pass this measure would require only a simple majority. Four votes for the measure, and the Earthmen would have their prison colony, plus the full cooperation and financial backing of the Interplanetary Authority. There were only six planets, so the likelihood of requiring a deciding vote from Abrafrilric was minimal at best.

  Ultimately, the Slartigifijians were overruled by the carefully crafted proposal from the Earthmen. Debate raged on for hours, but the sly Earthmen knew exactly how to “sell” it to the other planetary delegations. As the Earth Delegation Minister put it, “Prisoners would only be sent there to serve their sentences, work hard to achieve production goals, in exchange for good housing and food. Hard work, and the removal of opportunities for criminal behavior, would give all errant beings the best chance for true reform. They could be returned to their societies refreshed and renewed… cured of their criminal urges once and for all.”

  Typical Earthmen, scoffed the lizard-like Zorgolongians. Always exaggerating things. The Zorgolongian delegation Minister hissed, “Cured once and for all? My good Earthman, that’s-sss preposterous! The reason they’re criminals in the first place is they cannot control their urges!”

  But the Earth delegation Minister was unflappable. He rebutted, “The deterrent shall be the planet itself. No one would want to be sentenced there; and absolutely no one would want to be sent back there, either.” The Earth Minister glanced at the Zorgolongians to see if they had any further sarcastic comments, but they—for the moment—did not. So he continued, “They shall repay their debt to society for committing crimes; return home, and live out the rest of their lives on their home planets as good trustworthy citizens.” That’s what the Minister from Earth was proposing.

  After his rebuttal, the Earth Minister patiently listened to all the objections and debating of the other planetary delegations as they wore themselves out arguing. After all, he knew he held all the cards. What he started hearing from the other delegates was, if the Interplanetary Authority did NOT approve of this concept, then Earth itself would just develop the mine on Rijel 12 and cut everyone out of the deal completely. Earth would make a fortune, and hold a virtual monopoly on mineral ore prices throughout the galaxy.

  His message, once it was his turn to speak again, was this: “If all other planets participate, it will become a global operation with an almost endless supply of labor and the funding to build the mining network into an economic success, rather quickly. Earth could do it all by itself, but Rijel 12 is many light years away from us. Several planets are closer… much closer.” The Porkonji and Zo
rgolongian delegations immediately reacted to that point. So near to the Rijel star system, they could much more easily reach Rijel 12 and develop it. But alas… it was Earth’s idea and they’d be wiser to participate in Earth’s plan. Earth had all the best technology for mining anyway, and they all knew that.

  Of course, the ever-so blunt yet honest-speaking Pumalars had already pointed out what most everyone was obviously thinking by then, saying, “Without interplanetary cooperation, Earth would need many galactic years to develop the operation and many more decades to see profitability.” That’s how the Pumalar Minister Oncilla put it. Naturally the lizard-like and sophisticated Zorgolongians scoffed at the naïve Pumalars—as they often did—saying, “Oh, the Earthmen could pull it off faster than that. Don’t underestimate their tenacity!”

  The Pumalars were always doing that… stating the obvious when everyone had already gotten the point. But the rumble this caused actually had a favorable effect on the debate and steered the different planetary delegations toward acceptance of the proposal! Only the Slartigifijians held fast to their argument against this idea of forcing prisoners into what they deemed to be slave labor. Their contention was that it would only lead to abuse and oppression, given enough time.

  Nevertheless, when Abrafrilric held the final vote on the measure, it was approved 5-1. And with that, the intergalactic penal colony of NEW AUSTRALIA was created.

  Chapter 2:

  Fifty Earth Years Later

  Over the years, the penal colony grew. Certainly in the early days, it was slow going. The planet surface was impossibly forbidding. Nevertheless, within a half century (in Earth years) the population grew and grew—from a couple hundred to over a hundred thousand convicts, guards, and administrators living and working there. The different planets in the galaxy—even the cultures who were hesitant about it at first—found they could send convicted felons, murderers, rapists, political agitators, and other social undesirables to this colony.