Doctor Wilson took the travellers by car through the small town traffic. She stopped outside a lightly coloured elegant building with a pillared doorway. Two hours had passed since the two traffic wardens had died.

“This is the mayor’s residence,” she told him stepping outside.

Jerrix and Yoland followed her into the reception area where a guard took them to the official’s office.

When they entered, they found a military officer standing beside him. Jerrix gazed at the line of books behind the carved desk before looking at the mayor himself.

He was dressed in a dark suit and rather young looking, despite being bald. The officer however was tall and around fifty. His shiny grey uniform was adorned with badges of rank.

“This is General Marshall,” the mayor told them.

“What are you doing here?” the cat asked suspiciously.

“I was just telling the mayor that yesterday’s explosion at the lab did not threaten public safety.”

“What lab?” the doctor asked.

“A chemical one,” the general answered. “Two volatile chemicals mixed and a lot of our men died.”

“Which brings us to the main point,” the mayor butted in. “You said four had died from combustion.”

“That’s correct sir. I believe fleas are responsible,” Jerrix told him.

“Fleas?” the mayor replied. “What makes you say that?”

The cat swallowed hard.

“I found charred fleas upon all four victims sir. It’s clear to me they are responsible.”

“Sounds barmy to me,” the general muttered.

The doctor shuffled her feet.

“What about you doctor?” the mayor asked.

“I agree with Jerrix sir.”

“Look,” the cat butted in. “The charring destroyed the evidence sir.

If I could collect a live sample you will have your proof.”

The mayor was intrigued by the suggestion.

“Go ahead then. I cannot act until I have that proof.”

When they left the building, they saw an elderly woman suddenly collapse upon the pavement, smoking heavily.

“Not another one,” the doctor muttered.

“We need to examine her too I’m afraid,” Jerrix pointed out.

Back inside the autopsy lab, the cat was once more peering through the microscope lens. He sighed before stepping back.

The doctor peered for a moment and muttered, “Another flea. Seems your theory is correct.”

“What I don’t understand,” Yoland said. “What is the actual mechanism?”

“I suspect the virus shuts down the body’s cooling system. That would cause a rapid temperature rise.”

“Not natural then?” the doctor asked.

The cat shook his furry head.

“Not likely. These fleas have been turned into weapons. That general is hiding something.”

“Yesterday’s explosion,” Yoland reminded him.

“Obviously,” the cat replied.

“You really think they would go that far?” the doctor asked.

“The military have been known to go further my dear,” Jerrix said.

After a moment the cat said, “What I need is a bio suit and a specimen bottle.”

Yoland was suddenly alarmed.

“You are not going to catch one are you?”

“It’s the only way my dear. That mayor wants proof. I’ll give him it.”

The doctor dashed off and returned moments later with the required suit. As Yoland watched, the cat pulled on the silver suit and donned the helmet.

“Keys please.”

The doctor handed them over and the cat thanked her.

“You had better come back,” Yoland said.

Jerrix smiled and replied, “I always do my dear.”

They watched as the cat strutted out.

He drove the vehicle out of town, the fork shaped device in the top pocket of his suit. As he entered the countryside, he gazed around at the peaceful scene.

Across a field, he spotted some cattle and stopped at once. Taking his specimen bottle, he stepped out and wandered toward them.

“This should be easy,” he muttered.

As he reached a docile animal, he waived the device across the hide and gently scraped the insects into his bottle.

“Should be enough.”

He gazed across the field, and near a water trough saw a charred figure upon the ground.

“Another damn victim.”

He gazed toward the farm and spotted a cattle shed which he decided to investigate. As he peeked inside, he saw a haze of insects hovering over a sleeping animal.

These were not fleas you understand, but he quickly realised where his quarry was located.

“I just hope they stay there,” he said strutting outside.

Returning to the autopsy lab, he reported his findings before placing his specimens under the microscope. As he examined each one, he muttered to himself until he gasped.

“Got you. Take a look at this.”

The doctor looked and whispered, “Those red cells upon the proboscis must be viral sacks.”

“They are indeed,” the cat replied. “I think that is proof enough.”

“What now?” Yoland asked.

The cat smiled.

“The doctor warns the mayor whilst I mix up a small firebomb. Come on.”

As the doctor phoned the official with the bad news, Jerrix found the chemicals he needed and mixed them carefully. He poured them into a small bottle and sealed it.

“I only need to shake this and boom.”

Yoland smiled as the doctor reported the latest news.

“The mayor has ordered the clearing of the streets. He also expects us to deal with them.”

“Typical official,” Yoland commented.

The cat faced them both.

“I know where they are my dear. We will need suits for you two though.”

The doctor dashed out as Jerrix and Yoland headed for the car.
Minutes later the doctor joined them and Jerrix gunned the engine.

He easily reached the farm where his suspects still remained. As his friends suited up he said, “We may only have one chance at this.”

“Then it had better work,” the doctor advised him.

As Jerrix smiled, they left the car and padded towards the cattle shed. He was careful not to shake the bottle until it was absolutely necessary.

As they approached carefully, Jerrix handed his fork like device to Yoland.

“When I say press it my dear, kindly do so.”

She nodded as the shed came into view.

“Are you sure this is the lot of them?” the doctor asked.

“I sure hope so,” the cat replied. “It’s the obvious place for them.”

They reached the closed doors and Jerrix breathed deeply.

“When I shake this, I enter, throw and leave.”

“Then we run?” Yoland suggested.

“Oh yes my dear. Then we run.”

His friends counted down before opening the exterior doors. Jerrix dashed inside, shaking the bottle vigorously. He saw the unfortunate dozing animal as he tossed the makeshift bomb at the haze of insects.

He turned quickly and dashed out, as the doors were slammed shut. Seconds later, the shed was engulfed by a raging fireball. The friends turned looking back at the inferno.

“I think that should do it,” the cat muttered. “The mayor needs to act against the military so that nothing like this can happen again.”

“I’ll see to that,” the doctor replied pulling off her bio suit.

Yoland removed her own and was happy to be out. Jerrix glanced at the grazing animals as he finally removed his.

“Well now,” he muttered. “I believe we can go now my dear.”

“Thanks for your help,” Doctor Wilson said shaking their hands.

The two travellers found their way back to the track that led towards the hidden ship.

“Do you think the general will listen?” Yoland asked.

“Would you?”

Yoland shook her head.

As the soft green glow came into view, the cat slapped the rear of his neck.

“Damn midges,” he muttered.

“Those we can deal with,” Yoland said laughing.

Jerrix felt a sudden rise in body temperature and staggered a little.

“What’s up?” Yoland asked.

“One of the fleas bit me,” Jerrix moaned as he gazed through the sea of pain.

“Oh no,” Yoland gasped. “Which vial do you need?”

The cat shook his black furry head as he saw his paws charring.

“Nothing can deal with this my dear,” he gasped as smoke poured from his tortured body.

She saw him crash headlong and kneeling, turned him over quickly.
Incredibly, he was still alive.

“Yoland,” he gasped. “This could be the end you know. May not survive this...”

His frail voice faded as his bright yellow eyes closed. Jerrix went deathly still. As Yoland watched, the body rapidly faded until only a ghostly silhouette remained. Then just as rapidly, the cat returned to solidity.

Jerrix scrambled up, gazing at his paws.

“I never have white paws,” he muttered.

“Your face has gone white too I’m afraid. Even that white bib has gone.”

Jerrix stared at her.

“How about the rest of me?” he enquired.

“Still black Jerrix. You look quite cute.”

He scowled.

“Cute indeed,” he muttered, marching towards the soft green light.

He suddenly stopped and glanced back.

“I suddenly realised. I have only six lives left.”

“Then be more careful,” Yoland suggested.

“We shall see about that,” he replied marching into the hidden ship.