Hello to Bluefur
Bill Keyes
fine sand into his eyelids. But something was wrong. He couldn't move his
paws! He opened his eyes and looked around urgently...
Then he remembered what had happened. The ambush, the wreck on the highway.
It could only be the work of one man.
"Hello, Colonel." Standing before the military bun was a tall dark man in
a longcoat and cowboy hat. The man was smiling, but there was no mirth in
his face.
"Bunny hunter," Bluefur hissed through his teeth. "How nice to see you."
The colonel looked around. He was securely bound paw and foot, lying on his
back. He tested his bonds.
"Don't bother, Bluefur," Bill said. "Those are Popknots. You won't be able
to get out of them without help. And, I'm afraid there's no help to be found
for you." The BHX grinned.
"Hunter, I demand that you release me immediately, or you will face the wrath
of the High Mountain Warren, and the combined power of the DevilBunny militia!"
Bluefur was furious at this humiliation.
"Colonel, do you remember when you first began sending your troops into my
territory? I advised you against that, but you didn't listen. You took
something from me recently," Bill leaned in closer to the helpless bunny.
"I want it back."
"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about, Hunter," Bluefur snarled.
Bill smiled again. "I think you do know just what I'm talking about. But
I'm a man of honor, and I wouldn't think of just asking for the object in
question's return."
Bluefur was confused. The Extreme one obviously knew about Amy, but he
couldn't know where she was... or that she had a friend with her.
"I am willing, however," The BHX continued, "to arrange a trade..."
TBC!!!!
Bill.
* Bill Keyes /\ * bke...@lamar.colostate.edu *
* c////////=================|__|=> * "There is special providence *
* NoCoAnDeBHQ Commander & / \ * in the fall of a Bunny." *
* Bunny hunter Extreme <______> * -Shakespeare, Hamlet, V.ii. *
Major Bluefur
> Bluefur was confused. The Extreme one obviously knew about Amy, but he
> couldn't know where she was... or that she had a friend with her.
>
> "I am willing, however," The BHX continued, "to arrange a trade..."
Bluefur <fluffed> softly as he thought.
"What exactly did you have in mind." <sardonicearflop>
"You and your staff in a prisoner exchange. We both withdraw to our own
territory under a temporary cease fire."
The Major was surprised. No blustering or broad threats of dire
consequences. Then again, perhaps the Extreme one considered them
superfluous under the circumstances. Smart of him to negotiate quickly. The
BHX was a long way from his home ground. Given even a moderate amount of
time, Snowhare was sure to provide reinforcements that would make life
difficult for Bill. Of course, that would be much to late for Bluefur and
his staff...
"Agreed. Amy for me and my staff."
The BHX's eyes narrowed dangerously beneath the broad brim of his hat, and
he ran his thumb along the edge of his axehead in a nearly unconscious
motion.
"Amy and _Oscar_ for you and your staff."
The grey bun quirked an eyebrow. Interesting. Now just how had the BHX come
by that piece of information? He obviously did not know where they were, or
he would not be negotiating. Yet he knew that Oscar was in devilbunny
custody as well... How could he know one, but not the other? A puzzle for
another time.
"Amy _and_ Oscar then."
* * *
The light rain had broken, and the heat of the Utah desert climate was
making itself felt now.
The BHX did not trust the buns as far as he could *pop* one. But the Major
was at least known for keeping his word. Albeit only to the letter on
occasion. The terms of the agreement though left no room for
interpretation.
Bluefur would turn over Amy and Oscar and in return the Bunny Hunter
Extreme would release Major Bluefur and his troops. There would then be a
12 hour cease fire while each side withdrew.
The Major had given his parole and now stood free next to the BHX. Bill
thought cynically that the fact that the rest of the buns were still bound
and under guard didn't hurt either.
The grey bun had not been quite what Bill had expected. Well mannered, and
even personable. Not that those compensated for the main defect in Bill's
view: that he was a devilbunny. Still, the exchange of war stories from the
opposite sides had been...interesting.
Bluefur had refused to explain the choice of prisoner exchange spots other
than to swear that he would abide by the terms of the agreement and that no
traps would be sprung.
The BHX looked over the area. The land was flat, the Green River slashing
through the landscape a couple of miles to to the east, flowing to the
south. The bridge where the road crossed the river river. A freight train
moved slowly along.
The Major chewed lazily on a piece of straw. The Extreme one turned to him
and spoke,
"Well?"
The grey bun looked back at him with laughing eyes.
"Patience. They'll be here."
The freight train began suddenly to slow with a screech of metal wheels on
metal track. The BHX looked on with unbelieving eyes as it came to a halt
in front of him.
* * *
The screech of brakes was loud inside the box car. Amy was jolted awake by
the noise and the slowing of the train. Fatigue had finally overwhelmed her
and the rocking motion of the train had put her asleep.
The leader of guard buns smiled wickedly and said, "All ashore who are
going ashore."
Amy stood unsteadily. She glanced at the back of the car and shivered.
Oscar's transformation was nearly complete. His long ears and white tail
now looked almost natural. Oddly, he seemed less bothered by it than she
was. She faced the guards with a sneer on her face.
"Go suck eggs, rodent."
The bun cocked his head to one side, "Now is that anyway to talk to the
person who is going to set you free?"
She glared at him. She knew just what kind of "free" he meant. Free to have
whiskers and a puffy tail. Like Oscar.
One of the guard cut the rope binding her feet from long strides.
Then the leader reached up and slid the door of the box car open.
* * *
The BHX tensed as the door to the boxcar slid open. It was difficult to see
into the dark car with the bright sunlight...A figure stepped forward...
Human. Female. That must be Amy. As she jumped down from the box car, she
looked startled to see him and stumbled. He reached out and steadied her.
Tentatively, "Bunny Hunter Extreme?"
He nodded. She sobbed suddenly and then clung to him, making him
uncomfortable. Another figure moved into the light from the interior of the
boxcar. Hopping. Bill suddenly went cold. He had seen this before. Size -
larger than any normal bun. Features - not quite right. He moved up to be
sure, leaving Amy with the other Fudds.
"Oscar?"
"Yes."
The fluffy bastards.
--
Major Bluefur
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