Conversations with Critters
Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And the highly anticipated release of Chapter 7 of The Case of the Jumping Gene!
Today Critters, we are back with the highly anticipated release of Chapter 7 of The Case of the Jumping Gene! Brought to you by the incredible and intrepid J Kitten, Sleuth & Purveyor of Bright Shiny Objects Detective Agency!
Previously! Our Detectives were thwarted in their efforts to get ready, to get set, and to go go go. Even though! They did the math. Their calculations on the page were correct. But! Alas! Their adversary was one dastardly step ahead of them.
Now! How will the heroes of the story jump start the action?
Please! Join our Core Community Critters, Jasper Kitten, Chris and Jojo in excellent escape from the Bio Lab critter commentary and conversation!
Jasper: Hello and welcome back, Critters! It took quick thinking and quick reflexes to get to Chapter 7!
Chris: You can say that again! We’ve really had to hop to it.
Jojo: Which is why it’s a good thing to have a backup plan! So, let’s read all about it!
THE CASE OF THE JUMPING GENE
BOOK 3 FROM THE J KITTEN, SLEUTH & PURVEYOR OF BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS DETECTIVE AGENCY
BY JASPER KITTEN, CHRIS, JOJO AND STAR IN HEAVEN FUREVER AND EVER
DEDICATED IN LUVLUVLUVING MEMORY OF STAR
CHAPTER 7
MUSH
Chris and Jasper Kitten popped out of a snowbank. And yet they waited, still and alert to the slightest intimation of a threat, of a return to the risk that had come within a whisker of running them down.
Their breath came out in ragged and rapid huffs and puffs in the rarefied mountain air, condensed and visible in the cold temps that continued to plunge as they tried to calm themselves and assess their safety status. They noted the deep deep tire tracks in the snow, grooves that led straight toward their car and then swerved away at a sharp sudden angle.
“That. Was. Close,” mewed Jasper Kitten.
“Fur. Sure,” growled Chris, low and slow. He ran a toebean across his forehead, still wearing Jasper Kitten’s headlamp and pulled it off his snowcapped head.
With the finesse and the flick of a toebean, Chris switched the beam off and held out the band to Jasper Kitten who clasped and grasped the transfer in his white gloved paws.
“Thank you, Chris. Better to remain in the dark given the near miss with our adversary,” said Jasper Kitten, adjusting the band onto his Orange striped brow.
“Why, all is quiet and all is still, but we don’t need to make ourselves a target in case they decide to come back and take another swing at us,” agreed Chris.
“Correct, Chris. Who knows what they are thinking, but we can rest assured that it is nothing good,” confirmed Jasper Kitten.
They stalked back to the car and crouched down behind the driver’s side door that was still open.
“Jojo said that he had options for evacuating the Ginormous Group,” commented Jasper Kitten.
“That’s right, his expertise utilizes several different Search and Rescue strategies, so he always has a backup plan,” replied Chris.
“The initial plan to shuttle the Rufus Subsets in the car is an obvious no go at this critical investigative point in time. We need to confer and concur with Jojo and formulate a new and improved viable rescue strategy,” indicated Jasper Kitten, checking around the edge of the door to see if the coast was clear.
“I’m ready when you’re ready, Jasper Kitten,” urged Chris, crouched and about to pounce.
“On the count of three, Chris.”
“Just. Say. When. Jasper Kitten.”
“One. Two. Three!”
Together, they bounded back to the entrance and shot back into the Bio Lab. At top speed, they banked hard into the corridor that led back to the lab where all of the Critters were gathered, but a hundred feet before they crossed the threshold, Chris and Jasper Kitten slowed to a normal steady pace and entered the lab in a calm and relaxed stride.
Jasper Kitten made immediate eye contact across the room with Jojo who hopped to it and hurried over to meet them at the entryway.
“We need a backup plan, Jojo. Now,” spurred Jasper Kitten.
“What happened, Jasper Kitten?” asked Jojo, recognizing the immediacy of action called upon by the Orange striped sleuth.
“The car is inoperable. I’ll explain later, but whatever you have in mind as a backup plan for shuttling the Rufus Subsets out of here, we need you to do that. At. Once. And. Immediately,” stated Jasper Kitten. “Please. Proceed.”
“Roger that, Jasper Kitten,” barked Jojo. “Chris, may I please, and I do mean right now, ask you to tap tap a number into your phone? I need to contact a local Search and Rescue colleague. I believe they are still active.”
“Of course, Jojo,” replied Chris. “Do you want a text or an actual direct phone call?”
“Phone,” he barked. “I’m all ears.”
Chris tap tapped the phone number with the full finesse and dexterity of his toebean and passed the phone to Jojo. The connection went through and a chorus of barks picked up.
“This is Retired Sergeant Detective Jojo formerly of the San Francisco Sheriff's Canine Unit, Muttville Division,” he relayed. “This is an emergency. Is Sir Skipper available?”
The Critter Detectives strained to hear the barks on the other end of the line as Jojo continued his inquiry.
“Good to hear your voice, too,” he barked. “Yes. It’s been a long time. Thank you, Sir Skipper. Yes. I’m retired now. However. I’m in private practice with the J Kitten, Sleuth & Purveyor of Bright Shiny Objects Detective Agency.”
A round of barking resounded over the phone.
“Yes. That J Kitten. Correct. World renowned, absolutely,” nodded Jojo. “Listen. We’re in an urgent emergent situation. This is a call for back up.”
Another round of barking burst forth from the phone.
“Eight sleds, nine tops,” barked Jojo. “Correct. Hurry. Bio Lab Pacific Northwest By Northwest. No. Not kidding. Yes. That lab. ETA? Roger. We’ll have them all ready in thirty minutes. Mountain dispatch out.”
Jojo ended the call and looked up from the phone. He gave a nod in the affirmative to Star as she joined him by his side.
“Gosh, the Canine Unit is good to go go go, Jojo!” barked Star, sensing the unfolding emergency urgency and the pivot from one plan to the next.
“Star, this is our time to shine,” bark bark barked Jojo.
Jasper Kitten gave the paws up signal to Officers Clementine and Petal to join him for the latest developments and for planning the next stage and phase of the Ginormous Group operation. Rufus Sub One followed in their tracks, breaking away from the group as they enjoyed a grooming session after their meal, but she stopped short of joining them for the huddle.
“Rufus Sub One, you are welcome to join us,” called Jasper Kitten and she took a hesitant single toebean step forward.
“Thank you, Jasper Kitten,” she whispered. “I do not wish to impose much less impede your decision making process and plans to help us escape to safety.”
“Of course, Rufus Sub One,” replied Jasper Kitten, “we welcome you to provide any and all input that you deem necessary on behalf of the group. Your assistance has and continues to be invaluable to the investigation. Were it not for your initiative, we would not be here, cracking the case.”
She sidled over to Jasper Kitten, intent and quiet, her Tuxedo coat groomed and fluffed.
“Jojo, we are all ears for what you have planned. Please. Speak,” mewed Jasper Kitten.
“Critters,” he bark bark barked, “I have called in a Champion Dog Sled Search and Rescue Group led by my highly esteemed colleague, the remarkable and award winning Sir Skipper. They are on their way to us with a specially designed train of sleds. Each sled is outfitted with a secure heated cabin. We have thirty additional minutes to organize the Rufus Subsets and our gear. Time is of the essence and I apologize for the wait, but we will have the advantage of all leaving the Bio Lab together and at once.”
“Why, I can’t wait to get outta here,” growled Chris, loud and proud. “Jojo, will there be a sled dedicated to the evacuation of the large bags of kibble or do I need to start breaking down the supply into smaller packages? Each Rufus could put a portion in their pockets for example.”
“Thank you for the question on efficiency and the executive level of planning which it requires, Chris,” replied Jojo.
“Fur sure, Jojo,” he said, poised on his toebeans and fully focused on the next steps of kibble organization and future consumption.
“Sleds will be available and dedicated for supplies and gear, one sled each, covered by a wind and water resistant tarp,” apprised Jojo. “Therefore, at this preliminary stage of the Ginormous Group Rescue, I highly recommend that we transport the cart loaded with kibble to the exit due to the weight and expenditure of both time and energy required to move it.”
“Chris,” added Jasper Kitten, “please proceed at once with the evacuation and organization of the food supply. Furthermore, your idea is a good one. Ensure that each Rufus Subset has a personal pocket supply of kibble.”
“On it, Jasper Kitten, and I’ll be sure to leave plenty of room in the path of the exit.” Chris strode over to the kibble cart.
“Correct, Chris. The Rufus Subsets will be our first order of priority. We will evacuate them from the Bio Lab first and foremost,” instructed Jasper Kitten. “Officers Clementine and Petal, you are to assist Jojo with an orderly formation and bring Rufus Subset One through Ninety-nine into the stairwell.”
“Roger that,” they saluted.
“Star,” continued Jasper Kitten, “the Canine Unit is absolutely indispensable at this critical stage of the investigation. With your pound per pound Chihuahua strength, I need you on the first sled with the first Rufus group. I want you at the front of the pack,” said Jasper Kitten, watching the light flash in her eyes.
“Gosh, Jasper Kitten, I’m honored to take the lead,” she replied.
“Jasper Kitten,” mewed Rufus Sub One, “please allow me to help my group, too. I must request that my own place should be the very last of the Rufus Subsets to board the sleds. I will be the ninety-ninth and final labcat to leave the Bio Lab. Furever.”
“Rufus Sub One, the choice is yours to make,” replied Jasper Kitten. “You have proven yourself indispensable to the investigation. You have handled yourself with great honor and distinction, lab accidents aside. I must acknowledge your contribution to the scientific method and to the cracking of the case with gratitude on behalf of my entire agency. In the name of freedom and of justice. Please. Proceed.”
Jojo padded over and with Star and Rufus Sub One flanking his side, led the Ginormous Group out of the lab, down the corridor, and into the stairwell.
Under clearing skies, a rush and a gush of cold air bristled against each and every individual fur coat in all their varieties, as they stood at the ready for the arrival of the sled team. The first scent of fresh air and the first scent of freedom came over them. A gentle soft group purr filled the stairwell, melodic and upbeat.
Chris, with the assistance of Officers Clementine and Petal, stacked the big bags of kibble into a readied position for the escape at the entrance. As bark bark barking in the far and remote distance reached the detection of their keen auditory senses, operating at the highest of high alerts, Chris raced over to the car and emptied the trunk of all supplies and gear, then grabbed Star’s maps from the glove compartment.
“Gosh, thank you very much, Chris,” said Star, receiving the maps transferred from his toebeans to her cinnamon brown paws.
“Why, but of course, Star,” growled Chris, loud and proud. “You never know when charting our course through the lava caves will come in handy for the J Kitten, Sleuth & Purveyor of Bright Shiny Objects Detective Agency.”
Star shuffled and sorted through the stack and placed the map of Volcanoes and Lava Caves of the Central Cascade Mountains on top for easy and immediate access if needed. She gave a nod to Chris.
“Ready!” Chris called to Jasper Kitten, the furrow of an Orange striped brow now visible at the foot of the stairs.
“Rufus Subsets,” mewed Jasper Kitten, ascending the stairs, “we are geared up and at the ready. When the dogsled team arrives, we will ask you to follow Jojo’s lead and board your respective cabins. My Detectives will further assist you and will also take all precautions to ensure your safety. That includes loading the totality of our gear and food for the journey that awaits us.”
A snowflake here and a snowflake there drifted to the ground and glistened under the beam of Jasper Kitten’s headlamp. He strode forward, attuned to the rhythm of pounding paws and the gliding of sleds over the snow. He switched off the light with a white gloved paw and looked up at the starry starry sky.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Poetry with Pets
Urgent emergent
Volcanoes and lava caves
Champion dogsled
By Jasper Kitten, Chris and Jojo
Critters! Catch up on all of the mystery and adventure with The Case of the Jumping Gene! Book Number 3! Brought to you by the J Kitten, Sleuth & Purveyor of Bright Shiny Objects Detective Agency!
Chap. 1🐾Chap. 2🐾Chap. 3🐾Chap. 4🐾Chap. 5🐾Chap. 6
The Case of the Bowled Over Bowler Hat! Book Number 2!
Chap. 1🐾Chap. 2🐾Chap. 3🐾Chap. 4🐾Chap. 5🐾Chap. 6🐾Chap.7🐾Chap. 8🐾Chap. 9🐾Chap. 10🐾Chap. 11🐾Chap. 12🐾Chap. 13🐾Chap. 14🐾Chap. 15🐾Chap. 16🐾Chap. 17🐾Chap. 18🐾Chap. 19🐾Chap. 20
The Case of the Misplaced Priority Envelope! Book Number 1!
Chap. 1🐾Chap. 2🐾Chap. 3🐾Chap. 4🐾Chap. 5🐾Chap. 6🐾Chap. 7🐾Chap. 8🐾Chap. 9🐾Chap. 10🐾Chap. 11🐾Chap. 12🐾Chap. 13🐾Chap.14🐾Chap. 15🐾Chap. 16🐾Chap. 17🐾Chap. 18🐾Chap. 19🐾Chap. 20
The Case of the Misplaced Priority Envelope
What a team! All critters united in solving a problem and handling an emergency evacuation. Luvluvluv this! ✨🌟
Great chapter, Heidi! I love the description of the role the Champion Dog Sled Search and Rescue Group will play and look forward to reading more about it. Sleds to the rescue!