Date:         Tue, 27 Aug 1996 10:55:26 -0700
From: Catwoman <smithc@STIC.NET>
Subject:      INT:  THE HUB:  Kazma and Julianne

RESERVED:  Kazma, Julianne

        Kazma decided to walk back to Cat's Paw.  Maybe the simulated
night air would clear her head.  She reviewed the day's events can came
up with one conclusion:  she was having a bad fur day.
        She rounded the corner and bumped into a figure.  _Great_, she
thought.  _Maybe I can get away without having to deal with this
creature._  That didn't happen.
        "'Scuse me *hic*," the figure staggered back a little.
        "That's right," Kazma shot back.  "Now move to the side and let
me through."
        "Mmm, no," the figure staggered again.
        "You're a Terran."
        "Yash *hic* "
        "Terrific.  A drunk Terran."
        "Yash!  A drunk *hic* Terran!"
        The Terran practically yelled out the last sentance.
        "Just what I need."
        "Wahd you *hic* shay?"
        "Nothing."
        "Yash you did.  *hic* I hurd you."
        "Will you get a hold of yourself?" Kazma hissed, a small crowd
was gathering.  "People are staring.  Let me through"
        "Cahn't *hic* "
        "And why not."
        "'Cuz, I *hic*, cuz, *hic* - "
        "C'mon," Kazma grabbed the Terran's arm.
        "No," the Terran pulled away with a surprising strength.  "Ya
cahn't *hic* do that."
        "Do what?" Kazma was losing her patience.
        "That."
        "I didn't do anything."
        "Yash ya did.  *hic* Don't lie now.  *hic* I shaw ya."
        "Now look here," Kazma showed the Terran her claws.  "You have
one choice:  leave me alone."
        "Shorry.  Got ma ordurs.  Gotta giv *hic*, 'scuse me.  Gotta
give ya shomething."
        "What?"
        "Thish," the Terran held up Kazma's leather pouch.
        "Why you little Terran thief," Kazma howled and sprang on the
Terran.
        "Kazma!" the Terran sounded suddenly sober.  "Get off me."
        "What?" Kazma recognized the voice.  "Julianne?"
        "Yes.  Now get off me."
        Kazma stood up and helped Julianne from the ground.
        "What the Hell was that all about?" Kazma asked once Julianne
dusted off her clothes.
        "Just seeing if you had the same instincts," Julianne looked at
Kazma.  "You do."
        "What are you doing here?"
        "Business.  I work for the Federation now."
        "How did that happen?"
        "Long story."
        "Well then you can tell me over a glass of maltz at Cat's Paw."
        "That piece of junk is still flying?"
        "That piece of junk saved your furless hide more than once."
        "Hey, I'm not furless," Julianne defended.
        "Sure."

        The trip to Cat's Paw was not as long as Kazma thought it would be.
Within minutes, they were sitting in Cat's Paw's lounge enjoying a maltz
and going over stories.
        Kazma looked Julianne over and noticed that she hadn't changed
much in the last five years.  Julianne was about the only Terran Kazma
actually liked.  Her hair had gotten longer and her joining the Federation
had completely thrown Kazma off guard.  The last time she saw Julianne, the
two of them were running *away* from the Federation.
        "That's what I've been up to," Julianne concluded.  "What about
you?  Why are you here on this ghost station?"
        "North's here."
        "Oh."
        "Julianne I didn't - "
        "Forget it," Julianne sighed and her mood changed.  "You didn't
know.  Don't apologize for something you can't control.  It doesn't
work."
        "What's the Federation having you do here?" Kazma tried to change
the subject.
        "Same old, same old."
        "Why did you join the Federation?  I remember we swore against it
and everything it stood for."
        "Let's say they made a deal I couldn't refuse."
        Kazma knew what that translated into.  Julianne had been caught
on a heist and the Federation decided to have Julianne work for them
instead of sending her to a penal planet.  Kazma didn't know who to feel
sorry for, the Federation or Julianne.
        "I see."
        "Yes, you see alright."
        "Where are you staying."
        "Uh..."
        "Alright you can stay here as long as you don't shed."
        Julianne smiled.  "Haven't changed have you?"
        "Neither have you."
        "Thanks, Kazma."
        "Don't mention it.  I'll see you in the morning."
        Kazma curled up on her pillow under simulated sun light.  She
wondered the real reason why Julianne was here as she fell into a deep
sleep.

        *****************************************************
        * What is the future like in 2157?                  *
        * Find out in Tribe Majestik                        *
        * a serial in The Soaps                             *
        * created by Chris Vaughn.                          *
        * http://members.tripod.com/~cvaughan/thesoaps.html *
        *                                                   *
        * Christina D. Smith                                *
        * Co-Writer of Tribe Majestik                       *
        *****************************************************