This is the fourth book of "Stories from Chakona" serie set in the concepts and ideas created by  Goldfur
The present story is titled "Ties of Life" and tells the continuation of previous three books. Drawing by  sethtriggs

I hope you enjoy it.

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CHAPTER 15

That morning, an unusual silence pervaded the computer inspection office where Lorna, Johnny, and Gerak worked. This was not customary, as there was always something to talk about, especially from the chakat. The three kept their eyes fixed on their respective monitors. Occasionally, Lorna let out slight growls while breathing. Johnny noticed this and began to worry. He knew his friend's impulsiveness all too well.
Gerak, as always, remained impassive. Johnny, who was in charge while Esteban continued his vacation, crossed his fingers hoping the day would end without conflicts between them. Suddenly, the door opened, and a chakat with light brown fur entered the office.

"Good morning. I'm looking for Johnny Carruthers."

"Sulaver! What a pleasure to see you! How have you been?" replied the human, standing up from his seat.

"Prrr... I'm fine, Johnny, but you look splendid."

"Heh hhe... You're very kind," he answered.

"Hello, Sulaver," Lorna greeted with a serious voice, without looking at him.

"Uh... Hello... Johnny, I need to talk to you. Would you accompany me outside for a moment?" said the chakat.

"Of course," replied the engineer as he followed the chakat out of the office.

Lorna, gritting hir teeth, began to snort more forcefully. The emotions inside him were as intense as a volcano about to erupt. To the issue with Gerak, now was added the possibility that hir friend Johnny might be seduced by another chakat.

"They're both nitwits!" shi muttered, hitting the console with her fists. After a few moments, the chakat could no longer contain herself, and approaching hir rakshani colleague from behind, shi blurted out:

"Gerak, why are you deceiving Natany like that? Or have you already told her that you're paired with another female?"

The engineer, without taking his eyes off the monitor, responded:

"What are you talking about?"

"We saw you with another rakshani when we arrived at the complex!" Lorna finally let out. At that moment, Gerak turned off the monitor and stood up from his seat to his full height.

"You saw me?" he said with a growl.

"Yes! Don't deny it!" Lorna responded defiantly. Then, the rakshani placed a hand on the chakat's shoulder and brought his muzzle close to one of hir ears.

"Lorna... I already told you that you're a meddlesome chakat... But with you, it's useless to maintain distances... That imprudent girl... I warned her not to come see me at work. I knew she would get me in trouble with you all."

Lorna, who was still on guard, was surprised by this calm response from hir gruff colleague. Shi took a few steps back, not knowing what to say. The rakshani continued:

"I have no choice but to trust you. But now, I've gotten a bit hungry. Why don't we go to the cafeteria? I'll tell you everything there."

The chakat was completely taken aback. Gerak had never invited him for a mid-morning coffee, much less to discuss a personal matter. Shi remained motionless for a long while, staring into space.

"Well, are you coming or not?" said Gerak as he headed towards the door. Lorna's emotions transformed in an instant. And from hir initial anger, shi quickly shifted to euphoria. Hir tail spontaneously began to wag from side to side.

"Yesss!" shi exclaimed as shi quickly approached Gerak and took his arm, as shi used to do with Johnny or Esteban when they walked together.

***


Outside the Amistad Penitentiary, Chakat Sunbean and Natany were waiting for Cashir and Esteban to come out.
"Do you think Brend has a chance for parole?" the renzar police officer suddenly inquired.
"Yes, he does. Since he completed his treatment for the drugs he used for fighting a couple of years ago, his behavior has been exemplary. His attitude has changed too. He's no longer the arrogant or indifferent type I met when I took charge of his case."
"I see. So, you trust him?"
"Don't you?" replied the chakat, perking up hir ears. After exhaling, Natany continued:
"Sunbean, you didn't see how badly injured Esteban was after that attack. I thought his body wouldn't resist and he would die. It was agonizing to see time passing and him not regaining consciousness..."
"I understand, Natany," responded the chakat, taking one of her hands. "I know it's difficult for you to trust again. I suppose in your place, I'd feel the same. But I've been working for years on the rehabilitation and social reintegration of people like Brend. And in my experience, he has been quite a satisfactory case. Moreover, my son Cashir has a highly developed instinct for recognizing ill-intentioned people. Don't ask me why, but shi has always been that way. Even within my own family, Cashir doesn't get too close to some chakats. And being honest, it surprised me a lot that shi became so fond of Brend so quickly. To me, that's a very encouraging sign."
"I see," Natany murmured, bringing her hand to her chin.
"Look, here they come," Sunbean pointed out as shi saw hir little cub approaching alongside Esteban.
"Mom! Mom! We were with Brend! He took me in his arms and tickled me, right, Mr. Esteban?"
"Oops! Cashir... heh heh heh... the details aren't necessary..." said Esteban nervously, scratching his head.
"Grrr! Did you enter the cell?!" Natany inquired, crossing her arms.
"Well... he he he... the truth is..."
"It's okay, Cashir, I'm not upset," said Sunbean, caressing the cub.
"Brend has very soft fur! Right?" exclaimed the little chakat with eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Hmm... By Grom!..." Natany muttered, turning around and beginning to walk towards the exit.
"Natany, please, don't get angry. It was spontaneous," the engineer pleaded as he went after her.
"Esteban! Last night you told me you didn't want to get into more trouble. And as soon as Chakastra peeks over the mountains, you're the first to run towards danger!"
"I'm sorry, Natany. Please..."
"Grrr... What am I going to do with you! Come here," said the female as she grabbed the human and placed him on her shoulders.

***

In the cafeteria of building 115, Lorna and Gerak settled at one of the empty tables. After ordering a drink and a sandwich for both, the chakat felt that for the first time, they could have a frank conversation with the rakshani. After a few minutes, the large alien feline began:
"First of all, I offer you my apologies, Lorna. I shouldn't have treated you badly. After all, you didn't know anything."
"Oh! I apologize too for shouting at you and calling you an idiot... I really sorry" replied the chakat, lowering its ears.
"Heh, anyway, I've always liked you, Lorna. You care a lot about your friends. Even about me. Don't think I haven't noticed. I wish I had had friends like you on Raksha," the engineer remarked. Then he declared:
"To put your mind at ease, I'll tell you that I love Natany very much. And I want to be with her. But it's true that I distanced myself because I'm experiencing an unforeseen situation and, honestly, I don't know very well how to act..."
Lorna, upon hearing these words, was filled with expectation and raised its ears to listen attentively above the noisy cafeteria.
"The person you saw today is not my girlfriend. She is... my sister. She arrived from Raksha about four weeks ago."
"But that's wonderful, Gerak! Your sister came to visit you!" exclaimed Lorna, wagging its tail.
"She's not here on a visit. She entered Chakona illegally, fleeing from the authorities. She had some problems on Raksha and turned to me," said Gerak, lowering his head.
"Oh... Wow... I'm sorry to hear that. But is she alright?" Lorna inquired.
"She is fine. But I don't know for how long I'll be able to help her. That's why I've tried to keep my distance from Natany. She's a police officer, and I don't want my sister to be deported back to Raksha."
"Oh..." Lorna sighed, surprised.
"Natany is very perceptive. And I'm no good at hiding things or lying. Being close, she would notice my nervousness and would surely discover me."
Lorna, perceiving Gerak's concern with its empathic sense, approached him and gave him a tight hug. He was surprised to feel the chakat's warmth.
"But Gerak, I think you shouldn't distance yourself from Natany. On the contrary! You should trust her. As a police officer, she could help you and your sister find a solution."
"You... do you really believe that, Lorna?"
"Gerak, you can't keep acting like a frightened kitten because of the circumstances. You're a rakshani!"
"Grrr! I'm not a kitten!"
"Then prove it! Talk to Natany. I'm sure she'll understand. Besides, I know very well that she misses you a lot! You have all my support. And Johnny's too. And if necessary, we can even accompany you to talk to Natany. But please, I ask you not to keep her heart in this uncertainty."
"Hmm..."
"Come on, Gerak. Besides, I'd like to meet your sister..." the chakat commented while taking a sip of the coffee that the waiter had just brought.

***

After successfully treating Sebrian Skunktaur's injured paw, Lilethe returned to the medical consultation room. There she met Sachi, who greeted her with a tight hug.
"How did it go, Lilethe?"
"Good. Although I suppose there are still certain things I need to overcome."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing important. I'll tell you later."
"Alright. Hey, tell me how Esteban's visit to the penitentiary went. Did he finally talk to Brend?"
"I suppose so. I'll call him later to find out. But from what I could perceive, everything went well," replied the skunktaur, wagging hys tail.
"I see. Esteban is very generous to forgive that scoundrel."
"Did you know him from the Khudok?" Lilethe inquired curiously.
"I'm afraid not. I started fighting some time after he was disqualified from the tournaments."
"I see."
Both nurses walked animatedly down one of the medical center's corridors. As they approached the reception, they saw Relia and a large, dark-furred renzar sharing a passionate kiss. Sachi and Lilethe stopped and took a few steps back.
"He he, I'm glad Relia is finally happy with Droquen. He came to see her today. That's sweet," commented the renzar.
"Yes. I'm also glad it's Droquen and not Regthar, he he."
"Lilethe! He he... I guess you're right. Ulk escaped from her too, he he he."
"Sachi! He he," Lilethe laughed in turn. They both waited a moment before turning back down the hallway so as not to disturb the couple.
"What about you, Sachi? Don't you have someone special yet?" Lilethe suddenly asked.
"No. But I'm fine like this. Don't worry."
"Be patient, my friend. I'm sure that person will come into your life soon, heh heh."
"Are you serious, Lilethe? Can you also predict the future with your talent?" Sachi commented, after which they both burst into laughter.