The following is a story set in the fictional universe created by Bernard Doove, aka  Goldfur and Bob Reijns. This includes character concepts and general ideas. For more details, please visit their official site at http://furry.org.au/chakat . The present story and its characters are from  Ben Zider The illustrations for this story were made by  sethtriggs

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CHAPTER 13 DEWCLAW

It took about 20 minutes for the shuttle to travel the distance between the airport and Dewclaw University’s Skunktaur Archipelago campus. A series of independent buildings were distributed across a wide plain, surrounded by trees and abundant vegetation.
Upon arrival, I went to the hall of the pyramidal main building, where a skunktaur official led me to an admissions office. In it, a Caitian secretary received me in her small office.
“Ah, yes...you are Esteban Melinao, a student in our postgraduate course. We were awaiting your arrival, because the classes already started three days ago,” she told me.
“I understand. I'm sorry not to arrive earlier.” I replied.

After reviewing my papers, the secretary handed me the course program, with class schedules and a map of the campus. In addition, she gave me the keys to my temporary room, which I would occupy while I find a permanent accommodation in the city.
Following her instructions, I moved to the specified students’ residential building. The sky was cloudy and sometimes a little rain fell. Everything was wet and gray; no one was seen circulating around the place. The students were probably in class at that time.
I entered the building, eventually finding the elevator to the rooms. It was a spacious building, though old-fashioned. I went up to the second floor and looked up my room number. Upon arrival at the room, I entered a small but cozy place. There was a tiny bed, a bathroom, and a desk. I put my things on the desk and started to look at the schedule of activities. According to what it said, I would have class in a couple of hours. Despite the exhaustion from the long journey, I took a quick shower and decided to attend.
It was not easy for me to get to the lecture hall, as the campus seemed like an intricate maze of randomly distributed buildings. When I finally arrived, class had already started. A skunktaur professor explained the chemical structure of some minerals used in construction. I sat on the top row, and from there I could see that the vast majority of the students were skunktaurs, along with many morphs, chakats and...no humans except me.
At one point in class, the professor asked a question about the origin of certain minerals. Nobody answered. Since I knew the answer, I raised my hand. The professor looked at me with a puzzled face.
“Yes? Go ahead, sir...”
“Esteban Melinao. The corbalita was initially discovered on earth after the great war. Later deposits were also found on Grom and other Federation worlds. In Chakona, the quantities of this mineral are scarce.”
“That's how it is. Thank you Mr. Melinao. Does anyone want to add something else?” asked the professor again. Several students turned to look at me. Some faces showed surprise, others of alienation. Some murmurs were not difficult to pick up.
At the end of the class, the professor, to my surprise, motioned for me to come down to talk to hym.
“Excuse me. You are not on my student roster. Why are you here, Mr. Melinao?” The question took me by surprise. I thought the answer was obvious.
“I enrolled in this postgraduate course many weeks ago.”
“You...you're not from Chakona, are you?”
“No shir, I come from Earth.”
“Well, on Chakona and in this university, we have regulations to respect. You should know that you cannot enter my class, if you have not had the dedication to attend from the beginning.” I was frozen. I never thought that he would be bothered by my entering the lecture hall.
“I have compelling reasons, for not having arrived earlier, and...” I answered, but hy interrupted me. “That, you will have to explain to the academic council. As long as they do not order me otherwise, please refrain from entering my class, Mr. Melinao, I cannot break the rules.” What I heard seemed unheard of.
“But what rules are you talking about? Aren't universities open access?”
“Not my class, Mr. Melinao. If you'll excuse me...”
“This is absurd!” I exclaimed helplessly. The skunktaur turned and gave me a cold look. I felt that hy was doing an injustice; anger was beginning to take hold of me. But suddenly, I remembered Vroeg's words.
“Who are you Esteban? Are you the surfer, or the inert board dragged by the waves?”
I held back. And with a smile that seemed to throw off the professor, I answered hym.
“Do not worry. I will solve this problem with the academic council. No one can stop me from learning, professor. With your permission...” I said, leaving hym alone in the lecture hall. I wondered how serious it was to be a few days late to the course. Indeed, I worried about the way he treated me—I noticed a slight hint of discrimination. Vroeg had told me that in the archipelago, not all skunktaurs were friendly to humans.
After the impasse with the teacher, I went back to my room and tried to sleep. I did not converse with anyone; the day had been long, and I was tired. I didn't even go to the student center for a bite to eat. It was very cold in New Bletchley. How I missed the atmosphere of Amistad and my acquaintances there. I took my phone and called Sorah and Regthar. I was very happy to see them on the screen.
“Hello boy. How are you? You had us worried. We learned about the storms and the suspension of flights to the Archipelago. Why hadn't you called?” Regt greeted from the other side.
“I'm fine. I am sorry I did not communicate with you earlier. I had a major unforeseen event before traveling. I'll tell you. I just arrived today.”
“Are you sure you're okay, Esteban?” Sorah asked suddenly, anxiously.
“Yes mom...I mean, Sorah...I'm just a little tired.”
“Esteban! You were going to call me mom?” she answered with a smile.
“I'm...I'm sorry, Sorah. It was not my intention...” I said, ashamed because I left spontaneously and without wanting to.
“It doesn't matter...I...I like it when you say that to me, Esteban. You can tell me mom, if you want. I...I still see you as a cub,” she replied tenderly.
“Thank you Sorah...I would love to be with you now to hug you both. Besides, it's cold here and I could use a good night's sleep with a couple of warm and furry Renzar.”
“Esteban, come visit us as soon as you can!” added Regt, “We will receive you with open arms. This is your house son!”
“Thanks Regt. I must leave now. Bye. Take care.”
“You too, son. Goodbye and call more often,” added Sorah in turn.
After closing the communication, I threw myself on the bed and closed my eyes. I was too tired to do anything else.
The next morning, I woke up very early. According to the schedule, that day we were to visit an industrial facility on the outskirts of New Bletchley, as part of the course activities.
I took a shower and went to the casino for breakfast. Unlike yesterday, today the hallways and halls of the university were full of students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. The student center was huge; tables and chairs were scattered everywhere. I went for a human-friendly snack and sat on one of the chairs. While eating breakfast, I observed the great diversity of different creatures that there were: Chakats, skunktaurs, Caitians, morphs and some humans from undergraduate courses. At least on campus, I was no longer the only hairless one.
When I was about to leave with the rest of my classmates to start the tour, I received a call from the admissions secretary. She told me to urgently go to her office. I did so, and when I arrived, she informed me that the academic council had met and requested my presence. The secretary then escorted me through the large rooms of the main building, until finally we came to one occupied by a large central table. Around her sat three skunktaurs, two chakats, and one human. I noticed that there was an empty chair. The secretary left me with them and then left.
“Welcome, Mr. Melinao. And we apologize for not having dealt with your case before,” said one of the skunktaurs, in a male phase and middle-aged.
My case? I thought, as if I had committed some crime.
“We know that you did not show up in time to start the postgraduate course. You were warned that once your quarantine was over, you should come to Dewclaw immediately. The university regulations are very clear regarding the incorporation of students. I regret to tell you that you will not be able to continue here in New Bletchley. You will have to wait for the following year.”
“What?!” I replied with surprise. “I was only three days late. Couldn't they make an exception? I come from Earth and...”
“We know, Mr. Melinao,” said another of the skunktaurs, this one in the female phase. “But we can't make exceptions,” hy finished.
I did not know what to say. A tremendous anguish began to seize me. All my effort to fulfill my dream was not worth it, due to a rigid regulation, and people unable to see beyond their noses. I lowered my head, and with clenched fists, I tried to maintain control. Suddenly, the human in the group spoke up.
“With all due respect, colleagues, I think we should reconsider. He is just one person in a class of forty students.”
“I understand your empathy, professor Zider, for a being of your kind. But you know very well that extending privileges, especially to humans, could be counterproductive. Even for himself,” countered the third skunktaur, also in the male phase.
“I think we should consider Dean Rogar's opinion before defining the situation,” the human insisted.
“Dean Rogar is out of the Archipelago and we do not know when hy will return,” replied one of the chakats present.
“I'm here!” a voice behind me was suddenly heard. When I turned around, I saw how an elegant female-phase skunktaur with abundant fur—older than the rest—entered the room. Hy walked past me and slowly made hys way to the empty chair.
“Good morning,” hy greeted with an air of authority. Everyone looked surprised, except for the human professor, who gave a slight smile.
“Dean Rogar, welcome. We were attending the case of...”
“Yes. Yes. I know. I was informed while I was returning on the plane. I want to participate in this hearing, but I am a little tired. I suggest we suspend it until tomorrow. It seems to be the best decision for now?” Given the question, all those present answered affirmatively. Some muttered among themselves, while others got up to leave. The human academic approached me, and without saying a word, put his hand on my shoulder and then left with a smile. The others also filed out. When I was about to leave too, the newcomer addressed me.
“Mr. Melinao, stay. I want to talk to you alone.” I began to think that my opportunity to continue in Dewclaw was slowly fading. However, I was surprised by how calmly I was taking things, despite the adverse scenario.

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Thanks to  sethtriggs by the help to translation and grammar corrections and the wonderful drawings