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

CHAPTER 4 BERDOOVIA

After returning home, Esteban and Regt communicated their decision to travel to Berdoovia to Sorah and Natany. The latter directed her brother to—upon arriving in the city—to contact her police colleague about any problems that might arise. Sorah, for her part, expressed great concern.
“It will only be a few hours, woman. We'll find the skunktaur and come back,” Regt said as he changed his clothes.
“That's right, mother bear, don't worry,” Esteban added happily.
“Still, I can't be calm. Maybe they are my things, but...by Grom, I hope everything goes well!” she pleaded with her hands together.
“I'll protect Esteban, calm down,” Regt said as he gave her a warm kiss goodbye.
“Goodbye Sorah,” the human said in turn, punctuating the goodbye with a hug.
Natany graciously offered to take them on the PTV to the terminus of the high-speed train, linking Amistad and Berdoovia. Left home alone, Sorah's heart flooded with longing. With her hands on her chest, she sighed deeply, wishing her family would return soon.
*
Berdoovia is the second largest city on the Flinders continent. It is located on the east coast and houses the headquarters of Dewclaw University, among other public institutions. It is connected to Amistad by the high-speed maglev train that runs along the coast.
After a few minutes of travel, Natany, Regt and Esteban finally reached the terminal. The boy was impressed by the advanced infrastructure of the station and the size of the train. As he said goodbye to Natany, she pointed at him.
“Regt, don't forget what I told you. Contact my police colleague, he will help you in case of problems.”
“Easy Natany. We will be fine. It is the first time I have traveled on this train. It will be fun.”
“Hmm, you look like a child, little brother.”
“Don't worry Natany, I'll take care of him heh heh.” Esteban interrupted.
“I trust you, Esteban,” said the Renzar and then she gave the boy a warm kiss on the mouth. “Take care of yourselves,” she finished before leaving.
“Hey, since when do you and Natany kiss like that?” Regt asked curiously.
“I guess from today.” Esteban replied with a shrug.
“Heh heh...very good boy!” Regt exclaimed as they both headed to the lobby, crowded with passengers. The fast train was capable of covering the distance to Berdoovia in six hours, and it was one of Chakona's technological marvels.
“Hey Regt. Seriously, have you never ridden this train?”
“No. It's my first time. Why do you ask?”
“Wow. I thought that since you have been living in Chakona for some time...”
“Well, as I told you before, I have never been to Berdoovia, although once I traveled with Sorah to New New York on vacation, by plane. Can you believe it?”
“Heh heh...I hope this trip is comfortable.”
“Me too,” replied the Renzar with some nervousness. After buying the tickets, they both got on the train parked on the platform. Upon entering, they noticed that it was spacious and had seats that were comfortably adapted for both Taurus and bipeds. After a few minutes of waiting, the gates finally closed and the long train began to move.
“We better get comfortable Regt. The walk will be long,” said Esteban, leaning back in the seat. After the journey started, his personal COMM began to sound.
“This is Esteban.”
“It’s Jhonny. How are you?”
“Hi Jhonny! Fine, thanks.”
“Esteban, I'm with Vera and Lorna. We think that today you might want to go out with us. We will visit the Capitol tomorrow.”
“Oh, wow...Sorry guys, now I'm on my way to Berdoovia. And I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.”
“Are you going on the high-speed train?” Jhonny asked enthusiastically.
“That’s where I am.”
“You're going to look for Lilethe!” Lorna said excitedly.
“Hi Lorna,” Esteban answered. “Indeed.”
“Oh... What a nice plan of yours...we wish you luck!” Vera said in turn.
“Thank you all. Jhonny, I need you to do me a favor. I'll send you a code that I received from Lilethe. They are numbers and letters that don't seem to make sense. That might be silly, but I'd like to be sure. Since you are a communications specialist, could you help me with that?”
“Sure friend. No problem. Good luck. And give my regards to Natany.”
“Natany? Oh no...forget it Jhonny...and goodbye everyone, and enjoy your visit to the Capitol!” Esteban added before hanging up the call. Turning around, he saw that Regt was not next to him. Surprised, he looked for him everywhere, but he did not find the Renzar.
After making its first stop, the train continued on its way to Berdoovia. The sun of Chakona, once again, was hiding in the mountainous horizon of that sector of the continent and the landscape was beginning to be covered in darkness. At that time, Regt appeared, walking down the aisle and holding onto the seats.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Grrr ... My head started to spin. I had to go to the bathroom to vomit.”
“What? You're dizzy?
“I think so...I...I have some nausea.”
“Quiet. I'll see if I can get a doctor on board. For now, don't look out Regt. Just close your eyes and rest. It won't be long to get to Berdoovia,” Esteban suggested as he went for help. When changing carriages, he encountered a chakat from the crew. Shi told him that there was a nursing service on board, in the next car. He kept advancing until he reached the place. In that instant, he began to feel a squeeze on his chest—just like in the metro that time. His thoughts were focused on Lilethe. However, he tried to relax, as Rena had taught him, controlling his breathing.
After a while, he got to the infirmary and got the nurse on board, a long-tailed chakat, to come see Regt.
“And you, are you okay? I notice something tense,” said the nurse to Esteban.
“I'm fine. Do not worry about me. Go see my friend please. It will not be difficult to find him. He is the only Renzar aboard the next car.”
“Very well. I will go. You rest too,” said the chakat before grabbing a medical bag and leaving for Regt's car. Esteban was thoughtful for a while. Despite the strangeness of the situation, he was happy to know that Lilethe had made some kind of connection with him, even if that which he perceived was not pleasant.
When the nurse came to Regt, he was sitting up and leaning back.
“Are you okay?” shi inquired.
“Yes, I feel better, although a little dizzy. I'm not used to traveling in this way,” said the Renzar, touching his head.
“Do not worry. This train travels at great speed and can affect some passengers who are traveling for the first time,” the Chakat nurse informed.
“Take this pill. And rest. The nausea will lessen,” shi added as shi handed him the medicine.
After a couple of hours, the high-speed train finally arrived at the Berdoovia station. Although it wasn't as big as Amistad's, it was still imposing. Since it was already dark, Regt suggested looking for a hotel. However, Esteban was sure that he could find Lilethe that very night.
“Regt, let's hire a private transport to the city hospital. I'll ask about Lilethe there. If we are not lucky, we go to a hotel.”
“You really are eager to see that skunktaur, right?”
“Yes I am. Please Regt...”
“Agree. That's what we really came for, so go ahead, let's go to the hospital!” said the Renzar, still suffering from the effects of travel sickness.
After hiring a transport, and visiting the center of Berdoovia for a few minutes, they finally arrived at the city hospital, a large building located on a wide esplanade. After asking at the reception desk, Esteban learned that Lilethe was on duty that night.
"We were lucky, and he's here!" He said excitedly.
“I'm glad son. Go with her, I'll wait for you at the reception. I'm still a little dizzy.”
“Okay Regt. If you feel bad, remember that we are in a hospital,” Esteban said before going up to the elevator.
His heart was excited and nerves invaded his body. After several days of silence, he would finally see his beloved Lilethe again.
After going up to the indicated floor, he asked for hym again at a desk located in the middle of a small common room.
"Nurse Lilethe, must be around here...hmmm...I think hy's down that hall, sir," said another morph nurse, sitting behind.
"Thank you very much," Esteban answered and then ran to the place. After walking a few meters and looking into some of the open rooms, where some patients were lying, Lilethe appeared, coming out of one of them, reading a log that hy was carrying in hys hand.
"Lilethe!" Esteban exclaimed happily. The skunktaur stopped short. Hy froze when hy saw the human in front of hym. Hys log fell to the ground and hy didn't come out of hys amazement.
“Lilethe! I finally find you!” Esteban said again, as he pounced on hym and gave hym a tight hug. However, Lilethe did not respond; hy was too shocked.
“E...Esteban! What are you doing here?” hy asked with a tremulous voice.
“I came to see you, Lilethe! I missed you so much. How come you weren't answering my calls or my messages, I worried about you. Has something happened?”
“I...Esteban, you must go, I can't help you now,” replied the skunktaur hurriedly.
“Yes, I understand that you are working. Maybe tomorrow. I'll stay in town and we'll see...”
“No Esteban! You do not understand! You must leave Berdoovia now! I will contact you later.”
“What? But what happened Lilethe?” Esteban asked, surprised.
“I can't explain to you at the moment. Just go away please.”
“Lilethe...I thought we both had something special.”
“Well, you thought wrong. I don't want you to be here now. Please go Esteban.”
“Eh...but...I don't understand Lilethe...what's wrong with you?”
“Esteban, I returned to my clan! Bye,” the skunktaur finally declared, then picking up hys log and quickly go down the hall. The human was paralyzed, not knowing what to think. He tried to follow Lilethe, but then gave up. He didn't understand what was happening, but he sensed that something was wrong with his friend.
He returned to the elevator and went down again to the first floor, to meet Regt.
Lilethe, for hys part, ran into an empty room and shut hymself in, hugging hys log. For a long time, hy tried to avoid crying, but hy couldn't. Fear and despair once again took over hys mind.
*
“Sorah, I'm going home. Do not worry about them. They'll be fine.” Natany said before leaving.
“I trust Regt. But Natany, I can't help it. I am afraid and I don't know why.”
“Easy Sorah. Listen. Tomorrow I have a shift at the barracks. Would you rather that I stayed to sleep here tonight, with you?”
“Yes, Natany, stay with me,” Sorah replied. “Maybe my heart will ease up if I'm with you.”
“It's fine. I'll stay. I'll take a shower and lie down next to you, okay?”
“Thanks Natany,” the lady of the house finally said. As they got ready to sleep, Natany took a refreshing shower. She was thinking of the kiss Esteban had given her. She had never looked at the human with eyes other than those of a friend. However, she did not fail to recognize a certain charm in him. After dressing for bed, she slept with Sorah, holding her to try to calm her anxiety.
“Sorah. Regt and you have thought about initiating Esteban in the filial tradition of Grom?”
“Of course Natany. I feel that if he is to be our son, we must. Although we cannot force it. He comes from a different planet and culture than the chakats or other creatures here. And we will understand if he does not want that ceremony. He is still affected by seeing me naked. Even the other time, I made him touch me. But he was uncomfortable. Maybe, you can start it Natany, since he is a male.”
“Me, Sorah?” Answered the blushing girl “N...I don't think Esteban thinks of me like that.”
“What if he asked you?”
“Well...well Sorah...I don't know. Maybe. But that is something for parents to do. In this case, you Sorah.”
“I know. But I think he respects me too much.”
“Well, we'll see. For now, don't worry.” the police officer finally said, then snuggled next to Sorah and tried to fall asleep with her.
*
When the elevator door opened, Regt could see a crestfallen Esteban getting out of it.
“Hey, what's up? Didn't you find hym?” asked the Renzar quickly.
“Eh? Well... Yes, I saw hir. But, hy didn't want to talk to me. Hy told me to get out of town. I really don't understand what's wrong with hym, Regthar.”
“Really? Wow. Now that is strange.”
“Hy told me that...hy had returned to hys clan.”
“Hmmm...that could explain it, Esteban.”
“But...It's all so strange...I can't settle for what hy told me. Hy didn't even want to have a conversation with me. I didn't want to demand answers from hym, since we were at hys job. But Regt, I can't leave Berdoovia without really talking to hym!” protested the boy with some anguish in his voice.
“Yes, yes... Take it easy. We will—but now, let's look for a hotel where to spend the night, it's already late son.” Regt pointed out with concern.
“Yes, okay.” Esteban answered resignedly. They both went out into the street again. The night had already enveloped the city and the stars shone in the clear sky.
As they moved to the avenue, they passed to the side of the hospital parking lot. Esteban casually looked and saw a skunktaur approaching a parked PTV. Despite the gloom, he managed to recognize Lilethe moving quickly. The human, in an impulsive act, came running towards her.
“Lilethe! Wait, do not go! We need to talk.”
“Esteban! No!!” replied the surprised skunktaur. “Not now! Go away!”
“No! Lilethe! Stop! Don't treat me like a kid! Right now you're going to tell me what the fuck is wrong with you!” the boy demanded.
“I already told you. I went back to my old clan.”
“No Lilethe. I don't need to be linked to you mentally to know that you are lying!”
“Esteban…” the skunktaur finally said, “I...Esteban,” hy repeated between sobs, as hy pounced on the human, hugging him tightly.
“Esteban...”
“Lilethe...”
“Wow, so this is the human you have in your head?” A voice was suddenly heard coming out of the gloom.
“Ugkar!” Lilethe exclaimed in surprise, putting herself in front of Esteban. “Leave him alone!”
“Easy, Lilethe. I already told you that we are not interested in your new conquests, although I never liked the idea that it was a human.”
“Lilethe, who is he?” Esteban asked confused. But the skunktaur did not respond. Hy was looking at the stranger with a defiant air. But hys anguish increased more when hy realized that the stranger also had a companion.
"Doren!" Lilethe exclaimed.
“Did you miss me, sweetie?”
“What the hell is going on? Who are they?” Esteban insisted, realizing that one of the newcomers was a skunktaur, in the male phase of the red house, while the other was a female phase blue paw.
“So it was true...a human. Lilethe, what a surprise for a mate,” added Doren as hy moved to Ugkar’s side.
“Hey enough! You don't have to treat hym like that!” Esteban responded, passing to the front.
“Ugkar, leave him alone or I'll call the police!” Lilethe threatened.
“Lilethe, I already told you to calm down. Come with us, as we agreed.”
“I will not do it. I'm sick of you already. If you don't leave me alone now, I'll denounce you,” Lilethe roared, thinking of all the bad times hy had suffered with that couple in the last time.
“Dumb. If we fall, so do you,” replied Ugkar with disdain.
“I do not mind.”
At that moment, Esteban began to feel a severe headache, which forced him to fall to the ground. Lilethe desperately tried to block the skunktaur's psychic attack with hys own abilities, but hy was unable to fully counter Ugkar.
“Enough, leave us!” Lilethe yelled.
“If you don't want to see him suffer, come with us now! Lilethe.”
“Grrr...enough, leave them!” Regt's roar was suddenly heard as he jumped up, he appeared before them. Ugkar and Doren were surprised. They had never seen a Renzar threaten like that.
“Esteban! Are you okay? Get up son.”
“Ugkar, let them go. I will go with you voluntarily.” Lilethe said resignedly. But the skunktaur, blinded by jealousy, exclaimed.
“No! I am no longer interested in your participation in this. You've done enough Lilethe. The fact that you left me for a human, who like everyone else, should not be admitted to Chakona, is what really bothers me.”
“Ugkar. It's not because of Esteban. You are no longer the same for a long time. You and your stupid ambition is the reason I kept away from you. You have changed too much.”
“This? Well, we'll see how much you want him when he changes too,” responded the skunk, after which again, hy began to attack Esteban making him scream in pain.
“Damn!” Regthar exclaimed as he pounced on the skunktaurs, but suddenly, he began to roar taking his head in his hands, falling to his knees.
“You aliens don't belong here either,” Ugkar declared as hy exercised all hys psionic power over him.
“Leave him alone, you damn thug!” Esteban yelled as he threw himself on them. But in that instant, his father stopped him, causing him to stumble.
“Agg...Regt! What's wrong with you?!” the boy exclaimed. Without responding, the Renzar stood up, trapping him in his arms.
“Regthar what's wrong with you, let me go!” the human yelled, but the Renzar didn't respond. His face had changed and he was roaring fiercely baring his teeth at Esteban.
“Grrrr!!! Grrrr!!”
“Regt, please let me go ahhggg!” Esteban shouted, overwhelmed by the pain caused by the bear hug. But Regt did not come out of that state and held Esteban tighter and tighter, making it difficult for him to breathe.
“No! Dad! Ahhggg!” The human screamed in horror, seeing that his friend attacked him as if it were a fighting match. The boy felt his body go numb, losing sensitivity, as he was breaking some bones and tendons.
“It seems that the giant aliens have weak minds, don't you think?” Ugkar commented to Doren with a malicious smile.
“Ugkar, please don't overdo it. It could kill him if he continues to squeeze him like that,” replied Doren.
“Stop! Leave them alone!” Lilethe yelled as hy got up again, trying to block hys partner's control.
“Lilethe! You don't have enough power to surpass me and you know it.” Ugkar answered wryly.
“Leave them alone already!” Hy insisted with tears in her eyes... "Please... Please..." Lilethe begged resignedly. The skunktaur, seeing that the situation favored hym, lowered hys hand. Immediately the Renzar stopped squeezing Esteban, who—almost out of breath—fell heavily at his feet.
“Eh? What happened?” Regthar uttered, taking his head with his hands and taking a few steps back. Lilethe, seeing the scene, immediately ran to the boy's side and held hys head tenderly against his torso.
“Lilethe!” Esteban said with tears in his eyes.
“Oh Esteban, I'm so sorry...” said the skunktaur, sobbing.
“Lilethe...so...just tell me that your heart feels nothing for me, and I'll leave you alone. Just tell me, please.”
The skunktaur looked at him tenderly. Inside her, there was a truth that hy was crying out for. Esteban's eyes seemed to hym like two bright and beautiful stars. And after giving the human a warm kiss on the lips, hy expressed himself. “‘Follow your heart,’ that's what Vroeg wrote to me. And that's what I did, since I met you.” The boy, caressing hys face, smiled.
“I love you Lilethe, as the human that I am.
“And I love you, Esteban,” hy pronounced, with a smile in hys heart, despite the tears.
“Esteban are you okay? What happened?” Regtnar rushed over, crouching next to the human.
“Mr. Regt, you have to get him inside the hospital," Lilethe said, as hy stood up.
“Enough Ugkar. Look what you have done! Leave us alone. I told you that long ago I made the decision to leave you. You are not the same anymore. And what you just did, confirms it!” Lilethe replied furiously.
“No! You are not going to leave me for a miserable human! You are mine Lilethe!”
“You're insane!” Hy protested.
“Grrr... Hey! Leave them alone!” Regt suddenly roared, as he lunged again at Ugkar and Doren.
“No Regt! Do not do it!” Esteban yelled from the floor. But suddenly, the Renzar was slowed in his advance by an unknown power. It was Doren who now applied hys telekinesis on him. The Renzar roared as he struggled to move his legs, but Doren held him back until he was immobilized.
“Enough Ugkar!” Lilethe screamed again, but hy responded by subduing hys partner once more with hys power. Lilethe fell to hir knees screaming in pain. Esteban, despite having his body hurt, stood up, and instinctively raised his hands towards Ugkar. Great was hys surprise, when hy saw that the human was able to block hys psionic action, allowing Lilethe to free hymself. Esteban started walking towards Ugkar and Doren with his hands outstretched. The skunktaur couldn't believe what hy saw. His power was being countered by a mere human!
From the ground, Lilethe was also surprised, seeing clearly a silver-furred skunk next to Esteban pushing forward. Hy quickly got up, turned and sprayed a powerful jet of irritating liquid at Doren's face, who, distracted by the burning on hir face, freed hymself from it by relinquishing hys telekinetic control.
“Grrrr!!” Regt's roar echoed, who with all the weight of his body, violently charged the pair of skunktaurs, hitting them against the wall of the parking lot. Trying to pull himself together, Ugkar received a powerful punch that knocked him back to the ground. Doren, who was complaining about the burning on hys face, was also neutralized when Regt smashed the skunktaur's neck against the ground with one of his paws.
Esteban, exhausted by the effort, felt his strength leave him, falling heavily to the ground. The last thing he saw was Lilethe quickly approaching him, trying to make him react. Regthar called the police with the key number Natany had given him. Then, he also approached Esteban, who at that point, was completely unconscious in Lilethe’s arms.
“Let's get him inside, into the hospital!” Lilethe exclaimed loudly...
*
In Amistad, Rena was awakened by a strong feeling of suffocation at that moment. Without knowing exactly why, hy began to shed tears...
*
At New Bletchley, while giving a masterclass, Rogar felt hys body fade, falling heavily to the ground. Hys colleagues and some of hys students rushed to hys side to help hym.
*
At Regt's house, Sorah woke up, stood up, and turned on the lights. Natany, who was next to her, sat on the bed and asked, “Sorah! What's happening to you?”
“Natany! It's the same...it's the same I felt when, when my son...he died in Grom, Natany!!” Sorah declared, and then fell to her knees and exploded in tears. Natany hugged her as tightly as she could, trying to contain her.

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