Kishi looked around the museum, unimpressed by the various displays. Some vehicles scarcely rivaled the size of one of her feet, and the human text on exhibit plaques was minuscule, making it difficult for her to read. “How very… sentimental,” she remarked with a sneer. “My clan wouldn't squander resources preserving such antiquated tools and weapons.”

Captain Astra stood on a catwalk around Kishi’s waist, sighing a little. “It’s not about that.”

“Then what’s the point?” Kishi asked, face scrunching up. She glanced at everything from recreated World War 2 vehicles to an ancient Chinese automatic crossbow replica. “In times of strife, practical tombs like this wouldn’t serve much purpose, except in desperation or emergencies.”

Astra looked into the distance. The museum resembled a massive warehouse, built for both humans and hellcats. “It’s more of a memorial... a way for humanity to remember its roots, especially after losing contact with Old Earth over two centuries ago.”

Kishi let out a huff. “Fair enough. Hellcat clans might bury warriors with their weapons, but not in a public display like this. There’s more to your culture and history than warfare.”

“That’s… surprising to hear from you of all people.” Astra replied, raising an eyebrow.

Once more, Kishi sneered before putting her hands on her hips. “It’s not impossible to be both cultured and a warrior. I actually enjoy drinking tea and reading in my free time whenever I'm not crushing my enemies!”

Astra scoffed. “Right. I’m surprised you aren’t interested in the other hellcat.”

“Pardon?” Kishi said with her ears perking up. “I don’t see or hear another one of my kin…”

Astra pointed toward a distant vehicle. “I’m talking about that.”

A lone exhibit displayed an accurate M18 Hellcat replica. Black panther insignia on the flanks paid tribute to the 805th American Tank Destroyer Battalion. At the front, a plaque detailed the vehicle’s technical specifications, operational context, and broader historical significance.

Kishi narrowed her eyes. “The tank?”

Astra nodded. “A tank destroyer, to be more precise, but it’s actually a funny coincidence. You see, you’re both called hellcats. We use you similarly when it comes to pure military doctrine. Just fast and hard-hitting units that attack from the flanks to catch the enemy by surprise, then combined with… wait… what do you think you’re doing, Kishi?!”

Kishi let her actions speak for her. She bent over, gripped the M18 Hellcat with both hands, and snapped the securing cables as she lifted it from the display. A short fence crumpled beneath her toes. With the replica in hand, she examined it from every angle, spinning the turret with her fingers.

“I’m not impressed.” Kishi said, sneering yet again. “I don’t see how this could even compare to a hellcat such as myself.”

Astra rubbed her eyes. “Okay, ignoring that you aren’t supposed to do that… like at all, that vehicle you’re holding was one of the most successful tank destroyer designs in one of ancient humanity’s greatest wars.”

Kishi’s head perked up. “Truly?”

“The M18 was a glass cannon,” Astra said with a nod. “Fast, powerful, and barely armored. Humans now use hellcats like you in a similar auxiliary role.”

“I see…” Kishi hissed, nostrils flaring as she sniffed the metal hull.

Astra watched, bewildered, as Kishi flicked her tongue out to taste the chassis. Kishi bared her teeth briefly, hissed, then opened her jaws wider. Her sharp fangs clamped down on a corner of the vehicle, gripping the tracks and lower body.

Astra just gave Kishi a blank stare afterward. “What are you, a kitten again?”

Kishi let out a low growl as she released the combat vehicle from her jaws. “If it’s such a legendary human weapon, surely it can withstand my claws and fangs.”

“Do we really need to test that?” Astra asked before shaking her head. “Just put it down…”

Ignoring Astra, Kishi angled the M18 Hellcat and clamped her jaws around the hull. The front, including the headlights, nearly vanished into her mouth, though most of the chassis remained exposed. Her fangs, whiskers, tongue, and claws probed and scraped against the steel and paint.

Astra rolled her eyes. “It’s not even an authentic hellcat. It’s just a replica, Kishi!”

Kishi’s jaw and the vice grip from her fingers won out as they dented the other hellcat’s metal chassis. Part of the hull even began to contort from the pressure exerted by her massive jaws, which were designed to rip out the throats of alien megafauna rather than crush human vehicles. Some slobber still adorned the vehicle once Kishi finally removed it from her feline muzzle and gave it a death stare.

“What a shame…” Kishi said, licking her thin lips a few times. “I hope the real thing isn’t so frail and pitiful.” She paused just to drop it, watching it fall for several long moments before it collided with the hard ground and crumpled even more. “Even the crudest hellcat weapons are made of sturdier stuff than this human metal.”

Astra recoiled from all the racket, especially with one tread snapping off a wheel axis. She sighed once it eventually calmed down. “Ugh. Really, Kishi? Just… why?”

Kishi let out another huff, puffing up her fur. Her red-tipped tail with a bulb like a lion swayed behind her as she stayed silent for a time…

“Because it’s weak.” Kishi eventually replied, giving the other hellcat a more murderous look as her pupils shrank. She slowly placed a clawed foot on the turret, allowing her toes to wrap around the upper hull and body. “At least compared to me.”

Kishi pressed down underfoot for emphasis. Slowly, her powerful foot compressed the metal hull. The hull first bent and warped, then faint snaps, cracks, and pops sounded before a soft crunch signaled the turret partially caving in. Her thick purple paw pads, tough as leather, protected her foot through it all. The gun barrel popped off under the pressure, and the turret kept collapsing. Although Kishi didn’t completely flatten the vehicle, enough time and effort might have made it possible.

“Bring me a REAL hellcat!” Kishi said, more growling accompanying her words.

Astra looked at the crumpled remains, spotting some stray museum workers and other military staff practically hiding from Kishi in the distance. “There’s no need. You’re clearly the real deal here.”

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Credit for the illustration goes to  Drunk_ferret with the short story written by yours truly.