Party Night... Kane's POV

As I sit just out of sight I can see the entire court yard that is currently filled with a dozen or more aristocratic couples, caterers, waiters, serving girls, a half dozen scientists and a good number of military officials. The stiff backed military men seem far more ridged than normal next to the eccentric and almost wild rich aristocrats. The hired hands are being cornered by the scientists who seem to be able to lecture all night, weather they have an understanding audience or not. The whole crowd is mingling some what haphazardly. It's rather amusing to watch, in my opinion.

Smiling to my self I shift and catch the sight of Pheonx perched high above me. He's watching some thing with intensity normally saved for danger or field mice. Concerned I lean out in to the brick walk way a little and crane my head around towards what he's looking at. Nearly dead center of the courtyard Jake is rolling in front of a very volumptious woman. She is coooing and baby talking him. And occassionaly giving him a lick of caviar.

Out of the three of us he's the only one who can sneak in to nearly any formal situation with out arousing suspicion. This is a good thing because at the moment we just happen to be spying on the party members. Or more specificly, one General J. Doge, a man who is supposedly selling secrets to the communist party. Jake just happens to be licking his caviar off or Mrs. General J. Doge.

I can't tell at this point if he's showing off or gathering information professionally. After a moment of thought I decide it's a mix of both.

Yawning I settle back in to my well hidden hiding place and give my shoulder a good scratch. Phoenix is still on full alert and I can tell he's tense. He hates crowds. It makes him unbelievably nervous. I once thought it was just his programming, but now I think it has more to do with his developing personality. He's just not a people person.

That and he's wildly over protective of Jake. He wont admit it, but he's worried our little 'brother' will make a mistake one day and get him self killed.

I some times worry too, but so far Jake's record is nearly perfect.. if only it hadn't been for the little “Russian fishing” incident. I have to chuckle. The little cat/boy had nearly started an international war over a scrap of tuna. But his cute little 'pet me' act had reversed most of the harm he had caused.

I lean out again and watch as he rubs up against Mrs. General J. Doge's legs. Focusing I can hear her telling him that he's the sweetest thing she's ever seen. I'm about to settle back again when I feel a tingle down my spine. I glance up at Pheonx. He's watching me and has activated the telepathic link the three of us share. Quickly I glance at Jake. He's aperrently oblivious so Pheonx is only contacting me.

>Go ahead.< I can feel him in the back of my mind. It's like fethers... just nearly tickling my senses.

>I need to go report. Keep an eye on things here.<

>Roger.<

His felling leaves my body. I watch as he shakes his feathers and swoops down of the roof. For a second he's free falling before the air catches him. Then, in one smooth motion, he's turned and sailing up and over the buildings. Then he's gone.

I shudder and thank my creators for not making me the bird.

I peer over at Jake. He's looking at the place where Phoenix has disappeared. He's still kneading and looking cute, but now he's more alert. I feel him suddenly edge in to my mind. He hangs there, for a moment, before speaking.

>Where is he going?<

>To go report.<

There is a long pause and I can feel his presence shift. Unlike Poenix's feathery feel Jake is furry, and soft. One could say fluffy.

>He should have waited, I have some very interesting information.<

>Tell me and I'll go relay the message.<

Jake's presence shifted again. I stretch my neck and look at him. He's now on his back getting his stomach scratched.

<Well Jen-jen... er... that's Mrs. Doge... she tells me that her husband is supposedly sneaking out of his house every night at three in the morning and driving off in a gray sports car. There appears to be a chinese woman driving every time.<

>Lady spy.<

>Bingo.<

>Good work Jake.< I'm about to run of and report the info when suddenly Jake cries out in one of his unworldly cat shreeks. I can feel his 'furr' in my mind go pointy as I whip around and prep for any sort of confrontation.

>What happened!?!< I demand. I can see him sulking under a table.

>My tail...< He flicks it and winces. >... it was stepped on.<

I take a deep breath and calm my self. >Dog Gone It Jake! If my heart were made of flesh It would have stopped!<

He turns and flashes me one of his cheshire grins.

It's then that I know Phoenix is wrong. Jake won't get him self killed. No... He'll do us both in long before that.