"Ahoy, bring those boxes below!"  called Smokey, the Bos'n.  "And be
careful, those are quality supplies."

"Ooof!" said Mere as she put her shoulder into pushing a rather large
box that was twice her size.

"Here," said a voice. "Let me help you."  Mere looked up as another
kitten came up and began pushing.

"I'm Harri Roadcat, what's your name?"

"My name's Mere, it's short for Cashmere.  Though it's kinda funny,
cause I'm not made of any cash."

"Well, I'm named because I'm on the road a lot with my Paw.  I was
quite confused for this trip, cause there's no road at all."

"Of course not," said Mere, "We're on a ship, on the ocean."

"Well, I know that NOW," said Harri, "But why do we have to load these
boxes ourselves?  With my Paw loading and unloading is SOOOO much
easier."

"I dunno.  All I know about boxes is that they are best when they're
EMPTY.  Nikki just LOVES boxes.  But she doesn't have to load any.
Just us kits have to do all the work..."

"Loading boxes is good for you," said another voice behind them.  Harri
and Mere turned to see a very large kitten towering over them.
"I'm Corporal Sammy. Loading boxes makes CATS out of kits.  It builds
character."

"But on a truck," said Harri, "All you have to do is..."

"Silence!" yelled Sammy. "As cabin kits you'll do as you're told and
you'll like it.  Understand?"

"Aye-Aye Sir!" said both kittens, and they went back to pushing.
Corporal Sammy smiled to herself and surveyed the deck.  Her wandering
eye fell on IBKFergus, who had stopped coiling rope to tend to cleaning
a particular spot on her tail.  "Ahoy!" she yelled.  "No lounging
about!  Get a move on!"  The kitten jumped to attention and went back
to work.

This is going to be FUN, thought Sammy, cause I'M going to be giving
orders.  Sammy began to smile again when a voice stopped her, "Corporal
Sammy."  Sammy turned and suddenly did not feel so powerful.

"Yes, Sergeant Huey?" Sammy stood up straight and saluted as Sergeant
Huey approached.

"I take it the kits are doing well?"
"Yes, sir.  I'm keeping an eye on them, Sir."
"Good, I'd hate to have to tell Cap'n Pine Cone that the kits aren't
being properly trained."
"Don't worry, Sir, I'll make sure none of the kits so much as put a TOE
out of line."
"I'm sure of it," said Huey, "Cause then the blame would fall on you."

Sammy gave a small start,  "Uh.......me, sir?"
"Well, of course, the kits are being trained by you.  And if there's
any problem with the kits, then there must be a problem with how they
are being trained, and then Cap'n Pine will be perturbed."  he paused.
"And you know if Cap'n Pine Cone is perturbed, I, myself get even MORE
perturbed.  Have I made myself clear?"

Sammy gulped, "Yes, sir.  Crystal clear."

"Very good.  Carry on."  After he had gone, Sammy let out a huge
breath.  Maybe being Corporal was going be tougher than she thought.

To be continued.......