Today we find our two intrepid feline travelers, Henri and Cassie sitting at a gate in Dublin’s airport. Normally, the young kitten would have been running all over the place watching the planes and getting into trouble, but instead she sat beside Henri, occasionally emitting soft sighs. Yes, it was not a happy day for Cassie as after months of travelling with Henri, it was now time for her to return home.

The older cat was similarly subdued, staring out the window at the planes landing and taking off.

“You know,” explained Henri, “the wing on a plane is shaped such that the air on the top moves faster than the air on the bottom. That causes the air pressure on the bottom of the wing to be higher which pushes the plane into the air.”

“Uh huh,” responded the young kitten looking at the ground.

The two continued sitting there in silence. After a while, Cassie asked, “could you tell me a Dynamics Cat story?”

Henri glanced over at the airport clock. “I’m afraid there’s not enough time,” she replied, “but when I have time, I’ll write out some Dynamics Cat stories to send to you.”

“It won’t be the same,” she remarked, looking over at Henri with moist eyes.

“I know,” offered the older cat in a soft tone, “it won’t be the same for me either.”

“Will you visit me?” asked Cassie.

“Of course I will,” laughed Henri. “How else will I make sure that you’re keeping up with your Physics education?”

Soon, the announcement for boarding to begin echoed though the waiting area. Getting up, the two cats just stood there. At last, Cassie leaned over and gave Henri a hug. “Thanks for everything,” she mewed softly, her voice cracking.

Wiping her eyes, Henri patted Cassie’s head and returned her hug. “It was a pleasure travelling with you.”

The two cats remained that way for several minutes before Henri straightened up. “We’d better get you on the plane,” she declared in a sad voice.

Cassie grabbed her little pink knapsack and the two cats walked over to the boarding area. The two of them said nothing as they waited in the slow moving line. At last Henri handed Cassie’s boarding pass to the ticket agent and the young kitten slowly headed for the ramp. However, before entering she turned around and throwing up a paw, cried out “Physics!” Then with a wave, she was gone.

Henri slowly went over to the window to see if she could catch a glimpse of Cassie on the plane. She sighed as she saw no sign of her. Remaining there, she watched the plane begin to taxi away. As the plane turned, there was Cassie waving excitedly from a window. Henri smiled as she waved back, whispering, “goodbye Cassie.” The plane was soon out of sight as it headed for the runway.

Returning to the bench, Henri put on her knapsack and felt something hard pushing on her back. Opening it, she found Cassie’s small red ball, the one she’d bought in Paris, and a note. It read:

Dear Henri,

I’ll always remember the fun we had together and everything you taught me. It was the most fun I’ve ever had. I want you to have my ball since it would only remind me of how much I’m going to miss you. Please visit me soon.

Love,

Cassie

Henri sat down and stared at the red ball. It was Cassie’s prized possession and she’d given it to her. Sure, Cassie had been a pawful at times, but it wasn’t going to be the same travelling without her. Getting up, Henri slipped on her knapsack and slowly made her way up the concourse.

However, she’d only gone a short way when she stopped and took the red ball out of her knapsack. Giving it a bounce, she smiled. There’s still so much Cassie needs to learn, she thought. Her holiday break is coming up soon. Bet she’d enjoy a surprise visit.

Putting the ball away, Henri briskly headed up the concourse, smiling as she planned where she was going next.

Major Thomas (Tom) Fluffison

Major Thomas Fluffison is a member of the Felinian Air Force and is most famous for being the first Catalonian to successfully reach orbit. He credited his years of being a test pilot with his quick response to the failure of his first stage engine on that historic flight. The cause of that failure has never been determined although some people believe it was sabotage. He is currently training for a joint Felinia/Catstroph mission to the moon.

Agent Kitten

Agent Kitten is the top spy for the country of Catstroph located on the planet Catalonia. A master of disguise with an agile mind, he is able to seamlessly slip into whatever situation is required to complete his mission. Operating against Felinia, his nation’s sworn enemy, he seeks to advance his country’s view that all scratchers should be made of carpet. However, he fights not for ideology (he might have even used a cardboard scratcher once or twice), but for his love of adventure. After all, what job could possibly be more exciting for a kitten than being a secret agent?

Henri

Eying her plump form, one may think Henri nothing more than a pampered house cat, but appearances can be deceiving. She’s the quintessential renaissance cat, equally at home in the world’s finest museums and physics labs. Traveling the world, she enjoys all it has to offer (hence the plump physique) while striving to learn all she can. Although she can be gruff, particularly at the antics of her young companion Cassie (and when she’s referred to as fat), Henri has a good heart and wants nothing more than to help Cassie grow into the cat she’s meant to be.

Cassie

Cassie the kitten is Henri’s young travelling companion. More interested in having fun and eating fish than learning, she is quite the paw-full for the older cat. Deep down, she’s a good kitten who feels genuine remorse when her impulsive behavior inevitably brings disorder to Henri’s carefully crafted plans. While fond of the older cat, Cassie finds her habit of answering a question by enthusiastically calling out “Physics!” quite frustrating. Even so, Henri’s love of physics is slowly rubbing off on her young companion. Who knows, someday Cassie might even consider following in Henri’s footsteps and become a Physicat.

Dynamics Cat

Unlike your typical super hero, Dynamics Cat did not gain his abilities through mutation, radiation, chemicals, or even alien intervention. It took years of study, but he achieved a mastery of dynamics which endowed him with powers far beyond those of mortal cats. Understanding the duty that came with his newfound powers, Dynamics Cat dedicated his life to fight all those who would do evil. Now the feline of acceleration stands ever ready to use his powers and vast knowledge of dynamics to defend the citizens of Newtonville.