Max's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden tug on the fur on his neck. In an instant, he was lifted up, his paws hanging above the ground. Grandpa George's gaze, cold and severe, chilled him more than the night wind.

- What were you thinking, Max? - George growled, lifting his grandson right in high.

Max shivered, and his ears instinctively pressed against his head.

- Grandpa... I couldn't leave you alone! - he squealed, trying to hide his fear.

A shadow of relief flashed in George's eyes. The grip loosened, and his expression softened. He hugged Max to his chest.

- Max, this is not the place for you. This is adult business, do you understand? And you need to be at home, with mommy. - His voice became quiet, soothing. - Who else, if not you, would take best care of mommy?

Max looked at his grandfather with clear rebellion in his eyes.

- But mommy's safe at home. I want to be here with you! - His voice was shaking, determination fighting with fear.

George sighed heavily, setting Max back down on the ground.

- No way. If you don't come back right now, I'll call your dad. And you don't want us to make a big deal out of this, do you? - he added, though his tone was laced with concern.

Max was furious. He turned on his heel, resigned, and walked towards the house with his head down. Each step he took seemed very heavy, as if he was disagreeing with the decision that had been imposed on him.

As he exited the port, something caught his eye. His father, Olivier, was standing at the end of the alley. Max immediately felt that the situation was getting worse. It was too late to hide.

- Max? - Olivier's eyes widened when he noticed him. - What are you doing here, boy? - Max shrugged.
- I wanted to help Grandpa… but he yelled at me and told me to go home, - he mumbled.

Olivier looked at his son with an expression of gentle condescension.

- Well, Grandpa’s right. This is no time or place for your heroics, son. Mom will be worried when she notices you’re gone. Go home, and I’ll join you when it’s all over - he said, heading toward the Harbor.

Max watched his father disappear around the corner, his defiance growing stronger with each passing moment. This couldn’t go on without him. He turned on his heel, clenched his paws, and turned back toward the Harbor. If there was going to be a battle, he wasn’t going to miss it.

An ominous silence hung in the air as more pirate ships approached the Felinopolis roadstead. At their head was Lame Joe's flagship, who had summoned his pirate allies, ready to strike at the city.

George stood on the ramparts, watching the horizon, his mind swarming with thoughts of the coming battle. As pirate ships one by one appeared on the horizon, the cats of Felinopolis were on high alert.

The City Council met in the basement of City Hall to discuss final preparations.

- Time to bring out our secret tools - George said, looking at his aides. - Drones.

Jack, the deputy mayor, looked in disbelief. The secret weapon that Felinopolis had been hiding for years took the form of mechanical "rats" - precise, fast, and armed with advanced technology that could not only observe enemy movements, but also conduct offensive operations if necessary.

- Are we sure this is the right time? - the Harbormaster asked, glancing nervously at the map on the table.

George knew there was no turning back now. The pirates were too close, and their intentions were clear. All attempts at diplomacy had failed. Lame Joe and his allies knew that Felinopolis was rich, and these treasures were their goal.

In all the chaos and mounting tension, there was one thing that only George knew.

Lame Joe had a much deeper plan. Under the cover of an attack, he wanted to get something from George that was the key to unimaginable riches—the secret password to the treasure cave that One-Eyed Joe had whispered to George during his last, farewell visit.

This was no longer just a fight for the city. This was a game for something much bigger

An order went out from the City Council. Rat-shaped drones began moving toward the harbor, ready to clash with the pirates.

Max, hidden behind one of the pillars, watched everything with growing anxiety. He couldn't believe that it was the drones—these mysterious machines—that were going to play a key role in defending the city.

Suddenly, a siren sounded out at sea. Pirates dropped anchors, and war cries rang out from the decks of their ships.

The Battle of Felinopolis was about to begin......

To be continued.....😻

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