Chapter 15: Hormones and Dark Kat Too!
A month went by without incident. The therapy visits seemed to be finally helping Feral find peace so he didn't resent the OB appointments quite so much anymore to Chance's relief. The omegas had been quiet as well allowing them both to adjust to these new circumstances. That didn't mean things were going smoothly though. His mate was still very moody due to his pregnancy which was finally showing. The stress of keeping his mate calm and happy were beginning to weigh on him.
Today he was taking some personal time away from Ulysses. Running their personal obstacle course with Jake was a way for him to get some badly needed exercise to release some of the tension he carried almost daily now.
So far Jake was leading and he needed to buckle down and change that. Putting on more speed he sprinted past his partner reaching the mountain of trash first this time. Rapidly climbing up he snatched the rope swing and made it across the deep pool of water below (without the rope breaking this time) and raced on toward the next obstacle.
Jake was hot on his heels, only a minute behind, as they grabbed the poles and vaulted over the makeshift trash hill. Landing almost together they ran at breakneck speed toward the finish line. Putting on a spurt of speed, Jake crossed the line with Chance in a dead heat. Grinning with pleasure, they high fived each other as they walked back to the apartment.
"Radical, Chance. We've not done that in a long time," Jake said warmly.
"Yeah! It felt good."
"Glad we got out and burned some energy, buddy, because I gotta say you've been really uptight lately."
"Hmph! I did warn you I would be, Jake."
"Uh, yeah, you did. I guess I didn't realize just how much. Want to vent? I'm here for you."
"Humph! Are you sure you're ready for it?" Chance asked archly as they went through the open garage door and headed up the stairs. Jake nodded. "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you. So where do I start," he mused. "Oh yeah, I'm getting totally wiped trying to placate him all the time. I love him to distraction but he's driving me insane with his difficulties handling the pregnancy."
"I thought he was getting better especially after seeing that therapist for weeks now. What's going on?" Jake asked, concerned as they walked into the kitchen and he reached into the fridge to retrieve two bottles of water, lobbing one to his partner.
Chance caught it and downed a healthy swallow before answering. "The therapy is helping but the pregnancy is moving so fast he's just having a hard time getting used to his changing body. Unlike a she-kat where the female has a lot of time to get used to the idea of being pregnant, Uly is being given no time to adjust. He's already showing and last night the kitten moved for the first time. I had to peel my mate off the ceiling because the sensation freaked him out. Uly just hasn't been in therapy long enough to really accept being a mother...now that just sounds weird...hearing Ulysses and mother together...hard to get my head around it." Chance ranted then shaking his head before finishing his water.
"Hu! I'm having a difficult time picturing it myself." Jake grimaced. "I'm also having a hard time seeing you as a dad." He snorted finishing his water too.
"I think I can be a good father. I just didn't plan on being one so soon. I can identify with Uly on that. Neither of us wanted a kitten now. After all, we are still trying to get used to each other and our lives are in danger all the time. Not a good time to raise a kitten." Chance sighed tossing his bottle in the trash then going to the living room and flopping down on the couch.
"I wish there was something I could do to help you, Chance. I hate seeing you this stressed out." Jake said as he joined him on the couch.
"Thanks, buddy! You've helped by letting me vent and I appreciate it. We'll get through this. It's not like we have a choice you know." He smiled gratefully at his best friend.
"Hah! That's the truth," Jake agreed. "Want to take a shower first? We could go take in a movie. We haven't done that in a while and it's a great stress reliever. At least the omegas have been giving us a break right now too," he suggested after a moment's silence.
"You know that sounds like a great idea but you go first. I want to call Uly and let him know my plans so he doesn't wait up on dinner. Long as I'm with him by eight it shouldn't be a problem. He knows I need a break," Chance said as he got up to use retrieve his comm unit.
"Great! There's a good sci fi movie playing. Why don't you check the times while I wash up?" Jake said enthusiastically, heading upstairs. Chance just nodded agreement while he waited for his call to connect.
At Enforcer Headquarters, Commander Feral heard something beeping in his pocket. He fished it out. "Yes?"
"Hi love. Listen Jake and I are going to take in a movie and then grab a bite to eat. Order you something to eat and I'll be home by eight. Okay?"
"Sure, go have fun, my love. I'll be fine," Feral told his mate warmly though he felt a stab of jealously too.
"Okay, remember get something to eat and don't stay late at work, you need your rest. See you later love." The connection clicked off.
He sighed as he put away the comm unit. Times like this, he felt jealous of Chance's friendship with Jake. He hadn't realized just how lonely he'd been until his mate filled the emptiness. He squashed the sudden ache he felt.
'Damn hormones,' he cursed himself mentally, knowing the melancholy was caused by his pregnancy. The hormones had him swinging from one emotion to another, leaving him constantly off balance. He hated it! Suddenly infuriated with himself, he got up, locked his desk, and headed to the elevators. Stopping at the gym floor he headed to the lockers.
He changed into his sweats and headed for the weight room. An intense workout was called for to help him burn off the melancholy and frustration he was feeling over his burgeoning condition. He was already showing though it wasn't too obvious in his uniform, but it was in his sweats.
One could hardly miss it, since he normally had a flat, well muscled stomach but now there was an obvious ball sticking out from below his ribs. He ignored the stares as he went to the bench press and began a punishing workout.
Sweating, he went to the running track next. He ran five laps at Kat speed then five more at Sabren speed. Enforcers working out around him gaped as a blur raced around the track faster than any of them could see.
Finished with his run and not needing to cool down, he headed for the pool. The water felt soothing so he did a slower pace of laps for twenty minutes. Climbing out he headed for the locker room. Redressing after a warm shower, he returned to his office feeling emotionally calmer and peaceful.
Chance had briefly felt a burst of distress from his mate but it was a familiar sensation and only meant his mate was feeling a little down but by the time the movie was halfway through, the emotions coming his way were much calmer and relaxed. A smile of relief passed over his mouth in the dark. He sighed softly to himself and settled into his seat more comfortably and just enjoyed the show.
By the time he changed to his T-Bone persona and climbed aboard his cyclotron for the ride home, he was feeling happier and much more relaxed. It had been a great day but now he was ready to return to his mate.
Slipping into Uly's apartment unseen, he found his mate in his recliner with his feet up just finishing a chicken dinner while he watched TV. Pleased at the sight of his mate relaxed and enjoying his dinner, he walked up and gave him a kiss.
Smiling back, Ulysses returned it. Insuring the drapes were closed and he'd already locked the door to the apartment, T-Bone felt safe to alter back to his real self. He went into the bedroom and changed clothes. He now had more than half his belongings here since he was here every night. However, anything that would have told people he was also T-Bone was never left here.
Returning to the living room, Chance dropped onto the couch and sprawled out comfortably. "So how did your day go, love?"
"It was okay except for a brief bout of melancholy which I beat off with a nice hard workout in the gym. That seemed to nip it in the bud and I was able to have a much better day after that. How was yours?"
"Great! Jake and I did our obstacle course and managed to finish in a dead heat...that doesn't happen often, believe me. Then we decided to take in a really cool sci fi flick and from there we went to our favorite restaurant where they serve Mongo Peppers and pasta. I feel really good now," Chance said with a sigh of pleasure.
"I'm amazed you can eat those things without burning your stomach out," Feral said shaking his head at his mate's weird habits. He set his empty plate aside. "I'm glad you had a good day. It's great that you have ways to dump excess stress and I know I'm causing you a great deal of it. It's hard for me to deal with all these damn hormones and not snap at you constantly. Some days I just feel all on edge," he sighed, annoyance tinging his voice.
"Then be glad your pregnancy is short, love. You won't have to put up with it too much longer," Chance soothed him.
"Huh! What a thing to be grateful for."
Chance just shrugged, smiling at his mate, then their attention was dragged to the TV by some antic of David Litterbin's. The rest of the evening was quiet and comfortable for once between them.
Three weeks later...
Dawn was barely peeking through Feral's drapes when his radio toned an alarm. Groggily, he reached out for it. Chance groaned unhappily beside him.
"Feral!"
"Sir, what appears to be a newly designed Fear Ship has appeared from the direction of the mountains and is bearing down on our building. And that's not all, sir, there is a squadron of heavy duty tanks heading down Megakat Boulevard for us as well. All squadrons have been scrambled to try and head them off," the dispatch told him urgently.
Feral sat up in dismay and glanced at the clock on his night stand, shift change was just taking place...a worst time for an attack to occur. "Have our combat ground unit put up a road block ahead of those tanks, evacuate the area, and tell the flight commander for the alpha squadron to harry but not attack that damn air ship. We can't afford to lose too many of our new jets to something they can't handle. I'll be there as fast as I can, Feral out!"
Having heard what the dispatcher had said, Chance was already up and headed for his clothes. He was scrambling on his T-Bone persona while his tired mate pulled on his uniform. His pregnancy was within weeks of completion and sleep had become difficult to attain. Last night was the first time he'd been able to sleep more or less peacefully which was going to be a good thing as this day was going to be a real wringer on his strength.
"It sounds like he's decided to take out the enforcers, building and all again but this time he's come really prepared," T-Bone ground out grimly. "Hope we can penetrate the shield he'll have around his ship. We were lucky last time but he's had time to fix that. I'm worried we'll be in for a very bad time."
"I'm afraid you may be right about that but hopefully some of Turmoil's new weapons will help," Feral muttered worriedly, shrugging his coat on while T-Bone tapped his helmet radio on.
"Razor, up and at em, buddy! Dark Kat is leading a massive offensive against the enforcers. Tanks and a new Fear Ship are heading for Enforcer Headquarters. Come get us from Uly's roof asap."
"Roger!" Came his partner's wide awake and worried voice.
"Love, I want you to be careful and don't draw any energy. I know it's a habit for you but you remember what Dr. Ainsly said about the risks to doing it now in your condition?" T-Bone paused to say to his mate, worry in his voice and manner.
"I'll try, but it won't do our kitten any good if Dark Kat takes over the city," Feral said heavily, having a very bad feeling he was going to have to do something really drastic to save them all from this terrible menace.
T-Bone stared at his mate's determined face and nodded. He knew, just like him, Uly would do what he had to because protecting the city was his life. He leaned closer and drew his mate into a desperate kiss. Feral sighed and gave the same intensity back. He was worried about his mate being taken out too. If either of them were killed, the other would die as well but he refused to think about that as they hurried from the apartment and made for the roof.
Razor arrived a few minutes after they reached the roof. He landed smoothly, got out on the wing and helped Feral get into the cockpit and seated beside him while T-Bone leaped into the pilot's seat. Minutes later they were airborne and heading for Enforcer Headquarters. As they swept over the city, they stared out the cockpit window and saw the army lead by Dark Kat's Fear Ship. The enforcers jet squadron was doing its best to keep the Fear Ship busy but Dark Kat was taking them out with very little effort. Their weapons having no effect on the shielding of the deadly airship. On the ground, the enforcers tank squadron had barely made it ahead of the rather faster moving enemy. No weapons fire had happened down there yet.
T-Bone took an oblique angle so they wouldn't engage Dark Kat until they off loaded their pregnant passenger. T-Bone helped his mate get down once he'd landed the jet on the flight line. Giving Ulysses a last minute hug, he jumped back aboard the Turbokat and was off to take on Dark Kat.
Sick with worry, Feral hurried to where his officers were waiting. Steele was there and gave him an update on how many crews were ready and how many were already at the battle scene.
"I want the bravo squadron ready to back up alpha if too many are lost from the sky. The same goes for the bravo tank squadron. They must be ready to launch at a moment's notice," Feral barked.
"They are, sir!" Steele said briskly, his face grim.
Feral was momentarily surprised by Steele's efficiency but said nothing more except to order a jet be readied for him. He ignored Steele's look of objection and the Kat was wise enough not to voice a reminder that the Commander's condition forbid him to fly. He knew his superior was just going to go anyway. Nodding grimly, he did as ordered and hurried off to take care of it personally.
Hovering over Dark Kat's army while avoiding the Fear Ship for the moment, T-Bone and Razor surveyed the enemy below them.
"It doesn't look good, T-Bone. I count at least a fifty tanks down there with some pretty impressive armaments," Razor reported grimly.
"We're going to have to leave the tanks to Feral. We've got Dark Kat and his Fear Ship to deal with since he's doing a good job of wiping the sky of enforcers."
"Yeah, I agree! Let's see what he's got!" Razor acknowledged as he brought all his armaments on line.
"Roger! One Fear Ship coming up!" T-Bone warned his partner as he maneuvered the Turbokat behind and just above Dark Kat's ship.
Dark Kat had apparently been watching for them because T-Bone hadn't yet got into position before the evil Kat fired some kind of energy weapon at them. The tabby just managed to swerve out of the way.
"What the heck was that?" He shouted.
"I don't know but I don't think we want to find out what it can do to us. Let me try something!" Razor said as he concentrated on his monitors. Firing a spread of missiles, Razor tried to feel out the strengths and weaknesses of the Fear Ship.
Back at Enforcer Headquarters, Feral launched his jet and joined his hard pressed enforcers. He fired experimentally at the jet but learned what his mate already had that the airship was impervious to their weaponry.
"Squadron, fall back, your weapons aren't having an effect. Half of you go assist the tank squadron holding back those tanks and half remain here to harry the airship but let the SWAT Kats do most of the direct fighting with it," he ordered over his radio.
Pulling back himself, he watched for some minutes and wasn't happy that Razor wasn't making any headway through Dark Kat's shielding. Moving off, he flew to where the tanks were engaging.
He was dismayed to see nearly the same thing happening below. Dark Kat's tanks shook off the lasers and small missiles from the enforcers like they were nothing. As he watched, the enemy tanks rolled over everything in their path and blasted the phalanx of enforcer tanks and cars into burning wrecks in seconds while the survivors retreated backwards as fast as they were able but still offering return fire the best they could.
They were outgunned that much was painfully obvious. Even using Turmoil's more high tech weaponry was having no effect on the juggernaut heading their way. They were fighting a defensive action trying to keep the tanks from advancing but they were losing ground quickly. He needed to come up with some strategy that would defeat this seemingly unstoppable force.
The only solution was one his mate would hate but one which had the only chance of working but it relied on getting the cooperation of some very reticent Sabrens for it to work. Some ways off he saw his mate barely holding off the attacks of the Fear Ship.
There just wasn't any other recourse. Having made up his mind, he hurriedly returned to base and took a chopper instead. He flew to the Megakat Broadcasting building and landed on one of their chopper pads.
He raced down to the main offices and buttonholed an executive asking for the boss but because it was still far too early in the morning for any of the leaders to be in, Feral had to deal with the night manager.
"Look, I've no time to waste. If you aren't aware of it yet, Dark Kat is attacking the enforcers with a massive squadron of tanks and his Fear Ship. At this moment we're losing, even with the SWAT Kats help. I need to do something quickly or we'll all be doomed when Dark Kat takes over," Feral told the tom urgently.
Eyes wide with fear, the manager asked in a shaky voice, "what can we do about it, Commander if you're not able to?"
"All I need from you is to help me send a mass broadcast to the city at large. I desperately need to get a hold of other Sabrens and call them to my side to see if we can stop this rampage," Feral explained, feeling his mate's fear through their bond, making him tense and anxious.
Straightening his spine, the manager said stoutly, "whatever you need Commander, let's do it. Follow me!" He led Feral down to the main broadcasting area and opened the door to the news room that was broadcasting the morning news to the early risers of the city.
Gesturing for Feral to stand silently beside him, the manager took a headphone and mic and spoke to one of the newscasters who wasn't speaking at the moment. A startled look crossed the male's face but he smoothly recovered then broke in to his fellow newscaster's report.
"Excuse me, Ann, sorry to interrupt but we have to break for an emergency message from our own Chief Enforcer Commander Feral. We will go to a commercial while we set up. Please stand by!" He told the audience.
That was the signal for the monitors to go to a commercial. The manager turned to Feral and clipped a mic onto the Sabren's coat. "Okay, sir. Just say what you need to. I'll make sure all stations have been alerted to pick it up and transmit. Just give me a minute more to do that then we'll broadcast," he said then turned away to make some urgent calls on his cell.
Feral walked toward the news desk and nodded to the pair sitting there eyeing him with concern and curiosity. "What have you heard about the progress of the battle," he asked wanting an update.
Ann Gora spoke up quickly, "we were just informed the enemy tanks have broken through the enforcer ranks and are only a mile from Enforcer Headquarters as we speak. In the air, the Fear Ship has managed to continue holding off the SWAT Kats and destroyed most of the enforcer jets circling it. It too is within striking distance of your headquarters, Commander."
Feral grimaced unhappily. "Time is running out!"
"I'll say! So, what do you have in mind, Commander?" Ann asked worriedly.
"Wait and listen, you'll have your answer," Feral grunted noting the manager was returning to his side.
"Alright, Commander. We're all set. Stand here and when I give the signal, begin your request," he said stepping back behind the cameras, barking out commands in quick fashion then turning back to Feral and counting down, "ready to broadcast...on your mark, 1...2...3..." his finger made a 'go' sign.
Feral began his plea, "Attention all Sabrens within the sound of my voice. We are being attacked by a force we have no way of stopping with conventional weapons. To save our city from Dark Kat, I'm pleading with you to come join me and together we will use our energy to put a stop to this threat. If we don't succeed Dark Kat will win and no one will be safe. He will rule us with an iron fist. If you value our freedom and our way of life then meet me in front of Enforcer Headquarters immediately. We are out of time! Please I beg of you, for the sake of our mate's and kittens come help me protect our city. I'm risking my own unborn kitten to save this city so it will live free can you do any less? I'll be waiting!"
The manager called cut and Feral left the stage quickly. "Thank you but I must hurry back now. Keep broadcasting that for as long as necessary and pray we succeed," he said grimly then left hurriedly back to the roof and his waiting chopper.
As Feral flew anxiously back to his beleaguered headquarters, around the city his message was heard and many began to respond.
From various patrols around the city, seven enforcers ordered their Kat partners to take them back to headquarters immediately. They had heard the broadcast that had been transmitted to their radios besides all the TVs in the city. Though surprised, their partners didn't hesitate.
Elsewhere, firekats, security guards, and those in other fields rushed to reach the enforcer building. The way in many places was blocked by enforcer barriers but the Sabrens found ways around them. No one was going to prevent them from getting to their destination.
By the time Feral returned to the flight line and jumped out of his chopper then took an elevator down to the main floor, over twenty Sabrens were waiting for him on the front steps. Feral burst out the main doors and stared in relief and joy at the number of Sabrens that had heeded his call.
"Thank you all for responding so swiftly. I want us to all join paws and quickly draw as much energy as we have time to, before those tanks and Dark Kat's Fear Ship reaches us. We'll take out the tanks first, hopefully, then remain firm and fire at Dark Kat's ship on my command. Are all of you mated?" He asked quickly. To his relief, every head nodded. "Good! I'll make sure you get to your mates quickly. Please join paws now. Excuse me while I contact my own mate!" He said reaching inside his coat and pulling out his radio.
"Dispatch! Put me through to frequency twenty!" He barked. Moments later, he was given the go ahead. "T-Bone! T-Bone do you hear me! Answer!"
There was a spat of static then seconds later a voice gritted out with the noise of battle behind it, "I'm a bit busy, Uly! Spit it out quickly!"
"Roger! On the steps of the enforcer building I've gathered as many Sabrens as I could reach. We will attempt to destroy the enemy. I'm going to need you afterward. Copy?"
"No! You can't raise power! It will endanger you and the kitten!" T-Bone roared.
"No choice! This is our only option and I won't have them do what I wouldn't do myself," Feral said firmly. "Wish me luck my love and see you soon!" He added then cut off the connection.
Turning to the group, he said grimly, "let's do this!" He grasped the nearest open paw and stood facing the oncoming enemy. Their bodies began to glow like miniature suns.
They were ready just in time. Up the street came the retreating line of enforcers being pushed back by Dark Kat's tanks and above them was the Fear Ship still being hounded by the Turbokat and what few enforcer jets were left. As the battling forces came closer to the building, Feral shouted over his shoulder to his officers standing behind the building doors watching.
Steele had been afraid for the Commander and stood by in case they could aid the determined Sabrens but remained behind the safety of the doors not wanting to get caught by the rising energy they could see being generated before them. He saw Feral turn his head toward them and shout something. He quickly opened the door.
"What do you need, sir?" He shouted back.
"Tell the squadrons, jet and tank, to withdraw immediately...hurry!" Feral shouted again.
"Yes sir!" Steele said quickly, reclosing the door and barking orders rapidly into his radio. Relieved, both squadrons obeyed quickly and moved their crippled and barely functioning line of enforcer tanks and rigs quickly down the street away from the enemy tanks while the jets veered away from the scene as did the Turbokat, though it did so more reluctantly.
Now unopposed Dark Kat's forces came bearing down on the line of glowing Sabrens. As soon as the tanks began to turn their turrets toward them, Feral gave the order to fire their energy. A huge burst of blinding light struck the line of tanks dead on. For long minutes, no one could see the battlefield then it was over. The tanks were turned to so much melted metal and all that was left was a line of brightly glowing Sabrens. Though exhausted, they remained steadfast, waiting for Feral's next command to fire.
Above them, Dark Kat had been gloating on his success in fending off the Turbokat's attacks though he was a bit annoyed that he couldn't knock them out of the sky. T-Bone had been doing his best to avoid all of the criminal's attempts. Ignoring them for the moment, Dark Kat moved his ship down closer to his line of tanks to see how that battle was going. He was pleased to see them advancing on Enforcer Headquarters with ease.
Suddenly, he noted the enforcer line of tanks were retreating quickly away from them. Puzzled, he halted his ship and looked around him carefully. He hadn't lived this long without being cautious. His eyes widened as he noticed the enforcer jets were also retreating but what alarmed him most was the Turbokat was backing away as well.
Something was very wrong. Turning to the front once more, he searched the ground below him and finally noticed a glowing line of 'kats'? Wait! Those weren't kats he realized too late as a blinding light burst forth and swept over his tanks.
When he could see again, he was stunned at the sight...every one of his tanks were nothing but slag now. Shocked and furious, he stared at the still glowing line of what he knew were Sabrens. Since they weren't moving, he was afraid he was the next target and began to retreat himself.
Feral wasn't about to let him try to get away and barked the command to fire. Again a massive burst of energy flew upward and tagged the retreating airship. The energy lost some of its force as Dark Kat desperately tried to put distance between them but enough had reached his ship and now his shields were down and, literally, parts of his ship were melting around him.
In a panic, Dark Kat poured on all the power his badly damaged ship could muster and put distance between him and the deadly energy tearing his ship apart. So focused was he on trying to escape, he completely forgot about another enemy waiting for him in the sky above.
As his ship floundered upward, he landed himself in the cross-hairs of Razor's weapons and in one push of the button the Turbokat spat death at their enemy, blasting him from the sky.
T-Bone was grinning madly as he heard his partner crow, "Bingo!" loudly through his helmet radio. In the next moment though, he remembered the danger his mate was in and quickly took the jet downward to the enforcer flight line.
Below, crowds and enforcers were cheering madly. The Sabrens were taken indoors where they were quickly escorted to choppers that would take them to their mates quickly to dump their energy. There was no time to get names though Feral did recognize his own officers among the group and intended to give them commendations when things were quiet once more.
After ensuring all his Sabren brethren were taken care of he ran the elevator bank. His enforcers moved out of his way, allowing him to get to his office as quickly as possible. His own form resembling a glowing sun.
T-Bone landed the Turbokat so fast it bounced a little when it hit the ground. He didn't bother shutting engines, and leaving his partner behind, he raced across the flight line, enforcers quickly getting out of his way. It was a good thing Feral's office was only just above the flight line so he got there nearly the same time as his mate.
Dashing into Feral's office, he saw his mate tugging his coat off and hanging it up quickly. T-Bone shut the door behind him and pulled his mate close. The hugged tightly then went to the couch against the wall.
With T-Bone's assistance, Feral undressed quickly as did his mate. Tossing his clothes a distance away so his energy wouldn't damage them, he went to the couch and took a paws and knees position since his pregnancy made a frontal penetration more difficult and uncomfortable.
"I'm proud of you my love," the tabby murmured in his ear as he mounted his mate and gently but firmly thrust forward into his ready channel.
Feral could only moan when their bodies joined, too tired to speak. There really wasn't time for tenderness, so T-Bone began a hard, fast rhythm to bring them to orgasm quickly. Burying his face in his mate's neck and squeezing is eyes shut tight, T-Bone gave one last hard thrust and sent them both over the edge.