Chapter 17: A New Sabren Arrives
A week after he'd returned to duty, Feral was informed by the Deputy Mayor that his presence was required at ten a.m. the next morning in front of the Mayor's statue in Megakat Park.
He dreaded what was going to happen, suspecting it was going to be a big political ploy for the Mayor. By honoring the heroes of the battle days ago, Mayor Manx insured his reelection.
Sighing, he really wished they would just leave him out of it. He said as much to his mate that night.
"Aw, come on, Uly. It isn't just the Mayor but the katizens that need things like this to help them feel they are getting their city back from the omegas. It's just 'feel good' PR. No point in fighting it. They want Razor and I there too you know," Chance soothed and hugged his mate.
Uly snorted, "How did you get to be so smart about politics?"
"By listening to you and Ms. Briggs."
His mate still looked very unhappy. "Okay what's really wrong?" Chance asked gently while nuzzling Uly's face and giving him a much needed back rub.
"My uniform's don't fit now. I just look huge," he moaned in distress. 'Kat's alive! Was that a whine?' He winced, shocked at himself.
"Oh love. You're pregnant not fat and you look beautiful to me. Don't fret so much about it. I know we wanted to keep it secret but your very public plea to the Sabrens scuttled that before you began to show so much. So let me prove how unimportant it is," Chance murmured beginning to kiss and caress his mate, trying to help Uly forget his distress over his appearance, at least for a little while.
Megakat Park...Next morning...
Standing uncomfortably under the cameras and scrutiny of several hundred katizens, Feral pressed a little closer to his mate. His feet were beginning to hurt and he hadn't heard a word of the Mayor's long winded speech. He just wanted it to be over. He suddenly lost his comfortable leaning post when the Mayor called the SWAT Kats up.
They went to stand on one side of him. "Though you are vigilantes, you did help the enforcers take out a dangerous criminal and for that you have the gratitude of our fair citae," Manx said loudly, finishing with a grand flourish and depositing two medallions on gold chains around each of their necks.
A very loud cheer went up as well as thunderous applause. The Mayor was fairly basking in the public's approval of what he was doing. While the SWAT Kats returned to stand near an obviously uncomfortable and very pregnant (that just looks so strange, Manx thought) Feral, Manx began his next speech about the Sabrens themselves. He may have been a little leery around Sabrens in the beginning but after what they'd willingly done to save his city, as far as he was concerned, the species could do no wrong.
Feral was nearly asleep on his feet with boredom when T-Bone nudged him gently. Blinking alert, he noted the Mayor was looking at him pointedly. Sighing to himself, he walked over to the Mayor and stood at attention while Manx spoke of his bravery and how grateful and appreciative he was to have such a worthy and honorable Chief Enforcer protecting their city. Feral was about ready to gag at all the grandiose garbage coming out of the pompous windbag's mouth. Finally, he was asked to lean down while Manx placed a medal similar to the SWAT Kats on a gold chain around his neck.
The Mayor stepped away to more loud applause of the audience then silence reigned as everyone waited for Feral to give a speech of his own.
"Thank you Mayor Manx and the katizens of this city for honoring me and my fellow Sabrens. But for me, I really don't require any such honor. I was only doing my job protecting the city. Thank you for giving Sabrens a chance to prove their worth in your eyes. All we ever wanted was to be accepted for who we are and you have given us that chance. I thank you in the name of all the Sabrens that came to my aid and all those who contribute to the welfare of this city." Feral said briefly then stepped away from the mic. He received a roar of applause and cheers even greater than his mate but it was all just so much noise to him.
Once back in his place, he tried to stand still while the Mayor closed the ceremony. When he had said his final words and more applause filled the air, Feral turned to his mate with a pleading look in his eyes.
Nodding his understanding, T-Bone nudged his partner, gesturing with his chin to tell him it was time to leave. Giving Ms. Briggs a brief wave farewell, T-Bone and Razor helped Feral get through the crowd quickly and to the Turbokat, parked in a large clearing to the rear of the assembly.
A quick trip and Feral was deposited on the flight line of Enforcer Headquarters. A quick kiss, plus an admonishment to get his feet up, were Feral's hasty farewell by his mate before the pair hopped back aboard the Turbokat then took off for home.
Now that all the hoopla was over, Feral could get back to the important work on his desk. He made his way back to his office where he took the necklace off and dropped it carelessly into the top drawer of his desk.
He sighed and stretched before sitting down and reaching for the nearest report. He had a lot of things to accomplish before he was due to deliver and that was in less than four weeks. Before, he was unhappy about leaving so much undone to the paws of an incompetent, but now, Steele had done a complete turnaround and was becoming a first rate second in command, much to Feral's pleased surprise. So all he had to do right now was complete the work he set for himself, brief Steele on what to monitor while he was gone, and wait for his kitten to be born.
His stress levels were low and he felt comfortable with himself at last, except for the occasional spike when he worried about the delivery coming up. That was just too scary to contemplate so he was glad he had plenty of work to keep his mind occupied and make the time go by quicker.
And the time did go by swiftly and peacefully, with no sign of any other omega making an appearance. It was hoped that their spectacular defeat of Turmoil and Dark Kat would have scared off the others at least for a little while. The only one that might not be intimidated would be the Pastmaster but there had been no sign of the ugly troll for some time.
It was the final week and he was now confined to headquarters. He'd taken residence in his temporary quarters he'd maintained at headquarters. T-Bone had helped him bring a few things over from the apartment to make them more comfortable.
The enforcers got used to seeing T-Bone enter and exit on a daily basis from the Commander's quarters as well as seeing him in the cafeteria sharing a meal with his mate. The SWAT Kat rode his cyclotron rather than be dropped off by the Turbokat daily and the enforcers appreciated his efforts at being discreet.
'It was nice not to garner a second look anymore from anyone,' Feral thought pleasantly to himself, one evening half way through the week as he and T-Bone were discussing the days events as they ate their dinner. Sleeping close to his mate was comforting and necessary as he couldn't find a comfortable position without T-Bone putting pillows strategically around his body when he rested. It was impossible to do it by himself.
Work at the garage was light, so T-Bone made sure he was 'hanging' around his mate more these past few days. Unfortunately, the day of the event a Thursday, the garage had an influx of some seven cars. A bit nervous about leaving Uly today of all days, he watched his mate closely as they got ready for work, but the pregnant tom seemed at ease though tired, but that was normal. He made sure Uly had his comm unit on him before giving him a kiss good bye and leaving for work.
The day was cloudy and overcast when Feral walked into his office, hanging his overcoat by the door then sitting down behind his desk with a sigh. He hated how tired he felt despite a full nights sleep and though T-Bone had pressed him to eat something this morning, he'd just not felt hungry for some reason but managed to choke down a piece of toast and some juice to appease his mate.
He settled down to work on the reports turned in by the night shift. All his projects and required performance reports had all been completed so he only had easy work left. He worked steadily until a flash of lightning distracted him. He turned his chair around and stared out at the thunderstorm that had rolled in. Sheets of rain poured down and made it rather hard to see through the window. Now that his attention was off his work, he noticed he was feeling rather edgy and anxious for some reason. His back ached from sitting too long and his bladder was making its needs known.
Groaning, he pushed himself carefully from his chair and walked slowly to his bathroom to relieve himself. He was returning to his desk when Steele briskly walked into his office, a sheaf of papers in his paw. Feral continued on to his desk, giving Steele a nod as he began to climb the steps leading up to his chair.
He froze halfway up when a flash of sharp cramps gripped his abdomen. He gasped loudly, reaching out to clutch the edge of his desk to keep from falling.
Steele's eyes widened as he rushed to the Commander's side. He dropped the papers on the desk and put an arm around the stricken tom's waist.
"Sir! Should I call for medical?"
Feral's head had dropped between his arms as he panted past the pain which began to mercifully ease off only to soar back more viciously and agonizingly than before stealing his breath away. His teeth snapped together and he began to double over.
Steel helped ease the big tom to his knees, while his paws were still clutching the desk in a death grip. The second in command didn't try to ask his commander any more questions. Insuring the poor tom was stable where he was. Steele went past him to use the phone on the desk.
"Medical team to the Commander's office, stat...birth may be imminent!" He barked at the one who answered the phone. He received a quick acknowledgment then hung up.
The pain eased again and Feral took the opportunity to speak quickly. "Steele...pocket of my coat...communicator...hurry!" He panted then cried out as another contraction stiffened his body.
Steele ran off the pedestal from the opposite side and rushed over to the Commander's coat hanging near the door. Searching the pockets he quickly found the special communicator from the SWAT Kats. Knowing the Commander couldn't speak, he pushed the button and was rewarded by an immediate response.
"Yes love, is it time?" T-Bone's voice asked anxiously.
"This is Steele. I'm betting it's the quick delivery since he's doubled over in really bad pain and can't move. I've already called for medical help so you better get here quick!" He told Feral's mate briskly.
"Crud! Thanks. On my way!" T-Bone barked, the communicator going silent.
With that accomplished and nothing else he could do at this point, Steele put the comm back in Feral's coat pocket and went to his Commander's side to see if he could offer what comfort he could. He rubbed the tom's lower back hoping to ease the contractions a little.
"I've contacted medical and your mate, sir. Everyone should be here in minutes," he said soothingly.
"Thanks!" Feral panted.
Less than five minutes after his call, the medical team arrived with Dr. Mewser. He went to the Commander's side and examined him as Feral clung to the desk and moaned in pain as contraction after contraction squeezed his gut in a vicious cycle.
"Bring the gurney here and lock it's wheels. It's the quick delivery alright, good call, Steele," he said in an aside while ordering his team on what to do. They quickly positioned the gurney near the desk and got it ready for Feral. A waterproof sheet was laid in the center of the bed while nearby two more medical officers arrived with a portable isolette for the newborn.
A sonic boom was heard over the storm, the Turbokat flashed briefly into view through the sheets of rain as it came over the flight line and went to VTOL then disappeared from their sight as T-Bone landed the jet on the flight line. The pilot jumped out and ran for the doors leaving his partner to catch up on his own. Within minutes he was striding hurriedly into his mate's office.
"Hope you're ready for this T-Bone. Personally, I was really hoping for the slower delivery like you but...here we are!" Mewser said briskly, preparing to move Feral to the gurney. Swallowing hard in fear, T-Bone nonetheless straightened his shoulders and walked up to his mate. Using his fingers he carefully pressed certain parts of Uly's abdomen within seconds Feral sighed gratefully in relief. He was able to get to his feet again.
"It won't last long, love. We need to undress you quickly," T-Bone warned his mate as he proceeded to peel his mate's clothes off.
The Sergeant had heard the medic alert to the Commander's office and arrived in time to be of assistance. He moved to stand next to T-Bone and took the clothes as the tom peeled off each piece from his mate then passed it to him, giving him a brief grateful smile for his help.
A med team member handed T-Bone a loose hospital gown for Feral which he hurriedly helped his mate get on just as the acupuncture touch wore off. Ulysses doubled over again but T-Bone held him and with the help of the rest of the medical team they got the Commander onto the gurney.
Delivery for his kind was done in a kneeling position which Feral went to instinctively. T-Bone was already at the front of the gurney so that when Feral was ready, he could lean against him while Mewser positioned himself at the other end to be the catcher.
Razor and Steele stayed back out of the way, waiting to see if they would be needed. The bed was surrounded by medical personal. Sgt Fallon had taken Feral's clothes and placed them on the couch then joined the pair near the closed office door.
"Razor! Come support my back!" T-Bone called out suddenly. His partner hurriedly moved to stand behind his friend. "Don't let me be shoved over, buddy," T-Bone told him without turning his head.
"Gotcha!" His friend said tersely putting his paws lightly on his partner's midback in preparation.
Feral was in too much pain to really pay attention to all the commotion going on around him, he moved as he needed to and that meant rearing up and gripping his mate's arms with his paws and placing his head in T-Bone's right shoulder.
T-Bone hissed and grit his teeth at Ulysses' hard, painful grip. He was glad the tom hadn't popped his claws as well, as it was he was going to have some serious bruises on his biceps later. His shoulder that Uly was digging his head into with each harsh contraction was going to be sore as well.
As time seemed to pass slowly, Ulysses was beginning to tremble and writhe with the unrelenting pain. His breath was coming out in hard pants, totally unable to take a deep breath at all and that worried T-Bone a lot.
Concerned, Dr. Mewser made the time to contact Dr. Ainsly and was on speaker phone with him. He was told what drugs to administer to help ease some of the pain but that not much more could be done since the delivery would be too quick for them to work well.
Still, everyone around Feral agreed that something was better than nothing. The poor laboring tom needed a break even if it was only minutes long or just eased the pain and nothing else. So Mewser injected a painkiller into Feral's thigh, immediately, the dark tom gave a moan of relief, leaning heavily against T-Bone, heaving for breath while he had the chance.
The contractions didn't abate but they were more bearable. The pain took about ten minutes to start making a comeback but by then Feral was nearly at the end of his struggles. Another fifteen minutes and he felt the overwhelming urge to push. With a great deal of grunting and pushing, Feral was sure he was shoving his guts through the birth canal instead of a kitten but suddenly there was a gush of fluids and a sharp, burning pain. Someone shouted, "there's the head."
Another intense push accompanied by shouts of encouragement by the watchers, and the rest of the body shot out into Mewser's waiting paws. The doctor quickly suctioned out the kitten's mouth and nose then lifted it up by its heels and tapped its back gently. At first there was only a barely heard squeak, but as soon as the kitten could inflate its lungs, everyone was treated to a loud wail.
There were smiles all around as the doctor cut the umbilical cord and handed the kitten to his assistant who took it to the isolette, wiped it down and suctioned more fluids from its nose and mouth. The little male Sabren was swaddled in a warm blanket which helped calm it down.
With the kitten's birth, Feral's agony simply ceased. It took him some minutes to even register the fact because of how exhausted and sore he was, his paws still gripping his mate arms. When his mind caught up with his body, he slumped in tired relief against his mate, like a limp rag.
T-Bone caught him from falling off the bed and gently held him until the afterbirth was passed and the medical crew pulled the wet bedding away, laying a new dry sheet beneath the exhausted mother's legs...only then did T-Bone help his mate lay down on the bed. Feral's nether quarters were quickly cleaned up then he was covered with heated blankets.
The isolette was rolled close so the new mother and father could look upon their son. Feral felt too limp to hold him so he settled for reaching out and caressing this new life who lay quietly now, sleeping after all it had been through. T-Bone brought his face close to look adoringly at his new son and caressed the tiny cheek with his finger.
"He's beautiful sir!" Steele exclaimed in awe peering over the Commander's shoulder.
"Yeah, he's a real cutie, Ulysses," Razor said admiringly.
Feral just smiled tiredly and said nothing.
"I love you and despite your fears, he's beautiful," T-Bone murmured softly in his ear, giving his mate a warm kiss and nuzzle.
"Alright everyone, it's time to airlift queen and kit to the Sabren Hospital. So let's bundled everyone up and head out," Dr. Mewser said loudly over all the voices.
"Razor, taxi the Turbokat closer to the hangar so they don't get that wet," T-Bone called out to his partner. Razor nodded and raced out the door.
Meanwhile, the medical personnel closed the kitten's isolette then Feral was wheeled out of the office followed by his kitten and everyone else. T-Bone kept pace with the gurney, holding one of his mate's paws. The new family was rolled down the hall to the elevator, off loaded and taken through the staging area.
On the flight line, the enforcers had heard of the birth and all formed a line leading to the open cargo door of the Turbokat, attempting to hold back the wind blowing from the still thundering storm. Sgt Fallon and three other officers, hoisted a tarp into the air to form a canopy over Feral's gurney, trying to keep as much of the rain off him as they could. Very quickly queen and kitten were rolled aboard and the cargo doors were closed. The medical crew plus Dr. Mewser sat near the gurney and kept an eye on their patients through the rather bumpy flight.
Razor kept an eye for lightning as T-Bone flew as carefully as he could to the distant Sabren Hospital. When they were within a few miles of it, Razor contacted them and warned them of their imminent arrival.
Landing as close as he dared, Razor lowered the ramp and everyone scurried the pair inside as quick as they could. The staff of the maternity ward met them and took over from the medical personnel. They were given hot coffee and a place to wait until Razor was ready to return them. Meanwhile, Feral and his kitten were rolled down a long corridor, taken on an elevator ride to the fifth floor then rolled off and into an empty room.
Mewser gave his report to the doctor on duty, bid farewell to the happy new family and headed off to join his crew. Razor congratulated them again then left to take the medical crew back to headquarters.
Sabren Maternity Ward, early next morning...
T-Bone was changing the diaper of his new son when Dr. Ainsly came in to check on Ulysses. His patient was laying on his side, watching his mate.
"Good morning everyone! How was your night?" He asked.
"Tiring! He woke up to be fed every two hours," Feral groaned.
"Did he nurse alright? You didn't have any problems?" He asked, noting Feral's tired parlor and T-Bone's rather worse for wear look.
"Oh, he eats alright, regularly little pig he is but Uly seems to be keeping up with the demand I. Most of the time, I'd put him to the breast while his mother is out cold," T-Bone said with tired humor, picking his son up and placing him in his isolette.
"Good, he sounds very healthy. By your exhausted looks you've had your first hard lesson in parents 101. A newborn is a lot of work but the rewards are incalculable. It's very important that the queen get as much rest as possible so that means...sleep when he does and leave the housework alone," Ainsly warned. "As a Sabren, your recovery will be much faster than a Kat Queen and that's because of the energy treatments you will receive while you're here. When you've completed them, you'll feel almost normal but don't be fooled. The energy is merely a boost to your depleted metabolism, its not a substitute for real rest. So, though, you will be anxious to return to work...you'll do no such thing for at least a month. So get used to it," he told Feral firmly.
Feral gave a heartfelt groan and rolled to his back to stare at the ceiling. T-Bone gave him a commiserating pat on the shoulder.
"Now for some good news...your kitten will grow faster than a Kat kitten so it will wean in just over four weeks and begin to sleep through the night. It's fast paced growth will continue for the next six months then it will slow down to match a Kat's speed," the doctor said smiling warmly.
"What about sex?" T-Bone asked. Feral groaned at the thought of it and covered his face with the sheet.
Ainsly hid a smile at the Commander's reaction. "As to that, you'll only have to refrain until he's released from the hospital and that will be in a week. So get plenty of rest and that means you too, T-Bone. You can't help your mate if you drop from exhaustion," he said to the tired tabby then turned back to Feral. "Make sure you eat well, Commander...your kitten needs all the calories you can give it."
T-Bone yawned, "Okay, doc we hear ya! I'll go home now and hit the hay." He leaned down and pulled the sheet off his mate's face to deposit a kiss and an admonishment, "You do what they say love and I'll be back to see you this evening...promise."
"Don't worry about me...I'm a hostage in this bed. Go...get some rest...you look like death," Feral said warmly returning the kiss. "Also, when you get back, we need to come up with a name for our son," he said yawning.
"Oh, right...well maybe Razor can help with some ideas...later love!" He passed by his son's bed once more to give him a tender look and caress his cheek with his finger before leaving the room.
Outside his mate's room, he tapped his helmet radio. "Razor, hey buddy I need a pickup. I've been ordered to get some sleep."
"Be there in ten, T-Bone. You're in luck...no work so far so crash when you get home," Razor said sympathetically.
Back in Feral's room, Dr. Ainsly snapped on a pair of gloves. "Before you get some rest, I need to examine you so if you'll just relax and spread your legs a bit for me..." he said briskly, pulling the bedding up from the bottom of the bed to do the examine.
Feral sighed and did as instructed, staring at the ceiling while the humiliating exam was done.
"Good, you can relax now," Ainsly said as he pulled the bedding back down. "Everything's healing up nicely. Now rest for a bit then breakfast will arrive in about fifteen minutes. I'll see you again this evening." Pulling the gloves off and tossing them into the trash, Dr. Ainsly gave his patient a warm smile then left the room.
Sighing, his eyes heavy, Feral rolled back over toward his son's isolette to watch the little one sleep, his own eyes closing in slumber some moments later.
One week later, Feral's apartment...
T-Bone ferried his mate and new son home aboard the Turbokat. That first week home was exhausting as they learned their son's schedule and managed to get enough sleep in between. It was lucky no omegas appeared during this time because T-Bone was far too tired to be of much use as a crime fighter right now.
Over the next three weeks, they hung onto their sanity, made jokes to get them past the rough times, and learned to be parents. It was with great relief when by the fifth week, little Jeremy had finally weaned enough to only want his mother once at bedtime but was taking solid food for the rest of his meals...and blessedly...sleeping through the night.
They celebrated by having a night of sex while their son slept just outside the door of their shared bedroom. It was a passionate, happy night for them both. The next day was Sunday and Feral was happily preparing for going to work on Monday for the first time since his son was born. He'd just fed Jeremy and was passing through the living room for the bedroom when his mate called to him.
"Here, let me take him for a bit, love. It's time for a little father...son bonding time," Chance said warmly, holding is arms out.
Feral smiled and went to his mate's side and handed over their son. "He's been fed and changed so I'm sure he'll appreciate some awake time with you. I've got to change his bed and wash clothes. Who knew a kitten could go through so many clothes," he sighed shaking his head.
"Don't lose anymore of those tiny socks, love!" Chance said jokingly. He made faces at their son who gargled happily at his father.
Feral snorted in amusement, giving his mate a light tap on the back of his head to show what he thought of that statement then left to do his chores.
"Welcome to our world son! You were really unexpected but we love you very much. I have a lot of things to teach you and we're going to have a good time together," Chance cooed to his son who just blinked up at him and waved his little arms around. Jeremy was dark brown like his mother with black hair but he had black stripes and warm green eyes like his father. "What a beauty you are," he sighed, thoroughly happy to be a father.