At the appointed hour, the two appeared dressed as the SWAT Kats on their cyclotrons. They parked behind the Mayor's green sedan and walked through the crowds that had already formed. Many touched them as they passed. Feral was already standing on one side of the Mayor with his replacement, wearing a new uniform. The SWAT Kats recognized it and smiled at him, pointing at the clothing.
He surprised them by smiling back and nodding. Just that morning when he was dressing he'd decided he would wear this to the ceremony rather than his former uniform, showing plainly he was no longer an Enforcer but a member of the Wotan's crew.
The SWAT Kats took a position down from Feral and the new commander. Callie smiled at them briefly, her new deputy standing next to her. She signaled the crowd to be silent so the ceremony could begin.
"Welcome. We are here today to transfer the reins of the Chief Enforcer to a new generation as our older defenders head for new horizons. We thank former Commander Ulysses Feral for his selfless service in the protection of our fair city and wish him a sad but fond farewell. In turn, we welcome Commander Timothy Sharpclaws as our new Chief Enforcer." Sharpclaws stepped forward a moment, bowed his head, then stepped back. Feral shook his paw to congratulate him.
When the noise eased off, Callie continued, "In recognition of his years of dedication and courage in the face of all the dangers that beset our city over the years, I am honored to be allowed to present the highest award the military can bestow. This was sent down by your superiors Feral along with a thank you for a job well done." She opened a small case her deputy held for her, pulled out something on a chain, and walked to Feral, indicating he should lower his head so she could reach his neck.
Feral eyed her in shocked surprise as he complied. He'd never expected anything like this. "To Ulysses Feral goes the Medal of Honor for gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in the battle against the omegas." She said solemnly, hanging the medal around his neck then kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you for keeping us safe and good luck to you, Ulysses," she murmured privately for his ears alone.
Blushing, he smiled at her. "Thank you, it was an honor to serve with you," he murmured back. Nodding she returned to the microphone as he straightened and cheers filled the air, cameras flashing.
The SWAT Kats clapped and whistled showing their complete agreement with the award, much to Feral's surprise. It choked him up.
Above in the Wotan, the bridge crew and one other watched the ceremony with their long range sensor array.
Captain Ing turned to give a proud Lt. Kam a smile. "Please offer my congratulations to your mate, Kam. A singular honor that he well deserves."
"Thank you sir. I'm glad they recognized that and I'm surprised and pleased the SWAT Kats did too."
"Aw, they're good sorts, just cocky like a certain insertion team leader I know," Ing murmured, good-humoredly. Kam blushed.
On the screen they watched the Mayor address the crowd again. "Though former Commander Feral was in charge of keeping us safe, the SWAT Kats aided him when things got worse thanks to the former Mayor's failure to keep the Enforcers properly equipped. We thank them for saving us many times at the risk of their own lives. Since they aren't military, I can only give them the city's highest award for a private Katizen."
She pulled two small medals from another box the deputy held and walked to the pair. "In recognition of your selfless courage and devotion to your city we'd like to present you these simple awards of valor to thank you for what you've done for us." She pinned a medal to each proud chest and kissed each on the cheek.
More cheers and applause went up.
"Though we are sorry you are leaving us, we are proud you are our first representatives of our species to go out into space. We wish you good luck and safe travel as you leave us for your new positions aboard the Wotan. Show the universe what Katkind is made of...make us proud." Callie declared.
Again the applause and cheering was deafening. For a long moment, Callie let it continue then a cry began to be heard among the cheers... "Show us who you are...take it off...take it off...take it off..."
The SWAT Kats shifted nervously as they listened to the increasing cries, knowing exactly what the crowd wanted. Giving each other the eye, they reached up and removed their masks at the same time. A roar of surprise went up as well as confusion. Most didn't know who the two were but it was obvious the Mayor did because she looked poleaxed.
When she managed to get the crowd to calm down some minutes later, she stared at the pair and said, "I would never have guessed my favorite mechanics were also my heroes." Shaking her head, she smiled, turned to the crowd and said, "I wish to introduce to you all two former ex-Enforcers who didn't let adversity stop them from doing what their hearts felt was right and that was to protect us from our enemies. Our thanks to you for your bravery Chance Furlong and Jake Clawson, the one and only SWAT Kats."
On a TV in a house in the suburbs, a small crowd was gathered and cheered when the pair received their awards then laughed when they saw the crowds reaction to who they truly were.
"Way to go Chance and Jake!" Chance's mother cheered. "About time you received the recognition you deserve!" Everyone else around her echoed her cry. They were so proud!
Everyone went silent as the Mayor spoke one last time. "Well this has certainly been an emotional event. I'm going to miss you three but space and new duties call. Just one more piece of good news I have to relay that I know you'll all be happy to hear. The United Nations have formerly made an official request to join the Galactic Alliance a week ago and this morning, Captain Ing of the Wotan has informed me our world has unanimously been accepted. We are now officially a member of the Galactic Alliance and within a year we will have a space station circling our world."
Surprised and pleased everyone on the steps hugged everyone else while the crowd went wild again.
When the ceremony finally broke up, the group on the top step escaped inside to wait until the crowds thinned out. Cake and drinks were set up in a press room off the lobby and Callie gestured for them to join her and a few others, they included, a few members of the press, Callie and her deputy, Feral and his replacement, the SWAT Kats and members of the council.
Sharpclaws cornered Feral and began asking him many questions while Callie spoke with her old friends.
"I can't believe you two succeeded in pulling the wool over my eyes for so long. I'll miss you, especially because you were always so good at fixing my car and for rescuing me all the time," she laughed.
"Well, Jimmy and his crew will do right by you, Callie don't worry and it was a pleasure rescuing you," Chance smirked.
"By the way, here..." Jake handed her his comm. She blinked at him in confusion as she took it.
"I won't need it but I thought you might have someone you want to give this to so you can have a secure form of communication with, whenever necessary."
"Oh, why thank you. I know exactly who to give this to. Come to think of it, I didn't tell you this yet," she paused to look around to insure no one was close by before saying, "I'm mated to Abi Sinian."
Both toms gaped at her in shocked surprise. It took them a moment before either could react then they smiled happily and gave her hugs.
"That's great news. It's fantastic you finally found someone of your own. You certainly deserve and need it for all the stress you're going to be under soon. I take it you're keeping that fact under wraps, eh?" Jake said, noting how cautious she'd been telling them.
"You got that right. It will come out eventually, as I do have to attend a lot of functions where she is required to be with me, but right now, I'm keeping her a secret. Especially until after the election."
"Still worried about that shadow power that put Manx in the Mayor's seat, huh?" Jake asked astutely.
"Yes, Commander Sharpclaws and Deputy Mayor Jaystar are investigating but haven't found who it is yet. Whoever they are have hidden themselves really deep," Callie sighed, frowning.
Jake put his paw on her arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You'll find them. I have faith in you. And don't forget, you're magical now...perhaps that will help you track down whoever it is?" he suggested quietly.
She blinked in shock. "Oh, Jake I am so going to miss that sharp mind of yours. Of course, you're right and I could kick myself for not thinking of it."
Jake shrugged. "Hey, you only just became a sorcerer and I bet you haven't used it much since your return from the Wotan, so why should you think of it yet? Don't worry, it will soon become habit and hopefully will help you run this city better besides taking out the Pastmaster."
"Whip his ass, Callie," Chance interjected, encouragingly.
She smiled, "I promise I will just for you, handsome. Thanks Jake for all the advice. I will miss you so much...both of you. Hope it isn't too long before we see each other again," she added, wistfully.
"Don't know. We have a lot of things to learn and a lot of universe to see. However, once that space station is in place, you'll be hooked up to the interstellar communications system and can speak to us no matter where we are...neat huh?" Chance grinned.
"Oh, that's wonderful. I thought I'd have to wait until you stopped by again," Callie said, pleasantly surprised.
"Nope, that's what I learned from my girlfriend. And it isn't just hearing but seeing us too. They say their video is so clean, it will seem like we're standing in the room with you. My family was glad to know that which made our separation easier."
"That's a relief to know, truly. So, you got to spend time with your families?
"Yes, I had a wonderful month and a half with them and old friends. It was a wild and fantastic time, but I miss them already. However, I'm still excited to be going into space."
"Wish I could see those stars too, but I have a big enough job here to keep me busy," Callie sighed, a little envious.
"I don't have anyone left alive here which is why it was easy for me to agree to go besides I couldn't leave Genus now anyway," Jake said shyly.
"Genus?"
"Yea, he's the engineer from the insertion team...we sort of clicked right away, nearly like Feral and Kam though we're not bonded."
"Oh Jake, that's wonderful, I'm so happy for you," Callie said, pleased then turned to the tabby, "And did you say you have a girl friend, Chance?"
"Yea, Tara, the communications and medical gal, remember?"
"Oh yes, I remember her, a very beautiful she wolf she is too. Nice catch. Hope you keep her," she smirked at him."
He blushed. "Well, we'll see...but thanks. Well, I think the crowds should have thinned out by now, so we should be shoving off...got other places to see yet before we leave. Jake and I are visiting old haunts and picking up things that will remind us of home," Chance said, pulling his mask on and preparing to depart.
"Good idea. Have a great time. One last hug, please?" She move toward them and each gave her a tight one. "Good luck my friends, be safe, and return to me in one piece." She smiled sadly as she released them.
"We will...promise. Good luck to you too Callie. Stay sharp and alert," Jake said in parting before the pair quickly slipped out of the room before they were halted by anyone else.
She sighed, already missing them. Looking around she saw Feral trying to edge his way out of the room as several councilKats kept trying to ask him more questions. His eyes landed on her and held a plea for help in them.
Smiling, she went over to rescue him. "Ulysses, I'd like to speak with you, please," she said, nodding at the councilKats politely. They, less than graciously, bowed to her authority as she swiftly whisked Feral away.
"Thank you. They just kept yammering at me about the ones who'd been arrested, wanting to know exactly what those members had done so they wouldn't get caught doing the same. What? They hadn't read the damn report?" Feral hissed, annoyed.
"No, probably only cracked the first page open and saw how much there was to read and closed it again," Callie snorted, amused.
"Their problem not mine. Anyway, I need to leave."
"Everyone's leaving. Surprisingly, I'm going to miss you too, Ulysses. We got along very well this past year and I'm going to miss that camaraderie," she sighed. "You know you look very handsome in that new uniform. Kam is a very lucky guy."
Feral blushed. "Thank you. I'll miss you too, Callie. Keep your head about you, gal. You have new enemies to worry about but, hey, you're magical, use that on them," he chuckled.
"You know, that's what Jake told me too and I could kick myself for not even considering that might help find whoever was behind Manx. God knows, we've dug everywhere and not found a trace of whoever it is."
"Hmm, then Jake has the right idea. No one really knows or even believes how powerful you really are even though you have told them you can take out the Pastmaster. Seeing is believing and you've got a lot to prove." He reached out and gave her a hug.
She blinked in surprise at the emotional display from the normally gruff tom. As he released her, she said, sincerely, "Why thank you. Keep yourself safe, Ulysses and drop me a line when you think of it."
"I will. Take care." With that he turned and made his escape.
With him gone, Callie felt truly alone. Everyone in the room was new and unknown to her except for Jaystar. She wished Abi were here. Taking a deep breath and letting it go, she stepped back into the fray with a perfect politician's smile on her face. She would take her departed friends advice and play her cards close to her chest.
Everyone here except for Jaystar and Sharpclaws, saw her as female despite how well she served as deputy. They inherently thought she just wasn't going to be up to the task of running the city. She'd already heard rumors of them supporting that unknown dark horse. She would have to teach them she wasn't to be underestimated but when she did, would they fear her or respect her? Only when it happened would she know which it would be.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Feral was greatly relieved to be done with all the hoopla. Taking a taxi to Enforcer Headquarters, he spent time saying farewell to officers he knew well before heading for the flight line to wait for his mate to pick him up. He stared over the city he'd guarded and loved for most of his adult life. The late afternoon winds blew rather chillingly about him as he drank in the view he wouldn't see for a very long time. A pang of loss struck him suddenly but he pushed it away and was glad when the shuttle appeared and landed nearby.
Sighing in relief, he cast another last look around before walking toward the shuttle whose door was slowly opening for him. He quickly boarded and made for the co-pilot's seat, impulsively giving his mate a kiss before strapping into his seat.
"Take me home, Kam," he said softly.
"As you wish, love."
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Chance and Jake saw all they wanted to of their world. They visited friends they'd made when running the garage, went to the beach on the last warm day that appeared briefly as well as went out to Anakata Island for some fun. When they'd done all they could think of, they were satisfied and finally returned to their old home one last time.
They loaded the cyclotrons aboard the jet and secured them, made another quick pass through the hangar, garage, and apartment, before jumping aboard the jet. Roaring out of the hangar for the final time on Aristal, they decided to make a last pass over the city so the Katizens could see them one more time then swung past the Enforcer Building as they headed out.
Wagging their wings in farewell at a squadron of Enforcer jets and choppers that had come out in mass to see them off, T-Bone turned the jet's nose upward and headed toward space. It took them over forty minutes to reach the stratosphere.
"Engaging speed of heat shield," Razor called out.
The shield slid up and over the canopy smoothly. Only then did the pilot push on into space itself to rendezvous with the majestic beauty that was the Wotan.
Smoothly docking aboard the huge starship, the two warriors climbed down into their cargo hold and opened it. Waiting for them were Genus and Tara. Smiling the pair came forward and hugged the newest members of the crew.
"So, come to help me carry my stuff to my quarters?" Chance asked, pulling his mask off his face for the last time, no longer needing it.
"Yep. I've managed to get you quarters down from mine. Shall we unload? I've got a gravity sled to carry it," she said, gesturing to the neat little cart that floated in the air.
"Cool!" Chance grinned and began handing her boxes.
Genus and Jake, who'd taken his mask off too, were engaged in a deep kiss of welcome. When they came up for air, they saw Chance and Tara already leaving. They laughed and set about off loading Jake's stuff on another cart. Jake sealed the jet. They wouldn't need anything else from it for awhile then he and Genus walked off to their shared quarters.
Looking around his new home, Jake asked, dubiously, "You sure all my stuff will fit in here?"
"Trust me it will, but if not, the room next door is yours as well, though it's intended to be a work room for you."
"What?"
"Yea, the Captain want's to insure when you have that midnight urge to invent something you have your own space nearby to do it. We all expect great things from you, love."
"Wow, that's...I don't have words to say how great this is, Genus."
"Well, perhaps you can show me how appreciative you feel about it, hmm," the wolf rumbled, suggestively.
"Ohh, I think I can do that," Jake purred, allowing his love to undress him.
Meanwhile his partner was looking around his own new quarters with appreciative eyes. "Nice digs. I like it."
"You're welcome. Want help unpacking, love?" Tara asked.
"No, thanks, doll. I'd like to putter around by myself for a bit. Take me to dinner later?"
"It's a date, Chance," Tara said, smiling. She gave him a kiss then left him to his unpacking.
When she left, Chance paused at the window to stare at his world. It looked amazing from out here. 'Well, you've done it, you've left home, both family, SWAT Kats, and planet. Hope it was worth it.' He sighed and returned to unpacking. He refused to allow homesickness to get a hold of him.
In Kam's quarters, Feral sighed and stripped his uniform off. He was off duty now and was to meet Kam for dinner in the dining hall in about an hour. He was wrung out emotionally, which surprised him a bit and was equally surprised to be feeling a little homesick too. He drifted over to the huge window and stared at Aristal much as Chance had done. He'd been told the Wotan would be leaving in a few hours and heading out of this solar system. It was only now sinking in that he was well and truly leaving and it made him a little heartsick.
His mate slipped into the room without Feral noticing and, as he feared, saw the look of sadness and loss on the face reflected in the window. Moving silently toward the figure, he quickly wrapped comforting arms around Ulysses.
"Homesick love?" he murmured, gently.
"I don't understand why I should be. I've had plenty of time to adjust to the idea but now when it's really happening and we're really leaving, I find myself feeling...I'm not sure what..." he spread his paws helplessly as he couldn't find the words he needed.
"It's alright Uly. All newcomers feel that way for some time when they leave their home. It's far more intense than just leaving their family home for the big city and we realize that which is why we stay close and keep them from floundering until they get their second breath and accept this is what their life is now. You'll get there and I'll be there every step of the way to help you."
Feral turned in his lover's arms and sighed. "Yea, I know you will, Kam that's why I love you so."
"And I love you, Uly, with all my heart," Kam said softly, pulling his lover into a deep kiss, promising himself to keep his mate too preoccupied to be homesick.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
On Aristal, cold eyes watched a replay of the award's ceremony from earlier in the day. He turned around to face his council of evil.
"How goes our plans to enter our candidate?" He asked.
"All the funds are in place and we're ready to start campaigning. Now that the SWAT Kats and Feral are gone, the time is right to push our way back in, sir."
"Good. We'll make Ms. Briggs regret forcing our puppet out. Our next candidate will be smarter and more charismatic. If we play our cards right, he'll simply sweep her off her feet," the leader said, grinning evilly.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
As midnight fell over the city of Megakat, above it in space, the Wotan sailed away and by morning was out of the solar system and heading out into deep space.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Well there you have it, the first arc is finally finished. Arc Two will begin as soon as I can find time. We'll see what life in space will be like for Feral, Chance, and Jake. And occasionally return to Aristal to see how Callie is dealing with the shadow organization trying to take over the city and how she manages to take care of the Pastmaster when he finally appears. And are kittens in the future for Feral? We'll see. Until next time, happy reading! Ulyferal