DIMENSIONAL GENDER-BENDER

Chapter 4: Working On The Problem

"Okay, I guess the best way to help you is to find out exactly what happened." Jinx said seriously.

Jake nodded, "I'd revamped the radar and we were taking it out on a test run at night. We have a canyon run set up with targets and offensive weapons, the banshee missiles being one of them. Everything was going well, no problems and unlike the first time when a lightning storm scrambled the radar, the weather was perfect. We'd almost finished the run when my banshee missiles launched against us. I picked off all but the last one. It had time to hit us before I destroyed it."

"Man when that thing hit, the entire control panel lit up like a christmas tree and shocked me." Chance put in. "I felt the jet start to spin. That only lasted minutes before everything stopped sparking and I could grab the controls and bring the Turbokat back under control. I went to VTOL and that's when we got the feeling something was wrong. The sun was coming up and that was impossible since it was just shy of midnight when were doing the test."

"Hmm, you say the last time it happened it was lightning that took the radar out and this time it was a high frequency blast that did it this time. Have I got that right?" Jinx said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, that's it exactly!" Jake said unhappily.

"Okay then what did you do to fix it last time?" Cleo asked.

"Unfortunately, took a electronic blast from our evil twins. Luckily it sent us back." Chance said with a snort.

"Oh...well, that's not something we want to repeat. So I guess we have to figure out a safe way to get the same effect to send you back. I guess Jake, you and I will have to put our heads together to figure out what will work." Jinx said already setting her mind to the problem.

"Meanwhile, you are welcome to stay here until the eggheads come up with the solution." Cleo smiled at Chance reassuringly.

"Thank you! We really appreciate this. Don't take this wrong but I hope it will be soon." Chance said.

"None taken. I'd want to get home too. After all, if you are here no one is protecting your home." Cleo said seriously.

"Crud! You're right! That hadn't even hit me yet. Last time we were only gone about a day." Chance groaned in concern.

"No point in worrying about it buddy. There's nothing we can do to speed up the process." Jake said heavily.

"I know, Jake. It's just frustrating. I hope nothing bad happens while we're gone is all." Chance said quietly.

Jake sighed in agreement. Jinx and Cleo gave each other a look. They felt really bad for the guys. They wouldn't be too happy either if they had been in their situation.

"Hey, Chance how about you go with me into the city. I need to pick up some parts?" Cleo coaxed. "Let's leave these two alone to hash out the problem."

"Sounds good to me. I'm not much good around here right now." Chance said smiling wanly.

"Great! Let me rustle up a jacket for you. We probably should stop and get you two a change of clothes as well." Cleo said as she grabbed a jean jacket and handed it to Chance then led the way back downstairs.

"Okay, that's a good idea. No telling how long we are going to be here." The tabby agreed.

His face lit up at the sight of the modified bike that was really a cyclotron. "Oh yes, just like mine. As a matter of fact, why don't I get mine and we ride together instead of tandem?" He asked excitedly

"Sure, just stay close to me in case the city is different from yours." Cleo smiled at the delight in the tabby's face, glad she could lighten his mood a bit.

Chance went to the Turbokat and signaled its ramp down. Moments later he was riding his cyclotron down to the hangar floor. He paused, closed and secured the jet before moving up to sit next to Cleo waiting for him at the hangar entrance.

With a nod of her head and a rev of her engine, Cleo led the way up the ramp and out a secret exit at the rear of the salvage yard. Soon the pair were racing down a back road to the city.

The ride into the city had been exhilarating and had helped Chance forget his problems for a little while. Cleo headed down the main parkway and turned down a street that would take them past city hall. As they came close, they were forced to slow down and eventually stop because the Mayor was holding a press conference on the front steps of the imposing city hall building. The street was clogged with rubber-neckers and the press.

Chance was curious about how Manx would look like in this dimension so he put a knee on his seat to raise himself up higher to try and see over the crowd. He didn't have long to wait as a rather short, portly looking female with long white hair strode up to the small podium that had been set up. When the female began to speak, Chance's jaw dropped as he realized this was the Mayor. Her fur was the same color as his Manx. She was wearing a tweed suit dress that barely covered her. Her voice was a feminine tenor and she had a lilting Irish accent exactly like his world's Manx. It just boggled his mind. Then he realized that if the Mayor was female then Ms. Briggs was most likely Mr. Briggs. He shuddered at that and sure enough, coming up to stand near the Mayor was a handsome, trim, blond haired male dressed in an impeccable suit of dark blue and wearing a pair of glasses. Chance was too far away to see if the male's eyes were green like Callie's. It was just too weird.

Cleo suddenly tapped him on the arm. He turned to look at her and saw her signal a way through the mess. He nodded and followed her. Wait till he got back and told Jake what he'd just seen... he'd flip.

They soon reached the supply house where Cleo got her parts. Chance waited by the bikes for her. She didn't take long and they were soon on the road again. She then took him to a small strip mall where he picked up a set of sleep wear, jeans, and shirts. He also found some light weight jackets for them both. Finished they made their way back to the salvage yard.

While Cleo took Chance to help distract him, Jinx took Jake down to their electronics shop.

"Jake it might take us shooting you with a banshee missile to replicate what happened." Jinx said unhappily.

"I know. Can't say I'm very happy about that either. I don't see how we can test any theories without accidentally sending us somewhere else rather than home and it might be you and I that go. Now wouldn't that be a mess." Jake sighed.

"Ugh, don't even say that." Jinx said shuddering. "Anyway, the missile may be the only option. Unfortunately, I don't have any. Do you have some in your armaments?" She asked.

Jake shook his head. "Nope. I only use them for target work because they aren't as reliable as I had hoped. So I'm guessing we going to have to make some?" He asked.

"Yes afraid so. At least I have the stuff to make them." Jinx said as she began to gather the materials they would need.

They had the basics built by the time their partners had returned. They explained what they'd been forced to come up with. To say Chance was unhappy about it was an understatement.

"Oh man, that sucks!" He said with feeling. "I really don't enjoy getting shocked. It seriously cramps my style."

"Wouldn't be my first choice either, Chance." Cleo commiserated. "Looks like that is the only option though."

Grimacing in distaste, Chance said, "Joy! So when do we do this?"

"Unfortunately, I didn't have any missiles so we are building one now. Shouldn't take long." Jinx said pointing to the work bench.

"But I still have to examine the radar and check a few things in the electrical systems, buddy. May not be until tomorrow before we can try to return." Jake said.

"Well I can help you with that. So you two going to finish this first?" Chance asked.

"Yeah, won't take long. Why don't you do some systems checks while you're waiting?" Jake asked him.

"Sure! It beats just sitting around. Want to help, Cleo?" Chance said as he moved to the trap door.

"In a little while Chance, I've got some electronic jobs to get done for a few customers yet before the days over." Cleo said.

"Oh right. We don't want to disrupt your business too much. I'll see you in a bit then." The tiger tom said and disappeared down the hatch.