Chapter 4: Preparations, Invitations and Traps.

While Shard prepared himself, Callie Briggs was in her apartment getting ready for the party. She had just finished taking a relaxing shower and was looking at the dress she was going to wear that lay on the bed. The dress was in an old 1920's style. It was an emerald green which matched the colour of her beautiful eyes.

"This is really going to be one of the worst nights of my life. I'm so tired, and yet, I have to attend that party! Why can't Mayor Manx go to it all by himself and leave me to enjoy my life, even if it's only for one single night?" - She asked herself, as she gently picked up the dress.

Once she was dressed, she chose one of the many jewels that she had in her jewel case. She decided to use a small necklace with a beautiful emerald, sculpted in a cat form. And for the final touch, she sprinkled herself with a few drops of her favourite perfume, Goddess of the Night. She grabbed her purse and closed the door of her apartment. The only thing that bothered her was
the fact that her shoes were very uncomfortable and she knew she would be squirming in pain half way through the party.

"These shoes may look very beautiful and all, but they're certainly the most uncomfortable shoes in Megakat City." - She grumbled to herself while waiting for the elevator.

Moments later she arrived in the parking garage, climbed into her car and drove away to her destination, Megakat Tower. The traffic was very heavy for this hour. Rush hour had been hours ago but it seemed a great many kats were out on the town tonight. All the traffic lights seem to be against her because as soon as she reached one it changed to red immediately. She fumed; everything seemed to conspire to make her late for the party she didn't want to attend.

Finally, however, she arrived at Megakat Tower. There was a big commotion at its entrance, with photographers and journalists, trying to get an exclusive interview with the distinguished guests of the night's gala event. Among them all was Ann Gora, Kats Eye News top reporter, with her camerakat, Johnny, hovering by her side. Ann was wearing a purple sheath dress with golden stripes, a pair of shoes of the same colour and her hair was in a fancy arrangement. She looked like a princess.
Johnny was wearing a black tuxedo with a white handkerchief in the pocket of his jacket, but as usual, he was wearing his sunglasses and red cap, which made him rather unusual looking. He didn't care since most people never noticed him, because they were too focused on the camera he carried.

Callie, wait!" Ann called out to the Deputy Mayor. - "Johnny, get your camera and follow me!" - She ordered him.

"Right behind you, Annie!" - Johnny said hustling up along side her.

Once she caught up to the Deputy Mayor, who was a close friend of hers, Ann asked if she could interview her. Callie couldn't say no to a good friend like Ann, since she had helped her in other situations before. As they moved on into the atrium of the tower, Ann halted Callie saying this was the perfect place for the interview. Callie nodded and waited for Ann to get set up.

"OK, Annie, we're live in...5...4...3...2...1" - Johnny said counting down for Ann to begin.

When she saw the green light on the camera she began, "This is Ann Gora, Kats Eye News, live from the Megakat Tower, where a gala in honor of the many scientists who have devised new ideas and inventions for stopping global warming, is about to take place. We're here with Deputy Mayor Calico Briggs, tell me Ms. Briggs, why did Mayor Manx decide to arrange this gala to
honor a group of scientists, something he's never done before in his ten terms as Mayor of Megakat City?" - She asked smiling at Callie.

"Well Ann, Mayor Manx decided to do this event, because as every other leader in the world, he is concerned about the dangers of global warming. He's using the gala to bring to light to the katizens of this city, the threat to our environment and what is being done to solve it. All the scientists being recognized here tonight have all come up with brilliant ideas and inventions to counteract this serious problem. They will be demonstrating tonight how their solutions will save our planet." - Callie explained.

"That's good news, Ms. Briggs. Our audience will be excited, I'm sure, to see what the scientists have come up with. Thank you for your time!" Ann said then turned back to face the camera. "I'll be back when the scientists show off their inventions until then; This is Ann Gora reporting from the Megakat Tower." - She said then signalled Johnny to cut. Smiling, she joined Callie and the two of them moved with the crowd going into the elevators.

Earlier at the Megakat City Salvage Yard...

Jake was ironing their old tuxedos, trying not to burn them. Despite being a genius and one of the world's foremost inventor of weapons and gadgets to fight crime, he was quite the klutz with everyday household tasks.

Chance was attempting to fix his hair in such a way to disguise himself and was uncomfortable with the thought of wearing a tux. His powerful chest would push the suit to its limit.

"Crud, Jake, you know how much I hate to wear those things. I just feel soo stupid in it!" - He groused to his partner finally getting his hair into a style that would keep anyone from easily recognizing him.

"Come on, Chance, it's not that bad. I know you hate to wear it, but it's a small sacrifice to make for a chance to see those inventions tonight. Look on the bright sight; I heard Feral wasn't even invited so we don't have to worry about running into him. You know what? You might want to think of the tuxedo as a classy flight commander's uniform." - Jake smirked trying to get his partner to lighten up as he continued to get the tuxes ironed.

"Hah! No way does it resembles a pilot's fancy flight suit. It's not even close to that flight commander's uniform, that crazy she kat, Turmoil made me wear...not even similar. Anyway, I don't want to think about it anymore. I hope there's something good on TV while I wait to get into that thing." - Chance snorted and flicked the TV on hoping to catch Scaredy Kat.

"I'm almost done. You better get those VIP invitations from the desk. We'll never get in without them." - Jake warned as he finished the pants for Chance's tux and started ironing his own.

Chance grunted in acknowledgment. Surfing the channels he found that, not only wasn't Scaredy Kat on, but every channel was airing the gala event at Megakat Tower. Sighing in resignation, Chance shut off the TV and went to the desk to get the invitations then took his tux from Jake to put on.

Back in Megakat Tower...

Callie and Ann waited in companionable silence as the elevator made its way up to the penthouse. She hated being in this building, it held too many bad memories for her like when Dr. Viper turned it into a living weed patch and hatching ground for his spore pod and then the transformed Dr. Street brought the alien Ci-Kat-A there for it to build a nest for its many offspring. She shuddered inwardly and wished she never had to be in this building ever again but here she was. She just couldn't shake the feeling things were not going to go well.

Once they arrived at the penthouse, the doors opened and she saw that many of their guests were already present. Among them, of course, was Mayor Manx. He was savouring his first glass of champagne while he talked with Mr. Young and his associates, the owners of Anakata Island.

Scattered throughout the penthouse were the many inventions that were going to be demonstrated. Some of them looked like machines straight out of a science-fiction movie. Moving amongst the guest were numerous waiters with trays of drinks, sushi and many other delectable appetizers.

Ann separated from Callie and circulated the room with Johnny in tow while the Deputy Mayor crossed the room to the Mayor's side.

"Good evening, Callie. It's nice to see that you have finally arrived." - Mayor Manx said smiling, looking pleased and relaxed.

"Good evening, Mayor. I see that everyone is enjoying themselves and that all the scientists that we invited are here. Perhaps I should see about getting the demonstrations started?" - She asked him questioningly.

"Excellent idea, Callie, I think Dr. Greenbox and Professor Hackle are talking to the two females, I was told want to be the first to demonstrate their invention. They're right over there, next to the table of appetizers." - He told her then returned to his conversation with Mr. Young about the second Manx Golf Tournament that was going to take place in Megakat Springs next weekend.

Callie walked in the direction of the indicated table, where four of the many scientists that had been invited were talking amongst themselves. She already knew Dr. Greenbox and Professor Hackle, both of them were partly responsible for the creation of some of the biggest menaces that Megakat City had ever seen, namely, the Metallikats and Zed although, to be fair, it wasn't their fault their inventions had become menaces in the first place. Both of them were wearing tuxedos, Dr. Greenbox wore a grey tuxedo, while Hackle's was blue. She didn't know the two females standing with them personally.

Dr. Teazer's fur color was orange, black and white striped and she had long black hair down her back… She was wearing a red dress and a pair of white elbow gloves, with matching high heels. Dr. Bomby was a ginger coloured she-kat with long red hair that reached her shoulders. She was wearing a white satin blouse with matching skirt and blue shoes.

"Good evening, everyone. I see you are having a good time. I hope you don't mind, Dr. Greenbox ...Professor Hackle, but I need to have a word with Dr. Teazer and Dr. Bomby, if you don't mind?" - Callie asked with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Of course, Ms Briggs." - Dr. Greenbox said politely beginning to move away.

"Certainly, Ms Briggs, if you need us, Dr. Greenbox and I will be right over there?" - Professor Hackle said warmly as he limped away to join Greenbox.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both in person. Mayor Manx has informed me you wish to be first to demonstrate your invention. Since all our guests seem to be here, we think its time to start the demonstrations if you're ready?" - She asked them politely.

"We'd be delighted, Ms. Briggs. It will take about five minutes to warm it up and be ready." - Dr. Bomby said nodding. She and Dr. Teazer went to start up their device.

Soon, the presentation started, with everyone's attention turned to the invention of both she-kat scientists, well, everyone that is with the exception of one person, Rex Shard. Shard was hidden behind a door that gave access to the fire exit and was trying to see how he was going to slip into the party without being noticed.

He still had his costume on that he was beginning to wish he could get rid of, though it made him fit in earlier, now it was a detriment. He needed a change. He solved that problem by waylaying a waiter and switching his clothes with him. He tied the waiter up securely. Carefully easing out of his hiding place he began to circulate with a tray of appetizers making sure to allow kats to serve themselves as he passed.

He studied where the guards were and his targets while waiting for his opportunity to strike. He fingered the knife he'd taken from the catering crew earlier and hidden in his pocket. Keeping a fake smile on his face he continued to circulate.

It wasn't long when everyone's attention was captured toward the first demonstration of the evening. Doctors Teazer and Bomby had invented a laser cannon that could freeze anything. They intended it to be used to refreeze the glaciers to slow down their rapid rate of melting that caused severe flooding of all the coastlines of the world.

"As you can see, ladies and gentlemen and dear colleagues, this laser cannon can freeze water instantly. The effects that this machine will have in the control of the glaciers of our world will be tremendous. Just think of the good we can do by stopping the costly flooding we have now." Dr. Teazer said with enthusiasm.

"So tell us, Dr. Teazer...Dr. Bomby. When will this laser cannon be ready to start freezing the glaciers, and other icy parts of our world that are endangered because of global warming?" Ann Gora asked, making signals to Johnny to take a few close ups with his camera of the prototype.

Well, Ann, a giant version of this prototype is now in development at the Pumadyne Research Centre, and if everything goes as planned, it will be ready to launch by the end of this year." - Dr. Bomby answered.

"Have you made sure your laser will not be a danger if someone is exposed to it by accident? As you well know we've had quite a few 'accidents' from inventions already. I don't care for a repeat!" Mayor Manx asked, a bit uncomfortable with the fact of a giant freezing machine being built that could endanger the city as so many others had.

We understand your concern. We don't know that for sure, but the radiation the laser beam generates is practically harmless. But we are still conducting some studies to determine all the possible dangers in its use." - Dr. Teazer tried to reassure his honor.

While she was speaking, Shard was moving closer to his goal. His first target had been Mayor Manx but he was too far in front for him to get close enough. Ms. Briggs, however, was observing everything from the edge of the crowd near a wall. He slipped closer and closer until as Dr. Teazer was answering the Mayor he grabbed Ms. Briggs, pulled her sharply to his chest and drew the knife out and to her throat in one swift move.

Everyone froze, a few kats gasped or screamed but no one moved as Shard pulled Ms. Briggs backward slowly until he felt the wall at his back. The guards had moved forward with weapons drawn but had stopped when Shard put the knife to the Deputy Mayor's throat. They lowered their weapons but stayed where they were.

"Okay, listen up! Nobody move or the Deputy Mayor gets a new smile." Shard shouted out. He moved his head closer to Briggs and whispered nastily. "Looks like I'll get to finish what I started some months ago. First, you then that fat Mayor and not even Feral or the SWAT Kats are gonna get you out of this!" He laughed sinisterly in her ear. Callie shuddered in fear.

Raising his head, Shard shouted, "Now, nice and slow, Mayor, come over here to my side. Don't make me wait too long." He snapped at Manx. Manx shook in terror. He wanted to flee as he had always done but couldn't allow Callie to be harmed because of him. Stiffening his jelly spine, he shakily moved slowly to Shard's side. Shard grinned to himself. Once the Mayor was in his paws, he'd kill Briggs and take Manx hostage and use him to get out of here then kill the Mayor. It was a perfect plan.