SEARCHING FOR HOME
Chapter 14: A Leap for Home
Morning came bright and sunny but Chance felt it might as well have been a dark, stormy day because he had a bad feeling things were going to heat up in the city either today or tomorrow. Last night when Felina left, he went down into the hangar and spoke with Cybertron.
He warned the little robot that he expected war to break out within the next twelve hours and wanted the jet loaded to its max with everything the robot thought they would need and be ready to help Chance during the battle keeping the jet in the air so it needed to insure it had plenty of repair parts aboard as well.
Cybertron assured the tom it would be ready for anything. Sighing in relief, Chance nodded his thanks and went to bed while the little robot carried out its orders and, when finished, recharged itself in preparation for battle.
Having prepared himself as best he could, this morning Chance dressed, ate a substantial breakfast even though he didn't feel hungry then went down to the garage to work on the few cars he had in the shop. He had turned on the illegal enforcer radio they had on a shelf above the work bench and kept a sharp ear out for any reports that would warn him the enemy was on the move.
Over at Enforcer Headquarters, Felina went to see Colonel Sharpclaws before going on duty. She gave the secretary a brief nod before walking past her desk for the commander's door. She knocked briskly and received permission to enter.
Colonel Sharpclaws looked up from his desk littered with reports and frowned at her questioningly as she stepped into the room, closed the door behind her and walked up to his desk.
"Sir, I wanted to speak with you a moment before I went on duty," she said without preamble.
The colonel leaned back in his chair and eyed her for a moment. "What's on your mind lieutenant?"
"Sir, I spoke with T-Bone yesterday. He voiced his concern that Dark Kat may well strike today or tomorrow. Dark Kat lost his opportunity when you took command so T-Bone feels strongly that the omega cannot risk losing too much more ground before launching his attack. He just wanted us to know, he feels a new wave of criminal activity will occur in advance of Dark Kat's arrival," she said briskly.
The colonel nodded his head and pointed at his desk, "those reports from last night, say you're both right. Hard core criminals are being recruited right out in the open for everyone to see. Subtleness has been thrown out the window obviously, for speed. Due to that information, I've already warned the squadron commanders to go to heightened alert, all choppers and jets are to be checked and loaded to the gills and all off duty personnel are being recalled. I've done it as quietly as I can so as not to tip off the criminals but even with all these preparations, I still have an uneasy feeling we're just not going to come out on top. We will be very lucky to be able to hold our own," he said heavily.
Felina grimaced in sympathy. "I know sir, T-Bone feels the same way but we can only do our best to save the city.....what choice do we have?"
"None! Let's just hope our best will be enough," Sharpclaws sighed. "Thanks for letting me know our 'backup support' is ready and alert too. We need all the help we can get right now."
Felina nodded. "You're welcome sir. I'll be going to my post now."
"Good luck, lieutenant and keep your wits about you," Sharpclaws said by way of dismissal.
"I'll do my best, sir and good luck to you." With that last comment, Felina about faced and left for the flight line.
Colonel Sharpclaws swiveled the chair around to stare out the window for a moment. It looked so peaceful and calm out there right now. What he wouldn't give to have the Commander return, perhaps with something to help them.......but that was just wishful thinking and unproductive. With a last look at the sunny day, he turned around and went back to work.
On Earth.......
While Megakat City prepared for battle, Feral and Razor paced around the compound, trying to relieve their tension as they waited for their afternoon departure. Dr. Runion had given them checkups and assured them they had recovered their strength very nicely despite it being only a few days since they arrived. She ensured they ate a good meal then let them be for the rest of the day.
They watched some TV and researched a little more about earth war tactics which were rather helpful. Now they had only another two hours to go before they were going home, but knowing that didn't help relieve their anxiety about the possibility of entering a war zone immediately or shortly after stepping through the portal. It would be nice to be wrong and that home would be just as quiet as Jeffrey had seen it to be but they were far too pessimistic to believe it.
Actually, Feral had been afraid the city had already gone up in flames while they were gone and had been greatly relieved to hear the it seemed fairly normal. As anxious as he was to go home, he truly wished it was with a chance to relax and recover from the long and difficult travel they'd endured.
Suddenly, he froze in mid step. Razor walking beside him went on a few steps more before he realized Feral had stopped abruptly. He turned and frowned back at the dark tom in concern.
"Kat's alive! We were so focused on getting home that we completely forgot about how we were going to be able to stay home!!!" Feral blurted, horror on his face.
Razor blinked at him behind his mask in shocked dismay. "Shit, you're right! We've got to speak to Jeffrey about this right now!" He said urgently, heading back to the building at a run with Feral keeping pace as they reached the door and hurried inside.
They found Dr. Runion passing through the common room when they burst in.
"My goodness! Is something wrong?" She asked quickly.
"We never asked Jeffrey how we were supposed to remain home once we got there. How do we keep the portal from snatching us away again?" Razor spit out anxiously.
Marion gaped at them for a moment in shocked dismay. "Oh dear, we didn't discuss that did we. We'd better go ask Jeffrey right away then. Follow me!" She said quickly, hurrying past them for the door they had just come through.
After reaching the outside, Marion hurriedly walked toward a cottage off to the right of the building. Stopping at the door, she knocked hard.
It took a few minutes but Jeffrey arrived looking a little sleep tossed, concern on his face. "What's wrong?"
"Jeffrey, no one addressed how Feral and Razor would be able to stay home once the portal sent them there. What's to keep it from sending them away again?" Marion said rapidly.
Jeffrey eyed them a moment calmly then gestured for them to enter his home. The living area was small but comfortable. Once they were inside, he gave them both a grave look which didn't make them feel very happy.
"We checked on that and the best we could determine is when the two of you go through the portal to its point of origin, the magic should collapse and be restored to normal. If it doesn't, then I suggest you find that mysterious pocket watch of your enemy and use it to close it. I wish I could give you a definite answer but I simply don't know enough about magic in general to help you. The portal is a mix of magic and psychic energies which is why we are able to do this much for you," Jeffrey explained quietly. Before either Feral or Razor could explode with anger at this news, he continued, "however, I can tell you, I feel this will be the end of your journey. That is the only assurance I can give you."
Razor and Feral gave a huff of expelled air, letting the anger drain away. Jeffrey's assurance made them feel a little better. Besides, what more could be done anyway.
"Alright, I guess that will have to be good enough. We appreciate what you've done for us just getting us home in the first place, Jeffrey. We'll just hope for the best after we get there, is all," Razor finally managed to say. Feral could only nod in agreement.
Jeffrey gave them an understanding smile. "Well, since I'm up and it's nearly time to gather together, you might as well rouse the rest of them Marion so we can eat and get ready. Has Bracker arrived with our order?"
"Oh, yes......about two hours ago, he left a rather large box for you and it's waiting in the common room," Marion responded.
"Good! Then I'll see you in just a little while," Jeffrey said escorting them to his door and seeing them out.
"I better go wake the others. You two can go wait in the common room while I collect them," she told the pair as she hurried off to the next cottage.
"Why don't we check out that box, eh?" Razor asked Feral as the two of them went back to the building.
"Good idea. We should be able to figure out most of them and save some time," Feral agreed.
"My thoughts exactly."
They hurried their steps and went in through the door, walking down the hall rapidly until they reached the common room. There by the main entry was a rather large wooden box. Feral used his considerable strength to open the slats on the top of the crate.
Peering inside, they saw a variety of lethal weapons nestled carefully inside, protected by packing straw. They began to unload the crate and examine each weapon.
By the time, Dr. Runion had a late lunch being prepared and nearly all the psychics were milling around the common room or helping her fix the food, the pair had figured out nearly 80% of the crate's contents.
Terry, the weapons expert, arrived and smiled at the pair as they handled some of the weapon's with obvious ease. "You're certainly familiar with most of what's been sent for you. Need any further explanations on any that you're already handling?"
"Perhaps one or two things......" Razor muttered as he pointed out a couple of weapons features that were unfamiliar.
Feral listened closely as Terry described and showed them what they needed to know then brought out the rest of the weapons they had been unfamiliar with. Some of the explosives were very similar to what they used but had far more destructive force behind it. A few of the small missiles were nastier than any Razor had designed and built. There were only two of them but he thought they might be just the thing to take out Dark Kat's fear ship, if he'd rebuilt it.
Both would carry a missile a piece and Terry gave the two heavy duty armory bags to load the rest of their weapons into. They looked kind of strange with green bags on each shoulder and a missile under one arm. Ready for anything now, the pair put their weapons down near the crate and went to join the rest for a meal.
Despite the danger the pair faced, the psychics tried to keep the conversation light and bantering during the meal. When finished, they took the dishes to the kitchen and left them. It was time to work now.
With Jeffrey leading the way, the group headed to their work room.
"You two stand in the center, lock your arms together so you can jump together and not risk being separated. I know you've never had to do that before but this time you are loaded down with lots of very explosive stuff. I just want you to get to your destination in one piece and with your weapons. Gina I think those bags should be tied together behind their backs and the missiles tied to their arms," Jeffrey said thoughtfully.
Razor had to hand it to the young human, he could kick himself for not thinking of that himself as he stood still as Gina and a couple of others helped him and Feral get their gear tied tightly to their bodies. It was uncomfortable but they wouldn't have to wear them too long.
Once they were ready, they stood side by side, one arm firmly linked with the other's arm, nervously ready for the return of the portal.
Jeffrey had his core group of psychics sit in a circle nearly against the walls while the rest of the psychics made a second circle directly behind each of the core ones with a hand touching so they would be able to help supplement the first circles energies when needed.
"Alright, time to get this show on the road. We're ready Marion!" Jeffrey called out to Dr. Runion who was monitoring all of them from the observation room. "Razor....Feral....we wish you a safe trip. It was a pleasure meeting you both. Now all you have to do is stay alert and be ready to leap when I shout at you. That will be in your heads, not aloud, so don't be surprised. Ready?"
Both Kats nodded but had some last words to say.
"Thank you again for doing this. It was a pleasure meeting you all too!" Razor said.
"I too sincerely appreciate your assistance when I needed it on arrival. Thank you and good luck to you all, especially you Alice," Feral said with a warm smile.
"You're very welcome, Commander. Remember what I told you about finding someone and being happy," Alice reminded him, grinning in return.
"I'll try." With that last comment, Feral nodded toward Jeffrey that they were ready to go.
"Time to concentrate.....this shouldn't take very long," Jeffrey told them then closed his eyes to begin dropping into a trance, his friends immediately following him. The music they had heard before began pouring out softly from the hidden speakers.
Razor could feel Feral's nervous tension through his arm and he had no doubt he was displaying the same tension. He added a fervent prayer this succeeded.
That tension mounted as the minutes past and the portal still didn't appear but the two never moved and they never doubted Jeffrey's word that the portal would be here.
Jeffrey found the swirling mess that was the entry point for the portal. He used all the energy everyone was pouring into him to snag the portal and pulled it toward him. It was like trying to tug a mack truck......it took a steady pulling to bring it to the reality that was Earth then hold it in place.
"Alright everyone, we can't let this go until they can get completely through it," he gritted out to his companions as he worked hard to hold the dimension the portal was presently displaying and struggling to keep it from changing the channel, as it were. It felt like trying to hold back a river which was, in truth, exactly what he was doing.
"We got you, bro!" Leo's voice floated into his mind.
His anchor chimed in, "don't worry, Jeffy....I've got a tight hold on you."
Various mind voices drifted to him as he felt the increase of power from the outer circle of psychics. Jeffrey's brain was already feeling the intense pressure. 'This is going to hurt like a bitch,' he thought but never once released his hold.
Both Kats inhaled sharply as the familiar and hated portal appeared. Near tears of relief filled their eyes as they saw something very familiar in the opening......something that had not been present every time they had jumped through it......the Turbokat flying toward them.
"Razor.....Feral.....now!" Jeffrey barked into the Kat's minds.
They nearly jumped out of their fur at the sudden shout in their heads. As if that were a prod, the two leaped forward into the portal. To their surprise, the normal disorienting barrage of colors and sound didn't happen, instead they appeared in midair some fifty feet above the waters of the bay. Hitting it at this rate of speed would be like landing on concrete....just as hard and just as deadly.
They clung to each other, eyes wide with horror as the water came rushing up but in the next second, something surrounded them, bringing their bodies to a very hard stop just ten feet above the water. Looking up they saw the Turbokat above them as they swung from a long cable.