Chapter 06
ESACC Virtual Flight Simulation Facility: 6:00 AM, Wednesday, September 11
Within the walls covered with white plaster, the simulation facility hums to life as technicians and computer programmers worked on each of the ten simulator pods that will be used for today's virtual flight session. About less than ten feet away, twenty he and she-kats, all rookies from ESACC were lined up in the same manner as the flight simulators. They kept their sights towards Lieutenant Chance Furlong in his Enforcer jetfighter jumpsuit. Striding left to right in front of them, Chance made sure that they were all in their best disciplined behavior, knowing that this will be their last virtual session before being given actual flight lessons. Grinning in his thoughts, Chance could almost understand the kind of anxiety coursing through their veins, causing their muscles to tense up and knowing the true acceleration they will feel being in a fighter jet at Mach Three as he allows the feeling to absorb deep within them. They all have been waiting for this day. While almost most of them were not able to sleep, it was the excitement that kept fueling their bodies with renewed vigor.
Standing behind Chance was their other flight instructor, Lieutenant Felina Feral. She, too, know how it feels to be up in the air for the first time.
Chance lifts his right wrist and checks his watch. It was now twenty minutes after six AM. Chance feels it was now a good time to begin.
"Before we begin, I would like to congratulate you all for enduring the last twelve weeks of hell." Chance smiles a bit as he waited for the others to react. It has been kind of hell, knowing that they are all here to become pilots not for fun, but something even greater than shooting down an enemy aircraft. "It's been long and hard, though I know some of you have died in a virtual sense," Chance eyes some of the guilty ones as they smirked, "but once you are out there in the sky, you will know that flying is something like driving. You are driving a ten-million-dollar car with wings, a turbine, and weapons that doesn't include a baseball bat in the trunk for protection!" Almost all the Enforcers laughed.
Chance cleared his throat and continued, knowing that a little humor would relax them a bit. "Today's final drill is to recognize yourself within a life-threatening situation that requires quick thinking and kat reflexes that we are all endowed with. We will conduct a series of flight simulations that puts you within an enemy zone where you will be facing five SAM sites and five anti-aircraft cannons. Your objective is to outmaneuver the incoming hostile fire without destroying any one of them. Simulation duration will be two hours."
Everyone's eyes were fixed towards Chance's instructions, eager to test their evasion skills in virtual combat.
"For now, I will be the first to demonstrate to you how it's done. Though the enemy computers will always control the SAM sites, it doesn't mean that the cannons will behave in a way without any kat reasoning. Lieutenant Feral here will be the one to control the cannons."
After that, Chance walks towards the simulator and jumps into it. Inside, a single red bulb was the only source of light inside the cockpit as Chance fastens the belts around his body. Inside, he begins reaching for the numerous switches and buttons on the control panel, flicking and pressing almost every one of them. The panoramic screen around him slowly lit up and displays a computer-generated airstrip as the sound of turbines roared to life.
"This is T-Bone, over." Chance calls from under his oxygen mask and receiver. The speakers inside his Enforcer helmet hissed with a voice coming in from the simulated flight tower.
"Roger that, lieutenant. We will now begin simulation. Your distance from the target will be at five-hundred kilometers."
Then Chance places his left paw over the speed throttle near his left thigh and shoves it forward. The inner working and hydraulics that held the simulator pod begins its work, making Chance believe that he was now actually taking off as the engines behind him screamed even louder. Within seconds, his virtual fighter jet took off from the runway. A virtual yellow circle in front of the cockpit indicated his waypoint on where he was supposed to go as he shifts the control stick a little to the left. Within seconds, a small island appeared in the distance.
"Are you ready, lieutenant?" Chance breathes over his mask.
Outside, Felina was sitting on one of the computers across the rows of simulator pods while the rookies gathered in front of the single holo-projector in front of the simulator pods. With her hand over the joystick, Felina felt like she was playing a video game and answers, "Roger that. Come and get through me if you can."
"That's gonna be easy, lieutenant." Chance smirked under his mask. With a rousing yell, he shoves the control stick for a slow nosedive and lets out a rousing yell. "Here I come!"
The TRS, or Threat Sensors, began flashing in front of his targeting array. The plane's onboard computer confirmed that Chance's plane was being locked on target by a nearby SAM site. Chance checks the targeting screen above the instruments console and confirmed two missiles headed his way, trying to catch him in a crossfire. The numbers indicating on each dot represents each missile and showing that Chance has a few seconds before impact. Chance sets his eyes through the canopy and spotted the two computer-generated missiles where one was under it. The collision alarm from the computer sped up as he pushes the control stick downwards and slightly to the right, executing a double roll barrel and easily eluded the two missiles. Everything spun around as he watches the missiles flying past him. Outside, the rookies watching the screen cheered for their lieutenant.
"Is that the best you got?" Chance laughs.
Felina grins as she saw the two missiles missing its mark. "I just gave you level one of my skills, lieutenant." Felina began tapping some commands on the computer to allow the anti-aircraft cannons on auto target when she felt something tapping over her left shoulder. She looks up over her left shoulder and stares towards the one who was interrupting her and noticed a grease-stained blue coverall near the rib area. Felina's eyes widened and her lips beamed as the unexpected visitor places a finger over his lips. Felina understood the gist as she spoke over the headset.
"This is it, lieutenant. Your greatest challenge yet."
Chance was now at the middle of the large virtual island as he grins, knowing he was right in the middle of the perimeter defenses and in danger of being shot down. In a few seconds, the computer screams again as Chance watches the TRS come to life. This time, it was a cluster of nine missiles headed his way in almost all directions in front of him. Thinking that Felina was not the type do anything this desperate, for once Chance humors her as he pulls the control stick back and the jet began to climb higher. He pushes the throttle up the very end though he knows that he will not be able to feel the force of acceleration. The digital speedometer began increasing in numbers as well as the altimeter. The hydraulics began to shake the pod, simulating that his plane was in danger of falling apart in very high altitude. Chance began praying for the plane to hold on for a few seconds. Now using his instincts, Chance pulls the stick one more time to bring the jet upside down and to a nosedive followed by a spin. The speedometer began to register that he was now flying at nearly mach two and the cockpit began to shake even harder.
"Just a little more, baby!" Chance breathes through his teeth. The computers began to wail, telling Chance that he's in danger of his engines stalling if he does not pull the control stick up. Chance realized that the collision alarm were already turned off a few seconds ago as checks the sensor array, thinking that the cluster of missiles were already off the mark as the dots were no longer visible. Just when Chance could release his breath as he pulls the stick to guide the plane in a straight path, the cockpit shook violently as Chance watches the barrage of bright dots shoots past and through him. Realizing that he was now being peppered by anti-aircraft fire, Chance curses himself for being tricked by taking a nosedive while still in the middle of the island. Deep in his mind, Chance knows that this is only a simulated flight, yet his instincts could never forget about the sense of survival as he grabbed the control stick with both hands as well as wondering how Felina became so good as a shooter. The system fail indicators began to fill his ears and his control stick became less responsive. Chance's eyes widened in horror as he watches one lone missile headed straight towards the canopy. The pod shook violently as the screens faded to black. A large sign scrolling from the right said 'Mission Failed'.
That was good, Felina, Chance thought while removing the mask off his face.
After a moment of silence, Chance stretched his left paw over for the large red button near his right shoulder and shoving it hard with his palm. The pod canopy hisses with air pressure and slides open, Chance emerges out while removing the helmet off his head. Though Chance failed to demonstrate evasive maneuvers, his ears still filled with the cheers of his squad trainees shouting out his call sign repeatedly. Pulling himself outside, he began to scan the area for Felina and spots her standing next to the pod he was using.
"Where did you learn that strategy, lieutenant?" Chance asks as he smiles a bit.
"Not me, lieutenant." Felina answers as she points towards the direction where the computer she was using a few minutes ago stood. Chance shifts his sights towards that computer and slowly his eyes began to open widely, spotting a familiar faded blue coverall sitting behind the computer. For Chance Furlong, he could have shed tears of joy as he jumps out of the pod and approaches the kat who was responsible for blowing him out of the computer-generated sky. It might have been time and fate that allowed Chance to see his former partner as he approached him. Jake continues to stare blankly at the computer screen, his hands still gripping at the joystick.
"Jake?" Chance called as he approached the computers.
Jake still kept silent in the seat as if he was trying to ignore his friend's voice. Everyone in the building could only whisper to each other, wondering if this was the same kat who used to save the city with their lieutenant.
"How you doing, pal?" Chance spoke though his voice sounds sullen.
Jake nodded somewhat at Chance but his eyes still refuses to stare squarely at Chance. "Just doing fine. You?"
"In the middle of training cadets, as you can see." Chance looks over his shoulder towards the rookies.
The two friends fell silent for almost five minutes as Felina observes them. Wondering if the tension brewing between Chance and Jake were the result of her own cautious nature or simply that there are issues needed to be discussed between the two, Felina broke the silence as she approached Chance at his left side and whispered in his ear.
"Chance, why don't you two take Jake in your office. I'll take over for now."
Chance shifts his eyes towards Felina as he nods briefly. Then he turns to Jake. "Why don't we talk in my office? We have a lot of catching up to do. What do you say, bud?"
Chance stretches out his hand to Jake as he waits for a response. Jake stares at the hand first, then to the rather friendly look painting over Chance's face. Without taking the hand, Jake stood up from the chair and left the area ahead of Chance.
"Wait up, buddy!" Chance calls from behind as he runs to Jake's side. Along the way, a couple of Enforcers salutes Chance as he passes through the corridors leading to the elevators. They boarded one of the empty elevators as the Enforcer guarding near the doors salutes him. The doors slid shut as Chance pressed the button leading to the fifth floor. They stood inside the elevator in silence while Chance kept stealing glances from Jake several times, trying to read Jake's mind of the purpose of his sudden visit. Maybe Jake decides to join him, he thought. Though knowing his old-time partner, there must be a much deeper meaning hidden here; something that neither thoughts nor speculation alone could unravel a complicated mind like Razor, the call sign that Jake used to call himself.
The pull of gravity under them slowly disappears as the electronic bell chimed inside, signaling that they have reached the fifth floor. The doors slid open as the two kats exited the elevator. They walked through a short corridor leading to a window-paned door with Chance's name written over it. Chance's secretary stands up as she watched his superior and a visitor entering the office.
"Welcome back, lieutenant." The secretary greets.
"Thank you, Miss Coleridge. Could you bring in two cartons of milk for me and my visitor?"
Coleridge nodded as Chance opens the door to his office and the two kats entered. Inside, Jake inspects the area as well as pulling the end of the curtain where the view of inside the hangar is seen from below.
"It gets noisy here whenever the engineers conduct engine tests that I have to put the TV volume so high that I've been missing several phone calls from…"
Jake raises his open hand to Chance to cut him off. "I'll cut to the chase, Chance. Though I'm no longer part of anything involved with the Enforcers or the government or anything else, the only thing that they could do for me in return is not to bother me."
Chance stood stiffly as he heard Jake's statement. "What do you mean, buddy?"
"A few words:" Jake raises his index finger at Chance. "Turbine Prototype 'XOTS-5000'."
"The what?" Chance shot a bewildered look at Jake.
Whether Jake should believe on Chance's ignorance or not, he shook his head and exhales. "When that Testing Facility in Puma-Dune got burned to the ground and sent their junk to me, I found an exact replica of the experimental prototype I was working on over a year ago. I dismantled it and guess what, it was an actual working prototype, not some cheap plastic hobby kit in some toyshop! How in the world did they get their hands on my design?"
Chance watched Jake as he breathes hard through his mouth, never in Chance's life that he found Jake so agitated regarding about a possible stolen design. A knock came to the door as the secretary's voice came through, telling Chance that she has brought refreshments.
"Not now, Miss Coleridge!" Chance yelled at the door from behind his desk. Then he shifts his sights to Jake. "Listen, Jake, I don't know how those people in Puma-Dyne got your designs and all that. Maybe it was a coincidence or something…"
Jake raised his hand to silence Chance. "Don't throw that coincidence crap on me, Chance! You know well as I that that engine and every little nut and bolt that's keeping it in one piece is to be used for the Turbo Kat!"
Upon seeing Jake burning with rage, Chance slowly slumps back on his chair and fell silent. Chance knew that it was risky and Jake will find out one of these days. Forced to choose upon his duty and friendship, he stood up from his chair and approached Jake. He decides to give him an answer.
"It's not my idea in the first place, Jake. I warned them that taking your design was a bad idea. You know the kind of bureaucrats at Puma-Dyne and Callie's office. They've been holding their breath on this upcoming project and we just need something to make it successful."
As if one part of Jake's life died the moment he hears Chance's explanation, his breathing felt shallow. But his right arm shook almost uncontrollably to the core. Without waiting for Chance to explain even further, Jake's left paw grabbed the lapel of Chance's jumpsuit and throws his right fist clear against Chance's lower jaw. The force of impact caused Chance to be flown almost off his feet as he crashes onto his desk; his arms swept clear across the desk and knocking off items to the floor. Chance thought he must have had that coming to him, no doubt as he turns his sights at Jake exhausted in anger.
"You stay the hell away from me or the scrap yard." Jake breathes through his snarling teeth.
It was Chance's turn to flare up as he grabs Jake by the lapels of his coveralls with both paws and almost lifting Jake off his feet.
"Listen to yourself!" Chance shouts right in front of Jake's face. "If I had things my way, I won't even have you on the list! I would never order any enforcer or allow any of those dirt bags from the MBI to even touch you so don't pin this one on me!"
Chance continued, this time releasing his left paw off Jake's coverall lapel. "Three years ago, you and I agreed to keep the city out of danger that's why I helped you made the Turbo Kat! I know that being vigilantes are going to put us in trouble, but hell yeah it was worth it! Ever since we failed to save Manx and we agreed to use lethal force. Somehow we managed to turn the tides of the war on our heads and when you decide to end it all by dismantling the Torbo Kat, you're about to screw me up from being a pilot. You owe me this one, Jake. You know that."
Jake glowers at Chance as he swings his arms over Chance's to release him from the grip. After landing to the ground, Jake picks up his cap that was lying on the floor and turns to face the door.
"You're right, Chance." Jake breathes out, trying to maintain his cool. "but know this, the Turbo Kat was MY design and every bit of gadgets that we used came from my hands. I had a childish dream because I wasn't able to live up my dream to become an ace pilot. Heck, maybe I couldn't make the cut anyway!" Jake turns to face Chance at the corner of his eyes as the pupils narrowed. His left paw was now holding on the doorknob. "But the SWAT Kats is originally MY operation. Don't you ever DARE tell me that my inventions were going to give kat-kind a sense of hope and all that. You destroyed my trust, Chance. Don't expect me to give it back to you even if you wait for your entire nine lives."
Without waiting for Chance to explain himself, Jake opens the door and slams it shut behind him. Chance could only watch him as he stares through the door as he wallows into his guilt, now totally far worse than having to have argued with Jake when he decided to dismantle the Turbo Kat over a year ago. Deep in his mind, he has to get the message through Jake's thick skull. Barging out of the office to try to catch up on Jake, his feet froze the moment a female voice calls upon him. Chance turns around, finding Felina drinking the extra carton of milk that Chance's secretary have brought with her a few minutes ago.
"What happened, Chance?" Felina asked as she drank. "I just saw Jake stormed out of the office the moment I thought I heard him throw a right hook hard across your jaw."
Chance rubbed his jaw as he stared hard at Felina. "This is none of your business, Felina. This is between me and Jake here."
Felina scoffs as she shook her head. "You mean to say that this is between T-Bone and Razor?"
Chance stiffens somewhat. "It's nothing like that, Felina. It's exactly not my idea of a warm reunion." Then Chance changed the subject. "You know how important this project is to the Enforcers and to the whole of MegaKat City."
"I'm aware of that." Felina nods, yet something kept holding her back. "Yet, the last thing this project needs is for someone to spill his guts just for the sake of saving a friendship. You know that this is a top secret project that we're conducting. This is way above our heads, not even to Commander Feral or the mayor."
Chance looks at the long hallway and watches the lights above the elevator door lit up, showing that the elevator was descending to the first floor.
"You better straighten your priorities, Chance." Felina reminded as her eyes began to tremble with worry.
